001Hello everybody. Welcome to the Tuesday, February 3rd business meeting of the Haldane Board of Education. Uh I am calling the meeting to order. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> President Clemens here. Vice President Valentine here. Trusty McNall. >> Trusty Clemenson >> here. >> Trusty Copper here. Student member Sanders >> here. >> Right. I believe that we are about ready to approve the agenda as it is currently written. So, may we have the recommended action, please? Be it resolved that upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education hereby approves the agenda as written. >> May we have a motion, please? >> Some
002moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> All right. Some sounds that are unusual. Um, >> so the Hane Central the Hane Board of Education was going to hold a workshop meeting. Uh our next meeting will be Tuesday, February 24th, which is actually three weeks from now. And that's so to account for the winter break. Um uh and it'll be here in the middle school high school library. Um and it's going to be a presentation, right? We're in budget season. And so it'll be the elementary two things, the budget presentation and a discussion about the budget as well as um the elementary visit summary and detail report. So, it's our annual presentation by Mrs. Jim about um what's happening at the elementary school and the school's goals and um
003all the great things that are happening there. Um the other thing I want to say is that um there are now um available in the district clerk's office um trustee candidate position. So for anybody who wants to run for the school board, right, every year, Helane elects one or two school board members depending how many terms um are up in that particular year. Um this year there will be one term that's up. Um and those petitions are available in the district office and are um I guess due no later than 3:00 on April 20th. So people have lots of time to get the petitions, reach out to board members, ask about board service. Um, there resources available. I think that Miss Shields has anybody who wants to run for the board. Um, there's a a
004variety of different resources available to help you learn about what it what core service involves. Um, and uh, how to make a decision about whether you want to run or not. So, um, and then the only other thing that I think um, I want to say is that um, uh, it's great to see so many people here. We've had more people at our meetings this year than we've had in a while, and the board really appreciates everybody taking the time uh to come to our meetings. So, that's that's what I have. >> Okay. So, we certainly seen our fair share of snow so far this winter. I'd like to say that we're done, but we might have a little bit more of snow. So, I just want to take a moment to thank our school
005community, and we have some students in the audience. So, I'll start with all of you, our students, our staff, our administrators, and our parents as we've navigated our first day of remote learning. um we had three snow days built into our calendar and we've unfortunately or fortunately used all three. So now if we do have to call a snow day, it'll be more of a remote day. Um I think the administrators really did a beautiful job working with the teachers of just identifying what could a remote day look like. We're not going back to COVID certainly and the hope is we only have to have a handful of remote days throughout each school year, but we did have our first one and um my perception is that it went pretty well. I asked students, Max,
006maybe you could speak a little bit about that when it's your turn as well. But talking with a couple of parents and staff and administrators, all things considered, have the first day. So hopefully we won't have to use it again, but it is only February 3rd, so we'll see. Um, but thank you for everyone just for your efforts there. We are continuing our budget discussion tonight. We'll be talking about our goals and priorities and the allowable tax levy. So looking forward to diving into that. And um every really meeting between now and the end of April or so, we'll be talking about the budget. So I do encourage the community to come out, especially if you have questions or you want to hear more about the budget process. I had the chance to attend the
007varsity girls basketball game tonight. And I think we might have fallen short maybe by three, but it was an amazing just um again example of our school community coming together. We also celebrated our seniors. So we had four senior girls tonight. Um, so I really enjoying their one of their last games and then our last um our boys varsity senior game is next Wednesday night I believe. So always a great turnout. Um, and it's tonight. So anyway, it's all good. They play their hearts out. Um, I also attended the Cold Spring Village meeting last week and that was my first time attending a board meeting other than our board meeting here in Cold Spring. So it was great to see uh the mayor and the board there and we talked a little bit. I presented
008to the board a summary of what we presented here to our community with our traffic pilot. So, we're getting some really good feedback from our village partners on what we have to consider before we start to do that in April. So, we have another planning meeting scheduled with our partners just to get a sense of what else do we have to be thinking about and then we'll be communicating that out to the public newsletter. We're doing a video on it and lots of different things. So, more to come on that that won't be till April, but it was nice to get in front of the village board and Peggy and Megan came as well. So, thank you both for that. Um, on my last piece is next PTA meeting on February 10th. I'll be joining
009some of our administrators and we'll be talking with the parents just about the Halloween essentials, kind of defining that for our parents and helping parents understand how they can support their children at home with the different skills. So, looking forward to having that discussion next week with the PTA and it's February already. I don't know where the year is going, but that's my report for now. >> All right. And Max, >> so to expand on our first virtual day this school year, I talked to probably like 10 or 15 students in the high school and the majority actually enjoyed it and they like the idea of being able to just check in for a couple minutes, take attendance, ask questions about the assignment that was posted for each class, and then just go off and
010be able to do that assignment. And I per from personal experience, I liked how it was kind of structured, but also like I could go outside if I wanted to or I could hang out with a friend or something in between like if I had like a priv a senior priv or something. So I so there was a lot of good feedback on that. And um sorry the Haldane model UN has their second trip and they're going to Bronxville on February 7th for a day trip and nine delegates are representing Haldane and then obviously our girls varsity basketball senior night was tonight celebrating their four seniors Ellie Mahoney Marissa Peters, Kayla Roiro and Miley Pino Ryder. And then the annual Howain Youth Court ceremony is tomorrow and it's this is their fourth anniversary and they're
011welcoming new traineees. And then lastly, gearing up for Valentine's Day. I know Environmental Club is doing I don't know exactly this like what they're doing, but I know they're like making Valentine's cards and then the Halloween choir is sending Valentine Grams for students around. Well, that should be fun. >> Yeah. >> So, that's all I have. >> I would pay for the pal choir to sing to my Valentine. >> Thank you, Max. Um, all right. So, um, we are now moving on to, um, our budget presentations from Dr. Duffy and Katherine, our business administrator, chairs at the end. That's basis. Whatever is easiest for you. >> So the overnight one was >> Yeah, that was to you. >> Oh, I can leave it. It's fine. It's fine. >> All right. Sorry. No worries. So, this
012is our second discussion. We're kind of still in the what I would say the introductory phase of the budget process, but we're going to be talking tonight about our goals, our priorities, and the allowable tax levy. And so, always important to start with our goals. And some of these probably have not changed from over the past couple of years, but good to just kind of say them out loud again. So, our first goal is always to stay within the allowable tax levy and that requires some creative conversations at times, but something that we're committed to doing. Um, always to be uh continue to be aligned with our Helane core mission beliefs and Helane essentials. Um, having and maintaining a safe, efficient fleet of vehicles for students transportation, prioritizing operational efficiencies and long-term planning. And so
013I'll just highlight the long-term planning piece for a moment. Um, we need to continue to talk about long-term improvement. It is critical when we're looking at our current budget, when we're looking at what's in our capital project, and then we're looking at some of the items that have come up, including I know we have our our tennis team here tonight. So, a good example is the tennis courts and how are we going to plan for that. So, I'm committed to making sure that we have long-term plans in place for all of our needs, but that's definitely a a budget goal for us. And then as always having transparent and open communication with the community as comprehensive as we can be about how the budget is developed, how things make it, how things don't make it,
014and again how we're planning for those long-term discussions. Um, always nice to take a moment for the board and for the community at large. There's a lot that goes into each bud budget that really promotes and supports our students, the learning experience, the social emotional experiences. And so we just wanted to take a moment to highlight from recent budget years the many wonderful gifts that we have given our students things like science of reading. So uh Miss Jamon will talk a bit more about during her report um next board meeting but the work that our teachers are doing within science of reading and the benchmark and you fly programs. So that's just some examples of students already engaging with the materials this year. Our fantastic prek program. I really wish you all could go into
015the classroom. I can't have you all go in, but it's such a gift to um visit and just see our youngest learners who from their first day of school really had no idea where they were walking. Now they're walking down the hallway. They're like, "Dr. Duffy, I know where I'm going. I walk right past me." I mean, it's just amazing to see in just a small couple of months the growth and they bring so much joy for four year olds to our district. So, we're thrilled to have them. Stage improvements. Um we had um a budget allocation last year to provide additional funding for our lights, I believe. um special education out of district programs, the Educ MTSS software. If you recall, this is something that Mr. Elders talked about a little bit. That's an
016online platform that is helping us bring together all of our data on students when we're talking about their needs and programs they might need. It's like a one-stop shopping for all things data. So, we're behind the scenes right now building up that platform and hoping to be able to use that with our teachers moving forward to really identify our student needs and plan for those needs accordingly. Arts and education, we have a very robust program. So, these are just some of the pictures from arts and ed and also our sixth grade exploratory language and elementary world language program. So, all of these items have been supported in this current budget but also a couple past years as well. So just great to take a moment when we're thinking about our budget. It's really about kids,
017right? Everything we do should be focused on kids in some capacity. And so I will always try my best to make sure that we are focused on what our kids need and then plan accordingly. Uh field trips, can't forget our field trips. Transportation audit, we spoke about the beginning of January. Um we did a huge project last year in air conditioning and continuing to make sure that all of our classrooms have that. And then recent upgrades to our different types of fields. I think that might be the last slide there. Okay. So, moving on from goals now to priorities. So, goals to me is like the overarching focus of the budget, but priorities is how are we going to get there? How are we going to meet those goals? So, transportation is one and these
018are in no particular order of importance. But as we think through the transportation audit that we heard, where can we lean into the recommendations that make sense to follow for Helane, making sure that we're still fiscally responsible as we're identifying some of those needs and making sure that we have buses that can be serviced and are safe for our students to transport them from home to school. Long-term planning I spoke a little bit about, but I'll also just add here when I think of our student experience, right? So when I think of being a new superintendent, I want to bring the care that I have for our students and the care that I have for our learning community from what we're focused on to also where does that land in the budget. It's important that
019we're focusing in on long-term planning. How can we do proactive multiple years? So we're thinking about 26 27 but where can we plan for the next couple years out for arts for athletics for transportation and always for safety trying to pri prioritize secure environments as we go. So those are two of our budget priorities zero mission uh mission buses there is a mandate from the state that we have to follow. So we are kind of working behind the scenes to see where we can uh meet that mandate and also be responsible and communicate out to the community as we go. And so we're working on grant funding right now to identify where we can get support from the state. Um and also how do we transition? And that is like a good example of long-term
020planning for the next couple of years. Steam is something we're super excited about. As you know, it's a big part of our capital project. We can't wait to break ground on our new space. So we're planning behind the scenes with our steam curriculum. And we are re-imagining and reallocating looking at our science department. what are the classes that our science teachers are teaching? Looking at um um upcoming retirement, how can we switch perhaps the focus of that particular teacher into more steamike classes. So, we're really trying to be responsible and using the resources that we have with steam and then staffing. Always trying to leverage retirements to identify where do we need to have staff and how can we continue to enhance our curriculum as we go. >> All right. Yes, I got the easier
021part of the presentation, but Pat will take it away. >> Okay, so most of our state aid comes in the form of our foundation aid. Um, last year there were some small modifications made to the foundation aid formula. Um, advocates for school financing wish that more changes were made to the formula because it doesn't always take into account current requirements from the state, current curriculum needs, things like that. But the governor's proposal this year did not include any changes to the current foundation aid formula. The only thing that the changes last year did was it put more districts on the um, save harmless clause. twothirds of districts in New York State right now are operating under safe harmless which guarantees a minimum 1% increase to the foundation aid. Um how is now considered a safe
022harmless district. So with that we are going projected to receive the 1% increase or $29,540 increase in our foundation aid. The next biggest piece of our um state aid is our expense-based aid and that is financial assistance that's giving back given back to school districts based on the expenditures from the prior school year. Um this year for how our aid is projected to have a total increase of just over $5,000. Our building aid is going up as is our excess cost aid, but our transportation aid and our Bosey's aid both are showing declines this year. Universal prek, as you know, as um Dr. Duffy talked about, we love having our univer our little four-year-olds here. Um the executive budget is changing the funding or is proposing a change to the funding for universal prek. We
023currently receive an allocation of $5,400 per student. Under the governor's proposal, that would increase to $10,000 per student. Um, using that number with our current 18 students, that would be a projected increase of state aid of $82,800. Um it is important to note as the next couple years go on and we talk about long range planning um universal prek is going to become mandatory in with the governor's proposal again in the 2829 school year where the district will be required to provide prek to anybody who applies for it. That doesn't mean it has to be housed in housing. It can be at one of our community partners. As you know, as you'll remember, we had some trouble getting support in the community at $5,400 a student, but perhaps with the increase to $10,000 per student.
024Um, we would get some community- based partners who might be interested in hosting a student or two. But we do need to keep that in mind that we have a couple years, but we would be need to be um ready to house any student that applies for our program. And then the property tax cap. Um the property tax cap, what we're talking about tonight is the allowable tax levy. It's a pretty involved calculation that we do every year that starts with your tax levy from the previous year and then you do um there's a bunch of additions and subtractions to it. Uh the key factors are your taxbased growth factor and that is how the state values the properties of new construction or improvements or new new property added to the school district. But the
025biggest factor is uh capital expenditure exclusions. Um, we are going to see a increase in our allowable property tax levy due to the impact of the capital project that everyone um voted on last year. Um, right now with the calculations coming in, our allowable property tax levy for next next year is 5.53%. Um, that is the highest allowable tax levy a district could propose to the voters. that would still need a simple majority to pass and that is where we would stay within. Um that would be a potential tax levy increase of just about $1.3 million. Uh it's important to note that the majority of that in well significant portions of that increase would be for principal and interest payments with the borrowing that we're going to do later this year. Um, we are anticipating
026a June bond of $19 million to fund the next year's construction. >> Um, and then just a reminder that last year the district did pass a budget that was based on a 2.8% tax levy. Um, we went below the allowable of 3.38 just, you know, as a thank you to the district for um, supporting our capital proposition. But what we uh will need to discuss over the next few weeks is where we will be within the property tax cap knowing that we can levy up to 5.53%. And then next steps I am currently working on my rollover budget. What that is is I take uh this year's budget and I create a preliminary preliminary budget based on expenditures that I know of, major cost factors, salaries including um mandatory salary increases, mandatory health benefit costs,
027uh facilities and transportation, special ed increases, things you things that I know of. Um then we try to smooth it out and come up with a kind of an idea of where we could where we would be if I just took into account everything that's mandatory for next year that we have to have to pay. I have been meeting with the administrative team on a regular basis talking about their wish lists, what they need, what they'd like, what works, what doesn't. You know, is there adjustments that can be made in their own budgets? And that is where we will come up with what we would like to add to the budget if there is money available at, you know, once we come up with all of our revenue figures. And then I'm continuing to monitor
028state budget developments. We will continue to get updates. We right now only have the governor's proposal. It will still have to go to um the Senate and the House and we will see where those numbers actually come out. They usually come in somewhere close. So, I'll use them as a very good starting point. But that's where we are with the budget right now is just getting some revenue projections, some expense projections, and see how close we are to a balanced budget. And as always, we end our presentations just showing the timeline. We'll have a lot more information in three weeks of the budget discussion and then we'll continue on with it hopefully presenting a recommended budget on March 3rd. And then did we do a question slide? I mean, we don't get to ask questions.
029>> Just can't show you. >> I just wanted to throw another question out there. I emailed you guys earlier. Um, and again, I know we're still working on it, but just just for the for the conception of um last year's um, you know, allowable tax levy limit and the budget vote, right? So, in voters minds, there was two different numbers that we were thinking about for this year, which is whatever the regular tax increase is. Um and then the what was it 2.6% for the next three years for the capital project. So is that included in that 5.53? >> Yes, that would be yes that would be the total. Um I'm working on some numbers to say what would it be without the capital project um and what it is with the capital project. A
030reminder that those were estimates that we did and we did do everything with our capital adviserss with the referendum that things would be spread over three years. Um the timeline has shrunk a bit. Um we could have borrowed this year, but we would have been sitting on a lot of money in the bank, paying interest on a lot of money in the bank that we didn't have to expend yet. And so we did hold off on doing our first borrowing. We borrowed a little bit for some soft costs, $500,000 um earlier this year. But the way the timeline of construction is not crossing three school fiscal years anymore, it is is going to have a slightly higher impact in the next two years because we're spreading it over two years as opposed to three. >>
031And I would imagine that would be something we want to communicate quite a bit to the community >> since I think originally well was it was over three years. So >> yeah, and I think that's going to be the tricky piece, right? Because when we're talking to the all of this is new to all of us or at least new to me. I'll speak on my own path because I did a lot of the talking in the meetings, right? Like I really understood it as this and you know 2.3 I feel like we were talking a lot about like 2.33% I can't actually remember the number that we talked about and talking about it being in addition to the regular >> tax levy and so really it is it's our responsibility to really think of
032creative and clear ways to communicate that this money it entails bo both numbers. Um and if it is higher than that if the portion responsible for the capital project is higher than what we were talking about it, you know, we were very always clear that was estimates that we let people know. Well, it's it's also it's now compressed into a shorter timeline. It's um it'll Yeah. And and luckily we have really great partners, you know, with the school foundation and the PTA and, you know, the arts alliance and the booster club, you know, to um I don't know if I named all four, but anyway, but lots of great partners to help us communicate this because it's it's it's a it's it's it's tricky, you know, not not the numbers themselves aren't tricky, but if
033people aren't paying close attention, help helping them understand that in a way that they're entitled to understand it is is is you know something that's important to us. >> And I think that I I believe people thought they were voting for the tax increase when they voted on the capital proposition and that was just voting on the fact that we're allowed to >> right fund, you know, to do the capital project. The tax levy doesn't, you know, that that increase doesn't happen until you're actually borrowing the money. And I think that that um >> I think some people probably likely understood that and some people probably are going to be a little surprised that that did not pass the tax levy increase. You know, you have to go back. You voted for the project. Now
034you have to vote to fund the project. >> Catherine, >> that is that you know, I don't think I understood. No, honestly, to be honest, I'm not sure I understood that. tip. But Katherine, to your point, you did purposely did not go out and take money because you would have money that would you would be charged interest for that you were not spending, >> right? >> So the purpose was why would I take out millions of dollars and get charged >> get charged fees? >> So I mean that's >> it's right. It's fiscally >> I got you >> conservative, right? >> I almost see in my head as we're talking like FAQs forming as we're getting closer to the budget once it's develop some of these questions and answers so that it's reminding the community
035what was agreed on last year the impact some of the things we paused on knowing this. So I think it you know maybe it's not an FAQ but some type of document being created to really try to explain this. Yeah. >> So it's as clear as it can be. >> Yeah. And I think having it, you know, broken out to a degree, right? It's that this is for the capital project, right? Here's rollover budget, whatever. >> But at some point having some slide or some understanding that this is >> why this is whatever. >> Yeah. >> Just a reminder question about the buses. Um, any new vehicles purchased in calendar year 2027 have to be ebuses. Is that >> any new vehicles purchased after July 1st, 2027? So in the 2072 28 fiscal year and
036are we projected to >> at that point >> thank you >> and if it helps quickly with the buses. So we are one of the recommendations from the transportation strong I'm sorry to you the recommendations from the transportation study was to see >> could we possibly can condense a route. So, we're in the process of kind of playing around with could we condense her out based upon current writership >> and could we condense her out based upon every student attended on that bus. So, we're also looking at numbers on the bus, but then how long a student will be on the bus. And so, I can't guarantee that we can condense her out, but that's one of the things that we're doing. Um, so as we're trying to map out buses, we're looking at what
037we need for 26 27. That would be >> correct. Thank you. It's all sticking here, which is good. But then moving forward from there, what might we need? And we would look at maybe it's not purchasing as an ebus option a 65 passenger, maybe it's a 30 passenger or even smaller depending upon. So the some of the people we're talking to, we're trying to price all of that out just so we're planning accordingly. >> Is this all inclusive of any vehicle? For instance, uh if we're replacing say a minivan that's used to have district replacements, does that also need to be electric? >> That's the same calendar, right? So just because of 27 we won't necessarily need a bus or we will likely definitely need to replace those other vehicles >> and as we get
038closer has there been any commitment from it was it naerta that Carl Alabama was in touch with >> regarding grants so the federal grants were kind of out of pause for various reasons so now we've moved to looking at state grant opportunities >> okay >> it's kind it's a it's a moving um opportunity to plan along Um this is a great example of long-term planning, right? We're doing the best we can based upon the information we have, but um we don't see this mandate um going away. So, we're going to plan accordingly and be responsible and communicate as we go. >> Have uh and waivers have already been talked about. >> So, waiverss is an option. So, this these are all great questions. So, the state does provide a waiver that you could get up
039to two years to kind of plan. Um we don't technically qualify for that yet. So, one of the pieces of the waiver, there was like 10 questions or so we had to answer and it's based upon you get a point up to three points. Um, there's an electrification study that districts have to do. How dane did um and I'm always say this now I'm gonna say it right tonight. Um, Highland Electric >> not Central Hudson combin Hudson speak we have to have a little humor. they came and uh did a quick study in Halloween last year to take a look at a piece of what we need but it's not the full study that we right and so we didn't realize that also so as the as the mandate is unfolding we're kind of becoming
040smarter as we go so we do have to do this study um and then we can apply for the weight but we need to do the study first >> yeah and the top of the mountain is the longest bus loop that's the long so >> and how how long is that Run, >> how long is that? >> I'm not put on your spot. So, >> I'm not even going to try to make it up. I'm going let you know. Great question. >> I'll text it there. >> Yeah. Yeah. Curious off hand, too. So, we're trying to plan behind the scenes for it knowing that it's it's um we have community members that are supportive of it. We know that we have a mandate we have to follow and we have to build a budget around
041everything. And so now that we're down to two years instead of three years to spread out the capital project increase, it'll be something more like a 3 point something percent over two years, right? So and that'll be a good way to explain it, I think, to the public is that that number is obviously bigger and then that'll mean that the the tax levy or the c tax cap itself will be where it normally falls somewhere in like a 2.6 to 2. >> That's how it's looking right now. Is that five? And you know interest rates have changed a lot since the original um numbers that were done by our fiscal adviserss. I work with them right now. I mean even for the borrowing that I am putting into the allowable for this year. It's based
042on some assumptions of interest rates and you know they usually do a you know a 50 basis point adjustment to hope you know a plus or minus 50 basis points. Um but so yeah, we're coming up with some best absolutely best professional estimates that we can come up with um for all of those numbers, you know, using because it's also a couple years later when interest rates have changed a bit. So, and it's exciting that the capital project is looking like that it's projected to only be across two fiscal years instead of three. A little tighter with the numbers, but planning wise, that's great. you know, and if we don't need to borrow 19 million in June, if you need to borrow 10 and then you do, you know, six million in April and you
043know, I mean, you can spread it out that way as well based on needs or, you know, interest rates and things like that. So, there's still a lot to come, but we have to base it on the information that we know as of today. >> Any questions, Max? >> Um, not yet. I'm still thinking Thank you. >> Thank you. First class >> actually. So can I ask a followup question if the Sure. >> So you had your your budget development priorities. So transportation, long-term planning, new emission buses, steam and staffing. But one of the things that has been talked about recently in these meetings is some some closer term, right? So the long-term planning is invest in the holistic student experience through proactive multi-year planning for the arts, athletics, transportation, and safety. prioritizing secure environments
044and diverse enrichment opportunities. So, long-term planning, but we've heard from folks and we've had conversations about shorter term needs for things like athletic facilities. Um, do you want to say anything about how you were considering those? >> Sure, we can appreciate that the easier. >> Yeah, I think you can. >> Okay. So, I guess I'm considering that long-term planning even though short term and so good for our tennis group to be here and Katherine certainly uh pop in as I'm talking as well. So, we are trying to think through we know that we have the capital project that's been approved and then we also know there's other needs that have come up like our tennis courts, right? We've heard from a lot of you about that. We've heard about field blades. There's probably some pieces
045with arts and athletics that we haven't heard yet that other community members are thinking about that we should be considering. So when I think of long-term planning and short-term planning, trying to think through our use of capital reserves and what we have in play, what we could maybe pull from the capital reserves, let's say to support the tennis court. So um we have an estimate for the tennis courts and we're kind of working through creatively what we could pull from the capital reserve >> to help fund and then we also know that there's a grant opportunity for tennis courts as well. So we are hoping to be able to share that a bit more publicly probably next board meeting. Um, >> is there anything else you want to add to that, Katherine, that I'm missing?
046>> Just the the reminder that if we do want to pull from the capital reserves for the tennis courts, it would require voter authorization. It would be tax neutral, but it would require um voter authorization on the May ballot. >> That's like what we do with the turf, right? >> Correct. Similar to the turf. Yeah. Right. Yeah. Right. And so yeah, because I uh that they're um you know that we have heard you mentioned the tennis courts and lights and and like you said there may well be other things out there that >> different um >> groups in the community feel as being really pressing but and but those to the extent that you are hearing them either through board meetings or through your conversations with administrators that there a number of things are actively
047being discussed. as you said will be part of the presentation on the 24th. Yeah. Thanks. >> Absolutely. >> I appreciate that. >> All right. Um so we are now at the first opportunity for communication from the public. Um so the Hane Board of Education desires and values input from the entire school community. This first public session is reserved for comments on any special presentations like the one we just had or active agenda items. For those who wish to address the board, we'd ask you to state your name for the record and then before you leave tonight, give us your name and how to reach out to you. Um we'd ask you to keep your remarks to three minutes or less and to avoid disparaging remarks um about district personnel. Um, and although the board does
048not engage in dialogue during these meetings, please know that we're listening. Um, and one of the reasons why we ask for your contact information, um, is so that, um, Dr. Duffy or myself or someone else can reach out to you afterwards. Um, does anybody have anything to say? >> You can't take questions. >> We will not take questions at this point. You're welcome to get up and talk about the questions that you have and then that way we know about them. Capital me and maybe it could be directed as to how to learn more about that process. It was just the reference of the voter authorization on the May ballot and that that would be a single separate vote is my understanding >> who if we just wanted to understand what that processes is that
049something that could >> I think as part of this budget presentation I don't think it would be inappropriate to talk a little bit about for people that are new to talk a little bit about >> so at the so in New York state the third Tuesday of every May is the annual meeting for every school district in New York State. That annual meeting is the time at which the public votes on any budget propositions that the school district has as well as votes on trustees for the board of education. And so that historically so um you know we are talking about the budget tonight. So what you heard what people what was discussed was primarily actually it was a focus on um on the the the the what I would call the regular budget which
050is the overall budget as well as beginning to tee up the fact that we often have a second prop housing often has a second proposition at our budget um votes at our annual meeting votes which addresses our needs for transportation. Um but to the extent that there are ever um uh capital expenditures that the public needs to approve um those would also happen at that May this year it's on here May 19th May 20th what >> 19th vote um it is within a district's uh uh right to set up um other dates for votes like Helane did. Um, but since we are talking about the budget and I do think the sort of details of uh the of of sort of what a bud what budget conversations mean, I think it's fair for us to
051sort of lay out that's the process for for budgeting. So decided I would do that. >> Thank you. >> Other comments that people have? Yeah. >> Yeah. I had a comment. >> We're going to ask you to come to the podium, please. Thanks. >> Yeah, absolutely. Um, Jeff Silverstein, uh, housing parent. Uh, Katherine, thank you for the presentation. You're welcome. >> Um, I guess this is just a comment on that presentation. Um, because I learned tonight that I I think like most parents in this room, we feel like we we voted I guess it was last year or 18 months ago and everything was passed and it seemed like, okay, we're going forward with this. But it sounds like like now that now we're coming I guess across the bear in terms of it's going
052to be put up again on the ballot again in terms of what the actual tax levy will be this year. And so if that's the case, I would just comment to the board like really communicate to the community the positive of how important getting out to vote again is that we did we we did half the battle, but now is like the time >> we really need to come forward as a community to to pass this through because without this the tennis doesn't happen, the baseball fields, softball doesn't happen, you know, the education doesn't happen, you know, improvement. So I think it's, you know, this is really interesting. I'm glad I'm here because I felt personally that we kind of crossed that that river already missed, you know. >> Anyway, thank you. >> Yeah. >>
053Thank you. Thanks. That word communication is important. Anything else? Well, there will be a second opportunity for communication from the public um at the very end of the meeting and the rest of the meeting is not going to take very long. So, if you're thinking about saying something, you can sort of get ready to for that second opportunity because the board would really love to hear it. All right. Just hypothetically if that were the case. Next on our agenda are information reports for the board to review that we'll um act on at our March business meeting. And now we're going to move into consent agenda minute for the minutes of our last meeting. May we have a motion, please? >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I I opposed. Next is consent agenda for
054financial um resolutions. May we have a motion, please? >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. Any opposed? And consent agenda for personnel items. May we have a motion, please? >> Second. Um I just want to point out that um Diane Kenny coming back to be appointed as a part-time teacher a Diane Kenny worked for a long time as the district as um uh as a administrator I guess when she left >> and an aid anyway can't keep her away >> and we're we were happy to have her back. Um um all those in favor >> I I >> Any opposed? Uh next is unfinished business. This is the policy review that we had the first reading for last last time and we had uh Dr. Pay talk to us. This is about revising
055our policy to make it more clear. Oh, actually first I need the recommended action then we'll talk about it. Be it resolved that upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education hereby adopts the revisions to policy 7680 as attached. May we have a motion, please? >> Moved. Second. >> So to finish, just making more clear to parents about the process for requesting an independent um educational evaluation um and sort of updating um that that policy. We read it last time. Everybody seemed good with it. All right. So, all those in favor? >> I I any opposed? Next is um the recommendations for the committee for special education and the committee for preschool special education. May we have the recommended action, please? It resolved that upon the recommendation of the superintendent of
056schools, the board of education hereby approves the recommendations of the committees on special education and preschool special education as presented. >> May we have a motion, please? >> Moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. Any opposed? And now the recommended act action for the authorization of the grade configuration for the fifth grade. Whereas during the 2023 2024 school year, the superintendent of schools recommended that the board of education authorize a grade reconfiguration changing the grades at the Haldane Elementary School from preK through 5 to prek through 4 and changing the grades at the middle school from 6 through 8 to 5 through 8. And whereas district goal number three in the 2025 2026 school year was to plan and manage the transition to a revised grade configuration shifting from the current preK
057through 5 and 68 structure to a preK through 4 and 58 model to begin in the 202627 school year. And whereas on October 21, 2025, a school reconfiguration report was presented to the board of education reflecting the planning that had been completed for the proposed grade reconfiguration. And whereas the superintendent of schools has recommended that the board of education approve the grade reconfiguration. Therefore, be it resolved that the board of education hereby approves the proposed grade reconfiguration, changing the grades at the Haldane Elementary School from preK through 5 to preK through 4 and changing the grades at Haldane Middle School from 6 through 8 to 5 through 8 effective July 1, 2026 as recommended by the superintendent of schools. >> May we have a motion, please? >> Second. Um, >> so actually I really like
058the way the recommended action is written because it really lays out how a multi how this is really a yearslong process that we've talked about in so many different meetings and the board has talked about. Um but for people who aren't familiar, um really just a very thoughtful initial uh proposition uh really originating with uh Superintendent Phil Bonante, you know, a number of years ago. um really as a way to uh keep and commit to our middle school model, which is so important to so many people in the to us and to so many people in the community, but also begin to acknowledge that there are changes in cohort sizes and how to best um uh provide a excellent education to students in a way that makes the best use of our resources. Um there's
059so anything else you want to that was perfect else. >> So Max, do you think students I'm not asking you your opinion but I'd love it if you have it. Do you think students are aware right like the extent that this is something happening? I did not know about this until I joined >> The board, but I think it's actually like kind of interesting because in a way it kind of can mimic high school with like four years >> before. But I'm just wondering like is there curriculum changes too or is it just like literally you're just moving the grade to be part of the middle school? So there will be some shifts but more exciting and very similar to the high school in terms of different types of electives that the staff is looking
060to be able to engage the students in. >> Right? So if you have instead of if you it sort of free the theoretically and >> hopefully actually right it'll free up some teachers instead of having like you know four classes of 10 students each you'd figure out a way to sort of make the class a little bigger free up a a teacher's time and really begin to uh I think one of the things we've heard both at the high school level and the middle school level is how students really really like exciting new elective opportunities. It's a way to keep people engaged in school and excited about school as well as provide them the kinds of educational opportunities that we really want >> to be offering. >> And will this well the fourth graders they
061get to move around a little bit now, right? >> Yes. >> On board that soon. >> Yeah. I can tell you the fourth graders are very aware of it. >> I bet parents >> very aware of it. >> That's good. That's good. That means everybody's doing their job. Well, they had changed fourth grade a little bit this year >> because of it. Uh, and so kind of the roll out being relatively slow is actually good. >> So, there's been a decent amount of uh adjustment. Um, and you know, my guy's excited to be a middle schooler next year. That's great. And that's see how it goes. >> All right. So, anything else anybody on the board wants to say? All those in favor. Any opposed? >> All right. Congratulations, by the way, to all the
062people that worked on that. >> That's a lot of work that was done by not just the superintendent, but you know, throughout administration, >> uh, teachers are involved in that process. Uh, even PTA parents getting the word out, being involved. I mean there's been a lot of uh a lot of motion with that. So congratulations to all those people. >> Very exciting. A lot of hard work and effort for everyone. >> That's good. It's >> great to point out. >> Um next is a discussion item. So the we have the draft calendar um for the 20 the August dates sound like science fiction to me. 26 27 school year. That's because I'm old. Um uh and uh >> we got the kids attention back now. What days off we have? >> Yeah. So, you want
063to talk a little bit about the process for developing this and >> what you plan to do next? >> Yeah, absolutely. So, um it's it's always a pleasure to work with our heling staff and administrators when we have to make decisions for really anything. I'm finding the group to be just supportive and collaborative. So, we do have something called the calendar committee and that is made up of um a number of staff representing our teachers, administrators, CSEA. So, all of our different units um and myself and Megan and we meet to kind of map out what the year is going to look like. We are bound by a couple things in our teachers contract for numbers. So, in case anyone is curious, um we do have 187 teacher days and 183 student days. Included in
064that 187 is four conference days. And so we have some flexibility with the calendar, but some years are a little bit tighter than others. Going into 26 27 felt like a little bit tighter every year because of a couple things. Um, Passover for I don't want to wish the rest of the year away, but it's April of 27 next year. It's two days. It's a Thursday and a Friday. And for the past handful of calendars, Passover has been it just landed on the same week that we typically take off for spring break and Easter. This coming year we don't have that. So we have a week off at the end of March for spring re recess and then the end of April we have two days off for Passover. So that's just kind of a
065little different of a shift there. We do have our four conference days. Um Labor Day is a little late this year. So Labor Day is not until or next year. It's not till September 7th which is like almost a week later but our first day of school with students yay is September 1st. Right. So we are starting before Labor Day. Um um also just important to note our calendar is aligned with Boseies. We try to make sure we're aligned because we have a lot of students that attend Boseies. We also work closely with Garrison and make sure that we're aligned where we can be. So um those are some of the highlights. I'm trying to think back if there's anything else I should highlight. >> There's a full week winter break. >> Full week winter
066break spring break. >> Yep. Full week spring break. >> Three days for Passover. >> There's a there's a half day on the December 23rd. That's different. That's new. half day on December 23rd. >> That's for all for all the grade levels. That's high school. >> That's for all grade levels. >> Okay. >> Or report card. Is that what it's >> No. That's all day. >> Okay. >> Yep. That's nice. Yeah. >> Just wanted to note that because you know, obviously because Easter is earlier this year, this is one of those instances in >> close. >> Spring break falls really closely on Yes. >> It does. Yes. within four weeks, which is, you know, in terms of getting a rhythm from Christmas until fast spring break is always a challenge. So, >> yeah. Was there discussion
067at all about starting school after Labor Day? Did it just push the school year too late? Like, >> yeah, we would have been into July. >> Yeah. Okay. >> I love everyone, but I think we need break in July, right? I'm getting the cut off back. I understand what you're saying. I do, >> Dr. Duffy. This corresponds closely to the postC. >> It does. Yes. Yes. Absolutely. >> Uh I learned last year I mean people have strong feelings about the calendar and you know really strong feelings and they're diverse very diverse >> strong feelings about the calendar. What I take heart from what Dr. Duffy said is that it there's a calendar committee made up of >> of of administrators, teachers, and um folks from our our our CSEA um so you know um and
068as well as Megan and and and Dr. Duffy and that they worked hard on it that it was tricky and and and and but the those things plus it's aligned with Boseies I think are what we want to what Yeah. I just sort of want everybody to know at this point. But so at this point, my memory is that what we've done in the past is at this point you'll send it out to the community or No, >> we do. Historically, we have not done that. >> We have not done that. >> Last year, Mr. Albano did wanted to do that. Um >> I don't think we need. Yeah, >> historically we do not. >> Okay. All right. I did I obviously >> create some space for the board to think about it and then
069adopt it at the next meeting. I think that's I think that's I think that's the right way to go. >> Yeah. >> If I recol if I recall correctly, I think that the decision to send it out to the community was a direct response to people who had questions about >> Got it. Yeah. >> Okay. >> We did get a range of feedback that did not align >> correctly. >> It was that was it. It was people and that's it's like we did hear from people but people have very very different Yes. Yeah, >> which is why I think this process of having this calendar committee that works on it and that is so representative and that it take, you know, and that you've taken into account that it aligns with the Boseis calendar is
070is really very important to note. >> So, we'll vote next time. Okay, >> great. Thank you. >> Oh, all right. So um the next is the approval of the memorandum of agreement between the Hane Board of Education and the Haldane Administrators Association successor agreement January 29th. May we have the recommended action please? Be it resolved that upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education hereby approves and ratifies the memorandum of agreement between the Haldine Board of Education and the Haldine Administrators Association dated January 29, 2026 regarding a three-year successor agreement effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029 as signed by the superintendent on behalf of the district. May we have a motion please? >> Moved second. >> So this for those uh is saying that that Dr. Zuffy has worked
071with the Haldane administrators association to update their um contract for the next three years and it was a productive um uh the board participates as well. It was a it was a productive uh series of meeting then um we're happy to be landing where we're landing. Anything else you want to say? I think Sniffen is not here. So just on behalf, we'll just put it into the record. It was a pleasure to work with the administrators and again their focus is on kids first. So I think it's important the community knows that anytime we're working through a contract or a calendar, we're focused on what kids need and then how can we support our administrators in the process. So it was a pleasure to work with them and I appreciate the board's support as we
072move this one forward. I I want to say that one of the things that having participated in other negotiations with other you know bodies here at Aldi what I've appreciated about this particular goaround is that we're moving towards trying to find as much parity in terms of from from contract to contract with each labor group that we're working with and the closer we get to a position which everyone feels like the same rules are in place for what happens based on their duration year I think is really useful and as for future negotiations >> and I appreciate Sure. >> All those in favor? >> I. Any opposed? >> All right. Well, we're really at the end of the meeting. So, the um uh this is the second opportunity for communication from the public. The same
073requests and parameters before. No pressure. >> Okay. So, I'm Ellie Droth and I just wanted to talk about my experience. >> My exchange team because I joined instead of three and it really has impacted my life so much. it really have been an experience where I've learned so much and I've had so many opportunities come from it and I think it's somewhat something that people can benefit from it like a lot and I will forever be grateful for everything I've learned and everything like the team has built and like the atmosphere and everything the coaches do for us. So, in my point in telling you this, I think it's really important that we keep it alive so other kids get the same opportunity opportunities as I did and get to experience the same things I
074did because I know when I graduate, the tennis team is going to be one of the things that I miss the most about how. Um, and additionally, I just wanted to mention that when the tennis courts get to a point where they're no longer able to be used, it not only impacts the community and the tennis team, but also every student at Heling because within the gym program, >> kids learn how to play tennis. >> And without the courts, it's not only taking like resources away from us, but also like the kids because they don't have the exposure to tennis. and take something away from their education. >> So informative. >> Well, without any notes, I'm very impressed from the heart. >> And thank you for putting down your name in the email address. >>
075Um, okay. So, time for board reflection. >> Oh, we do. I'm so sorry. >> Apologize. >> Um, okay. So, I want to comment on I guess the calendar and the remote days. Um, I think and a bunch of people I know thought the remote days were absolutely ridiculous. Um, for my kid to log on for three seconds be like, "Hi, Tanisha. Bye, teach." Oh, you my teacher's got to go catch a plane, so we're not taking class. Like, that's stupid. What am I paying for? Like, this is ridiculous. Um, and secondly, why do we need a winter break? There's it's only this area in New York that has this winter break. The kids have break after Christmas into New Year. Then they have spring break. There is no reason for the February break. Zero. You
076can build in five more potential days and then give back and not end at the end of June. You can end mid June or you can start after Labor Day because you know everyone doesn't want to start before Labor Day. I mean it's just the options. I just don't see the actual need for the winter break when literally no other schools in the area. Not even Goan, not even Walking, not even probably Beacon, Fishgale, I don't even know, but definitely not in Connecticut, not in New Jersey, not in all these other states. No one else has this. So, it's just not necessary. There's zero need for it. Just like somebody over here said before, like your kids are just getting back from break. They're barely getting back into the rhythm. Oh, we're going on break
077again. Barely getting back and then we're going like what's what's the point? It's just a statement. Thank you. I'm sorry that I didn't I was dumped the gun. Any any other comments? Thanks to everybody for coming um and sharing their input with board tonight. We appreciate it. Um all right. Uh any board reflections? >> Say the new um called uh newspaper, the helane outlook. The uh say called >> That's it. You got it. >> issue. Thank you. The new issue is >> the Got it. >> of the Heling Out is out. And it's just I I love it. It's just so I just want to congratulate everybody who works on it. It's such a big undertaking for a school to have such a cool um newspaper like that. I mean, there's well researched there. It's
078funny. I mean, I know just a lot of work goes into it. And I just want to say congratulations to the kids who are working on it and the parent adviserss, faculty adviserss. It's great. >> Love it. >> Just that possible. >> We finished the comment period. Um >> you could email it. >> Yeah, why don't you email it? That would be great. Um, one thing I just want to uh mention was the Finding Nemo >> production was phenomenal, right? It was super adorable. >> Uh, and everybody that I talked to at the end of that was like, "How did these kids not mess up a single line?" Like, it was really well done. Everybody, everybody I talked to was like, "What?" Like, like, there wasn't a single kid that missed a beat. So, it
079was really impressive and from the stage crew kids that were working on it um to to the actors to you know it was just really really well done and really a joy to see. Would you remind us what faculty lead that effort or remind me >> Sam? But there faculty that helped Kristen and I'm not sure who else but there were some others. >> There's another one. Yes, there's another >> she did last year. >> You mind? >> Yeah. They work very impressive. >> That's great. It's a that's a real effort on the part of students and the parents and the faculty. It's really >> And our prek students had the chance during the dress rehearsal. while they were up on stage. So, you didn't see that at the night event, but we also got
080them up. So, >> Oh, that's great. >> Okay. >> Um, you know, just I to reiterate what you said, it's always great to have folks here. >> Yeah. >> Come and, you know, it's it's a it's a kind of accountability that we appreciate that we when we're kind of alone, we don't feel in the same way. So, I really appreciate and everyone's comments. And just to to remind everyone who came and had something to say today that someone either Peggy or someone in an administrative position will reach out to follow up because everyone that said is something that we will consider in one way or another and that you know we take seriously just just to reiterate that because >> I am I am ever present to the sense of am I speaking into avoid
081there's no conversation here and it's just a >> a policy and procedure that we follow so that we can make sure everybody gets the attention they need in the event that 40 people were here. We couldn't we couldn't answer questions. So, >> thank you. >> Um me, >> right. Um >> Oh, yeah. Great. So, I was just like wondering with like the school like voting process like am I eligible to vote if I'm 18? >> Oh, in the budget though? >> No, I don't know. Just like >> absolutely like if you're 18. >> If you're registered to vote. Okay. And in fact, the district has a date that that to register there their there are efforts to register not just for the purposes but to register 18-year-olds to vote, right? Once once you register to
082vote, you can vote and speak class in we all registered to vote. But I was just wondering like so like any student that's 18 could vote. >> We love celebrating first time voting. Oh yes, >> there's pictures and applause. I might sing you a song. I don't know. We'll sing. >> Megan will be sitting there and waiting. So, >> dance. >> No, you have to come. >> Yeah. >> Depending on how you vote, of course. >> I can't say that. But why not? It's the end of the meeting. >> End of the meeting. >> Dr. Duffy, do you have any final thoughts? >> Um, I just want to mention we are kicking off our board visits to the schools. We have elementary >> tomorrow. Yeah, joining you. You're in for a special treat. And then
083Miss Jamman will be able to do a followup as part of her presentation at the next meeting. So looking forward to that. >> Great. Yes. Have a good day. >> One o'clock. >> All right. So the board is going to go into executive session for the purposes of discussing a legal matter. Um and the board we will um adjourn from executive session. We won't take any action in executive session. We won't be coming back. Um so I am going to make the motion to convene into executive session for the purposes of discussing um legal matter. Um may I have a second please? >> Second. >> All those in favor? I >> any reps?