001Good evening to the school board of education meeting executive session at 6 o' motion by by Dr. discuss certain legal and personnel issues out of that executive session. We wanted to start right at 7 o' started. Um we are actually joined tonight by former school board member Michelle. Happy with that we'll start this meeting. flag of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. All right. No one has signed up for public comment. We'll have some reports members may or may not one item of old business. There's some new business personnel reports to attend to our next dr are there any adjustments to the agenda? >> Okay. So with that we will get started with First up is the middle school cross country. Good
002evening everybody. To honor cross country and here we are. So fall of 2025 is our fifth season for middle school cross country. We continue to expand the program and provide visual opportunity. night from Meredith McKenzie Farmer. Coming in eighth from Waters is McKenzie Rash. Coming in seventh from Waters, Lucy Holland. Coming in sixth from Waters, Rose Lambert. She's not here tonight, sorry. Um, coming in fifth from Waters, Avery Ses. Coming in fourth from Waters, Bin Lambert. Brinn also also placed 17th at the Dad Meet and third at the White Clay meet. Coming in third from Camp Wells, Callie Camlo. Cali also placed 13th at the Dad Meet. Coming in second, Emma Bab from AGW. She also placed 12th at the Dad Meet and second at White Clay. And finally, our number one runner for our
003middle school girls, placing first from Meredith, Dana Wiggins. Dana also placed first at the dad meet and first at the White Clay meet. So, congratulations to the girls for their top 10. [applause] [applause] Congratulations. [applause] You all did a very good job holding your applause. Excellent work. So, we're going to do it again with the boys. Okay. Again, we ask the boys come forward as their names are called. Okay. Placing 10th from Reading. He's not here tonight. Finn Larson placing ninth from Waters. Omar Ali placing eighth from Waters who's not here tonight. Alex Hawk placing seventh from Canwells who also is not here tonight. Kaden Purcell placing sixth from Waters. Rocco Loverene placing fifth from Canwells. Brody Hearn placing fourth from Meredith. Dialin Wiggins placing third from Waters. Connor Calvie placing second from Waters. Kaden
004Stone. I have to say because I forgot. Sorry. Kaden also finished fourth at the Dad Meet. Connor finished seventh at the dad meet and fourth at White Clay. Dialin finished ninth at the dad meet. Brody finished eighth at the dad meet and Rocco finished 10th at the dad meet. And our top runner for the boys for middle school cars country from Waters is Nathan Eert. And Nathan also finished first at the dad meet and first at the White Clay meet. So congratulations to our boys top 10 finishers. [applause] >> [applause] >> Okay. And then also all good. You can clap. Go ahead. Clap. [applause] >> Absolutely. Thank you for waiting. And we do just want to also recognize like Maria Smith to come in. She's the coach of AGW and as you heard Walter's name
005announced several several times. So, congratulations to AGW, the boys and the girls. So, if there are AGW girls still out there that can come back in, sorry guys, if you're not from AGW, can you step away for a second? Sorry. [laughter] Well, good job. [applause] So, AGW won the girls and the boys district team championship. And for the boys, this is their fourth title in a row. So, no one else has won middle school boys cross country except for AGW. So, congratulations to AGW. [applause] >> All right. Congratulations [applause] I just give it to her. All right. Next on the agenda for recognitions, we have high school marching bands, Dr. Sebastiano. >> Good evening, everyone. Um, I'm Laura Sebastiano. I'm the visual and performing arts coordinator for the school district. and uh I am here
006to help celebrate our three high school marching bands uh after an incredible competitive season that they recently finished. Uh our first recognition, this school unfortunately couldn't be here. They're doing a very important thing, their winter concert this evening. Um but Aquinameck High School directed by Mr. Ryan Mosley and he provided a few words for me to read on his behalf. He says, "Our apologies for not being able to attend the board meeting this evening in person due to our winter concert. We appreciate the recognition for all the hard work our students, staff, and parents put into making this season a success. Here are a few highlights from our season. Number one, increased our student enrollment back up to pre-COVID numbers. Always exciting. Uh number two, they won their fifth region 9 championship and third state
007of Delaware championship along with best color guard and percussion. And then third at our finals in Hershey, we finished fourth against the toughest competition in the to circuit. In addition, we finished in the top five for the 10th straight year. So, round of applause for Aquacon High School. [applause] And then up next, uh, for Middletown High School, their band director, Miss Pole, was not able to be here. She is flying to the Midwest, uh, band clinic, which is an amazing professional development experience, but her two drum majors, Maximus Jacobs and Jaylen Lester, are here to present on her behalf. [applause] Hi everyone. The Meltown High School band would like to thank you for having us here tonight and recognizing us. Our band has had such an amazing season and have grown so much from jumping
008from seventh place last year to second place this year in ACC's and getting best in percussion both years. We thank you for all of your support and can't wait to see what next season holds. Thank you. [applause] >> Just a little bit. Little bit to your left. There you go. Good job. >> [applause] >> And then uh lastly, we'll be recognizing Odessa High School along with their band director, Mr. Brian Enh. How'd you do that? >> Um Dr. Burrows to the school board and all the uh guests in attendance. We just want to say once again, thank you to each and every one of you for your continued support of the Odessa High School marching band program. Uh it's amazing the amount of growth uh that we've experienced and of course uh the critical success
009as well. Uh but nobody came here to hear me talk about the marching band. So I would like to introduce our drum majors. Uh and it's a bit uh bittersweet for me because this is probably one of the last times I get to stand up here with this young lady, young lady, young woman. Uh which uh it's worthy of note. Uh, and although she is far probably too modest to say it herself, uh, Ruby uh, has been the drum major since the inception of our program. And, um, a majority of everything that you see, the culture that we've created. Uh, that kind of stuff uh, stems from Ruby's steadfast dedication and support of our program. uh her belief in something bigger than herself and the fact that she was crazy enough to take a drum
010major mace when I handed it to her one day uh and said, "Hey, you're in charge now." Um so, uh I'm going to turn things over to Ruby and Alexis Dur, our uh two drum majors this year. >> Well, hi. Hello. I'm Ruby. Um while our competitive successes this season are definitely worth celebrating, what stands out to me even more this year is the growth of our program. This year we've became the um the largest we have ever been, which speaks volumes about the dedication, passion, and sense of community that contributes and continues to draw people in. That growth showed not only in our numbers, but our commitment, work ethic, and pride in representing this program. At the same time, we are incredibly proud to have earned our second Atlantic Coast Champion title. That achievement
011reflects countless hours of practice, perseverance through challenges, and the determination of every member involved. Reaching that milestone again is a testament to the strength and consistency of this program. Beyond competition, it's truly an honor to have been accepted to participate in the 250th parade. Um, being chosen for such a historic event is something very few groups get to experience and it highlights the respect and recognition this program has earned. Together this season represents not just success, but growth, tradition, and an unforgettable year for all of us. Last, but certainly not least, we want to thank on behalf of our band family, the Aquinamic School Board for their dedication and support for the arts. [applause] All right. Next on the agenda, we have recognition of the Middletown High School football state champions. >> All right. Thank
012you. Please hold your applause to the end, Steve. Now, so before I recognize Middletown football, you're going to come on in, guys. Um, I just want to let everyone know the 2025 fall season was pretty unforgettable for all the high schools in Abuqua Mix School District. So, just a quick summary. Um, we won four Blue Hen Flight 8 championship titles, Odessa field hockey, Middletown volleyball, Odessa boys cross country, and Odessa girls cross country. We had nine teams earn a birth in the state tournament, and 28 student athletes earned all state honors. But of course, the season did reach a thrilling peak when Middletown High School repeated as the DIAA Class 3A football state champions. Yay. [applause] But hold on, hold on. I got I got more to say. I got more to say. Hold on.
013So, Middletown entered the tournament as the number one seed with a record of seven and three. They earned a spot in the finals by defeating St. George's 42-6 and Appo 28 to 20. They then faced Sally's in the championship game, defeating them 28-14 to repeat as state champions. And they ended a season with a 10-game win streak, although just the final win mattered according to coach Blum. Um, and representing the team tonight is Jack Wilson, defensive player of the year, and Tier Young, first team allstate offense and defense, and coach Blum and principal Nell Jean. So, >> [applause] >> And I think coach Blum had something you wanted to add. >> Sure. >> Thank you guys so much for having us tonight. Uh when I think about uh the success that we were able to
014have on the field, it goes so much further and it it really starts with the community. And I think that's what makes it so special to be able to represent our community and the school district in everything we do. And the support that we have from everyone involved makes our job a whole lot easier. So, thank you very much and we're proud to be a part of [applause] ahead. >> All right. I do want to add one more thing. It's not about football. I'm going to hijack this for a second. We did middle school cross country earlier. And I just want to say that this year was also the first year that we had um seniors participating in high school cross country who started cross country with us middle school. So they ran their first
015year of middle school cross country as eighth graders. They finished their high school career running cross country for us in high school. There were six of them. Um so that's quite an accomplishment. And just so you know the impact that our middle school programs are having, our high school cross country programs had one of the best seasons ever. Um, at the conference meet, 12 boys and 10 girls placed in the top 15. And at the DIA state championship meet, all three Aquinic High School teams finished in the top 10 for boys and girls with our highest being um I can find it here. I can't remember. Sorry. But anyway, all both team all three schools finished in the top 10, which is quite an accomplishment. So, thank you for your support of middle school and
016high school athletics. Uh, next on the agenda, it turns out that someone did sign up for public comment. They had done it over the internet uh and not in person. So, that's why I was not aware, but they're here. Uh, Miss Florence Kits. Yeah. Over there. And just our public comment statement that we read before any public comments, the board encourages speakers to be constructive in the spirit of identifying issues and solutions that will better serve students. In an effort to afford an opportunity to hear from all members of the community who wish to address the board, comment shall be limited to three minutes or less per speaker. The time cannot be given to another. If more than one person wishes to speak on the same topic, the second and subsequent speakers are limited to
017providing new information only. Of course, we only have one tonight. Public comment is an opportunity to address the board. The board will not participate in discussions or respond to public comments at our meeting. Members of the public are urged to address concerns at the local school level and with district office staff prior to addressing the board. No person shall initiate charges or complaints against individual district employees at a board meeting. Such charges or complaints shall be presented to the superintendent or the board in writing signed by the complainant. Any defamatory or abusive remarks shall be called out of order and the speaker's privilege of addressing the board may be terminated. In order to further student business and our mission, we will limit or reject attendees, virtual or in person, who disrupt the meeting or engage
018in vulgar or obscene expression. I know that's not going to happen tonight. Uh we do have a countdown clock over there so you can keep track of your time. And with that, uh please proceed. Thank you for coming. Thank you for considering our new contract. I hope you cut down on your vote later this evening. That's my warm and fuzzy message. But I'm also not going to sugarcoat the frustration that my members are feeling. While there have been some contracts that we've negotiated in a single day, these negotiations took more than six months. And that's because because we had to wait through more than 40 proposals from the Aricquinic School District. Almost all of which tried to undo things we agreed to years ago. First, you tried to lowball us with an 18 cent increase
019over three years while also stripping away the $185 reimbursement help to purchase uniforms that you make us wear. There is a code. Then you fought to the bitter end to eliminate our seniority. But worst of all is how we were left feeling used and immediately forgotten. Because you came to us when you needed to pass the last referendum. And we came through by voting to give ourselves a tax increase because 85% of us live in this district because you said that money would come back to us in future payraises. But when it came time to negotiate those payraises, the district said, "No, silly. None of that money was meant for you. Um, and then when our representative went to talk to one of the elected elected school board members about it, they said, "No, silly,
020your contract isn't up yet." When we were indeed under negotiations. Now, I don't know whether that's gaslighting or pure ignorance, but when we see you struggling to explain away missing $5 million and there's no money left from last year's referendum to cover the pay raises you promised us, it sure feels like we were the ones paying for the price for someone else's financial mismanagement. That comes after we've endured reductions in force through attrition, increased pressure to hit arbitrary goals, and worsening morale among those of us left in the kitchen. Taken all together, that has left 137 food service workers in this district feeling invisible, ignored, and underappreciated. So, while I'm hoping you approve this contract that includes a dollar pay increase over three years, exact same as the last contract, I want you to know
021that we are not happy and we are not out celebrating. And after we are done serving healthy, nutritious meals to 13,000 hungry children, I intend to come back again and again and again to serve you all food for thought because we are not going to let the district forget about us ever again. THANK YOU. [applause] >> [applause] >> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. UH, next on the agenda, we have the superintendent report. Dr. Bur, >> good evening. Thank you everyone for coming out tonight. Um, I appreciate everyone taking the time. Just a few things uh that we usually go over. We currently have uh 28 full-time certified teaching openings. Um and we have seven full-time paraprofessional openings. That's a little up from uh last month. We currently are up 170 students from our September 30th count
022um and continue to grow. At this point, we've filled uh 462 positions this current year. Um I'd be remiss if I didn't thank everyone as we get ready to head into this holiday season. I know it's a long stretch run here and there's a lot of events and things going on and everyone's super excited uh for the uh break that's coming up and has a lot of energy I know as we get into this week. But I just thank you for everyone. Hope you get a chance to enjoy the holidays with your uh friends and family and enjoy your time off. Last month I committed to um going over our um recommendations. Last month I c covered the auditor's um recommendations and what we were doing um for each of those and the timeline and
023meeting those. Uh this month I'm going to cover half of the internal um review that we had done from our subject matter experts and I'm going to go through the timeline on that. So if you'll please just bear with me. So the first one if you pull PowerPoint up please. Observation one, the budget format is not conducive to transparency or clarity around discretionary state and local funds. Recommendation one is to distinguish between discretionary and non-discretionary funds in the expenditure budget as much as possible, avoiding placing discretionary state and local funds in the same operating units and program codes with non-discretionary state, local, and federal funds. Um, what we have here is the director of finance is currently working with Dr. Dr. Chuck Longfell to begin allocating the budget in this manner. The director of finance
024plans to execute this process fully for the fiscal year 2027 budget going forward. You will see tonight that it's also part of this year's um amended preliminary budget. So, this has already taken place. The work can be noted in the FY26 amended budget. Recommendation two from that observation create a chart of accounts document accounts document the maps expenditure budget elements operating units and program codes and appropriations. This is currently being implemented with the help of Dr. Chuck Longfellow. The director of finance will continue in this pattern for fiscal year 2027 going forward and this is already being implemented this year. Recommendation three from that observation explore school district budgeting software to reduce reliance on spreadsheets and to automate memorialize forecasting and allocations processes. The director finance is currently in the process of implementing a budget
025system called aliv is currently being vetted through it. We have an implement implementation timeline December 1st through June 30th pending IT approval on software. We're still waiting on approval from the state of Delaware on this piece of software observation or recommendation four from this observation. If the district will continue to use spreadsheets for the budgeting, provide meaningful notes and backup for others to check in and fall forecasting factors. The director of finance provides this information on spreadsheets created for the above mentioned items in the recommendation. So, it's already we're it's taking place that we're providing meaningful notes and backups for each of these um for the information on the spreadsheets. It's taking place now. Observation two, the financial advisor committee, superintendent, and board relied on the work of a single individual resulting in a single
026point of failure. Recommendation one, reinstate the monthly cash flow, salary tracker, and operating unit program code expenditure reports and provide them to the FAC, superintendent, and board consistently every month. The director of finance is currently doing this. Recommendation two from this, employ multiple levels of review when preparing budgets and reports. Have a prepare, reviewer, approver, etc. with signoffs. Due to the current financial situation, director of finance does not have the personnel to be able to process this. The director of finance will need to rely on the superintendent to ensure accuracy of budgeting and projections. In addition, the finance and an analyst will also be part of the review process. We will collaborate with former CFO Dr. Longfell on the process as well. So, we are having um checks on this and signoffs. um it's not
027to the system that they have outlaid here, but we are having multiple layers of that and this is already taking place and would be refined each year. Recommendation three, provide training to staff and stakeholders on reading financial reports, important things to look for Delaware code and strategic approaches to budgeting. Director of finance is currently providing this information as reports are presented. This is already taking place and ongoing. We had our first board training. The FAC is continually being trained and we have another um board training coming up um at our next board workshop in January. Recommendation four, reinstate keeping notes or minutes of FAC meetings. The finance analyst is the noteaker for FAC meetings. Each meeting an agenda for FAC is provided to all the committee to review and the necessary documents are attached as
028well. Meeting minutes are taken by the finance analyst and the minutes are approved by the FAC. Once approved, the minutes are signed off on by the chair and co-chair, director finance and finance analyst. All documents are available to the public on board docs. The link can be found on the district website under board section. This is already taking place. Observation three, there's a lack of proper planning for expenditures, clarity around cost of programs, and transparency around how programs and staff are funded. Recommendation one, implement a collaborative approach to budgeting where every program is cost costed out properly and prioritize prohibit will find the money as the answer. The director of finance is currently working with Dr. Longfield to address this recommendation and this is already happening and ongoing. So, a lot of that happened in
029a short period of time for what you'll see as the amended FY26 budget for tonight. Um but also those meetings have already started for FY27. Recommendation two, reinstate budget development meetings between fiscal staff, principles, and district office leaders. The director of finance will be doing this for fiscal year 27 and implementing this process going forward. These meetings are scheduled from November through February with principles and district leaders. This is similar to the last um operation. Rebuild the reserve by explicitly budgeting for it. The director finance will be doing this for the fiscal year 27 and this is already happening. Recommendation four, evaluate initiatives and programs on a regular basis for effectiveness, impact and cost effectiveness. Director of finance will work with superintendent on a plan to implement this. This is already happening ongoing. Uh we
030have a few items where we've already had to do that this year. Recommendation five, establish a position or function within the finance work group to improve procurement practices and contracts review. The director of finance is working with the finance department to address this recommendation. The finance department plans to have meetings to discuss how to address procurement issues and create procedures to ensure costeffective purchasing and contract reviews and implementation. In our current financial situation, we do not have the funding for this position. We've already implemented a process and practices to address this need until we have the resources to hire someone in this position. Recommendation six, establish a board policy explicitly requiring superintendent signature on all contracts potentially with careful thought out of delegation levels, but in no instance circumventing finance office review. The director of
031finance will work with superintendent to address this recommendation. currently evaluating the execution of this includes thresholds and other determinants. With the number of contracts that we have for 21 buildings and um over 13,000 students, it that's a lot of contracts for the superintendent to review. So, just to be transparent in that, we're going to have to have thresholds and have a a chain where people can approve contracts at a certain level. Any questions from the board? >> Any questions >> regarding the new uh software system or budget system out of view? Um what is the history behind that um system as it shows um that it's doing well in other districts? Um can you speak to the other system? >> Yes, I can. Thank you for asking that question. So all of you was actually
032a suggestion from former retired CFO Dr. Chuck Longfeld who is my um mentor and coach in this process. Um in my prior district I have worked with powers school so is a subset uh system with powers school. It is a budgeting model and so Dr. Chuck was trying to bring it to Apple I believe years ago and so now I trust his recommendation to bring it forth. They do have an implementation team and so I have touched base with aliv and going through this process with the implementation team. Essentially there are um the opportunity for reports to be printed through this uh system. Also budgeting purposes it's able to spew out a actual template for our budget book um that I would be able to add you know information as we go along and it's
033also would help us with our unit count. So there's a staff tracking portion of that. so it can kind of keep a breast with us with where we are with our units. Um the goal is for implementation should be starting soon. Uh we will actually be the first in uh the state of Delaware, the first school system to implement this. So this will be new and fresh. However, there are schools in Maryland who I did reach out to and they have wonderful reviews about all of you. So we're thinking positive moving forward with this. >> Well, thank you for that. I know we are usually diverse in a lot of things. So, um, kudos to Appo. And in terms of cost, um, is there a cost associated with this? Yes. So, over a span of
034three years, it's going to be about $149,000. Uh, that is a huge discount. They're actually offering it to us about 50% since we are the first district that will be um starting this. Essentially, this also includes um they may invite me to go out to their um different things that they may have to be like a voice for APO as we start with this. So, it is in line with a three-year plan. So, we will evaluate this in three years to see if it will be beneficial to continue or not. >> Okay. And what type of training will the staff need in and like to work with the system? Is there a cost around that? So [clears throat] all of that is included in that three-year contract with implementation. The great thing about that because
035in working with P school and I was very upfront with that in my experience. Uh but that's one of the things that um convinced me with going with Aliv because sometimes working with P school just getting the help and the assistance that you need has been difficult. But the good thing about Aliv is specific for school districts. So they have an entire implementation team that essentially would take the load off of that. My plan is that my team will be the first partakers to go through that process, understand the ins and outs, and I will work with the Aliv implementation team to spell out the trans the trainings that will be needed for some of our finance secretaries or district leaders. >> Sounds good. Thank you. >> No problem. >> Mr. Higgins, you had a
036question or questions. >> Yeah. Um so in observation one recommendation 4, it's just that um it is not advisable to uh manual manually enter data from spreadsheets. Um and I know you've been phasing that out. Uh if there are any spreadsheets that you still are manually entering the notes that refer to other reports, do we as a board have access to those reports that notes refer to when you go to those spreadsheets? Not at this time. Essentially, when I'm presenting to the board, I'm presenting to you the monthly financial report and the internal accounts when I have when I hold the financial advisory committee that is referenced there. So, the DGL060, the DGL14, the salary tracker, the discretionary cash flow, all of those reports are at, you know, at the hand of FAC and we
037go through that in that spreadsheet. There is a column that references where the numbers are coming from. But essentially those reports are generated from our operating unit expenditure report. It's also generated from those previous the DGL which is in FSF U that we pull from to put those reports together. >> Now using Alivu, do you see uh you guys phasing out of manually entry altogether or that's kind of a question you have to feel out once you get into alu? I don't anticipate it phasing out alto together. There will be a process, but I do anticipate it'll be more clear and transparent as far as moving forward. There may be some hiccups as with anything when you're implement that, but I do anticipate there will be less um manual reporting. We still will probably have
038to manipulate reports as with anything. you know, if you have just like this year, there's the tax litigation that happened that is that definitely affected our cash flow. Um, but looking at Aliv, I do anticipate that they'll be able to support reports that come from directly from FSF. >> All right. Uh, one one question for maybe Dr. Burrows. Um, you had mentioned that um, you've recently evaluated some uh, programs for their cost effectiveness and um, made changes based on the findings. Can you give an example now or if you want circle back later just to give me an example of where that may have taken place over the last month or so? >> Sure. Um the first one being uh we use Dreambox a supplemental K to5 math platform um that was used for teacher
039da d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d da along with student prog progress data. Um, based on the review, uh, we discontinued the use of Dreambox, uh, which saved the district about $107,000. Wasn't an easy decision. Um, and I know that there are teachers out there that miss having Dreambox as a resource, but it was a decision that we had to make. Another one being um just from uh the readings and the research that's out there. Uh one of the things that we did is uh we used to give out iPads to each of our kindergarters. Um we have pulled back and we're also analyzing at first and second grade level if we're going to continue that practice. >> Thank you. And I
040I only had one more. Um generally I I saw we do not have the funding for this position at the time. in a few of the answers. Um, do you anticipate hiring folks in those positions would be cost effective or costneutral as far as saving money uh giving somebody a specific specific job like you know going through contracts, purchasing and such? Or do you believe that's more going to be more of a safety blanket uh for the uh the uh financial area of of the school district in order to double double check uh work that others are doing? Can I answer part of that? And then you I mean the So we're still funded by units at that at that point. Uh we currently do not have a unit like an extra unit to enable
041for that on the financial side. I would defer to Lisa >> from from a financial perspective when I look at personnel but K through 12 is the cost benefits of what we have when you have more manpower. It's not just in finance I will say there's other areas in the district that personnel is needed and even with being here for about five and a half months I was able to tell that. So that's kind of in the back of my mind. So the goal is hopefully we can rightsize to get where we are with units. I do know that it's not encouraged by the state that you fund someone 100% locally. However, if the benefits outweigh the cost, that's something that I would want to push. For example, when you're dealing with special education, you're
042leaving money on the table because there is funding for, you know, your intent students. When there's a grant that's out there essentially that if you after our 930 unit count, let's just say you get an influx of 10 highne students, there's funding out there that will cover for anything that's above I think roughly like $45,000. However, we don't really have the manpower for someone to go through it because the way that the high needs grant is um orchestrated is that it has to be per student. It used to be in the aggregate, but now it has to be okay, if it's 10 students, you have to do one for each of those 10 students. But when I look at that as personnel, that would be needed in order for us to have that because we
043do have the tuition funding that can cover what we have to cover, which is essentially the 45,000. Anything above that, this grant will cover. So that's just an example. There's other areas I will say just in my research for that. So that's something that I keep in the back of my mind and hope to work with the superintendent to see if there is assistance that we can help districtwide. >> Thank you. Great answer. Thank you. >> So a true kind of cost um ROI analysis for you to determine which direction to go in. Thank you for that. Uh Dr. Rose, if I can just double back to your comment around um you use the iPads, making a decision around the iPads for first and second grade. When do you think when will you all make
044that decision? And >> I mean that's something we're discussing and looking at through the year. I mean >> by the time students would come back the following year would >> I just wanted timeline or context for time. Thank you Mr. >> No, there's not. Thank you. >> Okay. >> All right. Any other questions from the board for Matt? I know I for I failed to mention earlier but I know Norm Abrams could not be in attendance tonight but he is participating uh via Zoom. So Norm uh sorry I forgot to mention you earlier but do you have any questions for Dr. Burroughs? >> No I'm good. >> Okay. Thank you. All right. In the absence of further questions we will move on in the agenda. And next we have the construction update from Mr. Hopkins.
045All right. Ready, which is getting closer to being done, but we're working on the outside at this point. Good, Kev. So, as you can see out here in the back, the back's all starting to come together. The field is coming across this side now. The basketball courts are not. The tennis courts are in here there. This pavement is down on the base coat. At this point, we're going to try to get the top coat in on that and possibly another top coat here on this here to make that a little cleaner. All this sod is coming in. We're going to start running sod out on this area here so we can complete it and be done with the area and hopefully be ready for spring sports in the end. And here's just another kind of
046aerial shot looking from the other side. You can see it's a little roughed up now. We had to come in and get this area complete before we could kind of grade this out. But now that the sidewalks are all tying in, the outdoor classrooms coming up and done, then we can start finishing this whole area. This is a look at your outdoor classroom from up above. This area here will have two more signs that come in here. And there's a a display here. There's also a display on the other side over there that'll show up with graphics of Lewis Reading. Good. In here, what you can't see is the old sign that was in front of the school was inlaid in the floor. And that's the plaque that was inside the building when you went
047through the main entrance. It's kind of tilted up so you can see it as you walk in. It looks pretty nice. That's another look at this u of of the staff parking and the overflow parking for the gym activities. This is all base paved. Summit campus. We're starting out there now. Things are starting to move. Dirt is starting to push around for the middle school and high school. As you see here, this is going to be the construction entrance that's coming in. We're going to come in here. We have another one over here for large deliveries, but mostly everybody's going to come in and track this way to stay out of the way of the school and stay off of Beaston Road. So, they're coming in. They're starting to inlay this road. Now, this is
048kind of what it'll look like at the finish end here. Looking across the campus, the elementary, middle, high, and the pack in the middle. Hopefully, if money allows and time and and the public supports, we'll have an ECC, a much needed ECC here at some point. This is the construction entrance that's going to feed the project as we go. This is that entrance as we're starting now to come in. You can see all the equipment starting to show up on site now. They're starting to push dirt and get things going. It's going to be a long process out there, but that's why we had to jump on it early. Get Steve or Kev, sorry. >> [snorts] >> This is the route that's coming in. The construction entrance comes by the house that exists out there
049now. So, this entrance comes around and loops all the way around the area. We're trying to get the construction entrance in to get everybody off of Beaston Road. This is the silt fence that's wraps the whole property that just keeps us from running water off and keeps the den happy. More of the same. We're starting to stockpile dirt up and just fence. And right now the summit's going to be a whole lot of dirt moving around. That I think is that's Yep. That's it. Any questions? >> Any questions from the board for Mr. >> Just Hopkins? >> From your perspective, how are things looking? Are you seeing any challenges on the construction end or any other things down the road that you may see as a challenge that you maybe did not foresee last month?
050>> No, right now it's going pretty well. every everything's move it's it's moving forward but you know you get cold weather you get snow those are the things that'll get you but right now the weather coming up looks good so everybody's starting to roll you know you anticipate some of this stuff and you kind of allow days in your schedule for it so right now we're just moving through everything's moving pretty well we haven't had too many impacts or slowdowns at this point >> and uh Dr. hours. Um, seems like we have some movement on the OM, a little a little activity. Can you flush that out a little bit? >> Sure. As I mentioned a few months ago, uh, the construction formula wasn't meeting the command, the demand of current construction, uh, something that
051we've been working with the Department of Education with since, uh, February of 2023, prior to our CN being approved. Um as we were saying then that the construction formula doesn't meet the demand of uh the current construction cost. This has happened on every project leading up to our project where they've had to get market pressure money in order to complete the project. Um the last two high schools that were built required an additional 72 million and 77 million in uh market pressure money. Um we're in that we're in that frame of uh needing that. We're working with our legislators and with OM and Department of Education um in order to fund the building that was approved by our community uh by legislators by DOE and by OM. Just a little history on that. Um DOE
052tells us so we say we want to build a high school for 1600 students. They tell us how many square feet we're allowed to build that high school and they tell us how much we can spend per square foot. What they're telling us how much we can spend per square foot uh and they've known this isn't [clears throat] doesn't meet what the current market is um to build a build a building. And so we're we're lobbying um we were as mentioned before we're first in a lot of things. We're the first to receive market pressure money on um which was built during co brick mill early childhood center and everything we've built since then has required market pressure money and every other project in the state has required >> and that's the same with every
053school district in the county. It's it's a common state >> in the state. It's it's a common uh obstacle that has gotten through every other time it's been there. Every school district in this state, every building has been approved except you said one where they changed the plans which is a no no. >> Correct. >> Other than that, every other school district, every other building has been approved through market pressure. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> It has. And so, um, we're we're currently lobbying to get that money and receive it. We haven't gotten official approval on that, but we are working with our legislators and with other legislators to, uh, make that happen. >> Thank you. I think it's probably worthy to call out though that yes, it's a challenge in the state, but no
054other district is growing at the pace that we are that requiring these additional buildings, right? So that's why it feels like the pressure for APO is much greater than the other districts in comparison. >> Yeah, it feels that way. And I'll also say that it's a much easier process to have the money approved in advance and to be able to go to referendum for it. Like if we knew how much it was going to cost to build these buildings, we were telling the state how much it was going to cost the state to build these buildings. Um but they wanted us to use their formula. Um which we did. Uh and so and then you know you'd go through all that to get approved by DOE and OM and the process that goes in that
055and then they get approved by legislators and then you come to your community and they approve it and now we have to go and beg for money down at it's a hard process like it's much easier [laughter] for the district, right? It's a much easier process to get it approved in the front end. And it's unfortunate that we're in this situation, but we're not in this situation like it's we're not an anomaly to the situation. >> Any other questions from the board? All right. Thank you, Keith. Next on the agenda, we have the special programs expansions update. Miss Peters and Mr. Ger, >> good evening. >> Tonight, Dr. Peters and I are here to talk about um some updates with special programs, our growth and expansion. So first um we just thought we give a
056quick overview of some of the programs that we do offer our special programs >> then special education department uh one is rise and rise is for students with autism that spans prek through grade 12. Foundations is functional and life skills and that's grades K through eight. Our LCCE pathway is life skills and work um work-based learning. That's grades 9 through 12. We have our thrive program which is social emotional and that is grades K through 8. And our life program which is ages 18 to 22 and that's a vocational program. All right. So what is driving our growth? There are two primary factors. One is just our general population increase. Um and the second is we've had a large influx of students that have returned from outside placements, particularly um our statewide autism program, which
057is uh Brennan School and Christina School District. And we were here in the spring and we had talked about some expansion, some changes that we were we were looking at. Um, so those went into effect for this school year and here they are. We added two RISE classrooms at Townsend End Early Childhood Center. We added uh we expanded RISE at Alfred G. Waters Middle and we moved foundations went from Alfred G. Waters to Kwells Bridge Middle and that created a continuum um at the Fairview campus for the foundation's program. All right. So, looking ahead, upcoming needs for next year. Uh, these are some significant things coming up. So, as as always, we anticipate growth. Uh, we have more students coming back from Brennan. Uh, and our our typical growth within the special education and special
058programs population. So, we do expect um high school LCCE pathway. um we we will need extra space there and expansion our 18 to 22 life program. Uh right now we have right around 40 students at Aquinina Kai uh which is a pretty significant uh chunk of students and um you know we need to look at expanding that early childhood programming which would be at the prek and K level. We're very short on space there. Uh, and in most cases, these programs or these classrooms are either full or in some cases even over what we're comfortable with. Um, and then our elementary autism rise classrooms. >> All right. So, I'm going to walk through what Ed just went over at a high level and talk a little more specifically about these expansions at each at each
059program and level. So the first one is that LCCE high school pathway. So our plan is to expand to all three high schools so that students will begin to attend the program in their natural feeder pattern. So currently we've had this pathway available at both Aquinamink High School and Middletown High School with Middletown High School um serving students that attend Middletown as well as Odessa High. So, starting next school year, Odessa High will also have an LCCE pathway and keep their natural feeder pattern ninth grade students. So, any students already in the Odessa feeder pattern that are attending Middletown High will remain there. We're not relocating or moving any students currently in the pathway. We're just starting new ninth grade students in the Odessa feeder pattern in that program and then it will grow each
060year um to be a full program over the course of time. >> How many how many students are currently in the LCCE pathway at the two high schools? >> Um >> approximately. >> Yeah, that's a good question. I I don't have an exact count. I can definitely get that for you. And I do know that with the students returning from Brennan, we have five additional students. Um, but I don't have the exact number off the top of my head for the current enrollment. Yeah. >> 40 and 50. You'd say >> 40 and 50 between the two high schools. >> Yeah. So, we'll be up to about >> 40 and that's for life. Oh, yes. Sorry. Yeah. So, LCCE again is is a pathway for high school students. It stands for life- centered career education pathway.
061All right. Next. And then the life program stands for learning independence for every day. And that's our 18 to 22 year old program which currently is at Appleo High School. and we're going to expand to add a second program also at Odessa High. Um we have about five students coming back from Brennan that will attend that program in addition to any other students moving into the district that we might not know about right now. So we'll look at um how we can best serve students across those two programs. And we will be maintaining the current life program at at Pquinamank High School. And these programs both are focusing on that specialized vocational training and community-based experiences for the students. >> And is this the type of thing that was being done at the Brennan School
062up in Christina? >> Yes. Yes. So, we've had our program in place for a number of years and then um Brennan has served a a portion of our population that was better suited for the type of program that they could run um there. and those were students with the autism classification that were sent to Brennan um that that that was a better fit for programming and they're now coming back to us. So in addition to just expanding in terms of space, we're also expanding in terms of the types of services and what the programs look like. Did >> if the school district and teams decided Brennan was a better fit for those students, why are we why are they returning to APO? >> That's a great question. And um we met with we met with
063the families of the students who are returning and I'd say almost all of them asked that same question, too. So, um I think it's a question on top of everyone's mind. So, that was a decision made by Christina School District. They still remain a state program, but they're now um only serving students in other districts in their onsite setting. So, they have a school called Brennan and then they also have students within the Brennan autism program that are in what are called satellite classrooms out within the um throughout the Christina school district. So, um, the students that are what what's called off-site or in those satellite classrooms are the ones that are returning back to their home districts and they're working with the home districts to make sure that we can um provide a seamless
064transition and provide those services and programs for the students. So, we are working with Brennan um in terms of building our programs to to match as closely as possible what's working over there and make sure students are receiving um comparable if not better um experiences as they come back. >> Yeah, that'll be ch I mean children with autism aren't really big into change. So I that's why kind of I was wondering why some kids are going to be move from what their their norm was and that's going to be a challenge for your team up above other challenges I'd imagine. >> Yes. It's also important for us to make sure that we expose students with with autism or just all students to changes and help them through that important life skill too. So we will
065work with um the families, the students, the staff and build programs that are going to be supportive. >> Yeah. >> And and I think just to add to that also, I mean, I can't speak for Brennan, but I think part of it is they're experiencing the same thing we are where we have more and more students qualifying um for special programs and that population is expanding and because of that, they've run out of space to serve their own kids. So in some ways they're trying to free up some space um so that they can properly serve students within their feeder pattern. Um so I do think that's also a piece of it. >> So let me ask a follow-up question to that though and I'm sure you've thought this through but obviously there's tradeoffs in
066everything and um you know I'll also say you know life is all about critical mass. Um, I mean, you're talking about expanding the programs to Odessa High, so now we'll have we'll be running it at three locations rather than two. And I'm just I mean, I get the feeder pattern kind of argument or issue. But at the same time, I I can't help but wonder, aren't we better off trying to have a more concentrated mass of kids so you can devote all the resources to one location rather than try to replicate things across multiple locations. >> So, there's a couple factors there. We did a lot of um research just by through observation talking with teachers in the program um looking at our sites across the board. And one of the big takeaways we found
067was you can't always reach this magic number, but really the magic number is three special program classrooms within a building. And the reason for that is once if you go below that if you have one one especially but also two you don't have enough opportunity for team planning for PLC's for if some if a teacher is out and it's one classroom no one else is really familiar with that classroom so you're able to sort of fill some gaps and and make sure it runs smoothly if you get too large once you go beyond three Um that's a huge load on a building because each special program classroom you know you imagine a a traditional classroom and then you multiply that many times the amount of needs you know from you know physical needs to emotional
068needs and staffing needs and then you also have physical building space too. So, um, you know, a typical classroom, you may have 28, 30 students in there. In a special program, you may only have six in there. So, there's only so many spaces you can take within a school also. So, that's sort of the challenge with it. Now, in the past, we have been looking, Dr. Burrows. I know you can attest to this too, but we've been for the life program in particular at AOquinamankai. That's always been something, you know, we hope and we'll continue to look at where we don't have space for it currently. But in an ideal world, that program would also live off site or we'd have a separate site for that um since it's more of an adult 18 to
06922 program. Um so that's the reason for the spread is that if you start loading up a building with too many special programs one you lose space but also it becomes quite a challenge to serve um that high intensity or or high need. >> I get I get the space issue but I mean if I have three classrooms at each high school or I have nine classrooms at one high school I mean I've still got the same number of classrooms. I still presumably have teachers for each and it just seems to me that um you know by having these you've got a whole school at Christina right up in Christina the Brennan school that's all it does and so I just have to think there might be some economies of scale if you had things
070you know a more critical mass rather than having a more diffuse uh across multiple buildings. So I mean we you know we need to think about that and it sounds like you have but I I just we need to think long and hard about that. too. So, another thing to consider which I think is very important is that the LCCE pathway is a pathway and it's these students high school experience and we want it to be as meaningful as possible for them and for them to have the opportunity to attend the high school that their friends in the neighborhood are attending that their that their siblings attend. I think there's a lot of value in attending your feeder pattern um high school for LCCE. So, there are a lot of factors to think about. Um
071and again, the school in Brennan that's going to remain there on site. We still will have students attending that's considered a D setting. It's a separate school and there's less opportunity for inclusion in that setting. We don't have any desetting schools in aquinamic currently where it's a whole school of students with disability that disabilities that don't have um the um robust opportunities for inclusion that we do in all [clears throat] of our programs. Did you have something else? >> It was actually similar to what Dr. Peters was going to say, but I guess in addition to that and related the advantage with economies, the scale that we're able to utilize now is within our two high schools that have LCCE pathway. Now, there's an assistant principal already there that that school earns that is in
072charge of or or um sort of oversees that program. So if you were to move that offsite or if you were to move it to one site, you'd have to hire, you know, a principal or administrators under that where now we're able to utilize the staff that we have there or the administration that we have there. >> I was actually going to um ask the question around the staffing component. So historically, we know that in our vacancies, the special education vacancies are the most difficult to f fill, right? And so um although you've had this experience earlier in the year very successfully by the way with the foundation's transition you know we had a lot of I think appropriate concern from families that you all handled very well right so you have some experience in
073this so the transition not so much and I agree with you in terms of exposing the children to change because not everything can stay the same but I guess when I'm listening to this the only question that comes to mind for me is how do we staff this appropriately to meet the needs when we know historically those are the roles that we have the most challenge with filling. So talk to us a little bit about that. >> Yeah, I mean we we need to get going on it for sure and we have thought through the timeline and it's been the plan to share this information now. Um, we're meeting with families. We're there'll be a series of transition meetings um with with Brennan and with other families as they move across each um level, even
074within the district to answer questions and make sure um there are those supports in place and to work on the staffing plan. and we have to use some creative measures to make sure that we have our classrooms covered and um that we have safety in mind and um meaningful education for the students and opportunities. So, we're going to get going on it for sure. >> Yeah, it certainly um certainly isn't going to be easy. I know you guys recognize that, but I think um I certainly trust that it will be successful, the transition will be successful. to just um you know keep certainly keep us posted overall but most certainly around the staffing piece like being able to meet that demand I think is going to be critical obviously right yeah I'm not telling you
075anything you don't know so okay I'll turn it back over >> great so now we're gonna >> unless we have more questions ask Mr. for maybe you just you didn't even finish your presentation. If we had other questions, maybe we should ask them after you're done your presentation. >> Sorry. >> Whatever you like. Wherever they fit in, that's fine. Um so now we're going to go to the early childhood um level here and talk about again the causes for the need for the expansion. We see our most rapid growth within the district within the early childhood population. And then also we do have some new programs we need to consider um how to provide supports for. Um we do have some students currently um receiving services through Brennan under Delaware's birth mandate. So these are
076students under three years old that we now are going to be responsible for providing the services for. So, that's something new that we are working on, working with the state's technical assistance, collaborating with other Newcastle County districts on what that's going to look like. So, um expanding our early childhood special programs that exist as well as adding that new component for the infants and toddlers. >> And do the infants and toddlers since we have to serve them, I mean, do they count towards our unit counts? And uh I mean I presume we're getting money to provide these services if we're required to provide the services. >> Yes. >> And am I correct or maybe I just don't know when we do the unit counts? I mean is there children with special needs obviously you know
077we have a tax to help fund the additional costs associated with that. Do we get any extra money from the state to help cover these costs? Early childhood has some extra nuances about the way the nuance the units and the funding works because there areus across the Newcastle County districts because families send their children to daycarees and and different prek experiences and often our services push in and are called itinerant. And so there's agreements with other districts to cut down on our staff's travel cost so that we can have less staff serving a smaller radius and likewise for them. So there are some differences, but we work through we're doing a lot of work um right sizing what makes sense in terms of what we're charging other districts and what we're paying for. So, we're
078taking a very critical look at that piece, but it is a little bit more complicated in early childhood. >> What the history, again, I'm kind of new here. Um, with state funding and even some federal funding, it just seems that the infrastructure alone for this um especially with the expansion of of our population already. Uh, it is that a challenge that you guys are looking at right now that we just don't have space. I mean, infants to newborns. I mean, what does that what does that even look like as far as the space you're going to need to take care of these kids morally? Yeah, we're all on board. All of us are. But you just have to look at the uh the nuts and bolts and the physical end of it. I mean, have
079you guys looked at that the in infrastructure end of that? >> Yes. Well, I mean, early intervention is so extremely critical and important. Obviously, I think we are all in agreement about that. what it looks like can really vary and is a lot of itinerant services meaning not these students coming in full day to our schools. While we do have some students that attend in-person um early childhood experiences, many of the services they receive, they either come in just for that speech session or whatever service they need or we're going out and providing it in homes, in daycarees, um and in other early childhood spaces. >> What What early childhood education are you giving a newborn? >> I mean, I'm I don't mean to be flippant. I'm just I just don't know what that looks
080like. There's only certain um disability categories that we provide services uh under three to and the state does assist with providing um those services. It is students with autism as well as um deaf and blind students as well and they do start receiving a variety of related services similar to our school age students. It just >> and you explaining that makes makes does make sense that a do a a deaf or blind child um you know the earlier the better to get recognized and to to learn how to to work with their with with with their their disability. >> Yes. Okay. >> Cognitive skills >> most students >> would not be right. >> Most students with disabilities would not qualify. >> Right. Right. But the categories that you mentioned make sense once you >> correct.
081>> But getting started in those um more severe disabilities with working on the gross motor, the fine motor, the communication, um the cognitive skills is critical. Um um from a legal standpoint um one I do think it's great that inclusion is going to happen more um in our district since a lot of families do move here and then once they find out based on the need of their child they may have to go to Brennan they become very upset because that's not why they moved here. Um my question is or maybe it's more of a statement. I do have concerns of the legal aspect in case Apple does not meet or something happens where a parent is very upset. Um have we looked at what that's going to look like? Cuz I know you know
082there are already challenges with us. you know, you miss one IEP meeting. You know, we have parents on the phone for every for all the right reasons. >> I'm just wondering, you know, what [clears throat] how are those concerns going to escalate even more than what we already have on our shoulders, >> parents, >> considering the population and things like that, >> parents are an extremely critical member of the IP team and a part of every decision. So, we really make individual decisions in the best interest and work with families on what's best for the student. Um, yeah, I don't see any real change with that and that's part of the reason we started very early. Um, Christina School District just sent out letters to families right before Thanksgiving break and we followed up immediately
083with offers to Zoom individually with the families so they could meet our team and um let them know that there will be a series of other meetings coming and to answer their questions and a lot of them wanted to know why. >> Yeah. and we explained that it was a decision um made by Christina school district. So >> So just a point of clarity clarity mit are you talking about like the actual demand based upon the influx of increased students? >> Yes. and then as a result >> everything that goes. >> Correct. >> Yeah. >> So like the sheer volume, right? So it's like how and I think that kind of supplements what I was asking earlier just around like the staffing and then like the sheer volume of the demand and using Mrs. Dit's
084um example of like IEP meetings, right? And just the demand that that puts on your team >> to ensure compliance, let alone the parents obviously because a a parent is soul's focus is on their individual one or two children whereas you as a district are focusing on hundreds of children, right? So it's just the sheer volume. Yes. And being able to respond to that and so if I can just um add to that or kind of underpin that comment >> at what point do you think you can quantify some of this for us just in like number of students? like we heard a range um but just trying to get perspective of the actual volume that you currently know that's going to come and we know that that number will continue to grow you know
085over the coming months. So, we have a pretty a pretty good idea right now, but in January, that's when we start weekly meeting and looking at which students are moving up to what levels, our staffing, the numbers coming in. That all begins in January and we're meeting at least weekly and doing work in between. Um, so, >> okay, >> that's when we get more granular and that's what I told families too who were asking that's when we'll start to have a more clear idea. We can tell them right now where there there are the programs um housed, but where their specific student is going to attend, we'll start working on that in January. >> Okay. Yeah, I think that's and Mr. would certainly correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that's certainly my my
086interest as well is like what does this actually look like in pure volume, right? And so >> there's a lot to consider because >> there's a lot to consider and we do and we do try our best to minimize transportation distance but also keep students who have formed relationships with their peers together. So there's a big balance in how this is done. >> Yeah, for sure. For sure. And I I certainly I I'll speak for myself. I certainly can appreciate the details and the nuance of it and also how we quantify it. Go ahead, Mr. >> Yeah. No, and and I I I I I echo that. Ju just crunching the numbers today. Um it seems like per average of the CDC, we'd have about 400 to 420 kids in the spectrum of autism. Statistically,
087that would be the number. Um do do you believe our number is higher than that, lower than that, right on average? Or again, if you don't have a number and that's um just kids within the spectrum, that's not counting, you know, some kids are fully functioning uh students and great students that wouldn't need specifically some of these programs, but do you have a number? I mean I know kind of piggyback on you're saying um and if you don't have a number that is our is our number higher than what would be the national average with the average average also increasing like 3% over the last 5 years. It seems like our numbers uh increased. I know our numbers increased 300% uh over the last 5 years because of a lot of different things that you
088guys brought up last spring. But going forward that that number should be I would hope more you know to where the national average would be on the increase. So I would think after this one influx whatever this influx is we would average out to what the the average of the country would be and you would kind of get a better idea of the volume and it wouldn't be so great. Right. I mean, can you speak on that? >> So, every disability has a code, so I can easily pull a report. Students can have a primary, secondary, or tertiary classification. So, I can get you the numbers for all students who have the classification. >> And it is what it is. I mean, we the students are here. We're here to serve them. We do and
089we do it happily. Um, I'm just curious to why would we have a larger percentage? If we do, then what would be the national average? Just maybe on a more of a curiosity basis, but then also as great as the jobs you guys are doing, I'd imagine having to know about how many kids you're going to get in every year in I mean it seems like that influx was tremendous over the last year. Am I wrong? I mean that >> yeah I mean we do have families coming and moving in because um of our autism programs and proximity to other hospitals and resources that are nationally recognized that number then right >> in our district. >> Yep. >> We're victims of >> other I don't know exactly what the um data that you're looking at
090from CDC is but the other thing to consider there too is there are sort of two separate things there. So CDC is likely looking at medical class medical diagnosis where we're looking at educational classification through IDA. So they don't always align. So a student may from a doctor or physician have something that says they have autism, but then they may not qualify under the educational classification or sometimes even vice versa. So they're not they're not apples to apples comparison. Wouldn't you think they would sink >> like one before the other? >> Yeah. Medical versus >> Right. Like, okay, you picked it up. We didn't move on. Or, hey, we thought this, but it wasn't. We'll move on. Right. >> Yeah. So, Tim, we've got two more slides to get through and then we have the
091summary slide. So, why don't we go through the last two slides? We'll save all our questions for the final slide. >> All right. >> Good idea. >> Kindergarten. So again, like I mentioned, the early childhood um population is where we see our most most expansion typically. So we're looking next year at opening additional kindergarten special program classes. Um, and because our actual K centers are completely maxed out in terms of physical space, we're looking at putting kindergarten rise classrooms in adjacent elementary schools. So, we've done this with Cedar Lane Elementary previously. Um, and another consideration is Brick Mill Elementary, but it would actually be BMAC Rise classrooms. All right. And then for elementary new building expansion because like Dr. Gero mentioned, we try not to go over that three classroom per building um count. We're
092looking at expanding to open some new elementary rise classrooms at Olive B. Lost Elementary. That's one of our only elementary schools currently that does not have a special program. Okay. So, in summary, all right, so again, in summary, to recap, the LCC pathway will be in all three high schools. The second life site will open at Odessa High. Early childhood will expand to include services for infants and toddlers. Elementary rise will open at Olive B. Loss. and the kindergarten program will expand to either Cedar Lane or Brick Mill. Remaining questions. >> All right, I'll I'll start if you don't mind, unless you want I some of this is fine and makes perfect sense to me. Some of this bothers me a little bit because it's being presented as a feta comp plea without really asking
093the board for our thoughts or input. And I'll go back to my question because it just continues to intrigue me. I wonder if we're better off trying to concentrate some of these programs at fewer locations. You know, when you're talking about teacher coverage, if you've got nine classrooms spread across three locations and a teacher's out, it's a little bit hard to maybe cover where you've only got two teachers in three classrooms. whereas if all nine were at the same location, it might be easier. And I get there are space issues. As I said earlier, life's all about trade-offs. Um, but we heard our director of finance talking earlier about, you know, costbenefit analysis and return on investment and trying to decide if these things make sense or not. And I don't see any evidence that
094any thought has been given into whether it costs more to do it this way. Is it more efficient, less expensive to do it this way? Do the benefits of doing it one way as compared to another outweigh I mean you're just presenting this to us and so perhaps you've already gone through all this analysis and you're just figuring I don't have to show it to the board but I'd like to see it if it's been done and I'd like it to be done if it hasn't been done. >> I'd like to take a shot at that. >> Sure. Um, so I think sometimes we got to balance um the financial aspect with what's best for students and what's also best for staff. And so when you look at that and when just thinking about that,
095so if you you have nine classrooms, you have to remember that our high schools are, you know, designed as mentioned for 28 30 kids in a classroom. So you're you're taking nine classrooms at one high school. you're going to take up a large portion of that high school. And so then you're also going to limit the opportunities for both for students that are in these programs and for students that are not in these programs. For for that simple fact, we try to offer the least restrictive environment for those students and also offer opportunities for them to be inclusive and they also become part of part of that school. Like if we look at Middletown High, um we look at their Best Buddies program and just how that's developed. You have an opportunity at all three
096of our high schools and soon to be four high schools to have that opportunity for all kids to be a Best Buddy and to have that inclusive practice. If you have it in one location, you're almost going to have a specialized school. Um which we we don't have approval for from the state to have a specialized school. and also um looking at this it becomes a staffing issue as well um when they're it's all in one location. Not to say it's any better when it's spread out, but I think the cost analysis is the experience analysis for kids like um and you guys might do a better job of >> what I just said or >> it may be it may be that there's a $500,000 difference in spreading it out over three locations versus
097concentrating it at one. And as I said earlier, life's all about trade-offs. And you could make that trade-off with a clear conscience. But if suddenly you discovered it cost $3 million to have three locations, more to have three locations versus one. Now we're talking serious money. And so what I haven't heard is everyone says this is just a good idea. We should do it this way. But I'm from Missouri. Show me. I mean, I just need to know that we're not There's a difference between a want and a need. And we may want to have it at three locations and maybe four. We're going to open a fourth high school at some point. Are we going to then have another location for these classrooms at that fourth high school or are we going to keep
098it at three? Right now we've been at two and I I haven't heard that there have been I'll say issues with having it at two. I mean other than and do those issues get solved by having it at three instead because now you're more diffuse across schools. So, I just want to know that this makes sense beyond just we think it's a good idea. And all right now I'm hearing is we think it's a good idea. >> I mean the re the research is irrefutable about the benefits of inclusive environments for both students with disabilities and without. And I do think what Dr. Burr has explained is if we're trying to then concentrate the programs in that manner, we're diluting that experience for everyone. So I think that that's like the biggest piece that is
099strongest in terms of influencing the model that's been developed and is similar to best practice um you know across Newcastle County as well as based on national models. Um >> well Christina has its own school for this though, right? They've got a Brennan school. So they're doing it differently. My point is, okay, look, if it's a couple hundred,000 or so to spread it across a couple schools, I'm in a $200 million budget, I'm not going to perhaps worry about it as much. But if he came back to me or we put pen to paper with our director of finance and said, you know, this is going to cost us $3 million. We could save $3 million by consolidating this down. Now, you've got my attention and I'd want to talk about it more because life's
100all about tradeoffs, and I get it. But, you know, just show me show me that it's not going to cost much more or anything more to do it the way you're proposing. >> But, um, President Forest though, is that an accurate comparison though? So, earlier you were mentioning the different settings, I hear Dr. Robinson over here also echoing um the same sentiment. And so, when we talk I think you called it D. >> Yes. >> DC setting. So, are we truly what you're asking for is that truly a apples to apples kind of comparison? And I don't think that it is. So you all are trying to take a certain setting that Brennan represents as a D >> and translate that to our setting which is a C, right? And so or something along those
101lines. It's not in Matt, but it's not a D for D. >> So um Brennan School is a D setting because it's a separate school and that that remains intact as a statewide D setting autism placement. And we will continue to have students who require that because it's it's better way to serve them FAPE than what we can provide because we have similar to Brennan's C setting which I described as the satellite classroom. Yes, that's what we have. >> Um and similar to Brennan's D setting school, we also send students to DSD, which is Delaware School for the Deaf. We send students to Leachch. We send students to other programs that are also self-contained and housed in other districts because they can better serve our students. But it would not be the same least restrictive
102environment if we took our students who are able to achieve well in these sea setting inclusive natural environments with their peers and concentrated them in one high school. I I I think another point just a clarification that it's a program that's housed in Christina those programs are 100% state funded or the buildings are 100% state funded which we are not um for our buildings and they're also they charge us tuition for those programs which is a number that we don't get until the very end of the school year. So just I mean there's a difference in the programs and to your point on what we're trying to do. >> Well, look, I'm not saying that I don't necessarily support what you're all trying to do. I'm saying I'd like some more information and I think
103it would be helpful for you as well to run the numbers to ground because if you come back to us next month or two months from now and say as a result of adding the program to Odessa High School and doing it over three locations, it's costing us millions and millions more. I don't think you'll get that. But I'd like to know that and if it if you did come back to us and say it's costing us millions more. You know, we've got a budget. We've got limited resources. We have the smallest assessment base in Newcastle County. Um so we just need to make sure that we're doing the right thing for all our students. And I don't mean to suggest that I I want to do anything um less than what's best for kids
104in these programs, but to my mind, I do wonder if having more of these classrooms together makes staffing easier, makes programming easier because you've got everything there in one or two locations. the more diffuse you get, the more, you know, the more spread out you are, the more difficulties you might have and and you're replicating things rather than having um, you know, um, critical mass at different locations. So, I'm not you don't have to persuade me right now because you can't because you don't have the numbers, but those are the things I'd like you to think about. >> Yeah, we can definitely do that. I don't see any I mean I may be wrong but I don't see any way it wouldn't be cheaper to spread it because the only the only cost differences would
105be transportation. >> So when you're trying to get kids all to one site you're pulling from such a vast area we have to run a lot of specialized buses. >> Um whereas if you're if you're within your feeder >> you know you're you're going to your regular school. And then the other thing is if we um added more than those three or so classrooms, then you're looking at adding administrators to that site. Um which again we don't have to do now. So there'd be some employee costs to that. >> I >> but we can definitely we'll run it both ways and we can present that. >> Yeah. I'm I'm not saying that I don't agree that what you're proposing makes sense. I just think there are some things that we have to consider as part
106of doing that is my point. and you may come back to me and say, "Look at this. Look at this. Look at this." You ask some good questions. Hopefully, they were good questions. You haven't said they were, but that's okay. Um, and then you'll say, um, and and then I'll look at what you give me and I'll say, "Yeah, this this makes now I'm on board." But I right now I've got too many questions in my mind to be totally on board. >> Sure, we can we can come back with that. And the other thing too is just um to reiterate, I know I mentioned this before, but we've spent so much time in these rooms and we've done so much analysis that again we found which is why right now we're facing many of
107the struggles which I won't elaborate on in this setting, but um both Aquinamink High School and Middletown High School do a phenomenal job within our special programs. The staff there are great. the administration with kids are getting what they need but there are also challenges and struggles with that many by having three LCCE classrooms plus the life program um at Appaquin High there are a lot of drawbacks to that um and similarly with Middletown High has sort of been shouldering the load of both Odessa and Middletown's feeder with LCCE um and then they also have uh rise there as well um so It's it's um there are a lot of challenges that come with that. And again, what we found is once you exceed that three or so classrooms, four maybe you can stretch, but
108beyond that, um you start to go, you know, negative on your return on investment in terms of services and quality of services. >> Yes. So, I think we can agree that it's that it's not uh fair to ask for a comparison to Brennan, right? We agree on the setting CD. We agree on that. I think to President Forest's point though and kind of to hearken back to my earlier point around quantification, right? And so what does that actually look like for you all? And because in my mind those numbers will dictate how you proceed, right? And so right now it's a a plan based upon research what I can certainly appreciate, right? And experience. And so I think from a board perspective and my fellow board members certainly correct me if I'm wrong. I think
109we're looking for the numbers for context whether it's Mrs. Dit from a sheer volume and then um President Forest and I think Mr. Higgins and I and I'm sure Mr. Abrams just trying to understand it in totality as well. So I just wanted to kind of try to sum that up for you all looking for Yeah. I think we can come back with some data on classifications, numbers, and special programs >> um broken down also and forecasting. >> And you guys do this. This is what you this is your job. I mean, you're educated on this. We're going to do it anyway. I defer to you on all of that. But uh >> to Dr. Graham's point, we have the reluctant uh job of looking at the fiscal end of it as well morally. And
110you know, we'd all say, "Hey, let's do whatever you believe is best 100%." But to to uh President Florence's position, um if now we're at three at APO and maybe one at Middletown on the one on the on the high school program, if that gets to three to three and then four to four and then where you said, well, four, there's a there's a negative effect. Well, we might be there at four all three schools in four years. And again, I don't know. That's why we're all looking for data, >> Right. Fourth fourth one coming. Yeah. Right. Right. A good point. if you can spread them out a little bit more. >> But um but anyway, that on I thank you. I don't have any further questions personally, but thank you so much for all
111you've done on this and um don't take anything or saying anything any of us think less of the great job you're doing. >> Yeah, they're good questions. And to Dr. Dr. Burrow's point too, the other besides the inclusive aspect which we're excited about having students back within our our buildings and their their schools, but there's also a cost savings there when it comes down to instead of paying tuition to Christina School District, you know, we'll now earn needs-based funding for students coming back. Um, so that's a potential cost benefit there. Also, >> Dr. barrels. Aren't we already busting out of the scenes for our um schools? >> We have some schools. So, one of the things the team has done is they've gone around and evaluated where we can place programs. And so, we do
112have space in these schools for these programs um that we currently have. So, one of the things we're trying to do though because as I mentioned and as they have mentioned that um classrooms are designed for 30 32 kids um is in our new buildings planning for these programs and making sure that we have the space but as I also mentioned we don't receive funding from the state for these for these >> for the for the buildings >> for building the buildings >> right but am I correct that I think I heard Dr. say that we do get some additional funding for students with special needs. >> Well, in the unit count, right? Depending on like depending on the complexity of the students needs, we do. Yes. >> Right. So, I don't think I mean
113obviously this board supports our special programs and everything you guys are doing. So, don't take any of our questions as not anything more than support. The questions I think are all designed around is this the best way? is is the most efficient way to do it in the grand scheme of things. And so, um, we'll look forward to more information from you. [clears throat] >> All right. Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Next on the agenda, we have revised policy 5102, Miss Stewart. Good evening, President Foreston, um, Vice President Dr. Shashiba, and members of the board. This [clears throat] is my first time doing a policy in Abuquin School District, so please bear with me. Um, I'm bringing forth two policies tonight for information only. The first policy is going to be
114board policy 5102. The next slide. So this policy is around budgeting and expenditures and so um bringing it forth because we did have some additional changes that we wanted to make to this policy. Next slide. All right. So the first paragraph is essentially what's currently and has been going on. What's in the red you would note are what the changes that we would like to add to the policy. It states the superintendent will work alongside with the director of finance to develop a yearly budget. The budget process shall include but not limited to meetings with district leaders and principles to discuss all requests. The timeline for budget approval shall be to present a preliminary budget in July and a final budget in January. Should issues arise with this, the superintendent would notify the board of
115education. So essentially this is something that um I am currently implementing now for the fiscal year 2027 budget and have been in conversations with principles as well as district leaders to prepare for the budget. Um July gives a good time frame of preliminary um the budget review essentially for that given what we have to do with the state and then a final budget. Initially our thought was in December but in talking with Dr. Chuck, changing it to January give us much time, especially when tax receipts are coming in and close to the end of the year with December. January is kind of like more in line with the review process and of that nature. Next slide. Um, these next two paragraphs were added. Budget amendments that are within department/school categories must be approved by the
116director of finance and the superintendent. Once approvals are received, the budget amendment can be processed. The board of education will be notified on the budget amendments within departmentschool categories. So where this comes from is when there was an internal review that was a suggestion that with the any changes made to the budget, it should be brought forth for approval. Now within department school categories, this means like let's just say we looking at Lewis Reading and they have $1,000 remaining in their supply budget and would like to make a purchase that's considered contractual. um within school, they can move that $1,000 from supplies to contractual. If I approve it, the superintendent approve it, that's fine. That's within that school. You're looking at a department, let's just say HR, they needed more additional resources for staff's um
117retention or recruitment and they had additional monies in supplies and materials, they can move that money to cover for those expenses in HR. That's within the department. That would be something that I would approve. um and vet go to the superintendent, but then when I come to present the monthly report, we'll let you all know what were those um internal budget amendments done within the department school categories. This next um paragraph states budget amendments across department school categories must be approved by the director of finance, the superintendent, and the board of education. Once all approvals are received, the budget amendment can be processed. So essentially with this one the change is let's go back to that example when you have human resources that's a department Lewis um Lewis Reading is a school. So if there's
118available funds in HR and let's just say Lewis reading has a need because they have additional students that had came in there's some resources that they need and it's going to cost $5,000 and they don't have $5,000. That's where I would then work with um Dr. Small. I would then work with the school. I would then vet to kind of see okay well what's the issue with that if there's available funding I would then go to superintendent and say hey there's available funding in HR we can move that to support uh Lewis reading that is with across departments from that point we would then come to the board for an approval for the budget amendment but it will not be until we come to the board approves that we would have the budget amendment process
119this will actually help you keep a pulse on the budget and when there's changes in the budget. So that's the purpose behind that change. The next paragraph essentially um go back to that one. The last paragraph that's noted here. The only change is is changing from superintendent to the director of finance. Shall maintain current records of all orders, expenditures, and receipts and shall present a monthly financial report to the board of education. That is not something that the superintendent should be doing. That is essentially my job to make sure that I'm maintaining those records, but then informing the superintendent closely of what's going on. Next slide. So before we move off this policy, I I've got the policy printed out in front of me. Can we have a sentence just so we're clear? Because right
120now it just says budget amendments that are within department school categories must be approved. I assume you're again you're talking about just moving money from one category to another. But I feel better if we had a sentence that said something along the lines of no net increase in a budget shall be made except with the prior approval of the board. In other words, I'm less interested in shifting funds from the music department to the, you know, from the band to the theater or, you know, from science to social studies. If the school and you guys think shifting money in categories makes sense at a school level, I think that's the school's discretion. But if somebody wants more money, then they need to get the board's approval. That's something that we can definitely talk about, but
121I would have to push back on that because you have to make sure that we're utilizing the funding sources for what it's supposed to be for with our students and making sure that people are not just doing transfers because, oh, I just want an extra 500 $500 to do some type of celebration or do something that essentially may warrant something else. It keeps a pulse on making sure that we are identifying and running our finances in the best efficient way possible because for me I want to know that cuz as a director of finance we get audited. So if there's a transfer that happens and it's not applicable to bringing forth instruction make sure operations are done daily then we could definitely be in a bind. No, I definitely understand. My my point isn't >>
122right now you andor the superintendent would have to approve any of these budget changes as I read this. My point is I don't want an increase in any budget unless the board approves it. Right? So you guys can worry about where which categories it's in and if you approve a budget shift from one category to another, I don't necessarily know that you have to come to the board. might want to anyway, but if you want more money for a school, if you just want to increase, you know, something, I think you you ought to get the board's approval on that. So, and this is a little bit ambiguous the way it's written right now because it says budget amendments that are within department school categories must be approved by the director of finance and superintendent.
123I don't know. I don't think it's meant to include increases um from the you know the overall from the overall budget level but and so I just like to say that you're not going to increase the overall budget without getting schoolboard approval I mean the overall budget and and think about that and Mr. for if if I could add in here too I I would was also going to ask that same question if any budget were to be increased that would have to come to the board so you're on I'm thinking along the same lines you are >> so essentially budget amendments across department school that can happen because you're reducing just like in that example if we're giving $5,000 that Lewis readed needing you're reducing HR which is a separate department that's operational and
124increasing now a school budget. So let's just say Lewis Reading, you approved a budget initially of $100,000 at Lewis Reading. Now you need to approve $105,000 at Lewis Reading. So, I can understand the wording and I can go back and word that, but that's essentially what that means when it comes to >> No, my point is let's say we approve a budget and and it's $200 million for operations and now you all want to increase something in the budget from 200 million to 200 million25,000 or 200 million50,000. If you're going to go above the budget level that we approved, we need to approve going above that overall figure. That's that's just my observation or comment. >> Can I ask a fair can you send sample language of what you're looking for? Thank you. >> Would
125this be an would this be the appropriate policy that you incorporate those thresholds that you mentioned earlier, Dr. Bro. So, in your superintendence report, uh you made mention of a lot of the approvals kind of coming to you and introducing these thresholds that will allow uh for some level of autonomy even at the school level. So, would this policy. Would this be the appropriate policy for those thresholds to be identified and incorporated in or something else? >> This is I I view that as something separate I think because it's that was more dealing with contracts than actual budgets. So >> um we're looking for a procedure more than a policy I think on that just on what those levels would be. >> Okay. All right. I just wanted to see if there's an opportunity to
126kind of consolidate some of this. So, thank you. >> And another thing just to mention kind of that's on the lines of what President Forston is saying that essentially, you know, that will allow for a bu a budget amendment. So, just like tonight, we'll bring forward fiscal year 26 preliminary amended budget. It has federal awards noted. Let's just say we get a new grant that is um that was not initially approved in the budget amendment. Essentially, that's going to increase the overall budget, not really within it. So that's something that I will bring to the board. Let's just say if we come back um and we have to do a final budget, it will have to be reviewed like there's additional not necessary tax revenue, but let's just say the the say the state comes
127and gives additional funding. That's something that will have to come back to the board as well. So that's essentially what will be interpreted with the budget amendments too. Next slide. Thank you. There was no changes with this. we're currently operating with in this manner. And next slide. That's pretty much it. All right. So the second policy that I'm bringing for for information only is policy 5108. And this policy next slide is essentially um the financial advisory committee. So this is not the one I think it's 5102. >> 5108. Is that the one you looking >> the financial advisory committee one? Or maybe the title is 518. >> It's 5108. Okay, let's just go to the next slide. It should be financial advisory. Okay, so that was just a typo. Sorry about that. Uh so essentially
128in review of the financial advisory committee um policy that we do have stated there wasn't much that we needed to really vet or change because essentially that's how we're operating. Uh we did add a line in red as you will see that all FAC members must take the financial responsibility training required each year by the state of Delaware. This is something that the state of Delaware requires in law essentially that all members take this. So just wanted to put it in policy so that any FAC or potential FAC member will know that this is their responsibility to be part of the committee. >> So one one question about the way that sentence is written though. It says all FAC members must take the financial responsibility training required. Then it says each year by the state
129of Delaware. I don't think the state requires you to take the training every year. You just have to take it once, don't you? I can double check, but I believe it is based on the recent email that was sent to me to send out to all FAC members for fiscal year 2026 >> because like new schoolboard members are required to take certain training, but then once you take it, you're good to go. I mean, I'd hate to put too I mean, if the state requires it, the state requires it and there's nothing we can do about it, but I don't think it's required every single year. So, if you can check on that. >> Sure, we'll do. Next slide. There was no changes with this as I stated essentially this is what we are following
130currently slide. Um there was discussion at FAC I believe in our earlier meetings and conversations about a quorum. So this is why the request for removal for a quorum essentially because it's not really anticipated that we will probably be in this situation. I believe we have about eight or nine voting members on FAC. So that was something that we decided to move forward >> to that. Not that you would get to the number, but is there a number where you would say there aren't enough people here? I mean, you you have to have the committee, but is there a number where you anticipate you would say you have no quorum now, so in essence, two people could vote on or vote on, right? >> Except I mean approve the uh the the the the um
131reports. So, is there a number where you would say or or there's a minimal amount of attendance that you would want? >> Honestly, not really because essentially it's a committee. Um, thinking about it, we could probably go back and revisit uh what we look at with quorum. This is something that I can work with the FAC chair um and the committee and the co-chair just to see how we want to kind of move forward with that. I don't know, Richard, you could speak on it more than or I'm sorry, uh, doc doc president [clears throat] for I >> probably whatever you want to call. >> Yeah. Yeah. No, that's >> you. But um, >> without a quorum, do you in essence have a committee? >> Well, without a quorum, you can't take action. >> And
132so in theory, you need to have a quorum at every meeting and ordinarily the quorum is a majority, but you can set whatever you want the quorum to be in your bylaws or in your rules. Um, so I do think though it makes sense to say there needs to be a quorum and define what that quorum is just because I think that would avoid, you know, potential disputes down the road. Oh, well, we had two people there that was a quorum and the other 10, you know, or however many who weren't there, too bad. Um, so I I do think that would be helpful to to maintain what the quorum is. Um, >> regardless of how they want to define it, to define it as something. Yeah, you need to say what it is. So,
133there can't be a Well, there's only three of you there and you know, you were missing six members. Well, okay, but there were three of us there and if the rules don't say what a quorum is, are they allowed to take that action or approve the reports or issue recommendations or not? I mean, I think it would be helpful, but we can talk about that more. This is only what the preliminary presentation. >> Yes. >> But I'll definitely take it back. And and I I do want to say for the record, and I've said this at some meetings in the past over the years, for my money, the financial advisory committee folks are the true I'll say unsung heroes of the district because um you know, they're they're doing this analysis every month without fail.
134And um it's so important to us as the board and I don't think we thank them enough for what they do because you know they do it essentially in complete obscurity and for no recognition but it is such an important thing that they do. >> Next slide. So this is these are the last changes that we've made uh to the policy essentially was saying acceptance before for the monthly internal recounts report and the monthly revenue expenditure report. We're now updating that because the FAC does approve those reports. So I believe that should be Yep. That's it. Any questions? Any more questions or comments? I just had one um just real quick just a comment back on policy 5102. I agree with your sentiment about budgeting uh priorities of funding. I think I believe dollars means
135priority and if you are going to change dollars you are changing priority and I believe personally it's my personal opinion that that should be brought in front of the board that if you're going to move dollars you're you're moving priority and I think that's something the community should know about. I think that was your sentiment. >> Yeah. So I do agree with that and thank you so much for all the work you're doing. I think you're doing a fantastic job by the way. >> Thank you. >> Right. If this was your first presentation, it was very well done. >> Oh, thank you. I appreciate that. >> Thank you. I can't sing and I can't dance. So, uh, sorry for the awkward silence. Um, [laughter] >> yeah, I was just going to say, >> um, you
136can do a damn boys chat. [snorts] >> All right, we're board policy section 1000 policy 1106. Uh this was changed due to legislation. This is the final reading or the second reading and final reading hopefully of this policy. Next slide, Kevin. So these were changes. The changes in red were changes that were made last time that we reviewed. Any questions on those? Okay, next slide. >> [snorts] >> I think we went the wrong way. Maybe. There we go. So, last time um on this particular language, we were asked for some clarity in regards to it. So, we made an attempt to bring some clarity. Uh please feel free to read through that to see if we were successful in bringing clarity. The main part was we went from district citizens to citizens who reside within
137the district. >> Yes, that's fine. >> Thank you. Next slide. >> Thank you. Really there wasn't any changes from previous um presentations on this. Next slide. There was no changes to this. No changes to this from previous. Any questions? >> So, my only question, this is we're looking at 11:06 and I'm looking at a printout that's a red line and this is going to be really nitpicky, but I just happen to notice it. We reference Robert's rules of water, newly revised 10th edition. I think they're up to the 12th. >> Okay. >> So, can we all agree if we vote on this tonight that 10 will be 12? >> Yeah. >> Thank you. Otherwise, are you asking us to vote now on the the >> I'll take a motion to approve the policy as presented
138with that change from 10th to 12th edition. >> All right. The board will entertain a chair will entertain a motion. >> I motion to approve the November 18, 2025 board of education meeting minutes. >> No, no, no. We're talking about this this uh old business. I'm sorry. Policy 1106. >> Policy 1106. >> Mr. President, I move to approve the revised policy 1106 as presented with the caveat that um Robert's rules will be changed from 10 to 12. >> I'll second that. [laughter] >> Motion by Dr. Graham, second by Mr. Higgins to approve revised board policy 1106 as presented with the change to the most current edition of Robert's rules. Any questions, comments, or discussion on the motion? >> No. >> Hearing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I >> I. >> Norm, are
139you there? >> I'm here. I said I. >> Okay. You were muted. >> All right. Any uh anyone opposed? Hearing none. Uh the motion passes. Okay. >> That's your time to shine. >> No, no, wait a minute. Now, did we want to have board comments? Cuz Matt just went and grabbed the microphone without realizing that we were supposed to have board comments on the agenda. >> Yeah, that's what screwed me up. >> Yeah, obviously. [laughter] >> Thanks. >> So, we will Yeah. No, you did fine. We got through it. All right. So, now we will go back on the agenda to board comments and uh we will start with Mr. Abrams. >> Hi, good evening everybody. I just want to bring every update. The financial advisory committee u met last week. Again, there was robust
140discussions in regard to the district finances. A great deal of time was spent discussing the pending tax bills that were going out by the county. The resulting implications are around the delay in [clears throat] receiving tax revenue and how that translates to the district's ability to stay current with its expenses. The current tax bills that are out now are due back by the end of December. If it all plays out the way it should, the district should receive a bulk of the tax revenue in January. Moving forward, there are some residents who have already paid their tax bill and will be eligible for a refund. Now, some will apply for a refund and some will just carry the tax credit forward to next year. Unfortunately, we won't know until uh Mayor May or June how
141much tax dollars are actually out and being carried into the next year. Moving forward in her reporting, Miss Stewart had brought forward a preliminary report that she would like to show the financial advisory committee and the board starting next month. It was a rough preliminary report. It looked pretty good. Um, right now she has to implement all the numbers. So, moving forward, we'll have a rough draft of that next month to see what it looks like. There were no unanswered questions from the committee at this time. And with everything you've seen, if you have any questions for the financial advisory committee, just let me know. I'll take them back for our next meeting in January. I also just want to thank everybody who's working behind the scenes on committees that are helping out our district,
142making it the best in the state. I hope everyone has a great Christmas and a happy new year spending time with family and friends. I look forward to seeing everybody in the new year. And Mr. Forson, if it's possible, the delegation that spoke tonight, is it possible to see if they have prepared remarks on file that we could have? If not, I have nothing further to add. Thank you. All right. Al, yeah, I'm I'm sure we could get a copy of those remarks that were made. Uh, or else we'll get it transcribed for you, Norm. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Well, thank you, Mr. Abrams. Miss Dit, >> good evening, everyone. And just for the record, a delegation is the person that spoke and said um public public the public comment for tonight. Um so
143I would like to um thank all the community members who are um giving back to our families um Alpha Alpha Tall Omega from Alpha Capa Alpha Sority Incorporated along with other organizations as there are some families who um do not always see being away from school as a good thing but thankfully we have those organizations to make it a little bit better for them. Um I want to thank all the teachers who um assisted with parents and guardians on the parent the parent teacher conferences. Um your your attention to detail, the time you spend with our children which is more than we do um from Friday through Sunday is greatly appreciated. um the job is just, you know, you can't you can't put an amount on it. So, I do thank all of our support
144staff, not just the teachers, you know, the ones that are here in the red shirts, everyone. We just really thank you for supporting those children. Um you know, around the clock. Um all the maintenance people who were out shoveling the snow so we can get back to school. Um again all of your efforts are does not go unnoticed. Um I wish everyone um a good holiday with friends, family, whomever that is and we hope to see you next year. Thank you. >> Thank you Mr. Higgins. >> Thank you President Farson. Um first I also would like to thank the uh the food workers. Um I am in the restaurant business. Um so I do empathize your dayto-day. I empathize with your day-to-day and I appreciate all you do. Um, tonight really for me it really
145emphasized the role of our schools and how the roles have changed uh since we were kids and for the better. But that doesn't come without challenges and like we had said we want to hope that make sure that everybody that is doing what they're doing, the work the the the educators, the the district, we do appreciate it. We just need to have a clear path fiscally uh for the responsibility of the district. Um all these changes and challenges come with trust. Uh we you know had a little trust issue uh in large trust issue in the past trying to rebuild that. Uh appreciate uh Mrs. Stewart uh Elise Elise Alisa for uh everything she's doing uh the sacrifices our principles and our educators are are making for the changes that we're uh implementing for the
146for the better of of the school district but but not without some effect. Um, one in which was just an example, uh, the culinary educator and our AG and our AG educators were having challenges with, uh, you know, last minute purchases because by law, we need POS for purchases and and being in the food business, I know that things come up that need to be bought in a day. So, I'm hoping that we can work that out. But uh just want to make sure everybody we appreciate all that um that you guys are all doing, the food workers, the teachers, the district, um all of us uh working as a team um to to better all of our students. Um so other than that, I just wanted to sh I want to do this a
147few months and I haven't. um putting all this together with special education and and and uh and our inclusion um if anybody hasn't made it to a unified sport uh where it's where our our special uh our our I think mentally challenged kids I don't know if that's the right way to say that but um team up with our our typical students in in basketball and football and they go at it they go hard um and it's great to go to uh it starts up in January I think with basketball I think anybody that that can make one of those. It's it's so it if that doesn't inspire you, you can't be inspired. Um, so there was that and then I did attend Christmas in Odessa where I saw uh one of our former board
148members homes and actually um a teacher's family also has a home which I didn't get to talk to but anyway um the reason I bring it up is each one of these sites about 30 of them had about four high school students in each site presenting the history of the site um what happened in the area uh how they lived and I was just so proud as a member of this school district to see those kids out there mostly from Odessa High School, but there were kids from Appo and Middletown as well. Um, just out there greeting the public, being uh, friendly, informative. Um, I just thought that was great and a proud moment. Um, also reminding of uh, Beggles with a board member tomorrow. I will be there. I'm not sure uh, if I
149will be accompanied by anybody. I don't I know schedules get crazy this time of year, but we I'll be there at Manhattan Begmore at 8:30 in the morning. Lastly, I'm sorry for being long. Um, my religion is Christianity. I believe in Christ. Um, uh, where there was darkness, there will be light. Uh, that is coming up. And I just hope that everybody out there, whatever darkness may be shadowed on their door, whether it be loss of a loved one, um you know, a family member sick, hunger, mental illness, that uh whatever source your light comes from shines so bright to give you the strength you need to get through these this season and throughout the new year where we can all turn pages and hope for a better tomorrow. That's it. Thank you, >> Dr.
150Graham. >> Yeah, thank you. Um, thank you, Mr. Higgins. I think that's a a mo somewhat appropriate segue to what I was just going to highlight as it relates to employee assistance, right? And so, we know that it's the holiday season and we certainly recognize that the holiday season is not always a celebratory time for everyone. And so I just encourage you all if you are having challenges that you kind of lean into the resources uh that the district via the state provides for you because again although some of us may be celebrating we know that not everyone is and so um as I kind of go throughout my day and my professional career I was sharing with the board that it's something that we are promoting uh within my organization and I certainly wanted
151to bring that message back to you all just as a means of recognition that it's not the best time for everyone and that there are indeed resources um out there to support you. And I will kind of that's the main primary point that I just wanted to make is to lean into those resources, take advantage of them and recognizing that you're not alone in some of those processes. And then lastly for me, it's just happy holidays. It's the, you know, it's the season um and I know that we all are looking forward to the break. I've had an opportunity to interact um with a few of the educators throughout the uh district and they are very happy about the upcoming two weeks uh that you all will be off. I think most of you know
152I work in healthcare so that doesn't work for me but I'm very happy for all of you to have two consecutive weeks off and just acknowledgement um of Miss Dit who was actually on that committee representing the board from a planning perspective. So happy holidays to all of you. looking forward to seeing you next year. [snorts] >> Thank you, Dr. Graham. I will just observe that it's hard to believe that [laughter] um Christmas break starts next week. Um I mean, the the fall seems to have really uh flown by and um I hope that everyone has uh the chance to relax with family and friends and recharge their batteries during this time. Um, those who know me know I'm always reading something. And I recently read the book Supercommunicators, which is about the people who
153are different from me because they're just so friendly, so approachable, so outgoing. Um, and uh, and you know, make you feel like they're, you know, you're their best friend. I mean, there are people who have that gift. Um but it concludes with an observation that um that really spoke to me and I think is uh is important for us all to remember. Um the most important thing in life for happiness, for success, for a sense of well-being is strong relationships. Strong family relationships, strong co-worker relationships, strong community relationships, strong friendships. And more than anything else in life, relationships matter. And so I hope that during our break that's coming up, it's two weeks, um that we can all take time to reflect on that as we recharge our batteries and all work on um our
154relationships and friendships. And as Dr. Graham just said, I'd also remind us all that, you know, although I think many, if not all of us here have good relationships in our lives, um not everyone does and and the holidays aren't a time of joy for everyone. And so if you see someone who's down, if you see someone who needs help, you know, reach out to them and uh and you'll feel better and it'll be good for everybody. Remember that it is a wonderful life and we are showing and one of my other hats that I wear. I'm on the board of the Everett Theater. We're showing that movie next Tuesday at 7:30. If you've never seen the movie on the big screen in a theater with a large group of people, it is the best
155way to experience the film. And so I would encourage you all to come out and join us at the Everett theater to watch it's a wonderful life. And otherwise uh everybody have a uh a great Christmas break. So those are my comments. Um and with that we can move on to new business. And I think Mr. Higgins wants to make a motion. >> Yes. Thank you. [laughter] >> I motion to approve November 18th, 2025 board of education minute meetings >> as presented. >> So you move to approve the minutes as presented. And I'll second that motion. >> All right. Motion by Mr. Higgins, second by Dr. for Graham to approve the November 18, 2025 board of education meeting minutes as presented. Any questions, comments, or discussion on the motion? Hearing none, all in favor signify
156by saying I. I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Next on the agenda, we have the monthly financial report for October 2025. Miss Stewart. >> All right. So the monthly report essentially what is presented to the financial advisory committee is the monthly report for October 25 revenues and expenditures and the the applicable backup documentation for that. So I would like to note for the board that for revenues for October 2025 we received in tax receipts about $15 million. 13 million of that roughly was for our normal allocations with our regular appropriations like 98,000, but the rest goes into different match appropriations and then 1.8 million for our senior and veter veteran tax receipts that we received. As far as expenditures, we re um expended in October about 28 million, 1.7 of that were incumbrances.
157If you all are not aware of what an encumbrance is, essentially encumbrance is when we're talking about purchase orders and purchasing um that is a purchase order that was approved and set aside for a specific expenditure use. And so even though it may not be expended fully, it is set aside. So for example, a lot of that goes through our facilities. If there um are utility costs, we do get money from the state for um I want to say the electricity. So there may be a uh PO out there for one of our electricity vendors um that's standing there. So debt I just wanted to say that for clarification essentially it's about $8 million more than um prior month which was September 2025 but mainly that is essentially due to we had three payrolls in
158October of 2025. So I am requesting board approval for the October 2025 monthly financial report. And also before we conclude with that, just to piggyback off of what um board member norms have stated, I did bring a rough outline of what a monthly report. Um I do essentially plan to bring that to FAC in January for November. They did have some feedback that they want me to add to this report. If that gets vetted, I could be bringing that back for January or February's board meeting. Whenever I bring back essentially what that means for you all as a board member there will be and not just the board member but even the community there will be one document that will be posted that will show you all revenues all expenditures um and even internal accounts
159in there so everyone can see and you will be able to reference that. I will note that when that does happen it will be an ongoing change but at least for the rest of this fiscal year you would have a hand document to that I can present to you. Okay, before we have any questions, uh, we need a motion on the floor. So, the chair will entertain a motion. >> Mr. President, I move to approve the monthly financial report for October 2025 as presented. >> I second that motion. >> Are you sound like you're questioning yourself? >> I was writing while I said that. I apologize. >> Okay. So, uh, motion by Dr. Graham, second by Mr. Higgins to approve the monthly financial report for October 2025 as presented and as recommended by the financial
160advisory committee. Any questions, comments, or discussion on the motion? Here's my question. I I know we're still we haven't finalized the budget yet for the year, but are we on track to have the required carryover at the end of this year based on the information that we have to date? Um, I would say yes, but that will be vetted as we go along with >> Oh, we'll have to monitor it every month, but that's like the single most important question we ask every month. So, >> yes, hopefully I can have a clearer picture for you in the next couple of months for that. >> Any other questions? >> Hearing none, all in favor? >> I just had one comment. Um, >> well, two, but um, number one, to know we are a little a little
161hamstrung. I although we all review this before the meeting. Um, we did used to get this in paper. We don't anymore. So, if we don't have an iPad >> and it's not on the thing. Uh, we can't follow along with what you're reading >> uh unless we we're sharing this one. But that's just a note. The second, I just want to make a comment. I did go to the financial advisor committee uh meeting and it is a public meeting. I've said this before. anybody with any any any thought of of how our our our finances run and work. I think uh to President Forson's uh uh note and uh Norm's also Mr. A's comment, they're just doing a great job and um I just want to commend you guys again. I apologize for reiterating this,
162but you're doing just a fantastic job. Anybody that has any trust issues of what what's going on because of the past, just sit in a meeting. Um to President Forsen's opin uh point it is they are they are doing the work and um uh with with with Miss Stewart's lead. So thank you >> Mr. Higgins. I have an iPad. I just didn't bring it. >> Okay. Well, you know I share mine. >> I think our motion passed. >> Well, I haven't called for the vote yet. Okay. Any further questions, comments, or discussion on the motion? Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Okay, there we go. Next on the agenda, we have the internal accounts report for October 2025. Miss Stewart, >> so essentially the
163internal accounts report is a reconciliation that um my team works on every month. So that is essentially what is presented to the FAC for approval. Essentially looking at each school is required to do a reconciliation a month on their internal accounts. And so essentially that's what to their banking account to um a reconciliation between their banking account and the school funds account. And so this is something that is brought to FAC. There were no major concerns um with this. The reconcil reconciliation was reviewed and balanced. And just to note, there is a report and what you will see hopefully with um if FAC approves of that new structure of the report, there is a report we can pull from our school funds online system that actually gives you a snapshot of the receipts and dispersements
164at each school in the internal accounts. Um that was just something to note so you are informed. But I am asking for board approval of the October 2025 internal accounts report. >> Okay. Okay. So, the chair will entertain a motion. >> Mr. President, I motion to approve the internal accounts report for October for approval. >> As presented. >> Second. >> Motion [snorts] by Mr. Higgins, second by Dr. Graham to approve the internal accounts report for October 2025 as presented and as recommended by the financial advisory committee. Any questions, comments, or discussion on the motion? Hearing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I. I heard you, Norm. Any opposed? Motion carries. Next on the agenda, we have the fiscal year 26 amended preliminary budget for approval. Dr. Longfellow, I see you there on [clears
165throat] Zoom. >> Hello. Um, so thank you. Um, can you hear me? Okay. >> Yes. >> Awesome. Awesome. All right. So going back to October, we did um review and um I believe we approved the um revenue side of this uh amended preliminary budget in November. The financial advisory committee uh did receive and review um the expenditure side of this and we did um decide to um essentially table it until um this month, December. So, they've had a month they've had a month plus to review and uh the board has had this for a month plus. The financial advisory committee reviewed and voted to approve this on December um 9th. Um just a couple thing to make you aware of before we ask for your formal approval. Um just a reminder that this one tab
166that says carryovers here that you should see on your screen right now, this is the um essence of this um this budget report. Pretty much it does show that with the numbers we have in this budget uh we will be able to um have the carryover required for the one month of local payroll. We also did put a number here for tuition fund. Um the other tabs that um were new with um the expenditure budget. We have one here crosswalk. I did make a note here that um this is a new note. I just let Miss Stewart know just to make sure you all knew. This is a this sheet I'm calling a workpaper. This was a map essentially mapping it from the board approved fisc year 25 final budget and the fiscical year 25
167actual expenditures to the proposed fiscical year 26 preliminary budget. Um in November and early December we did receive some clearer numbers for some of the state and federal appropriations. So this doesn't exactly match this expenditure detail clean copy. what you're what we're asking you to vote on or the what's what's the budget that you're voting on the expenditure um budget is the expenditure detail which is also reflected in this fund um breakdown here in this in this expenditure by fund and operating unit tab but the expenditure detail clean copy is the budget by line by line that we are um we are asking you to approve a couple features of this we did we have the operating unit the program code the budget number and then the fund. And this was in response to um
168recommendations to pull out everything that is discretionary, state and local from everything else so that we can project a uh proper carryover number. We also have the appropriations that are the most commonly ones commonly used ones in each of these budget lines, these operating units and program codes. The crosswalk will give you additional information as well. Um when you go off to the right, you will see what was it you what was this particular line used for in 2025? What are we um tagging it for use in 2026? And then how did we determine it? Um we we um did we go by a percentage? Do we do something with inflation? Did we make a cut? because you do know um that the district has made some um significant cuts in order to get this
169budget within where we need it to be. So um this is this is the budget that we're presenting for approval. Also want to give you some other notes. Um Mr. Abrams, that was a great um um great remark on the financial advisory. Um there was great discussion around this. We do have um some state we did have some state dollars arrive in November and more coming in this month. You heard from Miss Stewart for her new policy that in the future she wants to do the final budget in January. This year is not a typical year. We expect to get um as you heard the bulk of our tax revenue in January. And when we get that, we're also going to ask the county to provide the numbers of how much um tax how much
170[snorts] taxes are um outstanding by tax year and how much was collected in advance of fiscal year 27. So, you know, we we need those things as a um full understanding of of where we stand when we do um when we do the final budget, which I um project that we will have for you in February once we get those um tax receipts in January. Um the other thing that came up, and um Dr. Burroughs did mention this at the financial advisory committee, is it seems like every couple weeks we're getting updates from the counties with appeals and adjustments that are granted. And so that's just kind of a a it's a it's a really bumpy road that we're on as far as knowing exactly where we're going to land as as far as our
171um assessed value. Typically we get a couple we get a few updates throughout the year. Um a few quarterly updates and then a um utility update. And then in March we'll get a number that really we use to set our tax rates for the following year. And we can um you in the past we've really been able to um you know um rely on that number. In fact would grow so we would get more than that number but we would rely on the March number. So we'll have to see what that looked like um as we as we come into uh the end of the fiscal year. Um that I think is it. want to see if you have any questions about this and um ask for your um approval of the fiscal year 26
172um amended preliminary budget. >> All right. Why don't we get a motion and then we can ask questions if we have questions for Dr. Longfellow. >> Mr. President. Um, I motion uh to approve the FY26 amended preliminary budget as presented. >> Second. >> Motion by Mr. Higgins, second by Dr. Graham to approve the fiscal year 26 amended preliminary budget as presented. Um, questions, comments, or discussion on the motion? All right. Well, I mean, I heard Dr. Longfellow tell us as I the same question that I asked uh Miss Stewart earlier, which is will we meet carryover? And the answer is yes. So, um I'm going to I'll I'll support the uh this motion. Does anybody have any other questions or comments? And if not, we'll call the question. All in favor signify by that. >>
173I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> Go ahead. I just wanted to comment um Dr. Long if you can scroll down just a little bit. The column to the far right that told us what the reason that it moved. Scroll down a little bit more. I forget what >> I think it was a different page. >> Yeah, I think it was a different tab. Cross it over. Yes. Yes. Yes. I think I just wanted to comment that Mr. Higgins and I were having some sidebar conversation and I find column M to be very M as in Mary to be very helpful uh going forward. So I just wanted to call that out. I think that was a good addition to what you all are doing uh Mrs. Stewart as well um because it allows for us to
174have that true crosswalk that true understanding of what has changed what not only what has changed but more so why right because I think that is at the core of what we're trying to get right going forward is the why. Right? So, I just wanted to call that out and um I appreciate that column M for context. Go ahead, Mr. Higgins. >> Yeah. And also, President Forson's um comment. Um so, we we're five months in, right, of our fiscal of our year uh or you are five months in your year. Are there any challenges that you all see um coming forward that we need you need to address besides the revenue end of it? Revenue trickling in. That is a challenge. But are there any challenges you guys had had not foreseen that you see
175or is this five months kind of going to reflect what we're going to be seeing for the next seven? >> Uh this well the the real challenge is the revenue part. I mean compounding the um the situation that we're that we're dealing with is the cash flow and um you know if this were a normal year we'd know what we've what we're getting by um October. But with with the um reassessment and then the setting of the split rates and then um court proceedings and then you know extensions on payments and stuff like that. We we really don't know um for sure where we're going to stand in re for revenue until um January. It could be if we find out that with all these appeals and and so forth that we're we're going to
176be far under, we may have to cut some budgets. We don't know that yet. We're hoping it's not that way. Um, typically typically we will um hedge that by 2% for delinquencies each year. And so um we just have to see once we get to January, you know, where where we are. Um if we we should be in January percentage-wise where we normally are in Jan in January once you back out any um advanced collections that we receive for anything that's supposed to be 2027 that's just sitting on account. So um we will see where we are um in January. So that's my big worry is is the revenue situation. Chuck, have we been have we been told in Appo what the number is in terms of total challen uh challenges to assessments? In other
177words, there have been, I don't know, let's say 400 tax appeals filed and there's uh you know $5 million in assessment under challenge. Do we have that number just for our district? >> We had it a couple months ago. Um it's that's a pretty stale number now. I think that maybe um maybe u we can ask for that again from the county. Um over the last couple weeks we've gotten couple files. One is with stipulations granted and I don't quite know what a stipulation is but it it looks like people were granted reduction in their property. >> That's what a stipulation is. Yeah. The county reviews the appeal form and then cuts a deal like a settlement agreement in a lawsuit or something. Uh and so typically there's some reduction in the assessed value. Sometimes
178all of it more often than not, you know, you uh you split the baby somewhere depending on the strength of the presented. >> Some of them were like a 15% stipulation. So, but those just came in and there it was a pretty big file. I saw some appleo in there, but um maybe Miss Stewart, let's let's get with the county tomorrow and and request an updated uh rollup of what's still under um under consideration for appeal. I think that would be helpful. >> Right. Because the biggest risk that we face, and you just named it, is, you know, if suddenly the tax appeals are more successful than they should be or or we project they're going to be, we could end up with slightly less revenue than we forecast. And that has ripple effects. So,
179we just need to stay on top of that. >> It does. Yes. Exactly. and a couple that um to an earlier point, how the financial team led by Miss Stewart, watching every dollar um is so important um and the appreciation we have of that and I believe the patience that everybody in the district, principles and educators understand that to President Forson's point, when you don't know what the end number is going to be in revenue-wise, you really have to watch every dollar you're spending. So, uh just a couple of those two things, >> right? I mean, even though even if um and hopefully you do um approve this budget tonight, but even once it's approved, we're still in austerity mode. We can't it's not like the cash is fully behind the numbers that we that
180we have in the budget. And that's that's the case every year. You budget knowing that you um project revenue throughout the year. It's just that usually we have this by October. Well, Chuck, for the record, I don't think there's ever been a year that I've been on the board that we have not been in austerity mode, but that's a different issue, I suppose. Any other questions, comments for Dr. Longfellow. Hearing none, all in favor of the motion, which is to approve the preliminary budget as presented say signify by saying I. I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> Thank you, Chuck. Next on the agenda, we have overnight field trips for approval. The chair will entertain a motion. >> Mr. President, I move to approve the overnight trip ID 1154 for um MH MHS
181boys basketball team to civic to the civic center. >> I'll second. >> Motion by Dr. Graham, second by Mr. Higgins to approve trip ID 11154 in December 2025. this month, Middletown High School boys basketball to Wakcomo Civic Center uh to compete in the DIAA Governor's Challenge. Any questions, comments, or discussion on the motion? >> No. >> Are we okay? Okay. Hearing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Thank you. Next on the agenda, we have construction contracts for approval. Mr. Hopkins. >> Okay. [clears throat] I've uh submitted two contracts. I'm recommending for approval. We took these uh we took the bids per Delaware state code, did us review, qualified the biders. They uh came in slightly under budget overall. With that, we're uh recommending and looking
182for approval for bid package 13A for grandstands and package 26A for site electrical. >> All right. Any uh why don't we get a motion? >> Mr. President, I motion to approve the construction contract as presented. >> Um I'll second. >> Motion by Mr. Higgins, second by Dr. Graham to approve the two construction contracts as presented and as recommended by Mr. Hopkins. Questions, comments, or discussion on the motion. Hearing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Thank you. Next on the agenda, we have change orders for approval. Mr. Hopkins. >> Yeah, we'll start with Summit Campus. With Summit Campus, we have a ledger move. Basically, we're taking 500,000 and we're moving it into our general requirements for Wedding and Turner. We're encumbering that money with them at at at
183this point. It's it's not an addition to the project. It's just taking it one budget line item, putting it in Wing and Turner's contract so they can do temporary fencing, lighting. >> What are we moving? >> 500,000 >> from what to what again? We're moving out of our our pot of money per se out of our budget into their and we're encumbering it on their contract and then they'll >> out of our contingency >> or it's just out of a budget line item. It's not even really contingency. It's just a line item we carry for general requirements. >> Okay. Okay. >> Within our budget. >> Okay. >> So, we're just taking out of there and there'll be more over time, but for right now, we're starting out with 500,000 going to get our sight fencing,
184you know, all your dumpsters, >> right? >> Toilets, things requiring a project that that they pay for, >> right? But this was something we were expecting to pay anyway. So we're not changing the cost of the project. We're just >> This has always been part of our >> putting it in a different bucket. Okay. >> With that and then we have some for Lewis reading. We have one of them to note is the fuel for sod and irrigation. That's to get us up and running ready for spring sports. That's that's not a net number. There'll be some that comes back to us on that for the seating and you know we don't have to buy a water wheel things like this. So that's that that's not a net, but that's the ad for this month.
185We also have a $30,000 credit for uh for unused money and caulking. With that, I'm recommending these changes for approval and seeking approval. >> Chair will entertain a motion. >> Um Mr. President, I move to approve the change orders as presented and recommended. >> I second. >> Motion by Dr. Graham, second by Mr. Higgins to approve the change orders as presented and as recommended by Mr. Hopkins. Any questions, comments, or discussion on the motion? My only question is with respect to Lewis reading. We're still on budget or under budget even with these change orders. >> We are. >> Okay. Any other questions, comments, or discussion? Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Thank you, Mr. Hopkins. Next on the agenda, we have the personnel report for approval.
186Dr. Small. Good evening. The personnel report for the December board meeting has been presented for your approval. Tonight, we are asking for your approval as presented. >> Mr. President, I move to approve the personnel report as presented. >> Is there a second? >> I second. >> Motion by Dr. Graham, second by Mr. Higgins to approve the personnel report as presented. Any questions, comments, or discussion on the motion? Hearing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I. I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Next on the agenda, we have administrative contract renewals and extensions for 2026-2027 for approval. Dr. Small. >> Yes. Thank you. The administrative contract renewals and extensions for the 2026-27 school year have been presented for your approval. Excuse me. [clears throat] For your approval. We are asking for approval as presented. >>
187Mr. President, I motion to approve the administrative contract renewals and extensions for 2026 and 27 as presented. >> Second >> motion by Mr. Higgins, second by Dr. Graham to approve the administrative contract renewals and extensions for 2026-2027. Any questions, comments, or discussion on the motion? Hearing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? Motion carries. Next on the agenda, we have the nutrition collective bargaining agreement for approval. >> Thank you. The nutrition collective bargaining agreement has been presented for your approval. We are asking for approval as presented. >> Mr. President, I move to approve the nutrition collective bargaining bargaining agreement as presented. >> I'll second. Motion by Dr. Graham, second by Mr. Higgins to approve the nutrition collective bargaining agreement as presented. Any questions, comments, or discussion on the motion? I'll just
188comment that we do appreciate you guys and I'm really sorry if you somehow got the feeling that the board does not appreciate everything you do. Um, with that, any other questions, comments, or discussion? Hearing none, all in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> Thank you. Uh, next on the agenda, we have establishment of meeting dates. The financial advisory committee will meet at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 next year in the boardroom of the Marian Profit Training Center. So, right in here. Uh the next regular board of education meeting is Tuesday, January 13, 2026. That's next year at 7:00 here in this room. Uh there will also be a board workshop on finance uh training on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 6 PM in this room here. Again,
189that will be a year from now, right? It'll be January 2026. Maybe not a full year, but next year. And with that, we are adjourned. Thank you all for attending.