001Okay. I now call the July 31st, 2025 YM Community School special board meeting to order. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right, welcome everyone. My name is Denise Hendrickson and I am the school board president. Before we begin, I want to remind everyone that the agenda and meeting packet are made available on our district website at least 24 hours prior to the start of each meeting. Please note that while we strive to provide the relevant materials in advance, modifications to the agenda are permissible. And um we do have um an community comment and it's in regards to um our resolution. So um
002do I need to have the maybe comment before the resolution or afterwards? >> You should do it now. You go ahead and read that. I'll >> Okay. So before um we take the community comment um I'm going to read this. Um community comments that are related to an item on the posted agenda will be given at the time of the agenda item is to be discussed. Please understand that the board will not engage in discussion per policy 1400. The board values and supports the opportunity for community members to share ideas. Comments on agenda items will be limited to five minutes per speaker and 20 minutes per topic. Any comments directed at the performance of school personnel will not be allowed. Comments that are inappropriate to an open public meeting will be immediately stopped by the
003board president. Community comments need to be presented in a respectful manner following proper decorum. Dis disruption of the meeting can result in the meeting being recessed. Okay. And this um uh community comment is about the EP and O levy and um it is uh going to be made by uh Gerald Tupus. >> All right. Thank you and thank you for the opportunity to speak. My name is Jerry Tumbas. I'm a special education teacher and I taught in YM for three years. I'm a parent of students who are directly affected by the recent school cuts and today I'm speaking as a vice chair of the citizens of YM. Uh it's our nonprofit committed to supporting our schools through community funding. I just wanted to come and say that if the board of directors chooses to move
004forward with placing the levy on the ballot that the citizens of Yelm is ready to act. Uh after multiple failed levies, the impact on our school is clear. Counselors, administrators, librarians, art and music, technology, curriculum, and more are at risk of becoming permanently reduced or eliminated. Last year, six of my children attended YM Community Schools, and I can attest to the fact that the cuts have harmed their education and social emotional needs, and this cannot be the new normal. Citizens of YM has helped run levy campaigns for decades. In the last effort, multiple organizations came together to help, and we're prepared to do that again if needed. We're just as ready to lead the charge alone. We'll work with anyone who's willing to step up. One thing is clear, more passionate volunteers are needed in
005order to meet this moment. We're also open to change. We're willing to adapt however we need to succeed. And we're actively looking for new executive board members to bring fresh energy and ideas. previous efforts have not worked and we invite anyone in that community who cares about a quality quality education in YM to get involved and offer your expertise and perspective regardless of the difficulty and it will be difficult like it always has the community can count on us to provide the resources and make the strong effort needed to get this passed. Um so in short if the levy is to be run again we are ready to help in any capacity that is needed and we are open to any change that is needed. We are open to adopt new ideas to create new
006partnerships to take in all the perspectives in order to make the next effort more successful. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Jerry. All right. Um, the next item on here is resolution 09-24-25. >> Have a motion. >> Oh, I move we approve. >> Second. >> Is there any discussion? >> Yes. Thank you and good evening. So, as you know, over the past few weeks, I've provided you with a lot of data, a lot of numbers, more than you've probably ever seen in that amount of time. Um, and a lot of scenarios and forecasts so that you had could could make an informed decision on um whether to go out in November and if so, at what rate um and what amount. And so we've had a lot of discussion and I know you've had
007discussion um behind the scenes and um you've been provided some additional information as of yesterday to help make the decision. Um and so the resolution based on conversations that you have had the resolution was developed at a rate of $130. Um, and so I just want to walk through a few slides um, to give a little background and to talk about the the resolution and the language that we're proposing for adoption. So, so the levy was last authorized um, in for 123124 is when it expired. Um, we did not have a levy at all in the year 2025. Um and that was calendar year which we know impacts two different fiscal years. Impacted 2425 the current year and it impacts next year 2526. Um because we will not collect anything in the fall. Um and
008if we pass a levy then in November for next year um we would start collecting on that in the spring. Um so we would have no collection in the fall. Um calendar year 2026. So, November is our final attempt to pass a levy. As you know, we can go out two times in a year. We went out in February and so now we're going out in November. Um the resolution packet that we have to provide to both Thirstston and Pierce counties is due next Tuesday, August 5th. So, we have to have the resolution, the forance committee, um and some cover sheets that our attorney prepares for us all provided to the county treasures by next Tuesday. So, I know this is not a new message, but I think it's important to reiterate this because it
009seems to still be a lot of confusion or misunderstanding by our voters on what the levy is used for because it's often referred to as an enrichment levy, which leads people to believe it's just for extracurricular activities and enrichment type activities when truly it supports a lot of our essential basic education programs because we know that the state doesn't fully fund um basic education. So, the I want to read the ballot proposition language out of the resolution. This is the exact language that will go into the ballot measure. um says this proposition would authorize the district to levy the following excess taxes replacing an expired levy on taxable property within the district for essential educational programs, extracurricular activities and operations including but not limited to teachers, arts, nurses, counselors, classified staff, par educators, safety, graduation
010readiness, technology, athletic facilities, curriculum training. um we are eliminated we are limited to 75 words in in the ballot um to indicate what the levy pays for or we would have said a lot more um and as Mr. Chupa said earlier he mentioned administrators and some other things that aren't included here um that have been impacted. Um you will notice that the main change from the language in the prior year levy or in the in February is that special ed has been removed. Um the legislature passed a regulation in this session in the spring that we can no longer use levy funds to support special education and that's what most districts if not all throughout the state were using levy funds because everybody subsidizes special ed because they don't get enough money from the state
011to meet all of the requirements that we're required to meet. So, um, what that does, um, we're still required to pay for those special ed costs because it's federal and state required, but what that does is it requires us to move other essential staff to levy dollars. So, we're going to have to make decisions on which of our staff we're going to consider. Um, and it can be a range of any of these that are listed in the ballot measure um, in the resolution. So, um, that's just one change I wanted to point out. Um, so resolution 92425 provides for submission of a proposition to the voters of the district for a special election on November 4th, 2025. Authorizing property tax collections for 2 years at the following amounts. Um, for 20 2026, $130 2027,
012$130 is the rate. and then um the amounts of 8.955 million and 9.495 million for each of those those years in tax collections. Now, that does not include the state support that we get for levy equalization. That's an additional amount um that our taxpayers do not have to pay for, but the state helps support. Um so, I provided several scenarios to you ranging from a dollar to $1.75. Um, I provided some forecast information, um, forecasting out what it would look like if we don't pass a levy versus if we passed at each one of those rates and what our ending fund balance would look like over the next couple of years. Um, so that you could um, determine what what needed to be focused on and which rate you um, wanted to move forward with.
013So, we're recommending adoption of resolution 092425. Um, and uh, Chris, do you have any comments to add? >> Can you hear me? Okay. >> Yes. >> Um, first of all, I just want to say thank you for allowing me to um, zoom in. Um, as you know, um, my, uh, wife and I are expecting our first grandchild, and we are in Colorado, um, here supporting my son and daughter-in-law who had surgery on our 24week old unborn grandchild. Uh, pretty amazing uh, what they can do. Surgery went well today. um a long road ahead and uh but I think it's important to know that um I would be there if it weren't for uh family and I want to say thank you for allowing me to uh zoom in. Um I also want to say thank
014you to Jerry for his comments. I really appreciated that. Um I appreciate the uh sentiment that they are willing, we are all willing to do whatever it takes. Um, the last thing I'll mention, and Jennifer touched on this, is the amount. Um, we know at a$130 that does not restore our ending fund balance. And this was a very, very difficult um, decision and recommendation to bring to you because we knew if we would have gone up even to a$140, um, we could u restore our ending fund balance. But I think uh we also want to acknowledge what our community has said about um feeling the pinch of taxes um particularly after uh this last legislative session. So um I just want to acknowledge that this does not restore that ending fund balance and that would
015still be um a challenge that we would have ahead of us. However, um this would get us to the place of of um being balanced with some additional cuts at the end of the year, but not nearly as extreme as it would need to be without this levy. So, uh thanks to Jennifer for um all the work on this, all the time, all the energy, and providing all the data for you board members to consider. I know this has not been easy. Um and I appreciate each of you um taking the time that you have to pour over all the information. Are there any other questions? >> Any questions? >> I mean, Chris, did you want to talk about or me to talk about, you know, what what this looks like if we either didn't
016run the levy or if the levy doesn't pass because I think that's we knew we were going to get into this position at some point. We've cut over10 million dollars. I think we've proven that it's impossible with the current system to balance a budget without levy funds. I've learned that, you know, no other school districts have really been in this situation that we're in. We're kind of pioneering this path right now and we're at the point where we can make a couple million more cuts. Um, but you start running out of the cuts that are able to even be made at that point. And you get to a point pretty quick next year without levy funds that we're at risk of not being able to balance the budget and not being able to come back
017from it. And if we don't come back from it, it means everything goes. I mean, it gets gutted to the studs. Um, as much as I hate to say it, it means sports goes, it means a whole bunch more people lose their jobs. and we're still millions away from being able to balance it because the fact is the system is completely broken and you don't get enough money to fund what is required by state law or CPAs and nobody's really proven that to date because no school has been in the position that we're in. And so what it feels like at this point is we're on a last ditch effort to try to save what we can um without going down a path of no return where potentially it looks like the state hasn't taken
018over the district at some point if we can't get levy funds and a$130. It's not the 250 that you know we could collect or have collected but I mean what that shows is you know we have found some fat and we have cut fat and we're still cut almost to the studs. we can get a little bit further, but we need that $130 to really stay solvent at this point. >> And one other comment to add to that is um the reason for the two years was the thought process was if we um if we did not pass in November um we would need to go out again in February, but if we pass this, we will have another year before we'll need to go out for another vote. And Casey, I think you said
019it well. Um, we are not asking our our voters for anything more than than we absolutely need. Um, and that's even at a place where it's it's below maintaining. Um, we are not asking for um adding. We are asking to um just barely get to below um maintaining what we are now. And you're exactly right. Um if the levy fails then um we will be cutting um very deep in all areas. Um the revenue is um not keeping up with expenditures and that's why you're seeing so many districts um having budget issues even districts that are passing their levies and it's not sustainable and uh the the system has to change. Um but in the meantime, uh we've got to find ways to um to fill that gap between where we're funded and where we
020need to be funded. But you're exactly right. Um we'll be coming out with a list of uh things that will be cut if this does not pass. And um at this point uh we just have to be very direct, very honest about that. And um we have no choice. But let me just I want to reiterate to make sure that I'm accurate here. Even with that list and those cuts, we're still not mounting the budget. We're still millions and millions and millions off of where we would need to be and you can't physically get there at that point. At least with the numbers that I've seen. Is that still accurate? >> Yeah. Without the levy, um we can't get there. Um we would uh we can cut all the sports. we can cut staffing to
021the very bare minimum to where we are just meeting the letter of the law as far as supervision and instruction. Um just meeting the letter of the law as far as the uh administrative uh oversight. Um and that would be it. Um there would be no extracurricular activities. um there would be nothing above and beyond what it truly would be very very basic education um for our students. And I think our our students deserve way better than that. And um I I do want to mention that um I had a good conversation this week with Martin Miller um who I believe is going to be recommended to write the against statement and he's been one that has um been against this levy. Um, I had a very nice conversation with him this week and for
022him it was truly about taxes and about his situation um and being taxed out of um, you know, his property. He's on a fixed income. He thinks that our board is doing a great job. He told me that he thinks I'm doing a good job um, especially with what we're dealing with. He is supportive of our schools but he said his opinion is truly just based on um the tax issue which I think we all understand. U but at the same time I think we also agree that our students deserve the very best that we can provide and um I think uh we are missing the mark if we are not able to give them at least this uh this amount of the levy so that we can provide them the same opportunities that our
023neighbors are getting. Yeah. The only other thing I had on that Chris that was eye opening for me was the fact that just with inflation our we go up 5% in costs and expenditures every year and we're only getting an extra 3.2 to 3.5% every year from the state. So no matter what we do now, the following year we're still a million and a half down further in the hole and then the following year a million and a half down further from that and it gets compounded from there. So whatever happens here with this levy, we still have more cuts to make um just to keep up with that lack of funding that's coming in. And those aren't for for extra fluffy expenses that we'd like to have. That's just boilerplate uh inflation that we
024have zero control over. Well, and it's the other thing is um to when you look, we're in binding conditions and so we we start out we're the only district that's in binding conditions that has not passed a levy. And so now we're being joined by about 19 other school districts. They've all passed their levies. But when Belleview is joining us and they can't pay their bills, you're like, "Okay, the system is broke." And here we are trying doing our level best to try to get by. And it's like, we're we're trying. And it's like, okay, here we are. Come on, you guys. You got to help us. Well, over the years, years ago, if I can remember, oh, if you don't pass the levy, we're going to have to cut this, going to cut that.
025And I always hated that, but this is the God's honest truth. >> It's Yeah. >> things are going to have to go. >> All be on the table. >> It's going to be on the table. And it's that's it's going to be on the table. And it's no joke. >> No joke. I mean, if we don't pass the levy, if it can be by making >> and we are required a lot to have a balanced budget, >> so on that happy note, Who's in favor of this resolution? 09-24-25. >> Are you asking further question? >> I'm asking who's in favor? >> I sorry. Hello. >> Scared me. Okay. >> Oppose. Okay. Motion carries. Thank you, Jennifer. >> Thank you. >> All right. Now, um we'll move on to the uh for and against committee. >>
026I move to approve. >> I second. >> Any discussion? Um yes. Um, I'd like to uh I guess nominate or we've asked Judson Willis um for the four as first chair, first person and Tracy Chote as second. >> Okay. >> And can I do the against allin-one motion? And the against is Martin Miller. >> Okay. >> I need a second. >> I second. Okay. >> Now discussion >> any discussion >> and the reason that on a timeline is we checked it out and this is all legal. In the past we've had committees where you know people come in and and that type of a thing. So >> okay. All right. All those in favor >> I >> opposed. Motion carries. All right. All right. That's all there is. Meetings adjourned. >> Thanks, Chris. I didn't
027say the next board meetings.