001All right, so it is 6:03 June 3rd. I'm going to bring this um FY27 budget hearing to order. We could uh stand for the pledge. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. All right, go ahead and turn it over to Mr. Boardman. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So, this is our our FY27 budget hearing for the North Plainfield Public Schools. Um I've tried to make this presentation as streamlined as possible and obviously if there if there are questions, we can answer those questions at the end. So, and when we start this process every year, we start with we always talk as as a leadership team, uh
002we go back to our mission and our vision. And if you just give me a minute, I'll read the vision statement of the district uh that was developed 2 years ago. Uh we strive to be a school community where every stakeholder feels valued, connected, and inspired. Students academically prepared with skills to thrive in education, careers, and an inter-connected world. So, that's what we hope to be and that's what we always strive to be as a district that has two schools. We are going into the third and last year of our most recent strategic framework or our plan. Uh and this this plan, which was developed with the the input of 25-plus stakeholders um over three nights 3 years ago, uh really broke down uh our thinking into three major buckets or categories. Curriculum and instruction,
003which is always kind of the backbone of a backbone or foundation of what we do here in the district. Meeting the needs of all students. And then fostering a culture of belonging for all students, families, and staff members. Um so when we do when we develop a budget, uh we always look at the strategic plan, which funnels down to our two school improvement plans, which we constantly revise every year. So just for the for I know the community is aware of this, but just for the general viewing public, some of the key funding terms explained that we'll be kind of using tonight. Uh Chapter 70 funding, uh the state's main education aid to districts. This is based on enrollment, student need, community ability to pay. This is the state's share of funding our school budget.
004So this is the amount that the state will give to North Brookfield to support our FY27 budget. Required net school spending or NSS, the minimum amount the district must spend on education per the state formula to fund an adequate education. And that's again, that that word is in quotes because what one person may deem as adequate is not adequate for someone else. The minimum amount we must spend on our schools. And then the last term is the required district contribution, the local share of required NSS, the minimum town must fund locally after accounting for state aid, the minimum amount the town must pay towards our school budget. Uh and this number goes up every year. Um I think this past year from FY26 to FY27 we saw roughly a 7% increase. Um but that number
005does go up. So FY27, um just kind of giving you kind of the some overview of numbers, uh and where we were at FY26 to where we are now. Um the FY26 approved budget was 7.28 million and some change. Uh the FY27 total request before revenue offsets, and we're going to go over the offsets in a few slides here, was just over 8.74 million. The total offsets applied was just over 1.86 million. So, that would leave the net budget after offsets applied at 6.833824 million. This is a a 5.5% reduction decrease uh from FY26 to FY27 um for that for that net budget. So, looking at the the budget request by department. So, I I have kind of a side-by-side comparison of the actual FY26 to the total request and then the offset for FY27.
006Um you can see where the differences lie. Um and you know, the offset again a number of Um we saw a a big reduction in transportation, um but we saw our our our offsets I feel very strategically placed to offset [snorts] uh the cost for our salaries and some of our technology needs. Uh where if you look at technology for example, that department is only seeing a $26,000 local kind of charge if you will after offsets have been applied. So, the revenue offsets, uh and this is just a list of of of all the offsets that we use. Um you have your your uh your special ed offsets or special ed grants, uh the title grants that we apply for every single year to support our staff, our program for special education. Uh we have
007our innovative career pathway grant that this year we received 75,000, next year for FY27 we'll receive 50,000. Uh Uh, we have our circuit breaker reimbursement, is our the state's mechanism to offset the special education costs um based on tuitions that and transportation that our students incur for their their services. We also have uh school choice receiving, which we project at just over $520,000 for FY27. We also have two rural school aid or rural school grants, if you will. We have rural school aid, which is a state grant, uh which we talked about this previous meetings. We receive this this funding usually late fall, and we need to expend this by June 30th of that fiscal year. We are projecting next year at 95,000. Um that number uh hopefully and it will have some firm confirmation
008in the next few weeks, will probably go up based on what we're seeing uh throughout the budget process. So, that will be over $100,000 is where we're projecting that for next year, but I want to leave that number there for now. The small rural school aid, which is a federal grant, um it is is $42,000. E-rate is a way that we get reimbursed for our technology use, so our internet, our cable. Uh we saw that at just over 13,000. So, um all in all, uh the offsets again, uh we're looking at over 1.85 million in offsets for fiscal year 27. So, this is the uh the net school FY27 net school spending worksheet that we that we use uh to develop kind of where we're at and and what we're going to ask for um
009through the school committee at the town meeting to be voted on later in June. Um I know there's a lot of numbers on this slide. Uh I just want to take you through kind of the the major points here. Um the FY27 net request is is the 6.833824 number. Um transportation is at 804, so that's if you want to look at the net request minus transportation, we're looking at just over $6 million. But if you include all the indirect costs that we have to incur, that includes health insurance, life insurance, that includes retirees health insurance and life insurance, that includes our special education assessment, that includes our school choice out number, that includes our Bay Path tuitions. That total number, the total school cost is 10.344 million. Um when I presented to the finance committee
010about a month and a half ago, that number was up over 10.4 million. We've made some reductions, we continued to work some of our numbers within special education tuitions, so that's where we saw a a slight reduction there. I will note if you see this at the bottom of this slide in purple, that we are there's potential, strong potential that as this budget process has gone on at the state level, that we started at $75 per student for the initial cherry sheet number for for state support per per student. That number is trending now towards the one the 160, so an increase of of you know, $80, 80 plus dollars per student. That again, that on its own right there, if that if that holds true through this budget process through early July, there'll be
011an additional 45 44 45 thousand dollars back to the district. Um so that was that was we started at the $75 per student from the governor proposal. Um the house then jumped up to 160 and I I believe it's going to stay to remain that per student. So those are some really positive movement or positive movement from the state to support districts. Um we love to have that number to start with, but that's where it's trending. So I want to just keep that on your radar. So, again, some some three some three key points here. The operating budget reduction we we saw a five just over 5 and 1/2% decrease from FY26 to FY27. That 10.34 total number for the for the overall school budget >> [clears throat] >> it falls in line with that
012100% net school spending compliance. And we do have we do have money that we are building back up in both school choice and circuit breaker, but we're not having to at this time draw from any of those revolving accounts to to balance the budget or to offset additional costs in the budget. So, just in summary of again, that reduction we're looking at $1.86 million in total offsets applied to reduce the budget burden. And then the the the 10.344 number is is aligned with the 100% net school spending for Longmeadow Public Schools. So, the the recommended motion and this is similar to what we talked about going back to last June. And this is based on what the town has done at the town meeting in years past. Is is the School Committee this is recommended
013motion for me to this committee. The School Committee of the Town of Longmeadow states fiscal year 2027 school budget requires at the 6.833824 inclusive of transportation to be set at town moderator for appearance on the warrant for the spring annual town meeting on June 12th, 2026. The total cost inclusive of all direct and indirect costs is 10.344720 as presented. Meaning 100% net net school spending compliance, while the emphasis remains on the 6.833 net budget figure. I believe on the town warrant which was voted on last at the last time we had a meeting, we had this number. Um I believe they also put the the SA day cap assessments there as well. >> [cough] >> Good. All right. So, um we'll entertain a motion and then we can discuss it in discussion. Anyone has questions?
014>> I have a lot of questions. >> Sure. We'll do the motion and then we >> I will make a motion that the school committee uh adopt the FY 2027 budget request at the 6.833 million as the budget expectation to be sent to the town moderator for appearance on the warrant for the spring annual town meeting on June 12th, 2026. >> Do we have a second? >> I'll second. >> Any discussion or questions? >> I have a lot. >> All right. Go ahead. I don't have any at this point, so >> Okay. >> you can start. >> So, I think because I went through this to try to understand where the numbers were all coming from. If we can go back to I'm not sure which slide this one is. This is the FY 27
015budget the bottom line. Um it has the 7.28 million in the corner. There we go. There we go. There we go. Thank you. Okay. So, I looked at the I believe it was the February numbers. Um those numbers were at 9.14 million. Uh which is a decrease of about um $400,000. Do we know basically what what caused those um what caused that decrease at this point? >> From the 9.1 to the 8.74, is that what you're saying? >> Yeah. >> So, Yeah, so that was two major things. That was from savings in special education and transportation. And then also salaries in both schools where we were able to for various reasons came brought in new personnel hired at a much lower level even during the course of this school year. So, those are the two
016major drivers for that reduction. >> Okay. Thank you. And that also would have been the February numbers for the the bottom right where it says 6.833. Um that was um in February that was 7.28 million. So, basically that would have also driven that number. >> Okay, cool. >> Yeah. And and and so I guess, you know, you could say that's one of the the I don't know if it's an issue, but when you're developing a school budget, it's going to change quite a bit >> Oh, yeah. >> course of of you from February to to now June. Um and you know, what we what I think every time I have the original presented to the committee, it's always changed multiple times. >> I'm sure. >> So, I'm just just being transparent about that. >> Yep.
017Um so, I'm sure it will and and I you know, just to kind of let folks know, I mean, I'm a numbers person, so I I want to understand trends and numbers and things like that. So, I'm I'm going to ask the questions >> Yeah, of course. >> To be honest, I'm not going to say yes to something that I don't understand. So, um if you go to the next the next slide. The offset numbers, so you had a slide that listed the offsets. Um I don't think it's in our packet. >> Yeah, so I added a a new slide that was not in the original packet with all the offsets broken out individually. So, >> Okay. >> what may be confusing and I just and I realized this after I did that is do
018you see that 1.8 number? >> Yep. >> So, that if you look at this for example, people's services, there's a number of nine nine and a half 991,000, right? That's combining multiple different offsets to form that one number. >> Right. >> That makes sense? >> I I dealt within $14,000. >> Yeah, so that that it's it's not I didn't take this this slide where you have all the exact numbers from those offsets listed out individually. >> No. >> This slide has offsets that are merged together for different things. >> Which is fine. I think as long as we understand what the offset is. I was trying to just kind of get to a point where I understood, okay, this offset goes with this offset goes with the athletics bucket. This one goes with the buildings
019and grounds. And I wasn't I used from the February there was kind of a a little bit of a a breakdown um that listed the special ed circuit breaker, the title grants. And I wasn't able to 100% get to those numbers on the offset, but I am curious as as to which offsets those are. Um and then I just kind of looked at the numbers as far as um you know, where they were going and and I understood those numbers based upon, you know, what we had on this slide here. So that that all makes sense. >> So looking at just the if you go to the revenue offsets, the first 1 2 3 4 and then number 6, those are all your entitlement grants that get renewed every year. >> Okay. >> They they
020stay fairly consistent. You know, they fluctuate a little bit here and there. Um I believe, for example, IDEA Part B um was as high as 153 or 4 a couple years ago, but based on numbers it it it fluctuates a little bit. Um but, you know, Title IV has been consistent. Yeah, 10,000 the last 2 or 3 years. >> Okay. >> So those are those are uh consistent the title grants that we receive every year to support our special education and reading intervention programs. >> Okay. Um it is I think it helps for people to understand if they see it. Even if it's the same numbers, I mean just cut and paste from last year if you wish. Um >> Well, they like I said, they they have changed. Some of them have changed. So,
021these are the most recent numbers. I don't have FY26 numbers in front of me right now, but these are the FY27 numbers. >> Okay, that's fine. That's fine. I just I think it's important to understand where these offices are coming from. Um just so that we so that I can kind of look at this and say that I understand what it is that I'm looking at here, so that I know what it is that I'm signing off on. Okay. The next one is FY27 NSS worksheet. Um I spent a lot of time on this one. Um and you and I just talked about this one. Um I think the issue here is is probably the the numbers were in a state of flux when this was put together. That black box um if you put
022these if you take the six .833 less the transportation with the net request of 6 029728 uh plus the ER retirement, which from my understanding comes from the town budget >> Yes. >> and not the school budget. Okay. So, I'm trying to like piece together why we're not asking for $10 million for the schools, we're asking $6 million for the schools. And that's the Part of that reason is that in that black box under ER retirement and all those little numbers there, that adds up to um 4 million 36860608. So, if you take the net request of the 6 million of 29728 plus the ER retirement of 4368608, that does not equal 10 344720. It actually equals 10 million 398336. So, what I would say at this point is that is a typo probably in
023that network net request. The 680 the 6.833824 uh less transportation and different numbers. I asked the town accountant uh what those numbers should be so that I came up with a 10 344720 number and she provided those. Um I So, so if anyone's looking at that box and trying to figure that out, uh those numbers do not agree. Um I would suggest in the future maybe I don't know. Um you know, maybe just putting it into a spreadsheet form so that people can understand like okay, this is where you get your numbers and it's easier to figure out where you made mistakes in your numbers. Um Just as, you know, because I was an an accountant, um a lot of times I found that presenting numbers in a spreadsheet and the spreadsheet has been validated,
024that it takes away a lot of the question about uh whether you kind of figured something out in uh you know, in in the black box there you've accounted for the the switch and the changes that are happening on the fly and you're trying to put this together. I think simplifying um that with maybe just a a slide that says this is what our numbers are um in a spreadsheet probably would have served us better and had done then a better um explanation of what these numbers are. As a suggestion. Um if that makes sense. So, okay. So, um So, I I understand at this point that these numbers are definitely changing as we're going along and every day something new is going to come up and the uh it looks like we used the
025governor's numbers perhaps um to come up with what we what we had for the retirement and insurance and all that good stuff. In in the packet, we're talking about 10,356,745 but on uh if you Now, if you look at this one, >> The number the transportation number we use and we've been using is been 804. >> Okay. So, so what I'm looking at right here, this says 10,356,745. This is from last night. And this one right here >> Yeah, and that's what we >> is 10,344,720. So, where So, what what >> So, I I believe that number you have on the on your spreadsheet or your presentation, the the transportation number either it was it was higher or the math was not correct. But that number has gone down by a little over 10,000 based
026on that transportation number. >> Okay. The number's still not correct. The number's still not correct. Um because if you do the >> The The 9.54 plus the 804 is the 10.344 number. >> Okay. It's actually 10,398,336. If you do that. Unless other things have changed within this. But that's what I'm talking about anyway. >> No, the 9.54 million 540 720 plus 804 is the 10344720 number. >> Say that again. >> 9.540 plus 804 is the 10.344 million. >> Where Okay, so the So the So the The 9.540 is the net school spending per desk requirement. Right? This guy here? >> Correct. >> Which really So what you're saying is that number there has nothing to do with the black box. >> The black The black box bottom left shows the the net request for the
027school. >> Okay. >> So that was the number that we we are potentially voting on tonight. So that is the operating budget for FY '27. What I did in the in the black box is include all of the indirect costs that are added to that number. >> Okay. You So if we are voting on what is in that black box right now that 10,344,720 you can't get there from here. That that does not equal we can take out our calculator and say >> But but we're not and I'm not saying that that you're wrong or right there what we're voting on potentially is the 6.833 number. >> And so This is super handy. Um So the spreadsheet that I received from the accountant that lists the budget request of 6.895 less the transportation of 845
028old numbers Cuz it doesn't look like these. >> Which one? Which number are you talking about? >> So >> I have it in front of me. >> Yeah, this So this number here and this number here are the two top ones under the school. >> Mhm. The 845? >> The 8. I'm sorry, 6.89544440 under school. And then the 845 right it was transportation 845 686.75. Are those old numbers? >> Uh let me just take a look. I'm going to try to find it. I >> Okay. >> What I can think of I'm looking for my period is So the FinCom presentation the FY2017 net budget was the 6.89 number. >> Okay. >> So that number has changed since that presentation. >> Okay. So these are old numbers. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So then the number
029is that So basically what you're saying is these those numbers have changed. Um But our number still remains 6.833824 that we're voting on? Even though the other numbers have changed. >> The 6.833 number is inclusive of our transportation. >> Yeah. So, it looks like maybe she had perhaps transportation higher. Does that make sense? >> [clears throat] >> Yeah, according to to what I have in front of me. Yeah, that her transportation number is higher cuz we we have a number of 804 that was around 4,000. And and looking at if you go back to the budget request by department sheet or our our slide, we have that inclusive of transportation. That number, that 6.833 number is is is all of our all of our departments sum. >> To be honest, I can't figure out how
030you got into your number. Um which is a concern to me. >> The 6.833 number? >> Yeah. I'm looking at a spreadsheet and it it's coming up with the number, but I can't I don't understand. Can you go back this one the worksheet again, please? So, you're still starting out with 6833814. Okay. So, basically what we're saying here is that So, basically what we're saying is these full FY27 budget requests for the 6.895 has changed and the transportation costs have changed. Um but, we're still at the eight the 6.833814 number. I think. Yeah. This is really confusing. Anybody else want to help me out? >> So, what I can say is that I think we did So, in February, I think we voted on the budget the initial budget. So, we already voted on that
031number as part of the process. >> Right. >> Correct. So, and that was obviously a different committee, uh different members. But, going forward we're voting on the the final number here tonight that we're requesting from the town for the school. The We obviously you didn't have like a line-by-line to even So, you're just looking at this. >> Yeah. >> So, my suggestion would be is if you're not comfortable with voting cuz you haven't seen the line-by-line. I mean, you weren't on that past committee. So, I mean, you can certainly vote how you wish. I mean, that's the only thing I can say at this point. I mean, this this hearing is to move forward that final number. >> Okay. >> Um the numbers, as we've been discussing, are going to change again anyway. It's in
032terms of what's within those numbers with the uh gov- with the final budget once it goes through. >> Sure. >> Um so, regardless of the exact elements of that total, what we say yes to tonight is going to change fundamentally anyway. I mean, not in a big way, but if we get the 160 per student versus the 75, that's also going to change. Things are going to move around. So, >> Sure. >> um I think I'm comfortable with this number based on what we've already seen. >> Okay. >> Um with it noted that obviously there's some slight differences in there, but those will have to get fixed anyway uh once you get the final >> Okay. >> So, I would That would be my recommendation on how we move forward. We vote, and then >>
033Okay. >> cuz we're going to There's going to have to be adjustments that get made regardless after tonight anyway. So, >> Right. >> So, but that's the number that we do looking for from telling the town that we're looking for. >> Okay. >> So, >> What would What would be involved in getting us the numbers so that we understand what it is that we're voting on? I'm just not comfortable to vote on something that I don't understand to be honest. >> I I I I I I I I I so I totally understand that and that's why I say when we vote you can vote how you I I know I know your feedback this one if going forward we want to use more of I but I present when I put this together I
034tried to make it as straight forward and as clear as possible maybe that wasn't wasn't what happened here if the committee prefers spreadsheets that's fine I'm open to all that feedback and suggestions these are numbers that we've been working with as a district between Mr. Graham myself Mr. Balzar Mr. Murphy and Mr. Beck Mr. Danny who also is is in our office some of the fun fun fun fun days of the week so these are numbers we've been working with since even before February if this presentation style is not clear to the committee I think going forward you know for next year even we can change that that would totally fine with that >> Well it just it doesn't add >> Yeah and I I understand your concern I think that the 6833 number is
035is the number we've been kind of fixated on if there are some differences there again I I we didn't either catch it or we changed it and I and I didn't catch the changes so so I will take ownership of that but you know in no way was this this is a a presentation that we're trying to not give you a kind of a transparent look at where we're at I think where we've done a lot of work to this budget in the sense that where we were back in February to where we are now yes it's gone down which which is typically a good thing Mhm. >> Um, it's gone down for I think some of the right reasons and we've been able to support students who have come back to the district with
036programs here in the district. So, >> Okay. >> it it's twofold. But, again, if it's not clear, if there's some numbers that are that are fuzzy, we we we welcome that feedback. We want to make sure that it's clear for the whole committee, for the general public. Um, when we discuss it, it's clear, but but maybe we're again, maybe when we put it to a presentation, it's not coming out exactly the way it should be. >> Yeah. I think I think I think it's I think accuracy is important. >> Of course. Of course. I mean, I mean, we don't um, no, I I totally agree with that. I mean, we we can't I mean, when we put together our budget, and I'll give you a just a quick example, you know, there there is very
037little um, I I usually use the word padding, but but there's there's we try to be as exact as we can with the increase for OSD, for example. So, we're not putting in a lot of padding in this budget. This budget is pretty bare-bones based on the numbers that we received from the state, from OSD, and what we're looking at from our our transportation contracts. So, um, there there aren't like phantom things in here to offset or to to make it better for the district or the town. It's really this is what we have, this is what we need, um, and this is what we need to to continue moving forward. >> No, I I I think that's great. Um, I think at this point, >> [clears throat] >> um, I mean, I'm assuming that
038the school committee must be a partner uh, and be a partner in this and understand the numbers from your standpoint, um, so that we can make an informed decision, even for the new the new folks on the committee. So, um, I would like to see where where all the breakdowns are coming from, um, so that I can look at because if if it's really we go back to the slide that had the FY budget request by department. If we go back, I think that's maybe the one maybe two before and the one one before. If if it's really this that we want to focus on, and where this is all coming from, that's cool. I think that's great. Um I understand that. I think that's important. Um but if this is what we want to
039focus on, I want to know what goes into $6.83 million. That's a lot of money. Um >> And I think if I can answer that, I think that when we initially gave the members, I know that we've had a a big changeover, the budget binders include all those individual line item spreadsheets. >> Okay. >> Um which we can get you the electronic version of those. >> That would be great. >> So when you look at when you look at for example the high school, that the FY 2017 request is the 1.72 million, that has all the salaries, all of the supplies, everything that goes into the high school. That's not represented in this in this presentation. The presentation is obviously much more streamlined, just with a total number per department. >> And and as a
040school committee member, I feel like I should be able to look at that number and know exactly what's in it. And I cannot tell you right now what is >> And I I think you know, to Mr. Graham mentioned this earlier, as a The committee did receive all that information. So we can get as much of that to you as we can. >> So what I what I will say is that I think what we talked about earlier this year is we talked about doing um you know, getting having a budget subcommittee because this our school committee here never has. And I think that will go a long way to when we get to this point, these numbers will already all be understood. And like these hearings are more for the final part of the
041whole process. So that being said, also I would say when we know that May comes and there's election, there's new members, this process comes and it's the timing isn't great. So what we probably should do in the for the future is plan for that a little bit better, too, so for when we get new members to get them up to speed. >> Sure. >> Um so. >> Okay. >> Yeah, I I agree with a lot of what you're saying. It's It's one of those things where we did have a huge turnover uh with after the election, a lot of new members, and I think going forward in future years with having a budget subcommittee, there'll be members on the committee who are well into this with the administration and partnering, like you said. And I
042think that's the goal is to have members up here because I understand what you want to do. You want to make sure you're taking your role very seriously and making sure things match. So, so and I I appreciate it. >> My husband That's That is basically why I'm here. >> Exactly. And that point is well understood. So, I I I I get it. I And I think it's great that we have committee members that are taking their role seriously and that, you know, the budget is a big chunk of what we do. So, yeah. Um So, that's great. And I And I just think it's The tricky is this is the timing of the new members coming on. So, that's the hard part where this falls the month after everyone comes on board. But, I
043think in the future years we can handle that better, too. So, All right. Any other questions, concerns? Comments? None? >> I I think I I think I answered everybody's >> your questions. No, thank you. There were some very good questions within that. And so, all that being said, if there's no other questions, comments, we'll go to a vote. Do we want to do a roll call vote? Um yeah, the motion that was seconded uh What was it? Name and vote. >> Uh Nancy Waldron, I'm going to vote no. >> Matthew Grant, yes. >> Christine Jean Grant, yes. >> Right. So, we have two out of the three present members that voted yes. Um we will have to figure out um I'm not quite sure how that works because we only have a five-member committee. Two
044out of the three present voted yes. So >> We still have >> We have a running in a quorum. Yeah, so we have a majority that passed. So it passes. We just never have run into that before. We haven't had everyone here. That's >> Yeah. >> Um all right. So I think we're all set. Any We have nothing else at to discuss for this hearing if I'm correct. >> Correct. >> All right. I will entertain a motion to adjourn the FY27 budget hearing. >> I'll second that. >> All those in favor. >> Aye. >> All right. Thank you everybody. >> Thanks everybody. Thank you for >> entertaining and >> No, it's good. It's good stuff.