Board of Education Meeting – March 9 2026

001Welcome to our regular board of education meeting. Today is Monday, March 9th. Please stand and join us in 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. The mission of the White Plains Public Schools is to educate and inspire all students while nurturing their dreams so they learn continually, think critically, and pursue their aspirations, pursue their aspirations, and contribute to a diverse and dynamic world. Next, we'll have um brief announcements from the board. any down here anything >> brief >> try to be brief okay um so uh PTA council uh meeting that I attended um Dr. spoke about mental health and support services and building uh resilience in our children and

002um the PTA council had also done an AI panel and so they spoke about that and we thank the PTA council for everything they do and for sponsoring the panel on on AI. Um, I was also at uh the city hall centennial celebration and open house. >> Um, which was really cool. I mean, just really learning about the history of White Plains. There were a number of elected officials there. It was so informative. Just really, really interesting. And I I would recommend just going into the building and you know just the architecture and there are photographs and and etchings and maps and all sorts of um yeah you know things about the history history of White Plains. um Westchester Putnham School Boards Association had a community conversation um having to do with a response to

003community concerns and I do appreciate um you know hearing from other uh boards of education and how you know they they respond and uh how we respond and sharing that information. The Albany Law School did uh a symposium on K12 education law. Um and they talked about student well-being and mental health and equity and AI. Of course, uh education week also did a webinar on AI. It's definitely um you know being spoken about in lots of uh different different areas. Uh, NISPA did a superintendent evaluation webinar and I just wanted to mention a couple of things having to do with with NISBA. Um, so I sit on their DEI committee and so we met um on on Zoom and um just so you know that NISBA is um committed to the DEI work that it's

004doing um and looked at um goals for the coming year uh talking about possible mentorship um aligning our DEI work in the state with portrait of a graduate uate and New York inspires and embedding NISB's advocacy work um with government officials using diverse examples that come out of uh the DEI committee. Um and then the board of directors at NISPA also met this weekend with a major focus on teacher recruitment and growing your own teacher pipeline. And so there were a lot of really good resources that I shared with both uh Dr. Richa and Dr. Hand coming out of teach.org um and the New York State Educator Workforce Development Hub. So, I think there are a lot of really good resources and and information there. So, thank you. >> Any anything else? >> I think

005um just a couple of things. I uh uh Jessica and I you are and I were at the um AI presentation um at the White Plains um high school. uh given by the the council. Very very informative. Um also I participated on a a black history month panel at the high school and um just want to thank uh the high school for um inviting me. It was very well put together. The students were awesome and um it was just my pleasure to be able to do that. Um, next we're going to go to the superintendence report. >> Thank you, President Neller. Good evening, everybody. >> Good evening. >> It's sunny. >> 70 degrees and let's let's keep it that way, right? >> Um, I I just want to extend, of course, the the board is

006aware. I just want to extend regrets for Miss Hussein and Miss Choy both um unable to be with us this evening. however, um also sent along their their updates as well. So, be happy to share and they're always fantastic. I also want to once again wish a very happy birthday to Mrs. Buck >> today, right now. >> Thank you for sharing and celebrating here. >> Yes, exactly. Thank you. Um before I before I continue on in in the superintendent report, uh Madam President, if if it's okay, uh because I do see we have one of our tigers with us this evening, I'd like to um have move public comment uh up to now and then we can come back to superintendent report unless you want to stick around for the budget presentation and then go.

007>> You're more than welcome. while you while you go to the the podium. >> Um, also wanted to just um uh uh Craig Munchshine is not here as you guys can see. He had um uh something else to attend to unexpectedly. So, he sent his apologies for his absence. Okay. So, thank you for coming. Please state your name and address. My >> Wait, is this on? >> Hi. >> My name is Charlotte Balsomi. Um, I'm here to talk about bringing Junior ROC to White Plains High School. So, uh, I have some stuff to read, but first, hold on. Some barcodes you guys can scan. >> All right. Uh, I have a petition online with about >> All right. Yeah, I have a petition online with about 136 signatures maybe. Um, and yeah, so White Plains

008High School is a strong and diverse community with many clubs, activities, and sport teams that give students opportunities to grow. However, one important opportunity is currently missing. A structured leadership development program like Junior ROC. Junior ROC helps students build leadership, discipline, confidence, and a sense of responsibility while preparing them for college, careers, and service to their community. I'm here today to add advant sorry for bringing a junior ROC program to White Plains High School so students can have access to these valuable skills and opportunities. Um, the junior ROC mission uh, quote, to motivate young people to be better citizens, unquote, aligns closely with the White Plain City School District's mission to inspire and prepare every students. This program would provide many benefits to our school community like uh, promoting community service and civic engagement. White

009Plains High School has a strong tradition of community service. Junior ROC color guards and service projects would be highly vi visible symbols of school spirit at local parades and community events. Build leadership, discipline, and responsibility. Junior ROC uses a student-led chain of command that teaches accountability and responsibility. Senior cadets mentor and guide junior cadets creating real world leadership and manage and management experience. Strengthen teamwork, confidence, and communication skills. Junior ROC applies to a wide cross-section of our diverse student body, including students who may not participate participate in traditional sports or arts programs. Activities like academic competitions known as brain ball brawls help students build teamwork and critical thinking skills offer physical fitness and wellness opportunities. Programs such such as drill team raider fitness competitions and marksman marksmanship promote physical fitness discipline and teamwork prepare students

010for college careers and life beyond high school. Junior ROC provide provides access to scholarships and opportunities for adv advanced rank in the military while also helping students explore both military and civilian career pathways. The leadership discipline and project management skills learned in junior ROC help prepare students for success in any profession. Many high schools across New York and throughout the country successfully operate junior ROC programs that provide leadership development, community service, community service opportunities, and career readiness for their students. Uh the closest one to us is I think is Brewster Brewster Central School District. Uh they've been running it since 2000 to now. They have a naval one. If we do have one, I would prefer an army, but that's just cuz I want to go to West Point. So uh go Army. Uh addressing

011co wait okay um addressing common misconceptions. Junior ROC is not a military recruitment program. Its primary mission is to motivate young people to be better citizens. Students are under no obligation to join the military after high school. The leadership discipline and project management skills developed in junior ROC are just as valuable in in civilian careers as they are in military service. I respectfully request that the White Plains Board of Education um begin exploring the process of establish establishing a official junior ROC unit at White Plains High School. That's the the barcode on the right should have the list of that. Yeah. Um, I don't know how to say that word. Hold on. Allocate the necessary resources to support the program, including classroom space, storage, and drill space. Communicate with students and families to deter to

012determine enrollment interest. Partner with the appropriate military service branch to ensure proper impleation. White Plains High School already offers many opportunities for students to succeed. Junior ROC would add another pathway for students to become leaders, serve their community, and prepare them for the future. Thank you for your time. >> Great job. >> And you ready for the good news? >> Yeah, >> we agree. Yay. And >> so part of part of the long range plan um which isn't great for the moment because it is a longer range plan um is to is to offer JOTC in the White Plane City School District. In fact, we've already begun to to explore uh the requirements uh to to be able to bring the program in uh and coordinating with the Department of Defense uh the the Department

013of War um as well as in New York State identifying an officer that would be able to work with us and and support the program. And there there are other sort of caveats that we have to work out. Less so storage space for drill or classrooms, more so um accessibility to uh a range um because that's one of the requirements to be able to to work on marksmanship as you know. Uh so those are the types of things that we're we're looking at right now. But we're we're uh we're on board with you and actually one of my goals um is has been uh to make sure that we have this program available to our students. We have more and more students who are identifying military service as the pathway within which they wish to

014begin uh their post high school uh careers and and um we think that whatever we can do to support multiple pathways um to college career and service uh is is exactly what we want to be doing. So uh it's it's great that you you took the initiative uh to get out and to get support. I think you will find that there will be a ton of support um in the the greater White Plains community. Um what we also want to be able to do is identify students who would be interested in the programming uh as we move forward too. We might tap you uh to to help us with that at the at the school level as well. Great great job. Uh and and so West Point, that's that's what we're thinking. >> Yeah, >>

015I love it. I love it. If we can help, let me know. >> Uh thank you. >> Great job. >> Thank you so much. I'm also I'm searching for instructors all the time. >> Well, you know, and and you're not wrong because it's not easy. Um you have to have a certified instructor and officer um who will be able to devote their time and also be sanctioned by the Department of War to to open up the program. I've talked to um some school districts that offer I was talking to one upstate New York um and and it's a great program and it and it provides for a lot of opportunity. So, you said you wanted the Navy, right? I'm just kidding. >> You said you said anything. >> So, I guess I guess I guess

016during the annual game, I know who you're rooting for. >> Fantastic. Thank you. >> Great job. >> Thank you. >> Absolutely. Um, White Plains High School identified our validatoran saludiatoran. Thank you. >> Um, Nathan Beck and Elelliana Liieber respectively. We're really, really excited. Of course, we're going to look forward to celebrating them not my goodness too soon really at at graduation which will be right around the corner. Lots of uh lots of great opportunities for learning and engagement throughout Black History Month in all of our buildings. Um amazing musical performances we just hosted over the weekend. Um we have uh the mid midwinter concert 2 coming up this week. Um we also have um the middle school play Annie Jr. uh coming up this week. Um the AI panel was fantastic. Can't say enough uh

017about the support from the White Plane City School District PTA and the PTA council. Again, we are going for 100% representation and support. So, if you haven't yet joined the PTA, you can still join and um I'll continue to to share that message. um looking forward to more conversations related to artificial intelligence and how we're utilizing the tool here in the school district specifically. Um so Dr. Hand and I were were talking about uh engaging some of our colleagues and and having sort of part two and you maybe maybe even focusing on that conversation throughout the year um the academic year next year. We're going to continue to hear more and more and more about this. Um, lots in the news even on how AI is being utilized in terms of national defense. Um, and

018also interestingly um a greater push uh from some organizations to move away from computers in the classroom. Uh, which is interesting uh and you know we'll hear more and more about this and that sort of push in the pull. And in White Plains, I think what we're endeavoring to do is to find um the the the golden mean um and you know use the tool to support learning um leverage it to support individualization as an example um you know in terms of adaptability uh for students who are are engaging in platforms. Um but also recognize that we don't always have to be on a screen and that paper and and you know pencils um are also part of the learning environment as well as labs and beers and buns and burners and all of the

019the great things um right that that enrich um the classroom environment. So, uh, more to come there, but but again, big thanks to the to the PTA council for and everybody who came out really really great questions, really great recommendations and suggestions. Um, so it was a it was a was a wonderful evening. Um, I got to moderate which was great because I was asking the questions for once, which is really lovely. >> This evening we have preliminary budget which I'm I'm going to share with you momentarily with Dr. Vicaro Taich. Uh we also have the non-instructional budget which is available for anybody and I do encourage folks um to to uh to to visit the website all about the budget. Um you'll see just how much goes into uh it goes into our planning

020annually and in connection with the long range plan. Um and also our capital projects update is is is available for folks to review as well. We're on time. Um we're moving right along. The building is um coming together. Yeah, it's coming together wonderfully. So very exciting. Um on this evening's agenda, um item 7B, we have T uh tenure for for TAS, Miss Christina Goen at from Highlands and Miss Megan Smith from Post Road. We have retirements on this evening's agenda as well. And we have a resignation of one of our administrative colleagues, Dr. David Jacob, which um we really appreciate Dr. Jacob spending um about almost the last two years, but the last 18 months with us. Um and and Dr. Jacob came into a position uh that was a new position and over the

021course of the 18 months has really helped us to identify areas where we can uh create a position that is both supportive uh of the departments and also realistic in terms of what the expectations are. Um really when David came to us that position was a combination of of two but since that time we've been able to work and I want to thank Dr. hand um as well as all of our colleagues um to to make sure that the responsibilities and the expectations of that position are more uh in line with uh with a single position. But more work to come and and again, you know, thanks uh thanks again to Dr. Jacob. We uh Dr. Tammy Cosgrove started with us um last week in in the Department of Human Resources and it's been an

022absolute pleasure to work with Dr. Cosgrove. We have postings and recruitment efforts uh for open positions and anticipated openings um as we will uh throughout the course of the spring and into the summer months. Um just a word about winter weather. Hopefully we're past that. I know that there was some confusion uh out in New York State, not just in White Plains, but in New York State with regard to the commissioner um recognizing the state of emergency and snow days and then putting a a potential waiver in place for school districts who may have fallen below the 180day requirement um in New York State because of that snow day. That is not White Plains. And also that waiver was not um put in place so that you could recapture a built-in winter weather day that

023you may have had in your calendar. Um so just so so we're all sort of on the same page, uh we're fortunate because we had three snow days built into the calendar and we used only three snow days that were built into the count. So there's no change or shift to this the spring recess um at this time. Looking at the the weather forecast, I don't think we're going to have any problems with that. Uh but just like Debbie Anne, I'm going to cross my fingers. Um because you just never never can tell. But again, fortunate in the White Plane City School District, we have an established uh protocol and procedure for the use of inclement winter weather days as well as how that would look and how that would roll out if if in

024fact we had to make adjustments to spring recess, which at this time we do not. Um which is great. Uh I also um want to just remind everybody that um Saturday is the annual St. Patrick's Day parade and and we're all all of us in the community look forward to participating in that as well. And with that, I'm ready to take the podium with Dr. Varat. So, we always start out with with saying thank you um and and really thank you to uh all everybody in the White Plain City School District for helping support us um and really feedback feedback um constant revisions um to get us to where we are this evening, which is the presentation of the preliminary budget. the board of education uh as well as the board of education's finance and

025audit committee um all of our colleagues in in and outside of the classrooms and and our community um who has offered suggestions all throughout the process. Um we always kick it off and culminate uh with with sort of the the start of the the feedback process in October and we really do appreciate everybody um giving feedback even up until this evening right um you know that was a great presentation uh in terms of requests for exploration into the JOTC opportunity and that's exactly the type of uh you know information and input and feedback um that's helpful for us as we plan into the future particularly during our long range planning process and as our kiddos here in the picture say the best is yet to come. We really do believe that. Um we met with

026the finance committee on the 3rd, presented the preliminary budget and here we are on the 9th, right on schedule. >> Our fifth presentation already. And we will be talking about this really with to whoever will listen um between now and May 19th. Um you know, I'm not going to read the slides to you. Uh but but for for folks at home, please uh take take a few minutes to go through and if you have any questions, you can always reach out to us. uh we're we're available to anybody at any time to talk about talk about the the budget and the cycle of planning is the same. And and if you feel like I've heard this before, it's because we want to stay uh and make sure that we we continue to while while we

027improve the process and create efficiencies within the process, um stay true to what the the overall goals and objectives are. And what is that? It's to build off of our strategic plan. Um to make sure that our mission, vision, values are reflected all throughout the spending plan each year. that our annual goals and objectives are all connected all throughout the organization to the the strategic planning goals and objectives. Our long range plan continues to be updated and modified each year as we get to the proposed district's budget um and which will include the instructional budget, the non-instructional budget to bring us to to this evening's presentation. And of course, we all know why planning is important. Planning is important so that you can deal with the things that you can't control, right? So, so that's

028really what we're talking about when we think about um you know why strategic planning is important and why long-term fiscal planning is important and why we go through so many iterations of the budgetary planning process and why we want so many voices in the conversation um so that we can kind of to the extent possible um make adjustments and plan for things that are somewhat out of our control. Lots truly is out of our control. we're an open system. So everything from political climates to climate change, all of these and everything in between um you know the school district has to contend with. And and fortunately over the years and again thanks to the board of education, thanks to a solid system of planning and and a huge supportive community, um we've been able to

029weather storms as they've come to us. Um but also we recognize that we need to try to be imaginative and think about things that maybe, you know, could happen. And that's exactly why we why we constantly plan and we're always looking um to make adjustments to our process to make us better and really more nimble. I mean, we're a big organization um but we want to have the the sort of the flexibility to be able to address anything that may come up. We want to make sure that we're effective and efficient um in in all of our resource allocation and use. We want to make sure that based upon what we're seeing and and what the feedback we're receiving from our students, parents, guardians, faculty, staff members that we can make adjustments within the organization

030and utilize resources through reallocation um of existing resources so we're not constantly growing um when we don't need to necessarily want to make sure that our fiscal health remains the same. We don't want peaks and valleys. We want stability um for for as much as we possibly can. And we want to we want to always bear in mind that the decisions that we make this year and today will have impacts into the future. And we say that each year and and we stick to it because that's a fact. Um and and we've seen that and you're seeing it when you look at the news. Um and you see school districts contending with real difficult situations because as an example, federal funding, one-time only funding was used to support program that you want to continue to

031have year after year. And those are the types of pitfalls you want to to the best of your ability try to avoid so that you don't have um negative consequences later on. And we've uh fortunately again thanks to the board we've been able to do this. Um our strategic plan gets refreshed and and reworked each year. Um so if anybody's watching or in the audience who's interested in participating in that process that takes place every August um and you'll get a an invitation through Parent Square, you could you could reach out and and participate in that process as well. the vision, the mission, and our priorities, educating, supporting, and partnering. Um those those major overarching goals really h are are all throughout this process. Cost savings. Um h how did the district use its annual

032savings and reserves? 191 million since the 2017 2018 academic year. Um well, we've used it to try to in every possible way reduce the burden on our property tax u payers, our homeowners. Um and we we're really very proud to be able to to share that on the average $1,460 on on the average um was saved per assessment of of $15,000. And and I don't know if you want to also say a piece here. >> Thank you, Dr. Ricka, and good evening. Thank you for having us present. Um this is really the result of continual work of finding efficiencies and taking those resources and making sure that we are turning that back in order to save taxpayer dollars. The biggest item here as Dr. uh Rick mentioned was that 27 million 26.7 million we didn't

033raise to the maximum amount that we could with our tax levy cap. And so that turned itself into 1,460 on average for a homeowner that's assessed at 15K. We used monies to make sure that we're funding capital project uh so that we can preserve our buildings and keep them up to date and make sure that we're maintaining the assets of the community without issuing debt. Our taxers sari refund settlements. These are commercial property owners who are seeking a reduction in in their taxes and we are self-funded for that. So we are not issuing debt in order to manage the required settlements from the from the courts. One-time only expenses not increasing our annual budget being able to manage these oneoffs in order to continue to move the uh district programming forward. funding, you know, debt

034service, paying debt off early, funding uh payments to employees when they leave or employ by, you know, required by their collective bargaining unit agreements. All of this translates into not having to tax any further. >> Thank you, Ann. And so, you know, what's working? Uh where do we need to make modifications? What do we need to walk away from? Um you know, these are the questions that we're always asking. Um because we do as you know work through a continuous improvement model and you know and and all that that open and constant feedback loop really assists us whether it's looking at curricular programming whether it's thinking about new programming supporting um the expansion of existing programming because of student desire um you name it. These are these are all the the areas that that we're

035looking at as we seek to constantly improve our service to our students and our community. guiding principles that we maintain each year, protect the instructional core. Make sure that no matter what happens or to the extent possible, um if we have to make adjustments within within the the resource allocation in the organization, protect our children's educational experience. Evaluate needs versus wants. Right? Right. I ask my kids all the time, what do you need versus what do you want? Those are two different questions. Um and we do and we we we try to balance that because it's true. uh we are able to offer um really nice to haves in in in the White Plane City School District. We're really proud of that. Um but but again, we we always try to make sure that those

036needs are are met first and foremost. Uh again, preserving investments, our buildings, this board of education, this community has done a tremendous job in preserving the people's buildings. We have hundred-year-old buildings that when folks walk into them, they cannot believe how beautifully maintained they are. They cannot believe that the the original architecture is is as extraordinary as it is. And it's because of the continuous investments into the facilities, into the grounds. Um, and we're really fortunate and grateful for that. And this budget continues to support those efforts moving forward as well. Finding efficiencies. We're always looking and is always looking um and you know, we're really proud of the efficiencies that we've been able to find. um as an example, uh also partnering with with community partners to be able to bring in um uh

037resources to support our overall program. These are areas that that we're going to continue to to try to mine um into the future as well. Minimizing any any programmatic impact with regard to any reductions and and of course if you have to make a reduction um reduce and restructure do not eliminate. We all know how difficult it is to bring a program or an experience back into a spending plan after it's been uh eliminated. And so we try we try very hard to make sure that that's not something we're talking about. And here's the good news. We're not talking about any of that tonight. >> None of it. Everything in this proposed budget supports 100% of the programming, 100% of the extracurriculars, the arts, the athletics, everything that our children have available to them today

038is supported in this budget and within the tax cap. So, and more. So, the PS before we even get there, because folks might be saying at home, come on Joe, get to the point. What does this mean? Um, everything's supported and uh within the tax cap as well. All of the presentations are available for folks um to be able to to review at your leisure. It's in the all about the budget section of the district's uh website. And of course, as I mentioned earlier, if anybody has any questions about anything at all, they they can uh you can click right on them in this in this presentation too. It take you right there. So, as an example, >> uh oh, >> do refresh. Do >> it's okay. It's all right. It's all right. And this

039is Dr. your hands. Fantastic uh presentation that she gave just a couple of weeks ago. Um it's it's really great and again encourage everybody to take a look because there is a ton to be proud of uh in in in terms of what we're offering our students. So here's the uh the nuts and the bolts right out of the gate. Um preliminary budget for the 26 27 academic year within the tax cap 1.6%. 1.6% 6% um on in in terms of in terms of the increase the recommended increase um and and again we are working within the framework uh of the tax cap um and we're really proud to be able to offer that. Did you I'll go right to the next slide I think is and then we can or the big one. >>

040Yeah. Um well so the appropriations budget um supporting um is 285 million and the revenues as Dr. was saying that support that appropriations budget is our real property taxes our tax levia 210 which is 74% uh support of that appropriations budget and you'll see in the next slide how that is down 12 12% from 2021-22 um so the taxpayers are really supporting less uh of the appropriations budget our our state aid and 55.3 million is really the majority is state aid that is supporting 20% % of the appropriations budget. Other tax items, our payment in lie of taxes, which we'll talk about in greater detail and our New York state sales and use taxes supporting 4.4% and then other revenues um you know, donations, refunds of prior years, our interest earnings at 5.6 6 million

041for almost 2%. And then we're using fund balance from our retirement reserve to help offset those growing pension expenses even though we do have a rate increase in one of the pensions uh for next year. >> I I think this slide, you know, really depicts um where we've come. You know, in 2122, 86% of our budget was supported by the tax levy, the taxpayers of the district. And now you know in 26 27 it's 74%. So decrease of 12% an increase of 12% for our state and our other revenues that have picked up you know that portion um really due to the state's commitment to foundation aid um and infusing those monies into school districts and making us whole. And so we were able to return that to the taxpayer and and lower the tax

042levy that they support. And then that's advocacy over those. >> Yeah. Absolutely. And and you can't you you absolutely cannot under underscore enough I think the advocacy efforts from board of education, the Westchester Platinum School Boards Association, um the lower Hudson um education coalition, our elected officials, >> school boards association, >> the New York State School Boards Association. Absolutely. and our elected officials, you know, and when I have advocacy meetings with Senator Mayor, >> um, Assemblywoman Paul and Assembly Member Berdick, you know, the first thing I lead off with is thank you >> because it is a consistent message of bringing more of White Plains dollars back to White Plains to support the White Plains City School District. And and it has it's been a it's been a consistent effort. Um we're really proud of

043of where we've come since the 201620 2017 academic year. Um we're going to continue to advocate for more foundation aid to support our overall program. We're going to continue to advocate for an exclusion for payment in lie of taxes so that the city can continue to um enact its smart development program um but also not negatively if unintentionally reduce our overall levy um because of keeping new new development off of the property tax ro. So it it's it's partnership, it's teamwork, and it's advocacy and it's in real numbers right there. So um you know again thanks to the governor as well, right? So her initial her initial budget that came out this year uh preserved and supported our our program and hopefully when the one house uh and and the governor um come to the

044the final it'll it'll continue to be strong. >> Yeah, they increase a little bit. >> But again, payment in le of taxes or pilots um is an area that we we do need to keep an eye on and we have for years and we've continued to advocate for an exclusion to the property tax cap. Look, we we understand and we believe that there needs to be guard rails in terms of how much school districts uh can levy and raise. We we understand that. Um and we also know that uh you know 10 years, 12 years now um 13 maybe even after the property tax cap was was initially >> 2012 >> implemented. Yeah. 14 years. 14 years now that we've learned some lessons and one of those lessons is there's unintended consequences that can be

045adjusted without losing the integrity of of the property tax cap to make sure that you know growth is is modulated. Um, this is one of those areas when you have a community that is developing. Um, and that's something that we know, you know, is important in in in the state of New York. Um, they need to be able to offer payment li of taxes to developers and school districts should not be negatively impacted because, you know, because of that process and >> and school districts should have a seat at the table, which we also thought I say that every year. >> True. Absolutely. we should have a seat at the table and our groups are advocating for that. And you know these, you know, just to refresh everybody, you know, this is Westchester County Industrial

046Development Agency having agreements with the city of White Plains. Um, and so folks are developing, renovating their properties. You know, you want employment. We want this growth, but these assessments are coming off the tax roles. And so therefore, even though we're growing, we're not receiving levy to support that growth. And that's the unintended consequence that Dr. Ricka is talking about. So next year, um, you know, the pilot increase is, you know, $1.3 million. So that is going to result in a reduction in the tax levy that can be raised. >> Key factors. So the tax levy cap is complex and there's, you know, several factors that go into the development of the maximum amount that's allowable by the state. Uh we just talked about the taxbased growth factor. We're at um near 0% because we

047continue to have um decreasing property ro assessments and primarily due to our pilot agreements and removing those assessments from the roles. On average, previous to these last three years, we used to gain about $2 million in tax levy revenue um that will help support the programs within the district. So now we really see just about 0% from that. Um as we talked about, the pilot agreements are going up 1.3 million. The other factor is the allowable growth factor, which is often you hear 2% cap. It's really the lesser of the consumer price index or 2%. This year uh the cons CPI was 2.63% so we're limited to the 2%. And then the capital exclusion is the amount that we can add to the levy um to raise taxes. Um and we've worked really hard to

048make sure that you know when debt was expiring that in 22 that we you know went to the community and um asked for additional debt in order to help support the renovations of our building, support this new um building that's being built at the high school or our innovation wing. um but keeping the cost of what was and what will be equal so that there is no tax consequence to the taxpayer and you know this is the calculation and as we talked about near zero for the tax base growth factor on the prior year levy um the net effect of our um 2526 pilots versus 2627 is a decrease in the levy of 1.3 million And if you look before we get to the exclusion that we can add back 205 million is our levy

049for 2627 versus the prior year of 206 million. So a decrease you can see very clearly a decrease of 1.4 million from the prior year. And then as we talked about the exclusion uh which we maintain flat so that there is no tax consequence um yields the $210 million in a tax levy a $3.3 million increase um for 1.6% and that is the maximum allowable by law and that is what we're recommending for the 2627 budget. So, the governor's uh state a proposal came out in January and and we've talked about this here before um really uh tried to we I believe tried to to support all the school districts statewide. Um also brings with it um some additional uh mandate maybe uh yeah I guess mandates. So, so all districts to provide um by

05028 29 full day UPK uh to any four-year-old whose parents request it. Of course, White Plane City School District, we're we're already we're there. Um but we'll continue to work. Uh it does increase the found uh the foundation aid per pupil, which is fantastic. I'm looking forward to that. We do need to talk more and we're continuing to advocate u with with Albany about the requirement and the timeline for the full electrification of school vehicles. that's an area that we need to see um you know some additional information on and also uh in terms of expense driven aids related to safety and security mental health um these are all areas that you know we believe are really important and that um foundation aid or expense driven aid should be coming back to support highost aid

051for for special education out of district placements and of course um transportation that goes with with those uh placements as well is really really important not just for the White Plains City School District, but for all public school districts so that all students are are supported equitably um so that they can have access to the program that's going to best fit their their individualized needs. >> And to that point, I mean, we're still advocating for updates to the foundation aid formula that sort of kinkedked around the edges and we've been fortunate in getting the money that we're getting, but there are a lot of uh things built into it that really do need to be updated and fixed. >> Absolutely. the Rockefeller study um needs needs to be run in a model form um so

052that we we can identify which of the recommendations would in a combination would be most helpful to school districts, public school districts all throughout the state of New York. We don't want to create a situation where there's winners and losers. Um we want to make sure that all children regardless of where they they live um have access to the highest quality public education possible. So impact in in terms of the governor's proposal for the White Plane City School District, $1.1 million increase, 3% over the 2526 projected aid. Um, which was great. Uh, and expense driven aid, again, building aid, Bosey's aid, special ed, high cost. Um, 6% uh over over the course of the academic year. And then universal prek, um, 80 half-day slots and 256 full day slots. 26 27 move the half-day slots

053to full day uh pending in the of course the enactment of the governor's uh budget proposal to to what will be the state budget >> and just to point out that we don't have halfday programs but we have it it has to do with how the money is being utilized >> correct again I won't read the slide to you but but tons of advocacy in all of these different areas um and again thank you to everybody who's worked so hard um to make sure that we're we're on the same message and asking um for relatively the the same thing all throughout the state. That's really really important. It does help the elected officials to be able to focus in on the areas that mean the most um to the most people. All right, so major

054areas of expense in the White Plane City School District proposed budget is exactly where we want to be. Um the majority of our expenses are in the classroom, in front of students, in the program, in their experiences. um about 76 or so percent of the overall expenditures are are directly supporting students. So again, thank you for that support and thanks uh thanks to the the finance and audit committee um for continuing to keep that as the high watermark for us uh in terms of where our resources go. >> We're demographic data. We, as you know, we we conduct Yeah, we conduct an annual review uh of of our students uh and enrollment projections. Um it's great to be able to do that annually. And as you can see here, we're projected to remain pretty much

055flat. Um which is not bad. uh when you see school districts not just in the New York state but throughout the country precipitously dropping off in terms of overall enrollment um to maintain uh a a sort of you know even uh level of enrollment over the course of the next 10 years is is is a good place to be. Of course we see you know some some additional increases a year to year. Last year we saw about 103 more students than was projected something like that 30 but over the over the entire organization so that's from kindergarten all the way to to 12th grade um so very stable in terms of our enrollment >> and despite this every year we do get the same question you drive down white plane you see all the construction

056>> we are at that table though right and discussing >> Yep and and the the anticipated so the anticipated housing units and and I know you weren't asking this Dr. But I I'll just preface it this way. Um the anticipated development, the anticipated full buildout housing units are not included in our projections in the budget presentation, but we do um stay in close contact with with the city. Yep. Exactly right. Um so that we can keep an eye on what is projected in those units. Many of those units are not yielding um because they're, you know, uh studio, one onebedroom, uh two-bedroom, they're not yielding high projected increases in student enrollment. Um but again, that's something that we have to keep our eye on all the time. >> The demographer collects that each year. Yep.

057>> And you know, reports that out to us. But again, you don't want to build a budget based on something might not happen until the kids actually come. That's really when you want to build it. our resident students who uh who participate or enroll in private parochial and independent schools continues to decline. More students um enrolling in in public school and again you know supportive of of parents guardians choice uh with regard to where they wish to send their children to school. Um but over time we have seen more students returning to the public schools uh and and we're happy to welcome them. employee data. We we work with on our team about 1,200 uh employees, about 1,2 well 1,237 employees. Um and the the vast majority of of uh those team members are in

058the instructional support areas. Uh and and this breaks it out here for easy easy to see in staffing. Um again this year uh working within our budget, working within the resources available to us to the greatest extent. Um we're utilizing uh that we have the second year of the retirement incentive that that um was really helpful. It was really helpful in closing the the budget gap last year and it's going to be really helpful again in closing the budget gap this year. Um that that exists and you know in the out years which you'll see um we we are anticipating that we'll continue to have structural gaps. Um we're going to have to address those each year. uh and we're we're planning to do that even now um with the decisions that we're making uh

059in this in this uh presentation for this proposed budget. All vacancies are anticipated to be filled. Um high school we're looking at a 02 full-time equivalent increase to the dance teacher to 6 full-time equivalent and that'll continue to build out um as the innovation wing comes online. um special education. Uh we have uh one FTE teacher, two uh FTE teaching assistants at the high school, I'm sorry, at Highlands. At the high school, we have one FTE and two uh teaching assistants as well. Facilities and operations, we have one um for Highlands night custodian and then one for security floater, which will be very helpful um to us moving forward. Employee benefits. Um go ahead. >> I'm talking uh employee benefits. These are our major benefits uh most you know the largest dollars that are in

060our budget. So teachers retirement system that covers our certificated employees our instructional staff that contribution rate is actually uh decreasing from 9.59% to 8.24%. That's the rate. >> That is the rate. >> It's not the amount. The amount is going up. >> The the amount goes up because it's based on the salaries uh for that are projected for 2627. And so even though the rate decreases, yes, you still have and that's why we support this expense by using our retirement reserve funds to kind of um you know offset some of that increasing expense. But you know, we'll take the rate reduction anyway at 14%. uh our employees retirement system uh for our civil service employees that is increasing by quite a bit almost 7%. Um and again we take monies from the reserve in order

061to help offset that expense. Health insurance um yes increasing uh 8.7% is the composite rate you 5year average you know it's gone up at least 7.4% but still less than the New York state plan. Um the consortium continues to be less in dollars by a million and a half each year. >> Yeah. >> Sure. >> Yeah. Util on average utilities are going up 5%. Now this might change given our um >> it was 107 at like you know early this morning it came down to 88 last I looked. So you'll see the the fluctuation in energy. >> Right. >> Correct. So um hence hence the uh global conflict >> that makes an impact and we'll manage that >> property insurance you know the the you know it's the market trend out there and what's been

062happening everywhere that property insurance is um still increasing um 20%. And then our other contractual expenses consultants you know we use a lot of Bose services on average going up 3%. our pupil transportation. The contract calls for a 5% increase for next year as well as the year after. And we also needed to added additional routes to get our little ones to certain places. Uh debt service. Um we have and this is exactly what's been going, you know, that we've been talking about, right? We have expiring debt. 37.7 million is expiring in serial bonds, construction serial bonds, and then um energy performance lease that is expiring. And that's why in 22 is part of our long range infrastructure plan, you know, because we started back in 2018 with a master plan with the building condition

063survey that's required by the state to really say, okay, what does this district need to do in order to keep pace and preserve its assets and keep everything in good working condition? And the report card that's kind of linked >> to our non-instructional presentation will show you each building and kind of a quick summary of the work that's been done at each of the buildings over the years because we do on average have uh buildings that are 100 years old. Um so in 22 we thought we would be issuing 60 million in debt to help fund these capital projects, but due to favorable bids we think we're only going to issue 50 million in debt. So, we'll save over the life of this serial bond about $7 million, which translates again to a savings to

064the taxpayer of $358 on an average home assessed at at 15,000. So, and keeping the exclusion for the tax levy flat with the prior year. That's the goal. >> You know, I want to just go back to it. It it really does I think it's instructive to to consider energy costs and and at the beginning we talked about you know things that we can't control and it's true global conflict supply chain issues the these types of uh you know situations come all the way right back down to a local public school budget. >> Now thankfully we don't we're not dependent on oil. We're, you know, we use primarily gas um and in post road we have thermal >> um heating but again somehow someway it'll translate >> diesel fuel costs you know the the costs

065of shipping all all of these um considerations are are areas that we have to keep an eye on. Um, we have our history of taxers claims as you as you know these the uh the district is self-funded. Um, and claims from commercial property owners uh we we address regularly throughout the course of the year. Our 10-year average is is about 3 3.7 million. Um, June 30th, 2026, legal council estimated our total refunds to be about 4.4 million and outstanding claims at at about 65 million plus interest. So, that's that's ongoing and and we continue to fund our reserves. Now, what's really again important about reserves because we recall this from conversations that we saw in newspapers last year and the governor was concerned. We are not over reserved in the White Plains City School District.

066We're reserved um according to the law. Um and that that's really important uh for for our community to know as well. So, yes, we do reserve funds um for for use when needed, but we are not over reserved, which is important. This is your three-part um your your three-part budget broken out. Administrative, program, and capital. Next slide kind of details in even even better greater detail what that actually translates to. Um but again, right where we want to be. The vast majority of the resources expended in program um followed closely there by by capital in investing in the resources of of the facilities and the grounds. And then uh at the end the the administrative cost which isn't just your administrators um it's the total costs of operating the entire organization. So everything from your

067central office services all the way to legal expenses and you name it is in your administrative program. Your your general program is all of your instruction and support for our students. And then capital is our operations, maintenance, bonded debt, capital projects, short-term debt, um, and benefits associated right there. Each year we talk about what would happen if the budget wasn't wasn't successfully supported by the community. This slide always gives me aa, but it is important to talk about um because in in New York there there, as you know, um, there are a couple of different pathways that that could happen. If a budget doesn't pass um 50% right, plus one um we get a second or the board could consider a second uh uh election for the budget. The board could choose to put it

068back out um make changes, modifications um or keep it the same um or you know any anything there. But if it isn't successful on the second time around um what does that what does that look like? What does that mean for the White Plane City School District or overall? But it means uh just about a 3.2 2 million almost $3.3 million reduction in the overall spending plan 1.6 1.16%. >> Devastating because that's instructional program. Um so that's why it's so important to make sure that we're putting forward a fiscally responsible and a conservative spending plan. That's why it's so important to make sure we're finding as many efficiencies as we can. That's why it's so important to try to continue our advocacy efforts so that the more foundation aid, more White Plains dollars are coming

069back to support and offset the the burden on the property tax owner, property taxpayer. Um, all of these things come together um to hopefully uh bring us to a place where our community will see 1.6% 6% full supportive program being responsible um as as a spending plan that they can support on May 19th, 2026 from 12 p.m. to 900 p.m. More information of course will be coming out about that that election date. Um and we will be talking about the proposed budget um with everybody who will listen to us uh and and moving forward between now and the election on May 19th. And so this evening's was the preliminary. On April 13th, we will have the adopt well the proposed adoption of the budget and property tax cap report card. Um May 11th will be

070the budget here in May, right? It's going to be here before we know it. Uh and then May 19th um is our is our annual vote. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank Thank you. Thanks to you. Um, I know the board, you know, the board has asked millions of, well, not millions, but many, many, many targeted questions all throughout this process. Um, not just to the, uh, administration, but also to the audit and finance, finance and audit committee. So, thank you very much. And then anyone at home who has any questions can always email an and me at budgetwpcsd.us. That's an that's us. We're going to get that email. You can just email it to Ann and me, too. Whatever Whatever's or you can call us, whatever is easier. Um, but we're available to

071talk about anything. Calling is fun. Yeah, actually calling is great. So, you might think it's easier to email, just call. We because then sometimes in an email you have a follow-up question. >> Yeah. >> So, feel free to reach out whichever way is going to be most convenient. Yeah. >> President Miller. >> Yeah. I just wanted to, you know, this is a lot of work. This is I don't think we're ever not in budget preparation. I don't think there's ever a moment where we're not. But every single time, you know, we get to go do this and and and tweak it if we need, it's just so solid. It's the just so um student and staff centered. Um I just want to say thank you because it's not easy. >> So, and if I can,

072it's not lost. >> It's not lost on us either. >> Within 10 miles of our district, there's a district facing $ 101 million deficit. another district closing three elementary schools. >> Another district in increasing class size, reducing staff, >> and you're proposing a budget to us for 285 million that preserves >> everything that provides more opportunity. >> So, thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Thank you. >> Thank you on Thank you very much. Thank >> you. >> And thanks to our kiddos who who appear in the photo there That's crazy. >> They're cuties. They're little cuties. Okay. >> It's fancy. >> I know. I know. I know. Okay. Thank you. >> So, thank you. So, um, we're going to move to our, um, summary action items. Thanks, George. >> Yes. Thank you. May I have,

073um, we're going to move to our summary action items, summary action items 4 through 8. And may I have a motion? >> So, move. >> Second. >> On page three, I'd like to draw your attention to item 4B, our donations. And as you know, sorry, Mr. Sheepard, as you know, as you know, each month we are really grateful for the donations that that we receive to our for our children and our and our school district. And this month we have $5,200 donation from the friends of the White Plains Public Schools for the following programs. $2,200 for one book, one school at Ridgeway Elementary. $1,500 for a postroad fourth grade outdoor education trip to Camp Herlic. $1,000 for a post road third grade trip to the Bronx Zoo. $500 for a post road kindergarten trip to

074Yorktown stage. I I should also add um the Friends of the White Plains Public Schools will be having their spring gala in in April as well. And and of course, we're we're all looking forward to to supporting that. The following donations were also made for the Philip Barnett Memorial Scholarship. $180 from Miss Reema Reigns, $100 from Mr. Jack Cherimela, um $50 donation from Dr. Stanley Cropel, $100 donation towards the Darthy Anne Peters Memorial Scholarship from Miss Andrea Stern. The middle school PTA uh the middle school PTA board has approved the following grant uh grant request from Highlands for the West for a Westchester Knicks game um which is going to be an outstanding opportunity for our Tigers to visit uh the Westchester County Center and see a Knicks game. It's going to be great fun.

075Um we're we're really appreciative to all of those generous donors. Thank you. >> It's great. >> Yeah, we I No one gets better support than we do. I I feel strongly. I think we all do. Are there any questions? All in favor? >> I. Thank you again to all of um our generous donators. Next, we're going to move on to individual action items. We have indiv individual action item A um with regard to our board policies um our second reading and adoption. So first I would ask are there any questions um on any of these? >> Okay. >> Policy committee went through them with a fine tooth comb. >> Yes. >> Okay. So then next what I'll do is ask for a motion to accept um to adopt the follow the the policies as itemized

076on our um backup policy 6410 6710 6741 6700 6700-R 6700E um 1500R and 1500 uh E-1. May I have a motion? >> So move. >> Second. >> So thanks. Yeah. Thanks. Thanks to the policy committee. Um all in favor >> I >> Do you want to say anything? >> Just thanks to the policy committee. It's uh you know we're we're always reviewing and and we will we'll have more for you uh in the coming months. >> Yay. Next, we'll move on to indiv individual action item B. >> The the request that Highlands Middle School Quest Club be chartered by the board of education as a White Plain School District affiliated student organization. May I have a motion? >> So moved. Second. >> Any questions, comments? >> Just thanks to the board for supporting this. This

077is fantastic. We love seeing student driven, studentled recommendations for clubs and and of course for our faculty and staff members who support the efforts. Um this is going to be a really fun club for for our kiddos. Um it's like Dungeons and Dragons and and you know other types of quests. So really fun. Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> All in favor? >> I. Next we go to individual action item C. the recommended approval of the appointment of Joseph Spiro as interim principal at Highlands Middle School effective March 24th, 2026 through June 30th, 2026 um at the perdeium rate of $1,000. Um may I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Are there any questions? All in favor? >> I. Next we have individual action item D. The recommended approval of the

078re resignation of Dr. David Jacob, director of mathematics, science, engineering, and career and technical education 7 through 12 districtwide. Effective end of business June 1st, 2026. May I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any comments? >> All in favor? I. Next, we are on to um our last summary action item. E um be it resolved that the board of education approves and authorize the board president and/or superintendent of schools to execute a certain settlement agreement in connection with a certain civil lawsuit identified as noted. um a copy of which agreement has been previously reviewed by members of the board of education. May I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any questions? All in favor? >> I. Next we will move on to um our board reports. Um of course

079the finance committee met and um the budget presentation is the the result the output of that. I will add that um as usual our HR committee move uh meets uh monthly and of course those items are not uh publicly disclosed but for transparency you know that we do meet any other committee board committee reports. >> We had a really interesting curriculum uh committee meeting. You know, for those of us my age and even those of us younger, school should not look like it did when I went to school. It's an increasingly complex world. And at curriculum, we went over a new program for building literacy and reviewing complex texts because kids are going into a world with AI and other things. And they're going to have to think critically, and they're going to have to

080be faced with really complex issues. and if we can help them get there and this this literacy program was really exciting. Um so thank you for >> and what's really um I think great about it also is it is arts and letters which is the program that's in our elementary schools. So this totally aligns with what our kids are going to be do are doing currently in elementary school. It was also a really inclusive process. It involved, you know, the entire East View like ELA uh staff and many many other people. Um, and they did site visits. They went down to the elementary school. So, it's a really really robust process. And yes, I agree with Charlie. It's it's very exciting. They're reading full texts, um, rich vocabulary, critical thinking, socratic dialogue, and really, um,

081combi connecting sort of, um, what's going on in the world, you know, it's thematic. So, there are themes. It it it pertains to music and art, you know, and science. That's all brought into literature as well. So, really a great program. >> Thank you. Do we have any other report out >> for special ed? We were we discussed the fact that we can have an extended school year to support our special ed students who need the extra support during the summer months. So, we're excited about that to be able to provide that support. And thank you to Dr. Tessk for advocating and coordinating all that as well. So, thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you everyone. And if that's it, I'll just thank John Sheepard and John the Savage for what you do all the

082time, every month, for every meeting. We appreciate you. Yay. And with that, may I have a motion to adjourn our meeting? >> So moved. Second. >> Do we have any questions? Do we not want to? >> All in favor? >> I. Thank you everyone. Have a great >> Have a great night. >> Mrs. Buck, can I have a birthday cake now? Yay! >> Amanda