001Joe, are you ready? >> Okay. I'd like to uh get a motion to come out of executive session. >> Move it. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I opposed. Motion carries. Um, >> next up is the superintendent um presentation or is it just the report? >> Presentation first. >> Yeah. So the agenda reads superintendent report and then >> budget presentation. So we can do this superintendent report and an update and then >> you want to do the pre or do you want to take it out of order? >> We can take it in order. >> Okay. >> So before >> Sorry, what did he what did he say? >> Joe, we're going to take Well, we'll take it in order. Pardon? So, we'll do the report first. And before I offer the report,
002I would like to uh make an amendment to S 178 on page four for proposition number one budget proposition. and it will read as to adopt the annual budget of the Udica City School District for the 2026 2027 fiscal year and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the Udica City School District and I offer that with that admit with them with that admission. Are there any are there any pages that are are being um not offered? Are there any a pages that have to be pulled? >> Wait, hold on. >> There's a Dr. Spence. Proposition number two, the title from capital project to capital reserve fund. >> What was that? Under proposition number two, it's entitled capital project. It should be capital reserve fund. And
003we we um >> Yes. So one, we're create proposition number two, we're creating a new capital reserve fund for $30 million up to 30 million. And then number three, um it's we're actually taking from the capital reserve fund that you created two years ago. >> Okay. >> So yeah. So or revision on prop proposition number two capital reserve fund instead of capital project. So you have to >> Okay. All right. So for 164 for 178 page four. I'm going to reread the proposition number one, budget proposition, and it will state to adopt the annual budget of the Udica City School District for the 2026 2027 fiscal year in the amount of blank and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the Udica City School District. And
004then for the capital project, Mrs. Mole, what is the appropriate language? It was advised by legal counsel. It shouldn't be capital project. It should be capital reserve fund. >> Okay. So the proposition number two will be amendment to reflect capital reserve fund in lie of capital project. >> Because it reads fine. >> Okay. Are there any other standards that have to be pulled? >> Were there any items that the superintendent wasn't recommending? Yes, I'm going to >> I didn't hear what he said. >> I'm going to withdraw S180 >> and S177. I just I know that we already tabled it, but just thought it >> and S177. >> Yes. Okay. So, is there anything else? If not, I need a motion. >> S181 on page seven. >> S181. Okay. So, we're pulling S181. So, not
005offering 177, not offering 180, amending 178, and pulling 181. Based on that, can I have a motion to adopt the superintendence report? >> Move it. >> Second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carries. I need a motion to consider S1 181. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Okay. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. Do we need a roll call vote? >> No, you don't. >> No. Sir. No. >> No. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I >> oppose. >> Abstain. >> Motion carries. >> Pardon? >> Abstain. Okay. Um, >> do you have a presentation or something that you want to share with us, Dr. Spence? >> Yes, I do. So tonight we'll complete the uh final portions of the budget consistent with the budget timeline. Prior to that I just want to frame
006this uh budget as the budget is the living and breathing document that builds upon previous years of progress. So again, this year we dedicated this year to this theme of equity, accountability, and achievement, raising the bar for all students. We hold true to our mission statement, which is a continuous improvement. And we've been steadfast and and and committed to the idea that the district, we have a a host of things that we want to pay attention to, but what's most important is incremental and sustained growth over a period of time. It's the it's the the the shest way to largecale transformation and it allows us to strategically prioritize our efforts on a year-to-year basis to improve the district overall. Here we have our our vision. Again, our vision is consistent with the portrait of graduate
007work. So, kudos to the board for being um ahead of their time in that effort. Again, as we really think about our year um and where we're going, you know, we started this year off with our instructional priorities and smart goals that has really guided the work of the district. It's guided our ideas around resource allocation. It's guided the activity of the professionals working in the organization to support the whole growth uh the the uh whole child and student outcomes. I want to take the time here to reflect on this historical historic accountability milestone and really, you know, state that I'm very proud of the organization for the work that it's done to ensure that we have no schools that are in a negative accountability status. Our schools in good standing. Want to give a
008shout out to assistant superintendent uh Mr. Fauci for his work in making sure that our curriculum standards were aligned and really working to support instruction at at our core levels as well as our faculty and and staff and teachers that work day in and day out to make sure that we are making demonstrable growth. Again, we are not saying that we need to stop here. We're not saying that this is the end all beall, but this is a monumental task and a monumental occasion to be able to state that we are no longer in receiverhip as a district. And it's something that the organization ought to be proud of and it's something that I've championed in my advocacy work in Albany as we were advocating for funds. We also had um from our from previous
009years we uh from last year we had um implemented a uh extended day program and we received statewide recognition for that program from the New York State School Boards Association as being an innovative and high impact program because it was really structured to support our needs and really strengthening our elementary education. The goal is if we can address the learning gaps in the elementary, those gaps will not exacerbate as students uh uh go through the system over time. So, we really put a strong focus on this uh core instruction at the elementary levels, which will tie into what we're going to discuss in regards to the budget. Along those same lines, looking at the resources, also want to highlight the work of the finance team for ensuring that we expended 100% of our ESSER funds,
010$58.3 million, and we received a final reimbursement of the outstanding $3.2 million in in this uh month of March. So, I want to definitely say shout outs to the grants team, the business office, and all the critical work that was do that was done to ensure that we were able to fully capture the intent of that grant. Also want to just uh highlight the fact that the work that we're doing is being noticed by other parties. When we were in Albany um testifying in regards to um you know advocating for CT program and things like that, the state legislator had said that they had interest in you know really studying the district's um CTE work. Um we've received our uh invitation to present at the New York State School Boards Association annual convention and education
011expo um this upcoming October, October 22nd. And what this really shows is that people external uh stakeholders are really looking at Udica and the work that's being done here to improve the system and they're taking note. This is a statewide opportunity where we're able to present for the state and we'd hope that if your schedule is allowed that you will come join us as we present as proposal was submitted today. Along the same lines, we haven't discussed this yet, but I'm I'm happy to state that the Udica City School District was um uh nominated to receive a scholarship opportunity for a graduating senior by from the small city school district scholarship award. So, they're looking at an uh they want us to identify a a senior that has great promise and has um really u
012met their academic potential and we're working to uh select that senior. So, this is new news for hot off the press and we're happy. Again, it reflects the fact that we have people looking at the district noticing the good things that are happening here and and choosing Utica, which is one of the things that I crit believe is critically important to the success of the district. It's not only celebrating the incremental milestones as we are improving and engaging in this difficult complex work of urban transformation. It's also really highlighting the fact that we are being uh positioned as thought leaders in particular regards particularly around our CTE programming particularly around the ways in which we're attempting to expand the opportunity structure for all students. And we're starting to see that people are taking notice of
013that work. So, we will be excited to uh do the difficult work of finding a deserving senior because there's so many of them and we will select and and nominate them accordingly. Um just want to inform the board that we have a CTE site visit from the New York State Department of Labor, Commissioner Rearen. Um it'll be on March 31st at 1 p.m. at at Proctor. Um and we welcome you to come if you would like to go there and um and meet them as well. Again, there's more people that are taking interest in in the CTE work. We did also extend invitations to others. Just in my travels, going to conferences, I noticed that there are other systems members of the big five that had expressed interest in coming to Udica to see that
014work to see what it looks like as to some extent we are pioneers in this work. So, I'll keep the board updated in regards to visitation and things like that. And then lastly, just recommending for our summer 26 that we really engage in a a shared retreat when we can really discuss some of our um really build on our workshop stuff. We had some really fruitful conversations at the board workshop regarding critical issues that face the district. And this retreat will give us an opportunity to really work together to identify shared priorities and really think back to what are the areas that we've really excelled in as well as strategic priorities for the upcoming year. So we welcome that discussion and that's it for that presentation. Now what I'd like to do is move into
015the budget presentation if there's no questions there and I'll explain to you how this frames what we're proposing for this budget. The budget again is is not done in isolation. It's really a a document and and monies that provide us with the tools necessary to engage in this critical work. And before I engage in the budget uh process, I just want to again thank business office. I want to thank Heather Moed. I want to thank Dave Dried as well as David Lone and who've been instrumental in leading this work and really putting this stuff together. So I want to give kudos to my administrators. It's been a really good pro process and we're really proud of what we're going to put forward and the impact that we believe we can have. Now again, everything starts
016with the mission and our vision, our district goals. Again, the district goals important because they really uh galvanize the activity for the organization, what we aspire to do and how we're going to get there. And then we talked about previously the strategic budget priorities. Now much as presentation the board has seen we're now wrapping up in one package here. Um we've talked about the summer uh enrichment opportunities and we really thought about this and said it's really more of a summer regression opportunities. Um and we have a framework that we'll discuss today that should also be in your packet. But really we know that kids lose ground in the summers. We know that um students at a lower socioeconomic status on on the spectrum, they lose critical ground in the summer just because of the
017opportunities that may or may not be afforded to them. So, we want to make sure that we are investing in our students to ensure that they have continuous education and are in a system that's going to provide them with uh uh the social emotional supports as well as the academic opportunities to be successful. We've talked about the expansion of the Raiders. They uh >> Governor, Dr. Spence, can I ask you a question about the summer >> of course >> program? >> Yes. >> Okay. Is that going to be educational focused or is that going to be more or less educational focused and more akin to um activities that don't relate to education itself. So the so the goal is it is for it to be um a learning opportunities and really an amalgam of both.
018We want to make sure that the students have a strong interest in in going there but we also by providing them with you know fun activities which we really call social emotional learning but as well as an academic focus and uh Mr. Fouchy if you would add some other commentary in regards to the vision that we're that we're floating for the board's approval. Well, is there any is there you know we have the summer coming up in basically three short months. Um what is contemplated in terms of the educational efforts? I I guess I will call it book learning or non regret, you know, the attempt to >> um prevent regression. What what what is it? what is contemplated that the district is going to do as it relates to that program? >> So, this
019program it's outside of the normal summer school opportunities that our students will have. It's academically oriented. The extended learning time program. >> What does that mean? What what does academic oriented mean? >> So, for students who did not meet credit requirements, there's a summer school program for them. There's extended learning time opportunities at each of the schools for students who need additional academic help going into the summer. This program that Dr. Spence is talking about that we're looking at is really to supplement those activities with additional learning experiences for kids. For example, right now we've solidified summer STEM camps with a couple partners, the Griffish Institute and Sunni Pali. Uh we're looking to again run the summer athletic camps that we ran last year. We put out an interest survey to all of our teachers
020to see what types of learning activities they would like to lead over the summer. We've collated that and provided a list of different activities in the performing arts, visual arts, media, leadership and character development, book studies, writing workshops. >> Mr. Faly. >> Yes. >> Mr. Fal. >> Yes. Will will there be anything focused on our better and best students to give them um the opportunity to perhaps do some elective learning or to you know reinforce or college prep in terms of you know or SAT prep or ACT prep. Are we doing something for our better students as well as some that we're trying to prevent uh from regression? >> Those certainly can be blended into this program. Absolutely. >> But right now, this program is not formulated. Correct. >> It's not finalized yet. >> Correct.
021>> Okay. But in is there an actual framework of this program? There's a framework of the types of learning activities that we are going to operate over the summer. >> So there's ideas, but there's no real framework as to what it is that we're going to be presenting. What's the what's the overall cost of this program? >> I believe that we budgeted 500,000 for that these programs. >> But okay. Um I I'm just playing devil's advocate here. Would would there be a place that we could spend $500,000 during the school year, which is I think something that we discussed uh to continue improving um you know our our reading levels. >> So So let let me let me just um add some more context there. So the the critical part of the work is that
022in education we we get the kids at varying levels when they enter the system and in that summer depending on their zip code and the parents resources there lie the ability for the parents to supplement the extracurricular learning opportunities that would make one a well-rounded person whether that's books in the home whether that's field trips whether that's going on a plane etc etc and there's actually a value in net laarole 2025 um 2005 unequal childhoods really speaks about the differences in opportunities that are based on just the parents abilities to expose the kids. So what our thinking is is that by having this level of investment, we're able to ensure that as the students move through the system, they have the proper content and skills and habits of mind to do school so that we
023can hope to hopefully see a reduction in incident referrals and students that don't have the proper comportment necessary for school. One of the greatest challenges. >> Can you can you explain Can you explain to me how this program would change comportment? >> Precisely. So what it will do is by putting them in an environment where the school is reinforcing its values and expectations for social behavior providing the students with an opportunity to uh work with adults under um under under guidance of the adults. It the children are constantly learning. They're expuned. They're learning how to interact. They're learning how to communicate. They're learning how to solve and resolve conflict over an extended period of time. And that's where as a system we're really playing catchup because the system we're taking the kids unlike other schools
024systems, charter, etc. that can filter. We take who shows up at the door and the ways in which they showed up and we have to do our best to make sure that by the time they exit that they'll be prepared. So the hope is that if we can keep them in an environment where they're learning and in these structured activities, they will gain those skills and be better positioned to hit the ground running, which is what you'll see with a lot of the systems where whether it's the Harlem Children's Zone or whether it's the the Catholic schools where they really try to provide a wraparound support to keep the students engaged. So our hope is to sort of replicate these models that we've known to work to ensure that Johnny hits the ground running in
025September and he doesn't unlearn the things that we've given him or her from uh September to uh June. >> What is the grade range that you would expect to participate? Is this going to be for just elementary students or is this going to be for our our older students? >> Mr. all levels of students in the district. >> All levels. So we it's contemplated that we're going to have middle school children and we're going to have high school students in in this program the the summer. So we have all grade levels involved in summer programming. This particular program that Dr. defense is discussing. It's going to um we're looking at elementary and middle school level and some of it for the high school as well. So all three levels will be involved. Is there any
026transportation money that we're going to be expending as it relates to this program? So that's one of the um parts of the program that we are still discussing. We're looking at meals, transportation um and those me and and building usage based on the construction schedule. So we still >> is that included in the $500,000? >> I don't believe. >> Or is that in addition to the $500,000? >> I don't believe it's included in the 500,000, but I'll defer to Heather. No, >> of the 500,000 400,000 is for uh personal services payroll and 100,000 is contractual. >> So what is what is contemplated or the estimate for transportation and food? So in regards to transportation, if we take the community schools model and we have it's based on neighborhood and zip code, that's one model which
027we can get back uh bypass transportation cost and then for food we're we're working to calculate those things. So we look at this. Go ahead. Sorry, John. >> Was there any consideration given to reducing the number of locations so as to introduce the students that need to work on their comportment so that they can become familiar so that when they get to middle school, we don't end up with um people that don't know each other or not. you know, we can reduce the number of people that don't know each other or that aren't familiar with each other and perhaps they can reach a common ground that would avoid some of the tom foolery that we are facing in this district. >> So Joe, uh yes, for those considerations, what complicates this is we are uh
028involved in some robust capital improvement projects. That's that's the complicating factor is that this district out out of a lot does a really good job at capital improvements and we're we're we're we're hitting that work, but that's the complicating factor. We're trying to look at those schedules to see if we can do that. >> So you may How long is this program expected to last >> during the summer? >> Four weeks. The STEM programs are scheduled for six weeks. the STEM programs that were released today or we got I think we got the notification today. Those are only 9 to 12 I think. >> No, the STEM programs there's an elementary component and a middle school component. >> I'm sorry. 9:00 a.m. to noon. >> Oh, yeah. Yes. I'm sorry. >> Okay. Sorry. And that
029was I think they were the month of July, right? And that's >> Yes. And they're going to be held in the CTE wing at Proctor High School. >> Okay. So, that's one program I think that was >> Okay. and he has a program. >> Any other board members have any questions about this particular summer program? >> It's something. >> No, that is part of the summer program. >> So, it's part of what's being contemplated as a budget. >> No, it's that's already planned for in this budget. That's one of the components that's already planned for. >> It's planned for in the budget. Yes. >> Well, because we we've done it before like >> 500,000. Yes, we've done them before. So, we're expanding them. So how much of the 500,000 is recurring expense of programs that
030we run in the past and how much of it is new expense expanding? >> I don't know that I know that curriculum was still working on this the >> so the STEM programs that we've ran in the past were run through grants. This year they're we do not have the grants to run them. So we're running them as part of this program. Were the grants just discontinued on either the state or federal level or >> I would have to check into that. >> Okay. >> And here's another way to to to look at it is we have the difficult job of addressing societal ills, historic and systemic disadvantage through the school system. And so we really think that if we can continue to attack the literacy and promote that and really build up those those
031skills, we'll see less incidents at the at the high school level because we'll have more students that are prepared to engage in the um in the work. I think one of the difficult things is part of our our superintendent's hearing process when we um we enter into into an agreement is you know asking the students to write an essay and I I can't tell you the amount of times where you know we have students where they're writing isn't where I believe should be sufficient as a former ELA uh English language arts teacher and um we we start to see trends with that demographic of students that are prone to those incidents. So it's really an investment and kind of look at it as a pilot to see is is this going to have fruitful fruitful
032gains over time because we won't have to strongly invest in remediation in subsequent years. I >> speaking speaking of speaking of of of looking at gains, what what is going to be tracked? What what what is the data that is going to be tracked? Much like you track data for um or I assume you track data for the RED program, right? Mhm. >> So, what what pro what data is tracked and and and and you know when you're when you're going to be trying this program and what data is tracked, for example, when you do the RED program and have we determined whether or not participation in the RED program has actually had meaningful gains in terms of attendance? Um, and do we track that information? Yes. So the office of accountability works with the
033systems of care and they are tracking specifically for the red program student attendance uh behavioral referrals office disciplinary referrals um state test performance results. So they are track tracking those types of data sets. Would would that be would that be something that we could be furnished? >> Yes. >> At some point in the next, you know, >> 30 to 45 days. >> Yes. >> Beautiful. >> Um I have another Well, maybe it's a recommendation. I'm not sure, but at the end of the day, the school can only handle so much, the school district financially and and transportation and food and all that. Has there been any conversations with the city? because I know the youth bureau has a program for Udica City School for Utica City uh residents and I'm just wondering if there's a
034way to have a potential collaboration or host some events because they do have daily events like tennis and swimming and maybe alleviate some of the cost on our end to have constant programming or something like that from from a sports standpoint because I don't think there's anything academic offered. We we've been um I I've been very clear since I've since I've been here. I've welcomed the city. I welcome the county and any other elected official. Again, I would like to uh pay some homage to uh Griffo and Buttonshine for always being there and ready for listening air. But I've had the open door and we've reached out. So, you know, if the city has an interest in collaborating, we are here and willing to collaborate. >> Yeah. because I think at the we can only
035assume so much, you know, and I think this city does have offerings and I know whether it's us just helping promote them or, you know, using a building and and alleviating some of the pressure because they can only take so many students too with just having the rec center. But, um, I think from an athletic standpoint that there may be a way to collaborate with hopefully with the city. I would hope that they would be interested in the conversation. Um it it sounds like we're in the uh it sounds like we're in the planning phases. So I think there should be I mean I'm just again what do I know? Um but I I think there should be a focus on performing arts. >> Jo a performance on that. I mean, a a focus on
036that because, you know, I I think that, you know, getting involved in that type of activity might help some of our students that have an issue with deportment. >> Joe, I I agree with that. You know, the goal is um what I would hope is that over years and even intentionally with this one, we were talking about the scope of program to provide the kids with those types of activities. the the hardest part is as again what we'll see with the um when we look at uh um success begets success and class advantages are are handed down by no fault of anyone's own but just what we naturally do for our children. So again, when you're talking about the most advantage, most affluent parents, we know we take the child on a college tour. We
037know that the kid needs to play piano. We know that we're going to go to this vacation at Disney. We're going to do all of these things because we know that that leads to a well-rounded child and that it will help that child in later life outcomes. The issue that we have in a district that's economically disadvantaged such as ours is that many of these children may or may not leave their neighborhood or may or not be exposed to those types of offerings absent district and strategic intervention. And so I look at this as a way for us to combat poverty, but also to reduce the cost. I can tell you it's more costly to remediate an 11th and 12th grade student that cannot read or write than it is to address those gaps early
038on in the early years. And so this is more of a strategic plan that will have a cost savings measured if employed well, if we do it well, if we get it right, I see us having to spend less on the back end on things like credit recovery for kids and, you know, the the the incidents and things that we spend a lot of time managing. So, it's it's really out of box thinking. The this stuff is been employed in other systems that have had success and I'd like to pilot it, of course, and and if the board supports that, then we we do it and love to share the information to track if it's a a worthwhile expenditure. >> So, thank you for bringing up the equity point because I that's what I wanted
039to transition to. >> Yeah. >> Philosophically, I I agree with the thinking here. Practically I am concerned that because we haven't factored in transportation, we haven't factored in meals and things like that where that's unattainable for this year. You could pra even even though the goal and the thinking is to reduce those in inequities, practically we could unintentionally further some of those inequities by providing these opportunities for students who have the transportation to get to those schools and excluding students that don't. Um, I would really like to see the breakdown for the 30th of the difference between programs that used to be grant related and programs that are new because I don't want to cut programming. So to the extent that programs already exist and they need to be driven by general fund balance rather
040than grants, I'm in favor of those, I'm going to repeat the recommendation that I previously gave, which was that I do believe long-term this is a a great idea to try to implement. In the short term, I don't think we're there for some of the more expansive things without those equitable measures in place. And I would rather see that money that's not being used to continue um programming used for either oneshot expenditures or remedial expenditures during the school year where we have more control over uh ensuring that there's not an unintentional inequitable result. >> I think to um Braden's point, I think this came up last year. The summer cra the summer camps were awesome. Um, but I believe there was a disadvantage if you couldn't get your kid there from 2 to 3:30 at
041one school or you know them being shorter. So when building this plan, you know, if it can't be 9 to5, so to speak, or 9 to 12, that there's consistency or um a way to include everybody because sometimes when things are just on a Tuesday, Thursday from 2:00 to 3:30, it it just becomes difficult and I I think that we isolate a lot of the students. And I know in the past you've talked about like poor corners of the city and having, you know, buildings open. Unfortunately, a lot of vestibules and playgrounds are being done this summer and I know Proctor has some um restraints with the pool. So, I'm just kind of curious to see how long they are and and what topics they cover. >> All All good feedback. You know, if we
042can if we can get it together and get that our proposal strong enough, love to do it this year. If it's a if it's something that we pilot for next year, it's good. My my biggest concern is we've got to do something district different because the history is what the history and the organizations I look at it from the um the the challenging thing about our organizations is they're funded in perpetuity regardless of output which is a good thing but it also has an unintended consequence. So we want to try as much out of box thinking as possible to disrupt those inequities but I think the feedback here is valuable. Mr. Fauci, can you work with the uh the account office accountability to look at ex expanding existing and then we'll also look at to
043what extent we could subsidize some of those other funds, but also we'd like to come back on the 30th um next week to to give a more um fleshed out idea about the things with meals that Joe you said which was great and Braden the transportation and then let's have a discussion. Now if it's something that >> Well, yeah. Well, >> I I I just wanted to say this. If >> look, it it sounds like we're in the idea phase. I think it's a wonderful idea. Um I support the effort that you're making. The question that I have is if we are if we are unable to put together a cohesive cogent program then perhaps we may want to you know defer this until we've got it so that you know we can have it
044as broad as possible in terms of uh delivery to the to the children. A a a great understanding of what we are looking for in terms of the data that's going to demonstrate that our investment and you and I have discussed this any number of times. We don't like the fact that the kids aren't reading in high school and then right. So >> anything that we can do to improve that is great. But if it what I what I I'm concerned about is kind of not quite having all the kinks out but we know we're excited about the idea which is very important but I don't want to I don't want to deliver something to the children um that either eliminates kids that might have been able to participate or in the alternative we don't
045give them anything more than basically time on a jungle gym or you know uh in a playing uh you know different activities. That's that's my perspective. I think it has to be significantly education um you know related and impactful. That's just >> agreed my perspective. >> Agreed. And so what we'll do is we'll put it together. Um there's been a couple of moving parts so we did a couple iterations of this. We'll put it together for the 30th and then have a discussion. If it's something we say, you know what, this is something we aspire to, then we we'll make the, you know, the changes in the budget. But again, it's um it's our district's strategy for combating systemic inequities and we're going we're going to try to get it right. So um all if
046all great points, appreciate that. And Joe, you I know you hate that that uh statistic too about the reading. I'm with you there. So we're going to work on that. um expansion of raiders extended day um was able to negotiate with um I can they were really good partners in you know reducing our operating costs even though we're expanding so that was um that was a fruit fruitful conversation and then we had the career and technical education expansion um the district-wide technology replacement cycle and then professional development across the organization again emphasizing professional development because we have to some degree it seems there's evidence to suggest the district has experienced isolationism meaning it district has been largely isolated and disconnected from other from the broader field. So we want to make sure that we are
047bringing the innovative strategies and approaches that are out there in the field of education back to the district. So we can think about how do we stay a breast of the cutting a uh edge uh pedagogical advancements in the field but also we are looking at things differently so we can think about innovative ways to address these everchanging complex problems in the organization. So, we're we're hoping uh to do that across the organization. And then again, I'll flip through some of these things because we talked about them. So, this was the extended day. Um the the the award-winning red program, of course, career and technical education. We talked about that. Strengthening, building support, adding the addition of um adding assistant principles. One of the things um from our for our organization why we believe this
048is very important is because we want to make sure that the feedback that we've gotten from our building administrators is you know Dr. Spence we love the instructional walkthroughs. We believe in the vision. We believe in prioritizing instruction but we just need a little bit more support and help in order to get in classrooms and provide substantive feedback in real time. In order for our educators to grow their practice, they need to have consistent feedback as well as uh uh uh um conversation around how are they educating students within their respective building. So we believe that by adding that building level support, not only are we building a secession pipeline as we're training, which I call AP's principles and training, we're training up the next bench, but we're also ensuring that we can really keep
049the pulse on instruction because we want to keep the momentum uh uh going for the district. >> So the board of education approved, pursuant to your recommendation, three additional assistant principal positions tonight. How does that impact what is being added in this budget? >> Well, now we going to have nine. >> No, I know because like this has been a an element of confusion in the past. Yeah. >> When people have been voting on the budget, so I want to make sure it's >> No, that's a good question, B. I'm just teasing you. So, it'll be lessen. So, now we're looking for three. >> We'll lessen that. We'll look for three. So, we'll change this to say three and it'll serve in in a large >> because it won't be Proctor. So it'll be >>
050three more element, right? Because >> four elementaryaries, three elementaryaries and proctctor. >> So the math will be less than three. Less than three, but one is definitely going to >> Proctor tonight. >> Well, Proctor, one of the ones voted on tonight. >> Yes. >> Proctor. >> Yep. >> And so essentially you you have to lessen that. >> So that'll be updated for >> Yeah. Yeah. That'll be updated. We'll update that. >> No, so it's really should say seven. Well, it's six plus one. So, it's four cuz see it's six >> at the elementary school, one at Proctor. So, really, >> sorry. >> No, >> my math is not massive. >> Four more at the elementary school. >> I have six. We have six elementary schools and one at Proctor. >> Mhm. >> That is seven.
051We approved three tonight. We're still shopping for four precisely. Yes. >> Thank you. See, your math was man. >> And then part of the budget, if I understand correctly, is going to be the long-term sustainability of those positions or are the other three that we approved tonight completely already budgeted for? >> So, the three that approved tonight are already in this budget. >> This school year budget >> ending 2020. >> Yes. Okay, again we talked to about the professional development unified sports clubs and um elementary club opportunities. So we like to again make sure that we're introducing our children to CTE at early in elementary school. So by the time they arrive at the high school, they have to navigate the pathways. That's also another uh difficult uh can be difficult for the district is
052we offer a lot. We have a lot of robust opportunities and it's sometimes navigating how to do that. There's a certain pathways that you take to become an AP student, to become an IB student. There's a certain pathways you take um to really uh take advantage of the opportunities. So, we want to make sure that kids understand what CTE has and they're prepared and they're able to gauge interest early on um because that's another opportunity for students. Um I have a question in regards to just sports. So um there's been a few recommendations at the most recent PA committees in regards to additional sports and maybe clubs depending on >> do they have you been like has the athletic director provided that um ideas? I I guess I don't know like it's my first year
053in PA too. So like do we bring them forward before the budget? Is it already been discussed? >> You know what? Um you my uh yes, I'm going to say yes. They're talking about the esports and the different variety of sports. >> So there was talk of um modified cheerleading. >> Okay. >> As a it would have to be a club because four schools are not part of section like we don't there isn't four schools. Whitesboro is the only one. So there was discussion because I believe there was 90s something cheerleaders that have been trying out. So um Mr. Brusso, the athletic director, had the recommendation that really at a modified level there is a need for it. Um, so we've been talking about that esports, there's been variety of um other types of clubs
054or unified sports. So I'm just unsure of we have prepared I believe in the board docs already for the 30th all of the meeting notes from PF from this year just so that anything that can be part of the budgetvious isvious at least transparent. Obviously, we can't get everything and there's been different um talks of a lot of different things, but when it comes to sports, how is that being budgeted if there is a creation of new or addition of different sport tips? Because I think down the road too, the board would love to entertain any like we have added girls wrestling and you know, how do those recommendations come forward to be prepared for the budget? So Steve, first I want you to talk about there's a process for it. Remember there's a collective
055bargaining agreement, right? We're adding additional clubs. So we'll talk to that and then we'll talk about the money aspect of it. >> Do Oh, I mean I I heard you. Yeah, that was well that was it. I know we talked about collective bargaining because there was discussion of adding um additional assistant coaches at younger >> levels like modified and JV believe right now are only head coaches and volunteers. So that's been an ongoing discussion in PA along with additional PL and I think we talked about this like it being contractual and language and I understand that but I just want to make sure that you know if it's not next budget season it's that we're following the right >> um it's a prior I'm going to tell you why I agree with that priority because
056it's one of the things that there's a segment of population I'm trying to capture that's disconnected from school. So, if we can get as many kids involved in different things, we support that. Dave, I'm going to ask that you get those notes and considerations and you work with the business office and anticipation of the 30th, but like there was one about like the e games and things like that, which I also think is good. you know, not every kid is going to, you know, run a 440, you know, >> and I think I if I I believe a PA meeting came up like Donovan had that whether it was established through section three or however that works or just a club but just equity in between even um the building. So if you know just
057to make sure the programs are available if they can be available but the creation of or the adding sports to our roster I know modified cheer was um recently discussed and a couple I'll say girls flag football and yeah and I know we tried that but in the future or obviously the superintendent has a recommendation or the athletic director I just want to make sure that they're appropriately budgeted for accounted for when they can be. >> We will have an update on the 30th. That's fair. We'll have an update on the 30th. What I'll do is >> is there is there anything else in your your uh presentation or we uh Oh, >> so you mentioned AP and IB classes. So I'm going to put you on the spot. You mean really? >> Um, >>
058is there shortterm or long-term plans to introduce IB classes to the district? >> I I would love that. I want to This is what I would say. I would love that. I I think that's a very good program. What I would want to do is I want to discuss that at a board retreat to discuss those expansion of those things because I think I see that as part of a stronger strategic vision for the board and when when and we will prioritize that. Like I agree we should have those things. >> I'm not saying that I necessarily honor you like listen international balor you don't >> I know that they've been divisive in the past. >> I know some people who have >> said no just do AP. Some people want to go to IB
059classes. I believe that this mostly focuses around the transferability of those credits. So there's there's reasons to do it. There's reasons not to do it. I'm not saying 100% go do it right now in the budget. I'm open to it. I'm just I I I just want to make clear I'm not saying go do it right now. >> That's a good point. I think that I think that should my opinion it should be part of our larger strategic vision for the district success because we're really just trying to structure make sure the kids have the most they can get the most. So that they're very very good. Um Steve, can you write that down? You write that down. Thanks. Okay. Um and then so now I want to just talk a little bit about some
060numbers. So for what we'll be proposing, we don't really see this number fluctuating. So, the things that we've talked about here, like adding additional um uh uh clubs, we're going to do it within existing confines of the budget. Wait, hold on. Wait. Okay. And so, we're also recommending a 0% tax levy increase. Levy remains $30 million. Of course, at some point, we would like to start, you know, doing some increases one or 2% over time because um our costs are escalating, but right now we're not recommending that for this year. So again, this was a um really good uh budget process. I do want to thank my administration. I again I want to thank Heather Mowed. I want to thank Dave Dried on the insensitive Dave Lone going as well as the administrators that came
061to talk with us. Um it really was a good budget process. We discussed things such as philosophy. We talked about strategy. And the thing that really stood out was again the long-term sustainability of the organization because there are some factors that I'll talk about that I just want to put on our radar that we should consider. But I think we did a phenomenal job. He has a date. Feel free to chime in if you have anything you want to say. Don't be shy now. Don't be shy. Now it's your budget. Heather, don't be shy. >> To Dr. Spence's point, one of the the charges that he gave the team was sustainability. And I think in some of the materials that I've presented, we've presented to you really exemplifies that living within our state aid percentage
062increase was was one of the the big charges that we had. Um and so I know that we presented something to you in February and then again last week and and and I we got you something today uh that showed the differences between what we had preliminarily presented as a draft. Also things have changed, right? every day that we get further into a budget, you know, new data becomes available um and and new information to us and sometimes we trip over something. Not often, but we do. Um and so we're constantly communicating. Um and so I think the sustainability portion of making sure we lived within the state aid uh percentage increase, right? Because the majority of our budget is state aid. We're we're different than most school districts u because we are not property
063tax driven. Um we are more or less, you know, state aid driven. Um, and so that was one of our bigger charges. And then number two, um, as Dr. Spence will get into it in a minute, as it relates to appropriating fund balance, making sure that that's sustainable. Um, and I think he's going to get into that in a minute. So I think sustainability, um, is one key word. And then the second key word I think he's going to really expand on is value. Value in this budget, value added. >> And and, um, I also want to just, uh, want to thank the board for coming in on that Saturday. I think we had some really fruitful discussions around the budget. One of the things I say in the organization is you if we're not
064talking about poverty, race, class, gender inequities and society and and that sort of historic societal lens, you can't do the work of urban education because we are really providing tools to lift groups out of poverty and to help groups provide a living for their family and generations to come. So I do want to thank you all for coming in on that very cold Saturday engaged in very a high level discussion. one of the best discussions I I've had in my career as an educator and the level of a discussion I thought was really good as well. Um, now moving on to the uh the revenues, one of the things we talk about. So again, you'll see property tax is flat because we're not offering a 0% increase. You'll see about a 7.9% adjustment in state
065aid. And that's what Heather was talking about really trying to stay within that number. And then you'll also see uh a diminish of the appropriated fund balance by 500,000. And really that's our essentially our savings account. And so when you really look at our our revenues in public education, that's the only thing that we really control is the expense side of the budget. And to a small degree, a small portion of revenue is what we can appropriate from the local taxpayer. So we when we're building this are really trying to be conscientious about how does today's actions impact tomorrow and you'll see that uh for things such as you know we've budgeted for uh uh food service and things like that you we've been very um intentional about that but these are the revenues again
066we're heavily relying on uh state aid and we'll move to the u special items and if you want have take One of the things I just want to mention, we we see in there um occupational education, we we see a little bit of an increase. One of the things we try to do throughout the entire budget, I know that I've had some questions, especially since the February presentation um by Dr. Spence. Uh why are some of these numbers going up? Why are some of them coming down? Especially as it relates to contingency built into those lines. We took a look at every line and looked at a historical trend right over the past three or four years because some of these lines weren't being used. Some of them uh the expenses were coming out of
067other other account lines. So we really tried to rightsize it. Um and as you can see a little bit um well that's not much of a change in educational uh television but as it relates the increases and decreases in some of the lines. The ran interest we also reduce from February till today. We know that we've got positive cash flow. Things are are healthy at the moment as it relates to our cash flow and our restricted reserves. Um and so we don't anticipate get receiving a a rand next year. Therefore, why would we have interest expense in there? And that was part of the reduction uh Dr. Spence is going to talk about in a few minutes. >> Yeah. And I'm I'm going to go back just to say this, the the um the revenue
068side again because we don't really control where we're getting the money from. It's based on a state. One of the concerns that we and we've went through so many discussions back and forth is about the unknown. We have seven open contracts which means that as those contracts are negotiated those contingencies that we built the FTE becomes greater. the cost of the FT becomes greater for the organization which means that if state aid does not come in at at a particular level or becomes flat over years and we have increased cost in health insurance and the cost of the contracts are so rich that over time the employee the cost of it grows to be so much you're on a course for reductions because your fund your fund your fund balance will not be able to
069sustain year-over-year. So it's really those unknown variables. We know that healthcare costs are escalating. We know that the cost of the FTE is escalating. Again, we've seen this in the private sector with UPS, rich contracts, a reduction in the workforce to be able to afford those contracts. So, that's a real number and it's a number that I've been very clear and intentional about because no one remembers the good deed today and how it manifest tomorrow. So, we're being conscientious of that. And this is why we have not been aggressive with um uh uh in regards to our contingencies to that extent because we understand costs are going up and we're also keeping a levy flat. So I just have to say that >> can I just add one other thing on the third line down
070appropriated fund balance of 108 10,800,000. You know the question could come from the floor. Well okay you're you're appropriating fund balance. What happens in year two? What happens the next year? Are we still going to have that hole? So, one of the things going back to sustainability and value added of that 108 that we're looking to pull from fund balance in the following year, we're going to see an increase in state aid for transportation because our transportation expenditures are going up and they're 90%able. And likewise, we're seeing $10 million increase in our Boseies expenditures for the 26 27 year whereby right around 80% of that is aidable. So, when you're seeing those increases, the following year we're going to see that revenue come back. So we wouldn't expect to see at least for that particular
071those particular expenditures in in year two we're going to be made whole. So all things being equal, we're not going to see that in year two. And that's really the the point is we're really taking we're taking the expense and turning into an expense driven aid so that the money is replenished to some extent within the aidable ratio yearoveryear. Just to get ahead of this because I'm sure there there might be someone who might be confused. They might be on chat GP. They might be confused. We got to say this unfortunately if we do not expend fully our monies you see a year-end surplus for example if we don't hire everyone and we anticipate we have these uh the these hires and we come in under that then you'll see less money spent on ERS
072TRS healthcare etc etc which would also create a surplus doesn't mean we don't need the positions it just means that we're subject to the volatility in the market at that particular time so the goal is to again build a budget based on what we need and take those this the the uh the appropriated fund balance and convert that into an expense driven aid so it comes back year overyear so that it's sustainable and that's what Heather was really getting at >> just to oh you want to go back >> just one slide just to finish up on this slide um on the fourth line down that's transfer to school lunch transfer to special aid you see a big increase there as you may recall the past couple of years as a board we've had to
073come back to you and and ask your consideration on a budget transfer for school lunch in which we subsidize. Um, and this year we're upfronting it so that we don't have to come back to the board and ask at the end of the year for budget transfer. >> Um, I have a question on that. Is that number inclusive of are we providing summer meals? Yeah. So that that's including like the summer we're doing the summer meal sites again. Okay. and and so right now we are um in discussions about that MOA but we're being cautious and um prudent by budgeting accordingly but there's the 35h hour rule which has necessitated this um type of expense here >> and then lastly is just our debt service I mean that's that's prescribed just based on on the
074capital work that that we're doing so we know what our outy years are presently and what what we plan to do and there again not uh I believe it's 89 or 90 >> 98 98 98 98%able. >> Okay. >> And then when you look at the the budget, I mean, you see the majority of our budget is really centered on a programs. >> Oh, >> I know. We put that in the budget. We put that >> We put the in the budget. >> He'll come back. >> Okay. I'm kind of >> what I mean. January. >> Okay. You sure? Okay. All right. So, uh again, the majority of the budget, you know, is really the program. You know, the budget is really salaries and benefits. And then the scope of that, the bulk of that
075is just the programming that we're providing to our students. This is our administrative uh budget for this year. We've taken out the um labor relations position. However, I think in subsequent years, I think at some point it would I would recommend that to the board. I think it's provides a more efficient means for the organization in regards to the things that we need to do and I think it's also efficient from a cost perspective. So, but for this year, we're not recommending that. Um, want to see if there was anything else that is drawing here. >> Heather, am I missing anything on this slide that we wanted to mention? No, but I I I do just want to clarify that uh we did make cuts from the February presentation that we did to get us
076to um making sure we were under that 7% expenditure number based on where our state aid is. So, >> what type of cuts? >> Uh contingency cuts. Okay. >> There there was no jobs cut. There was no benefits. Yes. No benefits cut. >> No programs cut. really based on contingency and then moving a little bit of money around in certain places once we came up with better data. >> Yeah, that just to go on record saying that we're not cutting personnel. We're actually expanding program and uh at this time that we're also negotiating these contracts which is why I say there's a little risk there but we believe that we'll be okay. >> So I I believe I saw in one of your memos with that labor relations position not being offered that 70,000 odd
077dollars that was being moved to both back to contracted legal services and also to an HR position. Can you explain that the thinking behind that? >> David, do you want to expand on it? >> Well, I just we are looking for HR right now and I think there was a third area that you put >> it was just those that was split between those two >> between those two. So, try to split the difference. >> So, what what would that position be? >> Well, um I guess we're not sure right now to be honest with you. I know they're we're still looking for the human resource administrative position that I'm currently filling and I'm also getting pulled into the financial side of the house. We have no assistant superintendent for business. Um so, at this
078point, we're going to have to add another person to the what we have. So, we've only budgeted the first run. We only budgeted for one individual. We have the assistant superintendent money budgeted, but you know, we're looking for an assistant superintendent. The first round of searches for that was unsuccessful. Um, and maybe we need to look at drawing somebody out with additional monies there. So, we're just looking for some flexibility, I guess, >> because I think my concern on that one is, at least the way that I had interpreted it before when it was being included, the labor relations specialist was that that money was essentially being taken directly from the contracted legal services line. And I want to make sure that we're budgeting enough in that line. Now, we're splitting that back between two
079lines. So I I that's I said essentially the question broke it down is is there enough now being reallocated back to that contracted services? >> We we believe so. Um we're seeing our legal expenditures contractual wise come down. Um Dr. Spence has really focused us on trying to do things internally. I mean we we should be learning right and and then taking uh taking off with that which we have been doing. So some of our some of the rudimentary questions we don't we no longer have to go to for we go to them for their legal expertise just like we did for the propositions and making sure that the language was correct. Um so we go we go to them when we need to go to them and we're seeing our our our dollars come
080down our expenditures come down a little bit not a lot but a little bit. So, we should anticipate probably a creation of position resolution at some point either after the budget passes next school year. Is that kind of how I should interpret that or I would say I would say potentially, but at this point, you know, there's been a lot of change in the organization. We're still evaluating things. We've also been speaking with and I know Dr. Spence and I had a meeting before Christmas. One of the things the district can consider is moving the labor relations service for Madison's we're not fully into that service and utilizing that it would be more expensive than most line item but we at least were budgeted for the money so there's different options that the district can
081look at going forward nothing of an emergency nature right now where have to create >> so right now it's kind of it's kind of the placeholder so we decided >> at this point in time and I think that the district will be well served to take their time and evaluate things because there's been a lot of change and the one thing you don't want to do is make rash decisions and be impulsive be an impulsive buyer I guess. So at least the money's there you can rest assured if it's not spent then guess what next year you're still going to have to come up with $10.8 appropriate fun. So, I'd like to go slow. I mean, that's my philosophy. Go slow, make less mistakes, and at the end of the day, you have a better
082>> Well, same thing on the program side of the budget. Have the anything drawing here that we wanted to discuss? >> I I have a question on this slide. Um, and we can discuss now or later, but attendance services. So I I am confused on this role um and the duties around it. I see the need for it. Our attendance rates are still high. I So I guess it's more of you know the cost around it and I see it's increasing. I just don't understand I don't want to say I don't understand the position because I absolutely do and I see the need for it. My concern is I'm the data around how we're measuring like why is there an increase? >> Yeah, the exactly. So why why are we up 52,000 and how is
083that measured? >> This is all Boseies related and I don't know Steve if you can. >> Sure. We hire our attendance teachers through Boseies. >> Correct. >> Um they're at all the elementary schools and the secondary schools. Are they on site at all schools or are they split between buildings? >> I would have to look at the schedule, but each each elementary school has at least a half-time attendance teacher. Okay. Most of them are full-time and the secondaries have full-time attendance teachers. >> I'm just Do we know the increase? Like is it just like a salary increase for who we have? I'm just trying to do some math. It's like a $70,000 position if across 13 bill I'm assuming there's one per building. I I could be totally wrong. My concern is are we getting
084our expectations out of this the need that then that could be a bigger conversation but >> um it's just some of this stuff when I was looking at this slide >> uh we're cutting in guidance that's so if I could just we can come back and and kind of drill down for you on the 30th on attendance guidance was a reallocation of what was being done so guidance was not cut it was Boseies and it was it was being expensed out of a an incorrect line. So So we've adjusted that. Okay. Okay. We we really took a deep dive on Boseies this year. I mean we took a deep dive on everything. Yeah. >> And try to make sure that it was right size. Um but we can come back to you on the attendance.
085The only other thing I kind of want to mention is on the third line down staff development. You see a large increase there. That isn't just for your your increased basic training. We that also Dr. Spence talked about back in February the TIM the TIM Academy for special education and also therapeutic crisis. So, we've got some unique um training opportunities for our principles that are coming up this summer along with the TIM Academy and a therapeutic crisis for special education. >> Okay. Yeah. Because my concern with guidance is we haven't been fully staffed. So I just want to make sure the numbers are as if we were fully staffed and then appropriate because that is a little concerning the the difference from what was adopted and then what's proposed. >> Yeah, it was Boseies. It
086was it was really a re it was really getting that Bosey's expense into the right lines. >> Okay. Okay. And I do and and under staff development, I think there was a question from the board what my learning plan was in your individual line items and that was the Tim Academy and um the therapeutic crisis. >> Okay. He is saying anything here that stands out. >> Yeah. So um as it relates we talked about the transfer to other funds really being So we don't have to come back for a budget amendment. Um the co-curricular activities um this is for our our extra class or extracurricular um and our clubs and our music and our and our athletics. And so we've seen an increase in that just because we've seen increases in those opportunities for some
087of our employees. Um and then and psychological services we're not cutting everything there. Again, this was another one where there was quite a bit of contingency. If you look at the lines year over year, we're just it's not that we've got open positions. It was just that there was extra contingency there. So, no positions are being cut, no contractual items are being cut. Um that was really the right sizing for for psychological. I have um a question when it comes to the RED program is that district transportation is increase due to I know there was talk of starting the RED program sooner and I know there's also hesitation because it's with the opening of school and I like getting everybody's are we is the increase because we're starting it sooner is there talk of maybe
088pushing it into October November to >> so the the budget we have reflects the September third week of September start date for the red program. >> Yeah. So, we're going from seven and a half months to 10 months. And so, we made sure when Dr. Spence wanted to propose this that that was fully includable. So, we worked with um um Chief Herrero to make sure that that was all includable in there. >> And is it realistic the start time for midepptember >> based on demand? It is. But, you know, we'll we'll tweak it. I mean the program and and again kudos to the administration and all that supported this and the board support for the award-winning red program the demand I mean we started with what was it was it 50 kids Steve >> was
089it 50 then went to 80 and 100 now >> we're looking to increase to 125 so the demand I I believe the demand will um will reinfor >> I'm sure the demands there my concern is the logistics because we know at the beginning of the year with transportation and then I know our um support services team have been great in implementing that and finding staff, but um and I would want it to start on day one. You know that I'm a I'm a proponent of the program, but the reality is I think just a lot letting our families know when it is available. Like this year we said it was I think around like Veterans Day that it opened. So I was just wondering because that is a big jump in in transportation. Back to
090Joe's point, it we want to make sure that academics come first to all students. So while the academic piece at the red program, it's a very small percentage in the grand scheme of things. So I I'm just talking through the the line items. >> All right. Capital take this one. >> Uh not a lot not a lot of big changes. our operation plan and maintenance of plan. A little bit of a a extra contingency in there that we took a look at to make sure uh but we need to make sure that we have those custodians and we have our trades our trades in there um and we do um fully fund it. Um the really nothing else to talk about here other than the transfer to capital. Um it was determined for the $100,000
091outlay. it would be the exterior doors for JFK. Um, this current year, and I think I don't know if it's completed or not, was the stairwells at Albany Elementary School. Um, and so these are short-term projects that we can get in and get out quickly with. >> And that's fairly new to the budget, right? This is our first time starting those $100,000. >> Yeah. >> But just one project >> and that has to include everything. So it's not Okay. Okay. >> 70 75. Yeah. >> Okay. So, we'll do a overview of propositions. >> So, we've got four propositions for discussion and approval. Proposition is one is just the budget that we're discussing tonight for the general fund. Proposition two is a capital reserve fund. Proposition two is the establishment of capital reserve funds. So, school
092districts have capital reserve funds as a financial planning tool. Uh they when you approve them, you're approving a max amount to fund that capital reserve fund. Once it's funded uh to its max, it's no longer usable. So, this is for an establishment of a capital reserve fund up to $30 million uh over a probable term of 15 years for future capital projects. Proposition three is a use of a previous capital reserve fund. So, we currently have a capital reserve fund of $15 million. Proposition three is the expenditure of capital reserve fund monies. So on the existing capital reserve fund monies, this proposition is asking for approval to spend $10 million or up to $10 million on the current 2024 65 million capital project. >> I just want to add especially as it relates to proposition
093number three, this is for the unatable portion, right? We've talked about how our capital is 98%able. um when we don't meet certain types of percentages. This is going to be explicitly used for our central kitchen, right? So it isn't for instruction. Um so a good portion of that was found to be unatable. Um and you actually uh this was passed by the voters two years ago. It was funded fully at 15 million. Um so that money is sitting there and we're only looking to utilize 10 million. So it'll be another five sitting there. And likewise under proposition number two. Reposition number two just um >> you know the why even Dave why even establish proposition there's another capital reserve like what what are we trying to do there? >> Sure. And uh Heather an actual
094point when talking about gap reserve as a financial planning tool you're using those monies to lower the local share of your capital expenditures in a project. So uh as she mentioned those expenditures that are unatable would be local share hence potential tax increase if they were not funded by a capital reserve. So using these monies as a financial planning tool to lower that local share of capital expenditures. >> So So would you say that we're we're kind of getting ahead of things and planning in advance? >> Uh for sure. I'd say that's an excellent uh sign of financial planning and long-term financial planning uh taking into account looking at future capital projects what's likely to be unatable and how you can use uh financial planning to fill those holes when those project expenditures come around.
095So, we have enough money for a fieldhouse. >> Fieldhouse example of likely unatable capital expenditures. >> We're getting there, right? We're getting in the right position to build an unatable fieldhouse. >> That's what I heard. >> We'll put it on the proposition next week. >> Two school new schools. Okay. >> And proposition one more. Proposition number four, funding Udica Public Library. While this is completely independent of the school district's tax levy, it does flow through on the school district's tax bills. So, this is a proposition uh for them to increase their their taxes that would flow through. >> Then, how do you want any testimony? >> Uh there's no proposed change this year uh in our polling locations um or in our timetable uh for this current year of 12 to 9:00 p.m. Um we
096have 14 election districts. Um, and just really no changes. I know that the board clerk has done a great job and so has Mike Ferrer of reaching out to to all these places to make sure that we can utilize those locations again this year. >> Do we still have the tool online that uh people can input their address or their old comes from the county? So it'll tell them like you're this ward district, but for school district election terms, it's whatever number. >> It's on our website. >> Yeah. And with our great social media tools now. >> Yeah. It can um we when it gets closer, just remind the we send the letters and all that, but through social media channels and wherever just to um maybe at the schools just know that these are
097the locations and how the times of voting. >> Yeah, even just advertising that link that we have on the website on >> parent square because yeah, it's a really good tool for anybody who's not used it >> and it's really all New York State. It's every county is on there. >> So, this is where we are in the budget. What we'll do is based on this discussion, we'll um provide additional information we are asked and we will um again revisit the clubs and make sure that we um we're in alignment there. So, this is this is what we're looking at. Again, we are um 0% on a tax levy. That's not a long-term financial plan. In subsequent years, I strongly recommend that we start to increase that tax levy because the inflation expenditures are outpacing
098what we're able to collect. The greatest concerns will be the true cost of the FTE and rising healthcare cost, which is consistent across New York State based on the conversation we had with the commissioner, the big five. So, it's just some things to be on the horizon. Right now, I don't see those as an immediate issue or threat, but this is just long term. Want to put that on the record. >> Thank Thank you, Dr. Ben. Thank you. >> Okay. I don't believe there's any other presentations. So, I need a motion to approve the minutes from the February 7 budget um workshop and the February 10 regular and special meetings. We'll take them together. Can I have a motion? >> Move it. >> Second. >> Uh any corrections, deletions, or additions? Hearing none. All in
099favor? I >> opposed. The minutes are approved. I don't believe there's any old business or new business for communication. So, I need a motion to adjurnn. >> New business. The policy committee will be recommending policies at the regular meeting of the board of education on the 30th. >> Um there should be one additional policy and two additional regulations as well that are being recommended. Okay, that'll be on the 30th. >> Yep. >> Any anything else? >> If not, I need a motion to adjourn. >> Move it. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> Okay, we are adjourned. >> Thank you for your efforts. >> Will be here. Yeah, >> the