001Welcome everybody to the uh regular meeting of the Yuka City Schools District Board of Education. Um You're welcome to come up. We're going to say the pledge of allegiance. 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. Ready up. >> Please be seated. The clerk can call the role. >> Mr. Jason Cooper >> here. >> Mr. Delaw >> here. >> Mr. Joseph Jr. >> here. >> Mrs. Daniel >> here. >> Mr. Braden >> here. >> Mrs. Danielle >> present. >> Mr. James Paul >> here. >> We have a quorum. Before we begin, I want to pause and acknowledge something that's weighing heavily on our hearts. Our community is grieving the loss of one of
002our students in the recent fire along with their mother. Young lives with bright futures were taken far too soon and there are no words that can truly explain or ease a loss like this. Our hearts are broken for their family and we hold them with deep love and compassion as they face an unimaginable sorrow. We also recognize that within the last week, several fires affecting many other families in our communities, families who lost their homes, their belongings, and the sense of safety that comes from having a place to return to. To our students, families, teachers, faculty, and staff, please know that you are surrounded by people who care deeply about you. In moments like these, it's okay to feel overwhelmed, confused, angry, or simply numb. Grief does not look the same for everyone and there
003is no right way to carry it. What matters is that we do not carry it alone. What I keep coming back to is the way people have shown up. Schools raising money, neighbors bringing what they can. People offering time, supplies, and support without being asked. In the middle of something so painful, it's kindness like this that matters. And it means more than we can probably say right now. Moments like this remind us how deeply connected we are and how important it is to look out out for one another. To our students, families, teachers, faculty, and staff, if today feels heavy, please know that you're not alone. Let's continue to support one another in whatever ways we can. I need a motion to adopt a resolution for Margaret Mardani, former employee of this Udica City School
004District. Can I have a motion? >> Move it. >> Second. >> I'll read the mo I'll read the resolution. Authorization is requested the board of education to approve the following resolution. The board of education of the Udica City School District records with sorrow the passing of former employee Margaret Mardini. For 32 years, Mrs. Mardini was employed as an art teacher with the Udica City School District. Mrs. Martaini spent her entire career as an art teacher with the district. She was adored by her students and fondly fondly remembered throughout the years. She's was credited with encouraging students to expand their skills and capabilities. Resolved that the board of education express its sincere sympathy to the family of Mrs. Mardani and that this resolution be saved upon the records of the district. All in favor? >> Motion
005carries. >> No, I'm going to do I wanted to take the uh opportunity to acknowledge Steep Ponti [snorts] Auto Group. You guys are here tonight. Thanks for coming. Why don't you come on up? >> Kids uh kids have some virus. Oh, well, [laughter] >> I guess it's just you then tonight. >> I'm sure it'd be greatly appreciated if >> Well, anyway, that you know, we want to acknowledge your donations of the coats and the and the winter clothing. >> Another big hit. Yeah. >> One, we uh we broke another record. We did,400 [applause] say like, "Oh, well, we broke the record." Oh gee, I hope you know hope we don't come next year. We say, well, why didn't we break the record? [laughter] Until then, we just keep plugging away. So, >> well, we appreciate
006it. >> Yeah, very cool. Thanks. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Heather, do you want to do your uh your report so that you can get on with your homework? Hello. >> Hello. >> On Thursday, January 15th, Proctor High School hosted a student council officer summit collaborating with the middle schools. The summit focused on getting to know one another, sharing ideas, and identifying key areas for studentled improvements with a primary goal of fostering and welcoming a welcoming school environment where all students feel free to express themselves. JFK raised some concerns like inconsistent snack bar sale dates, homework policy, and social promotion practices. The student council will discuss their concerns with the principal activities. JFK is planning its annual international night in collaboration with the cooking club as well as a Valentine's Day dance. Donovan Middle School
007concerns too many surveys that are too long. The student council will discuss their concerns with the principal. activities, movie night, dances, and specialized clubs. Future plans. Proctor Student Council aims to host future summits with the middle school to dive deeper into the issue as well as inviting elementary students to learn about student government. Student governments should reach out to their principles with their input and concerns as needed. The student council at Pro Proctor will be hosting a movie night fundraiser in March after The Little Mermaid drama performances and an international night in March. Raider Nation is getting the school spirit in overdrive with the pep rally coming on February 27th. Thank you. >> Thank you. Good job. And as always, if you can stick around if you want and if not, you free to go
008whenever you'd like. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Up next is public comment. Um sheet. >> Yeah, I do have the sheet and I don't know if I need to read the rules, but um I will. Public comment portion of the board of education meeting is designed to give members of the public the opportunity to address the board related to school district operations. Each speaker shall be allotted three minutes to speak with the total time of public comment not to exceed 30 minutes per board meeting. The board will not permit in public session discussion involving individual district personnel or students. Persons wishing to discuss matters involved involving individual district personnel or students should present their comments and/or concerns to the superintendent of schools during regular business hours. All speakers are to conduct themselves in a
009civil manner. Public outbursts, criticisms, and other distractions from the speaker's presentation will also not be tolerated. Individuals who cause a disruption to the board meeting will be asked to leave. It's not the practice of the board to respond during the meeting to questions posed or comments made by speakers. Therefore, while the board will certainly take any questions or comments you might have under advisement, we will be not responding to you to any questions you might have. So, up first is Howard Potter. I came tonight to speak about safety as I have in the past among other topics on your agenda. I do not see where safety is a regular topic or the improvement of safety when safety has been an ongoing topic brought up by several in the community during the board meetings. A few
010months ago, a young lady was struck by a car in front of the school district. While it was not on school district property, what have we done to improve the signage, the crosswalks, added any cameras facing in that direction to help law enforcement and the afterchool policing around the high school? What advancements have we made or that we are working on for drop off and pickup safety for all schools in Udica? I recently received a foil on the training for security and it is it best practices to allow people to start to work in our school buildings with the children and staff without completing their opening day training. I also noticed very few even take the training at all for emotional competence and deescalation and deescalation training. And when they did not when they did
011it, it was not until November, which is 3 months into the school year. Where do we stand on informing the parents of staff if and when weapons make it into a school building if they happen to get past the security in the morning while using the weapon detection or object uh detection machines in each building? What is the policy on that? I have foiled numerous times for the past data to learn about how our suspension rate has improved and I have yet to receive the information that the district has promoted that it has improved on more than one occasion during the board meetings. Again, this is not my first time addressing the board with with these concerns, and I truly hope that the admin in charge of daily operations follow back up this time with
012answers to my concerns. It would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. >> Thank you, Howard. Up next, Matt Kilborn. Do I have to push this? >> It's on. >> Okay. My name is Matthew Kilborn. It's my first time speaking at one of these ever. Um, unfortunately, I really don't want to be here. This is above my anxiety level. Um, even being face to face with some of you guys. um paying $5,000 to further the superintendent who's already well- paid um down on his financial uh obligations to a college. Um >> Matt, you can't talk about personnel, individual personnel. Okay. >> Well, sorry. >> Well, it's the truth. Um the fact that uh we're already covering 80% of the healthcare benefits. Why does the school board also think it's okay to spend 350 to 800 time $800
013for your dinners? Like really like you guys eat better than we do than any of us in this than 90% of Udica. Okay. Why does the board president not understand how this looks ethically to the public? That is pissed off. Why are we reimbursing the superintendent's Uber drive to a bodega at 2 o'clock in the morning, >> Matthew? >> At 2 o'clock in the morning. >> Matt, you cannot, as I told you, you know, >> why are we reimbursing? >> You cannot speak about this. >> Can't speak the truth. >> It has nothing to do with the truth. It has to do with the rules of the specific individual. Is that what it is? A specific individual. You cannot speak about >> Okay, I'll speak about I'll speak about the Udica school district as a
014whole. Why are we using and hurting our Udica already hurting Udica police department wasting time attacking parents for speaking their voice for sending emails for attempting to make phone calls to talk to these people who constantly ignore our safety concerns, our financial concerns in an already hurt and broken city. wasting who in this district is wasting our police officers time to attack parents. Who made the calls? Who even knows? Suspension reports. Where are they? Where are they? Maybe I could hear some responses tonight. Probably not because nobody here is man or woman enough to stand up for the citizens of this city. How are we able to go through this with food purchases exceeding a thousands of dollars in a week? What justifies that? I hope you guys sleep well tonight. Thanks for coming in,
015Matt. That closes out the uh public comment. um portion of our meeting. Thank you. >> Okay, up next, um announcements and reports. PTO, PTA, shared decisionmaking committees, student councils, CSSE chairs, title one, UTA. [clears throat] Good evening all. >> Scott Regowski, UTA president. On behalf of the UTA executive team, we hope your 2026 is off to a productive start and that yesterday's snow day provided a well-earned breather for everyone. Although, I'm looking forward to see some snowmen soon. So, hopefully we can get some snow that makes a good one. I haven't seen any yet, so looking forward to that. Uh before we get begin our updates, we must acknowledge that has it has been a difficult time for many in our community. Our deepest thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends of
016the two victims of the recent fire. When our community hurts, our schools and our staff hurt with them. On Saturday, February 28th, you UTA members and the retired Udica Teachers Association members will be volunteering with Sleep in Heavenly Peace to build beds and donate bedding. Our goal is simple. Ensuring no child in Udica has to sleep on the floor. On March 8th, Udica will be well represented in Albany. We are joining NICET locals from across New York for a massive fix tier 6 rally. We are heading to the capital to demand the structural pension changes necessary to recruit and retain highquality educators our students deserve. St. Patrick's Day. We look forward to seeing our members and their families marching in the parade on March 14th to celebrate our local pride. In addition to changes to
017tier 6, we need to acknowledge, hear, and support all the staff we have. Traditional marketing is great, but we must move toward more peer-to-peer influence. Teachers trust other teachers. Teacher assistants trust other teacher assistants more than any billboard or brochure. Recruitment in 2026 needs to be about proximity and positive conversations. We need to ask our staff what needs to be done to increase these positive conversations. Also, by increasing the frequency of conferences, professional development and professional interactions, we can increase the surface area of this district. While we celebrate our community efforts, we must address the critical staffing gaps in our school environments. Donovan Middle School is still operating without a third counselor. Currently, two individuals are managing a workload of 733 students, far exceeding the recommended 250 student maximum. JFK is currently functioning with only
018one social worker for the entire building. The shortage of teacher assistants, particularly in special education, remains an issue. These classrooms require full staffing levels to function safely and effectively. We urge the district to prioritize these placements. The UTA requests that administration treat our related service providers with the same professional standard as our teacher members. Currently, changes in school assignments for related service providers are not being submitted for board approval. We ask for consistency and transparency in how all union members placements are handled. In closing, I want to extend a sincere a sincere thank you to our teachers, counselors, social workers, therapists, and support staff. We see the heavy lifting you do every day to support your students and your colleagues. Your dedication is the backbone of this district. Thank you. Have a good night. >>
019Thank you. UAA, UTC, Teamsters, Local 182, SEIU, Local 200B, Mohawk Valley Buildings and Trades. Oh, hello. I'm sorry. >> It's okay. That's two times in a row. I was just >> Well, I didn't [laughter] I was reading. I'm sorry. I It It It It wasn't personal. >> And also, it's local 200. There's no B. >> I'll I'll address the uh >> Okay. >> the typest. >> My name is Christina Sutter, SEIU Union Chair for the TA segment. In the past month, we've attended five meetings and have found that them all welcoming and informative. The conversations with HR and the sped department were the most exciting and fruitful. For example, our next superintendent day in May will have sped special education specific training reviewing disabilities, diagnosis, and behaviors experienced in these classrooms. Also, we are in
020the beginning stages of developing a new higher TA training program. We are pleased with this progress and are thankful for a seat at the table. With that said, we are still in a desperate need to hire new TAs and to come up with incentives to retain our existing TAs who are working extra hard to help cover the vacancies in their classrooms. Our teachers and TAs are stressed due to this problem. With workplace violence occurring too frequently, we as a union feel it is not only our responsibility to bring these issues and concerns to you, but to also actively and collaboratively find solutions for them. We'd like to thank the school board and administration in advance for recognizing and helping us come up with solutions. Um, on behalf of myself and my team, we want to
021thank all of our teachers, therapists, TA, security, food service custodians who come to work every day with a positive attitude and greet our students with a smile. Thank you and good night. >> Thank you. [applause] Up next is the treasures report. Good evening everyone. Uh so I have my tax report for the month. Um I've received the tax payment information from the city through January 4th, 2026. Uh we have received 89.8% of our uh tax revenue uh with the remaining balance uh being 2,827,8962. I did have a conversation today with uh Diana Corey at the city uh comprollers office and she was reaching out. They plan to uh pay the remaining balance for the taxes uh by the end of this week in accordance with our agreement. Uh so looking forward to that and I'll
022have more information on that at the next meeting. >> What date did you say? January >> uh through January 4th. >> January. >> Yeah. Um I've also have uh included for your review and consideration the general fund budget status report, uh cafeteria fund budget status report, and all cash balances for all accounts through the month ending October 31st, 2025. Uh does have anyone any questions? [snorts] Was there anything concerning in there that got you worried? >> Nothing concerning that got me worried. No. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Have a good night, everyone. >> And what we've all been waiting for, the capital improvement projects. the dynamic duo. >> I've been waiting for this. >> We've been waiting to give it anxious anxiously. >> I figure since ours was so exciting last >>
023try to duplicate it. All right. Good evening. Um we'll dive right in here. Um just wanted to give a little context to all the capital project work that's being undertaken in the district. Um, you know, they're we we tend to talk about these projects uh by themselves, but when you really look at uh the scope of what the district is trying to implement here over uh a relatively short period of time, um it's significant. So, uh from the top down, we have the CTE, which is the May 2023 uh referendum. Um the phase one is in closeout. Uh phase two uh is um will be going out to bid here shortly. It's submitted to SEDD for uh review. You'll see the next uh project down there is the May 2024 authorization. So we are in
024construction on phase one of that. Phase two um in the February meeting. We'll be bringing forward the recommendations to award contracts for that. And then you can see following shortly thereafter we'll start the construction phase below the timeline that gets into the most recent um referendum which is the May 2025 uh referendum. So phase one is submitted to SED. Uh phase two uh we've just started the design phase and then you can see phase three will follow phase two and then the bottom project is really about the planning uh for the future. So, we know in May of 2028 there needs to be another capital project vote put out um to to maintain that um level local share. Uh right. And so unlike the May 24 and the May 25, you really want to start
025planning that uh here in the middle of May of 2026 so that we can be prepared with scope and schedule um and things like that by the time we hit May of 2028. So just there's a tremendous amount of activity going on related to capital projects. Um, and when you look at them by themselves, right, it it that can tend to get lost. >> And the bids and the awards are next February. >> That'll be the February 10th meeting, correct? Yep. So, um, closing out phase one of the CTE project. Um, there is a resolution um, in the board packet tonight that approves the final change orders associated with phase one. This slide just gives an update of how the actual cost compared to the budget. And you can see this dollar value down here,
026the 5,163 is consistent with what we've been talking about throughout the CTE project, what we anticipate um going into um phase 2. Any questions about the overall budget for phase one? Okay. So CT phase 2 I mentioned uh we were we are at SED right now um for review of the the plans and specs. We anticipate uh at the April or May meeting that we will bring contracts forward to award that project. Um this will include uh those scope items there. So, we've got the courtyard canopy, special education toilet rooms at Proctor, uh multi-use toilet rooms adjacent to the CTE and within the CT space, the renovated space, renovations to the career and fun financial management classroom, uh the asphalt replacement adjacent to the CT addition um in the in the back by the loading
027dock, uh some improved ventilation at some of the shop spaces, some improved acoustical treatments, on a couple of the classrooms. Uh additional security grills at the overhead doors and then some additional masonary restoration. >> Where's the courtyard? >> It's at what is currently what I call the main entrance where they drop the kids off off the bus drop off. >> It's a actually uncovered canopy >> entrance. Is this the one that we were >> by the main office I guess right where the >> No, I think that's why we use I think it's entrance right by the gym. It's not the bus. >> No, it's not. It's not the bus. >> It's on the the access road that they do right by the fields. So, it's the field side. >> So, it's on the back
028side. >> Yes. Yeah. >> So, currently the the kids are queuing in that or they're staying on the bus and only getting dropped off once the kids are queued through the the >> check for drop off permanent. >> Wasn't that confused why we're temporary? >> I'm confused why we're putting a courtyard there. I thought it was going by. >> Okay. Can we look into that just for the next >> I I I thought that that AC that access road behind you're talking that's what you're talking about the one that was supposed to just be used >> temporarily you're putting a canopy there. >> Why? >> They still bring the kids in by the tennis courts regardless if you're using that access road or the other way. >> Well, we we never intended to use that
029access road as a regular point of ingress and egress. So, I just want to make sure there's some clarification cuz that's what we told the neighbors, right? Yes. >> I do think there's confusion because we talked about putting the canopy up at the So, I'm going to assume that we're talking about the same space. We're just getting it confused where it is. It's on the opposite side and that was the artery where we talked about putting a canopy in there to try to try to mitigate some of that traffic so that we could have students. >> Correct. So, you're not having to sit on the buses as you >> Yes. Yes. Yeah, we'll double check that and building and I think we have a meeting coming up, but we'll double check. >> I also think
030we're interchanging the terms about access road, right? So, there's the new access road off Eagle Street and then there's the existing access road that loops around and then down, right, and is used for bus drop off. >> But you're talking about by the cafeteria. >> Yes, >> that I think we're both of them are access roads. One is new that we addressed with the residents. The other one is the longstanding access >> and the Eagle Street is just supposed to be for emergencies. >> Correct. >> Not. Okay. >> So, that wraps up CTE. Uh we'll dive into the 2024 capital improvements. So, um Proctor boiler replacements. Couple photos here. You can see this is on track. They're starting to take uh the boilers out. Um and then they'll begin the reinstallation um process after after
031the boilers are removed. Uh the uh locker rooms um you'll notice that the status is labeled [snorts] as at risk there. We are working through some interior layout revisions. Uh we're not through them completely uh to be able to present them to the board yet. Um, but you should know that in a future meeting there will be something coming uh that uh modifies the layout uh of the locker room to uh incorporate um some modified use. >> That's specific to the pool. >> That's correct. The locker rooms adjacent to the pool. >> Okay. >> Yes, sir. >> Uh the Proctor pool, you can see demolition is ongoing there. We did uncover some additional um concrete uh buried um grade beam uh and some other things there that were um unknown. Uh and then also um
032we have to make some extensions uh on the concrete slab uh for the new pool. So again, not ready to bring those items uh to the board for approval yet, but just for awareness >> [clears throat] >> uh as we've worked through demolition. Uh those are a couple things uh that we've uncovered uh in the pool. >> Are we still on time? It um I know we're on time with the pool, but I know interior design and layout is pending with the lock room. Will that still be on time? >> It's >> if the layout chang >> at where we are today. Yes. >> And then can you tell us I know everybody's anxiously waiting and it's been a thorn a little bit. The whole >> What is that? How much longer? It'll be into
0332027 before we're able I mean those pictures are from a couple weeks ago. So you can see we're just getting through demolition. Um there's still >> 2027 or are we talking >> the goal is to start the school year 2027 with the pool. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Yep. Uh if we jump over to Conkling, uh you can see the interior renovations are taking place there. Uh we are on track to move the uh main office and the nurses space down into their new and final permanent resting places. Um there is a couple issues over there. There are significant voids underneath the existing concrete slab. Looks like a settling uh issue that we will need to do something with. Um we're talking about uh a potential solution. part of it being done as part
034of the May 2024 project and then another potential piece of it being done as part of the May 2025 project. So, it is a relatively significant issue. Um, but again, we don't we may not need to tackle it all as part of uh this current May 24 project. And then we uncovered that there's some missing steel that should have been in should be in place at the vestibule. Uh so we are working through pricing uh for to install that additional steel that will have the vestibule shut down beyond the um the rest of the main office and the nurses suite. So they will continue to use the temporary vestibule that's in place. Uh the outdoor act outdoor learning and activity center at Conkling is substantially complete. You can see kind of the before and after
035photos there. Um so some um pretty transformational stuff there. Um same thing at Herkimer. We're working through the secure entrance vestibule. We're actively managing submittals uh and material deliveries with the prime contractor for that space. Um, again, nothing at this point to be uh super concerned about, but just it is uh it's taking more effort uh than we would like it to um with those contractors to get things lined up there. Again, the outdoor learning and activity center at uh Herkimer. See the kind of the before and after of that. And then one final one uh for Jones uh in a similar spot to uh Conkling and Herkimer. The play or the outdoor learning and activity center is complete. Uh the secure entrance vestibial work is in a similar state. We're waiting for material deliveries
036um from those contractors. >> Um those three outdoor learning centers, sorry interrupt. Are there enhancements to those or are those going to be considered closed? I know some of the other phases had like the basketball, but are those three considered complete? >> Um, Herkimer, we are adding a basketball court uh Jason 2. You'll see that in the phase two award. Uh, Jones and Conkling uh should both be complete. So, into the phase two, I mentioned we'll have bid award uh recommendations coming forward at the February 10th meeting and then we'll look to get in uh to construction. Um this is the budget breakdown similar to what you saw for phase one. Uh we've collected um back in November, we collected bids for uh the phase 2 project. Uh we had 11 prime contractor bids across
037the four primes there. Uh we got multiple bids on all contracts except for mechanical. Uh on the specific to the general trades uh contractor, the two lowest biders uh were within $1,000 of each other uh on base bid. That gives you good confidence that they both saw the SC the same scope of work uh got the same level of participation from subcontractors. What will be coming forward is I just mentioned the basketball courts. There was an alternate uh included in the general contractor scope uh for the basketball courts at Albany Herkimer. Um >> sorry, >> Jefferson. Albany her I'm sorry it's not Herkimer Albany Jefferson and Watson um which we are recommending um that the district accept when you do that the low um the low contractor for the general trades contractor becomes J Priori
038construction and you can see the other primes uh that will be coming forthcoming in the letter of recommendation. In addition to these, we are still evaluating proposals for the PA security contract and also additional proposals for train equipment and controls. So, we will add all of those together and all of this will come uh in the in the award summary for February 10th. There are additional contracts rate to be added to that but in total you can see we've got a authorization of a right 65 million the cost awarded through phase one and what we know to date on phase two roughly 59 million including contingencies of 1.7 million for phase one and a million just over a million uh for phase two. Right. So overall, $65 million referendum is in a good place financially
039uh and able to move forward. Any questions on May of 65 120? Not a ton of progress to report here. Just this building aid generation date is important. That's something that the board will want to be aware of. um right because this is the dates the uh fiscal years with which you're anticipating to start collecting uh that building aid. So everything that we are doing from a schedule standpoint is driven off those building aid days and you can see the breakout um on the three phases for the 120 million. As I mentioned phase one is submitted sed for review and approval. uh we'll looking to bring that forward uh for uh most likely a June or July acceptance by the board and again we're trying to meet this October 1st date with which we have
040to file uh the SA139 which cues the project for building aid again to meet that um to meet those requirements and then phase two I mentioned uh is in schematic design. Anything on the 120? Okay. And then last, I noted the upcoming May 2028 authorization. Um, similar to the other phases, it's being planned for three $45 million phases again to generate building aid over those three fiscal years. Um, the scope is really intended to focus on long range capital facilities improvements. There is the prelim submission uh that is a requirement to any buildings that uh we may look to add additions to. So that does add time uh into the planning process that we need to um that we need to plan for. And the ultimate goal here is that we use uh the balance
041of 26, most of 27, finalize the scope, lay the project out, um go public with the project in November of 2027, and then cue things up for a May of 2028 vote. Any other questions on capital projects in general? Are we uh on time in terms of our timelines? >> We are. >> For the entire >> entirety of all our projects, >> we are. >> Okay. Anybody else have any questions? No. Thank you. >> Great. Thank you. Have a good night. You >> careful. >> Okay. Up next is the budget presentation. Dr. Christopher Spence. >> Can we have a fivem minute recess? >> Okay. Good job. Are we set to go? >> I'm ready. >> Okay. All right. First of all, good evening to the board. Good evening to our uh viewing public at home.
042So, today we're going to discuss the proposed 2627 uh programmatic portion of the budget. Again, we are preparing a budget that is in 18 months in advance and we are going to talk about the types of things that we would like to invest in in order to fulfill our mission and vision within the district. Again, this is a living and breathing document. Some of these numbers there may be some fluctuations, but I want to provide the board with a general understanding of what types of investments we're going to make. As everything we do, we have worked to center our the organization's activity around the mission. and this particular uh language here around continuous improvement and for the 2627 budget that's what we intend to prioritize and you'll see a little bit more about that and
043the ways in which we plan to do that in the budget process. Again everything is aligned to our mission and vision which is really here to support students and augment student outcomes. Now here we add our newly adopted district goals because this is also a guiding framework for what it is that we hope to achieve. It talks about the types of um um activity that we're going to work alongside with our amazing faculty and staff and it gives a framework for why we're making particular investments in the organization. Here is just a picture with uh principal de Jesus showing regent manion and the district superintendent our district goals and how we use that to inform the activity within the buildings and across the organization. So so too should it be in the budget uh proposal.
044So generally speaking I'm going to talk a little bit in depth about this about our priorities but we really want to invest in our summer enrichment activities. One of the reasons why is because we saw the uh the the results of invested in extended uh learning opportunities with our RED program, pardon me, our award-winning RED program because we received the New York State School Board Association's Champion of Change Award, which will be uh celebrated at a school coming soon. So we're taking that model and we want to provide more learning opportunities across the school year because we know research particularly within urban institutions. Our students lose a lot of academic ground in the summer. So we want to to to to reimagine how we can do school here in the Udica context. Again the expansion
045of the Raiders extended day learning pro uh learning program we started this year a little late. We want to start that in September within the first three weeks of school in the uh 26 27 year. We did a phenomenal job of exper uh expanding our career and technical education wing. But as we phase in that model and build in uh uh programming, we know we recognize that there's going to be a need for TAs and other faculty and staff to help uh fully flesh that program out. Of course, we're in a district-wide technology replacement cycle was in the budget last year. We just want to make sure our students have the best and most up-to-date uh uh tools to learn. And then as our UTA president had discussed the professional development across the organization. So
046one of the things that I've noted upon uh taking the role of superintendent here is that we really have to invest in our people and build capacity because when you don't do that the organization gets stale because there isn't innovative and new ideas constantly coming in. And it has to be this sort of framework where we're looking at what's best in class at these conferences. We're taking that work and we're turnkeying it within the organization and we're also studying the organization to identify what types of training do our faculty and staff need to do their best work. So I completely agree with the UTA and we and by the way we discuss these things at labor relations so they notice when it's coming. So we're going to invest in professional development opportunities for our faculty
047and staff. So again, as I referenced um earlier, that red program is really been designed to uh support our neediest families. When the pilot began last year before we received the award, we started with uh I want to say maybe um uh it might have been 50ish something around students per school. We increased that number to 100 this year. Don't quote me, those approximate numbers from memory. So we're at a 100 students uh per building or roughly around that for most of them. And so we want to make sure that we're extending that. So this is something that we're proposing that we continue this work because it's yielded really good gains. Again, with the career and technical education program, we have our students operating some really great state-of-the-art technology. We're proposing that we uh provide
048three additional teacher assistance positions beginning in 2027 to help provide and support instruction in those uh in those areas. the summer enrichment. Again, we are really trying to ensure that our students are uh are pro provided with rigorous engagement opportunities throughout the summer because we don't want them to lose academic ground in the summer as well as undo all of the social emotional work that we've invested in for that school year. So there's so many models and particularly around urban education where districts are trying to figure out a way to do this and we know it to be fruitful and it will be similar to the uh structure of the red program. We're fleshing out the details but we have an understanding of what we believe the approximate budget for that area will be strengthen
049the building support. So it is very clear that we have some very very large elementary schools and we are proposing that we add assistant principles to our elementary schools that have large populations of students. This will allow our uh our our administrators to really focus on instruction really provide the support to teachers to move from crisis management to but to really hone down on the instructional leadership of the building. Another reason why we're doing this is because we really want to begin to build our bench. We want to invest in our people within the organization and start identifying our new emerging leaders in the organization and provide a pathways for that development across. So this is another thing that we're going to propose adding assistant principles to the budget to help support student learning and
050strengthening the building level supports. Now again, we have identified a professional uh development framework for our teachers and we really work and listen to them. At our most recent labor relations meeting, we talked about classroom management. We talked about uh onboarding for our TAs that was also mentioned here. So, we're really looking at the data. We're looking at the uh and listening to the voices of our faculty and staff and we're really trying to create a robust program of uh of professional development that will help give them the tools to carry out their very important and necessary work. The same is true for central office and building administrators. We really want to strengthen that principal preparation pipeline but also the principles themselves. We know from the works of the Wallace Foundation and many meta analysis
051that really say that the principal ship is a key component of driving excellence in schools. So we want to make sure that we are strengthening their wheelhouse and their capacity as well. And this is just a workshop from some of the very dedicated work that my administrators do from 3 to 6:30 or 7:00 where they're not being paid beyond their contractual hours and they're working. So this is what it looks like. Again, we want to also um focus on providing uh unified sports and elementary club opportunities. Again, a a well-rounded uh a student and well-rounded program really provides clubs, it provides art, it provides so many different opportunities for students to be successful and work on their skills and hone their skill set. So, we're also recommending this in and this budget this portion of
052it. And so, now we talk a little bit about the numbers. So what we just did is we really spoke about what are the big drivers of that budget on a year-to-year basis. The budget doesn't change much because most of the budget is human capital. It is people. What we are proposing are additional initiatives to either start or ex expand existing initiatives so that we can continue to uh to to to yield the results that we were able to get last year with amazing gains in academic achievement, double-digit growth. So what you'll see is in the um we in this particular call center we're looking at a a 9.6% increase and the drivers of that are the things that we had discussed and so you'll see here um you you'll see you know the variation
053in regards to some of the line items as we are um attributing particular uh uh programming needs to an aspect of the budget. So for example, curriculum development, we have moved the targeted uh assistance teachers into this particular budget. So you'll see a jump. But the reality is again if you go back to the preceding slide, this number 9.6 is what matters the most. When we're going line by line, that is just within the current cost center. The overall what we are asking you to approve and not yet will be the overall spending plan for the budget. the nuances in where things go are not as consequential as this overall increase in the call center. >> So question because these are still those are still cost centers >> in the next slide. So when will
054we be presented with the line item anticipation of the budget? >> Well, we had planned for that at the at the workshop. We were un unfortunately unable to conduct the the budget workshop but we can reschedule have another opportunity to look at that that detail I think that you're talking about and we could we can reschedule that. >> Okay. So I think before we leave here today we should schedule >> yeah another budget workshop >> it's on the calendar. >> So I have a question the February 10th meeting goes a little bit more into special education and athletics library all that and then March another one. So would it make s to have it after that or before and then talk I guess because we do have to res. >> Do you want to reschedu
055after the presentation as a final >> I'm actually like asking for your >> Oh, okay. Thank you. >> I I think that we need to have this probably sometime between the February 10 meeting and the the >> the March meeting. >> Yeah. >> Closer to the February 10. >> And we need to get into the detail on some of the numbers. >> Okay. you know, probably end up being like school break, but >> we're the fourth. >> We're here anyway. Administration's here. So, okay. Um, again, you'll see um teaching regular school. Again, those major initiatives that we discussed are all distributed throughout these varying cost centers. Here, you'll see the plus and minuses. you'll see a decrease in guidance. And just for clarity, we had um we had one of our community partners coded to
056that particular line and we just moved it to be where it should appropriately be. So there's not actually a reduction in guidance. It's just a reduction of a particular uh program that was we moved to its appropriate cost center. Okay. And and that concludes it. So the next meeting is February 10th, but I know between that February 10th and March 24th, we can have a more um elaborate discussion about the nuances with the individual lines if that's the board's will. But right now, this is just the overall I overarching ideas for how we would propose that we drive um increasing students. >> But but where I see all those increases, for example, um what what what exactly does that mean? I mean, when you're talking about a, for example, a 9.6% increase, what what are
057we what are we spending the money on? >> No, I mean, you know, I understand we're spending if we're spending it on like, you know, are we spending money on reading? What are we spending our money on? >> So, it's it's a it's a culmination of these priorities here. So, for example, the RED program we started at November. We're expanding that program. So, part of that money and new money in that cost center is as a result of the RED program. We're proposing that we add assistant principles in the budget. They're they're not in the budget. So, we're proposing to add new uh new employees, new administrators. And so, that's part of these initiatives here are part of that 9.6% increase that you're seeing there. The technology replacement plan, these things are the drivers. Well,
058how how did how did so far because we last year I think we adopted a plan, right? So >> the replacement plan we adopted last year they were going to do was it three or $5 million a year >> so that we didn't have um you know we didn't have to do it all at once. So >> that's still true. >> That's still that's that still is the truth. We're not doing it all at once. It is on a staggered cycle. >> Yes, >> we are also um including licensing agreements in in addition to the hardware. >> But yes, that is still true. We are on a staggered replacement cycle as referenced last year. >> But if the district-wide technology replacement cycle was adopted as part of last year's budget with the idea of doing
0593 to 5 million every year, that shouldn't be a a cost increase to the budget or all this year. it should be built in to the original budget, not as part of the cost center driving an increase. >> So the numbers that that Dr. Spence is presenting is budget over budget and when I believe I I I don't remember exactly when the board approved that technology plan and being it staggered, but I believe it was after the budget was already presented. Um, so this is this is budget over budget and we do have quite a plan that we were going to present two weeks ago to you on the technology plan um that we didn't make the meeting but when we get together at a bud budget workshop um I think it'll become clear. >>
060Okay. And I do think just I I would advise perhaps for next month when we're doing the presentation for the the next sort of cost centers I think it would be helpful to just include the line items at that point. I know you're saying that the line items were ready for this one at the budget workshop. If they were ready, I think we should just include them in the presentations because it will make things a lot clearer and that's the level of particularity that I know I have requested. >> I I do recall last year Mr. Ferraro making a presentation indicating that we were replacing our technology over a three or fouryear period as opposed to what the district was forced to do. Um, and I could, you know, I mean, if I wanted to
061go back and look, I could do it. But my point is that >> the vehicles >> Yeah, the vehicles and all that because we ended up spending uh we bought new plow trucks cuz we had we had trucks that were, you know, just junk that we were still driving. You know, our our employees were still driving. So, I just, you know, I'm I'm I'm seeing numbers and I'm seeing increases. Um, and so I'm just curious as to are we just shuffling the, you know, the deck chairs or are we are we doing something different? >> No. If you're if you're looking for the actual replacement plan, it was a three-year staggered replacement plan, so we didn't have to buy it all at one time. Correct. >> We can provide that update to you. The only
062difference is that we >> No, it looks it No, I'm just saying it looks to me like are you buying more stuff? Is that what you're saying? Or are you buy is there additional >> So we're we're Go ahead. >> So the goal is to get us up to date. We were pretty much two years behind and so Mike was >> we were >> Yes. And when and when Mike came to us probably six to eight months ago and he presented that that was when the board said look we want to get up to date. So instead of doing it all in one year to get us to get us up to that point where we should be. So I think it would really behoove you to see that presentation which we were going to
063present two weeks ago and I don't have it with me today but I'm sure Dr. Spence would be happy to >> Why don't you email it to us and then we can take a look prior and ask you know be able to ask some questions. I um yeah because I think it keeps up with the CTE wing and the equipment and all of that. But I have a question when it comes to the technology because I don't think our students sign Chromebooks out for the year and the amount of homework that has to be done on a laptop is a lot which is fine. I I mean but I we this year we heard the challenges of students not having Chromebooks and I would really like to look into a plan for our student whether
064it's through insurance I believe um >> I thought we discussed >> one to one one to one devices one to one devices that they could take yeah something that we were looking at internally and discussing in which ways we can create increase access >> precisely what you're talking about >> and not that I want to put this out into the universe but I saw some schools go virtual ual over February break because of the snow days >> and I'm not manifesting any of that. >> No, I didn't. I just >> I'd be off work and summer school >> over February break >> mandatory summer school. >> Anyhoo, if we ever have to go to those lengths, I would like to be in a position that we're prepared for our students to bring home Chromebooks, but
065I did not realize in part of me that students did not I thought it was just the younger grades. Um, but it's it's K through 12. At one point, didn't everybody have a Chromebook and some kids had some in and those little >> myisi >> the myisi or whatever? Didn't we get those funded? What? >> Well, I think it was during co >> the good old days. >> But I do think I would be interested in looking in that when we discuss it more in the technology. >> Yeah, we're looking at that's definitely an equity and access issue. I mean, you look at just uh New York City public schools, rather than have a snow day, they just had remote learning and so the teachers were able to still continue to work and students were
066still able to create access. So, >> I just want to see snow days. >> I just want to see in for snow days. >> Yes. No, but I said, >> but it is a real >> My concern is with the homework. >> No, it's it's a real it's a it's an equity issue because not all kids have access to that. So, we were looking at that. Steve, I don't know if you want to say a little bit more about what we our plans for 101 we're looking at. >> No. So, we did have a discussion because there are other reasons why that would be impactful. We have computer licenses for all of our textbooks. Um, students who are out sick, students who are suspended would benefit from onetoone Chromebooks and being able to connect with
067>> I don't know why we don't do that. I thought we were doing it. I I would have I would have insisted on it >> two years ago >> if I didn't if if I didn't realize that. I mean, if I didn't know, >> so not since co although every classroom is outfitted with a classroom set of Chromebooks and we do allow students to sign them out if they need them. >> And I think it's access for the parents to check the Google classrooms with up toate missing assignments and things like that as well. So I would just like it if we can look into it for next year >> and then if you if you have an emergency, you're set to run instead of h having to have a distribution plan. So >> yeah,
068it's it's definitely an access issue. It's definitely something that it commands immediate attention. So we're looking into it. We're just looking at to see what it will cost us, the replacement cycle, all of those different things with taking it home. But yeah, we're working seeing we can get an update for that. But yes, we're looking into it. >> Be a great one shot. >> Catch it all up. Make sure the kids can do their homework. maybe do some assignments over the summer for the kids. I'm all for it. >> Go to the red program all summer and have summer camps and additional >> No, I'm talking about actual like high homework. >> Just things like that. >> Uh President Hobbika's points earlier. I do think if you get us that presentation >> like right away
069so that we can schedule something, but we can have access to it sooner rather than later and also access to the presentation for next meeting >> in the board. No, no problem. And one more question maybe in the presentation, but I I love the idea of adding the assistant principles and um I think it said another assistant principal at the high school. >> Correct. >> Is there a way that you can do in the perfect world if we're fully staffed and then the increase for next like where we are this year and then how many positions we will be adding or eliminate like >> yeah like how many new positions that would be. Yeah, we can chair you take that note for me. >> Thank you. >> Just for some clarification. We have I think
070we've had it before and I know it depends on classes and >> is this budget this what we're discussing tonight a wish list or like closer to reality? So, >> because I I mean, the reason why I'm asking is like it's great that we want to put extra assistant principles in a bunch of different schools, but what's the what's the reality that we're actually going to be able to number one, you have the you have to sustain it, >> of course, >> and number two, we have to have candidates to fill them those positions. >> Yeah. >> So, I don't know, maybe I'm too much of a chromogen, but I'd rather spend the money on I'd rather spend the money on Chromebooks and w and my fis that kids can take home and actually do
071their work on. Um, and again, again, you know, I respect your uh your what what's it not effigy, what's it called? Your uh >> I think we can do both. But >> my point is that I I like to be able to make it so the kids can do homework >> cuz I'm a big proponent of that >> even on snow days. >> True. So two so two um very important points. We are looking at sustainability and right now we're looking at to as we were planning for the needs of the district. We're looking at okay what what is it that we need? We're starting here and as we're moving there is some room where will we fluctuate where we might say you know we may need to take this out but right now this
072is we're presenting to you first this is what we're looking to invest in board we want you to know this is what we're prioritizing and why in regards to the the assistant principles one of the issues that we have in this organization is stability across all all levels of the organization at every level this organization is stuff has suffered from stability we've also suffered from our inability to often recruit and uh people at a quick enough rate. So we end up with gaps in buildings, we end up with gaps in particular ro roles and over time the systems deteriorate. So what we're looking to do is really invest in the people that we have here that we know that are working well that show great promise and pull them up. I myself am a recipient
073of the Buffalo aspiring leaders uh super uh not superintendent uh principal academy in partnership with University of Buffalo New York City DOE lead based on the the the what leaders saw in me at the time they said you'd be a great person to go into administration but it would have helped to do is strengthen the organization because we're doing two things we're saying we want to focus on professional development to enhance the skill set of the existing people we have but we're also saying we need to build a bench so that as people retire. There's not a disruption within the organization and practices are not eroded because remember with the support of the board and investments you gave us last year, we had amazing academic growth. The state was at 7%, we're 9% on and
074on average double digit gains 3 through eight. So all of the tools that you've been giving us, we've been good stewards of them and we are showing progress across the organization. But both those things are equally important. digital equity and access as well as human capital development within the organization >> that include going through >> aspirational right that's what the budget right now is the numbers >> well if it's fully funded in a scholarship I mean but sorry >> this so this budget's more aspirational and then >> we there will be some there will be some tweaks where we may come in a little bit but we are hoping now if there's a now if there's any one of these initiatives that the we don't want to fund this at all, then that's a different
075story. And then of course we'll have to look to take things out. Our hope would be that we could fund these things because we understand it's an investment in in student achievement and the mission and vision of continuous improvement. >> Okay. Anybody else have any questions for Dr. Spence? I think most of the questions that we have will be answered and looked at in the workshop to look at that and we can do a deeper dive and then all of these questions can be answered. >> Yeah, we can do >> okay um >> at the end. >> Yeah. Yes. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Very good. >> [applause] >> Um, up next is the >> superintendence report. Do you want to go into our second >> executive session at this point? >> Yes. >> Okay.
076So, we need a motion. >> Move it. >> Second. And that will be for the purpose of discussing legal matters and employment um issues of what is it >> particular people. >> Okay. All in favor? >> Opposed. We're going into second.