Grand Island CSD Board of Education 2-2-2026 Meeting

001the room. >> I don't know how to do the transition and that's okay. I'll just pan the thing when you get here. You can you can do the transition. >> Everything happens for a reason. He was a couple weeks ago when I saw him in his internship. He was order at 7:35. If everyone can go ahead and stand for the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under all. >> Okay, just a quick u announcement. We do have two emergency exits. It will be the door you entered um directly behind you and the door directly behind me. And if you could go ahead and silence your cell phones. I will go ahead and begin with roll call. We have Roger

002Brooker to my left, board trustee. Ashley Dreer, board trustee. Bethlin, board trustee. Jim K, district clerk. Dr. Brian Graham, our superintendent of schools. Myself, Sue Marston, board trustee. Jay Grover, board trustee. Joy Lamar, board trustee. Danielle Bruno, board trustee. John Fitzpatrick, our assistant superintendent of curriculum, staff development, and human resource. Cheryl Cardone, assistant superintendent of pupil personnel services. We have Dr. uh Doug Whan with us, our interim assistant superintendent for school business and finance. Uh Sienna Saris, one of our um board of education student representatives, and also Charlotte Towers. All right, we will begin with our approval of our agenda this evening. If I can get a motion. >> I'll move >> and a second. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carried. 70. If I can get approval of our minutes

003from our January 5th meeting, please >> and a second. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> opposed. Motion carried. 70. on to our student ambassadors from middle school. We have Dr. Bishop, our middle school patrol. You okay? Yeah. >> Hi everyone. I'm excited to introduce you to Mohamad Alaji this evening. He's a seventh grader at BCMS. His role is the multimedia specialist in the student council and he participates in modified soccer and wrestling and he is hoping to be an eighth grade web leader next year. >> Hello everyone. My name is my media specialist of the middle school student council. There are many different things that are going on in middle school. There's going to be a Valentine's Day volleyball tournament on February 13th. Students from sixth, seventh, and eighth grade will compete to

004raise money to charity stores. Student council is also having soccer. Students can buy soccer for 50 or send to a friend. Sales will take place February 9th through February 12th and the doctors will be delivered on Friday 13 just in time for break. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. [applause] Student ambassadors from the high school. We have Sienna and Charlotte. So firstly, the little shop of course kicks off this Thursday and they'll also have a show Friday and Saturday. All the students in casting crew are working very hard and are excited for tomorrow's preview for the entire high school. And we will have a modified schedule and students will get to head down to the auditorium to get a glimpse of the musical. I know I'm very excited to see it. And Miss

005Bout and Miss have been working really hard and have done such an excellent job working together to make this show happen. So, a few weeks ago, um, the Academy of Finance and SAC went on a field trip to Disney for five days. >> Can you let the board know what a sack is? >> Sack is the student athletic advisory council. So, there were a couple students that came with us on that. Um, I was part of being finance and we got to do a leadership workshop and it was in Hollywood Studios this time. So, we learned a lot about working together as a team and what it means to really be a leader. We got to go around the park. We got to see behind the scenes um where they do some of the shows

006right by Tower of Terror. We got to go um in before the show started. We got to see all around. So, that was really fun. Um I just want to say thank you to Miss Boutin, Miss Wy, and Mr. Kaiser because it was such a fun trip and we just had such a great time. Um, also Interact Club just worked on making Valentine's that we're going to be delivering to Elderwood next week for the residents. So, we just hope that that will brighten up the day a little bit. [snorts] >> Thank you. >> On to correspondence and good news with Dr. Brown. >> Hello everybody. Uh, thank you so much for your interest in our school district and either watching online or being here in person. Uh we're pretty excited about many opportunities that uh

007our our faculty, our students and and other staff have been involved with. Uh the first thing I would like to do is invite Jamie Muso. Would you like to come up to the podium? Uh and I want to give you some information. and she recently was awarded the 2026 Western State Outstanding Middle School Science Educator Award. So, I will stop there. It's a long title. Let's give her a big round of applause. [applause] It's really great. And uh we saw the photo. Is that Mr. Collard next to you? >> It is. Yes. Mr. had the opportunity to present the award to me as I believe he's the co-chair of Western Standard. >> Excellent. Excellent. >> So, yeah, it meant a lot to get it from someone that I know and work with. >> You know,

008Jamie, you've done such marvelous work in our school district. Um, when I got to know you, you were helping us integrate technology in our elementary school, Sidway, Hugh, and Kegabyte. And then you took a little bit of a risk and you came up to the middle school to lead a sixth grade classroom. And above and beyond that, you became you and one of your colleagues became uh inducted into the New York State Master Teacher Program, which is very rigorous. So, if you wouldn't mind just share a little bit about that. What What did it What did it take for you and Indiana to be approved and inducted? Just let the board know the rigor behind that. >> Well, the application process is actually a year-long process. Uh there's three rounds to it. We had to

009develop an application that had five parts to it. It took a couple of months. We had to take a test, get recommendations from colleagues and from administrators. Once we got past the first round, we had to go through an interview process. Um, and then we were alerted after that to whether or not we got into the program and it was about a full year that it took to from start to finish. >> Yeah. And some people don't make it. >> That is true. >> Right. with this year another middle school colleague was inducted just maybe a week or two ago Angela Birdie. >> So it's just really great and beyond you Deanna and Angela there are other Grand Island teachers who have followed this path and have led the way. >> Yes, there were a

010couple high school teachers I believe master teacher Howard previously. >> Um yeah I actually just left and Angela >> Yeah. >> at Buff State. We had a PLT meeting tonight. Right. So, we were together for that. So, >> and it really does elevate everything about pedigogy, the profession, right? >> I honestly don't think I would have gotten the award if it wasn't for the work that Deanna and I do with Master Teacher. >> Yeah, that's great. And can you talk about this particular award? >> Um, so this was through Stany's. It was through the Western region. They recognize uh two middle school teachers, two high school teachers every year. I was actually nominated by a colleague by Vienna. Um, she's actually has earned the award in the past as well. Um, so yeah, it was

011quite the honor. Um, I'm relatively new to middle school. I'm relatively new to teaching science, but in a lot of ways, I feel like it's where it was always meant to be. So, it's it's something I absolutely love doing, and I couldn't imagine doing anything else. >> Yeah. I see you brought your family. I don't know if you want to introduce them briefly, that'd be great. >> My husband, Keith, is here. >> Could you guys stand just briefly? Thank you, Keith. My daughter-in-law is sad. >> Thank you. Let's give him a big round of applause. [applause] >> Just just hang out a little bit after we do all the corresponding good news. We'll take a group picture with Laura. Okay. Congratulations. Anybody have any questions for Jake? >> Congratulations. >> Oh, and make sure you

012bring the award when we take the picture. That's great. Congrats. >> Congratulations. Very good. Up next, I'd like to invite Kieran and Braden to the microphone and maybe Mr. Padlafi and could also come up and just introduce the boys and talk about their most recent uh induction as cadetses. >> Thank you. That's a smart move. The font size is three. [laughter] Nice to give it to a younger leader in the fire department. >> Could you just do a quick intro of who you are? Oh, >> yeah. So, my name's Richard Nichols. Last year I was passed with the death program. This year I'm doing rookies, but I gave these two awards because they just they did a lot last year and I was very proud of them. So, thought I would honor them nice. Um,

013so this is the same speech that I gave at our installation dinner. So, cadet um Kieran. I recognized him. He's shown outstanding dedication to the organization. Um being still in high school. Being still in high school, Kieran completed EMTB and went on to complete A EMT, which is the next level before paramedic. He passed both of them which is about $300 total classroom and clinical. So that level of commitment speaks a lot about him. I was very proud of him. Gave him the training excellence award for the cadets last year. Braden also shown strong dedication and an impressive commitment to training while still in high school. Braden completed BEO which is 79 hours and IO which is another 50 hours. He's also currently enrolled in firefighter survival series self- rescue adding another 12 hours of

014training. This level of dedication at such a young age does not go unnoticed. So extremely proud of his commitment to the organization as well. They did phenomenal last year. [applause] Maybe you could just come up and talk a little bit about your experience and also how would you promote this with your peers or younger students in the high school? Who would like to go first? >> All right, let's go. And just remind everybody who you are. Hello, I'm Braden Walden. I'm enrolled at uh Grand Island High School. I'm also a uh fire cadet at Grand Island Fire. Um the opportunity to be able to work with such great people like Richie and Pod Lucky is is it's great. And the opportunities to learn new skills is also amazing. And just the people you meet and

015being able to help people every day. >> That's awesome. Braden, how old are you? >> I am 17. >> Great. Are you a senior? >> Uh, junior. >> Wow. Wow. Super impressive. Congratulations, Braden. Well done. Does anybody have a question for Braden? All right, let's go. >> [applause] >> Karen, what do you similar? Are you in 11th or 12th grade? >> Uh, so I'm in 12th grade uh at Grand High School, too. I got a lot of my peers with me and I'd like to thank you for congratulating them as well. I know they have exceptional hard work and I really appreciate that you notice everyone here tonight. So, thank you to the board and all the members here. So, my name is uh Kieran Misel and I'm a certified emergency medical technician for Grand

016Island Fire Department. I've completed my advanced uh EMT course as well, but I have to wait till I'm 18 to get certified for that. So, I've responded to about 200 calls uh in 2025, led patient care probably about over 20 times, and assisted in many other calls. So, it's been a great opportunity. I'd like to thank everyone from the fire department, especially my training captain Richie Richie Nichols and Chief John Podlucky. So, thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to be here tonight. And I want to wish you guys all a healthy year and thank you so much again for letting us go on here. [applause] >> As a senior, do you know what your plans are after after school yet or? >> Uh, yeah. So I just uh have committed to Niagara

017University for nursing. I plan to become a emergency room nurse or an ICU nurse preferably out of OSHA or ECMC medical center. So I'm really passionate about this. I've gained a lot of valuable experience and a lot of confidence over the years of taking the courses. So I really appreciate the opportunity and it's been a great you know introductory into healthcare and I feel very confident going into college. So it's been a great experience. >> Love. Yeah, we're very proud. >> Thank you very much. I appreciate it. >> That's great. And just hang hang tight. We're going to get a group picture. >> Do you have anything to share or >> Sure. I just like to thank the board for recognizing these guys and furthermore recognizing the cadet program. I know we didn't explain a

018lot about that. Um but the cadet program is open to juniors and seniors in high school. Um and then there's an opportunity if they stay in college to continue along as senior cadetses until the end of their college commitment. uh if not they decide to go into the workforce management and become probationary rookie members. But um so basically they act in a capacity where they support us on scene. So fires and stuff like that they might help us uh you know move ladders to the scene or hook up a hydrant to the fire engine or stuff like that. But um these guys are also able to provide patient care up to their level service. Kieran obviously has one of the best side manners of anybody that's new provider with standing and Braden is a very

019very hard worker. So these guys really went above and beyond. But furthermore, what we're most proud of isn't just the time they put in, but they're also good students and good role members and models in the community. That means a lot to us, too. Um, so we just want to thank the board for recognizing that allow us to kind of showcase that. So, thank you. I I just want to say, you know, I was I was honored to be at the installation um ceremony for the fire department and was able to see both be recognized. Um and really it was impressive to see the amount of youth that is [snorts] is being involved in our fire department. I can't say enough um and thank our fire department as a whole for all you do for

020our residents. Um you know, we are always here to support and encourage and recognize our students, John. So if there's ever something we are not in attendance for, you know, please reach out and let us know because we are always, you know, willing and, you know, always want to showcase, you know, the good in in our students. So thank you both for joining our fire department and joining such an amazing team to take care of our community. Um, we appreciate that and congratulations [applause] with the group picture in a moment. Up next, I'd like to invite Mark Wales to the podium. And Mark, if you could bring the students with you, that would be amazing. Uh, Mrs. Bruno or Miss Bruno, I'm sure you are very proud of Mark and the students. Uh, Mark, you

021have been leading the mock trial team and we are experiencing some incredible success. So, I thought maybe you could share with our board and the community uh what is mock trial and uh some of the successes you have gained as you get a buy a buy into the playoffs. >> Yeah, we um so we're on the mock trial team. This is my fourth year as the club adviser and mock trial is a competition where uh high schools are given a f fictional court case. This year it's a criminal case and our students uh take on the role of lawyers or and witnesses and we prepare the case. Uh we do two trials in the preliminary round. One f our first trial this year was as prosecution and the second trial was as the defense and

022our students prepare our legal strategy um courtroom procedures. uh we get a lot of expert advice from our attorney adviser, Miss Bruno. And this year, so the last two Saturdays, uh we've won our first trial uh as the defense. And this past Saturday, we won our second trial uh as I'm sorry, we won the first trial as prosecution and the second trial as the defense. And I just found out today that um because we scored so well, we are the number one school in Erie County going into the playoffs. So, >> [applause] >> This is a great success. I don't know about uh Miss Berno maybe can tell us how if we've ever had this kind of success before, but not certainly not when I've been involved in it. >> I think that this is

023the the highest level of success that I've seen in the last years. And I'd like to point out that this is Mr. While's first year as head coach. So, you know, he humbly stated four years. I've shared the uh shared the duties with Mr. Mike Murray for the last previous three years. He teaches criminal law, so he knows this, you know, he he teaches it. He's been teaching it for decades. So, he he knows what he's doing. And he he backed off this year and I I took over for the as the uh the main coach. And I will uh introduce some of our uh team members here. We have uh ninth grader Dylan. He is one of our witnesses. Uh senior Kayen Shy, he is one of our lawyers. Carl Beckley, another one of

024our lawyers, also a senior. Ninth grader, uh Sienna Daloise, a witness. Emily Goss is one of our lawyers. She's a junior. And senior Ismael Massudi, also one of our lawyers. And everybody did a great job. Uh all the credit goes to uh Miss Bruno for coaching them up and also the students for actually listening to her. So, [laughter] um, so good job all around. >> Go ahead, Danielle. >> I'd like to add seeing the transition and the growth amongst the students and to uh attribute, you know, part of that to Mr. Murray as well. Uh, you guys have come so far throughout the years and you can see your confidence in the courtroom and it's not easy. Public speaking is one of the hardest things to do. So whether or not you want to be

025attorneys or not, this experience that you get is going to serve you well in any field that you go into. Um being able to think on your feet, think fast, and also with the team and to prepare. Uh I know how nerve-wracking it can be. It's still and it's always going to be nerve-wracking for me. So think about it that way, too. But that's what kind of makes makes it fun. I think trial work is one of the most rewarding works to do and I am so excited about the freshman too. You guys held it down on the stand as witnesses and I can't wait to see your transition and growth throughout the years too. So I hope that you keep signing up and and doing good work and I look forward to uh the

026finals and preparing with you guys. >> That's wonderful. So well said. Mark, could you let the board know the next step? Obviously, you've earned a buy as being seated number one out of 14 school districts. >> I love saying that we are number one in your account. >> We we re the next round of the playoffs is this Saturday, which we don't have to do because we are so good. We are number one. We are number one right now. There's a one next to Grand Island. And um so we get an automatic buy to the second round which is in three weeks on February 28th. >> And that's the second round. Hopefully we do just as well or even better. >> And where is this event held? >> Uh all the trials have been either

027at county or city court downtown or uh county court uh Delaware Avenue. So, and we go in front of a either a real judge or a lawyer um somebody who's obviously experienced in law and uh that can be nerve-wracking, too. You know, you're in a real courtroom. And the kids did really really great um you know um presenting their cases and um keeping their cool sometimes >> so it can be uh challenging but great job all around. >> Yeah. And for the community Grand Island is number one followed by Mount Mercy Academy Clarence East Aurora St. Francis Frontier Orchard Park Nichols Williamsville East Nardan Dew the Buffalo Academy for Sacred Art St. Joe's and Irgoy and Grand Island. Let's go. Number one top list [applause] question from the board. >> All right. Is anybody interested

028in law maybe or thinking about law post high school and beyond? >> Yeah. Yeah. Go ahead. >> Carl, two of our lawyers. Carl senior is possibly also a senior. Also one of our lawyers. >> Excellent. That's great. So, why don't we start if it's okay? Oh, go ahead. Mr. >> I was just going to say for the seniors, um, if you have your plans or what you're thinking about doing after graduation, if you wouldn't mind coming up to the microphone and telling us what your plans are. We always like to hear where our students are heading after graduation. >> I'm Kate Shy. I will be attending Fredonia to study public political science. And uh, after that, I will most likely go to Buffalo Law School. Excellent. >> I'm um I'm not going for the law.

029I'm going for a biochemistry on the track. Um I'm not really sure where I'm going, but um >> I'm Carl Beckley. Um I haven't committed to a college yet, but I'm hoping to go into some sort of political science major or political philosophy. I'm still deciding between a couple different majors, but the plan is to go to law school after my undergraduate studies. >> If anybody else out there has knows their path, but they're interested, we certainly if not, no pressure. Just don't want to leave anybody else out. Anybody has a path. Yeah. >> Um just really quick uh for the one for the students that actually um are looking into going into law school. In addition to political science, there's also a legal studies major at UB. I'm an attorney. So I uh went

030to UB and concentrating in social science, interdisiplinary legal studies. So if you are looking at majors like political science, also take a look at the legal studies program as well. >> That's great advice. Emily, did you have something you wanted to add? >> Yeah. So, um, my name is Emily Goss. I am the current New York State, uh, region 12 president, and I I am in the middle of my campaign for running for the state executive office this year. So, my campaign is focusing on the grassroots of DECA because New York DECA is continuing to outgrow itself and as we gain thousands of more members. And then I also want to focus on making sure that no smaller school chapters like ours gets left behind amidst all the chaos. So I am running my campaign

031in March and speaking in front of um the state the state career conference and if I'm elected I'll be on the state office for my senior year next year. >> Congratulations. >> Yeah. Well then can we start with a group picture with this group? Great. If the board could come we'll have this group first then we'll go to our cadets and then we'll finish with Mrs. Jamie and >> [snorts] >> right here. Yeah. No eyes closed. All right, get ready. I will take some Alice and then the parents. Three, two, one. Excellent. Give him a round of >> applause AND [applause] THANKS. We got three weeks to prepare. >> All right. Nice job. We'll [applause and cheering] make we'll make this one. Get ready everybody. >> The family. >> Yeah. Go. Go, go, go, go,

032go. [laughter] [applause] >> Have a great night. >> You, too. want to be around. >> Does she have she? Certainly a lot to be proud of, Mrs. Bara. >> Yes, lots going on, Mr. Exec. Great. All right. Um, public comments, agenda items only. We do not have anybody sign up, so we'll move on to curriculum and instruction with um, >> thank you. >> Uh, there are two items. Uh, first one, item A is the field trip for the, uh, wrestling qualifier in Dunkerk. It's an overnight field trip, so we need action on that. And the other item, item D is just the January curriculum. >> Anybody have any questions on the Whoops. Before I ask for a motion, can I get a motion to approve the curriculum and instruction A, please? >> And a second.

033All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carried. 70. >> Thank you. >> Okay. On to personal instruction. Anybody have any questions before I ask for a motion? Okay. Motion to approve instructional personnel PI1 through PI6, please. >> And a second. Second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carried. 70. Any >> Yeah, I don't think we have any intros today. >> Okay. On to personal non-instructional unpunctions before we ask for a motion. >> All right. Then ask for a motion to approve non-instructional personnel PNI 1 through PNI 4, please. >> Motion >> and a second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carries 70. I just want to thank the board for um participating in New York State Helps program. It's going to really benefit many of our employees um based and it lightens the

034load a little bit with civil service. So we thank the board for their leadership. Just any other >> just really thank you very much because it is a New York state literally helping program to uh in the civil service classification uh where school districts don't get a lot of civil service employees anymore uh for many uh needed positions. So uh it's actually um helping people along to be who are provisional appointments uh to become permanent. So >> that's great. Thank you. >> On to finance. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Should we go ahead and do the one motion item before we get to the order? I think we just have the one item action. >> Should we go ahead and do that before we No. >> Does anybody have any questions on the transfers before

035we ask for a motion? All right. Then I'll ask for a motion to approve finance aid. Please motion >> and a second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carried 70 information. >> Anybody have any questions on anything before we dive into the budget? >> All righty, let's go. >> All right. Thank you very much. As always, uh I want to thank uh Doug and John Monosanti for their hard work behind the scenes and putting this initial draft for our community, for the board. This is truly a draft. There will definitely be changes in the March presentation, but it's really good for you to see uh the work that is being done by our uh by Doug and his team as well as uh the work that he is doing leading our principles and supervisors

036and going over uh the projected budget. [clears throat] >> And I have two minutes left. All right. [laughter] I love it. Uh, so you know, I I know I spent a lot of time talking about our mission, but I do want to thank the board again because you helped lead the strategic plan, which is called the blueprint for excellence. And that was about a year ago in a couple months. And in that plan, we just tweaked the mission statement, which now reads that we endeavor to inspire each student to achieve their highest potential by honoring their unique pathway, fostering academic excellence, supporting personal growth, and promoting social responsibility. And that is embedded in these slides uh and the work of the budget. Each year, I think for the last 10 years, you've seen this slide.

037And you know, it's really good as we enter a budget to have goals. Uh we want to continue to develop our long-term sustainable budget designed to provide the best diversified educational program for all of our students UPK through grade 12. We're going to learn a little bit about some of the changes in UPK across New York State today. Uh additionally, uh we believe it's important to do our very best to retain what the community has mandated as student programs and activities for their children here uh at Grand Island. And uh this is an important goal I think for everybody uh all across the state u as we build our budgets but to do our very best to protect the fund balance. With that said, um I'm not going to read all of the strategic plan

038goals, but I think it's important, you know, just to reiterate that these goals do guide us uh every day and uh John Fitzpatrick is in the process of doing a refresh of our blueprint for excellence uh which I believe will be meeting in May in May. So uh so we appreciate the board's support and the work that we do to build uh strategic goals. So, uh, Doug has created these slides. I think they're traditional. You've seen these before as board members, but, uh, just to reiterate his work and working with our team, uh, in December and January, and it's just really important to emphasize that Doug has been here for five weeks, fiveish. >> I've been working on the budget for three. >> Yeah. Make sure the microphone's on. >> Yeah. Perfect. Very good. So

039working uh for the last 3 weeks on this, right? >> Because I started December 22nd. Yes. The holiday and then getting to know the staff and the scope of an $80 million budget, >> right? >> And meeting all the principles, directors. So >> yeah. So tonight's our first u first look at a at a draft budget and then that'll continue. You can see that we're meeting again on March 9th and this is good not only for the board but for the community. March 23rd, we'll have uh another meeting and then uh it's really important as you know the the governor has April 1st as her deadline. She has been late for the past few years. So we uh we really need to be confident as we get closer to late March and uh midappril that

040we have the correct budgeted numbers from the state. And the last regularly scheduled board meeting to adopt is April 21st, but we may have already adopted the budget before then. And then we'll have a public hearing on May 11th. And so tonight, you're going to uh Doug and I will take you through some of the major uh pieces of the budget talking about just the early look at the tax levy limit calculation, revenues and expenditures, uh BR bus proposition. We'll do a deep dive in enrollment tonight and then wrap things up with our budget calendar. So, I'd like to turn it over to Doug just to give you some of the the broad strokes, some of the highlights of the governor's first uh executive budget for our state. Well, first of all, in the first

041draft is 83.6 million. My budget is now 79 million. So, it's 5.5% higher. It's a little bit high at this point, but it's our first draft. This week, we have a meeting with the health insurance committee, and that's a large number in our budget. So, I'm hoping to get information on that. And that's super important for the board to understand that Doug will meet with uh our advisors with respect to health insurance and they will help Doug's uh long-term plan what the increase what the projected increase will be and that should be reflected in the next uh budget presentation. >> We spend about $10 million a year on health insurance and uh it's very important. I have it rising about 12%. But I hope I'm in the ballpark. So, I hope it doesn't go any

042higher than that. Um, but the the people that we're dealing with will give us the information and and uh we'll put it in the budget. >> Cheryl, can you move the left a little closer? Thank you. >> So, on the executive's governor's budget, I know your last and I know you like the same format. I did not some of these things that Bob had I couldn't find. So, and it looked like >> a bunch of paragraphs. So I I put it in [laughter] the bullets to make it easier. But the highlights on this sheet is our foundation made us going up 5.2%. >> Yeah. And I do want to emphasize that for the board. That is unusual and welcomed by us as leaders of the district and I'm sure by the board. This is the

043first time in many many years that we've seen the governor give us 5.2% increase in foundation aid. So we're we're very grateful to that. Is that number solid or do we need to wait local? >> I don't think it's solid, but if it changes, of course, we will alert the board and the community. But what's really important, which we we hope it doesn't change, but some of our peer uh school districts, I think 67% across the state are only receiving 1%. So, we will be advocating uh as a region for those districts to get minimally 2%. Uh we won't be advocating for ours to go down. So, [clears throat] >> but but that number won't be solid until our governor's budget is >> approved by the legislature. >> Correct. So, >> while we're saying it's

0445.21, that could change and we won't know until the governor's budget. >> It could change. Usually, the legislature provides more. I I understand that. I just >> But my point too is a good >> love to be excited about it, but anything can change and foundation age has traditionally been something that has always been tacted. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I know. I just I don't want to I want to be cautious. >> Right. Exactly. The other thing I'd like to mention on this sheet is the maintenance of the universal school meal program which is going to [clears throat] go for another few years. And that's important to us because many more students, well, the purpose of school lunch is to provide meals to students who can't afford them. So, you get your highest reimbursement when

045you offer a free meal, but they're all free now. So, there's free breakfast and free lunch. In fact, we're serving uh 22,325 more lunches than we did last year. and we're serving 11,670 more breakfasts than we did last year. And in the breakfast area, um we have just one monitor in the breakfast uh area where they're having breakfast in the cafeteria. So, you'll see a couple in a couple of requests for monitors. Uh and that program is going to continue and that's really helping uh the finances of that school lunch program. Moving on to the executive aid proposal. Um this is just a comparison um between last year and this year. Uh the January 26 is the executive proposal. You'll see that the $16 million is the 5.2%. Universal prek. We're also getting an awful

046lot of money, but I'm not sure we can use it. It's going from 690,000 to 1.2 million. So, that's going up 76%. But, of course, you have to have the space in the facilities. And I I don't know enough about the Grand Island School District yet to um be able, but the the governor is pushing for all foury olds to have an opportunity to go to preschool. >> Yeah. Go ahead. This is my question. Well, I just want I just wanted to ask last year I mean we do a lottery. Does anybody know the number of how many schoolers we believe we have? >> And how many did we turn away last year? [clears throat] >> And we have people who chose not to >> Right. But we didn't turn anyone away. We started the

047year with >> I'm just trying to compare where we are to where 100% is. >> But if we're if we serve 100% of our students, we may not get the 1.2 million because there's a capacity issue. >> No, I I understand. >> Yeah. I was just wondering where we were today servicing the students >> with the bond. >> Yeah, apparently we serve them all which is great. >> Yeah, there is a little controversy for the board to understand. There are some districts in say the southern tier that are smaller than us that aren't happy that this is a mandate. So there will be some uh push back by uh some districts that just don't have the room or the capacity to support this mandate. So it'll be interesting to see how this plays out, but

048it is a strong um pillar of the governor's um proposal. >> It is very interesting that they are mandating and they don't mandate, right? Yeah. Like so at some point I wonder if they will eventually mandate kindergarten, >> right? It seems kind of silly. I'm going to use silly for lack of a better term, but that we're going to mandate UB not mandate kindergarten, right? Like um at some point they're they should probably do that if they're going to mandate four year olds, not five. >> And Jen, when when you present next week or next month, it would be great. Did >> you not know that? [laughter] >> Yeah. So, kindergarten is not mandated. John, if you get a chance in in March's presentation, I know you'll talk about curriculum. Let's do a little research

049to see uh what what that means across the state these days with respect to kindergarten too. >> And also with this increase, it's going to impact our community based organizations because we might have more community based. >> Absolutely. I I think the numbers, you know, if it becomes mandated, it's not going to be 129 because we have what 200 or whatever the number is, we are definitely going to see more of a need. I was just wondering if we were turning anybody away was we only >> Thank you, Doug. >> Okay, moving on to page 10. You've seen this uh diagram before. Uh there was a mistake in this. Um, on the first line, the number is 16,000, not $16,22. >> I typed that in wrong. >> So 16,000 is the initial pilots. These are

050payments of group of taxes and that's last year. Um, we expect 16,22 in the future. So, the way this formula sets up, and you'll see it later, is it ultimately calculates how much you can raise taxes. So, I can run through it quickly with you. Um, it starts off that we collected $41.8 million in taxes this year. We have a growth index that's given to us by the state of New York, and ours is 1.01. You must have slight growth in the Grand Island area. Then the payment in L of taxes you add from the prior year and then your capital levy. What happens is the capital exclusion is you take your principal and interest and you subtract out your state aid and that's the local share. That is called the capital exclusion. So from

051that basic part then everyone gets a 2% increase. Then you plus in your payment group of taxes. You get a number 40.9 million and then you plus in your capital exclusion which is 2.2 million. And both the the 2 million number and the 2.2 2 million have been calculated by your financial advisor. That sets up the fact that you can collect 43 million worth of taxes. So you've collected 41, your maximum cap is 432 and that is the 3.32%. So the board can establish that wherever you'd like, but you can't go over 3.32. On page 11, this is the estimated proposal on tax rates. It's a little early to be talking about tax rates because we don't really have a budget in place yet. But you have this form and what your previous business official

052did is just raise your tax rate by 2%. >> Just as an example. So the top line is your last year's rate was 1772. You went to full veil, you went down to 1194. And I'm just raising that 2% just as an example. Other changes I've made is we always talk about actual valuation of homes like at 185,000. It's really kind of low. I picked 205 for last year. In talking with the assessor, it's actually 397. >> I love that you raised that number. Thank you. >> Full veil. So all this is is showing if you have 205,000 assessed value house at 1772 your taxes were $3633. Going up to the full value your taxes at a rate of 1194 your taxes are going worth 4740. So it shows you how much taxes went up.

053Now, this is just an example because when you do a revaluation, some of the taxes go up, some of them go down, some of them stay the same. So, it's just meant to show an example. Uh, the star exemption is going to be 33,140. That's on your right hand side. And I'm being told that the median home value in the town of Grand Island is 430,000. So that's our exemption where it says 25 26. That's really 267. That's what the exemptions mean. >> Yes. >> So that should read 26 27. >> So I just have a quick question. And being on the board for over 10 years, I think we've ever had this situation. So I'm going to stumble through this question. Is there a way only because of recent events with our last project

054and situations with people upset with having to spend money, taxes going up, assessments are changing, bills are going up that when we work on this budget, has there ever been a time where we can get it in right order where taxes are either not being increased or very minimally increased. So if you wait and see that hopefully during the presentation >> okay because that's I'm looking at this and I'm very happy that you are putting in the median home value of 430,000 because 180 we've raised that before it's >> I'm going to tell you you can't unless you're buying something as is I mean you're not really the typical price and I am a real estate so that's one of the things that that's what we're going to be talking about that's going to be

055something that I would like to I think it's going to come up. Sorry. >> No, it's perfect. Yeah, I just I'm seeing these and I'm seeing the projected increase and that's one thing that I wanted to put out there. >> And the numbers at the bottom, the taxes to be levied, that's just the taxes levied at a 1.9% 1.992. So that 42 million and that's the valuation of the property, 3.5 billion. Page 12 is just another form of page that we just page 10. Page 12 and page 10 are showing the same calculation. Uh page 10 is what you're used to seeing. You also see page 12, but 12 is done by the financial advisor. So it has the same numbers in that blue column. When you start with uh your last year's uh taxes,

056you you have the growth index, you have your pilots, you just come right down and it calculates down to 3.32%. And then the future is unknown. So they just kind of estimate. >> And I think that's important. I know that Sue and Joy and many of the board members bring last year's packet. Doug and I actually looked at last year's packet. We looked at the financial advisor's projections and all the financial advisor is doing just adding 2% across the board. So the reality is that you know what's the actual and then the proposed is so much closer to reality. So thank you Doug. >> Page 13. Uh there's a little change here because I initially didn't understand the building aid how it was put on this form, but in the past they've listed building aid

057separately and they've subtracted it from state aid. But these are your state aid numbers across the top. The property tax levy at 2%. You're this is I put a footnote on the bottom. So, you're comparing budget 2526 to an actual um governor's proposal, and you're not comparing the same things. So, your actual receipt of state aid in 2526 was over $25 million. That's on the bottom. So, you actually received $25.4 million. You budgeted 23.7. So a lot of times business officials will budget lower because they want more revenue to come in. But if you compare the 25 million that you received in 2526 to the governor's proposal of 2627, you will get the 5.2%. And that's what I'm trying to show there. I'll straighten this out a little bit uh on the next timing. But

058all the previous person did was take the building aid out of the 23 million, 23.7 million, put it on a separate line, and then the 5 whatever you're trying to show in state aid actually appears. You don't have that 12.9% increase. And Doug, I know some of the work we'll be doing in the next month, we as a district will be looking to decrease, right, the actual budget at 83. We'll be looking to bring that down. >> Yes. Thanks. >> Okay. >> You've got to bring that down because it's 5.5% increase. It's too high. Um, it probably should be closer to 81, but we'll talk about that. I mean, that's up to the board. >> How much of an increase you want to go from 79 and >> and that's really what Joy was also

059talking about and Sue. So, we will definitely be using the board's guidance to help us reduce and make it more affordable. >> So, I guess the point is I know um Jay and I in talking after um the vote and some charge the district. [clears throat] >> Thank you. Now page 14 is all of these are standard pages that you see every year. Um so it's just a percent of state aid to the budget. Page 16 are the major expenditures broken down into categories. I found another mistake on TRS. The TRS rate is going from 9.59 to 8.3. It is not 10.29. >> So, it's 8.3. >> We're figuring 8.3. >> Okay. Thank you. >> One of the challenges that Doug and I have talked about is the ERS rate at 17.6. That contribution rate

060seems to be high. And um just Doug and I were just talking about why is it so high and so much higher than Tiara. So we might be digging into that to get a little bit of information, but it is it is what it is, right? >> The state sets those rates. >> Yeah. Yeah. So >> the one area that you're going to see conflict in or problems that I found is Boseies. It's in the middle of the page. When I first came and I'm looking at the post's budget, it seemed awful high in comparison to what we actually budgeted. In other words, our expenses were higher than we budgeted. And if you look at the prior year, 4.9 million, and then you look at the projected budget at 6.5. So, we're just on this

061three weeks, but I learned that there was uh a little difficulty uh in last May and June where when we were carrying over money from one year to another, we actually carried over the entire balance of the account instead of the incumbrance. Let me explain. When you come to May or June and you issue a purchase order, you and you don't pay that by June, you actually encumber the purchase order amount so that you have that amount the next year to pay the bill. What happened was we carried over the entire balance on the books of the OC's budget. So we moved a lot of money from one year to another. and inflated the bill's budget. So, in the process, it's just an accounting thing. Um, it's not um it's not major. It's just it

062didn't look good to me. I didn't understand it and we finally figured it out. But it's just a timing issue and it's a it's a an accounting thing. >> So, do you think that that 6.5 >> It's way too high. >> So, you think that number will drop? >> Yeah. Oh, yeah. We're spending about $4.3 million right now for page 17 is just a a form you have that designates the other category. Page 18 is your TRS and ERS rates where we show you the percentage coming coming down for TRS and the percentage going up for ERS and these are applied to your salaries and it has a direct you know what are you going to what are you going to budget for FICA >> can I just for one second >> Julie would like

063to say thank you for this page >> I asked for this page all the time and because it's never in the budget and I'm always asking every year. So, it's great that I don't have to ask. You have you have it in here >> cuz you know ambiguous terms like other and 4.5 million is a public. >> What is that? >> What is other? So, thank you. >> So, I know you're seeing chatter up here. We're just commenting on what we're seeing and we're very thankful. So, um I apologize for the chatter, but we're actually talking about what we're looking at and so I'll just stop and say thank you. It has been it has been difficult for me because uh Bob was very good at spreadsheet analysis and it took me an awfully long

064time to find where some of his information was. Some of it I can't find. And he was so good that when he populated a number in one area, it populated in five other places. so he could pull the other category. >> For us to get the other category, it's it's more difficult. It's going through a thousand lines and figuring out what Bob determined as other and what we determined as other because it's purely um a decision on the business official. You know, what is another category? So, >> I just want you to know that you may see some variance there. more thank you. >> Yes, [laughter] exactly. >> Even more reason to thank you. >> And Doug, I I I just going to pause on this slide because it illustrates the very the uh the

065variables of ERS versus TRS, right? the employer rates going from 15 to 17 to 12 to 13 to 15 to 16 to 17 and particularly going from 16 to 17 in a in a stock market, right? That seems to be doing pretty well right now. So that's all when I when I say I'm just surprised by that, it just makes me wonder why it is that high. So >> it's only been the last three days that we've been able to get into salaries, >> right? So that's one of the big areas we're really focused on now. But you're dealing with $40 million when we talk about the salaries. 30 million 29 to 30 million is your professional salary. So it's when you put these rates to $30 million. That's what determines your budget. Page 20.

066These are pages that I could not find. So, I made them up. They're they mimic pretty closely what your last forms look like. But remember, I had to um make a decision at a point that I had to say this is what budget we're going to post to the board, the first draft, because it is um it's it's a lot. So, some of these pluses and minuses are going to change as we lower this budget, but this is what existed at this time with this $83.6 million budget. So, I won't go over them in detail, but I will point out that on page 21, the Bose's number of 1.6 was what I thought at the time. It is not accurate. So on page 21, the $1.6 million at the top where I detail out all

067the categories and postings that I think were overspending. That's not not the case. >> So this will have some changes for the next. >> Thank you. That's the same on page 22 where under support services most of those most of the $621,000 is data processing library automation occupational education those are all proceeds services our principal in debt um is going up our interest is going up on on our bonds. The principal is going down, the interest is going up, but these are just the pluses and minuses at at that point. Is it my turn? >> Thank you, >> Doug. I think the board is very pleased with your hard work and giving such good detail and explanation. So, thank you so much. and I know we'll be turning it back over to you momentarily, but

068just as the board knows, we look very carefully at enrollment. So, this is just a quick peak at uh the changes over time. You can see that in 2020 we had uh 2,815 students. The next year we had 73 fewer students. Uh the next uh time we looked at this we had 74 more students. uh and then 29 fewer and then 33 fewer. Uh but the numbers are around that 2,800 mark. So in 2023 2024 we're at 2754 students. In 2425 2786 students and then most recently 2780 students. So, uh, the good news is that we're not seeing a rapid decline, but, uh, relatively stable as it relates to enrollment. And then overall, you'll see, you know, just everything kind of tabulated in one chart for you over 9 years. Uh, you can see some

069changes, right? uh 964 students, 973 for the high school, 946 and uh most recently about 851 students there. So you'll see Grand Island High School start to decline. Uh the middle school was close to 700 and then uh most recently around that 643 650 range kind of high. You can see uh a little variance but not too much. From 413 now to 444 youth 414 in 2017 to 448 and then sit at 379 in 2017 uh it was 438 a few years ago and very close to 400 now. So what we're seeing in enrollment trends is that we're maybe plateauing a little bit at Sidway where we're getting about 200 210 215 students. And if you just take that number and multiply it by 13, it gives you that that idea that we'll be around

070that 2,800 mark without any rapid decline. We do think that there is growth on the island with respect to housing, right? But um but families are smaller. So, you know, there's uh I have four children. John Fitzpatrick has four children. You know, a lot of families are one or two, right? So, uh you know, so we are seeing more houses right now, but smaller families. So, but that 2,800 is a is a good place to be. It's not I don't think there's an alarm here, right? And you can see now looking at this slide, uh, projected for next year, a little bit of a bump at the high school, uh, around the same numbers for the middle school, a little bit less at Kegabine, a little bit less at HUTH, and a little bit more

071at Civate. So that's good overall for the district. Any questions about those slides? And then the next uh graphs are really the same numbers but just given to you uh visually. So you can see uh some of those changes over time in in page 34, page 35, 36, 37 and so forth and 38. It's the same numbers just in graph form. So the board is always uh really um interested in current class size ratio. So you'll see uh that the the uh three uh columns here that start with the word Sidway and then the number of grade level teachers and the average class size. You'll see that there are 198 kindergarteners uh with 10 teachers and class sizes right at 20 19.8 8 or 20. Um, please disregard any weird coloring that you see because

072I just do weird things on my spreadsheet and I don't know what the colors are. Uh, so I apologize. You know, don't take any uh, you know, alarm with something that's red. It's just something that makes me see something better. So that 198 is not a problem. Okay. So, and then in first grade at Sidway currently about 179 children. I want to make sure that the board and the community knows that when we look at these numbers, these are students in general education classroom, sometimes with co-eing support, but these numbers do not include self-contained classes like 811 or 611 or 1211 classes. Those are separate and pulled out of these numbers. So, we can really look at class size ratio better this way. So you can see that this year there are about 377 students

073at Sidway with 19 teachers and the average class size ratio is right at 20. So when we look at Huth right we have a total of 435 uh students with 20 teachers and a class size of 21.75 or 22. And then Kegabine uh you're going to see 422 students with 20 teachers and class size of 21. Any questions about current class size ratios? All right. And then this kind of breaks it down. It just takes that last row and puts it on its own page. And then it gives you an opportunity to see that we have 1,234 students served by 59 classroom teachers with a class size ratio from K to 5 at 21. Okay, that was mine. So, thank you. All right, my old um and then of course, uh you can see the

074difference, right? No changes in teachers about 1,251 with class size of 21. So we uh spend a lot of time looking at live birth data and trying to make educated guesses, educated predictions of incoming kindergarten kindergarters. It's it's not an exact science. I think the board has seen that for the last 10 years. We talk about live birth data. Uh so we try to make a prediction. We look at uh the history of births attributed to Grand Island. You can see that arrow is pointing to 75. We don't know the exact number of children of the 175 that will enroll in our Sidway kindergarten program. So, we can make a prediction. And so, our prediction is going to be around 185 children. Uh, and that number may not include children with special needs. Okay? And

075it could change, you know, as we get more data, we may change that uh slide in the future, but that's kind of how we try to make a prediction. So, uh, and that 185, it's just important to know that there's a lot of variance in that number. Uh, so, uh, sometimes it's spot-on, sometimes is, uh, higher than, uh, predicted. So, right now, we're predicting a little bit higher than that 185 with 200 children coming into kindergarten with 10 teachers and a class size of 20. Uh, that that other number here, the 196 is uh, divided by nine teachers and a class size of 21.8, which is really 22. You can see that we're predicting 19 classroom teachers with 396 children with a class size of 21. Hugh, it's going to look a little different. I

076just want to bring the board's attention to Huth and Kegabine. Right now, there are 20 classroom teachers at Huth and 20 classroom teachers at Kegabine. Keep in mind that the total number of teach uh students will uh go down in both of those buildings. And so you're going to see on this projected that we're looking at 19, not 20, 19 teachers at HT and 19 teachers at Kegabine. And then this represents second grade, third grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade on both buildings. So for example, 93 children coming into the general education classrooms with four teachers is 23 students per class. Okay. Same for Kegabyte uh at 23. And then you'll see uh third grade class size of 21, fourth grade class size of 23 or 24, and fifth grade class sizes of 21 or

07722 for youth. And then you can tra, you know, traverse over to Gigabyte to look at those numbers. >> Go ahead, Jay. I think >> Yeah. Are we I know it's early, it's only early February, but are we anticipating entirely? >> We are both going. >> Yeah. No layoffs. Uh but we are anticipating. >> Yeah. No, no, but it's important, right? We do look for every opportunity to subtract through attrition. And this right now is representative of subtracting through attrition with trying to do our very best to keep class sizes at an appropriate level that the board recommends or is comfortable with. Right? So if we look at that overall at Hoth, you're looking at class sizes when you take everybody into consideration 22 per class, right? And when you look at Kegbine, that's 21,

078right? It's really 21. If we go back to the other page, right, Kegabine is at 21 and uh Keith is really it says 21.7 which is really 22. So it's really uh spot on actually a little you know a little variation. Um yeah >> I just want to just for clarification and um this includes classrooms where some rooms have two teachers. >> That is correct. Yep. >> So a teacher and a teacher assistant. So some of these classrooms that have students might have a teacher and a teacher. Correct. >> That's correct. And Cheryl, you'll next Marge, you'll talk about your program and pupil personnel services, but absolutely the numbers you're looking at here are representative of co-eing environments. That's perfectly set. So, children may be coming to us that have Down syndrome or uh autism

079or learning disability. Typically, if they're in a general education classroom, they would receive some special education support, whether it's a special ed teacher or a teaching assistant. Yeah. >> Okay. All right. And uh this again breaks down that projected uh class size ratio. And you can see Sidway at 21, you know, 20.8, but 21 and Hugh at 22 and Cine at 21. I do want to make sure and the board is has always understood this that we still get title one funding for some schools and Kegabine is a title one school. It's eligible for title one funding. So when you look at the change between youth and kegine it's purposeful. We are purposely trying to make to the extent possible to be fiscally prudent but to the extent possible to have a smaller class size

080ratio for a title one school. John is there anything you wanted to add to that? >> I'll just be one school >> and that's kind of yeah so one school. So, this just so the board understands uh that it is smart for the Grand Island Central School District to uh give as much support as possible to a title one school. John, is that that's accurate? Right. Good. And as we look at our secondary uh enrollment, you can see currently we have 229 sixth graders, 187 7th and 212. And again for the board that fluctuation of the 187 in a couple years that 187 will you know be ninth graders in two years right? So you'll see that fluctuation at the high school might be a little more now might be a little less when those

081seventh graders enter uh 9th grade. Uh but that 212 number entering n 9th grade uh next year is good for uh our high school. And you'll see that uh this chart is representative of not only our classrooms, but we also include the self-contained children that are part of our sixth, seventh, and eighth grade. So when we look at Whoops. When we look at all of that, uh that's how we're making determinations. And this board, you know, has been uh very supportive of keeping nine teachers at the new school. So this year with nine teachers and the 229 children in those general education classrooms, the class sizes are actually 25, right? And then if you look to the next chart uh for projected the projected numbers, you'll see that um it's the same, right? Yeah, actually.

082Yeah, there you go. Yep. I might have to fix this slide because I have 25 26. No, that's correct. Okay, that's good. So, yeah, you can see that uh the numbers go down just slightly, but still 25. Yeah, thank you. I thought I made a mistake. Very good. All right, so that's it on enrollment, but Sue, go ahead. >> Just real quick before we jump out of enrollment, we do have a couple students here closing in on 9:00. Somebody can just sign their agenda so they can go home. >> Or you can stay. >> You can stay if you want. >> Option. [clears throat] >> You can also >> if you're tired and want to go home, we'll sign your agenda for you. >> Somebody can looks like we just have a couple. Somebody can

083assign them for >> I'm glad you caught that. >> Does anybody have any questions on before we move on? motor. >> Okay, >> the next section is all about prioritization and as I indicated, I'm still formulating the budget. So, I'm coming up with the leaders and buildings twice. So, we haven't hit our prioritization meeting yet, but it will happen soon. But, so what I did is page 47 is the same slide that you've seen in the past. I raised the administrative salary um but left the other two the same. [clears throat] >> And this is important for the board because if you know in years past when we've added staff, this is just [clears throat] a good idea of the cost, not only salary but health insurance and other contributions that u equate to the

084total cost of adding a staff member. Thank you. >> I think it's I think it's a >> [clears throat] >> The current requests in the central office include a TOSA position in curriculum, a point4 increase in public relations position. [clears throat] We have the TOSA in technology in there twice. So, one of them is wrong. The one under technology, um, >> we'll take two. you're requesting to say technology >> and um I just wanted to reinforce the board is always been appreciative of the transparency of the asks, right? And so that's why we're showing the board at this point all of the asks and then the next time we meet there may be subtractions to the asks. um at the high school they're asking to increase the art teacher by point4 depending on courses and

085then you know portable air conditioning units there's cameras there a lot of you see a lot of desks classroom desks and chairs teacher desks uh those haven't been replaced some not ever cafeteria tables are getting to be in bad shape there's u laptops for test accommodations but each of these things I've met with the high principle and these are the requests that Hillary is putting forth. The dollar estimates are purely estimates. So those are still being formulated. Um middle school they're asking for the breakfast monitor because there's many more breakfastes being served. There's classroom desk sets, musical classroom desks, classroom tables, chairs. Sidway requesting a literacy core literacy uh program. Now, that was $15,000. When I put this together, I met with John and he we took the $15,000 out of Sidway and he asked

086me to put in $150,000 for uh grades one KK 1 and two. So, we're looking at a literacy um program. Now, sometimes we can talk the vendor into paying half this year and half the following year. So that's just an initial request at this time, but that's what it's going to cost for that magnetic reach program which has been very successful in three similar programs. >> I have a question on the breakfast monitor. Um, right now we have that free meal program, right? In the event that we were to add that. Um, are we able to do away with that position if the program goes away? >> Yes. In other words, it will be paid for by the launch program. >> I understand that. But so the launch program goes away. Like so we have

087it this year and it goes away next year. Are we able to do away with that position? It's a great question and the answer is probably >> uh it could be a layoff and not you know a termination if if the free >> you know program that's the governor's pillar does go away. So there is risk >> I think maybe that's your question. >> So that is that is my question. We we have the need now because we have the program, right? And students are buying breakfast and we can see the need, right? So, we create this position, we hire someone um and then the free meal program goes away and and we see the need go away and then we have an employee and now now what do we need? Right? That's always my

088concern when we when we add just like when we have grants, when we have whatever, right? So, I'd like an answer to that question. >> Yeah, I think the answer is yes. The risk is that once we hire somebody, they become permanent >> and then the funding dries up from the state, that person would be laid off and put on a preferred eligibility list. >> And and the other thing you can do is do it through attrition. in four years from now some 800 add another building. >> I understand that but if the program is only one year I don't want to >> guarantee for the next four. >> I I understand that but when it comes to state government there's no guarantee. >> So I'm just saying in general with an increase of what

08911,000 breakfast you said something like that 22,000 lunches. I mean at the end of the day we need this. >> No, I I understand we need it but we also have to make sure that we are not stuck paying and employing it's gone and the program goes away. >> So what about at the end of four years can that person be allocated to a different department? Well, if there's a need in four years, but I don't I don't want to absorb an employee just because we >> No, correct. I mean, I in in my 13 years on the board, we've never cleaned anybody off, but here here is a situation where we're hired into a program. And I just want to put it out there for understanding, right? Like, you know, we are in a

090time where um, you know, our community is asking us to be very fiscally responsible and You know, those of us sitting here may not be sitting here in 20 years, right? And you need you need to make sure there's understanding of what could possibly happen, right? Like I'm not saying there's not a need, but there needs to be an understanding that Grand Island could be in a layoff position. That's all I >> That's all. I just wanted I Just another reason. >> Yeah, I get it. I, you know, I'm just asking in this specific, right? I love that we have the program. I love that we have students eating meals here. I I love the whole thing and I love that we have, you know, super important. Heat's off. Microphones are off. >> Maybe it

091was time to drop the mic. >> What's that? >> Yeah. Yeah. I'm sorry. That was just my I didn't mean to It was just >> And this is only slide 50 of 120. So we're all >> He's 300. So Doug, we have special education teachers. >> Just just reboot. Just rebooting. Education teachers. You'll also see student furniture. Um they like to replace the auditorial stage curtain. That usually happens in the capital project. Thank you. >> Some of these other things probably could be fixed out of the main budget depending on what the cost is. >> Jay, I think you have a question. >> 91,000. >> Yes. And he will adjust. He'll he'll look at that uh other slide and put the correct number. >> Thank you. Good catch. >> All right. under operations. We are

092proposing a proposition two which is to purchase buses and and trucks. So we'll come to that slide in a minute. One of the other things that transportation is looking at is changing the uh software program for routing of students. We want to go from this versat to trans Versa. Um it is um it's it's a web based system. It's better for routing. Uh you can track buses in real time. Uh parents can track where the school bus is. It's it's just a much more efficient system. Um in terms of the cameras, I learned that there are six cameras on every bus. I do know that. Um and we want to put some money into uh providing a better system of surveillance. Uh what happens right now is there are uh tapes on the bus that

093when a driver says something happens, someone has to go out to the bus, they have to pull the tape out of a cassette, let's say, they have to take it into the they have to look at it. this new system. Um, the driver just uh alerts that alerts a camera and that camera automatically records into our cyber security office and they can see what's going on in the bus. >> Uh, it also >> is it live? >> Yeah, it's live. And if there's a 4hour window after the bus shuts down, that is not live. So, um, you could see what's going on. Um, there's remote access that, you know, they can go in and look at those cameras. It's just a much better system, much better for safety. And I think I think we need

094to update that. What's happening is a lot of times when they pull the the cassettes out of the machine, you lose data. You know, it's just it's just an antiquated system. So, it is a bit uh some money, but uh I think it's well spent. >> Oh, just really quick, um this new bus routing software, the first I've seen of it, um Traverso, I'd like to know a little bit more about it to what the difference is between the current app that we're all using versus the >> That's great, Joy. We we can include that in March. My understanding it's the same company but they have a better system. >> That's so the same company will >> like how is >> right and we'll we'll present that. >> I'll be honest. >> Yeah. >> I

095think it's more than just the app use. I think it's really about scheduling and routing. >> So yeah, but we'll have Teresa give us information. >> How does this transfer to you? Does any of that? >> Usually my voice just naturally carries. So I'm surprised. >> It's sweet. >> Does any of this Yeah. Does any of the software including you know the cameras and stuff like that does that transfer over to be used? So >> yes, you can bus you would transfer any type of bus. >> Oh, okay. So wherever. >> So you could take the cameras out of the buses you have the other um use this new software. I'm pretty sure >> just in case. and we just applied for a two-year extension for the electric buses >> because we're just not ready

096for it right now. We don't have the infrastructure. We don't have training. >> Do we have a response or when do we anticipate a response to that extension request? >> I haven't got a response yet. I know it's probably hard to say when you think we would have to respond because a whole um state doesn't pay for it and I know there's still the >> the executive order at the federal level that does not have an agreement with your state. So we have that going on as well. >> You brought that up last year as well. They originally put on the proposed budget in the federal executive work that was actually superseded by the state. So it' be interesting at that time we didn't have any direction at all from all the with regards to

097any buses. I don't know if anything's changed, but you still have this federal mandate. So, we're kind of stuck in the executive order >> and we're grateful to have that waiver or, you know, at least to apply for it and we we're optimistic that we'll get that. So, so with your permission, I'll skip over slide 52 because all of the X's are not for this year. Yeah, what I did is just carried the capital things over. >> Yeah. So, it's really nothing to >> is the proposition. >> Just before we get to the prop to the bus proposition, I just want to kind of um piggy back on what Joy started to say and I um you know I I just want to say that we need to be really cautious and careful with this

098budget. Um, our community has spoken and um, we are not I'm not quite sure how to say it, but I I'm looking for a rollover budget in this district. Um, as a board member, um, we really need to take a look at what's really needed and what our bonds are this year. Um, I saw your 3.62% 62% and and I am not looking to tax our residents to that level. I think that's what Joy was um was alluding to. I know um Jay and I have spoken to Dr. Graham about that and I I'm [cough] [clears throat] communicated to the the administration of this district. um our community um voting down our capital project um definitely has spoken and they are speaking loudly and I I want to respect that and I they have been

099supportive of our district and our town for all the years I have lived here and I and I want to be respectful for that. Um and I I don't want to hurt our district in any way. you know, we are here for our children and our students, but um we need to to honor those that have supported our students and our district for all this year. So, as I'm looking at these these lists and our propositions, I just really want to take that into um into account. I mean, um >> we need to be as fiscally conservative as possible. Our public I mean it's unbelievable that first time in monetary times that is going down and you're with people that are experiencing you know increased costs and we're not receiving increased wages. Um housing is

100going up. Everything is going up. So as you're reading online when everyone's voting for our capital project um One of the main things I did, I called Zoo and I said when it comes to budget, we are going to have to be fiscally conservative because there is going we can run the risk that we this could get voted down. And you know, you have a lot of upset people out in our community right now. So, we really have to take this and just hold it like as much as you can. And you know, the selling point is going to be is if we don't taxes where we minimally increase tax because that's going to be because that's what you're going to hear and that's what we were reading online when on voting day. You know,

101our taxes just went up. Grand Island just did a reassessment. Our houses are going up. Everything's going up. Our electric bill is going up. You know, everything's going up and then this budget's going to come out and their taxes are going up again. And it's just it's going to be I feel the same situation we just had. We had a lot of [clears throat] conversations with a lot of community members and and they're concerned and they are they're looking at our budget. We're looking at what we're going to do this spring and um >> They're upset and you know our our project was not wellreceived. Um and I really think they're well I know they are. I mean, we're going to be looking at our budget. And I just I just want to make sure

102that we're not only looking at what's best for our students, but we're looking at what's best for our community. Um, I support everything we do. And it's it's I I think it's it's time that we we say something to them. It's kind of why when we had that money back in the fall and we were putting it into a capital project, I was saying, is there any way we could put that in a fund to give it back to our community members because they were speaking back then and at that point we didn't know how to do it, whatever. We had done it once before. >> Um, you know, and and it's only built since then. So, I you know, I just just wanted to take a minute to pause and I I know Dr.

103had conversations with everybody, but I really wanted to put it out there at the table to me that, you know, that's, you know, I I don't want to speak for everybody. Um, I have had conversations with Jay and Joy and, you know, that's really, you know, kind of where what my head space is and it's um it, you know, I don't know, our community has always supported everything and we really want to make sure that we're mindful. >> It's great feedback. Anything else from the report before we move on? >> Yeah. Go ahead. >> Yeah, just I cost really going up. I was looking at auto for school >> doubled >> went from 41,000 to 83,000 in one month. >> I think everybody talking about that double, >> you know, and all summer they said

104it was going to happen. So, and with that said, Doug, there are the school costs are doubling, right? Like so there are costs >> you know just >> you know and and we've been very fortunate I mean there have been school districts you know since I've been on the board back when foundation a took that big hit when I was first on the board and some school districts had to do big cuts big layoffs you know grown's been very very fortunate that we haven't we've expanded our programs we held our programs we've done a really really good job here for many many years and we're very fortunate um and Grand Island residents have been very supportive of that. So just mindful of all of that um going into you know our budget season and preparing

105for our budget. Okay. >> And that's Doug that's the guidance we're looking for from the board. So we thank the board for that as well. So as you can see this uh proposition number two for vehicle purchases it's it's conservative. It's about what you're used to seeing each year without purchasing uh zero emission buses. This these are gas and diesel buses. So, uh this shouldn't really surprise the board at all, but we can uh you know, next time we're together in March, if you're looking for something different, please let us know. >> What is [laughter] >> Winston Churchill? Yeah, wheelchair >> bus. >> And the last slide is just a recap. >> Yeah. >> So, we'll be back at it again on March 9th. Uh Doug is doing a fantastic job. This department along with

106John Manosanti. >> There's a great team in the business office. >> Yeah. >> Thank you to the board. Thank you, Doug. >> Oh, yeah. Thanks, sort of related. Will you be able to use the data that you're collecting through the survey that's going out about the capital budget or improvement plan and apply it to kind of how we're presenting this? I because I see the two they're not related but they are related. >> Oh, for sure. So, uh right now Ally put it in a digital newsletter. uh she's working with Erie One Boseies to us mail out the same survey to every resident. Uh so as soon as I would say it's going to take us about a month to get all that data back and then of course we will report that to the

107board and some of the elements of that feedback is going to I'm sure resonate with what Zoom and Joy were talking about today. >> Yeah. So my question is so we sent it out digitally before it went out and >> it's just in a digital smart it's not going to hurt anything [clears throat] because >> no but I think what's going to happen is those that can't access it digitally >> we're still US mailing to every >> but it should have all it should have all gone home at once >> well you can say that Brian but >> the people that can't people that are hearing that people can do it digitally >> yeah it's going to go >> we can we can agree to disagree It should have all landed at the same time.

108The day it went live digitally, I would say it should have been mailed. >> Well, I appreciate that feedback, but every resident is going to get a hard >> So, are we looking to mail that out in the next week? Like, it needs to go out ASAP now that it's out. We can't wait a month. >> It needs to go out. >> Yeah, I still think we're going to get the same data that we're going to get >> the same data, but those people that are upset that they don't see anything are going to hear that it's out digitally and it's not going to be in the mailbox. >> Okay. Well, it's still going to go out. It's going to be >> better in my opinion. >> Okay. >> Well, we I can tell you

109we've gotten 11 people that have responded so far. So, it's not >> we're not getting a lot of feedback yet. >> So, and it'll also be you. It'll be emailed to all of our families. >> Well, I think we should hold off on email to [clears throat] all. >> Yeah, we haven't done that yet. >> Until until we put out I think it all be everybody at the same time. >> It'll be mailed to me. >> I think it all at the same time. It can't now. So, I appreciate the feedback. >> Follow up on the email until it goes out. >> Yeah, we're not planning on sending that email out yet. >> Okay. >> Can we get the timing of when you've asked that to be back? When we're planning on having that tally

110and and we've [snorts] got no information on that. Like, I'm surprised to hear that that went out. Um, so if you can get a timeline on when it's going to be mailed, when it's going to be back, when you think it's going to be tied, when the email's going well, um, it's very much, you know, global project is very much our work as much as it is the district. Um, and I think we need something. >> I'm just pausing because the board will be very involved. The entire board will look at the data. >> I just would like the timeline of the survey. >> The timeline is difficult to communicate now because we're waiting on Boseies to put it together for us. So, as soon as they do their work, then it'll be mailed to

111every resident. So as soon as we have that back then it will be mailed. Okay. So this is our presentation. You can see again on March 9th we'll be back at it with the board and uh we will continue to work hard to lower uh the uh tax levy number. You saw I think it was 3.2. >> That is the maximum >> maximum. So, we will work hard to have that number lowered as well for the next presentation. Okay, I think we're done with that. On to check. So, if I could have the action on my CPSC and CSC report. Um, I know it may look a little bit different. um unusual. Does it look okay? But I just wanted to put a shout out to Angela. You know, Angela, we have Lisa Medical. Um

112she said to return on Monday, which is so exciting. Um but Angela has really done a nice job holding everything together while Lisa's been out and um it's her first time doing a board of education. She did well. So I can imagine that good. I [cough] >> have a second. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? 70. Thank you. >> Actually, I did not prepare a report because we knew our bunch of presentation would go live today. >> Okay. On to the board of education report. Do we have to do anything with the We have a Yep. An action item for report A. If I need a motion motion >> and a second all favor [laughter] motion carries 70. Okay. I don't have anything to report for the council meeting. >> Okay. And

113then >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And the veterans exemption. I don't know. I know. Um we really We don't really have any more updated information. Um um I did speak with the supervisor and the tax successor's office is starting to receive some information on the program. Um I did speak to a veteran. I had a veteran um that I graduated with who is will not be receiving the benefit, but he did say that it will be a smaller percentage of the 100 than the 122 that received the current um exemption. So, we will probably not be able to to put an actual number out to the public because it probably will have an enrollment form. Um, but stand by on that. That's why it's not here with the information, the dollar amount that I know you

114both asked for. So hopefully we're monitoring it with the assessor's office. Um, so once we have I know Dr. Graham reached out to um Jeff Watt as well to see if he had any information um on the program and it's it has not really been rolled out yet. So, we're watching it and once we have more information, Doug, I don't know if the assessor will reach out to you directly either, but um it's really in process. So, we'll keep it on the agenda. So, it's on our minds and once we have more information, we will share that out and put it as a once we have any more. No, but uh Jeff Switike did give us his perspective and he did advise us right to work with the town and we're waiting for Morello's office

115to answer the same questions. >> So that's really what we have there. >> Process, but it does seem like it will be a smaller group of veterans that will um be able to um take advantage of this new program. So, all right. We did have someone sign up for the uh voice for people. So, I'm just going to read this real quick. At this time, public comments are invited for those individuals who desire to address the board of education and any topic which is not on the agenda. Residents who have previously signed up to speak will be recognized by the president. When speaking, please identify yourself first. Speak clearly and loudly enough for everyone in the room to hear you. Speakers are requested to limit their remarks to no more than three minutes, to appoint

116a spokesperson of concern with concern, and necessary or desire to supplement verbal presentations or written reports. Personal comments toward a board member public member of the community staff or board of education will not be considered appropriate. Alistister. Hello. Um, yes, it's working. Um, this is Alice Gerard. Um, your local journalist. When I'm not doing that, I'm also an election inspector. Tomorrow is a special election, and I would encourage everybody to come out and vote. I would love to see your shiny, happy faces at my polling site. And one reminder, uh, for those students who are going to turn 18 this year, please come and register to vote. If you would like to register to vote tomorrow, even if you're not 18 yet, you can. Um, we give out voter registration forms. You can fill it

117out there and we will return it to the board of elections and you do not have to put a stamp on it. So, I would encourage you to please register to vote. We love to have a very high voter turnout. We would love to see everybody there. Um because voting is definitely um a right and it is your voice to be um so you can be heard um by the government. So please I would love to see you. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Where's your polling site as well? >> I am going to be at the main fire hall. >> All right. So please come [clears throat] otherwise aboard Alice makes mischief. [laughter] >> Thank you Alice. >> All right. >> Just want to say that I am uh looking forward to this weekend's musical.

118Um I have a few inside tracks on it. um >> and a superstar. >> But uh yeah, so I definitely highly recommend. I I know the kids for years have been talking about doing this show, so they're finally doing it. Little Shop of Horrors. So I encourage everybody in the community to come out and uh and support the the kids in the theater. I'm also also excited for the musical this weekend. We're going on Friday night and we'll be at the Kabine event on Thursday, the healthy heart night. So, I've never attended that, but looking forward to that first time. Thanks, [laughter] >> Jake. I'm sorry, John. Sure. All good. Thank you, ladies. How was that? Thank you. >> Good. The only thing I was actually going to let everybody know to go online to

119cur8 cur.com to buy your pre-sale tickets for the musical starts this Thursday. And I guess uh Dunkerk Dave said there's six more weeks of winner. So that's all. >> They all so sad. >> Sad. um we on our tour we forgot to stop and get our gifts from the um tax department. So there is it looks like there's a keychain for all of us and a Christmas tree ornament. So make sure you grab them before you leave. And I did want to say that if you have not seen the newsletter that Ally put together, I did not get a chance to read through it, but it's very exciting that we will be seeing the newsletter. that was emailed to all of us. I think it went to all the K12 users. So, very exciting um

120that we are seeing a newsletter. That's exciting. So, fantastic work with that. Um February 16th through the 20th is mid winter recess. Hopefully, Google's going away to somewhere warm um because the cold temperatures are coming up. And then March 9th is our next board meeting. So, with that, I will take a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:30. >> Motion >> and a second. >> Second. All in favor?