Tuesday, April 21, 2026 Board of Education Voting Meeting

001Yeah. Something good sure. I know what I chose. I know what you chose meeting too. I guess. What was it? I think that was the one that was Wow. Wow, that's a lot. That was the other project. Which we could probably get that speech in there. Oh, you're free now. Should be put the sun stunning instead of Yeah. So, is student coming? Oh, yeah. Just has to sign in. Yeah. Put him in the waiting room instead. I haven't seen him do pages in a year. Yeah, he's usually here. So, he's on the phone. Virgil's Apple TV. Thanks, baby. I think I'm million years ago. Is Apple TV on? That could be the problem. This should be funny. Okay. I should be getting started with the He's going to be late. He said. He's going to

002be late. Okay. All right. I'd like to call this meeting to order. Um, can we everybody please stand for the pledge of allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. All right. I'm moving on to roll call. Um Mary Ann? Here. Scott? I'm here. Amy? I'm here. Burke? Here. Danny? Here. Ryan? Here. I am here. Um Javon is a few minutes late, so we will get moving without him. Um may I have a motion and a second to approve the roll? So moved. Second. All in favor? I. >> I. Okay, moving on to approval of the agenda. Um any questions, comments about the agenda? Okay, may I have a

003motion and a second to approve the agenda? So moved. Second. All in favor? I. >> I. You um meetings of previous minutes, any questions, comments about the previous minutes? Okay, may I have a motion and a second to approve the minutes? So moved. Second. All in favor? I. >> I. Okay, communications. Um no new communications this week, but last week we did talk uh Erie 1 BOCES, um their Board of Education um uh vote for their two candidates. We did get a lot of communications too. >> a lot of communication from the public. Um a send it around the art program, um which we will address with the superintendent's report and and questions. Which I really appreciate, especially when students are This is what you're supposed to do. Let us hear your opinions, and I

004think it's great when especially the students, you know, get a hold of the board and tell us what you think. That's what it's about. Um are there any other communications? I know we have had also um the state has filed another exemption or extension, sorry, on the state budget, so hopefully we can get there soon. Um any um unfinished business? We don't have any, which leads us to the superintendent report, so Dr. Genestreti. Uh thank you, Mr. Belardi. Um so I appreciate everybody's attendance tonight. Uh We want to start off by recognizing some of our student athletes that have had a phenomenal winter season and represented Sweet Home so well on and off the field of play and we've got quite a few of our student athletes here tonight that we want to honor because

005they won sections or made it to the state finals or won a state championship and you know, we're really working hard with our athletic Council to boost our athletic program and these students are leading the way and we we really wanted to bring them to the board meeting tonight and make sure that they're recognized by the board and the district for all their hard work. It's not easy being a champion and working towards a championship. Not only does it take a lot of effort on the field, off the field, but in the classroom as well and we're just super proud of our of our student athletes and what they accomplished this winter. We know we're in the middle of the spring season as well and we want to say first of all thank you for

006your efforts. Second of all, keep up the great work and and and thank you for representing Sweet Home so well. So without further ado, we have some student athletes in attendance tonight and I first I want to recognize Sean McGrath if he's here. Sean? Not here? Okay. But Sean became the Erie County Interscholastic Conference Division Two Player of the Year and was named to the first team all ECIC team. So want to congratulate Sean in basketball. Abdulali Mukhamadov here? Come on up. Congratulations. Abdul Wali had an eighth place finish at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Wrestling State Championships. Uh Mohammed Carzone Come on up. Mohammed qualified for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Indoor Track and Field Championships. On Staten Island, he ran his personal best for the

0074 by 200 and placed third at the Public Schools Intersectional Relays. Congratulations, Mohammed. Uh Carden Vega Come on up, Carden. >> [laughter] >> Carden qualified for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Indoor Track and Field Championships on Staten Island as well. He ran his personal best for the 4 by 200. Congratulations, Carden. Alexander Jemison Come on up, Alexander. Come on over. Good job. Congratulations. Congratulations, Alexander. Alexander qualified for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Indoor Track and Field Championships in Staten Island. He ran his personal best in the 4 by 200 as well. Congratulations, Alexander. Alana Hall Come on over, right? Congratulations. Alana qualified for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Indoor Track and Field Championships in Staten Island and placed 20th in the pole pole

008vault. Congratulations. Um is Jaden Leonard here? Jaden, come on over. Jaden qualified for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Indoor Track and Field Championships in Staten Island. He ran his personal best as well in the 4 by 200. Great job, Jaden. Rafaela Ventura Come on up. Congratulations. >> Brooke made it to the final four and became a section champion in ice hockey for cash. And she had a pretty big injury and I think you missed the last two, right? Unfortunately, but if we had her, we know we would have come away with the state championship, no question about it. She's a heck of a defenseman, so we missed her out there. Defense person. >> [laughter] >> So, great job. Thank you. And Haley Urston. Haley also made it to the final four

009in hockey for cash. The team got a lot of great publicity for the school, so they they it was it was wonderful. So, great job. And we'll be celebrating a couple more athletes who couldn't make it tonight, Alexandria Reed and Finn Crowther. They'll be here next week, so we will give them their certificates next week. So, I don't know if we want to do a group picture of all of our athletes here tonight if they can come on up in front and we'll get a group picture with the board to celebrate their accomplishments. Sure. >> [laughter] >> One more spot. One more down a little bit, Brian. bit? Oh. You're trying to hide. >> [laughter] >> Stay where you are. So, our athletes are more than welcome to stay for the entire meeting, but being

010athletes, there's probably something you want to watch at 7:30 tonight, and we understand if you would like to be dismissed, and there you go. [laughter] Oh, look how cute. See the baby. >> Remember when ours were that little? Thank you. Bring the baby over. Want to say hello. >> [clears throat] >> Shake hands. So sweet. I'll give them a I'll give them a chance to sit. They're into it. Okay. Give uh chance to filter into the empty seats. Okay. Um so, I know we gave a budget presentation um last week. I'm going to ask Mr. Feldman to come on up and kind of give us the latest. Um we're we're required by now to ask the board to vote on the budget um for um for next year and um Don's going to give the

011latest on on where we are with everything and um not much has changed in a week, but um So, are are we good? >> Okay. If you could start the slideshow, please. Uh just again, this is the fourth time uh that uh the Board of Education uh has studied the budget uh in public. Um and this is just kind of our process. It's important to kind of highlight uh some things along the way. Um from that end, uh last night uh at 5:00 p.m. uh was the deadline for school board uh candidates uh to turn in their nominating petitions. We have two candidates next year for one seat. We'll talk a little bit about that a little later. Uh the last day for our Board of Education or for Boards of Education across New York

012State uh to adopt uh next year's budget uh is this Friday April 24th. Obviously, uh the board is our board is voting on that uh tonight. Uh the property tax report card, which is something that the board also votes on, uh is due to New York State uh by April 27th, so we'll be able to uh meet that deadline and then uh uh the last two pieces uh we are required to do a public hearing on the proposed budget. Uh that'll happen on May 5th in conjunction with uh meet the candidates night. So, we do meet the candidates, the Board of Education candidates, uh and then we do do a uh a public hearing on the budget where we present the budget again um the adopted budget again in the three parts uh that are

013required by New York State, the program budget, the capital budget, and the instructional budget. And then lastly, the annual budget vote day and school board election is Tuesday, May 19th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. right here in Virgil's. So for us internally, as I mentioned, creating a budget is a process. You see there in significant detail the process that we've gone through from this stamp from from really the onset of creating the budget really in December through where we are today. As I mentioned to you all, this is the fourth time that the that the that the board will see the budget in public format and tonight they will adopt it. To this point, we have met with a number of people, obviously our internal administrators and supervisors to talk about their school and department

014budgets. We've gone through our line by line, our BOCES participation budget. We've gone through the budget itself line by line to try and realize any savings. We've met with our financial advisor to take a look at where we are in terms of debt service going forward. And then we've made projections both on the revenue side and on the expense side to get to a balanced budget, which is where we are tonight. So the last line there again, April 21st, for us internally is a date that the Board of Education will vote to adopt our 2026-2027 budget. It's important to note that that budget is a number. It's $108 million this year, a little over $108 million. Inside of that budget, you know, obviously we have some flexibility, but this just sets our spending cap limit

015from that end. So obviously there are two sides to the budget. I just want to make make note of it. Mr. Belmonte mentioned to you all at the onset of the meeting. You know, many of our revenues are driven from New York State including our foundation aid number which is significant as you can see up there. It is April 21st today. New York State has not passed a budget. They have not passed a budget on time which is April 1st for them in the last 7 years. So, we've been building our own school budgets at the state level at the at the local level really flying blind. We are basing it on a governor's proposal, an executive proposal that came out in mid-January. And you know, again that goes through the process, the two-house process

016for their ratification. Obviously there are some hang-ups there from that end. Otherwise, we would have a balanced budget, but right now we do not. So, I just want to kind of point out just some highlights of the budget of the revenue side of the budget. We did in the budget before you tonight, we did book $27,320 in basic foundation aid. That represents a 2% increase which is higher than what the governor's proposal gave us in January. The governor's proposal gave us in January a 1.5% bump. In my circles, the business office official circles, the New York State Association of School Business Officials, New York State Council of School Superintendents as well have have indicated that that number will likely be minimally 2%. So, we did take 2% in our budget for this year. The additional

017half a percent for us is about $120,000. So, we did book it at 2%. Um so year-over-year for us uh you know the the foundational basic foundation aid has increased $533,000. I did report to you all last week uh that we did receive some good news on our expense driven aids uh specifically related to uh transportation and special education uh that are we did receive expect to receive um a bump in that expense driven aid of about $569,000 uh to the tune of seven little over $7 million. So for us year-over-year uh that bottom line year-over-year increase uh in total aid along with uh the UPK additional aid that uh is part of the governor's proposal $690,000, we will see a year-over-year increase in aid from New York State of approximately $1.87 million. Uh the

018other part uh that really drives our budget on the revenue side uh is uh our tax cap which is the the cap uh on our tax levy uh that we are allowed to raise taxes to. Uh there are a number of uh factors that go into the tax cap. Many of folks out there hear a 2% tax cap. Uh the 2% tax cap is in name only. There are a number of things uh capital tax cap exclusions that can bump that number up. Our tax cap for the purposes of our budget this year is 3.3% um which is an uh an increase year-over-year of $1.79 million. Um much of that money uh is tied up in uh bus purchases. For every bus purchase that we make or attempt to make uh pending a successful budget,

019uh that dollar for dollar is an exception on the tax cap, which means we can pass uh that on uh uh through a a raise in the tax levy. So, the tax cap that we've uh authorized or recommended to you for your approval uh includes the purchase of 10 buses, uh four large electric buses, uh three large uh diesel buses, two small diesel buses, um and uh with wheelchairs, and then one small uh diesel bus. I'll just make note of it just for the public. The four large electric buses you see have have a sticker uh price uh or a cost to the district of $164,965. The actual sticker price of that bus is $300,000 higher, so it's about $464,000. Uh from that end, we've been we've worked very hard uh to uh obtain grant

020funding from um the EPA at the federal level, uh as well as NYSERDA uh at um uh the state level. Uh so, we do see uh those buses uh at a significantly reduced rate to us. In fact, a lower rate uh than what we would be charged a diesel bus. Mr. Johnson or Mr. Balante, could you just hit the next arrow there? Uh another a driver for us on the on the revenue side, um and this was something that we reported last week, uh we do receive uh quarterly uh sales tax receipts from Erie County. You see there uh that from Erie County uh for us uh this year uh through three quarters, we've realized about $4.1 million in sales tax receipts that have come to the district. Uh at a similar time last year,

021that that third quarter payment came to us uh right at the end of of March. Uh we'll see another payment right at the end of June uh for the fourth quarter. Um Similarly, just comparing this year, this current year 25-26 to the 24-25 school year through three quarters, again, this year we are at 4.1 million, last year we were at 3.9 million, difference of about $263,000. When we presented the budget to you in March before we had the third quarter projection for sales tax, we had estimated a $5.7 million in sales tax revenue. This in this current budget and the in the proposed budget that we are asking for your ratification, we've bumped that up to $5.8 million. So, this is a closer look at our total revenue, not real easy to see, I apologize

022for that, but on the revenue side, we do realize a balanced budget at $108,147, which is an increase of a little over $3 million, which is a budget budget-to-budget increase year-over-year of 2.87%. >> [sighs and gasps] >> Then shifting to kind of the expense side, these are some known budgetary impacts. We've talked about these several times. I just think it's good for us to kind of delineate yet again for the public just some of the major increases that we've seen over the course of the budgetary process for us. I won't read them line by line, but I just I do want to talk about really honestly the last two lines. Those were new to us in March. The district health insurance coverage through the New York 44 Trust, we did see significant increases in premium

023costs for that depending upon the plan that our employees are in. You know, there's four levels, single, single and spouse, single and child, and family. Those increases ran from anywhere from 11.5% to 13%. Which for us translated to a health insurance increase of about 1.2 million dollars. And then we are part of a utilities cooperative and we got our estimates towards the end of March based upon our usage and cost increases. We did see an an increase in our utilities from what we had budgeted in March of about 400,000 dollars. So gas and electric prices as we all know have significantly increased over the last little while. So year over year again those those categories of the budget you know from the 25-26 school year to the to this to next year the 26-27 school

024year we do expect to see an increase in just those categories alone over 4 million dollars. So we did present to the board last month from an operational standpoint and and Dr. Ynestra will talk about staffing in a moment. I just these are some of the things that we looked at to close our budgetary gap. When we presented to you in March we presented to you a budgetary gap of a little over 2 million dollars and we went to work to try and close that gap. In February you'll remember that we did um recommend including as a part of our cost savings additional addition of two exceptional classrooms at the elementary level to the tune of a savings of about $450,000 and then bringing back OT and PT occupational therapists and physical therapists from a

025contractual standpoint when we were outsourcing them back to in district to a savings of about $227,000. So when we looked at it, you know, if if those were factored in initially, the budgetary gap was really closer to about 2.5 million than the 2 million dollars that that we talked about. Mike, yeah, thanks. That slide there. So we did realize some savings and again I won't read them all, but we did realize some savings really across all levels to help us get to a point where we got closer, closed the budget gap to about $660,000 and then we we looked at staffing from that end of things and and made some recommendations last month that that Dr. Genestre will will go through. So in total we've spent I just I want again I did this last

026last week as well, but I want to thank many of the folks here in district, our our central office team, our building administrative teams. We've really spent an inordinate amount of time to try and work through the budget to close a budgetary gap that didn't have a significant impact on staffing and or kids from that end and I'm I'm pretty proud of the fact that you know, we've looked at and and made some recommendations to the tune of about $1.4 million and then through some staffing arrangements to get to a a balanced budget. >> [sighs and gasps] >> So in summary we are presenting to you tonight a balanced budget of $108 million, $108,608,147 which I did mention to you year-over-year is 2.87%. So, on on on the revenue side of that 108 million, 56.283

027million dollars is money that will be raised through the local tax levy, which is an increase year-over-year about 3.3% and on the expense side, obviously we match it 108 608 147 to present to you tonight a balanced budget. So, this is one thing that we generally do every year to be able to provide our best guest estimate on how the budget would impact the local taxpayer and the tax bill. I always caution everybody that we use assessed values from the current year, so from the 25 school year. We do use assessed values to estimate. We don't get assessment values of the towns until August when we set our tax rates. So, we are using older data. We are also using data current data for equalization rates at the town. The town of Amherst is 99%,

028the town of Tona one is 21%. I would expect both of those to adjust a little bit, but it does include this this estimate does include the district going to the full tax cap of 3.3% or 56 million dollars. So, we do use an average assessed value home of 250,000 dollars across the district to estimate our tax bills. So, in the town of Amherst, if again using this information, the tax bill for the estimated tax bill for the 26-27 school year for assessed value home of 250,000 dollars would be dollars. The tax rate would be 10 dollars and 1 cent, which be an increase of $79 million $79 million. I've been talking about the budget for too long. $79 year-over-year. And then again on the Tonawanda side, it would translate to a tax rate of

029$47.30 per thousand for a tax bill of $2,483. Year-over-year tax bill increase of $79. I will say that I would expect those rates to go down because our assessment values will likely go up. So, that will have an impact on the tax bills for our community. Again, we do not know assessment values until August when we are given those from each of the townships. And then the last piece of it just for the public certification on Tuesday, May 19th, this is what we will be voting on. There'll be three different propositions on the ballot. The first would be the approval of the budget, which again is $108,608,147. It is a budget-to-budget increase of 2.87%. A tax levy increase of 3.3% year-over-year. We are also on the on the ballot asking for the permission of the

030public, the authorization from the public for the use of general funds over the course of the next two school years to extend the Maple Mirror temporary classroom lease. It would be to allow us to expend a total of $52,920 over two years, so $26,000 a year to maintain those temporary classrooms at Maple Mirror until we can get shovels in the ground to build the new addition as planned as part of the capital improvement project. Because we are expending money out of the general fund, it does require voter authorization. It is similar we did the exact resolution in 2024 to do the last two school years, but in order to maintain those into be copacetic in state ed sides, we need to go through that process. And then the last piece of it is as I

031mentioned earlier, we will elect one Board of Education member. The term of Mr. Belanti expires on June 30th, 2026. And we do have two candidates for the seat, Mr. Belanti being one, Jessica Stevens being the other. As I do mention that we will get an opportunity to meet the candidates on May the 5th here prior to the budget hearing. Information will be included on each of their candidacies in the Sweet Home Source that will be mailed home this month as well as on our website. So again, I'll just conclude before I turn it over to Dr. Genestre the voting details for the district again, Tuesday, May 19th, 2026, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. right here in Virgil Center. You must be 18 years age to vote and a resident of the district for 30 days.

032So I'll leave it at that. I don't know if anybody has any questions specific to kind of the operational piece of the budget before Dr. Genestre talks about staffing. I got a question on >> Sure. >> [clears throat] >> on the the budget um uh for vote to the public. Are in compared to the agenda tonight? The agenda tonight has like about 30 line items. When we actually vote when the public votes, I think it's a lot less than that. Is that correct? >> Well, the budget itself has several lines. There are requirements as to what we need to present to you as a board in terms of a resolution. Uh but when we come back, uh when I come back in May, we'll present it in three parts uh so that they can see.

033Uh but essentially the the the public is voting on the budget in totality, that $108 million number. Okay. But within there, there is some flexibility, I guess, within those line items because >> There Yes, there is. It's It's a number. It's a number. We can't spend above that number. Uh but much like we've done in years previous, you know, we've we've talked about it ad infinitum, you know, the registration office, the central registration office is a very busy place over the summertime as things continue to evolve. If If, you know, class sizes dictate, if, you know, things change in terms of our enrollment, um you know, both to the good and the bad, we would look to make adjustments uh from that end of things. Um you know, the budget is built with some flexibility

034in it uh to be able to do those things, but, you know, obviously we'll address needs as they come. Okay. So, thank you. Oh, I'm sorry. >> To clarify, what we, the board, are voting on this evening is the number. We're voting on the buckets of the numbers. We're not voting on staffing shifts. We're not voting on those specific things. We are voting just on the number, which then goes to the public to do their vote. You're voting on a number. That number is built upon a staffing plan. Right. Obviously, that staffing plan could potentially change depending upon what happens in the next coming months. Uh from that end of things, uh we do have some flexibility in the budget. The number is the number. If things change dramatically, and we need to add somewhere

035else, it's likely going to come at the expense of something else. Right. Um you know, again, you are setting right now tonight by voting on this. You are setting the tax levy limit, which is the amount of money that we can raise, and then the amount of money that we can spend on the budget, which is the $108 million. To Mr. Liebel's point, to your point, there is some flexibility in that budget as to how we spend it. Um we change all the time. We pivot all the time. There are needs that come up all the time, and we pivot and we change. Uh and and ultimately it's it's your job, it's my job to do, you know, likely what is in the best interest of kids at the time, and and I'm I'm pretty

036proud of the fact that we build in enough flexibility [snorts] in a budget to be able to mitigate some of those things. Thank you. So, we're not voting on actual positions or staffing, just that number. You're voting on a number, but again, the number is predicated on a staffing plan. Three times. So, if there are things if there are things that change, you know, and we need to to to pivot in areas, I can't spend a penny above the $108 million dollars without dipping into reserves, which is something that we've worked very hard not to do. Kind of like your paycheck, you know, you get this much money for the year, and if your hot water tank goes, you got to figure out how to do that, right? Like you go into reserves, or you

037move stuff around. That's kind of how this does. That's a good analogy. >> on the revenue side, I did notice that on your sales tax revenue expectations, you didn't add anything for the fourth quarter in your estimate. You actually lowered it versus the prior year. I know once we vote on this, if you do find additional revenues, that ends up where? That ends up in reserves? >> just I'm just going to correct you. Um Yeah, go right ahead. The No, that's fine. The we actually increased our sales tax projections from the last time 5.7 million to 5.8 million. We are trending If I look at Maybe I Let me look at the slide here again. If I made a mistake on the slide, I apologize. Um No. No, the slide's correct. Um so, I gave

038you real numbers in 26-27. I don't know what 20 the fourth quarter is yet. So, those are real actual numbers from that end of things. So, based upon the third quarter receipt that we received from Erie County, we changed our overall projection for next year from 5.7 million to 5.8 million. I will say that if we receive above that, that is essentially surplus. You know, and that that number could proceed could potentially go to reserves at the end of next school year if the rest of the revenue side of the budget performs as we expect. So, the only other thing that may impact revenues is the amount we get for above the 2% increase from the state. Is that correct also? >> That's correct. That would impact at the beginning of the school year. And

039that would also go to reserves. Do I understand that right? >> Well, again, I mean, it depends on how the overall budget performs from that end of things. If at the end, you know, our our revenues outpace our expenses when the budget is said and done, June 30th of next year, that money would go into reserves. Okay. Thank you. Sure. Any other questions with regards to the operational piece of the budget? Uh I think you're next. >> Um so, before we get into staffing, I we have uh Shawn McGrath uh is here and we want to honor him. Um Come on in, Shawn. So, I said it before, but I'm going to say again, I'll give you this first. Thank you very much. Congratulations. Great job. Great job. There you go. You turn around for

040a second. >> [laughter] >> So, Shawn became in basketball the Erie County Interscholastic Conference Division Two Player of the Year and was named to the first team all ECIC team. So, um Shawn, congratulations, great job and uh basketball team you had a great great year this year and obviously you're a a giant part of that. So, way to go. We're real proud of you. Job. I think you should So, you want me to come around and get a picture? Get you You know, you're going to still get a picture with you. So. You missed the group photo before. But, that's all right. I can't be that next to the tall guy. >> [laughter] >> Somebody taller than me in front, though. Get Brian >> [laughter] >> Get Brian over here. there. One more. Thank you,

041guys. Thank you. He apologized to you for talking to you, Brian. >> [laughter] >> Listen. I'd gladly be hurt. Take the hurt. >> Okay. Um So, I'll get into this. I just um wanted to say a few things before we start, you know, and uh this is there's been kind of um I just want to I hope clarify or even enlighten people with with budgeting and and processes and uh projecting budgets year-over-year is is is a difficult game. You never know how the economy is going to go, how um state aid is going to function, um where your tax cap is going to be, um which um really puts handcuffs on districts to raise funds um sometimes. Um how uh every our how your expenses are going to be, where salaries going to fall, etc.

042etc. There's a hundred thousand pieces that go into uh building a budget and you know, when I came into the district five years ago, um I tried to study it and to to um and where we are as a district and where we were in position-wise, knowing that we were still in COVID, um that COVID money was flowing um into districts, um but that that were there was going to be a cap on that and and an end to that. Um we also realized that, you know, our expenses were growing um and I appreciate the the the collaboration, especially with the teachers association, um when we went to um contract talks, I think we all realized that um that our our teachers were about 60% of them at that time were at top step or

043above. Um and that number was going to grow. Um and so, as I see salary lines increasing um but and potential impacts on the economy um and potential impacts on state aid um along with the depletion of all the COVID funds cuz you had to spend them by a certain time, you know, it made me very nervous and you know, uh Mr. Feldman and I have had probably a thousand conversations about the overall financial health and picture of the district. And three years ago when we sat down with the teachers to develop a contract, I think it was important that we did one thing to try and address some of our expenditures and that was to beef up our retirement incentive for teachers that reached the first eligibility status in the New York State retirement

044system. Both both the district and and Shay recognized that we added 54 positions as well during that time COVID so we could open our building and I think you know, opening the building was certainly important for this community and getting our kids back in in position but it took an army to do that and it was important to the board at that time that those positions not be funded with COVID money but be funded through the general budget so we could keep those positions. This all happened before we experienced an enrollment increase. I think in addition both sides recognizing that the 60% of our teachers were at top step or above and while we can never replace the experience of a veteran teacher, we saw that there was there was a financial uncertainty ahead of

045us and if our salary lines didn't flatten, we would experience a crisis especially if the economy declined and there was a reduction in state aid. So you know, COVID money's going to run out. It had to be spent by a certain time and any money related to those salaries for the 54 new positions had to be rolled into the general fund. The needs of our students during that time changed dramatically. I don't think there's any question about it not just at Sweet Home but across districts in New York State. In my superintendent meetings at state conferences you go to, we all had to address the social and emotional needs of our students with with additional resources. We knew that we had to allocate those resources to social emotional supports or many of our students would

046not be able to have basic function in a classroom. Our teachers took on a lot when they came when our students came back full-time from COVID. And so all of those factors really put us into alarm situation and I think the retirement incentive that we worked on with Shea and the district was essential in helping us retain those new employees and making staffing shifts in order to address the social emotional needs of our students. Without that retirement incentive, we had 45 members of the unit take advantage of that retirement incentive in the past 3 years. That saves us about $3 million a year and it's really helping us even then we still are faced with a budget gap this year. We were faced with one last year. That's those salaries have actually allowed us to

047increase the number of faculty here at Sweet Home over the past 3 years. That goes back to that enrollment increase I was telling you about. For every retirement we received where enrollment may be below our threshold, we can allocate that resource to an area of higher need, hire two teachers to fill those needs as well. Since since I've been in the district, we've added UPK programming, special education teachers, ENL teachers, special ed related service providers in speech and OT. We've added social workers as well to all of our buildings and looking to add one here now at the high school. We also realized that during this time because of some of the consolidations we've had to do to close budget gaps, that's increased class sizes and no one's arguing that particularly at the elementary level.

048They've gone up. Now we I still think these class sizes are at a little or slightly above or a little slightly below the thresholds that we have set. But um these retirements have allowed us to consolidate classrooms and shift teachers to open positions of higher needs in the district and retain their positions. I would say now though after these recommendations from last week, especially at the elementary level, that we are at slightly above or slightly below target ranges for class sizes at every grade level and every section in our elementary buildings. I realize that raising class sizes is never easy and we've asked a lot of our teachers during this time. We've asked them to do more. There's no question. Especially when it comes to the changing needs of our students that after the COVID

049crisis. They've taken on this challenge and I'm proud of the work that they've done and grateful of the work that they've done and they have more than succeeded and exceeded our expectations nearly across the board. They've managed social emotional development of kids, a more transient population than ever. Um we have changes in enrollment each and every day here at Sweet Home. They've seen increased behavioral needs and they still are having success at raising achievement levels on local and state assessments. Um I'm for all of that, I'm extremely grateful and I'm a proud administrator here but also a proud Sweet Home parent who has kids that are thriving here because of the care that they receive which is not unique to my kids. This is happening to every kid here at Sweet Home. We've now come

050to the point with these recommendations tonight that our elementary class sizes, and I'll say at the middle school and Heritage Heights as well, unless a large and unexpected drop in enrollment happens, we have no more room for consolidation. If enrollment trends increase as expected, we have to start adding sections at grade levels in our elementary buildings. Low state aid numbers, the tax cap, soaring and mandated costs and special education, utilities, transportation and health care have put us in a position where expenses are outpacing our revenues. Overspending must be tight moving forward. Our creativity and allocating resources must be high, and we must use data and input from key stakeholders to make tough decisions moving forward so we have the financial tools needed to meet our mission and vision as a district. I say all this

051knowing that we are faced with a budget deficit now. Um in the business office, our building administrators have done incredible work. Our district office administrators have done incredible work to balance this budget. And um and try and keep class sizes um at manageable levels. Uh if we could, we would keep class sizes under these thresholds, and I know the district office and the board would support that. Retirements have given us an opportunity to address high needs without laying off staff, an important goal for us all. Rhetoric at the federal and state level have have us all worried for their for our future. As our aid must support rising costs and inflationary realities. We are in this together, and I promise, and I know I can speak for the board, district office, and our administrative team

052that we will continue to fight for every dollar so we can achieve our mission and vision together as a district. So, um tonight, I just wanted to briefly go over some of the things that we talked about um last week. Um I think we we like I said before, we continue to see increased levels of transiency in our district. And while we're asking the board to vote on a number, uh we can make shifts even after that vote uh it happens tonight to address high need areas, especially if we see um enrollment increases over the summer or or enrollment increases in sections at the elementary level, middle school, or high school over the summer, um which is a very, very busy time for central registration. It's hard to predict what we get over the summer.

053It's been fluid, uh but we have to be ready to pivot um if that need arises. It can and probably will change um as we see the ebb and flow of enrollment through the summer. If we need I want to caution though, if we need to add resources in one area, we have to make shifts in resources from another area to stay within our total budget. The number is the number and we are going to stay within that number. Um it is important for us not to dip in reserves as we have done that over the past three, four school years since I've been here to address rising costs in transportation and special education in particular. Uh by the start of August, if we know an notice an area of high need, we'll have to

054pivot quickly and address that need, so we might be hiring over the summer. We might be making shifts over the summer, but I guarantee you we will be monitoring the numbers in order to address the needs of our students the best we possibly can with the resources we have available. Um just last week I presented this chart to you on class sizes at the elementary level and you can see in red and green where we've already had changes in one week. Um talking about the transient nature of our of our district. Um and um once a student registers here, they are a panther and they get all of the resources that have they are available to them um to try and and make them uh successful here at Sweetwater home. But we just have had

055had changes in just this week alone um in class size numbers based on enrollment changes um at the elementary level. In total, uh our recommendations in summary really uh with the addition of two special education teachers as we discussed last week, a psychologist and a speech therapist to support those new exceptional classrooms at the kindergarten first grade level, um and the replacement shifts, transfers of retirements, the total number of faculty reductions went from 2.2 last week to 1.6, and I'll explain that um, in a minute, how we made those changes. Our recommendation to consolidate four sections at the elementary level, two at Glendale, one at Maple Mirror, and one at Willeridge remains firm for now, uh, based on our class sizes. The 1.6 uh, reduction of faculty positions comes from the high school, and those

056are from retirements. They are not layoffs. Um, and we're remen- amending our recommendation related to the high school art position. Um, instead of a 1.0 reduction, I want to say, uh, we worked with our high school art department, um, this week, uh, to make it a 0.6 reduction, and that is going to allow us to run a full the full slate of classes in the department, including adaptive art. Um, some through through some shifts, and I will tell you what those shifts are. Um, we will still offer eight sections of studio and art at 23 sect- uh, 23 students per section. We'll still run intro to drawing and painting at two sections, 25 students a section. Art skills has 14 students. We'll run that one section. AP Art has seven students, and we're going to

057run that section. Graphic design, two sections of 36 students uh, divided by two. 3D mixed media has 32 students. Uh, that is going to be a a larger class at 32 students. Photography, we are um, reducing one section. Um, we will have two sections with 60 students, and we will, um, make sure that the equipment is there needed to run those sections. Um, we are going to, uh, rotate advanced painting, um, and advanced drawing, and that rotation on a yearly basis will not only give students, um, the chance to take both of those classes. They just can't take them at the same time, but it also boosted enrollment of those classes. There will be 14 students and and taking advanced painting with two potential ads and four students in advanced drawing right now with six

058potential ads, but we're going to run one or other this year and make sure that our enrollment is boosted through there. So, I'm happy to say we will also adaptive art which I know has been talked about as being removed is not being removed. Our students in our 811s our special education self-contained classrooms here at the high school benefit greatly from that course and I would have personally made sure that that course never ever gets eliminated. So, I'm happy to to report that we will be offering the full slate of classes for our students in art and I want to thank the art teachers. I want to thank Mr. Cartelli and Mr. Lucenti for all of us putting our heads together to talk to try and and work on a solution to art. Now, with

059that said, I'm going to go back to what I said before. These things change. Enrollment changes. If there is a need to add, we will add. But right now we feel very confident in in this recommendation of a point four and we will move forward with that recommendation and pivot if it is necessary moving forward. Thank you for doing that. Yes. I I thank the team tremendously because they wanted to make it work and and they did and for that I'm super grateful. So, in total with addition I said this already. I'm going to go back to that. So, we'll continue to use attrition through retirement as a strategy to close budget gaps. We just have to. That is a a much better way to do it than laying off uh people. And that's the

060last thing I think anybody wants to do um in our district. The strategy helps us close budget gaps, and we're going to continue with this strategy moving forward um as long as we can continue to use it to close gaps. Um we now believe that in the future years, I said it before, I'm going to say it again, if an elementary enrollment trends continue that the way they've been doing, there are no more sections to consolidate, and we're going to have to figure that out. We're going to have to add sections. We'll look always at the staffing at every year, even if we were in a great financial position, to make shifts to areas of need. Um this for this year will be have to be a shift in resources and not an addition to

061resources. Um I said this last week, we're going to examine teacher aids. We have a ton of turnover in teacher aids every year. We'll make sure students with IEP or mandated services have their aid. That's of course um mandated and must happen. We'll use the summer to closely monitor where we are with teacher aids. Um and we'll look to reduce five to possibly eight teacher aid positions um in the over 110 that we have in the district. Um and then finally, I'll say it again, we we have to be cognizant of the future threats to budget cuts. I mean, you hear it all the time in the news. Um the Department of Education has been disbanded um at the federal level. Uh that's put our nearly five, six million dollars in aid at the federal

062level in jeopardy. Um that makes me stay up late at night, and I think that same thing for Mr. Feldman. Don't want to speak for him, but um that's uh keeps many sleepless nights, and we're we're monitoring that closely. We're also hoping that the governor um starts to realize that 1% increases in state aid are just not good enough. Um with rising inflation, rising costs all across our budget lines, um the aid is not keeping up with our expenses and the tax cap is not helping us get any relief either. So we're going to continue to monitor it. Attrition will be our strategy until you know, we can't do it anymore. But hopefully these these fears of more cuts coming are not do not materialize. >> Dr. If I might just for the good of

063the board you talk a little bit about inflation the the inflation factor that is used to figure out the tax cap which is the amount of money that we're allowed to raise year over year was 2.63% set by the state 2.63% so just to further cement your point 1.5% and an aid foundation aid increase doesn't even keep up with their cost of living CPI adjustments used to to mandate for the tax cap. So the system is antiquated. The Rockefeller Institute you know, we went through a study that cost $2 million and they made recommendations and none of which were honestly really um implemented from that end and and it you know, again it just makes things difficult in planning when we don't know where we are from a major revenue source for 7 years in

064a row. I want to thank the teachers at the high school departments that I've been talking to. I want to thank the teachers at the middle school I'm getting to more and more team meetings as well. Had a great meeting with our elementary reps this morning as well. We're going to continue that dialogue and work on this together realizing that you know, and I want to say this as well Sweet Home is not alone in this. Many of my colleagues across districts in Western New York and across the state are very nervous about where where we are headed with education funding. I'm sure you will hear in the news other districts that are closing budget gaps. I know you will including our neighbors who are who are struggling to do this work and make sure

065that the needs of our students are met. So we're we're in a difficult situation. We are not alone in that situation. We have to continue our advocacy. I've been trying to meet with every legislator under the sun to get them to understand the position that school districts are in and we're fighting for every dollar that we can get. Don's office, Dr. Wilson's office, we're looking at every grant that we could possibly tap into. You know, every every funding source that's available to us. We will not stop that fight and that hunt to make sure that we can give our students a a phenomenal education here at Sweet Home. I So I know you know I wanted also summer school is is impacted with this recommendation. This you know, there is no pivot here. I'm just

066going to blatantly blatantly put that out there that if the board approves this budget tonight, we're going to move forward with this summer school proposal. It saved us $300,000 and and helped close the budgetary gap that we are that we have experienced. We like I said last week we would offer reduced enrichment for middle school at three weeks, four days a week for three hours each core would get a section including Spanish. Exam prep at the high school one to two weeks depending on how a student scored on that in differentiated fashion. And then offered One thing that will not change, we will still offer a full ESY extended school year program for our special education students. Graduating seniors would attend a credit exam recovery program at BOCES. I believe that's an online program that

067Dr. Wilson's been working to to with BOCES. We do get aid back on that program and that meets state regulations for credit recovery. Approximately we have about 10 students a year at the senior level that need credit recovery and so we are going to purchase 10 seats to make that happen and we are elementary intervention general education summer program this year with the hopes that the budget you know um picture increases and looks better that we can bring enrichment back to the elementary level. So we believe one administration can one administrator can support the middle school and high school and secondary ESY all at one location at the high school. All together it's a five week program with no overlap of middle school and high school so teachers can teach across programs if needed from

068July 13th [clears throat] to August 19th and that would be the schedule that you see. That's my update for tonight. Well that the staffing update anyway. See if anybody has any questions. I'll go first. Go ahead. Well first of all I just want to say you know I'm a as a business owner if in the private sector if you had a two million dollar gap to be able to close that gap with out any layoffs that's an extraordinary accomplishment and I just think that that does need to be recognized and understood you know by the public that this is very unusual and it is a and I appreciate the art department um, the district office and the principals, um, uh, you know, getting together, we talk about the seven habits, and uh, one of those

069is win-win. And so, it's nice to see that, um, you know, we're not only talking about this to our students, but the adults are actually working on these, um, pieces. Um, and then the the other piece I, uh, two other points I want to make is one is I I I think back at my experience in school, and I will tell you that what I rem- what sticks with me is athletics, it's music, and it's art. The other classes, I I math, science, history, I had, you know, there's no doubt those are important, but we had I had them, and our students have them throughout, you know, from kindergarten all the way through. And I just think as a board and as an as, um, within the the dis- the decisions that are being made,

070it's important when we talk about diversity, equity, inclusion, that that's a piece, and I know it is, and I again appreciate the creativity here, because we talk about creativity. Well, again, as a business owner, I can tell you, I use more of the creative part of me than the numbers part of me, even though I'm a numbers guy. So, I think that we just have to be continue to work, and I know we will, towards, um, you know, making sure that those classes uh, that we do everything we can to make those classes available, because that creative element, um, you know, it's not just about, in my view, having a student learn art. It's another part of their, uh, way of thinking that I think does translate, you know, when we talk about the portrait

071of a graduate, and, um, you know, in those offerings, like again, I'm not trying to pick on history or math, but we there's so much through a student's career. What's that? >> Is there something wrong with social studies? No, I'm just saying that they're important, but like whereas like the other pieces, you know, it's more limited, at least it feels like. So, I just want to make sure and I'm and I'm again appreciative. I mean, you here yourself made the comment of how you had to be creative. So, I think those creative pieces, you know, there's more utility than just just um the you know, it's not just about drawing and and that piece. There's the the elements of learning that I think our students are gaining from that. Um and so, you know, that's

072just you know, I think important that we recognize that and um the other question I had is we have a point I think it's point four he said we're adding. So, are we hiring somebody part-time? And are we if if we don't find someone, what I've thought about and wondered about is we have teachers who coach and may get a stipend for that. Could we have our is there a possibility of having a teacher who's willing to take on an extra class, but get paid extra? I mean, I would think if you're if we did it by seniority, it would help you boost your final average salary. It would um uh be you know, not volunteer in the sense that they'd be paid, um but you know, an option. I just want to understand is

073that and what are are there any things that would prevent us from doing that? >> No, so um first just a comment about the first section if you don't mind. You know, I I don't want anybody to think that we don't value art or the art program. Um Developing creativity uh is an essential part to success. I mean, there's no question about it, and we are super proud of our program. It's award-winning. Um, it is it is phenomenal. The space that we have at the high school is second to none. Anybody who has ever walked through that space the first time is absolutely blown away by the work that is in that hallway and in the art rooms itself. Um, our teachers are fantastic in the art department, um, and we need to continue, uh,

074to to look at ways that we can support the program, um, like we've done, uh, when we've had enrollment increases or course in class size increases at the middle school. Last year, the the the board added a art teacher at the middle school because those numbers, um, started creeping up to a point where, um, one teacher it just it was not enough, um, for for those high numbers there. Um, so the board has been very supportive of the arts, of music, um, and, uh, that is going to continue. And if, um, we continue or to see enrollment increases and class size increases, we will address that with additional staff or additional resources at the art level or any department here. We'll figure it out. Uh, there's always a solution. The solution may not be at

075the easiest thing to do is say, "Let's add staff." But that might not be the solution and we got to put our heads together. And if we've exhausted all other things, then then yes, let's let's move forward with a staff member. So, um, so I just, you know, wanted to say that cuz I appreciate what you said, Mr. Um, a point four, we're going to try and find a point four. Um, it might be difficult to find a part-time teacher. Um, one thing I will say about Sweet Home is that it is a very attractive place to work, and, um, Dr. Shaibis not here tonight, but I think she would agree. I went to teacher recruitment day, um, in Niagara Falls last two weeks ago, and the line at the Sweet Home table was longer

076than any other of the 100 districts that were in attendance that day. Um and we're really proud of the fact of um that we attract top talent here. And we're hopeful that somebody you sees a 0.4 as an opportunity to get a foot in the door um at Sweet Home. Um and then if the middle school numbers continue to push up to the high school, I'm pretty confident in saying that we can make that 0.4 a 1.0 um eventually it maybe in the next couple of years. Um and um because middle school is art is is uh bursting um still even with um the new teacher that we added. So, um we're proud of that and we're going to continue to add those resources. If we do not find a 0.4, um the contract this

077the the teacher's contract does allow for an emergency provision called the sixth assignment um where teachers would get up where a teacher who wants to take on a sixth assignment um could get a stipend to do that. Um and so uh we've had discussions with the art department. There seems to be some room on that. I don't want to say yes or no, but um but I think what I really love about our our teachers is that they're doing willing to do whatever it takes um to make sure that these courses are offered. Um and to that I say thank you. So, there is a provision for us to have that. Do you have something? You want to do your thing? I got a list, man. You got a list. Oh, okay. I'll just do

078a short one here. Um I again I'm going to grumble about uh subject from the past here, the electric bus and the electrification thing. I think that's also what's holding up the budget in in Albany. I'm really disappointed in the attitude of of the assembly and the Senate that they they put this notion that we have to do this now over the needs of not only schools, but it's Medicare, Medicaid, and every other thing that's in that budget. And it's really disappointing. So, I'm also very happy to see a bunch of folks come forward and voice their opinion about what they want out of the school district. That's very important to this board, and we are working very hard and and staff, administration, and the board have worked very hard to make sure that all

079opportunities are still available for the students. That's most important to us. But again, please voice your opinion not only on this local level, but when it comes time to vote in November, and again, your vote really does matter. We appreciate that. >> [clears throat] >> Mr. Evan, I would just just address that electric the electric bus thing, the clean energy piece of it. I don't disagree with you. It is part of the the the hold up on the budget. Um not necessarily specific to maybe electric buses, but more so new home construction and renewal renewable energy in new homes. So, I think that is very much a sticking point. So, your point is very well taken. Thank you. Um okay, I'll jump in. I had a number of questions, several of which you already answered,

080which I was very appreciative of. The adaptive art in particular, I know everybody on this board is strongly supportive of adaptive art, and I'm sure there was no chance I was ever going anywhere. Um and you already mentioned we're going to get some more cameras to make sure that the club the photography classroom can be come up in size. Um and I know there was a lot of other discussions, and some of it came from some emails that came in from you, and then you know, we funnel those information to the administration so they can also talk it as part of the the their negotiations and and stuff working with it. Um another staff another question I had, but I know we brought a new teacher in the middle school last year. I don't know

081the schedule cuz we haven't asked about it too recently. If need be, is it possible that that teacher could be here for a class or two? I know we've had teachers before that come back and forth Uh perfect example Dan Murphy who helped us wind down German was going back and forth between the middle school and high school every day for a handful of years. I know we have teachers now going between Reading Academy in the school every day. So I mean to me that's another possibility if need be. I think that you know we just have to get out of the box think of all the possibilities. Yes. Um one of them everybody in this particular table I know knows the answer to this but we did get it in email and I want

082you to be able to answer the question for them. We were asked if money could be moved from the capital or project that we're getting ready to start to be able to handle staffing or other needs in that part. Yeah. We know the answer but I want you to be able to say it anyway. So the the capital project is a completely separate uh budget function um entity uh even voting mechanism than our uh our general budget. Um the two of those two things have nothing to do with one another and so when our taxpayers um and community members voted in favor of passing the capital project back in December they voted on a completely separate entity from the um the the general budget. Um and so uh school finance and capital projects are very

083complicated um entities um in themselves and we often get that question why don't we borrow from here to to take here. Legally we can't. The taxpayers of Sweet Home said you got to use that money um for what you told us you were going to do in terms of capital improvements. Um and I will say in that capital project um our our community demanded through surveys through board interactions through uh thought exchanges and through um uh um focus group work uh that we address the spaces especially at the elementary level um which were bursting at the seams. So um we keep those two uh pieces separate um by law and because that's what the voters told us to do. Thank you and I appreciate you explaining that. I also want to add in there too

084because if people look when Mr. Feldman presents in two weeks, our three-part budget which also have to go out to the taxpayer on post cards as you remember, one of those pieces is capital. And that what what's in that capital is not the um upcoming capital project, it's the payments over the for the last capital projects we've worked on. All of those projects are bonded out typically 15 years, am I right? Typically? Yeah. So, we're paying for them over 15 years and winding them down and before we can start on the next one. So, that's what that is when you see that. Yes, on the project. Thank you. I've got questions, but oh, did you want to go? Cuz I Oh, I just have a quick thing to say. Like I said at the beginning,

085we really appreciate we've heard from staff, we've heard from parents, we've heard from students. It's been great getting all that information from you and what your thought is. But you know what? We start this process in January. And you know how many people we usually see at our budget meetings? Maybe one. Once in a while, one person. Jonathan. Jonathan, okay. Yes. So, come in January, see this will really make it clear to you where your money's going. It's a really good educational process. Be involved in the process from the beginning. And like I said, we start in January. So, you're all more than welcome to come and and join us. I know it's a Saturday and sometimes do we have Um but you're all welcome to come and understand the process. Thank you. Uh I

086will just echo uh not not about food. Um uh but just there is a Christine Lyle who's our PR coordinator in back there has created a great page on our district website that kind of breaks down kind of our process and each of the budget study sessions so you can see how we progress through the process Uh if that's a tool that you might find helpful. You know, but again, we do start internally in January and our first budgetary session with the board and public is generally the first February Saturday in February because by that time we do get the executive proposal from the governor which kind of frames our discussion. Thank you. Okay, I'm going to talk fast because I want to catch second period. We're still scoreless by the way. >> [laughter] >>

087If anybody was wondering I got it on the bottom here. So I want to understand summer school a little bit better. The question that I had generated earlier this week regarding summer school is what happens for the students that need full credit recovery. So this could mean either students who potentially pass the exam but do not have the seat time to pass a required course or students that have neither requirement met. So like if a student fails algebra, they fail the algebra one course. How do they make up those credits if they're in like freshman year? So not our seniors that are doing credit recovery but everybody else. They would have to make it up the next year. Take the course. Not necessarily. It could be some kind of credit recovery. Could be through AIS.

088It's in conjunction with the teacher and how they want to assign credit as well to that student. So maybe they missed by a couple points and there's an assignment that they want to make up. They can make it up the next year. Seat time is a whole different thing. They have to make up the seat time because there are requirements for that as well. And so it it's it's dependent on the situation but we're confident we can do that by rolling it into the next year through several methods and I don't know Dr. Wilson if you want to comment on that as well because I know you've been working with Mr. Lucenti. Sure. So the high school also has a number of opportunities built into their schedule. So based on the need you will see

089that there are pivots that are made Um, depending on how students perform either in June or at the end of August. And so like for example, um, this past year we added a couple of um, recovery sessions in math and and biology um, for students who needed that coming out of summer school. Um, and they also have things like something they call math X where they have built in extra time to help kids through either AIS or to get into recover. Um, we also have the academic learning center that AAC, um, which is another opportunity and more and more they're identifying opportunities to um, provide that support built into the school day cuz that really is the best option um, to really build it into the school day and still wrap around and get those

090other credits that they need. And so my second summer school question I think Mr. Coleman sort of started us on this path when he asked a question last week. Um, specifically for our elementary kids who are not getting summer school um, opportunity this year. I think I heard you mention earlier that there was the potential for that next year maybe coming back. Did I hear that correctly? >> examine it next year um, for sure. I think it's an it's it's a it's a good opportunity for students. Um, is it uh, I don't want to sound terrible but is it mission critical? Um, and that's where we kind of made that assessment. Um, and but if if we can I'm a big believer in summer enrichment. I'm a big believer um, that if if it's you

091know, that there is learning loss over the summer and if we can we can help in that way we will. Um, but you know, uh, that was a significant savings that we could And I understand the savings aspect of it but I think there are probably a lot of elementary teachers right now that are upset that this is not an opportunity that's being offered. So when you've got kids that are kind of on the cusp of breaking through to that success in reading and writing and math and those basic foundational skills and these are young kids. So yes, it's important that we're offering credit recovery and Regents preparation and all the things to get our kids across that stage, but when we talk about where they're starting from in the elementary level, I think I

092need to understand a little bit better why it is that that was the thing to go. Yeah, we haven't had great attendance, I would say. I mean, I think some would some would argue with me on that as well. So we're at about a 68 to 70% level of attendance, which is also something that uh is is that we looked at. I would think that was great though. Like 68% kids >> great. >> It's not great? I don't think we're at over 90 throughout the school year. >> how many kids are enrolled like in the summer for example? Like 100? Okay. Across four buildings. We cap it at 100. Right. Okay. Got it. So to give you an example, if if summer school runs for 24 days, um of the 24 days, you missed nine

093days, you're at 62% so to give you some example of what Dr. Genest used to say. >> short. Yeah. We're looking at length. Okay. Um the Is this my last one? I think this is my last one. Um one thing that I did kind of want to request and and I think we emailed about this a little bit earlier this week. Um when I asked you last week, what does it mean to keep an eye on numbers, right? Uh what does that actually look like in practice? And I think as we're trying to continue to build trust with our community and with our teachers and we're trying to foster that transparency, is it possible within the superintendent's report for next year to just throw some data in there and show us where we are at

094as far as enrollment? I I do that usually in the fall, um but I could do it couple times a year to see where where we're at cuz it is rapidly changing. You you saw it today, but on day-to-day basis. Um so but but yeah, I do you do a an enrollment um probably I think in October usually do a kind of a comprehensive where we are but I will make sure that knowing what we went through in this process that class sizes are big piece of that for sure. All right. Thank you. Okay. I just want one last thing to say. Just as we go along Oh, go ahead. I'm sorry. It's okay. No, no, I was pointing at you. Okay. Just as we go through it and I know a couple of you

095others have already mentioned it. We did get and I I tried to count. We got I got roughly 50 emails. I know some of the board got different numbers but they're all roughly in that same ballpark. I am going to speak for the board cuz I know you read all of them. I read all of them at least twice. A number of them three times. A few of the the people who responded that I directly knew or have had relationships for a long time. I did respond to them a little bit. I know otherwise I believe they're all being responded to. If you don't hear from the whole board it's because we are doing it. Our president is making sure that people let them know that we've done it. I do want you know we

096did read it. We're taking your thoughts into consideration. We're sharing our concerns with the superintendent and the administration. We do hear you. And I think if you sent an email today I don't think I responded. So I apologize for that. I have also I have also received quite a few and I'm I'm I'll be working on responses tomorrow as well. I've responded to a few but I'll be working on that a lot. >> [laughter] >> I mean since 4 o'clock today we got three more emails so It's not instant. Do you have a question? Yes. Just for the art courses in specific I know you said you were reducing two sections of photography to one. So let's say Three to two I think. Oh. Yep. So if like a lot of the students essentially sign

097up with that limit like number of seating in the classes Well, sign ups are done so we've got a pretty good projection of where we're at. So Okay. Yeah. But that's for giving additional cameras Correct. Yeah, we'll cover we'll cover what we need. Yeah. expand the number of seats available in class. That was a limitation before. It was based on the number of cameras they had. Yep. So, for every kid that signed up for an art class for next year, they're they're okay. Unless they came in late. Um I think some of them are have closed. So, um and I know a lot I got a lot of requests just this week myself. Um so, we may have a couple that that are put on a waiting list, but those I will say there's there's

098fluctuation throughout the year and they might get a chance to get on those. So. Kim, did you have any questions? No, I would just reiterate that the schedule itself is not built until over the summer. So, there could be complex and and changes in that aspect with an individual students schedule. So, it's always fluid. It's, you know, it's hard to add a teacher in the middle of, you know, a semester or a a quarter or a prime master. Um but we do the best we can and we're and we're constantly looking at it and we're constantly talking about it and um you know, like everybody on the board has said, we hear you, we see you, we know what you're you're going through. Most of us have had children, all of us have had children

099go through the district. Um so, we understand. That's all I got. Thank you. Um I had a list of questions that were all answered, so I'm not going to reiterate the questions. So, if you would like to continue. All right. Um so, two two major announcements that that are on the agenda tonight. Um first, we are very very proud um to bring uh Miss Marissa Doria's name to you um as a recommendation as our new principal at the high school. Um she would be taking over for our interim principal, Mr. Lucenti, right now, who uh we knew was with us for a year and we'll talk about him later. Um, but we we are very excited to recommend Marissa Doria as the next principal of Sweet Home High School. She has more than 15 years

100of experience in education leadership and student center programming. She's joined Sweet Home in July of 2019 as the director of athletics, health, and physical education and recreation. And she led the comprehensive K-12 program, supported curriculum development, created meaningful opportunities for student engagement and school pride. In August 2022, she moved through a process to become the middle school principal and she has been extremely successful building culture there and implementing initiative that supports student achievement and well-being. She brought Leader in Me and and has really propelled it to a point where they are on the cusp of becoming lighthouse and looking at that how they uh go through that process and I know leadership day is this week and Friday and her leadership there has really strengthened the middle school into a strong strong community. Prior to

101her time at Sweet Home, she was in in leadership roles at Mount Saint Mary Academy and she developed her expertise in instruction support and community building there. And I think Marissa has just done a phenomenal job as a leader, as someone who uh listens, cares for students, puts students first above above all, but really has rallied the the faculty and staff to support student success there. She went through a process at the high school where she did interview with panel of teachers, administrators, support staff, and unanimously that panel of 10 wanted her to go on to the next level um to the superintendent round and ultimately talk to the board about um this position. So, um we are excited to promote from within um to to the principal uh ship at the high school with

102no doubt knowing that this leaves a hole at the middle school um and I have a meeting uh me and Dr. Shaibi have a meeting I think um I think it last time I looked it was Friday. I know we were moving it around a little bit. Um we've already had some work with the middle school building leadership team. Um we've had some work with some of the teams last year and um to talk about uh the transition um and also um a process for finding a new um middle school principal and we're going to really narrow that process uh this week with them um because she is uh uh will be missed at the middle school for sure uh because she's left such an impact on them. So, I'm very proud um to to

103recommend uh Marissa as our next high school principal um and very excited for the future of that building um and the things that she can bring. So, um she is on the agenda for uh that tonight. In addition, um I'm also proud to um recommend Lindsay Marsenelli as the new director of special programs. She will be um if approved tonight taking over for Katie Berleary who was promoted to assistant superintendent um of curriculum and instruction to replace Dr. Wilson who is retiring um at the end of the year. Lindsay brings uh two decades of experience in special education and educational leadership to her role as the director of special ed. Um she began her career as a school psychologist developing strong foundations in student support, assessment, and individualized programming. She later served as an elementary

104principal where she led the instructional improvement efforts, strengthened school culture, and elevated student achievement. Um since joining Sweet Home as the assistant director of special programs, she has played a key role in ensuring compliance, supporting staff, overseeing the delivery of high-quality services for our students. Um, they they work uh their fingers to the bone in the special programs and we're super proud of of that department. Um, and Lindsay is just a natural uh for promotion there. Um, they've taken on increased numbers, they've taken on increased staff. Um, the compliance issues uh associated with special education, they are just rockstars at it in that department. Um, and so we're very happy to put Lindsay up um for recommendation tonight to you. Uh, this would leave an opening as for the assistant director uh that we will

105fill. Um, there's a lot of work that goes in that department. Um, and so we will start a process on that tomorrow if she is approved this evening. And we have some work um done in calendar. Um, and we want to put a proposal not to be voted on tonight, but hopefully if we're in a good spot um uh we want to uh put a draft up on our website um tomorrow. Um, and I think we we've worked uh well, Mr. Feldman will talk about this, but I want to thank the work of the committee um and some work with our teachers association uh to make this happen. So, Mr. Feldman. Sure. Uh so, I just would like to recognize first of all, before we start um this calendar uh was challenging in the event

106uh in in the um extent that Labor Day is the latest it possibly can be uh from a calendar perspective. So, there's many mandates that we need to meet uh across the school calendar that we'll talk about and I just want to thank uh the members of the committee. We spent the last uh couple of weeks kind of going through different iterations of the calendar uh to meet not only those requirements, uh but to honor things contractually uh for some of our um uh labor teams. Um so, we do get a an excellent representation across the district of parents, members of our teachers association, members of our administrative team, uh members of our service employees association, uh and then I uh had the pleasure to chair the committee along with uh Dr. Shaibi, our director

107of human resources, um to come to um a calendar that we would like to recommend for the board. >> [gasps and sighs] >> So, there are a number of things that need to go into the considerations of the calendar. Um you know, you see there, I won't touch on all of them. I just want to highlight some things uh from New York State Education Department, there is a number of regulations that we must meet both in terms of days uh to not negatively impact our uh aid payments. So, kids need to be in instruction a minimum of 180 days every year. Uh and then over the course of that 180 days, we do need to meet an actual hour requirement. Um for uh the elementary level, uh it's 900 and 900 hours of instruction time.

108That is butts in seats in the classroom. That um minutes for recess, minutes for lunch, minutes for home room, minutes for passing uh do not count towards that calculation. Uh so, we do need to have 900 hours of butts in seats uh in instruction at the elementary level uh to meet that regulation. And then it's 990 hours uh at the secondary level, uh grades 7 through 12. We are not allowed to schedule any sort of instruction on the legal holidays listed below. Uh we did catch a bit of a break this year in the Chinese Lunar New Year. Uh that was a new holiday that was added to the calendar um I believe last year. Uh this year it falls on a weekend. Uh so, uh it's one less day from um an instructional standpoint

109that we need not worry about. We always do try and do our best to create a calendar that is that mirrors the BOCES calendar. We do have a number of students that attend BOCES programs offsite. And when our calendars don't mirror, it makes it difficult for those kids. They either miss the BOCES when uh we are in session and they are not or vice versa from that end and things. So, we try and get to a calendar that closely mirrors the BOCES calendar. We have to build in for emergency closures potential. We also take into consideration stakeholder feedback, which I'll talk about in a second. And then lastly, I did want to talk about contractual language. From that standpoint, particularly teacher contract language in the current contract with the education association, there is a teacher

110day requirement of 187 days that we had to work through to get a calendar in place. That is an area that Dr. Genestry and the Shea leadership have kind of worked through. So, we have kind of a We did present a calendar initially to the calendar committee of 187 days with a staff development day in one of the breaks, the February break in specifically. After some conversations after our initial meeting, you know, the conversation was such that what Excuse me. Question about what that day would look like. And so, we brought that feedback back to the superintendent. The superintendent did have some conversations with Shea leadership and we've come to what we believe is an amicable solution in presenting the calendar kind of going forward. So, So, for us for next year, the proposed dates

111that we would These are some of the the We do have a virtual staff development day, uh which mirrored the one that we did this year to allow staff to do uh God bless you to um do mandated trainings. Uh that's a that's Thursday, September the 3rd. So, that is virtual. That is not in person. Uh and that does count for us uh as a a student attendance day in the eyes of state education. We can count four uh staff development days over the course of a calendar uh from the last weekend the last week in August through rating day uh towards student attendance. So, that's important because we'll talk about uh another piece of it. So, uh from a from a um stakeholder feedback perspective, we heard this year that starting school on the

112Tuesday after Labor Day was difficult. It was difficult for teacher aides uh to kind of get the lay of the land particular to uh their high-needs students. Uh it was difficult for bus drivers to uh learn the kids on the bus to get jump into the runs uh without the opportunity for you know potentially an additional dry run. Uh so, we worked very hard to get to a calendar where uh that first day, that Tuesday after Labor Day, which is September 8th, would be a traditional staff development day. So, it would be an in-person staff development day. It would be an opening day. Uh we would do, you know, similar to what we've done in the past, uh the superintendent would provide his opening day address, uh and then uh teachers and staff would disperse

113to their buildings uh to get ready for students on the first day, uh which for us um if the calendars approved, would be Wednesday, September the 9th. We do have a staff development day scheduled for Tuesday, uh November 3rd, which is Election Day. Thanksgiving recess would be the Thursday and Friday of Thanksgiving, um Thanksgiving itself and the day after. We have a half-day on December the 4th at the elementary level, uh which would be report card day. Uh December 11th uh would be uh elementary parent-teacher conference days. And then we have um uh winter recess December 24th through January the 1st. Uh and then midwinter recess is February 15th through the 19th. You'll see again that we removed uh the February 16th initial date uh for staff development. Uh and then we would do a

114staff development or uh a half-day again at the elementary level on March the 5th. Spring recess would be March 26th through April 2nd. The elementary half-days uh would be uh June 23rd through June 24th. Uh and then June 25th is rating day, uh which is the Friday, uh and then teacher last day, which we are calling on the calendar a staff development day, would be June 28th. That staff development day does not count towards student attendance uh in terms of uh state ed because it falls after rating day. So, this calendar, Mike, if you would hit the next slide next slide. I'm sorry, I'm running out of voice. Uh would provide us with uh teacher work days of 186 teacher work days. So, this uh just falls back on the conversations that Mike has had

115with the teacher union leadership. Uh there is contractual language in the in the Shea contract right now. It's 4.11.4.1 that basically says, "If we have three emergency days left as of April 30th, I believe it is, uh that the Memorial Day holiday would be a day off." Uh the Teachers Association Dr. Genestri have had uh discussions where that they would uh agree to waive that for next year uh so that we would end at 186 work days. It's important to note that uh this year, unless we have a major snowfall event in the next week, uh that uh exactly uh that uh you know, we would ex- that that contractual language would be enacted uh and not it wouldn't be the Friday of Memorial Day, it would be the Monday after rating day that would

116no longer be a teacher uh a a day. So, we would get to 186 days this this calendar year uh and assuming that we are in a similar situation next, we would remain at 186 days. Uh so, we felt as though uh at I don't I don't understand. So, we're going to go 2 years in a row without meeting the contract? Well, we would we would meet the contract this year, um but because That's not what you just said. I I understand that. I I the 187 days uh would be in the contract per contract language if there are three or more remaining snow days on April 30th, that that last day, the Memorial Day Friday, or in this instance, the Monday after rating day would no longer be a teacher day. So, we build

117a calendar with 187 days, the language in the in the contract is such that if there are no snow days, it does go down to 186. So, they use one of the emergency closure days for either the Friday before more Memorial Day or that Monday after. This year. So, yeah, so it's scheduled, but it becomes an emergency closure day. We're we're scheduled for 187 days. We built in 187 days. If we reach April 30th without taking one more emergency day, then it's actually goes down to 186 work days this year. Um that's the contract language. What we're saying is we'll remove that contract language. The Teachers Association has work to do um on that if if we're okay with that, and then we know that taking that Friday off Memorial Day is not an option

118next year because we're removing that language for 1 year and 1 year only. Am I saying that correctly? No, next year. >> So, that day would become that's a working >> 28th The Friday The Friday before Memorial >> There's no chance that the Friday before Memorial Day or June 28th Okay. would be a day off. Correct. Teachers will be in on that Friday before Memorial Day and on June 28th next year. >> You're saying you just remove that option. >> We remove the option. >> to ensure that you get those days in for next year. Yes. >> Okay. Yes. Because uh if you didn't do that, then legally, if we hit those days, if we didn't take those days, they could say, "Well, we're not entitled to this day." Now, you're saying this is absolutely,

119but I guess the only question is what happens if we have the snow days? Well, we would have to pivot. I'll let Dr. Dr. Nester talk a little bit about that. >> Yeah, we'll work with the Teachers Association Association on that pivot. Um and it could be um an added day over a break, or it could be remote um were the two options. Was there any talk about starting before Labor Day? There was. Um that did not gain traction um because it's been a long-standing um tradition and practice here. Um and so um I think that would have resulted in some um issues, and um in trying to find a solution together, we we uh decided to work or propose eliminating that clause of the contract for 1 year and 1 year only for the

12026 and 27 school year and probably the only time we'll probably only have to do it every 7 years because the way that Labor Day just falls this year, it's the latest it possibly can be and then the way the breaks fall, um, there's no room to take from any of the breaks without dipping into the the Christmas holiday or or Easter or the February break. So, we just didn't have with the new holidays, we just didn't have room, basically, to to fit it all in. So, uh, just to wrap up, just from our student attendance day, uh, per SED at a secondary level, we would be at 185 days. At the elementary level, we'd be at 184. Uh, again, superintendent conference days, staff development days, uh, would be September the 3rd, September the 8th,

121November the 3rd, all of which would count towards student attendance days. Uh, and then, uh, lastly, uh, June 28th, uh, which would be a day that would be labeled in name only a staff development and wouldn't count towards student attendance per SED regulation. So, this is the calendar here. Uh, I would just draw to your attention, um, you know, on March the 12th, it's hard to see, I get it, uh, but the calendar on the left, March the 12th, for the Erie 1 BOCES, um, contingent is, uh, a staff development day. Uh, while it is not a staff development day for us, uh, so we will have to do some work with our BOCES kiddos that day, uh, at, uh, the secondary level, uh, and come up with a plan, but short of that, our

122calendar, um, in terms of student days, mirrors that of, uh, the Erie 1 BOCES calendar. So, again, as Dr. Genestreti had said, um, Um, know, this is a draft of the calendar. Uh, the teachers association, uh, uh, following our meeting on yesterday, uh, does have some work to do, uh, to, uh, potentially, uh, discuss, uh, the removal or the MOA to remove that, um, Memorial Day Friday and or the last day, the last Monday. Um, but as Dr. Genestri initially said, this is a calendar that we would like to, you know, obviously, post as a draft calendar, uh, pending, um, discussion at the board level next month. So, I don't know if anybody has any further questions regarding the calendar, uh, but that's where we stand presently. So, we won't be voting on this tonight.

123We will vote on it next month. >> You will vote vote on it, um, on May the 12th. Thank you. And that's what I have for tonight. Okay. Thank you, Dr. Genestri. So, uh, moving on to upcoming events, we have a Willow Ridge skating party tomorrow, multicultural night at Glendale, maybe near book fair coming up, uh, and art show, STEM night at Heritage Heights, uh, middle school spring activity night as Friday, and then our end of April, beginning of May, uh, PTA meetings, and then as said earlier, May 5th is our meet the candidate night, and our, um, and May 19th is our budget night. Uh, budget vote, sorry. Um, all right, that leads us to open session number one, um, which is policy 1510. Um, uh, this open session is for topics related to

124tonight's agenda. Um, again, open session is a chance for speakers to share their thoughts with the board, and for the board members to hear what they have to say. It is not an interactive process. Any questions should be addressed to the superintendent or the board president outside of the meeting. Um the board welcomes participation by district residents, persons having business uh within district boundaries, and persons who do business with the board of education. All participants must be 16 years of age or older. Speakers must be recognized by the presiding officer and announce their name, address, and group affiliation if appropriate. Speakers are limited to 3 minutes each and may not transfer their time to another participant. The board, by resolution, may vote to extend the time of the speaker. Uh those who signed up on

125the sign-in sheet will speak in order of their sign-up. Um those not signed up will speak afterwards. However, the total amount of time for each public participation period is 30 minutes. Um statements should be made to the board president, not individual board members. Participants may not discuss specific individuals or issues that fall under executive session. Participants must abide by the board of education policy and the district code of conduct. Um the board president has the right to maintain decorum by interrupting or terminating a visitor's comment, requesting an individual to leave, or calling for a recess or adjournment of the meeting. Um the first session, again, is for topics related to the tonight's agenda. And please note that the board will listen to all public comments, um but should not be expected to respond at this

126time. Okay, so I do have six speakers signed up. Um the first one is Sarah Ma- Mahani? Mahani? Is that correct? Okay. You're welcome. Um thank you all for taking the time to hear me out tonight. Um I'm Sarah. I graduated Sweet Home in 2020. Uh my address is 35 Wooster Road, of New York, 14150. Um, a few days ago, my younger sister informed me that Sweet Home was planning to cut some of the advanced art classes due to budget restraints. I graduated from Sweet Home in 2020 to pursue my bachelor's in fine arts at the Rochester Institute of Technology. I took almost every advanced art class and really believe those classes get got me to where I am today. I currently work as a cinematographer and lighting technician on films in Buffalo. I can't

127count the number of films I've worked on this past year and have been fortunate enough to work on movies produced by Warner Brothers and Netflix. Six years ago today, I couldn't have dreamed that this would be my job and it was at Sweet Home that I found the confidence to pursue my career as an artist. When I started high school, I was terrified of pursuing the arts with all the instability and competition that came with it. It wasn't until my junior year in Mrs. MP's AP art class that I finally began to believe I could make it as an artist. She instilled a deep sense of confidence in me and gave me the freedom to create anything I wanted. Her support was unwavering. From the range of supplies she'd order for our class to the

128thoughtful constructive criticism she gave our projects. She'd show us striking pieces of work from contemporary artists and bring up artists she knew she knew personally that worked independently in Buffalo. My dreams finally began to find feel more thrilling than terrifying. While building my AP AP portfolio, I felt like I was finally making art that was personal and impactful. I learned about who I was, what I loved, my fears, and the person I wanted to become. It drove me to want to keep creating meaningful work. I saw a future that was bigger than the person I was. After taking AP drawing and painting my junior year, I took AP photo and sculpture my senior. I wanted to go to RIT because it had a great film program. One that was practical, hands-on, and cinematography focused. But

129since it's a private school, it was extremely expensive. To consider going, I needed a lot of scholarships. Almost all the pieces, including my portfolio, 18 to be exact, came from my advanced art classes. None of the pieces were something I scrounged up last minute. They showed skill, effort, and depth. Skill that skills that I I had time to develop in my advanced classes. Not only did I receive a large scholarship from RIT, but Ms. Empey also helped me get scholarships locally. Attending my dream school finally became a reality. I love my job. I often imagine working in different field and don't think I'd be nearly as happy. I get to shape scenes, people, and locations with light. I'm a piece in the puzzle that makes films beautiful. I'm constantly surrounded by other creatives whose passion

130for what they make is infectious. I can confidently say that I am a product of the Sweet Home Art Department and an example of the success it creates. It gives me the It gave me the space to become the artist I am today. I strongly advise you to reconsider your decision to cut some of the advanced art classes and give future generations the opportunities I had. Please be a part of the reason students can become the greatest version of themselves. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, and I'm sorry. I'm going to do the best I can on names. Um Christine Kempf, is that right? You are next. Thank you so much for allowing me to speak. Um my name is Mina Christine Kempf. My address is 35 Lusher Road, Tonawanda, 14150. Um

131I am an artist. I am an art teacher in another district. And I am the proud parent of three girls, um Sarah who just spoke, Amina who's there, Daniel could not be here tonight. Uh and aunt of two children, Noah and his sister Nina, all who have benefit benefited from um Sweet Home's very rigorous art program. I did not plan to speak tonight. Public speaking is my biggest nightmare. My my language is images and my children's languages are images. And art is so important to us, but I finally found it in myself to come here and speak because Amina who is very much like me, an introvert, very creative, very quiet, has been pushing ever since she found out the possibility of um the programs being cut, she has done nothing but push friends, family

132members, teachers to just really try and get the word out that this is such an important program for her. Um she has willingly dedicated her free time on numerous occasions to work on her art projects. She's given up study halls. She has uh given up lunch time. She stays after school. She goes in during exam week and midterm week when she doesn't have to be at school to work on art. It is her passion and she hopes to make it her future. And I just want to make sure that we remember students like Amina. There's a lot of them. And not only people like Amina, but students that just need that safe space to express who they are. Um I appreciate that Mr. Genestri and the administration is working with the art teachers to try

133and make it work. I understand budgets are a nightmare that I'm so glad I don't have to have a part of my world generally. Um I have big concerns with a point four art teacher. I think that's going to be very hard to find a quality art teacher that is point four. I love the idea of somebody traveling between middle school and high school. Please consider that. Um, I also have big concerns when I heard Mrs. MP is taking 32 students in her mixed media class. That is a huge number for any class and a class where you're dealing with clay. Oh my goodness. If she does that, God bless you. Um, I just want to make sure Armina's voice is heard and I'm speaking on behalf of her and thank you so much for

134your time. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh, Taylor Helt, Hield? Hield? Uh, very nice jacket. Thank you. Thank you. Um, I'm sure that you guys hear a lot of similar stories. Um, I'm I graduated from Sweet Home in 2009 and I went to D'Youville College for art and now I own a art gallery and tattoo studio that's down in the city which we were voted best art gallery in the in the city for through Buffalo Spree as well as some other, uh, you know, community members that are here that I don't believe are speaking, but uh, like Christine Buscarrino who also won best art administrator. Um, I think that it's just kind of proof of what our department has been able to accomplish. And I say ours because I donate also and um, you know,

135whatever. But, uh, I did want to talk about a couple logistical things because it was brought up that you guys are keeping all of the courses which I really uh, am encouraged to hear. And uh, a couple things were that with the alternating of the advanced drawing and painting, um, I I, you know, I think that that's a a great way to compromise, but something that I might uh, bring to attention is potentially dropping back one of the sections of the studio art because that's a class where they're able to make up throughout the four years of their time at Sweet Home, where the advanced drawing and painting are always towards the end of their of their time at Sweet Home. And you know, going into college, you really need those those courses, and especially

136if you have some students that are you know, trying to get those in towards the end, and then next year it's not offered. You know, if they need that to be able to boost their portfolio. So, it it might be something worth looking at to you know, drop one of those earlier requirements so that then they can make it up because they can make it up in multiple classes as well. Can make it up through graphic design or photography or some of the ones that don't have a prerequisite. Um, that might be a good point to look at. Um, you know, and also with the the hiring of a 0.4 teacher, obviously that's it'll be difficult, especially where some of those classes that that'll be strained are some of the higher level classes and making

137sure that the teacher is of uh proper skill. You know, I mean, the the teacher that we're losing is a 30-plus year and teacher from the district, and you know, obviously from a budget standpoint, going down to a new will probably alleviate some of that stress as well budget-wise. Um, Would you like a part-time job? Exactly. [laughter] Yeah. 0.4 job. Yeah, you know, I've thought about it, but um, I don't know if I can handle it right now with my plate. [laughter] Um, but yeah, I you know, I just wanted to stress like how much this department has done, and I really applaud all of you guys for um making sure specifically, you know, the um the adaptive art program is staying. Like that was a big one. I came and uh volunteered at that

138when I was doing my student teaching for Damon and, you know, that that class specifically, obviously you guys know because you're you're keeping it there. But, um yeah, those are just maybe some things that to think about. You can alleviate some of the lower-level classes or sections that they can still make up later in the year to be able to keep drawing and painting cuz otherwise, like the previous speakers had said, getting those portfolio pieces you're ready for college it's going to be it's already a hard task and a lot of students don't even get accepted. So, um making sure that those are are present, I think it are really good point. But, yeah, thank you. Appreciate you guys. Taylor, what's the name of your business? Crucible. Crucible? Crucible Art? Okay. It's a great place.

139I've been there a few times. I was going to say it's a great >> it. I want to just say I appreciate that you're opening it up for Sweet Home to do art exhibits there, too. Appreciate you. Um next up is Christie May. Good evening. I want to start by saying I appreciate the opportunity to speak in front of you all today. I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Christie May and I am a Sweet Home alumni, a graduate in 2017, and I'm also the current assistant coach for the Sweet Home girls tennis team. I want to give a bit of my background about myself when I attended Sweet Home. I pretty much lived in the Sweet Home art rooms for most of my high school years. I've had the privilege to have taken

140every single art class that was offered during my time. I have had the honor of being selected to paint in the art wing here, where my painting still stands almost 10 years later. With the help and support of Kristen Purdy, Kate Van, and Dominic Mediate Perigee, I was able to study animation and illustration at SUNY Fredonia. The art department was a strong foundation for my art of my love of art, as well as the foundation of my growth as an individual in finding myself identity. My journey from taking advanced art classes in high school set me up for success in college. I then graduated in 2021, where I'm now a 3D artist as a hobbyist and also in my career. I believe from firsthand experience Sweet Home's art program holds a great importance in young

141adults. Through artist expression, young adults explore more concepts and discover more about themselves and the world through a multitude of mediums. I want to express these diverse skills and mediums in young art programs are carried into many jobs you see today. Especially the students who become out of the box thinkers, much like myself. Students who go on to continue and fuel their artistic skill sets will prosper. Whether it's strengthening the culture and history of their communities, being advocates through continuous art programs, advertising with local businesses, or possibly designing the future of innovation. Many of my fellow alumni could not be here tonight, but I would like to relay their messages spread across social media the past few days. And they all come to the same similar conclusion that we strongly encourage you to keep con-

142keep these advanced classes and retain the programs for future years to come. Although I have no result for the budget, I am here tonight to advocate for the next generation of students and the experiences that could be robbed from them. Please keep these classes into enrich to allow students to enrich their skills, hone their craft, or even just keep the outlet available for students to feel safe, seen, and heard. Thank you for your time. Um next I have Mary Noacin, is that correct? Noacin? Okay. Thank you. Sorry, I apologize. >> [laughter] >> Hi everyone. Thank you for allowing me the time and space to speak tonight. Um my name is Mary Noacin. I live at 144 Lawnwood Drive. Um my sister's an art teacher. My mother was an art teacher. My mother-in-law was an art

143teacher. My nieces excel at art. My son and my daughter excel at art. I cannot draw a stick figure. >> [laughter] >> I will tell you though, I am a nurse. I work at Buffalo General Hospital, and when you talk about staffing, that's something that I talk about constantly. It is something that is so important across so many different avenues, whether it be our students or when we're patients in the hospital. Um I've heard a lot of talk about budget constraints. And um I understand that pressure is real. I don't envy what you do. Um I appreciate what you do. I'm very grateful that I don't have to be involved in figuring that out. Um but as a parent with two children, um who are attendees of the school, a third who already graduated, um

144what I can say is that in the past I have voted on things in this district that I didn't fully understand at the time, and I probably still don't understand, and I regret that. Um I think a lot of us as busy parents and community members trust things will work out without digging into all the details. Um the reality is these decisions have real consequences for our kids. I understand the capital project funding gets talked about a lot. Can't be used to support programs like the arts. It's restricted to the buildings. I believe the real budget strain from what I'm trying to pull together comes from state delays and unfunded mandates, especially in education. At the same time, there's real concerns about how resources are being used. We're hearing about significant spending tied to programs

145which serve small number of students at high cost. And we certainly as parents don't want to see any of these resources or programs funding taken away. It's a matter of figuring out where everything can be pulled together to meet everyone's needs, which I know has to be incredibly challenging. Um We're looking at advanced art classes being cut, which it sounds like has changed since I kind of wrote this little speech. So, I am very happy to hear that. Um but what I'm hearing is that um hiring a part-time or teachers taking on additional classes doesn't really solve the problem. And that reassigning uh a teacher to cover an art class might weaken other programs or even weaken the art program. Um from what I'm hearing, you know, with the movement I'm very happy to hear

146that it's a step in the right direction, but it doesn't sound like a long-term solution. So, beyond tonight, what I'd like to say to other parents um is that we need to pay close attention. We need to understand what we're voting on, and we need to ask questions and stay involved. These are decisions that shape what our kids have access to every day in schools. The Keep the Art petition that was started on Sunday evening has gathered strong community support with 380 signatures and still growing calling for the continuation of this important program. This collective effort reflects how much students, families, and community members value access to advanced art education and the opportunity it provides. I'm making the commitment to get more involved in the tab board meetings. I'm asking us all to stay engaged

147and work together to protect the future of our children. And although I'm not an artist, I do have a flair for the dramatic with our petition signatures. >> [laughter] >> So, I did email them to you, but I will also hand them to you. All right. Happy to help. Thank you, Mary. Um, the last name I have on the list is Savannah Farr. Good evening, Sweet Home Board of Education. I am Savannah Farr. I live on 78th and Haven Drive, Amherst, New York. Although I have not yet graduated Sweet Home, I am a senior and I do take AP art. It has been a large impact on my life. In fact, I should probably be doing my art assignment for my portfolio right now. >> [laughter] >> I'm almost there, I swear. Um, although I

148don't plan on studying art in college, I do plan on going to RIT for chemistry with a minor in marine biology. Uh, art is like everyone has said before me, very useful. It's in everyday life. It's seen in forms that you don't even think about. Whether you're just sitting there now listening to this accounting back and all of the times or whatever other time, it's here. It'll always be here and it can always be used as a scapegoat, um a job, >> [snorts] >> and anything else. I have two younger brothers. One of them is in middle school, and one of them is in fourth, fourth grade. Yeah, fourth grade. Uh the fourth grader, he goes to Glendale, and he loves watching me draw. He'll come into my room. He'll ask, and he has also

149hopes of you know what? I'm going to go to APR, too. I'm going to do what you're doing. I'm going to do studio and art. I'm going to do all of the art classes. I want to do what you want to do. And in this room, how many of you have children currently, or have children that are going through school? Um how many of you have your children's paintings on your fridge, on your wall, or as pictures saved into your phones? Yep. A lot of us? Almost almost all? My mom. She's definitely in there. On the fridge, upstairs, uh on the wall in the kitchen, anywhere. A collage in her phone, too. And so, we can all agree that every kid has an artistic little piece in their heart, right? By diminishing APR, advanced art,

150advanced drawing, painting, those classes, um that artistic piece in them can also be discouraged. Can no longer have the spark that it once had by being urged to keep going and keep thriving under whatever conditions, even if you need to pay $99 for an art class. Crazy. But overall, um the hope that these art classes will no longer be cut will still be there, even if they're in their small numbers. It is joyful, and it brings a lot of hope to future generations, middle school, elementary, even pre-K to keep pursuing art without being discouraged to the fact that our art classes are going to be gone, what about us? What about going to art forwards? Thank you for your time. I'm so happy to say and hear that our art classes are going to be

151continued. Thank you, Savannah. That is the extent of my list. We do have time for a few more speakers allotted. Is there anybody else who would like to speak during this first open session? Um we'll go here and then Jonathan, you'll be next. No, no, you go ahead. All right, hello everyone. My name is Kristen Pierack and I have been an art teacher at Sweet Home for the last 21 years. First I want to thank my students, parents, staff, and especially the alumni who took time to write or speak on behalf of our art department tonight, even the middle of a playoff Sabres game. Your support and your stories that you've shared about how this program has impacted your lives mean more to us than you could possibly know. >> [snorts] >> Like legit trying

152to hold tears out. I can't look at you guys. Over the course of my career, I have stood at this podium multiple times advocating for my department and urging that cuts not be made. I stand before you as a passionate teacher who has already experienced the impact of reductions first hand as our department has gone from five teachers to four and now potentially three. However, I can say without hesitation that the reductions proposed originally and where we are right now, um are some of the most drastic and devastating that I've seen in my entire time at Sweet Home. I'm here tonight to speak about the proposed reductions of our program through attrition, and what that truly means for our students. On paper, this may look like a staffing adjustment, but in reality, it means a

153loss of advanced courses. It means students losing access to classes that they've already been planning to take. It means students who have spent years developing their skills will no longer have the opportunity to build the portfolios that they need for college art programs. Without these advanced courses, they are simply not competitive with students in neighboring districts who still offer them. It means our school losing its presence in regional art shows, spaces where our students have consistently represented Sweet Home with pride, talent, and professionalism. And my little plug, we just won best black and white photography at the Keenan show on Sunday. And then there's the reality of the schedule. We will now have students who will need somewhere else to go, but many electives are already full, so what happens? They end up in multiple

154study halls. That is not a meaningful use of the students' day. That is not maximizing learning, and that is not putting students first. At a time when the world is rapidly changing, when artificial intelligence is taking over routine tasks, we are actively reducing access to the very skills that will matter the most: creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation. These are not extra skills. These are essential skills. The arts are not a luxury class. They are the core part of a well-rounded education. They engage students who might otherwise feel disconnected. They give students a place to succeed, to express themselves, and to find purpose in their day. Just as importantly, they provide an outlet that supports mental health and emotional well-being. Many of my students have shared deeply personal struggles, and through art, they have found

155a way to process and express those emotions. I understand that difficult financial decisions must be made, and I don't envy any of you are in this position, but I urge you to consider the long-term cost of this one. Because once these programs are gone, rebuilding them is not easy. And the opportunities lost for this group of students cannot be replaced. I respectfully ask that you reconsider these reductions and explore alternatives that preserve these courses and the opportunities they provide cuz this is not just about classes. It's about students. It's about equity, and it's about the kind of educational experience that every Sweet Home student deserves. Thank you for your time. Donovan? Hello, my name is Justin Meekly. I'm a community member. I live at 5 Durham Drive. I would like to yeah, speak to bring

156a some attention to another aspect of the public concerns and relations to the uh budget uh in regards to the uh matter of uh support for the needs of the special education students uh as was mentioned in the budget presentation, there would be a you know, the addition of two special education elementary classrooms and efforts to bring more uh of the special education students that are currently uh receiving uh education out of the district in the in-house and uh also as mentioned uh yeah, looking at the staffing numbers for uh aids in the coming year uh yeah, in regards to these things I've seen some parents express concerns as to whether the new elementary uh classrooms would maintain the same level of the support that uh uh the uh students are currently receiving uh elsewhere

157this year and whether the level of the aids provided would be uh maintained at a a level where the uh enough for all students that would uh need them. So, I it would have been mentioned to to these things and to express the hope that they're going forward that the work will continue on the with the making sure that the needs of special education students are supported to the best of the district's uh ability uh Thank you. Thanks, Dr. Someone over here. One more. All right. So, last speaker. Friend If there are more, we can add time, but No. And our allotted 30 minutes is beginning to run Question. Um hi. My name is Julie Danko. I'm a Sweet Home alum. Um and I'm going to take you back to my first day in eighth

158grade. Um my high school experience wasn't the easiest. I'll never forget my first day transitioning into public school from homeschooling. Between a chaotic bus ride, bells ringing the halls, and a hyper cafeteria, to say I was overstimulated would be an understatement. Seventh period was approaching as I stepped out of a barbaric hallway into an art room. This was the second moment of quiet I had noticed since the pause right before the pledge of allegiance that morning. I inhaled the smell of acrylics and pencil shavings, and for the first time my nervous system settled as its surroundings formed a connection to a past time of my prior life, art. As I climbed the grade ladder, I would I would continue to struggle socially and environmentally. I would treat retreated to the art room for my lunch

159period to exist without feeling anxious. Sometimes I sat alone and poured into my work. Sometimes I sat with other kids who didn't quite fit in either. But it was a space where I felt okay. I'd always been passionate about the arts and squeezed as many classes into my schedule as possible. Among my favorites were photography, advanced painting, and advanced drawing. I also had the honor of completing a portion of the AP art program. The teachers of those classes made me feel capable and seen in a way I hadn't experienced before. They showed me that I had talent and potential even at a time when I was struggling internally and at home. Those classes gave me something to hold onto. For some, those advanced classes aren't just a safe space, they're a future. Cutting them doesn't

160just remove electives, it removes opportunities for students to grow, feel seen, and find direction. Many students go on to pursue careers in the fine arts, design, and architecture. These classes are not extras, they are foundations, and they are pathways. Um and I basically just say all of this because I know we talk a lot about art as a creative outlet and we talk about it a lot as a pathway for future careers. Um but I think the uh mental and emotional health aspect of it sometimes gets left out, and so I just wanted to share a little bit of my story and hope that that's something that people take into consideration when they're thinking about the budget. Thank you. Okay, do we have any more takers? Okay, seeing none, we will move on with the

161agenda. Um, so this brings us to our new business. Um, which we will be, um, voting on as a consent agenda A through L. Is this Is L correct? Yes, A through L. Okay, so, um, may I have a motion and a second for agenda consent agenda items A through L. So moved. Second. Okay. Um, before we vote, I just want to read through them. Sorry. Um, so A is our budget adoption, B is our special education class placements and preschool class placements. >> Well, I want to stop right there because >> Oh, Mary Ann, sorry. Yes, did you read them all? pages. Thank you, Fallon, Here's the month. >> I was on a plane for hours and that's what I did. And, uh, again, every time I read those, it just amazes me what

162our support staff does. Um, our special ed staff does for our kids, so. Okay. Thank you. Um, C is our month of monthly financial reports. Um, D is our office supply and athletic uniform bids. Um, E is our annual district vote for our chief election inspector and our inspectors of elections. Um, F is our Erie 1 BOCES budget and Erie 1 BOCES board members. Um, we talked about that earlier in our communications. There are two nominees for two open seats. Um, disposal of G is disposal of dispose of obsolete property, which is buses and equipment, right? Um, H is, uh, our seeker for, um, our capital outlay project. I is our BOCES Dexter Terrace Sweet Home contract. Um, J is our capital improvement project phase one geotechnical reports. K is our capital improvement projects phase

163one surveying and L is our suspension appeal um that we discussed last week in executive session. Are there any comments or questions about A through L? Okay. All in favor. I. >> I. Great. Um that leads us to our informational items. Jamon, would you like to kick us off? Um okay. All right. Uh good evening everyone. Well, first I want to just give props to uh current and past students that came up and spoke about things they cared about. It's nice to see. Um Uh since the last time I've spoke, there have been a few things going on throughout the school. Um the spring and winter pep rally was April 2nd recognizing athletes and achievements all across the school. Uh there were two music awards given out to students in both band and orchestra recognizing

164their skill and high achievement at the All-County Festival. Uh senior athletes continuing their sports onto the next level at college were as well recognized. Also some art students were shouted out for scholarships given for their work and honor they've received from art showings. Um lastly, students inducted in national French and Spanish national French, Spanish, and German honor society were recognized for these high academic achievements. There were a few mini games like musical chairs, grab the mic, and the Whitney Houston drum hit where teachers and students played against each other with the winner receiving a gift card. Um moving on to a bit about the peer mentoring program. Instead of the high school students going to the middle school, they'll actually be coming to us for a shadowing day, I believe May 14th, and ultimately just

165feel it will be beneficial for them to see and get a feel of like the high school life and how it works here. Um the senior tiles in the main hall are still as well being done. There were conflicts with a lot of seniors not being able to do them originally scheduled, but they are still being worked on and they look great. And lastly, I just want to mention the Connect Life blood drive is back for the spring and students can sign up and donate Friday, which will be on Friday, May 1st from 8:00 to 1:00 right here, and all donors receive a pair of bison tickets and a t-shirt. Thank you. Mary Ann. I've been traveling [clears throat] quite a bit, so move on. >> [laughter] >> Okay, Scott. Okay, first thing, Savannah, I

166know your challenges, so I'm going to respond to your challenge about whether or not we have art work. Natalie and I have my own kids art work. My daughter does have a bachelor's degree in art. Um I also about 10 years ago, Glendale school put together a project for board recognition week where I have a tree with individual leaves on it, and every student in the school painted one of the leaves that's on the tree, and that still hangs in my bedroom for the last 10 years. So, yes, I do have probably about 400 kids artworks. Anyway, I just want to let you know. Um just a couple quick quick things here over the last few weeks. Um I'm going to get to the my right point here. Back right after the last board meeting,

167I attended the 22nd annual Safe Schools Initiative Seminar. Talks a lot about keeping your schools safe. And frankly, number of different things that's changed over the years. This is probably the sixth or seventh one I've attended. Um we had our DEA meeting. We met over Maple Mirror to discuss the exterior of the the new building portion of stuff, and I think we're moving along very well on that. Um I had an team meeting, chef meeting. Um just last week I attended the BOCES twist on tech program. They've been doing this every year for members of the Erie County Association of School Boards. Um they've rotated through different BOCES. In this particular case, we went out to Potter's Road. What we do is the um Dr. Capellano, who's in the district superintendent for BOCES, comes in

168and tells us a little bit about the program and what's going on in the other ones. And then they divide us up into groups, take us around to a few different programs in the in the school, and then show us They actually have the students show us what they're doing, starting off with a um I don't remember the uh exercise science, I think was the exact name of it. They have a gym that anyone of our our schools would be would love to have in there with the workout equipment, but the students showed us how they do things, how they work with them also groups, how they teach other people. And they actually bring kids in from the other classes to work with them on that as they're moving forward at what their careers are

169going to be. Um occupational therapist is a is a freaking one. Um one of them was going to become a professional dancer. Another one was going to become a surgeon. He learned that from talking to other people, but from there um they challenged us to help them out, and I did do one one of the exercises, and I actually got it right. Um Then they moved us into an early education class, where they showed us and explained how they do some of the stuff there. And finally into a um I Sorry, I don't have the right name for it. A class where they were working on various um things that they would do in the real world. We actually were shown a little bit about sewing, but they have any number of other things they

170can do, similar to the the careers class and Facts. Thank you. That we used to teach in uh with that start in middle school, but goes on a little bit more advanced cuz we're in there longer than that. It was a great program. They also extended it for us so we could hang around a little bit more to see that the house that they're building outside, which will walk for auction this summer. They've been doing it for several years. Um they're fairly long on it. It was very interesting. The couple of students explained to us how they do the whole things. They actually built in two pieces that are combined together with a walkway down the middle. After it gets auctioned off, they take the walkway out. It gets shipped away in two parts and

171dropped on a foundation somewhere. It's pretty cool. How nice houses feel a bit out of house. They typically sell around 70 or 80 thousand dollars. And finally we had a safety mini committee meeting today where we're getting ready to start the annual safety program or our plan that we have to get updated and we'll be working on that over the next month or so. And that's it. Okay. Thank you. Amy. Um just real quick, um I would like to let everybody know it is one nothing. We are not in the lead. Um But more importantly One nothing. >> It is one nothing. Sorry. Okay. Um more importantly, a handful of the speakers tonight I've seen your work personally. Um I I know it. I know it well. Um I work at Damon in the education

172department. I also have three kids that have been through Sweet Home. Every single one of them has gone through the art program. One of them actually has artwork hanging in the art hall. The art program is very important to all of us up here. Um Both of my all three of my kids are are taking their creative journeys, I'll I'll call it. Um Well, two are employed, one is still in college, but they are all they are all using what they've learned here from our incredible teachers. Um The conversation around art classes is never easy. There is a lot that goes into that thought process. There are a lot of sleepless nights not only for Dr. Mr. Feldman and Dr. Genestri, but for us as a board, especially with our kids that have gone through

173this. Um So know that you're heard. Know that we hear you. We see you. Every single one of you. Um Doesn't go unnoticed. So keep speaking up. That's it. Kirk? I'll go along and add a little bit. Um not only are over the years and I I've been involved I have kids who have all gone through the school system. Um art, music, it seems like they come under attack in tough times. So, I understand and appreciate everything you're saying and doing. And and I'll let you know that um it's music specifically with one of my children was really saved his life. So, um all your comments has forced me to rethink what we do when it comes to budget and maybe take a harder look I hold myself to the standard to take a harder

174look at our priorities and the distribution, the equity equitable distribution on what courses you, the community, feel are most valuable to our students. So, that's what I got from you tonight. And so, I appreciate your comments. Um I have part of my role as a board member is to attend the Heritage Heights PTA once a month. So, I'll just give you a little bit of what happened there. Um part of their goals generally are increased communications with students, family, and faculty. So, again here your input is very valuable not only at this level, but even at the elementary building level. Increased parent involvement involvement in things which you're doing tonight. Please continue to do continue to do that. Uh we talked about uh STEM night, their cultural day night uh which was very successful. They're

175very proud of what happened that week uh that that day. Um they are planning for some upcoming events. Arthur visit teacher appreciation week, which they made me leave the room on that issue. So, we appreciate teachers, too. So, anyways, that's all I have. Thank you. Danny? Uh so, I don't think I got to report on this last month cuz I was traveling for work, but we did do a walk around at Glendale, um which was awesome. It's always awesome over at Glendale. That's my uh kids' home school, one of them anyway. Um I do want to say thank you for everyone that emailed. Um I gave it my best effort. I got like 20 emails in that I was able to reply, and then they just kept coming, and I got tired, and I have

176a day job, and I got all these kids to take care of, and I'm sorry that I didn't get to email everybody back individually, but the one thing that really just struck me as a former English teacher myself as I'm reading through these, and I'm like, everyone is so eloquent. So, like, there is a red thread between, you know, the visual and music arts and all of that kind of stuff and self-expression and being able to write. So, I thought that was just really awesome. Um couple of things just for cuz we're approaching the end of senior year for a lot of kids, my son included. Um he's a BOCES kid, so he goes to his program in the morning, and he only comes back to school a couple days a week to go to

177gym class. So, for anybody who's listening, if you have kids that are in that position, keep your eyes open because there's a lot happening between now and the end of the year. There's things to pick up, things to order, more things to order, stuff to do. There's just a lot um that the kids have to get done before graduation, so just, you know, keep an eye on that. Um also coming up for all the buildings is leadership day. So, if you have the opportunity to attend a leadership day at any of the buildings that your kids are in, I strongly encourage you to go. It is so much fun. The kids are so proud to show you their work. We've got middle school coming up on Friday, so I'm going to cry the whole time,

178and I'm very excited about it. Um yeah, it's the good stuff. It's the good stuff of them getting to to show us what they've been working on. So, that's all I got. Peter, if I may. Danielle mentioned that we visited Glendale last month, and I just want to throw a point in there while we're at it. Let's talk about constantly changing um registration at the school. Um Mr. Delaplane mentioned to us at that point when we came in that there was five new kids that week. That was early in May, or excuse me, early in Feb- uh March. >> [clears throat] >> All right. Yep, the only thing I um well, first of all, I appreciate everybody being here, but um and I and I will also uh agree if I agree with the how

179eloquent and articulate everybody were has been in their emails and in speaking, and you know, again, I think that just highlights how um much the creative element um impacts us in many other areas of our lives. Um the only other piece I'll mention is I attended a PTSA meeting at the middle school. Um they are looking for uh officers. So, if anybody here is interested, or at home, uh they are looking for some additional help. Are you looking at me? Definitely. Looking around. >> [laughter] >> Um okay. Uh so, again, I do reiterate I want to thank everybody for coming. Um as a high school participation in government teacher, I'm very impressed with your advocacy through emails, for coming up and speaking. Um especially the um the ones that I have hard time speaking, um

180who took the courage to come up there. I know that's not easy. Um I'm a Mary, I do I'm like you, I cannot draw a stick stick figure myself. Um I I do have uh my one my son oldest son graduated last year. Um he is more of an analytical kid, and he took a lot of um AP science and math that I could never do um either. Um but my daughter is a freshman and she is starting her foray into science next year. She's registered for one of the photography classes. So, um I I I understand where everybody was coming from and and I hope you um you know, understand our position and everything and and the work that that our district office has has put in um uh over this last week um

181based on your advocacy for the art program. So, um thank you for that. Um as for my information um I am Willow Ridge. They did not have a meeting in April because of the um spring break. So, we have a meeting I think the first week of May. Um I've attended actually attended my daughter's first softball game today. Uh they won 8-7 in eight innings today um on a walk-off single. So, congratulations to them. Um and that is it for me. So. Um all right. That leads us to our second open session. Um would anyone like to address the board? Same rules apply. Um you would have 3 minutes. Please state your name, address, and relationship to Sweet Home. Okay. Leads us to our personnel. Um may I have a motion and a second on

182personal I personnel items one, teaching and administrative and two, um service. So moved. Second. Okay. Um just so you know, we have our regular resignations re um appointments that Dr. Genestreti went through um earlier this evening, some substitute appointments, and for service um some retirements, resignations, um and appointments in in that area. So, all in favor on um our personnel. Aye. Aye. Okay, which leads us to the favorite part of the night, adjournment. So, may I have a motion and a second to adjourn the meeting. We do not need to go to executive session, so. Motion to adjourn. Second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Okay, and just as an update, there's 5 minutes to go in the second. Boston is up