001Okay. Good evening everyone. It is April 22nd. It's 535 and the board is opening, um, this meeting for the purpose of taking a motion to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of discussing the superintendent's annual evaluation and also the, um, employment status of particular individuals. No action will be taken. And we will return for our opening session at 630. So can I have a motion and a second to this item? Scott on the motion, those on the second. All those in favor. Motion passes five zero. Thank you. We. Okay. Good evening everyone. It is April 22nd and the board is returning to open session from Executive Session College. I coming back a little late. Um, so I just need a motion to open, uh, session. And a second later on, the motion was on
002the second. All those in favor? Motion passes seven zero. So we will open tonight's meeting, as we always do with the questions. You know, I mean, I know it's probably first since one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay. Starting with the first readers from India. Thank you. Last night, last Thursday. But April 10th. The Thursday before. Great. Under the leadership of our AML specialist in this Jamie Deanie Brewster hosted in Auburn, Visit Auburn is the regional bilingual education resource network, and several uh districts from both Putnam and Westchester attended. The visit focused on our bridges program at Brewster High School, which is a program for students who are new to the country and have limited school experience. Brewster High School has done a tremendous job adopting and building the program,
003which benefits many students, and as a result, many people have reached out to me wanting to learn more in action. In total, over 20 people attended the visit and I was lucky enough to be part of the debrief. The group was very impressed with what they saw, and very thankful for the opportunity to learn from such a strong model. And a tremendous thank you. Goes to Miss Jamie Gagne, Miss Nicole Bowler and the host of Teachers of Brewster High School who invited the group attendance. But thank you. Doctor him. Thank you. Just want to comment first. Just welcome everybody back from the break. Um, looking forward to attending the NHS induction ceremony on Thursday. Um, and also tomorrow. Thank you to Mrs. Carp and Zander and Miss Nielsen will be consulting with the future Academy.
004One focusing on using data to follow your instructions. Okay. Thank you. She calls it. Uh. Good evening. Uh, so last week was a busy week for construction, so there's a lot of work going on. I want to staff always break to be water in times. Sorry. Uh, so we're happy to hear that. Um, we did, uh, over the break. Also at the high school, the security vestibule is nearing completion. So, uh, been by the building. You'll see a lot going on, and I'll take you down to very long. So we're progressing to restore the original hallway to its, uh, original shape. And we expect it to be done a long time, uh, for our employees on on Tuesday, May 20th, um, which will take place Sunday at the center. Uh, um, we are going to
005have another project update as our church professionals go back and join us for, uh, rescheduling that for today. But we're hoping that we can incorporate, uh, boardwalk, as we had done in the past for some of the construction at that time before, uh, work, uh, session where we'll, uh, again, we'll be doing arbitration. So again Tuesday, May 20th, uh, we're looking forward to that. And I'll reserve the remainder of our comments about that. Okay. Thank you. You really could see that there was, I think, got a lot of work done last week, like no one's around. It was noticeable. Yeah, that's that's, um, the progress. So we'll share those. Okay. Great. All right, Doctor rush. Yes. Thank you. Two comments. Uh, first has to do with the DC trip for this year. Um, the board's
006aware that there has been some back and forth, uh, and planning the upcoming trip, uh, in a situation where we had some students waitlisted. So, uh, thanks to the diligence of Mr. Rodriguez, we are thrilled to report that all students are on the waitlist are now able to. So we look forward to you that. There we go. Um. It's rigorous class. Um, it's waiting to hear the other two. Um, the, uh, we have a couple of national appreciation days this week. Um, today is happy National bus driver appreciation day. That was. An opportunity for us to thank our drivers for their hard work and dedication to safety. Tomorrow is Administrative Assistance Day, so it's a chance for us and the group that helps keep us running smoothly on a daily basis, and for their ongoing
007care and dedication to our students and staff. We greatly appreciate the contribution both of these groups and recognize the essential roles of play. And then finally, we have some late breaking news for our nurses magazine. That's the high school's literary magazine. We just learned this afternoon that we have been recognized nationally as a realm first class magazine, and the contest is highest honor by the National Council of Teachers of English and CTU for their January 2024 publication. So this was, uh, was pretty cool. Um, there were 46 states and five countries nominated, 422 magazines total, 125 were selected. And we, uh, were received the highest level of award in this elite category. So this club went back to Covid times. Um, and the students and advisors saw that some of the graduates who were part
008of the club. Uh, back during the pandemic, were never able to put their work into print. Um, so what they did in January 2024 was do a combined, uh, piece, which they called the pandemic issue, um, which, um, helped to bring the alumni pieces together along with current students. Um, the second accomplishment with this was how it is distributed, typically, um, it is, uh, you know, purchased. And so circulation can be limited. Um, but the students really wanted and, uh, advisors wanted to do something different. So they came up with the idea of putting it in as an insert in, um, the index. Um, so it was easily accessible to students, parents and communities, and it's at the deli and anywhere else that we'll take it. So we congratulate, congratulate all the students involved as
009well as former advisors, uh, Caitlin and Robert, our graduations, this great success. Okay, I am just going to speak again. So our, um, pledge your vote on May 20th about the resolution that will be on that ballot. And that resolution relates to our capital improvement projects, which has two phases. The first phase is the high school security vestibule that we just heard is almost done. The CV Star Capital Torium, which is, uh, work has begun on our new track and turf field, which they're also working on. And then phase two includes the field house and renovations to existing space to the Stem lab and the JROTC program. Um, very pleased to say that phase one is under budget, and the district has about $6.1 million in surplus. And those surplus funds are maintained in a
010capital reserve account. Um, phase two looks like it's going to be about $4.2 million over budget. And this budget deficit is due to a host of reasons, most of which are outside of the district's control. And we are very fortunate, due to, um, excellent financial planning, that we are able to address the budget deficit in phase uh, two by using the funds that are remaining for phase one. Um, all we need to do that is to get the community to approve, um, the resolution that is on the ballot. Um, that um, the district, the community approved the use of those funds initially. And now, because we want to transfer them, we need your approval again. Um, it is just a transfer of funds from one account to another. There is no tax levy on those
011funds. There is no additional bond. No additional cost to the community for transferring those funds. Um, so again, if anyone has any questions on this, um, we encourage you to send an email to the board at [email protected] or to our budget email, which is budget at Brewster schools.org. And just ask whatever questions you have. Um that resolution is separate from the budget vote. Um, that, you know, the capital improvement project was and the bonds for that were approved. Um, right. So if you have any questions on that, please reach out to us. We'd be happy to answer them. And now we will move on to contents. Um, I know we've all seen some of the noise on social media. Um, the votes a month away, and there's already a lot of people like, oh, you
012know, it's not a zero thing. Like, we have to figure out an effective way of being able to say, that's not the budget. There's your budget that's isolated. And then these things are it's just a budget shift. And extend this a lot and listen, oh, you know what? What's going to happen. People usually focus for the budget and stuff like that. But I think there just has to be some communication back out there. You know, like about this I know we all talk here. We, we, we have our dialog here. But people are not necessarily hearing that. So what other tactics can we do to we want that proposition switch to be successful. What can we do about that from a more formal communication? Not in newspapers because people don't read newspapers, really. It has
013to be something else that gets that gets out to the curmudgeons and the naysayers that are saying, oh, it's a switch. It's not. And I'm the first one that will say, oh God, this is this is no good. This is just I have too much money here and too money, too little money there. I didn't mean to switch it. How can we make certain that this is done effectively within the next 30 days, so that we don't have a surplus and a gap that doesn't get approved? I mean, we can, you know, I would suggest doing something on social media. I mean, we can. You know, I saw the same. Um, no. It's misinformation. Yeah. Um, so he's quite blunt and, um, you know, so I think the best, the most, the best reach is
014always through social media. Um, so maybe a, uh, short, something short with blurbs and, yes, you know. Yes. And you're going to get slaughtered like people are going to come out and be like, what is that? What is that? Right. You need to just go out there and quell the misinformation and say like, hey, you know, myth versus attack, whatever it is. But there has to be something, you know, because I'm I'm have confidence that that's not right. I play it's we we have, um, we have a plan. Um, we've recorded a clip which is being edited by voices that will be pushing out on social media. We have open forums, plan B, pom cards that are being printed. Um, we went to native to um, through rotary and one, the Chamber of Commerce, um,
015Thursday night. And we'll continue our blitz throughout the next 30 days. It's a full court press for sure. And the PTA are they're great at the ones coming up and being like, actually and stuff like that. So they're very good supporters of that. So I would also make certain that the PTA is there because they are all over that kind of stuff out there. Um, and even look through the things, look for your supporters because they're going to be the ones that are like, actually, if you looked at the board meeting from this date. So there are some people that are trying to dispel, but you just need a larger, um, platform and megaphone to announce it. And the district should have a voice in it, in my opinion. And also, you know, social media
016is an effective way to get out to many, many people. And also just being aware not everybody has it. So we need to try and also have news to get out. So thank you. Okay, Sebastian. You're up. Thank you so much. Um, so these past two weeks, congratulations to Brewster High School and JROTC cadets. Sophie Sophie on the Rocha and Dorian Simoneau, who competed in the 2025 Palmetto Marksmanship Competition in Clemson, South Carolina. Sophia placed first, securing a trip to the pair of sport nationals this summer, and Dorian plays second week. Uh, the junior prom will be held, uh, this Thursday, April 22nd, at 6 p.m. at the Grand Island. Poughkeepsie. The college admissions panel will be held on April 23rd at 6:30 p.m. The National Honor Society induction ceremony will be held on April
01724th at 915 in the park. Uh, the Best Senior Prom Project parent meeting will be held virtually on April 28th at 630, and in person on April 29th at 8:30 a.m. Uh. The best band and orchestra concert will be held on April 30th, starting at 6:30 p.m. in the park. Um, at Wells. There was a Washington, D.C. parent meeting on April 23rd at uh, 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium. The New York State 638 math exam is on April 29th and 30th, with makeup days on May 1st and May 2nd. The New York State Science exam is on May 5th, with makeups on May 6th. The sixth grade parent night for incoming sixth grade families is on May 5th at 6 p.m. in the Wells Middle School auditorium. Uh, curriculum Night for Writing Something New for
018families is on May 12th at 6:30 p.m. as well. Uh, city star has uh, New York state examinations taking place over the next few weeks. The Ila examination will be administered tomorrow and Thursday. The science examination will be on April 30th. The math exam will take place on May 7th and eighth and are NYS. NYS s Lat exams will be held on May 12th, 13 and 14. I think there might be a quicker way to say I see slot one. Nice nice a slot exam. Do you think? Um, our fourth grade, uh, concert will be held on May 6th, featuring our band and orchestra participants. And we're excited for the Steam Expo on May 15th, featuring student innovations and inventions, uh, as well as incredible artwork. And our Lion King production will be held on
019May 16th at JFK. Uh, they raised $10,296.35 for the Kids Heart Challenge and American Challenge program. This support makes a tremendous impact in helping millions of Americans through increased awareness in cardiovascular issues, lifesaving scientific research, and critically needed education efforts. Thank you to all our clubs and their families. Alissa Sally Baluchi, author of The famous Biscuit Box, will be visiting our kindergarten students on April 29th. We can't wait to meet her and hear about her journey to becoming an author. The second dual language information session for families will be held on April 30th. Thank you to Jamie Denny for leading this session to give families important information regarding the dual language program. Thank you. All right. Thank you. Sebastian. All right. We'll move on to presentations, recognition and discussion. Number 120 2526 budget presentation, budget
020adoption. Mr. cross. Gosh. District. Okay. Good evening. So I'm going to take a majority of the presentation. In the last few weeks I'm sure sitting outside of London Underground present. Um, so here we are tonight. Uh, uh. But you should we find ourselves in a similar position as we have the past? I believe it is six years. I read something like this, for I believe it's been six years in a row where the state has failed to enact a long time budget. Um, so they've been, uh, providing or approving budget extenders on a one week basis, and their last, uh, budget extender expired actually today. So I believe that they've, uh, extended it once again. They've not yet adopted our inactivated budget. Uh, so this is a similar circumstance that we find ourselves in. And
021unfortunately, again, like most years, most of the issues that are being negotiated are not related to education. We don't anticipate any significant changes to education as the board is required to adopt this budget this year. So again, this is uh, now our presentation, um, uh, revenue budget will provide, uh, presented in detail in February. Um, so our total, uh, revenue budget $123.8 million, an increase of 4.3 million, or 3.56%, and comprised of each of these, uh, smaller components of our tax levy was an increase of 1.1 million, or 1.28%. Again, as we discussed our tax cap. So the state's benchmark formula resulted in a, uh, an increase of 4.15%. We were able to, uh, knock that number down to 1.28%. Local sources, uh, increase, uh, 38%. Um, excuse me, uh, for 1.2 million. Uh, the
022primary reason for that increase is an increase in our inter fund transfer from our debt service fund that's being used to offset an increase in our that service payments as we move forward, uh, with our borrowings, completing our our capital construction project. State and federal aid is the biggest budget driver. So we received an incredible $3.1 million, uh, over the past year, representing nearly a 10% increase in that, uh, revenue budget component. So that allowed us really to, uh, limit the increase in the tax levy. And then the portion of our savings that we rely on to balance our budget each year. Uh, we've actually reduced that number down, and that allows us to keep more money available to us in the future. And that really provides us additional protections, especially with, uh, the concerns
023that we have with the availability of federal aid in future. I'll turn over to Doctor Ghosh to discuss our staffing recommendations. Okay. Thank you. So our approach to the budget this year, uh, through rightsizing and reallocating, implementing strategic interventions and moving forward vision 2026 and program expansion has led us to make the following staffing recommendations that we've discussed in detail in previous meetings. Beginning with JFK, uh, we see, uh, reduction of at the rolling phase in first grade, uh, second rate reduction that is based on a model shift that we see an increase in the pre-K section to be reminded that that is largely offset by the UK grant that we receive from from the state. Uh, we have, uh, 1.0 increase due to IEP mandated for a small class action at JFK. Uh, and
024then we're proposing, in order to make sure we move forward with our strategic interventions, uh, math interventionists, uh, um, at JFK as well. And we spoke in previous meetings about a need for coaches or certified occupational therapy assistants. Those will be, uh, student facing individuals who we work under supervision, um, and another team who can provide direct services, just not to the assessment that will be largely offset by us imposing students. We want to see these are we see um, enrollment based reductions in, uh, grades three and four. Uh, we're recommending a math interventionist for the, uh, for CTE star as well. Uh, and similar to what we mentioned at JFK in terms of a coda, um, a better use of funds, largely offset by our Boces spending or quasi savings, I should say. Um,
025for middle school this year, we had a vacancy, uh, a math teacher on special assignment, and we did not fill that position. We're not recommending that it be felt moved forward in the social studies retirement and, uh, which we are not asking to be filled. And we're going to talk to 0.6 reduction in math in our middle school for a net negative of, uh, 2.6 FTE at the high school. And this is where we go to the exciting program expansion. We're looking to build on the success of our CTE programs at the middle school and high school. Um, with a, um, an additional CTE teacher. Um, we are also looking forward to being able to implement some shadowing and internship opportunities and helping to build that framework for work based learning. Coach. Um, this again,
026this is roughly aligned to our vision 2026. Uh, we have also discussed the need for a bilingual speech therapist. Um, some of this will be offset, uh, due to, uh, the spending that we have currently through Boces when we have to do bilingual delegations. Uh, but this is, uh, most likely be denied if you mandate. And then finally, um, we announced directional, uh, recommendation of the confidential secretary here. Uh, and human resources department of the district office. So with all that said, all that movement, um, all those shifts. Um, we are looking for a total net of 2.0 instructional positions and some of those being offset to any advice for transfer by a shift in savings from both spending and, uh, 1.0, not instructional. Uh, so with that, uh, our expenditure budget in summary. So
027we've presented each of these, um, in smaller, uh, smaller forms throughout the budget hesitation process. So obviously, our largest investment, uh, increases in instruction, an increase of $2.7 million in that area. Um, uh, most of the other categories remain pretty, uh, consistent with prior years. Uh, but I did want to point out again, the, uh, some relief that we had this year with respect to our employee benefits budget. So if you look at that line alone, uh, it's the second largest component outside of instruction. And we were fortunate enough that we had a limited decrease in our employee benefits budget. Uh, that really just limited that increase overall, uh, to just 0.9%. So that really provided some relief on the expenditure side of our budget. Uh, I just mentioned earlier in terms of, uh, our
028debt payments, you see a slight increase in our debt, even about half million dollars. That was, um, completely offset by the increase on the revenue side of our budget I spoke about earlier. The other fund transfer from the debt service. Uh, inter-club transfers, as they relate to our summer special ed program in the same, uh, no increase in our total expenditure budget 123.8 million, an increase of 4.3 million, or 3.56%. So on Tuesday, May 29th, you'll see on the ballot. Uh, he's kind of him describes proposition one as our annual general fund. Okay. This is a completely separate from our archival project. So about 823,000,008 36 521, 3.56% increase in the tax levy associated with that, 83,000,006 81 521, an increase of 1.28%. Uh, the proposed budget has been posted on our website since our
029our last budget presentation. And still vote for you. And then proposition two. Uh, again, this is exactly as it will appear on the ballot. So we just wanted to allow folks to be able to familiarize ourselves with the, uh, with this language. Um, but essentially the most important thing is to know there's no additional funding required. This is just a transfer. There's no tax levy, in fact, no further use of the capital reserve and no borrowing. It's simply reallocating funds already approved from Project one to projects. Some of these slides you've seen before are just a show. Um. Uh, where we stood and where we stand now with respect to our, our meeting, uh, project. So this is the phase one portion of our budget, which is great. Uh, because as you can see, bottom
030line, we're about $6.1 million of a surplus with our prop one budget, so that's great. So we do have an opportunity to reallocate some of those funds pending voter approval to our proposition two budget. Uh, so this slide remains unchanged. However, we do have, uh, updated information as we did hold the bid opening for, uh, for prop two. So we're pleased to announce that although it is slightly more than our original $19 million budget, uh, the bid amounts came in less than the $23.2 million estimate. So we we haven't had an opportunity to finalize those yet. Our construction team is still performing its due diligence with the lowest bidders and will be, uh, providing recommendations to the Board of Education for coming months. Uh, provided, uh, we do have an opportunity to transfer those funds.
031So the timing of this, which would work is such that, um, we would ask for the, uh, community's approval. On Tuesday, May 20th, we present to the, uh, the board that evening, uh, with our construction professionals, uh, providing an update. And then a week later, once, uh, hopefully, we have community approval will be an award. All those contracts, uh, for the, uh, fieldhouse structure. Uh, and here's an example of the revenue side or the funding sources of the capital projects. Obviously, on the left hand side, it's showing our original thinking back in March of 2023. And then on the right side is an example of, uh, what we would be asking the community for approval for. So, uh, that, uh, middle Bar Capital Reserve fund proceeds is really what we're discussing here. Um, so in
032our original proposal, we would ask that $12 million be used exclusively for the proposition one or phase one projects and $0 be approved for the, uh, proposition two or phase you. Yes. So we already moved that $12 million into the capital fund project? Yes. And that's if we had and we could then put it up as just a capital reserve fund transfer versus a fund. The whole the whole capital project. Yes, we could do that. But then we'd be authorizing some number of more than 12 million, which we don't need to do. So. So that's why it's being presented as a transfer of funds already committed as opposed to additional funds. Okay. Um, so again, on the right hand side is an example of, um, what we would likely propose, uh, a transfer of, uh,
033or a, I should say a reallocation of that 12 million, 8 million to the phase one project, 4 million to phase two project. Uh, and we believe that that would allow us to award contracts and get all of the, um, you know, all of the project done, as we'd hoped to do again back in March of 2023. So we in total, will continue to remain within our total overall $83 million budget. However, the allocation of the capital reserve proceeds, uh, would need to be, uh, changed. Um, so with that, again, this is, uh, this presentation is really just a culmination of of everything that we, uh, provided up until this point. So that's why it's shorter than usual. Um, our next budget presentation is the informational budget hearing on Tuesday, May 13th, followed by the
034annual budget vote. Trustee election. Doctor Marshall, I just want to talk on to other friends neighbors throughout this month. Let's get out and vote on Tuesday, May 20th. If you're just having a conversation, uh, at rotary, um, the frustration of voter turnout, that's not unique to Brewster. It's a really a statewide issue. I blame the tax kind of on that, because a lot of people, you know, just they've done it with tax cuts. I mean, they cannot do anything. Um, and then there's also apathy. I was describing my own personal circumstance. I'm sure that I have, uh, a baseball game, a softball game and a lacrosse game all that night. So it's it is hard to get out and vote, but we hope that, um, everyone can find the time to come up, uh, with
035all of our presentations, of course, uh, up on our website. And so, uh, please take a look at our budget website as well as, uh, the meeting videos of, uh, can look at those as well as email us at budget office or school stock work. It's, um. You go back to slide six. Um, the what's going to be shown up? Showing up on the propositions? Yeah. So not the bottom. Not the bottom bullets. The bottom of the bottom bullets or not there. It'd be nice if they were sweet, but you can't. Why you do that? Uh, this is a legal requirement. All right, but we have the incentive, which is no longer necessary to pay the estimated. We have the ability to change this language, to make it more clear for someone walking in without
036any knowledge and say, this is just a budget to budget transfer of funds that have already been pre-approved. We can provide them with additional like plain language which which we will have available. And this has been helping us with, uh, preparing our card to have available. But in terms of the, you know, official language, this is what our, um, council is recommending. Go ahead. Yeah. All right. I would definitely like to. People always turn up and they're like, oh, what is this? And then they read it and then it's not clear. But if having some sort of one sentence, it's like, oh, great. But in addition to this we will have available on card. And that puts in plain language and obviously stresses though those four bullets, which are the things that matter most to
037people. What do I need? What do I need to know and how is the shooter affect me? Those four bullets. Explain that. And and the thing I can't because you and I have done battle in the past on net. Uh, this is a net neutral. And I was like, no, it's not because of this, this next step. In this case, all you're doing is a budget transfer. It's it's transfer budget. And making certain that people understand we are not permitted to just move money willy nilly. We have to get approval. It's just a budget transfer like that has to be the language used as a budget. And we'll also once, once we have our party materials available, which we should be getting soon. Uh, because as we go on, as doctor mentioned, as we go
038out, because we are meeting with community groups, uh, we're going to have these available for any that will certainly, uh, you know, provide them to, um, you know, our athletic teams or our clubs. So when they're out, um, even, you know, some of our local vendors will ask if we can, uh, we've done with them just in just to get the word out. Will, uh, Karen Square, uh, information out, independent of anything else? These will be standalone. Uh, Doctor Ghosh mentioned we we recorded a short video that we butchered for a little bit, and hopefully with some enhanced editing, it can become a coherent, uh, video that gets sent out again, a short, you know, short clip, because people have short attention spans, understandably. Uh, but in addition to, you know, the video on cards,
039parents, where we are going to do all those things because we do recognize that this from the outside, appears very confusing. What what is happening? Um, so we want to do our best to make sure that we get enough and dispel rumors and also provide clarity what we're what we're asking. Okay, now I'm going to go on a couple of other things. So, um, I know we're voting on this tonight. And, you know, the one thing that I don't want to do is derail, um, all of the good work on your first year, uh, of of doing this. So I'm, I'm, I'm saying that at the onset, um, I think there are things. So one, let me ask you the question. This question, I know it's not for a little bit more time, but how
040much like the current budget. What are you what are you guys estimating as you look towards the end of year? Like are you going to have overage. Yeah we actually so so this evening is one of the action. Oh I got and then yeah there's the uh property tax report card. Okay. Uh and I believe it was uh, 1.3 surplus but also providing some context to that. So if you recall, we received, uh, I want to say 900 and something thousand dollars a check for the island Brewster plastic settlement that was expected. So. So with some, you know, context. Uh, sure. Yeah. This year we are going to have a surplus, but it's almost entirely related to, uh, received that nobody had planned for it. So our goal is to always operate a break even
041some years for operating deficit. Not a significant. But we also don't want to for, you know, giant surpluses every year. It's and when we do, we make sure that we apply them to reserves specifically the capital reserve, which has been a godsend when we received all of our unexpected, uh, Covid money. And we wanted to set that aside to offset future tax payments, which we did, um, with our finance committee several years ago. Okay, you guys figure out who 2.6 or 0.5, you get benefits. Um, anything below point eight, you, um, you get benefits and you paid a proportionate share about anything above overhead and you spend anything above point. So okay, so that point six, um, the, um, the learning coach, they wouldn't get benefits or they'll even be a split individual. So be
0421.0 split across roles. Okay. So they wouldn't be a full on point. Um, next year you're not going to have the interest because part of your revenue stream this year we've been. Fortunate for your interest, but because we have so many loans coming out or also theoretically might pay, I don't know if those interest rates come down later than bank interest rates. Do you expect that you're going to have lower interest rates on the bonds, or because they will be so issued a little bit later? Yeah. So so every year our, um, uh, fiscal advisor is meeting with our finance committee, usually in December. Um, and they obviously know what's going on in the bond market. They're selling bonds every week. Um, so they're monitoring, uh, our models always obviously a little more conservative. So
043I think even on the onset, we've, we chose like a 3.5% serial bond rate. And that was three years ago. It's kind of above it. Down below it. Okay. Just branch rate. And we think that we're actually hoping that we're going to be able to ride the wave and actually find ourselves in a better situation. And that's actually how, uh, the 2014 bond play out. Uh, interest rates on on bonds actually came down very well when it came time to actually sell that, uh, what you did in, um, uh, I want to say was late 18 or early 2019. So we actually sold it from much lower than the model that we were using to allows us to see across the community. We're hoping to be able to run that wave again. Okay. Um, so
044again, these are my hesitations, and I've said them before, but I want to go on record for them. My hesitations are I expect next year you're going to need to fill more positions to fill, uh, things that we're doing this year, um, on buildings and creating a CTE program, a more robust CTE program, and all of these things. So my worry is going back to the, well, too many times, even after and, uh, the, uh, the $83 million proposition last year, now we can say like low impact of, of the bond of the, uh, tax levy all we want. But to me, as a taxpayer of New York, where you get tax out the wazoo, I'm still paying New York state taxes that are coming up with the 3 million that they're giving us. So
045I'm paying when we go up, no matter what, whether it's coming from New York State or it's our tax levy. So when we look at that, we are increasing our budget. We're getting a lot of state funded aid, which is awesome. But we're also going up again in that we have things that I, I, I love how you guys went through and said, we have people, you know, retiring that we don't need to fill. We have things go buy things, go up and down. I still think that there was more that we could have done to be able to trim some fat, and whether it be reexamining K through to, uh, laptops and like to every kid 1 to 1. And the reason why I also say this is not to shortchange these kids, but
046we're also seeing evidence of these children not having fine motor skills because they are walking around with Chromebooks, uh, not books with, uh, iPads when they're, uh, 18 months old. So we're already seeing like, I'm not worried about their digital literacy because they're getting handed one at, uh, when, when they turn 12 months and are sitting in a restaurant and so forth. So do we now have to reconfigure what we think is appropriate, uh, to be able to make certain that we're, we're of course, correcting and these kids are getting the fine motor skills and all of the other things that they need. And maybe that actually winds up being a lower expense for us because we don't need a 1 to 1, um, computer in the classroom. Or again, one of the things I'm
047concerned about is we have the expectation that we're going to have higher, um, special ed outplacement costs next year, but we're also adding, uh, special ed teacher, even though we are dropping down in the number of kids that we're going to have, we're staying on a steady rate of 14% on the number of kids that have, uh, special needs. But so that that's that static number, I understand placement and all those things. But that's exactly what you guys did in that chart of like, oh, we took down here. We went up there like so those are remain my concern for us to be able to get $3 million from the state and then still go out and ask the community for more is a really big concern of mine. I do not want to, in
048Michelle's first year, be like, you know what, I don't have the faith because I do. I have so much faith in Michelle and leading this team, but I still think and so I encourage you guys every year, and I know we go through this every year, and next year I will be hanging around and be like, hey, Victor, a Victor. But like, those are the things that you really need to be like other things that we could shave do. We no longer need this. You did some of it. I still think that there were a couple of things that really could have done, so that we got under 1%, that we were able to demonstrate that to the community, because there is a lot of noise. And if you take out tax levy altogether. We
049went up $4 million. And that's a lot for, uh, you know, a community such as ours, $4 million is is a lot, um, in an unknown time. So I just wanted to go on record with that. You guys don't have to respond to that. But I do think that, you know, those are definitely, um, their main concerns. Um, anyone else have any questions? Comments? Okay. Thank you very much. All right. So we will now move to our, um, first opportunity for public remarks. Um, these remarks should be limited to our action items on the agenda tonight, which are very few. There's three of them. So if anyone has any remarks you'd like to make relating to an action item, we just ask that you make your way to the podium, that you state your name.
050You direct all of your comments to the board. Every speaker has three minutes to make whatever remarks you'd like to make, and we ask that you not identify any staff or students in your comments. So if anyone has any public remarks you'd like to make, please make your way to the podium. Seeing no in person remarks. We also did not get any emails about our action items, so we will move on to action items. Action item number one approval of the Boces administrative Budget and election of board members for 20 2526. Yes. So this is a procedure resolution presented annually to each of 18 component districts, um, under Putnam, Northern Westchester Boces, seeking approval of the administrative portion of the budget. The Boces administrative budget simply reflects the baseline of services provided by PNW, Boces
051as a whole. Serving all components school districts receive proportionate share is just 50 uh $566,000 out of the total $11.6 million. I'm sorry. I'm. Yeah. Uh, all of a sudden, my numbers are. Get. Sorry. Uh, Bruce's proportionate share is just $580,000. Out of the total $12.1 million posted budget um, uh Boces wide, which is an increase of 2.5% year over year. And further, each component school district is asked to vote for the candidates running for two vacant seats on the board. No more than one person residing in a particular component school district may be elected to serve on the PNW Boces board at the same time. So, for example, you couldn't have two members from the late one school district on the Boces board, so there are two candidates each running unopposed and each representing
052their school districts. It's not that. You here. Okay. Thank you. Can I have a motion a second for this item? It's got a motion simply on a second. Any questions or comments? Seeing none. We'll go to the vote. All those in favor? Motion passes seven zero. Action. Item number two. Approval of a 20 2526 budget for submission to a vote of the public on May 20th, 2025. A 20 2526 property tax report card and see 20 2526 schedule of reserves. Yes. So these are annual reporting requirements mean obviously the annual school budget vote public. Um, and as well as the uh property tax report card, which shows budget budget comparisons and reserve usage, uh, these documents become part of the budget statement which is prepared in early May against the budget here. Okay. Thank you.
053I have a motion and a second to this item. John on the motion was on the second. Any questions or comments? I would just like to say that, you know, putting this budget together is a colossal effort, which much of which I know you undertake better, but also, um, principles, building principles, the district office, teachers, everyone is involved in that. And we do appreciate the effort that goes into that. Um, so thank you for that. Anyone else have any remarks? Okay. Seeing none, we'll go to the vote. All those in favor? Motion passes seven zero. Action. Item number three. Acceptance of donation a DHS Cyber Outside side box from first priority and being fare essentials from the Extended Family and Ace and Taco. The district would like to express their sincere gratitude for the continued
054support of our community partners. Their generosity has greatly benefit our programs, students and community. Cyber bots recently received a $255 donation from the first and Bears Essentials received donations of food, hygiene items and paper goods from East and Dako and the extended family. These contributions are invaluable to build our students and career. Great. Thank you. And the motion a second for this item. Jamie on the motion. Scott on the second. Any questions or comments? Seeing none, we'll go to the vote. All those in favor? Motion passes seven zero. Um, moving on to the consent agenda, doctor. Uh, yes. I'd like to recognize Melina. Santa Maria, who'll be retiring next May. Uh, as a school bus mother after 34 years of service in district five. That will. So just want to take a moment to recognize
055a moment that it's a long time. Appreciate your service. That's amazing. Can I have a motion and a second? Jamie on the motion to be on the second. Any questions or comments? Seeing none. We'll go to the vote. All those in favor? Motion passes seven zero. And just like that, we were at our second opportunity for public remarks. So once again, if anyone has any public remarks they'd like to make, this is not relating to that action item. We just ask that you go to the podium, state your name. Every speaker has three minutes to make whatever remarks they'd like to make. Then we just ask that you direct your remarks to the board and not identify any students or staff in your comments. Hi, my name is Tracy Jones, and I just wanted to,
056uh. Um, I just I had a few comments in regards to the 1.28, uh, 8% tax levy. Um. I think my questions, um, are pretty, um, general in terms of. Um, uh, first question being, um, I was wondering how the district can be certain that no homeowners, um, taxes will increase, uh, based on, um. The information you have. Um, just with some general research I did to see a lot of, uh, buzz and noise online this weekend. And I took it upon myself to try to investigate how that could impact individual homeowners. And if your property taxes are reassessed at a higher value, then yes, potentially you could see a moderate increase in taxes minor to moderate increase in taxes. So I understand. Well, most likely, um, no homeowners. I say that most homeowners may
057not see, uh, property tax increase. Um, there is, uh, marginally, uh, small possibility that certain homeowners could see a property tax increase even at the 1%, 1.28%. Um. I don't, you know, uh, I try to follow along with the presentations and, you know, try to ignore a lot of the buzz online, but, uh, I, I was interested in, um, how that statement that. No, there's no impact across the board, you know, how what what sort of certainty is behind that based on data that was made available to the folks, uh, running the show? Uh. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah. Okay. Do you want to? Yeah. Yeah. I just I just wanted to make clear that at no point did we indicate that the properties, our homeowner's property tax would not go up as a result
058of this budget. Um, I believe maybe. What, uh, what may have been referenced with the capital projects proposition to. Yeah, the capital project. Um, proposition one or phase one project budget. That was a tax neutral capital project budget, which is completely separate and apart from the annual general fund school budget, though. It's a really I know because they're both referred to as proposition eight. Proposition one. So. So I would have been better described as saying phase one capital project budget as opposed to general. And I'm sure this is my fear, is that people the confusion is real and that people are going to be like, no, the budgets. The school district is saying there's no increase. And then you see the 1.28 and there is an increase 100%. There is a budget increase of 1.28%.
059Correct. Separately, we're doing a budget transfer on the capital project that is just moving money from one account to the other. That's a zero. There's nothing happening there, but there are two different messages and people are quoting. School districts did 1.28 increase, but they said they weren't going to do anything. So when you use that budget it confuses everything. So yeah, the capital reserve in the accounts and moving it from one account to be account that the monies are right there. Right. You shifting the money. And these two concepts are completely separate, you know, from each other. And then you have the school like this. It's complex. Yeah, I really am. So I am only referring to the 1.28% tax levy. Um, homeowners tax rates is up for a variety of reasons. I am not
060referring to, uh, anything like that, just strictly. What I'm trying to understand here is, um, is there there's language on the presentation that say no tax increase and no impact. And, uh, I, I don't think I'm unclear, um, based on anything I read how that can be, um, from using, using terms, you know, uh, broad terms, like. Yeah, just, you know, no, no tax increase or no impact. So I was wondering if the board and doctor. Gosh, you you may have referenced this earlier. You you listed out, you said there's going to be video. It's going to be some kind of card. Uh, perhaps um, there's a format, uh, that's a very simple, easy to understand language about what it means. No impact to a home. Uh, you know, you own property to taxpayers. What
061that truly means, um, just where the 1.28% is concerned. Um, I think I still, after the presentation, I find myself slightly confused, and I don't want to refer to, uh, social media. You know, that's not the right place to try to get facts. Um, so anything that you could put out publicly on the district website just, uh, very concise, easy to follow, easy to understand statements. I think that would be very helpful. Thank you. Thank you. Um. For words. On budget and like a of of the two propositions there's seven words and fund budget is four. So it's literally like. Um, okay. So we did not receive any emails, um, since our last meeting. So we will move on, um, to, um, any board remarks or BOE committee updates, anyone? Okay. I just have one
062comments. So thank you for acknowledging the bus drivers, but I was informed that admin Day is on the calendar. Bus driver Appreciation Day is not so much for next year, so it would be great. Do you have something going on? I. Just want to comment that, um, also it's called Monitors Appreciation Day as well. Um, or in the transportation portion of that. So this is the. Yes. Okay. We're going to need a bigger conglomerate. Not just one, but um, and so, um, I would love that. I will not be running this this year. So I just feel that, um, it's time for somebody else to take this seat. Thank you, thank you. Um. Anyone else have any remarks to make? Okay, so. Oh. I'm sorry. Go ahead. I'm sorry. I have to wait a bit
063as well. Um. There's a lot of stuff coming off. This weekend is Earth Day. There's a contest currently going on at the town of South Base in the village of Brewster on signage actually the school is involved in, and people can sign up for all kinds of other information on Saturday. Uh, Sea Park is putting on the autism walk. Actually, foster high fives from 11 to 2. I'll see the rain overnight in the morning. Uh, but that is out the walk this morning. On that day. Um, the next day is Bob Arbor Day, which goes back to Bob Palmer, single handedly putting flags on the grave of every veteran of Putnam County. Well, and by the time you get to nine, did you realize he couldn't do it anymore? And he said he decided to
064let you know 60 other people. But that is on Sunday. And all of the Scout groups, the Girl Scouts, the Boy Scouts, any number of groups of 4 or 5 will be there. If anybody has an extra time. I believe it's 9:00 at Motown Cemetery. 12:00 is just the same old cemetery. Um, looking for information on the pom cards. I've spoken to Patterson, southeast and the village, and they're all willing to put out information. I would say probably the same ten people that get everybody else, but they are willing to put out any information we have. And I've spoken to civic groups and the Elks, some other groups that would be willing to have information available as soon as possible. So if the board and the district would like that, I would be sure to
065make these get these items out. Um, at the Patterson meeting. Um, so now I'm told that the superintendent in Carmel came and given a very beautiful budget presentation, and they were pointing out that this had deferred to leaning on, uh, transportation within a mile. It's not required because you don't get a they are working with folks, and I think putting in the much Chester that there is some type of grant or funding where you can get that fund. So now Carmel is looking to do transportation within the one mile because they're going to get outside resources for that. So if that is something that is true and that's something we can look into. I know, um, Mary Smith sits on the Patterson board, so I'm sure she might have some of the information we could
066work with or not, but any source of additional revenue to help offset it all and help the district be helpful. We help them for as long as they don't give us some information. And, um. All right. Thanks. Go. Okay. Um, upcoming meetings. Our next meeting is May 13th. And then you also heard us talk about May 20th. It looks like we'll be having a work session to discuss our, um, capital projects status. Work sessions are open to the public. So if anybody wants to attend, they are more than welcome to do so. But our next regular meeting is May 30th. As always, if you have any remarks that you'd like to share with the board and superintendent, you can do so by sending an email to Bowie at Brewster School Board and the board. Um,
067I, we will be going into executive session just so we can finish up, uh, our prior executive session. So I need a motion to adjourn executive session for the purpose of discussing the superintendent's annual evaluation. Uh, Jamie on the motion. Cynthia and second. All those in favor? Motion passes, seven zero. No action will be taken in. Exactly. We will not be returning to open session. Thank you. Have a good night. And good.