001Call the meeting to order. Stand for the pledge. 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. Justice for all. >> Okay, this time, Mr. Russell, budget presentation, you're up. >> Wow, that was quick. Okay, >> you did. Okay. So, we'll go through this relatively quickly because we discussed it at the budget workshop. I haven't changed the final number since then. Uh you guys have copies of the budget in front of you. The the full budget. Um for this year, we are increasing the budget 2.45%. Uh it's 499,41. That's right in line with inflation. You'll see your property tax cap report card. Um which I give a copy to everybody. Uh inflation last year was
002or this year was 2.63%. 63%. So we kept it right around in line with that. Um basically we aren't adding or subtracting any um staff. We are replacing any staff who are leaving. So builds into the budget is basically just your year raises. There was no real change in in program. Um school tax rates. This is about what they would be um based on the the 2.38% tax cap. So you see uh on a $200,000 assessed value home, which is not the market value, you'd see about an $80 increase in Highland and Lumberland. And then in Deer Park in custod and $160. Uh that's because of their equalization rate. So be assessed at $200,000. When you see say an equalization rate of 25%, that means that house is worth $800,000, right? So um that's why
003those numbers look a little wonky. The idea behind an equalization rate is that it's bringing your house home to a particular market value. So, so that if the assessments are different, you will pay the same if the house's market value is the same. Um 67% from property taxes, 28% from stadium. Uh the rest is is made up of things like interest, our proceeds, uh refund, things like that. That's how your revenue is made. The property tax cap this year is 2.38%. This is how it's calculated. It is essentially the prior year's property tax levy times that 1.0124. That means there's 1.24% additional property that was put on the tax roles in between the last two years and they take out your exemptions from one year and add back in your exemptions. This particular year they
004were lower so we lost a little bit of a tax cut there. And then there's that 2% that everybody talks about. That's really only one component of it. Uh it usually comes in at a different number. So 2.38% is our tax cap. We're going to the tax cap this year. Uh that is going to be likely for the next few years just because our state aid is is staying either level or going down. Each year you're going to have to keep going to the cap. But luckily this year the cap isn't particularly high. Um so this is just how our expenses break down. uh general support, construction, transportation, they're all going up by 1 to 2% each. Uh the biggest increase by far is in employee benefits. Uh our health insurance rates went up 6.91%.
005Our uh ERS went up 10%. Luckily, TRS went down 10%. So, that helped a little bit. Um but that's the biggest driver of our cost increases by far is employee benefits. uh debt has remained the same, transfers are the same. Uh the breakdown of that is largely instructional 48.41% and employee benefits are the next largest chunk of our budget. Notable changes, the governor and the house have both proposed an increase in UPK funding. They still have not approved the New York state budget. So, we are going based off of the more conservative governor's proposal. The legislative the legislature has said that they would give us a 2% increase instead of a 1% increase. That's that works out to about $40,000. So, we went with the more conservative one. We went with um Opel's proposal. Uh
006it doesn't appear that most of the holdups are education related. Um so, it looks like this UPK is going through. They seem to be uh on the same page with that. The things that are holding it up right now are tier six reform, which could hit us. So, if they do reform and make tier six more generous, you should expect our payments to go up, but that probably won't hit us in this school year. It will probably be the next school year. Um, employee benefits again are main driver costs. Otherwise, there's been no significant reduction or increases. That's why we were able to keep it within 2.45% of last year. And then for the $100,000 project after we discussed that the uh workshop it the most logical way to do that would be to have
007it be the fiber upgrade and the door security hardware replacements over here. You have to pick uh with the $100,000 project, it has to be tied to one building and one project number. And since the fiber upgrade is around $70,000 and um some of the door replacements were right around the 2030,000 mark, that's just the easiest way to fit into that 100. That doesn't mean that we can't do any of the other projects. They're just not going to count for the um for that 38% building a that they let you do each year. Um we can still do some of the other projects. Um otherwise, the the budget has not changed since the budget workshop. The total number is still 20,847. number we've been discussing since March and that I intend to um present at
008the budget hearing which is next Thursday and that will you have any questions on the budget I will give you any answers >> real quick >> oh one more point I did set it up such that you didn't have to make a decision today on the uh what we were discussing at the budget workshop because I knew we we're going to have everybody here. So, what we can do is because the budget number is not changing is whatever we decide to do with that position, we can do a budget transfer. So, basically since the budget is going to stay the same, we go in July, you go to rework meeting and there'll be an extra agenda item that says we're transferring, assuming that it's not exactly what we were doing right now, it can say
009we were transferring the salary number for this budget code to another budget code. So, you can still make that decision. You just have to do a um what they call a budget transfer, which is perfectly legal. Schools do it all the time. >> I believe we've done it. >> Um >> you have Yeah, it's it's just because as long as the budget stays the same, as long as what the voters approved, which is 20 million, the 84788, as long as that stays the same, you can transfer along budget lines. The only ones that you can't, and we've already set in stone, are the capital projects that 100,000. You're not allowed to touch that after they approved it. So, I have a couple questions, Kayla. Sure. Will there be upgrades for security at the elementary school
010as well? >> So, we're definitely going to do the door. We already got a quote on an alarm system, but we also are investigating. I don't have all the information yet, but um Stanley Security has a system. Anything that we have on those card reader doors, apparently they have something that when somebody opens that can alert us. So, we're looking at that avenue, too. So, there there will be some security upgrades there. Again, I was hoping that the state would have done their budget by now because that's what we're waiting on. That's what that security money is tied to. We will definitely do something, but how much is going to depend largely on whether we're going to get that that pot of money. Obviously, if if our uh congresswoman gets us $200,000 for security, we're
011going to go a lot more. Um, and I wish I had a better answer, but they're just they've done five extenders now. I'm still waiting to kind of see what kind of money they're throwing our way. >> Thank you. Hopefully by the May 7th budget hearing, I will have an answer because they need to get their budget. >> And along with that, like with um GRM, we are looking at again talking about replacing the storefront doors. That that will still happen. And even I talked to Mr. Skcoas today at looking at um either like tenting the front doors a little bit. So then kind of blocks the view um from outside looking in or putting in like kind of like how they have a bee in the main office to give some security doing that
012across the front doors and it looks attractive but it also prevents from outside looking in. So we are looking at some different avenues. >> I just need prices. >> Yeah. I just let the minutes reflect that Beth had a work engagement. That's why she couldn't be here and Justin is out of state. So, uh, at this time we have the Boseis administration budget, right? Do you need to speak on that at all, Kale? >> No, that's not. >> So, it's time to meeting, right? >> All right. Okay. Okay. Bosey's annual vote. Approval upon a recommendation the superintendent to approve the 2026 2027 Sullivan County Board of Cooperative Educational Services Administration budget in the amount of 3,755,814. I need a motion. >> I'll make that motion. >> Motion by second by Kristen. Motion by Amador. Sorry,
013I draw a blank. It's all getting old. All in favor? I >> I passed >> ballot for election to the board of cooperative educational service approval to cast one vote for each of the following trustees vacancies on the Sulliv County Board of Cooperative Educational Service Boards. Mrs. Moren >> Cresatelli, >> thank you. >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? >> I I don't have to say do you got a break? >> Mhm. >> Uh Amador or Yeah. One Mr. Leap put for a three-year term. Need a motion. >> I'll make that motion. >> Motion by Kristen. >> I'll second it. Whatever. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Miss Lori >> Ostrio Orino. >> Three-year term. Sullivan County. Make a motion or need a motion. >> I make
014that. >> Ardor >> Kristen. >> All in favor? I >> I >> Do we have any? >> We have a couple. >> All right. Let me let let me let me get through this and then we'll we'll go back to that. Okay. >> Because this is pretty important, right? This all schools are doing this tonight. So >> approval of the ballot author authorization of budget proposal one. Approval upon a recommendation of superintendent that the following resolution be placed on the May 2026 ballot. That the board of education of Elgen Central School District is hereby authorized to expand for the physical year 2026 2027 is hereby adopted. The requisment portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the school district is hereby authorized 20,847,888 to levy tax thereof. I need a motion.
015I'll make that motion. >> Motion by Alador. Second, >> second by Kristen. All in favor? >> I I approval upon the recommendation of superintendent the following resolution be placed on the ballot 2026 ballot that the board of education of Elder Central School District is hereby authorized to levy taxes annually in the amount of $52,000 and to pay over such monies to the board of trustees of the Sunshine Hall Library. I need a motion. >> I'll make that motion. >> Motion second. All in favor? I >> I approve upon the recommendation of the superintendent that the following resolution be placed on the May 2026 ballot. >> Shall the following resolution be approved? The board of education in the Elgate Central School District is hereby authorized to purchase and finance 13 school buses and related equipment at
016the total cost not to exceed 2,500,000 and shall be raised by the levy of the tax to be collected in the annual installments with such tax to be offset by the state and aid available therefore and in anticipation of such tax debit. obligations of the school district as may be necessary not to exceed 200,000 no 2,500,000 I'll make that motion issue motion second Kristen >> second >> all in favor I >> approval upon the recommendation of two superintendent the board of education of the Elgen central school district approves the 2026 2027 property tax report card >> I'll make that motion >> second >> all in favor I >> I guess there's any discussion on any of these? >> No, we're all good. Okay. All right, that's done. >> All right. Superintendent report. >> Tracy. >>
017Yeah. >> Um, first I want to start with congratulations to Mr. Carpentier on his recent appointment to the Monaceel School District as assistant superintendent for instruction. He will be starting there July 1st. Um, thank you, Mr. Carpenter, for your time serving our families, our students, our staff, our teachers. you will definitely be missed but I am you know congratulations on moving forward through your career. >> Thank you very much Mr. Thank you. I really appreciate it just the uh mentorship and and the guidance over the last five years here that we've been at least for five years I've been here you've been here so I really appreciate it. Thank you. >> I know I will I can't wait to hear good things. >> Yeah. So I hope so. Um, again, we had it in the
018with the second or actually the third proposal, the third proposition is the bus proposition. Um, I just want to reiterate, we will need to purchase buses prior to the 2027 purchasing deadline for diesel vehicles. The purchasing cost is a little under $2.5 million, but we cannot exceed $2.5 million. And it is for 11 66 passenger buses, 144 passenger bus, 130 passenger bus. That's 13 buses. We have to put it in now because there is um a year and a half out for builds. So that's how much demand is right now for um diesel buses. Um the two smaller buses will be mainly for athletic and field trips. You know, the lead time is one and a half years and this order is for the 2728 school year. Um, the buses we currently have are under
019a 5-year lease, which in September of 2027, this is a bus purchase, not a bus lease. Again, it helps us kind of move the deadline down the road for electric vehicles regarding um, Governor Hogel's mandate for school buses. Um, just a reminder, the budget hearing and meet the candidates will be May 7th. The budget vote will be May 19th here from 11:00 am to 8:00 PM. Um, budget to budget, there is a 2.45 increase. Talking to the other superintendent in the county, we are, you know, definitely more the fiscally conservative. We are probably the lowest with budget to budget um increase and we're under inflation. So, um, looking at some others, um, some districts are looking at, you know, 5% plus from budget to budget increases. Um, the district budget newsletter will be going out
020next week. Thank you. Huge thank you to Lisa for putting the newsletter together and making sure that's ready to go out. It always looks fantastic. So, and I appreciate all of her help. Um, just a reminder, district giveback days. Tuesday, May 26th is the Tuesday after Memorial Day weekend. The district is closed. That is our one district give back day. And then one day we had to have JSHs closed due to heating issues. McKenzie kept stayed in school. So their last day is June 25th. Um June 26 JSH will be here. That is rating day. It's the last day technically of regent week. So their last day for McKenzie is June 25th. There are no other changes to the district calendar. And Mr. Conklin and I will be spending a lot of time together between
021the next two months because end of the year celebrations. So, I listed um on my board report, we've got about eight already listed from May 21st where the Sullivan County Legislature will be honoring our validictorians. There's our validictorian sitting next to Mr. Conklin. >> So, tomorrow they are doing the clap clap clap. >> Yeah. So, uh, I'll announce it now, but, uh, I'm proud to announce that the, uh, class of 2026, validictorian is Mercau, as we just learned. Uh, and then, uh, our saludiatoran for the class of 2026 is Tabitha Smith, who is also, uh, sits in this chair as well, uh, next every other month. So, a little sneak peek, tomorrow, we are going to celebrate our, uh, our val. Um, what we do is we invite the, uh, the parents in and, uh,
022we walk into the hallways. when he claps and uh you know just congratulates them on a big accomplishment and I told the girls last week um in the main office and just their faces lit up and it was it was awesome to see. So looking forward to yes we we're going to spend a lot of time together. It's home you're going to spend a lot of time with me as well. So but uh it's a fun season to have for sure. So, we are definitely we are cruising right to the end of school. And just a reminder that um junior senior high school graduation June 26th. Um and that is you know right now the last of the eight outside of concerts and for both buildings and graduation for McKenzie. So it's going to be
023a busy next two months. So that concludes my report. We have to we're done. You got you got to go. You good? >> Secondary secondary principal report. >> All right. Thank you. Um so talking academically, we did our New York State ELA and math assessments. ELA was on April 13th and 14th. This was grade 78. Math was on April 21st and 22nd, grade 78 again. And our last uh exam for 78, which is just 8th grade, will be the science exam, which is scheduled for May 7th uh master schedule at the junior high school. The schedule committee continues to be regularly to develop the 2627 master schedule. Student course selections are nearing completion. Uh we have a m we're going to build the master schedule collaboratively. Um myself and some teachers Mr. Krebs with Sketchy
024um which is a kind of an AI platform we're using and uh very helpful. you know, you they tell you to use the AI to your advantage, and I think when we saw a demo of this, it really is to our advantage for sure. Um, and planning is another way to increase that parent engagement. So, I I have a lot of parent meetings, and every time they're in my office, they must think I'm crazy, but I have been talking about the rotating job schedule, what that looks like for the junior year high school, and I kind of explained to them, but um, I've been working with Mr. Stern is kind of helping us with the schedule and scheduling some dates where the parents can come in and kind of ask me questions about the rotating
025drop schedule, what that looks like in the unified lunch. So, really looking forward to that and very um grateful for the staff here just kind of having that uh that growth mindset of moving forward and doing what's what's best for our building. So, good stuff there. Um, we were awarded the district impact grant from SOL 180. And if I do the math correctly, which I probably didn't, I just estimated this, but uh, Junior Senior High School along with the entire district, some can be used for GRM as well, has over $30,000 in grant money as we head into next year. Uh, actually, we start now. I have to spend some of the money by the end of May. So, uh, $30,000 worth to work on, uh, wellness, mental health, things like that. So, good stuff
026there. Just to to grab that money when it's out there. So, we're very grateful for the partnership with Sol 180. Um, and students participated in the Bethl's art show a couple weeks ago. I'm still waiting for I think the awards that Miss Dentini has. I don't know, but our students always do very well there and I'll certainly make a post about that when I receive that. The great uh 9th grade Washington DC trip is over. Um, they went last week um Thursday and Saturday. Uh it is a great trip. But let me tell you, I heard uh this is the first year uh Anthony went on the trip. It was kind of his, you know, he wanted to go this year. He's like, the walking Mr. Confluence was insane. So they are walking constantly. And
027uh when they ask me, are you worried about the kids at night? No, they're sleeping because they're so tired from all the walking that they do. But huge thank you to Miss Druit. She does a wonderful job organizing that. And this year, Mr. Gro, Mr. Ward, and Mr. Darwin at Chapel. So a big thank you to them as well. Thank you, Mr. B. You do a lot of walking, right? >> That's not Yeah, >> I should have grown that one year. Did a lot of walking, but I was in a lot better shape back then, >> but everything went very smooth. So, grateful for that. And it's it's for the year. Um, and multiple student trips and activities are scheduled in the coming weeks and a lot of stuff that's going to, you know, bring
028our students together. We just, it's the busy season, right? I my uh I like to joke this is my this is like the Super Bowl time. We're getting ready for the Super Bowl, you know, which leads to graduation on uh June 26th. So, looking forward to that. So, that's it for me. >> Any questions? No. Moving on. Student report. Marissa. Okay. Um, so as far as student life, um, on April 24th, students and warrior team group went on a trip and collaborated with other students from other schools. Uh, Victoria Ryan and Maddie Da represented Eldridge at the section 9 and section one student athlete leadership summit. Luke Potter represented Eldridge at another student athlete leadership conference in Albany. Um, and I know this has been a concern for a while, but the senior class has
029finally decided on the senior trip. Um, it's going to be to Ocean City, Maryland on June 5th, uh, 14th, 15th, and 16th. Uh, and we're currently in the middle of our snap fundraiser and we have raised $8,55 so far with just that. Um, the student council proposal contest ends today and probably will be on May 30th. Varsity club's yearong shoe drive will be concluding on June 1st. And then as far as music, students will be participating in his solo festival at the end of this week. So wish all of them luck. And then sports, everyone's in the middle of spring sports season and so far we're doing very well in all areas. >> Any questions? Thank you. >> Elementary principal report. >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. H. So, our attendance continues to rise, getting approaching
030the 95% uh goal that we have for the entire year. We're at 94.65%. So, we're hoping by the end of the year we hit our 95% goal. Um for our academic outcomes, uh we took the New York City LA assessments last um last week on the 21st and 22nd. This week, tomorrow, we'll give our fifth graders the New York State Science Assessment. And next week, we will give math on the 6th and the 7th for our third, fourth, fifth, and sixth graders their math assessment. Target enrichment continues in the morning for all grade levels, first through sixth grade. Um, that's working out very well. We just had a uh MTSS grade level meetings this morning to discuss ELA growth. Um, and it appears that it it's having a significant um impact on the growth of
031our tier 2 and tier three students. Leader and me, our MRA survey will go out to parents, staff, and students in the coming weeks um to make sure that we have that data so we can assess where we're at um through leader and me. And then we just had our academic awards assembly for trimester 2 uh last Friday the 24th. Uh spring clubs have began. We're about two weeks in. Um I see Miss Heisler here in the audience. Um she is running our first offsite extracurricular club. Um which is done with a uh animal shelter over in Hugenot and is uh I think we have five students in it right now. Yeah. And so it's one it's been it's been great. Uh parents have to actually transport their students from school to the shelter, right?
032and then they they grab them from there. But um it's really when Miss Heiser came up with this idea, she was really excited. She's been able to make it work. So we're just really excited about that. But there are 19 clubs total being run in the spring with 153 students participating. We have NISMA this Saturday, uh May 2nd. Um we have five students going to NISMA for both chorus and band. And then some important dates coming up. Talk about the science assessment, the math assessments, and then the first week of and I apologize March should say May. Uh the first week of May 4th through the 8th is teacher appreciation week. And that concludes my report. >> Thank you, Mr. Any questions? All good. >> Moving on, Mr. Gretch. >> I'm up here. I'll be
033very quick for you. Uh I'm finalizing the budget for uh instructional support for next year, which includes programs, things such as the leader and me, our consultants, things like that are all coming together right now. We're making sure we get that in. I've been working with Caleb to move to electronic requisitions and support for that. So, we're in the midst of uh making sure that that occurs our mass support. We had uh David Trinter from Olster Boseis come in to help support our teachers at the junior senior high school. And um at our elementary level, we'll be hosting a site visit. Um FSburg Central School District will be coming in to look at our writing program. At our elementary level, we put a lot in our writing workshop model and they're moving to that same
034type of model and wanted to visit a school in the area and we're one of those. So, we're really happy to host uh Fallsburg to come in and look at our writing and also they're um anticipating being a leader in B school. So, we'll talk a little bit about that on their site visit also. That's all I have to share. And that site visit will happen at the elementary school after the testing is done. So, once they're all done with their testing, we'll have them and think it's miday. >> Thank you. Any questions? All good. A door >> on behalf of Sullivan Boseies. I appreciate the vote for the budget tonight. >> Thank you. >> That's all I have. >> We can always count on you. You're always there to be on subboard. >> Whether
035it's 20 years or not. >> Yeah. Yeah. Just real quick, it is uh our time of year for the budget and I expect we'll have no problems. We've always done good here with keeping it below the cap. We always try to think of the the senior citizens with the star program, you know, obviously, you know, you go above the cap, then they they lose that. So, we we're always got that in the back of our heads. This board and administration's always come together and makes it makes it work for the public. So, I'm sure we should have we've always got budgets through with it at least 75 80%. Yeah, that's around about >> roughly right. So >> that's that's that that's good news. That so shows you that we have support from the community. >>
036Uh my last thing is I will not be accepting Mr. Carpenter's uhation. It's it's not not going to happen when you stay here. No. Congratulations. Honestly, >> uh five years. I can't believe I think it was like yesterday we sat in that room and I were in that room. >> Oh yeah. >> I remember you walking in said that's your truck out there, isn't it? And there was like eight people sitting at the table. You looked at that's your truck. I said, "Yeah, it is." >> Try to do my research. >> But I wish you luck. You you brought a lot of lot of good things here. Uh we learned from you and uh very sorry to see you go honestly. But uh yeah, we I wish you a lot of luck. I mean, everybody
037needs to move up and you got a you know, career ahead of you. You're a young man and I wish you a lot of luck in your journeys above. >> Well, I appreciate the opportunity. It wouldn't have happened without having this opportunity here at GRE and in this district. So to everybody here at the table, >> now we have to find somebody to fill your shoes. >> Luckily, I have small feet. >> All right, moving along. I need a motion to approve consent. >> Uhhuh. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Public comment. I'm sorry. Where was that? >> Public comment on the consent agenda items only. All good. Okay. Motion to approve consent items 8.01 to 11.05. >> I'll make that motion. >> Motion by Christian, second by Amodore. All in favor? I. >> I. >> Do
038you have any new business? Yeah. Any old business to come before the board? Any new business? Public comment on anybody that wants to talk about anything. All good. I know it seems like I'm rushing, but we have a board member that does not feel very well tonight. And as you can see, we needed that board member desperately tonight. So, I kind of rushed along here a little bit because I know she feels uncomfortable, but thank you for Thank you for coming and making it happen. We needed that tonight. >> Yeah. >> All right. Uh are we going We not going to do an executive session. >> Yeah, we have just um I'll send her the Zoom link if you want to join from home. Um it's with the law. >> All right. I need a
039motion to go into executive session >> for what? >> Lawyer. It's about the litigation. >> Litigation. I'll make that motion. >> Litigation. Second. >> All right. Motion by second. Uh >> the There's the announcements. I should bring glasses. Next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 7th. Here, that will be the budget hearing and the regular meeting. Meet the candidate introduction on Thursday, May 7th. will be prior to the board meeting starting at 5:45. Meet the candidate. I need a motion to adjurnn. >> I'll make a motion. >> Second. >> And there'll be no business after we come out of executive session. Thank you for coming and safe going home.