001Good evening and happy new year. This is our first uh meeting of the 2026 year. So I welcome everybody back and I hope everybody enjoyed their two week full two week vacation. I don't remember the last time that that happened. Um I would ask that uh we have a motion to return us to public session. Motion by Arwin, second by Marjorie. All those in favor? 6. If you would all rise and join me in the pledge of allegiance. I >> pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. And this brings us to Hudson. Let's hear about uh what our students are doing, please. Um good evening to all the board members, district officials,
002senator, and community members present here today or listening on Zoom. It's been a long time since I've given a board report. Um so I have several events to report back on. Um, on November November 24th, John J inducted 110 seniors into the National Honor Society. Members must have 25 hours of community service and maintain a GPA of 90 or above. Having 110 seniors inducted inducted shows testament to the grit and the drive of our senior class. John J. Deca, the business club here at the high school had 36 members compete in the regional competition. Out of the 36 members, 21 will advance to states. DECA was brought to John J in 2024 and it has expanded since then. Uh the expansion should be attributed to the executive board uh of students of DECA and teachers
003Mrs. Dpala and MC whose passion has convinced numerous students to join. Uh John J. High School hosted Jam the Gym last Friday. This annual basketball game uh has the entire student body packing to the gym. Uh, we won 70 to 62 versus Hen Hud in a close game that felt more like a blowout to us. Um, this year was blackout theme and the photos of the student body looked awesome. Uh, at the middle school, the student leaders have been very busy. The student council recently organized a food drive collecting 450 pounds of food that they delivered to the Kona food bank. Um, they are currently working on organizing a school talent show. Uh the student government at the middle school also got its snack shop snack shop up and running. All students take turns running
004it and selling food right after school to students. The middle school team ambassadors, another leadership position, are currently working on decorating the walls within the school to make it feel more inviting. The team ambassadors have recently advocated to their team leaders uh about allowing iPads in the library. They noted that their advocacy led to iPads being reinstated in the library to complete work. Um, Meadow Pond has had many opportunities for student leadership these past few months. The fifth graders have kindergarten buddies that they meet up with every month. Um, and this is a very effective program that the students love. The third and fourth graders have junior reporters. They go to school events and bring notebooks to record the events and create a story. The junior reporters then get to present the story at community
005meetings in front of the entire school. Um, to get this position, they must write an essay which is then reviewed. Um, Metal Pond also has bus rangers. The rangers wear a vest and give clipboards to the bus driver. Their job is to ensure everyone's on the bus. And there's also safety patrol for older students in which they walk younger students. Um the students from younger grades to and from pickup. One of the largest leadership positions at Meadow Pond is the ambassador program for older students. There are six ambassadors chosen who switch halfway through the year. Uh the students present in at I'm sorry uh in front of the school at community meetings. Uh they further make videos that are shown to the school such as how to do lunch orders. Uh the ambassador program provides
006many many opportunities to students. The ambassadors describe their favorite part of the program as getting leadership opportunities, being able to inspire people, getting to know the behind the scenes of the school, and having the opportunity to receive public speaking experience when they share out in front of the student body. Um, all these leadership opportunities at Meadow Pond, JJMS, and the high school provide the chance for students to gain valuable experience and create confidence within themselves. These roles align with the pillar of Learner Center leadership for vision 2030. Um, this upcoming weekend, students across the district will have another opportunity to rest, celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday the 19th. In all, these past two months have been both rest both both restful with our two week amazing winter break um and busy with
007the year now nearing its halfway point. From leadership opportunities available at every school in our district to having over a 100 members inducted to NHS to 21 DECA members advancing to states, our district has proven to provide numerous opportunities for students to succeed at every level and our student body has shown to be resilient um and rise to the occasion. Thank you. >> That's awesome. Thank you. >> Thanks. Awesome. >> Um, next we're going to turn to 7.01 board committee reports. Um, I don't think the audit committee has met. Uh, finance committee has not met. >> Uh, facilities committee. >> Thank you. We haven't met since the last meeting, but just briefly, uh, thank you so much to Lisa and her entire team for all of the work that took place between December 18th and
008the end of the year to set us up for success with our EPC. And this involves so much coordination with our attorneys and um, vendors and getting equipment situated on the premises to make sure that we could really take advantage of IRA funds. So, we know that was a huge undertaking. in a very short period of time and it was high stakes and you did it and we really really appreciate it and our community and our taxpayers really appreciate the opportunity to take advantage of those funds. So, thank you. Huge thank you. And you might have noticed the front of this building looks a little bit different and it's getting there. >> We're getting there. So, a lot of work did happen over the winter break as we had promised and um still working out
009some details in a few of our buildings, but you know, we're really getting there with like major um percent completion at most of our buildings now. And we'll have one additional item that we can just check in about when we turn our attention to the consent agenda later. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh Lewisboro committee has not met. parent council. >> Um we met last Friday, the first Friday coming back from the new year. It was a pretty lively discussion last week. A lot of it centered around communication and how the PTO's could communicate better with the school buildings um administration. There was uh a pretty good conversation, I thought, on what the PTO can fund and what um they cannot fund based off what they're asked for. And so I think that uh it
010also kind of centered back to the communication conversation. So I think we all took away that we could all figure out better ways to communicate um from board level, PTO level, school level. >> That's great. And we are really appreciative of the what the PTO does fund. I will say that it's a a great partnership um in enhancing our our students ability to get these special programs. >> Yeah. and they're really looking forward to being involved that way. It's just a conversation of of what can they and can't they do. >> Yep. We want to do it the right way. >> Y >> um policy committee did not meet. I think we're end of the month. >> We meet end of the month tonight. We have two um items for second read, one policy, one
011regulation. We don't typically adopt regulations, but NISB recommended that we bring this to the board. It's a minor change to better reflect our responsibilities for student privacy, data privacy. And yeah, we meet on January 30th. >> Thank you. Uh sustainability. Barbara's not here. Um I am going to suspend our discussion, our reports. We'll come back uh if anybody else visit sustainability. But we want to welcome um tonight coach Jay um and his girls amazing cross country team. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, WE ARE so extremely proud of your accomplishments. Um, and tonight we are very fortunate to have with us, uh, Senator Harkham, um, to address these amazing girls. Thank you very much, Madam Chair, and all of the trustees and the amazing professional team and the PTO and uh Hudson. That was a great
012report you gave. I was very impressed. Um it's great to be back in the school where my daughters graduated from. Um it was really embarrassing for as many years as I've been in this building how lost I got. I felt like I was in Spinal Tap. Oh, it's right over here. Right around this corner. lots of exciting things we got here. So, it's great to see you. Um, we are just so proud of all of you state champions. Um, is an incredible, incredible accomplishment. Uh, to the coaches, the parents, uh, to all of you, to the administration who supports you, congratulations, Sloan, uh, who's Sloan breaking the course record. Incredible job. Incredible job. And you know, the the neat thing is the relationships you're building um you will keep a lifetime. There are a lot
013of guys who I played high school soccer with who are still among my best friends. And what the sacrifices that you have gone through together, the early mornings, the late nights, the running through cramps, um you know, pushing on uh when you don't want to. Um, you're going to remember all that and no one can ever take this away from you. Material things come and go. This will be in your heart. Your friends will be in your heart, your teammates, your coaches. Um, and and you'll be surprised 20 years from now, you'll be having a situation in your life and your coach's voice will be in your ear. It'll come out of nowhere, but I assure you 20 years from now, you will hear your coach whispering in your ear. So, I just want to
014say on behalf of the New York State Senate, we have a proclamation uh congratulating all of you just on your incredible, incredible accomplishments and we also have certificates for all of you and your amazing coaches on behalf of the New York State Senate. So, congratul So, if it's all right, I think we're just going to take a break for a moment so the board can just can come up and congratulate all of our student athletes in person. So, we'll just take maybe a fivem minute break. Okay. >> Well, thank you board for letting us take a few minutes there. I really appreciate it. >> What a what a better I can't think of a better thing to have taken a break for that. Uh what a testament to our coaches. Athletic director um coach day
015has just been an amazing influence on the team and to watch them grow since he's been part of the program. Um he's just such a positive person and really works with each of the girls um just to make them the best they can be. So we are just so fortunate to have such an amazing event here tonight. Um that being said, we'll go back to our subcommittee reports. um sustainability. Did they I know that Barbara is not here. >> Yeah, we met. Um >> we largely talked about the uh reports that were being done and trying to get those um synced together so we can put a uh a release out to the public to let us know how how well we've been doing on sustainability. We definitely uh thanks in large part to Senator
016Harkham's wife who really helped found our sustainability um all those years ago. >> Yeah. >> Good stuff. >> Looking forward to Everybody's looking for >> Yeah. Yeah. >> It's all good. Um Oh, Marjorie Msba and Westp. >> Sure. Just a reminder that on January 29th, we will host not just Westp, but the Lower Hudson Education Council um comprised of multiple counties and both superintendents and board members hosting a legislative advocacy forum. So, if you didn't get enough of Senator Harkham here tonight, you can see him on Zoom on January 29th at 7 PM. I encourage everybody to register um just to hear and to participate in um with one voice, I guess, best way to say >> board meeting that night >> on the 29th. >> Oh gosh. Okay. Well, then I have a conflict.
017>> Um thank you, Lorraine, for bringing that to my attention. Oh, indeed. Okay. So, I can't encourage you, but know that know that I will be there, advocating my heart out on behalf of public school students across the state, including ours. >> Um, and stay tuned. I'll certainly report back. And then tomorrow, there's a money talks on, you know, various um circumstances that are affecting all of our budgets. And if I learn anything really helpful or interesting there, I'll certainly bring it back. >> Thank you. Uh, district safety committee. I don't think that they've met. Um, ERJC >> did not meet. It's coming up. >> Oh, you've got three in a row coming. >> Early February. >> Yeah. >> Um, food services committee. >> We meet tomorrow. >> Okay. >> Last but not least, and
018probably my favorite one, we had our third meeting of the Special Education Empowerment Council. we they just keep getting better and better um every time we meet. We've got a very enthusiastic group of parents. Um you know, I just love the format of our meeting. I love the parent participation. This past time, we were building on the cse. Um and Dr. Polardis is bringing special education 101 to our families. February 6, um there will be a presentation that our family here that our families can come to to learn how to advocate for themselves. They can learn to be parent um parent members. Um I just it's a very exciting time and bringing some new resources that have not previously um been there. And Dr. Polardis always ends our meetings with you know or this time
019she ended our meeting with how how we're feeling and I heard energized and optimistic and hopeful and excited. Um we have student members that are coming and really are giving some like Hudson is at our table. Um they're active participants and allowing us to learn from them from their experiences. So, um it's a very exciting um council to be a part of and um more hopefully to come and I think the parents are really starting to see um the fruits of of being a member of this. So, it's been great. >> Um okay, 8.01. Does anyone have any board announcements? Um we've done 9.01. Although we could do it again. That would be great. Uh 10.01. Uh we'll turn it over for budget conditions for the 2026 2027 school year. >> Great. So in just
020a moment I'll hand this over to Lisa. So just as a kind of reminder to folks tonight uh that really it's a 10,000 foot view of the overall budget as we have some current forecasting that we'd see again in general thinking about that high level you know kind of the expenditure and then the revenue side of pieces. And so Lisa will walk us through those components and then she'll list out those forthcoming dates where now we start breaking that down into those subcomponents and ultimately build that back up to the the cumulative budget. And then you will also see that Lisa will shift towards about twothirds of the way in to the capital side of things. A little bit of an update on our current capital projects that you spoke about before and then also
021the other capital project elements that will be on the ballot in May. So thank you Lisa. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Lynch. Good evening and thank you for joining us for the 2627 budget conditions presentation. As we move through the budgeting process, we remain committed to academic excellence and responsible fiscal stewardship, ensuring that the needs of all students are thoughtfully considered. We are working to balance the needs of our schools with the realities of declining revenues and broader economic constraints while maintaining a fiscally responsible approach and prioritizing the educational experience of every student. Tonight, I'll provide an overview of the district's budget conditions as we plan for the 202627 school year. While budgets often focus on numbers, they ultimately ultimately reflect our responsibility to support students and maintain long-term financial sust stable stability, excuse me,
022of our schools. So, um, and as always, um, our purpose tonight is to present those drivers that shape our school budget, to give a preview to to the extent possible of conditions likely to influence revenue and expenditures in the coming year, as well as to seek the board's guidance as we continue the budget development process before beginning the formal budget presentations, which will begin in February. And our drivers continue to be school programs, professional learning, enrollment, and class size, infrastructure, as well as salary and benefits. I will not read this, but this is the board of education's goal number three for fiscal stewardship that was adopted in um September October of of 2025 for this for this school year. So in the slides that follow, I'll review the major components of a school budget, including
023revenues that fund district operations and the primary areas of spending. A school budget must be balanced, meaning expenditures cannot exceed available revenues. I'll begin with a review of revenues from prior year, the current year, and to provide a context for our financial position and the planning decisions ahead. A year ago, we found out that our state aid ratios were decreasing. State aid ratios determine how much our district costs are funded by New York State versus local taxpayers. These ratios can change from year to year because the state updates its calculations using district wealth, enrollment, and statewide comparisons. As a result, a change in the aid ratios does not necessarily reflect a change in district operations, but rather updated data and state formulas. When the ratios decrease, a larger share of costs must be covered locally.
024When it increases, the state covers a greater portion. As a result of that news, we had to quickly pivot and increase the use of our reserves, as you can see from this revenue chart, and fund balance as a result of the decrease in state revenues. So again, so last uh year or so ago, uh when they released those the executive budget numbers and we backed into those numbers, we could see that our ratios had changed. And so we um went from um state aid being 9.3% of our revenue budget to 8.4% and thereby we had to increase the use of our reserves and fund balances from eight from 2.57 to 2.79. Further um assumptions we use in our revenue budget are non-propy tax revenue conditions. As you can see from this chart, uh the district
025um the district assumed stable but declining interest earnings over um the past two years after a period of rapid rate increase and we actually were at 1.75 in 2019. We had a quick drop to point four and then all the way down to 0.2 2% of our saving of our interest rates that we receive on our money in the bank in 2021. Rapid increases in 2022 TW and 2023. And now we've seen in the last two years decreases in our in our interest revenues. And um you know it's just something that we have to keep a close eye on because we have in the past seen these rapid decreases in these interest rates that were not predicted. So we have to be very careful how we do budget for um for interest in our budget
026and our revenue budget as we have been the past couple years. Um I'm sorry. And then also in let's see in in addition the district's investment activities are restricted. Um we have to have all of our money collateralized. So we're very careful and restricted on where we can uh deposit and invest our funds. And um so that is that. In addition to that, um we also ha um our Boseies is another stream of Boseies uh refunds is another stream of revenue you'll see in our budget that is unknown and it has to do with excess funds in the Bosey's budget because they cannot reserve any monies they cannot keep any monies year-to-year and so any of those excess funds are refunded to the component their component districts and as but that isn't something that we
027could predict to know the excess they will have in their budgets. We also as mentioned the prior slide use reserve and fund balance as um revenue forms but those also are things that are finalized in June and July. So it is um something that we have to be careful with. Uh our our reserve as well as our fund balance um percentages actually influence our borrowing rates. So it's really important that we keep healthy fund balances um and reserve funds because again then we'll get receive lower interest rates ultimately paying less interest um and also on the other side earning higher interest. So ultimately it is um you know better for the district district's fiscal health and um as far as other tax conditions just a reminder that a common misconception about the property tax cap
028for many years I think it's probably about 13 at least no longer than that but for many years people referred to this as a 2% tax cap but is not exactly how the law works under New York state law 2% is actually the maximum consumer price index factor that can be used in the tax cap calculation and this is referred to as the allowable tax levy growth factor. If inflation is lower than 2% the lower number is used but if inflation is higher than 2% it's still capped at 2%. As you can see for the past number of years it's been well above 2% and again that number has been capped at 2%. So that means our expenses are growing at a far greater rate than 2% but that does not allow us to keep
029up with our revenues. Our revenues are not staying in track with the um rate of inflation. Other areas that also are part of that tax levy limit of the tax cap calculation or capital exclusions, pension exclusions. Um we also look at assessment growth factor which is um which accounts for new construction and the physical growth in the community. And that is in the second bullet second um bullet or third bullet down the final assessment growth factor right now um or the d the draft assessment factor assessment growth factor rather it hasn't been completely finalized but it again has decreased from 08 to 0.57 or 5.7 from 8% down to 5.7% that's again so that it ultimately um translates to about $250,000 less that we can generate in tax revenue for our schools. This um slide
030shows an early estimate of where the budget may fall if the district were to levy at the tax cap and holding all other revenues at the current 25 2026 um levels. In this scenario, which is preliminary and based on information we have today, as the budget process at KLSD and the state continues, we will receive additional data and refine these estimates. When we return in February, we'll be able to share updated projections and clearer revenue trends. On Tuesday, the governor will be presenting her executive budget. So, um by the end of the week, we'll have our first state aid runs. Those again are the executive budget um state aid runs. Those are not the final budget runs. The um budget by law needs to be adopted by April 1st, but it rarely is. Um at
031this time, the only anticipated increase in state aid for us right now relates to building aid. It's an expense-based aid and that is simply has to do with our um when our final costs are reported for our current capital projects. any additional state aid information um as we receive will help us guide this process and planning. But um based on current assumptions which include the allowable uh tax levy growth factor and assessment growth factors and assuming again all other revenues just keeping them flat. So not making any adjustments for interest declining or anything. The district could see a budget increase of approximately 4.16% or 4.16 million or 3.8%. As shown here, over 80% of the school budget is dedicated to salary and benefits. Because these expenses are contractually required and driven, the district is li
032has limited flexibility when responding to revenue changes or other financial pressures. So proposed program initiatives and other exp expenses that could impact the expenditure side of the budget, our programmic changes, our curriculum needs, technology maintenance and upgrades, individual student needs, as well as maintaining our facilities. Some drivers of the expenditure side of our budget are health insurance pre premiums. Employee benefits represent 30.83% 83% of the district's current budget, making them one of the largest cost centers. The most significant component of benefit costs are health insurance and retirement contributions, both of which are driven by factors that are outside of our control. Health insurance premiums are negotiated and build on a calendar year basis, January to December, while the district uh budget operates on a fiscal on our fiscal year, which is July to June. As
033a result, each adopted budget includes six months of known premiums and six months of projected premiums. For calendar year 2026, the district was notified of an average premium increase of approximately 12%. We will not receive the calendar 2027 rates until late of November 2026, well into halfway into our budget year. So projections must be used projections must be used for the budget. Historically speaking, um the 5-year average increase of our health insurance has been 6 point um premiums has been 6.41% while the three-year average has been 11.2%. These trends are used to project future costs. If recent patterns continue, health insurance expenses could increase by approximately 2.4 million. And that's again just one component of our benefit budget. Retirement contributions are another large component of our benefit budget. The New York State teachers retirement staff
034is for our instructional staff and New York State LRS is for our non-instructional staff. These rates again are set by the state. They're not negotiable. Is not is outside of our control. In 2026, the employee contribution rate for the teachers retirement system is projected to be between 8.25% 25% and 8.75% which is at actually a decrease from our current uh rate this school year. And these contributions apply to 2026 27 salaries that are p they're paid out in the fall of 2027. Um our LRS rates are projected to increase and they are projected to go from um 16.5% of salaries to 17.6% 6% of the salaries. Each of the retirement systems have their own methods for um as far as for projecting their rates. Uh New York State's teachers retirement system uses an asset smoothing
035method which helps stabilize employee rates while LRS uses an approval basis for their rates. >> May I just ask, you're referring to LRS, but ERS? >> It used to be ERS. They changed it to LRS, local retirement system. It used to be employee retirement system. Now they call it the local retirement system. >> Thank you. >> So ERS LRS. Yes. >> And um but thank you for clarifying that because it is um >> it's recent. Yeah. That they started LRS last year or two. And um other expenditure conditions on the next slide you'll see is our debt and our debt is again projected to our debt will increase next year. This was all you know planned increases in our debt. Um again as we go from banning to bonding um and it was all planned
036as far as trying to align with as our state aid would begin to flow as they say um our debt would increase. Um but again allowing we also will have an increase in our state aid or building aid revenue I should say and um as well as um we're in the process of gathering and reviewing information related to school programs. This information will also impact expenditure budget. So this slide shows this slide shows how revenues and expenses compare under different planning scenarios. It helps illustrate why we model multiple outcomes and why conservative budgeting is important. The first two bars represent the current school year budget as you can see which is balanced. Revenues and expenditures are balanced. The next two set of bars represent scenarios for the 2026 2027 budgeting. In a best case scenario,
037assuming stronger than anticipated revenues while expenses increase at a manageable rate, revenues increase to approximately 133.1 million while expenses increase to approximately 134.5 million. Even in the best case environment, expenses still exceed revenues. cost drivers such as benefits insurance again and p pension continue to outpace our revenue growth even under the best case assumption expenses exceed revenues by approximately 1.37 million. This demonstrates that structural cost pre pressures continue to outpace again our revenue growth. The last two bars represent a lower revenue and higher expense scenario. This scenario reflects a more conservative assumptions including lower revenues and higher than expected expenses. Revenues decline to approximately 130.5 million and expenses rise to 137.2 million. This creates a significant structural gap. This scenario highlights exposure to factors largely outside of our local control. Under this more conservative assumption,
038the gap is approximately $6.7 million. This scenario highlights how sensitive the budget is to change in revenues performance and cost escalation. Across all scenarios, expenses grow faster than revenues. This is driven primarily again by benefits, insurance, retirement, and contractual obligations which are set um and cannot be changed. The district does not control many of these fast growing costs. Um and therefore, you know, fi conservative planning protects the district fiscal fiscally. So this slide underscores why we budget conservatively, why financial planning is essential. While we always hope for the best case outcomes, we must be prepared for less favorable conditions to protect programs, taxpayers, and our long-term fiscal health. So in summary again um the scenarios that we have run to date um looking at rollover scenarios and looking at other scenarios expenses do exceed the
039anticipated revenues. So I'm just going to we'll pause now if there's anything we could clarify. I have one question. Um what are you um anticipating the 2027 healthc care increase? What are what are you estimating it at? >> Between 12 and 14%. >> 12 and 14. >> And a part of that is not just the premium change, but also as we have individuals retire, we h they stay on our health insurance and then we have new people come on. So that's the other component of that increase is now paying for potentially 20 additional people coming on our health insurance plan. Potentially >> anywhere from, you know, >> from not just teachers, but all of our, you know, our custodial staff, our bus drivers, all of our the entire staff of the district. >> Have we
040taken a look at um enrollment numbers yet for next year, >> up or down or >> So really our numbers are getting really close to just being flat. >> Flat. Okay. So, it's a it's a it's a elementary schools, middle school, slight drop down at the high school, but we're we're just about to our floor of where the board is, I would say, from uh looking back has very technically adjusted things along the way and we're kind of now at the floor. >> Got it. Thank you. and and we have looked at for staffing um just as far as that goes as far as what that will look like the sections that are needed at all different elementary schools, high school, middle schools is something that we are closely reviewing. >> Yeah. >> And >>
041great ongoing. >> Yes. >> Okay. Would you? >> Yes, >> I was going to ask the question, but I think I I think I understand now with regard to the bar graph that you're showing sort of two scenarios, but it's implied that of course there could be um lower revenues but the better case scenario for expenditures. So, and and everything in between, right? you know, this is just this is just showing us >> sort of the best case and the worst case and then you know it's easy to sort of go to um the middle case which would be that the revenues come in low but the expenditures also come in >> exactly >> more modestly than in the in the worst case scenario but then of course it's everything in between and so I
042guess are you know are there are there things that we're able to do to come in closer to the best case, >> you know. So, I as it was discussed a couple weeks ago, as a finance committee has been looking at um and as we've been um keeping close eye on um is looking at our staffing, looking at our sections um as well as class size, of course, keeping them favorable, but um you know, but keeping being cognizant of um delivering a balanced budget. >> Thank you. And I think that one of the things that we've talked about a little bit from last year and then and going this year that approach is to stay as far away as we can from the classroom proper. >> And so the reality is as Lisa shared in
043an earlier slide, we're about 83% is on salaries and benefits. And so we're a people industry. So the reality is is whatever that gap ends up being significant portion of that expenditure, even in the best case scenario, we know we've got to reduce expenditures. it's going to be coming from that area of the 83% of the budget knowing that we're trying to protect and preserve the clash of proper as much as we can. And the more may even recall, especially with that $1.1 million loss from the state last year, right right at the end, there were some positions that for example, like our instructional coaches, we we had five of those coaches and then we walked into this year with one less of those. And so that's a piece where farther away from classroom extremely
044important and valuable and yet we need to go ahead and make those adjustments in that way. So that's the approach that will we be taking as far as starting as far as way we can from the classroom and being tactical in that regard. >> When you say classroom property, you mean classes. >> Yes. And that support that you know we have contractual agreements and then we also have desired from our community pieces and so um so those are elements that we would desire to stay away from that as much as possible. And I don't know if this is the right place to ask this question. I was reading an article outside of us and it was talking about Hokll's plans with her the big five, right? Like she has to fund the big five school
045districts and she made a comment that some of the more affluent school districts have an abundance of reserves. And I know that you said it's really important for us to keep higher reserves because it lends for better when we have to borrow, right? But are we in a place where we have an abundance of reserves? >> No. >> And what she I think she's speaking to is there are some districts that you and I are both aware of that actually will do that and the state may kind of say, "Oh, you can't do that, but they'll keep those reserves in that place." We are not in that situation. And so, um, there are a few of those, but far and few between, especially over the last couple years, they've had to to access those funds.
046>> Thank you, Lisa. And we'll hit the got the shift here, I guess, right? >> Yes. So, we will shift over to capital improvements and um so one of the items that you will um see on the May ballot is a bond referendum as was has has been discussed um at prior board meetings and that specifically is on um for lees renovation to create a UPK less being Lewisboro Elementary School renovation to create a UPK center. Um and that would support district instructional enrollment needs uh as well as um you know efficient use of existing district facilities, creating age appropriate classrooms and a learning environment and um and a part of that design will have enhanced um safety, accessibility and functionality. Um and again the governor's state of the state talked about the emphasis on
047early childhood programming and education. So that is and um that that is something that has great value um and it is also showing up in the budgets because of the value of um early childhood education >> and also if I remember correctly it's we'll be able to have a special ed component and we have some families that are going to Rockland with these little children and so an hour two hours a day on a bus >> so we'll be able to bring >> our hope is is once we um if we get approval here we'll explore with our partners in the area. And so the student at that kind of four uh needs really intensive support. We we'd like to approach folks to maybe have us be a site or obviously with our our ability
048and our size of our district. We would not have enough students to do that completely. >> But if others sent those students to our site, then hopefully maybe we can be a host for that. So it would be a win-win. Hopefully some folks kind of a little bit northern part of that county. And then for our local community that would be um you know not as far as a journey for our children and things. So that's a partnership. We hope to connect with the county and or perhaps even work with our Boseies colleagues and stuff. So yep >> that would be great. >> Is there a possibility for I know that she said it in her state of the union address. Is there a possibility for us to get funding from this since this is
049a push of hers? So her state of the state did discuss UPK and increasing the allocation to the states. So current uh to uh school districts currently uh allocation is 5,400 per pupil and her say the state was discussing 10,000 per pupil or your um your uh state aid allocation per pupil but ours is lower than that but it's supposed to be the greater number. So 10,000 um and uh yes so that is again so that is a priority priority of the upcoming budget is you know in order for districts because we know and the finance committee studied this and and that allocation is um it requires the district to um also a part of our operating budget to offset those UPK costs. So UPK, even though it is in the governor's budget and we
050see this big $820,000 allocation, we don't receive $820,000. We receive $5,400 per student. Um, and that is, um, not enough to educate a student for 10 months. So So um, okay. And another um proposition you will see on the budget is voter author voter approval or authorization for the utilization of the capital reserve that was set uh created uh specifically for athletic updates and upgrades throughout the district and specifically what we are looking at. We have our building condition survey we have in draft form. Um we looked at those items on that building condition survey that um for athletics that of areas that are of greatest need. So that's what we are prioritizing as well as um this is again it's a capital reserve and there's no impact on the operating budget. it is uh
051you know utilizing that um reserve and that money would then be transferred into an account that could only be used or into the capital fund but we' put it into a specific um line and only be used for these athletic updates as per the uh resolution or the proposition rather. Lastly, I just would like to we would just like to thank again the community for approving that additional 10% state aid incentive in the 2526 budget vote, which was critical in allowing the EPC solar project to move forward, which not only reduces the district's carbon footprint and long-term energy costs, but also serves as a future revenue source and helps protect the district against continued escalation in energy prices. the district remains on track as Marjorie shared earlier with the solar um installation EPC project and
052um we're just we're very excited for it to hopefully begin um in around March. So So with that and um upcoming meeting dates on uh February 12th we'll have the non-instructional budget overview and on February 26th will be the instructional budget overview. On March 12th uh will be the superintendent's recommended budget and March 19th there will be possibly a second um meeting regarding the recommended budget of the superintendent to the board of education or the possible adoption of the budget by the board of education on um the 26th of March. We will have a budget hearing on May 6th and the budget vote and board seat election is on May 19th, Tuesday, May 19th. So in conclusion though, at this time we do strive to deliver a budget that is within the tax cap. So
053thank you and any questions? Any further questions? >> Will the public receive any more details about when we say athletic and facility? Absolutely. Yes. >> So, as we as we do and that's a great Thank you. That's a great question. Um, as we roll out the non-instructional instructional budget and the superintendent's recommended budget, we and as we get um, you know, with the BCS, again, we've had it in draft form, the facilities, you know, committee a chance opportunity to look at it. Then um we will take that um as long as our construction manager will help us do estimates of what specific items will cost and prioritize that based upon our balance of our reserve which is approximately 2.3 and change 2.348 I think is >> I keep trying to have that number. So, so
054yes. >> And so I think one of the pieces that we know directly certainly working with the athletic department, uh the AP farm turf, we know that is a priority list right on top that that needs to be replaced. And so there's there's just a handful of items that we'll be able to look at. So like Lisa said, as we bring our partners on with Triton and things like that to making sure we've got um two groups looking at the price structure. Um, fortunately with this kind of a project and also with our lees with the pace that we're looking at the time frame, we're not going out 36 48 months for completion. So the numbers should be tighter and that would allow us also to have a high level of confidence we'll be able
055to stay within the budget that's identified up front. So we're likely to hit the targets that we identify up front instead of having to trim it off the line. So we have an important relatively short list of things we have to do with those dollars that are in that capital reserve account. Thanks. >> Thank you. >> And thank you ahead of time to you and your whole team for the tough um numbers crunching that you're going through and will continue going through and we really appreciate all of your efforts to keep, you know, the things that we need and and the students to be the top priority. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um there is no one here for public form. So I am going to close public form at this time
056and we will turn to the consent agenda 12.01. Can somebody make a motion to move the consent agenda? Moved by John, second by Bill. Um then we'll pause to see if there's any discussion. >> Thanks so much. Yeah, I just wanted to take a quick moment circling back to the facilities um momentum uh to just ask if Lisa could update us briefly on our opportunity to vote on resolution 16.13 because this is sort of a novel opportunity for us and it hearkens back to another proposition that had been on our ballot in the past so it seemed appropriate to just kind of take a moment. >> Yes, thank you. Yes. So back in May of 2024, prop position number four, which was to apply the inflation reduction act rebate to the bond project. And that
057specifically was um to auth, you know, we asked the voters to authorize the district to expend um those dollars for the improvement um altercate alteration of district school bud budget school buildings. Excuse me. I got budget on the brain. So um yes. So and um in order though since it is a uh um rebate then you have to spend the monies in order to get the monies back. So what we did we have a um consultant the alliance group who have been working with us since prior to the geothermal beginning has re reviewed all of our pay requisitions that come in and been tracking them. They do estimate that our rebate could be between 2.7 and um about 3.4 million. We're only asking at this time for 2 million because again we just are being
058conservative uh to expend up to $2 million right now is what we're requesting. And one of those items we would like to put back in is we had um had to remove the air conditioning of Kes's um gymnasium because it was over what we had allocated in that bond budget. So now we'd like to utilize this authorization. go ahead put the the um air conditioning of KS Gymnasium back into the projects. Um and thereby um you know we would then expend those dollars and then submit for you know and the geothermal and use the geothermal rebate to basically pay the district back because we would um use that rebate. The other component of that is if we do tie it into the Kes current project then we probably ultimately could be part of that rebate.
059So that's another and then of course it will save dollars by not having to go back out for bid. You know every time you go out for bid it's there's escalation of costs because this bid is you know from a year and a half ago the costs have definitely you know gone great have increased since then. So that is what the request is. >> Great. Thank you so much for the overview and thank you to >> the administration for recommending that we put that on the ballot at the time and thanks to the community for supporting it because this is really working well and we're in a really an improved position from where we would have been. So, thank you for providing the explanation. >> Anybody else have anything in the consent agenda to discuss?
060I do just want to briefly say we're starting to see some retirements. Um, and we actually do have a tenure appointment tonight. So, that's exciting. And we're looking forward to celebration of all the retirees and tenure positions in June. It's one of my favorite nights. >> Um, but I just looking at the list, there's some many well-loved um, teachers that my children have personally had and sad to see them go, but I'm wishing them well and looking forward to, you know, celebrating them. It's going to be sooner than we know. So, Um, with that, uh, ready for a vote on the consent agenda. Almost forgot that. All those in favor? >> 6. >> Oh, sorry. >> Yeah. Move on to Oh, we have a once again our generous community 17.0 a resolution regarding donations and
061gifts. Um, a donation by Dardio Paladino and Sun Construction in the amount of $250 for our John J. High School DECA um group that is going on to state. So, thank you very much for supporting um our students in this way. Can I somebody want to make a motion to accept that gift? Motion by Marjorie, second by Carolyn. All those in favor? 6. Um brings us to 18.01. Um any board dialogue or discussion? No. Hudson, any questions? >> Um no, our only one was about asked about >> it's uh it'll be exciting. Um then we come to 19 19.01 future meetings. Uh the finance committee will be meeting January 28th, 2026 at 6 pm in the district conference office. Uh we'll be back here um with the exception of Marjorie because she will be uh
062advocating for us and we'll be looking forward to hearing about that. But Thursday, January 29th, we'll be here um in the library at 7 PM for our board of education meeting, followed by January 30th um in the district conference room at 900 a.m. for our policy committee meeting. And uh Dr. Blanch, I turn it over to you. >> Thanks. Uh just a quick piece last night, if you had a chance, our middle school orchestra had their performance last night. And again, the idea and I always appreciate Hudson where you're kind of connecting back to our kind of profile of a learner that we're looking at. You saw it in action last night again in a lot of different ways with just, you know, the the the knowledge and the skills that students have to be
063able to go ahead and create to to do what they did last night. Um I would say also the connectivity that was there was just very clear with the um instructor as well as with the students across each other. saw lots of younger uh students that were there watching their siblings and things and so the idea about uh working through that and also just um the the balance that you see there. So academic in there coming for the arts and from sixth grade through 8th grade just the number of kids who were look like we're my number was about 120 students involved in our strings program. So roughly one in five kiddos are involved in that strength program. And so that idea about creating that opportunity for students again as we think about our budget
064from earlier and everything that does that's that's an evidence. So what what do I get for this investment? If you saw last night you would have been extremely proud of your investment as a community of what you put into our schools and our kids and our teachers. So I'm just an example wanted to think about that. So thank you. >> Great. Thank you. And with that I would welcome a motion to adjurnn. Motion by Bill, second by Carolyn. All those in favor? 6. >> Thank you. Have a good evening.