001All right. >> Good evening everybody. It's 6:06 p.m. We'll call to order a regular meeting of the board of education. Please stand for the pledge. >> 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. Okay, it's a special night tonight. We have some candidates that we're going to be meeting. We have one candidate for an open seat on the library board. Um, and we have three open seats on the board of education. Um, so we'll start with uh meet the library candidate. Uh, we have Miss Sarah Brunstead. Welcome, Sarah. You can come right up to the podium here and speak into the microphone. Hi. Uh, pleasure to meet everybody. Um, I'm Sarah Brenstead. I've lived uh in
002New Baltimore for about six years now. Um, and uh, I really love it. Um, I'm from a rural area originally, although I lived in New York City for a long time. And, um, coming back to a small town has really felt very welcoming to me. Uh, and I'm really excited to be able to give back to it. Um, I use our local library all the time. Besides being a big reader, um I also attend their writing workshops, um and several other events that they hold. Um and I'm really proud of the hours that they keep and the programming that they maintain. Um so I'm very excited to be a member to the board, help organize that programming, um and help make fun budget decisions. Uh thank you for welcoming me. >> Library budget hearing. Great.
003>> Hi. Um, is okay. I get nervous. I don't do this as often as Jesse and Craig. And I watched myself last year and I was like, "Wow, you talk fast and you get nervous." All right. So, hey, this is me, Lisa Newman, the nervous library director, doing the budget presentation. I'm Lisa Newman, a librarian, a gardener, crafter, mom, and nature enthusiast. For the past three years, I've had the honor to be the director of your amazing RCS Community Library. Uh tonight, I want to start off by telling you about the impactful year that we had in 2025. I learned from last year that I can't see the slides, so I took really good notes so I knew what to say. Um, last year we had nearly 32,000 visit visitors, circulated almost 76,000 items and
004hosted nearly 11,000 people at 589 programs. That is a 15% growth in circulation and a 24% growth in program attendance. community impact. We have also seen continued growth in the use of our two meeting rooms by residents and community groups. Last year we had 322 reservations. We hosted a multi-day workshop for on adult mental health for caregivers, numerous nonprofit boards and groups including the Girl Scouts, the RCS Community Business Association, STARS Intergen, Rava Pop Warner, the RCS soccer club and cheerleading host their board meetings at the library. Local teachers and tutors meet their students at the library. So far this year, we've had 126 students be tutored. And our lovely copier that everybody knows and comes to use now since Staples and Glenmont closed has uh made 87,000 copies last year. That is a 64%
005increase from 2024. Local businesses print their menus and flyers, and your neighbors print their wedding invitations, shower invitations, birthday party invitations, and party decorations. I'm always impressed when people are coming to make their stuff for their party. I'm like, "You guys are so thoughtful and crafty and good at saving money." Uh we also help residents with our fax services apply for VA benefits. Um the health insurance issues. Uh and we host Cornell Cooperative Extension who helps people apply for SNET Sneep Sneep and SNAP SNEP. Uh we also hosted legal aid and VITA income tax preparation services. We helped community members get $23,000 back on their taxes this year. from their taxes, I guess, not on their taxes. Um, this is a lovely look at the historic in at the inflation rate versus our budget increases.
006For the past 10 years, our budget has been at or below the tax cap. While inflation has risen by 39%, the library budget has only risen by 32%. We have been not been keeping our budget in line with increasing costs. That is for sure. Okay, so here is the budget breakdown. That's why this year the board is asking for a larger than usual levy increase. We are requesting $73,000 more than last year. These funds will go towards all budget areas. We need to increase spending on programming and materials. Physical book prices have risen by about 7% in the last five years. And our contribution to the Upper Hudson library systems shared digital collection is now increasing by 5% annually. Additionally, you those of you not in the know, the world's largest library book vendor, Baker
007and Taylor, closed last year. Our new Beck book vendor is not able to give us the same discounted prices we used to receive. And now every item that we purchase has to be processed in-house. So that means it has to be prepared for circulation, covered, cataloged, um, do like all the due date stuff. Before Baker and Taylor did all of that, now a staff person in the library has to do all of that. So hence the increase in our supply budget because not only are we doing the stuff, the supplies to do this stuff are increasing. facilities, professional services, and personnel, the big things in the budget. Um, I probably don't need to tell you guys that energy prices are up. Uh, while the library does enjoy some savings from our solar panels, we don't
008pay for electricity at all in the summer while we run the air conditioning and are a cooling center, the only cooling center in southern Albany County. And this year, we will be a clean air center. Also, uh, in the wintertime, we are do we are paying to heat our 10,000 foot building, we have been trying to contain our costs, but our building is 71 years old, and things break. Uh, this week it was the water heater. So, we're getting a new water heater tomorrow. In 2023, uh, we replaced our main sewer pipe, which was $40,000. That was from our savings. In 2024, we replaced our flat roof, which was $59,000, and we did $8,000 in upgrades for our fire and security systems. The most of the these expenses will be reimbursed from the New York
009State Construction Aid to libraries, but we have to have the money to pay upfront before we do the improvements. In 2025, we had an office flood. That was $11,000 worth of remediation and repairs. And the flood also caused our property liability insurance to rise significantly. It went from about 7,500 to over $10,000. Oh, this is the last slide. So, this is number six. Um 30,000 visitors per year also causes a lot of wear and tear on the furniture and fixtures which need to be maintained and sometimes replaced. We try to keep those costs down. I shop at the used office supply store in Albany and Renelier instead of buying new professional services. Uh these include our audit. Let me see. I'm going to look down here because I need to see what's on it. It's
010not the same as the slide. Great. All right. We are required to have outside audit every year to make sure we are keeping your tax dollars safe. The staff and trustees are required to have uh annual training. We try to save money on that. This year we had the Rava Rescue Squad do our CPR and AED training and we did not give the Red Cross $1600 for that. personnel. As with most budgets, our biggest investment is our great professional staff. We need to keep comp wages competitive to keep our people at the library. Uh you all probably know this, but I will just say that our health insurance costs have risen by 32% over the last three years. We have managed all of these increases by not refilling our circulation manager position after her retirement.
011However, this has increased everyone's workload and impacted our ability to keep going at the pace the public wants us to. The board would wants to refill this position so that we can redistribute workloads and keep the offerings that we have without burning out the staff. In conclusion, the li your library is a great investment. For every dollar we we take for in taxes, there's a $3 return on the investment. Last year, that was a $1.9 million return on the money. Uh, does anybody have any questions? Hearing none, seeing none. Thank you everybody. >> Thank you. Okay, up next we'll meet the board of education candidates and I'll ask each candidate to come up uh in the order that they will appear on the ballot. So, first Dave Kramer. I'm back. I'm back. It's me. Uh,
012so I'm Dave Kramer. I am a wildlife biologist for New York DEC and Sunni ESF. And I decided to run again because I've already lost once. So, why not try and lose again? Uh, so one of the questions I keep getting when I went around my neighborhood knocking on doors and bothering people was, "You lost once. Why do you want to do this again?" And so really what I want to talk about just briefly is my motivation to join the board or to to run for the board. So as a scientist, a wildlife biologist, my academic career was kind of long. So so long it's called a career. We don't say you're in school forever. We just call it a career to make it sound fancy. But as my the high school on the board
013can you know agree with me school is exhausting. And so after you know one two three four 10 20 years of education you kind of get burned out. And I have I'm fortunate enough to be successful in my career. And that's largely because during that academic career I had the support of great teachers, great staff, great admins. And so I feel that now that I've kind of achieved my career goals it's my turn to return the favor. So, I'd like to join the board and do my best to craft policies and plans with other board members that will provide students and staff the opportunity to achieve like I have. So, that's all I have today and just vote for me. Thanks, Dave. Up next, Mike Coin. Hi, good evening. Um, there's a personal st um
014stake here. My name is Mike Coin. I'm asking to be reelected for a second term uh to the board of education here. It's a privilege to stand before this board, our administrators, staff, and most importantly, my fellow citizens. Uh 14 years ago, my wife Judy and I began our journey here in the RCS journey um district, eventually blending our eight adult children into one family. Judy's three adult children were educated right here in this district. And today, our four a four school-aged children whom we proudly adopted are currently RCS students. My commitment to this district isn't just professional. It is deeply personal. My family's future is tied to the success of these schools. Fiscal integrity and strategic planning. In my current term, I have worked to ensure RCS is both fiscally sound and transparent. As
015the chairman of the board's finance committee, I work closely with our business administrator, Jesse Bow. Together, we have successfully navigated a difficult fiscal climate and lower state aid by establishing a new reserve plan and creating the district's first ever five-year uh fiscal plan. We have kept a close eye on our capital projects, ensuring that every tax dollar is treated with the respect it deserves. Leadership and academic excellence, fiscal health is the foundation, but student outcomes are the goal. We have built a formidable leadership team to drive this district forward. We hired Craig Chandler as our superintendent to lead with vision. We are fully supporting assistant superintendent Jean Winkler as she builds a curriculum designed to raise academic standards districtwide and Colleen August as she appreciate achieves positive results in special education and our guidance offices
016from our new athletic and transportation directors to Bill Sham's essential essential work in IT. infrastructure and safety. We are investing in a team that works. We have evenly sorry, we have even successfully navigated the statemandated rebbranding to the Ravens, ensuring our district remains focused on the future rather than the distractions of the past. My motivation is I support every member of the RCS staff from top to bottom in all they are accomplishing. But at the end of the day, my focus remains where it started on its students. I am not just asking for your vote based on my experience as a law enforcement lieutenant or the finance chair. I am asking for the opportunity to continue this work for our children's future. and I promise to do so with the heart of a father. Thank
017you. >> Thanks, Mike. >> Last but not least, Jackie County. Good evening, everyone. Um, I'm going to guess if you're sitting here tonight or if you're watching online, you probably already know who I am. So, I'm going to keep this fairly brief. Uh, especially since this is uncontested and you're stuck with me for the next three years whether you like it or not. Hopefully, you all appreciate that, but if you don't, it is what it is. Uh, so I'm Jackie Cley. Uh, I have two boys in the district. We are moving into our middle school and high school years this fall. Uh, so it's a big year for us. It has been such an honor to be on our board the last three years. I am so proud of all the progress that we have
018made working alongside some really great folks. um at the table here. Um I in my full-time work I work for the office of victim services uh supporting and advocating for victims of crime specifically in my role victims of sexual assault. Um I put a very strong focus on the social emotional supports of our students, of our teachers, and making sure that everyone is handled and taken care of. Uh I also foster kittens, so I often have very small cats hanging off of me. uh if you see me outside at the school building. Um so honestly I'm up here mostly just to say thank you for trusting me for the past three years. Uh I look forward to the next three years. And although he is not here tonight, I also want to give a shout
019out to Pete Ross. Very sad that he is not running again this year, but he has tolerated sitting next to me for the better part of three years, which is an accomplishment in and of itself. Um but he has also served us for nearly a decade, and I don't think that that goes without recognition. So, um, although he's not here to listen to it tonight, I'm still going to give a shout out to Pete and thank him for everything that he's done over very nearly a decade. Um, as we move into a new board member, uh, and we welcome you to the team. So, thank you so much and have a great night everyone. >> Thanks, Jackie. >> Okay, now let's turn to our budget presentation. Thank you everybody. Um, you're not going to hear
020anything new tonight, so I'm going to go through this relatively quickly, but feel free if there's any questions to stop. I'm more than happy to answer any questions. Uh, so tonight we're going to go over the 26 27 uh budget. Uh, first off, uh, we are looking at a $1.2 2 million increase from last year, a little bit over $ 58 million uh and about 2.2% increase. Uh as mentioned in in other um presentations that I've done, uh the large budget drivers from this is our health insurance and our prescription costs, which increase about 1.9 million. Uh the majority of our budget is is is uh program costs a little bit over 44.5 million. Uh we have capital costs uh about 8.8 million and administrative costs about 4.8. So how are we going to pay
021for it this year? Uh we're going to go out with a tax levy at 1.14%. Uh that is within the tax levy limit. So we are able to with the vote only need a 50% and one we do not need a super majority this year. Uh state aid uh we saw a slight increase in our foundation aid of a 1% or about 150,000 uh since the the state budget is not final yet. Uh we are hoping to see a little bit more uh in foundation uh increase to maybe hopefully about 2%. So that would give us another about 150,000. Um so that should increase our state aid. We have uh other revenue uh of about four million. A majority of that is our pilots uh which are payment in lie of taxes. Um and then
022finally we do uh budget our as a at a deficit. Uh that's with the use of $2.3 million fund balance. Uh in the past we have not had to use that in the in the time that I've been here. Uh but because of the tight budget that this we are putting out there right now, I do see a good chance of us having to dip into that this year. Um I am hoping that we do get some more in state aid so we don't need to go into that, but it is a very big concern of mine um this coming year. Any questions so far? So that 1.1 uh4% increase on our taxes. Um again, these are not final numbers. Uh we do not have final assessments until until July or August. Uh we're looking
023at a very small increase to families. Again, the example up here is $100,000. And I know that's that's not what the average house is around here, but you can double that or triple that if you have a 200 or $300,000 house. Uh so for basically uh you're looking at 20 to $30 increase. So other things that's on the ballot outside of the budget. Uh we do have two capital project proposals. Uh the first one is being is our our main capital project. It's a little bit over $6.4 million. This project is coming at a tax neutral so there will be no impact to the taxpayers and the way that happens is um we are going to use $3.6 million in our capital reserve. So what happens is we have we get 70% in state aid
024and then the other side is what you call local cost. Uh but we're offsetting that local cost by the use of our capital reserve. So, this project we're doing roof replacements, the stadium turf, the track, the lighting, uh a little bit of HVAC work, burners, pool liners, and hot water. So, the other capital project uh on this ballot is for HV uh is for AC. Uh the cooling would be on the second floor at the high school uh and the two elementary schools. uh this would be an additional $1.7 million to the capital uh project. So a total would be a little bit over 18 million or 18.1. Uh this is a contingent of the first capital project passing. So when you're at the ballot, you will see both of them. If you want this
025one to be voted in, you also have to vote for the first one to pass. Um, I believe in our in our budget uh mailer there is a little bit of an example of the different situations on there. Uh, and I also believe uh Mr. Chandler sending out a nice video here soon for everybody to see doing a little explanation on it. Um, I think he has a different career coming in in acting too. >> Yeah. Yeah. So I just want to make sure everybody knows that there also uh there slightly could be a tax impact uh to the taxpayers uh on this one. We are unsure if there is it will be very small. What we need to identify which we don't know right now is we have a a a capital project that's
026currently finishing up and what happens in those capital projects there's the state has maximum cost allowances and I don't want to get into a lot of detail about it but every building is only allowed to have a certain amount of state aid and the high school is getting very close to the max. So, we need to finish our current project to figure out where we are with that before we can uh figure out if we at this this additional project is going to have a tax impact. If it does have a tax impact, it is very minimal. Uh I believe at a different board meeting, it's like a dollar. It's a very small amount. I personally, I'm not a betting man, but I I believe this will have no tax impact. Any questions on those?
027So, the other thing that will be on the ballot is we are purchasing three or four buses. Uh, one microird bus, which is a smaller uh 20 passenger one, and then three of the larger um Bluebird uh vision buses. Uh that total investment would be uh $662,846.77. Uh so people will be approving the ability to go out and um get uh bond money to purchase these these buses. >> Yeah. >> Trade in any are older buses or the ones that have reached or just outright sell them or >> Yeah. So in the past we've traded uh them in but we found that um they weren't getting as much value as we believe. So the ones that we are trading and I believe there's four I think it was on an earlier board meeting uh we
028auctioned them off and there has been like a uptick inside market for some of these uh gas and diesel buses because I think they're worried about uh them going away. So people are buying them. So we haven't gone out yet, but I I believe we can make some more money going that route instead of trading them in with the with the um with the dealer. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. So, also on the ballot, we have the three uh the board seats, and we've heard from our candidates tonight. So, I do like talking about what happens if it doesn't pass. So, there's there's two options that happens. If the budget does go does go down, uh we can go back out. We could we can go back to the drawing board. we can work with
029the board and say, "Hey, we're going to try it at this amount and we can go right back out or we can go to a contingent budget." Uh, a contingent budget is much more stringent. The you can see no increase to the tax levy limit. So, we're stuck to what it was previous years. Uh, there's certain things that legally need to come out. Uh, no equipment can be purchased or rental of office equipment. uh no public use of the buildings of outside groups unless they're charged. Uh and no structured employees that are not in collective bargaining can get a raise. That's just the few things that that have to legally come out in a contingent budget. I I'm hoping it never gets to that point because a contingent budget is is something that is not
030beneficial to anybody. Uh, I know we've done a lot of work to make this a a strong budget that is uh fiscally responsible, but also uh good for our our staff and our students. So, that's it. Uh, please come out and vote. Uh, it's Tuesday, May 19th, uh, at the high school gym. Uh, please note that please uh, go around the building if Ken. There is a map on the website uh and and we'll also be sending out uh parent square stuff to say please go around. There's still school going on. Uh so please try your best not to drive through it. There's a lot of buses. There's a lot of activity going on during the day. So if you can go back to the 101 side and you can easily come in and you
031can come out. It's a lot easier that way. Um any questions? >> The first capital project the one that it's going to be no increase. >> I mean I know we understand that. I just hope that taxpayers realize that um when they come out to vote. And number two, we don't have much choice. Some of the the the turf on the football field, the replacement of the pool liner, they have to be done one way or another because those those uh spears have to come off. So, um >> it's a lot of maintenance stuff. The first one is a lot of maintenance stuff that if we don't take care of it now, it's going to cost more down the line. So, it's a good point. >> Right. and and the the the field projects and
032things like that. That has to be done by law. So >> capital. >> That's correct. So that >> that's not money that we could have added into the budget. Just to >> That's great. It's two different pots of money. >> Just to also clarify for anybody who's only watching this particular meeting. >> Yes, that's a good point. I can I talk about that. So, it's we talked about it a lot today when we met with staff is yes, we we had we had it's kind of difficult to say, hey, we had to make some reductions on our general budget, but then we're also going out and doing a $16 million capital project or even an $18 million car. It's two different pots of money. We cannot take the money from the capital reserve and put
033it into our general budget. um without getting into more boring detail and again I'm more than happy to speak to anybody if they want more detail. Um that's that's it's two different sections. >> So Jess, it's real important that we pass this uh first capital improvement project. But by passing that one, >> looking at the second one, we'll take care of all of our students that are on the second floors where heat rises >> in September and October and in April and in May and in June. It's half the year. >> Yeah. >> That they're not going to be, >> you know, exposed to what they've been exposed to. And like you said, you're not a betting man, but you think it might be zero, but at worst, a dollar, >> it would be a
034dollar per taxpayer, right? Per thousand. So that's not just it's not just a dollar, right? >> For the 15 years, >> right? >> A dollar per year per per hundred, right? >> Per thousand. >> Yeah. So, >> right. >> But so what >> Mike reiterated an important point that you made earlier. There is a high likelihood that Proposition two would also be zero tax impact. It really comes down to that final cost allowance on this one and and early indications. Uh we always try to be conservative because I didn't I don't want to be up here and say, "Hey, it's not it's going to be tax neutral and then it's not." So we always try to be conservative when we we talk about that. So if possibility, but I believe that won't be >> well
035that that's just a outstanding benefit to the the students as as well as the teachers have to be up there. >> That's just great. >> I don't disagree. >> Yeah. >> The Sorry, >> just on that a dollar per year per >> So really I mean I think you're going to get into it a little bit much. What what it's really going to do is it's going to increase our general budget. I >> I just want to clarify one point. I I thought I heard you say a dollar per year per thousand. >> Well, so if you have when you do the tax rate, it's per thousand, >> right? So say your tax rate is >> per 100,000. >> Perund,000. Sorry. Yes. >> Just to clarify for everybody. So $1 per year per $100,000 of
036assessed value. I'm sorry. Okay. >> Yes. >> 15 years. >> Yeah. >> At worst. >> Yeah. >> At worst. Yes. But here's the thing. It really what it really does is increases our budget. And we're already at a we're already at a point where we're looking ways to reduce our budget. That's that was the real big concern that everybody had when they talked about doing even more than that. So that's the stuff we got to be Yes. It possibly could increase taxpayers, but it also increases the overall budget. So, what else do we have to move around to make that work? So, we just got to think about those things. I'm not saying that's not a bad idea, but we just got to make sure we understand that. >> When you say the um overall
037limit on how much aid each building you can get, is that lifetime or is that at one time? >> So, it it kind of it rotates when you have ones falling off. So, when when you hear uh M Mr. Chandler talked about it. We have debt falling off or capital projects falling off >> then that so they they set a limit. There's a limit per square feet and if it's high school, if it's elementary school, but once uh once you're done, they're done paying you that amount, then it falls off and it goes right back. Then you have that opening up. >> Yes. >> If that Okay. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Yep. Anything else? All right. Thanks, Jesse. >> Thanks a lot, guys. >> Is anybody here this evening um here for the
038purpose of commenting on either the library public the library budget public hearing or the district budget public hearing? I don't know, that's a tongue twister, but it is. Come on up, Ted. >> Come on up. You're halfway there. Might as well. >> Where are the steps on the Fitbit here? >> Well, good evening everybody. Thanks for um for hearing me. Um I'm Ted Smith, uh former president RCSA, current uh pack chair, political action committee chair, and I want to just make a couple quick remarks. So, first, thanks to all of you guys on the board. Mike mentioned just last week how uh just plain functional the board is and how that's remarkable and it is remarkable. He contrasted it to other uh boards in the district or in the area, but I can even contrast
039it to with other RCS boards of the past. You guys are doing a a great job and we're all lucky to have you. Um you've got different points of view and different political views and different points of emphasis, but you are all very clearly committed to doing right by our district and improving outcomes for our kids. So, we all thank you very much for all of this. Uh, thanks to Pete Ross, just to echo Jackie for his many years of service on the board. Uh, he's been around for a while and he's more than earned the right to step away and give his time and attention to other things. So, I know he's not here, but thanks Pete, wherever you are, uh, for all that you've given the district and the kids, including your own
040terrific daughter, uh, who have stepped into our hallways. Thanks to Jackie and Mike for throwing your hats into the ring yet again. Where are there you? You are find your eyes real quick. Um, yeah, we're we're just really grateful for your willingness to serve as board members for another term. We've appreciated your curiosity and your toughness and your willingness to ask important questions in public and on the record, and we look forward to working with you moving forward. So, thank you for your continued service. We also want to thank Dave Kramer for his willingness to not just show his throw his hat into the ring, but to do it a second time. Appreciate it, Dave. Um, we appreciate his interest in his unique professional experience and all the passion he has for it, including all
041the moose. That's the plural of moose, right? It's moose. Me, is it me? Okay, I know it's moose. Um, but we think he's going to be a terrific addition to the team and we can't wait to see him up there at the table with you guys. So, again, thanks to all of you. We've got some serious challenges yet to overcome and an economic future full of uncertainty to take on, but we are very much looking forward to working with all of you to help keep RCS moving forward on behalf of every single kid and family in this community. So, thank you again. Uh, real quick side note on the propositions, this is just me as a dad. I am going to vote yes on both propositions one and two. The air conditioning one seems maybe
042like a luxury, but it's not. We've got teachers and students in sweltering heat. Uh they cannot learn, they cannot think. It is not good for them. And if we want our outcomes to improve, I urge everybody in the community to vote yes on both propositions. You got to do both. So, thank you very much. >> Thanks, Ted. Anyone else here to comment as part of either budget hearing? >> I got a comment. >> You want to step up to the lady out there >> that raised her hand. >> Oh, you did? >> Yeah. >> You didn't go first. >> Oh, come on up. >> Wait. Thanks, Mike. >> Don't No problem. >> Mrs. Wagner. >> I know. I know. >> Hi, I'm Michelle Wagner. Um, I was voted into the library board last year and
043almost immediately became the financial officer. Um it's been a learning curve. Um but from what I see on a weekly basis, um I really believe that even though we are asking for an increase that our library is a very very very important part of our community. Our library was there for everybody during COVID and we tried very hard not to increase budgets after that. But right now with our building expenses and our hardworking staff and all the programs we bring to the the community. I mean, we had a great reptile show last Saturday and how many kids? >> 16 people. And every there's an increase in our young, very young toddlers. We're now doing two a week instead of one. Um we're revamping our teen area and I just really hope that everybody understands that
044these our increase is not frivolous. Our library is very important to this community. And we also started um books for the homebound. Uh we deliver books to people who can't get to the library. We do a lot of research and we help those people find authors and genres and whatever they want and we make sure that they get those books which is also very important to make people feel connected to their community. Thank you. >> Thank you. I don't go to the library often, but I utilize your online resources immensely. I listen to probably two or three audio books at least a month and all through the library. So, money well spent. >> And um delivering books at home is that is that can you like borrow some of those books from the upper Hudson
045Library system and then lend them to >> Yes. >> Oh, wow. 29. >> I don't think anybody in the public could hear the answer to that question. I could I could attempt to summarize it, but you would do it much better. So, if you could repeat it, that'd be fantastic. Just so everybody has the information out there. >> I didn't mean to make it that way, Mike. >> It's okay, Mike. just so it's not >> so yes we do home delivery for any resident who is homebound in uh the RCS school district if they want books that we have we are happy to bring them if they're books that we don't have we have a courier that comes every day and we can get books from any of the 29 libraries in the upper Hudson
046library system we also sh there also you can get library of things stuff through the courier you can get cake pans from one of the littleer libraries. You can search the catalog for um cake pans. I forget, but there are many things from the library of things that you can get through the mail. And what Michelle said about the story time, it's not one extra one. It's one extra one a week, but it's four a week instead of three a week because we had so many people coming on Friday, we had to add an extra time slot. So, there's two on Friday, one on Tuesday, and one on Thursday. And we come to the preschool classes here every preschool class once a month. >> Awesome. >> Thank you. >> Great. Thank you. >> Thank you.
047>> Anybody else here as part of the public hearing >> you're up? in regards to the uh the two propositions and said voting yes for both and number two if the air conditioning just also remember by approving that it gives the districts a lot more leverage and opportunities when it gets too hot there's other places that the superintendent and that the principles can move kids to um instead of having to send them home. So that's all. >> All right. Very good. That concludes the budget hearings. Um at this time, I'm going to ask for a motion to enter into executive session to discuss matters pertaining to educational services related to particular individuals. Mel's motion. Mike. Second. All in favor? Bye. >> Hi. >> All right, we're back on. Are there any additions or deletions to
048the agenda this evening? All right. Is there a motion to accept the minutes of the April 29th board of education meeting? >> Motion, Matt. Yeah. Thank you. Second by Jenny. Is there any discussion on the minutes? All right. Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> Moving to uh business considerations. We have 71 through 78. Is there a motion for one or more? >> A motion for all. >> All right. Motion for all by I think it was >> it was Jackie. >> Jackie. Yep. >> Seconded by Matt. >> Uh just one item to note here before we open up for general discussion. We have a donation um valued $949 for a guitar to be used by the music program. So, thank you very much for that. We appreciate the donation to our music program. >>
049Um general discussion on any of the business considerations. >> No, >> I had a concern that >> the 1211 class might be full. Um and Jean shared or Jean, can you share? Is that full? >> The program uh for that is not. We're about five students under at this point with the projections that we have based on the means that we have >> and that's in the high school. I think that's going to be a question. Um >> and if we were to have an influx of our own students, can you explain what then would happen if we needed those spots and there was a spot open or with filled with another student from a different district? >> Well, two things happen. One is um Kate and Colleen really do monitor students who are what
050I would say in the pipeline. So our own students who are going through the process of evaluation. So when they are projecting numbers for the upcoming year, if those students are sort of in the gray area, they list them in their numbers. So our students are prioritized. When we start the school year, we we start the school year within those limits of the ratios for those programs. Um, in the event that a family moves in during the school year, um, and we have to go above that limit, it's a matter of filing a variance with state education department, which we've had to do before. Um, and that is how we've maintained that moving forward. >> Okay. Thank you. >> How many variances can you have? Do you know? >> Pardon me. >> How many additional
051students can you have if the ratio is 121? >> I don't know. I mean, I think um I don't think there's necessarily a limit on that. It's a matter of what kind of staffing do we need in order to support if it gets to be a bigger classroom space-wise staffing needs for the students. >> I guess just considering that we also have a 1511, I wouldn't want to see that to be the same ratio. Just generally speaking, children who are in a 1211 need that higher ratio. I'm sure that the special department monitors that, but I wouldn't want to see a variance that puts them up to the same level as the classroom that also exists, >> right? >> They're placed there with intention, >> right? >> Sorry, were you going to add to that?
052>> Thank you for explaining. >> Anything else, Matt? >> I just you guys mind I just noticed it. Maybe everybody else knows it already, but these business considerations are all 7.1 to 8, but personnel is also 7.1 to 7.7, I think, because the agenda shifted. >> Yeah, but do we need to make a change on that? So, you can have multiple seven ones. >> We can adjust it later to make them eight or something. >> Can we adjust it later to make them eight or it doesn't matter? >> It'll be in the minutes. >> It's because of the top. >> Yeah. Yeah, I know. I see what happened. Yeah. Okay. didn't want to. >> That's why I was so confused in there on the six versus the seven. >> All right. Anything else on the
053business considerations? >> All right. All in favor? >> I personnel considerations uh shown here is 71 through 77, but they will be reflected as 81 >> 81 through 87. >> Sorry. >> The minutes. Uh, is there a motion for one or more of the personnel considerations? >> I'll make a motion >> for for all. >> Oh, yeah. 71 through 77. >> Oh, boy. >> You reflected as 81 through 87 >> and particularly for 71. >> All right. Motion for 81 through 87. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thanks, Dan. Do we have any discussion on that before we vote? All right. All in >> Can I Oh, sorry. For 74, can I Yeah. >> Thank those teachers for stepping up in a little bit of a unique situation and really being team players and
054>> helping the students. >> All right. All in favor? >> I >> So, one item to note within um those personnel considerations is 8.1 uh the tenure of Miss Gene Winkler. Congratulations. >> All right. Uh, superintendent, turn to you for the district office update. >> Uh, yes. So, it has been a couple weeks of recognitions. Last week, we celebrated uh, bus driver appreciation day. So, I just wanted to mention uh that obviously we don't function without our bus drivers and we're very thankful and appreciative of the fantastic work that they do. Uh they are very literally the first school staff person that so many of our children see every day and they can make or break a child's day uh every every single day and and they make it more often than not. So, thank
055you to them. Uh this week is teacher appreciation week and I want to say thank you to all of our amazing teachers. Uh and also thank you to our parent organizations and community partners that have been sponsoring a variety of different uh events and recognitions for staff. Uh I'm sure that those things are making them feel uh special. Uh which is fantastic because they are. Uh today it was school nurses day. So uh just want to mention the amazing work that ourh school nurse team does. Uh it's a very difficult job. takes a special kind of person to be able to do it and we're very fortunate to have them. And lastly, this Friday will be school communication specialist day. So, I wanted to mention Michelle Ki and the amazing work that she does for
056us, including this uh fantastic budget flyer that everyone will be getting in the mail. But, uh, behind the scenes, uh, our website, uh, our social media, our, uh, parent square messages, a lot of the video content that we've started doing, that's really all all Michelle and she does a great job. So, um, just wanted to mention all of those things and thank all of those people that make this, uh, such a special place. And that's it for me. on the budget. Will there be something going out on social media for that we can all share to maybe more clearly couple words lay out why it's so important for all of these things budget-wise? >> Yes. Yes. >> Uh there will also be uh some parent square communications going out to families around the budget in
057addition to the flyer that you have now, but everyone will be receiving at home. >> Okay. And then Jesse kind of alluded to uh Capital Project video uh featuring yours truly. Uh >> yeah, we we tried we tried to get uh we we tried to get a you know A-list actor, but none were available for us. So stuck with me. Um but yes, a lot of communications going out around those things. >> Okay. I just want to make sure that we're sharing with the community as much as we can also. >> Yeah. And uh we said it all day today, but I don't know if we said it tonight. If anyone in the community has any questions about the budget or the capital project, they are welcome to give us a call, either me or
058Jesse. They're welcome to stop in. We'll sit down with them. We'll walk them through anything uh that they want to know more about. We want to make sure people are fully informed before they cast their vote. >> Thank you. >> Did you guys have a good turnout at last week? >> Uh about 10 12 people or so. Local business community. Um but it was a good opportunity for us to to share. They they had a lot of great questions about like future stuff. So, we were able to talk about like strategic planning and fiscal planning and that kind of stuff. So, some good questions from them. >> All right. Thank you. >> Our student exeicios. Owen, do you have anything tonight? Not much to reiterate or uh talk about from what we me and I
059added last week, but I'd just like to say AP exams are in full swing uh in the high school here. The middle school is putting on Matilda Matilda Junior uh today or tomorrow uh Friday and Saturday. Um and we have the select uh group concerts uh next week from the middle school and the high school. And that's about it. >> All right. Thanks, Owen. Okay. Um, so I just wanted to give everybody a shout out for teacher appreciation week. Um, and student exeicio like what's it called? Everybody, like we're running again for it. Um, and I decided to run again because I really loved everybody here. I loved um, you know, every minute that I spent here. Yes, the budget was a little bit too much. It was at first, you know, a lot of
060money, but um each one of you guys have this like really special quality that I loved and you know, even if it wasn't, I guess, you know, I didn't have to be here, I still wanted to um for that specific reason. Um so, thank you guys for everything that you have done for me. Um and you know, I want to wish everybody that is running the best of luck. Um, AP World is tomorrow 7:30. So, really excited for that. Um, I will let you guys know how that goes. Um, and yes, the Matilda Jr. is happening tomorrow. So, congratulations to the middle schoolers for that. Um, and definitely the capital project for everybody that is voting. Please, the AC is a must. It has been hot today, yesterday, and that last week was insane. So,
061um, best believe it or not, bio was really hard for me. Um, cuz it was the end of the day and it was pretty hot up there. So, that is something to consider. Um, and I just hope that everybody has a good weekend coming up. That's all. Thank you. >> Thanks, AA. >> Yep. There was um four there were four of you running and I got to meet them all today. Um the the four um candidates running for the board all very nice young actually. Um I think two of them were freshman maybe. >> Yeah. So um there's four people running. They all seemed very interested and had their own reasons for wanting to do it. So Gene met them too. So that was very good to see. >> Great. Any new business items tonight?
062>> I just have one question. Yeah. >> Um, in the past when 10th period's buses have been cancelled, it's come out like more like general notice. I don't use Stopfinder and I don't know if a lot of other people don't. So, I didn't have any idea that 10th period was canceled the other day. >> We used to get like an email or like a text message alert. I don't know. Maybe >> was cancelled. >> Was it >> I think it was th was it sent on busfinder? It was signed on Stoper, but I don't use Stop. My kids don't ride the bus really. Um, >> the parent square >> student one. Yeah, parent square as well. >> Yeah. So, maybe it just didn't come through properly or something, but >> I didn't know it either.
063>> If it hasn't, it should do that in the future. >> Yeah, >> it should come through fairly quick. >> I'm very appreciative it doesn't happen like almost at all anymore. I mean, for several years, every single day it was like 10 time period buses are canceled. So great that we're not in that situation anymore, but is helpful to know. >> And I'd like just to add from a student perspective, the communication has been like actually compared to previous years really good this year. I just but I had no idea 10th period buses were canceled the other day. Like this is my first time hearing about it. >> I left. >> Any other new items tonight? All right, then we're dropping right down to upcoming activities. Um, in case nobody's heard it yet tonight, there's
064a budget vote coming up on May 19th. Uh, so please come out, support the school's budget, support our students and teachers, uh, support both of the capital project propositions. Um, they all bring tremendous value to the district, and a lot of work has gone into preparing these this budget and these proposals. So, you know, we hope for the community support on those. Um, teacher appreciation appreciation week continues. So, on behalf of the board, thank you to teachers and staff. Um, every day you come and you you do the work, right? You take care of our kids. My most precious um things in life are in your care every day. So, thank you very much for that. We appreciate what you do, not just this week, but every day in our schools. Um, and then after
065the budget vote, uh, we have a meeting the following day, uh, where we'll review the results and hopefully confirm the positive results of the vote. Anything else tonight before we enter back into executive session? All right, then I'll request a motion to enter into executive session to discuss matters pertaining to the employment of particular persons. Mike, thank you. Second by Jenny. All in favor? >> I. No further action when we come back.