March 25, 2026 Board Meeting

001All right. Good e good evening everybody. It's 6:03 p.m. we will call to order a regular meeting of the board of education. Please stand for the flag for the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. All right. Before we uh proceed into the meeting agenda, does anybody have any reason to enter into executive session uh upfront relating to an agenda item? Either business considerations or personnel considerations. Okay. Um then do we have any additions? If you're interested, then we'll >> Oh, well, he said anything that was on the agenda for tonight, business or personnel otherwise. So, >> that's appropriate for executive session rather than public session. >> Okay. >> What

002do you have, Mike? >> What's the topic? >> If it's not executive, it's not executive. What's the topic? >> What's the topic? >> Yeah. >> The weekend update that we received from >> just the top just generally. What's the topic? >> Budget consideration. >> All right. That's public. >> We'll cover that out here. >> Bond issue. >> Yep. That's public. We'll cover that out here. >> All right. Do we have any additions, deletions to the agenda? >> I just had the two personnel items and I added the presentation. Thank you, Sue. Is there a motion to accept the minutes of the March 11th board meeting? Jackie. Thank you. Second by Jenny. All in favor? >> I. Okay, we'll move into the three-part budget presentation. Okay, good evening everybody. Uh, thank you all for being here

003tonight. Uh members of our audience, uh what we're presenting tonight is the proposed 2627 threepart budget. Uh that's a required presentation for the board of education, but we want to also use it as an opportunity to show the community where we are, how we got here, and exactly what we're proposing. Um so I'll start by saying that this budget did not come together easily. We faced some real pressures. Uh and before we get into the numbers, I just want to take a few minutes to kind of give people the picture in the landscape. Uh so we began the budget process facing a projected shortfall of well over a million dollars. Uh very significant gap. The drivers behind that gap are not unique to RCS as you know. Uh but that does not make them any

004less real for us. Uh our health insurance costs increased by 17%. Prescription drug costs went up by 35%. uh those are numbers that are largely set for us. We uh we don't control them. So on top of that uh like everybody else, we have rising utility costs, increases in supplies, uh and increases in our liability insurance, and then of course uh contractual salary step increases. So most of those pressures are not the result of decisions made locally. Uh however, they all require our our local response. Um, so before I talk about how we responded, I just want to share some context that I think is important. And, uh, you've seen this before, maybe framed a little bit differently. Uh, but like most area districts, we've experienced some meaningful enrollment decline over the last 25 years.

005Uh, in the year 2000, the district had more than 2400 students. This year, we started with 1759 and next year we're projecting 1705. Um, so what you'll see on this slide is how enrollment has moved and also how teacher staffing has moved. Uh, and I think that those two lines tell a story that's a source of pride for the district and should be. Uh, in 2000 the studenttoteer ratio was 12:1. Uh, today it's 9:1 and next year we're projecting that it will be 9:1 as well. Uh, a low studenttoteer ratio is one of our district's strengths. It means that our teachers know their students, means that class sizes are better than manageable. Uh it enables teachers to differentiate instruction, respond to individual needs. Uh so I believe that at this time it's very appropriate. Uh

006so in terms of developing the budget, we were very conscious of maintaining uh a low studenttoteer ratio and you'll see that we were fortunate to be able to do that. Uh so how did we close over a million dollar gap? uh we looked at everything, every area of the budget was on the table. Uh we came to the work with three priorities uh that we did not want to compromise. Um as a result, some of our aspirational items that we've talked about a little bit in the past uh that I still believe would be great additions are going to have to wait. Uh so some of those would be school supplies for all students. Uh we priced it out. I know that um we've talked about it with the board. Our assumptions were correct. We

007could fully fund all school supplies for all students at around $40,000. Uh we also wanted to fully fund every single field trip. Uh and we're adding some uh funding for field trips, but not able to do all. Uh I still believe in doing those things, but unfortunately we're not in a position to add those right now. Um so again uh we came to this work with three priorities that we didn't want to compromise. Uh first we didn't want to lay anyone off. Uh there will be some position changes and I acknowledge that those are hard uh very hard particularly for staff members that are directly and personally affected. Uh but some shifts uh in responsibilities for people were necessary to avoid layoffs. uh in the areas where we made shifts, we tried to be as

008thoughtful as possible, trying to match staff strengths with areas of student need. Um second, we also wanted to maintain all the student services that we possibly could. Uh the things that students and families count on. Uh solid classroom instruction, special education services, arts, music, athletics, counseling. Uh we didn't want any of those things to be considered a casualty of a difficult budget year. Um, third, we also wanted to protect the district's strengths. That low studenttoteer ratio being one of those strengths. Uh, also the depth of programming that we're able to offer for a district of our size. Uh, so all the decisions that we made were carefully, you know, thought about, designed to minimize impact on students and staff. Uh, and at this point, I'm going to turn it over to Jesse, who's going to

009get into some of the specific numbers, what we did, and what it means for the final budget. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. Chandler. Uh, so to start off, uh, our proposed budget for the 2620 school uh, 27 school year will be 58,224,892. Uh, that is an increase of a little bit over $1.2 million or 2.2%. 2% uh over last year. Uh and these two uh par graphs that you see here on the left hand side uh is expense and it's broken out into the three uh subject areas. Uh one the largest area being program which I'll get into a little bit more detail that's 76%. Uh capital is at 15% and the admin is the lowest at 8.3%. Uh the revenue side uh we are starting to lean a little bit toward more towards the

010local cost or the tax side. Our our revenue comes from 51% of from our tax levy. In the past it was more about 50 or 49 a little bit more towards the state aid side but now our state aid is is a little bit lower at 39%. Uh then other revenue is about 6% and majority of that is our pilots which are payment in le of taxes uh which is right around about two 2.6 million. Uh we also are proposing to um have this as at a deficit and what I mean by that is we have a planned use of about $2.3 million of our fund balance to balance our budget or about 4%. And this is the same as what we've had in the past. And feel free to stop me at any time

011if you guys have any questions. Uh so the first uh we're gonna dive Yeah, go ahead, Matt. >> Yeah, absolutely. You can stop me whenever. >> I just thought to the end. >> So for next year's budget then we've been talking in finance committee about trying to lower the amount of fundamental. So you're telling me this year we're not. We're going to keep that down. >> Yeah. Unfortunately, we've already broken that plan is what we're saying. >> Yeah. So what what I I am kind of holding out to and I can get into a little bit more detail later on. We talk revenue side is hoping we do get a little bit more from the state where if we get another percent or two uh in our foundation aid, we won't need to use that

012as much. So for example, if I'm able if we go up to about 2% that will increase our foundation aid by 300,000 and then we will be able to take that we won't have to use that fund balance as much. So um right now I can't say that's going to happen because the the budget isn't done. Uh but that is would be the first place that we would not have to use our fund balance. >> Is that currently today or does that include what's coming up next year? >> This would be next year. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And I I'll go into more detail around the revenue farther down. >> Just benefit costs for the prescriptions. >> Do you know what it was last year? And is it safe to say that all schools in

013New York State are seeing this increase? >> I can't speak about all schools, but I can speak about uh the other schools in our in our consortium uh which are some of the major uh other suburban council schools. Um and they are seeing significant increases. Uh it is an increase of a little bit over 1.9 million. Um, we did see a little bit more than some of the other districts for our prescription costs went up to 30. Uh, some of the other schools are looking at 15 to 20. Uh, but a lot of the other schools are looking at 15 to to 20 25 for the health insurance. So, >> can I can I just jump in briefly that? >> So, that's partly due to whatever prescription drugs people are. So, ours is going to

014be different from any other district based on >> what our what our people and we're >> selfinsured. Yeah. And I I'll apologize. I don't remember what it was last year. So, I'm kind of throwing you under the bus, if you will. >> What it what because I know it goes up every year. >> Yeah. It was about a $ 1.9 million increase. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> And I'll be honest, I have a colleague at another local district and their prescription cost is going up 68%. Uh so it it really is it varies like they said from district to district, but this is definitely an issue across the board. This is not unique to us. >> No, it it is something that I keep uh like I get reports that monthly and keep a very

015close eye on it. And I will say that it has the last two months has been better than it has been in the past. So it is trending in the right direction. Yeah. Uh but we have to be uh conservative with our rates. So, >> and I and I think we want to be fair to people that are listening and watching that this isn't just RCS land. This kind of I think it's across the state. >> Yeah. And and to be honest with you, it'd be a heck of a lot worse if we weren't part of a consortium with the purchasing power of the group of people that we have. It is sure definitely helps us out with our rates. >> I have a question that you keep an eye on and it's been lower

016for the last couple of months. Is that something like at the end of the year we might not see this significant increase? Unfortunately, we have to lock in the rates now. >> Okay. >> Um and we have because we're self-insured, we have to make sure that we have enough in the account. Okay. >> Uh if you guys remember, uh early in the year, I asked I talked about adding some money from our our health savings into our prescription, >> and we've gone through that a lot. So, we need to make sure we have significant savings in there to counteract some of those big big uh medical costs. >> Okay. >> One further question. You last time we said 2 million. that you said um for benefits 1.9 I see 1.3 up there is it is

017it because you spread it out over >> Yeah. So it's each each like so this the program has a percentage of it the um the capital those those employees have a percentage of it and the admin have a percentage of it. >> Okay. And that's just when you said benefits is a pretty generic term. That's that's prescription medical. >> Yep. So, it's prescription, medical, vision, dental, those kind of things. Yeah. Uh vision, dental, and uh life insurance. >> All stayed the same. There was no rate increase for those. These are the only two that we see an increase year-over-year. >> Yes. Last year was 20%. >> What's that? >> 20% last year. >> Prescription. Yes. Yeah. So, we're not, this isn't new, but we're hoping we're hoping that we are putting some some guard rails,

018they call it, in place to try to slow down these. And it's not to prevent people from getting the drugs that they need to get, but it's the way that they're getting them, making sure they go through the proper channels to be able to get them so they're not no one's abusing them. >> Thank you. So this is the first um and also the biggest the program expense. The program expense this includes uh instructional uh personnel services uh athletics transportation and all all direct uh student um interaction. So this is at 76.54%. Uh we are our budget for for next year will be a little bit over $4.5 million. Uh that's an increase of about $849,000. Uh to go down a little bit more detail going down the line. Uh first you'll see salaries is

019actually a uh decrease of about 600,000. Uh and that was through some of the um the non-filling of positions that uh Mr. Chandler just spoke about. we able to save some money there? >> That we're at. How do we get to that number? >> That's an important thing. >> Yeah. >> I don't know if it's coming up later in the presentation. I'm not >> expectation. >> It's not later in the presentation. It's around 8. There are um >> and there's eight teaching positions, uh classroom positions, so to speak, or >> retirements, >> right? >> And then other shifts, >> I've got it here. Just bear with me for a second. >> Eight teaching FTEEs basically. >> Yes. Is there I mean I'm sure we've spoken to these changes that are going to be going made

020cuts and uh you mentioned early in the beginning um what' you say shift >> shifts things I'm sure those people it's been discussed with people already or not discussed with people >> in most cases yes there are still >> which is why I'm being a little bit aloof because there's still a couple conversations to be had but >> because all right >> for the most part yes Tonight we're not voting on this tonight. You're just presenting this tonight. We have a vote later on in April. Correct. >> Yeah. Your next one will be the April 15. >> Those are things I think honestly we should be listing out what these things are so people know what they're losing when they're coming out to vote for a budget. Yep. You know, what is going away, what

021we're keeping, that kind of thing. If this conversations haven't had been had, I understand that. But that's something I'm going to be asking for. So, just to prepare next time, I want to know what what it is we're losing in there because well, I guess I'll go I'll come back to this at the end. I'll let you finish and I'll come back to my statements about that. But we're not voting on it tonight. >> no, this is this is just our final presentation. Uh we can present some additional information at the April uh was it 14th or 15th uh board meeting if there's something else you need. That's why we gave you a little cushion to be able to if there's some additional information that you need. >> Nor will we be v voting on

022the bond presentations for the capital improvements. Well, the capital improvement will be need to we need to we planned on making a decision tonight regarding that >> and we also discussed >> we also discussed if we needed to that we could do a special meeting >> between now and it's kind of separate I understand it's another agenda item further down the line but you were asking a question about whether we were going to vote on it tonight and I just wanted to clarify that. >> I just didn't want to get us off this for now. >> Yeah. Go ahead. Carry on. >> All right, >> carry on. >> So, uh, to kind of keep them going down, uh, another big item on there is our contractual cost. That went down about 92,000. A lot of

023that is based on us reducing our contract uh, transportation runs. If you remember in the beginning of the year, I mentioned that uh, because of us being able to pull in some of our runs, we were able to lower our budget by about 300,000. I did leave uh some um contingent money in there just in case as everybody's well known that we we are in a driver shortage. So I didn't want to make it I wanted to leave some money in there just in case where we do need to pull uh some contractors in to help us uh bring some of our kids especially with uh some of the out of district place kids. So there is some uh contingent money. Um and then also that includes a um it's offset by about $47,000 increase

024for our field trips. Uh Boseies, you see a uh about $146,000 increase. 100,000 of that is uh an increase for special ed out of place students and um the rest is is for instructional software. um the the services uh I mean the fees that we pay through Boseis did we did see some increases on those software costs uh but remember everything in there uh for BOSI services we do get state aid on so we will be aided um the the special ed students are aided a little bit differently but all the software costs will be aided at about 0.571% >> yep >> is that based on the current population Yeah. And projections. We work very closely with Colleen and and her staff to estimate where the kids are going to be and new kids coming

025on board. Um we do have to have some contingent money in there just in case. You never know what kind of needs students are going to come in. Um >> because we could have one higher needs individual move in and that could really mess with it. So is the cushion enough for a significant need or for a more moderate need? >> I I have I have about $100,000. >> Okay. >> It's very tough. um especially with a budget this tight um to be able to put a lot of contingencies in your budget. Um >> can I ask a hypothetical question then? >> Absolutely. >> If a child were to move into the district that required significant programming and we don't have that money budgeted, how is that addressed or do we deal with >> Oh,

026we can't. We have to we have to educate the student, right? So, I'll have to look at I mean, it could be different areas. We'd have to move it. I'd have to come to you guys and ask for a budget transfer from a different location where we might not be able to purchase something or you know supplies might you know there's a lot of things we can different things we can that contingent money that I have for for the transportation department if hey listen I know we're not going to need to pull in we're doing very well we got a bunch of drivers I know that I have some contingent money in transportation but now I have a student that's going to cost significant amount of money I'll come to you guys say hey I

027got a new student coming on board I'm going to need to move $200,000 to help pay for them. >> Okay. >> Uh so the other significant line there is the benefits. As uh Mr. Chandler discussed, we are seeing significant increases in our um in our prescription and our health. And you'll see that on each one of our the different um uh expense lines. Uh and the transfer to uh I like to explain that a little bit. That is based on for our special ed summer school. And really what that is is it's just an accounting thing where we we have to actually pay it out of uh we expense it in a different fund and then we move it back to the general fund because the state end up paying 80% of that cost. So

028that's we expect it to be a little bit higher than it has been in the past. >> The portion that we have to pay. >> Yes. Okay. >> Yep. Yep. >> Any questions on that? >> I'll probably come back after. >> Yeah. you you can stop me or whatever you want to do it. >> I want to see the rest of it. >> Okay. Absolutely. Uh next would be the capital expenses. Uh this is about 15.16% of the cost. Um so this is amounting at a little bit over uh 8.8 million or uh $419,000 increase from last year. Some of the uh the um topics I'd like to present is salaries. We did see some senior um employees uh either resign or leave the district. So, we were able to see some savings uh because

029we filled those positions with younger um or will be filling those positions with younger which will be cheaper um employees. Um the other one the contract um and services that is the majority of that is our electric our we have seen our electric cost significantly increase and I think everybody has seen that uh and we don't expect to see uh that go down uh so we have increased that slightly uh like the other um expense groups our benefits uh have increased also in this uh over 170,000. Uh and then the debt that the debt this is the debt service. So this is the debt service for the entire district which includes uh our buses. It includes our capital projects. Uh that is you do see an increase of about 279,000 but later on the presentation

030I'll be talking about the building aid uh which is coming on which will counteract that that debt increase. maybe started touching on but maybe not fully for may help me feel good about it. Um we're presently in a war. Gas prices have spiked incredibly. I'm sure we're affecting that. It's affecting us already >> but ultimately it's going to you know we have probably some cushion this year or some monies. Where in here are we reflecting the potential for that >> for fuel or Yeah. is that >> so fuel is more the transportation side. Well we do have fuel with this as well. Um I guess when I when I said electric it was that line which is fuel and electric. So it is increasing of both. So and we did we did have >> Is

031that enough? >> What's that? >> Is that >> So we did have some contingent. That's a line that we've used to have a little bit extra just for these exact regions. So I was able to kind of take out some of those contingent money and only increase it slightly. >> Okay. Because we're talking like right now prices are up like 25%. >> Yeah. So what some of our saving grace is we do have a lot we are locked into a price. >> Okay. uh for now. Yeah. >> But that's going to be falling off towards the end of the season, end of this school year, >> right? >> So then that's going to be much higher. >> That's why I want to make sure we have that. >> Yeah. So I we believe that this

032is we we should be fine with this amount. >> That scares me too. >> Last year and the year before the numbers were higher, right? Gas prices were higher. So >> well, gas would be transportation. >> Would be transportation. But to mine, too, right? What's that? It's got to be under one of these three parts. >> It's in the first part. >> Oh, it was in the first part. >> Yeah. So, >> it's under program. Yep. That's where transportation is. >> Yeah. But yeah, >> but we've got that as one that's a negative, >> right? Contractual services. I would assume it would fall under the same category just on we were some of the >> I should have spoke a little bit about the gas and uh on that too. So we were that also

033with the decrease of our uh contract transportation, we did see a small increase for gas as well. >> Huh. >> If you go back to program expense. >> Yeah, I'm there. >> So it's it's right at 92, right? >> So I was able to lower our contract transportation by 190,000. >> Oh, so >> so then I al but I also increased the electric and some other items. So it wasn't as big a savings as because of those >> made me feel better. You didn't increase electric, you increased utility costs. >> I didn't increase the cost. I increased the >> Yes, you did. >> Don't blame him for the gas. >> You increased the amount allotted to utilities. Is that better? >> It's hard to do it because the way it's broken out in different areas

034too. Um and some of the interesting things and >> that's the kind of stuff I always like I that's what I was talking about maybe you know coming into this year. Yeah. to see all that broken out so we can see where >> I just I some I agree with you. I enjoy doing it too, but not everybody enjoys line by line and we'll be here all night. >> No, no, you don't have to go by you don't have to go line by line. We should be seeing line by line. >> Well, you do see it when we put out the budget statement. You will see line by line >> after we voted yes or no for it. >> No, this is before the budget. Well, you guys Yes. Is it before the budget hearing?

035>> Um, >> yeah, but but after we move it forward. >> Yeah. >> Right. So, too late for me then. It's up to you guys. >> Well, as finance chairman, I'd like to see line by line before I voted on what budget we're going to be putting forward, but I'm only the finance. >> I have no problem. >> We got a president and a vice president here also that >> I have no problem providing it, but I would also ask that we don't nickel and dime because we can be here all day. Why is this? Why is that? Correct. And I'm more if you want to come in and discuss things why you're doing this in a philosophy. Absolutely. I would love to do that. But at the ninth hour, >> I I ask >>

036you guys are my boss. >> But it's the ninth hour for us too, Jess. >> I understand that. >> Okay. >> I understand that. >> That's why I see it in the future. Seeing it going, you know, earlier is better because I hear what you're saying the last hour, you know. Yeah. >> But um and and I agree. I've said it maybe to you and I'll say it to the community like a longtime business administrator said when you do show it that way you can get stuck majoring in the minors right you see this one up 2500 bucks and it was only 2,000 last year why we go up that $500 you don't want to get into that but when you see significant increase or you can at least understand and see where that stuff

037is you know because gas is we don't know what's going to happen with that whole situation it could end next week and those numbers come back down but I just want to make sure we I here there's nothing in here that tells me I'm I believe you what you're telling me but when I look at this there's nothing that makes me feel comfortable just on the paper to say, "Oh, yeah. We worried about gas prices. We know we cover that." The line let you see. >> So, for right now, if individual members feel like they need access to more information prior to voting on this, >> I think what Jesse is saying is that information is available to review. Yeah. Right. I >> take take him up on that. >> Oh, he knows I will.

038>> Or we we can also hold a finance committee meeting between now and then as well. >> Absolutely. We can do that, too. Whatever makes you feel comfortable and better understanding what we're doing. I'm more than happy to explain it to you. >> It's more on the back side like you know we do this tonight. We see this thing. It doesn't have the stuff I like to see in it from the history and then we get into next year's budget and all of a sudden somebody's coming to us and it's again don't take this as an offense kind of thing, right? Don't I don't want anybody misinterpreting, but then all of a sudden next year we're coming back to say what do we have to cut because we didn't plan for all this change in

039you know this increase in gas money because we didn't see it. So if I'd seen it was not in there, I could have said something. Now I did say something the night. So that's fine. But that's my concept behind it. >> It's it's later when it comes back to bite, you know, in a year from now when people complain about something. We want to know why that Oh yeah, I knew it wasn't there. I don't know that without seeing that. >> Understand. >> But I can come see you to do that. >> It's understand. >> Keep going. Go ahead, >> Mike. If you want to call a finance committee meeting beforehand, you can. You're entitled to do it as the chair of the finance committee. >> Or anybody who's interested can just let Jesse know

040they like happy to do it. Again, the better you guys understand it, the easier job it is for me. >> I I truly believe that before we pres before we vote on this budget, that we have to know what's in it, not just the round figures or the the you know, a little bit here, a little bit there. We just got to be able to see it if we're going to represent the taxpayers that we're supposed to be representing to say, "Yeah, we understand the budget and here it is and yes, we're voting for it." >> Not not taking a six- page presentation that's going to add up to $54 million or whatever and say, you know, take it or leave it, guys. >> But also, you you pay me a lot of money to

041make sure that I have everything on here. >> That's true. >> Right. And then and I've been doing this for over 10 years. >> That's true. >> And in other districts, so you guys can't rely on me >> to be able to give you accurate projections and predict increases in gas and increases in other things. You know what I mean? >> I'm not insulting anybody. >> That's a very fair point. And just, you know, for Jesse's benefit, he's reporting the information that the board has previously asked him to report on. we've asked for. >> I'm not suggesting that he's hiding anything. >> Neither am I. No, nobody is. Okay. But what he's what he's prepare what he's presenting in the summary document >> is what we've asked him to present to us. Mike, now if

042we want something else of the board, we need to talk about that and give him some clear direction from a majority of the board on what it is we're looking for. In the meantime, if you want to schedule a finance committee meeting, you can do that as the chair of the finance committee and review all of this in more detail >> or go in and see them >> or go in and see him. >> Yeah. You know, my door is always open and that that goes to anybody in in the community really. Uh, you know, I want people to understand it and if it's like you want me to walk through the foundation aid with you, I it's going to take a while. It's not going to be exciting, but I'm more than happy to

043do that with you. >> So, So any other I think we I think I got through all the capital. Any other questions? >> Is there something I missed or >> I'm sorry if I just missed this and all the other things. Um why is our Bosei services going down to nothing? >> So we are able we did have a service through building grounds but because we have a great building grounds director uh we are able to pull that back in in house. >> Okay. >> So it's only >> that's a big difference. That's all. But and that's only Bosei services under capital. Yes, there's other BOSI service. Yeah, >> I understand that. I was just seeing a zero in anticipation as a surprising number. >> Just wanted to clarify. Thank you. >> Staffing wise, this

044is like on M. >> Yes. Yep. That's all the staff. Yep. >> All right. So, the final one is uh administrative expenses. Uh that's about 8.3%. Uh this is central administration, finance, business office, legal, human resources, and uh districtwide uh operations. Um so we we did see a a slight increase of about 5,000 to this. Uh and and it's going to be a little bit above 4.8 million. Uh you will see uh salaries are increasing about 41,000. Uh and that's due to contract obligations. uh but we were able to mitigate some of those salary increases and also those benefit increases which is similar to all the other uh expense buckets. Uh so we we in the last um few years we were able to hire some new staff. Uh we had some staff leave, we

045had some new staff come on board and those new staff that we hired are very skilled. Uh I'm very honored to worked with a lot of them and and because that we've hired we were hired these people with higher skills and better uh we are actually going to start pulling in some of this additional services that we've been contracting out. Uh for example um one because we got a new bank uh and this new bank offers us a service a little better service with our tax collection uh we're going to be pulling back our t tax software away from NER uh which is $23,000. Uh we're going to be we have an additional software analytic tool that helps with budget analyzing and future forecasting. Uh we're pulling that back in. That's about $23,000. Uh we're

046able to because of our communication department being very strong. Uh we're we she had additional help uh in the past um and we're able to pull that back in which is $28,000. Um, we also saw some decrease in some of our uh business office additional fees of $10,000 uh and also the legal fees. Uh did have some contingencies in that legal fee lines, but we pulled that out uh because historically we have not uh been using that expenses. So we didn't think it was appropriate, especially in this budget climate to keep that contingency in there. Uh, and also we did see some increases uh to our property tax, I mean our our property insurance. Uh, but what we learned is that we can get some additional transportation aid if we moved it to a different

047expense line. Uh so we strategically did that this year and we'll that will carry over into our next year to move some of that you know the bus insurance some of the car insurance over down into the transportation department so we are able to get that aid on it uh which we haven't been doing in the past >> transportation um audit that that fellow came in and did >> uh it was one thing yes uh it was I actually learned about it uh through one of my um uh workshops that I was learning some you know additional state aid information. So they gave it a suggestion and I said hey we're not doing it so we should be doing it in the future. >> Excellent. >> Yeah. >> Excellent. Thank you. >> In regards to

048like if this is going to go out on a website or be posted anywhere. I eventually it's going to be the three-part budget, right? People can do the math, but I noticed like on this one and I like it this way. It's it's got the percentage, the total, and the change. The the capital has the percentage, the total, and the change. But the really really big one just has the the percentage and the and the >> it doesn't think doesn't show that doesn't show that the dollar >> change with making it fit in there. >> I think it would be good and it's I I like this. It's clarity. >> We'll make it fit before we post it on the website. >> Just that's all. >> Yeah, >> just consistency. Thank you. >> Yep. >>

049Any any questions regarding uh admin expense? So, moving on to uh the revenue side of things. Uh first, we're going to go through the state aid. Uh so, next year we're predicting that our state our total state aid is going to be uh 22,412,522. Um that is an increase over last year of $332 $332,300 or 1.5% increase. Um the two big areas where we are seeing increase is the foundation aid. Uh and if you remember from some of my previous um presentations where I put you guys to sleep regarding state aid and how it's calculated uh foundation aid some of the big things that are around that is uh enrollment. So with the decrease in enrollment we we will see less and less foundation aid unfortunately if it if we continue to see foundation aid

050calculated the way it is. Uh the other big items with foundation aid is property wealth and um wealth of the individuals that within our district. Um so we are at this point only seeing a 1% or $150,000 increase. We are hoping and I believe some of the houses and the senate are proposing at least a 2% increase. So we're hoping to see a little bit more money. Uh but right now to be fiscally responsible, we wouldn't didn't want to put that 2% in just in case we we weren't going to see it. Um the other inc uh larger increases in building aid. Uh so we did uh finish our 15 or close to finish our 15 uh million dollar capital project. Uh so once we do the final cost report, we'll be eligible for building

051aid and to be able to make sure that our max maximum cost allowances is all set for our current capital project that we're discussing tonight. Uh the fiscal advisors and our construction manager um suggested that we put in this so we can get we make sure that maximum cost allowance is available for us because we're going to be very close with the incidental cost. So, what this does though is this does affect our our tax levy, and I'll get into that a little bit more in another slide, but this is an increase of um of 538,000 um which is a lot higher than I expected earlier in my presentations. Um again, that is starting to kind of counteract some of that increase in our debt. >> Yes. You mentioned a few minutes ago about the

052um was it the foundation aid that has been placed in the in the Senate's um the upper house's budget and it's at 2% as we're speaking right now. The assembly has actually increased it above that and the governor is in agreement to come to 2% now as it is. But you said you didn't add any of the 2% at all or 1% or no no percent to foundation aid >> as of I know right now with the with the governor's proposal that's out there right now. Obviously things can change. Right now it's 1%. >> That's that's the only information that I have right now. And you've included that into >> the 1% is included in there. I'm hoping we get more and then again like earlier in our conversation, if we do get more, then

053we're not going to have to rely on the fund balance, >> right? >> I I get updates literally every day. Um the executive budget was 1%. Uh the one house budgets each propped us up by another 1%, but those are obviously not um not official. So, we're still waiting on >> We would anticipate that the governor would go along with that if it's coming from both of those bodies, but we just don't know. >> Well, >> given that this is an election year for her and both houses and there's five days to go before April 1st, I'm thinking you'll see something real quick. >> Yeah, for sure. Yeah, we're all hopeful. What is our I know you've put it out there, but I can't remember. What is our date that we have to pass the

054budget by >> for it to go to the voters? >> I think it's either I think it's a it's in late April >> late April. >> So I think it's 20 I don't know off the top of my head but >> is it that late do you assume off the top of your head? No >> April 15th. No >> April 15th is our last board meeting before we can do it. >> I just my point I was just to follow up Mike and you guys know this but just for out there which is you hope the state finishes their budget >> right. Most likely we're not going to have a we may not have that number, right? >> Time that we need to make a decision. >> No, we know. That's my whole point, right?

055Which everybody should know, but it's always good to bring it up each year. >> But again, you guys aren't approving the revenue. You're approving the expense plan or the budget side. So this that's just their ability to pay for it. >> But that could change what we do on the expense side. Like you said, you on the Yeah. >> the the the >> reserve, you know, fun balance that. >> So, uh, a couple other things. uh the Boseies aid, the high cost aid, the private excess cost aid, and the transportation aid. Those are all expense driven aids. Uh and expense driven aids are all based on expenses that we're occurring currently this year. Um and I do expect those to to dec uh uh we're not going to have as high expenses as we have

056in previous years. So we I will not get as much aid as as we anticipated. So those are going to be decreased slightly. That could change. That's just an estimate based on what I believe our expenses are going to fall. Um, so this is the only other one up there is our instructional material aid and that's all based on enrollment. Uh, so that has decreased slightly just because of our enrollment decreasing. Any questions on state aid? So next is our tax levy and I like to do a history of it. Uh and that bottom line there is the 26 27. Um and I know in a previous presentation uh that it was slightly higher uh but that was before we I knew we had to do the the final cost report and add some additional

057building aid onto our um into our revenue and what we expect to get to. Uh so if you remember some of the conversations that we've had in the past around the tax levy, the tax levy isn't just uh you know a 2% increase that's the highest we can go. It's a a complex eightstep formula that and if we stay within that formula uh we we only need a 50% plus one vote to be able to pass our budget. If we decide to go above that limit and we are we do have that option uh and that what we can put at whatever percentage increase that we'd like to do that is what we would need a what we call a supermajority vote and that's 60% of the votes that need to be passed. Um, so

058this year I am recommending uh that we go at the cap at the 1.14% increase. Uh, and that's an increase of uh 332,000. Uh, and that will put our uh total tax levy a little bit over 29.4 million. >> I know you can't predict next year, but with the pilot coming on next year, >> if we only go out at 1.14, what are we looking at the following year? It's still going to be negative. It's >> going to be negative. So that's where we're going to need super majority just to go out at zero >> if that's the route we would like to go. Yes. >> So okay. So thinking of that and in looking at that would it be more beneficial to go out a little we'll be going out a little bit more

059this year or a little bit more next year? >> It is it is a strategy. Uh, are you insinuating that we go out higher than the 1.4%? >> Well, I'm asking you. Yeah. Because if if we go out at 1.14, >> it's not going to be logical to go out at zero next year, which would be a super majority, which means to go out even above that, which we're going to have to do to bring in revenue. You're going to need a supermajority next year anyways. Is it advisable to wait till next year or is it advisable to go out a little bit more this year? >> It's either you want to go I would I would recommend to do it next year. Um one especially because we have a capital vote on there now.

060Um >> okay. >> You know it it really is I'm just wondering what the I mean the 332,000 increase compared to the million if we need a supermajority going out at zero. Are we going out next year possibly at 3 and a half%. >> Honestly, >> no, we would go out at zero. >> No, that would be breaking. I know. >> Well, that's that would be the plan. >> But we also have the million dollars coming on. >> I I know. I get that. But we don't know what our >> I guess one question is if we went out at a super majority this year, say it was two or three%. >> Yeah. >> Would we still be in a position next year where we'd have to see the super majority anyways? Well, I mean,

061if you go significant, um, but we have to think about our taxpayers as well, right? >> But to keep it within reason, like two to 3%, we'd still be in a position next year where we're seeking right >> a consecutive supermajority vote. >> Yes. I haven't done the calculation. Uh, the highest I've gone was three and we at that point we still would have to go would still be in the negative because of that 1.2 million. >> I guess that answers my question is what I was >> Okay. >> So, it it really doesn't >> doesn't help either way, >> right? We're still going to have to go. It's either we we'll add it this year >> and then if we don't go to the super, it's just going to come right back down. >>

062Right. Okay. >> So, but it's a good it's a good thought process trying to think outside the box. >> Yeah. >> Surely trying to ask two in a row is going to be tough and I think next year we have legitimate understanding how to I mean, >> right, >> we know what we have to talk about next year and why we have to do it versus >> and that would next year. I mean, if we were going to do it, I I would think that we would really need to hit the ground running on it and get as out there as quickly as we can to explain it to people, sit down with people, walk people through it, >> and really and then we haven't done that as much. I know I've done it at

063board meetings, but I haven't really gotten into real nitty-gritty regarding the calculation. >> We are already planning on doing that next year. probably covered this already twice or three times tonight, but I I'm just I'm not clear on this point. Um tax cap last year we went out at 3.56 for a million dollars. This year we're dropping down to 1.14 for a third of that. >> So it's about a third give or take. the cap drop, but why did that tax cap drop to where it is? So, the big impact and again the difference, the real difference between when I initially presented where it was near two, it was like two I think it was 25 or 22, right? >> Um, we had that additional building aid coming on and one part of the uh

064the tax levy calculation is amount of building aid we get. So adding that additional building aid lowers our ability to say, "Hey, you're already getting state aid, so you don't need to raise as much taxes." >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yep. >> Sure. >> For the school year 2022 to 23, it's 4.94%. um then it decreases then increases and then like I guess the 26 to 27 is like the projected one right what do those numbers mean like if it goes below is that bad >> so so the way the tax levy works is it's a calculation you don't have to go this is the max that you're able to go without um having a supermajority vote so we have to look at it every year and it's a very complex thing because we really

065have to look at not just the the current year, but future years. So, sometimes we don't think it's fiscally responsible to go all the way up to the top of the the the tax cap, as they call it. >> Okay. >> Can you help She was asking me and I wasn't great at this. Uh, can you help understand where the tax cap number comes from? So, like why would one year we have a tax cap of nearly 5% but this year have it at 1%. >> So, again, >> that's where I deferred to. Yeah. No. And I'm more than happy to walk you through it too. >> Did we put that in the fiscal profile presentation? >> We did a little bit, but I'm more happy to talk. >> Yeah, explain it, but then but

066that way people have a point of reference. >> So, it really is like an eightstep process to it. And uh the first step is the previous year's tax levy. Um so that's where you start and then you have um what's called like a growth factor. So if you have a lot of growth in your area like new building all that kind of stuff the state gives you a a a increase for that it's very insignificant. So then you have also the amount of pilots that you have coming on from previous years and then also you have debt and and the aid that is associated with that debt and then that comes down and then that that tells you hey that's the amount of money that you're able to that the state believes that you're able

067to afford to raise taxes. So to your question, although 0% or negative sounds good, >> it actually constrains the district's ability each successive year because step one is looking at last year's tax cap. And if last year's tax cap is zero or negative, you're now in a downward progression where each successive year you're digging a hole that you can't get back out of. Which is why each year we try and go as close as we can within reason out with the actual levy close to the allowable tax cap. So the following year we have that flexibility to you know >> Yeah. Perfect. >> Yeah. Absolutely. Thank you, Mike. >> Pilots too. So the the money that will become that we get in pilots and the money there was one that we thought was going to

068come on this year but but it actually didn't. >> So when if we're at 3 point if we're at 1.14 and say a million dollars came in in pilots. So when it's more revenue that's coming into the district. So they're going to say, well, the district can afford more and then you can't go out as much. So while those pilots in low of taxes is is revenue to the district, it can it negatively affects us and the amount that we can go out. >> Got it. Thank you. >> Good question. So that increase that 1.14% increase uh has a very minimal uh impact on our taxpayers. Uh again, this this would be at at each given uh municipality. Um please note that these are all based on last year. Uh things can change, especially with

069that small amount. If assessments were to go up, it very well could be a decrease uh based on on your tax rate. Uh but I do like to give a general idea. Um, so you'll notice that kind of the new Baltimore is a lot higher um than some of the other one and that's based on their equalization rate and um the equalization rate there is is something that the state gives municipalities when they think that their assess values aren't accurate. So what New Baltimore hasn't done a reassessment in many many years. Uh so their assessed values on their houses are very low. Uh so to kind of counteract that low assessed value they they increase the rate but in the whole scheme of things they will be paying very similar amount than the Bethlehem and

070the Queenmans and the New Scotland. >> Outrageous to change that estimated assessed value to 200,000 instead of 100. >> Just double it. >> I I know. Trust me. Thank you. >> I and I'm more than happy to do that. I I I like to do it 100,000 because people have the ability to say two, three, four, multiply it by four if you have a $400,000 house. I know most people don't have $100,000. >> I'm not aware of that. Somebody looks at that. >> Yeah. >> They go, "Oh, wow. That's nothing." >> That's not accurate, though, because there's no houses that are worth $100,000 anymore. >> Look at that. >> Let's be honest. >> I I see any district I go to, that's that's the way we do it. >> It is. It's been done that

071way for years. Yeah. >> We could probably just build it out with more. >> So we could put a 100 and 200 and 300. >> In the future, you want me to do Yeah. like a 200 line, a 300 line, a 400. I'm more happy to do that. >> That would be more transparent. >> When you look at it, you're like, then when you get your bill, you said that wasn't accurate. >> Yeah. No, that was definitely not my intent. My intent was to make it easy to be able to calculate. >> It changes even more anyway because this is just equally as fun until you get the assessments back, then it changes again. So it's never exactly it's hard to really >> this is just projection. >> It really is a very >> I

072know you know that but >> broad projection. >> Yeah. >> Thank you for that. >> Yeah. >> Uh so uh the last area of revenue and fund balance I wanted to discuss is kind of the other revenue. Um and uh like I mentioned before the biggest part of this is the pilot. Um and next year I do expect to see a little bit of increase. We do have two pilots uh with the Queen Men's recycling that is seeing a significant increase. Um um so we do expect to get a little bit more money in pilots that also had an effect on our tax levy. The increase in that did lower it because we expect to get more like Mr. Benady mentioned. Um so we do see expect to see about $160,000 increase in our pilots.

073uh local revenue uh the majority of that is bank interest uh and we have been seeing Mr. Mr. Right. >> Money that we can expect. That's that's not um uh that that's not affected by any possible tax casoria um suits that these pilot owners may. >> No, this this is these are contracts that we currently have with with agreements. Um and uh you'll be seeing more because there's a lot of solars. Right. >> There's some other things and again you're going to see hopefully next year a very large one coming on board uh with about $1.2 million. >> Okay. >> To it. Yep. >> So the taxor stuff doesn't >> No, that has nothing to do with this. >> Okay. >> Nope. Um so go back to the local revenue. Um >> thank you. >>

074Yeah, no problem. Uh the key factor is that the bank interest. Uh last year uh we we budgeted about $500,000 for bank interest. And um if you remember in one of my other presentations, we we did decide to switch banks. Uh and one of the keys to switching those banks was the increase in uh bank interest. Uh so we do expect to see a little bit more money um in our bank. Uh it's it's about a uh a $50,000 increase. So $150,000 I apologize. $150,000 increase from our our bank interest year-over-year. uh the federal aid that we do see uh expect to see an increase in that. That is our Medicaid reimbursement and we have students that get Medicaid services. Uh we have seen an increase in those. Um and historically we have been spending

075more than 100 thou we've been receiving more than $100,000 in this area. Uh so we believe we'll be getting at least $150,000 um next year. Uh and finally I like to add uh fund balance whe it's not technically a revenue um but it is a planned use as I mentioned before of our our our fund balance. Uh and I think in my 10year career uh with any budget that I've ever done, this is the one where I see us dipping into a fund balance more than any other year. uh when we were developing this to try to do our best to you know um kind of curb some of these expenses uh we really eliminated a lot of our contingencies on there. Um so I I thoroughly expect well in the past we really haven't

076had to dip into our fund balance. I I believe we will be in the 26 27 school year dipping into that fund balance. Uh, and I know you've heard me discuss many of times what that means. Uh, it is a a scary thing because once you go in, it's very hard to get out of it. Um, and there's only two ways to get out of it. That's lower expense and increase revenue. Uh, and you've just heard our conversation how it is uh be able for us to raise taxes or uh to get state aid money. So, >> next year >> kind of in real time, but not really. maybe like quarterly or monthly. Is there a way for us to track utilization of the fund balance throughout the year instead of waiting? >> So, what

077I can definitely do is give you a projection where we see where we're going to end up at the end of the year. Obviously, you know, it it's maybe starting mid year after January saying, "Hey, this is where I expect to be." And the closer we get obviously to the end of the year, the more accurate it would be. But I can say, "Hey, listen. We I I I overestimated in this area. So I I can you know I know we're not going to be spending that much and but I can definitely give the board a more better projection on where we'll be at the end of the year and and that way we'll say hey we're going to be using some of that or you know what we got more revenue than expected. So

078we're not going to have to use it as much. I can definitely do that. >> So if we need to use it you'll actually draw down out of that account and move this the money somewhere else. >> Yeah. It gets moved over to the revenue side. Will that come to us when we see a draw down out of the fund balance? And >> that is a great question. Um, I'd have to look at the I've actually technically never done it. >> I've been lucky enough where I haven't had to do it. So really what it what I believe it comes down to at the end of the year, our expenses and and when you do the final like balance sheet, our expenses are going to be higher than our revenue and that doesn't work. So

079we have to technically take some of our savings to balance it out. >> Okay. So, say just hypothetically, we spent $50 million, we got revenue of $48 million. I need more money to be able to balance my books. So, I would have to move at the end of the year the $2 million to balance my budget. >> All right. So, I'm just thinking about this in like simple terms like personal finance. >> So, personal have a big credit card bill one month and I've got a savings. I need to move money from this account to this account. Pay. So if there's an instance where you start moving money from the fund, >> I would just ask that we be notified as that's happening so we can kind of track that. >> I wouldn't be moving

080any of that money till the end of the year, >> but I do think a good projection for you guys is a good way to do it. So you see, hey, our expenses are running a little bit higher than we expected or our revenue is a little bit lower or vice versa. >> So you guys will be aware that hey, we are getting close to starting to use that. >> Okay, good. Thanks. >> That's a great question. But you will find out also though whether that's a require a lot of times we we do have to approve moving funds. >> You want to check that first and find out >> for >> if you do have to at the end of the year move it. Is that a board approved move or is it just

081because it's during your budget >> at that point I think it it's an accounting entry. >> Yeah. >> Uh but I would >> we notify you anyway but >> yeah I I don't know if it was a requirement because sometimes you know you do come to budget transfers a lot >> like you guys you guys are in charge of the expense side of things right? This is technically a revenue or accounting side because it's a savings account. >> Um I obviously with transparency would let you guys know. >> Correct. Correct. >> Um but there wouldn't be any approval. You would get the audit at the end of the year with all the financials in it. So you would see it. >> I will tell you guys way ahead of time. >> But at that point

082if we're dipping into it, we don't really have a choice. >> No, I agree. I just I didn't I was looking at like in terms of budget transfers. We often have to approve a larger budget transfers because you need to move something to pay something else. So I don't know if that felt in that same like Mike said in that same ballpark. We're moving from A to B to pay something. So you are using to pay something. Yeah. >> So whether that's a budget transfer or not that we would >> No, it's a little bit different. >> Okay. >> Could be that's put it all together now. I mean it's already in here what he that's find out. >> It's like an earark right now that it's not >> a definite that we're going to

083dip into it, but >> we could right it's not a definite. Nothing's a definite. I I just nervous about it. >> I just want to know as we dip into it. >> But I think a good projection to see like quarterly or like you know every once in a while to show you guys where we're at, I think is a good idea. >> Okay. What is the note on the bottom there in italics? We plan to maintain a 2.3. >> Is that just reflective of what? >> Yeah, that's that's the uh the fund balance. I know we've had discussions about trying to lower that uh especially in finance meeting and I had talked about it. We have a the plan in our reserve plan is to try to lower that to a more reasonable amount.

084I believe it's 1%. >> Uh right now that's more of a 4%. Uh but unfortunately this year with with the amount of revenue that we see coming in, we we don't think that's that's possible. >> Okay. >> Before we go to capital project, can I go back to the the savings obviously? Um, a couple of parts of this. My history in district is pretty well known, right? Uh, my biases that I come in with are a certain way. Um, I've always said it, but I I'll admit now it was always easier to sit on that side of the table and pick on budgets than have to sit on this side of the table when you have to make the decisions. Knowing that then and knowing that now. But over the better part of the last

085decade, I think that's uh we've been fortunate and our budgets have been very good. And we've been able to look at, hey, what can we do better? What can we add? And we've done we've added a lot of things. We've added instructional coaches. We've added a lot of assistant directors, assistant principles. We had extra secretarial help. We added um we had a district data coordinator when it came in had register as part of it. But I believe now someone like it got separated out. So now there's two separate positions. Um and and so it and they're all probably necessary things that we had. It was great. We had the money. We were able to do it. But now we're sitting here in a time where we have to start cutting money. And I it's it's

086not lost on me that the the full entire amount of the pain even understanding his attrition understanding you guys believe I'm not sure I totally do that losing eight teaching positions will not affect program and services. It's in the first second slide. Um I just don't know there's any way to lose eight front-facing positions that deal with the kids on an everyday basis and not lose something. So when you talk about savings at a savings and and saving costs I always say at what cost? I think this is going to hurt us long term that the the I call it the not the entirety but the vast majority of the savings is is on the the classroom teachers. So I was I'd like to see more of a shared pain situation like if we're going

087to lose it where can we do we get rid of some of the things that we were fortunate to get in previous years because we had extra money to some of those things go away because I don't believe um other than in terms of uh instructional coaches we added anything on the educational side. We didn't add teaching positions over the last few years. Um, we move some of those around like, you know, to coaches. So, maybe that would adds, but I I'd like to see some of those things go first. Look at some of the other things. Do we put the register back with the DDC? Do we we have to lose some of the director positions? They're great to have, but if we have less kids, that's therefore we have to have less teachers.

088Should we be necessarily having as many people? You know, there's less kids, less services, less people that need to oversee that as well. So, um I'm just very concerned about the long-term impact on us of losing eight face forward children touching positions and no pain anywhere else in the district uh in terms of staffing. Um and it's going to be a problem for me when coming to this vote to be honest with you. I I expected cuts, no doubt about it, but that it's it's 100% on teaching staff is is an issue for me. So, I just want to put that out there bluntly. I know you guys are doing a great job. I understand and I'll be let me admit it as anybody's hearing it. there's people in those other positions. We get that

089these we can do these without losing any people and that's something we've always fought for. But I don't know there's not some other way to do some of these things to not necessarily have to lose those um that or will especially talk about what future budgets looks like that we'll never be able to get back, you know, and then and I don't know I don't know if you guys want to address this part or not, but how do we do that and not impact programs and staffing? I just don't I just don't see it. Thank you for letting me vent. >> 200 I'd even say the 2010 um when the teacher to the student the ratio was even higher when it was 12 to1. Um one of the things I guess to look at is

090and now we're 9 to1. Were we doing better then than we are now >> in terms of academic performance? So we we have so that's that's that's another way to look at it too Matt. I mean we have a a smaller ratio of 9 to1 and our academic performance is I don't want to say worse but is not as good as it as it was when it was 12 to1. So I understand what you're saying and I agree with you in a lot of parts but I think we have to find out what's working and what's not working first. >> Oh I agree. I mean if you to use that line of reasoning right we had these instructional coaches but have we seen you know and I'm not saying we have or haven't agree >>

091that's something we would want to look at has it increased the scores if it hasn't then they should go first you know what I mean I mean has the additional supervision and the administrative side helped improve the teachers to improve the scores that that's all I'm getting Gota that we should be taking a look at some of the vacancies that wouldn't be refilled versus some of what you may feel is excess or just is not as important as some of the other positions and possibly filling the positions that were not that are vacated with some of that excess staff so that the pain is spread around a little more evenly. I no I I I think these guys have looked at it pretty carefully to say hey they they believe they we can not fill

092some of those positions that are being emptied because people are retiring or whatever else um and and and maintain program. That's the feeling. I'm just saying that there's we should have been looking at other parts of the district to share the pain. >> I don't say I'm sorry. I I I get I get what you're saying, but I I don't see the solution where you're >> because I think if you fill those Yeah, I said damn like if you fill some of those FTE positions, you're going to be able to maintain other programs. Um you know, electives we talked about last time and I heard the answer. I don't if I believe it. It's not it's not an insult. It's not I don't think you're lying. I believe you guys believe that. I just don't

093believe I believe it, right? that we're not going to lose something in losing eight classroom or or front-facing positions that there's going to be a loss in some way, form or another to our students long term. That's >> I don't I don't think I would say zero impact. I don't think that that would be fair to say. Obviously, when you lose positions, there's an impact. >> Yeah. >> In some spots, we've got class sizes increasing, >> even if it's by one student, that is an impact. So, we'll acknowledge that. I think the an important other thing to consider is that and you pointed out which I appreciate, we're trying to get there at least this year with zero layoffs of people and we've got other positions that are filled. >> Y >> um and all

094of our people matter to us, right? >> Absolutely. >> Um >> but the other challenge when we're looking at a significant shortfall is that that program expense is almost the entirety of our budget, right? It's 76% of it overall. >> Yeah. >> Um, so to get so to get there without touching that >> is next to impossible. >> Don't I Yeah. Don't Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying we shouldn't have touched it at all. That's where we get the most >> I understand. >> Yes. >> Can I just I also felt the same way as you did coming into tonight. However, after seeing all of the what did you call them? the expenses that used to be done by other people that are now being done by district office personnel and we're saving on

095that way. I think that there is some admin sharing of responsibilities in it. I felt like the teachers were taking all of the hit but not any of the admin with pulling some of that back. At least we're saving in all of those areas. So I felt a little bit better looking at >> that's good. I think they need to d deeper dive on what that really means to see if that's really happening or not. I mean, some of those instructional coaches, you know, I've complained about this since the time we put them in. They're they're teachers on special assignment and instructional coaches that are supposed to be helping teachers teach more, but they're spending a good portion of the day is assigned to do what is quasi if not administrative staff like running CSE

096meetings, right? So, yes, there goes some of the cost because the administrator is not doing that because they're in uh teaching positions to do it or functionally teach on special assignment. So, it would take a much deeper dive and it's a philosophical issue. We hired these guys to for a reason. I get that. Um, but you know, philosophically, I just think there needed to be a better way to do it. >> Are the people who are in the coaching position considered teachers on special assignment? >> Generally, we had to position. >> Like, how is that different than a classroom teacher? Like what? >> Because you basically what it is, we took them out. We created those instructional coach positions. And correct me if I'm wrong, right? I think I'm saying it right. We created those

097positions because we had extra money. We thought this is good. Especially during COVID, extra money was there. We moved a classroom teacher over and then put a new person in that position. >> Okay. Right. So they're a teacher on because it because there is instructional coach is not a um state ed recognized tenure area. >> Okay. >> So they had to be in a tenure area. So you call them a TOSA. I don't know if you even use TOSA anymore. I think they changed that name too. But >> yeah. So >> I I think it's probably safe to say this is not a one-time concern that we're facing this year. >> This is I would almost guarantee it. So I it's probably fair to say that everything is going to be looked at closely going

098forward. Um and all the points you're raising are excellent points and they all need to be looked at along with everything else and I'm sure that they will be in totality. But >> uh this year's difficult situation is not a one-off. It's the new reality for the foreseeable future. >> Agree. And I think a point we should bring up too is there was a lot of money that came from a lot of different places during COVID and postcoid because so much was going on and that was a great but that money's gone now, right? And that's that's so people understand where did the money go? Nobody's nobody's budgeting poorly. Nobody did anything bad in here, you know, nobody didn't project out. He said that there were monies that we're able to use. We used them

099and we made decisions. I guess maybe this is a better way to put it even. We made decisions at that time when we had extra money where to put some of those things like instructional coaches. We had extra co money. Let's make that as the money goes away. You have to make a decision. Do you keep those extra positions or do you get rid of them? And that's what I'm saying. I feel like we didn't look at those extra positions that we've added enough and just went right to the classroom teachers. You know, that's all. It's no easy. It's not an easy answer. None of it's easy. It's tough. Any other questions regarding the budget? So, I did want to mention and I know there's going to be additional discussion regarding capital project. Uh, I

100don't think this is the spot. I do want to just wanted to mention during my budget presentation that there will be a proposition on the ballot. We haven't decided on what that would look like, but this is two separate pots of money, I'll call it. Um, you'll be voting on one budget and then also the the capital project. And currently, right now, uh, the proposition for the capital project, we will be using uh 3.6 million in our reserve. Uh and then if we go with just the base model, uh there will be no tax impact to the taxpayers. But if we do decide to go with the the adding on the additional uh um AC to it, there will be a very small and I think uh it was discussed at the last meeting, a

101very small amount uh to the taxpayers. I think you should talk about that briefly though because >> it was a $3 increase and people weren't really clear on going forward. >> So I did I did watch the meeting >> um >> and I was yelling at the TV. >> Um and and I apologize that I couldn't be here. Uh I I would have been here to help kind of explain that. And really what that means is we'll be adding some money to the budget. Um and and so generally how it works um and we can get into a little bit more about when we talk about increasing this is is um we have the amount of the bud the amount of the capital project we get state aid based on that and then there's a

102local cost. The local cost is what generally would be added our onto our debt service. So right now our debt service is 3.5 million. So if we didn't have this capital reserve that we have our debt service would increase or our local cost would increase. Um so it isn't just one year we'll see this. It's the length of the project, >> right? >> It's not going to increase every year, but that amount is going to be in there every year. the length of the time that we pay for the product. >> It's 15 15 years. >> For 15 years, it'll be $316. >> Well, it's not gonna So, it's it's it's hard to be able to do that. >> 100 this year and next year you're paying 103. The following year it's going to be

103103 plus any new things that we have to add. >> So, that that three is there forever, >> right? But you're still paying that three every year. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, it's 100 every other the next 10 years. Understand that. Not like you pay three one year and it's done. >> That was the question. >> So next year's 103, the following year's 103, the following year 103 plus any other additional increases. >> That's the way it was kind of laid out by our finance people that were here. But we continued to question them because I I I knew that couldn't be right. >> I I spoke to fiscal adviserss. Um those are some I don't want to speak badly because they're very talented individuals. >> Oh yeah. Yeah. They probably just misunderstood what happened. >>

104I think they did. Um, >> but when we left here, and I'm not trying to cut you off, just I'm just so frustrated over this whole thing. >> Yeah. >> Um, >> that was for some of some of the air conditioning. Yeah. >> That could be done. >> But the question then came from somebody here. I'm not quite sure that, well, what would it if it's only going to cost us this >> Y >> to do that? >> Yeah. What would it cost us to just finish it and be done with it? >> That's why we got this guy over here. >> This this Mark from schoolhouse. >> Hold on now. Hold on. The fiscal advisers were here and they said, "Well, as long as the money comes up around the same, it it's going

105to be about the same. So it would be essentially $6 a year for the next 15 years to air condition all of the rest of the uh academic areas that weren't aironditioned. Then this fellow was charged with and he accepted the responsibility and he went charging out the door because he was going to make sure that the architect and the materials and everything else could be done for that price range and have us approve it in part two of the capital proposed budget. So before we move on, >> and if we couldn't do it by then, if he couldn't get the answer in those 10 to 12 days that he said he would get, seven to 10 days that he said he could try to get the answers in and have the fiscal advisors um

106uh fill us in that we would possibly we could possibly hold a special meeting to add that second set of air conditioning to finish taking care of our children in this district so that they're not subjected to that those extreme weather conditions inside the buildings for for $6 a year for 15 years. >> That isn't the actual figure >> but that's what they talked about that night. >> Just just to be clear, they never gave a figure like that and they qualified what they said >> with a bunch of qualifiers. Like, >> so I I didn't I did not take away from that meeting what you took away, Mike. >> Neither. >> Me neither. >> I took away that it would be $3 for the rest of the time of that project. >> Well, so

107that was for the upstairs. >> That's for the upstairs project. >> That's for the upstairs >> and then we would get back to you with all the what the rest would look like. >> So the initial answer to the question was it's a one-time cost and then it was subsequently corrected. It's no, that's for the life of the bond. But with respect to the additional air conditioning, they didn't say it was going to be $6 to do the additional air conditioning. They said there's a variety of things that depends on upon, >> right, >> whether you need new >> equipment to handle that additional load, >> right? >> So that's what they've been doing. They've been working to gather what that cost will be so that we can evaluate that and decide how we want

108to proceed with it. But it's a little unfair to say that they gave us a price and now we're testing whether that price is accurate or not because that's not what happened. I I the I I don't think that they said and I'm I'll say straight out. They did not say that for $6 a year that we can at u uh air condition every academic area that hasn't been taken care of in this district at this point. >> That's what you just said, Mike. So let's let's move on to the actual information and let the experts present to us what they've compiled. If I can interject like before we moved on, I want to make sure all the questions are answered from the budget. >> Just about the budget, correct? Let's just stick with it.

109>> I know >> we put capital project up there because we want to make sure that our taxpayers understand we are going out with a capital project and it is separate from the operational budget. Two very distinct separate things and they they connect because of debt service. But I I would think as a if I was if I didn't have all the information as a taxpayer, hey, like we're we're making some very difficult decisions, but then we're going to go spend millions of dollars on the why don't we just use that to cover that? So, I wanted to make sure that it was clear to everyone that those are two separate things and we can't do that. >> We cannot take that money and move it to fix. >> Correct. >> Capital the capital reserve

110is for capital projects >> only. I think that just needs to be like I know we're stating it here and I know you guys will work hard to state that in the literature but that is important for people to understand because >> like you're saying well you got all this money why are we >> forgoing things >> right >> but that's not the case >> so let's just make sure we hit the next steps >> one more just one more slide there's some key dates that I want to make people aware of uh so then at the next board meeting uh we will be looking for approval uh I it does say property tax card that the property tax card has all the budget information on it. Uh so we will be asking uh the

111board for approval on on that date and please contact me if there's more information you guys need and anybody in the public please contact me. Uh we will have a public hearing on the 6th. It's also meet the candidates night. Um so we'll have anybody that they can be running for the board. Believe we have three seats three seats uh open. Uh and then finally, we'll have our May 19th vote um here at the high school. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Now, do we have an additional presentation regarding the air conditioning question that Mike has raised or how are we going to uh address? >> Yeah, just a I I figured that that would probably fall under new business or possibly old business because it came up at the last meeting and there's no

112uh presentation specifically but we do have people here to answer some questions. >> So I I >> well before we get to that um we do have a hearing and petition card. So because Are you Mrs. Sinclair? >> Okay. Because you waited so patiently through that budget presentation. I do want to give the opportunity. Your topic is actually something that the superintendent is prepared to provide an update on tonight. So I'll let him do that first. Sure. And then if you have comments you'd like to just so you have the most up-to-date information and if you have comments that you'd like to respond to, you are certainly welcome to. >> Uh so I know that people have kind of been anxiously awaiting uh a district decision in regard to prek. Uh and I wanted to

113share today that we are not going to make any changes for the 2627 school year. Uh so we still offer prek at both elementary locations. Uh we are grateful for parent engagement on both sides of that conversation. Um, we plan to use 2627 as an evaluation year. Uh, we do expect to move to a single building for 2728. Uh, I'm confident that the challenges that were presented can be surmounted. Um, I believe that the end result will be an even better prek program and experience for all of our youngest learners. Uh, but we're going to take some more time and make sure that we fully hear from everybody and make sure that we evaluate everything before actual decision is made. And we will make sure to fully engage parents and the public in that process

114and get that communication out when a decision is made about the 2728 school year very much well in advance so that uh people know and are prepared. >> Okay. You're >> Well, absolutely. Yep. Go right to the podium. Welcome. >> My daughter is my oldest is a kindergartener, Peter B, and my middle is about to start prek. Um, so I'm very happy to hear that you guys have decided to take more time and and uh put more thought behind the proposal. It came off as very rushed and not all the way thought through. a lot of the challenges brought up there were no answers to which was alarming as a parent of a neurode divergent child. Um, and I think my so happy to hear that that was a lot of what I was going

115to to ask for, but my only I guess remaining comment is, you know, that you you follow data and and research. You look at current research on child development and not go just by guidelines like I I think everyone knows government guidelines tend to be the bare minimum. Not necessarily what we want to strive to just because we're in teacher uh student ratios. You know, I I love seeing the the 9 to1 ratio combining if that results in bigger classes. That's still an impact on my my child even if we're in in ratio. I do have a third child, so it will it will affect me if you guys do combine. Um, but I think it's just keeping that in mind and also keeping in mind all children, not just um those that maybe adapt

116well, but your neurode divergent kids as well who a transition like that is very impactful and it's already hard enough on them, you know, going to school and and starting. So, keeping all kids in mind, not, you know, not just those who who thrive at school. >> Thank you. Okay. Um, we'll move into business considerations then. Um, we have 61 through 66. For the moment, I'm going to suggest that we begin with 61 through 64. If there's a motion for one or more of those. 61 through 64. Matt. Okay. >> Sorry. They have to be cold. So 6.4 will need to be roll. >> Okay. So I'll make a motion for 61 to 63 then. >> All right. Thank you. >> Second Jackie. Do we have any discussion on 61 through 63? >> Uh yeah

117on 62 um the form I'm sorry I can't read the last name but um Marsha did not check off one of the boxes to indicate that funds are available or not available. I assume that they are available. However, it would be really helpful for these forms to be completed entirely so that we have formal documentation indicating that we actually do have the funds available. So, I would ask that and I apologize. I didn't have time to review these early enough to ask that to be corrected. >> I will I will make that correction. >> Thank you very much. >> Anything else? All in favor? I >> I Okay, there's a motion for 64. >> 64. >> Motion that second by Dan. >> Do we have any discussion on 64? The bus proposition. >> All right,

118then we'll take a vote. >> You ready? >> Y. >> Mr. Baker. >> Yay. >> Mrs. Conley. >> Yay. >> Mr. Beninat. >> Hi, >> Mr. Miller. >> Hi, >> Mr. Dale. I >> Mrs. Molino. >> Hi, >> Mr. Coin. >> Hi, >> Mrs. Potter. >> Hi, >> Mr. Ross. >> I >> Thank you. >> All right. Thanks, S. All right. So, now we have two uh motions here and resolutions for the the project. One is the base project. The second is the contingent project, which is the air conditioning in portions of the building. Uh, but we haven't yet addressed the potential additional work and I'm not sure whether I'm not sure whether uh we should put these all on for tonight or whether we should hold these over until we have a more comprehensive

119discussion about whether we're going to add that additional work. Um, and first thing we need to know is what is the additional work and what's that? >> We're on a deadline. >> We are on a sight deadline. It's It's not tonight. It's not tonight, but it's tight. >> We checked. It is tight. >> I think 65 I believe we've discussed fully and we're probably in agreement on. So maybe >> move on that one and then we could enter discussion about the rest. >> I'm comfortable moving forward on 6.5. >> 65. >> Yeah. I mean I I think that has been fully explained and I don't think we have any lingering questions in regard to that aspect of the project. >> Okay. Um >> unless I'm wrong. I >> So that's just the base project, >>

120correct? Okay. >> All right. So we'll treat that as motion by Jenny. >> Yes. We are voting on them separately. So it it is kind of its own entity. >> So the way the the way currently we have it right now, the way it's going to be on the ballot, there will be two two areas. And uh we do plan on doing a little bit more of an explanation once the ballot comes out, explaining it to everybody how it's going to be done. Um, so it's when you when it says contingent of you have to vote on the first one. So if if you if you vote on the first one, you can't vote yes on the second one. So you can vote just on the first one and if you don't vote on the

121second one, it's it doesn't get a vote, right? Um, so you have to vote yes on the first one to be able to vote if you want the second one. >> Okay. >> So either way the second one >> either way. Yes. >> So I'm still comfortable. We again we will be putting out uh tons of different >> I'm sorry you lost me on that one also the voters voters voters not I'm sorry I just >> voters on the ballot. Yes on the ballot on the actual ballot there'll be >> they'll be have two options. >> Yes. >> So you'll have you have to vote >> a way. >> Yes. Well you can vote no and then have nothing at all. Right. Right. You don't have to vote on any of it. Right. >> Right.

122Um, but if you want that second one, you have to vote yes for the first one. >> That's right. So, but but it made it sound like you couldn't not apologize. So, you could vote yes. >> You can vote no on the first one and vote on second, right? Then you know carries over through the Yeah, absolutely. >> And I knew that's what you meant, but it's the way I sound like you have to vote yes on one to even have a vote on it. >> No, I I apologize if it came off that way. >> It's a it's a majority vote though, right? >> Yes. >> But I think what you're saying is the voters can come in and say no. They can't say no as a block, >> right? You can't reject one

123and accept two. >> Correct. >> One has to pass >> be able to pass for for two to have a shot. So somebody's coming in and they can say, "Well, I don't want that, but we want the air conditioning." That's great. But if if if one goes down, two can't be done. That's what I >> That's what we're saying. Yes. >> So we have a motion from Jenny for >> 6.5. Is there a second? Thanks, Dan. Any further discussion on that before we vote? >> Yeah. Excuse me. the uh 6.5 what we're voting on was that discussed here this evening? I mean I >> it was discussed last >> previous >> Yes. And also in a few bu uh building and grounds committee meetings, >> right? >> Okay. But the information is still yet to

124be made public and all the rest of that other than the bottom line figure that >> is being pretty detailed. It was a fairly detailed presentation. >> That's all it's all public by virtue of having been covered in the meeting. >> We went through it last week. We had all the details last week. >> Okay. I'm opposed. >> Are we any other discussion before we vote? >> I'm sorry. I just started here. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Go ahead, sir. >> Mr. Ross, >> Mr. Coin, >> post. >> Mrs. Mr. Potter, >> yes. >> Mr. Dale, >> hi. >> Mrs. Molino. >> Hi, >> Mr. Beninat. >> Mr. Miller. >> Hi. >> Mr. Baker. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Cley. >> Hi. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thanks, Sue. >> Okay. Now we're Excuse me. Now

125we're at 66 which is the contingent project for um air conditioning partial coverage of the uh buildings. Uh I guess the question as far as proceeding >> a motion first >> well I'm not sure how we proceed at this. So, we need additional information to evaluate whether we want to uh move ahead with a larger air conditioning project. >> And if we do, I'm not sure whether that's all made part of this one contingency or whether that's a separate >> right >> line item on the ballot, another contingency for that expanded air conditioning. >> Right. So, so I think probably what we need to do, right? What we need to do is have a full discussion here about it >> and then either this gets tabled for a special meeting >> or then we move

126forward because to your point, >> if the board wishes to proceed and there's a way to have a second contingency, >> then we would need that special meeting to be able to >> right >> put those things together. >> So, so we do have Mr. rivers that is prepared to talk about the additional costs from >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> That's >> I'm sorry. Can I just clarify just before you get started? So, if we were to create a second contingency, does that kind of like does it go again in line where like you have to vote yes on one and two before you can vote? >> We've never seen it before so we don't know. >> Okay. Tech technically if you want you could have as many as you want on a ballot. So

127if you wanted to do another line I think it'd be a little confusing for taxpayers. >> But does that like does it then kind of fall in order or are they or is it like the one is >> well we wouldn't be interested. >> One is the first one and then the two contingencies like you could vote yes on this and then no on contingency one but yes on contingency. >> That is a question that I haven't >> which we wouldn't want. Right. >> We wouldn't want. >> Right. because we don't want the secondary part. We don't want the lower level ones that don't need a >> as desperately to be approved before the >> So you could just do the second proposal as a higher amount. >> That's why I'm asking for how this

128>> okay works. Yes, >> we appreciate you coming all the way here. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Mark. >> I I think I can answer one of Mr. coins issues where it went from three to six because I think I think we were just spitballing here last time that if we just doubled it that would be three to six my double my cost to do the other floor it would be similar doesn't quite work that way in construction but uh we did look at it I did get with the architect and the engineers and we tried to evaluate how we could do those other floors in those three buildings because we had the second floors covered already. And between adding more hardware, air conditioning units, we were also going to have to

129dig into the infrastructure of the schools because I'm adding all this equipment. I'm going to need more power in other places. We had to add money into that. So, I prepared a summary that I gave to Jesse and I took what originally was his phase two a million2 a million28986 and I'm up at $3 million. So I I little more than doubled it. So instead of having a total with both propositions of $18146, I'm at 23.99 or 20 million 3.99 almost million4. So your fiscal advisors can take that new number and tell you what that going from 1 million2 to $3 million. Sounds like a round number, but talking with the engineers, we felt that we could engineer a system because we were doing this real quick. That's what we do. um we could engineer

130a system to cover all those bases at that $3 million up from the 1 million2. Now, and I'm not going to say this because you brought it up already. Uh Mr. Miller, gas prices, wars, all that stuff. We carry contingencies in our estimates all the time. This early in a project, our contingencies may appear high. I could show you the detail, another boring part of what we do. But as we get into the project and we get drawings from the consultants and your architects and other, we will estimate it again to make sure we're within whatever we get passed for the vote. Whether you do the phase, the option two portion of this at the original 1 million2 versus the $3 million that we've bounced it up to or not. We always do that. So

131the numbers, the contingency gets lower because the reality of the pricing because by the time I price it, it's going to be a year from now. We've got your referendum vote. The architects got to do their thing sedd and then I'm going to see some drawings. So it won't be till 2027. I'm looking at it. We're going out to bid to try and get some work done next 2027. But that's where I'm at now with your project. Full air conditioning. It's a total 20 million $400,000 project versus the 16 million 18,148 that Jesse originally showed you guys. So >> dollars to add the additional air conditioning. Okay. >> Unless we have our financial advisors tell us what the impact is going to be for that. >> Oh, okay. Great. Uh so I I did talk

132to our financial advisors and we had a long conversation about this. Um and and to be honest with you, this is is this is a bigger topic and I and I hope I hope you guys I I do a good job explaining the impact this that this decision will have on on future um future uh capital projects uh that we have in this district. So to add that additional money and uh to be precise with the number um if we were to increase it to 20,398 uh,449 is the the number I have and I think Mark just did some rounding. Um our our our financial advisors uh u predicted that really would only you'd only see another $1.50 increase from our previous number. I think that that $312 was on a $300,000 house. Uh so

133we're looking at about about a $4.17 increase. Um >> $300,000 >> on a $300,000 house. Yeah. >> Yeah. So what what what people need to realize and I think we alluded to it last time was and the way that we're able to do this and have a very minimal impact is we have debt falling off. So what that means is a previous capital project we were paying debt on, we're no longer going to be paying. So we're able to push this project out, >> but it's not falling off right now. No, it will be falling off couple >> in five years. It will be falling out, but we we would be able to push it through bands and bands are are just one year um financing. One year financing and we'll bond it on the

134fifth year be able to push it. So we hit that mark where that debt is falling off and we put the new debt on. Um so it's kind of like when you buy a car, right? So you have a car payment for five years, all of a sudden that fifth year it falls off and then your significant other buys another car. So you still have the same payment, right? So that's I'm trying to make it but that's kind of like what you see in your daily life, right? It's very similar to that. So what that does is that gives us the ability to do this project with the increased cost and have limited impact to the taxpayers. My biggest concern is we are we are using up all of our our savings, our capital fund

135savings or our our capital reserve savings and we don't have any more debt falling off for an additional five years. So, we have some a lot of work that still needs to be done. And if and I had Mr. Sham come and kind of explain some of the things that we still haven't put on for capital projects. Um, I'm just concerned that if we run into a situation where we have to do this work on roofs or boilers or something comes up and and I don't know if you guys remember, I don't think anybody was on the board, but a few years ago we had an emergency project here that that for the pool that cost almost a million dollars. And if we don't have the reserves to pay for that, that comes out of

136our unassigned fund balance. And our unassigned fund balance is around $2 million. If we use a million of that, we're risking our our regular budget. So, and then also it has an effect on our cash flow. So once we get close to July and August, our cash flow gets kind of low because we haven't been without tax moneyies going through and the state aid stops in March. So it gets really close. But because we have some of those savings, we do have the cash, but if we start depleting some of those savings, our cash flow is going to be an issue and we're going to have to go out and uh and issue what they call RANs. and that's anticipated revenue money coming in and we get build for that. So that's an additional money

137that's going to be on taxpayers. So I just want to make sure you guys are aware of the decision that adding this additional um AC work um is going to have effect on a lot of other things than just increasing our budget by $60,000 or $70,000. Is there a way to add and structure this project so we're not depleting the capital reserve fund and instead we are uh putting it to the community at a higher cost but the question is whether they're willing to invest in this specific project right so we retain our we retain our savings that we need for future flexibility >> and maybe it's not $4, maybe it's I don't know what it would be but say it's $11. and put it put the question to the public for an additional $11

138to your tax bill for the next 1015 years we could add this. >> So if we don't use the capital reserve for this current project it is going to go up. It will be more of a local cost. We we >> but >> so you could you could >> what what would be the ballpark for the taxpayer if it was locally funded and not through capital reserve? >> I I don't have the numbers right. You're saying you want the whole project? >> No, no, no. This additional piece, this additional downstairs >> air conditioning that we're adding on as an option. We're doing the base. Yeah. >> We're doing the upstairs because that's a critical need. >> Right. But in addition, while we're doing that, would the taxpayers be willing to pay the additional cost for

139completing the entire air conditioning in all the buildings >> is >> which allows you to retain the flexibility you need within capital reserve. So, we're using the capital reserve for the base project, but what it would do if we increase the local share pot I don't know Jesse would be able to speak to this more. It would then we wouldn't bond it out. We would just essentially bill people for it. >> Is that >> So, it would So, basically, we're using our savings account and then we're maxing out our credit card. >> So, >> to do this. So, are we we're doing that either way? >> So, what I'm hearing is if we do the additional downstairs air conditioning, that puts in a puts us in a position where we're maxing out our capital reserve

140fund. And that's what that's your concern that you're expressing is that additional work is going to put us in a position that we might not have the flexibility 5 10 years from now to do something on an emergency basis. It's more about encumbering that debt that will fall off in 2035 than it is about the capital reserves. But >> but Mike, you're saying can we just say yeah I think you're just saying forget using forget the money coming off forget the other stuff. Just build the taxpayer I think is what you're saying. >> Jesse has a very legitimate concern. I don't want to be in a position where we have an emergency come up that we can't fund because >> can I ask an accessory question that might resolve some of it? I believe, you

141guys correct me if I'm wrong, the whole reason we're even looking to do this is because we had another one of our favorite unfunded state mandates, right? To to make the buildings >> Well, I mean, we've been talking about this for >> I think Jenny and I have been on the board, >> right? >> Yeah. >> It does say we're practicable, >> right? So, we have >> So, but I guess what I'm asking tied to that is >> and I'd love to see I'm I worked in here. I know how bad it is, but if we're adding in some areas that we didn't have air conditioning before, at least as far as a mandate's concerned, is that going to alleviate the concern of emptying classrooms and stuff, at least for a while. >> It certainly

142helps because it increases the flexibility of any more air conditioned spaces we have, right? >> Gives us more places to move classes to, >> correct, >> when we need to move them. Part of the reason for changing the air handlers in the gyms at the elementary schools, it's a big space. We could get a lot of kids in there >> if we needed to. Similarly, you know, upstairs the rooms are used a lot obviously, but not every period of every day. So, it would give the flexibility of moving some. >> Yeah. So, I guess my >> more movement than we would have otherwise, >> which I knew the answer was, but I that that would eas for Jesse's concerns. We don't have to get into that. I like your concept of it though is like

143do we just I think that's what you're saying, right? Do we just go to taxpayer instead? >> Here's the here's the question. It's it's going to cost $1.8 $.8 million to do this additional work. Right. >> So, how much of that 1.8 would we draw from a capital reserve fund >> for the additional 1.8? >> Yeah. >> Oh, none. Because we've already used it up, >> right? >> Okay. So, what is your concern then with adding that additional work with respect to having emergency funds available if needed? >> So, if we add that additional work, my my bigger concern is we we don't have that debt falling off. So all that the the the debt and the local cost will be significantly higher to the taxpayers because we don't have that debt falling off. So

144if we don't do this 1.8 8 additional we'll have that window where we're able to do another small capital project where hey we have an electric bus mandate that we we just got back our our study and we have to do some utility upgrades which is significant. >> So are there additional are there alternative ways to structure the financing for the $1.8 8 million where you don't run into that challenge and it might result in a more of an increase to the taxpayers to add that work. >> So, it's hard to tell, right? Because you can't I don't know what's going to happen in the future, right? If I knew, hey, our buildings are perfect and nothing's ever going to happen to them. This is easy, right? This is what you they want. We can

145easily put that in there, right? But going forward, like if there's more expenses, I can't f I can't there's no spot to put it. >> I guess what I'm I'm looking at $1.8 million. Forget about everything else. $1.8 million. Everything else is funded. If we we would we would get that 1.8 million by increasing the tax level would be the way to fund it. >> Not not technically. >> Well, because technically it would increase our budget. We just talked about our budget is really tight and we're going to add more to it because you're just when we call it local cost, it's not a direct correlation to the tax levy. What it is is, hey, my debt schedule or my debt service is going to increase. Generally what happens is what happens is we have

146a say a million dollar project we get building aid of you know 600,000 and that remaining amount is what they call the local cost but what we've done in the past is taken that amount and used the reserves to pay for it so that our debt schedule does not increase. So what happens is our debt schedule lines up with our building aid. >> So we're handing So you could Okay. So even if you did that, you're handing capping yourself down the road with an additional 1.8 million in debt. Okay, that makes >> that's that's what I'm worried about. >> That makes more sense. >> Do it now would be a good time to >> I to be honest with you would love to table it for a year or two. Let's see what happens. Let's

147get this Let's hopefully pass these two capital projects. We know there's other work to be done and Bill has a list if if you guys would like to hear some more about it. We know we have to at least start looking at these the electrification of the buses which is going to need significant increase to our infrastructure that at least we'll have more information on those lines when we make a decision like this. Before we go down the bus route, I think I think that there would be a lot of input we would need from the public because the public would be making the decision. I mean, yes, it's a mandate, but it's up to the public to decide if to vote yes or vote no. And there are districts where where the public has

148voted no. So, um, before we start allocating money, uh, for capital projects and doing infrastructure updates, we have to make sure that the public says yes. >> Well, we'd have to go to the public no matter what because we'd have to >> I agree. >> It out. >> I agree. >> And that is a a remaining big question that we've asked all of our legis with the bus mandate is what do we do when the voters say no >> and we don't have an answer to that yet. So Jesse, um, if we vote yes on prop one and two >> and it's $4.70, I'm John taxpayer, >> what happens on year 16? >> So that debt falls off. >> So that $4.70 goes away. >> But usually we would >> we make another project >>

149go away go away because we're going to we're going to fill that bucket to keep it the same. >> Something's breaking between now and then >> about the car payment, right? >> Right. So just to be clear, it's not going to go away, right? >> I think that's a question that >> we're going to use that debt to build a second pool. >> So I just want to hear that it's not going to drop off on year. >> Can we can Bill can we hear from Bill on what some of the other things? >> That's why he's here. Do you mind talking about a little bit more about some of the items that uh we still are outstanding? >> Sure. So, we had some items that were outstanding in our BCS that we didn't include

150in this project. Um, we talked about, and I think this was shared with you in a a weekly update, but um building some walkways on the back side of the elementary schools for emergency evacuation, um, Ephus repairs and and monitoring the fire suppression. I know we talked about last time um you know monitoring and and possibly replacing some of those areas in the sprinkler systems that there's some vis visible corrosion um electrical distribution at the elementary schools. Um we talked about uh the remaining unit ventilators. We still have some um at the high school uh that will eventually need to be replaced. um potential emergency lighting upgrades, uh transformers in the middle school. And then, you know, to look beyond that, uh we've got items in every building that are going to be, you know,

151aging out as well. Now, we talked about our our huge capital project in the early 2000s that, you know, all that work is going to be 30 plus years old by the time we're looking at another capital project. So, this carpet will be, you know, 30 years old and probably much more stained and in need of replacement. There's going to be a lot of items like that. The cooling plant at the high school will be 30 years old. That's that's like maximum life for a for a chiller and a cooling tower. So, we're going to have a lot of big ticket items, you know, potentially down the road that we're going to have to to look to address >> like within the next 10 years. When you say down the road? >> Yes. >> Just

152for reference, Bill mentioned a lot of these things, but in your capital project from the last meeting, the capital project presentation, some of those things are listed out. So for me personally, bottom line is what I hear is that the person we've charged and pay to take care of our finances is suggesting that we wait on this. I would that be accurate. You're suggesting that we wait on the second >> I say reevaluate in a year or two. >> Okay. >> I think there's some unknowns with >> the third part though. >> Correct. >> Right. the addition I I'm >> okay go out for the upstairs classrooms and the and the rest of the >> that will give the we and we've done our research to figure out which are the hottest rooms right so

153we we are I think we're doing we're being fiscally responsible with the finances that we have to address the needs that the district needs in a in a timely manner >> so I think some of the things that we potentially didn't understand and saying that it was going to be you know $2 more whatever the factor is >> other things impact that decision ision as well. And that decision impacts other things. >> Yeah. And again, I apologize. I I wish I was here for for that last meeting, but unfortunately, I was a mess. I was >> I told you that Jesse's explanation would be better than mine. That's right. >> Right. And that's reasonable, but it also sounds like we have some bigger ticket items that we're going to need to take care of as

154well. I would very much love for everyone to have air conditioning, but we also have a responsibility to ensure that our buildings are safe places as well. And I hear what you're saying, just I I know part of the hope was that, you know, you have the people on site. They're already here doing the bottom. It's cheaper now. The costs are going to be less than two years from now, three years from now. But I hear what you're saying. >> I also think that it would be helpful for us, honestly. I mean, with the significant increase in our air conditioning, I think that will also impact our electrical load as well, >> which means we are, you know, aside from the cost of the the actual work itself. we are looking at and I'm sure

155that you have factored that in in some of that that electrical one but doubling that load is going to then further exacerbate that that issue >> adding electric buses >> right and I I personally think that it this is a place that maybe we need to be a little bit more conservative like like you said you know in in the current state of the world particularly around things like utilities um I and and we all know how I feel about the air conditioning issue I think you've all heard me complain about it enough. Um, but I think that the best avenue for us is to address the the most significant issues that we have done an assessment of and make sure that those are handled. And I I would be much more comfortable discussing this

156again in a year or two. Like you said, I I think that it would be in our better interest to move forward with the proposition as we have it um and and reassess those items later. >> Can I ask a practical question? Knowing the buildings, >> I know that There are some air conditioners already in the upstairs, particularly at the elementary schools for started for IEP reasons many years ago and just were never removed. Are are the rest of the classes going to be those individual units or is it something different where those could be repurposed for some of the hotter lower buildings? >> I I don't want to speak for I believe it's going to be a whole system of AC. It's not just going to be window units. >> Okay. So, could those

157window units be repurposed for some of those needs? >> We would absolutely. We'd have to look at the electric load. I could I couldn't tell you yes or no. It's definitely out of my wheelhouse, but the installation and if it's appropriate for like a totally different building in a different it might or might not work. >> Okay. Thank you. >> It's not a bad idea though. >> Yeah, that's a great idea. >> We already have them. I mean, if we can handle it, then >> Yeah. So, so because I have the two-part capital project from last week. So, th this as it stands here is adding cooling to second floor classrooms in the high school as well as AW Backer as well as Peter B. Correct. >> Yes. >> Is that all second floor classrooms?

158You mentioned that you've identified the hotspots. Does that cover the entire second floor or >> as far as I know the entire >> Yeah. >> for for this building, right? Yeah. >> Yeah. >> The other the other two as well. >> Yes. >> All right. >> Does anybody have anything additional on that? Mike, do you have anything else on that? >> All right. Is there a motion for 66? >> I make a motion. Okay. Second by Jackie. Is there any further discussion before we vote? All right. Sue. >> All right. >> Here we go. Mr. Beninati. >> I. >> Mr. Dale. >> I. >> Mr. Coin. >> Opposed. >> Mr. Ross. >> I. >> Mrs. Potter. >> Hi. >> Mr. Baker. >> Yes. >> Mrs. I. >> Mr. Miller. Hi. >> Mrs. Molino. Hi. Thank

159you. >> Thanks, sir. All right. Personnel considerations. We have 71 through 719. >> Is there a motion for one or more? >> Motion for all by Jackie. >> Second in by Jenny. Uh just a couple of >> Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Thank you for the quick turnaround. >> Couple of notes on here. We have two hires uh tonight. Uh Lauren Mc one of them here. Yeah. >> Lauren McMullen, is that who's here? >> No, it's Gail. >> Lauren McMullen is being hired as a payroll specialist with the district office. And Gail Thompson is being hired as a transportation director. >> Yeah. And Gail's here tonight. >> Welcome. >> We didn't real. >> Just want to give you the opportunity to say hello to everybody and introduce yourself. >> Hi. Hi >> have her go

160to the mic. >> Oh yeah. >> I just can't hear you out there when >> got to hear you on YouTube, too. >> I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Gail Thompson. I appreciate the opportunity to work for RCS and I'm very excited. >> Thank you. >> Welcome. >> We're excited to have you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Gil. And we also have a retirement on here. Uh Cecilia O'Brien, food service worker will be retiring. >> Congratulations. Uh any further discussion on personnel items? >> 7.8. >> Can you just What's going on there? Is that not Spanish teachers, right? What's what's the story there? >> I don't know. Maybe is I don't know. >> It's a Spanish culture class. to introduce sixth graders to get some exposure to language. Um, so we were um only

161able to fill it with one certified Spanish teacher. So we offered it to >> out of somebody. >> Anything else? >> All in favor? I. >> Any opposed? Right. Okay. Uh, >> Chandler, you have anything in addition to reporting tonight? >> Uh, yeah. Uh, just a few things. Um, I know that, uh, we've started to receive some questions about the school calendar, uh, academic calendar for next year. Um, and it will be right on time, typically, uh, at the beginning of April, but I know people are getting, uh, anxious to plan their end of summer vacations, etc. So, I did want to share that we're anticipating the first day of school for students to be Wednesday, September 9th in the fall. Uh, and at the beginning of Yeah, Labor Day comes late. Um, is that

162the right? Yeah, that's the right date. Uh, Wednesday, September 9th for the first day of school for students. And, uh, we will bring the full calendar to the board uh at our April meeting for review. Um >> could you speak of the um u the staff day when that is that going to be the day before? >> So we're anticipating uh yeah superintendent conference day the day before and also uh superintendent conference day kind of unique but this is one of those years with that late Labor Day. Um we know that staff like to have two conference days at the beginning of the year. So we're proposing one that is before Labor Day uh but not close to the weekend. So people would still basically get a full week. >> Okay. So but the >>

163So there'd be a superintendent's conference day on September 2nd, Wednesday, September 2nd and then a superintendent's conference day the day immediately after Labor Day >> and that would be the one like where we got together. >> That would be the one. Yes. Uh so the first one would be more of a teacher work day. I mean there would be some directed work but the opportunity for people to you know be paid that day to set up their classrooms and get organized. And then the day after Labor Day would be our kickoff in the auditorium, etc. >> Thank you. >> Um, we talked extensively about the budget. I just wanted to say again that we have had to make some very challenged, you know, I'm very proud to say that we have been able to avoid

164layoffs, but that doesn't mean that it's not challenging and that that, you know, I I did kind of allude to having some staff shifting roles and responsibilities. And I just wanted to say that in the meetings that I've had with them, uh, they've handled it with professionalism and grace and their true team players. Uh, and I recognize that it's not easy. Uh, it's not easy for us either. We we don't like it. Um, but it's the situation we're in. So, I'm I'm thankful for those people. It says a great deal about the the people that work with us um that they're team players, like I said. Uh, I know we talked uh last meeting very briefly about our SRO program. Uh, so I've got a couple of updates there. I did want to mention we

165had some uh community members that have reached out and the board is fully aware about um full-time SRO's at our elementary schools and I just want to assure those people uh that they have been heard and I will follow up with each of them individually. Uh I don't really want to share a whole lot of details in public forum because it potentially impacts student safety. Uh but all those people that have reached out to me, I will respond to them directly and that um you know this this board is aware of of their requests. Uh we started to talk a little bit about our evening SRO. Uh that's a very unique position to RCS. I'm not aware of any other schools that have one. Uh I had a very productive meeting last week with uh

166Lieutenant Bray uh who's in charge of the SRO's to craft an updated job description for our evening SRO. So, uh, Matt, some of the conversations we've had about some of the things that we believe the board is looking for that person to do. Uh, you know, in this past year, it was in its, uh, first year of implementation. So, there are a lot of questions and a lot of things unanswered. Uh, in your next weekend update, you'll have what that job description looks like. Not completely finalized yet, but pretty close to it. Um, if you have any feedback or input there, please make sure that you let me know. I want to make sure that I've captured what I've heard from some of you about what we're expecting that person to do. Uh and the

167the county is behind us in and expecting that person to do to do those things. >> Um >> so just on that aspect, that's one of the things we put on last meeting we put on our put on new business. So >> hold that thought for this week then until you put something out to us. Is that what we're asking? >> So not have that discussion tonight and others. Uh we could have more of a discussion if you wanted to, but like I'm going to be able to give you that update. >> So then if we there's something that's still missing, let's say because one of the things when we did do that was we said we'll look at it after here and see how it's going. So hold that. >> Yeah. So I would

168say hold that and see if it's captured in what I've put together and if it's not then then we'll we can discuss it further. >> Uh but that I was very pleased with that outcome. I think it's >> I think it's going to be really good. >> Uh and that was it for me. Thank you very much. follow. >> Yeah. >> Um, you talked about the beginning of school. I've had a couple of folks asking me about when the last day of instruction will be like at um Becker and Peter B this year so that they can start with their summer camp. >> Yeah. So, I will say that um you know being the new guy, this is a totally new concept to me. Um, I I have um I'm not saying what's right or

169what's wrong, but I've not worked in a school before where the last day of school was not determined in the school calendar at the beginning of the school year. >> Right. >> So, that is something that I'm going to have to look at and look at the contract and I will try to >> Yeah. >> get that out as soon as possible. I'm sure there's a day by which I have to share it. >> Uh, not necessarily, but I think just Mike, so you know, from my history of this, it's it's too early right now. We're not even through snow season, right? Right. So I mean so traditionally though but traditionally >> it's going to be based on our use of contingent dates. >> No, right. But what you're asking him doesn't generally come out

170until around the 1st of May, early May. >> Right. >> That's when we start having those discussions. So people I know they want to know but they generally we don't ever get this at least until early mid May. So just so you know >> does it because it's based on our use of contingent days. >> Yeah. >> And and there is the chance we could still have to use. >> Correct. >> All right. Don't you >> I don't want to. No. I hope we're through snow season. I do too, but >> anything else from the district office? >> No. Okay. >> All right. Uh Owen, do you have anything tonight? >> I'm just going to keep this brief, but uh it's been music in our schools month. You've had a lot of concerts so far

171that students have been involved in. Uh all the bands from elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools have performed. Uh and this week we have a lot of we have a course like high school and middle school course concert tomorrow which will be fun. And we had the Yam Summit uh last Friday, the youth art month. For people who don't know what that is, it's not a summit about yams. Um but >> but yeah, it was a great experience. All the fifth grade art clubs come in and you know do a lot of fun activities around art. Getting kids involved with that is great. Um and that's all I have. I don't really I every like all the presentation stuff today was very informative and I think I like all my questions that I came

172in today were sort of answered. Uh but I do have one like sort of requestish if we it's like the second slide of the budget presentation and it has like the um student toteer ratio graph and I would just like uh if it's not like I don't know how how like this data works but if I could get like if maybe for like next meeting a breakdown like by school so we can see like because it's nine to one that's overall right for the entire district. it doesn't go >> that that is basically uh every instructor and every student and it's just a simple simple calculation >> because I'm because the I don't remember exactly like the numbers >> um but I'm sure it's different per school like the ratio like like the art like

173the high school is different than like say it'll be backer >> so you're just interested in per building >> yeah like how because it's 9 to1 it stays the same 9 to1 from today to next year but it could be different like the high school be getting worse or the elementary schools are being better. I don't know. >> Yeah. And um just an additional point there because it could potentially be misleading. The 9:1 ratio doesn't mean that you're going to be in a classroom with nine kids and one teacher. >> Yeah. >> Because of a lot of special programming and special education services, etc. Um it's generally just a calculation of number of certificated adults with a teaching certificate and number of students. But we can break that out by building. Okay. >> Easy enough.

174Yeah, that's it for me though. Thank you. >> All right. Thanks, Owen. You have anything? >> Um, I just wanted to say that the spring sports are going really great. I have a couple friends that are doing flag football and they I hear really good stuff about that and I think they had a game yesterday or a scrimmage and I heard it went really great for them. So, that's um that's nice to hear. Um, anything else? Not really. I don't really have anything. I just hope that our spring break goes really well. Um, and actually I'm really happy about that school's opening the 9th of September. I love >> We did that just for you, Hug. >> Thank you. I love that so much. But that's all for me. But thank you. >> All right.

175Thank you. >> Their last scrimmage is on Friday and I know Mr. Teli was really trying to get the community to come out and support big time and sports association's going to be opening concession stand for all spring sports that we can get volunteers for. >> No volunteers. >> Uh 4 4. >> Yeah. >> 415. >> All right. Great. Any new business items? >> Okay. Uh, does anybody else have any business to cover tonight? All right. As far as upcoming activities, we get together again on the 15th for our next regular meeting. Um, before then is spring break and also the remaining concerts for music in our schools month. Uh, we good. Anybody have anything else? Then we'll take a motion to adjurnn. >> Pete's motion. Seconded by Dan. All in favor?