001Call the meeting to order. Welcome to the May 22nd, 2025 Hamilton City School District Board of Education meetings. Tonight we're going to have two meetings. The first will be our work session, we call it, followed by our business meeting. No break in between. We'll go from one to right to the other. Um with that, Mr. If you call roll, please. Mr. Davidson, here. Dr. Copus here. Mrs. Baker here. And I will make a note for the minutes that Mr. Sprag and Mrs. Matthews are absent this evening. Uh, city council, there is no representative from council. On to the Ohio State Bar or OSBA business honor role. Well, good evening. Um, as we know, the Ohio School Board Association allows for local school boards to recognize businesses in the community that help to give back and
002go the extra mile. This has been a practice that has started in recent years, and Dr. Copus um I'm not sure how he he stumbled upon it, but um thought that it'd be a good piece for us. Hamilton City Schools nominated two businesses for this award this year and both were awarded it. One of the recipients is here this evening and we just want to bestow some recognition to them. Um we are blessed with so many partners but tonight all eight up I invite Mr. Brad Barker if you're Baker if you'll come up here please to the podium. Brad is here uh from All Eight Up Pinball Garage. Uh and he is a massive strong supporter of ensuring our students have access to memorable experiences. One of the things that really went over and above
003and beyond was last year at All Eight Up. Uh Mr. Baker threw out the the option or the opportunity for all of our students who are attending prom if they could not afford a meal to come to All Eight Up and All Eight Up fed them for free at no cost out of the kindness of of his heart. Um he has continued to help with different things of making sure kids have outfits, opening up his business to allow um different donation groups to come in. I I told him just recently at prom I was able to come in and see they had a popup boutique and he's just always making sure that our kids have experiences and find the fun in what they do and so um I'm just so impressed and grateful of your
004partnership and what you continue to do. I also really like your establishment but that's a whole different story. Um but we just wanted to tonight to formally recognize you for being the OSBA our first one ever on the OSBA business honor role. So, we're hoping you'll hang this somewhere. And we just want to thank you for what you do for our community. [Applause] Thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you. Our next is the Crystal Owl Award. Another honor going out tonight. Yes. It's I love these kind of nights because we're able to recognize amazing contributions of both our community members as well as our staff. And so um something that we do, we have great partners in Horus man. Uh as we approach the end of the school year, we work to recognize individuals for their
005service to our district. We work with Tyler Juul, Mike Hardy, and Tim Hton from Horus Man. We recognize them who go above and beyond. This year is no different. Um we are here tonight to honor a district staff member, the Crystal Owl Award. This award is presented as someone who contributes to the continued success of our district. Their efforts can go unnoticed sometimes, but their role in our district is vital. And so we wanted to take an opportunity to recognize this employee. She was lured here under false pretenses today. So she is still playing catch-up on why she is here. she thought she had just a meeting here at the board. Um, at this time though, uh, I want to invite our executive director of business operations, Mr. Jeff Kilby, to personally recognize this year's
006recipient. Good evening. Um, I'm honored to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the dedication and service of Loretta Bryant, who has been an integral part of the transportation department since April 1st, 1996, April Fool's Day. But Loretta's career has been nothing but serious dedication, hard work, and commitment. For nearly 30 years, Loretta has exemplified what it means to be a reliable, trustworthy, and compassionate member of our team. As the mom of the department, she's the go-to person for guidance, wisdom, and a sense of family within the ranks. On those challenging snow days, Loretta is one of the few people whose opinion I trust and call upon, knowing she will always provide thoughtful and dependable insights. Loretta's record speaks for hers for itself. Her diligence and commitment to safety have ensured that our buses maintain
007a spotless inspection record. Despite her primary role as utility worker, she continues to serve as a bus driver, stepping in whenever needed. Loretta, your nearly three decades of service have contributed immensely to the safety and success of our transportation department. Your unwavering dedication, work ethic, and kind-hearted nature make you an invaluable asset to our team. On behalf of everyone who has had the privilege of working alongside you, thank you for your extraordinary commitment, your leadership, and your unwavering dedication. You have truly made a lasting impact, and we are grateful for every mile driven and every inspection passed. We would like to recognize Loretta as our third annual Crystal Owl Award recipient in the Hamilton City School District and ask her to please come forward to accept her award. Congratulations. Thank you. Yes. Yes. Yes. It's
008It's been a very rough year for me. Um coming to work makes time a little bit better for me. Makes time go a little bit quicker. My daughter was diagnosed with cancer in October. Um my husband just passed two months ago. So coming to work has been my outlet. And I guess I'm a mom to everybody because I guess I know everything down there. Probably more than I should know. But um I've loved working for the district, working with the kids, and I hope to have a couple more years to go. So, thank you guys. Thank you. Thank you. All right, we've grown. Vice President Davidson, would you mind if we took a picture with her and her family before we moved on to the next item? That's great. I know they all surprised her
009by being here today. So, I wanted to get a picture with her fan club. Why don't we reset for a second? Is that okay? Yeah. Thank you. Absolutely. It's not [Music] Yeah. Thank you, Loretta. Thank you. Okay, thank you. [Music] This might be a good opportunity if you want to leave to go. Now we're going we're going to get into budget here in a minute. Yeah. Thank you. Steve, we still on or Okay, we'll move on from good things to bad things. Jeremy, you're up. Thank you, Mr. Davidson. uh at least this year I don't have to follow uh fine arts um which is always quite fun with kids singing and and the the joyful presentation that we have. We we just had a a great presentation for Loretta. Congratulations uh Loretta. Um it's that
010time of year again. It's time for the May update to the November forecast. So, here's an overview of what we're going to cover this evening. Uh, we're going to talk about, you know, what is the forecast? Uh, and why do we why do we have a forecast? Uh, we're going to look at how we generate revenues, um, and how do we spend those dollars. We're going to look at some of the trends with those revenues and expenditures and the corresponding cash balance. And then at the end, we're going to take a look at the financial condition of the district uh based on some assumptions um that we have throughout the forecast. Um as Dr. Copus alluded to before, this is a before the meeting, this is a forecast uh to which I responded, yes, it's
011a forecast. The only right thing right in the forecast is that it will be wrong. So um let's move forward. So why do we why do we do the forecast? Well, number one, it's required. We have to do it twice a year. Uh once in November and once in May. We update the forecast. Uh the forecast is a snapshot analysis of general fund revenues, expenditures, and the corresponding cash balance. Uh it has three years of history and five years of projections which which the first year of projection is the current year uh that we're in which is fiscal year 2025. What's the purpose of the forecast? Uh there's three general purposes of the forecast. Uh number one is for the board to engage the community in long-term financial planning and discussion. The forecast allows me
012to sign a required document called the 412 certificate uh for large purchases which basically means according to the forecast if we buy something large do we have the ability to meet that obligation financially. Um but what we really use it for is a long range planning tool. We meet every Monday morning with cabinet and in those meetings we discuss all different types of things. Uh plans for the district uh things we want to do uh things that either cost money or save money and all of those things have a financial implication. And so what we are able to do with the software that we have is I'll run a cost study on whether that item is going to cost money or save money and we will throw that information into the forecast software and see
013what that means for the district long term. So we actually do use the forecast and the forecast software uh quite a bit. So here's our general fund revenues. uh we can see we get 20% of our revenues from the local taxpayers and that comes through property taxes. We get 75% of our revenue from the state and that comes through what's called the fair school funding formula. That's what we currently have now um through the state and we get those payments twice a month and then we have uh 5% we get uh into an all other revenue category and most of that is uh various reimbursements uh the largest of which is a Medicaid reimbursement. Um we're supposed to get a a rather large one here uh next month and interest makes up a large part
014of that as well. Here's our expenditure categories. Uh just like every school district, uh the bulk of our general fund expenditures uh are personnel costs and that's salaries and benefits. Um we have about 13% in the way of purchase service. Uh the major categories in in that category are uh utilities and contract services for special ed students. And then we have all other expenditures which includes uh school supplies and bus fuel. So now we know where the revenue comes from and how we spend it. What are our trends looking like? Um so we can see the blue columns represent total revenue, the red columns represent total expenditures and the the green line running through this image uh is the corresponding cash balance. So in 2025 projected uh you can see the blue column is slightly
015more or slightly bigger than the red column and that indicates a surplus. So that's where revenues outpace expenditures. Um and you can see the blue columns throughout this image. Uh in FY26 and 27 they're they're basically stable and we'll get into why that is here in a minute. And then in FY28 and 29, you can see revenues dropping off a little bit. Meanwhile, expenditures throughout the forecast period are increasing. And so when we have expenditures outpacing revenues, we call that a deficit. So we're projecting a deficit uh for 26, 27, 28, and 29 throughout the forecast period. And we can see what that does to the green line, the corresponding cash balance. So we talked about the forecast being uh you know a projection. So with that there are a lot of unknowns that we
016are making assumptions on. Um the largest of which is the bianium budget and what's going to happen with that. Um right now we're about halfway through the budget process. Um so in January, Governor Dwine came out with um his goals and what the budget looked like in his eyes. Um the House has subsequently passed what they feel the budget should look like. Uh the budget is now in the Senate. Uh we won't know what will come out of the Senate until almost midway through June. I think they're scheduled to vote June 12th. Um and then it goes to committee where we have a reconciliation between the governor's budget, the house's budget, and the Senate proposal. Uh and who knows what we're going to get. And then it goes to Governor DeWine, and he has the
017power to line item veto. So there's there's a lot of factors, a lot of unknowns with the budget process. Um, and we've got, you know, the the next bianium starts here July 1st. We're a month and a half away and we still don't know exactly what's going to happen with it. And by the way, within the forecast period, we also have another bianium budget in 28 and 29. Um, so there's a lot of a lot of guesswork. Um, a lot of educated guesswork. Um, but that's that's the main factor that we're dealing with. I hate to interrupt you, but No, go ahead. One of the unknowns I just noticed the or read the other day about a um constitutional amendment that's going to be on the ballot to do away with property taxes in the
018state of Ohio. um which is catching a lot of momentum. That would be devastating. I Oh, that I I don't know how that would ever go through. I mean, just just for obviously schools are are heavily fun. I mean, we we're only about 20% funded on tax on property taxes. There are some districts in this county that are the exact opposite of us and are like 80% funded on property taxes. So, we're 75% funded on the state, 20% funded on taxes. There's districts that are the exact opposite. What I mean, what would happen if property taxes went away for those school districts? Just think about all of the uh economic development deals that we've done a lot recently that are based on property taxes generating revenues for these projects through property taxes. I I don't
019know how how that would ever make it through. I mean there I'm sure there's a ton of constitutional challenges that would be I mean it would just be a nightmare if if property taxes went away. um be but who knows, right? Um but yeah, that's that's another unknown. Property taxes. Um what's going to happen with value increases throughout the next five years? Uh we've we are assuming kind of a back to normal value increase, not the the extremely, you know, the the spikes that we've seen in the last couple years. Uh legislative changes is on there as well, just like you mentioned, Mr. Davidson. Um, and then another unknown throughout the forecast period is every negotiated agreement that we have expires before the forecast or throughout the forecast period. So what what's going to happen
020with that? A question to Mr. Davidson's point. What whatever this proposal is on real estate taxes, what I mean, you can't just take that away and not have any other revenue coming in. Is there is there something that's replacing that revenue? I have not heard of um any ideas for a replacement just that it's on the people don't want to have I would imagine because our constitution says that the state must fund public schools but they're not doing it now. I mean they're sherking their duties now. So Right. Yeah. Correct. Correct. Thank you. So that's there there's a lot of there's a lot of guesswork that goes into um these forecasts is is the point of that slide. Um we've got quite a lot of updates from the November forecast and and the main item
021again is the bianium budget. What is going to happen with that? because in November we were assuming the continuation of the fair school funding formula um which had been in place for four years. It was a six-year phase in. So we were anticipating the legislature phasing in year five and year six uh with base cost increases just like they have in the past. Um, and with all of my forecasts, you know, it was we put in a relatively conservative number of a 4% base cost increase. Um, which I think every treasur in the state of Ohio had uh somewhere around there, maybe a little higher, maybe a little lower depending on their, you know, conservatism, but everyone was putting in the the continuation of the funding formula. That all changed in November or in January,
022sorry. Uh when Governor DeWine came out with his budget, um he was continuing the formula without any base cost inputs. Um which for a district like us that is funded on every student, we're in a declining student enrollment period. That really kind of hurt us. Um so that was a major major change and I've got a graph um here later in the presentation that will show that. Um so that that's the major change to the forecast is that change between 4% base cost increase and continuing to fund the formula to where we are now and and what we're modeling now is the house version of the budget which is a guarantee based on FY25 this current year. So, meaning we're not going to get any less dollars in 26 and 27. But then what happens
023after that? Well, we go back to a 2020 guarantee, which is in state law, and those dollars are significantly less than what we get in 2025. So, we'll we'll see that in a graphical form. It'll it'll be easier to see. Question. when the fair funding bill or whatever came in that was based on the fact that the uh they determined that the funding of school districts was unconstitutional. Is that correct? Well, they they have determined that for quite a long time, but that was that was that tried to be the answer to the problem, right? That's what I'm saying. So, now they've gotten we've gotten halfway through that and they've changed it again. We were twothirds through it. Yeah, we were 46 through it and they decided for Well, there has been no decision yet.
024Um they anything could happen in reconciliation. Yeah. Um but I I don't think it's going to be very favorable, right? I don't I don't think there's going to be continuation of the formula with increased base cost coming in for next year. Um, so that's the major change. When it's when you're talking about a line item that's 75% of your revenue and you really don't know what in the world's going to happen with it, it's it's tough to make these forecasts, but we have to be conservative in our measurements. Um, Mr. Fraser, can I add one piece in there? Um, as he talked about, 75% comes from the state. that other 20% is locally generated through property tax. Part of the budget proposals right now attack both both pieces of that. The amount coming in on
025the state side as well as the money that we get from local dollars. So, this budget is more contentious than any one we've seen before because there's multiple facets that can really affect the dollars to help facilitate our school district. Absolutely. Good point. A positive update from the November forecast is interest earnings. So uh in November the analysts we were uh pricing in two Fed rate cuts um in calendar year 25. We have yet to have a rate cut. So interest has remained strong. So interest earnings are actually up compared to where I had projected them in November. And then we also got a a large one-time reimbursement. um for a copier buyout that happened in 2021. Um we received a check for $318,000 just a couple weeks ago. Uh which I had not priced
026in for this forecast period because truly I didn't know when it was coming. I knew it was due to us but didn't had had no idea when it was coming. So um so those are the the major updates from November. On the expense side, I mean we're we're really tight on the expense side. We monitor expenses daily. Um we're pretty much right where we thought we were going to be in November. So that there's not really a a change from November on the expense side. It's just all on the revenue side. And also we we've been very um strategic through the years and making sure that we are staffing levels are um sort of right sized to to this and as we look at the future and as people start to re as teachers retire
027whatever we're projecting that in there and we've been you know I have to say that to the administration that they've done a really really good job of that. So yeah. Yeah, you're you're exactly right and that's something that you have to do when you are funded per pupil and especially when you're in a declining enrollment environment like we are. So yeah, the administration has done a fantastic job about uh being smart and and capturing those things where we can capture. I think we've been fortunate that you know through attrition we have able to make correct. Yeah, I do think it's important to add that that we have rightsized that without teachers losing their jobs. We have not laid off. We have not done those pieces, but we've captured as our enrollment has gone down. We've
028had to rightsize. Yeah. It wouldn't be we wouldn't be uh fiscally responsible to keep our staffing at the same level. Right. So, we're very strategic in that, which I think is what you were referring to, Miss Baker. Sure. So, this is the graph that I was referring to earlier. Um the dotted lines, if you can see that on the uh on the image, refer to the November forecast revenue projection. And so what that looks like is a base cost increase um and continuation of the funding formula, which we all know in January that that took a hit and now we are projecting flat revenues from the state. We're we're projecting the House version of the bill, which is a 2025 guarantee. So, you see a flat line from 26 to 27, but then it goes
029down to the 2020 guarantee, which is in current law. And that's where we have a major change between what we thought we were going to have and now what is currently out there. But like I said, who knows what's going to happen. We we have yet to see the Senate proposal. We have yet to see budget reconciliation. We have yet to see the governor who has the ability and the power to line item veto. So this is again it's it's a conservative estimate. Um but this is what we know and this is what we have to do with the forecast. It's a snapshot analysis. This is what we know at this moment in time. But I I like this graph. This is a new graph. Um, and I thought it was very interesting and tells
030the story of what we thought we knew in November and what we think we know now and how those have changed. Today's cash on hand. This is a this is something that's always in the forecast, but this is a new slide for the presentation. I thought it was interesting. Um, basically what that means is if we stopped receiving revenue today, how long could we operate with cash reserves that we have on hand? Um, we're going to end the 2025 fiscal year somewhere just north of 170 days of cash. Uh, it's very interesting. There are some legislative items out there um that are looking to reduce our cash balance. Um and what that means for the district and what we're hearing is about 30% cash carryover, which would put us somewhere about 100 110 days of
031cash, which if you can see the the uh the graph, we're headed there anyway. as as are most school districts as we come out of um artificially inflated cash balances due to an influx of federal COVID dollars. Um so if you look around the state, everybody has a nice cash balance now, but we're we're kind of getting back to normal. Um and so I thought that was a an interesting graph, an interesting piece to put out there that the state wants to cut us immediately down and we're headed there anyway. So, I I thought that was just an interesting piece to put out there. And then in summary, um again, the the largest change from November to May is going to be that what's going to happen with the bienium budget. Um you know, we
032talked about interest and we we talked about um you know, a one-time payment and our expenses being tied and that kind of stuff. We're so reliant on the state budget. That's the big change from again what we thought we knew in nove November to what what we think we know now and and and moving forward. So what's going to happen? Are we going to have a continuation of the budget with no base cost inputs? Are we going to be on a guarantee? What's going to happen with that guarantee when this bianium budget's over? Is it going to go to 2020? Are they going to legislate something else? Um, is the reconciliation committee going to come up with something completely new uh that we have not planned for and don't know anything about? Um, is Governor
033DeWine going to veto certain items that could potentially help or hurt us? I mean, it's the May forecast prior to a bienium budget is always the toughest one. because we and being so heavily relying on the state, it's harder for us than other districts to plan and to know what's what's going to happen with that line item. Um any moving piece that makes it tough. I mean, it's it's trying to kick a field goal with a moving goalpost. Um but again, we've we've got smart people. Um we've I've got complete faith in the board and in our administrative team. Um, we'll battle through it and we'll figure it out. Um, and that's my presentation. I'd love to take any questions uh that you have. Well, to your point, Jeremy, um, I do I feel very
034comfortable with the administrative team, you especially when it comes to some of this finan to the financial information. And I've said it before, you're you probably are one of the best treasurers in the state. Um, and we're lucky to have you. And I think that with Andrea coming on board, I know that both of you work well together and you will we'll figure it out. We'll figure out where we need to be. Mr. Frasier, a couple comments. First of all, thank you to yourself and Mrs. Blevens and the rest of your team for all the work that you put on this on a daily basis. And thank you also for pointing out that this is truly a projection and it's based on so many multiple variables and unknowns that literally could change daily. Um, and
035the end result of this forecast is certainly not written in stone yet. Um, I hesitate to say this, but I'm going to say it anyway. We've seen the governor's proposal. We've seen the House's proposal. We have not seen the Senate's proposal yet, but your average citizen sitting here looking at this and paying attention to the legislators would think they're trying to destroy public education, which in my mind is criminal. And isn't it true that about 90% of the students in this state go to public education institutions? Yes. Statewide, it's roughly 75 to 100% depending on the community, but overall state average is about 90% total. Um, I don't know. I'm of course interested to see what the Senate's proposal is and then also the budget reconciliation, but uh, yeah, this this is true and I've
036heard people refer to it as an assault on public education and that too. That's that's terrible. Um, to to your point, Dr. Copus, um, we there was a a study that you had uh, Mrs. Belins that showed where Ohio stood in uh spending on education and where we stand as as a whole to the country. Can you tell me? I think you I know where it is. Yes. So, it was a study done in 2023 of the amount of money that the state puts on public education and of our 50 United States, we were ranked 45th out of 50. We were the in the lowest five in the country of state dollars that go to fund public education. And the problem we have now is the folks up in Columbus want to put it back
037on the local taxpayers. Yep. Our constitution doesn't say that it shall be funded by the you know the local tax uh property tax. It says by the state which they want to fund other projects and that's the hard part for school districts. That's our only funding mechanism other than the state is our local property taxes and that's the hard spot that it puts public education in because we're reliant on what the state does and chooses to fund and then what local uh you know what the communities can support. I am very proud of our district and we've been very good fiscal uh stewards of our money. We have not asked for new money in Hamilton City Schools in a number of years, but you know, it sure does seem the writing on the wall is
038to put that more to our local communities. And I just, you know, it's really detrimental. The the problem is each different piece of these budget, if you really read all these different pieces, there's three different assaults, if you will, that can hurt us as a district, all districts in the state of Ohio. And um you know I I truly believe I've said this to many of you in this room, public education is the American dream. That's the equalizer depending on where you come from or your household or um you know the education level of your parents. That is the equalizer and every kid deserves a quality public education. You know, Mrs. Blevens, the the uh stat that you just mentioned that we're 45th out of 50 states. That's ridiculous. That's embarrassing. And and I agree
039with Mrs. Baker. Um we should be very proud of our administration and where we are currently are now financially. Um I mean the equation to me is fairly simple. If you want the best product, you've got to pay for it. And being 45th out of 50 is certainly nothing to brag about. Nope. So Jeremy, thank you. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. We will move into the open session. Um I'll call it to order. Let's stand for the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I would entertain a motion to approve the board agenda. I'll make that motion. Uh, I second. Roll call. Mrs. Baker? Yes. Mr. Davidson? Yes. Dr. Copus?
040Yes. entertain a motion to approve the minutes from the last meeting. I think everybody got a copy of those. Uh I'll make that motion. I second. Any discussion? Okay. Mr. Davidson, yes. Dr. Copus, yes. Mrs. Baker, yes. Public participation. I don't think there was anybody had signed up. Mrs. Blevens, it's on you. Yes. Uh, good evening, Vice President Davidson. Uh, just a few things this evening that I want to update the board on. One, I would be remiss if I didn't mention happy last day of school to all of our students and staff. Um, it's hard to believe. I know I say that every time we talk about the end of the year, but that we're here. I know our staff are ready for a little bit of uh reprieve and some relaxation, but it's
041been an amazing school year. So, I just want to thank all of our staff, students, and families for all they're doing. I do want to make sure that our families know that our big blue food truck uh flyers went out as part of our Friday Connection this week. Have been last number of weeks. But this is a food truck that travels. It will be at four different parks this summer, once a week at Jim Grim Park, Milikin Woods, Benny Hoffen, and Crawford Woods. They provide 100% free meals to any child under 18 years of age. Adult meals are only $5. Knowing what the going rate is for a meal, uh, come on out there. The food's pretty great. In addition, we partnered with Lane Libraries and the Boys and Girls Club. They'll have a series
042of books that are there for kids to take home with them, as well as lawn activities and fun things. So, really trying to make it more of an event than just coming to the food truck. So, I just wanted to mention that. Um, I also wanted to give a final congratulations to the class of 2025. We had a great graduation uh on Wednesday evening. We also last night, I know Dr. Copus and I were able to attend the Hamilton Community Foundation scholarship celebration and to see the number of our students who were receiving multiple scholarships was just so enlightening and exciting to see. Um, I just want to remind our community that this is our last evening board meeting for the next few months. We are shifting our meetings to 9:00 a.m. in the summer.
043those. Uh, our next meeting will be on June 12th at 9:00 am. We do have a board retreat. I just want to remind our board on Wednesday, June 11th and that will take place and be posted. Um, our meetings will return to 4 PM in August and we'll kind of update people if they need more information on the times just visit our website. Last comments that I have this evening is just an overview of what's on our agenda here for approval. here in a minute before you you'll have a HR agenda which includes personnel. There's actually a large number of personnel on the agenda. Um we actually have the appointment of a new assistant principal which we'll introduce once we get through the vote there. We also once a year put through the limited contracts
044for all of our teachers who do not have a continuing contract with the district. So you will see there's a very large list on there. Um and so those will go through tonight as well as anou with our union to ensure that we have safety checks for our bus drivers. Um so you'll see those on there. Under our consent agenda, we have a number of different items on there uh ranging from curriculum and instruction, special education, and business. Those are my comments for this evening. Well, thank you. And I do I want to commend everyone on the graduation. That was very It went off very nice. It did. Perfect. Um, human resources. Um, is everyone com uh okay combining A, B, and C into one motion? Then I'd entertain a motion on that. I'll make
045that motion. I second. Okay. Mr. Frasier. Dr. Copus. Yes. Mrs. Baker. Yes. Mr. Davidson. Yes. Move on to the consent agenda. Before we move on, would you mind if we introduce our new You're right. I had to principal. Yes. Um, so, uh, board of education, I would like to formally introduce. She is not a stranger to the district. She's actually a legacy. I'm saying that for Mr. Head back there. He always tells me he is now introduced as April's father instead of Larry's daughter. Um, but I want to introduce Miss April Brooks. She is a current instructional coach in the district and is now going to be the assistant principal at Garfield Middle School. Thank you. You want me to lower this for you? Smaller little one for her. Thank you. Congratulations. Thank you. Um
046I want to thank you so much for the opportunity to be the assistant principal at Garfield. Um this is I guess today or tomorrow ends my 16th year in the school district and so I am excited and ready and thrilled for this new role. Um, also there's a lot of people in this room to acknowledge, um, who have many who have been with me for my entire career, um, and provided me continued and unwavering support. And so I appreciate them. I'm excited to continue to work with them and learn and to do great things for Hamilton. So, thank you. Congratulations. [Applause] We know you'll do an awesome job. Yeah. All right. We'll move on to the consent agenda. I'll make a motion. Um I second. I'm sorry. I can't second. I I know. I apologize.
047Any discussion on the consent agenda? Yes. I have a a question. Um the hopeful empowered youth memorandum of understanding. Yes. Someone educate me on that. So, this is a grant that our um high school actually is receiving for to help work on kind of proactive strategies of uh trying to prevent students to or protect them from depression, mental illness, suicidal thoughts, etc. So, it is a youth group that will take place at our school. It's been coordinated by Mr. Smallwood and Mrs. Sordino. And that I if I read that correctly, that's a three-year program that we're entering into. Yes. Yes. And they'll receive $20,000 each year for those three years to fund all of their afterchool meetings, etc. Okay. Um and then another thing I've noticed there, um a number of field trips on the
048agenda. Um and some of those are student parent funded, which is wonderful. Others are the district is reimbured for the cost. But Mr. Frasier, is it possible for those field trips that we're voting on that are not funded in those manners that we could get an approximate cost of what that's costing the district? I mean, I know that comes from the general fund. I know the funds are available. I'd just like to know what the expense is. Sure. Yeah, we can we can work with um whoever it is, whether it's athletics or fine arts or whoever, and get a cost for for what those it's probably transportation would be my guess. Yeah, typically if we know the cost, Dr. copus. They're included in those uh descriptive documents there. Sometimes we don't know the anticipated cost
049if it's a football camp or things like that. Um but we can do our best to try to give an estimate. Okay. And a lot of times what happens as well, I don't know if the for for these particular one um items that are on tonight, but um the general fund will pay for the transportation and then bill back the fund that um for example, athletics. Okay. Um, so while it's a general fund cost upfront, yes, a lot of times those are reimbursed by a different fund on our books. Okay. As well. All right. Thank you. Guess the only comment I would have is about the security cameras. Um, I'm I'm I want to tell Dustin, thank you for getting that in. Yeah. Um, and that's wise because it was budgeted for this year and
050we were able to get it done. Yeah. It's going to allow us actually with doing these four buildings on this budget cycle. It will allow us to upgrade the other four buildings in July so that all of our eight elementaryaries will receive new outdoor cameras which just help with security investigations, etc. Yeah, I just I I appreciate him being on top of that. He'll appreciate that that shout out. All right. Um, roll call. Mrs. Baker, yes. Mr. Davidson, yes. Dr. Copus, yes. And then Jeremy, back to you. I hope it's not gloom and doom. All right, I'm up again. Uh finance agenda. We have quite a few items on the finance agenda this evening. We have the forecast obviously um up for approval. Uh we have the Lane Public Library tax budget. Uh we passed
051the tax budget for Hamilton City Schools earlier this year. Um the Lane Public Library uh runs through us as well. So, that's something that we have up for approval. Uh, we have the uh group retro rating plan for workers comp uh through Spooner. That's a a yearly approval and that helps us control costs on the workers comp side of things. We have our liability fleet and property insurance renewal up. That's again, that's another annual item that we have. We have the uh treasure reports and then we also have um the donations uh which I would like to bring up and call to your attention again. Um it's amazing what what people do in support of uh the school district and I just like to highlight those donations this evening. And those are my items. Thank
052you. entertain a motion to accept the I'll make that motion. I second. And roll call. Mrs. Baker. Yes. Mr. Davidson. Yes. Dr. Copus. Yes. All right. Our next meeting, as Mrs. Blevens indicated, will be June 12th, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Same place, different time. Um motion to adjurnn. I'll make that motion. A second. All right. We are adjourned. Thank you.