001Okay. Uh it's 6:30 uh Tuesday, October 14th. I'd like to call the Weathersfield School Board meeting uh to order and uh start with the Pledge of Allegiance. Everyone can stand. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. >> Um, we're going to start with another uh excerpt from John's library for all of us to share. It it's been interesting going through these um and and believe it or not, I'm actually running out of good ones, which is too bad. The superintendent um always had a section in the town reports and some of them are are more interesting than others, but I thought this was pretty good. This is part of it. Parents must cooperate
002with the teachers on the subject of discipline and studious habits. They sometimes forget that it's not always the neighbors children who are in error. The teacher is the judge of this and her judgment is usually right because it is formed from daily observations. In a case involving a teacher's power and responsibility, Judge Lord and his charge to the jury uses these words. The relation between the teacher and scholar is a peculiar one. It partakes while a pupil is in school of a parental character is absolute without appeal from any quarter. When exercised within its proper limits, the teacher does not derive his authority from the parents. He holds public office created by law. He is legally responsible only to the trustees who hire him between the teacher and the child. the parents personal personally interfere
003only by removing the child from school. The schoolhouse is a school master's hassle. >> Okay. So, next is changes and additions to the agenda. Um the only thing I have would be to um uh introduce the student school board members and have us um sort of vote them in to >> okay you want >> yeah report but I can go in now. So, um, so we have this year we decided to do something a little bit different um with our school board rep and also the schoolboard rep has also been um sort of my right-hand pupil which has been great and they've been doing announcements every morning which is nice because then our student population sees them and doesn't have to see me every morning. Um, and so we have Kendall Hughes who's here tonight
004and Kayla Vanstein. And then we also have Riley Mcollister who's also one of the she's the third of our party. And so today I mean I need to weekly daily um and we talk about what's going on and um they keep me on the student perspective list which is great. Show me how things are going. So we appreciate you all being here tonight. Thank you. cute. And we'll um Does anyone want to make a motion to vote the three students onto our board as student members? >> Okay. All in favor of voting Kendall Hughes, >> Caleb Vanstein, >> Caleb Van Alstein, >> and Riley Mc Riley McAllister to the Weatherfield School Board. All in favor say I. I. >> Any opposed? Welcome. I do have a quick announcement. Uh I think as most people know
005uh next year in in uh 2026 is the nation's 250th anniversary uh of our uh founding and every community in Vermont was invited to participate with some activity and Weathersfield chose to through the Proctor Library and the historical society to put on a play commemorating a document that's really special to Weathersfield and we're really lucky that we saved it. It didn't get destroyed. It's called the Articles of Association and basically it lists the events that are happening in Boston, Lexington, and Conquered. And it the founding members in Weathersfield signed on to that and we still have an original copy, one of two that exist in the country. And my wife wrote a play revolving around it. The play will be presented this Sunday at 4:00 at Weathersfield Meeting House. It's a cast of extremely talented
006including our own principal as Timothy Parker and everyone's invited. It's pot lock at 4 o'clock. We play right afterward. Hope to see everybody. >> Don't forget there John that you're also there Mr. Hatch. >> I am sorry of hearing Mr. Hatch. I might ask some some of the characters have been typ cast. I'll tell you right now, you got to see who Dave Fuller is. >> Okay. So, approval of the minutes. Is everyone looked over the minutes? Are there any changes that need to be made or corrections? If not, I'll make a motion to accept the minutes from September 9th, 2025. >> Okay. All in favor? Hi. >> Hi. >> Okay. Uh, do we have any public participation online or here? on to the administrative report. >> All right, thank you very much. So, this
007is our administrative report for Tuesday, October 14th. So, first off, we'll start off with our school motto. You know what to do, do it. I think that is sums up sort of how we are doing everything here at school. Um, so like I've talked about in the past that it's not necessarily, you know, the right thing to do. You know what to do, do it. Um, so kids are hearing that, kids are saying it. I think it's a it's a great model. It's just fitting with what we are trying to accomplish this year at Weatherfield. The next thing on there is our daily thought. So each morning our staff gets a daily thought about something. And so today it's we have the power as educators to make a student walk out of class feeling better
008than they did before they walked in. The opposite is also true. When we bring our very best each day, we help ensure they leave feeling their best and in turn, so do we. So, it's very quite fitting. Um, we have that power over students and students have that power over us. So, it goes back to attitude is everything. How you're going to approach things. So, it's a daily thought for the teacher. So, they do get or the staff, they do get one every single morning at 6:00 a.m. Get up really early and make sure I type in it's wait till 6 am send. Sure. Sure. >> All right. Our mission statement is the mission of Weatherfield School is prepare and empower students to be leaders of a global vision by helping them develop critical thinking,
009communication, collaboration skills, and creativity. First off, we have Jeff Brown here who will be giving us our PTO report and I'm sure she'll be talking about our amazing fourth annual pod drop. >> Yes. Thank you. Yeah. So, thank you everybody uh for who came out and support us at our fourth annual pod drop. was another very successful year. Uh we sold over 6,000 paws um again this year and had a fantastic turnout from our community. So um little work needed on the pod rock drop uh still, but we will get there. Um our problem is is we're selling too many paws making the bag too heavy to actually dump. So now we just need to sort of uh I guess that's a great problem to have, right? Maybe we could make it a steam project
010for Mrs. Smith. >> We need something so they can flutter. Like we want something to fall out of the bottom, but we can't just have them as we know all at once. >> So yes, if they want to take on that task, >> we've been there, done that. >> Don't want to repeat it. Um, so yeah, we wrapped up pod drop and we are shifting our focus to make it and take it and craft fair. So, that will be happening on Sunday the november 23rd. Um, for those of you that don't know, make it and Take It is an event that we host uh for children to come and make gifts for free. Um, so they can make up to five crafts um and bring them home to either use themselves or give away or
011save for the holidays. Our intention is that they would save for the holidays to use as gifts. Um, and so that happens from 9 to 11 that day. Um and then three years ago, uh four years ago now, we did in conjunction with that a craft fair that we hold in the gym. Um and we are, I think, at capacity already for vendors. Um so we have over 34 slots secured for the pack fair that will be happening that day um from 9 to 1 in the gym. So super exciting for that. Um I know the kids look forward to it and we really look forward to the making piece of our basic giving back to the kids. Um otherwise uh we did just recently approve a mini grant for uh red urban week. So
012we are happy to give money for that and supporting red urban week. Um and then I don't know if you have any update later on about this set because I know we all very anxiously awaiting the install of that. So I think that was the only other question or com I had >> and no I don't have an update. We're still waiting for visit to hear back from them so I can reach out to Jim again and see where we're at. >> Perfect. Thank you. Any questions? Thank you. >> Thanks, Jess. We appreciate it. >> All right. Next is our athletic report and our athletic director is under the weather. So, um I told her I would go ahead and report for tonight. So, we're wrapping up fall sports. We've had a great fall sport
013season and we are almost done with it. And winter sport registration has been up and ready to go. So, if you are interested in registering for winter sport, make sure you do so. Okay. Okay. So, student perspective, we have Kendall, Kayla here tonight. So, they're going to talk a little bit about the student perspective and what is going on. >> Yeah. The next slide, sir. Okay. You ready? >> Yeah. >> How about if you need help? >> Um, >> uh, for quadra, we um do hat day. We did um we did two raised money for the Lucy McKenzie Humane Society to help animals get a good home. Um >> what do we do for hunt day? >> We you get you pay a dollar to wear a hat or a hood. Um, and you have
014a wristband to tell like teachers that you have that you really need to solve them. >> And why is that special here when we go to school? >> Cuz normally you can't wear hats um in school. It's >> one of the few days a year that Miss Mars let you wear a hat. >> Yeah. And then how much money do we raise? >> About $100. >> Nice job. >> All right. >> And it was >> Do you want to talk? So Jess Brown already talked a little bit about paw drops. So why don't you guys talk about the spirit week that we have where we had different dress up days. the first one to do all this. Um, spirit week is a week where we dedicate a certain day to a certain >> and kids
015enjoy it most of the time cuz some of you can like express express yourself with like decade day or like wear your pajamas or match with um a friend which that's normally you can't do. You can't put a pajamas. You can match like a My favorite was dress up as Mr. Mart's day. Oh, wait. There was dress up as a teacher. I thought it was just Mr. Mart. There was like six of >> there was like six of me out there and then also then staff could dress up as >> students. So, I had forgotten it was staff dressed up as student day and I walked in and BJ who dress up as a student and I didn't say anything at first but I was a little bit questioning her attire that day. So sorry
016BJ. >> All right. >> Um, red ribbon week is >> another like spirit week. Yeah. to prevent drug use. And you get um each day a kid wears like something that like that goes with the theme. They get like a pencil or bracelet that says like a ticket that says like drug be drug free or something like that to prevent drugs and it's a raffle. Um the dance is October 24th. Um it's a sixth, seventh, and eighth grade dance this time. Um we're having an eighth grade dance coming up. We don't have a date for it yet, but we're still planning just an eighth grade dance and then a couple more sixth eighth grade dances. Yes. and the leadership is taking care of it. Um, I'm one of the members to help find dances. Um
017the costume costume is um for kids who dress up in their costume for like Halloween and then we go around and walk around the house out back >> parking officers by age and they wearing all day. >> I think this year we're going to change it and kids are going to be able to wear their costumes all day because some kids have said um it's not enough time for them and they want to wear them all day to show off to their friends and to some staff members like their teachers um want to show their class. I think you guys hit the list pretty good. >> And the great thing about all of those activities that you all have planned is that you are doing them all. They're all student le which is great. >>
018Showing their voice. So, thank you very much, Kendall and Kayla. And see, my dad, right? >> Oh, >> no. A little nerveing, but >> I have my glasses next time. >> Okay. I'll remind you next time. >> Well, they're not here yet. >> Oh, okay. Well, hopefully you'll get them before our next video. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> We appreciate it. All right, Hicks Nichols. We have the one and only Diana Wilson here to lead us in talking about what happened at Nichols. >> There's only one. >> I am said they wanted to find out if there was another Diana and I pointed out to our superintendent that the world is lucky to have only one >> and I agree. My students would agree too. Um, so we had a Hicks Nichols
019committee meeting the other night. Um, and we had two applications and so I just want to discuss it with the board to get the approval. So I'll start with um, collaborative we Lisa Robarts, our art teacher, um, is looking to do a community weaving loom where she would have it in the art room. The students would use it during art class. They use it during their art elective. Uh, she also has an open art time during Tuesdays during their lunch that students can go down and work on it. I believe it's lunch. It could be recess, but I think it's lunch time. Thank you. Um, and then she also has um, Mr. Martz said like a social emotional students that are going in there to get some extra support and the cost for that was
020going to be $400 and the committee voted yes for that. We voted in favor of that one. So, that was one of them. Um, our second one, um, was from Christina Hughes, um, Kristen Huner and Amy Cam. They were looking for some money for supplies for a math and literacy nights. The math one is going to be here in November. I believe November 20th is the math night. Um, the literacy one I I think is sometime in the spring. I don't know a date for that. >> Maybe it has been decided. I don't know. So they were looking for different supplies for that um for those two nights in regards to that like um pom poms, jars, Hershey kisses, candy corn, goldfish, jello bean, uh jelly beans, poster board, you know, different things for that.
021Uh for the math night kind of same thing similar for literacy night or card stock, laminating sleeves, books to take home, and those miscellaneous items. The committee discussed both of those and the committee um voted to they they were looking for 2,000 1,000 for each night and the committee decided um that we would approve 1,000 for the math night and then I'm going to meet with the applicants and discuss a little bit more details in regards to before we do the literacy fund um amount. We are going to meet again in January, February, March, sometime before the literacy night so that we can look at it, discuss it, approve it or deny it and then come to the board if it's approved. So, we want to make sure we we meet the time frame so
022that if we want, you know, we vote yes for it, we approve it that it can in fact happen. Um, the committee just had more questions. Um, you know, in regards to they didn't itemize these things out. They just did like a table on the supplies and so we just wanted a little bit more detail about, you know, what you were looking for itemwise and maybe a better idea of cost. Are you looking at Walmart? Are you doing Amazon? Are you doing oriental trading? That sort of information. So, I'm going to meet with the applicants to to go into more details about that. So, we approved a thousand for that. So, 400 and then a thousand for this one. Okay. Do the boards or our student reps or audience or anyone have any questions for
023me in regards to the hick legal committee representation here? >> So I D I don't know if you can answer this. Um the H nickel fund um what 30 40 years ago it was established. Yeah, it was an establishment family >> and I know that we generally um spend the interest and know and don't touch the principal with any of it left in to help the person grow a little bit, >> right? Um so roughly now Vincent is our um account rep. We're going to call him that. He reaches out to central office every year for us to let us know what the interest is that we can spend and we always stay within that. Um I believe um it's $36,000 something dollars um that we have available right now at the school for Hicks
024Nichols. >> It was 60 I'll tell you one second. It was 68,000 >> 68,000 >> in that area around 60,000. >> So we have plenty of money available for,400. >> Yeah. We would never investment in that from the >> the committee would never approve anything that went over our limit. We always know the balance before we do the improvement. Very money conscious stuff. >> But but at least some of it is slid back into the principles. So otherwise it's being chewed up. >> Right. >> I think of public funds. John, the money is the money that we receive for the school is only interest made. The principal never changes and the town public trustees um trustes of public funds for the town do not. they just manage kind of manage that money. We have people
025that come in and explain that to us, but that principal is never touched. It's just the interest we get every year um from that account that is spending for the committee. I I understand that and and my point is that um in 30 40 years inflation has chewed away at the principal >> and uh if possible we should be putting at a little bit back into the principal to help make up for I believe when the Hook X family donated it was a million something like that. >> Yes. >> And and it still did a million. So a million 40 years ago was a whole lot different than a million today. But anyway, >> I'm not sure what the way that the talent can, >> but I hear you. I know what you're saying now.
026>> Okay. Yeah, >> it's there for you. So I understand. >> So to take a vote uh as a board on approving these two grant applications. First one being the weaving unit for $400. to make a motion to approve that. >> I'll make a motion to approve the meeting for the art. >> Okay. All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? So that approved. >> Um we'll make a motion to uh approve $1,000 in funding for the math literacy math and literacy night. >> It's just going to be for the math >> for just the math night. $1,000 for funding supplies to carry on that event. >> Um, >> sure. I'll make a motion to approve $1,000 for >> Okay, I'll approve. Say I >> I >> All I All right. So, next up
027on my report is our BAC. Um, so we have two of our members of BAC here, Kristen and Ethan. Thank you very much. We also have Brian Elliwood, Kelly O'Brien, Julie Hay, and Stacy Mum. We've had two meetings so far, and Kristen, I'll let you sure take over. Um, so we've had a couple of meetings. Um, we've uh met first to organize ourselves and u meet and introduce each other, uh, review the current budget and understand, um, where any major discrepancies may be um, over the previous year. Um and then the second meeting we met with Larry Door from the central office to get a little bit more in-depth detail about different uh line items within the budget, any major discrepancies uh and then review the basics of the budget book which was uh pretty
028thorough. Um, and uh, as the process unfolds, we look forward to to working with uh, Brian and Larry and uh, the school board at uh, we >> do we have a do we have a timeline yet for ahead? We do. >> Okay. >> I think um, by November uh, by your November meeting uh, you'll have your preliminary letters for the budget. >> Okay. Yeah, that's the goal. And then you'll have um and it'll be public on the website prior to that. Um I think publicizing that will be important. You can go in and look at line by line. And the hope is that it is um you can look at it for a month. We don't really get the the um tax rate letter from the state until December. So it's probably not approved until
029J. >> Right. So, I believe Larry said that we would have ours by the end of October so that we decide to have our next meeting October or November 7th, which should be plenty of time so that we can look at it as a BAC and also be able to discuss it and then be able to present it at our next board meeting. >> Yeah. >> Any questions? BAC. >> Okay. Thank you, Christian. I appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next up is enrollment for FY26. So, 156 students in grades K through five, 79 students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade. 96% both of them positive attendance, which is amazing. We had that meeting. So, obviously doing something right. Kids want to be here. Kids want to learn. So, 96% attendance. Great job.
030Keep it coming. Good job, guys. Um, efficiency Vermont. We did meet with efficiency Vermont and talked a little bit about their light bulb replacement program. So, they came on September 22nd and they were here for about an hour and they met with Jim Taft um Brian Woodbury and BJ was also there and then um Jen from Efficiency Vermont. They went over um everything that they could do. They can replace 100% of the cost of bulbs to replace them with um up to $20 for each bulb replaced. Bulbs can be replaced in phases. There's also an opportunity for a third party company to come in and do it. Um they can look at fixture reimbursements can be between 30 to 70% depending on what we replace it with. The grant will end in 2027. So we're
031working on that already. Um there could be some additional funding for controls occupancy sensors. Um and we are just making sure that we're establishing what we're replacing to show the bulbs are being replaced with updated bulbs. So obviously here we need a couple bolts replaced. So we're going to be taking advantage of efficiency. Good. All right. Safety drills. So we did two drills this month. We had an option based grow for the students and staff and we also had a fire drill with the Weathersfield fire chief. It's been really great having our Weatherfield fire chief here to help observe and give us any pointers. Um he's pretty amazed about how quickly we can evacuate the building and how safely we do it. Um so that's the second one that we've had with them. And then
032this past Friday the staff went through a training with the Wuther County Sheriff and Wesville Fire Department. And then we also have Chief Stagner here from Springfield Fire Department to help us with the options base. Um it was a lot of information. It was pretty heavy for some of our staff. Um but we did go over things that would happen if you know that we had active shooter on campus. Um and found out some things that we might need to work on. But we are pretty safe and we're excited about that. All right. on that same day we had in the morning. So we had a professional development where we worked on data dives. We looked at some of our data from our fall star tests. Um we also created the week based on that
033information. Very typical grade level teams met in the morning looking at assessments. So they had the Thursday which was an early day. We work on day and Friday we looked at grade level common assessments across the SU. I was with the fifth grade team working with them and was able to go forth, third, second and first did not get hindered but we were able to go through there and get some common assessments so that we have across the entire SU kids are being assessed on the same things and there's commonality so we can compare apples to apples always an important part of our school we're focusing right now on habit two begin with the end in mind it's one of the things that Kendall and Kayla talk about every Morning mission statement. As you go
034around each classroom, there are mission statements posted. Um students and the classroom have been work students and the teacher have been working on their classroom wigs student wigs and then also have it to focus and then I will be getting through and going over their BT cap scores um to help students in grades four through eight make goals for the upcoming BT cap in March. And then upcoming events. Service day is this Thursday. Super excited about service day. Always a great event. Um John mentioned the Weathersfield history play which will be on Sunday. Um conference signups. So conference signs will be going home on Monday. All teachers will send out the signup genius. So sign up for your conference spots if you are a parent and want to have a conference. Um it's a great
035opportunity for those to sign up and be efficient about it. We have our first pride assembly on the 24th. Sixth sixth through 8th grade dances at big night. Red River ribly like the girls mentioned. Character costume parade. Veterans Day assembly on the 7th. Conferences are starting on the 3rd. We started the week before and go all the way up to the 10th. And then the 11th is Veterans Day. That's about it for me. Any questions for me? a lot of students. >> So, as part of the um I know it's not technically a drill, but do we do like basic life support train EP training for the staff as well? >> So, EP pen training goes through so the staff is some staff members are trained on EP um and the nurse does that on
036her own staff especially if you have a student in your classroom that could depend on an epipen you will be trained. We have the testers on the days we do the orange ones that we have testers in number two. And then we do have 10 about 10 staff members that are stoppable blue train. And so each teacher that has our staff member but has one of the red bags. Everybody has a red bag, but if you're stoppably trained, we have that kit in there with a tourniquet. And we talk about the importance of making sure you know how to turn prior to, you know, an emergency happening. I just question because seeing the teacher conferences on there reminded me of it. Um, so are electives now being graded? >> Yes, they are. >> Because they
037haven't been in the past, right? >> Correct. They were passed fail before. So, >> okay. >> But they are being graded, but they do not count towards a student's academic progress for employers at this point. >> It's just subject matters. >> Expectation of blind teachers get grades in. Yes, they should be putting grades in on a regular basis and I've been monitoring that a little bit more to make sure that students are staff are putting grades in. Um, look today and it seems like most all the core teachers in middle level I'm assuming that's what you're referring to. I hate to assume but you know that um but all the core teachers had definitely have multiple grades in and I'm checking the electives as well. >> Okay, next items for discussion. Um, SU budget committee
038update. >> Sorry. Yes. Go ahead. Uh, just a couple of things from me. Um, I sent out I think actually Lori sent it out for me a a survey for all of you. I just want to make sure you got it on the district quality standards. We are um we are uh being asked to self score this year and I don't know what they're going to do with the information but we're being asked to self evaluate. So we're going to do that. Um and we would love your help on the governance standards part of the DQS I think uh by mid November if you submit. So we got time. Um Ryan talked a little bit about assessments. So we we just completed um fall star and dills assessments. Dibbles is K2. Um as you heard
039staff engaged in data dives the building level level the instructional team leaders. So Kristen Her really helped with that at Weathersfield. We'll do an SU level data report in in October for anybody on the SU board and then the building level data report in November for your local scores. Brian Brian and Kristen will take care of that. Um, act 139, which is the early literacy law, requires that we send letters to parents of students who are significantly below the benchmark. So those those have gone out to parents um and we've created intervention groups based on those scores. So that's um underway and in progress and we tried to really the letter um we had to send it last year and it was really uh we got some feedback that it felt very impersonal and cold
040and people work have had questions about it so we worked hard to make it more friendly letter with more information for for parents. So >> Christine, is that just for star or is it for the dibbles? >> It's for dibbles. Just for dibbles. Yeah. >> By law we have to do that. Um just want to um keep you updated on the redistricting task force, what's going on. So they had a meeting Friday. Um they're as you know they can they're charged with bringing up the three maps to the legislature by December 1. The three maps they're kind of um forming I guess is the best word. There's one around career and technical ed centers. That's one map um that's being proposed. One is around regional high schools and one is around uh goes. So I'll
041I'll keep you um there's nothing official yet but I'll keep you posted. They haven't their next meetings in o end October on the 28th. They have put forth and I put it in my newsletter but I wanted to bring it up here. There is a survey that um is asking for input. So I encourage everyone to take it. And then there are public hearings that are happening for across the state. First one was Friday. Um the next one is I think next Friday. Let's see. It's so small. Um October 16th and the next one's at le 6 to 8, but there is um the option to join virtually. So um please share that widely and show up and and share your thoughts. Uh just part of that law act 73 does require class size minimums
042to go into effect next year. So Larry and I are working with principles on class size minimum requirements. These are the these are the levels. Kindergarten is not in the law. So there are no requirements for kindergarten. First grade uh 10 students in each uh classroom 2 through 52 6 through 81 15 9 through 12 18. Um the other thing in Wville does have multi-grade, you can have multi-rade classrooms but only two up to two. So you can't buy three. Um so if there you know if Weathersfield is not meeting those minimums that will impact your budget but um it looks like you're within the um quarterly financials is my the last thing I want to bring to your attention. excuse me, on the the task force and and correct me if I'm wrong, the
043impression I've got and what I've read is that is really it's not definitive exactly how the governance is going to be. Where I'm going is that uh citizens ask you are we still going to have a school and nobody can really answer that. >> That's right. >> And that's several years down the road. Um, and because our we're around the bubble for the upper grades for class size, whether we're one or two off, whether or not we can, you know, another neighboring school has a couple extras. Do we get them? Um, so there's a million different questions and most of them are an answer that the the the redistricting is probably one of the easier tasks compared to what's lies ahead. >> Um, not according to the people on that. >> Well, the timeline is
044outrageous um to do what they're asked to do or what they're being asked to do and the timeline they're being asked to do it in is unreasonable and they they've said that probably it's it's very challenging. Um they need they they need data to do the work they've been asked to do and and they haven't received all the data that they need from the agency. So it's >> that's the weak point right there. >> Yeah. Um AOE is being asked to do fables and there's short they've been short staffed for years. They're still short staffed now. They got this piled on top of them >> with a pretty aggressive timeline. >> Yes. Yeah. >> So we'll see. Um you know Yeah. There are no definitive answers right now. Um and from what I understand when
045they deliver the maps up to three. So they don't have to do three but up to three I believe it is. Um it those maps go to committee. So it's not an up or down vote on the floor. It's they go to committee which you know in committee things change could change. Um so you know we likely won't know until springtime >> February the very earliest >> probably March. >> Yeah. So depending on where the maps are drawn that will inform the governance structures right boards are going to look like representation on those boards what that will look like >> right >> but yeah >> and the voting work group is also working simultaneously >> we don't know exactly the representation that we're going to get >> correct yeah tricky interesting times we're living in
046>> um Okay, I just want to quickly go over the financials. I don't know if any of you um had a chance to look at them, but you're in good shape. Um the first the first uh page revenue and uh the copy is uh did you copy these? >> Yeah. No, I don't um copy. So the >> bigger >> I don't know. >> Okay. >> So the the um large amount in red the 96,000 I said Larry what is that? And that is um that's tech teched and he doesn't project that at this time but it will come down. So we get revenue on tech. Um the next page is expenditures by account and this is a this is a summary. Um and he um what Larry said is most of the tuition bills which
047is um other purchase services I believe is tuition. A lot of the bills haven't come in yet. And he did tell me today that when you encumber, they don't encumber tuition. They wait for the bills to come in because they're all different different schools. So the next pages just go into detail on the expenditures. It's a more high high level um counting. Uh there is um a little bit of variance in the paraprofessional line and the teacher line and that is purely um who hire and what they're paid. So different teachers on the salary scale make different amounts of money. So you're saving a little bit on the teacher end but spending a little more on the fair end. It just depends on where they fall. Um there was a little bit. Yes. So this
048is the biggie. So the 358,000 in red um which stood out was um an error. So the a bill was paid the money was encumbered and the bill was paid but not using the encumbered funds. So that will be corrected on state. So it's not it's not a bad thing. And then energy um is up and that is because energy is up and when we made this budget it was I believe which we discusses expenditures and then the last page is just your general fund accounting. So um the 198966 is what you have basically in the checking account on July 1, 2025. So that's going on budget and the revenue forecast of the incumbrances and the projected surplus which is the tuition all out. So um Larry says that you are in great shape right
049now. So nothing to really be concerned about. Um I will make sure that we get copies for you next time with that. So back >> oh John yes >> when you go to the last page >> things are looking really rosy a lot probably will change between now and June 30th. I understand that my first time through with the school budget. Yep. >> Um, as the audit commence for 25, >> they they just finished. They were there for three days of October. There were no findings. Um, and that's for the past couple of decades. There have been bindings. That's good. There were a couple of comments, I think they're called, which could turn into findings if you don't correct them. >> Um, >> they have to write something. >> Yeah. Yeah. uh and they will
050um I think it takes about a month for it to be published. So in November we should have the actual >> Did they have a preliminary projection on where we stand or they don't speculate? >> No, for this year. No, they're just auditing books from from last year. >> Right. The reason I'm asking is because we're going to be working on a budget and we don't know if we're trying to get rid of a deficit or not. Okay. >> Um I don't answer to that. >> So your your question is where you stand without it past year. >> I know the last time I spoke with with Larry he he was predicting pretty much spot on. Yeah. >> At the SU and for us >> maybe with maybe with a little bit of breading but
051not much. I hope that holds true. >> That's that's what he said to me as well. Um so it might be a little over under but not >> okay. Yeah. >> But if this budget hold true right till June which it won't. >> Yeah. >> It would be nice but probably won't. >> Probably not. Yeah. Just actually these numbers he told me are from September 30th. So it's point in time. >> Yeah. Changes >> gives you a picture will happen now. Yeah, >> Brian, did we get that grant approved for the doors? >> We have not heard back from them yet. Still, we're still keeping our fingers crossed. >> We were supposed to find out two weeks ago. So, >> I know I was like, I haven't heard. I was hoping. >> Yeah. No, I
052would have reported that. >> Yeah. get some doors replaced. >> What was the total cost of that? >> About $30,000 >> for all the doors or just a couple >> they're expensive with all the mechanisms and everything like that. Yeah. So, >> and we have a supplier somebody a contractor ready to do. Okay. Yeah. >> Um Okay. Any other questions about the reports? Okay. Um items for discussion followed by motions. SC budget committee update I assume. Is anyone doing that? >> Me. >> You sir. Okay. >> Uh I think Christine pretty much covered it mostly. We've ended our meetings because Larry produced this one in record time which was I'm very appreciative of that. I know that um we're one of the driving factors of that. But um so yeah uh it's all out for
053public knowledge. It's on the website. It's um very thorough the budget book um as it was last year. It's a great tool. Hopefully the community will use it. Um obviously there's some things that are not in there. I know the special ed um service plan uh is not till mid-occtober which is right about now. So, he's updating those things as they come in. Um, and I'm sure that he shared with you uh on the VAC that um some of the drivers are um obviously health insurance is up again. Um he put in a good estimate which he's pretty usually spot on with that. So, um he put that in. um we're up, you know, special education um is a huge part of the budget um like 55% of the budget. So, um that's huge. Uh
054but other than that, um we we do have our new transportation contract. Uh that was another one of my notes. Um just to be reminded that we did approve that last year to stay with the company that we had, which in return did cost us a little more money. But um I feel I've heard all good things still that we still have our stability with that. So um those are kind of the big factors but a lot of it is pretty similar. Healthcare >> healthare special ed. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So um >> does anybody have any questions about that? >> Our healthc care the teachers uh through the union that's done through the state. Am I correct? >> Yes. >> Support staff >> through the state. >> So all of it through the state
055>> same >> which we have. So we don't have any control whatsoever. So >> he estimated another it's just under 12% increase again this year. So it's it's huge. >> They are trying to cut their costs. We had a um I was at a meeting with the um Green Mountain Board I think it is >> and um beh is that for people that don't um have a are pre-diabetic or have some heart condition. I believe that um is dangerous. um the the costs there was a graph of um the cost of those drug prescription drugs for the past four or five years and um they have increased by >> millions and millions of dollars. So they're they're not going to allow those anymore. Um which is supposed to kind of help them re in their
056costs, but they're still the insurance company itself is not doing well either. So they're trying to cut cost as well. Yeah, it is definitely a driver of budgets all over the state. >> Anyone have anything to add on the report? Any questions? Thank you, Sarah. Um, decoupling capital construction debt. That's a that's a letter that um here it was written by the primarily came from the Woodstock of Mountain View board >> and it it it asks um the legislative leaders to consider taking construction costs out of the um per the threshold or per student costs because currently those costs factor into that um per student cost and there is a threshold that up to stand or we get penalized. So they asked if any other boards would like to sign on to the letter. Um
057so that is a board decision whether you want to sign on or not. Um the mouse board did agree to sign on um at their meeting last week but should everybody see the letter? >> Did everyone okay? >> Yep. >> So you just have to take a >> Yeah. So I one of the uh components of act 83 was school construction and this is kind of jumping the gun on what might or might not happen with that. The problem with act 83 was it it's an idea with no funding. >> Correct. >> And so I understand where they're going. Uh it's interesting because I signed our bond payment this morning and we'll be done paying in 27, >> right? Yeah. >> So it may not um it might help you for a year or two,
058but I will say >> interesting to find out where where the money will come from when there is no local board. You know, is it be a town problem to upkeep this building? >> Um capital projects. Good question. something to worry about, I guess. >> Yeah. >> However, the $15,000 threshold, we have to get rid of it. I I know the needs statewide, right? In the billions >> and and that's back when we got the funding that we did. Um and and it didn't work out well because they've overextended themselves and then they cut it off and it's been shut off ever since. And consequently, schools just haven't been able to they can't even fix their roofs because they can't get a bond pass. >> I mean, part of the maps that they're creating should
059take into account what construction needs to happen across the city. >> And somebody's got to decide with with Act 83. This building isn't worth not just aren't worth it, too. >> Yeah. >> My Yeah. Um, any other questions for that? Um, crosswalk on Route Five. >> Do you want to have a decision on >> Oh, sorry. Um, so do we, uh, I'll make a motion to for the Weatherfield School Board to sign on to the letter that's being sent to the legislature. Decoup decoupling capital construction debt or does anyone have any feelings about that or is there is there a deadline that we need to do this? >> Uh, I think Sherry said before, you know, January. >> Oh, okay. They wanted I think she want they were trying to call a special meeting, but
060I believe that's not so. >> You mean a special meeting before the legislation? >> Yes. >> I'll vote no. Um and let me explain my reasons. It's coming from Mountain View. Mountain View has a very specific agenda. I appreciate the fact that, you know, their school is in in bad repair and probably needs to be replaced, but there's also a regional discussion that's taking place and to even I'll just leave it at that. That's close enough. Okay. Well, you can make a motion to um to sign the letter now or if I personally feel like I would want I would want to wait I want to wait till the next meeting so I can really look at this and maybe >> I agree >> do some more research and maybe send emails ask questions to
061the Mountain View board if that's allowed whoever wrote the letter. >> Yeah, for sure. >> Um >> I would agree. Yeah. >> Okay. So my group will >> next next month. >> All right. Crosswalk on Route Five. >> You didn't know we did. >> I've noticed that there's several families that live across behind the Mormon church as well as other people that want to get across group five. The speed limit is 40. People do 50. We have our flashing lights during school hours which may or may not have some influence. Um, I talked with the town manager because uh who should take the lead on trying to push VR into putting a crosswalk down at the bottom of the road and the he didn't really have a firm feeling one way or the other and
062possibly uh if we take a parallel approach with the town uh with retrans we might actually be able to get a crosswalk with some kind of markings that that may or may not help. At least it'll look like a a little bit safer place to cross the road than just playing Pac-Man trying to get across the road. Frogger, that's the one. Um, and you know, we haven't had an accident, but uh years ago a student was killed over in Perkinsville because of a lack of sidewalks. Whether this field had plans for a sidewalk and the voters turned it down to was going to cost $15,000. Um, sidewalks are a calming feature for traffic as well as providing a safer place for people to walk. But nonetheless, I've watched the families walk across the road. Visibility
063is good, but there's too many distracted drivers out there. Um, now and and at least we could do that maybe there'll be a barrel that somebody then somebody's got to put it up and take down every day. And ideally we get them put flashing lights up that you activate when you want to cross the road. And that act those actually work pretty good. The obstacle we're going to run into I feel from past experience because there's no sidewalk on either side. The state's going to say we don't put crosswalks in that don't connect to something. So I think it's going to take some pressure um a political pressure from our end using our representatives and our senators to get vrans to do it at all. But I think it's I think it's an effort worth
064making. Obviously, it's um October. Nothing's going to happen through the winter so we can continue to work on it and forming like a water >> in conjunction with the town. >> Okay. >> So, the town be willing to put in sidewalks if that's required for the crosswalk >> and then like that was voted no. That be brought back up again beforehand. That was a long time ago. >> Say it must have been 15,000 bucks. That's cheap. >> That was our portion. >> Oh, okay. >> And whether there's any money available at a federal level now, I wouldn't put any money on it. >> Realistically, you're you're putting a crosswalk where there aren't spaces to cross, right? >> Like there aren't sidewalks. And if you look at like where that is, I agree. I think are
065a good idea, but the practicality of putting it there may not make a ton of sense if you're someone from the state. So, if the town's not realistically looking to put in sidewalks, does a crosswalk there that actually does have sidewalks, is that even doable? Not I'm not saying this because I don't think we should do it. I just think you could put as much pressure as you want, but if it doesn't make sense because there aren't sidewalks, that's the piece that I'm a little stuck on. Like, I like the idea. will the town do? >> Right. I understand your point and and and it's a good one. Um but nonetheless, we still have people getting going across Route Five, which and an interesting side of that is that stop lights down at the corner
066even before this last update had walk signals, but there were no sidewalks on the other side, and they didn't activate them. When they did the construction, if you notice, they put about a 15 foot sidewalk. Now, those crosswalk signals were activated. So, I'm wondering if like that is not school property, maybe our letter should be to our town, you know, our our DOT or transportation people in town, find out if they have any information about how to to start this process. You know, maybe they know the engineering folks that are going to look at that. Um, so I think we can start small. I'm not sure this is a real school problem. it will benefit the school, but we don't own that property. You're >> right. >> And so maybe the town should spearhead that.
067We should be pushing the town as to why it's going to benefit the school. >> Okay. >> Um and maybe that's my opinion. Maybe have them >> write a letter to be trans uh with us, you know, signing it. Yeah. >> Signing a letter. Um, but I think we have to I think we should go to a select board meeting and say this is this is a concern we have and this is an idea that we have to fix that. Where do we go from there? >> If if if the board's in agreement when I go back to the select board incidentally I obvious um I'll convey that to them and just see where we can go with it. >> Okay. So, we'll add that to the next agenda to just get an update. John,
068give an update. >> Yeah. Okay. >> You'll meet John with me before November 18. >> Like I said, I don't expect any big action, but I think we get an initial letter out and probably get a Zing letter back. Um, then we can pursue it a little more aggressively. >> See, you'll be able to meet with them before our meeting on November 18th >> or at least Okay. Let them know what we're trying to do. Um, anything else on items for discussion by anyone here? Okay. Uh, do we have a need for executive session? Okay. Okay. So, our next board meeting is November 18th. Um, we already talked about a few things to add to the agenda. Um, >> we'll have the Student growth report. >> Student growth report. >> Okay. >> Budget update. >>
069We'll have the BAC. >> Will we have the final BAC? >> We will have the final. >> We'll have something more substantial. Yes. >> Right. >> I think by then Larry should have on the Etsy side everything should be more concrete by then. Yeah. Yep. Um forgot our revisit the decoupling. >> Oh, I'm sorry. No, decoupling. I think we forgot our um like school engagement >> at the beginning. We didn't put it on this agenda. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. >> So, school board member engagement uh update check. >> Yep. >> For next time. Um, anything else? I think >> where I was just think it made me think of it when I was looking at the notes. Um, how will we know from Jim like what his plans are for the replacement? Like since
070we approved it, will we be kept up to date on like what that timeline is going to look out like to see it executed? >> I mean, it doesn't have to come. I just I just want to know, >> you know, now that we approved it, like what are we >> Yeah. Keep that moving forward. >> Yeah. >> And then we'll put the update on the crosswalk update. Y Okay, if there's nothing else, I guess I'll take a motion to um adjourn the weather field school board meeting Tuesday, October 14th. >> Okay. All in favor? I I Okay.