001and I follow Dutch shirts online. >> I'm Mark for Athens. >> Rachel Grafton Kathy S of Goodwin Athens Grady Merrell Graham Morgan Athens >> Andy G superintendent Are there any adjustments to the agenda? >> I don't have >> I assume we're good there. Uh comments and public communications and public comments. Move along. We need to review the minutes. from June 17th to the >> Hello Christa, welcome. >> Hello. >> Getting started. We're at number three, communication and public comments. Well, looks like we're all quiet there. Uh, new business and discussion of actions. So, appointment of the librarian. >> Do I just read that since >> Are we down there or some minutes? >> Minutes. >> Approve the minutes. >> Minutes. Where are the minutes? shortly introduction. >> I'll make a motion to approve the minutes
002of >> Oh, that's what I have. >> June 17th, 2025. >> Second. >> Um, everybody, uh, say I if you're nay, if you're not. >> Um, I I don't believe I was at that meeting, so I'm going to abstain. >> Okay, that's what confused me. I opened up the minutes. >> Well, because I didn't know we had an appointment once. >> Yes. Well, I can remember reading that. Okay. Sorry about that. I've been easily confused, guys. All right. So, the minutes of areas and >> I think it was finance. [Music] >> Finance report. that >> um I sat with Ed and he sent me the report for the where we are basically at the end of this past school year and I'll pass out a little couple of sheets here first. >> Thank you. First
003sheet I have here is Athens Craftton School District spending and revenue by account basically. Um we had prior revenue revenue year revenue in the budget for $250,000. That's from our surplus. Um we also have tuition this year of 15,000. a surplus from the WNESU of $48,126, interest of $33,365, and then we have our ED spending and taxes totaling up to 1,679526. Then expenditures, you can see basically in all pretty much all of our accounts, we were somewhat favorable. two biggest being our wages and benefits which I think is primarily related to the no kindergarten teacher this year would result in that savings and then the other big item is the tuition which we were $53,897,000 favorable and when you add them all up it's $125,64 to the good versus our budget of 1,822. So we
004had spent684732. We had revenue coming in excluding the prior year revenue of 1679. So basically it was a wash of 5,000 bucks. But what will result ultimately when they do the audit could be pretty much a surplus of about $244,794 for the year. Um the second schedule that I have identifies um what our surplus is totally and what we expect we'll be able to do with it. So that's scheduling tomorrow. >> Chris, I'm sending these to you uh via email just so you have them. >> Thank you. So what we have the account 101 is our debt shrect instruction account and our beginning balance this year in our for surplus was $687,712.39. If we go back to the previous schedule, we had the revenue of a,679 526 and the expenditures of a,684732 which leaves us
005with a year-end balance of 682506 rounded up to 7. So if we look at what is that? Well, that's 682507 has allocated out of it for this coming year's budget 250,083, [Music] which leaves us with $432,424 left. During uh our al during the um warning last March, we had $187,630 which the vendors which the voters approved as a spending to reduce our 207 budget which leaves us with the unallocated which we will have to allocate by March of this year $244,794. $4 for the some of that can go into 26 27 or even into f future years. The question will be how many future years are there to allocate it because of all the uncertainty with what could happen statewide with the redistricting etc. So as we go through time uh we have plenty of
006time right now to decide what we're going to do with that or recommend to the voters to do with that. The other items you could see is summer school 3,000 bucks after school program. We have a 28,000 there. I don't know whether we're going to get to use that this year. Um if people come up with some sort of program, we could spend that money um in after school this year. We have a tuition reserve of $85,000. We could use this at any time. As an example, if this year our budget proved u that we were going to be running unfavorable, we could take some of that money to offset that unfavorableness uh in our budget. Then we have left the basically the biggest thing is the capital projects of $101,300. Um, which right now
007we have nothing in the hopper that I know to spend that money on. >> Explain what's the rate. What's that? >> What's the what? >> E- rate. Um, I really don't. It has something to do with um some sort of interest rate. No, it's it's internet >> internet. >> So, it's um there there were um there was a time that all schools were getting money back in individually and as we consolidated all that now comes back and and Ricky uses it um at the SU level to disperse out through all the schools. But um there probably was a time that the money was going directly to Athens graph and that's why that fund is set up specifically for it. So, um, that's something we want to talk with Ricky about and use use. >> Yeah.
008And it has to be specifically for computers, internet kind of stuff. >> So, when you add all these up, we have a surplus total of $96,672. Uh, which means that's cash in the bank right now. going forward. >> Any questions? >> Are all of these things the beginning balance? Are these all things that we put into the budget the beginning? >> These are the results of several years budgets probably the last three years totally three to four and they basically it starts going back to when there was a real problem at the WSU finance. >> This is like your savings account. >> Okay. to try and oversimplify and it's just broken out and some of them are so like e-ray can only be used for computers and internet and stuff like that. They can't be
009used for anything else. And like your after school dollars can only be used for after school unless you want to go back to the voters and ask them to move that into capital projects or something else or I mean yes. So so it's >> earmarked for those specific things. Um, I will tell you that I've heard very faint rumblings about like what is the AOE going to do with school districts that have surplus >> surpluses. Sure. and um and I think I got a very veiled thin answer like skirted around stuff like that, but um so um it's just something to kind of keep our eye on types of things. So >> yeah, >> because they'd love to claw all that money back from across the state, not just not just us. >> You mean
010in connection with whatever's coming next or you mean just as a general member? I heard of it prior to that. So, prior to act 73 being passed. So, I had heard that they were wanting to take a look when they were looking at the whole and the ed fund, they wanted to take a look at all the surpluses that the districts had and were looking at a way that they potentially could um >> relocated. Yes. But see, most of those surpluses result from over overbudgeting in the various districts. And then like as an example, Athens gets $574,000 to our budget last year for ED spending to cover the pump that's not covered in taxes between Athens and Gra. So the surplus, you know, the money comes in, goes against the budget, and if there's a
011surplus that's generated, I'm surprised that they haven't taken it back in the past. >> So, so when you when you pay your taxes, they your taxes don't directly come to the school district, >> right? >> They go up to the ed fund and then the ED fund sends us a check. And so if we they are only going to tax what we told them we thought we needed. So if we said we think we need $2 million, they're going to tax $2 million. But if we only spend $150,000 or Yeah. 15und $1,500,000. It's $500,000 surplus. Who should get that? It should go back to the taxpayers. And that's what we do is we vote on it. The taxpayers hold it. But there are some people who feel that the the state should be able to
012bring that back up to the ed fund and use that as seed money in the ad fund for the next year kind of thing. >> So not for the school that >> correct >> there. I I wasn't given a I wasn't making a judgment statement. I was just trying to explain. But what it suggests to me given everything that's going on is that when we're thinking about next year's budget, we should use this money or some or some portion of it to go. >> Yeah. Yeah. I I mean, you might want to think about that because the other piece that's looming looming sounds negative. Um, but if Act 73 moves along the way it's supposed to be >> and being enacted, then there once there's redistrict lines drawn and voted on, which will be in
013January, >> then the next piece is a foundational formula and that's supposed to go into effect for FY28. So when we build our budget this year, we're building for FY27. We will build it in a very traditional manner the way we always have. But for FY28, what's on the books is that we will be told how much we will get per pupil and there will be no voting on basically raising of taxes because that's just what you'll get. >> So the way things look, this is the last year that we if we weren't sold on it, we could >> I don't want to be an alarm. I I I think it's going to go slower, but >> No, no, I got But where things stand right now, this is the last year we can give
014the taxpayers a break by losing silver funds? >> Well, the reason I bring this up is because I asked the question, >> will districts that have put money aside for tax relief in the future, and I have one district that has put it almost to 2030. >> Yes. >> Oh, Rockingham. Will they be allowed to continue to use that when do you have a foundational formula? So if if they only give us $15,000 a kid, but we know it costs more to educate a kid. Can Rockyham because they've set this money aside, okay, thank you for that money and we're going to access this money and we're going to be able to provide. And that's where I got this very veiled answer. So, >> who's telling me the nation? >> We had a meeting with
015the Secretary of Education um and some uh legislators. So, I meet uh fairly regularly with uh some superintendent um and legislators from Windham County and we've been meeting for quite a while. So we meet on a like a monthly basis and this last meeting um secretary saunders join us. So we were talking about act 73 and so I'm anticipating the head so I have to bust it. >> So canis money surplus bees put in the capital projects and not the test. >> so you have $101,000 in capital projects right now. >> Yeah. If you wanted to move all these other dollars into capital projects, you would have to go to your voters >> in March and ask them to do that because you you've already gone to them and asked them to put them in
016these other places. >> Why would Why was your own capital projects? >> Yeah, I would take want to take capital projects, put it >> I was just trying to make sure somewhere so no one's taking it away from us. But but but even the capital projects that could take they talked about taking any surpluses. So and I don't want to again >> not trying to it just literally surfaced this week and so it's fresh in my head as we're talking about it. Um but um you know I I would I think we will approach it and take some real strategic looks at how we can make sure we ensure you know what can happen. So >> another question we have the principles four. Does everybody have a chance to read that? I I can go
017over a couple things. So, Angela apologizes. She had a family medical emergency, so she couldn't be here tonight. So, um but uh you know, one of the things, you know, the front doors, if you didn't see them, they're brand new front doors on there, which is really exciting to see just because um you know, they they close open real nicely and and everything. So, um the uh she she the second uh thing she talked about was uh a few years ago GEF participated in a state school safety assessment um which identified some areas of improvement. One key area upgrade was the front doors with the there was a lot of glass. So that raised a lot of vulnerability. So that's why they went ahead and did that. So that might be things to think about
018as we're going through looking at these capital projects for some of those other pieces. So um and we did also along with that I'm just um editorializing here along with that um school safety assessment we had um a firm do 10-year um facility audits on all of our facilities. So we have that as well. So, not just safety, but just about the boiler and things like that. So, um things to work on. >> Um big shout out to um Gary D. Roia. He, you know, has retired, but he's still doing a couple things around here, helping out. And so, um he helped with the doors. Next year's enrollment looks like it's going to be about 35 students. uh four kindergarten, four 1st, 72 second uh 33rd, 3 4 3 fifth or 7 fth and 76.
019>> And there's a three in the seventh grade and five in the eighth grade. So, and then um as Lynn was pointing out, we last in June appointed Cassandra Ponolini as a librarian and uh we did hire Sean Bartlett who's the custodian. >> Um what has continued to kind of be a challenge has been the uh school nurse and finding a school nurse. Uh, we did open it up for looking at an LPN as well, but that LPN would need to be supervised by a registered nurse. >> Um, frankly speaking, I I reached out to all of our school nurses throughout the um district. Uh, they had some reservations just around their licensing and, you know, it's because it's their license and and they did have some concerns and and expressed those. Um I have
020been speaking with the state about what what are the options you know like how can we cover it and make sure there's coverage and stuff like that. So have a meeting coming up next week. Um I did not get the you cannot open. We want someone here because it's the right thing safety for our kids but it wasn't like a you can't open the building we've been with. So, um, so that's why we haven't even brought that up yet. So, >> but we'll have a plan in place in two weeks. >> Yeah. >> Um, and then, um, first day of students uh, is Wednesday, August 27th. Um, just so everyone's aware, we have our new teachers, new staff, new teachers are starting, uh, August 18. >> Bless you. um they'll do three days of um
021orientation and then uh all of our staff come back on uh the 21st and so we'll have them for four days prior to till 7. So um but uh also kindergarten will be dismissed at 11:30 for the first week of school. So it's a half day for those co any questions to answer. >> I have a question Christa online. Um do we know how many students in Grafton and Athens are homeschooling or sending their kiddos to private school? >> I can get that number. I had it at one point. I I just don't have it available to me right this minute. So, >> there's just been some concerns around town, although it doesn't look reflected in the numbers, that a number of parents were opting to instead do homechool this year or send their kids
022to private school. >> And I was just curious what the actual numbers were. >> Can I just say something to that? >> Please do. >> So, Christa, it's Nicole. Um, when I ran the home study list last week, I think it was, there was nothing reported yet for Grafton. So, I reached out to my contact and they said that they were still compiling list. So, I plan to run that tomorrow if it's available and then I can send you guys the number. >> But, as of last week, there was zero kids for Brackton. >> Wasn't there like a big chunk last year though that were homeschooling? Wasn't there like there was a family? Wasn't there several families last year that were homeschooling? >> About five or six kids, I believe. >> Yeah. They have they
023have to file with the state. The state has to process it and then they can let us know. So, >> so they're they're not included in our current numbers, right? So, it's not like we have 35 and then next week we're going to have 27. >> Theoretically, they could. That the 35 is on projection of what we know, >> right? But are the kids that homeschooled last year included on our expected numbers or not? I guess is more is my question. >> If they did not reach out to us before the end of the school year and say that they wanted to return, they would not be reflected in that. >> Okay. Thank you. that is reflective of what I'm Megan. Again, I'm speaking for Angela, but >> yeah, >> what she I would assume
024that those numbers are reflective of contact she's had with parents or that parents who have indicated that they're coming back, but it is entirely possible a family could move out of town or a family could choose to do home study. Um that and so those numbers wouldn't be reflective. But we don't we don't just anticipate if someone was homestudied last year that they're going to come back to school. We anticipate that they continue to home study. >> Right. All right. Thank you. >> All right. Any other questions? >> So we'll move on to number seven. called unfinished business school communic. Um what the uh what the alliance is uh hoping is that um independent districts, especially rural districts, um would uh make a motion to express that they would desire to stay in a supervisory
025union as opposed to joining a supervisory district. So, I'll if I can back up a little bit and this goes back to act 73. Um, but what the redistricting task force uh u there's about 11 members um that are doing this, what they are tasked with doing is drawing new district lines. >> They have to bring three models to the legislature. One of those models must include supervisory unions. And so, uh, the alliance is looking for districts to express that they want to stay to to send that message to those folks as they're redistricting and looking through that. Um and so u the outcome if it were to go through and they were to vote on a model could be uh the the position of this of the alliance is if there's a lot of
026voice that people want to stay in supervisory unions that may be the model that ends up getting voted on which would mean that we could then either we would belong to a larger supervisory union but the governance would remain the way it is. So even if WNESU was dissolved so I'll start there. Athens Grafton School District would remain and it would just belong to whatever supervisory union, a bigger one, some bigger like Windham County or whatever, right? If it was a supervisory district, then wards would be drawn within that new district that was formed and and elected representatives would be uh representatives would be elected from each board to sit on one school board and there would not be the independent local forum. you would be dissolved. >> So those are milk and control. >>
027Those are two options. I guess they're couple. >> No. So two of them are supervisory districts. So just maybe different maps. So like one could be we're in a supervisory district with all of the all the schools in Windham County. And another one could be we're in a supervisory district with LLOW and places out there, right? And then once that board was elected, that board would then have to hire a superintendent and then start developing budgets for that. And so, um, what's not clear to me is would that board be a five member board or would that board be a I don't know the makeup of that board. So, so there's two models for supervisory districts only one that could include supervisory unions. So, so the third the supervisory union would be supervisory unions for
028the whole state or would it be a combination of possibly district and supervisory unions combo? >> I will speculate that it would be a combo because because I think that there are some supervisory districts that currently exist that are close to 4,000 kids already and that model is serving them. And so why luck with it? >> So um but it again um you know I that's kind of the basis of it. So what they've been looking for is a a motion um to basically say u that the Athens Grafton School District um wishes to um I don't see the motion here. I know through >> your little notepad. >> Ah, the notepad. >> Um, >> it's right here. >> Oh, he's got it. Okay. So, um, what they're looking for, what they're asking for is
029um, and I'll just read it and then the Athens Graten School District board moves to remain within a supervisory union, potentially within a larger governance region to the extent practical under the terms of Act 73 assigned into law on July 1st, 2025, the Athens Grafton School District would submit our statement of intent to the Act 73 redistricting task force. along with statements of other Windham Northeast Supervisory Union member school districts and the WNESU board of school directors. The Athens school dis Athens graphic school district board will work with the WNESU board to reach out to continuous uh school districts and supervisory unions to explore combining into a larger supervisory union. Our purpose is to optimize cost savings and efficiencies where possible while maintaining local democratic engagement, oversight, and accountability in order to achieve excellent educational
030outcomes for our communities, children, and youth at a cost verers can't afford. >> This is the note that we were going to sign that saw it in a different format. have two different >> Yeah, that's that that's the the motion they are recommending and and then what the WNESU the supervisory union board has already adopted this motion. Um and and then um so if someone moves the motion, we'll get that discussive. >> Yes, I'll move it as >> well. Any discussion? >> Are the other um schools in the SU like Westminster or Rockingham? So, whoever school also doing it. >> Westminster adopted it this month. Uh the high school adopted it this month. Rockingham is having another meeting to um discuss it coming up. >> I have a question. It doesn't seem to me that
031it's a governance structure that is maybe an expense in the school district. So if you get rid of a supervisory union or you oppose a supervisory district that's not going to change the expenses expense. So I guess my question is it just means that whatever the new structure is those are the folks who are going to decide whether for example to eliminate the ads graph in elementary school as opposed to local people deciding whether to eliminate the scope elementary school or I misunderstand what's wrong with >> I think you're correct in your assessment Um, I'm trying to remember if there is a clause in Act 73 that does still allow for some that the electric has to have a say in a in a building closing. That's why that's why I'm hesitating a little bit.
032Uh, but if you had a supervisory district, part of act 73 going back up. Part of act 73 also has minimum class size averages. >> That's too that's the key problem. So if you can't meet minimum class size averages then then you're talking about how will whether it's a supervisory union or supervisory district meet that requirement. >> So in other words all this may end up mattering for Athens or active. >> That's correct. Yeah. >> Correct. It's interesting that one of the reading the first batch that were sent out prior to dispatch I wasn't getting that at all. That was supposed to be one of the key things with going with the supervisory review is that you had you maintain the uh local control >> you you do >> to an extent and so therefore
033if you can't meet class and now now I am >> editorializing and getting my my opinion here if you can't meet minimum class size averages then you because that's law, you would then need to find a way to do that, which means you might send your kids to another school district. You might remain as a board, >> but you may not have a bill tuition everybody, >> right? >> Tuition fee, >> right? >> So, >> choice. >> Yeah. Well, school choice is limited in the bill. >> Yeah. Because it would have to be in the district you were in. >> Yes. or supervisor nuance. >> Yes. So I think your assessment is pretty spot on >> but then okay so in that scenario where we the class sizes aren't large enough they will not some
034of them will not be big issue then is will local people decide where the children are sent instead of here or whether some regional board will make that decision >> in a supervisory union, you would have the control. >> Correct. >> In a supervisory district, you probably not have that control. >> I think I think that is the fair way to weigh that out. As far as governance and and whatnot, I personally I mean, I've spent a lot of time looking at it. I I think that I've done a little bit of research on it. Um the research shows that when you do consolidation, it takes about 10 years to get any kind of cost savings back from consolidating um kind of things. um given geographical sizes and things like that um I don't know
035if you there would be an initial savings because uh if you had a supervisory union that had let's say 15 20 school districts in it that's a lot of meetings and so you know it's a lot of coverage in areas and stuff like that so And if you've got let's say we just said with 20 um districts that means 20 EIN's which is your government number with your tax ID number that means you're running payroll or 20 districts. So that it's already with us with five it one person is pretty taxed. So you can see where that would then become that would kind of ripple out that we might need to add staff in to do something like that. If you had a supervisory district, so you only had one EIN number, you now still
036have 4,000 people you have to process for. You're still going to need multiple people to help process those things. So I don't see an initial cost savings in moving in that kind either either model I guess is >> so supporting your your first follow up my my opinion which is if as following restructuring this school stays open well and parents in Athens and Grafton who who um want to send their children to this school are going to be happy because the school will still be open and they'll be able to do Right. So that scenario doesn't concern me so much. Um but in a situation where we can't meet minimum class sizes or there's some other reason that the schools can't stay open then I would prefer I I think it's important that there's a
037scenario where it is local people who have responsibility of where the children the next alternative where children are going to be educated so that the taxpayers of Athens and Grafton and the parents of Athens and Grafton um can try to influence their own neighbors as opposed to trying to influence some stranger like or or even Saxon whoever. So I guess I will be in favor of this or my own motion. Um does it seem that will all be accomplished that the structure adopted by the state as a supervisory to me? >> They have been in contact with Cheryl Charles and she's offered to come and explain all of this to us. >> Andy just explained it to us. >> I'm still reading when I read it. I read it so totally different than what you're
038saying that there was no minimum size if you went the SU out just making the SU bigger we're able to keep the >> there may be a clause in there um there's always just like Act 46 there's ways to massage around it because there's if need if if need is there to keep the small school. Um, I'm trying to think of one off the top of my head. You know, you might be in North Country, you know, Northeast Kingdom somewhere where it's so far away for a kid to ride on a bus kind of thing that is is small by necessity >> um not by um desire. Um but um my reading of Act 73 is the minimum class size average is is the big piece which is >> you know you can't meet it.
039Now, there are creative ways to get there. And so, I'm not I I don't want to portray it that it's a it's a one and done. I mean, we would find every creative way to work to look to keep schools open. I mean that's u it's just when you you now you now you now you start really getting into the value of an education the educational experience that we're providing a kid right so to get the minimum class size average at at um 35 kids I we put them all in two classrooms we've met minimum class you know there there's ways grounded. I guess what I'm saying. Yeah. >> The important point for this particular motion is that the we were going to take creative actions may may not be used for all. >> Yes.
040>> The current supervisor union if there's some other structure other than one than the one that's being proposed by this motion. So >> yes, >> that's why I'm going to vote in favor of the motion. Okay. So, motion on the table is to go with >> I'll make the motion that um we follow the other schools in the district and just need to close whatever. >> Yeah, you've got the motion on the table. The motion is do you want to vote? You're ready to vote yay or nay because >> so I'm understanding correctly we're voting yes voting for this briefing we just read. >> Yes. >> That is the motion. Yes. >> All right. We'll start with Christa. >> I. >> Anybody here in the room for say I >> I. >> Anybody against say
041no. All right. The eyes have us both. What's the second volunteer to see who is? >> Yeah. >> Um tell us more about that. >> Yeah. So um the local >> um so the negotiation team and WNEA um sports staff had decided to go to factf finding factf finder report came back um typically what comes out of fact finding it's never pay rule for both sides you know um everyone uh kind and finds a middle ground. Um both um teams um unanimously agreed that the factf finding recommendations were not not at all favorable on both sides. However, they both agreed to adopt the recommendations as presented. Um and so uh those um the factf finders recommendations was um a 4.6 63 increase in year 1, a 3.5% increase in year 2, and a 3.5% increase
042in year three. So, it's a three-year contract. Um they also the recommendation was that u par profofessionals if they uh volunteered to do substitute that they would get a rate $3 on top of their already for the end rate for doing that. um that um those pair of professionals who work with some of our more challenging kids in a one-on-one and they get what we sometimes call hazard pay or bodily fluid come in contact that was um increased to a $150. It was a dollar. So, um, so they would get that. Um, and then, um, there was also an agreement that, um, there would be a $5,000 retirement stipen for, um, individuals who had a combined 20 years of service with the district, any district. So, um, because we have people who move from the
043different districts. So um and then um there would be an increase in the paid holidays for calendar employees. Calendar employees are a year round folks as typically our custodians. Um but they would get they would go from 10 paid holidays to 11. And for our school year employees and that's our pair of professionals would go from 7 to 8. So, um, that's the bulk. Cleaned up some language in the rest of it, but those were those are the the big pieces. I noticed that there's um it looks like there's a new provision that that folks who volunteer to serve as a volunteer teacher get the higher of their pay rank or um uh or the substitution rate but that there's a additional $3. Yes, that's >> sorry you mentioned that sorry based on that. >>
044What what's the behind that? So there are times that pair of professionals are asked to act as a substitute in a classroom because a teacher either like but if we had let's say a teacher had to go home for the day and there was a parent in the classroom. It's the parent knows the kids. They're already there. We can't always call someone to come in and so that par profofessional then acts as the substitute teacher for the the remainder of the day. uh what was in the old CBA was they either got their perdeium rate or the substitute teacher rate. So a substitute teacher is $120 a day. Um some of our parents if they worked a half a day would make more than $60 in a half day. So by by providing them the
045$3 on top of their perdeium is acknowledging that they're doing extra work. That's that's the rationale behind. >> Wait, is this does the school district end up saving money on that arrangement or it's costing more? >> Yeah. Yeah, that is that is actually a savings because let's say a paraprofessional we're going to be there the whole day. Okay. So, I'm already paying that paraprofessional x amount of dollars. If I bring in a sub, I'm now paying that sub 120. If I pay that, I would be paying that paraprofessional about 2025 extra dollars. So there is a savings to the discount and that in that scenario, but what happens a lot of times um you know is is also that that idea that we can't sometimes just pull in a sub mid bay. And that's that's
046the the piece that happens a little bit more often. And then um the pair of professional being asked to do above and beyond what their duty is already. So if they're already being asked to pay 20, you know, pay 20 bucks an hour to uh support a classroom and now we're asking them to teach a classroom, >> it's compensating them for that extra work. But it is always a savings because if we did get a sub in, you'd be paying extra for that sub more. >> I don't know if I explained that. >> No, no, you explained it, but the way I'm reading it is they get the whatever the higher the sub teacher pay. >> No. So now they would get their per DM plus $3. So >> that that doesn't appear to be
047that's the way it's written, but I read it. I can read it through. Yeah. Pirate professionals who volunteer in a substitute for an absent teacher shall receive regular substitute teacher pay or their own rate of pay, whichever is higher, and then and premium pay at the rate of $3 per hour. Okay. So the our pair of professionals especially now that with this increase are making more than the substitute pay already. >> They I got their rates high. So it's >> they never get the substitute rate. Got it. >> So okay that's an old clause from >> a couple CBAs ago and it's never been cleaned up. You're you're actually up >> Yeah, we didn't clean that up. We should just get out. >> It's almost like Mark's a lawyer. >> Almost. Thank you. I'm getting
048there. >> I am feeling it here. I mean, I feel like I'm doing the pose. So, so the reality is uh the district is saving money. We're kind of sharing it with uh with in essence, we're sharing that savings with the par profofessional. >> Not exactly clear why that should be, but at the bottom line is we're saving money. So, >> yeah. And I and I to be to be fair I think that you know a a paraprofessional who has an assignment and then is asked to do something above and beyond I mean I I do think that that there is a compensation piece you know for them doing that. I >> um it's not we don't have um in every classroom like a teacher assistant who like we don't operate that way. There were
049days where we used to do that like every class. So now what you're doing is you're you're asking this pair professional who's not there always working directly with the teacher on the assignments to do something different. So two questions. Do the Paris um on this contract are they is it voluntary that they become part of the union or is it um no one >> always voluntary that a teacher or a par professional they do not have to join the union but they get the they >> do get the same benefits >> because I know some have challenged when they had to pay some people had challenged So that's changed. >> I can't speak to that specifically. I know what you're speaking of, but I don't know if they have to pay a portion or I
050don't know the law around it because there my understanding is there that has been settled in court at some point. >> Yeah. >> Are there any other questions regarding this stuff? No questions. >> Well, shall we put it to a vote? First up, >> um, quick question. Were we making any changes? So, I guess I do have a question. Were we making any changes based upon Mark's language or we can't because it's been the CVA that's been proposed. >> Um, we cannot because we would have to go back to the whole theme and then it would have to be voted on by all the other districts again. What I would look to do is potentially have a side letter with >> the association just to make that amendment at this point. >> Okay. Then Ibody
051in the room I board I just I have passes. >> Great. I I mean our goal here is and what's really great is getting this done before school starts which for our folks is is you know they don't have to start the year and then get a retroactive pay and stuff like that >> fund. So, that's just a Yeah, I'm just going to give you a quick uh on that two pieces. I'll start with the title funds. Those are title one, title two, and title four are the title funds we received. Um back in June up until July 1, the Trump administration uh froze title two and title four funds. So, title two funds uh are um professional development. Title four is safe and healthy schools and I might have gotten those backwards so I
052apologize. Um Death Partane would be mad at me if I got them backward. Um the other one that they did freeze was they froze a title 1B. Title 1B was the 21C money um type of thing. Um, so for us as a as an SU, um, it's about a little over $400,000 of funds that were frozen, uh, that we are anticipating, um, that we do staff, um, uh, staff that support families, um, like through uh, our restorative practices, but our home school liaison and things of that nature. um about towards the end of uh July they unfroze those funds um but the reason why we're just bringing it up it's been in the news but also we don't know if those funds are going to be accessible in the future so we're you know as
053we go into budgeting we have to take a hard look at that is where's that value that they want so we just want to make people aware of that um the other one is the RSER uh late liquidation um freeze thaw that we went through. So back in um ARP esser uh was supposed to close September 30th uh 2024 um and then uh you have a 90-day liquidation period where you can pay your bills basically. uh the previous the Biden administration had extended the liquidation provided uh if you applied for late liquidation you could extend your funds because we people couldn't spend them all in that time uh out and we extended all of our funds out to June 30th 2024 2025 pardon me in at the end of March we got a letter from
054the US Department of Ed that basically said we are um throwing that out. We are not allowing any extensions. Um and so that was a during the period of that timing. Um so the late liquidation went up to the end of December. So from between January 1st 2025 and the end of March 2028, we had spent out about $1.1 million. And so, uh, that's money we were expecting to get back in this lady. Um, and then, um, a little while later, the the administration said, "Okay, we're going to unfreeze those and we're going to let you reapply for, um, late liquidation, but we're going to look at it through our letters now." And um, and so we started working on that. Then they said, "Okay, we'll let it be back open for late liquidation." That
055was already approved, but we're still going to reserve some ability to say yes or no. So, um, we were in a position, we were ready to apply for those immediately. Um, and Ed, I like to say, uh, Ed took a round peg and put it through a triangular hole because he had to make a cube. we had to make it fit with what the new administration wanted and everything. Um the the short story is we were able to get refunded $66,700 of the $1.1 million. So um it was a lot of work on Ed's part to to get there. Uh but that will mean that the SU uh will need to figure out how they are going to uh do a special assessment back to the districts to reclaim that extra bundle. Long explanation, but
056I I don't know how many people are up to speed on it. So I hope >> when when does that special assessment work its way through the system? >> So we're going to have a meeting on August 20th. uh the finance committee will meet on August 20th to make a recommendation to uh the SU board on August 20th as well. Um, and then, um, I think some of the discussion that needs to happen is do we take it out of FY25, so some of your surplus that, >> um, already talked about. Um, or do you just put it into FY26 and run a deficit because that's unbudgeted. Um the the reason for where we are right now and wanting to get it done on August 20th is right now the auditors are here >> and
057so if you do it in FY25 part of the closing those books so that's where we are on that. So I don't know if I explained I know you're up to speed on it. I don't know if I explained that all or you don't >> I'm sorry for ding up but do you have a sense that it's $500,000 approximately $3 million for the entire union? What percentage filters back down to the >> Yeah. So that's the discussion that has to happen um at the finance committee to make a recommendation to the whole board. Um there's a couple of different scenarios that we have looked at and proposed and uh we will bring uh tighter is do we use just our normal assessment that we do when we assess out to the districts um and um
058>> one one of them related to the fact that most of the problem related to the high school. So the we're looking at a possible scenario where based on how many kids you have going to the high school would determine how much you'd have to pay percentage of your >> So so just use our normal assessment of the superintendent's office kind of thing and and that comes out for like 40 40% goes to Rocky Ham, 30% goes to a high school. >> Not much. >> I think it's 8% here. Don't quote me on that number please. But there's not much you talking about. Well, that 8% 40,000 something like that. Yes, that sounds about right. Um, and then as then the other way is okay where did most of those dollars get spent? They got
059spent at the high school. So if if of that I think you know 55% was spent at the high school then the high school should pay back 55%. >> And then trickle down based on how the dollars were spent at the different buildings. The other scenario is is is just what Hardy talked about, which is how many of your kids put a dollar price on each kid and then assess it out that way. >> So So I think we have $682,000. >> If you would like to give it all to us, we would be >> I'd rather give the state. >> I I I made the same offer to the high school. Just so you know, they they their surplus I offered if they wanted to give it up and pay for everybody that I'm
060sure everyone would be happy. they declined that sense. So, but um again it it wasn't perfect that we got all the money back, but you know to to get a large seriously like the $40,000 whatever it is we get assessed can be paid out of that 600. >> Okay. >> Well, it' be paid out of the um >> paid right out of surplus. >> Yeah. The 244. >> Yeah. See, we have 244 this year to the good. >> Okay. So, the yearly surplus as opposed to the Yes. because this is this is all your big savings surplus. Um if you did that, you'd have to go to your taxpayers and ask them to pay for it. Okay. >> So, um >> does that mean a special meeting? >> You could wait till I mean, but
061that that's why we would then be into FY26 and we'd run a deficit. >> I mean, I have expended all my accounting knowledge at this point. So, I mean, I I think that there's advantages one way or the other and depending on how you want to use your money. >> So, I think there's money there to cover it for a you don't have to go and ask for more money to get that expense. >> No. And some of this goes all the way back to when the SU >> when we returned money back in November or early like we returned too much money. we like if we hadn't, you know, like it's and what I'm really thankful about for Ed uh and coming on board is he's really getting us in a good space to
062really understand where our dollars are and and not be like, you know, he's like, pump the brakes here for a second. Let's not jump on the, you know, let's let's finish out the year. Let's get things going. And then so we have we have our numbers that we're telling you. I feel much more confident in those numbers than where we were a couple years ago. >> There's no voting. >> No, that was justformational. Just letting you know. >> All right. Wonderful. Any other questions? I have a question for Andy about after school. Is there any plans any thing in the works? >> So we this year we put it back on each school that if they wanted to um partner with a program they were they could partner with a program. So um uh Central
063Elementary School has partnered with um the meeting waters y and they're going to run the widest fire. Um and um Westminster has partnered with the Bradboro Boys and Girls Club to run a program. I have not had a chance to ask Angela if she's >> looking to do something. I mean there is there are dollars she could compensate. She could run her own program if she wanted to or or something of that nature. So >> this money was submission to Y. I feel like we filled out a questionnaire at the end of the year regarding what we'd be interested in as parents, but I didn't know if >> I'm just I just don't have that information. So, I'm not prepared to um but you know, it is the the challenge if a child was going
064to like let's say go to YSI to by the time we bust them down there. >> No, it'll have to be here. Whatever. >> Yeah. that I I mean I'm just you know and um and an organization did reach out that we had partnered with last year that I just did not feel very comfortable with. I don't think it would u be beneficial. We had a too many issues. So um I I do know that um I said thank you for their interest but I I just again we just had too many issues. I think that would be best. I think knowing that there's cash on hand, I think it's seen what it would be to develop something like this. I don't think it's a lot of things. >> You wouldn't have to go through
065licensing because you could all part of the extension the day. >> I have a question on um K12. What's that? Let me be looking like >> again I can take that back to Angela. I can't answer that question. >> Well, I was hoping it was going to be in the report but it wasn't. >> Yeah. So, um >> like how many pairs are going to be in the room on the teachers but how many Yeah. >> And it would be good to know exactly when school opens how many kids there are in each grade. Maybe it could be emailed out to all of us so that we'd really know because some of this I understand is an estimate. So >> would be nice to know how many kids are here >> and those going to
066home school and those going out of district. And to follow up with what Rachel said about after school, what was is your plan? Because I know I brought it up way back when we knew we had some money to get started to have it happen in the fall and not wait till late early winter to have something my Uh, any new business that we have? >> No, first step. >> No new business or is this director's comments? >> Okay. You want to start us off with director's comments? >> Uh, sure. I just want to say that I'm looking forward to working with everyone this year. Um, I know we're going to have to make a lot of hard decisions and it's disappointing that we haven't been supported by our elected representatives, but I'm excited to
067work with you all through these problems. >> I guess I'm also excited. I'm starting to get the hang of this a little bit. So, it should be better than last year for me at least. And, um, I've enjoyed it. So, oh, >> nice to see everybody and hear you, Christa, since I can't see you. >> Sorry, my camera's not working. I'm here. >> Looking forward to this year. >> Yeah, I hope the start of school is positive for everybody. Um, it's a welcoming um school for parents and community. um decided that did have resolved the conflicts with the um contracts with the teacher negotiations u Paris >> that all seems to hang over us for more and let's hope for the best on what's going on at the legislature for schools Hope everybody had a
068good summer and it looks like we're off to an exciting year. So, >> move on. Roll into it. >> Good to be back with the group and with discussions. So, the date and time for our next meeting would be >> there is there isn't if I could just add there is an all boards meeting August 20th. >> Um, we know not everyone can make it, but um we just try to have at least two of those a year. So, um, >> and that'll be >> it'll be at the high school at 6 pm in the library. And what will be our next step in the 11th 6 o' We closed at 7. >> Oh, thank you very much. >> Thank you everyone. Have a good night, folks.