001at 7:05 p.m. And if we would stand, salute the flag followed by a moment of silence. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Please be seated. Recommend approving tonight's agenda as submitted. First, Mrs. Pew. Second. Second. Mr. Nichols. Roll call vote. Mrs. Pew. Approve. Mr. M. Nichols. Approve. Mrs. Zizzler. Approve. And Miss Ralph. Approved. So approved. Recommend the approval of the minutes of the board of education regular meeting of May 7th, 2025. So move. First, Mr. Nichols. Second, Mrs. Isler. Roll call vote. Mr. Nichols. Approve. Mrs. Isler, approve. Mrs. Pew, approve. And Miss Ralph, approve. So approve. recommend the approval of the minutes of the board of education student disciplinary hearing
002of May 21st, 2025. First, Mrs. Ner. Second. Second, Mr. Nichols. Roll call vote. Mrs. Nner, approve. Mr. Nichols, approve. Mrs. Pew, approve. And Miss Route, approve. So approved. We have no guests this evening. Any communication and announcements? Dr. Lmore? No. Okay. Uh, no public participation. Um, superintendent remarks. It's been a great year. Thanks everybody for all your hard work. Appreciate it. All three of you. Yeah. He meant mono. Excuse me. All five of you. Six of you. Okay. Any board participation? Nope. Nope. We have none. Okay. Let's move right along. Just continue to enjoy your summers and be safe. That's it. Uh monthly financial report where we get into this. Good evening everybody. Good evening. Uh tonight I have for you uh the FY26 tax warrant and the preliminary budget. Um so an overview of
003the tax warrant. Of course we had reassessment. Uh Cesus County completed that uh the end of May and we went from 136 million to about 2.2 2 billion in our property assessment values. Um so that's about 16 times our rate our uh assessed value from last year. Um I've recalculated the tax rate um in accordance with Delaware code. Um it was $4.175 last year. It is now or proposed uh just under 30 cents. 2989 2989. Yes. Now, will this be by June 30? Will this be as far as with Sussex County Council? I mean, is this going to be the rate? This will be the rate for us for for Laurel School District and then Sussex County will add their rate. Sussex Tech will add their rate. So, Oh, okay. So, this is just this
004is just Laurel School District. Okay. So, you can't take this and figure out what your tax bill is going to be, right? That's only the Laurel School District. Okay. All right. Thank you. Um, so our rate changes, uh, the current operating expenses, it reflects the 10% increase permitted by Delaware Code. The debt service rate continues to decrease as debt is paid. And our tuition expenses increase substantially. So, I just wanted to point that out. um that the tuition that we paid to other districts and programs uh such as SCOPE or um Sussex Consortium, Howard Tianis um that actually increased this past year about $200,000 than what we had anticipated. So that plus another 200,000 estimated for this coming year to make up for that. Um, we also added three teachers and two paras to our
005payroll list that's coming out of that fund um for uh to service our intense and complex students. And we've also budgeted 75,000 for contracted services for additional support within the district. So that is the tax warrant. So you said the 200,000 you you Okay, I saw the 200,000. Are you saying an additional 200,000 which is 400,000? Yeah. So this this year this year we paid 200,000 more than what I ended had anticipated. Uhhuh. So I've included that for into the budget for this coming year as well. So that's like 400,000. Yeah. Okay. Wow. To make up for that. This is crazy. Um for our preliminary budget for FY26. Um, just some highlights. I did include $68,000 for a van for students. Um, we have the HBAC program that's starting their third cohort this year. Um,
006they travel to Woodbridge currently about uh two or three times a week, about every other day. Um, since we're starting the third cohort, they are going to be traveling five days a week. So that's occupying our best van all week long uh for that one program. So that only left us with two other older vans that you know for our other programs for student transportation for different um activities and such. And those vans we don't like uh to have them go too far. So um we're asking for uh another uh new van. Um, also we had an increase in security costs at athletic events. So that was um $20,000 and an increase of travel expenses for athletics for $10,000. And then a $20,000 increase for custodial supplies that's going to replace federal esester money that
007we don't have anymore. So that was our sanitation materials, you know, bleach and all that kind of stuff. So overall um for this year I'm looking at a projected deficit of about 27,000 and then our projected deficit for next year is just under 500,000 about 481,000. And wanted to point out that this is that the projected deficit for this coming year is based on being 100% staffed. We we since we are not 100% staffed, we see what what you might call a financial savings, but you know, of course, that comes at the expense of are staffing our students and our programs. So, so I try to budget for being 100% staffed. So, we're looking at about a budget deficit of just under 500,000. Do you have any questions on the budget? So you said the
00826,000 where does this 187,000? 187,000 for what? 18 1877 736 FY2025 final budget. This is where in order to balance the budget it would have to come out of reserves. But then you just said something about 26 26 or 27,000. Am I this year for our our year end our year ending now June 30th am I anticipating $27,000 deficit? So then this 187 that's on here doesn't come into play the $481,000. No, that's next year. Oh, I don't What page are you on? This is on the page. She just said there are 81,000. This is the FY 2026 preliminary budget sheet, page five. She just gave you this quote, right? That's next year. This is right now right next to it, right? Oh, the um FY2025. That was the final budget that was approved in
009December or January. So, that was that was the budget that we had about six months ago where we anticipated about $187,000 deficit, right? Um, but actual we're looking about 27,000. Well, that's good. Yeah. Yeah. So, I mean it's it's good. Like I said, it's good financially, but that's because we haven't been fully staffed. Okay. Okay. All right. So, I just wanted to make sure that you understand why there's the difference between actual isn't so bad, but projected isn't so good. Do you remember what the projected was this past year? I know it turned out being 27,000 deficit, but do you remember what it was projected to be? That's the 187,736. That was our final our final budget from last year. I believe our preliminary budget last year was a deficit projection of like 900,000 if
010I'm correct. Wow. Would a bus be cheaper than these? Well, um I did want to comment on I don't I don't know um if the bus would be cheaper um by the time the mileage everything is certainly certainly something we can look into. Maybe Laura already has looked into that, but I don't think it's a long-term solution either way because the program that is there, they've had changes in the teacher several times. Um and I don't know if they're getting out of it everything that they should. However, we really uh would be doing a disservice to our kids not to have a HVAC program because you can come out. It's one of the hot demand careers right now. You can make 65,000 coming out as an apprentice. Um so what I really I've talked to
011Daryl about it is when everything gets behind us a little bit is purchasing or building a pole building and having a shop out here and just having Hback here. I bet talking to the state to see what needs to be done for us to just have that pathway here. Well, we got to have a place for them. Bob said, you know, just just use a shop as a as a worker. You know, he said Mike Brown, he volunteered Mike Brown's part of it. Should we on that? Mike Brown. Laura, have we discussed Have you discussed with with Susan or anyone the possibility of of a bus taking? I've not looked into a bus, but I would think that you would have to have a special license in order to be able to drive it. So
012the van what I mean hiring I'm thinking hiring one of our existing school bus using a contractor one of our contractors. Uh yeah I don't know just like a sporting event. Yeah. We would have to look into what that cost would be. Can you do that for the for the August meeting? Can you look at um cost versus hiring the cost of the parah uh versus the cost of hiring a driver and the fuel and the rental of the bus. Sure. Thank you. Okay. Any other questions on the budget? Okay. Um in your budget also there's this graph um is just shows you over the years about there's about 10 years worth of data there um of our local and reserve fund. So, the last two bars of course is showing you um the 2025
013estimate with the $27,000 uh projected deficit and then the last bar being your preliminary budget deficit projection 481,000. So, just showing you a picture of how the funds have uh kind of leveled off in these last couple years. Um, but again, this is because we haven't been fully fully staffed, right? So, if we had been fully staffed, you'd look a lot more like 2022 and and further down. So, just keeping that in mind. And with not fully staffed, you turn you return money to the state, correct? We we claim the money back. We claim it back. Yeah. So that's how we're So we're saving our money by not having to pay the local portion of someone's salary, right? Um but also not having to pay the state portion, right? Okay. Okay. And this is the
014graph I typically show you every month of our uh reserve and local fund um by the month. So this is where we are compared to last year. Okay. Any other questions? What's our What's our go broke date? We might as well ask him. Go broke date. Well, depending on our staffing levels, I would say if if we're fully staffed, I would be looking at about six years. Looking at what? Staff, how many years? If we're fully staffed, I would say about six years. Six years. Six. If we don't touch the money for anything else, that too. That's that's taking in inflation, rising costs. I would say so. Okay. Probably six years. Five years by saf. Okay. If we don't spend any Where's you talking? I'm talking to you. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank
015you, Lauren. Okay. FY preliminary budget recommend to approve the FY26 preliminary budget as submitted. Submitted. First, Mrs. Isler. Second. Second, Mrs. Pew, I believe. Roll call vote. Mrs. Isler, approve. Mrs. Pew, approve. Mr. Nichols, approve. And Miss Ralph, approve. So approved. The official tax warrant report. Recommend to approve tax warrant report as submitted. The county property tax rate of. on every $100 of assessed value and 2430 per captation pending. Any changes to the state's bond bill on June 30, 2025 move first. Mr. Nichols second second. Mrs. Isler, roll call vote. Mr. Nichols, approve. Mrs. Isler, approved. Mrs. Pew, approved. And Miss Ralph, approved. So approved. Unfinished Bennett business. uh recommends second reading of policy JNDC, internet safety and acceptable use of technology as submitted and found on the district website in the board of education
016policy section and as found at the law school district sites. This policy was available for review by the community at the law school district buildings and on the district website. So move first, Mr. Nichols. Second. Second, Mrs. Isler. Roll call vote. Mr. Nichols, approve. Mrs. Isler, approve. Mrs. Pew, approve. And Miss Ralph, approve. So approved. Fundraisers recommend approval of fundraisers as a group. So move. First, Miss Mrs. Pew, second. Second, Mr. Nichols. Roll call vote. Mrs. Pew, approve. Mr. Nichols, approve. Mrs. Isler, approve. And Miss Ralph, approve. So approve. Recommend approval of fundraiser as submitted. So many. First, uh, Mrs. Pew, second. Second, Mr. Nichols. Roll call vote. Mrs. Pew, approve. Mr. Nichols, approve. Mrs. Isler, approve. And Miss Ralph, approved. So approved. Rentals recommend to approve request of Kelly Whley Sussex Tech Adult Division
017for use of two classrooms at Laurel High School from September 2025 to May of 2026 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:45 to 4:45 to hold credit recovery classes for Laurel High School students. Certificate of liability insurance provided. I recommend approval with use of facility fee waved, custodial fees waved, and constable fees waved. All right. First by Mrs. Zizzler, second by Mr. Nichols. Roll call vote. Mrs. Isler, approve. Mr. Nichols, approved. Mrs. Pew, approve. And Miss Ralph, approved. So approved. recommend to request Zach Furbay, Laurel Middle School assistant principal for use of 2 to four classrooms and gymnasium at Laurel Middle School from September 2025 to May 2026 Monday through Thursday from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to hold after school program in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club. Certificate of liability insurance provided. I
018recommend approval. Use of facility fee waved, custodial fees waved, and constible fees waved. Second. First uh second, Mrs. Pew. Roll call vote. Mrs. Isler, approve. Mrs. Pew, approve. Mr. Nichols, approve. And Miss Ralph, approve. So approved. Recommend to approve request of Joey Jones, Laurel High School football coach, for use of Laurel High School practice football field on Tuesday, July 15th, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to hold 7 on 7 football games. Certificate of liability insurance provided. Recommend approval with use of facility fee wave, custodial fee wave, and constable fees applied. Second. First by Mrs. Isler, second by Mr. Nichols. Roll call vote. Mrs. approved. Mr. Nichols approved. Mrs. Pew approved. And Miss Ralph, approved. So approved. No trips. Uh recommend to approve the 2025 2026 Delaware School Board Association membership membership of $5,313.
019These dues have been budgeted and approved by the director of finance as submitted. Do I have a first motion dies for no first or second? Possible action on executive sessions items. Attachment A, personnel professional, recommend to approve the personnel report with recommendations as discussed in executive session as listed in attachment A. So, first, Mrs. Pew, second. Second, Mr. Nichols. Roll call vote. Mrs. Pew, approve. Mr. Nichols, approved. Mrs. Isler, approve. And Miss Ralph, approved. So approved. Personnel attachment B support staff recommend to approve the personnel report with recommendations as discussed in executive session as listed attachment B move first Mrs. Pew second second Mr. Nichols roll call vote Mrs. Pew approved Mr. Nichols approved Mrs. Zizzler approved. And Miss Ralph approved. So approved. Personnel attachment C. Cafeteria recommend to approve the personnel report with recommendations
020as discussed in executive session as listed. Attachment C. So move. First, Mr. Nichols. Second. Second. Mrs. Pew. Roll call vote. Mr. Nichols approved. Mrs. Pew approved. Mrs. Isler, approve. And Miss Ralph, approved. So approved. Personnel attachment D. Coaches recommend to approve the personnel report with recommendations as discussed in executive session as listed attachment D. So move first. Mr. Nichols second. Second Mrs. Pew. Roll call vote. Mr. Nichols approved. Mrs. Pew approved. Mrs. Isler approved. And Miss Ralph approved. So approved. Uh future agenda items. We have a student hearing next Wednesday night here. Uh reorganization board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 2nd, 5:30 p.m. right here. L Middle High School cafeteria. The regular board meeting scheduled for Wednesday, August the 20th, 2025 at 700 p.m. L Middle High School Cafet Cafe. Do I have a
021motion we adjourn? So move. First, Mrs. Isler. Second. Second, Miss Mr. Nichols. Roll call vote. Mrs. Ller, approve. Mr. Nichols, approve. Mrs. Pew, approve. And Miss Ralph, approve. So approved. So we adjourn at 7:26 p.m. Okay.