Finance Committee Thursday, March 20

001Uh, good evening. This is a call to order of the finance committee. Today is Thursday, March 20th. The time is 5:31 p.m. Um, call to order. My name is Joseph Scavic. chairing this committee and our committee member. Okay, Dr. Avery and Thomas. Do we have anybody online? Any board members? No. Thank you. Okay. First item agenda is approval of minutes from special meeting dated March 3rd, 2025. Do I have a motion to approve? Move. Any errors, emissions? Hearing none. All in favor? I Iions. Motion carries. Okay. Next item on the agenda is discussion and possible referral to the full board extension of the current agreement for the 2425 advanced alternate room to certification instead agreement. You're taking this. Yeah. Yeah. Good. Good evening. Good afternoon. this uh I I would like to um you know

002bring back uh earlier in the year like April of last year, we the board approved 10 of 10 uh positions for pair professionals to to be able to be uh DESAP for special education positions in the district. Uh and part of that that proposal, what happens is that those individuals uh the district pays a portion of their uh tuition. And I I'll have Michael Brazen come online here in a little bit to give you a little bit more detail about it. But I I'm wanting to in in having a conversation with with a member of the state technical assistance team, we talked a little bit about, you know, the possibilities of how well this program has been working for the district. Uh we got 10 teachers in line to be able to to get their

003certifications, 10 pair professionals in line to be able to get their certifications. um uh this next school year. Uh and so I thought it may be a great opportunity for us to consider, you know, opening up for uh 10 additional uh individuals. So that give us a total of 20 special education teachers that would be in classrooms. And so it's a it's an upfront it's a cost of about $100,000 uh if we added an additional 10 participants to the program. And so I have Michael Bronzen online. Mike, if you can give us a little bit more detail, maybe a little bit more historical perspective as well. Um, you know, and my recommendation is to if this committee is so inclined to um embrace that concept again, take it to the full board for a possible

004vote to add an additional 10. So uh, I'll leave it up to you, Mike. Thanks, Dr. Avery. Uh, and good evening, everyone. Uh yeah, this is uh this has proven to be a really successful program. Um we do have and I'm I just want to offer clarification. The the program that Dr. Avery is speaking about is through the state department of education the advanced alternative route to certification. So what we're really looking at is taking our current teachers and cross-certifying them in special education. So it is a it is a program that is run through uh the capital region educational cooperative at a cost of about a little uh just under 10,000 per candidate. And this has been a really successful program for us. So we have taken our veteran teachers usually from areas such

005as elementary, English, social studies, crossindors them into special education so that they can serve our community in a new way and in a new capacity. I think the the reason why this program is really exciting is we have mostly mid-career teachers who are interested in making this change. So, it's serving them on sort of the purpose of re-engaging them in their career. And of course, for us, if we're able to gain 10 or 20 new special education teachers for next school year, that's significant. Uh so, I really I I think this program has proven to be successful. Uh we have run it for the past three school years. Last year, we had a little difficulty. uh we were late on the timeline with recruiting folks to join the program. So we only have five in

006the program right now. Um but we had an excellent response when we sent out the survey to see if those were people were interested for this school year. And you know I'm I'm really excited about the prospect of having up to potentially 20 new special education teachers next year. but teachers who are already experienced in Bridgeport Public Schools. They're not brand new to the district. These are folks who already work for us and and and thank you for that clarity, Mike. I I got two programs totally, you know. Yeah, we do have a thinking. So, thank you for the clarity on that. But I think it's important that, you know, when you look at, you know, quality teachers that are they're already experienced with our kids with our system and just giving them an opportunity

007to kind of get crossendorsed and and be able to to step over to the other side to teach in a in a high needed area that uh is critical to uh the the the the difficulty of us finding those certified teachers. And so I think regular teachers are a little bit more you know prone to be able to find more so than special ed. So that's kind of what you know and and currently right now my my how many I think you said you may have had we we we approved 10 the board approved 10 but we're looking to do another 10 and I think you have nine already waiting to try to get in. We had so on the the just the initial um the initial call we had 22 people express interest. So

008one of whom I don't think is going to be able to do the program just based on the commitment of classwork over the summer. But that's a really significant that's a significant number and that's that to me is really reassuring about our teachers committing to our students in Bridgeport. Any questions? Mike, um, just want to be clear. So, right now there's five in the program as you stated. Mhm. Out of the 10 that we approved last time this was come to us, there's already five that are in the program. Correct. That's correct. And right now, we have 20. We have 22 that are waiting or 22 was interested when we open up that 10. I'm just kind of like trying to figure that one out. Yeah, I understand the question. So, the the program runs

009on an annual basis. So, it begins uh the coursework for teachers begin in begins in June annually. So, when I put out the the request to see if folks were interested uh in late January, we had 22 people express interest in the program to begin this June. Thank you. That's what I wanted. I'm sorry that Yeah, I wanted to get that clarity. And then you did mention I just couldn't say the question just for the public. My one of my question was are these new teachers coming in are these retired teachers that are coming back or are they teachers that we have now in the district and are trying to get is what you call crosscertified. So they'll add this kind of like uh to their belt as far as uh education wise and that's

010the case that these are regular teachers that would like to get cross um train that way they can go into the capacity of being a sped teacher. Yeah. And I I think you put it perfectly. They they are our current teachers. So they are our second fourth grade teachers who are working in our district right now uh in a general ed setting who are answering our call really for our need for additional special education teachers. They are interested in the work. They are familiar with obviously familiar with our district, familiar with our students. Um, I'm certainly not disparaging our our new hires, you know, and and those folks in our our ed prep programs that we welcome into the district, but these are veteran teachers that are right here in Bridgeport right now, and they're

011going to make this commitment to completing coursework, serving as a special education teacher beginning in the fall of 25, and committing to that role for at least three years. That's good data. Thank you. Yes, for that. Thanks. Um, so building off of Mr. Medina's question about the five teachers in the program. So, is it a safe assumption to say there's currently five in the program right now? So, in June, will we hire assuming approval of the 10 additional spots? Can we hire 15 or include 15 into the program beginning in June? Is that the thought process? Funny. Okay. I the So, the five teachers who are in the program right now are actually serving as teachers of record in special education right now. So, they started the school they started this school year. They're in

012the program right now, but they started this program in the fall or in June of 24. And so they've been serving as special education teachers throughout this school year. What we're asking for for the board to do is to approve uh up possibly up to 20 individuals for next school year based on the interest. So those those folks would be completing the program dur during next school year, but they would be serving as teachers of record. These are not new hires. These are are current educators who are transitioning from a gened role into special education. Gotcha. I'm getting hung up on the difference between the 10 that were approved and the five that are in the program. That's where my question deres. Let me let me clarify for you. I think I kind of know

013where you're where you're going with it. You know, we the board approved 10 last year with the total amount of $100,000. So, there still should be money saved left over for an additional five. So, you're saying, "Okay, could we just, you know, do 15 because we have a savings from the five that didn't go and add it to the 10." And you can definitely do that to to to try to go and get 15 additional teachers instead of 10 that I requested. Yes, exactly. That want to make sure we're maximizing. Yes. Okay, that's perfect. Um, let me just double check. I had some questions here. No, I think that that actually sums up all the questions I had. Thank you. My pleasure. Thank you. Okay, I got you. I got fast. One quick one quick

014clarity. Can you um talk about theus that teachers sign when they when when they become and we accept them into the program, talk a little bit about theou that's signed, how that works. Certainly. So round of understanding what's what's the obligation of of them and for the for the district allocating the funds to support the program. So talk to us a little bit about that. Sure. So you know it is a we do incentivize the program by offering a step advancement to those folks who are on step uh the payroll step excuse me the uh salary steps and it's a two-step advancement and the Bridgeport public would cover the cost of the program and the application fee which comes to a total of $9,950 per candidate. In return, uh we have these folks serving as

015special education teachers in the fall of in this case 25 uh right from the start of the school year and they are committed to remaining in that special education role uh for three years beyond. In addition, there are the requirements that they successfully complete the program of course and that they are successful on the credentiing exams that result in the crosscertification. Thank you. Um quick question through the chair. Yes. um what what is in theou uh to deter them if they leave the program or they they pass the program and they're in the first year from let's say leaving the district and now they have an extra you know thing I I don't expect that because again I know my teachers and our staff to do this they're committed to us but just want to

016put that out there because I know our people want to know. Yep. No Mr. Medina, excellent question. Uh, and I thank you for it. Uh, in the promisary note in theou, there is language that there is a pro-rated repayment uh, should someone leave prior to the prior to the end of the commitment. Uh, in the four years that I've that I've I can't say I run the program, but that that I've sort of facilitated this. Manage. Manage. Yeah, there we go. Coordinate. Anyway, there you go. We have only had one individual leave the district and she was from our first cohort. Um, you know, she she received a an offer from a neighboring district for significantly different salary. Uh, and she repaid the difference of what she owed. It was prrated. Uh, and you know,

017we have a mechanism for that. Attrition does happen. Uh but in this case, I'm really happy to say that of all the participants, losing only one over four years is is that's pretty good. I think those odds Yeah. the the three years agreement, is it inclusive of the their training period or is it three years of guaranteed stay guaranteed stay after they had graduated? I do not have the current promisary note in front of me. I I believe it is three years beyond the training year. So the training year, although they're serving in the role of special educator uh under a durational shortage area permit, I think effectively it's a four-year commitment because they're doing it in the first year while they're receiving the cross the the training for the cross endorsement. Then I believe

018it's three years after that. So effectively can we also get that confirmed through the superintendent and the chair please? Yeah absolutely. Thank you. I mean it's just my own personal recommendation bank training but then after graduation I think it should be if it's not it should be three years after graduation. I agree. I think that's what it is. I don't know. I don't Once they once they once they graduate the summer, they start the teaching and then there's three of them from there. It's that's that's pretty standard. Look at it. Yeah. Yeah. Well, we can do that. Mikey, if you can kind of dive into that, let us know. Yeah, I certainly will. I I'll double check with what we have uh with what Dominic and I already have with the the BEA. Um but

019I I'll just check the language. It is either three years inclusive of the DESAP year or three years beyond. Okay. Thank you. Yes. Um yeah, your person I was doing some calculations to quick dirty look at the steps because that's an additional cost I didn't think of. um about approximately $3,000 for two steps on average. So we're talking about an additional 20 * 360 kept in additional 60 grand on top of 200 for the 20 time 10. So, we're looking at $260,000 for the program. And is that correct? Is a state program? Yes. It's over it's overseen by the state department of ed. Yeah. Okay. So, I'm trying to run my mind around this because we're in the midst of cutting because the state underfunding. We're in the midst of cutting 20 to$23 million in

020existing presumptions. And there's a suggestion to add $266,000 in additional costs to our budget to be diverted out of our limited budget that the state provides us to go back to the state to provide training that they're suggesting. Is no. We're suggesting what is I'm suggesting. you know with a recommendation you know we had a discussion with them about this successful program and so you know in the discussion said well if it's working could you possibly you know expand it I'm like well I never really thought about it that way but when you and that's why the item is brought back to this community you know uh if you don't feel you need to do it just going to do it so that's I feel I feel It's very worthy of the conversation. It's every

021single position we're about we're about to vote on some cuts today to push to the full board. Every one of these positions has value. What you're bringing me today is instead of a 20 to$23 million deficit is to have a 20 to 23 million $288,000 deficit to close. When we bring extra expenditures, it would be nice to have additional suggested cuts. Where do we find this additional $288,000 to implement this program? Where are you getting the 288,000? Is that the salary that those the steps are approximately $3,000 for two years? That's just a rough quick estimate. It could be off by a few thousand and 200,000 is 20 times 10 for the cost of enrollment. If sorry to chair if I may ask the step the two-step increase is it after their graduation or while

022they're in the in the program? So they would if they are accepted into the program under the current language they would begin next school year with the the two-step advancement. Okay. Okay. But let let's just try to really digest it well. When you really break it down on a net net basis, it's not a twostep, okay? It's not a two-step assignment. It's not a twostep increase. It's actually a one-step increase, but they because they would have they would have gone to the next step anyway. Is it a two-step increase plus their normal step that they would have gone? That's correct. Which which is correct. I just want to make sure the answer is in the question. So the the way you phrased it, Mr. Nquo, it would effectively be then a three-step jump going into

023next school year. So from their current level if one was on step eight right now, they would begin next school year on step 11. Okay. Okay. It's a net twostep increase. Correct. In addition to that, if you're not hiring, we have a substitute in there. So, there's a substitute cost of savings as well. You have these people moving. We have no teachers in front of kids right now. And so, you're going to automatically get 20 teachers in front of kids with the possibility of being able to fill a vacancy on the regular red side. And so if you're not the sub cost will be a saving that you'll save every single day that we don't have a sub in the classroom. You have a certified teacher. These teachers are already in the district. We're already

024paying them, you know. So I don't I look at it differently because you're already paying them. you're gonna have a you're gonna it's gonna be a little cost because the steps that they're going to be given because they're moving from a regular ed teacher to a special ed teacher on two additional steps. So, yes, it's it's one of those I'm not going to say it's a risk, but it's one of those um what you call it? Help me out here. Um it's a future investment, right? I see. I was going to use that word. So, I was like, it's an investment um in the right direction because we need sp teachers and and I know district is running low on on special ed teachers. But then my my other concern through the chair is now

025I'm losing 20 and I'm talking about us as a district. the district is losing 20 teachers that now that we have to replace in to regular head, you know, when we're already looking at over we already know that we're probably about 100 teachers short on our district. So, I'll also look at both sides and now we're now we're going to be seeing another 20 teachers today. 5. No. Yeah. Today 20 teachers uh in the regular ed classrooms. I think that I I I understand all of the concerns and you know I and Mr. Sakalovic I I certainly understand the increasing you know it looks like an increase in cost. Um, but we I think it would be somewhat naive to think that we could walk into next school year and just expect that we could

026get 30 new special ed or even 20 new special education teachers to fill the vacancies we currently have um and expect to pay them at the lowest end of our our our salary scale. That's not that's not the reality that we've seen in the past couple years. uh and you know Mr. Medina certainly understand we are moving we are moving teachers we're not nec you know it's not it's not hiring new but uh we we have opportunity to hire highly qualified newer elementary teachers to replace those who are transitioning to special ed who through this program. So, I do understand I do understand the concern about taking from one to move to another, but there's a severe statewide shortage of special educators and we're we're in a highly competitive salary market. So, if we can

027take our own folks and transition them into that and then replace them with with elementary folks where there's a surplus of elementary certified teachers in the state, we're positioning ourselves a little bit more strategically, I think, uh to better serve our students. Thank you, Mike. I'm take it from um Yeah, that I'm really concerned about editing expenditures. Every single position in this district, I' I've been here before. I've been here in 2017, 2018, 2019 when we split nurses between two, three schools where kids could only get sick on Monday and Wednesday because the nurse wasn't there Tuesday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. So that this $280,000 while small and while an investment, yes, investments are normally made when you're well fed, right? When you don't have any other needs to take care of, but we got

028to balance out this. That's why I asked where is the corresponding cut going to come from? Are we going to have one nurse assigned to three buildings? Are we going to have assistant principal split between two, three buildings? So we we already we got bad ratios in psychology, social workers, guidance. We have all these ratios that poor in all these places. Of course, it's an investment. Of course, it's we need every single thing we could get. We need every single dollar we could get to pay for it. What really disturbs me about this is we're transferring funds that's given to us by the state which is not enough again to the state to carry out a state mandate that they really don't fund. Now is there any way we can approach the state to fund

029this to wave these tuition fees since it's basically their mandate. It's actually a moral mandate as well. But beyond that, the state is mandating that we spend these limited funds on special education which is a shortage area which we got to spend additional funds which we don't have which got to come from somewhere else. This this is this is this is what we've got to keep first and foremost in our mind. Anytime a new program is coming, the first thought needs to be what do we take from the kids to put in its place to give the kids this thing. We're playing a zero some game here. There are no good decisions. There are no there's only least worst decisions that we are at the point of making. Now hopefully they pass this bill and

030it's becomes worrisome and I look crazy at the end. I was worried about nothing. I love nothing more. But until that date that we're a wellunded district, we we're basically on um lifetime deficit prevention mode survival mode if we have curious here. Again, I understand your concern and I'm very much concerned as you are. However, the way I'm looking at it, I'm looking at it from a business perspective. We are making investment towards special education teachers. If we are going to be consolidating school board intends to and bring try to bring special education students in house, you have to have qualified teachers to do that. I don't want I have nothing against age but the way he described it, these are veteran teachers. Once they graduate, they live around here. They've been living around Bridgeport.

031I don't see them rising on 95 standard every day can come to live around and walk around. No, no, I didn't. No, I'm sorry. My white voice is terrible because the pay is $30,000 more per year. Okay, thank you again. Bes besides that it gives us the ability to provide the special education services to our virtual children whereby parents then exercise their open choice to go out of the district. One open choice decision or choice that cost you $100,000. Oh no. That covers the 88,000 you're worried about. choice, Mr. Sherman. So, I'm a big supporter of special education. Um, I think, you know, part of the facilities master plan is eventually to help reduce funds, right, and those BOE tuitions that we spend so much money on special education kids going outside of the district

032to bring them in. If all that happens, we'll need teachers. And so, I see this, like Mr. Medina was saying, an investment in our teachers. So what I'm wanting to do, these teachers are already invested into the district. They want to do even if they want to go the extra mile and teach our special education or special ed kids. Let's give them the proper tools to do that. Now I finance background. So I get where is the money coming from? So what I'd like to do is if we can can we table this discussion until after Mr. Nquo um brings all his solutions and maybe we can have some sort of dialogue. Hey, where can we cut so that we can get 288 just under $300,000 to make this program work? I love the idea.

033However, what's the timeline on the summer class? starts in June. Uh the applications are due to crack um by the 31st of March. So, you know, I uh I think CRE has been a good partner to Bridgeport Public Schools for several years. So I think we can ask them to go through the their own interview process uh and hold tight. The classes don't start until June. Uh so we can remain optimistic. Um but encourage our encourage our interested teachers uh to submit the application and remain optimistic. Uh, we would have to we would I I imagine CRE would have to know because they're going to have to hire teacher like instructors for this program. So, I imagine we'll have to let them know at the very latest by the end of April if if we're

034going to fund this or not. So, I like I like the idea of holding off a little bit looking around. And the interim I would like to add to that idea is if we could explore some sort of grants or reach out to the state maybe they could just help us help us fund help us fund it. I mean because because the because obviously to compare ourselves the solution to all our problems leads to money. It's not management it's money. This is This right here is a prime example that we need 200 I'm just using the number. It's probably not right. $288,000 to invest in our future of our children that we got to have a what time is it now? It's a 20-minut conversation about something that should be Oh, yeah. That's great. Boom.

035Let's go. Let's do it. I'm sorry. That's the pos that's the position we find ourselves in. and it is very troubling. So, so yeah, I would like to entertain a motion to table to the Oh, Mr. Nicole, would you like to weigh in on that? Sure. I I just see this actual request as as a cost avoidance for the district cost avoidance for the district. May I ask, are we going to avoid cost for 2425 school year? I mean 2526. The reason why I'm saying this is I'm kind of more involved in seeing the number of special ed students assigning one to one parent to these students and I tend to read the argument from the parents when they can't get attention in the district. They will send their open choice. Understood. Not allowed. Understood.

036We don't want to we don't want to push parents to the limit. Understood. I understood as a future investment. What I'm asking is would this impact the 25 26 school years being able to bring back anybody when this program doesn't even start until the summer and they won't be certified until when would when would they receive their certification endorsement? They will they will be teachers of record for special ed in August of 25. So we're talking months from now. These people will all be in special ed roles. What is it? I'm asking all I'm asking is for this committee to move to the full board for discussion and possible. If it doesn't move out of this committee, it's not going anywhere. We're going to just keep doing what we're doing to try to make sure

037that we advocate for the team that we have and we will train the people that we can train the best we can because we don't have the funds to do it. I'm good with that, you know, but there's a huge challenge before us because I can't get certified special ed teachers in my classrooms in this district in order to educate the kids. This is an opportunity. Yes. To be able to provide some training to veteran teachers to be able to help us. It's a huge void. Uh and that's all I'm asking. And I I understand the financial concerns. I really truly do. But it's it's when when you I'm dealing with parents that constantly every single day are coming to me and saying, "I don't have a teacher in my flip my my son and

038my daughter's classroom, and I have an opportunity here to invest in that." Um, I I I feel strongly about this and uh it's just it's an opportunity for us to be able to kind of really do something good for those families and those families are struggling. We're struggling as a district and I just really, you know, but I understand, you know, I will support the decision of the committee uh uh moving forward. Well, the committee doesn't decide anything. No, it could it can still get to the full board if Miss Perez got total control, the chair got the total control over the agenda. She can put it on if she wants, but if it comes down to not being a recommendation to committee or recommendation me, that's a whole different story. But Mr. quote those

039you said you said five applied for the 10 slots. Those 10 slots were already baked into the budget for 204 22 24. So we still got five slots left over that would be cost neutral somewhat. So so without the steps, right? So, so if we if we if we um fill those five in the time being, we can still get a head start and then work out the next 15 a little later. A little later that they have to register. They have to register by March, right? But he said he said he could get some play in April so we could get at least one more committee meeting to have a more thorough discussion on the rest of the positions. preacher if you know that's my own you can put it through let the let

040the board date and make a final decision but let letting such a critical letting such a critical item die in the committee mean it's kind of that's my own personal observation it's like denying the board the opportunity full board the opportunity is Mr. So, I have a procedural question. If this was to go to the full board, would it go on the agenda for Monday's meeting or would it go for Okay. I just want to make sure that we get the money because I think if we go to the board and say, "Hey, we already found the money where we can fully fund this." It's a slam dunk. It's a no-brainer. Um, so if I'm hoping that after conversations this this afternoon that we can probably figure something out because I do find that this

041program is very much needed right now. We can probably fill those teachers roles that are in social studies, math much quicker than we specialize. Absolutely. Absolutely. Yeah. Thank you. Um, Mike, sorry to bring this back to you, but I would definitely going to vote to see if you can't speak to that real quick just to give us that little a lot of extra time for us to make, you know, I just went through the numbers a little just a little bit and I just said, you know, if somebody's in step 12 and they're going to be now jumping up to step 15 and we're talking about that's a difference of almost $15,000 times 20 people that's $300. So I don't know where these people are in their steps you know respectfully and that's something that

042is very you know you know there's a huge difference there's a really huge difference and that's only just for the steps alone it's an extra $300,000 um and that's something I can assure you that not all of them are on that step I can assure you of that Mr. So, I mean, I got to think about it as me being responsible and to Mr. Nuke's statement about deny. We're not denying this to the full board. We want to make sure I want to make sure as a member of this committee that everything gets pushed to the full board with every thought and every data possible to make sure because it is a fact that this is going to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. That's just their increase. We don't know where these

043teachers are are in their steps. But I just took one and just said 12 and I went to 15 and I just wanted to do that because I wanted to see because me as a teacher if I was a teacher and I this opportunity was there and he has a list of names and I don't know where they are and I want to know right now. Um I would be that would be an interest to me to stay in the district to make an extra x amount of money and then be contracting for the next three years. So I also got a little bit of um you know more step and I can move quicker you know to the higher one. That's a benefit. So I know I know why there's 20 you know because

044it is a good interest for them and I treat them here fully understand and and understand the perspective as someone who is frozen six times on this step. So I fully understand that been there. But the you know you know I there's a lot of I I'm sure there's a much more complicated cost analysis that Mr. Nquo can do about hiring a replacement elementary teacher at our beginning step to replace someone who's going to serve in a special education role. Uh and what we have to hire new special education teachers at or folks from another district. You know, I I think there's I think with any with any type of program like this, uh we can go as deep in with a cost analysis as possible and a cost benefit. Um but I see a

045huge benefit 100% Mike. I see it. I know it. I I I feel it. And listen, I pride it as being removable with this fact of we don't have certified teachers in our classroom that we need. But nevertheless, that's the information that I needed probably today to help out just weigh it off. That way we can bring the board a lot more data information that they can see, you know what, this might be a great benefit. Not only just knowing this fact of adding, but we are covering our tail to figure out because if anybody's looking at us and we know there's many eyes on us, we have to be responsible for every dollar that we have. And I can't just throw it out there in the wind. Me as a board member and as

046a parent and a tax payer to throw it up in the wind and say, "Okay, let's just go this route because we we need this." No, we have to make a informed decision because we're responsible for every dollar we spent and we're responsible for every dollar that we overspend. And I'm sorry, I have three daughters and a wife that's going for her masters right now. I can't afford to, you know, go past what we can. So, I want to make sure we bring to the full board every information possible. That way, they can make an informed decision because we're only three here. There's another six members that need to have the information. And I want to make sure they have everything they need to make this decision the right one for all of us and

047for for our district. And I Mr. here. Technically, you have you have full teacher salaries, average salaries that we pay right now for every vacant position in this district. So, the money that the district saves because we're not paying that substitute teacher the salary that we pay for the teacher, we're saving that money when when we don't have a certified teacher in the classroom. So there's a lot of additional benefits that this district will get if they don't have this they don't have a certified teacher in the classroom. So it's it's those balancing things. It's important that the board understands that we've looked at these. We've tried to analyze it to the best of our my ability as well anyway before I brought the decision to the board for consideration. So, there's a lot of

048things that we do behind the scenes to try to make sound decisions before they come to you. And the board's the board's um position has to be able to question and kind of make sure that we're you're clear in your mind, too. But I think for me as well, every day that I do not have a certified teacher in the classroom, I'm paying a substitute what, $100 a day, you know, pretty much. And some of sometimes I only have the subs won't even take the job, you know. So I have teachers in the district shuffling kids around to teach them, you know, just a lot of times the kind of So there's just a lot of other things that we don't bring to the table for you guys to discuss. I have to work through

049that with my administrators. And so we're doing a lot of that. So and and I again I'm going to respect your decision. And so whatever you decide to do this evening, I will support it. I will get you additional information. will work it for for so you can be clear about it as well. something pretty I mean specialized teaching is not all respect it's not the easiest teaching job it you know it's emotional it's challenging I'm not saying the other branch of teachers or subject teachers and not if you having a hard time career challenge especially in this unique and Not too many people want to go into it. No matter how much you'll do, no matter how much you do, they just cannot handle it. So they don't want to. The only thing I

050can suggest here is if the world wants to get a bang for their money, you can extend the time or contract time four years, which you know you're locked in. You lock them in four years that you that way you get a return on your investment. Four years of teaching of now you're guaranteed to get return on. Yes, you have to pay them but you get the return on your investment of good force good. That's how you get return on your investment. You lay down money for investment, but you're guaranteed for your return. How much more return do you ac? And so, um, since this gentleman said we can probably get it put off to March, I would like to, um, bring it back here in another maybe another two weeks. We can explore some

051ways to get some more funding. I'm definitely not opposed to the program for the record. And to be clear, We need this program. We need this because costs are a concern. I am bound by state statute. I am bound by the state overlords watching this meeting right at this very moment to watch to see if we're spending responsibly. I don't think it's responsible to spend money. We don't know if we have or not yet at this point in time, which is the only reason that pin is being put on attempted to be put on pause at this moment in time because the state is starving us for funds. The state is threatening basically a takeover by watching us and they're assisting us with our budgeting and financing. They watching every single move we make. I

052asked where are we going to cut this $288,000? That question never came. That answer never came up because we still don't know where we're cutting the 20 to $23 million. We got to say these are very painful conversations for me. I see these children suffering coming up in a few minutes. We're going to basically vote to get rid of 20 something kindergarten parent professionals who help out kindergarten teachers. Anybody ever see a room full of 25 kindergartens running around with one to go? Why? Why? Why is that? That's why all these things have to be in our head at the same time. So I I I understand the need for programs and I understand the need for cuts. I also understand if you add something, we've got to subtract it from somewhere else. We can't

053make our job of subtraction that much harder before we get there. Yes, M. Um, I have a quick question and it's about the information that we just asked for. How quickly can you get that information to us about how how much this actual program is going to cost and if we can find any um funds basically take from other existing programs to help fund this. When can you gather that information? When is the next board meeting? Monday. Monday. Yes. I'll try We're trying to get it done. I'll try to provide something on Monday. I I would like to take a motion to postpone this to the third. Postpone this to the third and bring it back before committee when we have some more additional information. Is it a guarantee that we will be able to

054like our teachers will be able to apply in April? What was the date again of their application? Mike, please. Their applications are due on the 31st of March. And you said they statewide, correct? I'm sorry. Statewide. Statewide. Correct. Now, they already applied a question, Mike, through the chair. I'm sorry. Yes. Yes. Um, Mike, you said you have about 21 22 names out there right now that put their kind of like names in. Have they applied yet initially or Yeah, good question. I I know I I know a handful have. Uh, I sent a correspondence to all of them yesterday asking them to confirm with me if they had completed an application. So, I only know of four who have at this time. Why Why don't we try this? Since five has already been budgeted for

055the last year, move the five towards the board for Monday. Get those locked in and then bring the 15 back to committee later on down the line. Since he only got four, he's got four applications in the O and the meetings on Monday. I thought, does that sound like a for compromise? I thought those five have been approved by the board. No, we approved 10 last round. Right. So, five and five are in there right now. You don't need to reapprove them again because you already Okay. So, they're moving forward no matter what. Yeah. So, we don't even have any excess applications here. We still got one open. Well, we have five open. Have five open. Five open, four applied. And no, he has he has four that's confirmed that they already applied again for

056the for this next round. So at least one more slot in the interim. This is I'm looking at a calendar um and this is going to be very tight, but if Mr. to quote can get us the numbers by noon on Monday. Can we have a special meeting at 5:30 5:30 to 6:30 before our full board meeting to work through what he's presenting additional fundings where he we might borrow in hopes of getting it on that agenda. Would that work? I think they need to guess what I'm gonna leave. Why would you do that? Just move it to the full board. If we don't get the funds, we don't get the funds. If we don't whatever, you're fine. I'm I'm There's too much. I don't know. I quote one thing I for this committee here.

057I review every teacher position that's applied that they apply. I approve it. If we if we move this forward for special education, I can guarantee you regular elementary teachers and they will not come in they will they will come in at a lower rate to compensate to offset the the need or the pre call it a premium I don't see it as a premium the cost of having this special education kids train and have qualified special education kids just to avoid open some open choice some parents complaining we need special we cannot keep going down with the number of special ed teachers that's the police that is the only special only area we are so low relative to the number of students. It's hard to find math teachers, science teachers, but we're way ahead when

058it comes to math teachers, science teachers relating to specul. Hey Mike, will we be able to get teachers to support what we're doing without a guarantee. Will they do it without guaranteed funding? The the tuition funding is what I'm saying. Will they will they will they commit to doing it without the additional funding? I mean, I I I'm not sure what you're asking. Are you asking that if we will they I mean when they apply for this program Yeah. without a guaranteed tuition and if we can't and if we don't pay it it becomes on them to then pay it. I I'm certain that there would be some who would still be interested in that. Um, you know, I I don't think you can hold candidates to any sort of commitment to the district if

059you ask them to enroll in a program, pay for it themselves with no incentive other than, you know, and Mr. in the example that was given, there's a good pay raise when you jump two steps and in some steps there's hardly anything. So I I think the commitment to the district goes completely out the window if you put the cost of the program on the individual chair. Um and I'll take this but um Mr. N you kept on saying and the only words you used was elementary uh teachers elementary teachers. Pre prek elementary? No, I hear you. PreK elementary. So there's no high school teachers that can apply for this uh program. Okay. I just want to make sure I just want to make sure that this was open to the whole Thank you. The

060I'm sorry to ch the reason why I keep using elementary I hate to paraphrase it that way. There are a lot of higher number of elementary teachers can visit. That's a question to the chair. Yes. Mike, first of all, thank you for uh doing this and giving us a wealth of information. Appreciate it. But my question for you is, is it possible that we've only gotten four applications because teachers don't know whether or not they'll be accepted or whether this program will go through? I I think I think that's a valid question, Dom, and I think it's probably accurate. Um, you know, I I understand that there's finances that need to be considered and uh, Mr. Chairperson, I I respect your responsibility immensely. Uh, and I thank you for being diligent about it. I think

061what would go a long way for the folks who are interested in this is that you would recommend the program on good faith. This is just about the best deal you could possibly get in the state of Connecticut to certify special education teachers. Um, and what we're offering our own teachers in terms of incentive, there is cost associated to it, but really it's nominal comp in comparison to trying to recruit and hire external candidates who are experienced teachers into special education roles. I know that's not I know that's not balance sheet logic. It's it's investment and you know cost analysis type of type of analogy. But I think if our applica our interested candidates knew that you supported the program in principle and we had five spots, you know, because of last year's kind of

062hold over that were already allocated and that we are working towards opening more funding for others. I think that type of a good faith effort, whether it's bringing it to the full board Monday or continuing to proceed in your process, I think I think that would show people that you're committed to the idea of this uh even if it's going to take a little back work to to work out the finances. I don't know if that answer your qu answers your question Dom but or or anybody but I know my my question is my question which you kind of touched on is you know we have four applicants but if this were funded do you think 20 you know out of those 22 we'd have more than the four do you think we'd have 15

063or 20 you know I mean because they're you're asking for them to apply without them knowing that they're getting paid correct getting paid to go into this Correct. All I all I could offer them was that uh was the proposal that that we had before this ward. Okay. Thank you. And I think through the chair I think that's common in every position you apply. You apply and you're trying to get a job and an application goes out there. You don't you don't get no guarantee by applying. So respectfully to to Dom, you know, it's an application process. Everybody put an application to try to get a higher position to be a counselor administrator and you move up. So, you know, to say that they're not applying because they don't know if but you don't get

064a bill this I'm sorry. I'm I'm sorry. You don't get a bill when you apply for something. You're asking these people to sign up for a bill of $10,000. They're not they're not getting a bill if they have to pay for themselves. No, we're we're not even considering now. You brought it up, but somebody asked the question before pay for Yeah. That's what for my that's what I was correct but I don't believe that's ever going to happen and I wouldn't put them on that because this this benefits us tremendously. We just got to you know again my thing is let's get those numbers I think through the chair you know to have a meeting next Thursday if with those extra numbers then we the next board then we can have an emergency meeting I

065mean again respectfully to you my you know we can always have a meeting a special meeting or emergency meeting at a moment's notice you know so it's not nothing that we can do because unfortunately right now I feel that I'm under the gun because this is March 31st and I'm having a meeting now you know about this topic which I think it should have been brought up before personally. So again, today's the 20th. I got 11 days, you know, for I can help these teachers, that I can help this program, that I can move this forward in the right way. And that's respectfully saying 11 days. That's just the 31st, but our next board meeting is on Monday the 24th. So really, I only have one, two, three, four days, calendar days. And I, you

066know, it's I'm out of breath. My gut hurts again. Whatever you know I understand all sincerity wherever I find the money I claim I find is just going around in circle because that money could have been used to offset something else I could call it a dog I could call it it's still money that could have been used yeah basically is what I'm trying to say I mean I could call it end All it does make somebody all it does is make somebody feel better in their head. Money still being spent that couldn't you still that same money could have been used to provide cover and other purp that that makes some sense. It does make people feel better. makes people look at us that we're not just spending willy-nilly without considering all the ramifications

067that we're being good stewards of the taxpayer balance that we are aware that we have to end the school year this fiscal year. We got to end with a balanced budget. We can't end this school year with the $288,000 deficit no matter. So, this money is going to have to come from somewhere else. So it does it does bear more discussion and it sounds like there's a taste to postpone this and he'll try to get it in under the deadline by holding a committee meeting suggested day that he was if he's if my my thought was through uh what Mara was talking about you know before Monday but then I think that will put everybody such a big under the gun. Yeah. that maybe if we could have get something done by Thursday. Um but

068then what will happen? Yeah. A special meeting on Thursday with us. Um and then Madam Chair is on the line right now um of the board, Miss Jennifer Perez, then maybe having a special meeting, you know, an emergency meeting on Friday just to nail this with the whole board. You know, I don't know how that works with you guys, you know, with the board as far as that quick. I know emergency meeting can't be done like that but well we would have to notice it. I mean we would have can't be an emergency meeting. It has to be plenty of time. I won't be available. We could we could do it over. Yeah. And also it doesn't give the teachers and the applicants enough time to apply for the program. They would have to do

069it over the weekend. It would give them assuming approval just two days to apply. I don't know what that application process looks like if they have to generate essays or anything. Well, they haven't already to apply right now. He's just confirming that they already, you know, did complete it. Correct, Mike? So, they they saw interest and they've been told that they have put the application by the 31st. Is that correct? That's correct. Yes. So, now you just been confirming people that are saying yes, you know, I I'm still interested. I put my thing in. You got four right now that said, you know, I already put my full application in. That's correct. So, so through the chair, Mr. new. I know she put you under the gun, Miss Marissa. But I like her plan, too,

070because I wanted I want to get this forward to the full board, but I want to get that information to them of how kind of like, you know, an an example of, you know, this is how, you know, if somebody moves from this position to this position, meaning, you know, whatever seven to now, uh, 7 8 9 10 to position 10, if they're are going to be in a higher bracket because they're going two steps plus the regular step that they would because of the contract year. Um, but then we're going to be able to move them from, let's say, an elementary level over, but now we're going to be bringing somebody else, you know, kind of like that cost that kind of like offset some of those, you know, that raise of, you know,

071that gain come from those steps because that's going to add to our budget. Definitely when we know everybody's moving up every year. If I may chair, um, I'm going to need the current step. Those are teachers are the ones that are applying. Well, you can't really decide. But again, since there are veteran teachers, they must be at a higher step. What I'm trying to get to is showing how much the veteran teachers that are going to be applying will be making even if they did not apply, they will still be making that money without that twostep inqu. So bringing in a te you know not so many years veteran teacher at a lower salary can compensate the difference in pay when you bring it in that's the same that I would like you to bring

072direct to board that way they just get an idea they can get idea that being said I'll make a motion to move to the full board discussion and possible and possible referral to the forward. The extension of the GRE agreement for the 2425 advancement alternative route to certification and sped agreement. Second. Any further discussion? All in favor? I I'm going to vote no, but the motion carries. is uh let the record reflect that the chair of the board, Miss Jennifer Perez, has arrived in the meeting quite a few minutes ago. I forgot to ask if she has any questions, but I guess you can ask one. She would raise. Um yeah, without Oh, yeah. Before before um Miss Perez or Mr. or Dr. Avery, can you kindly see that that gets on the agenda, please?

073Yes. Next item on the agenda is financial report February 28th update 2020. Okay, I'll take what I've given um this again the financial report is basically what what what been going what we've been going through all along. Um it's layer may at this point the current year current year year end projection the gap has been closed on the deficit it's been closed. If you look at it we've gone through this with the gap closing measures the measures are there all along. So if you get to the end of it going to see that current year all the way. Thank God thank God that the governor approved the $1.8 million special education funding for this year. The governor approved it. So if you go to page eight, you're going to see being used as a gap

074closing mer approved. The only thing that's the only two things that are pending is page seven things that are listed on the current year. 25 year end projection which is for total of $400,000 and the reduction of operation department over time and and the additional layer of um additional lay $300,000 when you deduct is it's only going to be 300,000 this year net because of the time um 9 months of the year has gone by. So yeah end in 3 months. So you're only going to have savings of three months if you lay them up. then you're going to have to pay them unemployment. So, when they net it all out, the net savings, but next year is when you get the full effect. Meaning that you're going to have to lay up, you're going

075to have to lay off up to 3 something million, $3.2 million for opposition in order to get $2.5 million next year. So, 11 of 3.2 two has to happen this year. Then you only have the savings for about 3 months, but you net out the cost of the of the unemployment and vacation coming from one to the other savings. When you net it all out, it eats up into your current year savings. Next year is when you have full saving for the entire years. But the board hasn't committee and the board hasn't taken action on those two items. Those are the only in pending one. The committee and the board takes action then we would know for sure current year budget is in balance. However, it's predicated and based on using $22 million internal service

076fund just 22.4 4 million on page six. I see this 22.4 million of the in China fund money is being used this year to balance this year financially. What it means is a nonrelenishable money meaning that it doesn't reoccur. It doesn't grow again. What it means is that that 22.4 million shortfall will be carried. It will be beginning deficit by next school year. That's what we need. In addition to cost of living increase relative to next year, under normal circumstance in a given year, Bridgeful budget at minimum goes up by 12 to 14 million. 8 million is for salary increase for nurses, teachers, everybody else. and what you call the pension contribute that the district has to contribute towards their employees. Health insurance is about $45 million a increase a year. We just got the

077health insurance premium from the state. The rate the increase come July one they're proposing 12.6 12.6% increase which is pretty pretty bad. authority I mean generally they shoot high then they come when municipalities crime pop they come down a little bit so I don't see it being less than 10% it's about it's going to be about 10% at the end of the day so you t on special education which has gone up $30 million in six And the average increase, the average annual increase this district has gotten in the last nine years, the average every year is $3.8 million. When you combine the average from the state, this city everywhere from all funding sources, the average increase is 3.8 8 million a year is not even able to cover the salary increase is half of

078the salary increase. Then you talk about special education transportation transportation of transporting these children. Talk about the light bill, gas bill. Everybody know knows what UI you're coming up. They're heating these buildings air conditioning but it's compressors and all this air conditioning when they go down. So you find out that the annual we like it I'm sorry to put it that way to sustain the district functional when you putting all these things into into operation with the normal special education increase you're looking at 20 $25 million every year that the budget should be increasing in order to maintain service but it has only gone 3.8 million in a year. The district survived the the last four years by supplementing with the SM grant money. There's no more grant money that has and so the compounded

079effect of all those cumulative increase is what you're facing today. It did not go away. He was just being sheltered or hared with the problem did not go away. The problem was just multiply compound. Um and we need to get uh this up on the website. Yeah. Well, it's okay with it. I'll put it up on the website. I just did not want to put it on the website. Then when things are not approved because one thing I don't want to do is go on the assumption that it will be approved and the board doesn't approve it then it's going to be like then I'm going to take it out again. Then people are going to start saying whoa what is going on. Well when when you posted these updates you're posting up at this

080moment in time it looks like this. you're not posting projections and all that like if you if you go back if you go go into the website you look at the 20 the financial condition reports that are posted four times a year because it's required to be post at a fixed moment in time. Yeah. that not gave something. I mean, then if we approve something after the October 31st, if we approve something after the December 31st or whatever date, then that follows through until the next quarterly report. I I will obey it because it's much more clear now that the board is, you know, Monday the board is going to approve. Then I know it's a solid plan. It's not going to change. These capital measures are not going to change the whole lot anymore

081for the rest of the year because they already approved the layout. The most of the layout have been done. Some of the layout I should say the ones you have approved in. Yeah. I want to um let's go back on something. You said the district has about 12 to 14 million increased fixed cost every year. Right. And that's something that's something we know basically beyond a doubt. It's not subject to any fluctuations or any surprises. This is a known fixed cost, right? This this is shouldn't be surprising to anybody at the state, the city, any of our fun shouldn't be surprised that increased cost of wages and stuff like that because it baked into every district's budget, right? So, knowing this, the state of Connecticut and the city of Bridgeport, our funders have given us

082an average of what every year? An average $3.8 million. Average of $3.8 million. So knowing how much we need to maintain the status quo, which is not all that great, they've underfunded us approximately 8 to9 million per year for the last forever. Yeah. I mean through here just like I gave in my testimony yesterday on the SB1511 Bridgeport has the highest number of students 19,734 as of October number yet the ECS education cost sharing that the state gives aware of G gave this school year 200,000 is earmarked for Bridgeport 220 million or 220 200 million is the mark for Bridgeport. Harford that has a lesser student population is getting 220 million 20 million more than British with less students. That's what I said the formula. The issue is not changing the formula or change increasing

083the reimbursement therapeutic. Yes, you increase it. However, you have to change the base formula because it's faulty. That's inevitable to begin with. You can change you can increase reimbursement but if you didn't change the base formula that's wrong from beginning if I've not done brick for favor or giving us our ideal equitable equitable shield for government. Thank you. Any questions on [Music] just want to comment on page seven the um solutions. So I want to thank you for really just being creative and trying to balance this budget because I know it's no small fee. Um what concerns me is that none of these are sustainable if our costs are going to go up. So what's going to happen is that next year, next fiscal year, our budget, our expenditures are actually going to go up

084again. So what are we going to do at that point? We're going to get rid of more parents at one point or another. When is enough? When is it enough? And I'm not saying the I'm not saying it's your fault or anything like that. I'm just saying it for the public to understand the severity of this issue. Everyone is dealing with inflation, a dozen eggs, $10. Yeah. What is it going to be next year? Benefits, all of that. It's a huge problem. So, what I'd like to propose, obviously, we're going to have to make some of these terrible decisions. In my perspective, we need to try to make decisions that are sustainable. Sustainable. By that, I mean, can we go to the larger um districts, school districts? We're having issues with the state um the

085insurancees. We spoke about this, Joe. Um using the wrong terms. Um, but can we go to them and say, "Hey, we're having issues with this. Are you guys seeing similar situations? Can we partner up in hopes of having the state take action because this is we I don't want to make these decisions every year because we're not properly funded. It's not fair to our kids." Yeah. Very true. I couldn't say it any better, but so I have uh you know some of the numbers. You know, state funding has not kept pace with inflation. Inflation has been 1.72 yearover-year compared to the average inflation of 3.64 between two 2017 and 2024. But we have the er that ECS has not changed. It's it has stayed the same. Yep. The same. And this is the issue that

086we've been, you know, speaking about to the state. This is why we need more parents and more leaders in the community. And I'm calling you guys out in the sense of encouraging you and putting some fire because again, this should not be acceptable to any parent, any student, any past student, any educator, any administrator, anybody in our district. That inflation is 1.72. But yet they have never increased from 2017 to 2024. They have never increased whatsoever the ECS formula. It has not changed. They have not put that increase just for us to meet our need. And that's why we know for a fact that over $674 million less has been given to us compared to the other district which are pred uh predominantly white school districts. You know we are the district that has the

087lowest per pupil spending serve more students with additional learning needs. We have the the the capacity over 19,700 kids and our kids are the ones that are have the more need as far as their home uh you know poverty broken homes, homelessness you know uh uh mental health uh special ed. We are the highest ones but yet we don't get no compensation whatsoever to take care of these students. None at all. And this is why we're in a predicament and I want the community to know and this is why we have to make some of these hard decision that my wife was speaking to this uh to the uh testimony that this is why we continue to have to have to make these hard decision and to talk. Listen, I would love to say, you

088know, great program. Let's move it forward. It works. It helps. We don't have to worry about the financing because we have the financing. We will be wonderful to have the same per pupil budget as Greenwich. We won't have to make any of these cuts. We won't we will be adding services to make sure we can meet every single student's need. They want to say it's not a matter of of money. Yes, it is a matter of money. Yes, it absolutely is a matter of money and money is not the answer, but money is the only way we can hire these certified teachers. Money is the only way we can get these programs going. Money is the only way that we can have a nurse in every single uh CL uh school in our district. They

089don't have to go two days in one school and three days in another back and forth. You know, it's not fair uh to our kids. So, definitely this is, you know, what's needed and this is what we're fighting for and we need more people to come out and fight because the fight is not over. Um another question on page uh or another now a question on page eight that you have mentioned new book uh on the number six item number six object six and you have the midyear uh legislative event is 1.898 898 for this year and also for next year. Is that correct? Yeah. Because I see it here and I just thought I just thought that was pretty I mean it's a weird thing that I'm still battling with which current year the

090legislators kind of twisted the governor's arms and brought it in but this year the 1.8 that the Brickford received for additional special education plan. The issue is it's nowhere in the next year budget, the state budget. However, it's repeated in the governor 27 budget. So there's a gap, right? I think there's a gap. So all we hope we're hoping that the legislators will with the most intent that they apply to bring that money into this year will always fund it next year in the budget in the budget deliberation that they're doing because it's already factored in in governor 27 bucket that lump but there is a gap between the two years I just put it there with all hopes try to be logical But again, sometimes it can never write theological. Um, where it's it's

091a it's an option of closing the gap. So, do I know if I if they're going to fund it? And it makes rough no sense, but it's not been approved by the legislator. That's what I'm trying to say. Is it page six? Mhm. under uh the grand total line I see in 20 an estimate for 25 year end forecast I'll use the word again forecast 322,710,742 y that is an exit of over 13.7 million over what we had budgeted Mhm. How we get there? Well, I mean going back to trend that part of it is actually increase in special education cost to better is driven by increasing special education cost. Some of them some of those increases are also driven by some programs programs that have funded in prior year but they're supposed to be

092discontinued this year. It hasn't they haven't been in this country. So through the chair, I would like to get a a a a breakdown on how that those two numbers uh you know where is that 13.7 through the chair again it wasn't discontinued but it it hasn't been discontinued but do not forget that in the gap closing measures by freezing all citywide operational accounts. Yeah, that's part of pulling back who are discontinuing those programs as well as the lay of the date approved yesterday in Ma the $2.1 million you left that savings you laid off almost of lay the board total $10 million $10 million but you can only gain $2.1 million this because you you did a lot of late and you have to pay them their accumulated time, vacation and unemployment between 6

093months. So that reduced your net saving. What you're seeing here is a net saving. So to answer your question that 12 million you're questioning is already being reduced with this gap closing measure by withdrawing it back or pulling it back reducing it back to the level you should have been taking the proper act by doing operational account freeze doing attrition no reckless hiring well I shouldn't say reckless I'm sorry only essential hiring of teachers and classroom teachers. No discretion or hiring of personnel except student needed service teaching the layoff for next year. That layoff be $10 million. That's what we want approved. But you only going to you're only going to harness 2.1 this year because of the timing. Next year you're going to get 7.9 million. full effect yesterday next year of the of

094the 7.9 million as a gap in me next year. So again, if you wouldn't mind through the chair just giving me or giving us the board an understanding clearer understanding on how those two numbers got to where they are there with uh that bill. I appreciate it. I think one of the reading index maybe clear up a little more. We want you to take the number 322 710 742 have a series of minuses and then a bottom number of 309 350 61 but those numbers of the minuses put the accounts next to them that all reach that number. Is that clear? That's correct. That's itemized. Thank you. It's all here though. Okay. All I have to do, let me be clear. All I have to do, you have current year budgeted amount. Okay. You have

095project predicted amount. All I have to do with when I update the February financial commission report, all I have to do is put the various column between current year. Okay. Like I said when I was presenting this spreadsheet here, I'm sure no board member, none of you have ever this is a very complex scenario. I'm going to let everybody Yeah. Yeah. Let's cut to the chase. We're trying to make the complex scenario simple. Simple. So when I do put it in your top line, that's it. And the five say subtractions subs. That's not a big deal. No, no, no. We'll get it done. I know what they're wanting. We'll get it. I didn't mean to be so abrupt, but this going in a little bit of a circle. So, yeah, cuz cuz part of part

096of the thing is about this understanding and if we if we're struggling or some of us are struggling, one of us are struggling, we can't go out into the community. So we can't advocate properly unless we be totally behind. So uh Miss Per Miss Perez, anything? Yes. Hi. Good. You cut off. I could hear you. I said, "Do you have any questions?" Oh, no, I don't. Okay, awesome. All right. So, um yeah, this is just a report. We're going to get the February thing post. Um, now for the now for the hard discussion and possible referral to the full board of additional position and or program eliminations to reduce budgetary needs for the fiscal year 2526. That brings us to page what's that brings you to page seven. I know it's here already. You can

097ask questions. Okay. Um basically proposing the elimination of 2 to1 parent in the school or classes. This was the board had the board had eliminated those positions in the past. They were reinstated when money was in place. Now money has ended. So back to square one pretty much. There are 44 that pay employees that not employees just for clarity. You're not laying you're not laying board of employees anymore. They're paid through the agency. So the big so no district employee is losing their job and no district power employee is losing their job. Kindergarten parent is losing their job for clarity sake. So we're just going to what's going to h what's going to happen? We're just going to cut the services with the agency or terminate the contract to the agency and that stuff will

098stop coming. How many? 44. 44 out of 44 out of 44 cars. Okay. But I'm saying how many are coming from Delta? I understand. They're all coming from all of them are coming from Delta. Yeah. And they're all going to be getting That's what we're trying to Okay. Yes. But there's no chair. The district will not pay any unemployment. district will not pay any health insurance forward if you ask me. There's no refutual cost. This is Mr. Instant question as always said the one number one dear that solution could you explain what par professionals do in kindergarten classes professionals are uh individuals that support the the classroom teacher in the day-to-day operations of the classroom and I know the answers to all these questions I'm going to ask you. I'm sorry, but um I we

099hate to let the public know that we know what we're doing. We know this decision is hard again. I came here the year after we originally eliminated the kindergarten par professionals to eliminate these par professionals that we brought back. It was understood when we brought them back. It was always part of the plan that this was temporary although gut-wrenching and disgusting that we as a district have to make this decisions like this in a when all our surrounding districts do not. But this was always part of the plan. Now what we are losing due to underfunding and having to make this decision is in our inner city where many children cannot afford to go to preschool. Their first time away from their parents 20 not even knowing how to tie their shoes sometimes some needing

100assistance in the bathroom. One teacher will now be responsible to service all these children all by themselves without supports. This will also cause our children to fall behind the rest of the districts because while the teacher is helping that student tie their shoe, while that teacher is helping that student in the restroom, while that teacher's comforting crying child because they miss mommy and daddy, that teacher is not teaching the alphabet, that teacher is not teaching one plus one is two. So those children are learning on losing out on that time. And that is a disgusting cut. I'm going to have to vote for it. move to the full board today because we cannot afford it. This is what this state and this is what the state and local government is forcing upon our children. And

101when I say you're bringing programs for money, this is what I see. I see possibly of $288,000 too. Put a few more people in these classrooms. This is why I see this is why the budget works all holistically. It's all an emotional document. We're going to be going back and forth on all of this stuff making the most painful decisions we have to make because not because it's in the best interest of the kids because it's in the least worst interest. It's the least harmful things we can do. Least harmful things we can find at this point in time unless we get properly funded at 100% of our needs. People need to come out here and help us. I do not want to make these decisions, but we have to. Any questions? I have a

102procedural related question. So we have all of these solutions, possible solutions, right? All of these possible solutions if referred to the board, the board approves them would be implemented immediately. Well, or beginning of the year. Sorry, chair. For the pars, we're going to do it beginning of next fiscal year. We're going to that's the proposal. That's what I proposed. Well, that's what I recommend to defer until they have two to one parent of the year. Then come next time. That's only line one that we line. Yeah. So we will know how much the city will give us for the next fiscal year 26 20 256 the one that we have a huge um gap in. So let's say God willing we get more than we expected these solutions we can and I guess this is

103a procedural we could go back on some of these right like let's say if any of the eliminations of the that we would be voting on would not go into play until August of this year. Right? So let's say at the end of May we get more money than we were expecting from the state. Putting that out there and you understand more than we can answer. So then we can say okay we received more than we were expecting. Therefore solution one solution two we don't have to implement it beginning August. Is that correct? We we we can pull back. Uh when does our contract with delta t end? It's an open. What? It's a place. It's a per placement contract. Yes. Well, I don't which that's right. I'm asking to to try to ask see

104what has question. But you told clear if the contract ends in 2027 26, we could still utilize then if funds offense. Absolutely. Absolutely. So, that contract is still in effect. It's like it's like a paper use. Okay. I just wanted to be clear that I'm just putting positive vibes out there that we get more money. Um, we can certainly cancel out any of these potential solutions. Well, some of them, but some of them might be a little hard to bring back, but this one this one seems to be a simple easy way forward to pull back. Um, thank you. But but I do want to emphasize it's going to be very impactful to the classroom. And so I think that's something that that that has to be, you know, spoken to the public so they

105will know that it's it's going to be very impactful to the classroom because our kids are coming into the system at an earlier age with more uh you know immediate needs that is it's impacting the educational environment at the younger ages. So that that's that's the other you know thing we just have to consider as well. Hey. Okay. Madame Chair, Mr. Perez, um I just want to clarify ask ask a clarifying question. Um when you say two to one, that means every every uh two classroom is sharing one parah. Yep. That's okay. Just wanted to clarify. best. Yeah, that was a cut back in probably 2015 that we went to from one to one to one to three two to one and then that got eliminated in 201 161 17 school year. So um oh

106yeah another another cool related question to the Paris. How many um certified parents do we have in districts that are bargaining in the bargaining? Yeah, there's a difference. Uh so these people who we're talking about are delta t all other paras are assigned through 1522. Now, some might not be union paying dues members, but they're still protected by, you know, they still 1522 still had the obligation to protect them in some in some sort. How many do we have? A total pair of I don't know the number off the top of my head, but I because I know when when's the last time we hired one? Oh, we're constantly hire uh for paras. That's one of those positions that we never take the posting down because it's such a high need position, especially since, you

107know, we took four paras for the parent to teacher program. We're constantly hiring parents or at least posting to hire parents. We hire them as much as we can pretty regularly. I know in the past month we've hired a couple uh to kind of get into the need, right? Because ultimately in a wellunded district, we want stable parents working with our children every day. rather than from a per perspective if you look at you know Dave Ohio throughout our per do stay you know they are invested with the city they they they do stay um we're not losing parents the same way we're losing say teachers if we do get oh here's another thing we haven't really discussed with the budget as far as question and probably because we also at the end of this

108gap closing measure we can assign values if the money comes back we can assign a value this is the power of professionals because that was before this is number one to bring back and board priorities whatever we're cutting right now prioritize what to bring back in order of u the values of us as a board as well in the process cuz we know how to use it. Okay. So, I don't want No, I want to do this line by line and give it the respect it deserves. Um, okay. Oh, sorry. and make a motion to refer to the full board the elimination of 2 to1 C kindergarten power professionals funded through Delta T that was reinstated with ESR funds Hence the question the question. So I was going back and forth and this decision like

109truly troubles me. Mhm. Um, so after the last board meeting, I asked for a bunch of different um, objects and descriptions and all of that stuff. And my train of thought behind that exercise was, let's try to cut back in the classroom first. So my my trouble here with this is I get it now that it's a clean cut because there's no bargaining unit, none of that, but have we looked at like every single possible upcoming overtime? I I know that there was large overtime being build to the budget. Um the there was and I will say I was very surprised by going through line by line of that budget that the majority of the things in that budget we cannot do anything about. It's medical it's it is what it is. Um so that's

110kind of crazy to me. us. Have we truly exhausted that? And I know from the questions that I asked you, there was probably like 50 or 60 line items here. And my questions were about maybe 10 line items that I thought we can address. Um, okay. Chair, I've gone through this budget and I really looked at every line item, looked at the history. That's why if you go to line four, I honestly feel that over time should be cut. That's kind of aggressive, you know, and we got stuck today at least hopefully got quite some usage that's already been done. So you can only try to streamline or curtail it for the remaining two three months. The most you can save there because most of the money have been spent is $100,000 for this year.

111But if we start early next year, put public operations department on a monthly overtime accountability on a monthly overtime budget factoring in the trend of the seasonality. You have to when you do analysis you have to account for the trend and in seasonality of the over overtime expenditures how much you spend in over time when the January February snow plow is not going to be what you spend in overtime when there's no snow. So those are what they call seasonality in project. You have to factor them in based using historical data. Again the way I look at it we had a lot of extra money. Okay. A lot of work was being done. Capital improvements were being done. Resurfacing CS and all those things and doing a lot of improvement in all the buildings. The

112money was there. Most of the expenses were being charged too. those as a fun one thing with human beings sometimes once you taste money you know you establish started living that way difficult what I'm trying to say here if you establish three four years of trend of over time level in both things but we have to streamline it that's the bottom one um So that line item is only for facilities over time. Have we looked at overall facil uh over time? I'm sorry. We'll get down to that. We're out of power. No, no worries. Someone's is distracted when you start asking, but the power professionals. Okay. Then I'd like to just point out that if every single one of these cuts passed today for phase two, we got 20 million to go. 20 to 20.

113I'm I'm assuming minimum of three from the city. You hear that guys? Five, 10, 15. But there still 20 million. We still got a long way. And unfortunately through the through the past and these eliminations these are the lowhanging fruits so to say and we're really going to have to buckle down and meetings and ask for more reports and go actually we'll find basically go find who's comb through the budget. Yeah. Like they do on the city. We've never really done that on this board, but that's something I'm encouraging this go around that we sit down whole day with depart department by department, line by line, step by step. It's it's going to be a long road. The other thing I will say to the line item that we're chatting about, so there was other

114items that I chatted about. So, what I'm trying to do is really not get rid of I'm trying to take solution one off the books if we can find savings elsewhere. Can we increase sustainability efforts and reduce the amount of printing? It was like $15,000 for postage. Can we reduce that? Um, we feel like we should be using tools that we already have like parent square. We shouldn't be mailing anything out. Well, we'll need postage obviously um for legal stuff, but does it truly need to be 15 $50,000 worth of postage? I don't think so. Um so, I have kind of what I put together here. of you can like look into this further. I will say none of it will equate to the savings of solution one, but every penny counts. Absolutely. So, I'll

115send this to you afterwards. And then to that point again, this will be bringing back this will be the priority one to bring back this line. Yep. Will be priority one if the funds are found elsewhere. Mhm. And a contract will still be open and we can still bring them back if possible. And we still got to find 23 million after this income. Yes. So in order to bring them back, we got to find 24 in excess 24 something million in excess of course. And as you've been over the budget, you see there's not very much places we can cut. So we're going to have to depend on revenue. If that revenue comes in, be a very happy man. Yep. And we would consider rather than that maybe increasing the pay for Paris to draw

116more Paris to the district so we could have permanent Paris like all the other districts surrounding us left, right, north and south. There any further discussion on this item. The motion is to push to the full board. Solution one, item one, the elimination of kindergarten parish fun through delta 2 the full board. It's been seconded. Any further debate, discussion? [Music] If I may ask number two, item one. solution number two item one. Thank you. Thank you for your questions. All in favor? I posted second. Motion carries. an item two two solution 22 22 two elimination of 11 restorative practice positions that were funded through ESR funds and carried to the 2526 school budget again this was part of the original plan these positions were I think they were there before the way they were just

117funded due to a story behind that there's a whole lot historical pieces that this this particular line item is was switched over from the inschool suspension position that was that was in the district. It was eliminated by administration prior to this administration. Um, and can you say I'm sorry. Can you state the years? You're talking about the 20 23 24 school year. 23 24 school year strong. Yes. They they eliminated the in school suspension positions that was districtwide. And I'm sorry that one of those in school suspension positions just shifted over. I think there were existing positions that were funded by the district that was required by the district that was limited by eliminated by administration. Fundings from those positions were funded was used to fund the restorative practices positions because that $936,000. Okay. I'm

118sorry. Continue, please. Sorry. I said I'm sorry. Continue. Okay. Um, in school suspension positions were in place 20 in 2023. 2023 they were removed and the monies were allocated to hire nine restorative practices facilitators in the district that that are currently in the district. Now, last year, the state of Connecticut um sanctioned the district and said the in school suspension positions are required by the state of Connecticut. And so we found additional dollars from ESSER to fund those to to reinstate in school suspension officers in the district. So simultaneously we had last year in school suspension officers and restorative officers you know in the district uh this year we use the remaining pieces of dollars of esser to fund the in school suspension uh positions for this year. Next year we will not have dollars

119to fund. So eliminating these positions will help to fund and continues to fund the in school suspension. So you're not going to see savings here because we're required by the state of Connecticut to have in school suspension in our buildings. Although we won't be able to fully fund in school suspension officers on every single campuses. It's going to have to be a split, you know, positioned on at least two campuses, half day and half day. Um, some campuses will use in school suspension more than others. Uh sometimes depending on the the time of the year, there may be more in school suspension occurrences at certain campuses because of spring when spring when spring come up and and it's March, April, you know, getting getting out of the the cooler seasons into the warmer seasons, kids

120start to kind of, you know, when spring springs, yeah, spring is sprung, whatever it's called. uh you know you have an uptick in trend shows trend shows that there's more usage of being school suspension. So I wanted to make sure I verified clarify this particular cost saving. It will not be a it's it'll be a savings but it's going to be utilized for in school suspension carryover for the next school year. Technically it's a savings but it isn't saving because it's already pretty much earmarked so that we we are in compliance. The way it is now budget approved. He has no comment. Yes. So does this 936408 does it not it doesn't impact the 23? Right. So the 23 um number that we still have a gap up. It's not going to go up by

121900,000. Right. The more ideal way to do it if you ask me budget for the board or China committed to eliminate the funding of the in school. Eliminate the positions and funding associated with in school. then reestate. Oh funing associate funding like funding associated funding associated with already. Yes. Okay. That means once you get enough funding on those beloved position, they don't exist anymore, then labor will pay those people up. But you're going to have to re you're going to have to reinstate or budget in school again. Yes. So through the chair, I'm sorry, I want to hint. Go ahead. Go ahead. So putting this number here respectfully shouldn't have been put here the way you because you know math needs to math like some of my friends say and adding that number in there

122is really not you know it's really not a saving we're going to be getting rid of the position and it should be near kind of like I would say in bracket or parentheses because of what the superintendent said that that money is advocated now for those 11 restorative private positions, but that money needs to now be allocated like, you know, we're going backwards. What we did last time, we wouldn't be re, you know, fixing. So really, there's not a savings, but you're putting it out there and when you do the math is coming up as a savings, but it really isn't. So, it shouldn't be added in here. So, this I believe under my understanding should be corrected. But again through you guys again the whole idea it's position that we funded with SM is

123being put here every one of them has to be vetted you talk to the board to get the whole story. Yeah, I got a question. Okay, this maybe it was answered when I went to the restroom panel, but go ahead. We got um 11 restorative practices on here. We have and school suspension officers. So, so that would be a total of 22 positions. getting rid of the No, I mean so until right now at this moment in time for four eliminations between an in school suspension and restoative practices. How many positions do we have? You're the chair. We currently have no inschool suspension officers this fiscal year. We are dealing with nage because that's a that's a bargained position that was eliminated back in 23 and they were now everything is this restorative practices specialists.

124We now have to put the inschool suspension officers back in through nage through the bargaining unit and remove these restorative practices. And that's the um that's the grievance that was filed against the district by the bargaining agreement. These people were removed from their position back in 23. The position came back up. They had to be put back into the position per their their bargaining unit and instead these re restorative practices were put in. So these restorative practices will have to be removed and replaced with inschool suspension officers. But currently there are no inschool suspension officers. this at this moment working in the district. Okay. So, so we just got these 11. So, eliminated, right? In eliminating need they need to be eliminated. If there was a cost savings, it would be this. But we've got

125to bring them back for statewide purposes. But it could actually be C. taking it. You you only you're bringing back the the funding source for to fund the in school suspension, you know, officers. Right now, Delta with the way we're doing in school this year, the state gave us a little wiggle room. We have Delta subs in every building doing in school suspension. Okay. Yeah. Yes, you're right. You're having two. You're having the Delta T services. Okay. acting as and that's a and that's a current expense baked into our budget right here. So eliminating this number will in fact give us the savings while we're still using the delta t substitutes in the buildings that we're using. But eventually we're going to need next year we would have to the state gave us you know

126permission to to f fulfill this year using the subs. Next year we we had to go and we had to renegotiate with the union that we're going to give their position back to the union. So next year union is working with us as well. Next year we've we've said we negotiated with them that based on the requirement of the in school suspension officer we're going to reinstate that position starting in August. But we have to find the funding to do it and this is the way this this funding the $97,000 is how we're going to fund that position for next. So really shouldn't be a should not but he but he did it so that to work through this process him and I we how many we've been talking about that the whole time so

127he knows I'm talking but there's still going to be I'm assuming there's still going to be some sort of savings between the cost when you add the cost of the delta t the money we're spending on delta t now and then the money we're eliminating from this combined together when We hire the new people back cuz current currently we're paying Let me go through. Currently we're paying 936,000 for 11 positions. Got it. Currently we are paying delta tx for a number of from funds. They're from to the rest of the year. They're not baked into the operating. Yes. They're part of that 44 then. No that's I got you. That's totally how many inschool suspension officers do we need to have to meet to comply of the state in the sense of that we're thinking

128we can we can do nine. Yeah. And and that would be the coverage that we would need. I think that's based on conversation. I think that's a bare minimum. If we could get by with that, I think I think we'd be great with the possibility that we might have to add one or two, but I think the determination we made was nine could probably cover the district. How what what's the average salary or average cost? Uh it's 42 and change and benefits estimate for what's the out the average salary the nine serving price we have 11 11 um you can't do the average there because that's inclusive of the 20 that's the total cost right so that's the total cost they're roughly they're roughly going to be the same $2,000 two $3,000 difference for me

129because the the restorative practices are not bargaining unit members. Yes. That's the only difference the inal suspensions would be. So what what we're saying is we're going to add conditions but the number is really not going to have an impact. Miss Perez, do you have any questions? She got Oh, she Yeah, she done. It's about as time um it's about so if it operated by yeah but again we still got the whole idea here is that it is the board and funding the position give labor the more unquestionable authority labor relation and before I go I want to give just position the same respect I gave to kindergarten in Paris. Um, can you describe what the resol practice is? Go ahead. I know I know this question so I want you to so I don't

130know if you understood before. I know you were in the thing. So the storage practices are actually doing the work of a in school suspension. Correct. If I'm standing or there's not there's like two people doing the job of of one person. Correct. Correct. Yes. because you have in school suspension officers the delta I keep on I'm not going to refer to them the delta employees are in the schools they're in school suspension but they're not necessarily trained in restorative practices so I would what what isative practices and how is it beneficial to our students and what will our students be losing by these position well I mean it's one of the things that sort of practice you know individuals do they actually train they're trained in bringing, you know, conflict resolutions to students and

131giving them the skill sets and teaching them how to, you know, deescalate themselves and making sure that they can kind of, you know, get along with other other children or the person that they're having issues with. It's really training them to to to kind of self-monitor themselves. In addition to that, they also help teachers know interact and and train them on deescalating different types of skills. So, one of the things that is it's is it's important as you build upon your teacher development, your training for teachers at the beginning of the school year is being able to train everybody in restorative practices. So you can you can train the whole entire district on how to you know anticipate restorative practices opportunities when kids you know misbehave or you want to redirect behavior or whatever. So

132that's one of the things that we're going to hopefully tie back into our new teacher training, any of your training is bringing someone in to, you know, training all teachers in what they can do to deescalate to use the restorative practice to be able to work through that. And I think that Dr. Saki, are you online? Yes, Dr. Avery. Um you're my restorative practice expert. So I would prefer that you explain that than I. Yes. Yes. Yes. So you know so so I mean um so the whole idea behind um you know the restorative practices facilitator having someone who can help mend um the conflicts that arise within a building. So you know we're startive practices work alongside the um inschool suspension staff that are currently in in the building. So you know um so

133you know student is able to still get a consequence in terms of an in school suspension but also still have um a restorative conversation in order to mend the um conflict that arose whether it was between students or between students and staff. So, you know, this person, you know, that um as a state, Connecticut is one of the first states that has actually implemented um restorative um practices as the um as one of those state mandates. Um so even though um we are getting um even though we might be losing this particular position, I think is the training that's provided to staff. So, our administrators, our teachers, um just school staff in general um on restorative practices um will will will allow us not to necessarily have um the a specific person within that position.

134Um, so in other words, the training that everybody receives, so that that would be my hope and my goal. Um, is the training that will provide all of our staff in restorative practices um will allow the students to still get the the the restorative support that they need without it being a very um a specific person, you know, who who does it each time. Thank you. Um yeah, just just for clarification and simplicity purposes for myself. Um are we basically talking like the difference between punishment and rehabilitation? Basically, um I wouldn't say the sorry I wouldn't say the difference between punishment and and and reh rehabilitation. I think you know consequences still have to be given. Um but what restorative practices does is it helps to mend the um uh it helps to to mend

135or restore the conflict that arose from whatever the infraction was right so that's why I said you know it could be between um students getting into a conflict with each other it could be a student and their teacher you know going back and forth but what the restorative practice facilitator does is to help to again um bring them together um help them hear each other out um in terms of you know based on on on your actions this how your actions made me feel they actually get to listen to each other. So you know just doing the consequence in isolation without the restorative piece doesn't um limit or prevent the behavior from continuing but giving a consequence in addition to the restorative piece um it's what limits um repeat behaviors from happening. Awesome. And once

136again I I know you said this. I'm not sure I made the connection of Do the installed suspension officers have to be trained in restorative practices through the chair. I we're currently in negotiations with the collective bargaining unit on these types of issues. We can't disclose too much um especially you know in a public forum because it'll it'll you know the negotiations are are supposed to be private amongst themselves. Right. As far as the state mandate though, as far as the state mandate is for being required for restorative practices for in school suspension officers in school suspension officers I haven't heard of. I don't think that is a requirement. I think it's more of training of how to you know deal with those those types of disciplinary you know procedures. It's it's usually training of

137making sure that they're equipped. The more we give them the better they'll be equipped to deal with anything with inside that classroom. Yeah. And I'm not trying to be difficult. I'm just trying No, I'm just trying to expose what we are what we are losing because there there is a there is a difference because the restorative practice practitioners are more highly trained in restorative practices than the in school suspension officers will be playing catch up. So, we're losing that. We're losing something. These positions, all the positions we're eliminating are valued. They all value. They all have value to our district. If we had if we had all the money in the world, we would keep both through the chair. And I I understand what you're saying. My only thing I can say to you is

138we're working on a solution that would make that point. Awesome. Now, now what when what I say all when I'm saying all this, you just heard me say how valuable the kindergarten powers and all this. We still have to make these cuts. But each one of these professions, each one of these professionals deserve the respect of knowing that they are still valued even though we can't afford to pay them their value. And the public needs to know what we are losing step by step, inch by inch, as we go through all of these positions. I mean, people going to get sick of me before this is all over. It's got it's going to be a current thing. I mean, it's emotional. I get emotional at times, but in the end, I'm going to make the

139least worst decision for our children. And this is going to be one of the least worst positions we'll eliminate even though it is highly valued and valuable to our students. Does anybody have anything else on this final? Therefore, I'll entertain a motion to eliminate the 11 restorative practice positions that were funded through ESER and carried into the 2526 school year budget with the understanding that there's going to be no savings for the budget. Mr. Um truly I think the most way to handle elimination of funding of the restorative practice 11 restorative practice positions and reinstatement of funding of school suspension for next year. That way I will the negative number this savings will go away and it will be then the next I will add another line for the board to be an expense that

140I'll it was a second so they can make a new motion so that way we don't lose the in school suspension total in the budget that's because if I don't reinstate it here there will not be money I got I got it. I'll fix it right now. Entertain a motion to eliminate 11 restoative practice. Yep. Move to the full board of the elimination of 11 restorative practice positions and transfer the 936,480 to be used to reinstate school suspension officers. Second. Any further discussion? All in favor? I oppose. Motion carries. Dr. Avery, can you see this? Yes, sir. Agenda, please. Second. Number three. Motion two-3. Yes. Elimination additional carryover decisions that were funded with ES funds in 2025. Student call. You got a number of $2,500$25 million. I wish to can can we enumerate those position

141please again to the chair the $2.5 million again we are running late but that's that will for full effect for next year that's a net number sure in order to get to that $2.5 million net estimated approximately 3.2 two to3.3 million for a position on that bill unfounded. And do you have positions for us today? We can work with No, I don't have positions. If the border rules, we will make that Dr. has to agree on the positions that will be listed because he has to run the district. I mean, you know, I'm not an educationist. Technically, what this is something you've asked for that that we do and we're trying to make sure that we we we we go by the wishes of the board to try to figure out we need to do

142you you want to be public facing with it. We can find almost 3.1 3.2 million 2.2 2 million and we have to just we will we will we will we will we will take the lowest hanging fruit that we can find and we will put it in here. We'll list everything if this is something that the board wants us to do. We are we are getting ready to to tap into the classrooms if we when we do this. So that's what I'm I just want to make sure I put that out there. you know, we're going to do what you ask, but I want it's not let let me be clear. Not you, you know, what we feel financially that we can do and that we can that we can try to make sure that

143we put on the table for uh, you know, filling the gap of the dollars that we don't have. I I that's what my clarity needs to be. It's not you. It's not. It's just things that we feel we can do to consider in this one of the last rounds before we have to figure out if there's going to have to be a deeper cut. Right? To be clear, I'm asking y'all to find 2.5. I'm asking y'all to find 23 of them in eliminations because that's our gap. And to be clear, when we bring when you bring us this number, $2.5 million in cuts. I'm not going to move to the board. I'm not going to make a motion right now. Anybody else wants to to move $2.5 million in future cuts be determined later. I

144want to do what we just did right now. The Nation of Power Professionals position by position, step by step. You got to give us the recommendations. We got to either approve them, modify them, but deny them with the obstruction that we got to close this budget, this $73 million hole that we are facing. It's like he brought us the kindergarten parent professions. It's like he brought us this. Got to give us a menu to choose from. I can't walk into Mr. to Castello's office and say, "Give me a list of positions and then just start putting them here." I try I tried if I tried to put four I tried to put four directors positions that did not exist priests. You guys push back. Haven't put nothing else in their place. You need to see

145what you guys suggest. You got You got to go out there. This is We're not going to have a popularity contest. This is This is the hard stuff. This is the big bucks are for you guys that bring it to us for us to approve, disapprove, modify, make additional suggestions depending upon the community's input depending on our values because the budget is a reflection of the values that the city, the board, district. So we can't vote on this whole line. was hoping to get down to five million today, but apparently we're only going to get halfway there because there's no suggested cuts in there. We cannot keep putting it off meeting to meeting getting these suggested cuts. June is how many days away? I had the number last time less than n less than 90

146days away. The fiscal year got to be balanced. We cannot keep kicking the can down the road. We got to make the hard decisions. You guys are in the driver's seat to an extent. To an extent. I needed some clarity on that. You need some clarity. You are the superintendent of schools. You have the whole global picture. You know what needs we need to operate. You guys, you and the CFO should get together, do some math. We need $23 million in cutting. Scenario one. This scenario will save $20 million. We need to cut x amount of psychologists, x amount of social workers, x amount of classroom teachers. We need to have x amount of vice principles going from school to school having more than one school. We need solutions put before us. Just like Mr.

147We both presented solution one, solution two for about 17 18% of the cuts that we need to make. We need solution three, four, five, and six for the remainder of the 82. And if you guys don't do that, we are going to fail and we are not going to be able to close this budget in time for fiscal year 2526. And the state will take us over because we do not have a balanced budget. Yes, sir. Richard, is the board of the committee ready to close schools based on the feasibility? I was just told that closing schools was never on the table for next year and the savings cannot be had. We can't have it both ways. Are we predict are we going to close schools this year and try to capture savings? Somebody's got

148to say yes. Somebody's got to say no. Last I brought this up last year there was a panic. Don't say we're closing six schools. Don't say that. Then the f then the facilities pass the plan came out and you yourself said we're not going to be able to save money 2526. Which one is it? I'm not getting clarity on these answers. But well, Mr. Chair, uh recommendations were given for board consideration and that's what we're in that process right now. Correct. And your recommendation was we are waiting two years at least. No, possibly no closures in 2526. No closures in 2627. That was that was what I heard. I don't know if anybody heard anything different. Um what I heard that there's there going to be no savings captured for this upcoming fiscal year. So

149we got to find the money somewhere else. Nobody recommended closing schools next year to save money. That was not it. Was actually back. So we have to follow an entire policy to close schools and I absolutely I don't know that we can follow that entire policy because it requires establishing an entire committee and then vetting um the school closures the community needs to be involved. None of that stuff can get done in order to make a meaningful impact to 2526. it would make an impact to 26 27. All right. Yeah. Yeah. I I agree. At this point in time, it is now too late. If we moved a little quicker, we might have been able to do it. But to be fair, I did not bring up school closures in regards to the 2526 school

150year budget. That was Mr. Uber. So, what I need to do, I need for clarity. I need we need as a committee as a board 20 to$23 million in suggested cuts for the 2526 school year to bring our budget into balance. Failure to do so will not be put upon this board if we don't have the information we need to do our journals. Now school closures are off the table. That was pretty clear. you could play back the tape that we're not going to be able to save any money on that in 2526 school year. That was said on record several times. Who said I don't know? I wasn't listening. Somebody got to start listening. I'm sorry. Who said? I don't know. Who said? Who said? Well, it was mentioned by the chair. It was

151mentioned by the superintendent because they're hard decisions. I understand they're hard decisions to make, but we got to make them. We got some recognition. We made a few recommendations at the beginning of this whole process and it wasn't it wasn't fully considered by the board. And so everything has been done, you know, very strategically to try to get, you know, the decision about the assistant principles. It was it was a it was a very clear-cut plan to be able to do, but it was paused. It was kicked down the It was kicked down the road until the end of the end of the year. Correct. Again, absolutely. You just mentioned, well, we we got to stop kicking it down the road. We do. It's all we all agree on collectively decisions that's going to be

152in the best interest. And absolutely, it's a huge thing right now because it is $23 million and that's a lot. So when we come and make those recommendation is going to absolutely turn this district upside down. The panic across the district is going to be unheard of and we so we have to be very careful with that. So now we're being now now I don't understand. I don't understand how are we going to have it. How are we going to make cuts without you guys recommending and with you guys being full of panic and how we're going to balance this budget and not let the state take us over and make the cuts for us and and and wait, I'm not going to show. Um as far as the assistant principles, they're still baked into

153the budget for the 2526 that was not denied. It was paused. they could find new jobs and it could be an entire savings for that whole next year and that is only a magnitude of 2 point something that's like less than 10% of the total budget of cuts we need to make. So it's not even that material to this conversation where we still got to find and you guys got to present to us suggested cuts within the range 203 20 to$23 million within the next 90 days so we can balance this budget. is just around. So suggestion here just to kind of get us back on track. School closures is not going to help 25 26. That's a fact. We don't have the time. We have 90 days. You said I'm just right. Um to

154to balance this budget out. However, what I do suggest is that based on a master's facilities plan from a sustainability perspective, making cuts that make sense, that conversation gets revisited for the 26 27 Oh, absolutely. At this point, I think talking about school closures, we're not we're not going to get anywhere. we're not going to get any savings that need at least not the savings that we would want substantial absolutely from it. So I do agree with what the chair is saying. If I'm going to be voting on cuts, I want to know exactly what we're voting on what positions. So if you guys can break that down for us, that that would be great. Um so for for the solution three I think we just table it is that like the proper thing and

155and to reiterate not just the 2.5 20 to$23 million need to be removed from this budget in the next 90 days in order for us to balance it. We as a board cannot put these lines on all by ourselves. We tried to point of clarification. Yes. Yes. I'm sorry. Yes. I I I forgot about you. You when you pop you said um you said 20 you said 23 million cuts for which fiscal year? 2526. Did I me did I misspe? 20. No no no. I just want to make I I'm having difficulties hearing on my end. So that's why I was just clarifying. I may have missed bug because it's going back and No, no. I think I I just have um connection issues. So, I just wanted to hear it again. Thank you. Because

156that's that's that's the remaining gap. 20 to $23 million. Well, actually, since we're going to back this out 24 million back to $24 million and budget cuts that we got to find to be clear to Mr. Chrome's point of the 2526 school year without a single school closure. because I was taking off the table to the time. I don't want to go back and forth anyway. I mean, three, four months ago when the superintendent brought up the list of layoffs, I made it very clear. I said time every delay by time that was not implemented. Even if it's $200,000, we are going to be looking for that $200,000 the next year, right? Absolutely agree. I I I just made a similar argument, but in totality, the amount of budget cuts that were presented us really

157don't amount to more than 10 $12 million in total. So, it's still not there. So the fact remains from today forward, we still got $24 million to go and that needs to be brought before the board. Sooner rather than later, I mean I I spoke with the state guys the other day. I said they're watching the meeting. If you're watching, have a conf with the superintendent. I said tell them what I'm saying wrong. Tell them tell them what I'm saying is wrong or it's just wrong. Um, if their advice is to just not panic everybody and not have these conversations in public, just let us know. Send us a memo so the public could get on it and tell us that's we shouldn't be operating like this. We don't have to worry about these cuts.

158We don't have to move so fast. We don't have to panic people if that's the way the state wants us to move to kick the can down the road and not have these hard conversations, not have the superintendent and the CFO present us with potential cuts in this amount. Be more happy to hear that advice publicly. Question for Mr. the $2.5 million these are cuts beginning next in August, right? this year it has to be done this year but later part of the year that's why the 300,000 is there for this I see got okay towards the tail end of this year but the fullblown saving will come into play next year got understood is there a timeline you said towards the end of the school year honestly it's kind of late because this was

159put About two months ago, we hit the landmine on vacation. Come April one, the whole time, everybody, we lay off his entire vacation because it's April one is the year or the time that the vacation time kicks in. So if I have if I'm entitled to four weeks vacation come April 1, automatically I'm entitled to that four weeks vacation. If you lay me up, you're going to have to pay me that vacation. Um, again, that's why I said at the meeting on time is what I said. Time is money. Yeah. Um, I'm [Music] wondering I don't suggest and feel free to say no. um the $2.5 million between now and Monday's meeting, would you guys be able to identify those positions so that we can vote knowing exactly what positions would be so that we

160can get the savings from this school year and then the goal for the next school year? Um, it's not as simple as easy as people think because some of these positions that you're going to be targeting, they're mainly going to be operating budget targets. You have some rep to be operating budget. We're going to be get to what you're looking for $23 million. You got to have to get to the level of love. Oh, absolutely. Got to get to the level of secret. We got to get to see that. My understanding is what you want us to do is see that, you know, I think um have to scale back council to scale back social workers. Absolutely. Okay. I've been I've been knowing this for the last I've been knowing this from the rooftop for

161the last three four years. We'll provide you guys something. We'll we'll give you everything you want. Everything we need. Everything you need. Everything you miss. Porz. Yeah. Just to add on to that. Um first because I came I just came on late. So just clarify for me. Are we talking about next year's operating budget? Yes. Yeah. 25. Okay. Just making sure. And then the second thing is um yeah, I think it'd be helpful to know um I think Miss Mennez said this um and again I was cut off a little bit on my my connection, but it'd be helpful to know exactly the positions because I think that would be great for even our advocacy advocates. If we can't get this $23 million, we we are cutting these positions. Like that's that's the bottom line.

162And I think if we ha if we know those positions now, um it's gonna, you know, help our advocacy efforts in terms of trying to really um get those dollars from from the state and really put pressure on on on those who are funding us. Um we we can't we can't um we can't pay people at the end of the day and and we don't create our budgets. So that's uh I think that's just going to be um essential for us to really have that information sooner than later on exactly what's on the chopping block, you know. Um I hate to say it like that, but but we we need to know. And um whether it's whether it's layoffs or or program cuts or losing other services and you may have already said this stuff

163already, so I'm just I just got back on the call. So um yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Give me give me a moment. Um yeah, Miss Perez, um for the future, I think I think we're done discussing 2425. I don't think that's going to be a topic conversation anymore. So everything we refer to this point forward, we're talking about 2526. No, that's what I meant. That's what I and also to your point to the positions and uh to clarify my 90-day thing, especially since Mr. Unqual brought it up which I do believe we are going to have to get into the classrooms may not have to um let me correct the words the layoff words we might have to have a reduction in force because Mr. Traver so aptly pointed out that we have a lot of

164turnover that we may not have to resort to layoffs. We might just have to not replace teachers who leave the party and shuffle around. That's one thing. And um the second thing is we don't have 90 days. I misspoke because collective bargaining unit we have to inform staff whether their contracts being renewed as of May 1st I believe it is. So we have to May 1st to deal with our bargaining units to let them know whether their contracts renewed or not or will be in violation. So that will be savings not achieved for whatever we're penalized for not following the collective bargain. Chair just to be clear or make it clear as to what you they're looking for asking for right now the deficit because we reversed the 936,000 you're looking at $24.3 million right?

165Yes. Yeah. You're going to have to add 3.2 at least $3.2 million in CS is 2.5 because that was reduced enough to get to 23. So I have to add it back.4 looking for 28 26 27 27 million 27 to get 23 million to get $24 million in cuts. You're going to do $32 million in cuts net. You're looking for 24 net. And that's what we got. So we're going to do 30 $35 million in cuts. That's what we want. No, that's what that's what we are mandated by the state of Connecticut to do to balance and that's what I'm running with the money they gave us and that's what the superintendent is hired to do and that's what the CFO's main function is to deliver I just want everybody to be clear to get

166to closing the gap of 27 or 20 close to 28 million because that's where we are. You're going to have to do a of 35 to$ 36 million to achieve that message. Do you suggest I'm relating back? I'm just relating back. The the only other option than reality is for us to break the law, go into deficit spending, keep every single position, not have these hard decisions made, not panicking the public, keep everybody there, meet payroll until probably March 2025, like 2026, and then have no money to pay anybody and implode. We've almost been in that position before. Again, it's here. All I'm trying to relate to here is for people of people watching to know the magnitude that severity of the issue. That's all I'm religion. Absolutely. I agree. That's all I'm doing. So,

167so basically on that one, that one's going to be we don't we just could just move on with no action to from that. Hold on a second. You cannot get us that information or five Monday. No, no, that's I'm sorry. That's not I cannot deliver that one. And 35 $35 million in cuts by Monday. Oh, no. No. I was asking for the 25 I 25. Yeah, that's like 10% of what we need. Gotcha. And to find Okay. Solution 2.4. Solution 2.4. reduce facilities over time to 24 SP sorry I don't mean that but if we're going to be doing all this might well it's going to be cut let's meet on facilities overtime the 24th spending of 950 versus the 25 projection of $1.2 million that is uh going to be a savings of what

168350 50,000. But again, talk to the board. They're doing a monthly report or quarterly report to the board. Discussion. I remember this line. I remember this line already before we discussed it. We knew what we were going to tax uh this department even after the cuts of the many uh people that we had to cut due to the to budget to try to make sure that this year's budget uh is is uh balanced and we can figure out all the funding. So, this was a line that we talked about before and it's, you know, just making sure that we can try to limit the overtime even though that they're working with less staff and it's just something that, you know, got to see how we can guide it through. It's pretty clearcut this one because

169we've talked about it at least three times. Did you pass? So, I see only $350,000. There was a few um items where the overtime was $1.3 million and then there was another one that was roughly about $600,000. Why aren't those overtime options also suggested here? Um number the projection was one thing and they're trying to save and say limit them to no there was multiple departments. So if everyone everyone should be cutting as well not just facilities. So the very first page um we're looking at object 5118 512 right 51122 511 that's 1.3 million and then we have the one you just said 51108 that was $652,000 between those that's nearly $2 million in overtime and I'm only seeing proposed $350 $50,000. Again, the board can, but the board can do 400,000 450. But again,

170let's understand you have custodians. You have genitals and deniers all over the schools. They have to take vacation. Some of them have tent, some of them have three, four week vacation. But they go on vacation, they have to backfill. And back feeling is over time. It's a mandated by nature mandated over time. Yeah. So for me, granted I don't take time off. If I take time off, I have five weeks vacation. We book up for five weeks if I'm in the union. Yeah. I have to be covered in over time. Of course. So time is unavoidable. Sometimes it's unavoidable. just will but it could be many miles or contained. Yeah. Is all the overtime though looking uh like back filling some existing. What I'm trying to say is facilities obviously they don't have sufficient employees

171and they're cutting back. Can we cut back on other employees that do not need to necessarily do overtime? Is there a situation where we can reduce these numbers for potential savings the over time? Yes. Yeah. The board can decide to go up to 400,000 450 then you can ask them to be providing your report. I can provide you the historical trend of over time over the years, but it's going to be a diluted historical trend because you're blending it with expense. So you're going to see a higher number in those years which is burning or spending as a money. So you're going to be a diluted historical trend is what I'm trying to say. Yeah. Can we pull out the Can we pull out the SEUs and just go from like a report from a

172percentage-wise basis from like Yeah. 2016 to 18 and then yeah what I'm trying to say here comparing trying to use as a comparison is a diluted information. So I can go back prior to that sir then the cost of living increase cost of wage increase because you have to factor that in all the wage increases the unions have gotten over the years automatically that over time should go up by that much just even if they're doing the same hour because of cost of living you have to adjust that by that same you're comparing apple to hours with not diluted hours. If if and when you do that, I would also like with that is to know how much staff they have. That way we can get a good representation how much staff did they have

173because if they only had $100,000 in overtime what they have, let's say to give a steady number 300 staff and now they only have 200 staff. So of course, you know, right just more work or whatever. just you know a clear understanding of how much staff was also getting will help us just to take a look and have to compare those apples to apples and further piggy back on that I say you first can we look at the collective bargaining agreements for the feasibility of rather than using overtime like we use the power professionals we use delta t for overtime in other department I mean like professionals out we got a sub from Delton. I don't know. I think there's some Yeah, they might that might be because we haven't done it. That's why I

174said we you got to give tenure employees opportunity to do the overtime. So that maybe yeah I'm not 100% clear on that but that's something right. Yeah, that's I think it bears a lot. Miss Perez. Well, I also think like um some of the overtime, you know, there's some discovering vacation, but then there's the other like programming um things that we offer off after schools, um quite frankly, our board meetings like there, you know, weekend activities right now. Look, sorry, but but there's a you know, we we look at it that way, too. complaining, but but that's the I think there's some there's some overtime that is necessary because we do need um some of this stuff covered. And so that's another thing to consider. It's like um you know, obviously uh when it comes

175to like board stuff, we can we can um you know work on you know our meetings and stuff like that, but like when it comes to like a school activity for instance and and and kids are staying after school, that's another thing. but also looking at um when our facilities are being used by other programs and and making sure that I know Joe, you brought this up before like making sure that um these programs are covering those costs. Um I'm not going to call out the programs. We we but but you know, making sure that they that we're we're really looking at those costs. Next agenda. That'll be the next agenda. Sorry, I'm gave you guys more of a headache trying to figure all that out, but Oh, we're one team. That is that that

176sounds like an agenda item for next next meeting. Okay. Sorry, guys. No, that's good. That's good because we do got to look to the revenue side as well. Yes. again to the chair just for the board and the committee when when people when organization come before you for permission to do a program or for funding to run a program in our brick district you have to ask them who is paying for the overtime who is paying for the extended custodial work you can't give somebody so much money, one pen, give them to let's say 100,000, 150,000. Meanwhile, they're creating $150,000 worth of expense for you which you're not even aware of with overtime custo. It should all be inclusive of what you're doing. All right, let's go back to the line. Sorry. Yeah, we're on

177four. Yeah, over time. Yeah, it was all it's all all related. It's always somehow I drifted into I just did into those for that one. Drifting off so good. Um Oh, I think Do we have any more discussion on this line? I mean, I'll make a motion to approve for referral to the full board reducing the public facilities overtime to fiscal year 2425 spending of 2950 objection for a savings of $315,000 2425. To the board to chair cuts, right? Yeah. Second second and discussion. Okay, I'm going to add the same respect say the same respect to this title as all the other ones. Facilities last year during last year's spending spree was the only department that they cut. Facilities is one of the few departments that actually generate some revenue in forms of grants and

178stuff coming towards us. facilities is always the first goto for cuts. Our buildings are in horrendous shape. We are potentially we got sidetracked closing schools in the 26th 27th school year because we have not maintained them because we've been always cutting our facilities. Because no matter what the discussion is now, no matter what pretty face we have, if we had the money to maintain our schools in a pos in great condition, nobody would be talking about the facilities, medical plan, and what we have to do next. So, this is going to have an impact. We've got wrong. We got two plumbers, two painters, one car. Somebody we we don't have more than three of one title in almost the whole entire facilities for 30 something buildings. And that what that means is at the end

179of the day, deferred maintenance. The end of the day, if something breaks, somebody got to fix it on over time. He's only two of them. Yeah. So, the impact of this will be monumental. And I'm not even sure if this will be enforceable throughout the year because if we at um if we're at $950,000 in overtime on April 14th and the pipe is blowing the building. Oh, sorry. We can't fix it. It's after 10:00. No. So, so that that's the impact and this is the work these people do in in the middle of the night. In the middle of the winter, we get burst pipes. We get blown out boilers and they come in the middle of the night. So, they're very hardworking people. They keep our buildings running on two string. So, that being

180said, this is what we're potentially taking away from our system. Anybody else? All in favor of this other undesirable copy presented to the full board signify by saying I I motion carries us to the next agenda item total expenses. Yes ma'am. Just before you go on um because I have I missed on the meeting can you make sure you email me tonight everything you moved to the full board so I could add it to the agenda I have till tomorrow. you on that. Yes. I will update discretion tomorrow. Oh yeah. Okay. Next next item is the expenditure of reports for fiscal year 23 24 of each of the following schools and the list. Mr. Cole, can you take the beginning? So to page eight, you didn't approve the 1.89. 89. You said page three, sir.

181Internal revenue from the governor on special education allocation. I don't know if it or was it approved? That was through that was an update, correct? That was just an update. It wasn't took it to Yeah, that's not that's not actually information. Which one? You said page eight, right? Yeah. 1.8 8 million. Yeah. What about that's number that's just information. Yeah. No information. Okay. I'll take any money. Okay. I don't know how you how you would do it here. The city doesn't take money. Yeah. Okay. Take your money. Okay. All right. Yeah. All right. Then that's fine. Oh, someone speaking on this one. Is is the white is it the white sheet that says here a request by this one for each expenditure for each campus that he requested on the list and so me provided

182that for uh the consideration for action. So I don't know when you were presenting so talk about it. Sure. I want to talk. Yeah. He left it to you. So I think he he was welcoming your I don't know whether he wants to take on that. There's there's there's just a report in I don't think here 1%. Sure. uh pretty much is the total cost of running all schools for fiscal year 23 fiscal year 23 24 these are audited numbers meaning they're actual audited in the books is broken down by categories salaries instructional aid other salaries employee benefits purchase services are mainly relating to transportation cost and personal education and del agency giant services we transportation you said Delta and Cali yeah and special education spread like I like that at that front. And Mr.

183Chair, are these are there any other additional costs associated with with the campuses that you did not have? No, it's not. This is what we report to the state every campus. Yeah. Now, you mentioned another number before. Um I don't know and the original one he said there was something in the f in the first piece of the pack that he sent um posted of um vendor vendor there something vendor holdbacks or like down facilities we got we got like vendor inventory for certain things. forgiveness. I sent it. Hold on. Let me go into the packet. I don't know if it's just facilities because anybody else had a question, feel free to ask while Basically, all in all, you go through the categories, those are pretty much what it cost to run the school for

184the year. You're going to see the total cost, 2.8 million for hall. Go to Edison, 2.9 million. You go to Berserley, 4.7 million approximately $4.8 $8 million to run this week for fiscal year 2024 and that includes public facilities maintenance and heating and everything all relative all inclusive of expenditure different categories been reported donar is 6.6 million approximately 6.7 million to run donar school learning center is 3.2 2 million. Brian school is 4.8 million. Cross is $5 million. That's the total cost of running to each of those schools that I just mentioned. And the expenditures are broken down in different categories. Teacher salaries, instructional aid salaries, employee benefits, other salaries. Other personnel assigned clerical personnel assigned to the school purchase services as usual supplies. That's pretty much the breakdown of the expenses in accordance to

185this the way the states want it reported. Yeah, but that is called but financial system. What's the purpose of providing this information because these schools are potential closures? Correct. and start looking at the financial impact of these sooner rather than later. But plus, there's some misinformation out there that had we went with the prior superintendent's previous plan, we would have been able to save all the money, not lay off any employees. And I believe that's something that needs to really be corrected for the record because if you take the six school, the six original schools proposed which were BL Edison Brian Dunar crossunar [Music] free. So if we total if we total all of those out excessing every single cost without adding one single cost how much do we got? which is not which is

186not reality but it's not even it's not practical which yeah just keep busy with a little bit 25 mil 26 Mr. So, Bill, can I add something? Just give me one give me one second. 25.3. So, 25.3. So if if these schools were all closed the day it was announced in 2324 we would save $25 million. If every single employee, every single program, every single expenditure of that school was recovered without accounting for additional expenses, without accounting for bumping rights, which would even lessen the amount of savings. So, this old plan in no way, shape, and form ever balanced our 25 26 school year budget. If we were to close all six of these all eight of these schools today and not add seven of these schools today and all is that's I still don't

187think we're there. We're still a little bit short. Right. 30 million. Right. So this is how much trouble we are in as a district. This is how serious is this is the magnitude of cuts. So now we're considering with these six buildings, imagining that they were closed and getting rid of all these employees and still not reaching our savings but keeping all the buildings open and still got to get rid of some employees to reach our budget. And I don't see this as a sustainable model for education. we will be a we will be we will fail to be able to properly educate our students. It's sort of adding on to what you're saying those cuts it wouldn't necessarily I don't have in front of me but like let's say hall was 2.8 right it

188wouldn't necessarily be 2.8 cuts because some of those teachers may be going to other places those services are still being provided to those students as well no matter what school they're in. So you're really looking at the cuts you're really looking at are the operating costs of the of the building. you're not really, you know, you'll see some salary cuts possibly, but but for the most part, you're looking at operating costs, not services. So, so even if a a school expenditure is is 2.8 every year, that doesn't necessarily mean we're going to save 2.8 by closing this school. That means we're saving the operating budget and operating costs for the lights, the the the keeping the building open, but those like a lot of those staff members are going somewhere else. those programs, those services

189are being provided still. So, special education services or any other services. So, that's not necessarily a cut just to to to um add on to what you're saying. Um, not not to mention, I think the savings you'll see is maintenance cost like, you know, we're not going to have to fix a pipe in the middle of the night or something like that if if you close those schools. But but realistically, no, you're not going to we're not going to get 25 million from cutting those schools, right? Yeah. Yeah. I agree. I agree with the add-ons and it does lessen it does drive up my home too, but I just sort of have to take a little bit of exception with one one piece of it where there'll be additional savings. There'll definitely be some staff

190savings and some security savings because we'll be we'll be reduced. If we're reducing seven buildings into one into one, there's going to be one new building, right? One new building and one one school disappearing entirely. I mean one new school replacing the other ones are shifting like um there's redistricting we have we have we have nothing nothing return hypothetically we got to speak hypothetical we get to real hypothetically we got the new new building on the east end and four buildings on the east end moving into the new building. No, hypothetically according to the plan today. That's you know there's a whole lot of different scenarios that the board can consider right but as the plan today says move those four schools into I mean unless we're reading different plans the plan as presented was

191suggested to have four schools on the east end three or four schools excuse me I missed the or moved into the new building of clarification yes so That's not that wasn't the recommendation. The recommendation is to build a 750 uh uh seat building. You cannot fit four schools in 750 seat uh 750 school building. So if if the recommendation is if you close the four schools, you're redistricting. So some of those students at Dunar would go to uh Tisdale or or Barnum. Some of those schools at Beersley might be going to Hooker or Marin. Does not mean that all these schools are closing. are going into one building that won't be able to house them all. So, I think you need to clarify that point. Yeah, you you are correct. Definitely uh those schools, there's

192definitely not enough room, so they'll be spread out. But still, it still leads into my point of the after those four buildings are left in the neighborhoods emptied and abandoned. I say closing because that seems to be a dirty word these days. um and moved into the new building and the other building. There will be savings. There will be staff savings because there will be three less buildings with principles, assistant principles, um other staff. And not all the teachers would need to move because we got some class sizes that are 12, 13 that we'll be able to absorb some of them students and we may be able to save a position here or there. So that that that's why this conversation needs to start now even to get to the 26 27th school year 27

19328th school year. These are the logistics we got to start working out now and looking at for the future. But but the main exercise of this one was to say even if we could save every single dollar in these schools, it's still not enough. The students disappear. Yeah. That is still not still not enough. Let the record reflect Miss Came has the meeting since you have any question anybody anybody this this was just for report purposes um illustration I think it really um miss Casemir do you have any questions? No, I was looking on YouTube and then I decided to log in, so I've been watching for a while, but no, no questions. Thank you. Awesome. All right, so that was the last agenda item. Nope. One more. No more. One more. One more. Okay.

194Um, next item on the agenda is a motion to adjourn. So move. Oh, I raise my hand for the six. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Good night. Good night, everyone. Ladies and gentlemen, unfortunately, it gets harder from here.