001Mr. Beck? Um I'm going to call to order this special meeting of the Board of Education for Tuesday, May 19th at 5:00 p.m. Um and tonight um we will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. So, you Paul Brian, you want to lead? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay. I'm I'm going to kick this off by saying we had a uh meeting last night with the uh with Board of Finance. Um I let the board know that we were reduced by dollars. I had an opportunity to speak last night. Uh and and what I was trying to convey as best what it is that uh we are all taxpayers also.
002And uh we certainly understand the pain that goes on uh especially with our seniors. I I commented last night that I understand that reval is difficult because you have increasing housing values with fixed or even lower incomes and how difficult it is for our seniors. And I think we all get that as uh as Board of Education members. But I also said that it's our job and I was talking to Mr. Dubitsky about this that our job is to advocate and champion for our children the best way we can. Now, sometimes the path that we go down is not the uh same path that and obviously uh that the town uh felt that we should go down. But at the same time uh I thought that the budget that we were putting forward kept our
003trajectory and our uh the things that we were trying to do within our strategic plan moving in the right direction. Um but the town felt differently. And as I said last night, we will do whatever the town tells us to do, whatever that directive is. And they feel that uh there needed to be cuts to our budget and others. And last night we got those cuts of $375,000. You couple that with our $200,000 cut along with and the commitment back to the town ways that the money that we'll be getting is like ECS but it's not ECS. The governor had allocated the camp which is about $162,000. That all goes back to the town. So, having said all that, tonight our job tonight is to to discuss and hear from the superintendent how we're going
004to make those cuts. But before we do that, we have public comment and we're going to allow the public to come in and say what they would like to say so that we can hear those suggestions as we begin to deliberate further. So, having said that, I'll now open up public comment to anybody in the room who would like to speak. And if you just state your name for the record. I'm Christina Smith. I'm not a resident but I am a staff member of the Canton Public Schools and also the president of the teachers union. But I want to I want to make something very clear here tonight. I'm not actually here representing teachers. I'm Mike. I do Yeah, I'm just holding You know what? You know what? You can hold it closer to Sorry.
005How's that? Yes, no? Yes, you can hold it You can take it out of the holder if you want. They do it all the time on the tonight show. Here you go. It's not this strong. It doesn't want to come out. You still see me? Shall I start again? >> [laughter] >> Thank you. Thank you. And now here comes the rain and I'll plug it in. My name is Christina Smith. I'm a member of the Canton Public Schools certified staff. I'm also the president of the teachers union. And also you've seen me in in less settings. Um I want to emphasize I'm here tonight not really representing teachers, but like everybody here in this room, I'm actually representing and advocating for students. Right. Um we have a a number of times in the contract that
006we work under where decisions are made in the best interest of students. And I understand difficult decisions get made. I think this board is in a challenging position. I understand that. Um the referendum outcome certainly was not um not welcome, but decisive and understandable in in many ways as as Chairwoman Daniels just alluded that that um but that whole idea of doing things in the best interest of students is really what brought me back out here tonight. Thank you. And um I appreciate our central office staff, superintendent, assistant superintendent, who worked very transparently with us and have really worked uh year and a half in advance of this particular budget to prepare this district, prepare our staff to be able to do the best job we can with um the resources that the community makes
007available. And resources are limited for everyone. The ceiling for our students we don't want to be limited. And so I want to thank the board for the work you do. I want to uh give you my sympathy for the difficult decisions you have to make. Maybe it's more empathy. We'll all be impacted by it. Uh I very much appreciate the continued work directly with the superintendent's office and all the central office staff. Um Jordan is is really good about being up front and looking for innovative solutions as opposed to I'm here to tell you what's going on. And that's a great partnership to have. So, we'd certainly like to see that continue. Um two two thoughts I want to leave you with. Um I have as every district member here knows, I have a school
008email. And many people have taglines at the bottom of their school emails. Um mine besides having my name says something I like to remind myself and anybody whom I work with. What my tagline is it says that education is an individual right, but it's a community responsibility. And so, I'm hoping the community, I know they take it seriously. I'm hoping the community will think in a continued manner very seriously about how we support education for our Canton residents and our Canton students. Right? Including everybody. Um and the other thing I want to do is just call quick attention to my red shirt which says if you cannot see it because I'm blocked by the podium. It says teaching is a work of heart. And a couple years ago we had some budget constraints and I
009wore this shirt every year between the time budget expectations were set out and the budget passed. And so, I'll be doing it again. Right? Um my target date I think is June 2nd. Correct me if I'm wrong. I do a lot of laundry. I hope I can do enough cuz I only have two of these. Anybody is welcome to stop by anytime between now and the referendum and visit me in my red shirt. Thank you. Thank you for your comments. Please. Sure. Come on up. Just give us your name. That would be great. >> Sure. My name's Sue Vincent and I live at 21 School House Mountain Road in Canton. Uh last evening I think the Board of Finance really gave the Board of Education a pass by requiring a mere $375,000 cut in a
010proposed $2 million increase for the year. I don't think that Canton residents will be as lenient, particularly as they're becoming more educated about out-of-control spending in our schools, and most of that administrative burden. Do constituents know that the Board of Education budget is 67% of our town's spending? Do they know that Simsbury, Avon, and Granby Granby held their budget increases this year 2.99, 3.08, and 2.4% respectively? This compares to our request for 8.41% initially, and with the cuts that the Board of Finance proposed last night, that might go to about 6.6. I don't trust my math, you shouldn't either. Um if constituents did know, and they soon will know, that Canton spends, for example, $2,200 more per student per year than the town of Camp of Simsbury. The cost in Canton 27 or 21,751 versus
011Simsbury 23,000 other way around. Sorry. Simsbury 21,751, Canton 23,946. This added cost might be acceptable if our teachers were paid more or our class sizes were smaller, but this is not the case. Nor is our performance better. In fact, I think there's plenty of evidence that our schools are not standing up to the level of other schools in our area. In fact, our middle school is under state oversight in an effort to improve its performance. We simply can't blame unfunded mandates as our neighboring communities bear the same burdens. Our problem is entirely related to our administrative structure for school district of our size. Since Superintendent Cases retirement a mere 3 years ago, we've added an assistant superintendent, a secretary to the assistant superintendent, a business manager, and assistant to the business manager to name just
012a few. All while our student enrollment continues to decline. What do we have to show for the added administrative overhead? Have we found any innovative ways to reduce costs? Have we found any innovative ways to improve our students' performance? If we have, I'm not aware of it. It sounds like someone's not doing their job and we're being asked to pay the costs. Thank you for your comment. Anybody else who would like to speak? Who wants to speak? Concerned citizen. Um, I echo everything she said. Sit down. We have now some difficult decisions to make. The first thing that needs to be addressed is teachers. The threat, scare tactics, false information, potential loss of teacher positions needs to be addressed. Public taxpayers, and from what the administration has said, these teachers' jobs are safe. >> [clears
013throat] >> What has been stated by the Board of Finance meeting last night, emails to many town officials and overwhelming taxpayer statements, even former teachers, administration is top-heavy and needs to be cut. Plain and simple. Yes, that's difficult to tell a friend you're fired. But you put in that position by years of poor responding. Not taking wage freezes, not trying to hire assistants to take the load off of your job, and hiring secretaries to then take the load off of their their jobs. You may not listen, choose to keep your cushion jobs, but the taxpayers has spoken. 27% turnout. A huge turnout last night, and I didn't keep count like everybody does on the comments, but substantial amount of them were about the administration of the schools to plan. So, don't make a stab at
014it this year and wait, and I say next year more taxpayers will be more upset, and more will come out to vote and to voice their thoughts. Your job is just going to get harder because you're going to kick it down the road, and we still have the following budget cycle, the fourth year of the phase-in. So, if you're looking at this budget the way it is, and think that it's okay, wait until the final one, which is the budget season, and you're going to have harder decisions to make. Well, there's a lot of misinformation that seems to be floating around at last night's meeting saying a $5,000 painting of a door is floating around on social media. Yet, you failed to clarify what I said. The Board of Education has a painting of one
015door in their bid in the budget that in a meeting with both Mr. Daniels and Bob Craig you felt that that number was acceptable. That is what I said on social media. Let me make that clear again. That is what I said social media. So, let's set the record straight tonight, Mr. Daniels. That's correct. Brian Craig. Thank you, Brian. Anybody else would like to speak? I'm sure. Yes, sir. I'm Jim Sawicki. First, thank you all for your service to the Board of Ed. Um I fairly short comments. I don't think we need to cut teachers or teacher salaries. I don't think we need to be pairing back tremendously, but we're being asked to sacrifice. I cannot see why this administrative budget can't be cut, too. If there's This is a top administrative department heavy organization.
016I get the fact that it's not easy to be done, but it needs to be done. We You can't ask everyone else to sacrifice and not do something to this budget. Thank you. Thank you, sir. I can spot Hi. Julia Roy. Oh, no. I just deleted my notes. >> [clears throat] >> Hold on. Sometimes I want to go to the picture by them. What's this? Any pictures you have in the same hard drive? You have my house number? No, I don't need it. be right. Um, thank you for being here. It's a consuming process this year, it's more consuming than others, and it's not fun. Not fun to make the cuts. Um, but the public is looking at this, right? The budget mailer that came in, and they're looking at this number, this 10% number.
017That's what they said last night, balance needed for local taxes, 10%. So, that that's where they're uncomfortable. I know it's the big thing, but that's where the hurt comes. So, um, it's my opinion that the cuts made to the Board of Education budget last night were too light and unbalanced. Board of Finance attempting to specify that cuts to the CIP but the BOF budget is an operating and CIP budget together. So, Board of Selectmen were asked to cut 1.2 million from their original budget, which is 7.3%. And the BOE was asked to cut 575,000, which is 1.5%. Not balanced or equitable in any way. So, overwhelmingly last night the comments and the emails that were sent in were to cut administration and central office staff in Board of Education. Dr. Grossman and Anna come from
018Granby school district. Granby is a similar sized town as Canton and has a similar school district size. They know that there are less central office staff there and less tech staff in Granby. They worked with me before, they operated that way, they can do it again. This Board of Education, I'm asking them to do a better job of streamlining and finding efficiencies. It's really important that you as the Board of Education impress all of the residents with the work that you're doing, not just parents or staff or your political colleagues. You have to ask really tough questions right now and help the schools tune into areas where improvements can be made. And if you come in at a number that exceeds the Board of Finance cuts, your screaming will be received positively by the public.
019You need to be responsive and thoughtful. If you can find 500 or 600,000 more in cuts instead of 375, the public will appreciate that effort and vote favorably at the next referendum. Last night there was some emotional and insulting statements from members of the Board of Education. You have expanded your central office cabinet. You could call it transfers in your budget if you want to, but you did not take the opportunity to streamline when you were faced with putting these salaries into your budget. You just accepted them laying down with your hands up in surrender, and that's not very responsible to the taxpayers. Personally, I'm unsatisfied with curriculum choices. I'm going to come back in another time to discuss that. I've seen the lack of student performance. I feel like the kids are being experimented
020with. I don't see blue ribbon standards in these Canton schools. I came from a blue ribbon school district before I moved to Canton. I know what it looks like. And for the record, I didn't move to Canton Canton for education. I moved here for open space. That's all I needed to say tonight. Thank you very much. Thank you for your comments. Margaret? Yes. Thank you. Okay. Julia LeClaire, back again. Um good evening. First, I want to say say thank you for the Board of Education, district leadership, and everyone involved in the budget process. I know the decisions you make tonight are difficult, and I appreciate the time, effort, and care that has gone into this work. As a parent with one current student in the district and a second starting in the fall, I spent
021a lot I spend a lot of time in the schools and see firsthand how impactful any cuts to the Board of Education budget can be. The teachers, support staff, and programs our students rely on every day make a a a difference. As you work through these budget challenges, I would encourage the board to look carefully at the number of administrators and central office staff when considering possible reductions. I also believe it's important to closely review technology and IT spending to ensure those costs are being managed and as efficiently as possible. I understand there are no easy answers, but I hope the board will prioritize protecting the classroom experience and the direct support of our our students receive every day. Thank you again for your thoughtful consideration you're giving in these difficult decisions. Thank you. Thank
022you, Julia. Mr. Blakeslee. Good sir. Good afternoon, complex. Uh I echo the comments that have shared before me about this budget in the past that I think was given to this board. The budgets just keep increasing. Uh there's a state law that prevents effectively prevents the school board or the town from reducing the budget from the prior year's budget. Uh there are some exceptions to that, but they're fairly inapplicable. Uh and so I just want the public to know that so that each year this board's budget is growing synonymously. And if a few things I want to point out, I I went out to the EdSight, which is the interactive data portal for Connecticut's public district schools and programs. It's by the Connecticut State Department of Education. I looked at the performance index for 2024
0232025 Canton schools. And just to give you some clarity background. The performance index is the average performance of students in a subject area. So, uh English language arts, mathematics, or science on the state summative assessments. And it ranges from 0 to 100 and it's reported for all students and for students in each individual student group. Uh the performance index is accountability indicator number one. And the ultimate target for the indicator uh for all students in subgroups is 75. But again, remember it goes from 0 to 75, zero to 100. For Canton, the ELA performance index for the school year 24-25 was 72.6. So, we're below that threshold. Math, 68.7. Science, 74.3. And I made the comment last night about Simsbury beating our state average. They're spending $2,200 per less per student. And Simsbury's ELA performance
024index is 78.7. So, it's approximately 4.6 points higher than ours. Its math performance is 75.7. So, it's 7 points higher. And its science performance index is 78.7. So, it's over 4 points higher. Again, Simsbury spends $2,200 less per student. Um I also pulled performance index for all the Canton schools. And for every category, for each of the four schools, we're below that threshold except Canton High School science, which is 81.9. And I And I'll pass these out to all of you to see what happens. I Those statistics are alarming, and it's telling. We throw so much money at this budget. Largely, the administration was blown out of proportion. Um we use technology, and and that's not the wave of the future for teaching our kids. Having a second or third-grader or fifth-grader on Chromebooks. I
025heard stories during March Madness where kids were reverse engineering or backdooring the firewall. We're watching tournament, March Madness tournament. That's not what we should be doing. The kids should really be watching March Madness tournament during school. Ours My seventh-grader has not read a single classic literature book. And I I took a tour of a private school to see what their literature department, what their English department teaches. The The table was just lined with classic literature. It's classic literature for a reason. Instead, he's reading a book on poems and doing these weird, odd exercises in the class. And that's just one example. I'm sure we can come up with many more. But that points to the reasons why the accountability index, like in Google, is not performing. But instead, through law of diminishing returns, we keep
026throwing more money at the budget. And so, I would ask this board to seriously reconsider its particular its curriculum committee, its finance committee, where the money's going, how it's being allocated, and a better use of the money to achieve better standards. So, I'll put who the doubt and introduce these documents into the record. Thank you. Thank you for your comments. I don't see anyone else in the room, so I suspect Can I make one more comment? Sure. Appreciate you letting me to make a second comment. How do you want to do um thank some of the board members. Ali, you're taking notes. Jordan, you're taking notes. Michelle, with 100% attention at the speakers. Kim, 100% attention at the speakers. John, attention to the speaker, taking notes. Amy and Allison, 100% attention. What's Daniel's drawing figure
027on his paper? Mr. Jordan, looks like you're filling out an application. And Ms. Robbins, looking at her computer screen. But this the administration, which everyone is saying is hot-headed, and that's how you're responding to the taxpayers. So, for all of you that took notes and listened attentively, you need to talk to your higher-ups for the example one that they're setting, and two, for the behavior. Appreciate that. Thank you. Okay. Good job. We have some uh Yeah, we're going to go We're going to go online now. So, those folks that don't want to speak, if you just begin raising your hand and we'll get to you one at a time. So, Aubrey's at the top of my list, so I'm going to wait to allow Aubrey to talk. The mic is open, Aubrey. Do we have
028any board members on the line? Sorry, I would think so. Yeah, Aubrey is on. We should I hear him muscle sign. Aubrey, can you hear me? Okay. Can you hear me? Yes. Okay. Yes, sir. Okay, okay. We got you now. Lee Bart Drive. Good evening, members of the board. Thank you for the time and effort you've put into this process. I attend most of your meetings. Um I'll be at virtually, and I recognize that the work that you put in begins months ago, many months ago. I also understand that public participation during that process is often minimal. And it can be frustrating to hear concerns now at the end that the budget is too high. But respectfully, this pattern's not new. It happens every year, and because it happens every year, it shouldn't be dismissed.
029It should be recognized as a consistent message from the community. Um a 5:00 meeting to discuss um you know, the cuts on the eve of a on the heels of the failed referendum, I don't think is ideal for the public participation. Um but that's a separate issue. Um I wanted to acknowledge something structural that I think does affect the conversation, but it's never talked about, and that's the minimum budget requirement. Um and I think the public would benefit from an explanation of that from you. I don't want to be accused of spreading misinformation, um but my understanding is that once a budget is set, the following year's budget cannot be below the prior year's fiscal budget. Absent I think there's like four exceptions to that. Um, so this year's budget becomes the floor for next
030year's budget amount. Um, but I'll allow you to explain that and I hope you will. Over time though, this creates an upward traject- trajectory and families are feeling that and they can't afford it. Even if they fully don't understand the mechanism that's driving it. When residents vote no or say that the budget's too high, it does not mean they have disdain for our schools. Um, frankly, many people are afraid to speak at these meetings or speak up against the budget because they're afraid of backlash on their children. I'm a mother of three children in the Canton schools and I really do want our schools to succeed. Um, supporting our schools though doesn't mean having an open checkbook and I don't believe the $375,000 cut that you received last night was large enough. And I don't
031believe I'm alone in that sentiment. I would like to speak candidly about a recurring frustration. Every time there is a proposed reduction to the budget, I feel like our teachers are the first threat on the chopping block. And that's not an acceptable place to begin looking for savings. Many of us have consistently suggested reductions be explored in other areas such as technology, uh, administration, central office, and transportation for starters. Uh, for this round of reductions, I would urge the board to, um, look seriously at their technology spend. I would like to see the elimination of Chromebooks from children in kindergarten through eighth grade. I don't believe it's helping their education. I believe it's harming their education. That's a conversation for another time. Uh for this purpose though, it would reduce our technology cost significantly. It
032would help eliminate some subscriptions, licensing fees, repair and replacement costs, and potentially uh give us savings in IT. I understand we have seven IT staff um for our schools. There's other areas I would consider um also. I would look to the $20,000 Partners for Educational Leadership Consultant we use, which I had asked about in during the budget process and was told that that was optional. It's not a requirement to obtain grant money. Um I would look at reductions in professional development, and I would look to um memberships if we need to. I don't know if you'll need to go beyond that for $375, but obviously, and I've said it before, I think we should look to administration and central office if that's the case. Um I think the building and grounds department uh position that
033could have possibly been done by um putting more responsibility on existing janitorial staff or maybe adding to the janitorial staff rather than an administrative position. Um that's just a thought. I would have I would like to also strongly encourage this board and district to do a better job pursuing grants. Earlier this year, um I think it was in February, I submitted a FOIA request to the state of Connecticut to see what grants that have have been applied for on behalf of the Canton Public Schools. And in fact, I thought I was going to get a lot of material because um you know, I said I didn't need copies. I didn't want to have to pay for all of the materials they were going to send me. Today I got the response to my FOIA request
034um just this afternoon, and I was shocked. It was one grant that had been applied for in December 2023 for HVAC. Um the state of Connecticut has a construction grant program that includes security grants and HVAC grants. Um I see tons of schools getting roof replacements, doors, windows, um things that we are putting in our CIP that other schools, and these are not destitute schools. I'm talking Westport, Darien, Ridgefield. Um Simsbury got a roof. West Hartford got a roof. Um other schools are getting these through this state grant program. So before our taxpayers are being asked to spend more, I really hope we are thoroughly exploring all of the funding sources. I'm happy to share the results of the FOIA request with you. I I'm um >> [clears throat] >> I'm not that that was
035the only grant I received in response. I'd like to um touch on this is probably not the place, but we've had declining enrollment, but it so it does impact the budget. Um the numbers often are talked about in terms of the enrollment at the kindergarten level. I think the budget reports on how many of our students are leaving to go to the vocational agricultural schools cuz it needs to because we provide um transportation for them, but I'm hearing shocking numbers of children are leaving between eighth grade and high school, and I think I would like to understand why. Um strong schools are not just about what we're spending, but about what families are choosing to stay here. Finally, I'd like to address something that occurred last night. Um a member of this board made a
036statement during public comment at the Board of Finance meeting that I found disrespectful to our community. Unfortunately, the recording hasn't been posted, so I don't want to misquote anything, but referring to our flag as an inanimate object in that context and as a member of the board speaking at a meeting, I understand you have a First Amendment right, but um I found that to be in poor taste, particularly on the eve of Memorial Day and as we approach our country's 250th anniversary. Um this board sets the tone for our schools. I see you're smiling, so um I >> [clears throat] >> Okay. Uh the board sets the tone for our schools and our leadership matters. Uh if that's the message that's being conveyed to our community and to our students, I believe this district's underestimating
037how many uh it's it's future declining enrollment. Um this community is speaking. It's been speaking clearly and consistently. We want strong schools, but they have to be affordable, sustainable, and reflective of the values we expect from our leadership. Thank you for your comments. We have Um couple more raised hands. I'll go with Aaron and Ms. Vincent. Yep. I'll allow Aaron to talk. The mic is open. Uh I think the mic is open, right? Mic is open for you, Ms. Vincent. Okay, wonderful. Thank you. Uh my name's Aaron Wagner Vincent. I live at 30 South Street, Collinsville, and I'd like to start by thanking everyone on the board um for your hard work and dedication. Um I went to every Board of Education Finance Subcommittee meeting this year. It was very helpful to me to better
038understand the process and how decisions are made prior to the annual vote. I heard someone else also reference that. Like you can ask questions, you can reach out, you can go to all these different um board meetings prior to the annual vote to learn um all these different pieces. I want to highlight that the Board of Education was asked to cut $200,000 from their proposed budget prior to their budget being voted on. Yes, there was tax cut relief from the governor's office, but that provided approximately $162,000, leaving a deficit of approximately $38,000 from the originally proposed budget, and I don't think that's been highlighted enough Uh you know to the other residents of the town either perhaps the town of Canton has above average median income and below average spending per student. This is data
039collected across the state of Connecticut. The idea that the Board of Education has out of control or excessive spending is not true. This is what it costs to run a school system in 2026. I've seen many instances where because spending is not allocated adequately it is not allocated effectively. For instance, paraprofessionals in Canton start at $17 an hour. The average pay for paraprofessionals across our country is $21 to $24 an hour. This is what surrounding districts pay. Due to the low reimbursement rate it is difficult to fill required paraprofessional positions. Due to this Canton has had to use temp agencies which end up being more expensive. This also results in paraprofessionals that may be inconsistent and do not know our students. Not adequately funded, not effective use of funds. The same can be said for
040our crumbling infrastructure our schools are experiencing. When Band-Aids finally give way the result is more expensive replacement and repairs. It also needs to be noted that there is a nationwide trend of teachers leaving the field in record numbers. Yet I have not yet heard Canton talk about what it's doing to ensure teacher retention. Teachers are citing inadequate support, low pay, and increased demands. I've also heard a couple people reference um the surrounding towns and their budget increases and my opinion in that is that they were adequately funding their schools prior. So you know they it's like if you get a fixer-upper house it's going to cost more to fix that up than a house that's been maintained appropriately. It is both unhelpful and unfortunate that the financial strain due to the systems in place is
041causing a divide in our community. This is a Connecticut problem impacting local community. I've looked up grants that specifically support seniors and those with disabilities for property tax relief. I see you and I'm planning to reach out to the senior center to learn more about what I can do. I was lucky to have a grandmother who saw citizenship as an action, not a status. In closing, I would like to Well, this is also part of what I gave last night. I would like there to not be any budget cut. If anything, I'd like the $200,000 that was already cut to be added back on to the budget. Um but I'll close with saying whether you have children who have already benefited historically from Canton schools, have children enrolled currently, or have no children, we all
042benefit from a good public school system. There is not excessive spending. We pay less per pupil than average with above average median income. Thank you for your time. Thank you for your comments. And I have one more raised hand from Maryann. So, we'll go on Maryann to talk. Maryann, can you just give your last name, please? Maryann, if you could just give your last name and your mic is open. Burbank. Maryann. Can you hear me? Yes, please please go ahead. Okay. Um I um Yes, my I raised my children here in town and they had very good educations as I have talked about previously at some meetings. They do not live in town now currently, but I still feel an obligation to provide an excellent education for the residents in Canton. I think that's very
043important and the paraprofessional pay is extremely problematic. As a retired teach elementary teacher myself, I cannot state enough how important paraprofessionals are and yes, their relationships with the children. Um as I mentioned at the Board of Finance meeting last night, it is the people who work directly with the children who are the soul of a school. And the fact that administrators get paid, you know, so much more than teachers is outrageous, generally speaking. And I understand that it is they're getting commensurate pay pay that is commensurate with other communities. But clearly, if if you cannot find, you know, a lot of creative ways to add up a bunch of small cuts to make the $375,000, you have to look at administration. And the thing is is that teachers people that really and truly care about
044children stay in the classroom. People that choose to leave the classroom very often do so because they are looking for a lucrative career that is on the backs of the taxpayers. Now, we have had some excellent administrators in Kevin Case and Joe Scheidler and maybe some other principals. But clearly, the current superintendent isn't doing a good job and that he hasn't made sure that these grants were applied for. Um And he he was not well liked in Granby. I know that's one of the reasons why he left there again. Um personally, he did very poorly by my own child. >> going to allow for any personal comments. Okay. Well, High level, please. Yeah, I heard you. I heard you. Okay. So, that's fine. But I'm just saying that um I've heard excellent things about the
045assistant super current assistant superintendent. And even though I had suggested last night maybe an assistant superintendent isn't needed, hearing from other parents, I would say this gentleman needs to be retained. But there you do obviously have too many administrators or too many administrative costs. Although, I also would say you need to inform the public better about exactly how many administrators you actually do have because the rumors out there are that there were 35 new administrators added in the last 5 to 10 years. Well, that I can that can't possibly be so cuz there can't possibly be that many administrators. If there are, there's something very wrong. So, I think you really need to make it clear to people how many actual administrators there are and how many secretaries those diff- different administrators have. Um and
046if you have to do something creative that will not hurt the children, then cut a principal and um have you know, the yellow two elementary schools share a principal. It's not ideal. It's not something you want to have permanently, but in dras- drastic times, it may be what you have to do. You can have head teachers in each of those schools who, if there's a discipline issue or something that needs to be addressed with a parent, can address it, but they also work in the classroom. And then, if you have regular, consistent paraprofessionals who know the classroom and know the teachers' teaching style, they can cover for half an hour or an hour while that head teacher, who does make some more money, but not like an administrator, can deal with the issue. I did
047this in uh lived with this in Winsted at two different years. And everything went very smoothly because professional teachers are excellent and they know what they're doing and they really don't need um so many administrators looking over their shoulders constantly. So, I strongly urge you to cut administration um and raise the salaries of the paraprofessionals who deserve to be paid so much better than they are. Uh just because they're mostly women is not a reason not to to pay them uh well, as typically happens in child care situations. So, okay. That's it. Thank you very much. For your thoughts. Anybody else on the line who [clears throat] would like to speak? Uh, no, no more raised hands. Okay, hearing none, I'm going to close public comment. I want to thank everybody for their comments. I
048truly believe that everybody has a good heart. Everybody's trying to help uh, fix a problem because I agree the problem is spending continues to go up and I don't know how sustainable we have that will be in the future. But, I appreciate the comments. I appreciate the suggestions. Now, hearing all that, um, I'd like to call on our superintendent um, who has been working the last couple days since the budget referendum failed uh, and then hearing last night what the cut would be, I'd like to turn over to Dr. Grossman to give the board some thoughts on on his Uh, thoughts on the cuts. Superintendent, Mr. Dayton, thank you. So, tonight I'd like to provide an overview of what the administration is thinking about budget reductions. I know the chair said that I've been thinking
049about this for a couple days. Uh, I I don't mean to correct the chair. I've been thinking about this for a while because this has been conversation that has come up once we started with the budget workshops that there was concern regarding the the budget and and moving forward. So, this is something that it's Since the beginning I've been thinking about since the last cut of the 200,000 of what we would possibly reduce the the budget. So, I did have a list before yesterday because it was something that I needed to think about less than 24 hours. As many of you know, uh, March 23rd the Board of Finance at the budget workshop, Juice had requested the Board of Education have $200,000 taken out. In response, the district identified reductions that included, as some people
050said, type a good suggestion for the elimination of some bus routes and transportation. So, we are looking at looking at that as an administrative team. As well as reductions to certified and non-certified staff where attrition were possible. Following the referendum on May 14th, the Board of Finance requested an additional reduction of $375,000, bringing the total requested reduction to approximately $575,000. So, tonight I'll be handing out a sheet to the Board of Education and the community with a proposed reduction that we have considered very carefully. What I do want to say is I do listen, and I do write things down because I want to make sure that I take things in. Because there's a lot of things that were said through public budget workshops, that if I didn't write them down, I may forget some
051of the great ideas that people said. And there the majority of the reductions that you're going to hear tonight, you've actually heard from the community at large. And I want to thank them for sharing their ideas with us. So, tonight you will see some reductions from the administration that focused on technology, infrastructure and hardware, and software. You also see reductions in professional development. There was also some feedback that we received that we should be looking at small capital projects to make sure that we're able to finish the projects that we are actually budgeted for. What I will share regarding some of the grant conversation, we will apply for grants. Some of you know that if the referendum if there is a referendum for a bonding project, the roof is something that is grant reimbursable. So,
052that is something that the town has to commit to and then our rate was just was 38%. Approximately 38%. So, we will be be we will get reimbursed for that. So, the the the caller was absolutely correct, Mrs. Blachly, by saying that the only ones since I've been here is been really the HVAC, which has been reimbursable. I do want to remind everyone that it's not the Board of Education projects, it's town projects, but how the state operates, it is the Board of Education that has to submit for grant reimbursement. So, the only project that I know of right now that is on our list that would be reimbursable is the the roof. But, also if we plan ahead and some of the AC units that people are talking about, we will also be able
053to apply for the state for grant reimbursement. So, I I want to thank Mrs. Blachly for bringing that up. I want to let people know that specifically we the the proposal that you're going to see is going to delay the replacement of staff laptops. And these are replacement cycles. So, we're going to delay the replacement of staff lap- laptops. We're going to pause our district-wide LCD installation projects. Those are the LCD projectors that are on a replacement cycle. We're going to pause that replacement cycle. And I agree with what we heard is that we really need to take a good look on how Chromebooks are used within our district. So, we're going to postpone the purchase of seven grade Chromebooks. That means that the Chromebooks that were for the middle school that go down to
054the CIS would not happen. In return, what I did find out since this conversation is one of the reasons and I know people know this that we need to have technology in the schools is because the state of Connecticut requires students starting in third grade to take a smarter balance test in third grade. So, I think that's something that I would recommend the curriculum committee and the policy committee possibly talk about is what is our feelings about our third grader and how they perform on a smarter balance and weigh that option of putting technology in kindergarten and first and second and third grade and I'll talk that in a about that in a minute. I want to emphasize that these recommendations regarding technology were made very strategically. Technology continues to evolve at an incredibly rapid
055pace. Devices, platforms, and systems are changing faster than ever before. In many cases, delaying these purchases will allow us to make informed and cost-effective decisions in the future that will align with our strategic plan and our technology plan that was recently presented to our curriculum committee. Slowing down portions of our technology replacement cycle is not necessarily a negative outcome. In fact, it provides us the opportunity to opportunity to evaluate emerging technologies, reassessing long-term needs, and ensure we are making sustainable investments that truly support teaching and learning. I'm actually happy that the community made those recommendations. Because if you look, it's important to recognize that current educational research, and I'm big on data, and I'm looking at research, and I appreciate the comments that Mr. Blatchley made regarding data. There are conversations going across the country
056right now regarding technology and finding the right balance with student technology use. I commend board member Kim Sullivan for reminding us that on a weekly basis, if not daily basis, and sharing with me an article from the LA Unified who created something relative to younger students using technology. I was on a call last week, and I know the governor and the state and they were in the legislative body talking about cell phones. I think it's bigger than cell phones. I think the state needs to look at how we utilize technology overall, which just not the cell phone. Many schools and districts are reevaluating screen time, student device usage, and the role technology should play in instruction. But we can't public schools will do the same. There's a growing recognition that while technology is an important
057educational tool, as we heard tonight by Mrs. Coggins, students do not always need to be on devices throughout the entire school day. I agree with that. High-quality instruction, student engagement, collaboration, discussion, hands-on learning, and strong to teacher-student relationships remain the foundation of effective education. While I'm on that, you will not hear tonight in one of my recommendations the elimination of the any teachers. And that was communicated to the teacher union president in collaboration with the teacher union president. So, you will now see that tonight. These proposed reductions align with the broader conversation and do not diminish our commitment to prepare for parents students for modern and technologically advanced world. We just got to do it a little bit differently. Society has changed since our students and our staff were sent home for approximately six or
058seven months and then opened up a school year following year in a different way. Importantly, these proposed technology reductions do not eliminate technology from the classrooms. Students and staff will continue to have access to tools and resources necessary for instruction. Rather, these reductions primarily extend replacement timeline and delay expansion projects. I agree with that. In this time, when we're looking at the budget suffering, I agree that we need to look at things that we could delay and things that we may be able to do better. I appreciate the relationship and conversation that we have with the teacher union leadership. I met with her yesterday and just to say, I did meet with her last week and the week before to discuss what I'm about to speak because we need that teachers on board because teachers
059are going to have to teach differently. But, I'm very confident that the thoughtful approach and the collaborative collaborative spirit throughout these discussions will assist us as we move forward. There's an understanding that priority reductions in technology replacement cycles and certain capital expenditures was preferable to deeper reductions that will directly impact classroom instruction and student programming. I agree with everyone that's that is out there saying, we need to keep our teachers. What's most important is our teachers and staff in front of children. I appreciate the partnership and professionalism demonstrated during these conversations. I've had many conversations with uh teachers in the in the past week and 3 weeks since the the the first reduction. I will also, as I mentioned, be closing professional development funding and small capital as well as the elimination, as some of
060you have said, of two staff positions. Those staff positions need to be determined what those staff positions are going to be, but I know they're not going to be teachers. While these are difficult decisions, every student has been made to protect direct classroom instruction and minimize impact on students. This can't be about scare tactics, as I believe Mr. Grantski said. I agree with that. It needs to be smart and needs to be decision-making that is clear and addressed to the public and all among the public. I do want to say because it has to do with um central office and and I did write this down. When I arrived 2 and 1/2 years ago to Canton 3 years ago and I came back and there wasn't a business manager in place. There wasn't an assistant
061superintendent in place. There wasn't an assistant to the assistant superintendent in place. And there wasn't an assistant to the business manager in place. While there are and there has been staffing adjustments in this budget that was proposed, and I thank the union and the board for engaging in a retirement savings, which generated over $250,000 in retirement savings. The district has worked carefully to to the staffing and responsibility with the normal trend. What I can share is that prior to my arrival the town oversaw payroll for the school system. The town oversaw benefits for the school system. The town oversaw accounts payable for the the school system. And the town oversaw the buildings and grounds for the school system. That is four positions. And what was happening prior to the new CAO's arrival is there was
062a lot of mistakes that was happening in accounts payable. And there were a lot of mistakes that were happening and this is no disrespect to the individuals that are in those roles. There were mistakes happening to payroll. There were mistakes happening in the buildings and grounds. And there was mistakes happening in the benefits. So when there was a problem with payroll for the Board of Education it wasn't the superintendent or the business office that was at the local level for the school. It was the former CAO that had to correct those issues. When the new CAO came on there was discussions about how do we transfer those individuals to the Board of Education budget. I'll try to put it in a percentage that I can. Accounts payable is 100%. That individual was working 100% for
063the Board of Ed even though it was a town employee. Any questions regarding that? So 100% accounts payable they were paid by the town. 100% of their job was dedicated to the Board of Education, but they were working on the third floor, and those of you that have been to the Board of Education, the Board of Education was on the bottom. So, 100%. Payroll. That individual, 100% paid by the town, 100% work for the Board of Education. That individual was upstairs on the third floor working for the town, but handled all the payroll for the Board of Ed. Everybody understand that? So, it's 100%. Benefits. The town had a benefits person. Roughly, if you do the math, 92 to 93% of that benefits person was school. We have the largest makeup of the the town.
064So, 92 to 93% of that individual's responsibility was to the school. The other eight was to the town. So, in conversations, and that individual was paid by the town in the town budget. So, now I've described three positions that were in the town budget. In talking to the CAO, the CAO was able to make some changes, and the CAO said that we could have that position. That was already doing the work, and 92% of the work for the Board of Ed. Any questions with that? The Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds. That was the latest one. Our current Director of Public Works was our Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds. During last budget cycle, I would say there's no science to this, but 70% was most likely school, 30% was town. Town may say that 80% or
06590% was school, 10% was So, when that individual became Tom Richardson became the Director of Public Works, there was posting for that job, and we had a candidate that had less experience than the candidate who was offered by the town less of a salary. The way it followed up on that that candidate was here for approximately 6 months, 7 months. So, that's when in conversations with the CAO, the CAO said, "You can have the position. We'll try to work it out internally." And we said, "Fine." In transparency, we needed to go back to what was paying the former uh Richardson's position, what he was being paid when we hired the new Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds, based on experience. People may disagree with that, but that is exactly what happened. So, four new positions, I
066I guess people can look at it that it's four new positions to the Board of Ed. It's four positions that the town already had. But, that affects our mutual benefits. We changed the the name to Human Resources/Benefits. I'm going to pause there before I can because I want to make sure that this board understands where we are. That's a That's been a topic that maybe I didn't do a good enough job explaining it to you. We did this work at the Finance Committee, but now we're explaining it to the whole board in here. Questions, gentlemen? I have a Sure. So, I know that this was discussed at the Finance Committee and I this answer was given during that committee, but can you for the public give the answer of what the the difference is in
067salary? >> Sure. This is from Thank you. So, in the area of the four positions at the faculty first grade non-school um the superintendent um of buildings and grounds was budgeted by the town at 95, Board of Ed is paying 105, difference there is $10,000. The animal person was budgeted by the town at 69,000, Board of Ed budgeted at 74,000, difference is $5,000. The AP person, 69,000 on the town budget, 74,000 on the Board of Ed budget, $5,000 difference. The HR benefits, 76,000 at the town, the Board of Ed 874, that's a $2,000 difference. The total um amount of the increase for those four people to change um would be $18,000. Thank you. So, the $20,000 number that we were out there saying for each of it is 20,000 for all. Yeah. Thank you for
068the question. Anybody else? Superintendent. So, I I just think it was important to um clarify that. And again, people may disagree with how we we would do it, and those are things that we're going to have to look at. These recommendations that I'm going to present to you tonight, lately. They reflect a careful balance of fiscal responsibility while continuing to maintain the high quality education experience our community expects for our students. Want to thank the Board of Education, our staff, and especially the Kent community. Because I did listen, the administrative team did listen. And for their partnership and engagement throughout the process, even during the challenging budget conversations, and I appreciate everyone saying it's a challenge. Not community members, and it's a challenge for us, but this team is committed to doing what the the
069board suggests. So, what I would like to do right now is pass out this document so people can see them. And we have enough for the community members, and here we'll pass this out on the line. Thank you. So, I think everyone has um the document. The initial reduction in the Board of Finance in the first chart, transportation and reduction of two bus routes affecting all schools for 90,000. Mrs. Robbins and Mr. Bishop are working hard on that. They're running routes. And they believe that it can be done. Reduction of certified and non-certified staff to be determined. We still need to do that. We need to determine based upon enrollment, and in particular, as I mentioned at every Board of Finance meeting to this quarter, that we're still debating and looking at our kindergarten numbers.
070Right now, it's 85. 86 86 86 you said. Now, you can see with the $375,000 reduction because there's certain of the things that I spoke about. Art lab computers, they're due to replacement for the high school art lab. And what will happen instead of replacing them, they'll just go to another lab. Pause district LCD installation. You all have been into classrooms, so you know that we have LCD projectors in beaming to our art boards, and they're due for a replacement cycle. We're going to hold off on that replacement cycle, not the year they're due. Pause the district staff laptop. Spoke to our union president about that. And And this is something that we are out of cycle with our laptops, and um if they break, there is repair money to be able to replace them,
071but we're hoping that we get another year out of them. The seventh grade Chromebooks, which I mentioned, this will play a part in not purchasing Chromebooks. And eventually down the road, this will play a part that as some people said, we may not have as many Chromebooks and um else and other technology devices at Sherwood Primary School. And that's something that we need to talk about as a a board because it could have direct impact on possible student achievement. You've heard me say this before, that our students just took the Smarter Balanced test, and that not only is a test of your knowledge, but is a test of your computer skills. So, we're asking 8-year-old children to maneuver a computer that if they don't utilize on a a regular basis, they could struggle especially in
072the area of mathematics. Technology infrastructure. We're not going to buy one of our switches. E-rate reimbursement came in better than we expected. A telecommunications audit, Mr. De Mauro said they'll handle that internally. I really enjoyed what one of the uh speakers said today and I didn't get to speak to the speaker before, so I'm glad I'm on the same page and my team's on the same page. We are reducing educational software by 17,500. That is going to change what we purchase relative to software and what students will be utilizing in in the classroom. And that's all right. That's all right. >> in the curriculum Will you update us incorrectly? >> Yeah, what exactly they will be, yes. Okay. Staff professional development. This was not um anything that this administration proposed. This was um at a
073Board of Education meeting when we were at CIS and the the principal mentioned if you The question was asked if you can have one thing, what would you want? It was professional more professional development funds and we cut last year $20,000 out of the budget for professional development, so the Board of Education requested when I was developing the budget put 20 that $20,000 back in and speaking to the administrative team and um with teacher union, it's as we're saying, it's more important for our teachers being classrooms and we're going to reduce that 20,000. Small capital, $92,000. We're hoping and we go that uh with the drip grant that comes from the state of Connecticut, that was you this should cover the $92,000 that we're going to receive from the state. And then there is that
074line of the 2.0 FTE staff members. And as I said, this will not be teachers. This will be that we're going to need to look at some of the things that people have mentioned um today and in the past, these are things that we're going to have to look at relative to $52,000, whether we're going to be reducing positions, but we're we're going to have to eliminate 2.0 FTE, but that is not going to be the teacher cut. That's $375,000 for a total reduction of $575,000. If you want to we can have that and I'll take any questions from the board at this time. So, why don't we just go one by one if there's a question or another suggestion possibly? Um an area that you would think you'd be able to potentially. So, um
075we'll go around and do that. Bernier, are you ready to go first or do you want me to start on the other side? You want me to Thank you. Go first. You want me to? No. Uh I can go first. That's fine. Thank you. Okay. >> [clears throat] >> So, I took a page out of other elected board officials and I did take notes and tallies during last night's meeting as well as tonight. And I want to thank um Dr. Grossman and the supportive team for placing putting this together, listening to the public, and providing us with something that it seems like we have been listening to the public's response. Um there has been an overwhelming to administration and looking at central office / administration. My question to that is, I see technology is is
076here, but the only uh, positions, uh, eliminations are still coming from potentially outside of there. I'm just curious and I think the public would like to hear why central office and administrators can't really aren't looked at. Like, what is the catastrophicness of that? Where we can look at paras, we can look at teachers, we can look at secretaries. What would happen if we looked at central office for the administrators? >> So, the the two staff numbers, as I said, that that's going to have to be looked at. That's going to have to be looked at. The administrative team is going to have to look at across the district where we are relative to staff. That is something that we're going to have to look at. So, that is on the table. So, there is two
077full-time staff members that are making about $26,000 a year. As I said, it could be reducing a position from 1.0 to 0.5. It could just because some of the employees could be hourly. Okay. Um, and then I think you for making the comment on pausing the district staff laptops if they're if they need to be repaired, they'll be repaired. How many for this budget season are up for um, lease renewal? It's like 57,000. How many you think it is? Yeah, 30 30 units. 30 out of out of out of how many? Well, if the total was 57,000, okay. And 30 were up for replacement. 30 are up for replacement. Okay, and what is the typical cycle of a lease? >> 5 years. 5 years. So, we'd be extending that to 6 years. Okay. Um I
078also want to say that I'm very very happy to hear that the administration is looking at Chromebooks in Cherry Brook um and that there will be no purchase of new Chromebooks for seventh graders, thus fourth grade. Um my question is for the third grade and we're state mandated to have um computers in the schools for them to be able to take the smarter balance test in third grade. But, we're not mandated We're just mandated to have the computer there so that they can take the test, right? Okay, and and prep for the test. But, outside of that, we're not mandated to have Chromebooks or screening I don't unless there's an IEP or something like that outside of that. Okay, I just wanted that to be clear. What is a switch? So, what John Yeah, it's
079it's um it's a network device that allows there to be connectivity between multiple devices. Uh okay. So, all right. So, like a router. Okay, so like a router. Yeah. Okay. Okay, thank you. I didn't know what that was. And then um my last comment Oh goodness. Okay, so for sorry. Oh, for we did hear um not touching paras. So, for the staff members, I would urge this board to make sure that we're also not looking at paras and maybe since we were given and the public is given um ease that it will not be teachers, I'd also like to potentially make that paras. Yeah, so those two things that we're going to have to evaluate. Some of those are based upon IEPs and based upon student need. So, that that's something that can change tomorrow.
080As someone has said, we can have a a student special education tomorrow who out that has a parent. So, those are all things that Mrs. McLean has also met with each administrator to and this is why I say this is something that we've been talking about. She's met with each administrator to discuss how we could do things possibly different with providing a paraprofessional support and then Mr. Kushner has also met with each principal and I appreciate the the line of people saying innovative and creativity and looking at how our model is actually a tech chair work with tutoring and how we do tutoring and tech chair work. So, it's time and and I appreciate what you guys said to look at that and the administrative team that has already been Okay. I one last comment
081slash question. Um with the overwhelming results at the referendum, do we as a board, are we able to make further cuts? And do we feel I think the this board really has to think, do we think this is going to pass? So, I'm that's really to my fellow board members. Uh is this enough after we're hearing from the public, we saw the referendum, and what potentially will we have to do down the line? Um something that came to mind for me and I don't know if this is something that we'd want to do is instead of potentially looking at um the non or the two staff members is potentially expanding our um early retirement from five for this year to potentially seven or eight. We saw great savings for that in the budget. Um and
082I'd like to give the opportunity to staff members who would like to elect that opposed to a forced decision. Yeah, so there there's a couple of things. Let me let me answer that. Uh I agree with you that the the teacher retirement really helped in just the the public. If we didn't do that, we would approximately $250,000 more. So, it it actually benefited us to do that. Uh behind the scenes if we're dealing with uh Mrs. Saminy, if we had six people it was the first five Yeah. that was written in the MOU. If we had six or seven we would have done that. Okay, so you don't think that the teachers talked to each other and said, "Oh, I already know there's five. I'm not going to go for it." >> cuz they wouldn't
083even know that >> Okay. it was five but we waited. Okay. Um and as I mentioned before, some of this was I I forget any of this. This this running what it would be Yeah. um and the the individuals. Um but we also got to be careful that we have a lot of experience and we want our students to have the the best teacher. But, I appreciate it. I've already had conversations with the union president of the board next year of offering it if it's something that the the board would be in agreement with. Okay. Thank you. That I rest my questions. You feel okay now? Yeah, for now, yeah. I'm going to ask each board member, are you comfortable supporting the cuts as presented? I am. Um I am I'm comfortable supporting these cuts
084as presented. I think the only thing that I'm a little bit nervous about is are they deep enough? I I mean, for us to I don't want us to have to come back in you know, two weeks again and then we're told, "Okay, we're cutting another million dollars from our That would be impactful. Um I think and I think we would still be within the minimum budget requirement at that time. So, I think that's my only concern, which I think it's after the referendum is a valid one. You probably had everybody's support. You will always have our support. Support decision. If the Board of Finance reduced we are at 275 thousand dollars, I think you could decide as a board that you came up with tonight more or less that brings that number up. Sure,
085you could go back to the Board of Finance and say, "We took 275, but I know I think that's a hard that's a a difficult decision, right? The no's were very it was evident that it the it wasn't close. It was a landslide. And I'm conscious of that and I think we as a board need it's a really tough position that we're in. Um and I'd like to hear from but I am supportive of these cuts. Okay. >> Yep. Okay. Okay. Thank you for your comment. I know that's one person. Because that was a lot of what I was going to I am very much in agreement with a lot of what Jordan said. I'm not a huge fan of the technology cuts. I think this is actually a really good jump start. We've been
086talking a number of us about how we're going to approach technology in the future and I think this is a good jump start. I go so far as to say maybe a blessing in disguise. Um so, I'm happy with what's happening there. I don't think the 52 thousand for non-certified teachers, I don't think that cut is going to go through. I just don't. And I think because of the comments that we heard, everybody's coming from Central Office for Central Office. I spoke in defense of Central Office last night and I am still going to defend Central Office, but I think the number of comments that we've heard we would be remiss not to discuss that. Um I think we need to give really serious consideration to that because I don't know what people are going
087to be having. The people that have chosen to speak to speak. Those who have come to give public comment have definitely made their voices heard. So, I think that's an area that we really look at. So, what's your suggestion? I don't know that I have one. Um except that I don't think that that goes away. I really think So, you don't want to cut your personnel cut? I don't want to. But I think the town does. Okay. I think that's Thanks. And it I I honestly don't know if it's worth that. I'm just going to say it. I don't because of what we've heard from the public. And because of what they're asking for. I I don't like it. I don't like to say that. I know it's a topic you don't want to discuss,
088but from what I've heard I really think we need to I I think we need to say definitively we're not going to cut arrows. And I think we need to take some really close looks at other administration. Yeah. Um if it My thought is um you found another $100,000 in cuts. I don't know if that's going to make the difference because we're at a 1.38% increase in taxes, which we're told is about $65 a year. I don't know. I understand where you're coming from, but I don't know figuring the wind what level is it. It could be zero, right? I mean, maybe that's the town is saying we've had enough on reval and we just can't help you with operating. So, I just if Board of Finance has suggested this is a cut, they it's
089their job to to examine um and then analyze what the public has said. So, I you know I understand that and you know what I would say Can we look then at the question of development? Are there changes we can make here? Can we put freshman development back? And look more closely at that. I just think it's something that we need to talk about. I really do. I'm supportive of that as well. And um I think with the technology that we have I don't mean to go over you but with what we're doing with technology and with our seven technology professionals I personally think that that's a place we could look. So Good suggestion. Good job. I would be open to working on that. I I I think we at the very least need to
090say that we're not going to cut Paris. Um definitely say that. And I wouldn't be opposed to looking at Paris. I had the idea but I had the idea but because of the other cuts we're making technology maybe it's an area that we can look at. Okay, so let's put a pin in that. I think that's good suggestions. Let's go around and then we're going to come back to that. How's that sound? All right. I agree. Hi. Um I agree with I support the current cuts. I also feel that the community has spoken greatly about further cuts. Um what they are I'm not sure. Prior to even coming tonight I've been writing my own list at home and my own speaking about technology. Jordan I appreciate Jordan I appreciate you the patience of being here
091for the past 10 years weekly but that You have been patient and you have heard me. I do want to say that I've known you for a long time and worked with you other capacities for 20 years in education and you do care about students and kids and I appreciate that that you always put students first prior to test scores. As much as data and test scores matter, I've seen you firsthand care about students well-being, their their well-roundedness, their brain development. So, I appreciate that. I think you have heard parents regarding technology. I think it's a microcosm to a much bigger issue, but I think because we're a small town and we have a wonderful community that's engaged and and aware and debate about what's going on. I think it's important that we continue to
092talk about technology. I do wonder if there's more subscriptions, um, licensing, areas of technology that could be cut. I struggle with on the curriculum committee knowing some of it. You know, I excel and I know the world has gone so fast in technology for students, but I I think it's faster than is appropriate and healthy for brain development. I think it's out there. I think the research and the the evidence is out there and the negative impact. And so, I really appreciate you, Dr. Grossman, taking a stand and saying, "We're going to look at this. We're going to do something." I I I think there's got to be something more in technology, but then again, you know, you're already have a good solid start. You know, it's going to tip the scales so much that
093we don't want it to be a detriment either. Um, I I would say too, I I don't know, I'd rather see higher education, a quality education for K through 3 than trying to do this based on the test scores. And I was around when we put the laptops and put the Chromebooks and iPads in Cherry Brook. And I was against it then and been against it now. Um, but I think that was state state mandated in some regard. So, I just think there's got to be something else technology that could go. Um but I heard you on your recount of central office and you were very transparent. I know the public may not understand but through finance committee which I used to be on and through other board things you were very transparent on every
094time the town shifted that back to us and I know why you did it. It was also for efficiency because it was not as efficient having people on other floors, time wasted, loss of you know mistakes. So so although the public may not understand those of us who are on the committees at the time, it's not the word ignoring those positions but you were thoughtful in explaining the changes as we go along. I don't think the public understands sometimes what what goes on in all the sub committee work. Um I don't know. I'm at a loss for where else to cut cuz I hate to cut any more but I but I am concerned about the taxpayers. Um not being satisfied. Yeah. So as it stands right now I say the question but we're going
095to come back to technology but as it stands right now I would just support those cuts. Yes except the bus routes that students are on really late and on too early. Um but I know I know you care about kids so so I know you would adjust accordingly but right. I feel very transparent about that. Doesn't work. Last thing I need is a headache driving and transportation of kids not getting to the school. Well we'll figure that out. We won't take cuts on those months. But right now this is Robbins and this Bishop that it's working but as I said at the last finance committee until those buses are on the road actually driving with all the kids going each stop then I'll come back to you. >> And it's helpful to parents to fill
096out these forms accurately. That that Next to go Well, we'll be sending out letters next week. Next week to families asking them if they're going to opt in to transportation or opt out. Now, they can change that at any time, but I appreciate that community member mentioned that, so that's what we did. Good, Kim. Yes, thank you. Thank you for your comments. Mr. Shive. Yes, a couple of comments and questions, sir. I'm delighted you're reevaluating the use of Chromebooks. That should be all we can do right now. But it's important. Um But testing is a fact of life. And by postponing buying a great number of Chromebooks, >> [clears throat] >> that just puts the problem down the line for you. It doesn't because that was one of the things that I have in the
097smarter balance row the show that the requirements for smarter balance testing it is specifically a device. So, Mr. Bishop, It's it's a 5-year operating lifespan for Chromebooks. And so, every 5 years, because of the way that the system works, you have to be able to get a new device out. We can we can push that off to be able to have time. Um this year they're not letting them. But that problem's not going to go away. The cycle of every 5 years needing to be able to have some replacement for that that was something that I had studied I think 5 or 6 years ago. Um as it stands right now, the requirements that were continued to be need for us. We can use them less. They might last longer. Correct. And it's still Look,
098the thing about it is the state still requires the kids to test. I have a question. The state's not talking about doing away with that requirement. Not that I heard. Not that I heard, either. The other piece with this is if you recall last year we bought the Chromebooks with the commissioner's network grant money. And I just want to remind the uh the the board and the community this was not a forced takeover by the the state of Connecticut to do our middle school. Our middle school actually, correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. Bishop, last year was the highest performing middle school in in the Farmington Valley based on the performance index. Based on the performance index. Um and we've received close to a million dollars when this is all done from the state. The
099the LCD installation in both of the schools, the teachers have become very passive with the use of those. Very good use of it from the small in any case, so I've got anyway. What happened What happens? So if they break, Mr. the master already has funds within his budget to replace, repair, breakable ones. What What we're not doing is replacing ones that currently um his replacement. So I'm going to replace them if they're not that old, right? So Mr. Bishop There's a replacement cycle based on data that we were seeing from the number of issues of reports for that. And so what we're planning to be able to do with this is as we measure these out to be able to provide support, we will continue to be able to fix those things while while
100we'll also study to see are there cheaper, more effective, more efficient options for us to be able to consider in the future. They are certainly part of teachers' regular instruction. The staff laptops, same question. I know that that You can postpone it a year, but they won't go on forever. Right. So just postponing this a year That would be the expense. And again studying the uh studying our needs. So every teacher needs one. What I mean by that, Mr. Scheiber, is the the needs for the functionality of those computers. Is there something that we can do to be more efficient with the with the cost that we have or the availability that we have? And what I told by our director of technology is that laptops right now cost of laptops have gone through through
101fiscal this fiscal year for us that um it could be the time to level set and next year maybe the cost will go down or maybe there's a different technology that we would want to use for teachers. Good. Um I wouldn't know switching if it hit me in the face, but when I feel like we know how fast they go and they break, you have a crisis. So we Was this a fair So he has one and and we still have one large capital. So he has one for the the large capital. So feel that will be all right with us. I mean What's left of staff budget? If the 20,000 goes, what's left? What's left of staff development? I believe it's 20 uh 28,000 left. Okay. And that should be cutting about half. We're
102not We're not cutting anything. We actually increased from last year. >> Okay. I see that. Thank you. Um What's the most of small capital? What's gone? Hopefully nothing's gone, but the trip grants or hopefully that with state of Connecticut and this happened during the budget cycle, the state of Connecticut gave us $84,000 this year for repair and replacement of small capital items. And next year they'll be giving us the the same amount. So hopefully not. All right. Last uh to Emma's comments about central office. It may be needed to compare with other persons. It seems to me we need to manage this person with the other community. I think you're all just over the grass. If we put a two in front of the 52,000, you don't have to answer what we've got. From 252,000
103Yes, yes, 52,000. Yeah, you know what I'm saying? You put a two two in front of it. You don't have to answer that, but I don't see what we don't need. Well, tell me if you're looking at a a central office type of thing with 252,000 above the central office, I would encourage the board not to do that. That's not to say you shouldn't look at central office, but if we're looking at 252,000 for um central office, um I'm not sure how that would be done. Um it it was mentioned in the previous district that Mrs. Robinson was at. Um she had the same staff over her in in Granby. Uh If the board is looking for $200,000 more, I I remind you that it Just a number I threw out for discussion. Yeah, no,
104I'm just saying. I remind you the board financed it $375,000. I don't know, that's why I'm sharing this. I don't know how it works that you say tonight the board of finance is $375,000. You're concerned that it may not pass. And people have been talking about the board of ed and that you want to do another $200,000 based upon discussions that we had tonight. I don't know how that would work um because they last night they thought they voted on something to bring to the voters, so there would have to be possibly a a special meeting to change what they would bring um to the voters but like we're open I just dropped 375,000 because that's what I was asked to do. But if we generate more of a list that's up to the board
105to do. >> Can I I want to respond to Joe because I agree with you Joe but I don't know where those cuts could be made. What I was getting at before is I think it's a discussion that we need to have. I think the public is looking for us to defend that and that's where we need to have a discussion. You did I mean the four positions are But I think it is looking looking at those roles and what they do and if we were to lose one, what would that look like for everybody else working? How much extra would it would that be for Like I think we need to look at that and be transparent about that. I think that's what the public is really asking for. What is everybody doing and
106what are we paying? I mean Mrs. Robinson will certainly answer those questions tonight because she's intimately working with each of those four individuals who serve uh Bishop um can speak about the role uh of one of the central office staff members that works directly with him and then I I know you know what Mrs. Nardi um does. Can I add to that to really quick because I think I want to make sure that we're educating the public as well as ourselves because if someone asked me how many administrators how many are part of your organizational chart of central staff administrators, who's defined as what, I couldn't honestly answer that question. So It's in the budget. Okay. So I'd like to Okay and I can look at that but I I think the defining of like
107central staff versus admin because the verbage that was used mostly was administration. It wasn't central staff. I would like that to be maybe central staff and administration. >> I think I think the budget book does break it down into central office staff and it breaks down into administration. Our bargaining group, and I appreciate that one of the >> Right, but we don't know I know that numbers. Sorry, I didn't mean to cut you off, but we don't know who. Like are you part of central staff? I believe you're part of administrators. Okay, but people in the public may think you are part of central staff. So, I think that's Sorry, that's really what I'm trying to get at. Not how many, but who. Sure. Okay. I said I think that's where some of some of
108the misinformation word that everybody likes to use. I think that that's where some of it's coming from is some of it isn't as clear as it maybe could be. And I think that's really what people are, you know, hungry for to to know. So. Okay. Uh Amy, I know this is your first budget, but any any questions, thoughts? Yeah, one um small question and then just a couple of thoughts. So, I just wanted to clarify what art lab computer lab computers at CHS means. Mr. Aubrey. Sure, it's a small lab of uh computers that are spec'd out built out so that the students can be able to use uh higher performing graphics card to be able to create the art. Um it's the same standard design that we have in our CAD lab. Um the
109computer aided drafting. Um what we have done is have kids go over there to be able to staff them out. Um so, in place of being able to replace the 16 year old CAD lab, which they can continue to be able to use the old software, I would be able to use the new first 90 part of the program. Um and I just so just generally on technology, um I do know I'm in the absolute minority, but I I think we have an obligation to prepare our students for the world. Technology is part of that. I um deeply believe appreciate the perspective of the younger ages and limiting that that access or use of technology at that age, but I would just fear that we're um throwing the baby out with the bathwater if we
110continue to limit the resources we have at least something in older grades um for our students to have access to that will help them in the future how you know real world jobs seeking. So, I just wanted to say that. Um it sounds like the cuts [clears throat] that you proposed will not have a huge impact on our students' experience, so I'm comfortable with what you put together here. Um I would say I wish there was a way we didn't have to cut the professional development. I understand this is a cut from last year as getting rid of well we wanted to add that in, but professional development is very important for our team, so um and I guess that's just more of a statement that I I'm I guess I'm saddened to see that
111the public did not care for the budget and we have to be thankful. Um but it seems like that also will allow us to continue the professional development we had last year a huge impact in that in that aspect. And then I would just say to what um Jordan and Michelle have been saying, I agree with what Michelle was saying in um in terms of central administrative staff. I think at least from my perspective being new, I would appreciate more um information on kind of the new show because it is the stuff on the agenda what everybody has spoken about and I think we have to take that seriously. You know, I'm giving my two cents but I would you know, really appreciate more information you know, about what our staff consists of and so
112we can either defend or identify areas where we can reduce more if necessary going forward. Um and after that I will suppose it's saying the people on the central administrative office administrators that I've worked with over the last few months have been amazing and just for what it's worth for the public, I have worked in the city for nearly 15 years and definitely have worked with um public employees that I think don't deserve the money they need. Whatever. I I don't think that of anybody I have come across in our town. So for what it's worth, I think you're not fast per what formats we have in this town of our town. She should be telling you that the highest means. She knows everything and she um does such a great service for our town
113and and so I would just encourage you to say I think it's important that we sort of look into that more thoroughly because that's the charge we receive from the public. And otherwise, back to the original question with my what I was talking about. I think I just said that. I I meant to ask you Mr. Chairman, are you comfortable with my suggestion today having heard all that explanation here? Ali I'm not pleased. Yes. I'm going to give you the last >> comfortable with my job. So you're not pleased today. Um first of all, I do want to echo what Amy just said that I had no idea as to what went into creating these budgets and doing all these things. And I I don't know how you guys all do it. I've seen you
114respond to messages in the middle of the night, and early in the morning, and our administrators work tirelessly for our district. Um I would give you all the money in the world, but but but we can't. So, um I do think we need to look at more staff cuts. I don't know what that is, but I agree with everyone said resoundingly that was what our community is saying. Um I did want to clarify with the art and theaters as well. Those are not classes being cut. Those are not opportunities being cut for our students. It's just a reallocation of where they're going to go. Okay. >> It's continuing to have them go where they have been going. Okay, excellent. Thank you for that. Um Yeah, I think everyone has kind of covered everything I had
115on my notes. Um That's a beautiful way to put it, Alex. Thank you. So, thank you everyone for letting me have a good night. Glad you had the chance to take it all in. Um And again, I would also support what we have going here. And yeah. Okay, thank you. All right, so So, I have one quick question. >> Sure. >> have to be answered tonight? I brought this up before, but uh when we have an end of cycle or life cycle for technology, or like we take a whole grade level to take their Chromebooks. Is there any revenues or or do you don't have to answer that or do they go? Where do we dispose them? We have a third party. Like is there profit we get back? Is there any money somewhere? >>
116There's not really a profit that can be taken from it because most of the components are non-life with that. What we do do is recycle for some some component that comes back in, but not anywhere close to a return on investment that we get from the Any purchases? And any funds that come back from the disposal of assets for the district goes back to the town. Town. Thank you. Okay. All right. I appreciate everybody's comments. I think they were very helpful and wonderful. Um so, I would start by saying this, that um let's take the technology and the administrative staff. We're not going to focus on central office cuz I think we're pretty good there. But, administrative I I think what has to happen we we can't finger the wind tonight and say, "Let's cut
117more people. Let's cut something out of technology." These things have to be studied and they have to be done thoughtfully. And um so, what I'm proposing what I've said to some of you over the last few weeks is what this board of education has to do when I did it my first term, we called it a brick-by-brick study. But, what we did was we broke down with a group of folks and the superintendent, we went through every dollar that was being spent that had to be justified and understanding what the effect is to those dollars. So, what I'm saying tonight is we have a $375,000 cut. We have it in place. Seems that everybody's comfortable. What you are doing is you're raising excellent questions. But, those questions have to be looked at immediately after this
118with the goal of coming up with the next budget to be much less than where we are or where we started this year and where we probably will be ending up. In fact, so my commitment to all of you is we are going to work through the summer and through the fall in getting this down to where the public is asking us to. The The cuts that you're asking us to do right now is very difficult without that kind of stuff. Um but, I will say this and this goes along with this is um and I know we don't want to cut um we talked about teachers and parents. But, we are a public school, and sometimes the fact that we spread ourselves too thinly, that we go a mile wide and 6 in deep,
119we may be offering too many things. We have to look at those things. We may have to condense in what our offerings are. We may not be able to offer Chinese in the future. We may not be able to offer I know we do sign language classes. We have to look at each one of these and we have to condense and we have to do what we do stay with what we do best. We have to focus in on things academically and some of the other things that this district is being known for. I would never cut the music program because we are known not just um not just locally, but we're known nationally now for that program. I mean, so in business you when things aren't going well, you retrench to your core and
120you fan the things that you do well to get better again. And those are the things in this study that I'm proposing. Those are the things that we need to do going forward. Um we have a track program that is just you know, 90 I think it's 90 kids go out for track or something like that. So, now unfortunately, we only have I understand maybe nine kids out for football. Football may may have to be one of those things that cut and you're talking to somebody that played for 12 years and coached for nine. But, the fact of the matter is we may have to look at that um and we may have to begin to cut that as we go forward in the future because we don't have enough uh students participating. And those
121are the things we have to look at uh going forward. So, when when I asked you each if you're comfortable with that decision at 375, I am also comfortable with 375, but I would like to promise uh and commit that next year we are going to we are going to come in uh and really take a look at this budget and it's It's to be it's going to have a different look and a different look next year when we start off. It's not going to be at the levels that we've been starting over the last couple years, but we're going to be down to something much more significant going forward. So, I I'm comfortable with where we are and what we've been asked to do. Um and I think I hear you all saying that
122you're also comfortable with that direction. So, from what I just said, Jordan, how do you feel? Um I I feel relatively the same. Um I am still okay with the cuts. I am still concerned that there that ref- they will not pass that referendum. Um I like the idea very much so of the brick by brick. I have two questions in regards to that. One is if we find that we're overstaffed somewhere, I'm going to take that analogy because that's what's happening today. If we find we can do without over the summer, do we have to wait until next budget cycle to do something about that? Yes. I think when you're dealing with people and classes already in place, you know, already going on, Okay. I think that would be a difficult thing to do.
123So, all of our technology staff is teaching? No. Okay. Okay. Okay. So, what what we we have to do is >> the case, I agree. is relative to um riff, for example, we can riff people for budgetary reasons or eliminate people based upon need. Mhm. Um some individuals, but not all, have contracts. And we would have to go into those contracts and really analyze what's in that contract and what the what the nation Okay. is. Yeah. Okay. >> But you're looking at it. You're around already the next budget cycle. Sure. So so some of the things that you spoke about this evening, that's why I actually staff positions. That really has to be looked at in a way to make sure that we're we're doing it the the right way and legal way. Yeah, no
124and I 100% agree with that. I think what my concern is is I think the answer when I asked this during the budgets is the past 10 years and correct me if I'm wrong, we've been over budget every year and I understand that that's special education. However, if we're under budget generally we would have to go to the Board of Finance and ask for an appropriation. We do have to look at that. Right. Well, okay. So if we are over budget on special education, even if we're under budget on general education, we still go to the Board of Finance? We do. It but it's it's the bottom line. For right now, I think we're about 230,000. Okay. In the last >> Okay. So then 220. Okay. Um and that's being driven by special education. So
125we're going to have to even though we're under on general education by something like that. We still have to go back. Sorry. So I'm saying if we were under on general education by let's say 320, so we're in the positive 100. It offsets. So then you do not have to go to the Board of Finance. Oh, correct. Okay. Okay. So if we were able to do something about that proactively, I I think you know, that would be excellent. So I very much am happy that we will do be doing the brick by brick. Um if it comes to the brick by brick, how does the minimum minimum budget requirement come into play if we find out we don't need an increase next year? God willing. Minimum budget requirement is required to do to the the
126town. Yeah. Final board event at the state rate that it did the year before except for as um one of our um who was actually said um there are four exceptions to that and um you know, we can't close the school but you know, there are four um exceptions in the state. So Okay. All right. Okay. It would be great if I could take it. Good luck, right? >> I would love that. Right. I mean but let's brick by brick we might be able to do it. Yeah. So it's yeah, I I am Yeah. I know, you know, they used the word yesterday in the coffee room. Mhm. I think we're all uncomfortable. We are. We are. We we all have you know, not really sure what directionally Yeah. what what it is completely, right?
127Mhm. But we're asked for a 375, we'll make it 375. >> Yep. Yep. Michelle, you good? I I am yes, I I I will approve this. I want to say though I do wish that the professional development we were cutting less there and more in the staff members. I understand the reasoning and I'm happy to approve this. And I think that the brick by brick was necessary because when it comes to next year when we start to study all of this again, we're going to have to be able to say this is why we need this is why we're cutting these programs and not these staff members because what we have heard over and over and over again from the public is the staff motion. So I need the I need the brick by brick
128and I think the public needs to know that. Right. 100% agree. So I'm going to I'm going to agree to this. >> That's why we can't that's why we can't just rush into this and say we're going to bring Nick back out of here in a minute." Okay. This is so No, I'm good. You're good? This is good, Shannon. Al, you want to jump in so you don't have to go last? I was going to go to Amy. And then Al. Are you good? Yes, I'm good. Al, you can go after you. Oh, mix it up. Um Yeah, I think for my running of the center, I think it will show the town and probably show that for us too. Like it is good to know what we're spending our money on and how we
129are operating our funds. Um So, I will support what we have now. I think we're Thank you. I think one quick comment. We haven't overrun on special ed the last 10 years. It saves about half. It's not every year we go back to the town for money. I I will Um so, there's a tricky part to that, right? Because and I may be being insensitive to this as I wasn't here. Um the ECS money that was with the that excess cost money for special ed was that extra money was always given to the town. So, the previous administration which stration always asked for that. That If you want to count that, then yes. >> Okay. In terms of You have had balanced budgets at the end of the year. Special education has also been under
130the same race with areas of revenue to support board of ed shortfalls, special education or board of ed and it's so that makes it a little bit harder to account for. Thank you. Okay, so let's catch us up. Sure, because they they invited look at an action item. Um, there is one. Um, and it was kind of a waste of time to do it, but um, that was a stupid job. Um, this is Robinson and this is Nardi to develop a an org chart for you uh, relative to the the central office um, staffing level and we'll do what it is just to give you the brief description of what each one of them um, do. Uh, and our next board meeting actually is the the night of um, the 2nd. I would recommend that
131that we first start at the finance uh, committee level just to review, but um, possibly be able to share that with you. If that's all right with Sounds good. All right, so the chair is going to make the motion and we'll have a second. So, the chair votes that the Canton Board of Education revise the 20 FY26-27 Board of Education final budget based on a recommended financial reduction from the Board of Finance in the amount of $375,000 to include technology hardware for $155,000, technology infrastructure $38,500, educational software for $17,500, staff professional development for $20,000, small capital for $92,000, and then 2.0 staff members, non-certified teachers for $52,000. This equals $375,000. Discussion. Hearing none, we'll vote. This is a um, money vote, so it'll be a voice vote. So, all those in favor I'll go right
132around. Say my name or just say No, just say I. All those I. I. I. I. I. I. I. So, that's seven of us, seven all, motion carries. Before we adjourn, I'll mention you a few things. One is tomorrow night there is a there is a choral concert that starts at 7:30. If you can make it, that would be great. Uh the final thing is we do have the uh annual Memorial Day parade. Not sure how the weather's going to hold. Hope to see you all there. Uh we line up at 9:30. Step off at 10:00, I believe. 9:30 step off at 10:00. Yeah. All right. Uh any other business come before the Board of Education this evening? Hearing none, this meeting is adjourned.