001It's a big screen. >> Good evening. This is the East Tatam Board of Education, our special budget meeting. It is uh Thursday, February 6 uh 26, 2026. And we are all going to stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance 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. >> Um there's two exits here and that one takes you to the front and one takes you to the rear building. >> Our agenda item two is audience of citizens. Do we have any feel or do we have any audience members? >> No. >> Okay. So, we'll go right to number three, which is our budget workshop uh and discussion and anticipated action to adopt the 2026
0022027 budget. Okay. Good evening everyone. want to welcome everyone including the administrative team who are here eager to answer any questions. Um the packet we're going to go over is the same packet that you were given two weeks ago. Um and so we'll elaborate on any line items that you would like and just go through in sequence and order that exist in the packet so that we're all on the same page. And page one begins with the East Hatam Elementary School. Although the categories have a description, feel free to ask for any elaboration. First section is salaries, please. Um, so my first question is I noticed that in the elementary school for the office of the principal that there's a 0% increase, but I noticed in some of the other schools in the administrative salaries
003there's actually an increase. And I'm confused by that. Why would there be one administrator getting an increase but not another? I'm looking at what you're looking at and I do see the salary increases. noted why it it's at zero makes no sense because you can see it goes up and she would tell me if the salary in her budget that she did was wrong but you can tell it goes up. >> No, it it doesn't. >> No, it doesn't. 168 >> 627. >> It went up from the year before 161. So >> I don't have salaries. >> Oh my. That's gotcha. That's a >> I think it was improperly budgeted last year and so it has the current um value for the new contract for next year. >> Okay. So you think the one from
004the previous year was not accurate. >> Okay. That's easy to verify. >> I'm sorry. Can you repeat that one more time, please? The >> I think it was budgeted last year at the 2627 rate. But I I thought we had >> I'm confused because I I thought we haven't done the administrator s the administrator contract yet. >> They have a current contract for 2627. >> They do. >> Yes. >> And so what is the percent of the salary increase for administrators? >> We have to go back and look. I'd like to I'd like to know that because what's what I what I found interesting was that again it's reflected with a zero in the elementary school but if you go to the high school it's showing an increase and that to me was just a
005flag because I would assume everyone's getting the same. >> Yes, there's everyone's getting an increase by contract. >> I'd like to know what that is. >> Right. So last year the number should have been and I'm looking at the contract for 2526 should have been 162 239 but it was budgeted at 168728 in error and so this year for 2627 the 168728 is actually the salary. >> Okay. And so >> so if you look at the high school principal for last year would have been one for this current year is 174 373 and next year is 18040. The high school principal numbers were correct. For some reason the number for the elementary principal was picked up at the 2627 rate in last year's budget. >> Okay. Because we didn't change an oversight from last year.
006>> Okay. was I I appreciate the I appreciate the answer and and you know I don't want to belabor it but I do think especially you know as we know we are uh going to be getting contracts it would be very helpful for the board to know what the percent increases have been in the past um especially in this uh financial climate. So, I would love to see what that number is >> for future reference. All the contracts are posted online. >> I know, but I I certainly can try and get that information right now. >> I'm just letting you know just in case. Anything else under salary section? Um that is a 4% increase. >> Four. >> Yep. >> Um under student activities the other wages stipens. >> Yes. >> Um I think that
007was supposed to be 437 because it was two different ones. It's um yearbook and audio visual. >> What page are you on? >> Sure. About a thousand. Just over a thousand. >> 397 I think is what it was supposed to be. >> Only because I had asked that question. Thank you. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> 439 students >> on page two. Can you explain what the teachers aids do in the early education council? So early education is separate from prek. It's that Yeah. It's that program that we support with the town FRC program. >> Uh the family resource center >> and the family resource center. Is that a townun organization? >> I believe it's budgeted between town and board of ed. My understanding >> they contribute. Yes. We we share that. And what do
008these and how many aids are there? There >> one. So this is one salary. That's what I'm looking at here for 25,000. >> There's one person who runs the programming and then there's a person who works with >> that's for both their salaries. >> That's for both. >> That's both their salaries. So why would there be an a decrease? >> I'm not sure. >> Because it wasn't spent. >> It wasn't spent $625. the salaries. >> So this is uh they're paid then by the hour. It's not a necessarily a set salary. If there's flexibility, right? It would make sense that yeah, >> they were pretty. >> Okay. Okay. Great. >> And the town only contributes was it >> 9,000. >> Yeah. >> But >> they but they don't pay rent or anything else. We offer
009that. We correct. And then my second question on that same page is um we have a real problem I think in our higher education system with remedial education. So when I saw a 30% reduction in a remedial education, it caught my eye. What is what is uh why are we reducing that by 30%. Let's take a look at who that was. This is only at the elementary. So there is a math interventionist there. There is a literacy interventionist there. And one literacy position was not filled. >> It was budgeted but not filled. Other questions on salaries. Then other categories begin health services. Library needs services at the bottom of page three and it continues by department. On page four, I just had a question on the decrease in instructional equipment for visual. Why is there
010such a um a drop and what does that in what does that cover? So we had originally budgeted in the previous year for an additional Prometheian board um in case we lost one or we needed to add additional board and so that is not reflected in the new budget and that's a a big ticket item that would reduce the overall. >> Okay. Thank you. Continuing page five, six discussion. >> I have a question on page seven. Uh uh first um they're both of the questions are under resource media. There's a 100% increase in math and a massive increase in science. Could you just refresh our memories what those are for? >> Right. So the platform we use in science um is called mystery science and it's a digital platform that launches the different phenomena that
011we we use across the K3 classrooms and it has been previously budgeted for two years at a time. So we'll have a an uptick and then we'll have a year where we don't pay. And so this is the next um subscription >> coming due. So it goes back up every two years. And are multiple teachers allowed to use that subscription? >> Every teacher. >> Oh, good. Okay. Okay. >> And the same for math. That's uh not dollar-wise, but it's 100% increase. Is >> Which line are you >> resource media? >> Uh 56415. >> It's a dark blue line at the end of math on page seven. The only reason I ask is because in the first year it's showing 7,900 and then the next year massive drop and now it's upticking again. So we were
012previously using for our benchmarking system I Ready which was a a significant cost. Last year when we were required to change our reading benchmarking system and we moved to the dibbles on the ampli amplify platform we brought math along with it. They've since um upgraded their math platform and so the price went up a little bit for the the subscriptions that we use for the benchmarking system. And again, that's for every student. Okay, great. >> And we're finding it's much better than the I Ready. The eye ready. We definitely did not want to continue. >> I know this is a sore subject, but there is a line in there for world language, and unfortunately, we don't have the world language program anymore. So, we'll have to look at that. >> The supplies. Well, um, wasn't
013she going to try to provide teachers to be incorporated? >> Yeah, that's I was just gonna I just want to >> Where are you seeing >> under world language? >> It's at the top of >> 1533 under world language. >> I don't have the same document you have. >> Um, I have nothing for world language in my elementary school um operating budget. I have no line. So it carried over Christine in this one. >> Trying to open band-aids. I'm just >> No, no, no. I'm just It's not here on my budget anymore. >> Thank you. >> You know, it's only a, uh, $533. >> Okay. That probably would have been last year's amount. >> Yes, that's exactly what it was. >> Was cut. >> Yeah. >> And that that can shift to support the shortfall
014in the um yearbook audio visual if you >> So this will shift shift. Move it. >> Thank you. eight. the elementary gone to professional development yet. And that's a bone I'm going to continue to pick. >> Okay. All right. Um, still maintaining um the budgets at the school level. The next one we shift to is middle school. Same sequence. >> Yeah, they use a bigger font. >> Appreciate it. >> Yes, it was. Did you take one teacher out of regular and put it in remedial? >> No, one teacher's paid through um title one. >> Okay. Because regular is 98,867 lower than before and remedial is 98,867. other way around. Sorry. >> Right. >> So the other way around. So from the other >> Yeah. So when this budget here it was 203949 before now it's
015105. >> Correct. Because one teacher Well, one teacher is paid through title one. So that doesn't show now regular is the exact same amount higher. >> So Christine, so say that again because I couldn't follow that. >> The remedial education line is 9 98,867 lower than this book. whereas the regular is 98,867 higher. So I was asking if they if one teacher got moved from that program to them. >> There's a difference between the budget book and what was superintendent presentation. That's what she said. >> I just me one second because I have to >> we have two remedial teachers at >> that's a good cash moss. My spreadsheet on staff doesn't have the titles on. Okay. So, is it McKenzie? Who's the bidial teacher? >> Yeah. Tina >> Spaetti >> McKenzie Tina McKenzie is
016for >> ELA. >> Okay. >> And we have Kim for math. >> Who's the math? >> Kim Tulle. Okay. So, Kim Tulle is in um the regular teacher line. and the only one in remedial is um McKenzie. So if tulle needs to move that's my error in that I didn't understand their position. >> Okay we're going to look deeper into that. >> So I can shift the salary into remedial and there is title one support there. I can shift it into remedial and I can um reduce regular have to just go through and make sure everyone is accounted for. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> Still page one. >> Yeah. Just going back up uh to the office of the principal again. If the administrative salaries was a 4% increase, this is showing a 5.99%
017increase. So what is the >> what's the reasoning for that? So, it varies um in the contract. When someone is hired, there's a change. Um and so this um particular position, the two at the middle school, I wonder if it's the the higher came in lower first year and then adjusted second year. That's what it is. because that you have contract language like that in your contract, right? So, it the higher first year was lower than what was on the chart, schedule chart, and then it bumped up. >> Are you describing a step? Is that what you're trying to >> The contract has language. It's you can start them below the step schedule on the chart. So, right. So that's why started lower, but then you have to move them up. So that explains the
018difference from year one to year two. >> I'll with Jim's advice, I'll take a look at those contracts. So I'm just So is this for all administrators? >> All administrators back >> or new hires. That's all >> the steps. Sometimes you have step, you know, step one, two, three. We have just a salary within your first couple years of hire, you're going to be up to 10% lower. So that would look like like in my first year, 10% lower than what you see on the schedule. So it'll look like a bigger increase as we work our way in the next two years up to the schedule. >> I see. Okay, that makes more sense to me. Okay, thank you. I appreciate that explanation. And in looking at the percentages, they are different depending on which
019position you're looking at. It was the elementary that was 4%. Middle and high school are not. >> What are they? Um, see >> can move on while I do the calculation if you'd like. >> Thank you. >> In the office of the principal under secretaries, how many are there? Two. >> Three. Are they all there or is that counseling one in a different section? There's three secretaries, >> two 10 month and one 12 month. >> And that's the only place they show up. I was looking to see if it showed up. One of them showed up anywhere else, but I don't see it. >> That leads me to ask a question. So, are schools staffed all year round 20 8 to 4 even when even in the summer? >> Correct. We had a summer school
020park and rack and >> So is there a secretary at every building in the summer? >> Oh, okay. Yeah, it was the same three. Three in each building. Two tens and one. >> I didn't know that. Okay. Two. My only question Dr. Drito is can you tell me where stipens would be? So it depends. So there are stipens here for coaching under athletics. Then there are stipens under student activity. That sort it looks like some of the words were cut off there. >> Yeah. So, and then there are instructional facilitators that are in the systemwide. We'll get to those stipens. You'll see that later. It actually says instructional facilitators. So, they're in multiple places depending on the role for the stipen. >> And the reason I ask is obviously we're in the process of still
021negotiating that. So, h how does that how does that weave into the process? If we haven't met and we're far apart, what's the number that's baked in here? >> We didn't bake a number. >> So, there's zero money for stipens in this budget as presented. >> Make internal adjustments. Correct. >> So, so I I just want to follow that through my mind. So let's say uh we make whatever adjustments it goes to the board of finance and we finally reach a an agreement on stipens in I don't know April. Do you go back to the board of finance and say hey we need so so we have to we have to find >> we have to yes I would have to make a cut elsewhere. So, I just have to say out loud for the
022record, why would the unions cancel meetings and not get this settled before we send this off to the board of finance? >> School was not in session and they felt, you know, they didn't want to get on the road. So, I can't really answer >> it. You know, I'm just trying to understand how all these puzzle pieces come together and it's significant dollars. It's not 20 grand, right? It's over 300,000 >> total. Total. Yeah, total. No, no, total. So, I just I'm just curious on how it melts through. Okay. If I can just interject that the the high school principal is 3.3% increase, the middle school principal is 2.75 and elementary is 4%. >> And those are negotiated percentages with the union. >> Appreciate it. >> Yep. >> So I just want to go back
023to what Melissa was saying. So basically there's roughly $300,000 that >> is here >> would have to be >> that's already here. >> The 300,000 is already here because that's our current >> all those stipens are here. >> All in here. >> All are in here. >> Whatever. >> It's whatever adjustment for next year. Correct. >> Correct. >> Yes. If you follow the lines, they're at 0% right now. >> Sure. Sure. Sure. Just if there is an increase, >> then we have to take it from somewhere else. >> Exactly. >> Sure. The delta. Yes. >> Just make sure. >> The tough part about budgeting, >> right? >> Which is why >> No, we do usually bare bones budget and it's 0% right now. So, >> that was your request. >> My That was the request.
024Other question it then shifts to services the board of finance% everything questions on page three Four on um on page five. I know we're on screen for you. But again, I noticed that computer education instructional supplies have um um gone down quite significantly. 70% is the reason for that. >> That's Project Lead the Way. We've purchased a lot. >> We purchased a lot. It's and um it's a two-year cycle. >> So, we purchased two years worth of the supplies per their program. And so, it's going down this year. kind of along the lines. I might kind of be thinking of something that's farther down, but I know as we get more into like student Chromebooks and teachers technology and things like that, is that on a on a cycle plan somewhere? >> Which part? >>
025Like a U for for students Chromebooks for like replacements and things and um >> that's in the IT budget. >> That would be under the IT budget. That's what I thought. I just want to make sure to page seven. I I just want to make sure on page six under purchase services for $1,000. Is that the is that the uh concert pianist? >> I have to look. Can you just Can you trust but verify that for me please? >> Which line is up? >> Uh it's under music 55165 012 53 01 010 >> 53 010 >> because you got asked about that. That's the paint nest. >> Yeah. Trying to find it here. >> It says purchase services. Yeah, it didn't exist before. >> You said it was an increase of $1,000. >> Well, there
026was nothing there before. >> It's a new allocation. There was no spending under that category >> right above dues and fees. >> That's what I have submitted that she submitted was that >> that's what you have. I thought I tracked it that way but I wasn't. I just want to make sure. >> I just want to highlight this for later discussion. >> I understand. >> Okay. Anything else through page seven? >> Well, I'd like to know what the process is going to be if if members have suggestions, additions, or deletions. What is the process going to be here tonight? I don't want to do it peace meal. I'd prefer to wait till the end. That's why I said flag it >> until the end of the conversation. You don't want to do it peacemail, do
027you? line through it or too late. Do you want to go back? You do you have other things? >> I just I I'm just of it as we're moving. >> Whatever your process is, I just want to understand what it is. >> I was going to ask you, do you have other notes? >> I have lots of notes later on at the end of this that are in the district. Yes. >> Before we >> Let's do it as we go. I'd rather do it as we go. >> Do you have other previous things? >> I do not. I'm not prepared to make a motion for addition or a deletion previous to what we just discussed. >> Okay. >> Why don't we just do that going forward then? If you have some suggestions going forward, let's
028do >> a to cut something to add. >> So then if that's the case, then I would put forward that uh allocation to be removed. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yeah. To me, it feels unfair if we're not going to do it for the other schools to do it for one, not the others. So to that point, Madam Chair, is this a motion for each one or do you want to do you want to collect them and make a motion? >> I want to make a motion at the end, but I want to hear what you have going forward. Okay. >> Okay. Okay. So, that's the first one. >> That's the first one. Yes. >> Anything else? It was mostly again I was having a hard time hearing my hearing aids aren't >> um the
029way I read the book it's for a it's not it doesn't affect the kids. It's simply uh a contract. The way I read it they're going to bring in a pianist to accompany a concert. So it feels more like a concert. That's basically what the write up said and it's only in this school to Jessica's point. We talked about that when that question came up and we talked about better speakers and how we're going to make improvements. So, no one's going to object to the removal of $1,000. Anything else? very high skill about the same salaries. Finally question is a reduction in nurses. Is that uh staff is that it's not a reduction, it's the actual pay. We found that what was there for prior years was not accurate. Christine, we're looking at health services
030for high school. >> Yes. Because that that employee is a LPN and it had a higher um salary that would have been more for the RN. >> But did we used to have an RN? No. >> Same person. >> Yes. >> Same person for the last five, six years. >> There was an R because I was there. Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. She's still at the elementary school. >> Oh, I love her. All right. Page one of high school. A lot of these percentages are different, but when I did them, these percentages are correct. So, that's just fixing the numbers. >> Yeah. >> We will get updated pages from our budget book. Yes, we'll make all the changes that we talk about today and that's what will be published. >> I just have a question on
031the categorization of rateboard revenue on the first uh top two uh lines. >> Yes. >> So, so in that one that's certified teachers, we apply $200,000 of the Rayboard funds for those teachers. 2.2 million. >> It's the 2, >> right? 2.2 million is what the remaining cost that'll be to the taxpayers. >> So the Rayboard revenue is the 2251 191. >> It's 200. It this category would have been 2467. >> It was a reduction in um salaries due to new teachers being hired at a lower rate. So the actual cost would have been 2.46777. 467772 and I applied $200,000 toward that actual cost and again in the aids it would have been 28013 but it is8 013 after the revenue is applied. So it's in the first line teacher certified it's 200,000. What is it
032in the second line? >> 20,000. So it's 220,000 all day >> that is being applied. Yes. From Rayboard. >> Is is that the only place Rayboard revenue is showing up in this document? >> Yes. Because the other funds from Rayboard are spent directly on the items and aren't flown in and out through the the general funds budget the way the salaries are. The Rayboard checks actually pay the other the other costs. We don't pay the teachers with Rayboard checks. They get paid through the board and we get refunded. >> We get reimbursed. >> This is new. I'm just going to put that on the record because every year the town puts this on their revenue side and not directly to the board of education. and we are working with the ray board to make this
033directly to the board of education and not on the town revenue side. >> That's fine. But in addition to that, we need to have a process um from the board of eds um perspective on how the rate board funds are going to be used. We should be we should have some process here as a board and you know I just I feel very strongly about that. Um, >> and Tim did a great job with his presentation, which is why I was asking those questions. I think it's great, but I just think that, you know, this board together should at least be thinking about what it is that we want to invest in in a in a long-term way. So, that's why I just wanted to understand that. >> It's the ray board. It's based on
034the will and how the Rayboard Corporation allocates the funds. >> Yeah. But we should be participating in that process even if it's just a conversation. That's all. I don't think that that is unreasonable. >> That's where we're going. >> Yeah. No, definitely. >> Yeah, definitely. So the next three lines, I'm going to stay there under special education and school counseling. You've adjusted people in the right places. So the numbers are going to change in the final version, but they all three will add up to the same amount. It's here now, if that makes sense. the special education certified teachers line specifically is significantly lower than it was. >> It's it's really not. It's >> when Christine met to really am I putting this person in the right category? So that is going back up to
035233,000. Um and so you're going to see that and then the next category teacher para educators is really 1918 dollar and there was um application of grant funding from IDA to offset certified and para educators. >> Can you repeat the certified number and the >> Sure. 233,3 for certified $191,8005 for >> 900. >> 95 is the nine. Okay. And then school counseling certified 121 That's all going to balance out. >> Yes. >> I had teachers in the wrong categories. >> Yeah. And then we have one and a half for counseling. So that's why that number increased. But when you add the three um up new amounts, accurate amounts and what was there, it'll add up to the same bottom line, but it'll be adjusted accurately to reflect those certifications and the PAR educators. >> Thank
036you for verifying questions on page >> two Three. Four. Six. Cool. Seven or eight. Nine. Are we to 11 yet. >> I'm I'm holding all kinds of pages. Yes, 11. Go ahead. Thank you. >> Um I just wanted to uh double check uh this business education field trip. Is that this uh the business association that's going to Anaheim, California or something like that? >> Possibly. Possibly. >> That is >> Yeah, >> we're counting on it. That's why it's here. But yeah, we want Future Business Leaders of America to really experience the club the way it is. >> So this $6,96 is for that trip, >> correct? >> Yes. It says transportation field trip. Yes. >> Okay. But just that one trip. I just want to make sure I understand. >> An increase of $791 from
037>> this year. And I just want to understand clearly who's going on this trip. Is this is this the tickets for students? Is this business leaders? Like I just want to understand who's going on the trip, you know, how many people is this? That kind of thing. >> So that number I I can't give you an accurate number for next year because we'll still have new members join in ninth grade. Um but the goal is to send double digits with an adviser at least. H >> how do you do that for $6,000? is I'm just thinking about the cost of a trip going to California, a hotel and >> right um the trip this year sent 11 kids and an advisor. >> Okay. >> It's just underful. >> And do the kids is there any
038um do they have to raise any additional funds? Is there a match? Is there any skin in the game or at all on that or no? >> Right now. >> Okay. >> Did you say no? >> He did say no. >> Like fundraisers and stuff like that. >> So, there were fundraisers to support this. >> No, he said no. >> It's actually spelled out completely in this field trip section >> section. >> Yeah. Um, and it adds up to this $6,96 they've got and with her justifications. Um, transportation to and from airport train station for the leadership conference, hotel rooms for uh the national conference and a leadership conference, leadership conference registration. There's a field trip for $455. Sex superior court, 455 for uh looks like a program, and then $455 for the financial reality
039fair. And that's all adds up to the $6,96. Those multiple field trips is field trips plural. 11 12 13 14 15 16 >> I think they would have to pay going back that there's no air >> for the flight. >> Yeah. >> Okay. That's why I was I was very like looking at this like wow that's >> I I just figured that out. There's there's no flights included. >> Okay. >> We don't have one. >> You got the bus. >> There we go. >> You're going to drive across country in it. >> That would be interesting. >> It's on page 15 under the guidance. So just curious what's the noninstructional equipment >> page what >> 15 under guidance non instructional equipment for 2000 >> oh it's above it's 14th and it's hidden the number is
040hidden it's okay >> uh that's cost for the replacement of the counseling of rooms chairs there's 12 in there that's what we're hoping to Please repair 60. Anything else? Next section, special education. Page one or two. one. >> Are you going to an eye exam? >> I know. I know. It remind me of that. >> Um I just have a questions on why the move notes when they went on gifted and found. >> Yes. Because this category was under special education, but it really is the enrichment that serves middle school exclusively. So, we're trying to move things to where they actually belong. And so it it did end up there. So it moved to the middle school budget. >> Middle school budget. >> Yeah. >> And we still have a robust gifted and talented program.
041Okay. >> We have enrichment for all um as well. So >> Okay. But we also do something special for the kids who Okay, great. in purchase services. It was the behavioral analyst but it was higher. So, page one, >> uh, two, >> and I was trying to figure out why I was hired. >> Psychological services, purchase services. >> Could you explain >> um what was my pages are a little bit different, but >> So, it's up psychological services is up from 147,570 to the 315,000. Yeah, >> that is because we the the actual BCBA support did not change at all. That was the move from tuition to purchase services for the ESS program. >> So that 170 difference is really just movement from >> It was in tuition, but it's not really a tuition cost.
042It is a purchase service. >> What does ESS stand for? >> Effective School Solutions. >> Say that one more time. >> Effective School Solutions. >> Are they a consultant? >> Yes, they're subcontracted. Um, and they are exclusively at the middle school. Are they a Connecticut company? >> Um, no, they're beyond Connecticut. >> So, this is a large like a very large consulting service for schools. >> Okay. >> H how many just piggybacking on her question, how many consultants do we have school systemwide? >> There's only one in that particular program. Everyone else is our employee for ESS. Consultants depends. We've got CRE that comes in once a week for special education services. >> We have some consultants for some of our kids with some low um evidence disability. So we don't have our own teacher
043of the visually impaired. So we have a consult service for the hearing impaired. We have a consult service. >> Yeah. And then we contract service with OT and PT. So they are 1099 employees. >> But be beyond our special education, I'm I'm asking systemwide, schoolwide. Do we have any other consultant that consults like that? I mean that will partner you you part building teamwork. Um Mr. Moore, right? He comes in, right? Like so there's partnering um leader and me partnering not necessarily like a consultant arises network so there are partnerships I would refer to those that way >> okay systemwide this is where The instructional facilitators are under salaries because they're across all the schools as well. >> On the first page in the superintendent's office, how many people are under the administrative salary? >>
044Two. Two. And me. You said pupil services. >> Yes. Pupil services director. Is that Wendy? >> Yes. question one, two, >> I have a couple questions on page two if everybody's ready to go. Um, so my first question is under uh improvement of instruction, the professional development. Um, >> I uh have um really strong concerns about that professional development program for $10,000. the human humanizing. >> How about that? Where is that? >> That's in this professional development >> elementary school >> for $10,000. >> Middle school. It we talked about it at the >> You mentioned it, but nobody can trace where it lives. No, none of us could find it. humanizing math. Right. So the the there is something in the element was originally in the elementary school budget but it's for bookworms reading curricular
045resources professional development but that's open up resources and >> when you search open up resources that humanizing math lives in that company but that's not >> our professional development is for our bookworms reading and writing curriculum development for our teachers which is under the >> do you actually seeing math inside one of these documents. >> I saw it. Maybe I saw it on that website. I went and looked up Yeah. the program. >> So, Open Up Resources has lots of different curricular resources under its umbrella, but we are using the bookworms reading and writing curriculum that we adopted >> and that was $10,000. >> Professional development during those those initial years of implementation to help coach and support teachers as they're moving through the curriculum. they're learning the best way of implementing it. And so
046this year we had a certain budget line for those curricular um development or professional learning supports that we've been utilizing coaching teachers, grade level meetings, um leadership groups. And so we are extending that into that second year of implementation. with the publishing company is open up resources >> professional learning opportunities >> and if I look at this category it has an awful lot of other um items in it for learning opportunities it's not just tough shapes crap classroom um there's something for the cafeteria the serve safe classes um nas um council for agriculture workshop up uh keyhole console. >> Yeah, >> there there are there are probably 30 items in here. Connecticut CCCM conference >> within the 51,000 >> exactly >> in that 51,000 club getaway um center for responsive classroom special um responding to
047misbehavior. There are a lot of uh >> Can can you please um send the list of all the programs that's underneath that $51,000 SID line, please? >> Yeah. When I look at the amounts um they range from uh $17 to the maximum was uh 5,000 for conscious campus. So there there are a lot of there are a lot of things in here. >> Yeah. I I would really like to see them listed. And what is the $3,000 then? It just says individual PD opportunities to support educators, but there's no description. What is that for? >> It's a placeholder >> that that's in my budget as well. So, our teachers engage in personalized professional learning to support student growth. It's part of the teacher evaluation program and they make those determinations based on how students are
048doing year-toear. So, we don't necessarily know what specific professional learning supports they may need as they're engaging in research um and and attending, you know, whether it could be a a a professional development, it could be a physical resource, it could be making connections with other districts. So, I put that in as a as a dollar amount to be able to support teachers through that professional learning that I can't necessarily predict ahead of time because they base it on the students in front of them on that given year. >> Yeah. Send a lot of people out for responsive classroom. I mean there are a lot um building >> a lot of money in that line. >> Yes. >> I'd like to understand it because we have mandates from our the state to have all these
049professional development. I don't understand like what category of professional development we're actually implementing at the local level. I'd really like to have a better understanding of it especially mandated ones bloodborne pathog. >> Yeah. There's all kinds. So, how can you do all? >> So, my brain is saying, I know that there's a list of 25 things the state says you have to do and we have all these additional professional development things that we want to do, needs and wants, and I I just want to understand the universe. >> So, the required mandates are all front-loaded at the beginning of the year. All frontloaded. Where are where's the cost for those in this 51,000? >> Yes, because we use um Kerma and is it >> Betrics? So that's the other. So we do have those platforms
050as well, but throughout the year departments, teachers go out like Atomic, that's a big math conference coming up and Connecticut. We don't um exclude folks if they're able to cover the classes. We want teachers to go together because there's so few of them. Many of them are singletons. >> Is that out of Are you saying out of state? >> No, it's in Connecticut. >> Sometimes it's out of state if that's you know relevant and it's important for that department to go. So we want to definitely support learning for the adults. I just think taxpayers if they are watching schools get closed for half days because of professional development. We really have I believe have an obligation to really understand what it is we're providing because the state is just so crazy with the amount of
051things we just they just passed another bill today on additional mandates. So I just think we really need to understand you know how we're kind of going through that checklist. So, I'll I'll look forward to getting the list. >> Yeah. Yeah. Of course. Of course. Because we want teachers to feel supported in their um professional practice. So, we definitely elevate professional development for our staff and it's non-certified as well. >> We're still on page two. I have a few page two. >> Um the next one is the $5,000 for professional meetings and the board of ed. So that is the board of ed does um uh provide refreshments during professional meetings for example convocation the district-wide coming together. So that's where that category is. was created specific as a standout because it was buried somewhere.
052Um, and so the most recent district-wide PD where refreshments were provided for the entire district, that's where that is coming from. I'd like to have that flagged for a cut. I I I don't under I don't think we should be um that's a lot of money to be spending. I I just want to flag it. We have to have some shared sacrifice in this fiscal process. And I think having a new line item in our budget for professional meetings for five grand is not something I'm comfortable with. >> Other questions? >> It was elsewhere before. Is that >> It was being more transparent. We're just trying to be more fine. I'd like to flag it for conversation after. And then the last thing is uh on this actually I have two more things. Uh the
053dues and fees I see this has gone up. Is that $500 specifically for CABE? >> CABE I believe is more than that. Um >> so it's down it's down below too. So you have eight 8,500 in boarded and 9500 down below. So, so there's a bunch. I mean, um there's ASCD. Um there's CASBO. There are these organizations that we pay for. Is there anything else that I'm missing? >> The membership for Amazon is in there. >> Okay. The business membership. Okay. >> Right. >> I would at least like to flag that additional increase. I would prefer to cut dues, especially to Cab, but I don't think I'm going to get the support for that. But I'd like to at least cut this additional $500. We should not be >> for what it's worth. Um I
054have used Jody Gler um dealing with policy issues sometimes bordering on daily. That's a bit of an exaggeration, but not much. um for two years now. I am sure that doing that has saved the district thousands of dollars of legal fees. Um it um I don't always agree with everything Cape suggests or wants or you know that kind of thing. There's differences of opinion. Obviously, intelligent people will disagree on things, >> but in the purest sense, um, cutting CE would be a great example of cutting off your nose to spike your face. >> Well, let me be clear. I didn't say remove CA or cut CA services. I'm saying cut the increase of $500. I have yet to hear what the increase is for specifically. We I'm hearing what's in this line item, but why
055is it an increased $500? And I'm just saying in our process, I'd like it to be flagged for discussion at the end of the meeting for potential cut. And then my last uh one again that 9500 under dues and fees, you know, I'd like to I'd like to understand what's in that. >> CAPS Association of Public School Superintendent. >> Yeah. is in there as well. So, you'll have to pull all those, Christine, so that we've got the full list. >> And I don't need those for tonight, but I I would like to see the the dues list broken out from those two line items. >> And again, I don't need that for tonight, but I would like to cut the increase. >> Okay. Do you have other questions on page two? >> Not on page
056two. No, that's the last one. >> I'd like to add something. um as we're going through all these things if information is being prepared for a given board member. >> Oh no to everybody. Absolutely. I understand. Absolutely. >> Can I just make a comment about the dues and fees if you were to make a cut? Um that $500 is the annual increase. I don't know that any one membership would accept a reduced um amount to participate and that would mean cutting one one um opportunity and in that first one the opportunity would be CASBO and I have a personal interest in that because that's the Connecticut Association of School Business Officials and I use them almost daily. >> So what is the $500 for then? there's a an increase in the three items that are
057in there uh for next year for the the membership and so I don't think that any one of them would accept a reduced amount and say okay you can participate fully for less than the others so you would actually have to cut one of the three programs >> organizations have an increase >> with the membership >> so there's three organizations in the $8500 line item is that what you're saying now >> in that in at um Cab, Casbow, Amazon. Yes. >> So the three in the 8500 are Cab, Casbow, and Amazon. And that's it. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> And who went up five? And And how much did each one of those go up? >> Um they they each went up to the value of the the 500. I'd have to get the bills
058for them, but um that's >> So combined they went up $500. >> Yeah. So more of a decision to not participate in one of those programs because we couldn't shave any one of them. We would have to cancel one. >> And then in the in the 9500 it's caps and who else? >> Take a look. My um MUN is spooling right now. >> I'll take a look and get back to you so that you can move on. It's it's rebooting. >> Okay. Thank you. Any questions on page two? >> I have a question. If you're reducing legal by,000 I think that money that should be highlighted yellow should be 100,000. >> No, I had already reduced it before. It's going to be at 50. >> You think 50,000 is enough >> for legal? >> I
059hope no negotiation. Well, we got one next year. But I think it'll be fine. We won't have the bids. We hopefully it'll be competitive. >> That's the goal. >> Yes. >> Sure. >> Let's drive. >> That would be a great goal. >> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> No drama for the 26 27 school year. Do you hear that? >> I second. >> That's right. Keep voting. Keep voting. >> Got it. That's my only question on the issue. Yours. >> Thank you. three. >> Yeah, I have a few. Uh the first one, uh what's the explanation for the um employer share of social security going up by 83,000? >> So Christine, >> that's for the increase in salary cost. It's the cost share for the social security and actually what we paid this year. the health insurance
060change just because we have better numbers now. >> We're still waiting. >> Oh, that's >> we're still waiting, but we felt comfortable that um shifting that down a little was okay. >> We reduced it. We're hoping that it'll come in that way. >> That's a big part of our increase this year. So, >> highlight that number. When anyone asks at the grocery store, why health insurance right there? >> Yeah. and the liability insurance going up. What's the reason for that? >> Just the rate increase that we were given. >> So, we get that for through CCM through Kerma. Is that where we >> When's the last time we went out to bid on that? >> I could look that up for you. I don't know. It's joint with the town. >> Our contract is joint
061with the town. page four. I have a few questions. >> The first is the increase of 1500. What is that for? >> That was um Don requested that specifically. Yeah, he did a shift based on actual spending and um need for next year and he made that request. >> Asking specifically, do you recall what it was? Which contract or >> No, it's probably just general supply general. >> It's a purchase service. >> And then the same question for equipment. >> We use landscaping services. So, um just an increase there in landscaping services. >> Okay, that first one. And then equipment is um tractor parts, tires, different things that he needs for our um equipment that we own. >> And is that a shared service with the town as well? >> That's right. It's in his
062budget. >> These are specific to the board of education. There's a shared services budget that's through the town. >> So when I'm at the track and there's that facility garage in the back and I see workers going in and out of that facility, are those school contractors or are those town contract uh town if if it's not under shared services, are only school employees using that equipment shed? Like I I just cuz I want to understand if we're not overlapping with the town. >> You're talking about in the back of the high school in particular. >> I'm just curious if we're if if all of the equip Sorry. >> So are you talking about in the parking lot or >> talking about one? >> That's a maintenance garage. >> It is a maintenance garage. So
063our maintenance crew >> That's what I >> Yeah. and that I just wanted to verify if we're the only >> the town has their big garages over here, >> right? So, I just wanted to verify if it wasn't shared services when I see those employees are board of ed employees, >> the magnet school tuition. >> Yes. Do we have some graduating that are there now? >> 12th graders. Do you have that, Christine? >> I do not have a list of students at the magnet school and I can't get on to Munis >> to look at an invoice. I texted um it to see if it's something that they can help. >> Okay. >> It looks like Munis went down. Um >> would you like Um, it's just that if we're keeping it the same, then
064that means we're not expecting any additional. >> It's been stable. I did not add to it. I mean, anecdotally with an eighth grader, I've heard of a couple eighth graders who already have been accepted and so >> I don't know that we have that knowledge. Do you have knowledge of that? >> Keeping it flat, not expecting anybody to drop off makes me nervous. >> So, there there could be many that are accepted, but until parents declare, we can't even consider. So, >> yeah, my point is that it just makes me nervous. Nobody drop me off. And this is >> I understand we're Yeah. >> So we'll look at the grades >> in the notes. It says reduction by 10,000 but it wasn't actually reduced. >> It was It was 70 before. >> Oh, was it?
065Yes. >> Sorry. >> Yeah. >> Does that include VOAG or just magnet? We don't pay for um >> the tech schools. That's state. We don't pay for kids to go there to >> vinyl, >> right? To vinyl. >> I meant bo like >> Okay. So the aggra science so we don't have students going to an aggra science program that we pay for outside of district >> but if we did would it be in this line item or would be different it would have to be >> a new line item and so I was following up on Jess's question I was curious about the utilization of the magnet school tuition just making sure that it's you know that we understand what that is previous and in the future and uh I also am interested in the
066adult ed I know there's no change but they've been charging us um 19,000 for years and it's offset by the adult ed grant so we only pay 12 >> right but I no I'm more interested in utilization I mean do we have uh adults who are able to >> Oh yeah. >> who are participating in this program and >> um >> and we have to pay even if we don't that year >> they have to we still by law have to >> and are those adults getting uh >> GED? >> That's Yeah. Okay. Or what about >> language acquisition? >> Okay. >> Language acquisition. >> Yeah. Going maybe for classes to um maybe develop their language a bit more. still ed and then back up under food services I see we have a new line
067item under management for 25,000 what is that for >> that is we have to account for um students who have debt we have to account for it in our budget so we have to estimate yes we have to estimate was part of our audit that we were told we had to have a line item to support um the the unpaid lunches. >> Okay. And I mean I'm I've heard that the debt is much more than that. So >> do we want to be realistic about that? >> So there's different things. This is this is very specific to families who who are not under free or reduced >> who have not paid that. This is very specific to that. >> This is that are on free and reduced are not on free or reduced and haven't
068paid. the debt you're referring to is running the food service. That the income coming in from the food sales doesn't offset the staffing, the supplies to run it because it has to legally be in its own separate account because the federal government will not allow mixing to operational. the actual debt by you know say families that wasn't paid wasn't that like it was like 18. >> Yes. When we at the end >> so we're expecting like a six that big of an increase. >> Schools do a great job trying to remind >> down up 7,000. Yeah, >> I mean I I think the the more we can make it realistic and control our own destiny and with cuts, the better off uh you know I think we are as a board. That certainly is an
069area where I think you can reduce and not >> you know hurt student learning. So I just want to put it out there like you know we we can we can do those things ourselves. And then the bottom line underneath that it's purchase services have been reduced by 75,000. What's that? Was that a movement Christine? >> Just taking a quick look. Was getting back onto Munice. Um what line are you looking at? Oh, >> purchase services and our food service. It was a hund,000, >> right? And that was $100,000 that um I couldn't find history as to why it was $100,000. That um 25 supports the um uh cash um program. The um the what's it called? Trace of the kids for the >> Oh, you're talking about >> cash management. My payments plus maybe
070>> payments plus parents parents plus my payments. >> My payments plus and the software horizon. That's what you're talking about. Okay. >> So that's what that purchase services are for those systems um that we pay for to to manage the calf. But >> the money wasn't there was $100,000 there and it wasn't spent. So we felt that that needed to come down and I couldn't find the history as to why there was 100,000 in the first place. If you look at 2024, it was 8,900. Then it went up to 100,000. And I wonder if that was a typo and should have been 10 or or something more than 8,900. But you see the large jump in 25 26 >> and then I looked at what actually was being charged in there for the services that
071we have and the 25 would support that. So we brought it down 75. >> Thank you. Just to be clear again that 25 is just for the debt that we're expecting when last year was about 18 and uh Chris is the business manager. Were you meant Did you mention last time that you personally make those calls once we uh huh >> I make the calls and and send the letters out. I have such good faith in our new business manager that I know she's gonna do a great job at reducing that 18. I would think we should be going in with like 15 and reducing this by 10,000. >> Yeah, thank you. >> Yeah, exactly. That's that's a compliment. >> I appreciate that. And that's all the department. Anybody have any additional questions? How is
072this? It's up to you. You all decide. cleaning facility. What is the general ballpark for the total proposed budget? >> The 2.98 >> grabbed the wrong >> Sorry, it's 26,29,423 which is an increase of 2.98% over a 2526 budget. Um, do you have any do you want me to round table further comments because we can just move with our changes and we can go forward with that. Sean, I'll start. I'll go around. >> This is addressing the elephant in the room. It's like well 2.98. This is just for food for thought. 2.98, you know, obviously the board of finance is coming in at zero. And the newest info in town is they're going to be talking about bringing zero to a negative, you know, because of the finding loopholes or whatnot to the whole can't
073go lower than last year's budget. But based on um declining enrollment that there are exceptions to that and uh that will be brought up to and then you know 50 kids over the last five years roughly. Do the math do the math per pupil. What was 20 grand something? We're talking half a million dollars is to be uh talked about adding in addition to that. So, I'm just again I'm throwing it out there. We're talking about being okay with 2.9 a.m. just I don't know what's going to happen, you know, when we move forward with that, but we're going to be up against that. So, just want to put that out there. Steve, >> I don't have much more to add. I know it's a difficult situation in uh many budgets before and even anything
074in a two to 3% is considered pretty >> pretty low. Um you know, we um we get to sit here and kind of look item by item, but I think you know, if you look at it as someone to the taxpayer looking at that percentage increase, some they don't get to see where all those moving pieces are necessarily. And so I I mean I'm comfortable with the things that we've we've discussed, but I agree with you that it's just um I know they're really looking for that 0% but I also understand that it's it's a very very difficult task. And so I'm looking at the past histories, you know, at 2.98% is much lower if you look at the in the past, but I don't know how much more we can we can really cut
075at the moment. I do just want to say sorry I just want commend everybody especially you guys and your teams and whatnot for for you know meeting the task because obviously you did that it's just >> salary avoidable things like you want to say great job as opposed to past years um >> I'm not going to say too much incredibly specifically right now. I do think that coming in at it under a 3% increase um in today's environment is probably only slightly short. I think it's phenomenal and great deal of restraint. Um, I just for the hell of it did some quick numbers. I don't think I missed too much, but I think I heard 15 or $20,000 worth of cuts getting banded around the table here. That's 0.0058% 00058% of our budget. We're going
076to be fighting over something that is infetismal and it's not worth our time. Not because the issue is not worth it, but because the really the bigger issue is the town needs more. And we are not going to solve this by destroying education for kids. My kids left this school district many years ago. If it were simply a matter of dollars and cents, I have no reason to be investing my time sitting here. I believe in taking care of children. I don't see how we can do that. And for those people yelling about, "I want a 0% increase." Our cost increases are fixed. Melissa asked repeatedly, perfectly legitimately, I might add, about what the increases were. It's the increases. It's what we got told we had to pay. you know, um the whole discussion around
077$500 around membership to key professional organizations like GAP, do do I would I love to have them say, "Hey, you know what? Changed our mind. We're going to lower our fees by 20%." I'd love that. It'd be wonderful. put the money into kids, but we can't realistically not be members of CAE and still call ourselves anything like a meaningfully professional organization promoting the welfare of children. You can't do it. Um, it is my sincere hope that as we go through this, members of the board will remember that the need to spend money on a child does not make someone an enemy. Although the desire to avoid that expenditure regardless of the impact on a child might for what that's worth >> um I am scared at where we're going. Um I'm nervous about the cuts
078and not meeting certain basic needs like facilities needs. Not that, you know, we're meeting them to the best of our ability, but you know, we get to a place further and further down the line. Um, and since I've been on the board for these short two and a half years, almost three years, like talk about cuts. We've taken away the world language program. Um, yeah, I think from my vantage point, I'm sometimes sitting here in silence because I'm one person and I think I talk what I need to, but um, there's such a bigger conversation to all of this. It's it's not just numbers like you were saying, Jim. It's there's a bigger picture here. It's, you know, what is the the value of our town and our education system? and we have great teachers
079and staff and we have so much to offer and there's also a lot of things that we need that I've heard about and seen in other towns that are just out of the question for us and it just it does make me very sad. Um and yeah, so I don't know. I would like to see things be added back in. Um I I seriously hope that we don't have to cut anything else because we are pushing things down the road and then what does that actually mean for our education system when we get down the road and the answer is still you know cut more or small increase even though nobody likes their taxes to go up. I mean, I certainly don't have a money tree in my backyard. Um, but that's, you know, it's
080really hard when I send my kids to school here. Um, now I want to see I want to see them thrive, which is why it's a bigger conversation because there is multitude of reasons why children would thrive. Um, but one of those one of the big reasons is school and you know, we all contribute to that and it's a public school. Um, So I think like kind of understanding I'm trying to understand everybody's different prerogative here with that and I'm feeling sad about it. >> Um yeah I mean our principles were asked to go down and they did. Our high school operating budget went down.35%. Middle school went down 2.68% 68% and elementary school went down 7.08%. So in terms of operating budget, we've gone down and down and down. Um and if we're looking
081at a flat budget, we're looking at cutting $757,000, which is not I mean, we talked about a,000 here, a,000 there. I don't >> we're not getting at $757,000. >> That's why I made the comment. line is a 0% increase is actually a massive decrease. >> Yeah, this this is >> I mean when we're when we factor in contract obligations and transportation and gas and electricity. I mean when you look at the things that went up, we went up in health insurance. We can't do anything about that. We went up, you know, in electricity. There's not a whole lot we can do about that. Um, you know, it's the thought of cutting this more other than $1,000 here and $1,000 there. I just we're talking about, you know, cutting a math program, $757,000. And what happens
082when that happens is we're paying a lot more to magnet schools. And I'm not particularly interested in paying a lot more in tuition to send our kids out because we can't make it happen. That's not okay to me. So, um, yeah. I mean, $1,000 in the middle school, sure, but I don't know what more we could do, honestly, because this to me is a cut. Uh yeah. So um I guess for me I uh as I've said you know privately and publicly I really am a strong believer in transparency but now I'm adding the word radical transparency because frankly I feel like asking questions is exactly what we're supposed to be doing. And I don't appreciate uh you know when we have a tone of oh another question another question this is what people really
083expect us to do and I expect it of myself. So going through and asking what do I is leg is totally not only is it legitimate it's what we are elected to do. So for me, >> you do remember I said it was a perfect movement. >> No, I'm I'm just putting it out there because, you know, for me, posting agendas on social media, doing anything like that is about radical transparency and that's it. And so for me, I feel like sometimes I'm the only one who asks these tough questions, but you know, I'll continue to do that. At the state level, I think we need to be realistic about what we're going to get or not get for education funding. The good news is I think we're going to see both sides of the
084aisle come together, especially on the foundation of ECS. What that's going to look like, I don't know, but we should plan for the worst. Even though I am hoping for the best, I'm hoping that reasonable minds will come together at the state level. Um, but I have a number of additional questions beyond this budget that I'd like to understand because I do think it impacts this budget. So, the first question I have is where are we with the FY25 end of year and is there money left over in that budget? Where are we with end of year FY25? >> I'm sorry. >> Yes. going through. I I don't have that the we're still working through that she we do need nuclear 25 but we still have no because the so one of the things I
085think that we can do to help being transparent is acknowledge what is happening in our in our district in our town and that that is right now there's a group of people who believe that there's some pot of money that is left over that can just simply be transferred and spent. And I think we need to just say that's not true or that is true. I think it's important. So, we don't have the answer to that question. Number two, >> I can answer that if you don't mind. >> I I don't want to be rude and interrupt you. I'm just um I'll forget if I don't answer it now. Um we the the state u passed a law last year that allows us to keep a max of 2% of our budget. It's all districts.
086Um, when that came through, we wrote policy that expressly forbid that money to be used for anything other than emergencies that could not be budgeted. Like, you know, I'm making this up as I go as an example, but, you know, the boiler dies and there's no heat in the building. That's not survivable. That's got to get repaired. um uh a new special needs student comes in who needs masses services. They're legally entitled to them. We couldn't have known that that child was coming, so we didn't budget for it. outside of those sorts of things. It expressly forbids using that leftover money to pre buy surplus paper or I I worked in a district once where they filled my entire storage area in my high school with toilets. I had hundreds of them because they wanted
087to spend the money at the end of the year and it you know it wasn't long before people caught on and got pretty angry about that. So everything is saved harmless for either future long-term capital needs, emergency short-term needs, or emergency financial needs that come up. You know, you got to get another uh special needs teacher, for example, because a certain student moves in or, you know, those kinds of things. Um, so the answer to the question is it doesn't matter if there's any money left over. It can't be used. >> And what is the balance of that account, Jim? >> There's nothing in it now. >> So we don't have any 2% set aside. >> No, this was the first year it would have applied. >> So do we have a non-lapsing account at
088the board of ed? >> That's the same the same thing. I just want to make sure we're >> Yeah. Up until that law changed, Melissa, there was no legal way we could have an autopsy account. So, we have a nonlapsing account, but it has a zero balance. Is that what I'm what I'm being told? >> We're waiting on this. This will be the first year >> as currently as >> Yeah. So, Christine, do we have an account that you have set aside that's called a non-lapsing account? I'm being told that we have a non-lapsing account and there's potentially money in it. >> Just for sake of clarity, I'm telling you that we could have one. I have not an accountant and I don't know if we have it yet. the the the number is not
089set up. Um we have the right to have one set up and so when the funds are when this year is closed, when our last fiscal year is closed, that's what the town will do. >> Okay. >> They will set one up um for our purpose with whatever >> if we have any money% if we have >> if that's the big if. >> Okay. >> You can elaborate a little bit on that. I think there was a really big issue with a number was presented. I don't know if it was a board of finance meeting or what kind of meeting it was and it this is an unawited number that didn't have it was like stuck to the wall and it doesn't have any reductions. So there's a number that was floating around but it's
090not the true number. But but you have an account that you go to the town to ask that existed before this legislation, >> right? Which I'm not I'm not aware of how much money is left in that because we've had they've made us use it prior years because of the every year the board of finance points right at the board of education and says reduce reduce. So we've had to use that. I I don't I'm that would be Christine would be the numbers person. I don't I don't know if we have any >> before the non-lapsing before the nonap legislation >> there was there's an account that the board of ed would just they would need to go to the town we would have to go to town for permission that's the difference now you
091don't have to go to the town for permission >> okay but there's nothing okay that doesn't >> yeah there's we don't have >> and then the last thing I want to just mention out loud is you know it's not just for me it's not just kids going to magnet schools. It's kids whose parents are saying, "Hey, something's not jelling for me at East Adam, and I'm going to homeschool my children." And those homesooled children are not included in the uh student resident count for ECS. And so, you know, there's we don't even know the number of children whose parents are choosing to keep them at home for a number of reasons. And I want those kids to experience Hail Ray, too. And so, you know, that's why I think, you know, pushing for excellence and
092you're doing a great job, Dr. Drito, bringing our test scores up. To me, that's what it's about. It's about reading. It's about math, which is why the idea of humanizing math was something I just couldn't even wrap my head around. Um, but the MBR does allow you to reduce your education uh spending if you have declining enrollment. I'm not suggesting we do so, but it is a fact. You can. And I think that, you know, there's a lot of people out there who are continuing to be concerned about a 15% decline in enrollment. It's it's pretty it's pretty big. And then uh my last note here is um and Christine, this is for you later on. It was brought to my attention. And I was reading an OOLR report yesterday on municipal um uh budget
093process for board of boards of ed and I was made aware that there's some sort of a quarterly report that's posted that we put projected expenses and revenue out. So at some point next week, I'm going to want to talk to you about that. Um because I think tracking this all along is also how we keep the public to say, "Hey, we are tracking your tax dollars. We are watching where they're going. You should have faith in your tax dollars are being spent in the best way possible." And I want to be able to say that to them. And so that's why I ask all these tough questions. I hope that we put forward some reduction tonight here as a board based on even the small conversations we've had. We have to have skin in
094the game here at this table if we're going to then, you know, try to have this pass at one referendum. That's my goal. My goal is to have a budget pass. And so doing that means you have to make tough decisions and show that you're willing to sacrifice. So that's where I am. Thank you, >> Dan. >> Jordan. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um, no, I I want to kind of echo the support of the administrators here. I was impressed with the increase only being between two and 3% because my understanding is that tracks with inflation. So, we are effectively looking at a 0% increase to go lower than that. We are taking an active cut just given the cost of services and goods. Um the the other thing to echo what uh TA and Jess
095were saying too is I'm a big person in the downstream financial effects that cutting programs and limiting resources has for folks. Um I understand tax and budget season is really difficult and also I've been research programs and organizations that quantify and measure what that stuff costs communities down the roads when kids don't feel connected to their communities or schools. It increases legal fees, social safety nets, reliance on infrastructure. Um, so yeah, I think we we do have that kind of tension that Jim was talking about, like we can make these small cuts and it might have some of these bigger downstream implications that can be quantified like with research and with certain kind of approaches to it. Um, but it's yeah, it's it's tough to make that balance. I fully appreciate that. Um, but yeah,
096I do question about cutting a few thousand dollars here and a couple percentage points here for something that could cost tens of hundreds of thousands of millions of dollars down the road for our community and our neighbors. So, I echo some of the kind of anxiety and nervousness about it. And also, feel the tension. We are all taxpayers here. So, it's yeah, I think I'll summarize by saying I appreciate kind of where you guys came with it. It's really tough to get those numbers and yeah, I'm I'm hoping we can come to an understanding amongst us and with the community about it. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Um I'm just going to talk for a second, too. I have a few notes as we move deeper into budget season. I just want to say
097that I'm here to support the education of our students and the staff who makes that that education possible. Um I hope everyone sitting at this table obviously we share the same commitment. Our superintendent and administration uh I think they've presented us a budget with s uh with a significantly smaller increase than any other district I've seen. Uh this proposed budget has been thoroughly thoughtfully developed and carefully scrutinized. We asked questions tonight. I appreciate everyone's uh diligence and and has gone through this process. Um I do think as we move forward it is essential for us to work together as a board to support and promote this budget. Our students and our staff are counting on us. Um there was five reduced positions uh in the 2526 budget. That's I think very significant. Note 76% of
098our operating budget is is is staff. So it's not fluff. Uh, another thing when you see this bottom line number that you do not see in our budget is the revenue side that goes to the town, which is your ECS, the education cost sharing, which in the 2526 budget was over $3.5 million. Uh, the Ray School was in there for 2526. You got the purple fund, Helen Cone fund. So all in all, that's over $4 million that you can take from that bottom line. And that is something that drives me nuts when we go through the season because it comes down to the town side. OB this year we have the race school in here, but you're not seeing that almost that will be over $4 million reduction that goes to the town revenue side.
099So, when you're looking at this number at the bottom here, there's an additional $4 million that goes to the town side. So, do you have any notes before we Thank you. I'm I'm going to ask for a motion to approve the proposed 2627 budget of 26,29,423 which is a proposed increase of $2.98%. So moved. >> Any further discussion? >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. Nay. >> Anybody abstain? Motion passes. Do I have a motion to adjurnn at 8:50? >> Second. >> All those in favor? I. >> Anybody opposed? Thank you very much.