001I 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. We're glad you're joining us on this uh June 4th business meeting. I do want to share with you something that you're going to see on the screens whether you're here in person or watching us online. Uh we have used a resource called board docs for many years. The platform is being retired and replaced by Diligent. Uh the district is in the final phase of transition to this Diligent platform. uh Diligent will provide enhanced features, improved efficiency, and a better overall experience for the staff, for board members, and hopefully the public as well. Over the next several board meetings, including tonight's, you will notice some
002changes in how the agenda is displayed. On July 1st, the public facing view of Diligent will go live and be accessible by the public to find upcoming meeting agendas, um tier one committee information, and as well as our policies and regulations. So, we appreciate your patience during the transition. Look forward to the exciting improvements ahead. Want to thank uh both Michelle Jones and uh Jane Hler for their leadership and making this happen as well. So, we appreciate that. And with that, I invite uh Jason to share what our vision is for the year 20130. >> Recognized as one of the top five high performing, sorry, top high I'm going to start that one again. Recognized as one of the top 5% high performing districts in the state. The employer of choice for talented educators, leaders,
003and staff. >> Fiscally sound, a track record with a track record of smart long-term planning. Known for graduating well-rounded students who are equipped with the skills and experiences they need to be successful in the world. >> Celebrated for the work we've done on culture, morale, and ensuring all members of our community feel safe and welcome. trusted by families and the community to make good decisions and do what's best for students. >> The agenda before you has been created to help us achieve that goal um in the next 5 years. So with that in mind, I'd like to have a motion to approve the agenda for June 4th, 2026 as presented. >> So moved. >> Director Oli >> second. >> Vice President Greger. All those in favor say I. I. >> I. Any oppose say nay.
004Motion passes. We're moving towards patron comments. Uh, >> President Blair, one second, please. I've got to generate the minutes for the voting. Okay. Second, >> you're going to see something that says motion passes in green. And that'll be your cue to move to the next agenda item. >> Everyone start. >> Yes. >> Oh, wait. Patience. People online are waiting. >> We're not buffering to those of you out loud. >> Everybody just freeze. >> Well, there's supposed to be a little button on here on this dashboard that says display the vote and it's not here. So, moving on. >> Just move on. >> We will move on. Um, thank you very much though. Okay. So, during patron comments, residents of the district and staff members are invited to address the board of education on issues related
005to the school district. Speakers are called forward in the order of signup and each speaker has three minutes to make their remarks. Please remember that only one speaker is allowed at the podium at a time and combining time or giving your time to somebody else is not permitted. The board appreciates that you have taken the time to come this evening and we value both your input and perspective. I would like to remind everyone that we expect that speakers will remain civil and respectful when giving remarks. We also ask that patrons of the audience remain quiet in order to be respectful of the speakers allotted time. With that, we invite Jennifer Maine to step forward. We will move on to the next speaker and invite Harry Harris to come forward. Good evening, uh, board. Just wanted
006to, uh, come today because I was, uh, I was actually a little upset, uh, kind of going into these last few days that, uh, it doesn't seem that our district has recognized Pride Month, which happy Pride month to everyone. And my concern is uh that we are doing it out of of fear of backlash. And I will fully admit that I have not uh read that or heard that from anybody. But I do feel that it's it's something that we should be doing. We've seen a lot of other districts. Webster Groves has done it. Leoo has done it. Special school district has done it. Um, and it's just really something that we should be in the habit of doing and celebrating those within our community, especially those populations that have uh been subjected to a
007lot and especially in the last few years. Uh, I saw something online that I did want to read tonight. Inclusive education means making sure every student feels safe and supported, including those who are LGBTQ plus. Pride Month reminds us that everyone deserves to be accepted for who they are and that our classrooms are a safe space where everyone can show up as their whole self. And I know it's summertime and I know people are uh very busy and things are going on, but I did want to come tonight to make sure um to hopefully put this as a discussion on the table for our board, for our administrators um because all means all. And in the past, I know I've personally said that uh FHSD should be for all. And with that, we need to
008be recognizing all of our populations. We have a lot of folks out here in this district who this month means uh very important things, too. So, with all of that being said, and because I don't want to take up any more time, I want to make sure uh that we just have that on the table as a discussion point. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, up next is Elizabeth McCarti. Seeing nobody moving towards the microphone, uh, up next is Grayson Justice. Good evening. My name is Grayson Justice. I am alumni of Francis How of class of 2013. My pronouns is he and she. And I totally agree what Harry Harris has to say about Pride Month. Again, happy Pride Month. Um, Pride Pride Month needs to be recognized every month, every month of June cuz a
009lot of students, a lot of teachers, a lot of parents um in the LB LGBTQ community, especially me, need to be recognized and be supported. and um that that really uh um that really needs to be recognized and supported by the Frank House community and also the staff here too. Um I came out um in high school around see it was probably around when I did um believe was how succeeding business without really trying. Um I got a lot of support from that. also bullying especially now since most adults who from the last um board administration and especially one in particular board meeting um bully me because of my sexual orientation which is I am a non-binary um morotic um but yeah pride needs to be recognized and especially with this district and yeah um
010I'm sadly that our state government has decided to moved school board elections from April to November. That means that a lot of people from the other side are um congratulating that because they want power. They wanted control of school districts and they want to have a two-party system instead of just aile um party for um nominating for school uh school board. So, I'm very disappointed about that. But anyways, life goes on and yeah, happy pride. >> Thank you. Up next are our comments from the presidents of our union. So, we have FHEA and then FISA. Up first is FHEA. >> Good evening. My name is Francine Hill and I am the FHA president. Let's start off with the celebration of Pride Month. Taking the time to recognize all the members of our Francis Hell family
011is just one way we can make one howl truly mean something. Please know that celebrating others doesn't lessen the very real concerns we have for all our students safeties. Teachers work hard every day to ensure the safety of our students and we want bullying to stop every bit as much as our parents do. It adds anxiety to everyone's day. We must work as a team, teachers, support staff, administration, and parents to find ways to eliminate bullying. Schools should be a safe place for everyone that walks through our doors. I'm sure many of you sitting up here have heard from concerned employees about the increase in insurance next year. We request that you listen to their stories to understand the impact this is having on their families. work life balance was mentioned in the discussion regarding
012the use of funds. This increase will force many of our staff to get second maybe third jobs. This won't only have an impact on their work life balance but it also cuts down on the time they can dedicate to their work at Francis Howell. It may even cause individuals to become rundown and sick. Just some things to think about. We hope everyone is enjoying summer and hopefully we'll see everyone back in August. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Up next is >> Thank you, President Blair. Good evening, board. Happy Pride Month. My name is Heidi Nixon. I am the Facebook vice president for technicians. I would like to address a concern affecting many of our support staff. The insurance changes approved by the board of education are now becoming a reality and the impact
013is significant. Visit is currently assisting a paraprofessional whose insurance premium to cover her husband will consume her entire monthly paycheck and she still may owe additional money to the district each month. Unfortunately, she is not alone. Many employees are facing substantial financial hardships as a result of these increased costs. Support staff are now beginning to experience the direct consequences of decisions made by the board of education and district administration. These employees are the backbone of our schools. Yet some are being forced to make difficult choices about their health care, finances, and future employment. VIPA is deeply concerned these changes may lead to the loss of talented, dedicated, and experienced employees whose contributions are invaluable to our students and schools. We urge district leadership to recognize the impact of these decisions before more employees are forced
014to consider leaving the district. Be would also like to take a moment to recognize and thank all of our support staff for another outstanding school year. Whether you work in offices, classrooms, clinics, technology, maintenance and grounds, custodial services, or any other support roles across the district, your dedication, professionalism, and hard work has helped make this year a success. Every day you play an essential role in supporting our students, staff, and families, and your contributions do not go unnoticed. We would also like to give a special shout out to our custodial maintenance and technology teams. While many people think of summer as a break, these employees are hard at work preparing buildings for the the next school year. This summer, some are working in buildings with temperatures exceeding 100° due to construction and HVAC projects. Their
015dedication and commitment deserve our gratitude and recognition. As we wrap up another school year, VISA would like to wish all of our support staff a wonderful, safe, and well-deserved summer. We hope you have an opportunity to relax, recharge, and enjoy time with family and friends. For those employees who work year round, we extend our sincere appreciation and hope you are able to find some moments for rest and renewal through the summer months. Thank you for everything you do to make our schools and district stronger. Have a fantastic summer and we look forward to another successful year ahead. Thank you. >> Thank you very much, >> Board. I have a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Vice President Grder. >> Second. Director Adams. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >>
016Any oppose say nay. Motion passes. If you will pause a moment for diligent to catch up. Go ahead. >> Go forward. >> Flawless. >> The technology gremlins are here. But we will go forward. I take offense at that board. I have a motion to approve the purchases as presented. So moved. >> Vice President Grder. >> Second. >> Treasurer Magcguire. All those in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Any oppose say nay. >> Motion passes. Agenda item seven. Board have a motion to approve the uh fiscal year 27 open purchase order listing as presented. >> Vice President Greer. >> Second. >> Director Owens. this being posted as a separate agenda item as it exceeds the prior approval threshold of $500,000. Board, you have any questions? I know we've all had opportunities to ask questions before
017the board meeting. So, when you see the board not having a question during the board meeting, that's oftentimes because the questions have been sought and answered before. So, um all those in favor say I. I. I. Any oppose say nay. Motion passes. Board have a motion to approve Clayton Holdings LLC as the lease option for the technology purchases. >> Vice President Grder. >> Second. >> Director Adams. This individual item uh action item was previously approved by the board at our May 21st meeting. It has been added to this agenda item to revise the name of the bank from Commerce Bank to Clayton Holdings in the motion. Nothing else has changed. Any other questions, board? Right. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose say nay. >> Motion passes. Or there's a motion
018to approve the 2627 facility use rental rates as presented. >> Vice President Grder. >> Second. >> Director Oli. This agenda item is posted as a separate agenda item as it contains an increase in rates for the community to use the district facilities. So, we have a moment. Um, are there anybody uh from the district want to speak to this? Any questions board? >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose say nay. >> Motion passes. Board. I have a motion to approve multiple vendor contracts for alternative transportation services as presented. So, Director Adams, seconded by Vice President Grider. This agenda item is also being posted as a separate agenda item for alternative transportation services uh and their contracts. Uh the estimated value of the contracts is $1,350,000. And so here is there
019Mr. Broom to speak or just be available? >> Gotcha. Board U. Miss Hler, >> is your intent to have Mr. Broom speak or be available for questions? if there were any questions. >> Okay, appreciate it. So, board, you've had a chance to review the material for the last week. Do you have any questions for Mr. Broom that you've not already asked? >> Will this amount um need to change if the prices of fuel are changing? Uh yes. So there is some stipulations in the contracts from all the vendors that there are uh increases for fuel costs associated with the rising fuel cost or just the fluctuations of it. >> Has the estimate um used current prices within like the last month or so or are we looking at older prices from several months ago? So
020this is going off of the same pricing that we had from this past year uh just because that the uh threshold for which the price would increase is significantly higher than what it is currently. Now it may change but we felt comfortable enough to say that we would be close if not at or under that 1.3 uh million. >> Is there any type of a limit documented where we wouldn't go over within the contract? >> Not to my knowledge. Thank you. >> And for those of you reading the memorandum, you'll see that we solicited bids from 10 different companies and this is a collection of three different companies. Is that correct? >> Yes, sir. >> And so, u this is a high price. However, uh public schools are for all students and this allows us
021to uh make the space and the transportation available and required to have all students attend. Yes sir. Gota. >> Any other questions board? >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose say nay. Motion passes. Thank you Mr. President. >> Thank you board. I have a motion to approve the meal and alart price recommendations for the 26 27th school year as presented. >> Vice President Grder. >> Second. Director Adams. More. Any questions about this topic? >> I I would like to state as a parent who um pays or when my children were in school what were paying these prices. Um often times my student my children didn't know what was allocart versus what was a meal. I hope that the prices or at least the signage is visible enough that students understand
022um this amount. Um as a parent who has had a you know a child who would get like five things off the cart menu not knowing that it was um a lot more. Um, I I hope that there's signage for our students so that they also understand that this cost is something that can help them learn to be fiscally responsible as is there. Uh, I appreciate that. Thank you so much. And for admin, if there if that isn't already happening, if that could be happening, if you make it happen is in the audience. I would uh Miss Coleman who's our uh director with Sedexo Food Services is here tonight to answer any of the questions the board may have. So uh Miss Coleman if if you're comfortable and have an opportunity to share just how
023we share with students um meal prices. >> Absolutely. Uh yes, all of our secondary schools, we have the alle cart hosting at all of the um cafet uh registers and they're out and the chip racks and everything have individual labeled prices on them. That really helps students know what is additional cost. In addition, it's actually USDA like regulation that we post exactly what's part of a meal. So making sure that they know they can just not get like pizza, but pizza, fruit, milk, all of that is part of a meal um price. So to make sure that they take advantage of our unlimited fruits and vegetable bars and milk and what comp comprises the full meal. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Any other questions while she's here? >> I just have a
024comment to make. My kid loves Bosco sticks and every year for her birthday, that's what she wants. Do you know how impossible it is to find Bosco sticks in the store? Yes, I do. My kids also love Bosco sticks. >> So, thank you for introducing that to our lives. >> You're welcome. >> I believe they're at Gordon Food Services. >> Oh, I have a source now. >> There we go. >> All right. >> Any other questions? All right. All those in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Any oppose say nay. >> Motion passes. Board, I have a motion to approve part two of the 2627 staffing plan as presented. So, >> Vice President Crider >> second. Director Adams. Miss Simpkins, our chief human off uh resources officer will present. >> Good evening, board. Thank
025you so much for giving me the opportunity to present part two of the 2627 staffing plan with you. As we updated and revised the overall 2627 plan, we continued a strong focus on our strategic plan. As this work touches many pillars, I will remind you, you saw this slide before, that the pillars are in order of how they impacted this plan. Pillar three has been our most influential driver of the plan, followed by pillar one to meet academic outcomes, followed by pillar two, workforce planning, as shared in our initial staffing presentation in January. This slide is just a quick reminder that this really is a year-long process. If approved, part two changes will be implemented over the next few months as we prepare for the start of school in August. In January of 2026, the
026administration presented part one of the 2026 2027 staffing plan and the board approved a status quo plan early which strategically allowed the district to post vacancies early when those certified candidate pool was the strongest. The majority of those previously approved positions were redistributed across the district based on projected enrollment. To ensure the district maintained the necessary financial resources for this baseline plan, administration intentionally held back 7.76 positions, which included one vacant deputy superintendent position and 6.76 unassigned certified staff positions. When preparing part one of the plan, we were closely watching Prop RT, state legislation that would pose a negative threat to our budget. And while this proposition ultimately failed, administration continues to closely monitor new proposed legislation and its potential long-term impacts on our revenue. Consequently, after refining the FY27 budget, administration is recommending a
027conservative fiscal protective approach to part two of this plan. And before we move into that, I'll remind the board that there were several requests for the use of these positions that we placed on hold. Request to even add staffing as we went through meeting with different leaders throughout the district and did that workforce planning. Um many of these recommendations are not included in staffing plan part two due to the limited resources we felt were available. Overall, part two of the plan slightly increases FTEES, but at the same time results in a net savings to the salary budget, and I'll share that information here in a moment. Let's talk just a little bit about the details um that come with these changes. So, I shared this chart with you in January. It compares our central office
028administration team with other area districts. However, even this chart is not comparable when you look at apples to apples. Uh the asterisks note the districts that are uh supported by special school district who provides administrative staff to support special education students and programming. So these districts have an additional layer of administrator support in each building in their district. For the 2526 school year, Francis Hall operated with 16 administrators as one deputy and one director were held vacant. Part one of our plan included filling the director level position and we held the second deputy position until we could finalize the budget work. It is important just as important that we focus on these positions and attract and recruit strong leaders in these roles because they impact the decisions across our entire district. We need to be
029competitive with salary and structure positions so that the workload is manageable here as well or we will lose these strong leaders. However, when we were creating part two of the plan, it was important to us that we put the resources closest to the classroom um when we could at this time because we did not have the opportunity to meet all of the needs across the district. With two deputy positions, Francis still had the highest ratio of leaders to students at one leader to every 910 students. And you'll see once we decide not to fill this position, we are down at the bottom. one leader to every 964 students in our district. As we move to the certified side, um this gives you just a list of the big ideas for our staffing. We will eliminate
030that second deputy superintendent position. We'll utilize the unassigned held positions in the following way. We'll add one special education teacher at each high school. We'll increase one English learner teacher position from a 0.5 to a full-time position. We'll add three boardcertified behavior analyst positions or BCBAS, one at each of our title one elementary schools. We'll add a second $5,000 counseling teacher leader stipen to split the program oversight effectively between elementary and secondary schools. and we'll add a $5,000 stipend for ADA technology compliance that will support the district in reaching compliance with the new federal digital accessibility rule. In early childhood special education, we're adding one full-time position, a 0.5 teacher and a.5 SLP. This will support the enrollment that we're seeing for special education students at our Hackman Center. And then finally with support staff,
031uh we'll reclassify one HVAC position to a systems specialist. We've reduced one English language prayer professional position. And we're adding four titlefunded positions to support programming at our title schools, two behavior support specialists, an instructional parah, and an English language learner parah. So while our overall plan slightly increases positions or FTEES, using pillar three, resource allocation strategy one as a focus, much of our salary costs will be covered by title one and ECSSE grant funding. The district salary budget will see a savings of $54,68 with this plan. Administration believes this recommended plan is reasonable. It's fiscally prudent and it's operationally sound. By aligning expenditures to meet priority needs, especially in high needs areas like special education and building level behavior support, this plan executes our comprehensive workforce planning, pillar 2, workforce planning strategy 1, and
032pillar one, student support strategy one to meet the needs of our ash students. Further, it optimizes process improvements under pillar three, process improvement strategy 2, and leverages external title one and ECSSE grant funding, pillar three, resource allocation strategy 1, alongside our central office reduction. Um, the district maximizes our revenue and controls our costs. The strategic approach ensures that we remain fiscally sound and efficient um as an organization and maintains the high quality service and compliance across all of our operations. And with that, I'd be happy to answer any questions that you have. >> I guess you keep using the word financially prudent, conservative. I understand that. Is this the plan you would present if the state was going to fully fund the state target? I think what's important to me, Mr. Magcguire, is that whenever
033we add positions, they are sustainable over the course of time. We have had a history in our district where we have added positions and then we've had to cut and then we've added or we've cut or we've added positions and then we haven't been able to provide salary increases to our staff. So, um, you know, as I look at this plan or or whatever the future might hold for revenue, I just want to be sure that we are providing some stability for our staff, um, because that helps us with retention and all that hard work that goes into recruiting and training those folks. >> What I'm hearing is in a perfect world, you'd want more staff. >> Well, you saw the slide where, you know, back in September and October, Dr. Leak and I went
034out and visited with every district leader throughout this district. And you know, sometimes our questions are, if you had an open checkbook, what would you want? Like blue sky, tell us all the great things to sometimes asking that question of just tell me exactly what you would need, right? And there have been several years where we haven't even been able to meet those needs uh just because we haven't had the resources to feel comfortable adding that staff sustainably over the course of time. We know the impact of not giving teachers a step. We know the impact of not giving staff good raises. We know the impact of what it feels like when we have to cut even if they're positions that are vacant that uncertainty that goes across the district. Um so yes, I mean
035if we had more resources, we are a people intense business across all of the areas of our district, whether that's in the classroom or here in this building with our leadership. Um and we are very lean in some of those areas. So then followup question, what is our administrative ratio? That means they're doing more than what administrators do in other districts. Is that long-term sustainable >> for those individuals? >> I think it has its toll on our administrators. Um just like when we have higher class sizes for our teachers. Um we have we have lived this life as administrators for some time. Um, I do think we see some administrators leave the district because the work life balance is hard, the hours are very long, the the evenings, the weekends, you know, those sorts of
036things. Um, do I think it has an impact on people? I do. Um, but it it's kind of become the norm here in Francis how the expectation, I guess. I just want to say um thank you for the thoughtful plan. I know um we continue all to have really difficult decisions and I just it's really hard um when you hear and read things, you know, social media and and whatnot um about how we just need to cut back. they're spending too much and bl I just want the public to be able to really understand how scrappy this district has been for so long and you know we hear the frustration with teachers and uh staff with insurance and that's horrible. We see that we have one administrator for every what 960ome >> poor students >>
037students. That is crazy. And then we see that we had what 33 positions that we need that we can't find. You know, it's like hit after hit after hit and this district continues to excel. And so I think that's amazing. And when you're doing so many things so well, I think it's so easy for people to just think they don't need anything. They're making it happen. But I don't think that we can overstate that long-term exhaustion that I see, you know, from you guys continuing to show up. And so, thank you. Um, thank you to our teachers. Thank you to everybody who is showing up for our kids in all the ways that you do. And I really think that we collectively are going to have to find a way to rally the public around
038them showing up for our kids, too. >> Um, a question that I'm not sure how many of us have received from um the community, but I know that at least a couple of us have is um the fact that Francis Union doesn't have a nurse. And I was wondering if you could share if there are any other schools besides Union that don't have a full or a part-time nurse. And if Union is the only school that doesn't, why that is? And when you were meeting with um the administrators, if that was listed as a need or a want, and if there is a plan to bring a nurse to the that school in the coming years. >> I don't have all that data right here with me, so I'm going to do this from memory,
039Mr. Adams, so forgive me here. Um all of our buildings have a nurse or sometimes a nurse and a half or two nurses depending on the size of the buildings. Um, Union does not have a nurse, but our nurse coordinator is often located here at 801. Her office is here. So, I think that has been partly um the reason behind not having a full-time nurse at Union. Um, is there just someone available? Um, that was not a request made of me throughout this year's staffing plan or have I heard that in the past? Um, but I would be happy to just make sure that I ask that question and look into that. >> I just on that springing that on you instead of asking thoughts, but it just occurred to me. Yeah, no worries. Related
040to the staffing plan, Mr. uh Blair, I just want to point out that we are going to be having a transportation job fair on June 15th from 1 to 4 as we start to fill our school bus monitor and driver positions. So, just a little advertising here to fill those positions that are in our staffing plan. >> You're saying June 15th is a job fair for our transportation positions? >> Yes, for school bus drivers and monitors on June 15th at 4545 Central School Road. Did you say June 15th? I thought >> June 15th at 4545 Central School Road from 1 to 4. >> Halfway through the month, halfway through the day, >> on-site interview. Sit in the bus, take a see how it feels, interview on site. We would love to have you a part
041of our team. >> That's great. Before one second. >> Okay. Sorry. >> Yeah, I appreciate you getting the commercial. >> Okay. Thanks. Thanks for that time. >> Other questions, bored. I I was curious and this is just me being a teacher in a classroom kind of wondering um how have there been any creative out of the box conversations um about bringing high school students into younger level classrooms to get some extra support in terms of maybe hall monitors or um just helpers in general through any of our programs that we offer. do have the pathways to teaching program at our high schools. And I do know that I think it's usually in the second semester, maybe Glenn, you can help me with the curriculum part of that, that those high school students do go into
042classrooms and work with teachers, um maybe teach a lesson, something of that nature as they are trying to determine if they want to follow that pathway into teaching as they go on to their secondary careers or outside of high school. Um, other than that, I I don't know of any specific program that would have our high school students, you know, in in our middle or high schools or elementary schools. Sorry. I know that our students who are pursuing their A+ accreditation need to get 50 hours of community service. I'm wondering if maybe that's something worth exploring, allowing them to maybe um be some form of a student leadership where they could earn that credit by, you know, going into our younger levels um elementary perhaps and um being assistants in some capacity to help our
043teachers because we are seeing and feeling that crunch so hard. Something worth exploring. >> Yeah, definitely. there are some uh programs opportunities that exist already with the A+ and we're doing that but I think we can expand that and look at expanding other opportunities more and we do have uh a student participating in our youth apprenticeship program who she is going to be working at early childhood uh in the form of a pair out there and so definitely looking to expand those opportunities. >> Yeah, love that. >> Thank you. Other questions? Board. I want to point out on slide seven that indicates that there was a request across the district to add 33 full-time the equivalent of full-time positions, right? Full-time employees. >> Uh the proposal you are presenting is how many? Well, we are
044we're readjusting some FTEEs from support and certified in that in that summary, but we really just reallocated the 6.76 positions into plan two. >> We aren't adding positions. >> Gotcha. So, there was request for 33, but we listened to those at the the building level, those who are spending the most time with the kids. They in their attempt to create the best education for all students said 33 additional positions will help us as teachers and staff perform what we need to do to provide the best public education for all students because of financial defunding. Um we are not able to say yes to those requests as well as to the insurance um request we've also have heard too. Uh I just want people to point out and pay attention to slide seven. It would have
045been 2.4 million in order to cover the 33 requests to just make sure we are doing excellent work in educating all students by not receiving the fully funded formula from the state. We will lose $6 million this particular fiscal year. And we lost $3 million the previous fiscal year that they didn't fully fund. and the public had to beat back prop uh Proposition RT59 to41. It's a pretty significant beatback um in order to protect $4 million lawsuit. For those of you who are watching at home, I want you to know that the people who can do something have been doing something to push back and yet we still have these realities in front of us. So the reason why we're not having 33 additions instead of six or just filling the six is because of
046the revenue loss from the state. It's right there. So, slide seven, if we did not lose $6 million this year alone, some of those, if not all those could have been responded to. So, uh I appreciate you presenting this as a staffing plan. I also know that you're presenting this wishing it could have been uh full of more yeses than it does include. And so I just want to name that for the public that uh I like uh Vice President Grder's word scrappy. Um I appreciate the scrappiness of every administrator, of every parah, of every uh employee custodian um who's doing more work um because that's what the state is doing to us right now. And so I just want to say thank you for that and call it out for the public to see
047it. Any other comments regarding the staffing plan? All those in favor say I. I. >> I. >> Any opposed say nay. Motion passes. Thank you, Miss Simpkins. Board, I have a motion to approve the 2627 substitute and miscellaneous pay rates included in the compensation workbook as presented. So move. >> Vice President Grder. >> Second. Director Adams. Or do you have any questions? All those in favor say I. I >> I have one question. I'm sorry. Well, >> we'll pause. Well, we'll just say the diligence slow. So, what's what's >> we're just rolling in into one book, the substitute pay rates, but I noticed other discrepancies in this book that raises questions for the stipens and other outside of teacher that's supposed to be reviewed at some point in the next year. Is that correct, Mr.
048Delaney? >> Are you talking about the extra duty stipens? Yes. >> Yes. So, uh, we negotiate extra duty stipens, um, and extra duty salaries with FHEA. Um, and they we provided a 5% increase for all of our stipens. We did not have enough time within that negotiations timeline to really dive into changing that structure. So, we did commit to work together throughout this year. We'll have an extra duty committee that will come together starting in the fall and really look at how other districts provide their compensation for extra duty, see where we fall, really do that compensation study, and then we'll bring those recommendations to negotiations when we come back together. Um, while we have a two-year agreement with FHA, we do reopen for salary, and that will be part of our conversation together. >>
049Okay. >> What you're approving in the book tonight is just the substitute rates of pay and the miscellaneous rates of pay. Everything else in the book has already been approved by the board through negotiations, salary schedules and whatnot. Um, but what we wanted to highlight was just the uh idea of the compensation book. Um, again, as part of strategies two and three of process improvement, really creating one source of information instead of having multiple memos that come to the board, multiple piece places for information for compensation. And this is really exciting for our payroll team, for our HR team, for our employees where they can go to one-stop spot and see all of the structures that we have and hopefully we'll just continue to make that better as we as we work through it each
050year. >> Thank you. >> Okay, we're going to start back. So, this is a motion to approve the substitute and miscellaneous pay rates. Uh, do I have a >> do we seconded? I think we're just ready to favor. >> All right. So all those in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Any oppose say nay. >> Motion passes. Up next board we have the annual budget presentation. U. That's right. We have two meetings in June and so we can have a budget presented to us at this meeting for us to consider and then approve the next meeting. Uh the annual budget must be adopted prior to July 1st each fiscal year per Missouri statute. Dr. Amy St. John will present the 2627 proposed budget and again the board will take a vote on the recommendation
051at our June 18th meeting. Dr. Amy St. John, >> thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to present to you the 2627 budget recommendation. Um albeit it is several slides long. I will help you to understand that we're really just stacking together the last several months of presentations um as I have been bringing you each part of that and then we've just um continued to grow upon that. And so with that, I will um move through a few of the slides a little bit faster because those are the sort of the main stays of the slide deck um in terms of what those are. And then I'll pause on a few and just really kind of point to you because there's also a full budget book that's part of the attachments and I'll
052reference to what page numbers you can learn more about that um to get some of the description um or some of the changes in those uh percentages. So with that, this is the budget development calendar as I have mentioned and this is where I have stacked together each of the presentations um throughout the school year to get us to the June 4th budget meeting. And as mentioned on June 18th will be the official vote um for the budget to and that is a statutory requirement for us um in order to move into the next fiscal year. The budget must be approved um before July 1st. Uh this is the fund requirements that we do talk about each month. So I won't spend too much time here. These are the four funds for which our funds
053must go into based upon certain criteria. And then again that budget uh developments presentation schedule and this is the comprehensive review of all the revenue and expenditures all in one location as well as a little bit of additional information uh to support those through the budget book. The budget development process is really sort of an 18-month cycle. So, you talk about going into the next budget while you're finishing the one that you're in, then you begin the next one, and then soon after that, you begin working on the very next budget as those budgets start to uh roll together. These are the Missouri statutes that we must fulfill as well as our board policy. It the full budget book must be created each year with a budget message. It must have an estimate of our
054revenues and our proposed expenditures as well as the debt schedule including the interest amortization um schedules for those future payments and then a general budget summary must be included. Our board policy 3114 indicates that we must maintain a 15% fund balance and again that information is brought to you each month as we talk about what the projected June 30th fund balance should be. Now we'll begin talking about the revenues. I've talked a lot about this this year because we've talked about the the threat against these uh revenue sources. And so the first one we'll begin with are those local taxes. Um and as you know that's based upon the assessed valuation of the district and it has also to do with the consumer price index or the rate of inflation and then the collection rate
055for which we are bringing in those taxes. uh the way that people are paying their the taxes on time. In addition to that, we have something called proposition proposition C and that is a statewide uh tax that has goes to districts and that's based upon um the the tax collected in the uh statewide measure and then it's measured against our student population for its allocation. The primary factors that affect our state revenue are the measurement of attendance and membership. So we count the students in whole. How many students are there and what is their attendance rate? And then we also review their membership. So if a student attends school, we'll say for three of six hours in a day, that student membership would only be 0.5. So it's really starting to look at the amount
056of time that the students are coming to school as well as um they are enrolled in school. In addition to that, we have the state adequacy target. Again, something I have talked quite a bit about um that um is the state um sets an adequate uh target and then we deter they they let us know if they're going to be able to pay us at that number. Next, we have the dollar valifier and this is really a cost of living adjustment and each school district has given that information by Desi letting you know if you live in a little bit more cost a higher cost of living area, it's adjusted up for that. And then there are waitings and the way that the formula is presented back to us in terms of our students with
057free or reduced lunch status, special education or limited English proficient. The factors that affect our federal funding are things our federal funding is really title one and as well as our um food service. Those allocations are presented to us about this time of the year. They tell us what we will have in the fall and then in addition to that we will um get an additional um carryover if all of the funds have not been spent in the year that you are in and those are finalized in the fall each year. We did see an increase in our title one funding based upon census data. It's nothing that we do. It's just what um is um calculated in our area in terms of um our population. Our student enrollment is um as you know from
058the demographic study that we did earlier in the year we are a flat to slightly declining school district. In this chart you will notice just um by your um the two arrows that I have there from 201920 we had 16,735 students and we are at the current year we are 16,321 and this is the September count. each school year, the last Wednesday in September and then the last Wednesday in January are the two official count dates, but oftentimes you will look at September over September. In this decreased population, um what we're looking at and projected for this coming September is 1599. And that's really if we don't look at the alternative site. So that's really our primary buildings and that's really what Lisa looks at for her staffing allocations is understanding um how many students
059will be in our primary buildings and not our off-site programs such as Francis Howell or Westwood um or other special services. So when you bring the two numbers together um for what it has been the the adjusted number for the year would be about 127 students decrease from the current year that we are in. So again, a slightly declining enrollment. A little bit more information about local taxes. Um, more information can be found on pages seven and 8 of the budget book. And this is really just a breakdown of the estimated increase that we expect to see for our local taxes. And that is primarily uh due to the new construction for which we can get a full um increase for that in the year that it occurs. And so the you've heard me talk
060about the Hancock amendment and I'll share a little bit more about that in just a second. That does not come into effect at this time. Um we are able to collect the the full amount of that increase. Um the we get that re we received that information in March uh of this school year and we were able to calculate we expect that as an additional local tax increase. As I mentioned the Hancock amendment comes into play in the reassessed year. So as the the reassessment happens in an oddnumbered year, then we have to take as a school district the lower of three things. Either the actual assessed value growth or the inflation rate or also known as CPI or 5%. And so I've showed you that that uh table over time where our actual levy
061has gone down. We're le more than a dollar less than we were just 10 years ago based upon how this has worked. This has been in place since 1980 and it actually um is working because that means that the assessed valuation goes up but it ratchets down the levy so that there is not a windfall that goes to any of the uh levied in or taxing entities. When we talk about the state basic formula we also talk about the classroom trust fund at the same time. Those are both state funds and those are the ones that I've talked about calculated based upon the SAT or state adequacy target which is currently set at 7,145 and the year that we are in it has paid no more than $6,900 and as a reminder at Francis how
062based upon our local tax effort we actually only collect about $3,000. So we get about half of what any number that we are looking at there and that is based upon our local effort in the calculation for this budget season coming up. We are going to use 6700 as a conservative number for our state adequacy target and then that would be reported back to you each month as to what the payment is actually paying. Um there are estimates that it could come in at 6,800 and if that is the case then a budget amendment would occur so that we would um bring that revenue dollar back up according to what uh we would be seeing in that payment. There's the dollar value modifier that I talked about. We are set at a dollar um 888.
063Um so we are slightly higher than um or meaning that it's a little co little bit higher cost of living here than um some other places. And then when I talked earlier about membership and attendance, the formula um from now until 2030 will continue to increase the amount the percentage of membership as compared to attendance. For many many years, my entire time ever looking at this, it's only been based upon attendance until last year it switched. And so it was 9010 and then it's going to 2080 and then it'll go to 7030 and then it'll make its way to 50/50. And so the reason I bring that up is because it will be very important in the future for us to monitor the membership calculation and really understand the amount of time that students are
064enrolled in our schools and really monitor um any part-time students or any students that would be leaving early because this will affect the the funding that will be coming in based upon that calculation and that has not been the case in the past. So that's new information I just want to bring forward to you. Additional information on this regard is on page nine of the budget book. And in addition to that, at the back of the budget book where all of the codes are broken down, those are going to be objects 5311 and 5319 on page 20. This is that Proposition C sales tax. This has been around since 1982. It is a 1 centa statewide sales tax and it is based upon um again that student membership as well as our student population and
065then their attendance um in that same format. Unfortunately, with the state dollars going down for the state adequacy target, this is also going down next year. We've been paid at 1452 per ADA and we'll be moving to uh 14 uh excuse me, going to 1452 from 1465. So that's reducing by $13, which is an overall um decrease to the budget of about 2.4% for that particular revenue source. State transportation um is currently stated in FY27 to be at 100% funded. Um we are 95% funded for this current year, but for budgeting purposes, we decided to have no change. We want to just keep monitoring that and make sure um that we don't overestimate those revenue sources. And so for next year, we are budgeting the same as what we have received in the current year.
066And as a reminder, your transportation dollars come in based upon the year prior. So the year we're living is the one we'll get paid off for next year. This is the financial institution tax that has a very wild history here in Francis Howell School District. You can see on the right um the chart that tells you what that number has been through the years. It is never a source that should be ever budgeted because it is unpredictable. And so if the money were to come in at one particular year, then the board would need to decide how to handle it as one-time money. It's not to be built into or baked into the budget calculations as it is unpredictable. More information is on page 10. Our earnings on deposit will also need to have a
067revenue reduction, most notably in the bond proceeds as those are uh dwindling. Uh obviously the interest that would be earned on that would be less going into the next year. And so that is a $1.25 million decrease to the budget overall, but again it's because the bond proceeds are being spent down. This is the tuition based program for preschool that we talked about earlier in the year. Uh this is something that we will be monitoring the revenue as well. So in tonight's consent agenda agenda um there was a grant opportunity or is a grant opportunity for us to apply for with DESIE and that's the Missouri um preK quality grant and we will be um with your permission tonight we'll be filling that out and we'll be seeking some additional funds that would be available.
068So we stepped the rate at that $70 per day a couple months ago and that's still in play. So parent tuition is still available, but what we know is we will pair with the prek ADA money that's available to any student that's free or reduced lunch, we'll have free prek next year. So we're working with those families helping them to understand um how that would work. And so then in addition to that, we are seeking dollars through that Missouri pre um quality prek grant to offset any dollars that we could for full pay students. If we get the grant, that's how that would work. If we don't get the grant, the families already know that the parent tuition portion is still in play and so that they will be communicated to that grant is due
069on June 19th and we're supposed to know if we get it or not by July 1st. So it will be a good thing if we get it and it's okay if we don't because we already have a plan in place. And then that mon that revenue will be monitored and again brought forward through the financial u monthly reports. And this is vacation station in a similar format that again that was set um as a and this is also supposed to be kind of a um budget neutral. We're not we're not trying to make money. We don't want to lose money and so it really offsets its expenditures based upon the rate that is set for it in that as well. other revenue or just kind of um a ve a variety of things. Again, that
070title funding, we do um see an increase in that and that's why we were able to apply that to some of the um questions and the things that were going on in the title buildings that were being requested. Um we have a couple little um adjustment things. Sometimes it's due to timing. For instance, our early childhood payment came in this academic year. It was really for last academic year. That just happens if you receive it in July, but you don't count on that money going into the next year. And so, we're offsetting that. And then um some other federal revenue is a slight decrease. So that overall change for that area is $825,000. And then this is the summary of all things that are changing for the operating budget. So again, that's your general fund
071in your teacher fund. And that is a $2.3 million decrease in revenue overall. And that can be found in the um operating chart that's on page uh three of the budget uh book. And then this is the remainder of the revenue. So this is the um changes that are happening to the debt service fund and to the bond fund as I mentioned earlier with the earnings from deposit. And then this is a look at all funds that will be decreasing in the revenue area. And really that largest um piece that is a little different is that bond fund of 1.25 million and then um the overall is 3.4 million for revenue. and you wonder maybe why the teacher one is a little bit higher and all your state funds go to your teacher fund and
072so that's where you're going to see um that as well as that classroom trust um that I talked about. So now moving into expenditures in a similar format we'll talk about primary factors that are costing um the largest expenditures. Again as you know our staff um and health or staffing and our health insurance are the two largest costs that we have. student enrollments and programming, inflation cost as we pay for um the price of any of the regular goods that you all think of um in including gas and fuel um as well as just energy cost and just the price of of running buildings. And then any of our purchase services, those also ratchet up. So, anything that we're software wise or um working to purchase books, any of those things are going to see
073increases as their cost of doing business is going up. This is the staffing plan as you saw it as staffing um part one but I do have in the expenditures because this chart wasn't complete and so I just am stating this is um staffing plan as you saw it in January but because we were able to account for those revenues I have um created the space for those positions in um the revenue or excuse the expenditures. There are different types of benefits. When I talk about the benefits line I always talk about only half of it that we have jurisdiction over right. So half of it is taxation we have no control over. So that's when you're seeing um if you're a certified staff 14.5% um has to go into the retirement system. If you
074are a non-certified staff that's 6.8% and then you have that health health insurance component. And then you have um the FICA and Medicare um factors that come into play. And so again additional information for those are found on pages 12 and 12 through 14. And then we'll talk about the staff and benefit changes that were negotiated. So an estimated increase of $3.7 million based upon the interestbased bargaining uh that Lisa led that work as well as um Suzanne Leak as part of that um human resource team. Excellent work there. We were able to work with FHEA as well as um the ESC's and then FISA and then we met with teamsters and came to agreement for salaries for next year. Other changes to the area of salary and benefits are um the additional uh it
075says other staff employee groups and so that's anybody who's not represented by those negotiated groups. And then we also keep track of our staff turnover. So as if you think about um a teacher that might retire at the end the higher end of the scale and then bringing in a teacher that might be in the lower end of the scale. Each one of those are accounted for as well as all the positions and that's actually a cost savings to the district of about $798,000. we do average about $750,000 per year in that area. And so that's a give back into um that salary category. And then we talked about the ECSC positions Lisa just mentioned as well as the title funded positions. And so that overall change is $556,000. We've spoke a lot about our
076health insurance and the impacts that that's that has had on the expenditures. Um, and with your decision on May 21st, um, that is a decrease to this area by $2.1 million, which includes the $1 million transfer that we have already had in this year. Um, and so that we will not be planning in next year's budget for that. There's great description on pages 13 and 14 and then on page 36 in the back that's specific to object code 6241 where you can see that change over time. the operating expenses, the total operating fund um increase is $3.1 million. And you can see that by different budget areas. So, some of that is the things that I mentioned there about salary and benefits. Some of it has to do with um insurance. Our property insurance went
077up 15% which cost $776,000. We have no control over that. That's how much the property insurance goes up. Um our utilities are going down. we are going to see a decrease based upon our HVAC improvements of $243,000 in the right direction. And then uh the as I mentioned before just really starting to um understand things like food costs are going up and that's an additional 170,500. >> Excuse me. >> Um fantastic 34 slides. We're still going strong. Fantastic. If you're listening at home, I just want to pay attention to when it comes to these kind of budget presentations. It's a hodgepodge of a hundred other conversations that have happened and what you identified was the savings that we are going to receive regarding HVAC and energy cost. What was that number again? >> 234 >>
07823 >> 243,188 was our estimate. >> I just want you to hear when we talk about uh the stewardship of taxpayer resources, this is what it is uh included. It is being aware of how to make smart decisions across the entire district. Here's just one example where those conversations led to $243,000 worth of savings. Um, and I know you're presenting it, but for all the staff members who are part of that kind of savings, just wanted to name it, call it out. Um, while we're on slide 34, so thank you for allowing me to interrupt, but I thought it was important enough to call it out. >> Does that money does the 230 or 243 does that include the reimbursements we got from Amaran for upgrading the equipment, or is that operational? efficiency that will
079be improved. Um, yes, that's the expected efficiency with those new systems, right? >> Okay. So, those reimbursements are out there, too. >> They're offsetting other costs, right? So, yes, we're excited for that, too. I just wanted to take a moment to get very granular. So, >> please continue. Thanks. >> Yes, it's it's a conversation of many lines of data for sure. >> Good good breather. Thank you. This uh is the overall change to the operating um area which is 3.1 million as um as it was in detail on the prior slide. And then now breaking it down into the debt area and the bond area. And so um with the debt service, it's pretty straightforward as well. You just look at your amortization schedule and you say what are your principal payments for the year
080and your interest payments for the year and how does that change? So it just kind of goes um depending on um that layout of the amortization schedules. and then the capital projects um area as well as the building improvements area. And again, there are great detail on pages 15, 16, and 17 in um paragraph form. And then at the back of the book, 41, 42, and 43 for year-over-year comparison data. And then the total expenses for all funds in that area are decreasing by 60,477,968. Again, that largest portion has to do with the bond fund changes. We'll go into a little bit more detail for our debt service. We've talked about some of these numbers on the other slides. This is just a little bit more information that goes with them. Um, as we have
081that um local um tax, the current delinquent tax change, um it's an increase where that depends on how the pennies get shifted around and how that can go up and down. that 67 um13 is in that particular area and then the amortization schedules are at the back of the book. So you can see full um understanding and those sum total to that amount and then these slides I have shared again through uh the last several months but I wanted just to remind you the um overall when you look at the debt service it has a beginning balance of its own. You estimate what the revenue is from that levy and then the expenditures that are going out and then it has a remaining balance. And so at the end of this um 27 it will
082have a balance of 15,105. Greater detail of this is on page 19 of the budget book. This is a look at our general obligation debt. So, we have four um that we work for work towards paying off. And these are from 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2024. And you can see that description there in the middle of what each of those bonds um were for and how and the amount of time um of the issuance. And then this is the list of the principal and interest obligations for FY27 and the sum total um that we've been talking about for uh 13 million 927400. Same information for our general obligation bonds but in a graphical format prepared by Piper Sandler. And that's something that we receive each year in order to make sure that we are meeting
083those obligations with that part of the levy. And then next is the capital projects. Again, in a similar format, it has a beginning balance of 13 million. Then it brings in from the levy 2.5 million. So that's 6 cents part of the levy brings in about 2.5 million. Our expenditures are at 9.4 million. And then again, that's the reminder why that transfer needs to occur out of our operating over into that because our our normal expenditures in the area of capital run anywhere between about 9 and $10 million per year in order for us to meet non-bond um large work over $5,000. Part of what gets paid out of the capital are these leases. And so the leases um will also have that principal and interest that are due. And so by looking at that
084and um really understanding that that's a large chunk of what needs to come out that 1.28 has to come out of the funds that are available to us in capital. And again that's another reason why that transfer is important for us in order to do the other things beyond the lease. This is a look at the capital projects over time and so I'll draw your eye to the bottom line as I mentioned. So we've spent about 9 million. The next year was 7.4 million. The year that we are in, we have it scheduled to be at about 10.1 million. But as a reminder, if those projects finish after June 30th and we're not build until July 1, that actually shifts over into the next fiscal year. So when you're at that this point in the
085year, it may end a little shorter in the FY26 and then it would be amended in the FY27 in order to take care of those costs. And with that bond, this is particular just the capital projects for bond. Again, we are expecting that that bond the bond funds will be spent out fully in this next um fiscal year. So the the remaining um will be um just down to uh the last projects that are currently underway right now and that we would expect that there would be no fund balance at that at the end of FY27. This is the bond language that occurred that um that is really um encompassing those projects that we were talking about. This is a snapshot of the bond financial that you see each month as we go through our
086regular updates for the finance and operations area. And this is the data that was represented to you on April the 30th. A new one will be brought to you at the June 18th board meeting. Moving into the self-insurance, we talk about this also quite a bit. Um, ideally this fund balance at the bottom right hand corner would be at 7.5 million which equates to 3 months worth of expenditures that are normal for this account. As we are currently ending this year, uh, we're sitting at about $4.2 million. So, we have trended better this year than we did last year. So, this time last year is when we were about to finalize that last payment to get to $11 million moving from our operating into this. This year we've only put $1 million into this account
087and uh we've received reports that our expenditures are not as um terrible as they have been in the past. This particular first quarter of of the um round from because it really goes from October until March was the data that we were looking at. But this something that has to be monitored because again not having $7.5 million in there means that your operating budget has to be ready in order to shift money should a large expenditure come into this account. Now, this is particular to the operating fund, which is what we talk most significantly about uh on a monthly basis. And this is really again there's a little formula at the top just to let you to remind you. So, the general plus the teacher fund balance minus any restricted funds are divided by all
088your expenditures um for your general and teacher funds. And that's how you get the percentage that we talk about so affectionately. And so, we want to be above board policy, which is 15%, but really the comfort zone is above 20%. in order for us to make it through our cash flow which is at its lowest in that September October in order for us to make our payroll. Our payroll runs at about $17.8 million for payroll and benefits each month. And so you want to make sure that there's enough in there for you to be able to take care of those needs. And then really again following um board policy 3114 is what really monitors and we strive for at or above that 15%. And this budget that we're bringing um currently is um at 23.07.
089Reminding you of the operating funds and the breakdown of those as our local is about 69% our state makes up 26% and then the federal and county and other a much smaller percentage of the overall pie that we have for our revenue. And again this is just strictly for the general and teacher um revenues for that's fund one and fund two. And that overall revenue is at 257,691005 for next school year. Our expenditures for the operating are coming in at 262,656. So that's slightly higher than what the revenue estimation is. Again, 83% of that is comprised of our salaries and benefits in that larger um component. And the rest of it is just the purchase services and supplies. And again much greater detail in the budget book on pages 11 through 14 for this. And
090I was just talking about the cash flow. And so with the cash flow as we are reviewing it the year that we are in 2526, you can see that it is um a spike that comes in. So as the tax bills go out in November and people start paying in December, the district starts receiving money from the county and it really starts to come in from that point through about January. And then that's the largest amount that you have. um $100 million or so will start to come in and then that's what you have to make sure last throughout the whole school year. And so it's very important for a district to pay attention to that. Um should you not pay attention to that, a tax anticipation note is required for you to be able
091to meet your needs and pay the payroll and the bills that are due. And as a reminder, the district did need to do that in the year 2021. And that was a $6.6 million loan that they had to receive. the assumptions when we are talking about the trajectory chart. So we break we do update this each month but I wanted just to share with you what we are assuming and so we do have that tax increase this year as I mentioned for the new construction that's 2.1 million and then we have a flat 3% going into next year um which is a reassessed year and that would be realized in the fall so not the year that we're going into but the next one because that's the year that it is reassessed. And then for
09228, um, looking at the, um, the 2% um, excuse me, I said that backwards. So 3% for FY28 and 2% for FY29. And then, as I mentioned earlier, we'll be using the 6,700 for our state adequacy target. We do still have budgeted in there a salary increase for next year. Um, not including health insurance, but that 3% for that salary line. And then the um health insurance would need to be monitored at an 8% um maximum to the premium increase for the fixed cost that we've talked about this year. And there is a snippet of what that trajectory looks like. So for the year that we are in is the first column 2526 we expect that we will end with a fund balance of 27.18. And looking at the next column and the two all
093of those numbers that we've talked about up to this point summed up. So, we've got the 257 million in revenue and the 262 expenditures. That does present this budget as a $4.9 million loss um in a deficit spend. That does still include the transfer to capital. As I mentioned, there are those projects that are already in play and that are needing those $5 million in order to continue that process. And then that brings our um projected fund balance at this time next year at 23.07. 07. When you look at the next two years past that, that is when if the revenue continues to decrease that the expenditures would have to be reviewed uh in order for us to um not go below um certainly not go below the 15% but ideally not even go below
094the 20%. So as this next year unfolds and any um information that's coming that those expenditures would need to be reviewed. >> Excuse me. >> Just calling this out again. This is the June 30th data, right? Correct. >> And the low water mark for our district is in September. Is that >> October? >> November. Uhhuh. >> Your largest payroll, the first payroll is um September is the largest one. >> And so it's right after that. So when we're trying to make sure we don't touch that 15% number, we should look not just at the number of the end of June, but be aware that between June 30th and October, the fund balance just always decreases. And we should be aware of that number. >> The fund balance doesn't decrease because this is based upon what
095we are budgeting. So we expect we'll pay that many bills and we expect we'll have that much revenue. if something were to change in the revenue like it did this year, that's when it could change the fund balance because it wouldn't meet the budgeted number. So, this is what we believe it is. Um, fund balance is stating June 30th. It's not a monthly number. We just monitor it monthly considering the budgeted numbers that we have. I think you showed this before when it comes to like when we get our paychecks and whenever it hits our account makes us look like well we have all this money in our account but we don't have 30 days of uh insurance or 30 days of gas or and so for us to be aware not just of the
096high water marks of the year but to be aware of the low water marks >> correct >> as the clearest picture of what we have >> right and that's that's the health check that you have right there. >> Thank you. Can we take a look at slide 16 for just a second? >> 16? >> Yes, please. >> I want to I want to point something out that I've been kind of researching and I'm a little curious about um and it's the dollar value modifier and what I'm please correct me if I am wrong. However, I'm understanding that that dollar value modifier rate has not been updated to account for the inflation that we have been experiencing over the last couple years. Am I correct? >> That's correct. Um, >> in fact, the more I'm looking
097into it, I'm finding out that it's so outdated, it's relying on data from sources that don't even exist anymore. And there's even a state task force that has been assembled to try to figure it out, but it hasn't been changed since 2005. >> Correct. So, what I have mentioned to you before about the modernization of the task force that's going to modernize how we are funded by the state, that's connected to that. And you're right, that was set in the 20 uh or 2005 2006 school year as well as our local tax effort. That's all been baked into the formula and then we just rolled with it for 20 years. So, that's why they started reviewing it. And you're correct also that that does not exist any longer. So when we go into the next
098formula, which as a reminder will be presented to the um governor on December 1st, 2026 and will go into play 2930, it won't have a dollar mod, I can't even say a dollar value modifier. It will have something completely different. Um they're talking about financial capacity of districts. They're talking about um average mean um uh the median income of a school district. Um, so they're looking at a lot of other things so that it has a more clear picture of what it actually costs to live in our school district. And so that's what we will be hearing more about in the coming months. And we can expect hopefully that the state would recognize that a 21-year-old frozen number is affecting us. Clearly it is. And we would hope that the people that are elected in
099those positions would consider that and help us move forward because I don't know about you, but the the money I had in 2005 is very different than the money that I need in 2026. >> Right. And think of just our area here, how much it's changed in 20 years. >> Absolutely. >> And you're right. >> Yes. But that is why they're looking at it and that is why um the task force will recommend something different because as your research says it does not exist any longer. It that they're going on they're just repeating what they've been doing um because that factor doesn't exist any longer. So, if I wanted to drive down to Jeff City, have a conversation with somebody, maybe it would be somebody in that task force, or maybe somebody who is in
100my region that I might have elected, >> or maybe it's somebody who will just listen to what I have to say about how 21 years is an awful long time >> to stay stagnant when it comes to the needs of our community. >> Correct. >> Thank you. And and that is why the governor did have an executive order to fix it because the 20-year-old formula isn't working. >> Absolutely. Thank you. >> Uhhuh. >> Close your eyes. I'm going to click fast. I >> think we were on 58. >> Can you go back to slide two real quick? >> Sure. >> No problem. >> That was fun. If I could have only gone this fast the first time. Just kidding. Um, one thing I wanted to point out here, um, just a fun fact, um, for
101your knowledge, every 13 cents of a levy is equal to about $5.2 million. And about 1% of the fund balances are worth $2.5 million. So when we talk about those fund balances and really monitoring and making sure that we're staying at or above that 20%, which is really that safety zone. Um, it's just important for us to understand as it has fluctuated and changed, that's the deficit that it occur I mean that is starting to occur. And so really that's the part that you just want to um again monitor it monthly really making sure that you're budgeted exactly the way that you're being paid and the way you're spending your money. It's normal for a budget to have about four amendments each school year. So we'll set it into motion with as much information as
102we have it in the June time frame and then just as we get into the fall again those federal allocations will get finalized, our staffing will be finalized. will kind of shift into the school year and you'll need a budget amendment at that point to kind of reset that. And then when you get to about midyear, you want to do it again because your taxes have come in or not. Um you want to monitor for did you get paid about 99 to 100% like we have this past year. Remember we had Senate Bill 190 that was a higher number deficit than we expected. We had budgeted about 750,000. It came in at about a million. So again, that would be something else you monitor mid year. And then when you get to about March, um
103you want to make sure kind of all the money you thought you were going to spend on that year, where are you at with it? You want to kind of make another adjustment. And then as you end the school year, you'll want to accept where we are in the year and that's what sets us into what our actual was. And then you start the next school year. So just wanted to give you an ease of what that feels like um in order to go through that budget cycle. And this is what we expect that the general budget summary to look like. This also mirrors what is on what's called the ASBR that we've talked about that we turn into DESIE. So, as soon as the fiscal year ends, uh the year we're in, then that
104um information gets finalized and submitted to DESIE by August the 15th. And that's what sets us to an official fund balance to your question um at that moment. And so, this is what we would expect it to look like a year from now. And with that, we've made it to next actions, which are really for you to ask as many questions as you would like. um really for us to finalize any um additional information that um we need to bring. We will be finalizing the FY26 budget also as we um come back to you in June 18th and then um again as I mentioned the routine budget amendments that are part of the process and then continued analysis. Um I thought this year was a lot of analysis. I think next year will be even
105more. So with that I will see if you have any questions. I just Oh, sorry. I just was going to mention that um I know there are additional attend uh attachments there in the meeting invite or but agenda. Sorry. >> But the that supplemental budget workbook that you've got is so great for anybody who wants to just take a real thorough look. >> I put that out there, too. Yeah. >> No, the one that it's in there. >> Oh, the full budget book. Yes. >> Yeah. It's so helpful. I just wanted to draw people's attention to it cuz while you went through the the deck here, like that's just so thorough and really helps add so much context and supplemental information to explain. So, if anybody wants to geek out a little bit on all
106of those 61 slides or whatever, um it's so helpful. That's why I was trying to make that connection to the page numbers, too, because I I think if you just look at that budget book for the first time, it can just feel really overwhelming, but it's really just layers um all pieced together that create that that beautiful budget book. So, >> can you go back to the slide with the future projections? >> This one or >> that one? >> Yep. >> So, I'm looking at this and tell me if I'm wrong or right. So look at this as we go forward through the years that 2028 2029 the six of us and one person on vacation will still be sitting in these seats. That was having to make a decision about what we cut. Is
107that what that's telling me? >> Well, so remember my assumption. So that assumption that I provide that gets you to this is a 3% salary increase and an 8% insurance increase. And again, those are the two largest expenditures. So without additional fund revenue coming in and you keep those two assumptions, that's what is happening. So we're trying to keep pace with the way that we want those things to occur. But without additional revenues, you would have to make a decision on one of those two things or have fewer people because that's the largest expenditure to the budget. >> We already have a state that's not funding us, >> right? And we don't know what's going to happen with taxes in general between now and then. >> Correct. >> You're not giving me good news. >>
108I'm sorry. That's just the reality. >> The public the public can step up and help us. >> A levy increase would change. We are the lowest levy in our county. And so that in itself would bring, as I mentioned, um, right there, 13 cents of a levy is $5.2 million. So if you increase the levy for operating, >> is there any easy waste? People always talk about this, but I've gone through this budget. I don't see anything. >> No, I I would even say that I there are people who I know were saying there was waste, but when they were asked, they didn't have any waste to point to, >> right? >> Scrappy is the word of the day. >> So >> yeah, I guess there's my thoughts. So, I guess right now we're going
109to spend a deficit this year under this recommendation, but we can't keep this up. >> No, I would say to the debt service levy transfer that we're talking about um remember bringing that over um would that's that $5.2 million that's 12.5 or 12 cents that we've talked about and that would so that 4.9 million would occur in this next round but then that would level set for the next year. So I'll bring projections of that in the coming next board meeting so you can see what that looks like in this chart. >> So that's a no tax increase way to kind of kick the cane down a little bit further. >> Right. It moves that money out of debt service that it's not needed and put it over in the operating so that you can
110prop back up >> without any tax increase to >> correct. >> You're just moving pennies out of one pocket into the next >> buttons and levers. >> Dr. St. John, I just want to add as well to to your question, uh, Mr. Magcguire, the the other unknown is the governor's task force that, uh, director brought up that could positively impact us or it could have a negative impact to the district. So, as much as we see these numbers, uh, Dr. St. John is working with what she knows at this time, and that is going to be a big unknown for Francis Hall School District, uh, until we see what what occurs in December. My car seats about six people and maybe two in the trunk if we need to go to Jeff City. >> Uh,
111one of the other pieces just to call out again is that the governor signed Senate Bill 10002. We are limited to when we can pull levers to respond to these kind of needs. which means that if that is signed into law outside of November 2026, we couldn't do anything regarding a ballot initiative until November 28 to address um a huge issue regarding construction uh human resources, the state funding going down, >> just anything, right? And so because Senate Bill 10002 applies just to St. Charles County, we have to be wise realizing that the future of funding is be very tempestuous. Um, and we have to be ready to drive this particular district through those uncertain years as well, knowing that while other districts across the entire state can pull levers to change things on the
112fly in April and August and November. Um, we would be confined and restricted to even year November. So, when it comes to like how we're talking about money, this is to get to the public and those who are here. We're having to make the wisest decisions possible based upon information that's changing week by week. Um, and the forecast is nothing but reliable change and chaos. And so I wanted to say thank you again for letting us know that the board is having to provide wise financial leadership during a very uncertain time knowing that we're constantly being limited or defunded. Um, and so I just want to say thank you. But again, I I know I've been saying this for the last year whenever there's an opportunity to say it, but the public needs to know.
113And the public did stand up again when it came to Senate Bill 3 or Proposition RT. The public had public education's backs. Otherwise, we'd have $4 million less this year and $7 million less next year. And so I just want to say we're we're navigating with the best information possible that leads to painful decisions like we heard earlier about health insurance changes and the one employee that we heard about. That's awful. I don't want that to happen. I don't think anybody here wants anybody who's a staff member to get less benefits. But when you get $6 million less this fiscal year and $3 million less last fiscal year, you have $9 million less to operate with. We either have to make those kind of decisions or we get that happening where in our future we
114have uh people being laid off, people have either uh pay frozen or skipped steps. I I want to say thank you and when we talk about this particular budget to be approved on the 18th um and amendments or edits that might happen too, right? Uh, I just want everyone to know that this board is doing their absolute best it can given the situation that we are downstream from and we will continue to do that following our values of financial stewardship and caring for the people because those two things help us care for the kids. And so we will continue to hold on to those values but we will have to use the numbers and the money that we have at our disposal to do it. And so I want to say thank you for sharing
115the information um and for the public to again pay attention that we are sharing with you transparently everything right in front. We also, right or wrong, um, amendment five, I believe it is, it's going to be on the ballot in August >> for income tax >> for eliminating income tax and dealing with sales tax and all of that stuff that also like we don't get direct money from income tax, but that funds go into the state of stuff. So, >> right, another fun one to watch. >> Great. director. >> Um, previously you had mentioned that we transfer money from operating to capital because we need to be prepared for those big projects that we're not prepared for. That just make sure that um when something happens, we're prepared and also just to keep us budgeted
116for um planned projects. Could you share the history if you have it? I'm not sure how long ago it was on why $5 million was the number and how long that's been in place. And if you ever need data based on all of this of when we may be in a position based on the number of projects that we've completed that that that figure could be looked at to see if 5 million is still the good number or well we we've done quite a lot. We're in a good place. Maybe we can take it down to 4 million or something along those lines. Um it actually has been higher. Um this doesn't have the full picture, but it does tell you the historical spend out of capital. So the bottom line there you can see
117is 9 million, 7 million, 10 million scheduled for 9.4 million. And then again in the budget book you have a very lengthy um understanding of all of the things. Um we we include all of the categories for capital spend and then some years they get zeroed out. And so really just to show you here um this it is a good number. I mean, that number is about $9 to $10 million per year. It's not really the emergency number. It's really the these are the things that need to occur. So, $1.2 million is just going to be leases um I believe. And then you've got um additional um payments that you have to make um and interest for that. And then you've just got the things that you have to purchase along the way, whether that
118be the um hardware or um building equipment and that. And so those are the things again that six cents only brings in $2.5 million. Um, I think it's back here. The revenue that comes into this account naturally or through the levy is only $2.5 million. And so we put that additional $5 million in there in order to pair with that and then take care of those projects. Anything that really gets out and beyond that is what you put into a bond issue. And so I would be happy to pull for you um the history of that. It's on the larger trajectory chart that I usually share. So I'll bring that next time. But it has been high. The transfer has been higher. Desi tells you how much the transfer can be based upon your operating
119um the 7% of your operating um calculation. And so that my answer is that it's a really low levy amount that's coming into such a large district. Um I've worked in other districts that run much smaller and they had six pennies. I mean six pennies is just not that much to cover. >> Gotcha. and you you unless the rest of the board wants it, I don't worry about um the his know off the top of your head, but based on everything that you've um researched and as you compile the data, would you say that 5 million is still the the safe number that we should stick with for the foreseeable future to cover everything that you just mentioned? >> Uh yeah, and I do happen to have it here with me. I just remember I
120had it in the back. So in 2223 it was 6.696 million transferred. 23 24 9.1 million transferred 2425 7.2 million transferred. This year we are at 5 million and then I'm projecting out five million. So right now at 5 million with a slight fund balance that I do believe is the right number. Um and because we were just finishing um another bond. That's another reason that you may have a little wiggle room in there. But I think the answer for now yes is $5 million. That is my recommendation. >> Perfect. Thank you. Um, and the other thing I just wanted to say is kind of echoing President Blair and Mr. Maguire's thoughts. You your or the district's obligation is to provide a budget each year and you've done what you've been required to do in
121the budget book, but I think that a combination of administration, maybe the previous board has requested you and your department to do so much more than what you've been required to do. the um two documents that you provided back in May. Um I had to copy and paste it to see what um type size it was. It's it was 111 and it was 40 slides. Sorry, 40 pages worth of data that in theory you didn't have to prepare and didn't have to present. In theory, you could have not mentioned anything until this meeting today for us to take into consideration to vote next month. So, I say all that to say that we could have made that decision and left not only the board, but the community in the dark and just said at the
122last minute, "By the way, our revenue kind of sucks. This is what it is. Vote on it next meeting." Or you could have done what you did, which was educate us over time, prepare a very in-depth document and prove to the public that we take the finances very seriously and dispelled the misconceptions that we are not good with money, that we clearly are taking this seriously. Um, as Mrs. Simkins showed with a previous presentation about staffing and what you've projected out, we're doing a really good job with everyone's money. And when we don't have a lot of it, you've done a an equally good job preparing us for the future to make sure that we hopefully don't get below that 50% envelope. So, thank you. >> And I want to say thank you to Julie
123Walsh, um, the director of finance. She's done an amazing job endlessly working. Thank you, Julie. Couldn't do it without her. She's amazing. Um, >> thank you, Julie. >> We we check and recheck all the numbers multiple times. So, thank you. Anything else board? We will have it for 18. >> Thank you board. Next we have a first reading on three regulations. They will be brought back the June 18th meeting for a second reading and votes. Everybody just take a moment to look at that between now and the next meeting. Uh board. I have a motion to approve the policies and regulations as presented. >> Second. Vice President Grder, seconded by Director Adams, board. Any conversations? I'm trying to pull up a It looks like we had a very detailed accelerated subject program and now we're
124making it more flexible, right? >> Yeah, there just a lot more options that we have available. We keep increasing options. So making it a little bit more uh versatile so that way we can provide many more options as we go forward. The last time I believe that was reviewed was 2014 and were limited. >> Said it was in 2021. Maybe they didn't change either. >> Can you name the I'll see you in >> Oh, I'm sorry. Uh 6161 West 2014. Yeah, you're correct. We're we're striking a lot of stuff but offering more flexibility. So, >> correct. Yeah. >> Right. Uh board before the vote, uh I just want to read something from is it 1300? >> That's the equal opportunity. >> Yeah, but it's the second reading. Are we still in first readings? >> No,
125just that was just for >> Yeah, we're at the second I was like, wait, I was on >> Gotcha. I just want to say uh especially especially with this being June um want to read that this district is committed to maintaining a workplace and educational environment that is free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation in admission or access to or treatment or employment in its programs, services, activities and facilities. The district is committed to providing equal opportunity in all areas of education, recruiting, hiring, retention, promotion, and contractive service in its programs and activity. The district does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law and as required by title six and title 7 of the Civil
126Rights Act of 1964. Title 9 of the Educational Amendments, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, age discrimination act of 1975, title two, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 in state law. I just wanted to say that uh when I vote I vote proudly uh in support of those words that we want to make sure that um that the nuts and bolts the policies and procedures of this district provide the best education for all students to all students and that's part of what 1300 allows us to do. Are there other comments board? >> I guess why we're on 1300. Mr. Delaney, I contacted you about that. You just President Blair just read all those titles and acts and laws that are part of that policy. But for some reason, this paragraph is not
127consistent with the next section referring to equal access of youth groups. That part reference should reference the No Child Left Behind Act of 2004 and title 36 groups, but we only call out one group in that paragraph. Yeah. So, that policy is written by our policy writer who are a group of attorneys that make that recommendation based upon I identified protected classes. Um, No Child Left Behind is not current law. Um and so um we we identify a particular group. Um there was a recommendation to change from Boy Scouts to um I think it's scouting America or something in those terms which we made that adaptation. Um but it is not to uh uh identify uh individual groups as identified by No Child Left Behind because that is not no longer current legislation. I >>
128understand that. But the origin of that was the title 36 groups which includes Girl Scouts of America, Boys and Boys and Girls Clubs, Future Farmers in America, and for some reason we're calling out a single organization. If the board wants to direct us to add every single group, I I mean we're we're happy to do that. But but I I think the purpose of the way the policy is written to identify the type of groups that we are are are looking to include and and we are inclusive of all of those groups that are being identified. >> Let me be clear. I don't I don't want anyone attacking Scouts of America. It's great. I just want to make sure we're not leaving out all these other great organizations >> that are also supposed to be
129granted access. >> Yeah, we do not leave those organizations out. So, >> but they're not in the policy. You guys are going to learn really quick over the next four years. I'm a stickler for details and engineers don't often agree with lawyers. >> Noted. Other comments? >> Mr. Blair, I just wanted to add that um uh for the board's uh point of reference and for the community, you'll notice that we have some adaptations to policy and regulation 7132 and policy 7210. All three of those policies are being updated to ensure transparency with the board and community on all construction projects and to bring some clarity to some of our processes that we already follow. uh but to uh embed that in writing of our policies and regulations. >> Thank you for uh naming that for
130the public. >> There's nothing else. All those in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Any opposed say nay. >> Motion passes. Uh next we have superintendent comments. >> Thank you, President Blair. I'll keep my comments brief this evening. I want to congratulate Rebecca Maguire on becoming the 2026 Missouri State High School Athletic Association Class 5 girls pole vault state champion. Say that five times. Uh Rebecca cleared, and I hope I don't get this wrong, 12t 3 1/2 in or 3.75 meters to capture the state title for Francis How North. So congratulations to Rebecca. We hope you're tuning in. Um, also summer school started June 1st. We are excited to have a couple thousand students engaged in learning throughout the summer months. Also hosting various summer camps for elementary and middle school students. I want
131to recognize and thank all the teachers and staff who are working to make our summer program successful. Last week I had the opportunity along with several board members uh to attend the graduation ceremony for Francis Hall Union. Graduation is always a celebration of many years of hard work by our students and our staff. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing so many excited and happy students and families as well as the great photo slide shown of all the memories of students throughout the years at Francis Hall Union. We are looking forward to celebrating our graduates from Westwood Trail Academy this Friday and graduates from Francis Hall Central, Frances Hall North, and Frances Hall High School on Saturday at the family arena along with many of our board members. I'll remind the community that the family arena ceremonies will
132be livereamed and patrons can find those links on the graduation page of the district website. Next week on June 8th and 9th, we will hold our annual SIP summit. This is where we bring our administrators and teacher leaders from across the district together for two days of learning and collaboration. Participants focus on school improvement planning. They study the FHSD uh instructional framework, examine student behavior data, engage in specific PD based upon their grade levels, and then get to work on their school improvement plans for the next school year. I'd like to thank Mr. Hancock, Dr. Alman, and Dr. Angelene O'Neal Hoggrave and all the other facilitators for planning this important PD opportunity. I'd like to also share something that was shared a little bit earlier, but just to add to that that our human resources
133department and transportation departments will team up to host a job fair on June 15th from 1 to 4 at the transportation headquarters at 4545 Central School Road. It's a great opportunity for potential bus drivers and bus monitors to come out and learn, talk to the team, learn what it's like to work not only for Francis How, but uh as a bus driver or monitor and help us safely transport more than 10,000 students. Please help us spread the word. And finally, Mr. Blair, as you're aware, unfortunately, I will not be able to be in attendance at the next board meeting on June 18th. And I would be remiss if I didn't take a moment to publicly thank Dr. Amy St. John. Uh, don't do that. Uh, for all her work and her partnership this year. Uh,
134she has been a tremendous asset to our team. She has challenged the status quo and constantly has sought process improvement throughout this district. Uh Amy from me, I want you to know I'll miss your partnership and appreciate all that you've done for Francis. How >> you get to say that? >> Um board of education comments. >> Oh, sorry. Uh we just No, he named you. >> Okay. Um well, not to pile on, but um approximately 90% of students in Missouri go to public schools. Average teacher pay in Missouri ranks 49th in the United States. Missouri ranks 49th in the in the amount that the state share gives to public school funding K through 12. So that's 249. Not too good. Um, plus $44 million was distributed in voucher school scholarships in 2526. And that money
135came from state taxpayers. Public schools accept all students unlike private and parochial schools. Public schools offer resources to our special needs students also unlike private and parochial schools. Knowing these facts, we must ask, why is our state continuing to underfund or defund public education? When are we going to demand that Missouri prioritizes the needs of public schools and 90% of our students? If we can't fix this, the future of public education and the future for our students is in great peril. We must stand up for public education. All of us. >> Thank you. We can go down. >> No, I'm last. >> Make me last. >> Um, so thank you. One thing that um, Mr. Delaney mentioned that kind of joked in memory was at the Francis How Union graduation. And at the very end
136of it when everyone was kind of dispersing, I noticed that you stayed on the stage and you were dancing and you just look generally proud of the students out there. So I wanted to publicly congratulate you on everyone looks confused. >> Was it dancing? >> Your dance moves. >> I mean, you would think that it was dancing. Maybe the rest of us would think of something else. But I wanted to congratulate you on your first graduation as superintendent. Um, you thanked the students, you thanked the staff for making that happen, but a lot of it went was your work that went into it this year. So, congratulations on your first graduation. >> Oh, I love that. >> Thank you. >> Good call. >> Thank you. >> And you're a fantastic dancer. >> Um, I also
137want to wish everyone a happy Pride Month. Um, while this month isn't my month, per se, um, I wanted to share what it means to me. Um, it's a month where we get to recognize and show our support visibly and vocally to our LGBTQ friends, family, neighbors, and community. For our students who know who they are, but may be afraid to express to uh, express themselves publicly. And to our staff who were hesitant to talk about their spouses in class because of fear of what parents may say if their child discusses it at home. Um please know that you have a home here. We're happy that you're here. We're glad you're here and I wish you a happy pride. Thank you. >> My turn. >> All right. I just want to say congratulations again to
138all of our graduates. I'm very excited. The French Union graduation was amazing. um kicked it off. I know we've got one tomorrow and three on all day Saturday. So, we're going to be spending a lot of time with everybody here. So, very excited though, but congratulations to all the graduates. Um I know we'll see you one more meeting, right? So, just Mr. Delane is not going to be here. So, we'll have words for Dr. St. John um next time, but plus one to everything Mr. Delaney said already. And yes, um also happy Pride Month to everybody. I know everybody said something. I just also want to add that um you know there are a lot of people in our community who don't always feel like their lives are celebrated or that they are celebrated but
139I have a great quote that I love from Chris Kouler um who says there's nothing wrong with you there's a lot wrong with the world you live in so celebrate yourself I celebrate you okay uh I want to say also congratulations Rebecca Magcguire no relation other great athletes from Francis Hall's high schools can be at state just to make it the state and track is an amazing event. So congratulations to all them. Um also add all of this budget discussion, all these numbers, everything is available online to the public what is fully transparent. Everything we approved today, every bid, every dollar go to the board docs which is now going to be diligent and you can see every penny the dollar the school district is trying to figure out to spend. It is full transparent.
140There's nothing hidden. So, I see people making a comments that they want to eliminate waste and find savings. If you see something that can save the district money and make us more efficient, please speak up. We are tight and we can take any advice. There's seven of us. There's a whole district building, but does nobody's perfect. So, speak up if you see anything and we're happily trying to save money, but not at the expense of our students. And then last, I just want to say I'm so looking forward to graduation. Francis Hall Union was amazing to be there just to see the celebration and honor of the students and the pride in the families and to see that three more times. I'm going to miss one on Saturday for other reasons, but I'll be at
141the other three. I'll remind all parents and families. Every student gets to hear their name one time. They get one chance. So, I hope this is reminded on Saturday at the graduations. Please do not shout over the greeting of the names and have a family miss their child's name. Celebrate your own quickly and appropriately and then quiet down so we can hear the next name and celebrate every single one of these kids who are already graduate. And I can't wait to be on stage and hand diplomas. It's going to be a blast. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Ready? >> All right. I I wanted to >> hold hand this um get over the hump. >> I know this help. >> Um I wanted to go last tonight because I wanted to take a
142moment to share something deeply personal. Two months ago, my family experienced a loss that is inexplicable. There are no words that can hold those feelings. Losing my daughter Melissa has been the hardest thing I have ever faced. And yet in the midst of this darkness, so many people, people I love, people I disagree with, neighbors, strangers, colleagues, people who know my children, people I've never formally met, people who simply understand this kind of pain and more. and people that I can never possibly thank all of them individually showed up with calls, messages, cards, meals, and quite acts of kindness for our family in ways that are not only a reflection of who we are as a community, but something that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. What I have felt
143from this community, our community, is beautiful. It's comforting and so incredibly compassionate and human. I sat in this seat for the last year, caring deeply about what kind of a place we are building together for all of our students, past, present, and future. Both of my children experienced a wonderful and memorable education in Francis Howell and I did the math which we all know I teach ELA for a reason not math. Um but from parents as teachers to graduation means that approximately 17 years my children were supported and nurtured as they learned and grew within our district. 17 years. I wanted to share that I am so grateful to every teacher and librarian and secretary and administrator and bus driver and custodian and coach and counselor, the support staff and board of education members and
144then the parents and the PTO's that continuously do the wonderful work to enrich the lives of our kids. And tonight I want to say that I believe so passionately in our community because when it matters the most, I have truly seen who we are. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the grace that you have extended to me and my family for not only 17 years, but especially the last two months. I'm honored to serve you as part of this community and I look forward to continuing to do that work. Thank you everyone. Thank you. You are loved. Our family is love. I am glad that your daughter Melissa had Francis Hal for 17 years. The people who are here, I've seen them. People who aren't here, I've seen them reach out to
145you because they know the love you have for them, too. Um, will you all please join me for a moment of silence for Melissa Oak? We are thankful for the way that Melissa made our lives better, especially her family and her friends. This world was more beautiful because of her. We are thankful for all the teachers and staff and family who loved her and share that same amount of dedication to over 16,000 other students. May we continue to honor every student and Sarah may you know that you are surrounded by a community who cares about you very very much. >> Thank you. >> Sarah's a hugger and so if anybody here I need to dip out, guys. >> Put that hug in her pocket. >> But I'm just If you're here and you want to
146share with her a hug from afar, just maybe reach out to her and just reach out and just say love you. >> Um to the rest of the public, thank you for allowing us uh that moment. Um, >> Sarah, you are an example of of strength and resilience and we see it and we're so thankful. For everyone else, I want to just name happy Pride Month. Our school district is better because of all of you who are a part of it. Whether you're a teacher, staff, student, you are important. You see us. And if I need to say it louder than I have been, I will. You are loved and we are so thankful for you. Everyone else want to pay attention. On June 18th, we'll talk about bond issue, no tax increase. Those are
147seemingly odd topics to mention after what we just shared, but both of those allow us to care for kids. And so we'll discuss those on the June 18th. And for all the graduations happen, congratulations to all the graduates. >> Congratulations to all the >> to all the >> So board, I have a motion to adjourn open session. Do I have a first and second? So move. >> Second. >> Treasurer Magcguire and Vice President Crider. All those in favor say I. >> I. Any oppose say nay. Motion passes. Thank you all for joining us for this board meeting.