001Rob Nato last meeting after six years we'll discuss that later this evening Jonathan Cohen Suzanne Carmichael Andrea Fulsome and Dulce Loma superintendent Amy Doyle and always coming around here Lauren Taylor our board secretary our student reps Lucy Beard headquest and Matt Stone and IT if everyone could please stand alone 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. All right, guys. Uh we have two sets of meeting uh minute meeting minutes this evening. We have uh one for the public hearing for open enrollment on February 17th and one for our regular meeting of the Hopkins School Board on February 17th. Do I have a motion? Yes, ma'am. I I noticed a correction. >> Yeah. >> On
002the public hearing. >> Yeah. >> Rob's in there. >> Yeah. >> But because he doesn't we got it on the other one, but not on the public hearing. >> Oh, yeah. Cuz they're automatically put in there. >> Um so we will make that adjustment. A motion to approve the minutes as amended. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Great. Okay. All those in favor? >> I abstain. >> Abstain. All right, terrific. Uh, we are now at our first public comment portion of the evening. If you would like to come up, please state your name, address, and we ask that you keep it to three minutes. Terrific. Okay, guys. What's happening? Student reps. Okay. Did I hear you're going to the Air Force Academy? >> I am going to Air Force Academy. >> Congratulations. You're sure. >>
003Congratulations. >> Good stuff. Okay, what's happening? Um, I guess we'll start out with uh winter carnival because that was really the last big thing that happened before break. >> Um, so this year we had a shortened winter carnival which a little bit interesting to work around. Uh, big thanks to our student council uh adviserss, Miss Hullberger and Miss Edgars who managed to kind of fix the schedule, make sure that it still worked. So, some events had to get cut like uh floor hockey and others, but um a lot of the main ones still going to stay. So, we got to do soccer, volleyball, um like chess, and then obviously battle the bands and lip sync. >> Um yeah, this might come as a shock to some of you, but uh the seniors managed to win
004yet again. >> Good news. Uh, no. >> Although I will say it was an exceptionally impressive performance from the freshman this year. >> Uh, with them coming in second in both Battle of Bands and in LipSync. Uh, >> what happened? >> No, no, no, no. We >> They came second overall. >> We won Battle of the Bands. Lip sync. We're willing to sacrifice. We don't do so well on that category, but they didn't beat us overall. Okay. Okay. But now it was um yeah, a fiery fiery day for sure. Uh a lot of action packed into the what was it? 12 or one dismissal. >> Uh 12:00 >> 12:00. So yeah, quite early. Um but we managed to get it done. Managed to hoist the Cotton Noir Cup. Uh which probably is the peak of
005my life now. So we're good. >> Um >> dare to dream. >> But yeah, no, overall great day, a lot of fun. And then great way to kick off break uh which again was a blast but can't really speak in that for the school. So >> yeah, mainly the only other thing we have is sports updates. Um so both of our basketball teams um made good runs in the playoffs. Um the girls team fell to Guilford in the quarterfinal um after beating Belmont in the first round. Um and the boys uh lost to Masoma in the semi-final. Uh I was able to go to that game. It was really back and forth, really close game. Um and a tough way to go out, but both teams I think had a lot to be proud of
006this season and a lot of young talent to look forward to in the next um you know coming seasons. Um also uh the all state nominations were released. So we have a couple uh players from both the boys and the girls side on the all state team. um all state defensive team and then coach McNicholas on the boys side was the division three coach of the year um which is super impressive being his second year um in that position. Um and then I heard today um the girls north team uh were state champions. They had their state uh championship race today at Oakill in Hanover. Um the boys team got second place. Um and I think many athletes uh will be qualifying for beat of champions. Uh but that's all I um yeah I think
007uh aside from ice hockey Nordic and ice hockey are still going. So winter sports is not over yet but spring signups are out. So kind of in the middle period. >> And then we have one uh alpine skier uh Marella Gdana who's racing in Easterns coming up starting on Friday. So >> amazing. >> It's great. >> But oh, also one other uh nice thing uh that seemed to have gotten fixed was the bathroom issue that was seriously >> um it seemed that thankfully the efforts have managed to wrangle the hooligans who decided to mess up the bathrooms for all the boys. But um they're all back open and there been no shenanigans so far and hopefully it'll stay that way. So all right, perfect. Cool. Anything else? Are you guys going to do any other
008schools? >> Uh likely soon we'll try and go again to especially Maple Street first, I believe. Um we talked about going and like sitting in on a class and then help having like a bit of a Q&A with some of the students. >> Um but yeah, so that'll be exciting. And then later on, same thing with Harold Martin School. So, >> but probably within next couple weeks or so. >> There we go. Guys, any questions for our student reps? >> You answered them all. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Suzan was like, "What's happening with the >> with the >> I did appreciate your usage of I believe it was hooligans and shenanigans in the same description and it's good. >> You got to get swell in there, you know, then you're entertaining >> and you're 63
009years old." >> So, I do have a question. We used to have people might remember this. We're sitting at this table. used to have a snow castle competition, like a snow thing. At what point did that get eliminated and at what point could that come back? And do you guys you could work on it for like a week before and like this would have been a like topnotch winner for it. >> So, I've never heard actually about this snow castle competition. >> It was good. Uh, sounds pretty incredible. But >> I don't I have to maybe ask some like some teachers at school about that and what that kind of entailed because I've definitely not had the chance to hear or see any of that. >> Well, I mean, one is one way, but like
010it doesn't seem like a snow for could be as high risk as getting a large donation of wood and then letting it all on fire. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. seem to remember something about a lot of no snow years and then >> loaders, front loaders, piling snow in front of the school so it could happen. >> Yeah. >> But then we had rain so then we had giant >> piles of ice and it Yeah. It just got more cumbersome. >> There's just some opportunity there could could be thought about for the 26.7 school year. >> Absolutely. >> Like you have a lot of other events to be clear but >> Okay. Anything else guys? >> All right. Thanks guys. Right. As per usual. Um, all right. Board comments. Does anyone have anything to say? >>
011Holding my current business. That's right. All right. Great. Terrific. We're going to keep moving. Um, we were going to have the girls and boys alpine champs come in, state champs, uh, but, um, it is canled due to weather. So, we're going to have them back at the end of March. We just didn't want a lot of high school kids driving because the roads aren't super great. but we'll have them back which will be really really fun. Okay, let's get my don't cry pen out and ready to go. Okay, so >> so it is Rob uh Nato's last meeting and I want to take a couple minutes to recognize his service on behalf of the board. Rob loves this. He's going to be so thrilled to have nice >> when I go to the bathroom and
012never come >> probably going to start sweating. So let's see how we do guys. Um or out there in the people can jam it. So I was a student obviously at Hopwell High School and I remember the year that you started as a teacher. I also remember and this I don't mean to disparage our faculty but I felt like there was no economics before you started. So like it really changed the tenor of the school. You started the Fed challenge. I think you started interacted by like you were very instrumental because that club did not really exist prior to the Rod Meato era. Um, and you just brought like a level of like I would say comparatively youthful enthusiasm uh to that era of the high school. And I think you really thought about your
013teaching and you've said this many times um as a practice and as a craft and you were so dedicated and you changed so many kids' lives. Okay, Ben, who would know that 20 years later I would be running against you in the 2020 schoolboard race along with Andrea Fom. I will tell everyone I lost but it was okay because what happened that year people man >> co so I sat at home and Rob sat on hundreds of hours of schoolboard meetings talking about sports masking uh working through a leadership transition uh you know for for the end of that moving into that next school year. Um, and you guys, I think worked through the both of you some really intense and hard conversations both as a board and also with the public in a really
014fraught time uh, in a really fraught medium of doing this all on Zoom. Uh, and I thought that you guys were really great at listening to a lot of feedback uh, which was hard to do because emotions were high. Um you have been through two superintendent transitions which is kind of wild to think about. Um you have uh I think completely reoriented you started the finance committee and really reoriented the way that I think that we talk about and communicate the financial discipline of the school district. You have just crushed budget committee I think relationship building over the last two years. You were the lead negotiator for HA last year, which was an unbelievable amount of work. You started it in June, I think, literally starting the prep for that, which I think is remarkable.
015Um, you started you did prep for this year's budget season on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. I have photographic evidence. Uh, I don't even want to know how big the binder is at home for all of your notes from all the last six years. You also shephered and spearheaded, I think, really thinking through the Hopton Middle High School security redesign and thinking about a huge security patch and how we could work through that and bringing in resources, thinking about it differently, thinking about how we could actually get that done um in a highly cost-effective way that could solve a huge issue for the schools. And Laura, not last but not least, you developed a snapshot, the one pager. I mean, that will live on forever. >> Yeah. In infamy. >> Uhhuh. In >>
016uh in infamy. clearly change the way we talk about it. Um, >> I have talked to you I think at least once a week for the last 5 years since I've been on the board. Uh, if not more. Lucky you, I intend to talk to you at least once a week for the next 5 years. So, get excited. And I said this when uh we were asked a question. We were we were at a forum about like what do you think makes this district special? And I said it's the people. And I think it's true for you as a teacher. I think it's true for you as a board member. I think it's true for you as a community member. You care a lot. You think a lot about what we do as a district
017and how we're going to service our students. And also um think about the tax rate and the people who live in this community and everyone who lives here. And thank you for all you've done. Oh, I want to give you this and then everyone else can say nice. >> Thank you very much. Okay. Anyone else has anything to say? >> Oh, man. >> I know. Well, yeah. After that, I wish that Rob Nato had been my teacher. Um, but you kind of have been. Um, and I really appreciate how patient you've been. Um, walking me through uh my first budget experience. Um, and it clear that you're an educator because you spent a lot of time explaining things to me. Sometimes like I'm five because that's where I'm at with with understanding some of this.
018Uh, but I really appreciate your patience and dedication to the board. That is clearly evident that you always have a um student first uh kind of approach to um all of the things that you've been able to accomplish. So quite a legacy and and pretty big shoes. to fill. >> I'll go next. Um, so we have served together now for six years, so it's going to be weird continuing on here and not having you to talk to. Um, you know, I I don't think I can cap, you know, capture it like Duly. think um it has been a a unique experience that we have shared together you know many public meetings many non-public meetings um the budgets and searches that we've had to go through um we've been leadership together I think what I have
019always appreciated is your the way that you are a straight shooter I really appreciate that cuz I tend to be a straight shooter as well um and sometimes it is difficult to hear. Um, but even when those conversations have been difficult, I have always appreciated that like at the end of the day, we're all on the same team and we've been able to come back together. Um, and then I can show up and be your emotional support schoolboard member at a random info session. So, it has been I I have learned a lot from you and alongside you. Um, and I look forward to continuing to watch what you do next. So, and I will be showing up to those meets, too. >> Okay. >> I guess what I'd say, Rob, is um I spent
020time with you both on the school board and when I was on budget. Um, you know, I I um I respect the dedication to your community, your students, town, uh, doing civic duty. Um, I think it's it's important. It's valuable. It's uh and clearly you are somebody who has been motivated by um trying to make this place better. So >> I respect that. I recognize it. Um and uh you know I particularly appreciate your knowledge and ability to communicate the budget. And I think that um on the budget side and then I've watched it from here, there really has been a a big change and and I think that that works to everyone's benefit, every taxpayers's benefit whether they agree or disagree. Um it's like we're all speaking the same language now and I think
021you've been instrumental. So I recognize that and appreciate it. >> Thank you. So, uh, it'll be interesting you being over there and me being over there. >> It'll be interesting. So, >> in a different chair, >> but I'm sure you'll do well and they'll be lucky to have you. >> So, and appreciate your continued service. >> Sure. >> Anyone else? >> So, Mr. NATO, >> I understand that. I I remember when I started coming to the meetings about two and a half years ago and after the first meeting, I texted my friend from high school and said, "Oh my gosh, I just saw Mr. Nato. I didn't even remember who I was." >> And it was very it lifted my spirits when you and I said hi and um reconnected that night. But I just
022want as someone who taught me economics and taught me the law and you >> a fun little story of the things that you know students remember back in say 2001 2002 I was in your class and you said you know there's this new search engine that you should look up and these are the days of like axe jeves and yahoo.com and stuff. He's like it's this thing called Google. You should really check it out. And little did I know I should have invested in Google that day because of what it's done over the past 25 years. But um I just wanted to say thank you for the many many years you know when you stick with your students and you'll stick with me far from after this. The amount that you care about our finances
023that you will sit with me um and and listen and learn and talk with me in the mornings and on the weekends and >> sorry about that. >> It means a great deal. Um, and you're certainly leaving a gap and I wish you the best on budget committee and I will be seeing you soon. >> So, I'll just say it's a real missed opportunity for me, Rob, that I didn't get more tech with you and I can't thank you enough as a new superintendent. This board, you took a chance on me and I just know the amount of times that I've called you, you've talked to Dulce once a week. I think I'll probably talk to you once a week. You are patient, you're smart, you really do care. Um, for me, when I think
024about the amount of work that you put in to this job, um, servant leadership isn't easy and but you're a terrific human being. You care about everything that's happening here. Um, a highlight for me was when I went to the, um, cross country meet and you were there on your bike high-fiving every kid that was there. You knew their names, they knew your name. You know, that's not typical for a board member, you know, to be embraced like that. it, you know, by students, you know, beyond the classroom. Um, you know, I was a teacher for a long time as well and your presence on the board will be missed. And I meant it when I said at the CIP meeting, you know, these meetings are public, so you know, come on back, bring your
025binders. Um, you know, we still will benefit from from what you have to offer. So, thank you. All right. >> Well, I think I would like to say to the board is the challenges in public education that are coming up are for voting and I think that, you know, how we pay for things and the work that you'll have to do is is daunting and and hopefully from some other chair uh still be involved in that. Uh Andrea will remember or maybe not remember. Um, >> there was a Zoom meeting and a gentleman called in and was >> questioning my intentions as to who I'm whom I represented >> and I thanked him for the question and I had wondered why it hadn't come. Uh and I said at that time that you know first
026and foremost here for students I'm here to support the the faculty the administration and the community and that's the role and I hope you know in some way many different ways perhaps accomplish that you know some way shape or form because I think that's what we're all supposed to be doing. Um, the other thing I think that I really appreciate about this board and everybody, you know, Jim O'Brien and Norm of course, is the way that we have conducted business. Um, the political discourse that exists out there is pretty horrific where people are no longer talking to each other. And I think we've modeled to the universe and hopefully to these guys and anybody who wants to listen whether they agree or disagree. I think we've been a very professional group in terms of how
027we reach our decisions. >> So that's been a great thing to be a part of. >> Thank you all very very much. Very kind. >> I miss you. But you're not done just yet. >> Oh, we got the big show coming. >> Just like an elf. >> Yeah. of it. >> I thought you were like, we still have policy to we're going to move through. We do have some policy. >> We'll miss you. >> And also, >> yeah, thank you. >> All right. Um Okay. Uh I tried to move on from from doing that, but I wanted to make sure we were able to do at the top of the meeting. >> Um and our next topic, uh we have a first draft of our HA nomination slate. So, a couple things here. One is
028every year uh we nominate the entire slate of of teachers. Um the HA membership um we go through two reads before it's finalized. This is so that we can issue contracts to teachers. This happens on an annual basis. Um if you have questions about the process, we can ask those here. If you have questions about any of the information, the actual sheet that has to go into nonpublic. Um, so my request would be like if people have questions about the process, um, uh, do that. If you do want to move to nonpublic, let me know. >> I've sent out a two request to get access. >> I can't get access to >> I just my my my request of the process is could I see it? >> Yes, that is fair. Yep. Totally. There you
029go. >> No, it's not joy I'm looking for. Yeah. Everybody else. Okay. Yep. Coming your way. I'm sorry. >> I see it. Thank you. >> Okay. >> I was in the same boat, too. >> Um I would just include a couple of notes on here. I think this is something that's always remarkable. Um where the when we think about nominations, it includes people's years of service um in the Hopkins School District. um and with many other districts since can probably comment on this but we are lucky to have some really um really excellent expertise and experience I think in our our faculty and I think also we've been able to also bring in some some younger people who are learning but it's a good mix I think of of looking at a range of um
030approaches and experience and where people are on the scale and I think that that makes me feel very happy. Um any questions about process? So we'll see this again uh on the reorganization meeting that we have on the 19th. Uh that will be the only other order of business other than um reorg. Um and then we'll see the first read of the tax and teachers contract. Is that correct? You want it on the 19th versus the 31st. >> 31st. Yeah. We do that to clarify. >> Yeah. I would love it if we could do the final on the 31st. that will give um you know >> final 31st. >> Yes. Final day nominations. Yes. On the 31st. >> Oh, you don't want the final of this on the 19th? >> No, I thought the 19th
031was only the reorg meeting. Um >> Okay. >> So, I thought it would be best to to move it to the 31st. It gives your new board member a chance to look at it before you vote. That's great. >> Good stuff. And any questions about that? >> Team will start the 31st. >> I Let me check out my calendar. Yeah. Give me just a moment. All right. Any interest in going to a nonpublic or are we good? Okay. All right. Laura, can you tell us? Yeah. >> I just wanted to add that there's a couple um there's a couple highlights in there and they have comments for more information. Okay. All righty. >> I was just doing a quick average of the years. >> Mhm. >> It's like 8.5. >> Yeah. It's not high, >>
032which is Well, to me, it seems like that's pretty much where you want to be. >> Yeah. >> We do have 27. So, yeah, we've got we've got some people in the 20s, which is pretty remarkable, right? >> 29. Oh, yeah. >> Very cool. Great. Good. Thanks, everybody. All right. Um, next up, as we have talked about the big show, aka our annual school district meeting is happening on the 14th at 9:00 a.m. Uh, we have I just wanted to solidify we've got our upcoming information sessions. Uh, and I think actually that we should we can only have two members there, right? Because I think we don't want to over >> uh we don't want to. Yeah. Okay. So, apples with Amy. Um, we have tomorrow. Uh, Rob, you were going to go there. Is
033any I was going to go, but if someone else is planning on being there, >> can I go to that? >> Wait, is it going on? Cuz it's it's xed out. That and the rotor are both xed out on >> it should be. You should be on. Yeah, if you I don't know if you hit >> Oh, maybe I hit. I couldn't be there. >> Declined. Yeah, you every everyone's on. >> Oh, yeah. And I can't be there. Okay. I'm sorry. I asked myself. >> I can go to that one. I can't go to the PTA one. >> Okay. So, do you go to apples and then Andrew's gonna go to PTA and then Jonathan, do you want to go to Rotary or you want me to go to Rotary? >> Rotary. I can't do
034I might be able to go to PTA. >> Okay. >> Well, let me know if you want to go to PTA so that I don't show up. >> Yeah. >> Oh, wait. Is it two of us or one? >> It can only be two of us. >> So, it's you and who? >> Well, Rob wants to present. >> Okay, then go ahead. >> Okay, cool. And then I'll do Rotary and then we'll be good to go. Does that sound good? >> Yeah. >> Cool. I think that should be good. I don't I don't feel like we're going to need more sessions than that. Does anyone feel like we are? Susan Covert, if Susan's watching, has done an awesome job, I think, of promoting um the meetings, but >> yeah. Okay, cool. Um, great. So, then
035we'll just keep clicking through the regular business. You presented to the Hawkins Democrats uh last week. Do you have any feedback on that? You want to talk through the changes to the presentation that you were thinking about? Um, we could we should probably go through slides because the sequence has changed a little bit. I think that >> the this is lightly attended um knew everybody by first name which was you know that tells you how old the folks were. Uh but it was a good dry run particularly reminding me that this is budget presentation people seeing it for the first time not the budget committee. >> So >> tone and tempo changes a little bit. Um and then around the open enrollment thankfully Andrea was there to uh lend support. I think we really need
036to be clear that that article is related to the court rulings and not potential legislative actions. Um, and there's going to be a lot of discussion. I mean, there these were u well-informed folks who had a lot that they wanted to know and a lot that they wanted to say. So, I think we can look forward to that at on the floor. >> Great. All right. Yeah. >> So, this is a PDF of the presentation. We already talked, but I know there are a couple of new parts in there that need to be cleaned up. And as you go, if you have other notes, I also have the other slide the slideshow itself, but you know. >> So, is this the same one that we went over yesterday? >> This is the one that that
037you had with the order in. >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. So, we can just, you know, scroll through. So we've got our initial article one which is really nada. Then the open enrollment question. So this is going to be Andrea correct? Yeah. >> So then I don't know how you want to do that Andrea but those those notes are there. Yeah. You get to the budget piece. I took out a lot of what we had presented to >> the budget committee. So we start with the article itself and then we skip over a lot of the philosophies, grade sizes, etc. Development process uh really we'll talk about the aspirational piece and the work that Laura did. The budget number here I thought it was really important. We had initially had that as expense only at 95
038cents but then later we talk about revenue. So the amount that we're actually asking for should be there. So, expense and revenue at $1.7. Um, next one. >> Sorry to interrupt you. Does that include the the uh what we were just talking about the 85,000 we just got? >> Um, that won't be in this year's budget. >> Oh, that's for next. Okay. >> Y next slide, Amy. So, then the salaries and benefits slide. No real changes here. Um, then the next one is by the Well, we really got to make sure that that is readable andor we have a printable copy for folks. So, >> how many copies would you like? >> I don't know. What did we do last year? >> We did a ball, >> but it was too many. But I think
039it was like I think we could start with like 150 or 200 because we can print more if we have to, right? And do you do the whole slide deck or just certain? >> No, no, just like just this slide. So what people will say when they when we come to this slide is they can't read it. >> Um so the snapshot >> Yeah. So if there's anything we can do on this side this slide to like increase font size, increase Yeah. Increase contrast. That would be helpful >> cuz that was originally created for the town report. >> Ah so that's just a table. That's why it's Yeah, it's a table that we can modify and make um significantly larger. >> Yeah, that would be great. Maybe have everything like in the middle so they're
040not on the line. >> And will it be in the town? It's in the town report because we could also just reference make a handful. >> Yeah. If it's in the town report, then I say we just put page number blah blah blah. >> I know they ran it out last year. >> Oh, of the town report. >> Yes. This is this was a chart that I know you hadn't seen it before. It is that um the chart with the symbols. Mhm. >> This is the >> the matching version to our operations. >> Got it. >> For the town report. >> And it's it's an important one because it really highlights the health insurance savings that came about due to the contract. And you know, we can talk about the actual premium being 1.7% but
041we're down 2.18. So >> we definitely >> Yeah, Laura, whatever you can do with that one would be great. >> Copies 100%. >> And then a little bit about FTEES. just we know that there are certain folks in town that this is very important to them. So, we're holding the line on staffing levels. Um the operations budget overview is next. Uh and again, there'll be some value added to each one of these slides in terms of what's presented. Then there's the operations budget summary. I think we're going to have a similar problem with that one, Laura. So, that might be a double-sided piece. >> Is this I'm sorry to interrupt. Is this different than the one that's in our the budget presentation in our board materials? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> No, this is the
042exact one that's in >> that's the one that's in the folder >> on page 17. >> Yeah. >> So, >> okay. >> So, this one I I think is another handout scenario. >> Just maybe just figure out which ones you can do both sides or you know, for my own purposes, I mean, I just did the whole thing and did two slides per page. >> Went back to back. It would be seven pages >> for for those kind of people that you know want something that I don't know >> make friends. >> I don't want that lady giving me >> she >> you should know better. >> He was right. She wasn't wrong. >> Um special ed slide comes next because that's really our our major driver and then the facilities operations budget. Laura, I
043have in my notes that our performance contract payment is 128,000 a year. Is that accurate? >> That's what it was when we had three in the budget. Now it's closer to 175,000 since there's all four quarters. >> So, should I clarify that? That one is one of the payments was coming out of the trust, right? >> It was. Yes, we've moved it in. So, it's the 128 to the Bank of America plus the 40 something. >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right. I can do that. That's fine. Getting questions while we're going here. All right. Uh then the next one up was the curriculum. Again, we got plenty of value added there. The tech one was next. That one looks good. Harold Martin looks good. and Maple Street was good. Middle high school is a little
044on the busy side, but I think we'll be okay. >> Um, the numbers stand out in the general supplies. And again, I need to run into the gym and just see what this looks like on the big the big screen. Then we have athletics and SAU operations and other funds. Then where the change came for me was then we went back to the gross number and then talked about revenue. I would rather talk about revenue first and then go back to the gross number. So talking about the revenue highlights in terms of our our decreases, the special ed aid and the adequacy um estimates and then the projected increase in swept and then on the next slide the use of our funds. we need to clean up tonight or have a discussion about whether or
045not we want to draw or project that we can draw any money from fund balance to be used as revenue. Can come back to that. Um and then the next one shows total tax increase with the operating budgets. Um so the expense side and then the revenue side and brings us back to the dollar 7. Then you've got your snapshot And I know we went back and forth with this the other night, Andrea. So, I >> think it's important here to emphasize to people the tax increase. You're only seeing an increase on your budget. And if the expendable trust happens, the others are all zeros, >> right? >> Um so, the tax impact being next, while they may be zeros, you're still paying this amount for these things, >> right? And hopefully in that sequence
046it will help people out. >> Does it um I just wanted to ask about this one. This is on the budgetary side only. Does it make sense to make this one full with the revenue loss in it? So it says $1.7 or is it best to keep it on the budget side only because it just doesn't match the snapshot. That's all. >> Right. Can we how would we do that? Would we have to add a column for revenue? >> We could do that. >> Add a add a revenue and then show that as a >> increase of 12 cents decrease increase and then half the dollar seven. That'd be fine. If >> you could redo that slide to to show that >> then it would match this. Remember Dulce when >> we were talking at
047the Sluster? >> Yeah. >> There was the question. >> Yes. For Mr. Turkot >> about showing um the effect of state reduction in funding >> on the tax rate. >> Yes. >> Specific question to try to show that. >> Right. That's >> which is the revenue side. Right. So that's that's what's triggering me to >> think about that. So, at least one person was asking about this >> ahead of time to emphasize this. >> Yep. >> The other question, Rob, I had on this one is just that we haven't introduced the special warrant articles yet for special education trust. Does it make sense to still have it on this one prior to getting to warrant articles or do you want to stick with just operating budget for >> tax impact, you know, increase here? >>
048I think it >> you want to have it in, right? I mean, we could walk away. No, >> I would I would be just operating budget. If we're talking about the operating budget, I would stick to operating budget. >> Yeah. >> And not not >> at this point, actually, we'd be done with that, right? >> Or is that warrant come up in four? >> That that warrant hasn't even come up yet. >> I thought we wanted to kick that to the end, right? After because we got to see what they do with the warrant on the >> Yeah, Laura, let's let's pull that out of there. >> Yeah. What is the order? >> Right. >> When is that going? that because that would not for nothing but >> that's number uh one two three four
049>> four is is the is the >> the um >> the trust or is the okay >> yeah yeah the studentable trust the the tuition trust would be four because one is >> okay so the trust is >> two is operating or two is open enrollment >> three is operating four is >> yeah I'm sorry en >> I'm sorry enrollment is Uh, no. Uh, all warrants enrollment. It's two. >> Um, you've got it's in there. >> We have like a little top line. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Too many things open. >> Top line and the bottom two. >> Can somebody maybe >> share it with you? >> You can reshare it. Yeah. >> Here we go. I got it. I got it. >> Where is that in the materials? It's also it's >> um
050as well I have too many things open. >> I'm assuming operating is one. >> Nope. So operating is like a funky >> a funky one. >> It happens like in two seconds. >> Here we go. I just showed you the final warrant >> which is the order I find like that. >> All right. So then we've got the now so this is a goes back to Andrea's sequence question. Um, do we want to show the cards of what all the warrants are going to be and the tax impact at this point? No, because they they should be able to see it on our handout and I think I think that um one of the questions like I think but I think we're presenting the operating budget and well yeah >> so it kind it makes
051sense to me that while these are available you know maybe it comes up um at the very at the very end because someone's going to say why aren't you telling us how how much it is with all the special warrant articles right at the very very end we can take this and show it. Um, but I do wonder about having it within the operating budget warrant itself. >> Yeah, >> cuz it got confusing at the uh presentation >> and then we just showed it and then >> Yeah, >> it's in the snapshot as well. But >> that >> you want a front load though. The all >> the total impact, right? Like the total >> like you want that up front. >> Yeah. >> Cuz people say if it's not up front that they can't
052make sense of this that and the other because they haven't seen what the total I think that was the complaint last year. >> But if it's a if what does 32 look like? >> 32 is a budget tax increase all >> warrants. I mean I think that I think that's a which makes sense like this this one makes sense. >> Yeah. >> Um I I just think for like total tax increase >> slide 30. >> I don't know. I'm kind of with Jonathan. I'm wondering if there's an additional slide towards the beginning where it's like this is this is what we're going to be talking about. You can also find it on page such and such in your you know or it's the handouts are at the door or whatnot and then go through >>
053each of the warrants and the specific >> beginning too right of being like these are all >> slide 32 I don't have the number >> slide is is the tax increase all warrants >> the budget tax increase all warrants >> it's the overall impact >> I guess I can >> to your point like people want to know up front >> what I can say from when Rob was just presenting this to people who had not seen mean this presentation at all is these slides when it had all of the numbers caused a lot of confusion. >> Okay? >> Because they like in their mind it what what it seemed to me is folks were like, "Okay, we are learning about the operating budget and we're walking through everything that is in the operating budget." And
054then you get to the end and you're like, "Oh, by the way, here's all this other stuff." And they're just like, "Wait, what? We were just talking about the operating budget. why are you now telling me that there's all of these other impacts? Um, so like I agree that like it should be in there, but when you're talking about the operating budget, it I I am just reflecting back to you like are like what what I experienced. I I was just thinking back to last year when I felt like there was a complaint that people wanted to know what the o what's the bottom line >> which is why we give them the snapshot like the snapshot is provided to them >> in in the in the booklet like >> it is we are upfront
055with that information it is not hidden >> yeah no I'm not suggesting that it is I'm just saying I'm just thinking back to that was that was the complaint or maybe it was two years ago but they just wanted to know like what's the effect. What's the bottom line and then let's talk about how we get there. >> Totally. >> That's the that's the only thing that's that I'm thinking about. >> Yeah. Yep. So I I'm just wondering because what you're saying is it makes sense in terms of like chronological order but I'm wondering then if Rob this is your Rob this is your that just heavy emphasis on the snapshot if you are looking for big picture just let people know that that's >> did budget committee what's the order >> so yeah so
056I touched base with Christa uh >> because Christa does this >> yeah Christa's going to talk through it and I think Christa will >> do they go before us. >> I think they went after last, right? Okay. >> Yeah. And she'll have her presentation. She'll they'll have Mr. Houston done Houston's one pager and she'll speak to all of it and sort of the process and their thoughts. I think it's okay to I think it's okay to put this at the beginning like just heads up and to Suzanne's point, you know, and um or I can do it in opening remarks and be like and you can look at this in the print out and also in the bul uh annual report. Uh Rob is going to talk about the operative budget, right? >> I think
057that's a great idea actually. I mean I think I think it's always helpful at the top of any meeting to be like here's what we're going to be talking about today. financial impact >> here like the and many of these warrants that we're going to be talking about have no tax increase, >> right? >> Still have a tax impact, but they have no tax increase. >> Um, two of them have potential tax increases. Our operating budget and then whether or not we want to go forward for the student tuition trust. >> Yeah, >> that's a separate >> Yeah. >> Okay. Does that make sense? >> And where would we put these two? >> So, we put did not land >> that one. uh like at the very top probably in between article one like I
058think if it's like the uh what does the order of it go >> article one is just >> yeah it's like bring all things and that's basically Mike rollo but I think that >> right >> um >> so you'd also need to adjust that one Laura I think when we made our changes that that one still says on budget 95 >> says 95 yeah >> yes that's >> so we'll need to change $17 to add the revenue loss. >> It's a buck seven and then with the student tuition it would be above nine. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> No. >> Does that make sense? >> Where do you want to move this one to? >> Well, it would just be if we were if we're trying to include it, it would just be at like
059the very top. And so if I'm have opening remarks of being like hi everyone, thanks for being here blah blah blah. It could be here is a slide. Um this is the financial these are this is a fin we this is a roster of things we're going to be talking about that is tied to financial impact. We'll also be talking about open enrollment. If you want a snapshot of this, you can see the layout of what we're recommending here. Also look through if you're trying to get a bigger picture, look through your materials, look through your annual report. There's the the snapshot. There are all of the slides so you can see the full picture of what we'll be voting on. But we are going to discuss each warrant article item by item, but you
060have other materials to basically get the full picture if you're trying to understand the full full impact of what we're speaking to. And the budget committee will also speak to it after Rob's presentation. >> Jesse, do you want a QR code to the budget website? >> No, I think people should be able to Yes. How will it play on a phone because people will have their phones not >> right >> if you if they have the access to that site like are they going to be able to see it or is it going to be too small? It'll probably be too small, but I think that like they can I mean I think we can say and you can also look at this on your phone or tablet if you go to Hopkins schools district
061information FY27. >> Having a QR code doesn't hurt. I This is right. >> Choose your accessibility your entry point. >> So it's totally okay if you don't do it. >> Little universal design for learning. I just want all entry points. People can kind of come at it from if you would like it this way, if you would like it this way, I would like it this way. >> I think it's fine. But I think we tee it up and then it's basically this is a full thing. The two slides that have a tax rate increase are the budget and potentially this other warrant. Rob is going to walk us through the fine tune points of the operating budget >> and then we'll go by war by an article by warrant article. >> Yeah. >> Is
062that fair? >> And we could add a slide just trying to think if you're going to do an introduction you could say here are the places where you can find all of this. >> Right. Exactly. >> These copies here's a >> QR code. >> Here's on our website. Yes. >> And then frontload with that. >> So really just like a couple like introductory slides. And this one would be one of the introductory slides. >> Yeah. >> That Dulsey can walk through. >> Yeah. >> And just to be clear, slide 32, you want to add the revenue for everything. So that'll be a new slide that we're going to we're going to modify. >> We're going to modify that. Yeah. >> Yeah. I think that's fine. Yep. Okay. Great. Okay. This one at the top as
063well. >> No, I don't I don't think so. >> Sure. Not. >> And then it's going to go. Right. Well, then we'll do open enrollment and then we'll do >> Yeah. Open enrollment then then. But Right. >> Mhm. It's >> kind of nice that the lead in will be >> might be easier to do. >> Take the I was gonna I was just going to say take the wind out of their sales. >> Yeah. >> Hopefully. >> Okay. >> Then we'll talk and then student tuition expendable trust fund. We don't have any other news about what's happening at the legislature, right? >> I haven't heard of anything. >> Great. Terrific >> on that front. >> Hold it to >> So what do we we don't meet again before this. So is our recommendation then that
064we we move on the floor to pull article just because of a lack of information. I think that's what we might have talked about was basically saying we are not re we are no longer recommending this because we do not have enough information. >> Can we go back to the budget for a minute? We do need to deal with the use of fund balance. >> Yes. Thank you. That was on my docket for later in the meeting. So u sorry. Thank you. So before we get to that, um, one other thing that we have not talked about is using potential fund balance to, um, reduce the tax rate. Um, Laura, in our January financial, it's $330,000. So you feel like that's still tracking? >> No. >> Okay. >> Unfortunately, we um, this was going to
065come up the next meeting. We were just hit with an $80,000 bill >> that we don't have budgeted for CRTC overage from the state. >> Okay. >> So, we need to come up with around $81,000. >> Okay. >> So, that will be tracking to now about $250. Y >> um we also have a change in placement that may actually be more expensive. So, I think we're probably closer to 240. >> Okay. So, I'm going to put something out there. You guys can tell me if you think this is crazy. I do not think that at this moment it is prudent for us to recommend using any of that fund balance to reduce the tax rate because if a student moved into the district that could happen at any time that required a significant out of
066district placement that's basically the entire thing. Um, I do think that it would be wonderful for us to try to do whatever we can and when it gets to June, then the remaining members of the board and our new board member will talk about do we put it into article 10 if there is anything left, return money to taxpayers, etc. But I think it is tricky to commit to using that 250k. That's a very thin margin. Um, I just have a question. When we didn't we have a conversation about when we were talking about the redesign that we had committed to returning a certain amount of funds like before that >> we've already um we are returning 400,000 contingency funds. This is separate from that. >> Yeah. Okay. >> That is planned. >> Like I'm
067five. I'm new. So like how does this >> this is already planned in the number. So is the 25,000 that we've already promised from fund balance to the war. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So this would basically be of the the remaining the remaining 250k that we have. >> Yeah. Which is a >> do we want to propose using it to reduce our dollar07 or do we want to say nope that's not >> Hold on. But talk to me about what you mean by article 10. >> Article 10 is our contingency fund. And so at the end of the year right now that that is at >> we're taking money out of article 10. And so at the end of the year, we can refill it back up with whatever we have available, up to 5%
068of our operating budget. >> Um, think of it as your long-term savings account for the school district. >> Yeah. Which would be prudent considering depending on CRTC, open enrollment, special ed reimbursement rates, all of the things. Okay. >> Yeah. Article 10 is usually it's wise to keep that. >> Yep. >> I just needed to wrap my head around. Well, and the nice I mean on top of that though, the nice part about the kind of the what we now do of pulling the 400,000 out of article 10 instead of doing out of fund balance is it used to be a past practice that we would rely on fund balance to do kind of that same mechanism of reducing the tax rate. Now that we save for it essentially and pull it out of article 10,
069it means that we don't have to do things like freeze the budget right now because we're only at 250. Like if we were needing to come up with 400,000 right now, we would be freezing this budget and >> needing to that money. >> So >> is there language >> about like a cap of the of the contingency fund in terms of anything over such and such amount >> would be returned to taxpayers? like what is that amount that typically you guys are comfortable with or what >> so how that works >> go. >> Yep. >> So you can put in up to a certain amount but then if there is available like so we if we let's just say we're at say we're at 767 and we had $500,000. We could not put all of
070that $500,000 in the contingency because it would exceed the limit. Only put 5% of your net assessment in there. So then that money that's left over, you guys in June would decide, do we put that towards CIP? Do we use it to reduce uh the tax burden at that point? You could do that. Those would be your options. >> So that's a further vote. It's not something big we would discuss and commit to now. >> No, that's like at the end of the year because the balance will fluctuate. Okay. >> Yeah, I I understand. I'm just wondering if that's a better um or strategy in terms of getting these articles passed in terms of like we're committed to anything over such and such being returned. >> I don't think we >> Yeah. I I mean
071I don't I don't feel like >> right now we promised 400,000 as a return. Last year we did 519,000. Right. So I think what we're looking at is that these numbers that we've published in town report and since really October, November are our worst case scenario. >> This is what we feel like, you know, and we're going to do our best to return some fund balance and to beat that. But in the event that that student moves in that we don't know of, you know, in the event that we receive more bills in the next four months, um this is the worst it's going to get. >> Okay, >> that's really what I tried to present to you in the in these numbers. and things just get better. >> Yeah. >> And the last thing
072that I would say is that like one of our goals has been to reduce the fund balance at the end of the year. And so like while this is lower than we have been a very long time, it means that we are getting better at budgeting and doing our job. Like we're trying to run at a certain percentage and we've been hit with a couple unexpected bills that are I think running a little thinner. But like this has been the work that this board has been doing. That's good. >> Or are we just getting hammered by lack of reimbursement from the state? >> Yeah. >> Susan, there was a question the other night about use of contingency for other things. >> Um, and my answer to that was we the only thing only time we've
073used it for other things is this redesign project. And the practice has been to take unassigned fund balance at the end of the year and put as much as of that into the contingency as you can. >> Yeah. >> And on this slide, I would redo it and drop the fund balance line completely and just say contingency. So it's not even >> great. >> You know what I mean? >> Yeah. >> We don't we don't need to talk about it because we're not. >> Yeah. >> And if it comes up, we can answer the question, but if we leave it there, we're >> you're opening ourselves up. >> Thank you. Yeah, >> I don't know if it's the the snapshot is in the town report and it has that same language. >> Oh, okay. >>
074Do you want us to >> modify the snapshot in any other way? It's >> fine. I think in the presentation it's, you know, TBD. This is the TBD. We decided not to do it. >> If someone, right, if someone asks it, it's that we can't >> we discussed it. >> It's too fluid right now. >> Yeah, we discussed it at this meeting, >> right? >> Yeah. I mean, do we Well, what do you guys should we just leave it and just answer it or just take it out? >> I think we could say uh I mean I think I think it would be fine to discuss our plan which is yeah >> we refill fund balance and then I mean historically we have used leftover fund balance to decrease the tax rate. That is what
075we have done. I think I think we could say fund balance will be set cannot be set right now will be discussed at a June board meeting. Yeah. >> Right. Like >> maybe just leave it the way it is. >> Yeah. >> I mean because >> because Yeah. >> There has to be a because >> Okay. Well, great. Okay. >> All right. >> Okay. >> Open enrollment. >> Thank you. Sorry about that. >> No, that's great. Thank you. >> Questions. Do we want to make the recommendation to not do article four which is the tuition trust fund and we'll talk like I think we can still say we had talked about this also we still have no data so we're recommending pulling it at this time and not having it be a live live article
076>> I think it shows great foresight and planning >> I mean we don't know how the town's going to vote right >> like some of this depends on how the town votes on Like if the town goes agrees with what we're saying then I don't know. I mean >> I think it's I think we can say that I think I think it behooves us to say we thought about doing this in the extent that something was going to get jammed through the legislature. However, still TBD so like we're going to recommend pulling it and we will revisit it next year depending on what happens at the state level. >> Y I feel better about that. And so then so then if we're going to pull it and somebody asks okay so first of all if
077we pull it does the town have to vote is our vote on that to pull it >> motion is to is to >> so our motion would be to to pull the warrant suggesting the >> we can get the >> establishment and funding of the student tuition expendable trust. Yeah, we can ask for roll off. >> And so then the question would be posed, so why did you want to do it? Well, we wanted to do it because we weren't sure there's pending legislation and we weren't sure if it was going to get passed before this meeting that's that said that we couldn't set limits, >> right? And we need >> and that infinite amount of students theoretically could come in and go out, >> right? And this was our attempt to try to establish
078a trust to um >> mitigate the risk >> budget and mitigate the risk as best we could. Given that nothing's happened before this meeting, we're now recommending that we pull it and we'll just have to respond if if this the legislation changes before the beginning of the next school year, during the next school year, >> contingency fun, >> in which case we would use contingency fund to cover that gap. >> Yeah. a huge contingency would be >> I'm just thinking about the but hopefully people will be worn out at that point after debating and debating on the operating >> and we've we've pulled things before >> um >> and people might say who knows depends on the crowd they may say this is smart and I' we'd rather have a little bit of money stuck
079away >> things change in two months right >> you could leave it to the legislative body to decide >> right like if They if people vote to affirm article two >> the one to the one it seems like a positive thing and they see this and say >> let them >> right >> that's true >> let them you know talk about >> well that's that's what I'm thinking about >> I mean even and we can express we even I mean I don't think any of us are feeling like oh this is super good idea this is super bad idea >> right agreed >> we need your help there's fivear yeah >> it's hard to be prepared when you don't know what you're preparing who has this one >> I you >> you that's why I'm
080talking >> I understand >> it's not just casual interest >> okay yeah I think that's fair okay yeah okay all right and then >> yay >> uhhuh you feel good >> um I it's the same as last year >> right and it is really because um you know that is our it's been a driver. It's increases every year and we just need to be prepared in case you know changes in billing student moves into district. >> This would cover that. >> Yep. >> Y sweet. >> That's right. >> We're trying to rebuild back up to >> Don't screw up 350. >> You'll be great. >> I got some some number points for you if you want. >> Sure. So, and and this may come out in the budgetary slide, but our ought to be district
081costs. >> Yeah. >> 1.67 1,679,462 is 5.7% of our total budget. >> Wow. >> And 64% of the special education operating budget. So, you know, we have big numbers and being prepared for changes in those big number. I mean, just the size >> that was that was the increase 5.7%. Um, no. That's 5.7% of our $29 million budget. >> Yeah, that's just the >> 5% 5 cents of every dollar we collect in taxation goes to >> goes to pay for out of district placements, >> right? That's what I was saying. Entire budget. >> Yes. Okay. I was like, wait, I thought I >> Okay. Entire 5.7% of entire budget goes to special ed costs >> and that's fluid. It can change dramatically year to year. >> 5.7% out of district placements. >> Yeah. Say that
082again. 5.7% goes to out of district placements. >> Yeah. Not even just >> special. Not the full special ed budget. >> Much larger. >> And is 60 What did you say? 64% of the special budget operating budget itself. >> Okay. Rob, I'm going to get those from you. You're going to send those to me, right? >> And these are it's a stat. It's a legal obligation and the right thing to do. >> Yes. Well, yeah. >> Well, I didn't know it. No, but I'm I'm just passing you other things that you might I do. >> Yeah. Thank you. Nice to see you. Actually, you know what I'm going to do? >> Because there's out of district placement and there's wages. >> Yeah. >> Right. Y >> we've never really broken out teachers that are special
083ed teachers in all the IAS. Is that what But we've never done that. Maybe something >> is I'm sorry. Just go back for a second. is the term of art that we are recommending to withdraw the warrant or to uh vote to vote down the warrant or what what would the term of art be that we're that I'm saying to the legislative body here? >> We should we should ask for the an official motion. >> We'll we'll get the language for you, John, because I think you're asking to vote it down. >> Yeah. that the school board no longer, you know, recommends this article. >> Yeah. >> So, it's not to withdraw it, it's to vote it down. >> Right. Withdraw. >> If someone could confirm that, I just want to make sure I'm I'm
084I'm recommending the the term of art, whatever it is. >> Yeah. Okay. Great. >> Okay. Um for a negative, right? >> It cannot be in the form of a negative. >> Yeah. So then, >> so then, well, I guess what is that? >> I mean, you'd essentially be saying like we do not recommend this, you know, article even though it says that we do. >> Is it a negative to say we recommend the legislative body vote no on this warrant? >> That's a negative. >> I think so. better get some language. >> Yeah, I was going to say can we just >> because even if I say I we do not recommend that the body vote yes, that's still a negative. >> Becomes a philosophical problem. >> We're going to put it before the voters
085and just say, >> you know, we've reconsidered our >> all the other warrants, we recommend that you say yes. >> On this one, we are silent. >> Um CIP. >> Yeah. Um, do you want to do it, Rob? Do you want to do I know there was a You got it. >> Yeah. >> Cool. Great. >> Anything else you want from your slides? >> No, I started to put slides together and circulate on Jim. >> Great. So, >> awesome. >> Um, I don't know if I may have >> Oh, right. So, that's got to get into this. >> Yeah. If you just share them. >> Well, Amy, Laura, Rob, and Jim, I'll have >> Right. I I just had a few slides just explaining what it was and then >> Great. Amazing. >> Because are
086we all working off of Yeah, I guess it all gets jammed in, but yeah. >> Yeah, we'll have it tight though. >> Yeah, great. >> You're going to want to get it to Laura. Laura has it so they can put it in the same format as >> Laura and Amy have it. I just It just isn't finalized. >> I think Chelsea, at the meeting at the senior center, we had talked about putting a link to the CIP on the budget website, right? Yes, we had talked about that. >> So, what's the difference between >> we Yeah, we talked about it and I was like just bad. >> These are the ones. So, every >> uh and then guys, we get into our financial heavy hitters, my my Warren articles. We've got We've got a very
087important technology trust bond that's not here, which I'm pretty excited about. And then, uh school districts. All right. So, these are your slides. and then we'll that'll close it out. >> Any other questions about the presentation or anything else that we want to think about? >> What's going out in terms of the mailer and all that stuff? >> Okay, so the other two things that I was going to talk about is I started a draft of the mailer. It is looking to be much shorter because we don't have the two pages about the contracts. Um so it basically what I had started to draft at 5:00 this morning uh was um the letter from the board key budget drivers um overview of the trusts the full warrant so people can look at it uh we
088should include some material about open enrollment so I was going to pull from Amy's memo and then the FAQs last year we had had one about teacher retirement and then about the contracts and I think that we can choose a couple other FAQs. We've got about a third of a page that we can put that's like on the bifold. Um but it should be about five six pages and I think the goal is to get it finalized at a draft form today sent to you guys to take a look and then do every day direct mail >> Every door direct for delivery next week. >> Yeah. And if we can get this down to four pages better, >> I don't know if it fits in there, but reduction in revenue. Yeah. >> Y >> could
089be there. >> That is important. >> I think that's really important. >> Yeah. >> The key budget driver, >> right? And we have no control over it. >> Yep. Okay. Um Okay. Okay. I made it up. I will get we'll get this wrapped up and shared for feedback on it. Um I think it's helpful to have this go out. So um the last thing um that um we did not think about this year yet, Laura, >> and I know you got to go soon. Uh was would be if we were thinking about a flat budget, what would that number look like? Uh like if we were No, actually I don't know if we're SV2 is not >> Yeah. What would be SB2 number? >> Is there a petition? >> The default the default would be
090a 5% increase. >> Yeah. Right. It would be a 5% increase. Is that right? >> I think under SP2. >> Um it's not as black and white as that unfortunately. Oh, but we would have to provide it's all contracts and legal obligations that are voted on by the legislative body. So all three of our warrant um our unions are mandated, >> right? Mandated plus all of the IEPs for special education. >> Oh, yeah. >> Um >> and then the increase would be our fund based. >> But do we I mean if we're not doing SB2 >> from operations moving forward, >> but if we're not doing SB2, do we need to do this? >> I don't think I think it was more like it's a helpful talking like I think it's a helpful talking point
091to be are we doing based off of the way that we do governance are we doing better? I think I don't want to burn your time on it. So, I think we should think about it, but I think it's helpful to be able I think it's a helpful argument to say that through this process, >> it we produce a better informed budget that is more thoughtful and more um better trimmed. But yeah, it's a good question. >> I mean, I'm just saying like I hate to apologize, but nobody's accusing us of anything. >> Right. Right. Yeah. Good point. Yeah, I know. Jonathan, that's right. Yeah. Sorry. Go ahead. with a default budget, you know, we're doing some some good work here, I think, to move things into ops. Yeah. But, um, you wouldn't be able
092to put performance contract into the default budget, that movement from CIP because it hasn't been voted. So, it would sit that's not part of the default. >> Um, neither would be that 30,000 for technology that we added in that we talked about. So, >> but really, it's that very small percentage. So maybe 10% of your budget is even subject to reviewing if not a little bit less for for default versus operations. >> Okay. >> So it's very very small since all of our contracts are obligated right now. >> Right. Okay. All right. I think I think we don't >> Yeah. I mean I'm just doing some simple math here. So if the salaries and benefits was 762 >> nothing there. >> No. If the special ed increase was 287, we're at a little over a
093million. >> So, we got 300,000 left. That might be under scrutiny of >> transportation is required by law. So, the transportation increase would also be part of it. >> Y >> the open enrollment. >> Yep. >> Yes. The open enrollment tuition also. >> So, really be like the performance contract and that 30. So it would be $74,000 >> pretty much. >> Yeah. >> Trust the supplies increases, >> right? >> 5% on the supply lines. >> Yeah. Okay. That's helpful. That's helpful. >> But we would at remember all the things that we trimmed would get added back in. >> So the, you know, last year's back in, >> right? >> So we would do that. All that 100,000 that we trimmed out, we would um put that back in. >> Put that right back in. Right.
094>> Okay. >> So, what about like the the $900,000 in decreases in the operations as you guys were working through it? >> Yeah. Um, we looked at what was relieved um the minimum we could get, you know, used for next year. >> Really? >> Yeah. Okay. No, I don't think >> No, I think what he's saying is that lots would be added back, >> right? Lots would be added. >> The default budget would likely be higher. >> Okay, cool. All right. And then I have one last thing under school district meeting. Um, uh, well, sort of actually, oh yeah, is Sarah Pina wants to know if anyone else wanted to volunteer for the election next Tuesday since it is a board and a town election. We have not been good about sending uh necessarily doing
095sending representation the same way with the slip board. You want to volunteer, volunteer. I know people have work. I will be there. I love it. >> I might be able to do some. >> Okay. >> You can do it. Okay. Great. >> Oh, yeah. You're on the ballot. Yeah, you can't. Okay, cool. >> Oh, there. Um, great. >> Okay. Anything else for school district meeting? Are we feeling feeling good? We do get to use, guys. This is big news, Jonathan. This is huge. We do get to use pull pads this year, which means the lines will be >> much faster. >> What do we get to use? >> Pull pads inside books. >> Yeah, >> we get to use the actual >> Oh, >> technology. >> So, when people are checking in >> Yeah. Which
096when we think about like lines at a tree, pull pads are much faster. >> Got it. >> Okay. >> I also still need some counters. So if anybody's talking anybody here >> if we want to have five boxes >> five if we want to have six boxes. >> Okay. >> Or PTA maybe that's a good thing to circulate at the PTA meeting. >> And we could say I just I would just say at any of the at any of the info sessions if we just say if we need ballot gunners contact JC combin66.org. Do you need to decide who does motions to restrict? >> I second them. >> Great. Thank you. Look at that. You're done. >> Yep. Cool. Okay. Anything else for district meeting? Are we excited? >> Yes. >> So excited. >> Be
097great. It's going to be great. >> Uhhuh. It's terrific. We'll do you'll do a tech run through of the screen. Okay. Okay. Great. And then I'll um think through printables like what we want to actually print and then we'll get the mailer prepped and shared. Okay. >> No date. >> What? >> No, we don't need one. >> Just saying. What if we haven't been We never talked about this. >> No, we don't. >> We're early. We could have a big storm. >> We're not going to have a big storm. Okay. >> I'm flying out that evening. We are not having a big storm. Mr. Nato, >> I'll ski for my house. It's okay. >> No, it's gonna be 45 degrees and sunny right now. We will do a day today. We get We No, it's
098going to be 63 next Wednesday. >> Really? >> We'll monitor the weather. >> Rob, >> my last meeting. >> I know. All right. Anything else? We feel good. All right. Um, if you have anything else that you want to do to be added to the Bible or otherwise, please try to get it to early end of this week, very early next week if possible or be prepared to print your own stuff and bring your notes. All right, cool. All right, thank you. We're going to swap around part of the agenda actually because Laura has to go for project graduation. So, Laura, we are going to do your part, the consent agenda. Great. >> It is very brief, so we'll go quick. Um, personnel tonight, we have two resignations. Mary Grace Pratt, uh, Harold Martin school
099teacher, is currently on a one-year leave of absence, and we have heard back she will not be returning to us next year. And Ashley Gallagher, middle, uh, Maple Street teacher, also on a leave of absence, will not be returning next year. >> That's too bad. >> For donations tonight, we have one, you've seen this one before, the Sazinski award money came in. Um, this typically goes to two teachers, one elementary and one middle high school teacher. And this year it is $2,39.31. So, their interest grew a bit more than last year, which was around $1,800 last year. >> Wow, that's great. So, we um have that for our donation. And then lastly, um no financials, but one quick update on our 2025 audit. Um the June 30th, 2025 financial statements are complete. They are on
100our website. We've received final copies at the SAU. However, we don't have paper copies um to print out or give out unless folks specifically come and ask for them. Important snippets are in the town school report, but the full financials are available on our website by clicking through departments and then business office. There's a spot that says audit reports and it's the historicals and the current. Um and I'll be coming back to the 331 meeting to present the audit. it'll it's you know five 10 minute presentation about the main points in it but overall it went very well and there are no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies with the district. >> Yay. Great job. >> Um I know it takes a ton of a lot of work. >> It's a lot. So thank you for
101running a great tight shift. >> It um came out 13 days later than it did last year. So I apologize for that. They made some changes to Gazsby 101, which is compensated absences, and I needed to calculate the value of the sick time for all of our employees for the last two years. So, it took a significantly more amount of time this year regarding the Gazsby changes. So, um I do apologize for the delay, the 13 days was, you know, from when it went out last year. >> I will say we do a really good job, I think, uh reporting on our personnel. fact that we can look at and I know a lot of it's mandated because it's unionized but like looking at the the hundth or the tenth of a piece of uh
102FTE I think is wonderful and the degree to which you track time. Thank you. It's a lot. >> Okay. >> Um before Laura leaves do I have a motion to present the portion of the consent agenda presented thus far as presented? >> Motion to accept. >> Uh so move second. >> Okay. Any discussion? Um, sorry. Uh, Mary Grace Pratt was Clementine's teacher last year. She was wonderful. I hope that I wish her all the very best. Okay, great. Um, all those in favor I. All those opposed. >> All right. Thank you. Thank you very much. Okay. >> Hop back over to SAU for 7 o'clock call. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. All right. Now, are we ready? >> Policy pants. Let's go. >> All right. So, for policy, we have first reads, second
103reads, and final reads tonight. So, for first reads, um we have several policies that um are old that need to be updated, uh and then one policy that is new. So, we've got IHBCA, accommodation of pregnancy and related medical conditions students. Uh this used to just be called pregnant students. um and used to be very short um it is now much longer um and covers uh just much much longer. I will just say that uh and basically it ties into title n um so that's for you guys to read. We have policy IMDA patriotic exercises. This used to be called pledge of allegiance. Um it now covers constitution and citizenship day. Pledge of Allegiance, Display of Flags of the United States and State Flags, and General John Stark Day. These are all statutory changes um
104that were required. We have policy uh JF and then the um attachment. Oh my gosh, why am I appendix appendix? Thank you. Uh appendix, which is new JF-R1. Um and JF is enrollment and en enrollment capacities. Uh and the appendex is enrollment enrollment capacities annual school program class activities capacity limitations. Uh so this one um is actually a required report that superintendent will be putting together for us as a um board to look at. um it'll come out at the end of May and then um we will get to look at it and make decisions. This one is particularly important with the um open enrollment considerations moving through the legislature um because this might be what is used to determine how many students are able to come to your school if if that control is
105taken away from schools. Um, and then the final policy we have is policy JIC, weapons on school property, um, which had some statutory updates as well. >> Oh, slingshot is included. Good to know. >> Okay. Should it be slingshot or slingshot? >> Oh gosh. Slingshot. Or does it say slingshot? That's funny. >> Okay, good to know. >> Did you have another question? Oh, I just didn't know that New Hampshire this I'm sorry for not being as New Hampshireishly patriotic. I should know that New Hampshire observed General John's Dark Day. >> Yeah, that is a a newer ad. >> Oh, it is. Okay. So, I didn't just totally miss it. >> Yeah. Nope. Nope. You did not totally miss it. That is a newer requirement. So, we are now putting it in policy as required. >>
106Thank you. >> Um, so if you guys have any questions, let us know. I know I saw a question did come in and so we will get address that. Um and bring that back to policy committee which I believe meets next week. Um otherwise we have our second reads and then we have that group of final reads which were duly coded and triccoded. Um and I'm going to ask for a motion and then I'll read them all. So um because I have not heard any feedback so I'm going to assume that they are a okay. So looking for a motion to accept the following policies duly coded uh together policies ADB and GBEC drug-free workplace and drug-free schools and then triccoded together policies ADC GBE and JICG prohibitions regarding use and possession of tobacco products,
107ecigarettes and e-liquids in and on school facilities and grounds. >> So moved. >> Second. exciting. Any discussion? All in favor? I. >> Any opposed? Thank you guys. >> That's it. Okay. Um I've got a note home from Amy Doyle today with the new uh school lunch policy which I thought was great. >> Superintendent report thunder. >> Yeah. Oh, sorry. No, it's okay. I was always reveal. I was just going to say it's really great and we should actually um in probably one of our spring newsletters like I don't know necessarily if everyone makes it to this part of the meeting even if they do make it to watch the meeting but like I think it is good like just thinking about how we communicate policy like it was just really great to get be like
108oh yeah policy good yeah sorry okay thanks okay >> so I can speak to that just a little bit so we have gone through a series of audits this year um we've gone and food service was one of them and it came up that our meal charging policy needed to be updated. We did that through the policy committee. Um and then we also need to articulate that to families in writing every year, but when you make a change, you have to actually send it home in a paper form like we did. Um so today the elementary schools sent it home. I'm not sure it made its way into hawk time yet at the high school. I know that it's over there. Um but all students should receive it by the end of the week. And
109if you have questions about the meal charging policy, you can either reach out to Tracy Barker. She's our food service director, or you can reach out to the SAU. There's also information in the letter about how to sign up for um free and reduced lunch. The application is also on our website. And if you are having trouble um paying your lunch account, please reach out to the appropriate folks because we don't want to keep sending you notices or to keep generating those kinds of things if you're having trouble. you know, we we want to work through that with families, but um take a look at the meal charging policy and reach out if you have questions. >> Anything else? Really looking forward to my first annual meeting. >> Uhhuh. It's going to be great. It
110is. It's going to be great. >> Yeah. >> Lovely. Oh, question. Are we going to have our council there? >> Yes. Our council, um Allison Mutelli from Wildly Son Peters will be there. Great. >> Um she is because she's about her up. She will. I hope she sits right next to me because she doesn't know. >> She'll be facing you, but you get to be on on the >> thing with us. Great. >> Facing everybody. >> Yeah, you're with us. Alison's great. I think I'm looking forward to her being. >> Does anyone take a bet on whether or not Laura brings a desktop calculator like Michelle used to? >> Oh, she loves it. It's huge. >> Yeah. Uhhuh. She won't. But that's good. All right, cool. Um, great. You have to accept your Okay, awesome.
111All right. Uh, we're rounding the corner here, guys. Anything else? Policy? None. Okay, great. Uh, CIA, wait, can you guys meet? We meet, we met right before break. Um, again, going pretty well in the next couple of months after we get through the budget. You'll start to see some things coming from CIA as well as the PD committee. Um, so we will meet again right before April. >> Right. Perfect. CIP. >> Yeah, we just met. Uh we talked about replacing the boiler. Uh we've gotten bids have come in through EMC and we're going to continue that conversation at our next meeting. Um and we talked about different issues relating to funding the CIP. Um we're going to set another meeting. Um, probably within the next month or so. >> Great. Awesome. Station and security. >>
112Uh, later this month. >> Okay. Well, >> are you will not be in attendance? >> Okay. Can I make sure that's on my calendar? >> Okay, cool. >> Great. Cuz I don't know if it is. >> Okay. Uh, EMC. We have a very special EMC. I know I talked about this last meeting. It's next Thursday. We've invited uh all the administrators to come and review our draft policy. >> It's going to be great. Uh and then after that it will come to this to this to this board pending any feedback. All right. But we get to have a >> house for the policy. >> That's right. That has for policy committee. Yes, that's right. Order of approvals. Okay. Uh finance budget. How are you feeling? >> Ready. >> Turn the page. Okay. Great. Uh wellness.
113I think we have a meeting at the end of the month. >> Oh, okay. Great. And professional development >> professional development will has not met. Um when we come back in April, you will have a the PD master plan to approve and then that committee will establish. >> Great. Okay. As a note um on committees for our reorg, I touched on this at the last meeting. I'll be doing some outreach to people over the course of the next um week. Uh think about your hopes and dreams and all the places that you what the committees are that you want to do. I would recommend thinking about it from an area of interest. If there's a place that you want to learn and from a time commitment perspective and trying to think about like how you're
114balancing your things. We also will have a new board member. Um we don't know what his areas of. I'm assuming it's him pending a wild writing campaign. uh we just don't know what the um so want to do. So we'll just it's a little bit of a puzzle, but the goal is to try to make everyone as happy as we can and this amazing board service work that we do. All right. >> Okay, >> Chelsea, on the uh security redesign, we had our first meeting with Triple and the architect two weeks ago. We meet with them again this Friday. I think we'll see some rough plans from Jay, >> who is our architect and we've got at least two more scheduled. >> Okay. >> And should be ready to roll. >> We want to have
115um a board member since you're transitioning out. >> They asked me to stay. >> Well, no. I like you should stay, but you you should defin like I think you can you can and should stay as but it's whether or not we should also want to have a board member there, which I think is prudent. I'm happy to do it. I'm going to put my name out there. But if someone is like, I want to die on the hill of a building redesign project, I I will seed seed my ground. But if no one else is, I'm very happy to do it. I like buildings. >> There are there are not a lot of meetings. I can tell you that. Maybe I might even be able to tell you when they are. >> The next
116one is this Friday, 1 to 3:30. Okay. It What have you signed up for? >> I don't I didn't put them all on my calendar. >> Two and a half hour meetings. >> There were four in total. >> I did. I forgot. >> There were how much? >> There were four in total. >> Oh, okay. >> We've already had one and one is Friday, so there's only two more left. >> Okay. Okay. Great. Okay. Any other business, you guys? >> No. >> All right. Oh, wait. Sorry. Before we get there, we are now at the second public comment portion of the evening. If you would like to come up, please state your name, address, and we ask that you keep it. No one's here. >> Anything else? >> That was funny. >> All right. Thank
117you. >> Thank you, Rob. >> Thank you, guys. >> Okay. >> Do I have a motion to adjourn Rob's last meeting of the regular board? >> Seems like Rob should make that motion. >> Second. >> All right. All those in favor? I >> All right. There he goes.