001We'll call the meeting to order. All right. Should we wait for Molly or be a few minutes late? >> It's okay to start. >> You start and we won't wait for her. We'll just >> Okay. All right. I will call the meeting to order at 502 PM. We can go into a non-public session at any time in accordance with chapter 91A 32A BCD E or I. And I will open the floor for public input for the following 30 minutes. Okay. Approval of meeting minutes from our January 6th um meetings. >> December. I had a couple well um January. >> January. Yeah, I did too. >> I had a couple let's see in let's see I mean we're we're continuing to have like this. So public hearing was first. Okay. So the names seem to be
002a challenge. Should we have people like there's a couple names that are wrong? >> Yeah, we have a sign. We need to access the signance sheet. >> Yeah. Okay. So, one of them was Did you notice some names? >> I can't open the the February package some reason. So, um if I can look at it with you. >> Yeah. >> I know. It said it said Garland instead of Greenland. >> Yeah. That was one of the names was one of them. >> Are you on page seven? >> Um page Okay. So, >> yeah. Karen Parker Felt is correct. >> And then >> go down one. >> Oh, yeah. So, in this paragraph where it says principal rule responded to a question on the number of students in special ed, um, we don't have the name
003of that person and I don't know who it was. I don't know. We'll just in the future, I guess, maybe ask. >> You need to identify yourself. >> Say your name loudly for the cameras. >> Um, if you go down, there was another name other way. There was another name that was wrong. >> Going down. Uh, I >> mean I think it started with Leslie. I think she was the first comment. >> Yep, that's correct. >> Okay, >> that's correct. >> Noted. >> I know. I saw it somewhere, but now I can't think of it. Oh, you know, I might have been reading it from the month before. Maybe I was reading. >> So, wait, Lesie um Lesie Art >> Artillia. That's correct. And Karen Parker Feld. Those ones are right. And then there's one
004>> there was one that said Greenfield, but his name is Greenland. >> So it's in it's in the meeting. It's in the minutes from December. >> It's the December one >> where we um where so the correction in the meeting minutes that we did last month for December is also wrong. Like it's the name. So she got Steven Garland and Steven Greenland. So that's in the minutes from December. Um and that that was that. And then the other thing that I noted was when we were talking about the um trust funds um motion to create a word article and it said 40,000 and I'm sure I said 50,000 because that's what it so that's on page five >> and that's all I saw. Did you guys have anything else? >> Yeah, the same thing says
00540k. >> Yeah. Okay, great. >> That is that. All right. Does someone want to make a motion to >> accept minutes? >> Yes. I had a just one edit on Oh, wait. Did we do the Was that just the public hearing? I have one for the schoolboard >> on page six. >> Um, under the belonging and connections, the second graders went to peas greeters, not P's readers. >> Oh, >> yeah. That's a good note. >> Yeah. Okay. Um, and if you could just add on the line before that Cheryl Fay did a onew woman show about Ruth Bader Ginsburg just so that it's explaining what that show on equity was. >> Yeah. >> And it wasn't just like a one woman >> show. Great point. That's >> Yes. >> I love clarifying that for the
006record. >> Okay. >> All right. Well, I will make a motion to accept the minutes as amended. >> Second. All in favor? >> I All right, great. Okay, so committee reports, we'll start with policy. >> Okay. Um, can I borrow what you're looking at because I can't download >> things. So, um, so what what happened with the policy committee was there again they're doing it on uh themes and the theme this time was safety. Um, so there weren't any major major things that that were um, you know, brought up. Uh, and I have a note to myself. Go back two pages. Um, >> I think we need to move the mics probably a little closer so that you >> Yeah, try this. We'll share one. Um, so EBB um was just a change to include
007school school buses school buses and is that okay? >> Well, there's nobody here >> there. >> Yeah, cuz we had problems on the volume up there. >> Okay. >> We got you on the camera, so it'll >> Yeah. I'm just thinking for like to make sure like we can hear what she's saying for the audience [clears throat] >> cuz I can't even hear what she's saying. >> Yeah. Okay. >> So, I just want to make sure it's >> So, when you talk into the >> Okay. >> Like you're >> like I'm talking. >> Yes. And then let's see if that sounds better. >> All right. So, um >> No, that's better. >> There you go. EBB was just a change to include uh school buses and offschool property. Um EBB was more related to employees.
008Um, EBCA was revised to include chemical safety and chemical hygiene. Um, EBCH was caught in an audit um and had to be revised to meet the auditor's needs there. Um, all of these were reviewed by the superintendent um and GB EBB. Um that was something that was changed uh in the state legislature so that it makes it a big no no that staff can bring kids to uh medical appointments unless a big emergency. So um it was another fast policy meeting which I liked. >> Uh so there weren't there weren't tremendous amounts of crazy changes and everything. So uh pretty straightforward. Okay, great. Okay, all the number letters. Okay. Well, then I will make a motion to accept the following policies. EBB, EBB, ECA, EB, and GB EBB as written. >> Second. >> All in
009favor? >> I. >> Okay, great. Uh so safety and security any update on that? >> Yes, we did have a safety meeting and being that this was my first rodeo going. Um I uh before the meeting I went and met with principal rule so I could understand better all the items on the agenda. Um and I guess the the the best news is Kensington Elementary is in pretty darn good shape as far as what we're required to do. Um and um so uh Renee, you were at the meeting as well. I don't know if there's anything you might want to add. >> Um it's always it's always challenging because these there are reason why these meetings are safe and secure. Um there was no budgetary impact of the conversations at the safety and security meeting.
010There was some debriefs around protocols, partnerships with um first responders, um debriefing what we learned about recent drills. Um and the biggest thing was the director of safety and security um Richard Kaine has retired and [snorts] we had first round interviews for that position Friday and second rounds this round this week. And I will tell you, we have some really exciting candidates. Um, we had awesome applicants and we have some really excited candidates. So, we're hoping to fill Chief Kane's position as soon as possible. He is still on for Perdeium and he is available. I know some principles have reached out when they had a specific question. He answered them. So, he retired, put his letter in except he has a contract to work PDM as needed. So, he's still available if or anything happens.
011[clears throat] Um, but we should be replacing that position um like next couple weeks. I'll be able to tell you who the NISA director of safety and security is, but there was no budget impact or conversations. Um, everything else was really just about protocols and debriefing. Great. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh, superintendent evaluation committee. Uh, no update there. Uh, general correspondence, anything? Um, our general correspondence have been related to a legal matter that is pending um with this board and um a citizen and so you all have those records and um that's that's been our general correspondence. >> Okay, great. Um community news submission. >> Yeah, I submitted it. I don't think it's come out yet though >> in the mic. >> I talked about um all the community connections. Becky sent them to me
012and I put them together and it's nice and I just gave my pen pal his letter. >> Nice, >> Harley. >> Awesome. Okay, that sounds good. Uh, strategic plan committee, we just went over everything at the joint board meeting, so there's no additional update there. And then, um, next we've got business and financials. Okay, great. Um, I do have a few manifests that you can hand down uh for signature two. It's just it's actually not that much. There's five of them there. There's just a lot of receipts. Um, so included in your board pack is a current year financial. We did there was just a small amount of changes from the prior month. Um, did anyone have any questions on any of those? And just one of the things is the new HB1265 postings. Those
013were about a thousand dollars each to put in the newspaper. It is a new legal requirement, so each district had to pay almost $1,000 of unplanned expenses to publish those in the newspaper. Wow. >> Really? >> Okay. Um any questions you guys? Nothing. Okay. I was just going to add one um just in this meeting um prior to our next meeting there was one large facilities expense that hadn't run through yet because um the purchase orders were just approved um as part of our controls upgrade and that was $85,000. So, we have this projected unassigned fund balance and then just in the back of your mind know that 85,000 has already gone towards that control project that we've talked about >> and that came that came from the trust fund. >> Nope, that was out
014of our regular budget. >> Okay. >> Yeah, that came out of a fund balance with the teacher we did not replace. >> Oh, gotcha. >> Um because we we had budgeted for it. Becky had watched the numbers and anticipating of having to hire a second kindergarten teacher. We made it just under the cut. We did not hire a second in. Um so we put the money the board had a conversation in November and we moved the money towards the capital improvement plan. [snorts] >> We did have about $20,000 in our repair and maintenance for controls. Um so we just needed a little additional um from the from the un the unfilled position. But that just might be helpful going into our next meeting to know that what that fund balance is a is less than
015what is there. >> Okay. All right. Um Okay. So the next agenda item is theou for the ERCSD ban usage. Yes. So, the co-op a few years ago, um maybe a handful of years, um started purchasing some vehicles, 15 passenger vans, um that could be used for sporting events. Um sometimes the school counselors and social workers take kids to adventure lore or outdoor activities, team building activities. Um, the co-op has a nice fleet including a handicap accessible van and there is anou that the co-op the co-op school board has written and is willing to have other school districts within SAU16 sign so that Becky could have access to the van if needed for a field trip. An example I like to give is um one of our district had a group of students go to
016Riverwoods to do a presentation and sing and it was really helpful for them to access the handicap accessible van and not have to spend the money on a special ed bus that would be about 600 800 bucks for that day. So recruit signing out the van having it picking it up using it for the field trip. So, if the district is interested in signing on to theou, the board, if the board's interested in signing on to theou, it's in your packet. You would just need to let me know that it is something um looking looking through it. There is no profitm. The only cost that the Kensington School District would acute would be the cost of the fuel you use because the co-op has a system for refilling the vans and Kensington staff would not
017be refilling it. and any of the other pieces of maintenance that occurred while we were using while you were using the van. But you're you're not being charged a rental fee. You're not anything like that. You're just reimbursing basically gas and mileage. So, it's something for the board to look at and determine if you want to sign theou. >> Great. Should we do that now? >> Yeah. I mean, it sounds good to me. I make a motion to sign theou. [laughter] >> Everybody loves a 15 passenger van. You got to talk to the mic. >> Do I? >> You can use it when >> I make a motion to sign theou with the exit region cooperative school district for the potential use of their vans. >> Second. >> All right. All in favor? >> I.
018>> Great. So, I'll get the draft out and have Stephanie sign it. >> Fantastic. >> Is that everything? Is that all of them? >> Yes, that's all those. Um, all right. And I think is it principal's report? Is that next? Got to get all the way back to the top. Okay. Yep. Principal's report is next. Okay. I um did all three paragraphs this month on um the academic excellence piece just because there was a lot to update midyear on kind of what's going on. Um I'm been trying to keep the board updated on how our pilots are going um this year. As you know, we're piloting two different programs. We did wrap up the first pilot um just before the holidays and then we spent um some time last month um evaluating the first pilot
019that we did and I listed the um areas that we um evaluated on those nine criteria. So, alignment to standards, instructional design, reading comprehension and vocabulary, writing instruction, equity and access, assessment and data, teacher usability, student engagement, alignment to school vision and priorities, and overall student impact. So, we really are looking at a lot of components when we're thinking about um adopting a new program, knowing that this is going to be an investment for our community. When we do make a decision, we will spend a lot of money. So, we are trying to be really thoughtful in making this decision um as a staff. Um we'll go through the same process when we finish um piloting the next program, which is fish tank. We did training at our last teacher inservice day for this next
020program. Um and so we'll do the same evaluation process at the end of that one as well. Um and then at the end of the year um we will talk with other schools who have been piloting the same schools um and the same programs and then we'll see if we're coming with similar results on our evaluation criteria. So it's it's been a really thoughtful process um because we know it's an investment for the community when we get to that decision. Um also under more academic excellence um midyear means midyear assessments. So, um, in January, we did a lot of benchmarking with our students in both literacy and in math. And I sort of outlined some of the measures that we're using. Um, last Friday, we did a midyear data review. So, all the classroom teachers
021and our curriculum coordinator for SAU 16, Jill Lizzier, joined us um to look at our midyear data. Um, we had some probing questions that we asked teachers to think about in their classrooms, um, and what the data is telling us as far as what students need and what changes we might need to make in our instruction. Um and then this Wednesday, which is tomorrow, we have um our I Ready consultant returning to the building and she's meeting with individual grade levels of teachers to look specifically at our math data um and what other resources might be available through the I Ready program to help our teachers um based on their mid-year assessments. So, lots of work around data midyear. Um and then even more academic excellence. This one was really just more for fun and
022a continued shout out to our PTO who has sponsored all of our community times. And so each Friday afternoon, um the school gets together for one hour um and they do something different every week and it the kids love it because they never really know what's coming on a Friday afternoon and um we recently had um the rainforest reptile show. Um, and super engaging. Um, you know, the kids got to touch the snakes and touch the tortoises and, you know, so hand if they wanted to. Um, but each animal has a different story on how they came to the sanctuary. And so it was a nice combination um for um the woman who came to present to kind of share their backstory, but then also share um you know what their habitats are in real
023life if they weren't living at the sanctuary. So, um, again, a big thank you to our PTO who has, um, given us a lot of money to have those Friday afternoons be fun and educational for the kids. >> And this last week, we just had, um, uh, local author Marty Kelly. He's from New Hampshire, although he is nationally recognized. Um, and so he was here last Friday with the kids as well. So, a lot of fun. Nice. All right. I know there's a faster way to get to the top, but all right. Any new business? >> I don't have any. All right. Old business. All right. Any pupil related matters? >> Just that we have a new kindergartener. She started yesterday. >> That's awesome. >> Love it. All right. any personnel issues? >> No, I
024do anticipate our um nursing position because she did make a public announcement to the rest of the community that she is retiring. Um so I do anticipate that position to be posted shortly so we can start interviewing for that. >> All right. Do we have to We need a couple more minutes. >> Yep. >> Yeah. Okay. So we will >> So we're just keeping the meeting open for 30 minutes for public input. >> So by my >> 10 more minutes >> um 5:32 would be 30 minutes >> of public input. >> All right. I had a birthday. >> So, we want to figure out now who's doing the >> Oh, sure. Um, >> okay. So, we said that >> you're going to do the motion on one. >> Okay. >> Are we on? >> We're
025still on. Yeah. For >> Yeah. We have eight more minutes. You >> um >> is that okay to do that now? >> Yeah, we can do that now. We can do this now. Yep. >> Okay. So, I will do the first motion to restrict reconsideration. >> Do you want to do or >> an article? >> So, you're going to do three. >> Wait a minute. Wait a minute. I'm confused now. >> Did you have yourself doing one? I have myself doing one. >> Yeah, you do one then. >> Okay. >> I thought we all agreed. >> We did agree on that at first. Yeah. Yeah. You do one. >> He's You're testing my old frame. >> You do one. You do two. >> I'll do three. Really? I was. >> So, that means you do
026four. >> I'm not doing one. I'm just doing one. >> I'm just doing one. >> That's it. All right. I'll do four >> and I'll do five. Okay. Perfect. >> No, cuz last year I forgot it. So I don't want to >> I forgot last >> things are a little around here to take >> I think we need to have a situation >> weapons >> the potential weapons on the table would be bad I think Dean is this is this yours >> well we just have to keep it open for six more minutes so that we have 30 minutes for public comment >> but um we didn't him and I didn't have a chance to connect Okay. >> No, that's okay. You'll be looking for it and then you'll be like, "Where did I get
027where did I leave it?" >> I did get it a week ago. >> Rene Bennett, >> the superintendent does [laughter] >> so I told him he got >> heard if it was the closer to the mic or the daily update. He does every day >> cuz she spins the wheel and whoever >> it lands on. And that's who she sends an email to their family that day about >> well and so >> yes right up against >> you want to try to prepare this device now what do you want to do >> he's like did you get today like I actually tend >> yeah we just have to stay open actually got an email you did like yeah I I did it was really good and he's like so can I get my crumble cookie
028we can go to crumble [laughter] and he was so upset cuz actually I told him I had his report card so you tell If you want to do the presentation or you just want articles cookies, >> what do you want to do? Let me look at it again. You might want to buy you have Becky's video. We will put that here has everything. It doesn't talk about he must have >> forgotten the other things on his mind. >> Crumbled cookies because >> No, right. But it's what it looks like on the Warner. Yeah. >> So I think I think the biggest thing is like they >> well >> their raises are >> if he just about 4%. >> 3.78 is the national average this year. Okay. And you did well. >> So, >> our teachers
029knew that when they were negotiating. >> Advocating for himself. There you go. job. >> So, we the kids were talking about um [clears throat] >> it's an exercise that we're doing with the fourth grade in their c in their smaller circles about like what do I need from my environment? What do I need from my classmates? What do I need from my teacher? You know, and they were talking about with Anna on the internet like quiet time after recess. They're like, "Oh, remember when we were first? We had quiet time and we could like basically like spread out around the room and try to do like >> I found the list >> from Anna's class and I brought it into them today and I was like do you guys want to know what you asked
030for from what I like when you were six what you wanted. It was like cuddles from my snuggly like hugs >> playing and I got to decline I don't think you did this. I'm like, "You asked to watch TV." [laughter] And he's laughing. I was like, "I'm pretty sure I didn't let you watch TV after recess, so you must have done something else." [laughter] >> I'm sorry. >> He's so that he's on the storm. Hey, you took the basketball and who wrote that? >> He's a he's a good boy. >> Uh, oh, I might have seen it. I said if you pass your homework >> I might be lying to you. >> Meanwhile, I've got my town one this week, too. >> Yeah. I don't know if you ever saw the >> letter. >> Okay.
031But your one with the default. >> Tell me what are some of the things that you like best about KES? >> I like recess and I like PE STEM. >> And what's some of your favorite things that you've done in STEM so far? Bbots. [music] >> You like the programming, the Bbots? >> They're a lot of fun. [music] >> I'll do You tell me what to do. >> Yes. Give her a minute to [music] >> We can't then the projector. We are super excited to share some [music] of the things that we Hi, my name is Sarah Growthier. I'm a mom of three students here at Kensington Elementary School. [music] And I'm here to share that Kes is a small school with a small budget, but with a very big heart. It does what it
032can with the resources that it has, [music] stretching every dollar, finding ways to support our children. From my [music] experience, every decision that faculty make is centered on [music] helping our students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. Even though their budget is modest, their commitment to their students is unlimited. As an example, the faculty at this school do so much more than anybody know. They go to football games, to te-ball games, to plays that people are on the ensemble. They financially contribute to [music] fundraisers for their students. They don't have to do that. So, they teach more than just art, literature, [music] and math. They teach our students how to be kind, responsible, respectful [music] humans into any community that is priceless. Our core values here at KES are engaging students in meaningful learning,
033actively working towards building a positive community culture, and prioritizing the health and well-being of our staff and students. What matters most is that students want to come to school each day and that they feel safe, connected, and inspired to learn. When they leave us in fifth grade, it is important to us that they go out into the world as kind, confident, empathetic, self-driven, and academically competent students. Come here, let me do something. >> So, what is driving our budget? >> This chart represents the biggest drivers to our school budget. First, the rising costs of health care, insurance, and retirement contributions are significant increases to our school budget. This is an obstacle not unique to Kensington Elementary, but is also being faced by many businesses and organizations in New Hampshire. You will see that of the
034$192,000 of total increases, the largest majority of that is coming from the increase in health and dental insurance. Our maintenance and facilities line is up about $37,000 as we look to tackle two larger projects in the building over the next few years. our HVAC controls and replacing our boilers, which have been going strong for decades, maybe even longer than I've been alive. But it is now time for us to strategize. >> Wendy, >> we have to close. Wendy, [laughter] >> we've got a we we have a quorum. >> Wendy, to the front of the gymnasium, please. She's got stuff to say to >> Well, I decided this um >> once we we've got the lawyer coming. So, >> Yeah. We don't We're going to take the high road. >> Um No, I'm not going to
035do that. No, no, >> I'll set the vote. Okay. >> All right. I will. What are we doing? >> I'll make a motion. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Make a motion to >> I second. >> All right. All in favor? >> I Okay. Meeting is adjourned. >> And welcome to the school's deliberative session. Um to introduce the people at the table, Cheryl Mcdana. This these are the school board members. Cheryl Mcdana, Wendy Larson, Stephanie Schmidt. From the super from the supervisory administrative unit union is Renee Bennett. The attorney representing us tonight is Gordon Graham. Beside him is Jenny Jenny Fox, Becky Hannah, who you Becky um and Molly O'Keefe. My name is Harold Bragg. I'm the school and the town's moderator. Um for though most of you here have attended a deliberative session before. Um
036it is a structured session run by rules of procedure. I'm going to ask you the legislative body of the community who represent the admin the administrative arm of the community to adopt these rules and agree to abide by them tonight. And I'll read them for you. Kensington is an SV2 community where our town meeting business is conducted in two sessions. This the first session is termed the deliberative session. The second the annual ballot vote is conducted the second Tuesday in March this year March 10th. The Warren articles at the town meeting are presented by the board of selectmen. Tonight they're presented by the school board. My role as moderator is to conduct the meeting, field questions from you, the voters, and being the facilitator of debate. In this meeting, as I said, you're acting as
037the legislative body of town government. As debate occurs, I would urge all of you and remind you that the manner and tone of speaking is respectful and relevant to the article that is being presented. Personal attacks, discussion beyond the warrant article being discussed, and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Planning uh planning board is town stuff. Um the warrant articles are subject to the deliberative session procedures as follow. The warrant is being discussed by the proponent in this case the school board. After the discussion by the school board, debate will be encou encouraged from you here. Each speaker is going to be allowed five minutes and speaking a second time will be allowed after all who have chosen to speak are allowed to. To speak, you must be recognized by me. Shall state your name
038and address and speak into the microphone. The session is being recorded and if you don't speak into the microphone, they can't catch what you're saying. There will be no speaking from the chairs and you will not be recognized if you shout. Warrant articles may be amended from the floor. Any amendment must be in written form presented to me. The uh paper is available at the check-in table should you choose to propose an amendment to a warrant article. A warrant article must made once made must receive a second from the floor. If there is a second, the amendment to the original warrant article will then enter into the discussion phase and debate. If the amendment is not carried by um a vote after the discussion is through, then the original warrant will proceed to the ballot.
039If the amendment is approved by the majority of the voters present, it will be the ballot initiative that's placed on the ballot for the March vote. When that process is concluded for each warrant article, we'll move on to the next warrant article. and then it goes to the March ballot vote. So, we will begin with the warrant. Are there any questions about the rules of procedure and are there any objections to adopting those rules? If so, please state now if you wish not to abide or have those rules be the governing rules of this meeting. Seeing no dissension, they will be the rules that we abide by tonight. Article one is the operating budget. The average cost per pupil for the preceding year is calculated in accordance with RSA chapter 189 col 75 comma I
040A is 28,844 ELA proficiency 69% math proficiency 56% science proficiency 64%. The warrant. Shall the Kensington School District raise and appropriate as an operating budget, not including appropriation by special warrant articles and other appro appropriations voted separately the amounts set forth on the budget posted with the warrant or as amended by the vote of this session for the purposes set forth therein totaling $4,849,153. Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be $4,717,233, which is the same as last year with certain adjustments required by previous action of the Kensington School District or by law. or the governing body may hold one special meeting in accordance with the RSA chapter 40 colon 1310 and 16 to take up the issue of a revised operating budget only. The Kensington School Board recommends $44,849,153. A majority vote
041at the March meeting is required. Open for discussion from the school board. >> Great. Thanks, Harold. Um, can we ask the body to vote on the permission for the state? >> Um, thank you, Stephanie. We we do have non residents here tonight. With the permission of the voters, um, the attorney and, uh, Renee and Becky are not residents of the community and I would like the vote of the group in order to allow them to speak should there be issues that they have information on. Are there any objections to those people speaking? Thank you. >> Great. Thank you. All right. So, welcome everyone. Thank you all so much for coming out tonight. Um we really appreciate your interest in the process and um how things how things work here at KES. Um again, my name
042is Steph Schmidt. I'm the chair of the Kensington School Board. This is my third year on the board. Um I've lived in Kensington for almost 13 years. I have two kids, one who was at CMS and went through KES and one who will start in the fall as a kindergartener. Um, we're we're so grateful that you have entrusted us with the responsibility of approving this budget that's been so carefully put together by principal rule and by the SAU staff. Um, we're going to go over some key drivers on the budget so that you can get an idea about the changes um, from year to year. But before um we dive into that, I did just want to sort of put top of mind a few things for for everyone while we're while you're listening to
043our discussion of the budget. Um the first thing is something that um a lot of you already know and that is that Kensington Elementary School is a really exceptional school. Um we're so lucky to have a really dedicated and qualified staff um of educators. Um it's a great this great school is a part of the reason why our town is so desirable and so special. It's also along with our wonderful public library. Um it's one of the few gathering places here that we have in town. Um we think it's really important to the character of Kensington and also to the experience of living here. I know you guys all know that, but I just want to remind everyone. Uh the [snorts] second thing is that um Principal Rule is a wonderful principal and she is
044very focused on keeping costs down um here at the school. She goes through the budget with a fine tooth comb trying to find places to save money. Uh many of the special programs here, stuff they do like robotics and coding is provided through grant money. Um the children receive a wonderful education, but I always like to remind folks to like look around you. Right now we're in a gymnasium/ lunchroom slash auditorium/multi-purpose room. So, it's a school that's using all of its spaces as efficiently as possible and spending money as wisely as possible. And then the last thing um that I want to remind everybody is that we are experiencing systemic challenges in our nation and in our state that we simply will not be able to solve with our KES budget. Um two two big
045things. One is health care costs. Um costs are rising across the country for everyone. um businesses, municipalities, schools. Um we're no different here. Our staff has a good plan, but it's not by no means like a gold plan. There really isn't anywhere we can go to save money with with health insurance. Um the SAU is looking into what it can do to save money in the future, but for now, we just really have to absorb those costs. And then, um another big systemic challenge that we have here is um excuse [clears throat] me, the funding model for education in New Hampshire. Um, we've talked about this before, but as a reminder, the state of New Hampshire only contributes around $4,800 per pupil, which is 50th in the nation. Every other state pays for a higher
046percentage than we do. And that is why our property taxes are so high. Um, the Supreme Court of New Hampshire ruled the funding model is unconstitutional. Every other state has figured out a way to fund education in a more equitable fashion. So, if that's something that interests you, I would contact your your [snorts] um state legislators, your executive council member, the governor. The onus is on the state to fix this. Um and something has to be done. We absolutely agree, but slicing into the kees budget, taking money away from our kids' education really shouldn't be the way that we do it. Um do we want to do the video first? It's up to you. >> All right. Um let's we have a video that we're going to play that principal rule put together that shows
047um some of the changes that happen in the budget. Happy new year everyone. I'm Becky Rule, the principal at Kensington Elementary School. Thank you for joining me today to learn a little bit about what's behind the numbers of our school budget for the 2627 school year. Hi, my name is AJ Salazo and I go to the KES school. A lot of things are fun in the school, [music] especially one year when we woke up and had a whole school field trip. That was the best field trip I've ever gone to. [music] And another thing is our principal, Mrs. Rule, is a really nice principal [music] and she is happy to see you whenever you walk in the door. Another thing that's fun about the school is there's always activities like [music] kids night out. on
048and all the other fun activities that KES does. [music] So, I want to thank KES for making this my favorite school ever. [music] >> [music] [music] >> I've got Caleb with me. Tell me, what are some of the things that you like best about KES? >> I like recess and I [music] like PE STEM. >> And what's some of your favorite things that you've done in STEM so far? >> Bbots. >> You like the programming the Bbots? They're a [music] lot of fun. >> [music] [music] >> Hi, my name is Sarah Growthier. I'm a mom of three students here at Kensington Elementary School and I'm here to share that Kes is a small school with a small budget but with a very big heart. It does what it can with the resources that it has,
049stretching every dollar, finding ways to support our children. From my experience, every decision that faculty make is centered on helping [music] our students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. Even though their budget is modest, their commitment to their students [music] is unlimited. As an example, the faculty at this school do so much more than anybody know. They go to football games, to te-ball games, to plays that people are on the ensemble. They financially contribute to [music] fundraisers for their students. They don't have to do that. So, they teach more than just art and literature and math. They teach our [music] students how to be kind, responsible, respectful humans into any community. That is priceless. Our core values here at KES are engaging students in meaningful learning, actively working towards building a positive community culture,
050and prioritizing the health and well-being of our staff and students. What matters most is that students want to come to school each day and that they feel safe, connected, and inspired to learn. When they leave us in fifth grade, it is important to us that they go out into the world as kind, confident, empathetic, self-driven, and academically competent students. So, what is driving our budget? This chart represents the biggest drivers to our school budget. First, the rising costs of health care, insurance, and retirement contributions are significant increases to our school budget. This is an obstacle not unique to Kensington Elementary, but is also being faced by many businesses and organizations in New Hampshire. You will see that of the $192,000 of total increases, the largest majority of that is coming from the increase in health
051and dental insurance. Our maintenance and facilities line is up about $37,000 as we look to tackle two larger projects in the building over the next few years. Our HVAC controls and replacing our boilers, which have been going strong for decades, maybe even longer than I've been alive, but it is now time for us to strategize for their replacement. We've worked closely with our facilities department and have created a new capital improvement plan which focuses on maintaining our school building as well as looking for efficiencies in our energy consumption. The cost of caring for the 20,000 square ft here at KES is increasing just like it is more expensive to maintain our homes. You will also see a change in our special education contracted services line which reflects an increase in students educational needs as well
052as increased behavioral support from a boardcertified behavior analyst or BCBA. KES is committed to highquality instruction and providing services for all children which includes students with individualized education plans. Special education services are not optional and we are legally required to provide them. Our budget reflects how schools function today in terms of these early interventions and we provide staffing and spaces for services such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech and language support. Other smaller increases include our first student bus contract, which is about $6,900. We've included $8,400 for an outside auditing expenses, $3,700 for increases to our food service program, $12,000 for the replacement of technology and devices, and an increase in our overall SAU assessment at about $5,900. One of the smaller but important changes is an increase in our books and curriculum line
053for $11,000. As we are preparing to purchase a new reading and writing program, there were re recent changes to state legislation and HB 1015 requires all New Hampshire schools to adopt evidence-based instruction based on the science of reading and KES is prepared for those changes. You will also notice a significant decrease in our staffing line. Given the current students in our building and those we anticipate coming to us next year, we're removing a classroom teaching position as well as reducing the time of our PE teacher, art teacher, and music teacher. All of these increases and decreases together total $192,493 or 4.28%. In New Hampshire, public schools are funded through a mix of state aid and local property taxes. But the key thing to know is this. State adequacy funding does not cover the real cost
054of educating students. In July 2025, the New Hampshire Supreme Court affirmed that the state's current base adequacy funding level is constitutionally inadequate and referenced $7,356 per student as a conservative minimum threshold while also leaving that solution to the legislature. Under current law, the base adequacy money is still in the low 4,000s per pupil. Because the state amount doesn't match actual costs, local property taxes make up the difference. This shortfall is even greater for our students with disabilities, whose cost of programming and specialized instruction are more than our general education students. As a result, New Hampshire communities like Kensington rely heavily on our local property taxes to make up for this difference. A significant portion of special education costs, about 83% is carried by locally raised taxes. Kensington Elementary School has seen a shift in the
055amount of grant funding that we re receive each year. We no longer receive title 2 or title 4 grants, which in the past have funded activities like our 4-day summer kindergarten camp, which is an important transition activity, as well as paying for our teachers attendance at our annual SAU16 summer institute. These activities and others have shifted into our regular budget and these grants are no longer available to us. This slide shows the change from the current school year to the proposed FY27 budget for the 2627 school year. The principal described the changes in the operating budget which consists of the general fund and food service fund. title, IDEIDA, and other grants were previously appropriated as part of the SAU budget. However, as the school district is the legal owner of the grants, the appropriation is
056being moved to reflect that. When the voters go to the ballot boxes, they will have a choice between the proposed budget we have just presented and the default budget. The default is the prior year budget plus or minus any contractual or mandatory obligations required by law or one-time expenditures in the prior year budget. Thank you for supporting our students and staff at KES. And please join us for the public hearing on Tuesday, January 6th, and participate in our deliberative se session coming up on Tuesday, February 3rd. And don't forget to vote on Tuesday, March 10th. >> All right. Thank you so much for that, Becky. Um just a couple more notes um on some of the the drivers that she mentioned. Um that audit cost that it's around8 $8,450. That's um due to some feedback
057we got last year at this um deliberative that folks were interested in having us use an outside auditor. Um, it does cost more than what we did previously, which was having an elected auditor. Um, we're we're happy to do that. It's what all the other districts in the SAU do. So, it's really in line with everyone else. And it it is a little bit more expensive, but it seemed um like a wise thing to do in terms of being able to stay um really transparent with everyone about about finances. So, that's what that one is about. Um, did you guys have anything else you want to >> Yeah, I'd like to add one thing. >> Okay. Go ahead. at the top of the uh Warren article, it talks about the average um it talks about
058the proficiencies in uh ELA and math and so forth. And I wanted to, you know, let you know that one, this was something that was legislated last year uh to put into the Warren articles and also give you an idea how Kensington does as compared to the state. So in English, Kensington has 69% rating where the state is averaging 55. In math, Kensington 56%, math, um for the state is 42%. Science, uh Kensington is at 64% rating where statewide it's at 38. So that gives you an idea of the quality of education that's happening uh right here for our kiddos. All right, I think we're ready to move to public comment. >> So now it is open to voters to discuss and debate and ask questions about the warrant article number one. Questions from the
059voters? Seeing none, you're giving me permission to move to article two. I accept that as permission. Article two, a collective body. >> Harold, do we do we need to um what do we need to do? Restrict reconsideration. Thank you. >> Just you're ruling that it's on the ballot, right? >> Okay. >> You're ruling it's on the ballot as well. >> Yeah. Um the tradition of a town meeting used to be that you'd move the article to the ballot. In the SP2 situation, if there is no amendment to the to the warrant, it automatically goes to the ballot. It does not require a vote, a motion or action of this group. >> Okay. >> So, from here, as I say, it goes directly to the ballot unless it's amended from the floor. >> Okay. So, we
060would like to make a motion to restrict reconsideration. So there's a motion on the floor to restrict reconsideration um which is a parliamentary move that disallows this article to be brought up later in the meeting. Um and that takes a vote of the floor to res. So you need a second on the motion to restrict cons reconsideration and did you get the motion and the second Jenny? >> I didn't get the secondy. So the motion and the second came from the school board. It takes a vote of the >> you can't speak from the audience. You need to come to the microphone and we have a motion on the floor. So the emotion is going to be before you is you is you are you speaking to the >> I rise to a point of
061personal privilege. Is the debate closed on >> you can't hear? >> I rise to the point of personal privilege. Is the debate on one closed before you do this? >> Yes. >> I asked for the debate on one and there was none and I asked to move on. >> I I missed it. Thank you. >> Yeah. Okay. So, the vote to the floor is to restrict reconsideration of this article, you have the green card as voters. Those who are in favor of restricting reconsideration of article one, please raise your voting card. Those who are opposed, raise your voting card. You don't have a voting card, sir. [snorts] It is a motion in the affirmative. Article two, collective bargaining agreement. Shall the school district vote to approve the cost items included in the collective bargaining agreement
062reached between the Kensington School Board and the Kensington Education Association, which calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits at the current staffing level. Fiscal year estimated increase 2027 $92,767 2028 $83,842 $91,92 2030 $96,0004 $96,40 2031 $85,818 and further further to raise an appropriate $92,767 for the current fiscal year. Such sum representing the additional costs attributable to the increase in salaries and benefits required by the new agreement over those that would be paid at current staffing levels. The Kensington School Board recommends $92,767 with a majority vote required. The discussion. >> Thank you. All right. I had the pleasure of working with the Kensington Teachers Association on this collective bargaining agreement. Um, wow. We are so lucky to have the teachers that we have here at KES. I want to especially thank Kelsey Curley, Heather
063Antel, and Sher Eastwood for their hard work on the negotiation team. Um, then the association agreed to a five-year contract agreement. They came to us asking for a 2.75% salary increase the first year and a 2.5% increase for the following four years. Um I want to point out that that is less than a cost of living increase which is 2.8%. And those are the numbers they came to us with. Um this is a group of teachers that has a big picture outlook for this school. They want the students to thrive and for the educators to be able to support each other. They advocated for a pay increase for the paraprofessionals who are not in the association and that's been built into the budget that we're talking about tonight. Um, in a time when these teachers
064could have been trying to get as much as they could, they chose to look at the big picture and do what's best for the students and what's best for the town. So, we really hope that the community will support this agreement and also please thank a teacher next time you see one. So, you guys >> I just think that's an incredibly reasonable um >> speak into the microphone. >> I'm trying to >> uh it's an incredibly reasonable CBA for the teachers. I work in 38 states with teachers. This is incredibly fair for the town. Um it's a very low increase. It's not even at cost of living and we're getting an awful lot for that because these are the best teachers. So, I would highly encourage that we approve warrant article 2. >> All right.
065I think we're ready for public comment >> discussion. Yes, sir. >> Name and address if you would. >> Certainly. I'm Steve Snderman, three Oakidge Road here in Kensington. I just want a point of clarification. >> Closer to the microphone, please. >> You can move the Yeah, move the stand. >> There you go. Is that better? >> Yes. Thank you. >> All righty. I just want a clarification. We have uh fiscal increases over the next five years. What you're asking for us tonight is just to approve the first number. Is that correct? That is correct. The the numbers in the outy years are what's called samornizing and it's we have to give a leading indicator so that when the voters approve the collective bargain agreement that they have an idea of what's coming down the road.
066It is not set in stone those out years. It is a leading indicator of what to expect >> so that if we have a need for additional teaching staff next year the year after this number may adjust accordingly. >> Correct. This is based off the current staffing levels. >> Okay. Great. Thank you, >> sir. Uh, Al Brandeno, two bus school road, Kensington. Um, I understand the a lotment, but could you please explain that's really kind of missing here is the benefit package. Can you explain the insurance package for the administrators as well as the teachers? This warrant article does not discuss benefit for administrators. It's not related to this warrant article. The benefit package includes what is already in the Kensington teachers collective bargaining agreement. >> Can you tell us what that is for insurance?
067>> It it depends on which package a teacher chose. Right. And the collective bargaining agreement is up on the website. Um, >> so do we pay fif does do teachers pay how much of their >> pull it up benefit is any can you >> Molly's going to pull that up for you >> because I think it's important in here you know understanding not just the pay uh but also the benefit package >> that's not >> right >> is it changing the percentage didn't change. >> So the percentage contribution did not change. Um so >> currently [sighs] the district pays 88% of health insurance and that's 88 for a single plan, twoerson plan and family plan. Um and now that is for teachers. Um there is different coverage for paras and different category staff but the
068collective bargaining a collective bargaining agreement is specifically for the teachers. >> Okay. So that agreement if I understand it correctly 12 the teachers contribute uh personally 12% of the 88% that [clears throat] the uh the citizens provide. >> No the teachers pay 12% of 100%. The district pays 88% and the teachers pay 12. That my point. So I mean the cost out of a teacher, >> you could speak into the microphone. Sorry. Sorry. The cost out of a teacher's pocket, family pocket is they're paying 12%. Is that correct? >> That is the teacher contribution rate. >> Okay. Thank you. Other questions relative to the collective bargaining agreement? >> Yes. We [snorts] can bring a microphone to you if you'd like. Weeks um drink water road. Um I'm looking where you actually have it in the
069budget and I'm wondering why did you not actually put it in your budget rather than putting it on an extra warrant. That's my first part of my question. >> I don't know what the question was. >> They wants to know why didn't we budget for these costs opposed to putting it on the warrant article. the cost of the collective bargaining agreement. >> Yes. >> So, it's a negotiation year. So, so the cost for the teachers in the operating budget is where they're at today. So, if the collective bargaining agreement does not pass, the teachers stay where they are at today for next year. That is in article one. What's in article two is the delta. Meaning, what would the additional cost be to provide those additional negotiated items? So you want another 45 grand for
070regular programs, another yeah 10 12 grand for special programs, another 11 12 grand for student support services, another 6.3 and change for instructional staff services. another just about 19 grand for support services >> I believe >> that so that is all article one which we've already discussed and is >> that's article one we're on article two Sue >> is that >> so article two is the collective bargaining agreement article one >> it says collective bargaining agreement isn't what we're on >> no so you're looking at do you have the MS26 in front of you is that say MS-26 MS26 collective bargaining agreement >> no so what the MS 26 does is it adds all your warrant articles together. So if you look right next to the line, there's little 1 2 3 or four. That
071is the warrant article that it pertains to. So the MS So at the end of the day, your voted appropriation is all of your warrant articles added together. So the discussion for warrant article one is closed and recon restricted reconsideration. We're on article number two. And so >> that's not the 92,000. >> That is the 92,000. But the document you're looking at right now, those are all of the warrant articles added together on one document. >> So you have two items in two different things. Am I correct? >> No. The warrant that's in presented tonight and will be on the ballot is what's being discussed tonight. you're looking at theformational informational packet that was given out to give the background. >> So what's in article one is your operating budget. What's in article two is
072the increased cost for the negotiated items during the teacher negotiation above the current year values. >> So it's only salaries and benefits for teachers. So I am correct. This is the amount you're looking for for warrant article number two. >> Correct. >> Warrant article number two is >> yes or no. >> It's the 92,767. >> Thank you. Clarity is good. >> Thank you. So other questions. Seeing no questions, we'll proceed to article three, the school building repair and maintenance expend. >> Do you mind if we um do a motion to restrict >> motion again to restrict reconsideration? Is there a second? >> Second. >> I'm sorry. What was that? >> I second the motion. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So, the motion has been made and seconded. the green cards. Those in favor of restricting
073the reconsideration of article two. >> Those who oppose the restriction of reconsideration. The motion carries. >> Thank you. >> Article three, school building repair and maintenance expendable trust fund. Shall the Kensington School District vote to raise and appropriate up to $50,000 to be placed in the school building repair and maintenance expendable trust fund previously established for building maintenance costs at Kensington Elementary School. This sum to come from the June 30 fund balance available for transfer on July 1. No additional amount to be raised from taxation. The Kensington School Board recommends this appropriation with a majority vote required. The discussion. >> Thank you. All right. Well, I want to start by explaining the trust funds which are the this warrant and the next two. Um the intention of these funds is to be for large unplanned
074expenses. So, we have three separate trust funds. We have building and maintenance, special education, and technology. We'll um give some examples of each of those, but just sort of to get an idea of the concept of this. It's like if you live in a house that's 50 years old and you sort of think to yourself, I should probably save some money in case I have to replace my roof or I have to replace my boiler. It's the same the same kind of thing. Um they're not expenses that we budget for in our regular budget because they sort of come up. Um they're essentially savings accounts for specific needs. Um, and the money in each account can only be spent on that particular type of expense. So, we can't take it the money out of um,
075building and maintenance and spend it on um, you know, technology or something. And we track how much money is in each account every month at our schoolboard meetings. And we're very transparent about that. Um, right now the balances of the maintenance and building are 90,000, special ed is 90,000 and technology is 10,000. [snorts] And um where does the money come from? So at the end of each school year, we have we may have what is called an unassigned fund balance. This is the money that's left over from the year's budget. So it depends from year to year. It really just sort of depends on if things cost what we thought that they were going to cost. Um the money goes back to the taxpayer to offset the tax rate. So after the um so so
076each year it's a different amount that goes back to the taxpayer, but this year we have a larger than usual unassigned fund balance because um we didn't fill a teacher position um which is one of the reasons that was had been budgeted for. So um right now it's in the $300,000 range. So of course that can change before the end of the year if projected costs change, but it is it's more money than we have had in previous years. So, as a board, we made the decision to ask our community to vote to put more money in the trust funds than, um, we have in previous years. So, um, looking at this first trust fund, the building and maintenance, in past years, we've put $10,000 from the unassigned fund balance into the into that fund,
077um, into that trust fund. this year because of specific needs that we know will be happening um very soon. Um and we'll have principal will talk about those. We decided to put $50,000 into the building and maintenance fund. So again, this is an additional money. It's not um it's not a separate chunk of money that we're asking for. It's money that was already appropriated and we're just sort of saving it for these very real future expenses. Um, do you Becky, do you want to say anything about the building and maintenance needs? >> I mentioned it uh a bit in the video that we watched at the beginning. Um, we've had a capital improvement plan here for the last eight years and we've been really great about sticking to the projects that um that we've put
078on the plan. We're in the process right now of developing a new capital improvement plan and we've worked with an outside company who came and did a full facilities assessment for us um to help us give us a little bit more information on where we're headed in the next few years for our facility. We know we have some bigger projects coming up um changing out some of our controls for our heating system. We are looking at our boilers which I do think I mentioned are quite old. Um, so not that they're not working, they are working. They are working very well, but we do know that in the next few years we are going to need to look at um changing some of our heating here in the building and that is going to be
079costly. So what we've talked about at board meetings is um rather than put a $150,000 expense in one year, we're looking to put a little bit away for the next couple years knowing that this larger project is coming. So that's why we are looking for some additional money into that trust fund for maintenance at the end of this year. So in the next few years, we've we've put a little bit away each year so we're not slammed with a big expense a few years that we know is coming. >> You guys ready for discussion from the floor? Yes. Again, I'm Steve Snderman, Oakidge Road here in Kensington. I just um I am confused and I probably follows up from our previous speaker. If I understand this correctly, we on the budget line of 5252, it
080lists $50,000. Is that the referencing of this 50,000 we're talking putting in the trust or is that 50,000 in the budget and we're putting an additional 50 on it? >> So on the MS26 there's a little number next to it. It says the warrant article and if it says warrant article number three next to it >> ah okay yes >> then that is related to warrant article three. >> Okay great. All right so that's the first question. The second question I have is that if I understand correctly we currently have $90,000 in this fund and we're talking about putting another 50 into it. >> Okay. So then someone had mentioned there's total of 300,000 in this trust fund, but I when you went through it, you had 10 for the technology, 90 for the school
081repair, and 90 for special ed. And if my math is correct, that doesn't come to 300,000. >> No, I think you're confusing it with the unassigned fund balance. All right. >> So in the trust funds, there is the 90, 90, and 10. >> All right. So at the end of the year, we're projected to have a higher unassigned fund balance. That is the unspent operating budget and un any unanticipated revenue that is separate than the trust funds. That's how the trust funds are funded. >> All right? So we're talking about the the excess 300,000 that we're expecting >> surplus. We're going the surplus we're going to put into this 50 uh and 20 and these three >> out of that. >> Got it. Okay. So, we're taking out the money you already have. You're redistributing
082it. You're not asking us to approve additional funds. >> Yes. And and what's left in in it will will go back to the taxpayers to offset the tax rate. So, we're not using all of it by any means. >> Got it. Okay. Thank you, sir. Did you want to come up? Al uh Al Brandeno, two West School Road, Kensington, if you could just clarify for us in in the uh trust funds, can you only can you only spend the interest? How or can you can you spend into the entire fund? So, say you needed that money. Is it just the interest that you can go into or I I've unable [clears throat] to find the documents that explain how much you can take out of it? >> Molly, do you want to do that one?
083I mean, it's I think it's at our the discretion. >> Okay. >> I mean, it looks like Gordon wants to say something. >> You go ahead. You know the answer. >> Well, they the entire balance is available to the school board. The school board is the agents to expend out of the fund. So, just like your own personal bank account where you can spend the money you put in plus the interest you earn, that's the same here. >> But in and this just for a point of clarification like uh the school building and repair, there's $90,000 right in there now. So, you could use that $90,000 if you needed to right now without uh any just the school board would approve it. I guess >> you could, but then you wouldn't be planning for the
084future very effectively. >> No, I I understand that, but the money's there. So the the the point I have for this to another point of clarification, every year we vote on a budget and you you know the school board says this is you know the tightest budget we have. This year we have maybe 300,000 that's unassigned >> currently. >> So because the if you propose a budget that doesn't mean you have to spend it the way it was proposed. Right? So, for example, if someone proposed the budget and it passed to you, in the budget, it said we're going to spend, you know, $100 to paint the walls. You don't that $100 can be out really once you get the money as the school board, you don't have to use that money specifically to paint
085the walls. You can use that for any way you want once it's approved. >> Would you focus please on article three? >> I Well, I am, sir. >> I am. I'm trying to make a point of interest. So, I'm trying to understand here. It's the same thing in in these trust funds. No, that >> No, >> it [snorts] has to be specific to that, >> correct? >> You have to spend it with items that qualify for that. >> Okay. So, last year's last year we have a $300,000 overfund. Some of that money is what you want to fund these three trust funds. It's >> this year. >> The rest of the money goes back to the town. >> So, it's not last year, it's this year. So it's a projected unassigned fund balance as of
086June 30th, 2026. So we still have a ways to go in the school year to so that will decrease before then. >> Right. But it's it's a it's a large amount of money to be budgeted. We didn't use. >> So what happened? >> So there was a teacher position that wasn't filled as well as we have to plan for things like snow. We don't know how much it's going to snow. So, yes, we've had a lot of snow, but we have to have money in the budget to budget conservatively enough to be able to afford items. And I don't know, did you want to add? So, it was um there's a couple staffing things um that contributes to that. One being the kindergarten position, which we talk about every year. We never know how many
087kindergarteners are coming to us. So, we had maintained two kindergarten teachers in our budget, not knowing how many were coming. Um, we have 20 kindergarteners. We decided to keep just one classroom rather than hiring a second teacher. Um, of course, a kindergarten class of 10 would be lovely if we had 10 and 10, but we didn't feel like that was the most financially responsible thing to do. So, we did not hire a second kindergarten teacher. We also right now um have not hired um a paraprofessional position that is unfilled. So there is an entire salary of a paraprofessional that is still in that um unassigned balance um as well as a part-time position as well. So we have two and a half positions that have been unfilled in our budget. So a large majority of
088that 300,000 is open positions. >> Thank you. And last question, um, is is the funds themselves, the trust fund balances, um, is there a top limit that you can fund to a percentage or is there no limit at all? >> There's technically no limit, but the board does discuss goals um, and when they feel that there is sufficient money in there, they will choose not to elect to have it on the warrant. Thank you very much. >> Yes. >> Funniest things. >> Hi, Jacqueline Benson from um Amesbury Road. So, question on article 3. Becky, you mentioned that the boiler is really old. Would we anticipate that when we do replace it, we would be replacing it with a system that would be more energy efficient and save some of those costs down the road? So,
089that is part of the conversations that we're having with the board um as we're developing our new capital improvement plan. Um years ago that you may remember, there was conversation at the board level to potentially convert to a gas system. Um there's all kinds of alternatives that are out there for our school to consider and that's part of what we're doing now. Um as we're looking to replace our system, we know we need to replace the system and right now we're in that process of considering what are our options and what are the most efficient systems that we can think about for our school. >> So making this investment up front could end up saving money for the town down the road. >> That would be the hope that whatever we are replacing would be
090more efficient than the system that we have now. Thank you. >> Yes. >> Hi, Susan Varn. Um, 106 drink water. I'm on the energy committee and we're already working with the school to look at the most energy efficient packages possible in anticipation of the future. So the the idea of setting aside some money is really smart. At the same time, you may recall that the solar array on the town hall was paid in in its entirety with a grant. So we're also pretty good at bringing money in. So we will continue to work with the school in the interest of the town and your budget. >> Thank you. >> Other questions or concerns? Hearing none, we will move to article four. >> Harold, we're just gonna >> another each one. [laughter] >> Going to make
091a motion to restrict consideration reconsideration. >> Thank you. >> The room, you know the drill. Those who who in favor and those who oppose those motion to restrict reconsideration has passed. Article four, the special education trust fund. Shall the Kensington School District vote to raise and appropriate up to $20,000 to be placed in the special education expendable trust fund previously established for the unanticipated special education costs at Kensington Elementary School. This sum to come from the June 30 fund balance available for transfer on July 1. no additional amount to be raised from taxation. The Kensington School Board recommends this appropriation with a majority vote required. The discussion. >> Great. Thank you. Um sort of same deal as the as the last one. Um the the concern with the special ed is if a student were
092to move into the district midyear, um it would and that had that had needs that we had to um fulfill due to um statute. we would it would be a a big expense. Um I'm gonna have Renee speak to it, Dr. Bennett because she knows more about it. Um federal and state regulations require public schools to provide students with disabilities all of these wonderful services. Um public schools take any single student that shows up at our door and students needs es and flows and we can't always predict a student need and we also can't predict services and we can't predict who would move in. Um the cost to support a student in an out of district placement, including transportation, runs about $250,000 for one year. So it it is an extremely expensive endeavor for a
093school district like Kensington to have to take on one year. Um we do our best to anticipate, predict, and service all students here in Kensington. I mean, we do an amazing job. Not we, these educators do an amazing job, but you just never know. So what the SAU does recommend is every school district have a specialy cut trust fund and funded up to 250,000 and that is the cap right now. Um and so that is what the the recommendation is. It would only be used in case of an emergency to service a student of Kensington. Um and in in previous years we had done 10,000. um we decided to do 20,000 this year because of that that larger um unassigned fund balance and also because the other um other districts in the SEAU have more
094money in their special ed trust fund. So we just want to be mindful of of any situation that could that could come up. You guys have anything? >> Good. >> I just remember many years ago in the SAU, one of the districts, I think it was Stratam, had a catastrophic expense come in and they had to go back to the voters to find the money because there was not enough held for special education. That's a non-negotiable. >> And as um Dr. Bennett said, it does have a cap at $250,000. So it it wouldn't go over that amount. Is that correct? Well, that that's it could go over any amount. The board at any time could decide. That was just the goal that the you all talked about when we talked about the Warren articles. And
095what a reasonable goal for the public to know is the board's right now is hoping to fill the trust fund until a cap of 25. That's the goal. It changes in the last four years. We've seen a spike of out of district cost between 18 to 26%. So for right now that is a recommendation for districts to have a special ed trust fund and fund it up to 20 250,000. >> I have one. >> Yeah. >> U one other thing to think about regarding special ed is uh on the state level there are a lot of things going on right now including open enrollment. We don't know what's going to happen. So, uh, there's obviously a possibility that somebody could move in here who would need, uh, special needs, but there could be some things
096that happen with open enrollment where somebody from who doesn't even live in Kensington decides to come to Kensington Elementary School and has special needs and we're going to be on the hook. We don't know that yet, but again, we're just trying to be proactive and be ready should something like this happen. We're open for debate from the floor. >> Yes. >> Katherine Fitzgerald, North Road. Just how much is in the fund? >> Oh, the special ed fund has $90,000 in it. >> Okay. Can you just make sure that when >> I said that at the top, but I Yes, I could repeat it. 90,000. [snorts] >> Further questions? >> If none, we will move to article five. >> Oh, sorry. [laughter] >> Renee, >> motion to reconsider. >> Thank you. >> Restrict. >> I said
097it right. >> Yeah, we don't want to reconsider. >> It's done. >> Um, and second. Yes. Thank you. from the floor. Those who approve of the motion to restrict reconsideration and the same cards, please for the opposition to the restriction? Seeing none, article five, the technology trust fund. Shall the Kensington School District vote to raise and appropriate up to $5,000 to be placed in the technology capital reserve fund previously established for technology expenses at Kensington Elementary School. This summed to come from the June 30 fund balance available for transfer on July 1. No additional amount to be raised from taxation. The Kensington School Board recommends this appropriation with a majority vote required. the discussion. >> Uh so this um trust fund has $10,000 in it. Um we started it later than the other one so
098it doesn't have as much but the idea behind this one maybe Becky you could speak to what might sort of things might come up that would require >> um yes this is one of our newer funds. Um, an example that I can give, um, is our state testing that we, um, are required to do each year in grades three, four, and five, that is a computer-based assessment. Um, and, um, just a couple years ago, our Chromebooks that we've had in our building, um, which are working fine for us and working fine for our students. Um, we try not to replace things if they don't need to be replaced. Um, but unfortunately our Chromebooks were older and they were no longer compatible with the platform that the state needed us to use in order to complete
099the state testing. So we in the middle of the year had to purchase um about 40 new Chromebooks so that our students could take the state test. So that was just an example. We didn't anticipate having to buy new Chromebooks, but in order to take the test, we needed um Chromebooks that had an up upgraded platform. >> Can I add just one one also part? This this technology trust fund also supports there is a safety and security technology infrastructure within Kensington as well of all of our other schools. That is some of the most um expensive technology to replace and it's hard to get serviced. And if one of those pieces went down, it did happen in another one of our districts. Um it was a $27,000 emergency cost to that building to get the
100server back up. So that's also a reason why school districts are now establishing the technology trust fund. It's to support students with technology and Chromebooks. Though um Becky does have a replacement cycle for Chromebooks. Typically, that was an abnormality with the state testing. Um, but I also want you to think about the technology infrastructure around safety and security of Kensington. Um, because that's an expensive cost as well. >> Anything else? >> Okay. >> Discussions or deliberations. >> And with that, we end the warrant articles. There is the opportunity always at the end of the session for any other business that may be appropriate to be brought in front of the group. Does anyone here have any information or any issue they'd like to discuss in front of the legislative body? >> Me. >> All right.
101>> I didn't hear you >> into the mic. >> Oh, the motion to restrict reconsideration. Your cards, please. The motion was made and seconded. >> You second. Thank you. >> And those who oppose it. Thank you. >> Can I make a couple of comments? You may >> before we go tonight. Um I just want to tell everybody all of these figures that are here are available at almost every school board meeting after March. We start literally looking to the next year. So none of these are a surprise here tonight. We go over them. We go over them. We talk about them. And any of you can come to any of those meetings. We had a budget hearing a month ago. Mhm. >> All of that was here. There's virtually no opportunity for any place to
102hide something. It's all here. It's in black and white. We talk about it from, let's say, April. We start talking about it right up until today. So, we're just, you know, we understand our duty to you and we're doing the very best job we can. And so, thank you for your support back tonight. Um, >> Jim. Okay. >> [snorts] >> Uh Jim Varn, 106 Drink Water Road in Kensington. Um I just want to thank the school board, all volunteer folks. I want to thank all the staff and all the teachers at KES. Um it's been a long time since our kids were here and they still remember it very fondly. And you're all doing great work. Thank you very much. >> [applause] [applause] >> We would like to see all of you on Thursday night
103at 6:00 for the town's session of the deliberation process. Thank you. >> I'll make a motion to adjourn. Second, not needed. >> We don't have to do that. No. >> Okay. It's on It's on my consider it. >> Thank you.