001Happy new year everybody. Welcome to the first uh Sweisey School Board meeting of 2026. Thank you for braving the elements to come out tonight or just staying here at the end of the school day as [laughter] appears more likely. Um anyway, uh hopefully we can be fairly efficient tonight. I know Allison's not going to be joining us. She's away. So I think everyone from the board that's going to be here is here. So, we'll start things off uh at 6 o'clock and start with the pledge of >> allegiance. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. >> Okay. Um would anybody like to make a public comment? Okay, thank you. Uh, public comment will remain open
002for 30 minutes until 6:31 or will remember to turn it off. Um, approval of minutes from our December 1st meeting. Does anybody have any comments, edits, corrections to the minutes? >> I had a question about one, believe it or not. >> All right. >> Oh, we're on. >> I know, right? Section six, report from the chair. Um, it's page. Um, I've lost it. It was about solar power. >> Was it about the school is saving $30,000 per hour? >> Yes. >> Yeah, that was my one edit. >> So, great minds think alike. >> That would be pretty awesome, though. Well, that would that would mean we're spending hours before that. >> Um, >> so that's a Y R. >> Yeah. >> So, with that change made, would there be a motion to accept the minutes,
003the public minutes as presented, as well as the public minutes as amended and the non-public minutes as presented? >> I will make a motion. >> Thank you. Is there a second? I'll second. Okay. All in favor? All right. Motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Um, public comment is open if you want to say anything. Late arrival, not late arrival, but you know, new arrival. Um, >> thank you. >> Okay, Molly, central office report. >> Okay. In your [clears throat] board pack are some manifests coming around. You're going to notice that one looks a little bit different. It's just um we have to make the bond payment. So, it just looks slightly different the cover sheet um cuz we had to make one for it. Um in your board pack is a current year financial and I
004did list out all the additional expenses. So, the first pay in December, we pay a lot of um longevity and health buyout stipens. So, that's why you'll see a little bit of that in there. Um as well as just some small purchasing. We did add a little bit of revenue um this month. So, we did have some late grant reimbursement. So, since the year had already closed from last year, it does show up as like an unanticipated revenue this year. And then we did have a small solar reimbursement that was noted, but we have yet to see the big IRS reimbursement. Um, the accountant that did the filing for us with the electronic system has tried to call and has been unsuccessful. I have called many times and been unsuccessful, but we're going to keep
005trying. Um it is just extremely difficult to get through to the IRS, but we will be continuing to try and we were pre-approved, so I am hopeful still. Um but we have not seen the big reimbursement yet. [snorts] Um did anyone have any questions? >> It's not too early. I have a question about the solar still on that. Have we sorted out a bit about the net metering? >> We have not and I and I have not done anything much this month to be honest about it. um >> remember that. >> Um I know that we at the beginning I had been um talking to Chris about it and um had been had tal talked to Jack um and and sent all the information over to Jack, but I haven't reached back out to him
006to so Jack from Bington Power to reach back out to him. Like basically I said I don't understand these form like I can't tell what's coming and going on these like what they're sending to us. and he said that's purposeful. [laughter] So he so he was going to take a look at them and then he was missing some things which I think we had filled them in with. I just haven't reached back out and kind of >> closed the loop on that. >> Okay. Um so that was all that we had and then the budget that was in your board pack has not changed at all. Um, some of you might have had difficulty printing when Renee printed some came across blank. So, hopefully it was all there for you. Um, but it is the
007same budget that we talked about before and that um, I had sent you to share with the budcom. So, there was no changes there. The only thing I don't know if we want to talk about is the trust funds and how much you wanted to contribute to the trust funds if we want to do that now or >> Yeah. [snorts] Um, so in your folder is the Warren articles that you put on the ballot last year. Mhm. >> So, just for you to look at and then what if any you would like to have on the ballot for this year. >> And I just want to remind you that the order you put them on the ballot or sorry, yeah, the order that they go on the warrant is also the order that they're funded.
008So, let's just say you finish the year with $5,000 and you have um 10,000 to the special ed trust, 15 to the facilities trust. Only that special ed trust would get funded. goes to the first one on the warrant up to that amount and then it will continue down. So, as you're thinking about how much you want to put on, you also want to think about the order in which you want to put them on the ballot. Um, and we did put the trust in your board packet does have the current trust fund balances is where they stand today. You'll notice it says the amount to be added after the June 30th. We just don't we haven't decided yet. So, that's why they're still blank. >> Okay? Because what what happens with the trust funds,
009you don't have to raise and appropriate it, but how if you choose not to fund the trust, then it would increase the amount returned to taxpayers. So, I always dislike when people say there's no impact on taxation because there really is. If you choose not to fund the trust, then that money would go back to offset the tax rate. It's just you don't have to raise it again. Got it. >> And the safety and security, that goal was 50, right? Why would I >> that's like that's >> have it in >> I think maintenance the goal is 150 or is it >> I don't I don't recall the goal. >> Um >> and we have the teacher contract will be a warrant. >> Yes. >> It will be a separate warrant. >> Yep. >> Mhm.
010And so article one will be the operating budget since there's no bond this year. Article two will be the teacher contract and then article three, four, five, if however trusts many trusts you choose to fund, those would be those articles afterwards. >> I don't know if special education did we want to get to 250. >> I feel like that was the goal like that was the ideal, right? I would almost like do you fund the because the technology that's for this thing that we're going to have to replace the Wi-Fi meter like do you fund that first because it's a >> we have to pay it in we're now 3 years out from replacing whatever the magic exactly >> I don't know we're lying Mr. Q and Dr. it for >> well I definitely some
011of these things if we were thinking of >> uh just presenting the operating budget the contract and just one other warrant I would recommend the special education >> well I I think we've discussed I I agree that that should be at the top because if we have just one out of out of placement that >> close a hole in the budget and so we want to have >> sorry I'm not finding where I'm trying to find where we have how much is in each one before the current budget. >> Right there is our current balances. >> Mhm. >> And either [snorts] last year or two years ago, we set up target balances for the trust funds. >> Um and technology was for safety and security was 50,000. >> I thought maintenance was 150. Um, and
012maintenance often comes also from regular operating budget or sometimes from impact fees depending on what's being fixed, right? Or what's on the capital improvement plan for the town. >> Um, so I feel like there's some wiggle room to fund maintenance things perhaps. Yeah, >> special education again if if we've determined that the cost of a single year of out of which I the goal for that has always been one year of out of district placement for a student >> and if that is 250 or whatever number you tell us that should be our target. So, um, do you have a sense of what that number is? Is it >> 250 is the number we we recommend all boards? >> Yeah, >> I guess we'd recommend $20,000 as warrant article number three for >> to keep
013nice and round. >> Yeah, I want to do 18,000 >> and also that it will grow because um as interest happens. So, [snorts] >> so 20,000 to the special ed >> cuz the put on the board. We'd have to make a motion for this as well, I imagine. >> Yeah, you have >> it wouldn't hurt to make a motion. >> Yeah. So, um well, let's discuss all three and then we'll go through a set of motions or >> Yeah. And then technology. I think we we had the 10,000 and then we >> don't do the other two. >> The other two are cool. >> Okay. So 20,000 for for special ed and then 10,000 for technology. >> All right. Um so is it probably best to do two separate motions? >> Yeah. >> All right.
014>> So is there a motion to recommend a or to propose a warrant article to add $20,000 to the special education trust fund >> from from balance? >> From balance. >> Fund fund balance. Yep. >> I will make that motion. >> Okay. Is there a second? Second. >> Okay. All in favor? I. And to speed things along, I will make a motion to add $10,000 to the technology trust fund from balance. >> Is there a second? >> Sure. >> All right. All in favor? >> All right. Okay. >> And can I just clarify? Uh, do you want special ed first and then technology? >> I think that makes sense is the way to go. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Good with that. >> Excellent. believe that's all I had. Um, and if you want to
015sign the manifest and hand them back, that would be fantastic. >> Oh, even better. Thank you. I already have them. >> Okay. Principal survey that has gone out. Um, we haven't received a lot of um, responses yet, but it was right before the holiday. [clears throat] >> So, we'll do another push and send that out [snorts] um, this week. And that's that's where we are. It's been created. It's been sent out. Some people here have filled it out and we're just waiting. >> And I know you said you were going to talk to the teachers a little bit before the survey. So got input from the teachers. >> Yes. And the teachers got a link to do the survey as well. >> Oh, great. >> Um, but I did come to a faculty meeting and
016answer their questions and give the timeline and request for volunteers for the interview committee. Um, and we sent a survey out to staff >> and community everyone. All right. >> Is the job description finalized? >> Yep. It's posted. Perfect. >> Um you can apply for it. It's on the SA website. So if you go there to SA16, go to HR openings, you'll see um the posting. >> Um are we going to need Molly for anything else aside from potentially the budget presentation next week? I can hang out for a few. That's fine. >> So, do we want to move [snorts] the budget presentation discussion up to now? >> Yeah. So, why don't we do that? >> We can keep Molly >> Yeah. >> occupied and then release you. Does that make sense? Everyone good with
017that? >> Okay. Um, so sorry for switching up the order of things. >> Yeah. No, no, >> seems to be the best use of your time. >> Um, so we have this great presentation that Dr. Bennett. >> Yep. >> Put together um that we'll present to the budget committee next week. Uh is everyone going to be able to attend that meeting? >> It's on >> the Monday night at 6:00 p.m. >> I may be late. I have a 5:00 work meeting. So, I'm just putting that >> I'll be there. >> I'm available. I'll be there. And if there's anything else the board wants from me, um, just let me know. I can give you the I've given them the other presentation that gave a month ago. >> That was the slide presentation. >> Yep. The
018slide presentation. Yep. Um, gave that to Dan who passed it along. After tonight, I'll send the updated memo. It's a few numbers were switched, but um updated memo to you electronically to we can send that to Jim per his request. And if there's just anything else you need from the superintendent's office to prepare for that, just let me know. >> Yeah, I'll probably package up this 10-year trend report plus the budget that we've approved and send it to the entire budget committee. >> Okay. >> With you all copied on it. Uh probably tomorrow and give them some time to look at in advance. And that sorry the and that slideshow that all things that affect the budget that the budget committee already has that >> it was your it was your three options. If you
019want me to trim it down to just represent the budget you're recommending I can do that. >> I think it's helpful context to show okay >> that there were three options and we went the third basically. So yeah. >> Yep. >> I'd agree with that. >> Yeah. Mhm. >> Typically, um, when it's our turn to go up and answer any questions, Molly and I usually sit up at the table. I don't know if that's still appropriate and that's what they're doing at budget committee, but just to be there and close to answer any questions they have. >> Yeah, it seems to make sense in my mind. Great. >> It hasn't really been defined otherwise, so I'd say let's go for it. >> Yep. Okay. >> If everyone else agrees. >> Yeah. [snorts] >> Yeah. Logistically,
020do you want to take the lead in presenting it since you're the budget committee representative? >> Yeah, sure. >> Comfortable doing that? >> Yeah, I will. >> Is everybody else comfortable? >> Yeah. Doing that. >> Are we first on the agenda? >> I think so. We're the only agenda item that day. So, or Okay. >> on Monday. >> Okay. Okay. >> So, yeah, we'll start at 6 and then um however long we go. I think that'll be there might be one small agenda item that we don't need to be there for at the end of the meeting, but yeah, we're basically it. >> Yeah, if we're second, I was just going to try to catch the CMS concert for a half hour first. >> Oh, okay. >> So, but it's okay. >> I could check
021to see if >> if you don't mind back. Yeah, >> I have a sixth grader singing. So, >> okay, I'll check and I'll I'll send an email out to confirm like the official start time because knowing that Brian's coming from work and you got the concert then. >> Yeah. And I'll [clears throat] be there. I just I was just going to >> Is there someone who could cover for you at the meeting? >> Oh, no. Michelle's going to be at a different meeting and it's totally fine. My parents can record it. Not a big deal. >> It is a big deal. >> It's a big deal. >> It's like swinging 70s or something. >> Yeah, it's Yeah. Or I could come a few minutes late if you don't mind. Oh, [laughter] a few minutes late
022is fine, too. And we'll just table we'll have any questions [clears throat] table for you. >> I might be late, too. [laughter] >> Yeah, we all might be going to this concert. Could you let us know? [laughter] >> If there's any Molly questions, we can >> Okay, I'll just go to the first part of it and then swing over. So, if I'm a few minutes late, that's fine. >> She's gonna swing over. >> Oh, >> well [laughter] done >> with the theme. Are there other things we need to prepare for, discuss, or any questions anyone has about the data that was sent around? >> I think this is really tremendous. >> It's awesome. >> This is really great. >> Thank you. >> I mean, I thought it was tremendous with the old numbers. I'm sure
023it's even better with the new numbers. >> Yeah. Right. >> But, uh, >> it changed slightly, >> but yeah, >> the CPI tool. Um, so are we is there anything further we need to do in advance of the budget prep >> or budget meeting? >> No, I don't have anything. I'm just I'm here to serve. So if you think of something tonight, Dan, or tomorrow or >> Yeah. >> you want me to send you something in different formats, just let me know. >> Questions that they had of other department like things we should be thinking about. I don't know. Yeah, I can't think of anything specifically and for whatever reason, I don't believe I attended this last year. I was on the school board last year, but for those who have gone through this before,
024you have any recommendations as far as best practices, things that have worked well in the past. >> I really only did it last year when I was a budget committee rep. >> Okay. >> The current budgetcom chair was not on the budget committee at that time. >> Okay. And so that we had a different budcom chair. Um and the presentation would we did not have the level of data from this 10-year enrollment term. We had some of that. >> Yeah. Um, but it was not as indepth. But I think in my mind it's all about [clears throat] a responsible narrative that u, you know, look, >> here's what our overall increase is going to be. I think Molly does a great job of cutting all this stuff out and presenting it in the materials we
025already have and that's already been presented or will be presented to the budcom about, you know, the overall increase is going to be like three and a half%. Um most of that is wages and benefits. >> Yeah. >> Um you know we do things very responsibly. I think that the three options and the reason we chose one option is a message of responsibility that I think is that plays well with that audience. >> I think walking through the major changes slide is going to be the major thing >> and then I can help explain about the grants and why we're now appropriating for that. [snorts] But I think if you walk through the major changes, that's going to be the biggest thing. >> Yeah. And that's where it really highlights for you that basically the
026budget outside of benefits, it went down essentially, right? Like >> to make up for the >> right the increase in benefits. Yeah. >> The areas where the school has some control and >> has changed the bucket in that in that way. So >> right, >> it might be helpful. Do we know on the if the town uses the similar if they had a similar increase in their benefits? >> They did. Um but they also there's also been discussion around and I'm looking at Letty up there. Uh >> I think >> there's also been discussion around sort of like cutting benefits in parallel. >> The town changed how much they contributed towards the plan. So the benefits for town action down because the employees are things change. >> The town has a smaller risk pool and
027so their premiums I think were always a little higher and then there was questions last year and the year before even about combining town employees with sees employees which they can't do because employees are part of the SA16 risk pool. Mhm. >> Um, but I think there's a lot of there's been a lot of energy behind reducing the healthcare spend at the town level. >> Okay. I was just going to say you could highlight it's similar, but it sounds like it's actually not similar. >> Oh, this is good. I feel like we've brought all the necessary data and everyone to the table. So, >> and I think this all sort of acts as a dry run for the the district meeting on March 2nd. Use some of this data, repackage it as a slideshow, and
028>> um you know, hopefully we'll get some questions that can be >> incorp incorporate those answers and we're better prepared for the the district meeting. >> The main piece of feedback that I've received so far is appreciation to us for selecting the option that is below the 4% tax cap. although it doesn't apply on the sway side. Um it's perceived as uh something that is sort of the sentiment of the town across the board. Um and so the fact that we opted for a budget that's below that uh I've received appreciation. >> All right. Anything further on budget? Anything further from Molly? You're free to go. [laughter] >> All right. Um, so back to principal's report. >> Yeah, just just um briefly, we had um a fourth grade teacher and a fifth grade teacher give
029birth uh to daughters uh over there just before break and then during break. So, I want to thank uh Jess, who's here, who's filling in uh in fourth grade, and Anna Strand is our fifth grade teacher who will be working in that classroom uh through April. So, [snorts] really excited and happy for those families. So, brings me back to many years ago. It's exciting times. Um, but really I was I'm glad we had the conversation about the budget because I you know that's definitely something we've been focused on and want to make sure we do a good job and prepared for next Monday night. And um just briefly I want to pay my respect to um someone who's been extremely important to me in this town is Ken Christensen. Um who I heard passed away
030this week. Um Ken was on the select board. I don't know for how many years, but he'd come to our school board meetings. He'd come to our town meetings. He'd always uh you know, he'd always give me a smile and he extremely supportive of this town, but um very much supportive of Squeezy School. So, I just wanted to mention his name. Um but that's it from me tonight. Thanks, I think with the departure of Ken Christensen and Dick Chamberlain in 2025 is the big >> big losses for Brentwood. >> Yeah. >> Um >> All right. Sorry. Scrolling through things. Okay. Um report from the chair. Safety and security task force update. We're meeting in like two weeks. Yep. >> Yeah. >> Is next month. >> Okay. >> There'll be an update. >> Awesome. Um, superintendent
031evaluation committee Allison's not here. I don't know if you have any update. >> No, no, >> I don't have any updates. >> Okay. >> I don't think they've met since last time. >> Okay. Um, polies comm policy committee. Um, you can see the summaries in the board book. Uh our meeting in December was incredibly short about 20 minutes. Um really not significant discussions. I think the biggest changes here are on the supervision of students which was just clarified um to be a little bit more workable uh on the uh daily physical activity policy. That's something that's been folded into the new wellness committee structure. Um, and then a couple of employee computer internet use as the teachers union and teachers reviewed those and are okay with those. Um, and nothing there, no significant changes and
032nothing looked terribly ownorous or or challenging. Um, and then other districts are slowly picking up on our model uh public input policy. um sometimes having multiple readthroughs, but they're slowly coming around to recommending that input is for residents, staff, um caretakers of children in the school. So, any comments, questions about the policies in the board packet? >> No, they seem pretty >> pretty straightforward. I'm sure um because they've been fairly light so far, we'll probably have a couple meetings coming up where we'll have like >> 12 >> hopefully >> giant policies >> next month. That's we can't do that. >> Hopefully they start in April, I will say. [laughter] Um all right. Uh is there a motion to accept the policy amendments as presented and accept the policy withdrawals as presented? I'll make that motion
033to keep things going. >> Perfect. I'll second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> All right. Motion passes. Um budget committee. I think we handled that already. Dan, anything further? >> All set on that one. >> Okay. Strategic planning committee. Um so we are going to present to the joint board at the next meeting. >> The strategic plan. >> Um >> when is that next meeting? >> January 26th. >> Okay. >> You should have got an invite today. All the [clears throat] >> food from the culinary program in advance. >> And is that at the high school or is it >> It'll be at the >> SST. >> The meeting will then be at the high school. We have so skip over to that. Oh no. No. everything. Walker, >> everything. There's a what's called Jillians,
034I think. >> Julia's. >> Julius. >> Mhm. >> Um it's sort of like a We've had meetings in there in the past. >> Got it. >> Um that's a joint board. >> That's where they serve the food. Yeah. >> Yeah. Big space. >> Um so sticking with you, Dr. Bonafiti. Solar panel update. I think we discussed. >> Yeah, I'm slacking on that. It's just want to make sure we've covered everything that we need to cover. >> And so like with the bond until that's p like if that for whatever reason doesn't get paid or not the bond the tax credit doesn't we don't receive that payment. We'll just make bond payments for longer. Right. >> I think the current bond schedule is >> doesn't doesn't include that >> that's a contract that doesn't change >>
035that tax rebate. We'll just if we don't receive it, we're just going >> Well, it's gonna it's under revenue, >> so it would be revenue we didn't get back. >> Got it. >> So, it would impact the >> how they calculate the tax rate the following year because it would be revenue we didn't get back. >> Mhm. >> Um but it wouldn't change >> the schedule payments, right? Amount of the payments, >> right? Nope. Because it's on the revenue side. We're hoping to get that revenue back, give it back to the taxpayers. >> That's what we're waiting for from the IRS. >> Okay. >> And and once we get it once we get it back, then we could choose to put a >> a prop warrant article. We could choose to put a warrant article
036out that says instead of giving this back to the taxpayers, we're going to >> pay off the bond sooner. >> Like a payment on the bond. >> Yeah. The board can make >> Yep. Yes. or we can just say we're just going to give you this big lump sum back in this one year >> or it fills the trust and >> I think it also depends on when the revenue comes in into what fiscal year and if it comes this fiscal year you're kind of at the end of adding warrant articles. >> Mhm. >> So [clears throat] it kind of is probably going to be revenue >> this from this fiscal year. >> Mhm. If it comes in before >> July 1st, >> like June 30th, really >> now to June 30th would be >>
037hopefully. >> We don't close the books. Molly would be so impressed. She just left it. She'd be so impressed with me. Um we don't close the books until the end of August. So if we got the revenue really by mid August, it would go into our MS25s for the fiscal year 26 and it would be in the revenues column. Um [clears throat and snorts] I'm not sure what you could do with it at that point, >> but yeah. [snorts] >> Um there is negotiations line here. I think we're all set. Is there any anything further to talk about that in any way? >> I think it's been it was ratified. >> Okay. >> By the teachers um in this board ratified it, so it's ready to go. >> That's great. >> Mhm. >> Ready for
038the taxpayers. ready for the taxpayers to >> Is that presented at budget committee? >> I don't know. >> It's a good question. >> Do they get details of >> article? >> It is a It was a warrant article, but I don't >> But doesn't the budget committee have to like They usually give their opinion on warrant articles. >> They typically do. Yeah. Um >> but Well, yeah. >> I mean, we can't not have it as a warrant article. >> No, >> it will be a warrant article. And they can't change the number. No, >> they can't change the number of >> No, but they can but they can uh >> they can not recommend it. >> They recommend or not recommend. >> Oh, yeah. >> That's a lot of people can do that. Yeah. >>
039Yep. I get that. >> So, but and that's something that like they will do at the meeting. They'll say, "And we recommend this or we don't recommend." >> Got it. >> so I should share that ahead of Monday as well and include that in the presentation. >> Yeah. >> We would want all all the all three to the special Molly's going to provide those. >> Yeah. >> [clears throat] >> Do we have a And >> if they have questions about that, we'll be there to answer questions. >> Was the teacher contract piece in Molly's presentation? Does anyone know? I can open it up and look at it. Or is that uh >> No, I don't think so. >> What's What would be best to share there as an artifact? >> Um, you tell me. I
040mean, it it wasn't in the bud. It was not in detail in the budget pres budget presentation that I gave you all a month ago because the teachers were still needed to ratify. It wasn't public yet. >> Yeah. >> Um the amount is on the um the proposed budget as a separate. So you have the you have the final figures there. Um >> probably like the year the amount per year. They might want to know like the implication per year >> or Yeah, we they only vote on the first year though >> right now like the budget. We're only voting this year first year. >> So maybe just keep it simple amount per or amount for the first year and then if >> one or both of you would wouldn't mind just sharing some context
041around how we arrived at that >> if that makes sense. Yeah, it was so long ago if I can remember. >> What I can do is pull out the notes um and send you [clears throat] the highlights and the the screenshot of the 5-year >> cost um and then you can have that to speak to. >> Perfect. >> For for you all. >> Thank you. >> So, I'll make a note to do that and send that to you. >> We're still in public comment. >> I I could I didn't >> No. web, but I I was just about to close it or give people the opportunity to >> I got to put the mic in. Turn it on. >> Um I don't know exactly what you're talking about. You're talking about um getting money back
042for a tax credit from the solar project, right? >> It's not exactly a tax credit, but yes, >> there's some sort of revenue that you might get. >> It's a reimbur Yeah. tax, >> but you're not sure. You're not sure when >> we we better get it. and uh but we don't know when. >> Would you suggest putting a warrant article? >> That was what I was going to suggest is that you put one and if it ends up not coming through in time, you can just withdraw it, but then you'll have it in case you do get that in time, then you'll be able to do that at your school district meeting. >> If we vote in the meeting to accept the warrant article for revenue that we haven't received, like if it's Can
043you word it in a way that if this is received in FY26 that >> this is the town question for >> I would have to ask. >> Yeah. an attorney. >> I think that might be >> it's a good idea >> prudent. >> So that braces a couple of challenges because we had to vote on the the war on articles and we don't know >> because we you'd have to consult with the attorney how to phrase this or what we would >> propose as a war on article. So I think in in in theory I think this is a very good idea but I don't know in practice we have the time to implement it um because we can't I suppose we could meet again next um like we could meet again unofficially on the
04426th not unofficially officially >> we meet over Zoom >> as of not anymore >> um but I A couple of years ago, we did meet before a joint board meeting. >> Yeah, >> we had like a half hour meeting. >> When are your Sorry. When are your um warrant articles due? >> They have to be posted in public. We have to talk about them 30 days before voting, but within the 30-day to 15day window between. So, it has to be out in public. 15 days before voters vote on it, they have to be able to read it and discuss it. >> And then within 30 days before it's voted, the board needs to have a public meeting and discussion about what their warrant articles are and why. >> So, I not exactly. >> When are
045we having conversation about the other warrant articles? >> We we're having it right now tonight. This is it. You just did it. >> We did it. Okay. >> Yeah. [laughter] That's I wasn't that was >> Yeah, >> but we have a a meeting on the first Monday of February. >> Yep. >> Um >> that would be too late, >> which >> it needs to be 30 days. >> Might be too late. Well, yeah, cuz whatever. >> Um so January 26th would be 30 days >> if we could do the meeting before. >> Can we have a meeting >> joint board meeting? >> A meeting three course meal. I have a workboard meeting from 5 to 6 on the 26th. Um, but I don't have to be there for that. If you have a quorum, >>
046I'm not necessary. >> So, how would we go about finding how to word that? >> Ask me to spend your money with a lawyer. >> If you I can. We have lawyers that we work with. So, the board can direct me to seek legal advice on how one would word that warrant article. And I would want to get clarification from Molly in terms of do we have the set amount we're going to get back because >> I believe we do because it's it was a percentage >> but it it's worded because I'm working with this in another district up to 40%. It does it doesn't it says up to 40% and that up to has got some other districts less money than the 40%. They didn't get the full 40%. they got up to and
047then the IRS said you didn't you you qualified for this this and this but these parts were not made in America so you don't qualify for reimbursement for this part. I had a beautiful three-hour presentation on this with some companies before the holiday break. I don't normally know this much about it but I know that as working with another district and they're counting on that. >> We were advised that it is up to 40%. It is not a guaranteed 40% and then we file our taxes. Our accountant did everything they did. Molly did the pre-approval and we submit the paperwork. There's still until we get that 40%. There is do not count on it. >> So if the language is worded as up the uses the up to >> Yeah. Like the if the >>
048wording >> Yeah. >> If the district receives a reimbursement for solar credits up to whatever 40% is of the total. >> Well, do we even need to use a number in the >> I'm wondering >> warrant article. I think it's a question for the attorney probably >> if the if the if the um >> whatever >> it's this specific revenue >> whatever if any revenue received from the IRS as a result of the >> application filed um would the the voters approve application of that to paying down the remaining bond balance? >> Yeah. >> Right. >> I I think the law changed this last legislation that says you have to have a dollar amount okay >> in your warrant articles. We could also just say like up to 500 thou like make the m the
049number more than >> I'm sure we could we could figure out what 40 >> whatever the 40% is and if they >> if that complies with the state legislation that requires a specific dollar amount which it may >> yeah I think they [snorts] changed that you have to have dollar amounts in your warrant articles for the taxpayers to vote on legislative body to vote on. We have a lot of questions. I'm happy to reach out to a couple of the attorneys that the district has used before and get clarification and then send that to you all. >> Great. >> I do think though like it would be really helpful because if we if the money comes back and it goes back to the taxpayers, it's going to create like a blip in the tax, right?
050>> Because it's going to be a huge influx of revenue next year and then the year after is going to be >> Yep. So, like if there's a way to even that out, I feel like we should. >> Okay. >> The other districts that you're working with have actually received some >> credit back, but it's real like even%. >> Um, districts that we have worked with in SU 16 haven't actually done it yet, but we've hired people that have energy efficient companies that have worked with a variety of districts. So they were cautioning us in our planning about districts outside of the SA16 have gone through this and we've seen them not get the full 40% back even though they pre they reququalified for it. They did all the paperwork but then the IRS found
051like certain parts didn't meet the criteria for reimbursement because they weren't made in America. And so there's all these little caveats. >> Got it. >> Um but in SEU 16, you are the you're the first district that pursued it. There are other districts now pursuing it. We're just trying to do our due diligence. >> Got it. [snorts] >> So, we should probably also flag this as an open issue with the budget committee >> next week, >> I think. So, most of them. >> Yeah. Yeah. That we have and it was being discussed in the budget committee like in spring, early summer until the point where IRS was just ghosting us and there was no updates ever to share. So, >> um this can just be a new update on that. Yeah. >> Yeah. The IRS
052has continued to be not responsive. I know Molly has called. She was on the phone today trying to get through to somebody. So uh so we've had over 30 minutes public comment being open. Uh is there anyone else? Is there any further public comment? Anything anyone would like to add? All right. Then we can close public comment at 6:42. Um, last item under report from the chair is community engagement. I believe Allison is submitting, she sent it to me. Allison submitting a article for the February newsletter. Principal Q submitted an article for the January newsletter. Um, so we're good through February on that. Um to the extent that there's a a separate newsletter article about all the budget stuff, I think we can pull that together from the materials that we're presenting to the board.
053So if when that request comes in or I'll reach out proactively and ask about that after the presentation to the budget committee >> if that makes sense for that article. Um any other um queries, correspondence? >> Oh, any old business? >> Did we did have a date change? Was that that was the Brentwood? >> Oh, right. >> Yeah, there was there was correspondence between myself and I think you were on it. >> Yeah. with um the budcom. >> I'll share the details. >> I just want to get the date right. >> Yeah. >> So, there was a conflict between Brent Wood's public hearing date and then the co-op's hearing public hearing date because the co-op's hearing date was published with the wrong date initially. Yeah. Yeah, >> like just an honest mistake. So, >> we
054fixed it. >> And then knowing that the co-op school district public hearing is harder to move, >> uh the BUDCOM agreed to move uh the town public hearing to a new date. >> February 5th. >> Y >> from the 4th to the 5th. That's right. The co-op is on the 4th. So, that was there was that was correspondence. Okay. I had an email about um co-op stuff as well. Want to make sure I have there make sure I responded correctly because I went by what I had in my calendar. >> It was public. It was posted correctly except for the except for the flyer we sent to the town of Brentwood. That was the on our calendar and on your invites it was on the correct date. But for some reason, the flyer that went
055to the Bruntwood Town budget committee was um the date wasn't changed. And >> so that co-op deliberative session is the 4th. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yes, that is correct date. >> And the public hearing January 15th. >> Yep. >> And our district on the second. Okay. Yes. >> Good. That's what I that's what I told the newsletter. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> So, um that's good. >> So, that all worked out. It was a lot of correspondence, but it all worked out. >> All right. Uh, any old business? >> Any new business? Any reason for non-public at all? >> I don't have any motion to make to adjurnn. >> Second. All in favor? Meeting adjourns at 6:46.