001Good evening everybody. Um we're going to start this evening with a budget hearing. So I'm not actually calling the meeting to order yet. That will happen after the budget hearing um occurs. So we're going to start with our budget, excuse me, budget presentation and hearing. Um this is open questions. So, and Mr. Ryenberg and Miss Ross and maybe us, but probably them can answer any questions that you have. Um, but I will ask that everyone remember that those those questions must be with regard to the budget because this is the budget hearing. Um, and that's what we're allowed to respond to. Um, so we're going to we're going to start that with Mr. Renberg. >> Okay, everyone, welcome uh for the 2026 27 budget hearing. Uh so first off uh with our mission statement u
002a commitment to integrity uh community and uh instilling pride to prepare every student for success. Uh some of the goals that we had for the 2627 budget uh were to maintain core academic and extracurricular curricular programs uh without the spending spikes uh to maintain our resources and opportunities for all students and uh to remain under the tax cap while navigating the New York State budget um with our you know of course the New York State budget has not not been passed yet and they just put out another extender through tomorrow. So um we had a lot of priorities to make sure that we plan for um the opportunities that we provide for students and uh to continue uh without any cuts. Uh so this is a look at the overview uh between the expenses and
003the revenue uh for the budget. So uh looking at the administrative the capital and the program we'll dive into that in a little bit. Uh and then the uh the revenue side of the budget here uh almost 50% of the budget is made up of state aid. Another large portion, the second largest portion being the property taxes and then followed by some uh some other revenues and fund balance and reserves that balance our budget. So total proposed budget uh expenditure for 2627 will be 22,998,000. It's an increase of 11.18%. And we'll get into uh the uh specifics on why the uh budget increasing a little over $2.3 million in just a moment. So, this is the uh the look at the three-part budget. We had talked about this in our work sessions. We did uh
004administrative uh capital and program each time that we had a a work session. Uh so the uh you'll see on here that the program portion of the budget uh increasing just a little under 5% 683,338 uh and then the uh administrative portion of the budget which supports uh everything else the inner workings and the operations of the uh the district uh under again under a 5% increase. And then the capital portion of the budget, which a majority of that increase is due to our ongoing capital project uh and our our building uh our building debt that is tied to uh to the Centennial project. First off, the uh administrative portion of the budget, you'll see that some of the largest increases, largest couple increases are are due to our um school resource officer. So, as
005a part of our partnership with Skenctity County, they were um they were kind enough to uh support Dwayneburg schools with a uh second SRO uh in prior year and in current year uh in in order to continue our program. Part of our agreement was that we would move forward and and absorb another half of that second resource officer. So that's why we are seeing that large increase for the SRO program. And then insurance, if you look at uh many of the districts all around, they are also seeing this similar increase. Uh insurance rates are are skyrocketing and we have to uh to budget for for that increase capital portion of the budget. So the uh the ban for construction uh increasing at 1 point 1,694 3333. So that's why we're seeing that large increase on
006the budget uh to pay for the uh the construction ban uh for our ongoing capital project in in conjunction with uh there's some other expenses here for uh for bus bonds and for uh operations of plant. So the operations we had discussed during uh one of our sessions that we have to uh also replace uh aged equipment that is uh we have an old suburban that is uh aging out and to replace that with a newer vehicle uh for plowing and maintenance of the uh uh transportation facility. >> What is a ban? It's a it's a shortterm borrow for for debt until you get to the point where you uh can borrow with a bond for your long term. So the bond would be the long-term borrow. >> Is there a large uh interest rate
007difference between a band and a borrower term longer term? >> Uh no. I mean it depends on like the market at the time but uh typically because you're borrowing a ban unless the market really changes the economy really changes from from one point to another. Typically, I see that it kind of stays about the same. >> Okay. >> Or similar. Anyway, >> Tony, so in in future years, we're going to see that our um our yes, our uh bond, so the bond for construction will continue to be a large budget line. uh but will be offset with the state aid, the building aid that comes with that. >> So you're saying in the future that will appear in 9711 and >> burn down from there? >> Yep. >> Exactly. >> Uh program portion of the
008budget. Uh so this is the uh the large portion of the budget that supports everything that we we have for kids, the opportunities that we have for kids. uh you can see that there's for students uh you can see that there are some budget adjustments as I had said in one of our work sessions uh adjusted made some adjustments here for teacher lines uh you'll see there's a a reduction in the 2110 code uh and a an increase in a 2250 code that was due to um a teacher that was not coded uh in in the proper budget line that was just adjusted and uh and and put in the proper budget line. Uh and then again the um 2825 code that's another um instance where just adjusting the uh the budget line due to
009uh a teacher code um just where they're getting paid out of just needs to be in the proper code for what their certification is. Uh and then health insurance. Uh so we had discussed during work sessions that uh health insurance was going up 10%. Um, I dove down into the budget just to make sure that we have enough in the uh in the budget. Uh, we did not need to increase the budget uh at the the full 10%. We do have enough there to to cover that 10%. So, it's going up. We're going to see that increase in the health insurance, but also there's uh there's some money there's enough funds in there to uh to absorb that that 10% increase for next year. >> Jeeoff, I have a question. insurance on the administration though
010it went up like $17,000 20%. What what's the difference between the two insurance? >> Oh, so this is so what you're seeing right in front of us here is uh health insurance. The other one the other insurance is uh is actually tied to uh the the building, right? So, anything or buildings and uh buildings and grounds uh insurance incident, you know, um anything that's tied to everything else except for health insurance. >> Kind of like homeowners insurance. >> Yeah. Exa. Exactly. Whoa, it's going super fast. What's just happened? All right. Uh so, this is the uh proposed budget revenue side. So, um, property taxes, uh, state aid, other revenues, and fund balance. So, uh, just a few portions of, uh, just a few sources of revenue, uh, in order to support the budget. So, our,
011uh, the the thing that we don't have control over is state aid and and for the most part other revenue. So in order to uh to balance out the budget, we have to determine that you increase the the property taxes at a at a fair value. So last year we'd actually increased the the property taxes at 3.2%. This year we're going out with a less than 3% increase at 2.9%. Uh so then we borrow we we balance out the uh the budget with fund balance and reserves. So last year we finished we actually had those uh one hit wonders um where we had an insurance settlement from a closing health insurance trust from the knee hit trust that the district was a part of that closed out and we got a uh we got uh
012some funds out of that. We also had a grant in kind that offset the uh the the fund balance and then we also had um underestimated the interest rates which were through the roof last year. So we actually earned interest on uh on invested funds for last year. So that that lets us allows us to to balance the budget for this year or for the 2627 school year. Uh knowing that that that amount is in the in the bank to uh to continue and not have to make cuts. >> Okay. Quick question. I maybe I missed it. What is other revenue 2.31%. >> Uh I will >> that's an income. I'm actually going to show that in another slide. Let me just other revenues. So, uh the other revenue uh includes uh interest on investments,
013tuition sources, interest and penalties on taxes. Uh Bosey's revenues such as the DL. So, we actually earn money back from uh from DL for if we have teachers that are teaching DL classes, we actually bill back uh Boseies for their time. Uh sale of excess material. So when we when we uh when we take a bus and decide that we're going to auction it off that would be the sale of excess of equipment uh insurance recoveries uh and then other losses Medicare part B part D and then um BOSIES other other year refunds. So there are some uh other things that we can invoice Boseies for. Uh we also have coming on the uh on the charts this year is the uh one pilot that the district has with uh Oak Oill Solar or yeah
014Oakill Solar. Uh so that'll be the the addition of the 16 million250. Sorry about that. 16,250. >> Right. All right. So back to uh so state aid uh so currently we are looking at a 1% increase on our foundation aid. Uh we did pretty well with uh utilizing Boseis for um for our services to provide opportunities. Uh so we are seeing a a good increase on Bosey's aid. So we'll continue to utilize Boseies for um for many of our expenses because it does actually help us to to continue. It comes back the following year. So your expenditures this year will help uh in your Bosey's aid for the following year. And then uh looking at that that other large line there, the building uh building aid is uh increasing at that $1.4 million uh to
015uh offset the uh the debt on the on the building uh construction. Jeeoff, I just have I know that it varies from service to service, but do you know on average what percentage of what we pay to Boseies do we get back the following year >> or what the range is? >> It's like 53, right, Kim? What is it? >> It's around 53%. And um Jeff also referenced so we get 53% of it varies actually depending on what service you're getting but it averages out at 53. I wanted to make sure but Jeff had mentioned as other revenues. So he brushed over it with um an example of distance learning. So if a teacher is teaching distance learning um we can build back 20% of their salary >> and Boseis pays us as well as
016we partake in model schools which model schools offers free professional development and it's actually a really cool um opportunity for our folks. a lot of technology and drones and robots. Um I am the model school's representative and by attending the meetings certain percentage of my salary is refunded by goes as well. >> So it's I have a chart of different coasters. So as we go through the coasters uh you know if we decide on a service it's like oh what are we going to get? Are we going to get 46% or 46% on the dollar or you know are we going to get 60? You know, some of them are some of them are up there pretty good and then some of them are down a little bit lower than the 50%, but it just
017depends on the coaster and what the service is. >> 50 cents on the dollar is not too shabby. >> It's not too shabby, right? >> But that's the average. It's like somewhere around 51 or 53%. So, uh the tax levy, so the proposed tax levy is 2.9%. Uh that's uh an increase of 268,757. And uh this is this is provided for you as an example for what 2.9% uh may look like uh for a for a home value. So I just kind of created a chart that would help you to determine what it what it might look like. So these numbers could be slightly off depending on what your assessment values are. Uh but this is just to get a ballpark, but 2.9% increase is what we're looking at for tax levy increase. And just
018to show our tax levy history. So we've uh we've notoriously stayed underneath the the tax cap. And uh the tax cap this year was calculated at 2.93%. We went down and evened that out for 2.9% increase. And then again that uh we're coming out lower than we we did last year at that 3.2 uh other revenue. So I had uh showed this already. So I'm going to skip that. uh appropriated fund balance and reserves. So in order to balance the budget out uh that there there was a gap in the budget uh because we are not earning as much uh state aid um in in other categories other than the uh the building aid. So we have to balance our budget out with with our savings. So, uh, we're looking at, uh, balancing the budget
019out, uh, with the the 1 1,396 365, uh, and in in, uh, in combination with appropriating a reserve fund for the, uh, ERS towards the budget, 150,000. So, this would balance that gap and and zero out any uh, any negative balance on the budget. >> So, Jeff, maybe just dive a little deeper. Um, you know, going too deep about the ERS reserve and what is what is it for? >> Uh ERS reserve is for uh expenses uh just within the uh employee retirement system on the budget. So we have uh those are large expenses the retirement system because it's a benefit uh so ERS and TRS. So we also have a a reserve fund for TRS. Uh the ERS is the the highest the ERS reserve is actually highest than our reserve funds. So it
020makes sense to utilize that that amount for uh for next year. >> And even though ERS and TRS are retirement, the funds are for retirement for payments within um the folks who are in the ERS, they actually have discovered that TRS has been very stable in the last 5 to 10 years, predictable about percentage- wise. ERS has been all over the place. It has >> um and they haven't been able to successfully predict year to year. So when you look at the two reserve funds because it's so unpredictable, you want to make sure that your ERS is well funded so that if it's an unanticipated amount throughout the school year that we have the funds to cover it. So this is a look at the uh the summary of of what we are adjusting in
021the budget this year. Um we have increased by adding a school monitor for the high school to assist in serving with a hall monitor and uh in school suspension, a an increase in a special education teacher to uh provide an 812 class. This actually provides the district a lot of savings instead of sending kids out to uh to other placements. We have several kids that will benefit from this program. transportation efficiency. We're expanding the uh transportation budget a little bit to uh restructure and create uh a mechanics helper and bus driver. We need bus drivers. Um but to to address our fleet maintenance and uh route coverage. So, uh, this per that would make that that person full-time because we do have we do have runs for that person to do and also uh it's
022kind of tough for one person to be maintaining a garage and doing wheel pulls by themsel. So, uh maintenance equipment to uh provide that one ton uh pickup truck with a plow, no salter uh just for and for field work. And this will replace that older 2009 Suburban. So, we've got a pretty rusty Suburban that's been in service quite some time. So, it's time to uh send that one on way. Uh part-time cleaner to a full-time position. This will also uh help in the elementary school and in the bus uh in the transportation department office. Uh we have expanded our transportation office size a little bit to uh so that person would be able to go from the elementary school to the transportation garage and uh make that person full-time uh position. We also absorb,
023as I had said in a previous slide, health insurance increases at 10% utilizing about 5% on the health insurance increase and then our uh contractual obligations for existing staff. Who sorry about that button sticky um benefits or yeah, I'm sorry. uh bud budget challenges this year. Seeing the uh the increase on the health insurance uh operating costs, utility costs and fuel are are skyrocketing right now. There's really it's kind of hard to project where the uh fuel costs are going to if they're going to come down and when. So, we need to be prepared for that. Uh our our general liability insurance, that's the word I was looking for, liability insurance. Uh and uh supplies and uh contractual items. uh salaries. We continue to uh increase our on our salary contracts and remain competitive in
024the region. And then uh the the other challenge has been that the budget not being finalized. We really are running with our state aid numbers that were based on our most latest runs. We typically will have our our state aid runs by now at this point and when we especially when we do our uh our budget hearing, you know what you're going to get. So, um, when we finally do get our state aid, uh, numbers, that will, uh, change potentially how much fund balance we actually have to do, uh, into the, uh, into the budget. So, we would be able to subtract some of the savings out of there and and balance that out. >> And as, um, we mentioned in previous budget workshops, we are assured that we won't receive less. >> Correct. Right.
025>> Right. They are actually trying to fight for more. Um, so, you know, 1% we're receiving there won't be anything left. >> So what happens if the school budget is defeated? Uh the uh board has the the opportunity to do a budget revote or a contingency budget. If it defeated if it gets defeated a second time, it would go into contingency budget. Uh cuts are cuts would be considered including instructional staff, busing for UPK. uh could also be considered extracurricular uh clubs, athletics, and field trips. The tax levy uh remains the same as as it currently is uh for the current year. And then no equipment purchases, public use of the building for outside groups and organizations would have to pay for the full usage fees um to cover any expenses including uh air uh
026air conditioning, heating or and electric. and no rental of office equipment, which we currently do not rent office equipment. Uh the other proposition on the on the ballot this year is the um school bus uh purchase bond proposition. A maximum uh the proposition will be to borrow a maximum of 325,000 to purchase uh two school buses. Looking at a larger school bus, a 65 or 71 passenger. a majority of what you see on our on our fleet and then also a 30 passenger for uh which is used primarily for our cityruns out placements um any of the kids like going to Bosey's programs or uh private schools. >> Um quick question um are we locked in on fuel uh for next year as to run the buses? Is that something we do here in this
027district >> or is that just something we do per annual? We do utilize the uh state contract pricing. Um but there has been times when the state will come out and say we had to renegotiate our our contract costs um midyear. I've seen that happen too. But yeah, we we utilize uh the um the majority the c or the the bidded uh cost that comes from the state. >> Yeah. Because we've been here before in co when cost went up. >> Same. Um, so is there was there a contingency to sort of aid that just in case we um uh are renegotiated by the state? Obviously, it's not cap. >> So, uh, in short answer, I guess I could say no, but your your budget, you would have to, um, right now we've we've planned
028for an increase, you know, larger than two or 3% in our in our fuel costs. Uh, we would have to either look at adding more uh more to the budget from from our savings or uh finding ways we can cut midyear from other budget items within the budget uh to balance that out. So I know that there was years ago there I think it was uh 2012 is that when we saw the large increase and it was you know the the district I remember hearing about the district looking for other ways they could cut things to try and pay the bills for fuel. So >> now does the state do they um advise community members independently of the school? Do they email or or is this something that depended on the district to to let
029the community know that u the the budget increases due to the state contract has been uh renegotiated? if that would be on us to to communicate that. Um it it may go up just a few cents, it may go up a dollar. So um there there it may be it may be a you know if it becomes a challenge yeah we could communicate that and and make sure that everybody knows that that's the case. But um we'll continue to monitor the uh the situation and >> these buses you're looking purchased this year with the gasoline prop. >> Yes, gasoline. Yeah, gasoline this time. Yep. And this will this will likely be the last year that we are allowed to to do that. Uh because the mandate for the electric bus is still they're pressing on
030it. So, >> working through the waiver process. Ray, just to circle back to your question, just so you know that say gas prices rise astronomically. I actually saw a piece on the news today about districts estimating if it continues to rise because I think it's rose $2 in the last three months. >> For us to touch any of our reserves, the board has to do a resolution, >> right? >> Um so it would be very public knowledge that like, hey, we're really hurting with with fuel costs and for us to tap into any of that savings, the board would have to would have to vote on it. clarifying um because I think it's important that we include the community, >> right? >> And and things like this and it doesn't look like uh there's going
031to be any sort of lowering of gas costs in in the near future. >> So, this is something that I think that we have to be cognizant of. >> Yeah. And I think Jeff when he was building the budget was aware of that. He's he's pretty on top of what the trends are happening and through his school business official association called ASBO as well as working um he has monthly meetings at Boseies And you know, correct me if I'm wrong. I'm sure that when all the business officials meet, they talk about how they're anticipating fuel costs in the in the next coming year. >> Yep. Absolutely. >> So, I also uh provided a little example of uh what what it looks like for borrowing for for school buses. So, the the debt um again for
032for school buses is also offset. It's like building aid, a little bit different rate. uh than the building aid, but it's 72.2% right now. So, if you borrow um if you borrow 295,000, uh New York State would actually pay uh $213,000 back. So, that's where we see the transportation aid come back in on our state aid runs. So, the district over five years would only have to pay that a little over $82,000. So, uh, it's when we buy when we buy buses and we take out, so they're fiveyear, we borrow for five years for the school buses at this time. And so, that's, uh, that's how you get your aid back. >> And your goal is to keep a bus for I believe you said previously 10 years. >> Yep. So, we have we hold
033on to to buses for 10 years. Uh, at about the 10 year mark, then, you know, between eight between eight and 10 years, we typically will see the buses are really starting to rust out. And uh because there's so many strict rules laws on school buses uh with DOT, it's it's hard to pass a rusty school bus on a on a DOT inspection. So um while while cars will typically, you know, you can go down the road with a rusty car, it's it's very difficult to be able to pass that with DOT regulations for their school bus. >> So that's why we have to when we get to that point of that 10 years, we have to auction them off or trade them in. But we've certainly seen this year that our buses need to
034be healthy. >> Right. And when that So when that did happen, we actually had uh we had a couple buses in the shop at the time getting repaired. Had a bus that got totaled. We had no spare buses at the time. So, um we we we have to make sure that we maintain our fleet so that uh because if you uh if you do your pre-trip on a bus uh and you got a couple lights out, it fails, you have to go grab a spare bus, that bus gets pulled off the pulled off the line and has to be repaired. So, it could be as simple as a fuse or it could be a mice like we had mice chewing on on wires. So, um there's there's a lot more stricter rules on that. Uh
035so, in summary for the budget, 22,998,000. Uh it's a budget-to-budget increase of 2,312,000 or 11.8 or 118%. Tax levy increase at um 268,758 or 20 or 2.9%. Uh that brings our tax levy to 9,536,232. Budget vote will be on Tuesday, May 19th. And uh just to talk about that um that the questions about um debt's bouncing around again. So uh I wanted to show this example here on the right and uh show also so our our funding for this year are for 2627 our foundation aid right now with our projections 1% increase which only adds 54,485,000 or $485 uh and and creates a gap in funding. So we have to determine where you're going to fund the rest of the budget because the budget's not increasing at just $54,000. um budget increases not part of
036debt service I want to point this out is 94,867 so it's not uh so the the the budgettobudget increase that you know the increase that's large is not just due to uh increases um in in contractual items or in staffing or in programs it's also due to that that debt service uh state aid increases for the budget that are not part of debt service is uh is actually fairly well because we we utilized BOSIES. So you saw that a large portion of that increase was BOSIE. So it's 293,911. So showing this example here I just wanted to point out uh the the expenses side and the revenue side. So I I drew these little icons here to show that uh the program side of the budget you'll see that the expenses uh increases and then
037the revenue side increases slightly less than uh than the expenses side. So there's that there's that gap in funding. So that's why our fund balance and reserve amount we increase that going into next year. When it comes to the debt service because we're increasing because we are we are spending uh for our capital project is aided at about 79.8%. You'll see our revenue side goes up very close to what our expenses side goes up on our building debt. So the the aid that comes in for that for that large portion of that increase uh is almost equivalent slightly shy of it. Uh and then building debt. So that building debt increase is total uh the $1.4 million and then increasing the uh the aid is 1 uh 1,48126. So this is a little graphic Kim
038uh >> when um when we talk about building the budget and the budget hearing and you know it it there's a lot of terminology and a lot of coming and goingings of revenue and expenses and to really understand it. Uh a question that comes up a lot is and I've heard you know people have asked is the ban to a bond and the capital project and and why we have a sharp increase in building aid but our our band/bond payment is higher. So the best way, you know, created this little graphic um to kind of explain the flow of of funds. So many many many moons ago um every district in New York State probably took out their first band, which a band becomes a bond to help make restorations or renovations. And as that
039bond matures, meaning it's paid off, um it is in the best interest of the communities to take out another banbond based on it's called the uh the building condition survey. So, New York State Education Department requires every five years architects to go through every school district building and identify areas that need renovations or um any type of well, we can't say repairs, but renovations or replacements or renewals. And in that, they'll say the roof is going to need to be replaced in five years or 10 years or the door hardware um is not to code, etc., etc. So they we are we have no say in it. They submit it to the state and then we are required to maintain a safe learning environment. We have to do we have to do those uh restorations.
040So what happens with the cycle of bands and bonds is as you take a ban or a bond out it helps you maintain the safety of the building per New York State Education Department what's outlined in the building condition survey. And then as you start paying that debt off um then it it becomes a cycle. So I always like to say you're renewing the bannon bond. It's almost like refilling it so that we can continue to be compliant with what is required with state. Um lots of times when um not intentionally so say we are mandated to fix some HVAC system in a room and we have to renovate it meaning you know there's a demo involved in it. code changes every year. So if we're renovating a room and code has changed on something,
041say the outlets or the lighting, then we're required even though it's not in the building condition survey, we're required because we're disturbing it. We have to renovate that as well. So what you'll see is happen in an effort to maintain our safe learning environment with state ed and maintain our facilities as we do a band um we begin um the renovations, these required repairs and upgrades. If we don't renew the the bond, say we let it mature and fall off, then it's actually going to sink the tax levy in which in it in two to three years when we're required to spend $200,000 on a roof or $2 million on roofs because we love that we have to do roofs. We have to spend $2 million on roofs. we would have to go out to
042the taxpayers and increase taxes so significantly beyond the tax cap. So this keeps that flow going for us and and and to maintain the building. And right now for us, we get 8% return rate on any bond. So what you're seeing in in this year's upcoming budget is it looks like we have a really large increase in our budget that will level off. It's because we're getting a really large increase in building aid to start paying off phase one and phase two. So it is a cycle that districts have been doing for decades and not just schools, municipalities do the same. So if you have a public library or a public hospital or a town hall by by for lack of words, renewing that bond when it starts maturing allows you to make sure that
043you are one keeping to code. We're in compliance with our building condition survey per New York State Education Department and um we make sure we keep our tax levy um stable. How'd I do? I don't know what >> it's just a reminder. >> There we go. Okay. Must have let it sit too long. Okay. Uh so this is showing the uh the current debt service on the on the lefth hand side. So Mike, now I know what you're talking about with font size. Uh so the current debt service on the left hand side and then with our uh in the future the future debt service. So you can see the uh the total debt ser oh the total debt service uh is goes up with the uh estimated building aid. So the building estimated building
044aid is uh is in the yellow. Uh the debt service is in the purple and then the uh the net local share of the uh the actual capital project is down way down on the bottom there that blue section. So with the uh the actual debt for the capital project, you see that the line for for building aid stays right along with it and um supports that that ban or bond uh for the capital project. So tonight our budget public hearing and then uh we've this completes our our budget uh cycle and then our budget vote will be on May 19th. uh on the propos or on the on the budget vote what to expect. Uh you can expect the proposition to approve the 2627 school year budget, the proposition for school buses including debt
045tied to that and then the uh two two board of education positions and the uh May 19th will be the budget vote at the Dwayneburg transportation office, the new office at 920 or 9225 Dwayneburg Road will be from 1:00 p.m. to 900 p.m. >> Just want to um interject a little bit. So, we really considered where the best location is for the budget vote here is a challenge. Having it in this building is a challenge because the the ramp, we do have ADA ramp, but it's long and it's arduous. Having it over at the elementary school, requires us to do early dismissal, which impacts the instructional day. And then we thought about the transportation center, especially with the capital project going on, and it is beautiful. I was over there today. It's flat. It's easy
046to be accessible. We can just move the buses outside for temporarily. And it gives an opportunity for the community to see one of our new facilities renovated. So, I know it seems unusual, but um and you have to have your budget on on campus on one of your campuses. Um we couldn't go to DVAC. We actually thought, oh, what if we did it at DVAC? We're required by law to have it within one of our facilities. So, we're excited. They're putting the final touches on the transportation center. This should be done this week. And uh this will be the opportunity for folks to come in and see see how beautiful it looks. >> Also, I just want to make a point. I noticed that the windows were not they were uncovered so people can look
047look in the windows and see what we're doing in the cafeteria. >> Yeah, we're unc right. So I'm assuming that was done so that people that have questions that they can just go and look at our progress. >> I I think it was done because the windows were put in. >> The windows the windows actually got put in. >> Yeah. Because a lot of questions on the progress and I'm thinking this this is pretty cool. We can >> So they were boarded up. Now we have windows. Um we're working through the final stages for the flooring. Um and I mean people can peek in. They're going to see um it is coming along. Um hopefully with um it completely the timeline is at some point this summer the cafeteria will be renovated ready for September.
048>> Those windows have been closed since at least the it's a completely new space essentially. I would looking back to when that was the gym. They don't open up though. >> It'll bring a lot of light to that to that room. It would be really nice. >> Yeah. >> Thank you, Jeff. So, at this point, if the board doesn't have any more, of course, the board can ask questions throughout, but can we open it to the community if there are questions for you? Are we gonna we gonna move around with a microphone? How do we Okay, >> thank you. Got it. All right. Thanks, >> Hey Jeff, can you just pull up the bus purchase part of it? >> So, I'm Dana Misik with 146 Newton Street. Um, just to give you some history about
049me, I'm 36 years in the food distribution business. food distribution list is trucking. Um, so I'm very familiar on cost and what life should be. So I think it would help the community. Um, one, I'm used to uh frozen trucks. I do ice cream and dairy. So I have two motors I got to make sure run at the same time and run well. Um, so if one's not running right, we're not running that truck. So I get that. My question is for you is everything I've looked up on buses is it's a 12 to a 15 year fleet life. And I heard tonight you said 8 to 10. So I'm wondering why that's so different for our district. Number one. Number two, what is the average average mileage on our fleet now? Because everything I've
050read so far, just like trucking for me, it's usually about a quarter million miles on a truck on a bus or a truck you should be able to get for the life of the vehicle. So I think it would help the community if we knew those answers before we voted. So if you don't have it tonight, obviously you can email it to me. um or something like that and then we could at least let people know. But it just I know we're getting state dollars which is still tax dollars that we're paying for. So it ain't like it's cutting us any breaks. Um so I'd like to know that and I think the community would like to know that. So that that's my question. >> Yeah, that's a great question, Dana. I don't know if
051you're prepared. Yeah. So, we typically will target the the 10-year mark for the buses and it's because we do see that the the buses will uh be hard to pass DOT inspection. Again, going back to that the strict rules on DOT. Um either the frame starts to rot out um or the there's uh you know, all of the things that have to be inspected on the bus are are starting to fail. Uh, and when it comes to the uh the mileage, it's it's it's also the years of, you know, how many times it's been on the road, uh, especially during the winter. Um, so our buses will take take a beating on some of the roads that we have. And uh and I I'm not sure where you got the the 12 to 15, but
052originally when the state came out with their assumption of the the electric buses, for instance, they said that buses should be 15 years. And uh we can't seem to pass DOT inspections up to 15 years because we know that they won't pass them after that 10 or 11 year mark. >> I'm I'm very familiar with the DOT because we get pulled over all the time with straight trucks. So, I'm familiar with that. My question is though, how can we how how how do you not know what our average fleet mileage is? It's it's got to be more than just because it's winter. We don't run all summer. So, are they averaging 20,000 miles a year and we've have them for 10 years. So, at that point, you're talking, you know, 200,000. Are we doing 10,000
053miles? I just think the community should know that. >> Okay. Big this is a big purchase. >> Are okay. Are you asking per bus or are you asking per run? >> Average average fleet like what's on your So you're going to have some it could be at 30,000 miles. You could have some at 10. >> You break it down, divide it out, you're talking 20,000 miles. You know that type of thing. I know it's rough mileage. I know with the amount of running around you're going into Albany and dropping people off at other schools and the BOSI programs that I get all that. But I just it's just it's just not clear. That's all. >> Okay. So Kim, we'll set up a Q&A on our budget on a budget page on our website. >> Yeah.
054So we'll put it on the Q&A and then just to chime in a little bit. So like our Suburbans get a little bit longer life because they're more of a road vehicle >> and for some buses that can get close to 15 years. I'm I'm curious if it's like the smaller suburban districts where um they're not covering the mileage that we do. Um what is our square mileage in for >> it is 59 I think it's 59.8 eight miles square miles, right? So, more of the suburban districts don't have to, you know, there's some districts in Long Island and that are two square miles, right? They don't have to go very far. But >> we >> is it harder on a vehicle, >> right? So, what we can do is I think even just to
055frame it even better, we probably should look at the size of the fleet. So, some of our buses that do um the bigger buses probably cover more of the country roads as opposed to the smaller fleets go into Albany. So, um >> yeah, give us give us a couple days. >> Sure. >> Yeah. >> Sure. Okay, >> perfect. Thanks, Dana. >> Anybody else? >> Okay. Any other questions from the board before we move to our meeting? make I'll make one statement. Um for years I sat on the other side of this when these presentations were being uh were being given and one thing I can say to to members of the audience is that you know a question that commonly comes up is you know why are we you know Kim mentioned it one time
056why are we um rolling bands into bonds repeatedly into the future. Um, one of the reasons why, one of the reasons that drives that is it is the architects that go and do the building survey identify things that break in a building that you have to replace. It is the building that consumes that cash at a constant rate. Like the things break at a predictable known rate and our ability to not fix those things doesn't save us any money. So it looks it might appear as if we have that option but to not invest in those repairs only pushes that kicks that can further into the future. So it's important I just wanted to highlight that for everybody because no one did that for me when I was sitting in the audience years ago um
057to understand that it's the building that's consuming that at a constant rate and that you know this is a structured way of keeping up with that and maintaining a safe learning environment for Anybody else? Okay, one last. No more questions. Okay. All right. Uh, thank you, uh, Jeff, for that overview. Um, appreciate that. It's it's a lot of work and to distill it into manageable and digestible pieces is not an easy task. So, thank you for all of that. Um, so with that, I'm going to call our uh our actual meeting to order at 7:21 p.m. Beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance. Okay. Uh, as we always do, we like to recognize students and and uh employees and community members who are doing phenomenal things. Um, this uh this week we've had three meetings in
058the last three weeks. So there aren't there's not a long long list um because we've been recognizing folks for for weeks in a row, but um I hope everyone was able to attend the high school concert on Thursday. Um it it was phenomenal. It was really really fun. Um the the students clearly put in a lot of time and effort into their um into their pieces and um it showed um with with their performances. Um, there was a super unique one. I'm still not sure how I felt about it, but it was it was interesting. But what I I took from that performance was Mr. Hopkins comment that he'd been wanting to perform that for quite some time and felt that this was the band that could handle it. And that to me said a
059lot about our students and their commitment to their instruments and and their uh participation in music. So, great job to them. um not on the list, but I'm going to do it anyway. Uh and I'm gonna open some photos here so I can read some things to you all. Um this week is teacher appreciation week and um we at Dwayneburg actually expand that to be district appreciation week and we try to highlight different departments um within our district over the course of the five day week. Um, so a a shout out and a thank you to the Dwayneburg Community PTA, which um provides lunches and breakfasts for each of our departments over the course of the week. Um, but but most importantly, thank you. Thank you. Thank you to all of our employees and staff
060that keep our district running um and and functioning every single day. Uh, one of the things I had the pleasure of of putting up earlier today, um, there's a wall display in each building um that has a a banner that reads um, you made the difference when and in the high school, I haven't gotten to see it. Maybe Lucy, you can let me know. Are there post-it or post P postits filling the wall? Fantastic. So, the in the junior senior high school, uh, I I left some post-its for for students to write about their teachers and post it on the wall. So, when folks walk by, um, I sent home these notes to students at the elementary school. Um, I I I put up about 130 today. Um, and I thought I'd share a few
061of them with you because when it comes to all of these things, when we're talking about the the the the dollars and cents, um, it it's this that we're doing it for. It's these students that we're doing it for. It's our educators in these buildings who are teaching our kids every day. Um, so just as a as by way of example, we had uh, Miss Lavarge, you comforted me when I was upset. Uh, Mr. Ryvenberg, you helped me with the bus. Um, Miss Nags, you made the difference when we were outside and we asked her to swing and she did. P.S., she is so fun. Um, couple more. Uh, Miss Lorett, she helped me, let's see, helped me with a math equation. Mrs. Lamb made a difference when she took us out early for recess
062and she made the class happy. So, um, if you have the opportunity to swing by the elementary school, uh, and see the thus far 130, I expect there will be more. I ran out of space. It's it's going to take over the whole wall. Uh, that's why we're here. We're here for all of those students who appreciate their staff. Mr. Bill got a lot of shout outs, too, at the elementary school. Um, I don't think I've met Mr. Bill, but everybody seems to really appreciate his work at the elementary school. So, um, anyway, thank you to everyone that that keeps our district running. Um, we appreciate you. So, I'm I'm going to clap. >> Uh, do you know how long that'll be up? >> Say again. >> Do you know how long that'll be up?
063>> As long as they'll let me have it up. I I I hope not to take it down um right away. I'm hoping it will stay for, you know, a couple of weeks. Um, and then my intention is to take them all down and put them in an envelope and give them to each teacher so they have them uh to to to read when they have a day when maybe they need to remember that their kids appreciate them. Um, okay. Uh, next is uh agenda changes and our approval for this evening's agenda. So, I know we do have a couple of agenda changes, right, Serena? Should I read them or I guess I can read them. So, uh, One is that um we are taking out item 4.01 which was the elementary school extended art
064because um Mrs. Chovin was unable to present this evening after all. Um and I think also Miss T is not feeling well but we have a student representative for high school art. Right. All right. Thank you Lucy. Um our exeicio student board members report is being 86 from here as well. Item 5.01. They are both at a track meet in Galloway this evening, so they're not here. Uh, and then financials item 8.05 and 8.06 um are removed from that uh from from that list of financial items as well. Um, okay. So, uh, all that being said, uh, be it resolved upon the recommendation of the superintendent, the board of education approves the agenda for the regular meeting with budget hearing this evening, May 5th, 2026. May I have a motion? >> A motion. >> Thank
065you, Francis. A second. >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Ray. Comments or questions with regard to the agenda change? >> Okay. All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. I'm very much looking forward to the reports this evening. Oh no, I'm skipping things. I have to do the rest. Okay. Next is uh our board of education minutes. Be it resolved based upon the recommendation of the superintendent. The board of education approves the minutes of the regular meeting and Bosey's vote on April 29th, 2026. May I have a motion? Thank you, Alyssa. A second. Thank you, Tony. Comments or questions? All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay, now we're going to move on to our presentations and we are starting with art club for the high school with Miss Lucy McTurnan. >>
066Hello again everyone. I'm back for I think the third time. Three times, three weeks. Um, >> first of all, Jen Patino. >> What? >> You're a regular Jen Patino. >> Exactly. >> Hi, Jen. >> First of all, happy teacher appreciation week. Um, I appreciate everyone in this building. Uh, I appreciate everyone that comes here that attends the board meetings and everyone that helps make our district run. Um, with that, this is art club. So, sorry, I was I'm a little bit prepared because this was kind of short notice. Um, >> fact that you're here at all and doing this for us is fantastic, Lucy. So, take your time and don't feel that it has to be perfect. Thank you. Right. So, the activities we do in art club, it's a lot of what you want
067to do as long as it's artsy. Um, lots of crafting, help on like extra art that we do. Um during the holidays we did a secret Santa art exchange which that was super fun. And it's just these fun things that we get that sometimes you don't get to do dur during normal art periods. So you can come to art club and it's a safe space. It's a great community and you can just have a lot of fun creating things. Um Miss T would like me to mention the children yearn for crafts. So, our goals, we would like to increase club membership. We do have a lot of um members. Well, I say a lot, but it's not. We would like to increase that number. We do have many people that come every Tuesday. Um but
068it'd be so much better if we could have more people attend. I think just to have those people and have let them have a community and have a great space to craft, that'd be great. Um, another goal that we have is like it's this thing called art fight. It's not an actual fight, don't worry. Um, where it's it's kind of a tricky concept to explain, but I'll try my best. Um, where you have art and you other people draw it and this it's this whole fun thing. And um so I one of the goals would be to do something like that where it's like just another one of those art games that we like to play. >> Is it a competition, Lucy? >> Yeah. >> Okay, cool. >> So it's like an art game. Sorry,
069I'm I went over this once, so I'm I'm a little all over the place. Um and then another goal we'd like to have is more community involvement. So me and Miss T were discussing like maybe some sort of mural. Uh, that would be fantastic. Uh, I love painting, so I would be on board with that. Um, oh, this is explaining art fight. Great. Um, yeah. So, it's a light art fight is a light-hearted game. It's like an art exchange. That's the word. Um, so create characters and then you draw gifts for each other and you earn points when you draw those uh characters. So everyone wins in the end. It's very light-hearted. It's very fun. But um it's just another thing that we should do at art club. Oh, okay. Another goal uh is okay.
070We still want to increase membership. So, art club is it we do have members. Um, but the problem with art club is that it overlaps with a lot of other clubs like drama club. That was one of the main issues uh is is it's not like the club that's prioritized. It's more drama club. So, in the upcoming year, she would like to reschedu the clubs so there's less conflicts. And she was thinking of more advertisement to increase membership. So, um, she was thinking some sort of pamphlet or flyers, and I know we've done that in the past, and that actually has increased membership, so we're going to probably do that again. Um, and community. So, with the capital project, it's giving us a lot of new wall space. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge. Um, pretty pretty
071great for a mural if you ask me. So, um, it's it's it would be another thing to get the community together, to get a bunch of students together and paint a mural. I think that would be a wonderful thing. Um, and just the collaborative aspect of it is so great. So, if she gets approval for this, uh, we would have input from everyone to see what would they would like. And I think that is the end. >> Thank you, Lucy. Does anybody have any questions for >> That was fantastic on the fly. Well done you. >> No questions. You're off the hook. >> Great. >> Okay. Next up, we have the elementary school yearbook. And the adviser there is Mrs. Beglia. And I see she has a representative with her. Hello. Hello. Um Jenna Vega.
072I am a reading interventionist for the elementary school, but I am also um yearbook adviser. Um, so I talked last year about the initiatives of the yearbook, which is mostly just to include as many keystone events from the year as possible. Um, but I wanted to bring last year's along because the last time I was here for this, you actually all had an opportunity to vote um for the cover. Um, and the overwhelmingly the overwhelming majority of you did vote for um this artist. This is my friend Luca. He won. So, I don't know how well you can see it from back there, but I am going to pass it around to you guys to make sure you have eyes on it as well. Um, unfortunately, I do need that back. I had a copy
073for you in the library somewhere. Once those boxes are unpacked, you can absolutely have one. Um, but Luca is a member of our school community as well as two siblings in the building and one who's just not quite tall enough yet. He'll be here soon. Um, but Luca is an inspiring artist and he is going to share his experience with you becoming the winner of the yearbook cover contest. Um, so the way you win is practically I won because I drew sketches at first. I found the idea. I drew like what I wanted to draw, what I didn't want to draw. Once I found everything I wanted to draw, I put it into one big picture. And if I did not like the picture, I'd redo it in a different arrangement. Each time I did
074that, I found it to be better and better. And once you finish it, you could draw it, color it in with anything, markers, crayons, pencils. And I choose markers, which was pretty good. But my siblings apparently take the markers, use them to draw, puts them back without the caps. So, so I had to use so many different colors, but on the bark I decided to use different colors because I figured out I was like trees I looked at pictures and trees and stuff of like what they look like and um it looked like I realized that a tree wasn't one color, it was many other colors. And um when when I won, I felt I felt very proud and excited that I won. And when you win, you get you're drawing on the yearbook cover,
075but also you also get 50 bucks and and the words who I want to give to like the next person that wins or Somebody is try hard and don't give your dreams up. >> I just have a question for Luca. I'm an art teacher in another school and sometimes we have to change our supplies. When you found out that your markers were dried up, how did you compensate to still get a beautiful uh and and balanced picture? >> So, I would instead of just like my siblings will leave it open. Sure, it will dry. And I wasn't using one-sided markers, I was using doublesided marker. So, every time that would go out, I would switch the marker, draw on the other side. Once that went out, I would either get a different color or just
076press harder. And and I made a big mistake with pressing harder. Never make that mistake. >> I I call those mistakes in art um creative mistakes and happy accidents. Um kind of like Bob Ross. Yeah. So, um, but also you can use other materials like color pencils with markers. >> Yeah, I would I was going like through all the colors like I used I went at at my school, not at my house cuz if you ask my parents this, they're going to say, "What? You just went through with markers." I went through I brought my markers to school. I went through with crayons and I like had to press hard and that break the crayons or stuff and I I kept breaking them and breaking them and I used colored pencils and I used colored
077pencils. They were really good at shading and stuff, but I realized that I was really good with markers once I tried using that. And once I used it, I figured out that I was really, really good. And so when I went to go home, I did it, but it was a very hard achievement. Very hard. Luca, I want to just say that I really appreciate all of the details in your letters for dees. If you can't see them, there's there's a section about math. There's a piano keyboard, there's a ruler, there's a paintbrush, a crayon, some books, and a pencil. And I thought that was just really really creative. And you captured all the different parts of being at at our school. And I really really like that. So, thank you for that. Thank you,
078Mrs. Beglia. And thank you, Luca. Um, all right. Next up, we have the high school yearbook. >> You guys got a tough act to follow. also have mentioned that the adviser is this is DeMarco first. Hi, I'm Paige. This is Harley. This is Jen, but you guys know Jen because she lives here basically. Um, so this will be a tough act to follow apparently after that cute little presentation. Um, but yeah, we're the high school yearbook. A little taller. Well, maybe not me. the younger the elementary school yearbook. But um so okay, so here's our attempt at getting a picture of everyone together at the same time. Not an easy accomplishment. Um I I'm Paige. Jen, apparently I'm the secretary. Um, Jen is president, Edith is the vice president, and Evelyn is the treasurer, which
079I think only two of us that you our names are on there. Um, it's hard to get everyone together like now, especially with AP testing and Boseies. Everyone's kind of in and out of the cafeteria. Well, Joe Bennett. So, okay. Hey guys. Um, so our overall like overview of your book club is that we're a vibrant group dedicated to capturing school memories and experiences. So basically every Wednesday we get together after school and we're there usually for like half an hourish, maybe a little bit more, and we just work on yearbook. That's really all we do in our club. But it's really fun. And this year was really nice because we got to use Canva instead of tree rings. So now we're doing everything on Canva. That's a little scary cuz it's something new. You
080know what I mean? Like we're not sure things we hope things are going to print out correctly and everything, but I'm excited to see it because it's like little scrapbook theme. I think it'll be cute. Oh, okay. Okay. So, as Jen said, this year um our theme is scrapbook as voted on by all the current current seniors. So, like the senior class, it's kind of like their goodbye, like their yearbook, so they get to vote on it. Um, this is what the cover will be looking like for the yearbook this year. Um, and we had an account for the sixth graders coming up this year. So they, so then we got to add their pages into it, add more people into our yearbook. Um, so that was kind of cool to add a whole new
081grade level, make our book a little bit more diverse between the grades, the clubs, all the new activities being brought to the school. So, next year, our goals are to get a more diverse student body to join the club. We were taking a picture and we were just laughing cuz like we were the it was just girls like it was just us. So, we were just laughing about that. But yeah, and getting more people in there and possibly hiring like a photographer to attend games and events because I know sometimes it's kind of hard to get um like pictures for everyone. Sometimes like we're doing our spreads and we're like, "Oh shoot, we don't have pictures of these people." So, we have to work out that. And also like with the clubs like it it
082is better and it is helpful I think to like do the club pictures like how we've been doing it. But still like obviously some people aren't able to make it because of Boseies and other things. And then also we want to figure out a way to work around sports so more people can attend meetings because like having them right after school obviously sports are every day after school so it can be a little hard for people to attend. Oh, so we're recruiting. Um if you are interested in purchasing a yearbook, please use the QR code below. Um, >> oh yeah, this is our fall pep rally. Um, I know, um, student council, which we're both on. Um, we host a pep rally for like each of the sporting seasons. So, fall, spring, and winter. This
083is just our fall one. And because our theme is scrapbook, you know, if you can see the vision, um, every page is different and unique, but this is like the general like if you like it's very scrapbook. Um, but yeah, anyone have any questions of your book? >> Yeah, I have a question. Um, on the yearbook cover, what does Dusquinox >> I I don't know. I don't know. I'll take. >> Yeah, Mr. Why don't you take >> No, no, no, no. You should take this, but I don't know if they know. >> Do they know? >> They don't. >> No, we don't know what it means. We were told we had to put it on our covers. >> Yes, you do. >> As an advisor for the yearbook for a million years, and you guys
084have it really easy now. Just drag and drop and that's it. >> Yes. >> Um, Dusquinox is is a combination of Dwayne'sburg, Quaker Street, and And those are the towns that were I guess in very beginning because that's the name it's been for >> kind of like my is that the other district that they is that my >> what's the one down the road? >> The book is for central >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It's it's an amalgam. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. >> Wait, so was that like the name of the school? >> No, this used to be Delansen High School. >> Yeah. >> Years and years and years ago. And then Now, that was just the towns the that uh >> Shel towns that were part Oh, okay. I see. Okay. Oh, cool. Thank you.
085We were wondering. >> Now, there's one little boy that runs around with a camera for everything. He's not a photographer for yearbook. >> Oh, do you mean Gavin? Yes, I do. Oh, he will charge us a lot of money for those pictures. He's a little hustler. I can't lie. But like, you know, you got to make the bank, so I don't blame him. Maybe we'll recruit him because you have to be in high school to be in yearbooks. So, and he's a middle school. So, next year, >> next year, next year we have our eyes out for him. >> Well, we do have our own camera, too, that the kids will use to go around and take pictures. >> That was my question. Is so members of the yearbook club that are taking all these
086photos. That's awesome. That's a lot of work. >> And some of them are we get them from like I smile that but um to get to all the sporting events, it's really really hard. So that's why we were thinking I know other schools they do use an outside photographer that will go around like just even if you went to one game and just got a couple >> I know that I smile works for a couple of other districts for their yearbooks. >> So we're going to look into see maybe to see how much it would cost and then we'll go from there. >> And you always have um this fine lady to my left with booster club there. She's got a network of parents who take a ton of pictures. >> Yeah, we've we've expanded.
087I've tried emailing people and stuff like that in the past, but I'll get a few trickled in, but not a lot. >> Mention Tonyy's at 99% of the game. Just give her a camera. >> Any other questions? >> This is not a question, but um I just wanted to congratulate Paige in person for your >> Thank you. aiming of being a validictorian for your for your graduating class. So, congratulations. >> Oh, I have my salvatoran right here. So, >> woohoo. We've got them all in the room at the same time. Yeah. We congratulations congratulated Declan last week because he was here, but you weren't. So, well done you. >> All right. Thank you ladies for coming in again. All right. Next up, we we have National Honor Society. Uh, and we have Mrs. Delar Roco
088as our advisor. >> You're on the clock. >> Okay, I can start. >> Hey everyone. So, my name is Jennifer and I'm also part of National Honor Society and Harley and Paige are also part of honor society and and Dean and Ma Rockas our advisor. Um, so basically I think a lot of us probably most of us know what National Honor Society is. It's not something specific to Dwayneburg. Um but we uh we meet every Thursday. Uh well no wait no sorry not every Thursday we meet on Thursdays determine Mr. Araco and we meet in the morning before academic period. Um and you have to be inducted. I'm not really sure how the review process works but I send in my application and then you get a note to see if you're in or not
089and then you can do that. Like I got inducted when I was a sophomore, but then like you don't start being on the actual club until you're a junior. But then obviously like you can try again if you didn't like get into NHS. You can try again the next year. Oh, so we do five events um each year and our first event was the blood drive. We've done it for a few years now. Um we just help set up take down. You don't you don't want any of us drawing. someone's blood. So, um the the Red Cross comes and we check in donors. Um we work like the little snack station. Um we like set up posters for it. We advertise for it um in the community and at the high school. Um we had
09023 donors scheduled and 25 donors registered and seven of these donors were firsttime donors and we had 10 walk-ins. So we surpassed our goal of 23 units. Believe it's one unit per person. Is it? Yeah. So one unit per person. So that was really good. And like we're a small community. So like any little bit I think that we can you know provide and help is really like it's just a great testament to the character of the community. So oh Tuesday before Thanksgiving is when we did it. So you know a little fun thing before the holidays. You know you donate some blood and then you eat some turkey. Like it's Oh, and we're doing it again. >> It It was really well organized having done a couple blood drives. >> Oh, yeah. It's like
091so cool. Like I worked the table twice and it was like like you scan something and then like you're in and like even your ID you just scan. Um I thought it was really cool and like really easy. I mean, don't get me wrong, the first few times I did it took me a bit to get it, but after I did it, like it went smoothly. It's cool. Um the uh Red Cross does a really good job helping us out. So dark. Oh, here's some pictures. So, oh, this is Molly Lato. This is Ari. Um, here's our little like laminated posters. And then here's our table. This was like this like this is the system I was talking about like setting up and like scanning and stuff. So, and then you get a little name
092tag. So our second event that we did this year was an adopt a family around the holidays. So um NHS National Honor Society worked with the junior senior high school faculty and staff and we were able to collect over 50 gifts and $300 to help provide families in the Dwayne community with gifts and things they needed for around the holiday season. So that was great. That was a really well um participated event. Um I think pretty much everybody, all the staff, huge thank you to you guys. Thank you so much. We were able to get a lot of um donations, so that was great. >> All right, so uh we did candygrams for the pet shelter as our third event. We were trying to do five and we're going to do five. Uh so we
093sold delivered candygrams to the students and staff of the junior senior high school. Basically, they just placed an order. We set it up and uh we gave them to them. Uh we got $220 and we wanted to donate to the Skari Pet Shelter in honor of Lisa Caparizo from the News Channel 10 uh Pet Connection to honor her. Oh, the recycling. Who wants to talk? >> Yes, Cindy. This is my domain because I volunteered to put my name down for the grants. So basically together we brainstorm ideas on how we can implement recycling back into Dwayne High School and we determined the basics of main recycling returnables are the only ways you have the means to maintain. So basically what we did is we came together and like the national honor like association thing like
094they were giving out grants uh and we applied for it and we won. So that was really exciting. And with using the money that we won, we're uh implementing recycling through these bins. So we use that money to get these bins. Um so yeah, uh we're making sure every classroom has a blue rec blue recycling bin again and making sure they're clearly labeled with what can go into it for correct recycling. We're really trying to emphasize that. Um but I don't know if the Okay. So we had some members go to a faculty meeting to educate the staff and we also presented it to every English class so everyone understands so the faculty is informed and students are informed. I personally did mine with Stella. We did one for the sixth graders and it was
095really fun. Like we presented and we also included little games. We had them try to shoot a plastic bottle from their seat into a recycling bin and they got candy if they did. So they were really excited about that and they also got candy if they won our book it. So that was really fun for them. Um so yeah that's our recycling grant. So this is number five, not four. But so we haven't done our fifth service project yet, but recently with fire drills are essential and part of keeping everyone in the building safe. We got a new system. Um, and it's really funny cuz he like talks to you like he has a funny voice. So that's entertaining. Um, we noticed that the classroom numbers on the pavement like at the bottom parking lot
096when you go out, you can't they're faded and you no one knows where to go. So, we're going to paint all those numbers in the upper and lower parking lots by the end of the year. So, yeah, that should be exciting. I hope in the sun I get a tan, but we'll see. Any questions? I don't think we have um So, you guys have come up with a lot of really like very different things. How do you how do you come up with what you decide you're going to do? >> A lot of meetings, a lot of votes. Um, so like the blood drive and the adoptive family are very like it's kind of a tradition. Like we normally have those planned and it's nice and easy cuz they're at the start of the year.
097They're like not 100% planned, but they're ma they're mainly planned and that really gives us time to focus on our other three um service projects that we want to do. And typically we all like shout out like ideas or put them into our Google chat and then like the ones that are most prominent or like the ones that we are most likely to come about or like actually do we vote on and like we all just decide like together. So, and then we also get to decide what organization like if we were do like the candygrams we had like the ability to just decide like what um place we wanted to donate to. So that was fun. So we all vote. We're democratic. So anyone else, >> thank you for giving back to your community.
098>> No problem. Anytime. >> And thank you guys for always listening to my presentations. I think this is my last one because I like Yeah. So thank you guys. I appreciate y'all. Yes. Thank you to all of you seniors and congratulations. And >> you're in the home stretch, right? >> Yeah. >> All right. >> One more. >> Very good. >> Last but certainly not least, we have uh a report from our outing club on their trip to Brazil. Um and we have Mrs. Hoffman as the outing club advisor. And I also see former art teacher, Mr. Dittoando. Welcome back. >> I'll be your >> start. >> Hello everybody. >> My name is Kevin Natando and I am the former art teacher uh here at the district and I was with us for 28 years and
099I just have to say that I love our district and I'm glad that everybody's still doing a good job. Viva Brazil is here now. Um just want to say that this trip has been um a blast. We had a fantastic time with our kids. Um it was an opportunity for them to really experience um Brazil and Portuguese um lifestyle. Uh as far as the kids go, they were fantastic. Uh every day was just the best adventure for them. Uh we experienced the culture, the food, um and just have great laughs with all of them. Obviously, we know these folks here that are up here hopefully. Um they're going to introduce themselves again, I'm sure. And uh I just want to say thank you so much for the district for allowing this. This was actually our
100fifth trip overseas um over the years and uh it was a blast. So thank you. >> Oh, so we had to fly out of JFK and what was it? TSA was not bad at all. let me like it wasn't bad and we were all like stressing about it because like the week before it was like four hours like waiting. So we got down there with a lot of time to spare. Um but yeah, we had to fly out of JFK and then we got a direct flight to Sa Paulo and that's where we started our Brazil journey. Oh, so our first day Okay. Really? Okay. first day um was just arrival and like we thugged it out like you slept on the plane and like we got up and we moved like we were doing
101stuff so we like dropped our stuff off at the hotel and then we just visited the architecture and just tour of the city of Sa Paulo. We were only there for one day. Um and then Oh yeah. Oh, this is the food. Oh my god, this was amazing. I had so much fun. So the yeah, we tried all the different fruits and they would just like give it to you like hand like in your face like cutting it in front of you and then serving it to you and it was like they just wanted you to like try all of them so they try to like get you to buy all of it but like it was so good and then have all the different nuts and that that's um the church that we went
102in front of. Yeah, we got to inside the church and it was beautiful. Your turn. So the second day um we took a bus ride and we visited the lavender fields of South Paul. It was really pretty. Um these are some pictures. So that's like the little shop at the top of like the lavender fields. They have a lot of fresh like natural products all made with the lavender right from the fields. Um there were some great lookout spots. A lot of pretty pictures were taken there. I know all the girls, we all wore our dresses or our nice outfits and took a lot of pictures. So, that was really fun. >> So, um like on the way to Per um we stopped at the lavender fields and this is obviously the second day and
103um well the Portuguese are the one who colonized um Brazil. So that's why the architecture looks so similar. It was so beautiful. Like I know me and Harley went on the Europe trip and it felt very similar the architecture. So it was really beautiful. Um that's like the like the canal like river like right there um in far. So it's really nice. Oh that was it. Um day three we did like a mild hike and um went through the forest and we visited three beaches which are the Trinidad beaches which are some of the be most beautiful beaches I've ever seen. So this is right at the start. Um I didn't have any pictures of the trail. We were hiking up pretty steep um stuff. Paige and Mr. Dando due to illness got to take
104a nice little boat ride to the final beach. But we went one beach, traveled for like 20 minutes through the woods, the jungle, and then went to a second beach, hung out for like half hour to an hour. Another trip through the jungle, final destination. Um, Ryan and his mom made the trek back through the jungle and a lot of us opted to take the boat back like, yeah, our fourth day. Um, so the fourth day was kind of like a travel day. um a lot of bus, boat and so this was really cool because we stayed on the island of Ira Grande which was probably my favorite part of the whole trip. It was very tropical, very like serene. Um so it was really cool. So we took our bus, got on the boat,
105traveled all the way across ocean to the island and then we had a really nice dinner looking out over the ocean. And this was like on a rooftop and there was a lot of cute little like dress shops, a lot of like localmade clothes, jewelry, anything. And it was really cool cuz there was no um like private transportation on the island, so there was a lot of walking. Um barely any cars here or there, so that was really nice. It was very like quiet and you could really take in like daily life there. That's I like got this at every restaurant. It's like their like soda. It's like their Coke. It was It was really good. I think I can get it at Walmart, so I plan on going there. Um, so yeah, this was
106our beach day. Um, what was this? Like our >> This is the one where we took the boat. >> Took the boat. >> Oh, we did more hiking and then Yeah. >> A little bit of hiking. The long walk. >> Yeah. And Ryan took these epic pictures of the monkey. >> Yeah, those are These are monkeys. I don't know if Ryan wants to talk about those, but that little monkey is actually exotic. Um, it's not native to Brazil. So, they like came over here on like ships and stuff if you want to talk. Okay. >> Ryan took some really amazing pictures and we the most of the he pointed out spiders the entire time we were on the the trail like, "Oh, look at that hive of spiders." It's very scary. And then this is
107a picture of our long walk through the jungle. And then I mapped it out to show like how it wasn't too bad. It was a long walk and then we had a short ski up and then again another one of the native wildlife and all a sudden you got through the jungle and you were at this epic beach. Mrs. And I said it she'd been to Hawaii and I've been to Australia and it's one of the I've seen and she agreed. Just look from one side to the other and it's mountains water mountain and then jungle behind you. That was the coolest thing about Brazil. All the beaches are pretty much private. And the sandak and then I think you guys the turtle picture. >> Yeah, Ryan had all the best like animal photos of
108any of us for sure. >> Ryan, I think your book might have a job for you next year. Um the food was I would say the entire trip. I don't think any of the kids complain other than like that's a staple for Brazil. So it's really cool. And then this is on our way leaving the island. We went to Rio di Janeiro. Uh I'm Laura. I'm Ryan's mom. Um and I had this amazing opportunity to be a chaperone with this group. Um and some of the things I mean you're seeing like the highlights and the wonderful things. But some of the other things that we experienced were, you know, just the transportation. We went by lots of different modes of transportation. We had to deal with a different culture, a different language, different money. All
109of these things, you know, were very immersive with with the whole trip. So, we did have a tour guide, but we also were like had to deal with, you know, a whole foreign country. And that was to me really a a really a great learning experience. I had never been out of the country besides local like to go on a cruise, but I had not really been in any kind of international travel situation before. So when we went to uh Rio Jane, we did a little bit of touring around the city itself. We saw some of the the hallmarks. I think that's the um music hall, the big uh the opera house. We saw the the churches. It's very Catholic country. So it was very a lot of Catholic uh imagery and and culture there
110for that as well as there were these mosaic uh sidewalks in Rio di Janeiro everywhere. Uh and they're they're beautiful. They go from waves to not. That is Copa Cabana Beach, which you know, you all know the song Copa Copa Cabana has nothing to do with this beach, but this is the like ritzy area of Rio Rio de Janeiro. It's sort of like Manhattan. It's very upscale, very very uh nice. And we went to a really fancy restaurant that had amazing amazing desserts, but we didn't get to have um and you know the the beach there is Copa Coana Beaches. Miss Bliss is on Copa Cavana Beach and then our hotel um from the rooftop we could see the the Christ the Redeemer statue on the far mountain there and then you know just we
111we got to the kids got to play soccer on the beach and then as the as as it they are in the southern hemisphere of course so their their daylight savings is starting and so it was dark at 6:30 when we went up to Sugarloaf I mean not daylight savings but you know their days are getting shorter it was 6:30 when we went up to Sugarloaf and um Sugarloaf you go up by gondola so it was really a neat experience to go through the gondola, two stages of gondas up to the top of this peak, all these little peaks you see around. And we got to to to look around and and see all the lights come up in Rio. The kids took a Zomba class. I I could I could stand here and talk
112to you all night about this. I don't know if someone else wants to talk about the samba class. >> The class was really interesting. Um this picture on the bottom where the girls are smiling and in line. We wanted to show them that even though we weren't great resilient style dance, we did know. So, so we showcased that for them and the kids. So, we ended the dance the dance class on a high note. Um but I think overall everyone in the original picture with the the dance instructor, they're all smiling and having a really laughing and it really was quite and then we left that Miami and then Ryan would go again not to Brazil but somewhere else with or without >> Mrs. Softman, how many students I I like the pictures vary for.
113So what was the total number of students and and adults that were on this trip? So we had four parents, four moms and then we had 15 students and then so it was a nice range. We had 21 in total in our group that was and then we merged in some of the pictures you can see other people we merged with two other much smaller groups on the tour. So that made our our size less than 40 people. Um but still according to our tour guide it was one of her larger groups than she's ever had before. So that was interesting having her navigate our large definitely done by the advisor in so shout out to Mr. for really planning an epic adventure and um kind of seeing firsthand how you sometimes have to on
114the fly for you know 40 people when things aren't necessarily working out. So like one day we had to wait around about an hour which really wasn't bad for our bus. came in from Rio and then he stopped to eat breakfast and the bus did not turn back on and we had loaded all the luggage on and boys all helped to load the luggage off and then we waited for the bus and so you know the pool at our previous was terrible at all better than being on the road. I know it sounds like we had this wonderful vacation and we certainly did, but there was a lot of opportunities for learning and the kids paid their own way. So, it's not like um you know came out of it. I know we're talking about
115the budget today. You know, it did come out of the budget. This was something the kids paid for and they could fund raise to get get the funds to go as well. And comparatively with vacation planning, it was a lot it was a pretty cheap trip, you know, compared to like privately buying trip. So, it was pretty >> uh Did anyone learn Portuguese uh for the trip? >> I started doing Duolingo and I learned one word and I'm like, why are they focusing on this one word? It's a pineapple. I'm like, I'm never I need to know bathroom, not pineapple. Like, why is it teaching me pineapple? So, we got to a restaurant and they serve these amazing fruit juices to us, fresh squeeze right there, and they'll give them to you. And they're like,
116"Oh, you can get pineapple or watermelon or strawberry." And I was like, "I'm getting pineapple so I can say my word." I thought I said it. Abocashish. I got my word. I got I got to use my one word. >> So maybe you know this one. Abra. >> Abra. Yes. So the interesting thing about Portuguese is that depending on who is speaking, it changes the the um >> Yeah. So a woman would say abraada, but a boy, a man would say abra. It's kind of interesting how how that that's different than in English. >> So I tried, but I I only learned one word. And um the goal would obviously to be um to keep pursuing on with Miss Bliss if she wants to travel as a group and try to continue this longanding tradition.
117I believe Kevin and Karen have done five trips together. >> Was it all was it high school 9 through 12? >> 9 through 12. Okay. I would do it again. I was nervous about overnight, country, all the things. And we did have kids that were sick and drama and all the things, but at the end of the day, it was still great, great experience. Wonderful. >> That's wonderful. Well, thank you all for being here to tell us about it and for these Beautiful pictures again. Ryan, yes. With your book is calling your name. >> Um, it's amazing. So, I'll be I'll be on the lookout for planning for another. Has it been maybe every couple of years, Mr. Dando? Is that how >> Yeah, usually they go every couple years. They try to offset the
118DC as well, >> right? Okay. >> All right. Very good. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Yeah. Great. Thanks, guys. Good job. Good job. Okay. Uh, we're skipping over the student board members report because they are not here and we're going to move to our superintendent report. That's you. I usually know we um All right. So, I don't have a lot. I just want to remind folks that meet the candidates night is next Tuesday 5:12 at 6:30 here at Joe Bennett. Um, also this Thursday is our community forum that we're our next community forum we're holding um hosting here at Joe Bennett at 6:30. It's to update our communities and our families um on the student culture audit and all other action items that have been in put in place. Um this will
119also include the independent auditor from Boseis coming in to share her findings and her recommendations. Um you're going to see on the agenda I just wanted to provide some clarity about the couple MOAs that are on there. So Mr. Ryvenberg attends Fulmont Trust meeting. So Fulmont Trust is the consortium for our health insurance and um it was a week or two ago you found out right when they let you know? Couple weeks ago. couple weeks ago. Um so Fulmont Trust is u for those who don't um know the process they we have a third party administrator through Fulmont Trust that kind of tries to find the best rates for health insurance and um the districts that are all in it received notice a few weeks ago that there's going to be an audit and the
120audit is looking at certain things um making sure that proper practices are in place. So a few years ago um the conversation came up to the board about do we allow domestic partnership and so I had asked the board um Mr. Ryvenberg um said that Anthem, which is our health insurance, Bluec Cross Blue Shield does offer it, but there has to be attestations and we researched what that would look like and searched uh some districts that do offer it um in affidavits um to demonstrate true partnership. Uh most of the units or all the units in in the district have language in health insurance that says individual plus one. Um so we thought we were covered, but this news of being audited that they said the plus one isn't explicit language. So that we needed
121to do MOAS um to extend to all employees. So we had asked for MOAS with each of the different units. Um this all came about Friday afternoon and so bylaws are different in each unit. Some have to take a vote first. Um some sign and then take a vote. So that's why we had to strike a couple but just wanted to kind of give the crown of why it may seem like this was last minute was because it was it was last minute and so um just trying to make sure that we're compliant with the rules um through Blue Cross Blue Shield and so all districts again in the in the consortium are going through the same process and other than that that's it you guys have heard me every week anybody have any questions
122>> okay thank you question um I just caught this looking at the different memorandums were making retroactive back to 2022. >> That's just the date of their contracts. So when we any MOA is written, it it references the dates of the contract. So that one was uh which one are you looking at? >> Right. This uh health and dental. >> Which contract? >> I'm not sure. It just says TA. This is TA. Health and dental. >> Uhhuh. >> DAA. Is that the Oh, DTA. So, what happened with DTA is if you remember when I first got here, um they started negotiations, we did an MOA to extend it because um there wasn't enough time to finish it. So, we did an extension and then um it's just referencing the duration of the contract. >> I
123just I just wonder like is this going to be a problem for people that may have wanted it four years ago and didn't get it? You know, because that that's a big disparity of time. >> Well, again, seems concerning. Yeah, it's referencing the duration of the contract, but as you know, contract negotiations things evolve, right? So, as you know, units negotiate, things come, things go and so that we're in the process, we're actually negotiating um with DTA, their ECAs, their extracurricular. We're doing that. We're also in the process with DESA. So, that's our trans and buildings and grounds. Again, they had an MOA. So, there is, you know, contract negotiations are fluid. Um, you know, that's why they call it negotiations. Sometimes things come, some sometimes things go and MOAS happen frequently um as things
124arise. >> Is this going to open us to some financial exposure going back that far? >> No, it can't be retro per se like you can't go back and pay for it's already done. Like um >> then why are we doing this? >> Because it's referencing the duration of the contract. It's not referencing. Go ahead. >> Can I just say somewhere? >> So, so what this is doing is saying we're we're we are entering into this a memorandum of agreement with referencing this contract. Um, but you can't you can't cover someone four years ago for services rendered four years ago. >> No, I know. I'm just saying if we're making it that we would have allowed it four years ago, that be upsetting for some people. I I just see this through a lens that
125could not be fair. >> I could be wrong and and maybe Jeff you can help as well. Um but I think what we're the the dates that we have in these memorandums are are are based on the on the contract dates. And so it isn't it isn't really retroactive. It's simply referencing that contract and the dates of those contract that contract. And then when that contract, excuse me, is renegotiated, we would it presumably would be part of the contract and not require an MOA. >> So why wouldn't we just do it the contract going forward? >> Because of the audit that we were just made aware of. We thought we were covered with the current language where it says individual plus one and they said no, it has to be more specific. >> Oh, so
126we met we had an error and now >> we're correcting it. Yeah. So, you know, the board has approved and and um numerous MOAs through the years with each of the units. And again, it's referencing it, but it's not making it retroactive. So, as things have come up through the years, um you know, each unit has a stack of MOAs and then when the year comes up to renegotiate, those MOAs are embedded into the new contract. So the signature date signature date on this is 512026 then it goes to June uh of 2026 it looks like June 30th the same what DTA MOA >> so we're not I I understand that the contract itself is effective July 1st 2022 through June 30th 2026 but isn't it realistically being just being covered 51 2026 to June
12730th 2026. >> I guess I'm not sure what the question. >> Yeah. The date of the MOA is the date of the signed contract. >> It'd be the same thing we've issued MOAS before to add Robotics Club, right? Because it's the exact same contract we Okay. >> Robotics Club we didn't make exist in the past, right? >> It just means moving forward. We're paying Mr. Growthier to run the club. >> So So the policy, not the polic, the um Right. I I'm following. All right. So, effectively, it's 5120 26 to June 30th, 2026. >> So, that's a great catch, Ray. So, what we'll have to do, so if you're looking at DTA right now, um it should be for the length of their contract. So, what we'll do is for now, because we have the
128audit coming up, um we can do I'll work with Shannon Spencer to make sure that there's a corrective MOA moving forward. So, thank you for picking up on that. I didn't notice that. >> Right. >> I didn't notice that. You're right. >> So, their contract is two more years on their contract. So, so should say till 2028. So, good catch. >> I have a question also. >> Does it cost the district any? >> Um, yeah. I mean, insurance is insurance, right? Um when we offered it initially there was probably three or four people who picked up affidavit but then um not many people capitalize on it right now. So very similar to a benefit like having um any employee. It used to be just one unit could have any um their children attend and I
129think it was a year or so ago maybe a year and a half where the board approved they resolved that any employee can have their children attend the district. So again it's just part of the negotiation process >> and is there a way to determine like you know I mean insurance is hard to get for some people so a domestic partner is there a length of time or is that >> right so there is the insurance company gave us some samples and and Jeffrey shut some school districts who offer it and it's um you have to uh provide documentation right it can't be well they're my domestic partner for this week or next week or whatever so They have to demonstrate like joint bank accounts, joint mortgages, things like that. And Jeeoff and I were
130talking about this a little bit further and he's going to get clarification that the all, you know, the insurance companies are cracking down on fraud. And so moving forward, we may be where we have to pro, you know, provide proof that we that he's actually married to Margaret Ryvenberg, right? So there's, you know, that's the path that they're going down. you had to provide proof that you were married. Yeah, it sounds like that might be a thing. We're not 100% sure, but um we know there is insurance fraud out there. They're just trying to do their job. Any other questions before Am I on? Yeah. Any other questions on superintendent's report? Okay. All right. Uh next up, we have public comments. Um and of course the board encourages public participation at board meetings during our
131specific portion privilege of the floor public comment. Just a reminder that public comment section is an opportunity for only residents only to address the board of education. Um recognize that uh we ask that you note your desire to speak when you sign in. So I have a couple of people that have noted their desire to speak this evening. Um we ask everyone to Remember that we cannot permit in public session discussions involving individual personnel or students. Um, anyone wishing to discuss matters that involve individual personnel or students should present those comments or concerns to the superintendent. Um, and we ask that everyone maintain uh respect and and courteousness um as they address the board. And it's not in my in my spiel here, but I'll also just remind everyone that the board is here to
132listen, but we're not able to respond or or speak. um in in or answer questions. So, okay, with that all being said, um I have two people that are listed on our signin sheet. So, Dana Meek. >> Oh, you covered your question. Oh, great. Okay. Um >> absolutely. All right. Thank you. All right. Then next I have Christine see the paddles. Hello everybody. Uh, I'm here about the Dwayneburg Hall of Fame. I will ask to do a more formal presentation at the June meeting and it will be nowhere near as entertaining or as impressive as these young people are when they come up here to speak. I I I'm speechless about that. Um, but tonight I just want to let people know to be on the lookout for nominating information about the Hall of Fame.
133It's going to be it's on the website, Parent Square, and in the newsletter. The Hall of Fame is a way to acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of our alumni and the contributions of the excuse me, I'm a little cold. Uh, contributions of the teachers and staff who guide our students. I'd also like to paraphrase some things I've said in the past about our school. Back in 23 I mentioned that only 60 plus years had passed since the first Wright brothers flight to an astronaut actually standing on the moon. A remarkable testament to American ingenuity. It is also a testament to our American public school system for providing educational opportunities to our nation's children or our future. What does this have to do with the Dwayne Hall of Fame? Right now, there are funding decisions to
134make, which is never a comfortable topic. We all have our thoughts, our opinions, our questions, and we all feel pinched. Funding decisions are made based on increasing current costs, all of the mandated expenses, limited state and federal funding, and regular auditing oversight to account for money collected and spent. It's the price of doing business. And the business of our school is to provide educational opportunities to best prepare our students for the competitive world of continued education in the workforce. We want to retain and hire the best possible teachers and staff to teach and encourage our students. We want to give our students the academics, arts, sports, and clubs here in Dwayneburg and the workbased learning of CTE Boseies that will graduate well-prepared students ready for creating their own remarkable achievements and their own hall of
135fame aspirations. Thoughtful funding planning is the way to accomplish that. Denying and defunding the school is not. I will end by saying that we have a lot to celebrate here in our small school. We see that in the student presentations here at board meetings, in classrooms, the stages and athletics. There is such an array of positive experiences and growth available for students all being led by our teachers and staff on the front lines of classes, fields, cafeteria, and buses. The foundation for our future Hall of Famers is created here every day in our school. Thank you and happy teacher appreciation week. >> You can't comment. >> I'm not going to comment, but I am going to tell people that nominations are open because that's one of the jobs I have. And I also like to
136thank Christine for all her hard work on the Hall of Fame. Is there anyone else that had wished to speak but didn't sign in? Okay. And we'll move to our uh items of business. Um beginning with our financial items. So be it resolved based upon the recommendation of the superintendent that the board of education approves uh financial items 8.01 through 8.04. Um may I have a motion? A motion. >> Thank you, Francis. A second. >> Thank you, Sarah. Comments or questions? >> I'll just note that we struck the other two, so we're only doing one through four. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstension? Okay. Next item. Excuse me. items are non-instructional personnel. Uh, be it resolved based upon the recommendation of the superintendent that the I'm going to do these separately that the
137board of education the first one is accept resignation for retirement. Be it resolved based on the recommendation of the superintendent the board of education accepts the resignation for retirement of Joanne Boyd clerical aid effective June 30th, 2026. May I have a motion? Thank you, Tony. A second. Thank you, Alyssa. comments or questions? Yes. Go ahead, Tony. >> Joanne will be sorely missed. She takes her job very seriously and her I don't her cander in that room is just >> she's very frank. >> I will always enjoy seeing her. I I always have and I I've known her for years. So, I hope she enjoys retirement and her daughter's wedding and and and she and Stephen cannot kill each other. >> Uh yeah, I seeing Joanne every time I had to go in to do something
138for my kids, it was was always awesome there in the office. She uh she was certainly someone that was that was great to interact with. It was a lot of fun. I wish her the best. I will echo that as well. We will miss you, Mrs. Boyd. We wish you all the best in your retirement. Um, we still have seven weeks with her. So, we'll make a mo the most of those seven weeks. Um, okay. Uh, all in favor? I. All any opposed? Any extension? Okay. Next non-instructional personnel item. Be it resolved based upon the recommendation of the superintendent that the board of education approves uh the the non-instructional positions as listed. May I have a motion? Thank you, Tony. A second. Thank you, Sarah. Thank you. Uh comments or questions? All in favor? >>
139I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. Next item is pupil services um cse and CPSE minutes. Be it resolved based upon the recommendation of the superintendent that the board of education hereby approves the cse and CPS minutes from the meetings held on March 10th, April 16th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 27th, and 28th, 2026. May I have a motion? Thank you, Alyssa. Second. Thank you, Ray. uh comments or questions? >> Yes, we've had three meetings in a row, three weeks in a row, and there's still a very lengthy list of meetings. So, it's a lot of work. Um all in favor? >> I? Any opposed? Any abstension? Okay. And then, um that is all we have for business. Uh a couple offormational items for everyone. Uh we will be hosting another community forum to give, as Miss
140Ross pointed out during her report, an update on the discipline and culture audit. Uh the forum is scheduled for this Thursday, May 7th, at 6:30 right here in Joennena. Um actually, it might be in the back part of Joanna. Uh the forum will provide an opportunity for community members to engage in discussion, ask questions, and share feedback regarding this audit. Um and again I'll just note that uh the independent auditor uh will also be present for that so she can answer questions um and provide her findings and then um we will the the board will be hosting a community forum to give an update on the code of conduct. Um we haven't picked a date for that yet but it will be sometime in June. It will take place right here. Um, and this forum
141will provide again an opportunity for community members and stakeholders to engage in discussion, ask questions, and share feedback regarding the code of conduct. Um, now that we've had our our initial two forums, we're taking that information, policy committee is taking that information and making some some changes and um and then we will come back to the community with a new draft. Uh, so notice will be provided as soon as that date is set. Um, and I think that's all we have. Do we have I don't believe we have reason for an executive session. Okay. So, with that, I will ask for a motion to adjourn this evening's meeting at 8:36 p.m. May I have a motion? Thank you, Francis. A second. Thank you, Michael. Comments or questions? All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions?
142Thank you everyone for coming. >> Thank you all.