001Check check check check check check. Brandon, can you hear me? I'm singing a song to you. Okay. >> To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Yeah. Uh we will now have um Eden Central School District's top 10 from Mr. Mcdana. >> Good evening. It is on. Good evening. Thank you so much for this opportunity. I'd like good evening to the board of education, superintendent Mr. Straticio, assistant superintendent Mrs. May, our top 10, other Eden students, colleagues, and our Eden families. My name is Bill Mcdana, and I'm proud to serve as the principal of Eden Middle School and High School. Thank you for giving me the opportunity tonight to be able to recognize and celebrate
002our top 10 students from the class of 2026. It's no surprise that these students have worked extremely hard throughout their time here at Eden. Earning a place in the top 10 of a graduating class takes years of dedication, focus, and commitment to doing your best every single day. Overall, this has been an a very academic class with just over 50% of the class carries a GPA of 90% or higher. So, establishing the spots that they have um achieved has not been easy. While we're recognized at the top 10 tonight for their academic success, we also they are also involved in many parts of our school community. They've contributed in the classroom both in activities and athletics and through their service both in school and our community. Each of these fine young people here this evening
003continue to represent Eden in a very positive way. I am very proud of what they have accomplished and my and I am excited to see what their future holds for each of them. I also want to take a moment to thank their family members for joining us here this evening. Your support and encouragement that you've given to your children along the way has been a significant factor that has shaped them into the wonderful young people they are now and the successful adults that they will become. So, thank you for that. At this time, I'm going to introduce the top 10 students one at a time. Um, they were going to introduce themselves, the family members that are here, and a few uh, I threw them a curveball. So, they're going to give us a little
004bit of the college that they're going to choose to go to, what they plan to pursue in or major in, and their favorite course while here at Eden. So, without any further ado, Brandon Boychek. Uh, my name is Brandon Boychek. I'm here with my mom, Georgie, tonight. Um, I have not decided what college I'm attending yet, but I'm hoping to attend either Slippery Rock, UB, or RIT. And I plan on majoring in civil engineering. My favorite course taken at Eden is probably either physics or gym class. Great adjacents will be saving re each of the students will be receiving a certificate of um of achievement as well as a letter congratulating them on being a member of the top 10. Congratulations. >> And then after they're done, we'll make sure we take a group shot
005um right outside in the hallway. Next student is Haley Barrett. >> I'm Haley Barrett. Um, I'm here with my mom and dad, Molly and Mike, tonight and I'm going to be attending Mercier University and majoring biochemistry. And my favorite course is probably the new stuff chemistry class. Our next student is Elijah Key. Uh my name is Elijah Chi. I am here with my mother Vicki and grandmother Diane. I'm hoping to attend I am attending University of Rochester majoring in statistics. My favorite class here was probably AP psychology with Mr. Huber. >> Next student, Silus Kesto. Hello, my name is Silus Kesto. Um, I am here with my mom Phoebe, my dad, Eric, my three younger brothers, Herby, Reed, and Dexter, and my younger sister Mara. I will be attending University at Albany in majoring in
006biochemistry and molecular biology. And my favorite course I've taken this year is uh newep chemistry. Next, Emerson Kisto. Hello, I'm Emerson Kisto. I'm here with my mom Phoebe, my father Eric, my three younger brothers, Herby, Reed, and Dexter, and my sister Mara. I will be attending the University at Albany next year, majoring in actuarial and mathematical science. My favorite course I've taken here at Eden is AP Calculus. >> Next, Lucy Hefernon. >> Hello, I'm Lucy. Tonight, I'm here with a family friend Chris Clark. Um, I am major or I am attending the University of Buffalo to major in architecture and planning. And my favorite course has been the construction drafting classes with Mr. Jones. >> Benjamin Agel. >> Hello. My name is Benjamin Agel. Uh tonight I'm here with my uh father David and my
007mother Aaron. Um I'm going to be attending Sunni Kova School Egg and Tech in the fall. Um, I plan to major in agricultural equipment technology and my favorite course to take at Eden was world of technology with Mr. Jones. >> Sierra Clark. Hi everyone, my name is Sierra Clark. I'm here with my dad Chris. Um, next year I am attending Satan Hill University and I plan on majoring in exercise science to then go into a doctorate program for physical therapy. And my favorite course here at Eden was the new step chemistry class. >> Unfortunately, Evan Ecker and Mia Scott were able were not able to be here. They were in Florida for a cheerleading competition. Um, so I just want to thank everybody, congratulate everybody for the top 10 and for the families. I want
008to thank you for your support and their success. And I want to thank the board of education for allowing us to present them to you today. Thank you. >> So, Mr. McDonald, thank you. So, I I really appreciate um you putting this together and giving the board an opportunity to hear from, you know, the eight of the 10 uh best and brightest that Eden has to offer. And one of the things that I was really uh listening to was what what their favorite course was. I heard new new step chemistry a couple of times, but then a then a variety of different courses uh drawing, world attack, and whatnot. And that and that really goes to the diversity amongst the class, although I think at least four of you were in the musical, five of
009you. How many were in the musical? Hey, I had four. I was good. I was good. So, and and you obviously have a variety of interests and that is so important as you as you go forward to continue pursuing those interests. And the one thing I will tell you is the most important thing you can take in your education going forward is to be problem solvers. Okay? Whatever it is, okay? Because if you can sol if you can solve problems, you can have a lot of success in life. And you've already proven really successful uh at at a lot of problem solving as high schoolers. A lot of pride coming from the board and from me to to have you in front of us. So important for us tonight especially to be academically connected to
010some of those really important things that we offer here. Um I know how many students are in World of Tech. It's not a lot, but we just heard from one of our best and brightest how important that course was. I know how many students are are in the in the newep program as well. And you and I have had a lot of conversations about that. how can we keep doing these really important things for students no matter what their ability level is whether it's that they're high medium or need a little bit of help. So this really grounded us tonight I think or certainly did for me and that's uh and that's all thanks to each of you. So thanks so much for all that you've done to make Eden a great place. [clears throat]
011>> Unless you want to do it at the end but we can do it now. No, we're going to >> we're going to have a budget presentation next. Trust me, we'll be smiling before the presentation. >> Please. Welcome to Jesus. Holy Spirit. Make it bigger >> just so I can see the number sneak in. Yeah, there's >> Yeah, they were like this. They did not have a game. The vaccine was they didn't have a All right. Okay, another tough act to follow. Um, okay. So, this is this is not the right presentation. Hold on. Okay, sorry about that. This is budget session number three for the 2627 budget development process. So for tonight's agenda, we are going to go into a deep dive of expenditure historical trends. So if you remember last budget session, we
012went into the revenue side of the budget. This time we are going into the expenditure side. Uh we're going to look at an overall revenue revenue review uh which ties in the reserve and fund balance usage. And then lastly finishing up with how we can further close the budget gap. Okay. Okay. So, if we look at a historical review, you'll see that the 2324 and the 2425 are actual expenditures. Whereas the 2526 and the 2627 are our budgeted numbers. So, the 2526 is the current school year we're in versus the 2627 which is the next school year that we will be voting on in May. So, this is broken down by the major expense categories. So when we look at salaries, the last time we had looked at the expenditure side of the budget was
013the rollover budget. So if you remember that the salary line was much higher. The increase year-toear from the current year to next school year is much higher. Um this is reflective of um contractual increases that the district is bound to based on collective bargain bargaining agreements, but it also is reflective of breakage related to retirements that the district did receive. Um, so overall about a $328,000 increase year-to-year. When we go to do equipment, um, you'll see that the actual expenditures are much larger than the ones in the budget columns, and that really is reflective of our bus purchases. Um, so our bus purchases sit in a separate proposition. So when we think about the budget vote, the day of the uh the budget, the ballot that the taxpayer is actually filling out, the separate lines
014that they're voting on are the separate propositions. um our school bus purchases are paid for using a capital reserve, which is a separate proposition from the general fund budget. So that's why those expenditures aren't included in this line item for the two budgeted columns, but the actual expenditures, they are reflected there because we actually purchase them. Whereas if the proposition went down, we wouldn't purchase them, if that makes sense. Um so about a $50,000 increase and that is really related to um equipment purchases for our buildings and grounds department. So, so scrubbers and a mower. Um, and then technology for cameras. When we go down to contractual significant increase of about 227,000. This is really related to our property insurance pay um premiums going up. Um, it's also reflective of our utilities. Specifically, our electric
015budget um is estimated to go up about $50,000, which I think we can all feel in our own personal electric bills. um the cost increase um have been pretty astronomical. Um it also includes our legal budget. So what the district is paying for our legal council that's increasing. And then lastly, our buildings and grounds. We have um different service contracts that we pay for. So um our lockdown system, um our building management system, our um heat control system through Seammens, those are all um annual software costs that we pay for and those are anticipated to increase. So that's why a significant increase in the contractual line uh year-to-year materials and supplies about a $50,000 increase year-to-year that is related to inflationary costs. So as um supply items are increasing um a modest increase there. But
016it also includes a um new reading program as well as uh last budget session we uh before the budget session we had a presentation from the computer technology class um and a student [clears throat] came in with a robot that was uh WAZED kits. And so that also includes the materials and supplies a um continuation purchase of that curriculum. tuition. Um, so tuition is estimated to increase about 176,000. So this is for students that have special education needs that are attending outside placements because the services we offer at Eden can't meet their needs. Um, so and those um that tuition is pretty expensive. Um so we always have kids sitting on waiting lists and so we are anticipating those um expenses to increase about 176,000 kind of to combat that or to go along with
017that we have our Bosey's expenditures. So um of the 600,000 that we're anticipating in a Bosey's cost increase year-toear about 500 of that is related to uh tuition payments to Boseies. So for students that are attending uh Bosey's programs for special education needs um that is increasing significantly. Um just for students that are waiting on placements uh on waiting lists, we are anticipating those costs to increase. Um as well as our students attending CTE, that also contributes to a decent portion of that increase. Um our benefits uh about $263,000 increase year-to-year. Again, when we talked about the rollover budget, that was much higher. Um this is inclusive of a 10% increase in our health insurance premiums. Um which was about 357,000 which is that you'll see this number is a little bit less. And what
018contributes to that is uh the teacher retirement system. Um as an employer we are required to fund a portion of our salaries that we pay um into the teacher retirement system. Uh that contribution level is decreasing year-to-year. Um so actually we're seeing a savings on TRS. And then our workers compensation uh premiums are actually decreasing by about 2% year-to-year. Uh the district participates in the Eerie 2 consortium for workers comp and due to claims they were able to reduce the rate 2%. Um so all in all if we look at debt a very big decrease of about 1.1 million. So we had talked about this uh at length last budget season uh when we had the opposite where our debt was increasing uh to offset the one year of deferred building aid. Um so this
019year we have reduced debt but then we also have a drop off of that building aid. So a reduction in our revenue overall our net local share or what our taxpayers are paying for our old capital projects remains unchanged. And then lastly our transfers. So these are programs that are outside the general instruction. So think of um the extended school year or our summer school for our special education students that is housed here in Eden as well as our um food service program. We are required to transfer portion of our general fund budget to offset that operational expenses. Um so those are anticipated to increase just based on operational need. Okay. So, if we kind of do an overview of where we stood, uh, for the revenue side, um, focusing on state aid, we have
020about a $95,000 increase in foundation aid. That is the minimum 1% that the district is receiving based on the governor's executive proposal. Um, our textbook, software, hardware, and library materials, our instruction materials aid, uh, which is based on a per pupil allocation. So, as our enrollment starts to decrease a little bit, uh, so do those aids. our private access and our public access costs. So these kind of go handinhand with the tuition payments on the previous slides. Um as our students are attending special education placements in either a private setting or a Bosei setting which is a public setting um those aids are reflective of that. Um but all in all about staying relatively the same about a $5,000 increase between the two. Our transportation and our Boseies expenditures are expenditure driven aids. So as
021we spend more in the current year, we receive more aid the following year. So because one of them is decreasing, the other one is increasing, we're essentially saying that we're decreasing our expenditures this year, which would mean we get less aid next year and vice versa. And then again, our building aid is the drop off of that deferred building aid that we're receiving in the current school year. Uh that was a one-time payment which was offset by the increase in debt payment which we saw on the last slide. And then when we look at overall revenue, so state aid, we had talked about an overall decrease of about 800,000. Federal aid remaining relatively unchanged. So this is our Medicaid reimbursements that we get for providing Medicaid services. Um our property taxes, uh currently we're keeping
022it at a 0% increase until we can talk about that further. Um our other tax items, small increase. Again, this is related to our payment in lie of tax. So, um our solar farms, uh they pay the district directly rather than getting a tax bill. Um as well as our interest and penalties on anyone that pays a tax bill late. So, that's the other tax items. Our Erie County sales tax, the superintendent and I have a wager going. Um this is really tied to consumer spending. Um so a small increase of about 50,000 in that category just knowing that um even I'm sure we've all noticed gas prices have skyrocketed in the last week uh which would drive consumer spending up which would mean that hopefully the county is collecting more sales tax which then
023could distribute to the district next year. Uh miscellaneous revenue is kind of that catchall bucket. So this includes interest um interest investments um use of facilities um rental revenue um which is remaining relatively unchanged about 60,000 a decent portion of that is related to interest earnings. So even though we are anticipating interest rates to uh significantly decrease um we had anticipated that this current year um and it didn't fall as quickly as we had anticipated. So raising that level a little bit but still knowing that those interest rates are going to come down um pretty significantly over the next couple years. And then lastly our appropriated fund balance and our reserves. So think of these like our savings accounts. So once they are spent they are no longer available for future use. So last year
024we had really plugged the budget gap by using additional reserves knowing that we can't do that perpetually into the future because our reserves won't be there to offset. Um so currently we are anticipating to use 1.35 million in reserves which I will go into on the next slide. Okay so kind of ignore the section in the middle that is our bus purchases our capital reserve which is a separate proposition. Um so the top section and the one all the way at the bottom the elar the employee benefit acred liability that is where the 1.35 million is kind of dispersed. So, between our workers comp reserve to pay for our workers comp premiums, our unemployment reserve to pay for any unemployment claims we may receive, our ERS and TRS contributions. So, our um employer contributions for
025the employee retirement system and the teacher retirement system, and then lastly, our um employee employee benefit acred liability reserve. And then this middle section is our bus purchases. So, that is a separate proposition. So what that means is it's a separate item that the taxpayers vote on the day of the budget and if that were to not even if the bud the general fund budget were to pass but that proposition were to go down the district would not be would not purchase any buses. So that's why it is a separate expenditure item and that's why that those revenue or that reserve is not included in the overall reserve allocation of 1.35 million. So overall we are anticipating to use about 1.9ish million of our reserves. Um which I think is most notably you want to
026look at the allocation as of the end of the fiscal year of June, this past June of 2025 and where we're anticipating to be at the end of 2027. Um using that 1.35 million of reserves as well as those bus purchases. we are spending a decent amount of our reserve balances. And [snorts] then lastly, when we look at a summary of where we are revenue and expenditure- wise um at each different iteration from 0% tax levy increase all the way up to the tax gap of 2.52. Um if you look at the middle column, that's kind of 2% where the district had been previously. Uh it was about 1.5 $1.6 6 million budget gap. Um, as compared to the 2.52 going all the way up to the tax cap, uh, we still have about a
027$ 1.5 million budget. And the difference in the tax levy from 2% to 2.52 is about 80 $85,000. Okay. So, next steps are to really have a deep dive discussion um at the budget workshop next week about what our tax may look like next year or on the ballot um in May. Um and what level of reserves we feel comfortable using or the board feel feels comfortable using. Um a pretty in-depth discussion about our propositions uh which I kind of touched upon a little bit today, a breast purchases. Uh we also have to create a new capital reserve as one is expiring. Um and then lastly, how we can further close that budget gap. >> Any questions? >> I do have one question. >> Um and it's more so for there are actually are a
028few people here and anybody who may be watching at home. So when you talk about the breakage in salaries, is that um breakage solely through attrition or does that breakage include any potential? So, it currently it currently includes replacing each of the retirees, which is something we're going to need to take a hard look at and discuss. >> Okay. >> So, can you go back to state aid? >> Yeah. I mean, ultimately, state aid is flat if you really want to come down to it because there's expenditures of debt falling off and when you factor those two in, it's it's really state aid's flat for all intents and purposes. >> If we Yes. Based on where the executive proposal is right now, correct? >> Yeah. What my AI co-pilot's telling me in my head here.
029So, if you go back in, you look at expenses, about 3/4 of a million dollars is basically a tuition increase. outside tuition increases. So, [clears throat] um you know, we do an incredible job here with that department. Um but there, you know, I understand that there's only so much, you know, we can do you know, in-house. So, when you when you really kind of look at this whole budget as a whole, um we're not getting a whole lot from the state. Um, we've got tuition that we've got to, you know, pay out and that's where, you know, a lot of the dollars are going. >> Yep. >> You know, if you look at the the two main drivers of this thing, you know, obviously you asked the question about breakage. Um, you know, that's where
030we're at with that. Can you imagine if we didn't have nine retirees, um, where we would be at? And then, you know, there's really not a whole lot, you know, contractual there. I know we're looking at some other stuff, you know, that we can maybe wrap into the capital project, but that's 3, four years down the road to, you know, reduce some of that contractual um expenses. [clears throat] But really, when it comes down to it, it's, you know, it's it's just growth where it is. Um, and that's kind of where what I'm seeing in the snapshot where we're at right now. So, could you go to the um reserves? So, the question is, we're going to get into approving phase one of the next capital project. Phase two gets bid sometime later this year
031and then we're looking at another one in December as a as another vote. So, of that, let's say 5.9 million that we've got in capital reserves, how much of that is tied to this current capital project phase 1 and phase two that's going to be done this summer and then the following summer of 27? >> I believe it's 3.65 million we allocated to the capital project. >> Okay. So in that number of 5.9, 3.6 is coming out of it. So it's kind of already spoken for. So um just something to to kind of pay attention to as we continue to, you know, work on this budget. I know next next Monday we have another um budget meeting, but this kind of what I'm seeing. Am I missing? Did I kind of hit the high points?
032>> Yep, you're right on point. >> Okay. Um, so in layman's terms, state aid's flat. You know, what are we going to do in regards to are we going to go to the tax cap or not? That's a whole another discussion. And then um you know, where all the other big chunk of expense um where it's coming from. So that's just wanted to point out those those few things that u you know what I'm seeing. You know, we've been on this you know, we've all been on this board, you know, pretty seasoned board here. So, we're going to make the decisions that we we need to make and and go from there. Um, I know one of the retirees is going to be tough to replace, but we will have to replace it no matter
033what, one way or another. So, speaking German, that's, you know, in regards [clears throat] to that. So, um, that's all I got. Any other questions from the board? >> I do have one more question. Um, and this is not this is more my ignorance to the situation. We once upon a time we used to charge tuition for our self-contained classrooms. Is that still something we do or are we full from in house? >> We we do accept tuition paying um students for our special education programs. Yes, we do have a number of students that that attend our programs that are home schools at different public school. >> Okay. I mean not that it's the beall end all in making a dent in our tuition. Oops. But >> any other questions? uh health insurance you mentioned
03410% increase. >> Yep. >> Is that written in stone? Is that No, I mean >> we are still going back and forth with our broker and our um anda our insurance agent. >> Well, I just think it's safe to say I mean I'm on the board for my end of my third term. This is not an easy process. I think until you serve on the board, at least from my perspective, I always wondered how this was decided. And then once I got involved in it, I was like, "Holy cow, this is a lot. There's a lot more parts of this that our hands are tied sometimes." But I think what we always try to do is do what's in the best interest of the school and the taxpayers. And I think we've done a really
035good job of that. Um, but it is not an easy task. We need your blessing. Thank you, Mrs. May. >> Thank you. Are there any No, that was it. Okay. Am I supposed to read the diligent thing? [laughter] >> Definition of diligent. Um, at this time, uh, members of the board of education may request to have any items removed from the consent agenda and considered separately. Are there any requests? Nope. Nope. that upon the recommendation of the superintendent, consensus items be approved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstained? Motion carried. >> Where do I go? I can read it off of this. Do I have to do the public? Got to do the public first about the improvement these things. No, I have to do both. Yeah.
036At this point in time, we have public comment. Approximate position and time that the board is designated to receive statements from individuals and groups. The board will review all statements, then respond appropriately at a future meeting. All persons in attendance are required to sign the attendance sheet and designate the representation status. For example, a parent, teacher, bus driver, chamber of commerce, etc. There is a two-minute limit. Anybody? Oh, the floor is yours. >> Thank you. >> Hi, everyone. I'm Katherine Schneider. Uh, I work in the district. I have children in the district. Love our district. I think our district is really awesome. I've not been to a meeting mostly because I haven't felt that I've needed to. Everything's great with our district. Um there is one thing I wanted to touch base on that I
037might have heard a little bit about and it's in regard to continuing our German program. Are there plans to replace Fra Krin after retirement and keep German going? [clears throat] >> We're going to try. >> Um, it's going to be incredibly difficult. So, Mr. Mcdana and I have had some some discussions about what alternate plans we might be able to come up with. I don't have an I don't have a solid answer for you other than we'll do our best. That's exactly what I wrote this two-page paper about that. Um, I don't feel the need to read the entire thing, but I really want to encourage our district to continue to offer this if possible. Um, it's very important to give children access to these things. And German is a program that's dying off. Frontier
038got rid of theirs two years ago after a teacher retired. I don't think they fought very hard for it. Um, but that's just my opinion and um I think it really sets our district above other districts still being able to offer more than just French and Spanish as most districts are doing. I think that's really important. preserving languages, for lack of better words, that aren't as popular is also very important so that they're not lost. Um, I'm German and my great-grandfather came over to America in the early 1900s. And when you came over then, you learned English and that's what you spoke and that was that that was it. So, it didn't get passed down through our family. And my daughter is in seventh grade in German. and I'm just so proud that she wanted
039to take that on and I think it's really an asset to our district. So, I just want to really encourage you to keep fighting for our students as you always always have to try and keep this program in the budget and find somebody to take it over. >> That's going to be the challenge is finding somebody. >> Yeah. Um, and as I think um, some of you might have spoken with Miss Bower uh, in our own district uh, who is a was a teacher in Germany before she came over, but I'm not sure how uh, she wasn't able to be here tonight due to family issues, but she um, I'm not sure how qualifications come over for New York State and from other countries. So, I couldn't touch base on that, but maybe in our
040own district, we might find a solution to this and to continue offering it long term. So, that's all. Thank you very much. >> If you want to leave what you wrote with with Mrs. Bachinsky, I'll I'll review it or you can you can send it to me, whatever works for you. >> Sure. >> I just I know we're not supposed to respond, but I do want to let you know. Um I'm a parent in the district, too. My older daughter graduated, took German, and my younger daughter is in a drop, too. So although I try not to let my personal feelings try not to let my personal feelings um interfere with what I do here on the board, it is it I do agree with you. So I I am going to work hard but
041also fairly to try to figure out a solution too. >> Thank you. >> Hi, I'm Jessica Antonic. I'm a parent. I have a seventh grader in the school who's also in German and that's what I came to talk about too. So I'm also going to alter what I had knowing the new bit of information. Um because I really came to encourage as well please please please find a way to keep this program at the very least very minimum at least for the students that have already started the program. You know that would take you to the graduating year of 2031. You know get creative. I know UB has a big German department. They have an education department. Reach out to them. See if they have people even if they could be a a long-term sub,
042you know, because my understanding, you need a bachelor's degree and pursuing credentials and certificates to be a long-term sub. I'm sure at the very minimum you can find that. You know, even working with that with Miss Bower, maybe there's a solution to do that. I understand it's difficult, but I'm not going to accept that because the you haven't even posted the vacancy yet. So, please post the vacancy. Start the process. Get it moving so that we can have hope for this program. >> Oh, we're going to post. We are there. There is a plan, but there's internal process we have to go through first and we're almost there. So, >> and that's good to know because unfortunately we haven't had communication. None of the parents of the students, we found out from our kids who
043found out from the teacher. >> You know, we're here to help and support the process. We don't want to, you know, be confrontational, but if we don't know information and knowing that your intent is to really fight for this program, >> yeah, we we will do our absolute best. uh and we we will post again there's there's an internal process that is coming to a close in the next several days and then we'll we'll take a look at at our posting process and what needs to go out early and what we can wait a little bit on depending on internal interest. So um I had every intention of posting German not and there's no decision made on whether seventh graders are going to be able to carry through or not. I know that's what you
044asked for. It's one of the things that we need we need to look at and in many different levels. This isn't this this isn't just a dollars and cents issue as you heard me say earlier. It's making sure we have robust opportunities for all of our students. And you know, you mentioned that that and I know I'm not supposed to be doing this, so thank you for the leeway. Um, you mentioned that, you know, German was canceled at Frontier after after the teacher retired. Well, I fought to keep German Italian when I was the principal there because it was a unique component of of that district. So, I understand the value. Um, I understand what our enrollment is. I know we and I I can tell you this right now. I know we need to
045add somebody to that department. Um, and if it's German, great. If we can find someone who's certified or pursuing certification, great. Keeps you happy. Keep keeps our our class sizes where they need to be. Um, but I'm concerned that there may not be that person out there. And every superintendent is in the same situation right now when it comes to these specialty areas. um there's just not a lot of people pursuing different components of education. So, and I and I you mentioned a name earlier. I'm not going to repeat it. I know that Mr. I know Mr. Mcdana has been in touch. We have different levels of plans we're working through and that's the hardest part of where we are in budget season. And we didn't talk about this yet. There's still a lot unknown.
046You know, the final budget isn't here yet. It's due April 1. Keep our fingers crossed we actually have an on-time budget and it's a little bit rosier than what we currently know. and that leads to a lot of other decisions that we're able to make. Okay. >> So, >> and just off of that, I don't expect an answer, but I would like if if unfortunately what we don't want does happen, you know, especially with the seventh graders, can they at least get a choice then out of the other two languages and not just slot it into, you know, just say, "Oh, well, you're just all going into Spanish." Like, at least give them a still give them some sort of choice. >> I hope so. Right. And I and I I I apologize that I
047can't give you definitive answers. It depends who we find to fill that seat. So if I can only find a Spanish teacher, choices are going to be limited. If we can find a French teacher, cho choices open up. If we can find someone dually certified, even better. >> Okay. So you're going to be filling with a language teacher. It's just a matter of which language. >> At least in part. Yes. Yes. And now you know as much as the board knows about my plans with the language department. >> Appreciate. you're all finding out at the same time. >> Appreciate that. >> But I and I I appreciate the dialogue. I I appreciate you you sharing your concerns and what you're passionate about when your kids are passionate about. Um and it's it's a supply issue
048right now. >> Yeah. >> Really is. >> Yeah. I know my family doesn't have the German history, but my kid loves the German language. Like she just that was her first choice. She loves it. I know her first quarter I was so impressed. She got like a hundred in it. like it's just something she really loves and I'm going to fight for it and I'll help any way I can. >> Appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. Thanks. >> Thanks. And I'll just say too kind of to lead into that as a as a parent, I get it. I have two in German now myself, one in ninth grade who's asked the questions, what do we do next year? So, as a parent, I just want to say I'm glad it's, you know, we're discussing
049and as a board member, we separated, you know, our best. But yeah, just as parent, I get it. Anybody else [laughter] ask that the uh the waters would be turned on in the snack shack so that we can start getting revenue from that. That was pretty much it. >> Okay. Well, uh not sure what temperature we need to get to turn waters and all that on out there. So, >> I'm not turning it on today, [laughter] >> but tomorrow you might be a little problem by the end of the school year last year or end going in winter. So, being a little cautious probably getting it ready to go. So, >> all right. All right. Anybody else? >> All right, Cheryl. >> Okay, next we have um new business appointments that upon the recommendation the
050superintendent Kelly Maer be appointed on probation as a payroll clerk in the helps effective March 17, 2026 and ending on May 11th, 2026. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? I. >> Any opposed? Any abstained? Motion carried. that upon the recommendation of the superintendent after successfully completing her probationary period, Karen Bower be permanently appointed as a teacher aid effective March 31st, 2026. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Any abstained? Motion carried. that upon the recommendation of the superintendent after successfully completing his probationary period, Charles Angel be permanently appointed as a bus driver effective 4th, 2026. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. Any oppose? Any abstained? Motion carried. that upon the recommendation of the superintendent, Selena Taber Ralph be appointed on probation as a teacher
051aid effective February 23rd, 2026 and ending October 22nd, 2026. Salary is based upon CSEA contract level 4, step one. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Any abstained? Motion carried. that upon the recommendation of the superintendent, Angelina Maguire Christ be appointed on probation as a bus driver effective March 17, 2026 and ending November 16th, 2026. Salary is based upon CSEA contract level 9 step four. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> I any opposed? Any abstained? Motion carried. that upon the recommendation of the superintendent and sheen head election inspector Ellen Connley, Barbara Caffrey, Zoe Mclofflin, and Virginia Gunther be appointed as election inspectors for the budget vote May 19th, 2026 at a rate of $16.50 50 cents per hour and further authorize the district clerk to fill any
052vacancies in these positions which may occur prior to May 19th, 2026 with individuals from the board of elections inspector personnel list. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Any abstained? Motion carried. New business that upon the recommendation of the superintendent, the 2026 2027 school calendar be approved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Just so the board knows, there have been no changes to the previous calendars that have been shared with you. >> Okay. So, students, that means a Tuesday start next year, not a Thursday start. Okay. Getting thumbs up. We're getting thumbs up. All right. parents are liking it. Um, one of the main reasons is is Labor Day is so late this year. So, that's why we're uh we're starting on Tuesday. So, all right. Uh, any other discussion?
053All in favor? >> I Any opposed? Any abstained? Motion carried. >> That upon the recommendation that superintendent the notice of annual meeting and vote be approved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Any abstained? Motion carried. >> That upon the recommendation of the superintendent, the resolution of board of education 2026 2027 for participation with Bosey's joint bid be approved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Any abstained? Motion carried. that upon the recommendation of the superintendent, an overnight trip for Wednesday, April 15, 2026 through Thursday, April 16th, 2026 to participate in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Student Leadership Conference. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> I Any opposed? Any abstained? Motion carried. that upon the recommendation of the
054superintendent the transportation route spreadsheet effective March 6, 2026 be approved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> I I Any opposed? Any abstained? Motion carried. >> That upon the recommendation of the superintendent, the following items be declared excess and disposed of as the district deems appropriate. Grank fitness power racks. those numbers. Hammer strength flap bench from Life Fitness. Hammer Strength Decline bench from Life Life Fitness. Hammer Strength Incline bench from Life Fitness. Rogue Fitness Series half squat rack and three first place athletic equipment weight trees. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> We should give Gron's back to him >> maybe. >> Or to his dad. >> Yes. >> Any other discussion? All in favor? I >> I any opposed? Any abstained? Motion carried. >> That upon the recommendation of the superintendent the capital
055improvement project 2024 phase 1 contracts for site work and roofing be awarded as follows. Contract 101 site work to Thman Asphalt Paving Corporation as follows. Base bid $1,585,000. Alternate one, $450,500. Alternate two, $25,000. Total for award, $2,64,500 for the base contract and alternates one and two. Contract 102, roofing to Weaver Metal and Roofing Incorporated as follows. Base bid 4,112,000. Alternate three 742,000 total free award 4,854,000 for the base contract and alternate three >> second. >> Any discussion? >> Yes. I want the board to be aware that uh these bids came in um incredibly well to the tune of about 2.6 million less than we had planned for. Um the um all of the site work was accepted. Uh meaning that's what alternate one and alternate two were. That's parking lots and on and this campus
056and and the roofing on this campus. Uh we did go with a little higher level roof, which includes a 30-year warranty as opposed to a 20-year warranty. One of the things that that does it it gets us out of roof jail. Um because the Eden Elementary roof and the high school roof, the two biggest roofs in the district, will now have 10 years of separation and one they'll be need need to be replaced. As you'll recall, we're in a situation now where uh really all four buildings roofs are are due to be replaced at about the same time. So very happy with the way the bids came in. >> Yeah. Um so kind of piggybacking on what Mr. Tortisio said, "So to do the parking lot out front here, that's the 454,000. So to get
057that done, and as Jax always says, it's cheaper to do it now than it is 5 years from now." Um, so we did that and then going from a 20-year roof here to a 30-year roof, that's the 742,000 or dollar. So, you know, basically, you know, adding 10-year warranty to, you know, $4 million roof. So, >> how many biders did we have? We had a good number across >> three each. Uh, any other discussion? That's all going to start this summer and, uh, hopefully be done this summer. >> Well, um, no. Uh, [laughter] the parking lots, well, the plan is to have the parking lots done this summer. The roof the roof is going to take two summers. >> Yeah. Um All right. Any other discussion? All in favor? >> I Any opposed? Any abstained?
058Motion carried. >> That upon the recommendation of the superintendent, the construction material inspection and testing services firm for phase one and two of the capital improvement project be awarded to Enorus Group. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? I >> I. Any opposed? Any abstained? Motion carried. >> That upon the recommendation of the superintendent, Amy Mascuel be added as an approved occasional driver pending a completed physical effective March 20th, 2026. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Any abstained? Motion carried. >> Business report. Just a quick one. Um, the RFP for prek services is being published on April 1st and proposals are due by May 1st. >> That's it. >> Superintendent report. >> Okay. >> Can I share? >> Yep. >> You're going to tell me how to do
059that. Go to Zoom. >> Don't see the green yet. Oh, there we go. >> Think probably the Google way share. >> Well, thank you. Um, so I I want to take my my time with uh the time allotted to me for the superintendent report to really have a discussion with the board about um what we just experienced together. And so everyone in the audience and and listening at home knows u I took the board and and our administrative team on an exercise through um what's called a thought exchange. And a thought exchange is an is a way to collect information from a large group of folks about a particular topic. In this case the uh the question that folks were asked to answer is in relation to planning for our next capital project. I know
060it sounds a little funny that we talked tonight about just accepting bids for phase one of a two-phase project and we're already talking about the next project, but that's what that's what we have to do as a school system is to be five years ahead of the game. So, depending on on on where we go, it's more likely than not that we will ask our stakeholders to uh come for a vote in December on on our next capital project. And and and now we need to kind of figure out what's going to be included in that. Um, so that the question that was posed or what are some of those things you would like to see in our in our facilities in order to support the success of our students and and this is this
061is a um this is an interactive discussion now for the for the board and any of the administrators that took part in this. Tell me how you felt about the process about about the thought exchange having especially if you've never done it before. Um you know was it easy to understand? Was it easy to navigate? If it wasn't, then I need to know and I need to fix it. Um, and what and once you put your own thoughts in, did you go back and rate those of others? >> Yeah, I thought it was I thought it was very easy to navigate. >> Um, and I'm not I mean, I'm okay at computer stuff, but >> uh so I thought it was great, easy to get into and I did like being able to go back
062and see what other people thought and some people, you know, nobody's going to prioritize in the same order. And yet there were things I saw that I was like, "Oh, I didn't even think of that." Um, so I liked it. I thought it was a great thing. >> Yeah. The biggest thing is, you know, once you put your thoughts in, they kind of go back in and see what other thoughts have been added to the uh to the list and, you know, be able to go back in and rate them. I guess that was maybe the only cuz you kind of get to the end, you think, all right, you hit complete and then you're done. Then you got to kind of go back in and kind of jump back up the ladder a little
063bit to to get to it. So that was the only thing that I found. Um and I guess you know when we do go out, you know, on a um uh a community thought exchange is we send multiple reminders to kind of go back in and look. I know um Michaela sent some stuff out, you know, over the last couple days kind of reminding the current stakeholders was maybe what 18 of us or 20 of us that kind of stress tested this thing um to kind of go back in and look at it. And the last I saw, I think there was like I'm probably stealing some of your things, you know, >> um 38 different thoughts or something along those lines. So, just kind of reminding that like if you go in early, there's
064only if if if let's say Cheryl and I are the only two that are in there, I'm only going to be able to rate Cheryl's thoughts and then rate my own thoughts. And unless you go back in to see like what maybe Mr. Mcdana put in, Mr. Sioone put in and go back in and grab those ones. Um, that's the only thing is you got to kind of remember like if you go in and do it right away, I hate to say it, lagging kind of maybe gets you better ratings, but then being late to the thought doesn't get your thoughts looked at. So, it's it's kind of that balance that's I think I think when when we do send this out, and I know there's some time frame on it, we need to have
065multiple reminders to the stakeholders to go back in and look at this. And that's what I didn't realize because when Michaela sent the reminder to go back in, then I was like, "Oh, I didn't." And then it made sense. I, you know, didn't necessarily see all the people that had input stuff. >> Yeah. So, we tried to mirror um with this test uh exa close to is exactly what we're going to do with the larger group. And and so it was a short window. So about halfway through uh Michaela who's responsible uh has a big part in our our communication strategy um sent a reminder and then she sent a reminder today because it it closed today. So we'll do something very similar and and this is all through the coaching of of the folks
066that that do this for for a living as well. um you'll see a two-eek window for the for the larger group and you know a reminder at least one reminder about halfway half halfway through and then another one closer to the end. Um my my observation was first of all I actually did it so it's uh that should be noted in writing. Um, and 10 years ago, 11 years ago, 12 years ago, we did our first capital project in in [clears throat] the auditorium or in the cafeteria. People showing up, take a ton of time out of their days and evenings, multiple meetings, uh, drawings, posters, trying to ascertain where the community wants us to move. Um, we need to this 10 years later, we can all do it from the comfort of our own
067phone and get your thoughts measured scientifically. It's it's fantastic and we need, you know, I'm sure you guys have a plan to make sure that we get as many uh stakeholders as possible to put input in because it is critical when we start making those next decisions. Anything else about the setup, about the question? Easy to use. Did anyone do it on their phone? >> That's all I did on my phone. >> Your phone. It was good. >> Yeah. >> What about in the back, gentlemen? >> Did you participate, Mr. Shiron, Mr. McDonald? >> Loved it. I thought it was really nice interface and I did like other people's thoughts sparking new thoughts in my opinion. That to me was the coolest thing to grip about. >> But you guys do realize I put some
068things in there purposely to get low ratings. [clears throat] Just so everyone knows, I put in let's let's remodel district office because those people work hard. Okay? That is nothing that's ever going to come out in a capital project. It was purposely done to show low to show low ratings. I was going to put fish pond in there, but I thought it would all you would all know that I put that in there. >> I actually laughed out loud when I read that one. >> Well, it's it's called hyperbole. Okay. It's it's something extreme. So So ease of use. Um important to communicate. Our communication plan is we'll we'll do our our regular school messenger. We're going to utilize social media. There'll be an ad in the uh in the penny saver. U Michaela's going
069to put up some posters probably with a QR code and and and work with some local businesses about posting that as well. Um, I know there was a question early on about can we do geo fencing and meaning can we just can we somehow limit responses to our area and they don't really have that uh ability. Um, but what they said in their 10 or 15 years of doing this, they haven't they haven't gotten um levels of responses from people outside of of an area that that negatively affected the results. That's one of the reasons I I use my humor to put something silly in there, right? Because no one's going to vote for that. I didn't even vote for that. So, I want to show you a little bit in the shared screen here
070what we can what we can get from uh from this this messaging and from this uh um ask of our our community to participate. So, you were close. There were 25 participants. There were 36 thoughts and 546 ratings. I think that part's pretty incredible. Um and as you know you were asked to um define your your role with the district board of education member administrator other. There were two others. One of us one of the others is with us. We probably could have given you a better title than other but thank you Amanda. Um and then what what building you're you know the the individual was associated with. So, 23 responses here. That tells me that of the 25 participants, two stopped really quickly. And that's why I actually asked Mr. Cavone and Mr. Mcdana
071if they were the two that stopped quickly because they were my next suspects. But apparently, they they moved on. So, >> see, I was confused by that question. >> All of them >> did that. >> You got it right. We'll give you a star later. Um, I know. Uh Michaela sent out this, you know, this bubble of different different words that came up. It was kind of neat. And then, you know, key thoughts and and this again, this was just a test. Hey, this does not mean that what you're what you're seeing on the screen or whether you're watching at home or you're watching here is absolutely going to be in the project. This was a small group to to test out a a means to gather information from from the greater greater public. Okay.
072If if some of these things do come back up again, then you know that's you know then then they could happen. But the highest uh the highest ratings um amongst our small test group were finishing the eee classroom renovations uh improvements and updates in the middle high school auditorium along with improvements and updates to some of the classrooms at GLP and elementary buildings. Uh classroom updates to older rooms in including bathrooms. So some similarities there for sure. And then um really uh this this next thought um rating was was pretty similar again the e classroom renovations uh update classrooms towards modern learning and then some more specific uh detailed information there so we can get to you know we'll be able to really drill down into what what the community wants to see and what
073the community supports. Okay. I refrain from suggesting a new pool, just so you know. >> I was surprised I didn't see that in there. I almost put it in there, but I thought it for sure would get one very high rating. >> I get my hopes up. >> Yeah. >> So, I kind of threw one out there that, you know, I put in new turf for baseball and softball, >> but I also qualified the comment saying that, you know, the community would be paying for that one. >> So, >> yes, you you did put that out there and it got a low rating. just settle for better water air quality in the pier. >> And I I really want to know who put the improve the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems because none of us
074knew what that meant. That was you. >> Yeah. None of us knew what that meant before the last meeting. >> Mechanical, electrical, plumbing map. >> I didn't I didn't know what MAP meant. >> Yeah. >> Well, no. I put it I put it in the >> Yeah. So if I'm just going to scroll through as you as you look at your screens and you and just so you get a a feel of how the rating system worked. Some of the things that were put in there are are actually part of phase two uh of our project, particularly the playground accessibility uh at GLP. That's that's uh that's a hope that we can include in phase two. And then you see as things get a little bit more granular, um, they had they had fewer votes.
075And I'm going to share this with you because there's there's a lot to read for the board. I just wanted you to have have an idea of the the level of information we're going to be able to collect. Okay. So again, the communication plan will be uh utilizing our school messenger system that captures anyone that shared their email with us in the school. Um we are we're going to give students an opportunity to participate. I'm trying to figure out how we're going to do that, but we certainly will. Um and to the greater community um via uh social media, uh the the um penny saver and our local businesses. Okay. Any questions about that? >> Okay. Um, that's all for me. >> Next we have student report Sam Ziddle. [clears throat] >> Um, on Friday
076of the student council, it says Friday, March 20th, 2026, the high school student council will be having their yearly team building field trip. And then Thursday, March 26, [snorts] 2026 will be the middle school student council in Sunni Fredonia's math and science night filled with carnival activities involving math and science concepts. And then we'll be having a spring fling spirit week March 30th through April 3rd, 2026. That's all I have. >> Thank you, Sam. >> Yep. Next we have board roundt the board report. Anybody have anything? >> So uh Mrs. May and I got to attend a meeting with the the grids of the electricity people for us talking about zero emission buses. Um the very interesting thing that they talked about is they only control the transmission of electricity. And one thing that wasn't
077talked about is where the power is actually going to get generated from. And I had to go up and talk to one of the panelists afterwards saying, "So, where are we getting the power from?" And he goes, "It's supply and demand. If there's a demand for it, we'll supply it." And I'm like, "Well, my question is, where are you going to get it from?" So, the interesting thing is there was a number of organizations there that have um I don't know, rebates and all this other stuff for us. Frankie, is that a good thing? So, I don't know, different three different presentations, there was $700 million worth of rebates available. Do you know how many school districts are in uh New York State? 735. So, depending on when you step up and, you know, get
078into these whole um uh electric buses and stuff like that, they're ready for us. um they're ready to to take our upgrades and things along those lines. And um I don't know, it just uh it's very interesting to see where this whole thing's headed. And I know we're I know our approach on it, but the grid was there basically saying we're we're ready for you. Um if if you need a substation, you may have to pay for it. Is that a fair statement, Mrs. May? >> Yes. But they couldn't tell you how much it would cost. And it could go anywhere from a thousands of dollars to hundreds of millions of dollars. Yeah. >> So, it was it was just very interesting. Um, just seeing what you know, they're ready for us. You know, they
079said they can serve us. And we're we're I would say right now we're kind of in the middle of the road. Uh, we've done our our our test with uh Oh, >> yeah. Our study. So, we're we're we're kind of right there. We got a two-year um no four-year basically waiver at this point in time. But um some stuff that got brought up about other districts that have already tried it and hasn't gone too well um they kind of tried to shoot those down. So one of the big things that I I kind of took away from it which was kind of very headscratching is your rate to charge is much better in the evening versus during the day. So they really don't mind charging the buses during the day because they're going to give
080you a really high rate during those things. But how do we get the buses recharged between the morning run and the afternoon run? You know, they want us on what they call like a 20kw charger, which is like a trickle charger throughout the night. And then, oh, we got to we'll have to hit you with a 60k um charger during the uh during the day and, you know, basically charge your arm and leg with uh all this good stuff. So, interesting interesting stuff. Um, you know, more to follow on it as we go down it, but the grid says they're ready to supply us with electricity is what I got out of it. No, they didn't tell us where it was coming from yet. So, mini nukes, so who knows where it's where it's coming.
081So, that's uh that's all I got. >> Yeah, I saw two articles on Facebook from school district up north. One was Alexandria School District and basically that um it says out of their four electric buses, one took a 65day vacation, aka it didn't work. Um another clocked out for 58 days. It didn't work. Um break issues, electrical connector failure. Um the bus equivalent of fainting mid-root. Uh, and this superintendent said nothing says future of transportation like a school bus that randomly powers off like an iPhone at 2%. So, and then there was another district shortly after that up in the northern area that just it was an epic fail. So, it'll be interesting as Don said where this goes. Um, because so far don't look so good. article that I shared with you about the
082the cost for a while. It was like it was like >> well it's cheaper if you if you trickle charge it all the time. [laughter] >> The district was in Naples and the diesel cost was like guesstimate 38 cents a mile or something to run a bus on diesel and then for the electric zero emission buses was like $383 a mile. Yes. >> Not not the reports that we saw on the screens on last week. >> It was on rainbows and >> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. This district they said there was a 35 cent sir charge per mile for the privilege of freezing while broken down. I mean, yeah, this they didn't hold back. Um, yeah, it's >> uh just a brief note, the top 10 students here reminded me of what I think most
083of us believe here. We have some really impressive kids who come through the Eden schools and go to do all kinds of things, whether it's work or college or in this major and that major. I have three sons who graduated from here and I know lots of us have kids who have gone through this system and you and from here you can get everywhere and that's something that as a board member we're just super proud of and by the way they're really good kids they're and they grow up to be really good adults. >> That's kudos to the parents raising good kids. Anything else? All right. When's our next meeting? >> The budget workshop is March 23rd, 2026 at 6 p.m. in the middle school high school library. The next regular board of education meeting
084budget adoption is April 20th at 6 p.m. in the middle school high school library. The Boseies component vote is April 28th, 2026 at 7:30 a.m. in the district office. Uh public hearing on the budget May 11th, 2026 at 6 pm in the middle school high school library. The annual budget vote is May 19th, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the middle school high school auditorium foyer. And the next regular board of ed meeting is May 20th, 2026 at 6 pm in the middle school high school library. >> That's a lot of meetings in the next two months there. >> Our favorites. It's our favorite month of the year. two months of the year that upon the recommendation of the superintendent at 7:15 p.m. the board of education enter executive session to discuss the
085employment history of a particular person or persons. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I thanks.