Budget Workshop / Board of Education Special Meeting 3/24/2026

001Remember walk into jab walk Who else? Well, you're getting It's all good. The live stream is on. What's this? Thank you everyone. >> Thank you everyone. >> We would like to begin. Can I get a motion to open the budget workshop March 24th, 2026? >> I'll make that motion. >> I'll second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. For those that are able, if we could please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge alce to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all >> Dr. Thank you, President, members of board, members of the welcome to our budget presentation today. Before we get started, just want to read the statement that we sent

002out to all of the families of Rhonda about what took place today. I just want to let you ride to let you know a situation that occurred today on our main campus where a group of students initiated a walk out to protest potential being discussed by board of education. Uh while we appreciate their passion and valiant voices and advocacy, ensuring student safety during a school day remains our top priority. Unplanned activities such as this can potentially make difficult to maintain a safe and supervised environment. Living class also disrupts a school day and overall learning experience. Our code of conduct outlines expectations consequences for situations as this. Students who participate in today's walk out potentially could have been a mark absent today from class. The students perspectives that were voice today have been heard loud and

003clear. However, our expectations. However, our expectation for the teacher for students to express themselves in ways that are safe in coordination with school administration so that can be shared safely and constructively. As always, we appreciate your support and cooperation ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our students and please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Federo. Please forgive me as I'm reading my statement for partial. I would like to welcome everyone to our third budget workshops and the fourth presentation of our ongoing developing budget. We understand that at this point in the budget developing this budget development process suggestions and decisions become much more difficult especially when it includes potential reductions in staffing. I would like to acknowledge the support of the unions in our neighboring

004districts. I want to thank you for coming to support the Randout Federation as your districts have had to endure a similar situation with reductions and in some cases continuing to do so. News, your superintendent shared that you had to endure 33 reductions since the 2324 school year, many of which were dear colleagues for several years. This year, your reductions will be made through attrition. Ellenville, you have also dealt with reductions as well, many through attrition, and will potentially continue to have a couple more this year. Kingston, your superintendent, shared that you currently have a $35 million gap that the district is trying to close and that Kingston is potentially looking at a large number of reductions across all bargaining units, though he did not share how many yet as they are also in their development

005process. These very difficult decisions are plaguing us all. Again, I appreciate the solidarity being displayed, especially as a unit member myself from a district that has been forced to make similar reductions, including in my own department and with colleagues near and dear to my heart. In the end, what I am hoping for is that we all come together to support each other and recognize that as board members, we not only have a responsibility to our students, but we also have a responsibility to our taxpayers to be fiscally responsible. We are all sitting here before you because we are passionate about Rondout and everyone in it. You have board members that have grown up here, graduated from here, and some even spent their entire careers here. Not one person around this table, including district leadership, wants

006to have to make reductions like this. This is upsetting to us, too. We are not immune to the humane side of all of this. The board of education along with Dr. Spado are always reflecting on what we can do better. You have heard that many times over. We acknowledge that we have to do better with posting our presentations and general information for our community to see the work we do for them and for our students. It is a work in progress. We will do better. This is all difficult and emotional. That is why it is most important to come together to support each other. Dr. Federo and his team as well as us, your elected board members, not only have a responsibility to our students and our community as a whole, but also to our

007taxpayer who ultimately decide whether or not to accept the budget that will be on their ballot in May. There is a real fear among our taxpayers in a large section of our community this year of how much their school taxes will increase on top of the already increasing property taxes they face. Once the budget is adopted in April, Dr. Federo and Miss Beine will go out to the communities as they did last year to present the budget and explain the impact it will have on the wallets of our community members. It is at this time that it will be critical that we come together to support Dr. Federo, Miss Beine, and the entire district in efforts to convince our voters that passing the budget in May will be worth the cost. Our students will depend

008on it. We must come together for our students. And on a personal note, and I did not write this, so this will be off the cuff, I am concerned about the actions from this weekend and today because it has now trickled down to our children. So on a personal note, our children are being harassed. >> We're here. Can I please speak? Can I please speak? >> So, our children are were being harassed today and targeted. >> So, my please, >> who were they targeted by? >> Other students. >> So, my daughter who never misses school is afraid Please stop. Let me speak. >> She is afraid to come to school tomorrow. She and her words to me. Mommy, I don't know which teachers hate you. I am just sharing that information. I have assured her

009that she has advocates because I am here for Ronzel because I have loved Ronzel. >> For six years I have been on this board and prior to that my husband and I have been a member of this community for a long time and we volunteer everywhere and many of you know that my passion lives here. So, please don't think that I know that there are teachers, as I told her, that do love her. >> We all love her. >> So, again, I do want to thank everybody for coming, as well as those that are tuning into our live stream. I am looking forward to moving our district forward positively, supportively, and financially. >> Decision maker. Miss, >> thank you. Um I I did ask Miss Pack if I can just speak a little bit. I

010just want to give a little bit of history at least from the time I run the board um about kind of how we manage. Um first of all um budgetary budgetary decisions that you have students shouldn't be ones that involve the community and allow the board to get back in. So thank you. I think it shows that you all care. We all I do want to know this is a very time for all of us on board. I think you all walk around this campus. We have those signs out that we are one. For me that's that's personal. We are family. So this is emotional for all of us that I want people to know is emotional from the age of 12. Um when decisions come out of sacred adoptions, this is not something that

011I take lightly. I know this board is also not taking lightly as well. Um I want to go back to when I was a student here and I think many of you may remember Mr. And teacher, phenomenal teacher. So he taught me the government and citizen also my personal life as well. He taught us how to focus on solutions through collaboration and professional discussion. I cherish that and I'm hopeful tonight we can all all follow the lead of Mr. Loose and come together as one to solve the situation we're in. Okay, this is a long statement so I apologize but um I want to provide some details related to the budget development in I'm not sure all are aware including maybe some sitting around this table who are newer board members um in the 90s

012when I was a student here and I see some in the audience who actually went to school with um you all remember our way down multiple times that had a significant impact on me as a student and others as students as Well, we went to austerity. We ended up losing a lot of our extracurriculars. Um, it did impact educational delivery. I remember having to walk the mile stop. I don't want to see that happen to our our students budget would be devastating devastating for our our school. Um, when I joined the board 9 years ago, we were coming off of a period where we had 0% and even negative levels. While it's helped me tax burden, it created significant burden on the district, restricted resources and set the district on an unhealthy financial path. In

013fact, the financial projection was that we would be bankrupt in 5 years. Over the last nine years, the superintendent, DOE's, and budget chairs slowly started to change the pendulum where we focus heavily on ensuring a balance between the needs of students, staff, and community. It is critical that all three pillars are taken into consideration. In fact, that's what this really recommends. It can't just be a onesided budget. You need to take into account the program for students. Make sure you take care of your staff, but also making sure that the budgets are coming up and be afforded by the community. Um, a key priority has always been ensuring you work hard to maintain a program, but also ensure it was within the balance of what our community could afford. Including this year, and I've seen

014a lot of this circulate on social media recently, so I just want to make this very clear. Including this year, we've won the max tax free of the last five budgets. So, it's not like they cannot pay the money to keep program. Okay? There's a reason in two years we did not do that. And I'm sure you guess why. during 23 24 and 24 25 years we had the highest rates of inflation across all the US 8% in that first year 5% in the next why it's because we had those economic headwinds from co people were struggling to pay the bills gas prices were shooting up the budget committee at that time and I was a chair in that first year so I want this and if you want to get upset with me please

015settle with me we took a decision not go to the max tax because we wanted to ensure our budget got passed. That was it. We did not want to go to Sarah. Now, did we go down to 0%? No, we went to 3%. I think the max we could have gone 2000 was three and a half or something at that time, but it was a strategic decision to get our budget pass, right? It wasn't necessarily simply save money or the position we are in now. Um, so I just want to these are important points. You know, it seems that we're assumptions that we were properly budgeting over the past several years. In fact, it's just the opposite. We've got ourselves out of a situation from a time where we had no reserves and limited revenue.

016Over the same period, we have seen fund balances that year end between 3 and 5 million. Using this excess, we've been able to fund a portion of the subsequent years budgeted in addition to putting money into our reserves. We we now have quite healthy reserves. Um notably, we created a capital reserve which sits at about 8 million currently. It's important to look at the root cause of the situ situation you're in currently. Um in past years, by the way, we've always had deficits between four and five million when a budget first starts. been able to manage that through um unbalance and all that. This year we're drawing curall. So the key cause for unexpected deficit this year is unexpected rise in healthare costs roughly 2 million. So that's four the typical 4 million we typically

017have deficit that now rises to 6 million total. Okay. While there are increasing increases in expenses in other areas, those ridings are not ordinary and in our group would be able to offset those while still maintaining programs. I am grateful to the bar units who are willing to accept an adjustment to healthcare plan. My hope is that we can get that agreement because I do believe that that will save position. So, thank you to the community for doing that. questions I have for superintendent, but I think I'm going to save them and ask them to go through. >> Mine is not as long as so bear with me. I'm the one who went to high school here, came back and and taught and that many of you if my classes didn't survive. Um, since this

018is a workshop to discuss and question possible cuts to streamline up budget, I feel we need to address the facts and dispel the rumors that fact. Over the past 10 years, enrollment has dropped considerably. In the 2016 2017 school year, we had 1929 students. And for the most part, it has been a steady decline over the years, culminating in a projected 1586 enrollment for the 2026 27 school year. Yet in this way, positions have at best constant during those years or in recent years actually. We are the top administration. and have been for a long time. >> We discussed we need to look at positions where there are many. These are some of the areas where cuts can be made without affecting our programs. As chair of the budget committee, I know that we are

019aware in fact that cuts not be made that will impact any programs that directly affect our students. I'm a former teacher and still educator. Most important fact, teachers and staff who work daily with our students are the lifeblood of education. reducing that life only creates an all fact for the 2026 27 school year. The high school will have an enrollment of 520 students which is less than last year and 106 of those students will either attend al vision. In addition to the principal's position, there are two ads, four guidance counselors, a data specialist, a behavioral specialist, and an administrator from outside the district who does teacher observations and evolutions. Y. >> So, I have questions that hopefully will be answered. Why do I >> Why are we hiring an administrator from outside the district to

020do our test? >> Yeah. administrative position. I would like to know the rale behind having two special education coordinators. I'm a very good elementary school constant and the new programs are thriving due consistency and dedication of existing staff. Thank you, Mom. Dr. Sero, Miss So I would um while they are getting ready, this is uh considered a budget workshop. Um for those who uh just to be just to be clear in the budget workshop they are presenting the the current information to us and the board has this opportunity to discuss back and forth some thoughts, suggestions, we ask questions. Um and so that will be that is the working workshop. Upon conclusion of the working workshop is where you see in the agenda that we will open up public comment. It will be after that

021conclusion of the workshop. So I just wanted to thank you. Okay. Good evening everyone. Again my name is Paul Sero and it's I would say it's a privilege and honor to serve as superintendent around center school district. because this is a techn community my family wanted to move into this community. Everyone knows everyone. Uh everyone works together to accomplish a task at hand. And we're still working. We're still listening. We're still being creative. We're still collaborating. Uh because it's not over yet. We're still working. And we're going to be creative to make sure we preserve as many positions as possible moving forward and also keep this responsible. Good. Thank you. All right, here we go. So our theme uh as all of you know it's been built around community is we want to be a

022a world entrepreneurial school district where our students are future ready and productive citizens and we want to create a culture that fosters collaboration on innovation. And with this proposed budget for 2627, all of our programs are going to remain intact. All of our student programs while we're here for students is still going to be moving forward. We have our academic excellence programs with our indigenous new math curriculum. We have our amplify CLA UDLA curriculum K through8. We have our factor data stream which is real time data on student performance. We have data as well as teachers can create benchmark assessments to prepare for state testing. We have special ed programs and innovative and creative well across county. Actually other districts send their students here because we have the services to meet their needs. We have

023our CCT offerings. still going to happen. Any student that wants to attend a BOS program next year can still do it. We also have AP classes to enrollment. Uh we have certain electives that we offer like small engines. We have FFA that we still offer this year. Our instructional framework is UDL universal design for learning and we have the writing revolution our writing program that has been systemic across the district. So those things aren't changing. Student wellbeing as well as as well. We want to educate the whole child to making sure they're successful. We have a digital hall pass system that tracks uh students whereabouts across the school. We have gold guardian that monitor students online activity on Chromebooks. We're rolling out a new seal curriculum uh for next year. We have awardwinning music programs

024that we're still supporting and moving forward. that budget will be fun. Uh we have a service providers, psychologist, social workers or any service providers to help our students in need. We're still offering we are still offering athletics. So all of our athletics, we have some more athletics for our students that are offering unified team sports after school clubs, uh, school counselors for support. So all of these criteria, all these achievements that are were in this year's budget are also going to be uh the 26 27 budget. So there's going to be very very minimal impact to what we offer our students for 26 27. All right. So, here we are with our proposed expenditures. As we spoke about at the board meetings um in budget workshops, that hasn't changed yet. This is 83 bill,500,615. We

025are proposing to go to the max of our tax cap, which is going to be 3.82. That will yield us approximately $1.8 million. our state aid. As you know, the governor is still working with the legislature. So, there could be a change in that. However, based on our foundation formula, as it currently stands, Rhonda is overfunded as per the state and therefore probably 1% of that, which is equity to about $170,000. So right now, this is currently what the governor put out in January, not the one that they're working on up in the capital. And then miscellaneous revenues are going to be things such as interest earnings on our bank accounts. Uh penalties on late payments of taxes. Um our special education program charges for tuition for students to come here. That's also in there.

026Um along with a few other um ancillary items. As you know, as you can see though, however, of our $77 million in revenue, we are short to meet our expenditures as we are projecting them currently. That shortfall equals about $5.8 million. We are also proposing to appropriate fund balance. Uh fund balance is our savings at the end of this school year based on what we budgeted versus what we actually expended. We work very hard as a district to make sure what we're purchasing is necessary and needed for students and programs with the healthcare reserves and as Mr. said earlier we have very reserve. So I'm proposing that we also we are proposing that we also um put a little bit of our reserve money towards the gap. However, based on those two numbers, we still

027have a budget gap of about $1.7 million. And this is what we're gonna continue to talk about as we work through this project. >> Any questions from the board on the slide? >> Okay. I alluded to our state aid and comparison over here. I want to point out certain items that are going down. So our oceans aid is going down. If you remember last year when I presented our assessed values and grind out went up 33% in 2022 because of that we are on paper presented to be wealthy and therefore don't meet as much according to the state. So therefore this is our decrease year-over-year based on that hardware technology software foundation high tax high tax is always standing flat it's also because our district is as I said before affluent according to New York

028state education um up at the capital universal prek sits under state grants however universal prek is actually a grant that we have to apply So you'll notice on the bottom I subtract that out. I have to subtract that out because those funds are not a part of our general budget. It is the budget that we vote on in May. High cost excess costs and private excess costs. Those are for students with high needs special education students who may have to be put in a different program outside the district that's very expensive. So those are refunds or a return on that. So the costbased fee save transportation we are going to see a year-over-year change of our transportation about $322,000 that is mostly driven by a couple of other things. Special education transportation requirements um the

029needs of our students plus contractual obligations. We are on a three-year contract. So I think might be a fiveyear contract with first student who is our third party transportation provider and in that contract they designate what our increase is going to be. So based on that we're going to be seeing about $322,000 increase. And then building it says building and building reorder incentive. That's what it's listed. I just want to be clear. This is how it's listed on. So I just want everyone to be able to compare. Okay. So that is our building aid as we call it. So for all the capital projects that we do, we receive approximately 60% back on our dollar as long as it's applicable to student specific learning environments. That being said, we just completed the $61 million capital

030project that began in 2019. that should be fully buttoned up by June and will yield us an increase in building need. However, you're seeing a negative. This negative is actually because we also have to invest in the Boseies capital project as a component district. We all take a portion share of the borrowing on behalf of Boseies. So, we borrow from them, we give them the money and then we get the force can't generate their own. They are under budget currently from their traffic. So, we're going to see a little bit of a decrease in that. All in all, you can't see behind this, but they're only seeing an increase of all these lines. Our total eight difference is about $372,568. And that's already part of the prior slide before we gap. So I want you

031we're basically synthesize all this uh our state went up 1% which is an extra revenue of 372,000 368 and or our health insurance goes up 16% and our aid only goes up 1% that starts creating a budget gap. So what I want all of you here to do is take that same passion and that same advocacy we saw from our students we're seeing from you and go to Albany and ask the state for one for more money to redo our safety formula so we can have less of a gap here. Quick question test. >> So the question I have is regarding the uh in within these the state aid uh the aid that we receive for free and reduced lunch is that in one of these areas here >> sure that is part of our

032foundation aid formula. >> Okay. So in this formula, it's a very long formula. I think I want to make sure I'm happy to. It's very complicated and has a lot of different data points. One of which I'll let everybody know is the 2008 census data for every school district. Imagine what would look like in 2008 versus what would look like now. They're using that data, but they also take current year actually two year ago um enrollment. But we haven't even caught up to the current year's enrollment or the current year's free lunch applications. >> Right. We know that all our children receive free lunch. Uh is that still based on the formula or the uh form that they fill out as well? Can they still fill out a form? >> They're not required to. However,

033it is helpful for every home to fill out a free room at lunch application because we upload that into the portal and that can have an effect on our foundation applicable amount. So, it can help us and we are all free. So, it's not required. You automatically get a free lunch whether or not you put in an application. But that will be something that um Dr. myself and dead who is our food service director for we will be working on that next year to try to bolster those applications. >> Right. All those people who are uh able to receive that should be filling those forms out so that we help this district receive more aid. >> Exactly. Yes, that is correct. >> Thank you. It als it impacts our ESA grant. >> It just impacts

034our ESA grant. >> I just want to make sure I also say what Missy said. It does also impact our title. >> Absolutely. We want to present what is truly happening in our district, not just what they're pulling from the direct service and property taxes. Exactly. >> Question. >> I'm going back a couple slides. You might be talking about this later. I don't know. Um but I was just wondering if you could share a little bit about your thinking. So the appropriate appropriated fund balance, you know, the idea to take 3 million from there, 1.1 and a half million for the from the appropriated reserves. How would you come up with that number and what would the impact be should we choose to take a bit more if that's possible? That is a really good

035question and I do have a whole uh reserves um slide that's coming up that we'll talk about what we have. We also want to be cautious using those reserves when we can make other adjustments to properly fill our gap. We really want to get to a point where we don't have these large gaps and that's what Dr. working on is trying to find a way to not make it that we're coming at you with a $6 million gap. We're looking at every budget line, every FTE, all the things that we're spending. How can we save money? So, all those things come into consideration, but we will talk about reserves a little bit. The gap keeps growing bigger. So, two years ago, it was $2 million. Last year was $4 million. This year $6 million. So,

036again, you have to start closing this gap. We're also going to complete our reserves. Okay, Mr. School Maker talked about this a little bit earlier. This is a a snapshot of our tax levy. The light blue line or the line furthest to your left in each column for those who may not see color. The the line on the left is what we could have levy. The line on the right is what we actually levy. So the difference between your pack and your actual revenue are two different things. We calculate what we can and then the board decides how much we will. Okay. So in 2223 we had a 5.26% increase in our levy. The drive I want to address that why is it so high? If everybody remembers that is also the first year we

037had to borrow for that $61 million capital project. Capital um expenditures also help bolster our tax levy because they sit on our levy on a calculation basis as an exclusion it increases our allowable borrowing. You get what I'm saying? So in this 2023 year when we start that big project just wrapping up in 22 23 I mean 23 24 25 just as Mr. schoolmaker said that the district decided not to go into the cap partially because of the things he said and the community will stand that increase. >> Yep. And then this is where uh the American Rescue Plan grant came in place and Rhonda was awarded $3.6 million. So that was an opportunity to not go to the cap because we had this extra funding. So we had the you know fiduciary responsibility to

038the taxpayers not to tax them because we got this extra grant money coming in and we're going to talk a little bit more about American money um and the types of things that we did in the budget with those monies but we'll talk about that a little bit. I want to fast forward to 2627 you're seeing our um our cap is going to be 3.82 that are on the left which will generate that 1.8 8 million in revenue and the bar on the right is going to be representing and that is for us to build the cap in order to fill our gap. Here's that slide right there. So these are the reserves that we currently have here. I want to explain it to you because we use acronyms because it's state. So an ERS

039reserve is an employee retirement reserve. It is intended only to fund expenditures related to employee retirement system. Employment or support staff. Typically TRS is our teacher retirement system. Both of these are expenditures on our budget on an annual basis that we have no control over. what we pay as a prior to mentioning is captured in those expenditures and what we're suggesting is to relieve that pressure and pay for those expenditures from this reserve. So we're allocating the funds for a specific expense because we can only use these reserves for their intended purpose. Understand? Okay. E valor is employee benefit approved liability reserve that covers any of those expenditures that happen when we have retirement. You're seeing an increase year-over-year and our utilization. This is because we as a district and board of education decided to

040gra incentive those incentive payments will be coming out of this reserve to also relieve some pressure on our budget. So these expenditures will be taken out of what you saw and account for here. So that helps that's 1.150 um usage this year which is about $150,000 more than our last year. Like I said, it's mostly in this one they capital reserve can only be used for capital expenders that the voters to allow us to use it. Can't just pull it out. You have to use it for capital expend resolution. >> And just again, is it a a a good fundamental budgetary practice to continue your reserves? >> No. As we move forward, we're going to have a slide where we're going to talk about what we're doing to ourselves with allowable savings to cover expenditures

041if we don't make adjustments going forward. It is not fiscally responsible to always hold so much, but they are intended for those expenditures. So, it's a balance. >> This is a question. I my understanding was the capital. Yes, it's intended for capital improvements, but I I thought if we put this up as a proposition, the community could vote on using this for another reason. >> That is correct. >> So, that is an option the board could take. However, we do caution the board with that because it's a it's a risky budgetary practice because capital reserves are social use of capital projects and if we used a million dollars on a capital project, we get 65% aid back on that. So, if we use a million dollars to um do a renovation or refurbishment of a

042classroom, uh we would get $650,000 back from the state. If we use that capital reserve, use a million dollars to again uh fill that gap. We don't get that money back from the state. It's not able. Whereas, if we use the capital reserves for a capital project, we get back. Yeah, I completely understand that perspective, Paul. But I mean, keep in mind when we're moving money to the capital reserve, it was said to kind of protect that money um you know against what is 4% or something more than 4% of your priorities. >> Yeah. So in my mind, if we have a rainy day, we should at least right if there's a role that you feel that I just know that this is an option. >> And just one other caution and thing to say

043about that, this capital reserve also helps to relieve the local levy pressure on local share as they call it for the taxpayers. So if you remember we went out for the 21 project and we appropriated $4 million. That's $4 million we don't have to borrow. We don't have to take that. will also decrease the amount of debt we have on board which will also decrease our expenses. So just to be a good not saying don't do it just want to have you have a fully informed information in order to make a fully informed decision. Okay, here is our summary of our different lines in our budget. We summarize these things by category. Salaries from 2526 to 2627. You'll notice we're only going $63,000 that is due in part to our reductions last year. So we

044hadition reductions about um positions. So that helped reduce this cost. In addition, we also have attritions in this current we'll talk about a little bit. That's also accounted for in this number as Dr. Sarah was saying earlier our health insurance and I just want to across this is health insurance and benefits what does and benefits mean we have a health insurance file if you want to take our health insurance we have a retirement payments for contractual obligations we have dental we have vision so it's all in the summer I'm saying that because you're going to see a different number because it's just a health insurance um but we are seeing a million dollar increase on items. You can see, maybe you can't because there's a box down here, but the total increase year over here

045is 3 million $30 and three, sorry, $3,30,00. I also want to recognize that the debt service is going down. Remember in the slide earlier I was talking about the Bose going down. This isn't part of that. It's because of Bosey's capital expend under budget. We don't have to borrow as much. This is another way to look at our budget which is the way the state looks our budget. They look at three parts. They look at the administrative budget which is only 10% of our total expenditures. We look at the capital part of our budget which has to do with our facility maintenance and our debt. And then the big pie, the biggest piece which is so dear to my heart, 75% of our budget is solely spent on program that is really good. That is

046so healthy. Here's what we count as a part of those different components. So the program budget is $62 million of our $80 million budget for 75%. That's inclusive instruction transportation. These transfers are for food service. If you saw on the other side, food service and special aid fund, special aid fund is our federal grant funding. So the way federal grants work, you spend money and you get reimbursed. So as we spend the money, we have to borrow it from the general fund and give it to the special fund. That's what that is until we get from the state for the grant. And then our benefits. Here's our capital expenditure component. It includes operations manage, which is all of our facility workers. Make these grounds look so beautiful out here. our payments for principal and interest

047as our debt other transfers. This is money we have to transfer from the general fund that we committed to transfer to from the general fund to get capital to cover some of our expenditures. So we get on that and then the benefits as it pertains to operations and maintenance. >> Any questions on >> just the employee benefits? What uh have we been doing any comparisons with the employee benefits? >> The question was have we done any comparisons of employee benefits as it pertains to comparisons to >> uh is there a way for us to change that number? reduce it. >> Yeah. >> Changing the health plan. Yes, that's the way we reduce it. So, the question was, have we done comparisons of our employee benefits as it pertains to our total budget and ways we

048can potentially save money on our employee benefits? And those are things that we have been working very closely uh Dr. Saro and I work very closely with the members of our labor um unions and all the people in charge of that. and we work to move everybody to a plan that maybe is a little less expensive. So, we've been doing some of that analysis. Additionally, we're going to be putting out an RFP for a insurance broker, which is something the board has asked us to do and they will help us do a little bit more research behind the scenes to do that comparative work. >> Okay. Thank you. And last but not least, the administrative budget which is talking about this is this only makes up about 10% of our total budget. The salaries this

049is um upper all Dr. myself and central administration instructional supervisors. Those are going to be our principles and their assistant principles and chairs things like that. development speaks for itself and then the benefits as those individuals. >> Any questions about the admin? >> What's the total on? >> We need the total on the bottom of the box covering that up. >> That's a year change of >> it. >> Yeah. on the wall a box covering. >> Oh, so they got the same. >> Okay. What number we need? We need the 13% of the benefits. That's what we're seeing. 16% but this is their portion of it. And then the 10% or 4% underneath it. So it's 3% change on salaries. The total 4% change or the total dollar change is 88,617,260 which is 10%. >>

050How much is the superintendent raise? >> Ladies and gentlemen, this is a reminder that this is a budget workshop. So we need the opportunity to be able to discuss this amongst each other. You will have public comment time >> meeting for this >> we can read everything on the slide for you. >> Okay. So this is our 2026 through 2031 revenue and expenditure projections. So fiscal year 2026 this year our projected salary expense is $32 million 1664. Our projected health insurance expense is 13,186466. And our projected revenues for this year was 76 billion438,300. As you go to 2027, you can see our projected salary expense went up a little bit. Went from 32,225,000. You see our projected health insurance went up from 26. And you see our projected revenues went up from 26. You see

0512028 our projected salary expense is 33,44,254. You see our projected health insurance keeps climbing at $16,177,86. And then you see our projected revenue is $81 million $189,000. Again, our projected salary expense is continuing to climb in 2029 at 34,630,000. Our projected health insurance again is climbing at 17,480,000 and our projected revenue is moving up at 82,690,31. In 2030, it's our projected salaries uh expense is $35,900,000. Our projected health insurance expense $18,894,000 and our projected revenues is $84,574,000. And then we end in 2031 our 5year projected budget forecasting. Again, projected salaries is at 37,226,360. That's in that 5-year period. That's a $5 million increase from 26 to 2031. When you look at our projected health insurance expense over the next five years, that's a $7 million $247,000 increase. You add those two numbers together and you

052have our total increase of expenses is $12 million 30 $37,000 913. And when you add our projected revenue over those five years, it's $10 million, $75,95. So to put this into context, our expenditures are outracing our revenue in the next 5 years. So this is something we need to tackle and we need to address. So we're fiscally responsible over the next years moving forward. Any questions about this slide? >> Can I add some? >> Yeah. I just want to add these are just two of our expense. I just want to draw everybody's attention to that this is only salary and health insurance. We have debt, we have materials and supplies. We have other contractual obligations of the benefits that I'm showing on the slide. So this is just two sections of our budget. Our budget

053is much more as you saw comprehensive. So these just in these two columns we are going to outpace our revenue by $2 million >> and these are the two phase expenses to the school district health insurance and salaries. >> Um Tabitha can I ask um you have said that there's multiple like we have our budget line is obviously very expensive. Um once we have uh adopted the budget, can we have that on our website and available those budget lines for our community members to see the more intricate budget lines? Absolutely. I will take the advice of the board of education not like us to present this information to the community. I will say the way that we have been presenting is exactly how I presented here as well. We have a three-part budget and that

054is what the state requires us. who would like to do a more detailed plan and the board to do that. I can do that. Absolutely. You know, I'm thinking like other districts where we can have a link that has um just it they have access to it so that our community has access to it. Um in our presentations as we have done um we can you know I think this is this is thorough but then having an opportunity to be able to go in and see the line by line budgets. >> Absolutely. Um on the projected revenues here um what assumptions are going into that are you also taking into account you know the external revenue sources that we have from placements um here >> this is just projecting now are the things we can

055project uh state aid um staying flat and our tax levy. So this is really not taking into account any changes in tuition payments staff or interest rates or use of funds or reserves. As you can see our budget is $8 million but the revenue we're showing here 76 because remember we as a community district decided to use in our savings to put towards our budget. So this is also presenting to you earlier without reserves. >> So the tuition you flat out >> correct? So it's about $550,000 is what we project to collect in those revenue streams. Okay, this is just a slide to show how we compare to our neighbors. This is something that came up in last year's budget. So, I wanted to I wanted to make sure we were sharing. I want to

056note that this is based on 242 because in New York state everything is about a two-year lag when it comes to data. They have to vet it, people have to submit it, so on and so forth. So each column represents the district you see listed below it. Wall being the furthest to the left being the furthest to the right. These are all the districts of Olter County. As you can see, Rhonda Valley is the second most expensive on a per student basis in the county as of 2425 and that's what this is representing. Does that include transportation? >> The question is does that include transportation? This is only expenditures related to instruction as I showed you before. Anything that's part of the program of it. So yes, transportation will be a part of this but

057not for summer school and not for sports just to school. So looking at our historical and and projected enrollment, you can see that our enrollment has gone down uh over the last um 10 years and we're our enrollment is projected uh to go down next year. Uh you can see we started in 201617 as a district with almost 2,000 students and that number be became progressively lower as the years go by. We had a a a little bit of a bump from 22 23 to 2 24. We had about that almost almost 28 students there but then it dropped down from 1692 to 1679. uh current uh last year at 1620, this year at 1624 and then we're projected next year at 1,586 students which is 38 students um less uh than this year. So

058our our enrollment is starting to go down uh which does affect how much funding we get um with our state. >> Any questions about historical enrollment trends? So this slide is I would like to say tells a story and really follow me I'm going to tell you a story uh with this data story about the start. So when we were at 2018-19 we had 244 staff members and 1926 students when students declined the staff started to decline right so 201819 this is our baseline data the following year we had less students so less staff so went 244 to 239 in 2020 in 2021 we went down tenant staff because we had a a significant decrease in student enrollment. So this is the trend that we should be doing and you know closed positions through you

059know could have been resignations could have been through attritions but then something happened in 2122 right co happened right even though we had a decrease in enrollment we went up in staff by almost uh 18 18 staff members. Okay. And then we had a decrease in enrollment in 2223 but we we went up another staff member. Then in 2223 we did have a little increase uh in enrollment and we also went up 11 in staff. So we were doing well here in in 1819 1920. We're following the same patterns and trends. Right. Then co happened. The American Rescue Plan started uh was given to districts over 3.6 million. So, we're using that to fund some of these positions, right? Uh, and then we're still high here. But then once the enrollment started to decline, the

060staff started to decline again and the gap started to be created. This is the year that that big uh incentive happened uh with the clerical because again we we found that the budget gap starting getting bigger here. So, we had to start reducing staff because of enrollment. Uh and then myself and Tap of this first year together uh we went from 250 to 235 staff members because we saw a decline in enrollment and again all those um reductions in enrollment were through attritions and resignations. So we need to fill those positions and then we're we're projecting this year since our enrollment is going down to 1586 that's where you see this number going down from 235 to 210 staff members. And then another good data point and story I'd like to show you is we

061were at the same uh student uh adult toteer ratio. You see our ratio from eight adults to one student in 20189. It is now still the same ratio projected for 2627. So we rightize the district because we are having the same ratios of staff per student when it was 1819. >> Oh gore. >> It's eight students per one adult. >> Eight students per one adult. Yes. Eight students per one. Yes. So we have the same ratio as we did back in 20189 to where we are now. So basically that same is students are getting the same supports that they need. uh with our decrease in enrollment with our projected decreases. >> Do you want to say that this is that is all program based? >> Yeah, it's all program that's student based. Any thoughts on

062student? >> Okay, we're talking about the American Rescue Plan and this is a three-year grant. The numbers you see here are just the amounts that were a part of our application in year one. So in one year we had projected to spend in that grant $1.2 million. All these positions may have already existed in the current budget at that time and were shifted to the grant in order to save on the gap. Okay. So to fill the gap, they removed some positions out of our general fund and put it in our grant fund. Okay? When the grant ended, they took the people back out of that grant and put them against the general fund. And that's part of why we're seeing this gap in addition to the health insurance increase. I want to point out

063that these positions are not all positions that are being reduced. Um, these are just a snapshot of what the American Rescue Plan was intended to support. >> Any questions? How we use some of his art money to fund these positions back during co >> you want to go back to that one? >> Is that okay? >> Y >> um just Yeah. So just going back to that like so you you had just clarified that that this slide pertains to student facing staff. Um who who exactly is that? And then is it possible at some point not today um to get a slide that's maybe non student facing? something. >> This includes Yeah. So, this isn't just instructional center. This is any any not just faculty. This is um also clerical. This is also um student

064um support services. All those types of things are included in there. Anything that has to do directly to program, anything has directly to do with educating a student, psychologist, counselors, nurses, all the same. So, these are these are our proposed attractions. And I'd just like to say we uh want to thank Mr. McDonald, the teachers union, we collaborated We really were trying to create a a teachers a retirement teaching center that would would make teachers want to go after it. And we we collaborated, we communicated, we adjusted uh the uh teacher retirement incentive and it worked off. I'd like to thank Mr. and his admin um staff for collaborating with us on this. So on this page all these attritions right uh we don't have to do any reductions all these all these attritions are

065retirements right so we have a teacher at Kirhansson Elementary uh that we can um not fill due to attrition we have another teacher at elementary that we don't have to fill due to attrition uh we have a reading teacher at Mortown uh that we don't have to uh fill above Kurt Hansen nurses. So, we're doing an internal transfer with a reading teacher from K from Marbletown uh to Khansson. We had an elementary teacher at the intermediate school uh who we don't have to fill because it's through attrition. We have another elementary teacher at the intermediate school. Uh again, that'll be the internal transfer that's still need there. Um so, again, um we're still filling these positions with current staff. Uh we have a teachers aid at Marbletown that we don't have to fill due to

066attrition. We have a special education teacher that we don't have to fill due to attrition because we're combining our self-contained due to enrollment. We can combine our self-contained K through one student classes at all town a school counselor at the intermediate school. We don't have to fill that position. We're doing an internal transfer uh with a high school counselor moving from a high school to the middle school. That gives three school counselors at each building. Uh we had a director of curriculum position, an admin job. We're not filling that. Um so we're not filling that job attrition based on me. And then we had an intermediate school principal who um who we retired and due to reconfiguration that position we assist the principal. So there's still a savings there of 35,000 for six. So we

067don't have to deal with acquisition with a assistant principal. So the total savings on that retirement incentive saved the district almost $1 million without >> I just want to remind everyone too this is already considered in the first line with the $83 million expenditure projection. So, we've already accounted for these savings in that budget. So, the $1.6 million is still in play after this. Thank you. >> What is this going to do to class sizes? Now, this next slide I'm about to show you is it's real. It's my stomach is not it's tough. We didn't want to come up here to propose the options. It's tough. Um, but again, this is something that we we're have to do and looking at doing and it's proposed because we're still working, we're still collaborating, we're still trying

068to be creative to save positions moving forward. this. I am going to respectfully ask that you the board has questions on this next slide and I promise you we also have suggestions and we have back and forth that we want to be able to have back and forth conversations that you can hear. Okay, as I said before, we understand we're not immune to the humane part of this. So I ask that you allow us the time to work and have these discussions so we can also offer suggestions to Dr. Sharo and Mr. >> Too far too far. So, we still have even with all those attritions, even with that savings of almost a million dollars uh in retirements, we still have a $1.675 million gap that we have to fill. So, these are proposed reductions

069based on position title. So, we're looking at reducing the teachers aid in the library at the intermediate junior high school. That gives us a savings of $65,768. We're also looking at reducing the teacher aid at the Hansson Elementary School in the library. That is a savings of 43,900. And we're looking at a reduction as a library aid at the high school with a savings of 50,490. with these reductions, there's still an opportunity for these people uh to have jobs here because again another great strategy we implemented again along with the teachers union is we did the board is going to approve tonight hopefully approved we're going to recommend to the board tonight that you approve a retirement incentive for the pair of professionals and I I believe right now we're up to seven so we

070have seven um pair of professionals taking advantage of the retirement incentive So these three people right here we may be able to put in one of those pair of professional positions out of the seven. Well, we contract outis. So we have a math coach that's districtwide at Boseis. Uh we're not pursuing that next year. We're introduce that based on need. Uh we do have a speech a full-time speech districtwide. Um again it's a proposed reduction based on need. We have a point4 speech also districtwide. Again, another proposed reduction based on need. A school psychologist that's districtwide, a proposed reduction based on need. We have a.3 uh business teacher at the high school. Again, teach a few classes a day. We're going to recommend that reduction based on need. Uh assistant principal at the high school.

071Uh we're going to recommend to reduce that position based on need. Uh behavior analyst at Search for Honston and Marltown. We already have a behavior analyst uh in the district. Um so this would be the second one. So we're going to go down to one behavior analyst. I recommend a proposed reduction based on need. Uh instructional coach that serves the intermediate junior high and high school. We're going to recommend that reduction based on need that savings. and then a teacher uh at the social site at the high school. Again, that's that's a proposed reduction based on me and let us work. >> Let us work. And again, these are all these are all proposed reductions. This isn't a sentence. So So with with all of these proposed with all these proposed reductions, we had a

072savings of 933,6 we still need 742,000 to fill our gap. So our current gap right here with all the attritions, all of these reduction, proposed reductions is right here and we still have a gap of $742,72. Now again, we've collaborated with all the unions uh to try to figure out how to save money healthare. we are gaining traction to get that health care switched over. And if we get that health fair switched over to a higher co-ay plan, that's going to be a $650,000 savings. And our gap was only going to be $92,72, which we would recommend to the board that we would use reserves to fulfill the rest of that. So Paul, this is the slide that, as you know, we're going to have the most questions on. So um I I I don't

073know how this works um in the for for contractual purposes but a thought uh when I looked at um some costs um liaons altogether um are about $65,000. Is it possible to have a discussion of um not having liaons to potentially look at um perhaps one of our uh special ed uh lists uh positions that are here um because I know that as a teacher myself and Nicole I think can can add to this. Um I know that we are at a time right now we are only in the month of March and I know that in many cases uh CSC meetings are still occurring to project and and to determine accommodations for students next year having 1.4 4 uh student uh speech um I without knowing how many of those students so I I'm

074just wondering if a conversation can be had with uh you know the leaison how is that working is is there is there is that a conversation that can be had to be able to maybe keep some of our students can you please We have such a significant I do want to point out in special ed um we have not seen a reduction in our overtime um we have for our for our kids um but also in addition to that I know our speech um I'm wondering if we do currently offer speech improvement which is not a mandated service but a critical one. Um so I really worry that we may be looking specifically we're talking speech I'm worried that we may just be looking at what is mandated and not necessarily what is necessary. Speech

075improvement helps get very young outcomes are we know that. So I just worry that if we cut too far in that area, we could be doing more harm and people still need our most population. The population has not changed um and has remained consistent. So if we do impact that area will I I was too worried about our programs and how effective they will be. So I I love the I I don't know the faculty us and their roles and their work but I think it's something to look at. >> Right. Is it a conversation right? >> Oh absolutely. I said we're still collaborating. We're still communicating. We're trying to still be creative. This is we're not finished. Like I said we got great momentum today. Great news today and we're hoping we have more

076great news to follow from the lease before we have to adopt the sub. So we're still working. We're still trying to figure out creative ways. We know the last thing we ever want to do is to you know reduce staff. I have also heard I'm glad that you mention the special enrollment because I've also heard maybe that that hadn't gone down even though the general student population has gone down and I just wonder which so I thought that school psychologist wondered about that in this conversation and like actual question which of you students Yeah. So the school psychologist >> Well, it could be. I don't know if the social teacher is an IC teacher. That's I'm not sure. But the um behavior analyst, I believe, directly supports one of our specialist self programs. Is that

077right? >> Yeah. Behavior analyst. Yeah. So they they support um schools they support schools across the district and these students that take classes. Um yes this is mostly specialist. >> My understanding they're attached to special ed programs. >> Yeah. They service the students in general the elementary they service any student that has found a school you can call in the behavior analyst FDA helping teachers like is that how that works >> that's a great question >> yeah absolutely they 100% support Paul, how many school psychologist? >> So we currently have six. We currently have six school psychologists across the district. And why does he cut a lot of problems? We have a lot of people with issues. God knows we all issues are valuable in our history. That is a that's one of the things

078that I need to see cut. They have value. >> No, I just wanted to know how many we had and what their cases. I don't think >> any other questions do sound I think you need to be careful about pulling a valuable resource to get the services you have um impact productions right so I think that's helpful and you probably don't have this tonight but I would like to see what impact will be on these late services right honestly just one more um obviously that's challenging you need to put that up as a proposition come about right you would need to get community support to do so um but but I look at this list. It's It's not a significant amount of money if we want to pull back some of these roles. It's maybe

079250k. Um I look at that as being pretty reasonable. Um one other option that we consider that you and I talked about fund balance at the end of the year and I know we're going to borrow 3 million. However, I think that projection of what we may have at the end of the year is higher than that. Um you know, four or something of that nature. Is that true? It's hard to truly um project it. We've had some things um occur in the district that were not budgeted for such as uh the water pump went here at the high school which would go under capital expenditures in a future capital project but we have to replace it now. We also have a sewage back up to an ice block at Marble Town Elementary that we

080had to have an emergency come in and dig and redo. That's why um have to um change their starting time. So those types of things that we're not expecting could like change my projection. I'm still waiting on them. >> Again, I just think it's something considering So, so sorry. So, I have just one piece on this before this slide, which is just and I know that this is a topic that um is pretty divided I think in our community, but I was just wondering about um the orange. So, because we have we high school and then we have guard at each of the elementary schools. And I wonder has there been any consideration um in moving one of the SRO down to an elementary school and just having one SRO for this campus? I think

081so one person I think we're all sort of thinking about um we're thinking about priorities and and what we need and I would just appreciate that we can have a conversation. >> Absolutely. That's why we're here again. We're still we're still collap we're still trying to be creative. We're still listening. want input and again anything we can do to minimize production. That's why we're here. >> Excuse me. This is our meeting at this time. I promise there will be public comment. >> Well, maybe you guys should contact one of the town highway and it would break it. >> Thank you, sir. before I can circle back to the school psychologist case load. Um it is hard to define case load for school psychologist because they are asked to test for determination meetings. Those students that

082they're testing are not on their case especially if they don't qualify for services but they still have to test students. So a lot of what they do is they provide those testing for special education and that's a huge piece of it. They test the students, they hold them, they report on them and that's a big piece of and that's not considered part of your case. So it is hard to quantify a number per um and if you're talking a student to school psychologist do show and those students if they do qualify for special education services they require counseling services then they do that kind of case but there's more that they do outside of just regular case. So I think it's hard to give a solid number to circle back to that. Um, I also

083wanted to ask and I'm sorry if I missed it, but I'm a former social studies teacher. So, I was just wondering about that social studies teaching position. It says internal transfer. Could you explain that? >> Sure. So, if we transfer a the high school social, they still have a position because we're anticipating a retirement at the middle school. So, that would be internal. It' be a reduction at the high school social that person would still have a position. >> Oh, all right. So it would eliminate that position that high school >> um Dr. Seda. So I mean as a board you know um so I I mean what I'm kind of what I'm kind of hearing from the board is um one of the focuses we talked about maybe taking a look at the less

084you mentioned that. to maybe take a look we take a look at the speech positions um knowing um so our SRO uh contract um for each SRO is about 120,000 so I I feel that we can have a conversation of going down to that I mean again conversation to go down to one SRO here on this campus and keep our arm guards at each of the elementary school is doing very well there. The children um really enjoy them and that would trade um that that would be if you look at the um the salaries if from what I'm hearing around the table here with the board focusing in on the school psychologist they are about is that something that we can have >> no no like I'm looking at salaries because according to this the

085salaries it's an equivalent salary. >> Um so we're looking at the sense of uh the the school psychologist fun here districtwide it's about 122. I also want to clarify these aren't straight salaries included. So yes, I just didn't want everybody to think that this is what I'm asking. This is how but it's but on the on the sheet it would be about it would be almost a swap in numbers. Let's just say numbers. >> Yes. We pay for it. >> Yeah. So, and so, um, I I'm kind of hearing around the table here that that could be something to take a look at and consider is um, looking at I don't it doesn't sound right to say a trade, but I think everybody understands what I'm trying to say um to to remain with our

086school psychologists and perhaps look at the SRO. The other question that I do have is I notice on this list um you're looking at the high school um and going from two assistant principles to one. How do you propose to um have the support for our students at the high school with doing that? Sure. >> Great question. So, um, we really took a deep dive and we wanted to possibly shift some senior crisis counselors, um, to the high school. So, the potential to be two senior crisis counselors at the high school. So, they'll go in for the assistant principal and then shift one senior crisis counselor from her consonant because that program is closing and that senior crisis counselor will support the middle school program. Oh yeah, >> sorry. >> Are we not? >> Yeah,

087good question. We're right now we're negotiating the ADPR plan. So we'll have less observations moving forward once we come to consensus on agreeing to uh teach evaluation plan and with that PPR plan teachers will be on cycles on tenor teachers and standard teachers. So there's going to be less observations for the administrators to do that plan. >> So you're saying you won't need we won't need to have that extra admin. We're going to have commission come in and do those observations with under the new if we get uh if we come to consensus with the new government there'll be less observations to do >> I would argue you could with what we have now still not need We pay that person is a retired administrator that we pay them on a substitute on a basis.

088So it's not like these hours. They come when needed and we pay them on a period. >> Oh certainly. I'm just saying that's not a I can come up with a presidual talking about at high We have a lot of administration, right? >> I agree with that. >> I do have some questions here and I apologize. So, Jim Coller Smith is um as we saw is is participating remotely. She is having trouble um being able to come through. So, she has um texted me some questions. A little I can just quickly go through some of them. Um so, one of the questions she has is um if we draw from our reserves, how do we plan to replenish them? including if we go from our capital reserves. That's a really good question. Um it's very

089difficult based on the financial climate we're in right now to determine and it's dependent on us money and we can't budget to replenish reserves. We budget to have access at the end hopefully but it doesn't always happen. And the way we've been trying to do this is responsible. we are reducing the ability to replenish reserves because of reducing excess. Okay. Um so she she also has here um how can we ensure uh we have a cushion from next year you mentioned that a couple years ago we had a gap of 2 million and then the gap went to 4 million then the gap this year is at 6 million. So, can we project without um without without any changes, can we project an $8 million shortfall next year? >> Yeah, the first the one with

090the projections for five years. >> Yeah, that's what I was going to >> Yeah, I think it's Yep. >> This is it. >> This is us projecting just two months um as a total. So, this is where you're seeing for like when we add all these numbers up, we we don't have enough to cover our expenditures just in July. So, we have to work very diligently to start bringing down our expenditures in order to get back in line with our revenue is expected. Now, I also want to say that I have been working with our team and um the district to make sure that we're finding creative ways to generate revenue. for example, we got an RFP for a company to come in and help us invest our funds or our reserve funds as you

091saw them into an account where we generate guaranteed revenue. So, a percentage of interest back to us. So, one of the examples that we uh company has presented to us is if they put 300 $3 million into a investment account, we could potentially $300,000 after 6 months. So, that would help us to fill these gaps as well. So, another question. Um, so there's there's two questions here in um I know we don't have this now um but if we um if you can have the numbers for us in um how much uh when we do need help and we do have to um hire consultants, can you give us those numbers to look at? Um the other thing that The last question here that um Mrs. Palmer Smith is is ask is asking um is

092what does it take um for us I'll read it exactly. What would it take for the public to override the tax cap and and raise it? So, what's the what's the long like what are the pros and cons of of piercing the cap as they call it? Um, >> override override. >> So, what does that what does that mean to to our community when they go to to vote? That's that's our question. Will you actually go back to the slide where it shows our tax? All right. So, our tax levy is $48 million. And the mathematicians in the room, every 1% it's going to generate about $485,000 revenue. So, if you go up to 4.82%, you're going to generate another 450 $480,000. If you go up to 5% and so on. Okay? So every 1%

093that we increase our levity is equivalent to approximately $485,000. >> Tabitha, can you hear me? >> What's the uh >> I can hear diminish. >> Oh, you can hear me. Okay, great. >> I can very >> We can the Go ahead. >> Just to clarify the question. So I'm just curious what it would take if we were to override the tax cap. like is there a scenario where we could ask the community to go higher not as a long-term strategy but as a way to avoid using capital reserves which is a short-term fix but maybe a little bit more risky. So, let me try to capture what um Miss Palmer Smith is saying. You guys can't hear her um just want to make sure everybody at the table can hear her as well. Her question

094to clarify is what does it take to do that to go above the cap? And if we did that, could we then not have to borrow from capital to consider that increase the cap and not borrow from our capital reserve? And let me know if I got all that right. >> Yeah, that's right. Okay, I am correct. Um, what it takes to exceed the tax cap is a super majority. So, more over more than half of the people who come out and vote to vote and approve that to go forward. And then we did that would also help us rightize the district to collect that money that we didn't collect a few years ago because we we had that art money coming in. So, that would help us rightize the district more moving forward. we

095get we can go it'll increase our levy and we can go out and get more money from the community forward right and I think we need to understand what the community support this um perhaps um I know in the midst of this is the February 23rd mult letter there's some budgeting details here. It says while 99% of code budget pass within the tax only 65% passes larger. So what is the risk of the if we did go higher than the half and then it's voted down would we be able to put it back up at the the max levy? So if a budget gets voted down in May, the board has an option to go out for a revote, which would require a change to meet the needs of the community. Would also include changing

096all the figures we've given so far. And then we would go out for a revote in June if that vote, if the board decides to go for a revote, but if that vote fails, there is no more time to try and have to then roll into the uh contingency budget situation. Um, a contingency budget, just so um, everybody at the table knows, means you cannot levy any more than levy in the current year. So that would be another loss of $1.8 million in revenue on top of what we're already short. So I just want to make sure everybody's aware of that. If we go to a contingency budget, we are not allowed to raise money at all from a current level. and also contingency budget. How does it how does that affect our staff and

097our employees if we have to go through a contingency budget? >> So contingency budget also refers to our policy on what we consider to be contingent expenses primarily based on state guidance. Contingency expenditures are those directly related to students. It does not include any extracurriculars. It does not include necessarily certain programs. it's only what they need in order to to progress through their educational experience. So all the extra things that we offer here will also have to be uh decreased. So thank you for that explanation. So, as a board, what you know, and as a community, what I what I I feel like I'm hearing is if to have this discussion on whether or not to to increase that. Um, and so if I heard you correctly, 1% would bring in about another 480,000 approximately.

098Um so as if we if we choose to take to go up 1% and choose to to override what we have, it will become even more critical that we really be out there in our communities to ensure the super majority. Do we feel our community would support that. >> I would just say I'm concerned about our senior citizens. So how does that how would that affect our sen our seniors? >> How would that affect our senior citizens in the district? That would be >> so it would be the same as any other tax. It's spread out among all our townships based on value equalization rate and our tax rate calculated based on so if you $49 millionreased >> right $49 million get spread out so everybody will see an increase now not everybody will see

099this is an increase for a levy not an individual's taxes on their property just want to make sure everybody's clear on that what you get tax on your property is based on a lot of years This additional honored levy does not have anything to do with your individual home value, your utilization rate, and the tax rate for your township. >> There was a recent um I think you know about this, a recent reevaluation, a reassessment rather of the town of Rochester. I know that's only a portion of of our community. Um, not for everyone, but for some folks, I think taxes are rising. For some, I think it perhaps has gone down a little. Um, but that's just something I want to throw into the mix just in terms of taxpayer willingness. I I certainly

100would never want to go to the serum budget. I think clubs and sports and extracurriculars and all of these things are in my eyes completely integral to like his experience here. >> Yeah, they are. Um the interesting budget is what the state required but I agree with Dr. school. That being said, they are second largest township. They second largest amount of our tax levy. So they are a big constituent and they are something to consider and think about when we're looking at these types of decisions. They did have a full reassessment. However, because they're reassess also going up to 100%. And I could go on for days about everybody lost in the lead equalization rates and tax rates just to say some people will see an increase, some people won't. Our tax rate will also

101be affected by that because when you're 100% your tax rate actually goes down by that township. So for example I just see what does this mean for individual Rochester potentially our tax rate in this current year for the town of Rochester was approximately 19%. Next year with the new up if I just change the equalization 100% potentially have a 14% tax potential >> um I can't remember the majority% is 60% 67% >> more than half of them but based on Google >> pretty sure it's 60 >> 60 I've never had to worry about a I think if I recall at least over the past five years we've achieved that. >> Yes, we have. >> Yeah. Last year we had a great turnout. We had 74% of the community. Um but yeah, it's a risk that

102they're getting, you know, talking about reassess in Rochester. You heard people are, you know, a little upset about their reassess homes. But again, this is an option that we can take a look at to generate more revenue to see. >> I forgot one other thing. I forgot one other thing. Don't forget we have a really tax >> and that will take place >> that's already 26 27 tax year. They will see those increased senior citizen visits >> and also our volunteer fires also have a tax. >> I just mentioned one um uh one option um um option A and option B is So option A, option B, like can we on a so can we propose to the community to options that they hope or do we have to present just >> you can get

103back to you? >> So we can we can we we can look into that for >> it. Yeah, we we can look into it and see if that's if that's an option and have that as a possibility. Um, and let the voters decide. >> I don't know that. >> So, moving on, we left off here again. We have that 1.65. These are proposed reductions. That would be the total savings 933. We still have a $762,000 gap. We get that higher co-ay insurance plan change. It's a $650,000 savings. Our gap right now is 92,000. Same. We don't get that savings. We still have that $742,000 gap. We have to start looking at more reductions, senior crisis counselor, school another school psychologist, and poor academic attendance. Excuse me. So you can see the proposed attritions uh and

104reductions across the district and how uh they are spread out with the concept of two attritions and two reductions. Martown, two attritions and one reduction. The intermediate school, two attritions, uh, one reduction. The junior high, uh, attrition reduction. Two, three reductions at the junior high. See the high school. Again, this is worst case scenario. If those, uh, if those revenue don't come in, um, we may have to look at these are proposed reductions in the treatments across the district. >> Is this with the healthare? Is this with the healthare? Yes, that's what we're working. >> This is This is worst case worst case. >> Sorry. So, just looking at this and I appreciate that they try to do it across the building. I just want to highlight that special education I think is taking a

105really big hit. I can't see the last column. >> Uh this the last one is two reductions in instructional approaches. >> Oh yes. So district office. So we have an attrition at the intermediate school principal. We have a reduction at the uh director of curriculum. We have a leading vacant in school building maintenance leader and then we have a reduction of system. So to be clear this is this is contingent upon the the the signs in the way for the uh the health. So this we don't have anything signed yet. So this is our worst case scenario. >> Yes. So if we get if we get the health insurance, we're just looking at these positions. If we don't get the health insurance savings, we'll have to look at more potential. So we're still So that's

106still in process. >> So how is this going to impact with these reductions? How is this going to impact class sizes moving forward? go up >> look at Marbletown Elementary. So current class size in kindergarten for 25 26 is 22. Projected class size in kindergarten is 21 and that's based on a three-year average. So you're down one student for next year projected. uh grades one through three current average class size is 16. Uh for next year projected class size will be 19. So your change from this year to next year is an increase of three students because of the reduction of one section in grade two. So we are still in contractual limits with class sizes at Khans or sorry Khansson's next school grades 8 through three. Again kindergarten uh average class size is 22

107right now. Uh next year it's projected to be 23. So that possibly could be an increase of one student for grades one through three at Hansson. Uh your average class size right now is 16. With the proposed uh reductions in attritions that number goes up to 20. Uh that will be increase of four students. Uh if that is reducing one section in grades two and grades three again still in contractual obligations. Uh intermediate school grades four through six. Your current average class size is 19. with the prop proposed uh attritions and reductions would be go up to 22. That is a grades four through six goes about three students per class when we when we're recommending to reduce one section in grades four and grades five. Again, still in contractual limits. And then the junior

108high school not seeing a lot of attrition or or reductions here. Your current class size is 21. your average class size will be 22. It does affect next year uh if you don't fill the Spanish seven the Spanish position Spanish 7 will not be offered. the environmental science class which is an elective class that has low enrollment that will be offered and then we are going to uh internally transfer potentially science teacher to the high school because we don't there's uh too many science teachers uh at the uh middle school right now >> I got So, any questions about the class size projections with all pediatricians and >> there question and I don't think you can answer this question maybe something for us to figure out but it looked like like intermediate high school there

109were two grades that were going up by three or four students if we were then go back and look at um the proposed cut roles kind of one of the things I was just thinking about is are are any of those roles really sort of integral in supporting those classrooms. Do you know what I mean? So, so we're not cutting a particular role that's supporting particular grades that now have, you know, a few more students. >> I'm not sure what >> um in other words, okay, so let me let me use an example. Let's say >> Yeah. So, so high school those class sizes are going up. Is it a four? Is that right? Simple as that. As an example, the the teacher in the library for the intermediate school, are they supporting in some

110way? Like are they >> right but this is a real question I really don't know. So I'm just sharing this. Um but in the library I think is at least sometimes this is all the time used as sort of like a testing center for students who if they have on their extra time and that sort of thing I think that might happen maybe you can but um are we connecting some of those like larger class sizes for example the intermediate high school with which um goals we're proposing to cut and is that is it like a double hit? Is that the way to say it? Do you know what I'm talking about? >> I'm talking about support staff. So, for example, kindergarten has 22. So, they got support staff in the classroom. And I think

111that in what way do our ladies were proposing to not have right in what way do they support the classroom indirectly or directly >> and the school psychologist and the behavior annual analyst like >> how are they supporting >> are they helping students are class at the elementary level the librarians teach classes so the library helps you know books they support they support the librarian in the library. Um I what we looked at is we know we're going to a a new six day cycle with our related arts with our lectures. So that's going to open up more time for the librarian to take care of of the library because I can see as many students as many classes in a sort of a five day cycle six day cycle and we're also creative with

112our schedule you know could it be a monitor that helps out in the library where the librarian is at lunch or past class or can it be a duty of maybe staff member help. So, we're trying to be really creative to help support that that need of this if we intend on not doing. >> Any questions about the uh class objections reductions? Okay, high school class size projections. So this is based on 25 students uh per section. So you look at math and this is with the uh proposed uh reductions. So uh there would be a reduction in AIS services. Again, what we feel like with our strong tier one that we have going on uh in our elementary middle schools, with our student achievement in math moving up 10%. Um this year, we're hoping

113that with our new uh math curriculum uh that we're going to hopefully limit the amount of AIS services that I need uh with math. The change also is statistics is not being offered. We are trying to hear him again. Please let us work. You will have your time >> and again statistics will probably not be offered anyways due to low enrollment and then we'll reduction your course section. So you'll have 25 students per ELA same kind of same script. There'll be a reduction in AIS services. Again, we had a 10% increase in our student achievement scores across the district last year. We're hoping with the new ELA curriculum that many students don't need services next few years. Uh the change also will be API and AP not being offered. Again, that's low enrollment in that

114course anyways. And then reduction in course section beyond the teacher. So there would be 25 students uh per class in in uh science there will be no change in course offerings because you uh will have an an internal transfer from the middle school uh to the high school sites. So there'll be no changes to that and again possibly reduction course sections 25 students per class. Uh social studies no change to course offerings. There'll be reductions in core sections when you have 25 students per class >> and with the electives. Now there's a change here with the electives. Uh and black history as offered once per semester. If we reduce a social studies position that will only be offered once per year. History of rock and roll uh is offered now once per semester. It would

115only be offered uh once per year and all that will still be available but they'll be offered yearly and not just a request um to because I think you've shared this before with us just a list of the of how many are currently enrolled in each of those classes. And a lot of you join statistics, but I don't know how many students are in this class. I think it's really nice that we offer that for students. Um so if you could provide us the numbers, I appreciate that. >> Absolutely. So again, the strategies that we have done to preserve staff here at Round Out, again, a million dollar savings with the teacher retirement incentive. Okay, we have another incentive that we're going to recommend to to the board to approve tonight. a possible uh seven

116retirement pair of pros. We can shift resources so people still have a position here on um we're looking at shifting to a higher health insurance co-ay plan. That's a $650,000 savings and again we collaborated with um all of our unities all all across the district to come up and be creative, be strategic. And guess what? We're still doing it because it's not over. We're still being creative. We're still being collaborative and we're still going to make sure that we're protecting staff and we're protecting uh student support. So again, our goals our goals for this multi-year financial planning and developing a bud budget. Again, we want to minimize the impact on student programs as best as we can. We want to minimize staff reductions and we want to be fiscally responsible to the taxpayers. That will

117be our goal, not only this year with our budget, but hopefully the next five years where we rightsize the budget, close the gap so we're not out of these these tough conversations. Are you ready? >> Talk next step. >> So I was wondering what next steps in terms of the budget development. So um I would say next steps we have um given doctors to their own some questions like we talked about taking a look at the um uh as you know and then looking at the SRO um and potentially psychologist. So those are um I think we our next step is to present to us those changes. Um I think another change uh is to that being talked about is to um take a look at uh the the potential of being able to do

118the option A or option B again session. So that could be where one is uh one option is at this current tax cap and then the other one would be increasing it by% or whatever. >> so if any changes are being made to this proposal tonight will be >> on April 7th. April 7. We have a a special call meeting on April 7 for budget. >> And when we as a board, >> we we can choose to adopt that day or we do have um a backup date of April 24th depending on what is presented and how those changes impact. So we have we have two the August is the absolute latest. August 7th could be where we have one discussion. If if the changes are within what we want to propose, we can choose

119or um we may so that will be dependent on what is there. >> Um last time I looked I didn't see this pres. >> Yes, this this was totally is It's on. Yes, this is already on. This presentation that was given today is already worried about seeing the changes for the first time April 7th and then that same day. So that's it's we will look at the we will look at the um the changes and we can decide that if we choose to not uh vote on that day we have the April 24th date in which we in which we can. So this presentation was posted I think a couple hours ago or a few hours ago or something around 2:30. Is it possible for us to to see the presentation to see the changes

120a few days prior so we have some time to look at it to adjust that sort of thing. Is that possible? We we will try. Um it's what we're backed up against is spring break, but you are you I know district office is so tap. So they will be here. So we will be able to have it. I just need to check. Thank you. All right. And do we have here the chief of public? >> Let's hear that. microphone. So, we do have Sorry, I didn't see him up here. Um, so we do have a microphone um in the aisle on the left here and we have another one here. I believe those are the only two I see. Is that is that accurate? Um, so we do have a clock here to help you.

121As I mentioned at the last meeting, um I I really, you know, don't enjoy kind of as people are going through their thoughts and stuff and feeling like I'm interrupting. So, we just are going to have the timer up so that you can see it. So, um for our office, we do a three minute time limit. I'm asking please do keep it. We do have a lot of people that we understand want to share their thoughts. As a reminder for public comments, we cannot use personal names. Okay. Um, so again, I wanted you to make sure that we are respectful. Okay. We are listening and we are taking notes. Um, I am going I'm just I'm going to go in this order. Um, and if I mispronounce your name or if I don't say it

122right, then I do apologize. Kate Muro want to get two people ready. Good evening. My name is I am 8 years old and I am elementary school. I am a member of history. I love my school. The adults invit every kids help. We don't call an administrator. We go to teachers, libraries, counselors and others in our school. They help us whenever feels. They are people who are there for us. They are they help students learn solar or left out. I only is not fair that people who work with kids every day should not cut while administrators get more money. You are very good. Okay. Uh Charles Nero followed by deck deer. Just prep after all the teachers here every single day. Every single day people here teach everything. They come out of their pockets to

123get us food and something extra hours early in the morning 6 a.m. One time I decided to do it and I took a teacher was reading my work so I could have a better grade. So I could have these teachers are here every single day helping us whenever they're helping us always help. I know it's so these teachers are not I'm not this teachers have three kids that they have to be Okay, because somebody else is responsibility. That's not fair. Like how are they supposed to tell their kids that they can't do their job? That's not their responsibility. I am a special on the table psychologist and speech therapist at although they're listed as districtwide. Let's be fully transparent. A school psychologist cut from Marble Town would leave us with no school psychologist in our

124building and a cut with speech therapist would leave us with one speech therapist in our entire building. These professionals carry legally mandated responsibilities. They're bound by federal and state law to fulfill every minute, every requirement of every child's IEP. That alone is an enormous and non-negotiable obligation. But their value to our school goes so far beyond when any document captures for our students with disabilities. Consistency is not a preference. It's a necessity. These children need to know who is coming, when they're coming, and that that person truly knows them. A shared provider stretched across buildings can't walk without. And when minutes must always come first, as they must, everything else disappears. This board just spoke proudly about academic excellence and the quality of special ed education programs. We're asking you to reconcile that with what

125you're proposing tonight. We cannot champion special education and simultaneously cut the school psychologist and speech therapists who make those programs possible. Removing them does not trim the edges of a premier district. It pulls out the foundation. We're asking questions for children and people who serve them. I have uh next up um if you have Amanda but then I have I think Heather is correct. Mley, is that correct? >> Thank you. >> Hi, my name is Amanda Weber. I'm one of the districts psychologists. I am here to express my serious concern regarding proposed elimination of my position. While I understand the reality of budget constraints, this decision is both shortsighted and misaligned with the district's legal obligations and the needs of our students. Over the past several years, the behavioral and social emotional needs of our

126elementary students have increased significantly. In my role, I respond to student crises, support staff, and provide interventions for some of our most vulnerable learners. These needs are ongoing and simply cannot be absorbed by exist existing staff without meaningful consequences for students in classrooms. School psychologists are uniquely qualified to complete legally mandated psychoeducational evaluations as part of the special ed process. These evaluations are not optional. They are a legal right for our students and families. This year alone, I have completed over 30 evaluations. each one essential for determining eligibility, placement, and services. If you eliminate my position, these legally mandated services will not be completed in a timely manner. This places the district at immediate risk of non-compliance with state and federal regulations, new practice complaints, and significant legal and financial exposure. Marbletown houses multiple specialized

127programs, including two life skills programs and two 151 classrooms. I provide ongoing support to these students and staff as well as to general education classrooms managing significant behavioral needs. Eliminating my role will result in all unmet IEP mandates, reduced access to required counseling service, and a clear gap in legally required supports. Removing this position will will result in unmet IP mandates, a lack of legally mandated counseling service for students and significant legal exposure for the districts. This is not a a hypothetical outcome. This is an inevitable outcome. I urge the board and Dr. Federo to reconsider this decision fully and evaluate its legal, ethical, and practical consequences. The cost of this cut will far exceed any short-term savings. And then hello from the middle school. As you know, we're losing administrator with consolidation next school

128year. We have the building which currently houses most grades, grades four. I would argue that we have the best administrators. And with that being said, our senior crisis person is not only used to support our Q classes, but he also answers uncountable amounts of calls to classrooms and the gym when student is in crisis. who now only have more on their plate are sometimes unavailable to assist down in the gym where there's a class of approximately 42 kids having a great time. Our senior crisis counselor is the first one to answer my radio call when I need help at personal watch the relationship he's built with so many students to help them through a crisis. Um there's a middle school the middle school Faced with middle school emotions, our senior crisis, so our crisis won't

129go away. It's the age of the students that we serve. Cough should not be happening for positions working as a crisis counselor. My next big question is, if we're at a 6 million deficit, why has the district hired two separate consultants? It's my understanding and I could be wrong but I think the team spent time analyzing this theory already and now we already had a second set of consultants who I personally met with um to try and figure out where we should be within 3 to 5 years but lay off teachers and support personnel that spending large amounts of money. It just doesn't make sense. >> No, it doesn't. Valley School Board members of the community as my fellow New York State United Teacher Union members >> as an educator, a fellow student provider and

130a mother of two Rana Valley students, a member of the community and the taxpayer. I worried when I hear that 10 positions are retiring. You're eliminating an additional 16 positions for a total of 26 positions eliminated within the district. To me, that sounds like a building. I understand that this board is faced with difficult financial decisions. Two of the providers that you are speaking of on that list work directly with my son. What will what will their case loads be like if those positions are eliminated? Teachers are not just a line item in a budget. They are amazing humans that give life to our schools. They recognize struggles and provide support. They highlighted talents such as art or music. Teachers can help our students find a voice and they inspire confidence, curiosity, and fuel learning.

131When I hear 26 positions are being cut, I worry that we aren't just reducing staff, we are reducing opportunities for our students. When I saw you go over to your laptop, there were classes mentioned that will not be offered at the high school or middle school level. That concerns me. I need the board to present more facts. What will the teacherto student ratio be after these cuts um occur to what what is the current student teacher ratio? Now you mentioned 8:1 um as being the student teacher ratio. But looking at the numbers with permson and with the elementary and with the middle school, I want more distinct numbers from the high school. I want more data from high school. Remember the mission statement on the website. Our vision is for our students to grow into

132critical thinkers and lifelong learners with integrity, confidence, and compassion. Our mission is to create an inclusive, welcoming educational community where all students can find their purpose and achieve their goals. Will we be able to achieve this as a district if cuts are made? The effects of these cuts will be felt later. So, I am here to warn you. Educational gaps will widen. Respect for our teachers will be damaged and rebuilding resources will cost far more in the long run. I have a ninth grade daughter and I have a fifth grade son at Marbletown in the life skills classroom. I've been so grateful to the Roundup district for embracing my children at CS News for my son. I've left feeling like a parent that was supported and proud that the Roundup community taught outside of the

133box. Consider the administrators. Consider using the capital reserve. Consider looking at the consultants. These are all ideas. Now you need to think outside of the box round and save positions. I worry if 26 positions are cut, I will leave a CSC meeting or a parent teacher conference. Will I feel supported? Thank you, Ma. The teachers on this list of cuts are past, present, and future teachers that will impact my children and their experience at Rhonda. I urge you to find another way. Protect our teachers. Protect education support. Next, it says uh teachers union related services. Is this you or someone else on the board? I don't I do not see any >> and on deck 2 years I've had fortune to work with skilled and professional service providers island. We proudly serve media students by

134providing a high level of individualized service and care to help them become safe, successful and independent citizens of our community. I am deeply concerned about the impact of the proposed related service provider on our student support and the financial implications. This budget proposal presented on the last public meeting before it's adopted agreement consider pushing out of it includes the reduction to both of those pages 21% of our service provider department. the people who directly support IEPs, vital and intervention services. I know that comparisons have been made showing that our district has more related service providers than neighbor districts despite smaller involvement. Lat has more service providers because has more special class than any neighbor district to send their students to our programs. These students often remain in class for the entirety of their school, generating

135a reliable flow of revenue for the district. Every student's right to receive a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment is met within their home school. That is key. Keeping our students in district serves their best interest and securing the costly out of district. So our in district programs serviced by our related service providers both generate revenue and save money as out of district placements can cost well over 100,000 per student per year for the entirety of their school career. A handful of high need placements can equal the cost of multiple staff positions. If we speak to declining enrollment, I was very glad to hear the fact that our special education population is not declining. It actually remains robust because in addition to our own students, Rhonda is also mandated to provide

136services to the private schools in our district which are not experiencing enrollment but surging enrollment along with increasing workers or those evaluations. We meet their needs. We are mandated to provide services to homeschooling students as well. Another population that continues to grow. We meet their needs. Our RSP travels to students homes when they're medically fragile and can't attend school. When students are not safe enough to these programs or facing social emotional issues that preclude them from taking part in school setting, we provide these services for school, after school, during school, saving districts from having to contract with costy private agencies that other districts have to do. We are more than wellbeing. Make no mistake, our services are not extra, they are mandated. Additionally, the majority of these mandated service recommendations for next year have already

137been made through the CSC process. Reducing staff after those recommendations were in place raises serious concerns about the district's ability to deliver services and maintain compliance at two sentences. When we face compliance risk, we also face financial risk. Eliminating 21% of the related service provider departments no room for error. In trying to save money by this department, we actually risk increasing costs. Next, we have followed by employee of the school at first. So, I'm George. I am a senior present counselor at the intermediate school and the junior high. I would also like to say that my son graduated from the cost program and can't say enough about how proud I am to be part of this team that supported him to support our students. I've experienced other schools programs with my son and had to

138fight for him to get the services he's legally entitled to. So in these 12 years I've worked here, I've been forced to do more with less. I went from working with grades four through six to working with grades four through eight. That's two tip programs 51 15 cos skills and the general population. I have done so for three years now and have worked tirelessly to foster relationships with students of special and regular ed to support them in their time of need. Friday at a field trip where I supported a student engaging dangerous behaviors where the security allowed me to take the lead and I was successful. I was told that I received an email informing that my position was something. I scoured my emails to find this and found one entitled confidential discussion opportunity and

139nowhere informed me that my position was at risk of being cut. Guess I interpreted that wrong. My PG and I only share this because this is my story that I can tell best. Other people I'm sure have ones that they can tell better for themselves. Um, so I've been thinking about how much our programs, you know, support our districts. Quite a lot of money. We we researched and we found about 14 $140,000 per student approximately per year. So that's twice my salary. And as Dr. Spado had said, you know, other districts are utilizing our amazing programs and making those funds for our district. Please reconsider laying off support staff that save and give our district money as well. And most importantly, keep our students within their own community and new members from other districts. >>

140She had to leave. She told me to tell you that she had to leave. >> Okay. Thank you. Um Katie, >> yes. What you said? >> I'm her mom. My name is sophomore year. Um, I'm in my 23rd year as an English teacher at Elenville High School. We've got some little people back here. Anyone who has been in education half as long as I have will tell you that the mental health needs of kids who have experienced the pandemic have increased dimension. The kids in the high school now through the isolating impacts of the pandmic is great school kids. Those students who are in the process of determining what they want to do with their lives and they need every resource at their disposal can at least afford to lose them. They need small class

141sizes to connect with and build relationships with their wonderful devoted Ronda teachers. They need counselors to help them sort things out when they prove too heavy to manage them well. Despite the fact that Ronald's enrollment is decreasing, top heavy special administrative positions have not been as though one position will be eliminated due to perensive even the fact conversation about that level is troubling While we may have less, there's clear evidence that we do need more mental health professionals in our schools. >> Please explore options that do not mean cutting students in positions that mean so much to our kids. First up, Laura Kitchell and then Rhonda. >> Thank you. Good evening. My name is Laura Mitchell and I have been a teacher here at Rondo as well as a parent and resident since 2005. Thank

142you board of education for demonstrating tonight your support in favor of educational equity. And continue, please continue to prioritize equity in budget decisions by protecting all professionals who work diligently with our students, our aids, our speech therapists, our psychologists, our behavior analysts, our nurses, and all essential support staff. As you are aware, these individuals are critical in the daily success and well-being of our students. Those who are particularly those who are navigating academic, social, and emotional challenges. The approach we take in responding to our budget challenges says a powerful message about our values and priorities as a district. Data The New York State Education Department underscores the importance of maintaining strong staffing levels. NICE reports consistently show that students in schools with lower studenttoteer ratios and access to support staff such as counselors, nurses, psychologists,

143any kind of therapists, aids, teachers demonstrate higher academic achievement, improved attendance, and better social emotional outcomes. Additionally, N has emphasized that increased access to mental health professionals is a key factor in addressing the rising needs across the city. Reducing staff has direct and lasting implications for the quality of education and support we provide to each student. The students most impacted by these reductions are often those who rely most heavily on consistent individualized support. A commitment to educational equity ensures that every student continues to have meaningful access to the resources and relationships that enable them to succeed. Nison directly supports high need students. Mr. Ny directly Ny own guidance on educational equity highlights the district's most allocated resources in ways that directly support high need students not in reducing these supports. Our budget ultimately is a

144reflection of our values. I respectfully urge the board to continue to prioritize the people who serve our students every day and to explore other areas for reducing deficits. I also ask that equity truly remains central in every decision throughout the process. Thank you for your time. Thank you. I've been a parent in this district for 24 years and an employee for 22. I've seen many administrators and board education members make critical decisions regarding our budget and staffing issues. I understand it's not an easy thing to do. I simply do not understand how we are at a $6 million deficit. Our taxes are high. Yes, but we have not they've not come up in recent years. We were given the impression that our finances were sound. $6 million does not suddenly appear without warning. We have

145other issues that need to be addressed as well. This past winter we barely had heat at Marble County School. Sometimes the heat was as low as 60° in the classrooms. We often have water issues where we had and frozen pipes. We know it's also our sats appar where the kids play along with peeling paint on the walls. All of this while we strive to be a premier school. I would like to know how much deficit is going to be made up by our 10 retirees whose jobs are not being replaced and the additional 16 layoffs. How is the 3% raise that administration received faster? I understand obligations, but one would think that for such a large deficit that a 3% raise would not happen. Thank you. Charles Vince D. Hi, my name is Charles Dinsel.

146I'm a parent of two children in this district. I'm also a CDA. I've worked in finance and audit for many years. I want to thank the members of the court for all the hard work that they do. I'm here because I'm very disappointed by many of the decisions that this district is making with this budget. Administrative staff have budgeted themselves 3% raises while they cut the student facing positions and keep the work of educating more students. I'm asking that the administrators forego their races this year and cut some of the unnecessary office management staff and some of board members actually mentioned uh to instead keep educator positions to be cut. Why do we need that special? I want to see more transparency proposals. I want to see more time to review what you're saying. I

147want to see how much you're playing. We don't get that information from you. We as a public have a right to know what position we're safe and what we're going to cut before. Uh lastly, I want to know why you don't just close this budget down of our money that's already sitting in your savings account. You know, we don't want this educators and you have at least 15 million bucks of our money sitting in fund balance. We don't have any current financial year and you know, Chris is very harassing for that. Um that's it. And you may not even touch it any currently use. So please use our money to educate our kids. Thank you. question. I'd like to know as a former county employee for every five years, how much do administrators pay into

148their health insurance premium at Olster County? We pay in anywhere between 10 and 20%. Depending on whether you're management or whether you're rank and file um and depending on what time you when you got there. So, how much do you pay into your health insurance premiums? Okay. Because your health insurance payments are some sometimes as much as $47,000 a year. You got you got a superintendent $26,000 here and over $17,000 in other remuneration amounts of spending money, right? So So what% on top of this Patricia. Good evening members of the board of education. My name is Patricia and I appreciate this opportunity to speak to you tonight. I'm here to ask for clarity, accountability, and commitment regarding the future of the French program in our district. It is becoming increasingly clear that the program has

149been fa is being phased out and with it students are losing something fundamental choice. World language education is not simply about learning vocabulary or grammar. is about building cultural awareness, critical thinking, and communication skills that prepare students to engage in a global society. For many students, French has been an important pathway academically, academically, culturally, and personally. Eliminating this program sends a message that these opportunities are no longer a priority. Just as importantly, removing the French, it eliminates student choice. Choice a strong educational environment that offers diverse pathways that reflect different interests, strengths and goals. When students are limited to a single option, we are not expanding opportunity we are in our own. I am asking the board to strongly acknowledge that this is happening that the French program is being eliminated. Transparency matters. family, students,

150and educators deserve honesty and decisions that directly affect their educational experience. But acknowledgement alone is not enough. I urge the district to make a clear commitment to restoring and sustaining the French program by hiring a full-time French teacher. This teacher would be highly qualified, passionate, and supported. Someone who can build a thriving program without fear of instability or job loss. A program cannot succeed without sustain stability. A teacher cannot inspire students if they are uncertain about their future. If we value language education, we must also value the people who deliver it. This is about more than just one subject. It is about the kind of district we want to be. one that invests in well-rounded education, respects students choice and supports the educators. I ask you to take action to be transparent and to listen

151to your community and to commit to re building a strong, stable French program for our students. Thank you for your consideration and time next week. So, I have um if I'm reading this correctly, Kim Gourney, who will be speaking on behalf of Lisa Gra. Did I get that correct? And then on deck will be Angela Braman. I apologize. >> Hi, good evening. My name is Tim and I speak right now. I received a message today from a former student and she reached out. She was very concerned about those tests and she asked me to read the statements here tonight. 13 years ago, a cotton rider name is just 13 years ago, a 5-year-old boy welcomed to KBS, and we could not have imagined the journey that lay ahead of him. Over the years, it became

152clear to our family, support staff, aids, counselors, therapists, onetoone aids, and most importantly, teaching assistance would shape his past. I truly do not know where he would be today now senior without the dedication and care of these materials. It is also important to recognize that many of these for staff and needs are not compensated nearly enough for the work that they do. Yet they continue to show up each day not perch the children. Their commitment is valuable here to support and nurture our students. As you make decisions moving forward, I ask that you consider the children who are just beginning the same journey that my sons once started. They will need stability, guidance, and both emotional and physical support. Most importantly, they need trust, trusted adults. Sorry, trusted adults, people they can turn to for

153comfort and reassurance. It truly takes a village and this village has helped guide my sign every step of the way. Please do not take away the very support system that our children. Thank you. I'm here to speak tonight on behalf of also our crisis manager management counselor at the medical school Mr. George is out many times and I'm sure he's helped many students in the middle school. Um he is a real person. He's a human being. He's incredible. He is supportive of the students. Um I know that my son and many students at the middle school would not be able to get through their day without the assistance of Mr. And so I'm here to just speak on behalf of him and to ask you to please reconsider him as your target. He is um

154not yet. >> I'm actually um Sam's mom. You know, this is crazy. And uh please please incredible and the teachers need him. You're already stretched enough. The administrators are already stressed enough. Okay. Doesn't need to happen. Thank you. I have Sarah and Good evening. My name is Tara Evans. I'm the first vice president of the Ron Valley Federation of Teachers and School Professionals and I'm the high school librarian. I am very proud of this community, these students, and everybody in this room tonight. And I appreciate you being here. But I do also want to correct the record. Library aids do assist librarians. They also assist every single student and staff member who walk through the doors. In my years of teaching, my 18 years in this district, I've worked at every level from Marble Town

155to the middle school to the high school. I have never done that work with the library without a library aid. And we should not begin now. I will yield the rest of my time to Mr. McDana. Good evening. My name is Robert Mcdana. I'm the social studies teacher of 26 years and the proud president of Rhonda Valley Federation of Weary, par profofessional, and teacher in this district. The public might not know us from public comment at board meetings, but you know us. We are the union that donates to local libraries and fire departments every year. We're the union that sponsors the Little Ones library 5K run. We're the union that awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to our graduating seniors each year. You may have seen us on Route 209 picking up trash to help

156keep this community clean at Iowa. At the outset of COVID, we used 3D printers and overhead projector transparencies to create PPE face shields for doctors and nurses. And then we went and we delivered them to local hospitals. During the co shut down, you might have seen us working at the food pantry in Stone Ridge to help get food out to this community. And two years ago, uh, we made sure every single student in this district had solar eclipse classes. I don't know if you guys >> and then we negotiated a half day release so we could all experience that moment together. But but during the day, we're your children's teachers, the nurses and counselors, therapists, trainers, psychologists, pair professionals, and secretaries. From OTPT and speech to crisis intervention specialist to every other studentbased resource this

157district has, that's us. That's the RDF. Now, first I want to say I I love the solidarity. I want to give a shout out to the RVF, to the Hudson Valley, to all the locals that came here tonight to the community. This is what happens when you walk the community together. I have a whole speech planned tonight, but I think you guys get the message. Uh, your staff and your community demand transparency and accountability. We won't stand for the secrecy anymore. And I think you guys get the point. So last Friday though, I got to talk about this. I met with Lee Cuper and Jessup and we all negotiated healthc care changes so we can save some jobs. And I want I want to ask a question because Dr. Sero promised that if we agreed

158to the healthcare changes but the social studies position the numbers we saw that you guys saw is not what I was shown. And that's the agreement I made. So next thing Next thing, take a look at these people in the front row. Some of them had a go tonight, believe, but I want every board member to take a look as these are the people they're budding. They all sat in the front row tonight. So, you can thank Next question. If we have a $6 million budget gap, why are we hiring teachers in October and November? Because that's not practice. You ruin people's lives. We have a person that's nine months pregnant that we just hired or sorry, seven months pregnant that we just hired. Taking 9 years to get pregnant and you guys told her

159that her healthcare is running out June 30th. It's now practice. Next, my next three minutes with you guys is that 11, everybody listen, 11 out of the last 14 years, we didn't go over the tax cap. 11 out of the last 14 years. And then we wonder where all the missing money is. An observation. An observation. All the cuts seem to be in special ed, SEAL, and DEI. That make anybody curious? Okay, good. Me, too. Um, and in light of the board president's opening statements, I respectfully respectfully withdraw the rest of my statement. The next two up first will be Nicole Schulz followed by Jared V. I have a child who is her high school. She has significantly sheen crisis counselor has helped her even if we didn't have to on many many occasions. She

160would not have made it through the day when she was having problems without him. these counselors and these speech pathologists and this chief my my child had these people that you're talking about getting rid of. She would not have made it this far. We have an amazing administration high school. You want to take another assistant principal away from that? How much are they supposed to take care of our children when you're taking everything away from that? you're going to cut any interventional services that these children desperately need. I don't know where my child would be, but also for a huge majority of teachers in this room. And it's very disgraceful that these are the people, the support staff that these children need the most. And they're the first ones you're looking to get rid of

161instead of the great My daughter Karina sees many working in manina. I don't know where she would be today without them. They did a lot for her in this past year and got her where she is today. If you cut those traditions, this board tradition all together. These creatures are sitting here that probably for sewer. They are sure to call the W County Highway Department or the county of Mar County. They got their excavator for nothing for shared services and don't for nothing. You guys receive $50,000. That's probably somebody's salary for the year. easier than a lot of money. >> 247 to be exact. >> Anybody else need the rest of my time? The next two uh first Brian Bazinette followed by Sarah Hendrick. I'm Ryan. I graduated class of 97. I'm pretty sorry. So,

162I have two kids in the district and we've used the uh services here. You know, we've had guys used to name names, but the crisis intervention counselor has been fantastic and I don't think it. So, that's the first thing. Uh the second thing and I think this is kind of more important and you don't have to be a CPA to recognize this. Uh the there seems to be a lot of weight at the top and in particular seems like we're paying the central services which was glossed over quite a bit in the presentation. was shown as 10% very abstract um for administrating total but in reality when you look at the real numbers there 3% increase for central services is $112,000 which is enough to cover at least two of the positions that are being

163and then the uh the salary for the superintendent is more than double the uh median household income for the school district. So that's the percentage is 231% of househ. So, so that's all I have. and also um I wanted to comment on one thing that grades going up that support and as a parent who had my kids and lost second grade every single person in that meeting. Sports staff, his teacher said he needs these supports, but we can't do anything. Our hands are tied because of the next. It just wasn't with us. And if sense, but I fully support all of these people because they do amazing things. I mean, he would be where he is today just because of that. What he got for that. So, I adore you all. You're amazing. We're very

164lucky that we're in this district. We ended up here. But it's amazing. Um, but that I find really, you know, really poant. I really want to make that point that the supports work and they're necessary and just because the grades go up, they need to be the support. It has to be there. Um, There's 25 people like where do where do they all go? Like really the community are they no longer explains are they no longer like functioning members or like what do you do? And it's really frustrating to see what's happening and my industry with insurance and it's it's crazy that we don't have universal healthare. >> Thank you. So I am a graduate of being the leader of her time and my daughter grows here and a lot of the teachers that are

165here are amazing and Miss cannot be cut and our students our children that go to the school high school students shout out stood up for their rights and I received an email at 5:00 saying that they are going going to um have consequences to anyone who participated in the event that happened today. That is 100% unacceptable. They have every right to do it. I don't know why you're shaking your head. This came from your office. I'm not going to walk up because I have a loud enough for voice. But I also graduated from Rhonda. And so one of the kids that you're talking about shipping out my daughter, so she gets services and she'll come back into Rhonda for her senior year uh with an IEP and being speech. Um, but she is out because

166I was able to advocate for her so that she could receive top tier services in Westchester for for the services you're looking for. So, one of my concerns as a mom was having her pushed in here when she had such a high demand. Okay. even as a graduate. But just because I'm able to advocate and was able to make that happen in the district to get around to Westchester, so many in the district do not or don't have the ability to advocate in the same way I do. Okay? And those children are absolutely going to lack by losing these staff. On top of that, I was here and graduated in '06. we didn't have as robust of a crisis counseling program, right? So, I remember a school where where the staff had to deal with

167chairs thrown in classrooms. We're paying SRO officers, right? But if we take care of the emotional needs, we don't have to worry about the acts of violence or potential for threats or things like Ed leaving early intervention services and coming to the district was too functional because we're speaker. She spoke too well to receive services only to be told later on she needed early intervention services when you cut them just because they're succeeding. They're not succeeding in spite of them. They're succeeding because of them. When you remove them, you remove the success and they fall through the press. talking about an $83 million budget and you're talking about a reduction in debt. That turns out to be a 51,000 per students a year tuition. >> That is your board of education. >> Madison Pearson I'm

168on. All right. Hi, my name is Madison. I'm a junior at a part of city commerce as well as one of the two student board members. I'm very grateful to be trusted. So I was wondering if you could maybe there school consistent that no matter what happened to school and all teachers would always make sure I here they want to help and they want to figure things out together. These teachers and amongst and amongst many others have pushed me to be the person I am today. Without these teachers I wouldn't be where I am today. No matter if they did these things for me elementary school, middle school or high school. So to continue, I was wondering if I'm wrong, but from what I understand, small amounts of students, even this students, teachers, and one-on-one

169time between students are hard for everyone, and many are working hard, but we need our teachers. So I do ask you to please. Thank you. Hello, my name is aware of student which I present to you every day. Around 181 students signed this petition in the hour and a half that we were outside that was created by another community over 1600 community for what's right for teachers. Why does your premier run out include cutting teacher positions and students having to fight the wall? Why does it include class size increasing teachers taking on more classes, electricity, and cost and students not being able to get the one help that they might do, which will cause test scores to decrease? Why are we looking at a correct meal, but I can't give free superintendence that may at

170least double what some teachers make here? to come on Thursday. I can keep going, but I won't. Please future in your hands. Thank you. Mr. Congratulations. I have the next two. The next one, I apologize. I don't have the first name. A Flanding and Steve Gray. So, those are my next two. Hello, my name is Angela Fan and I am one of two speech pathologists at the hospital. I am just seeking clarification and greater transparency regarding the proposed consolidation of our special education programs in the budget presentation. This change appear to be largely glossed over and I want to acknowledge that I do not fully understand the plan as intended because it was not directly or clearly addressed proposing the closure of one of our elementary school programs. And with the removal of that program,

171we are also losing or effectively relocating our crisis counselor. And while she serves that program, she also supports students across the entire building who are in need. So without her and with the school psychologists who would potentially now be split between buildings, there'd be no one consistently available to respond to students in crisis. It also appears that the district may be considering the consolidation of our 151 special classes in a way that would require some of our most vulnerable students, our kindergarten and first grade students with special needs to attend maybe one elementary building and then if I'm understanding it correctly, transition to a different elementary building for grades two and three and then possibly transitioning again from middle school to grade four. Again, I'm not sure if I was understanding that correctly. It was

172very confusing on the slides. If that's the case, that would be three different school buildings in just a few years. And we know the transitions are challenging for all students, but they're especially difficult for students with disabilities. These are children who rely on routine, consistency, and stable relationships to feel safe and to learn effectively. Increasing the number of transitions increases anxiety, disrupts progress, continues regression academically, socially, and emotionally. This would also separate students from their established peer groups and their home school while also increasing those special class sizes. So at the same time, while we're proposing cuts to essential support staff, including 1.4 speech pathologists to psychologists, and the elimination of the ECG ECDA position, that was only filled weeks ago. This is a role that directly supports students with significant behavioral and regulatory needs

173and has lost felt across programs. And I want to respectfully ask, how can the district justify recruiting and hiring a highly needed professional, asking them to uproot their life to join this community, and then eliminating that position almost immediately? >> This raises planning, and so we're looking at a situation where students with the highest needs will experience more transitions, less consistency, larger classes, and fewer supports. Decisions of this magnitude require transparency, collaboration, and thoughtful consideration of student outcomes. I urge the board to provide clear information about the proposed changes and to fully consider the long-term impact on our students with disabilities. Thank you for your time and for your commitment to all the students. Sorry, I chose the short side. Good evening. My name is Steve Gray. I'm a math teacher, a taxpayer. I apologize

174for wearing my faculty association to support my blue. So, you guys y'all kept mentioning the I think it was art funds from co which was like $3 million. Uh and in that time staff enrollment somehow went down yet administration numbers went up. So that's pretty interesting. Just thought that was weird. Also next year uh we're losing 38 students or enroll down by 38 students which clearly equals 26 teachers and staff being cut. So again teacher I also know that means 60% to put a budget up above the tax cap. So maybe you should know that too and try it. So I'm here because I've done the math. I said that the district's leadership and the numbers don't add up. The board's job is to oversee the superintendent. Please always remember he works for you and

175us, >> not the other way around. So don't meet everything he's serving you. Please let's look at your state goals on the website. Goal number one, promoting academic excellence. How do you achieve excellence? By stripping away the tools students need to succeed. >> Your failures, slashing AP courses, collegiate courses, and gun academic intervention services this year. Uh it doesn't make sense. Uh yet you aren't building a path of excellence. You are dismantling it. That's how that works. Number two, ensuring a sense of belonging. You say your students are feel they belong, but you are cutting the very people who make that possible. Psychologist, counselors, support staff. Our children rely on them. These aren't just support staff. They are the primary defense against the isolation, the anxiety, depression. Co kind of happened a few years ago.

176It's still, you know, there, you know. Um 40% 42% of high schoolers unfortunately now face nationwide depression. It's just not good. When you remove a counselor, you aren't just tying the belt. You're removing a trusted adult from a student's life. And as a teacher, uh we're all counselors, too. >> Yeah. So, uh, my personal favorite, transparent operations and fiscal stewardship, Rob's still my favorite, but by choosing to stay below the cap 11 out of the last 14 years, the district has effectively permanently lowered the baseline budget. I think that's what's happening now. Because the tax cap is a percentage of the previous year's levy. Every dollar left on the table in the past money you start the future. You intentionally left the money on the table and now you're asking our students to pay for

177their political clustering their mental health. You did this. We have to look at the decision making that brought us to this cliff during your search for superintendent. And thank you and my name is I'm a graduate of LA. Thank you very much. I got a great education here. I got a full ride to Smith College. Went to graduate school. I'm a member of the faculty at Sunni Orange now. And I'm also a member of the administration. Uh and actually I want to share with you what happened at my college when we faced a bigger shortfall than you did. >> Yeah. Listen to this folks. Our top admins took a 10% pay cut. It's called service a 10% pay. If you folks took a 10% pay cut, you'd have almost as much as half of the

178people that you are, you know, either not or eliminated at $860,000, >> but I also want to say as a former member of the faculty, I just want to say that you are pressuring the teachers over for the insurance where they're going to pay more for the insurance. Are the administrators making any concessions? >> Just wondering. Okay. I just wanted to note that. So, you've got a $6 million shortfall and you're proposing to cut the most crucial people in our era of mental health problems for our youngsters rising. You're you're proposing to cut these people. Um, so to save actually under $2 million of your $6 million shortfall. And by the way, that is going to translate into legal uh problems and expenses. I'm actually the parent of who has to have Ronda P uh

179policeman and then you have to because you know actually I don't think you have all the staff that you already need to. So actually this district's paid dearly already um in my experience. I don't know the experience of other people. I just want to point that out. Also the parent of a current high schooler who no longer is studying French because that's like the like kind of like let's just squeeze these positions out and let's not have another language in like a more global world that we live in. Uh so and then I also want to say when there are rumors it's because of lack of transparency and students when they are exercising the free speech mother of two students who his home and he started with Mr. Lan who was helping and supporting him.

180He was he no first and second grade together and his grades were four and the administration later on was nonstopic that is impossible to learn them and some parts say that he would be landing in prison. So my grandson 12 years old finally after big fight basically with administration pass to community college where from this moment he was studying with all of and president and finish a 16 years old and then was accepted by RPI this big award >> and was accepting all his credits >> for oyster and he started to be junior in RPI in math department and now he's senior is trying to get to MA to PhD program and this kid if he will not have this support of the counselor they will administration was telling me that he left. So we

181are security regard and we are very crucial people who can support Ukraine people in future and our future of America it's education and research and we forgot about it not administration and it is not a business it's education and service to society. Thank you. That was beautiful. That brought us to this cliff. During the searcher, superintendent, this learning community was vocally clear. We needed a leader with a topic record leadership and deep expertise in labor relations. We didn't just want it, we demanded it. to send this board or passport spent our tax dollars on a national search firm only to honor a candidate who had never sat in the superintendent chair. >> Thank you. We did go we we wanted to go to Melissa's >> over the superintendent has zero experience navigating complex contracts this

182board or that court was so mattered by a premier presentation of what appears to be a former home shopping network host that you ignored specific non-negotiable criteria. Duke chose style over substance. And now as our teachers face the chopping block and our labor capture, the students are the ones paying the price for your higher end state. And now while you're done, student programs and your administrators are still lined up for 3% more races over the next few years. No administrative cuts. Only teachers and counselors on the top students won't remember your fiscal stewardship or administrative raises. They will remember the teachers or the council staff members who weren't there anymore cuz you tucked them. The next two um the next two BC followed by Isabella Perez. I can't >> It's so exciting to always brilliant

183people who care so much and um I wanted to prepare something but I want to see the numbers I want to see the information before I spoke it wasn't online I'm pretty sure that open requires the documents that are going to be discussed be posted 24 hours before board meetings We're not working on this. I know you said that's something you're working on and I appreciate that. It's the law. >> Yeah. >> Oil must be presented online 24 hours before the public meeting. reason you know people are upset because there's no transparency and there's no I can't I can't follow everyone has just been amazing it's been so exciting to listen and I hope you all take it to heart to take the time to ask the questions of the superintendent for your next meeting,

184which I hope won't be the day that you vote. Um, it sounds like there's a lot of um information you're asking for. We need time to process, right? We need that transparency so we can make informed decisions. Um, couple of things, other things that can um help you build trust. Um, having more meetings. This meeting was a proposed executive session only. Um, thanks this session because this is all so important. Um, I would suggest you move away from the consent agenda. It moves things along faster if they want to be nice, but it also takes that time when we can have open conversation and ask questions and build trust. um when when people don't know what's going on, they get anxious and you know, so then we start digging and you know, I I went

185back and I looked at the agendas over the past year and I saw I think December through the consent agenda. You looked at the 4% raise for the half stars and I think that's something that warranted public conversation right now. $300,000 a year for armed guards. Okay, thanks. >> Oh, sorry. This is Isabella Perez Jaws. I'm this is all seniors at high school and this is Jay who's a current freshman here. Um I'm here tonight just to speak but not just to speak to but to be heard because the the decisions being made right now directly affect students like me every single day. We understand that budget cuts are difficult. We understand that our choices have to be made. But what we don't understand is how we how those choices are being made and who

186we are. One of those choices is the removal of a teacher who has been here for three years. One year in her in her class, every single student passed with a complete 100% passing rate. Every single one's real success stories and real impact. As students, we are constantly told that success matters. The effort matters. That results matter. But what message are we supposed to take from from this decision? Because from where we stand, it feels like none of that matters at all. This teacher didn't just tell students best class. They showed up for students who were struggling. They made they made learning accessible. They created an environment where students felt supported and capable. That kind of impact can't be measured by a spreadsheet or use a budget line. When you remove a teacher like that,

187you're not just cutting a position. You're cutting opportunities. You're cutting support. couldn't be pieces of what makes this school work. We as students are asking you to look beyond the numbers, look at look at the outcomes, look at the people, look at what is actually working and ask yourselves why this is what's being taken away because right now we feel like the voice of the students that people most affected by the decisions aren't being considered. We deserve better than that. They deserve better than that. We deserve decisions that reflect truly students, not just what balances the budget. And the next two I have Victoria Robertson followed by followed by Charlotte. Hi, my name is Robertson Spanish here and supervisor. I want to address the world language program. It seems like the seventh grade Spanish program

188was lost over very quickly proposal. It is very concerning to see Spanish on the list of possible cuts as this would be a major change to our academic program. Not offering a language in second grade would have detrimental effects to our world language program. We currently have a very strong seal biology program pretty good in the entire county. Um we have about 50 students that have earned seals in just the last couple of years. Our students are able to graduate bilingually which is a true asset that we're giving them. But this falls apart completely if you eliminate the 73 program. and some words we are fundamental in building the foundation of language development. So I just hope that you really think about that in the board of education. Thank you all first of all for

189allowing us to make public comment um which is our public right and I appreciate everyone here for exercising that right. My name is Charlotte. Uh I am a graduate of High School from the class of 2011. I graduated then at Charlotte Knap. I'm here tonight as a representative of the 2011 student body which I was the president of while I attended this class. I'm not here into as official capacity in office that I currently hold over the taxing district of the town of Rochester. Just to be clear for the record. So, first I just have a couple questions for you guys. Um, is our workers comp policy for the district from private sector or the New York State insurance fund or are we self-insured for workers compensation or do you participate in the county self

190insurance program? Where can we find the specific intended purposes and requirements of the reserve funds that this board is proposing transferred in during the budget and having it done which is set forth by New York state taxation law? what share services have you explored credit the other man who brought it up with other municipalities other school districts any other local government entity um and other than that uh I want to just respond to a couple of things I heard one I could not be more proud to be here as a graduate of Rhonda Valley High School and have walked by this poster in your hallways of a peaceful protest just like the one we had here in 2010 when a principal banned hugging after two gay students were assaulted in this high school and we

191scheduled several nonviolent peaceful protests just like these students did here. So I cannot be more proud of you. Thank you all. And also just to for the public's knowledge, I attended school here in 2011. That was after this building was under construction for the entire four years of my high school experience here. My senior year, we were on austerity budget and our homecoming game was a soccer game. That doesn't make me any less proud to have been here at Grand Valley. It does make me think I am less of an education. It makes me value Mr. Mcdana and Miss Lawson and Mr. John Soy who I saw earlier and Miss in the back and I saw Miss Penny my first grade assistant teacher that I would have gotten the following education to be an elected

192official in government body just like you are of this town based off of only my diploma from this school. I have no other formal education besides here and I've gotten this far. Uh here are two guest checks with 22 grants that this school qualifies for that can cover your $1.6 million deficit without these teachers. Elizabeth Ireland. Hello. I have several students in this share. Um, right now I'm here because I'm going to care. Mr. Rener, you were absolutely amazing with my son and I can't explain how this wanted to kick him out that I thought she might. And without her help, he wouldn't be here. Without this block, every day helping my two boys who had all his love. Okay. To be in this district, when I moved here in 23, I was extremely proud

193to be here at a school district who understood that skills program who had all these options for my boys. And I'm talking about my daughter is part of the AIS class, okay? But I'm talking about cutting. My daughter is going to graduate this year because of that class. My daughter struggled extremely hard in math every single year. And if it wasn't for that class, she wouldn't be here today to graduate. This is unacceptable. You are attacking the special education department. You're not just attacking the teachers now. You're they're tackling your schools with this at the Okay, these kids need this more than anybody else. And I'm sorry to say that, but they do. They are strong. They're absolutely they know to the worst part every single step. And I'm now I'm here for Mr. Ciring.

194I'm wondering who you're going to get for a principal because so far I have had very little love with your principles together with my sons. Okay? And my kids are smart and they're very good kids. Trust me, you don't want to do this. You want to keep these programs. Yes, you need everyone. When I was in myself, I really didn't like school. However, I had several fantastic teachers that got me to where I am today, including history teachers who were in this room that led me to a career in librarianship and a love of philosophy, physics, psychology, or other academic field. Now I would like to simply say that I understand budget. I understand that things do happen in life in society. I also understand that at this moment this country this society is at

195war with education. These people are not simply statistics and numbers. And I understand as well that you do take these things serious. I do not doubt. But instead of looking at it from a utilitarian principle of where can we make cuts to save money in the way that you are, I urge you to look at it through a company or theological principle that treat these people as people. Yes, they are working class. They have their positions because they love their not just they have other jobs. But as well who I'm referring to are the students themselves and they know this. That's why they exercise their first amendment right to peaceful assembly, freedom of speech and protest. Now what I'm about to say will come again I don't know it. I just wanted to reinforce it

196with you. Education is far more than bookmarks. There is emotional education focusing on and recognizing understanding and constructively managing one's emotions, conflict resolution, and general self and social awareness. For Kwell students, this takes form in the skills need to make friends, knowing personal boundaries, and coping with personal crisis like abuse, loss, depression, and so forth. There's critical thinking. The one is not taught the right answer but the tools of thinking, investigating and reasoning. Not only in order to separate what is actually true from your opinion, but as well uh as navigate the uncertainty of life and resolve problems in flexible ways. For Ko students, this comes in form of problem solving activities, reflection assignments and instructive dialogue between students and instructors. Finally, there is informal education based learning that we do every day without knowing

197it. For K1 students, this is done through forming trust uh with educators, learning on subjects they excel in and what they want to do with their lives and simply learning every day skills that many later in life take for granted. My mother call these things with passion. But again, it's not just mothers or colleagues. It's people that chose this career path. I would like to simply say again the history teachers that I alluded to earlier. I would not be where I am without that. If they were given to us a year before I got to that grade level, I would not be the person I would say. I doubt I would have gone to college. I doubt I would have learned to love libraries. And with that, I would like you to simply reconsider and

198look for alternative paths on saving money. Thank you. Oh, it wasn't spelled that way. I apologize. >> I apologize. $6 million is not the difference between new promo charges and paying off for another year. 6 million is a big number, one that our community cannot shoulder. With this type of budget gap, moving forward can collect steps that are too heavy to take. And 6 million is a number that will be felt by every single student, teacher, and member of our community for years to come. But it is in this space that I see opportunity. Our district has faced difficult decisions in the past, but it is not the difficulty of a situation that makes us special. It is what we choose in this moment that matters and defines us. From declining employment that was kicked

199off 30 years ago when IBM left the area to closing our doors during CO, a move which has left many of us with scars and wounds that still need to. But challenges like this are what schools prepare students for. challenges and open doors, encourages conversation, invites ideas, removes our blindness, and reminds us that we are in this together. I know that in a world this sentiment and polarizing ideas can easily distract us from the hard truth, which is that reality always wins. So, is this our reality? Are we just a spreadsheet full of numbers that don't add up? >> No. >> I challenge the board to remember that math is only one subject and doesn't have all the answers. At this moment, the math should be the last problem of the test. It should come

200after we consider our purpose, our why, and prioritize what matters most. Don't be fooled. Our purpose is not to just educate students, but to lift them up, build a foundation, and help them to create a world that is better than the one they have today. So, I ask you to lead by example, to show us that you can apply what you learn, prove your work, and come up with an answer that you are proud to stand behind. Please think about what step and rise to the occasion. Not because it's hard, we know it is, but because it matters. Hello. Good afternoon. I'd like to talk a little bit about the absolute lack of transparency that the board and administrators have had with teachers. Why is it at the same time that the public is hearing

201as MCR or Miss Mcdana learning that their classes are being cut next year? The same classes that I'm taking this year, statistics and AP lit open new doors to different areas of subject that are not available throughout other classes. The same has happened with Miss Kil the.3 teacher that you uh that's uh mentioned uh earlier before she her position was cut to the point three after a lack of uh student enrollment which was done by the board itself because of the improper advertisement of each classes that are done to our students. We have so many we have an overflow of students going to different subjects like statistics for example business we have a senior business class that has statistics and and as a sophomore or freshman student when I was really looking into the business

202field I I saw that Miss's position was completely cut and seeing that she had gone down to one class that I had taken before and found no opportunities lie the number one most applied to major in all of the college uh undergraduate enrollment is business at 19% of the national subject but there is stats I swear I I statistics I want to thank everybody for coming out and sharing your voices. As you can see, many of us submitted notes and uh we will be continuing to to work through this development and we do appreciate your time. Dr. President agenda is memory unit of the federation you all right here >> right here hello everybody some of you may know me through either online or you know through the school system for my son Jackson Mwood

203Uh unfortunately we lost him two November ago. Uh but I will say hard from me to the board the super mechanic um if my son didn't have the team of you know the psychologist and uh you know OT PT speech services following him all through his 9year journey. um he would not have been excell uh I have multiple children within the district being one of them I'm sure a lot of teachers have heard his name um but Mr. Wong and Mr. Cutler uh along with you know Mr. work with him. How many work with Emily and Willow? I'm sure um you guys really need to look at it from a hearttohe heart level here. These kids definitely need the emotional and you know mental health that these people provide to these kids. We live in

204an era at this point really since the start of co where everybody has really sat and reflected and looked at past trauma and abuse from parents or other figures that we thought were important in our lives. And these people not only help our kids understand how to cope with these things, but us parents as well on how to better address issues that they are having whether they feel they can communicate them to us or not. Uh come up with plans uh as Mr. launch has done uh for my son Travis, you know, on how to better express, you know, anger and grief and and everything that sort. Um, but I apologize for cutting you off, Mr. Samo, and the board. Um, but I just feel that's all I have to say. Please just think about

205this. All right. motion that the board of education approve the supplemental memorandum agreement by and between the board of education of the Ron Valley school district and the Ron Valley par professional unit of the Ron Valley Federation copy of which shall be incorporated by reference in advance of this meeting and the superintendent execute such an on behalf of the district. >> I'll make the recommendation. >> I'll second. >> Any discussion? >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carries. >> Next, transfer a motion. The board of education approves budget transfer as a motion. I'll second it. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? I >> opposed. Motion carries. >> A recommended motion that the board of education move into executive session to discuss the employment history of particular individuals as presented. No board action

206will take place after executive session. >> I'll make the motion. >> Any discussion? >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carries. Good morning.