001You want to run your hands? >> Welcome to the Wednesday, January 14th, 2020 of Education. Stand for the pledge allegiance 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. Before we uh get going with the the agenda, we want to take a minute to acknowledge our high school principal, Mr. Dan, who was kind enough to come tonight. I just want to read a little blurb about him. Maybe we'll add lib a little bit too. So, it is my pleasure to acknowledge an outstanding leader in our community, Joshua Dan, principal of Sar High School, who has been selected as the 2026 New York State High School Principal of the Year by the School Administrators Association of the State
002of New York in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principles. He will now represent New York as a candidate for the National High School Principal Year of the War, which we have a good shot at, I would think. >> Oh, yeah. Write me a letter. You want to write me a letter? >> For the past 13 years, Mr. Dan's led with simple and powerful approach, listening first by building strong relationships, setting clear expectations, and creating a supportive school culture. He has helped transform the student experience. Mr. B also believes deeply in shared leadership, community engagement, empowering students, staff voices to lead the annual turkey drop that has raised more than $300,000 for students in need. His impact reaches far beyond the classroom. This recognition reflects what our students, staff, community already know that
003Josh Dan is an exceptional educator, leader, and advocate for students. Please join me in congratulating Mr. Dan, the 19 the 2026 New York State High School Principal. [Applause] >> Josh, you are a humble person. And I know that you will try to deflect as much credit as you can to those around you, which is also very deserving and true, but we're very appreciative of the work you do. And I would say um it reflects the leadership of all our events. We're happy with with all the work that everybody's doing. So, >> thank you for you to bring that kind of recognition to our school and our student. We're appreciative. So, thank you for your good work. >> Thank you. >> And who thought we went to court, Mr. >> I know exactly. I would just
004like to thank the board for this recognition. Uh me and Mrs. Fox, it's truly appreciated. Uh, I'd like to thank Jody Wells and and everybody who participated in the um application process, which I think was um a big ask. Um, but I think this this award is really for our students, our staff, and our in our community. And um, you know, their commitment and support um, makes our schools, you know, special places. And so, I just want to say thank you for that. And, uh, it's honored to be recognized. So, thank you. Well done, sir. >> Okay, moving on. Um, can I get a motion to accept the agenda? >> Second. >> There any discussion on the agenda? >> Those in favor? I. >> Any opposed? The agenda is approved. Next item is the consent
005agenda resolution number 049 2025. Approve the items on the consent agenda. Motion. >> Mike. >> Second. >> Go ahead. Got it. Any discussion? >> Yeah, there's some people who have done some serious contributions to the district. >> I was just like, it's beautiful to see that people who have been with us for a long time. That's incredible. >> We have a pretty good track record of people want to stay here. Any other discussion? All those in favor? >> I. Any opposed? It is approved. Next item is public comments. Any member of the public like to address the board? Thank you. Moving on to financial report. Um everything is on your share drive and you just like last time you continue to see um some substantial transfers like we're still working to get everything in the
006proper budget code um where it was budgeted compared to where it needed to be spent once the budget is finalized. >> Ready for the resolution? >> Yes. Resolution 050 2025 approve the current budgetary transfer report as presented by the school business executive >> motion >> second >> any discussion in favor I opposed resolution is approved >> moving on into old business capital project updates >> we still continue uh checking off the list for last summer's projects um day automation and next era contracting are installing the cameras and the swipe cards for the um press box and the cameras out there. So those are going in. Um they continue to fine-tune the um unvents at Petrova and actually as all of that is moving away our next bit of a project is the backflow preventors. um
007they just had their first meeting on that. They're going to try to do two buildings over spring break and then two buildings right at the beginning of the summer. So that project is also moving along. The next thing that might come before us is in all of this work for the universe and looking at our heating issues. We do have a section at petro that is not insulated correctly. In fact, you could just stop the sentence with not insulated. Period. U and we really feel like that's something we need to address now that we found that we can't ignore it. So we're getting some quotes on that. That would just be a inhouse but um been talking with Nikki about it. >> What is not insulated >> the wall behind um >> the entire wall?
008>> Yeah. that we inter between the two floors which allows the air to come in and cool it off and just not as we're working at being as >> we've done like a dozen projects there not know that we can evidence >> you know until you take it apart and start moving your your units you know it looks pretty from the outside and then you start moving things around and >> yes how are the classrooms that the back temperature wise, right? Do we have any kids that are cold or teachers that are cold or hit? >> If if we do, it's only because they haven't complained about it. >> Okay. Um, everybody in the world is watching. Okay. Um, I just wanted to be sure because I know that those can cause major issues depending
009on the configuration. >> I actually did walkroughs and sat by a couple of those events as my hair was moving behind like, oh, as a teacher, I'd be getting out those wet cloths, right? Like all this secret thing, turn that off. that the air is moving and okay. So, I think that that's it for now. >> Okay. District facilities planning committee update. Um, you have some pretty comprehensive uh minutes that you can review at your leisure. Um, done a lot of work there. I think the line share of what we'll talk about tonight will come uh when we review the last two hearings. But Mike or Nate, if you got anything you want to say about our last committee meeting, which is a couple weeks ago now. I I wasn't there. >> I wasn't there.
010>> Moving on. >> Um, Bloomingdale and High School public hearing recap. Thought we'd take a moment to discuss some of the themes that we heard the last two nights and uh, you know, maybe some direction where we're headed and maybe we can um, set some direction for our committee meeting next week uh, moving forward. So, please jump in. tell me how you feel about what you heard. I I'll start. Um I I've shared with some of you that I think that I was proud of the fact that the committee and board members were attentive at the meetings and I thought that uh we showed um that we truly care about what's going on and we're in a an uncomfortable um predicament here, but we're going to try to do the best we can for all
011those involved. And uh I really appreciate the board members in particular um that were able to share their experiences. I shared with Tori things she shared. I think that's meaningful that uh our communities know that you know we see someone what they're seeing and we were certainly appreciative of those people that came and spoke and and were able to uh share with us some of what they see and I thought that by and large they were successful. I do wish that they would have been better attended, but uh you know, you can only hold the meeting, right? So, anyone else want to weigh in? >> I I think the Well, it's unsaid, but but maybe we can assume that the fact that it wasn't that well attended was because we were putting out information for
012years about this problem. People have been talking about it for years, mostly as rumors, but you know, in anticipation and and hopefully they trust our decision that they don't come out in complaint, you know, that they don't like where we're going. So, >> that's what I would like to tell. >> I think that just two quick things. One, I think just to point I think that the fact that we're all sitting here as elected board members, I think that they do trust us. I think that we were all elected for a reason to make tough decisions. And I also think no matter what happens, people are going to be you can't believe that we know that. And I think that um I think that making this decision as soon as we can is is very
013prudent. Um I think we all live in the community. We all we all know people talk. You know, I'm not going to repeat anything that I'm hearing. Obviously, I think we're all having similar things. So, I think that uh I know we have kind of a possible timeline and I've been asking for kind of like what's kind of our timeline here and so I just think that that's um you made the point that it's been going on. We've been talking about this for years now. So, uh >> so should we talk about some timeline right now? >> I think it be useful. Yes, Lance. >> Okay, >> you're on. >> Would you mind taking them passing them down? I think I've included enough for everybody who's here. >> I'd like to suggest to the board
014that we update the timeline. Um, that's a way to get the timeline. >> Go. Let me make a point while we're waiting for this to pass out. Um I know there might be some questions about when we formed the committee we said um it could take up to a year. I had someone say I thought this could take a whole year and more accurate. We said we could we don't know some information that kind of explains why we got to go sooner and not later. Diane. >> So, we have really done as much as we can to ask for input, suggestions, creative ideas from the community. We started this conversation way back in the spring about putting this committee together. Multiple conversations. The Aderond Daily Enterprise has done a very nice job of putting out
015the information when we tried to put the committee together. They reported on that multiple times. Um has reported on it now fall. So I really feel we have there's not much more except to go door to door and say do you have a suggestion or something we haven't considered. There are things that the state education department says if you are considering a building closure or a district reconfiguration these are the things that you should look at. If you read that list, we have looked at everything on their list and more. So, at this point, I don't see the necessity to be dragging out to to talk about looming down first and then talk about transportation and then talk about building. We have a lot I'm already receiving my first letters from staff saying if this
016happens, may I go here? If this happens, we like everybody wants to know what's coming and I don't see that waiting two months or three months is going to bring any more information forward than the information that we have in front of us to make this recommendation. So I would consider I would ask you to consider an updated again updated possible timeline. It's an interesting conversation I was having with somebody in there and I'm like, "Oh, I know, but we talked about a year." And they said, "Well, it's like your construction projects, which happens all the time. You think you're going to do A and then you think you're going to do B and then you think you're going to do C and then you're going to do D." Well, Will, you're doing B. You
017realize it's silly not to do D at the same time, right? Like, you've got to be flexible to really address what's going on. And I think we've got to be a little flexible at this point. March 1st is when we need to tell the state that we're going to do some reconfiguration. If we're going to do reconfiguration, that's the timeline. Why? >> Because they have a timeline. They have a process by which we have to show them that we have considered all the things that we think we should be consider. how this addresses student enrollment, building use like all we have to say that we have gone through a process to look at whatever configuration a change in configuration. We have to prove to them that we have gone about it and with a a
018plan and have looked at all the implications from it. And so they need time to do their work before the end of the year because the change would be a July 1 change. So they have a March 1st deadline so they can do their work because ultimately they approve the decision >> and they make sure that all the timelines are followed and we've done our due diligence in making the decision. >> So to be honest, sorry to interrupt when we put the committee together. I was unaware of >> me too. >> So had I known that um the very first meeting we would have >> matched the timeline to that. >> Yeah. And the idea it could take up to a year. I would not have made that statement, but I was unaware of that.
019And when I became aware, it's like it's actually a regulation. >> It is. However, I didn't know it either, but it's it's in front of us. It's one of those unfound things. But working our way back, the district facility subcommittee meeting meets next week. We'd already spoken about them putting together their recommendations. um individual subcommittee members input. Um all the things on the list we've already talked about as a subcommittee. I'll send an email to that effect, but that's the opportunity. They call it an impact statement coming from the committee. You can do it however you want. We had talked about individual committee members sharing out what they felt comfortable, what they wanted to talk they wanted to talk to. I think that should still happen, but it needs to include blowing down bus runs
020and possible building configurations. Let's just do it. We There's going to be no more information than what's already out there and so let's do it all at once. Um the board would receive the educational impact statement from the committee at the next meeting and I will share my recommendation just verbally nothing formal to happen but based on kind of closing up that subcommittee work with the educational impact statement what my recommendation would be. I would formally make those recommendations at the February 4th meeting. Um and then at the February 18th meeting, which is the district facility subcommittee meeting, we would have one last public hearing. Um we are required because we had subcommittee do a work do work for us and they're going to report out, we are required to do a public hearing um
021to discuss that and have um community input on that. So we would hold it right on their regular meeting date. they're already planning on on that date. So, we would hold the um public hearing on that date and then a final board uh a final board action would come on the 25th of February, but it would be really for all three things. It would be for Bloomingdale, bus run, and grade level configurations for 26 27. >> The 18th would that have is that just the subcommittee or is that the >> It should be the whole It would be a like we just did. Okay, that's what I I just wanted to clear. >> We had originally talked about the board coming to the district facility subcommittee meeting on the 21st, but I took that off
022of there. Um, let's let them do their work. >> No, that makes sense. >> And then presented on the 28th and then the public hearing later on to the the discussion of the bus rooms. Are we going to have the um CPL's report by then by any chance? I mean, it's not like it has to be, but >> I don't I don't know, Nancy. >> They said early February. So, I would hope by the time that we have the public hearing, >> we would have that report. >> What's that acronym stand? >> Oh, I don't know. >> CPL is the engineering company that's doing the >> transportation >> the transportation study update for Yeah, >> office has asked for an updated when we do get the updated they are um they are trying to keep
023a breast of >> the bus run >> since we kind of the worst case scenario um he's trying to keep up with exactly where we stand >> and what if we don't approve it on the You mean >> so >> right I mean like is it a year or is it a is it we can ask for an extension for a week or two to >> I would have to discuss what >> I would have to complete the paperwork with the understanding that it could change. I'm sure that they would work with us. I don't know how long. This is all new to me too, right? So, I don't know how long they would work with us, but they're email that comes out with all the information. Email us whatever you're thinking. Tell us now
024>> and then we'll work our way through it. >> So, on the 25th, it would be a board vote, >> right? >> And it would be like every other vote we did, right? >> Could be. >> Well, that's what I'm saying. If it comes up, no, we don't agree with it. Then what's our >> what's our after? >> So you could any board member can make a recommendation right at the table that's followed by a second. >> So we could continue that conversation on the 25th. Nice usually pretty firm with those all new >> past it. >> So that and I appreciate the updated timeline and and the wrinkle of having another public hearing you say because they had a committee so they have to have that public hearing makes sense. So I'm just asking
025so does there since to Mike's point because that February 25th vote there's a lot there. So there I could conceive of a situation where board members agree on some parts of it not others. But maybe do X to Blooming Dale, but do like so like does it make sense then to have a vote on because originally it was like vote on Bloomingdale and other stuff and now you're putting them all together which your logic makes sense to me but to Mike's point now does does it then make sense to handle what issues we can up front and then go forward. I don't know. I'm just asking because that that February 25th deadline if we end up being deadlocked that I don't know. I don't know what could happen then. is somebody else thinks but >>
026is the March 1st deadline for just for the closing of the school or is it also the reconfigure so it's all it is well the bus front is maybe not as critical in that but but certainly the so that really how we configure the the building >> well I would think that uh at the February 4th meeting we could spend some time talking about these configurations >> so that uh you know we've aired it out right prior to the next meeting when we vote. Probably should be >> not like we're just holding straight to the road. >> We probably should go into a vote multiple conversations. >> That's right. >> Potentially the uh admin committee that's been studying schedules uh could be available as a resource >> because they have really done the line and
027share the work and look at all the ins and outs and the whatifs. fourth or the 18th. >> The fourth. >> Well, >> I think this is one we're all going to have to do some homework on. >> Absolutely. >> To meet these deadlines in that I would encourage everybody and I will sit down this weekend and work on my own is look at now is the time to brainstorm any more questions we have to review the minutes we have from the um subcommittee meetings. Um, I I definitely think it's time to redo all that stuff and I think each of us has to figure out kind of in our minds where we're at, but I think some of that is going to take out of not necessarily needing time, but I just encourage everybody
028to take time out of it because >> Well, you're going to share on this one. >> Correct. >> So then >> we have the 28th, the 4th, the is it the 18th? essentially >> essentially gives us a month. >> I have it really set. Let's do 6:30. I'm just trying. >> Right. So, the way this the way this will work out is um we're going to get back our impact statement on the 28th after our 21st committee meeting. Um certainly at the 28th we can discuss that. We can begin to discuss any of the other pieces, you know, if you want. Diane is going to on the fourth give you the package she feels best meet each needs and and you know probably some some reasons why. Um and we will may ask questions debate
029that and if our admin team that studied the uh scheduling uh is available to answer questions that we can hash through that and then you can take time to reflect on that. Uh the hearing will be on the 18th and then the 25th any leftover debate and and a vote. I'm much more comfortable with that process than I am uh hey next week we're vote for vote tonight. It gives everybody time to continue to hear from our stakeholders, from our subcommittee, from our uh administrative subcommittee. do a lot of work on scheduling potentially that you know new bus run configuration may come in that proposal and it will be the time for us to have healthy debate on what we think is the best thing and ask questions of Diane and principles schedulers and all
030those kinds of folks um so that we can be in line to meet the the March deadline because then actually I think it's >> I think the first is a Sunday >> so it'll be Monday the And so between the 25th and the 2nd, the paperwork's got to get >> So, >> do we need to do a resolution on this? >> I think I think when we're done talking about this, >> if we're if we're okay with the proposed timeline, we should do a resolution vote on it so it has the weight of the board behind it. So, at our committee meeting next week, the committee understands that this is the timeline that we agree to because they have a different one right now. based on old information >> that we didn't have because I
031didn't know about the marks then >> and more than that I think we we really did listen we just did two public hearings like who knew what would come out of the public hearings some interesting conversation came out but it really didn't expand our options right at the end of the day they it had some good conversation on things we have not talked about but it didn't really change the options that were on the table, >> right? >> Are we having board meetings on the 28th and then 4th for like I know we are, but like my question is why can't what's happening on the 4th half the 28th? There's no action taken at either time and so we're going to on the 28th we're going to receive the impact statement. You're going to make
032your recommendations but no action taken. That's the same thing on the fourth though. So why I guess I'm just curious why that two weeks in a row we're going to have a recommendation but no action taken. I'm curious why. Not to say that we should do I'm not advocating doing the 28th. I'm asking it seems like the four the meeting on the 4th what I see there that's the same thing as >> I would assume is to squeeze the public hearing on the 18th. >> So we walk a fine line. It's uh so do we provide how how much access to information are we providing to the community? My concern about not meeting on the 4th is that you receive the impact statement on the 28th and as Tori I think it will be I
033think it will be involved. We have a lot of opinions around the table from the subcommittee. I and they've taken their job seriously and there's a lot of passion around that table. So I think that there will be a lot of information that comes forward in the impact statement. And I hate to not have an opportunity to go home and read it and look at it, check out the minutes, make questions, send me questions so that on the fourth we can address those. just sort of getting the impact and then waiting for the public hearing. It felt like there was an opportunity to chew on the information um and come back together and and Mike is right. So, I'm at the end of the day, I'm not going to make a recommendation that I think
034is not good for the district. And I also not going to put us in a situation where you're uncomfortable voting. You should vote your conscience whether that's up or down, but you also need to vote with all the information that you can have. And I just was afraid about just getting the information. Okay, off we go. And then we don't see each other again until the public hearing. Then we make a decision the next week was not enough time together as a group publicly. And the last thing we want at this point where we've done so much work to be transparent is for people to think that we're now doing something behind the scenes. So that was my thought about this. >> Yeah. My my point was not to cancel the February 4th meeting. My
035point was then based on what you just said, you want to have time to process the impact state, all that. Then maybe on the 28th you don't make a recommendation >> if that if that I mean I'm not >> I'm just saying like because that logic makes sense. you want to process what they're what this impact statement is then we come back to forth to process it your recommendation that that the reason I questioned it wasn't because I want to meet it was because I saw duplicate like two times in a row you making a recommendation that we're not going to act on it >> I think the first one will be a discussion about the different uh formats if you will >> sure >> and one of the things we talked about uh at
036the public hearing was that people can still weigh in right there's still the opportunity to weigh in and I just feel like if I don't if I don't at least publicly talk about where I think we're going to go and people don't know what they're weighing in on. I want people to have some understanding also. That was just my thought. >> We'll have other business. >> So I I think it's good. I think the more times we get the opportunity, especially now that there's so much information, the more time we have to kind of >> work through that systematically, I think it's better for us. And I think it's more transparent. Dian. So, and this this may be more of a comment for the committee, but and you know, I apologize for having missed the
037last meeting, but you know, I I in reading the minutes, I saw that the you know, the the the the staff group that worked on scheduling, you know, said it was feasible. it can fit, you know, um this is a junior senior high school, but I didn't see like recommendations whether you know what the staff or administrators felt about one, you know, the junior senior high school versus the middle school high school options and that that would be I would find that helpful wherever it fits into that, you know, just knowing it's it's it will fit, you know, that we could get everybody in here. That's certainly the first step. But then what is the greatest? I'm sure there's a lot of feelings in both sides unfortunately, but um it's good to hear what those
038are. Okay, >> they're trying to stay as neutral as possible. I'm giving them a look. Oh, bad news, guys. >> Well, they closer to it all. they they won't be responsible for implementing the plan, whatever the plan is. So, it's good to know how they feel. >> Yeah. And if it's neutral, that's okay, too. But I >> think they do. >> Any other discussion on the timeline? >> We will certainly have uh healthy conversation about all the alternatives for sure. And that's what we should do, right? So, can I get a motion to accept the updated timeline? >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. Any opposed? >> We have approved an updated timeline for the community input for consideration. Uh, reorganization. >> Just a reminder that I won't be there on I will
039I will watch the video if I have any questions. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Next item is the legislative priority brief. Um, Zach, get some work on this. Zach, you want to kind of give us a little bit of on this? >> Happy to. You know, after sitting through the listening sessions last couple of nights. Um, I don't just did some did some thinking about this and uh figured I'd grab a little bit of a soap box tonight if I could. I don't normally do so, but uh led me to think about what would what could we do? you know, we've sent communications to our local politicians and whatnot in the past, but uh Mark, you can correct me if I'm wrong. I don't necessarily know if we got a stellar record with making state change
040um over the course of the years and the conversations we've had. So, >> we've not been that effective. But I will tell you of recent vintage uh the work that some of you and in particular Dory have done is the most that I've seen uh in advocation for our position. >> Yeah. So, we're we're doing more than we ever have and I I see this as a tremendous followup on that. >> Yeah. Thank you. In that vein, that was kind of what I was thinking was like we we you know, we knew Tori had mentioned she's going down to Albany, so she's going to have she's have people in front of her. Um we're going to manipulate it by adding kids, which is outstanding because the students get to learn and the politicians get to
041feel some pressure. >> Um which I think is a good thing. But what I was really thinking in my head is like what can we give like what could we give a Dan stack that he would be drinking his coffee be like oh snap this is an issue and it's not Sarinac Lakes issue this is the state's got some responsibility so I try to take some of the feedback that we got over the last couple of nights sessions uh kind of condense it down into what I would boil into this is kind of what we talked about or what came up tried to add some data driven points behind it and strong emphasis to look at a few different issues that I don't feel or I think we have suggested we feel like are largely
042out of our control like we talked about the tax base and how it gets calculated talked about the amount of land that's up here the amount of businesses that are coming in that taxes aren't being changed so just tried to distill that down into a practical document that we could circulating. >> Yeah, I like it. >> I think it's fantastic. >> It's not accurate that the state makes payments in the room of taxes on force preserve. They pay taxes. It's not I mean you can call it a pilot is something very specific and that is not >> nonprofits do pilots. >> Uh no, St. Joe's does. So, like we're a nonprofit so that we don't have to pay the tax, but what we do as a pilot, we pay anyway as a way to say
043to the constituents, you know, we're not going to just sit here on land that we don't have to pay tax for, >> right? >> But state statewide, you may be correct. I don't know. >> The state I mean, we should I just want it to be correct. The state does pay taxes based on the assessed value of the that that the local communities assess. I think there's limitations of how much we assess at and it is you know but >> but but they are real taxes not pilots. >> Well, no pride of authorship. I mean if there's inaccurate information certainly but if we can get the numbers and I'm not sure where to go for that but I find out >> well I happen to be spending a lot of time talking about the town
044of Harriettown reassessment. Fabulous. >> Because uh Jordana invited me to uh join the conversation in case people had questions about their school taxes. So I've been through two of their four presentations uh which are excellent by the way if you've ever wanted to know anything about uh assessments and reassessments. Uh the assessor is super knowledgeable, really interesting, gives lots of little stories about it. But actually the state does their own assessment of their own land. >> Yeah. >> Takes the assessment. >> That's not the right name for it. >> They needed to say how much it's worth. >> And you can bet any one of those pieces of property if they went into private hands on any one of those lakes, >> they would not give an assessment with the state their assessment. That's >>
045right. >> So I mean clean it up. You know, I did mention about the uh tax burden on the constituents. Uh I just used the round number. Uh I know that it's more specific. We can get more specific with that. Um but I just again wanted to offer a launching point to start a conversation to say, is this something that we want to sharpen up and send down to Albany? And I think this would be something we could probably leverage in different ways. This is something that we can take to Wayne Rogers, the area 6 district rep. Um I've made relationships with a bunch of the other district reps that um are in similar situations. We are I mean we go to all these meetings whether they're in Washington or Albany, everybody takes us as
046the worst case scenario. I've met with Hakee Jeff, um, the congressional minority leader, and he talks to us, which is kind of odd because he's so far south, but he sees us as kind of a bellweather for the rest of the rural districts in the state. >> This is stuff that I can take to him. We can set up meetings, >> but it's specific and it's this is what we need, not just h we need the fun, the you know, um, the aid formulas change. This is specific and it's there's so many pieces that are so far out of our control and if we don't start going and saying this is these are the problems address some of these um 10 years from now 15 years from now where are we going to be if
047enrollment keeps going >> you know sailor stick on this for now. I have I have a I have a remark for that as well too. I agree with you and I would like to comment on it, but just I don't want to pull attention from the brief right now. >> I think I mean I think as far as the the layout of how it's laid out and how it's written is great, you know, as far as like, you know, firming up the numbers or some of the data in there to make sure that it's it's accurate, right? Like so you know I I think I think as is it's fantastic >> you know >> and it's on the one >> page that's where this was they teach us every time is >> as much as
048you could get on that one page >> I know I didn't know how to how to represent anything in picture form otherwise I'd have done that >> well and you know and the fact that there's action items right like so you you didn't just lay out and say oh what was me right you'd put on here that this there's action items That's the important thing about >> Yeah, go ahead. >> I I just have one addition and then one just kind of question which I think is maybe for Diane or for Nikki. Um, one thing that I think we probably should signify here is healthcare cost increases. has such a major impact on the budget and not getting those under control has all sorts of downstream effects on institutions like ours and and just rural
049institutions in general. And so I maybe you put it under something else, but but I mean I think it's a I think that's a useful thing to add to because that's those are like costs that are way outside of our control. >> Yeah, sure. that have that have huge implications on like people's ability to to be employed at the district and have access to good healthare and things like that. So >> somehow signaling that the other question is is it worth saying something about the tax cap and I get confused about this every time but we have talked over the years about the weirdness of the tax cap and how that impacts what we can and can't do. We're penalized in some way by the tax cap. Maybe I'm just thinking about it. I feel
050like >> we don't go to the tax, >> right? If you don't go to the tax, >> but maybe that's not relevant here. So the the tax cap was the idea of the way of keeping local property taxes >> right lower >> lower but because every year's budget is built on the budget before it in perpetuity. If you don't go to the tax cap, then you short every budget. >> Every subsequent year, your budget is shorted, which forces districts to go to the tax cap because >> perverse incentive. >> It it is. Yes. Like, you know, the idea was to keep it down where really when I build a budget, you'd all ask around the table, well, how can you build a budget not knowing what next year's uh configuration will look like? Well, I'm
051going to build the budget to go to the tax cap, whatever that tax cap might be. And that I think that's the unintended consequence of tax cap. >> Is it worth bringing that up, saying something, or is that just beyond the kind of scope of this? The one thing I will say about the tax cap is I've lived here my whole life and I remember um before the tax cap when local families lost homes because okay we kept it the increase low we kept you know reasonable reasonable >> it would be a huge one and families that just couldn't especially as they age and yes we have the star exemption but in the grand scheme of things star exemption is not that much >> and that's my one concern and people get very um people
052get very edgy around the tax cap, especially when you get the older residents or the residents that have been here longer term that remember um those families selling, you know, grandma's house or having to leave their homes and rent or move in with other family members because there were those jobs. That's my only >> No, that's helpful. That's helpful. That's my only concern with putting the tax cap in here >> on the healthcare though. If we could have the number this year we had put in we had budgeted for a big increase >> and we still didn't budget enough. If we could have those numbers I know they were >> they were significant that would be >> yeah that are selfinsured so I mean but it's similar with other selfinsured district but this isn't a
053loan to >> Yeah. And I think that's something that >> certainly >> this is something we can take to other districts >> and say, "Hey, look at this. You know, will you bulk back us on this?" Because if we can get the support of other districts right now, I talked to other districts and everybody's having the same problems and nobody knows what to do. This is an actionable thing that we can go and say, "Okay, and organizes," which the squeaky wheel gets the grease and apparently the screaming wheel is what it's going to take. >> A galvanized screaming wheel. >> Yes. >> I I think I think the only thing I would be hesitant on is adding more facts and more more things to it only because I feel like the scope of this is
054narrow enough that that it's to the point, right? I feel like if we start adding more and more and more to it that it becomes too broad and becomes overwhelming. this this is a compact here you go like >> well this is >> you know >> it's also not you know yes we feel a big pain from this um you know this the reality of being within the aderondex reserve and same with cats like but it's not that many districts really and the amount of money in our districts is really small percentage of the whole state so it's not really that big an ask to say look we need some extra help >> you might want to add that too that it's not just the amount It's also caskets. >> I assume it is similar
055there. But >> yeah, >> thank you for doing that, Zach. >> Yeah, >> my pleasure. Um, soap box on the other side in response to, you know, I agree some of the stuff is largely out of our control. Um, talked about the tax base, the housing pressure. Uh, the other thing I can't I can't help but verbalize is we as a We as a community are going to sit here and watch this community die if we don't start making bold decisions collectively as a group of of constituents that are invested in the well-being of the future of this location. Like sitting around just talking about it and saying, "Man, it's going to be hard." It's going to die. We're going to hit a death spiral that is we're not going to be able to maintain
056the numbers we need. And as much as we want to be able to say we can do it, we won't. It'll fall apart. Unfortunately, I have been part of an experience that led to having to put lots of people's names on a piece of paper and have them lose their jobs. It's miserable. The question is is are we willing to take the courageous steps to do what we need to do, even if that means there's lists of those names prior to it being forced upon us. And then that is a much uglier experience. Trust me, I will vouch for that being very unpleasant. So, as much as it is unpleasant for us to have to continually look at this and talk about smaller numbers, really what we need to be doing is is saying, "Okay,
057have we done what's best for the students that are here? Now, let's galvanize and talk about what we're going to do about the fact that we're in a communal uh population spiral right now." And and I don't think again I like the fact that I'm sitting on this board because I get the cop out of saying we only react to what's going on because I think that's all we're doing and all we're able to do at this in our purview here. My concern though is is you know we talked about um we had 25 people in attendance over what you've shared is the biggest decision that's come upon the district. And I appreciate the fact that we pass all of our votes and things like that on hundreds of people instead of thousands of people.
058But the reality is is what we collectively permit we're going to promote. And what we're doing is quietly promoting our we're losing we're losing our aderondex. I mean be kind to me. >> My point being though is is like we we got to start making bold decisions and I appreciate the transparency and the work that we're doing to do this the right way and to ask for inclusion but man we got to keep driving and we have just got to get more bold with our decisions and it's going to frustrate people and upset people. Part of that is going to be if you want to have a say in it, show up, tell me, talk to me. I'm grateful that you guys get calls from people. It's pretty quiet on my end. I don't know,
059maybe I smell bad or something. But >> well, perhaps there's not easy access to your number. We could resolve that. >> Hey, my address, my email address has been wrong for three years. No, my point being man like we have got to get motivated and we have got to dig deep and find the grit as a community to inspire each other for the future of our communities for the students that are walking in this building. We have we have got to hold ourselves to an expectation that people are going to want to say, you know what, I'm moving there and I'm going to go through the hardness of all the stuff that the state refuses to fix so I can get my kid placed in that school. And I'm sorry, I'm not feeling the love
060after the last couple of nights. It's really disappointing. It's It hurts my heart in that sense. And I realize I signed up and we get paid all the big zero dollars, by the way. uh total volunteer work, but I get I signed up for this and constituents voted me in and stuff. So, I'm sitting here and it's my gig, but man, it's got to be more than that. And that would be my only thing to put on public record is this like all the differences and all the silliness. We got to grow up. We got to be professional and we got to be at our best or we're losing our future. >> Thank you. >> I'm off my soap box. >> Yeah. I know what you're like. I think um your your comments which are
061very well taken remind me of I was I was sitting here been sitting here thinking about like what have I taken away the last couple days and one of the things that I I took away and I've taken this I took it away when we met with the local governments too and and it like it feels like we have a conversation about the structural nature of the issues that isn't really happening in a lot of other places. It feels siloed everywhere else. And so one of the things, one of the questions I continually have is kind of where is the space where lots of different people can come together to really get our heads around the kind of structural nature of these issues. >> Sure. >> And and like it's not clear to me that
062the community is having those conversations yet. I don't think we are in a way that is that is serious enough to the magnitude of the problem. I think we get it in some ways because the schools touch lots of different parts of things, >> but but I haven't seen it in a comprehensive way yet. And I think there's a real failure of leadership, but also real opportunity >> there as well. >> And I the canary in the cold. >> Yeah, I think I think that's right. And I think that's probably why it feels like we're reacting and like notori and I've been to Albany and various things and like it's hard to get that kind of purchase. And >> so let's own it. Let's be the first group in the aderond region to say you
063know what we're going to do some crazy wild stuff and get people together and figure out how to incentivize them to talk and figure this out because it's going to take everybody. It's going to take every business in this place. And if you don't think we're already three steps behind, come on man. Everybody coming in buying Airbnb, they got enough money to buy those. are going to make more money off them. We're already three steps behind. >> No one is going to come. >> Well, and you know, like I agree with you 100% about the the public here. I was I was very very upset about the amount of people there and and again like I'm going to call out our local leaders, right? Who was there, right? >> Jeremy Evans was there, right? And
064Deina because she's on the sub. But again, largest impact hardest decision we have to make and there's no community leaders there. Well, why not, right? Like I was disgusted. >> Yeah. And those of us that are here, I think for me it's more like can we get a commitment that we're going to do this together, that we're going to set aside the nonsense and that we're going to be able to talk about this because this is ultimately about our children. Like that's what this decision like this conversation is about whether or not there's going to be generations of people walking around enjoying the Sarin Lake that we know and love which they won't. It'll be their own version but I'd like it to be here for them to do that. >> These are I I
065I it's not a failure of our local community to deal with the issue. It's these are big issues. These are national global issues. birth rates, all kinds of things that are, you know, mixed in that's creating this problem. Not to say we shouldn't start working on it, but it's it it's it's big. >> True. >> You know, but it has to start somewhere. >> We've we keep waiting for a new politician or a new somebody to come in. >> And it's like the school lunches. There were teachers that saw kids that were hungry and not paying attention and getting in trouble and mental health issues. And there were parents sending kids to school that couldn't afford to feed kids. So teachers and parents got together and bitched loud enough and long enough that we're in
066a much better position. Somebody has to start. I think this is a fantastic place to start. And if we're the ones that'll do it, I'll go wherever I can get appointments because we have to start. Nobody, you know, I remember my grandfather used to tell me, "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time." Well, we got to start somewhere. And I think this is a fantastic place to start. And I think we're the right people to do it because we are the bell weather for rural communities. I I >> might as well be consistent. We might as well be consistent and I'd rather go out fighting than sit and wait. >> What we do with Louisville school is the the beginning of our uptake, right? >> Yeah. >> I mean, if you
067put the ads up, yeah, it's all against us. But I'm too dumb to look at the odds. Let's just go out and try and do it. See how we do. So moving forward, I think the suggest would be make some little bit of clean up on this and then uh when are you headed down to Albony? >> Uh I'll be 11 >> of February. >> Yes. >> Make sure that we have this in your hand and have any uh supporting data that is appropriate. >> Turn you loose. >> That would be great. And if we can get it early enough, if we do have kids that can go, um, this is the perfect opportunity to have them give them the best civics lesson ever. Here's what we need. Make sure they understand it. And then
068hopefully whoever we take sees, okay, here's what I have. These people talk to me. Dan's staff has been really good about listening to us and his staff has been really good about following up like the um the feasibility studies and the bus um the bus studies they've been really good and Shelley Mayor has as well. So we've got the right people that will take the time to listen to us. May maybe when you get back, our students could uh um have an interview with our local newspaper so we get some press off that with the students that are there and any of our adults that go that can give a synopsis of what happened and provide them with this stuff so that we can get some some push in the media when this is what
069we're trying to do >> because we're going to need help but we got to start somewhere. >> Thank you. >> Awesome. Awesome. Thanks. >> Appreciate that. >> Fantastic work, Zach. can just want to circle back. So I I might be totally misinterpreting what you're saying on some parts, but like the the reason that I've been the one person here that continues to talk about timelines and what's the timeline? What's the timeline? I've been doing it since we talked about even the idea of the committee and all that is because one of my biggest frustrations with local community boards is they talk about stuff. They don't do stuff. They talk forever about what they need to do. And when I'm saying when I'm saying people elected us make decisions because I believe that we were elected
070to make the big decisions. And I'm not trying to vote tonight, but that is to be very clear, that has been my reason for pushing this is because and the idea that the public hearings weren't well attended. You could look at that as people don't care or you could look at it as people feel like they know what's coming and they're ready for us to make the decision. So, I'm not saying let's make it tonight. But going forward, this this reconfiguring is a big decision, but it's not our only thing to deal with. We got electric busing, a lot of things to deal with. So, as we go forward, superintendent, as we go forward, I want to I mean, I think a way to put action to your words, Zach, is that when we're faced
071with big decisions, let's make them and go forward. Not rush them, not go too fast, but when it's time to make a decision, let's go because there's a lot of big ones to tackle. I think that's the message I'm getting from this is that again, my saying again, the biggest frustration. I I I look at these other boards and they just talk issues to death without making action. years go by and more and things get more expensive. So that's what I want to being bold and taking action and not letting this community die. That's what I want to see us do going forward is make those big decisions and go to the next one because there's a lot in front of us. That's the reason why I've been pushing all dying of like just asking
072questions and I'm not on the subcommittee. That's a lot of work and I'm not belittling it at all. It is a ton of work and I'm very appreciative of the board members that are on that committee and the community members. But I my sense from the community and I could be wrong. I'm not speaking for the community is that they're kind of ready for us to make this decision and adjust to what it's going to be and then go on to the next big hurdle in front of us. That's how I feel about it. >> Anyone else? Okay, let's move on to reports. >> Well, all of our timeline is lining up for the legislative advocacy breakfast which is Friday, February 13th. It's in your folder. that would be a place where you could attend
073and actually roll this out to our local officials. >> So, it all turns out pretty nicely. >> Um, so please sign up. >> Let me know. >> Yeah, it should be in your folder for the legislative advocacy breakfast. The other thing that Nikki and I talked about was that the timeline to talk budget actually had us doing a budget philosophy this evening. And I'm going to put that off because I'm going to talk about it when we're back together on the 28th because it really ties into forward looking and and so you know what what we're going to do in the future and and changes and why and I heard that a little bit tonight. You know, we talked about not making but I just I feel I feel you're right. The community is ready
074like what is coming? Just tell us what's coming. And I think we should lay it out and then go from there, right? Like this timeline was not set in stone. Let's lay out what we're thinking. There's always the opportunity to adjust, but just holding it close to the vest week after week after week. Um is not moving the conversation along. So I want to tie I we're going to take it off of tonight and I want to tie it into the meeting on the 28th. And that's it. >> Mr. Ben, man of the hour. >> Um, midterms start next week, so that's a big stressor for our kids right now, getting ready for midterm exams. Um, our musicals in full effect, sports are in full effect. Uh, I do want to give Mr. Bennett a
075shout out in our uh, video class went to Peru on Tuesday to check out their video announcements and that's an ongoing thing that we're trying to do is to make all of our announcements uh, video. I think our kids are uh loving it and doing a good job and so just becomes a continuous process to make it uh better and get more kids involved. >> Will that be simply in building or will that be something that mom and dad at home can look at? >> Um all of our video announcements are on the website. So the link every day you can click on the link and you can see the video announcements every day. So that's uh that's on there. So it's it's going pretty good. And I think um just to if you walk
076through our building during announcements before you used to hear the announcements on the loudspeaker and it was very chaotic but now you can walk through our building and hear a pin drop um because our kids are watching the video and our kids are doing a great job and so it's uh very successful. >> Brian, >> uh just a couple things. Uh normally this time of year coming back from the holiday break, we start our winter benchmark assessments. Um we had some discussions this year through our uh building leadership team and felt to it would be a good idea to bump those a month so that there's the same almost the same amount of time between fall, winter and winter and spring and they also will land closer to our parent teacher conferences um in March.
077So rather than being in full swing with benchmarking now we're in a couple weeks we'll start and take a couple weeks move on. And we had our uh January assembly uh last Friday. First time we've ever done it in the middle school gym. We we've done it in the morning for many many years. Uh we started doing them in the afternoon uh this year. also coming from our building leadership team and some recommendations and we used the cafeteria the first couple meetings and then realized there's not a lot of time between getting you know all the lunch and yeah all the lunch uh students out with middle school and and the floor drying and putting kids on the floor. So, we said, "Well, let's try the gym." Which was great, except it's uh almost trying
078to fit a square peg into a round hole to get 350 students and staff through the halls outside of the bell for the middle school. So, we had two grades going through the cafeteria. We had kindergarten going up behind by the science wing in the middle school. We had other grades, you know, okay, you got to bust it because that bell's going to ring and it's going to be chaotic. Um, but it worked out nice and you know we have options now. Auditorium we sometimes use but middle school students were preparing for their uh concert coming up so he said if we're doing it it's the middle school gym but it was fun. >> Katie >> uh last week we also had our monthly uh student of the month and award assembly. Um each month
079we're taking one section of the matrix that behavioral matrix that we've created that's pretty consistent amongst our buildings kind of focusing on that and also kind of putting in um the positivity project and we feel like that's been just really successful for our students. Last week we had a family movie night. It was hosted at Bloomingdale, but we've been alternating schools really working hard trying to integrate the two elementary schools. Tomorrow, second grade's going on a field trip to Orda. And then our students are so excited about the reading challenge. We have three quarters of the students participating at home. Um there's 10 Hawk levels. We're really embracing the Hawk. >> And uh so we have threequarters of them participating. They have to read 600 minutes at home every month to move up a level.
080And so we have a total of an additional 69,000 minutes of reading for our students. And so we're just really excited to see kind of where that goes. And uh they get to go shopping at the Hawks Nest, which is our little school store. And so of course >> the chips. >> Yeah. The talent tokens. You mean >> the chips? >> Um and then uh the week of January 26 through the 30th, we're doing the we're participating in the global great great kindness challenge and also the Crayola creativity week. So, we have a week full of fun activities and our theme will be color the world with kindness. Don't we need a little bit of that right now? >> All right, Nancy. >> Thank you, Justin. Uh, that was Suzanne. Um, just going back to,
081you know, all the building stuff. So, just an update on so special education. This has been brought up previous public hearings. you know, if they're building realignment, what's that going to mean for students with special needs? And so, just Susan kind of gave me a nice little overview of like the contingency plan that's being done for regardless of what happens with restructuring. What is it going to mean for services for students? And there's good plans in place for all possible plans we might go forward with, which is great. And just to know that in New York State makes special education incredibly difficult. Um, like in Vermont where I work, it's like one license, you're K12, you're licensed. In New York, there's K12, there's K6, there's 712, there's 59. There's different rules around what students you
082can work with. So, that's a huge uh Rubik's cube for the staff to figure out and they're on top of it and that's just I was very glad to hear that. Um, and then Mark wants to go, you mentioned it before though in a meeting the I've really been enjoying the new Huddle app with the watching the games. That's really it's a really cool thing to see kind of watching a game, great video quality and little automatic highlights that it makes. That's really cool. I appreciate that, >> John. >> Yeah, I have a few things. Um, the first one I guess I'll share is is from Amy. Um, she just was reminding as well about the um middle school music department winter concert on Tuesday the 20th um at 6 p.m. in Provo. Sixth grade
083band, sixth grade course, jazz band, seventh, eighth grade course. She said everybody's been working really hard. They're really excited to share it. So, just continue to be impressed with the music department here. Um, and then she also said the coffee with the counselor's meetings are 7:30 a.m. on Friday, January 23rd. The middle school counselors are going to be having a conversation with parents around managing students stress and anxiety. So, just reminded that those are going on. Um, I have a couple of random things. Um, I've been my my kid is a skier. Cross country ski teams are crushing this year. They're doing really really well and that's been that's been really fun to watch. Um, we have a DEI meeting next week and so thank you for for for assisting with that, Diane. And then
084I personally will be in New York City on Friday for a meeting at the Society for Ethical Culture um, which is being hosted by the National Wildlife Federation. And the reason I bring this up is that there's going to be a bunch of regent members there. Um, it is a meeting with the board of regents to talk about the upcoming climate education stuff that we've been working on. So, so I will have some regents ears as well on Friday and um we'll mention some of these things as well. That's not the main focus. Main focus is to celebrate the kids who've been working on that. Um so there it >> um there's a couple of conferences that are happening over the next couple weeks including the state of the news analysis of the state of
085the state review. As I get more of those documents from you as well, I will send them along and then looking forward to I have uh an appointment definitely scheduled with spec office and then I have tang with a couple of others. We'll just >> Perfect. Thanks for doing all that hard work. >> Have we met with Catherine yet? >> No. >> Mike report. >> Oh, Mike. >> We approved the uh contract this evening. >> Oh, fantastic. So Mike is and his team is going to start working on our concession. >> That's awesome. >> He's gonna have it done next week. >> Thanks, Mike. >> Sure. >> Now you're learning. >> There's lots of degrees OF MOTION. He seems like it. Yeah, just >> see.