001I'm just going to [Music] have [Music] Here we go. Praise God. [Music] Excuse me. [Music] Praise God. [Music] Thank you. [Music] Good evening, Blackhawk, and welcome to the April 10th regular work and voting session of the Blackhawk school board of directors. We're happy that you're all here tonight and thank you for uh playing for us as we came in today. We really appreciate that. Uh at this time, would everyone please stand and say the pledge of [Music] allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands nation. Thank you. Let's stand again. [Music] Hallelujah. Hallelujah. [Music] [Applause] Excellent. Thank you very much. Uh Adam, would you please call roll? Mr. Mrs. Klein here. Mr. Guzak here. Dr. Makoszi here. Mrs. Mansel here. Mr. Sh here. Dr. Sprinker here.
002I am here. Mr. Whisner here. And Mr. Zachitz here. You got all of us. [Music] If the band could just stay for another number, please. We're not necessarily another Oh, just to be recognized, please. Yeah. Don't we'll do that recognition right now. How about that? That's fine. So, come on. Come on. It's okay. So, we have generally we'll have recognition. So, we have an opportunity um to recognize some students um and our band directors. So, I want to thank you guys for coming out. So, um I can introduce you or you can intro introduce yourselves. What would you prefer? Okay. Andrew Klene, thank you so much for coming. Jaylen Grim, Elena Shopee, Anthony Beley, Will Croll, Noel. Okay. Miles Green are very good. and Mr. Claus, our assistant band director, and Mr. Tambolini, our band
003director. Thank you so much. [Applause] So, I believe you guys had an opportunity um to perform at the President's Cup last weekend and Mr. Chamblain, tell us a little bit about that selection process and um how you guys did. Yeah. So, uh, about April of last year, 2024, um, I got an email, um, just kind of out of the blue from a gentleman from the President's Cup asking if we would like to, uh, apply to be a participating band in the event. Um, there's a total of eight groups that uh, that were accepted. Two of them are from California, two of them were from Florida, two from North Carolina, one for uh, West Virginia and or sorry, Virginia, and then obviously um, us from Pennsylvania. There's a total of 800 uh students and people all
004at this festival and and you know it's kind of unique about this band festival. There's a variety of different concert band festivals out there where you get adjudicated um get scores and talk and work with judges. But this specific festival in addition to all of that was hosted through um the United States uh Ping's own army band which is the uh that's like the army's premier uh band. So if you've ever been to DC or ever seen a military band or like the army band, it's probably that one. that's their that's their uh their stronger uh premier group. And so students had the opportunity to work uh side by side with professional uh active duty and retired uh military musicians of the person who's known Army Band in like small groups. And then we also
005got our entire concert band got a full-on rehearsal with the former director of the Army Band uh Colonel Timothy Holton, which was just absolutely uh amazing. The kids laughed at me because I was like freaking out of my heroes. Um, and I was also slightly scared at the same time. So, it was like a, you know, mix of emotions on that one. But, um, and these guys just did an absolutely incredible job. Uh, we also brought the marching band to perform in front of the, uh, United States Marine War Memorial, which is the statue right outside of Arlington Cemetery with the, uh, the soldiers putting the flag into the ground. So, our our marching band got to perform in front of that, which is wonderful. It's also a really cool place, too. That's where the
006Marine Drum and Bugle Corps uh, does a lot of their uh, performances. So just kind of a a historic plot uh to perform on the marching band setting. So thank you all so much for uh always supporting the arts here um at Black Rock School District. Uh I know I speak on behalf of all of us uh that are in involved in the arts and how much we appreciate um all the support that you give us. So thank you so much for having us and uh thanks for letting us share some music with you this evening. Thank you so [Applause] much. Congratulations and thank you again for playing for us this evening. Uh this evening there was an executive session prior to this meeting to discuss personnel safety and legal matters. At this time uh
007we will ask Mr. Shakro if there's any solicitor's report. Nothing for the public. Thank you. Uh moving on to the superintendent update. So um we do have a budget presentation this evening. Would you like me to give that now? Okay. So now you're going to have to turn on. I'm so sorry. Okay. So, um, this finance update um is a little dense, but we have an opportunity to look at things at the federal, the state, and the local level. And forgive me, but I can't see up close with them on and I can't see far away with them off. So, if I go keep going back and forth, I apologize. So, um what we have for you, if I can go through um we'll then get into our 2024 fiscal update and then our proposed
008budget. Please know that this proposed budget is still going through many iterations. Uh we will continue to sharpen our pencil well until June um until the board takes action on it. Um, but we've been working hard. Um, Miss Blueornne has been working hard on that as well as all the budget managers. So, federal update. This may be something that, um, you know, we have a lot of questions on. We are hearing a lot of things. Um, so I kind of wanted to break things down for us here. Um, Blackhawk federal dollars are approximately 730,000. A reduction is anticipated, but we also anticipate a reduction every year. So, um, we anticipate it and we'll plan accordingly. um any reduction, it will impact us, but it it shouldn't devastate us. Um some other areas, um e-ate, e-ate
009is a technology reimbursement. They're looking at that that potentially um may be cut. The slide over here to break it down for me um was a slide from um PASA or um AASA, which are other associations that give that just for the disclaimer. I wouldn't usually use the word shopping block. uh 7.5 Medicaid um so there's that IDA there wasn't an increase or a decrease IDA um is individuals with disabilities education act so special ed school meals there is looking a decrease to that um and then um title one could potentially go down another aspect that we hear a lot about is teacher and school personnel shortage this is a common thing however we have seen increase in PA educator prep programs um over the past years. Now, this data is a little dated just
010because by the time it gets to us, a couple a year or two may have gone through. So, there are some increases there. Um numbers of individuals completing prep programs have increased by about 17.5%. Um level one and level two certificates are also on the rise. However, what is declining are the numbers of individuals becoming school administrators. in fact less than um nearly 53% less than 10 years ago. Um so that that may be an issue moving forward. In STEM fields specifically these these are difficult to find. Another area is also our nursing services, speech pathologists, things such as that um are also but specifically in some of our sciences and math. You can see in 2010 versus the 2022 the if you look at physics 51 to9 that's those are significant declines in those.
011So in response to that, what is the state doing? They're looking at modifying some of these certifications. For example, one specifically that I think is going to happen within the next year is that the science certification which is now very specific is not going to be specific. It will be a science 7 through 12 science instead of biology, physics, um chemistry. It may it will be a general one in all of those um pe and people that have that can teach any of those areas. Um, other things are looking at grade spans. Um, some of our elementary principles may be able to speak to how those certifications have gotten kind of choppy over the past years, which has made, you know, finding teachers in certain areas difficult. So, they're re revisiting that. So, how we
012are responding to this, we are looking at building educator capacity from within, teacher and administrative. Um, looking at building those those benches and building those bridges also. um looking at students who maybe want to go into the education field, how can we provide opportunities for them here? We have had conversations amongst our administrative team. What can we do um to give them that experience here and that may may help um to support and encourage them to go into this field. Other challenges um looking at mental health services that's been a huge challenge according to uh PASSA but at Blackhawk how we respond to this we have a director of student services we have partnerships with western area services we have a partnership with the network prevention we have forest counselors two nurses two nurse paras
013and three resource officers that provide resources for us to assist with these things other areas of concern concern at um the state level and federal level are a facility infrastructure challenges. So there used to be something called plan con. Plancon helped to offset costs for school districts that were looking at renovation or building. That no longer exists. Um so many school districts you can see 81% um postponed construction or renovation due to a lack of state reimbursement. So at Blackhawk, we are responding um by creating the capital budget and the facility plan specifically moving forward to address proactively some of these things. Where are our priorities and how can we plan for them? So if we know 5 to 10 years down the road something is going to be up or be expiring, we can
014start planning for that ahead of time. Charter reform. Um this is a hot topic. Currently, Blackhawk pays about $1.1 million in charter school tuition, cyber and brick and mortar. Um, and this has been a topic at the state legislative level of how to reform that. The uh district pays individually for students based upon uh grade level and need. So, the topic has been, can we cap that? Generally, it's anywhere between about 13 to $30,000 per student based upon need and level. And the thought was maybe it should be an $8,000 flat rate. You can imagine that would be a substantial savings to us. Um I don't know if that will happen. They they talked about different rates. Um that maybe it would be better 10,000 instead of 8,000. I'm not sure where that's going to
015land. I know that uh there's some support for it, but we've been asking for this for many many years now. Unfunded mandates. So, I'm starting to talk now about all of the things that impact our budget. So, you have you saw the charter bill that impacts our budget. An unfunded mandate is a requirement that the state puts in but doesn't fund it. So, you can see some of the top ones here. Pensions, charter school tuition, special education, other expenses. We have approximately 71 unfunded mandates in the state that school districts have to apply. Um I said to a legislator once I had an opportunity when they they implemented a mandate. I said it's a great idea and I appreciate it but you just created a position in the district and you didn't fund it. So
016sometimes some of these great ideas to put in for safety. Um we need it. Yes. But when you don't fund these mandates, special education, yes, we need to we need to do it and we are required to and as we should, but as you'll see in a few slides, it isn't always funded to the amount that we need it to be funded. So then the burden falls upon us, on you and special education up 86% uh in the past 10 years. and the uh expenses or the revenue or the state supply was only up 10%. So that's a huge disparity. Again, here's our mandate cost gap again that you can kind of see. So these show um how they're funded and then the total cost increase that that we make up. So, some of the
017state funding aspects. This is an interesting map if you like a visual. Blue is local, green is state, white is federal. You did you find us yet? You know where we are? We're green and blue up in the left corner. So, you can see that that's where our revenue comes from. Mainly local, a little bit of state. And that's not uncommon. Um, Pennsylvania funding is unique. It comes from about it says 11% for federal government. We're about 5% from federal government and our state funding is us is about again 48% 38% our local funding is 53. So that comes from local sources primarily property taxes and that's true to Blackhawk. Now there's been some disparities here. The reliance on this local funding creates disparities between wealthier districts and poorer districts. Wealthier can raise more revenue
018through property taxes which leads to better funding for schools. This is a very very interesting uh proponent and something that I feel very passionate about. It's we have a very cyclical relationship because the better a school does the better the community does because people want to come and your housing value increases. So it goes hand in hand and the better that your housing value is and the more people that are here sometimes it's you know double-edged sword but the better the school does. So it's a very very tight relationship but you have to think about it because 53% right comes from local property taxes. Now, some districts have thriving commerce that buffers the impact on the property owner. If you have that commerce, think about West Alagany, right? They have Amazon in their backyard. Think
019about Montour. Think about Beaver. They have a large commerce section which helps to buffer that. When you don't have that, then it makes it the burden a little bit harder because there are those mandated costs that we have to have. We we want to be great. We want our community to thrive. We want to offer those wonderful programs. We want our housing value to be steady and good. But we also have to try figure out how to balance it. And that's that's the tricky part. So funding in public education, you may have heard a couple years ago that it was underfunded. Pennsylvania schools. There was a a Supreme Court case in the state saying that the funding formula in Pennsylvania was unconstitutional, that it was inadequate. So, in order to change that, they provided adequacy
020funding. But there's a formula that only a calculus teacher can maybe go through and perhaps Miss Blueor can figure it out. But um there's an adequacy formula and your property taxes have to be um within a 33% ratio or better in order to qualify for the adequacy formula. So if your taxes are too low, the state says well you can make up that amongst yourself. We are not going to fund you. So again, where are you going to, you know, it's find that sweet spot where it's not too high and not too low. So we have to be careful with that as well or we won't receive that at the C funding. So um that's an interesting aspect, but we do receive it. We do we received about how much withdrawn just under 400,000. So
021we receive additional funding. So that helps that helps to offset costs our millage rates within the county. Again, I mentioned that regarding advocacy funding, it's important. Um, you can see Beaver has the highest or is the top millish, however you want to see it. And then Midland is the lowest. Midlands, I believe, also a K8. I don't think that they they have the a full K12 capacity. And you can see where we are. Um, in the bottom lower tier there, basic education funding, there is a 75 million increase proposed in state education funding. If this goes through, it will help us and I will get to that towards the end of our presentation this evening. But that's a huge help. So that brings us to us and what guides us when we make decisions and
022this is a very very important slide as well because it isn't necessarily what I believe but it's what we all believe that should drive our decisions and how can we inspire our students to achieve how can we be a model of global excellence how can we make sure that our students are thriving our educators are inspiring and our communities is growing stronger. That's how we make decisions. So when those things come up as to what are we going to do, uh should we approve something, should we not, these are the values, the mission and the vision that our decisions should be made through. And this is the lens that they're made through. So our strong partnership benefits our shared community. I think that was a tremendous quote that I found. So, I want to thank
023you, the school board, for our ongoing successful collaboration, our investment in the district. I think we've put a tremendous effort into presenting a budget that falls as close within guidelines as allowable by PTE. I think we have made notable gains and a positive trajectory um in reducing a historic deficit that we have seen. Our partnership supports our programs. It provides opportunities for our students and we have course offerings that end up saving our community and our parents money. Think about our advanced placement, our CHS courses. That's why students can enter colleges with sophomore status or more. Our students can graduate and go into the workforce um with certificated programs. These all help and they're important that we have those. So, we're very proud of that and we're very proud of our rankings. We're very proud
024of where we are because again remember the story I just told you the better we do the better you all do and that's very very important. We want people to say Blackhawk is the best in the region not just the county but the region. We want to we want that um because that's important to all of us for a variety of reasons. So our strategic plan helps to guide our work over the next three to five years and it's specifically celebrated for these aspects. So again, we want to provide diversified educational opportunities. We want to create safe and secure learning environments and that safe and secure yes our SRO's but also safe and dry roofs, right? We want to support the well-being of and social development of our students and staff and we want to
025create good communications. So who are we? Right, we are about 38% free and reduced. We have about 18% itching on 20 of our special education percentage and we have about 7% of our 504s. Um so that's an important aspect too thinking about who do we serve and who is the population that we serve and what needs they may have. So historical forecasting and information if you look at the past you can figure out how do you want to move forward. I think that's an important statement. So what steps can we take to put us in a positive trajectory? That's that's the goal and the mission here. So let's take a history lesson, right? Let's go back go back 1415. We have our millillage and where our budget and our actual was. So it looks like
0261415 um we were doing okay. There was I think there was nearly retirement incentive around this time. We had a a closure which helped us financially. As we move into the late teens, we start to see some projected deficits, but we were coming out okay. We had COVID in 19 so we closed. I think there may or may not have been semester funds. I think you know and I were debating on that. That was okay. But then we start to see some negative impacts. Um and hindsight's always 2020. Decisions made are always in the best interest of the time. I'm not doubting that at any point. But, uh, once you start to get these deficits, they can compound. And when deficits start to compound, that's when districts flip upside down. Um, just like your house
027can flip upside down, just like you can be upside down in a car. Um, that can happen to us, too. So, we're kind of at an inflection point and we need to figure out how to to start to turn the ship because if we continue down that path, it it's only going to compound. So, unfort, you know, fortunately um last year uh came in okay. We had a healthcare fund to transfer to the general fund. We were able to end you know projectedly hasn't been audited yet but looks like in a in a positive aspect. Um so that's good. We want to continue along that path even though that we were projected almost a million dollars um in the deficit there. Yeah. First time since 2020 that would be a positive. Yeah. Yes. That would
028have been that would have been the first time. Yes. In five years. Um and the the board did vote to go to the index at that time. Um which helped. But um the administrative team who's here and I'm sure anyone you working within the district, we we worked really hard to pull back last year uh the current year, but to pull back to to try to to reserve and um to balance as much as possible. So there was a lot of hard work um and and sleeve rolling up. So I appreciate everyone doing that, but it it paid off and I think it will continue to do that. So Mill again um that's where we are you know within the county. This is an interesting slide as well. So this is a projected forecast and
029I think Miss Blue join so much you for doing that and I'm going to probably defer to you in a second to maybe explain a little bit. Um but it goes back if you look at 2425 here's our projected um surplus deficit but then it goes forward you know about six years and there are some assumptions in here. What are what are those assumptions? Can you explain that a little bit? Yeah. So, I have an assumption of 3% increase to salaries, 5% increase to other expenses. The debt service is the debt service. So, I was able to put actual numbers in for that. Um, and then increasing revenue to the millillage, the income from the state subsidies. I did put in what we're projecting for this year, but then held that kind of static throughout
030because you never know what's going to happen. So, if I'm reading this right, that it looks like there would be if we do nothing, if no other fiscal measures are taken other than what you projected out, um that you have a a deficit 2025 26 um which is less than it was last year projected, but then moving forward it starts to get larger. Uh and that's that compounding impact that we were talking about. And that is with an increase. Yes. Okay. This does not include the current fund balance that we have. This is just projecting what will happen to the surplus from this year. Right. So you can see that that surplus diminishes and by 2829 it's gone. So you know we have an opportunity here but we still need to be careful. Yes Dr.
031Mosie. What is your protective military going forward? So it was an increase of the 5.4% every year because I don't know what the index will be. So I currenty year index. So again this is an exercise. This is not to to the tea. It's an exercise to see you know what would this be but the the millillage could the index could be 2.1. Next year it could be 8.1. You never know. Yes. You never know. Behind here long enough. Well, last year it was 7.1 and it dropped to 5.4 this year. We weren't able to use the 7.1 last year because of the reassessment, but the index was higher. It's just normally so um but the point of this is we have to we have to be fiscally conservative um and we have to look
032at those those things remember and unfortunately we don't have the commerce to buffer. So that's that was the purpose on of this one here. So budget update for 2425. Um again we were projected to have a deficit of approximately um you know 843,000. Uh that was after a lot of work on that budget. However um we did have a recommended transfer of 1.9 and that will go into a we'll talk about some fund balances in a little bit. a capital projects fund. Um but that does help those fund balances. So that gave us a surplus um of about 27. So again some you know proactive measures financially paid off for us. Um some projects that we're looking at um parking lot ceiling and repair of Highland. Now, this this is a new aspect, but in
033June, when you vote on the budget, you will vote on a capital projects budget, and that way we'll know which ones were specifically and intentionally approved to move forward. Um, a wa a water catch basin at the high school, um, chiller, uh, and pool lift, which will be paid for through access funding. Uh, but it does not have a pool lift, and we have, uh, a need for that. The district tries to utilize grants as much as possible to offset costs. Our approximate total was 2.2 million that we brought in last year. This year um awarded to the district to help to offset the budget and then that gets us into um going into next year. So our budgeting timeline in the fall we receive the act one index. In December, we start preliminary budgeting.
034January, second round, February, sharpening pencils, March, April, further refinement, and then May and June are those fast those key timelines there. So, you're looking at your local, your state, and your federal revenues. Our local revenues are about uh 22.5. Our state is around 21 and our federal I broke that out just how it's separated into buckets, but we're at about 730,000 there after that. So remember, act one is a new a new thing that we talk about. I heard Blue Dorn still talk in Wells. I'm used to speaking more to the index um just because of where I was where I was raised with it, but um that districts can go to an index. So it used to be that index would get get us about three mills and uh that was about a third.
035So we would parse it out that way. But now our index is our millillage is compressed so much. Remember we went from like 69 to 10. So an index increase of 5.4 doesn't even get us a no. It's not even one. We're used to three. So it's it's a different verbiage and a different way to look at it. If anybody has any questions, you please don't hesitate to ask. But I wanted just a brief little refresher of act one there. So this is our budget. These are our expenditures and how it how our budget is broken down. you have about 70% um in personnel and benefits and that's we're we're a school district so our service is people so this is not unusual that's that's our job so 70% is is very healthy that is
036a normal aspect for our institution um and then it's broken down small in other places I've seen it higher I was very pleased that it's at 70 um but that's how you know how we're broken and down there. So, there are some specific areas that we have really tried to evaluate and um and to get into our healthcare increased to 19% um for the 2526 school year that was unexpected. We were at 17 last year and um that's not of the total budget. It's of their cost. Do you want to speak to that a little bit to make sure I'm explaining it correctly? Yeah. the the consortium has a a rate that is applied to all the school districts and based off of the experience of the particular district, there is a an average that
037we want to hit and then you can be up to 3% above that average or down to 3% below that average depending on the experience of the district. Because it's a consortium and we're self-funded, you pay people's actual claims. So it makes sense to say okay if your claims are a little bit less then your increase should be a little bit less. So that's how the consortium was founded and that's how it operates. So unfortunately with the last few years our claims have been very very high and so our reserves in the consortium have been almost depleted. Um, so as part of this year's percentage increase, we decided to bump it up a little bit over that average number to try to fill up that reserve a little bit more so that if there is
038something that goes very wrong, we do have that that little bit of a buffer. Um, so the 19% is the highest. our experience has been one of the highest um in the county. So that's what is reflected in that number. Um so we will do our best to educate uh our staff on um preventative measures and hopefully start to see that decrease. But that's that's where we are. I believe that Miss Lin and I begrudgingly agreed to that. Um but that's where we are with it. Um, we also look to evaluate and negotiate committed contract costs through RFPs. Um, substitute services insurance specifically were two areas that we found savings. Um, budget manager reductions. Thank you. Um 4% may not seem like a lot, but when I go out to the administrative team and say,
039"All right, we need to roll up our sleeves and see where we can try to save uh in order to present a budget as close as possible uh to balance or to our index." Then that's uh that's what they did and I appreciate that. So there was that. Um and we have an evaluation annually um of staffing as an annual practice of um diligent stewards of district finances. So always see what do we need um and are we staffing accordingly. So we have our revenues and our expenditures. Our projected revenue is sitting at around 43 million. Our projected expenditures around 44.6. So that gives a deficit of 1.6. Um the only silver lining within that is it's less than it was last year. However, we still have work to do with that. So, how are
040we going to fix it? And um that's where we need to start to try to turn that. So, we have options there. No index. You can see index. And Miss Blueornne is going to correct me. It's not the ask would not be 5.4. It would be 5.325. Yes. Um so, I'll try to correct myself through that. she's much more specific than me. Um, but that would leave a um 700,026, which again is less than last year. So, I want to go back for a moment to the slide that gave the historical aspect of our millillage. Does anybody remember how many years were included in that? Let's see how well you're paying attention. About how many years were included in the millillage slide, Dr. Cozy. Wait, I'm 80 years. How many How many do I go
041back? 10 years, guys. 10 years. Definitely did not pass that. I'll I'll let you off on that one. All right, fine. So, 10 years. If it took 10 years to get to this, this is not going to be writed in one or two. So, we have to be patient with this. We have to, you know, slowly chip away and try to do it because because act the act one index was created in the early 2000s. Districts cannot just raise is their millage as high as they want to try to get out of something. We're restricted to do they used to be open to do that, but we can't do that anymore. So, we're restricted to what the state says we can raise it to, which is 5.4 this year, 325. Um, but it'll take time.
042So, Although it isn't what we want to see, it's better than it was and we'll continue to chip away at that. So again, the 54 you can see a recommended millillage that would be bring us to 10.68. Lawrence would be 23.7 if you went to that. Um and then you can see the gross and the net what the district would gain um for that 3 5.325 and then the rate of each you know a tenth of a mill. Okay. Moving forward let's talk about some fund balances here. So we have a few we have a restricted we have an assigned and we have an unassigned. Our restricted we have a district athletic program improvement that has around 200,000 in it. We have some assigned 5.4. We have a debt service in that. We would recommend
043a capital transfer. So that would make it a one nine. A cyber charter. Remember we do have significant cost there. A 1 million. And a curriculum development of 500,000. So there's your assigned. But the unassigned that's what we would utilize. There's about 2 million there. That's what we would utilize to balance. So you can see where it is in 2024. And then you can see the graph with a transfer. Obviously, the only thing that goes up is the assigned. You can see what happens though with the unassigned without an index. And you can see what happens with an index. Um, if we continue with no index, the unassigned is going to be gone in a very short period of time and then we would have to go into other reserves. The debt service would be
044that next rainy day fund. I believe we also have a policy that are unassigned needs to be Miss Bluein is that between five and eight currently yes currently I believe you will recommend that to go to three correct so technically are we with this already are we below that 5% yes okay so that brings us to those millillage options again um just another graph to see the six with millage staying at 104 4 or the 726 um if it went to 10.68. So there's a silver lining here though. Remember the state funding increase that was proposed? We won't know about this until after the budget the state budget passes. But if there is an increase that would give us approximately 500,000 more to the district. So if that occurs then look look at this slide
045now. So with no index you can see with to the index there's that but with the potential state funding you're looking at only a 233. Now granted that is with the index but that's a tremendous gain from where we have been and where we are now. And if you think about it, if our health care wasn't there, then it would be balance. So that's that's the silver lining. It's a slow and steady aspect. Um but there is progress there. So how may this affect property owners? Um the current millillage and this is an exercise. Um you can go on any website and you can see perhaps a different average median home value but for the sake of this exercise 2239 times that where we are as you can see in approximate there's your annual. If
046it went then to 1068 then you would have a 2393 which is an approximate difference of about $10.14 a month. Tax relief information for community members. I ask my father, my in-laws, everyone, please, you know, veterans, please fill these forms out because there are options for you to assist with this tax relief because I understand the, you know, we're all on a fixed income, but especially, you know, senior citizens with that aspect. So that's why this is here so that that that option is available uh to them. So we will continue to refine. It is only April. we have a couple months left to u continue to sharpen our pencils, evaluate uh revenues, evaluate expenditures, and try to continue to close that gap as much as possible. So, in closing, um I want to thank
047you for your time on this. Uh we mandate that we are mandated to do to do it. It's commonly referred to as a needs-based budget. It reflects our priorities. It our investments to support our students and our staff. And um We're grateful for the board and for the community um to support our students and our staff and our schools. Thank you guys. Um May 8th will be the preliminary vote. May 9th it will go public and 12th is the final. Thank you. I'm going to speak with you after I'll be real quick. I'll give you a little math exercise to do. This is what bothers me about the index and PTE. Dr. Mckenzie, do you have questions right now or just comments? I told her I she wants to meet afterwards. That's fine. I just
048going to make a real quick comment regards that index. Uh if you have your calculator here, if you um compound this out, our taxes double in 13 years mathematically. So that's a scary proposition when you figure a lot of people a lot of families have mortgages mortgage rate today's is like 6.6 6.7%. That compounds doubles suppose you borrow $200,000 for your home that'll double in 11 years. So you look at your typical family and we're talking about you want to bring families here so that we can grow this area. Okay. Um, I if you're if I'm starting a family and I have a kid in kindergarten and my mortgage is going to double in 11 years by the time they're sophomore, junior, my mortgage has doubled, my taxes doubles right as they're starting college. And
049you wonder why families and people can't get ahead. So, this is why I've always been very anal, if you want to call that, on ex what I consider excess expenditures here. You know, one of those I brought up was like going to that jail in Milesville. Now, a lot of people here voted for that, but and they the statement was, "Well, we've been doing this for 25 years. 12 25 years ago, two buildings were still standing in the World Trade Center in New York City. 25 years ago, we did not have this teachers debt over our head. So, I mean, things change." And so really when you're looking at us compared to Montour or even Cranberry area, okay, yes, we do not have a business. The only way we're going to compete is we have
050to have we have to be we have to get our expenses under control. So maybe we could be the lowcost quote provider. I this kind of bothers me. Few weeks ago, someone proposed bought to buy my building that I have in Beaver. gentleman and his wife are from out of town. They're from Texas. And I asked him, "Well, why are you going to Brighton Thompson instead of us?" Because he told me, "Hey, I was looking for who had the best schools here." Well, the other thing that he looked at is the crime rates. And unfortunately, we have a 150010 zip code. Crime is not a problem up here in Chipua. But if you're from outside of here, you don't know that. You know, you're comparing us like Be Falls, which whole different place, you know.
051So, I mean, going forward, the only way we're going to compete is we have to have our expenditures under control. It's just hard or give a new zip code. Well, I don't think that Thank you for your comments. Um, I would, um, argue that I'm pretty proud to live in 1510 and, um, don't think it's unfortunate. But we're going to move on to our student representative tonight. The outsiders don't know that. We know because we live here. Okay. But when you're looking guys from Texas, I'm just commenting because you just said unfortunately we live in 1510. I'm saying I am very proud to live in 150. But we're going to move on to our student representative um for her report tonight. Thank you so much. Okay, so a lot has happened since our last meeting,
052so I'm going to share some of my favorite highlights. First, congratulations to the Blackhawk Unified Botchi team on becoming state champions. They went 3 and0 at Hershey to claim the title. So, last Friday, the senior class had their class party on the Gateway Clipper. The seniors got to see some of the city, eat, dance, and it was a great night. The Leo Club held their annual spring food drive. They received many donations from students that will go out to various churches, charities, and families in our community. On April 16th, the high school student council will host their annual big bingo night at 6:30 p.m. at the high school gymnasium. It will be a night of fun, and there will be many amazing prizes to win. The entrance fee is $10. Finally, Shrek the Musical will
053be opening soon. The show is running from April 24th to April 27th. All of the cast, crew, and pit have been working extremely hard and cannot wait to perform for everyone. Tickets can be purchased at blackhawkmusical.ludis.com. Thank you. Oh, you just reminded me of something for the musical. So, on opening night of the musical, we're also doing a spaghetti dinner for our senior citizens. Um, I'm not too sure how big this is going to be, but it's a dinner in a show. So, um if you know of any or are are one, please come and join us. It's on us and um enjoy a dinner and a and a great show. There's a form um to fill out. If anybody has any questions, let me know. I I struggled with it this afternoon. Um so,
054if there's an error, just let me know and we'll fix it. But there's only 50, so sign up fast. I see you guys hitting each other over there. 7 the dinner uh 5:30. So, doors open at 5, 5:30 to 6:30, and then 7 for the show. Sounds like a lot of fun. Thank you. Uh, let's turn it over to Mrs. Klein for public relations and communications. Thank you. Black Op is very proud of our students achievements, and we encourage the extracurricular activities that happen in each grade. Please visit each school's website for updates and happenings in our buildings, including holiday events and concerts. and there was nobody that had signed up to um comment on any agenda items. Can I say something? I'm sorry. Can I since you brought up the budget, um I would
055just like to remind the board that um the club that did the mountains trip paid for all of their expenses, including their substitutes. Thank you. Thanks, Amy. Uh Mrs. Klein, it doesn't look like there is a report for PSBA. Is that correct? Okay. Thank you. Uh Mr. Huzak, uh any report for BCCT? Thank you, Mr. Huzak. Uh moving on to the approval of minutes. Um could I please um have a motion to approve the board meeting minutes for March 20th, 2025? Thank you, Mr. Huziaak. Do we have a second? I'll second. Thank you, Mr. Zakowitz. Any discussion on the minutes from March 20th? Hearing none. All in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. Uh Mr. Sche, uh would you please give a update on finance? So, we didn't talk about much finance stuff tonight. So, I'd like
056to go in depth on these next items and read this electrical supply contract in word for word, please. No. Um, so, sorry, such a smart. Um, we have an electricity supply contract uh to approve. Um this uh our monthly bill payments financial report um for uh February uh they approved the uh BCCTC general fund budget um a new contract which uh Dr. and Adam mentioned for substitutes uh for a cost savings, an agreement with firewater uh uh for uh emergency response uh should we need that and a uh updated tax exoneration procedure. So I would like to make a motion to approve uh finance consent items 8.2 to 8.7. Thank you. Thank you. We have a motion. Do we have a second? I'll second. Thank you. Any discussion or questions? All right. All in favor?
057Any opposed? Motion carries. Uh let's turn it over to Mr. Husette for personnel. items 91 and 92. Um, I think Mr. Husk made the motion. So, okay. Thank you very much. We have a second. Uh, do we have any discussion or questions about the human resources report or the updated drivers list from Marters? Hearing none. Um, all in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries. Mr. Vans Lingge, Education Committee. It's not loud enough. It was pointing the way, but it's just farther away than I want it to be. Um, so for um item 10.1 uh is the approval for the comprehensive plan that we uh had up there a moment ago or discussed. Uh, and then, uh, item 10.2 is the, uh, Head Start, uh, lease agreement. Um, I don't know if we wanted to get into
058um, any details on that at all. Um, I won't put you on the spot just yet, Mrs. B, but maybe. Um, so, basically, we have um, Head Start returning. It's a prek program um to biz. Uh, we are still working at the details of the agreement. So, it is pending solicitor and superintendent approval. There's a donation later on um on the agenda that they made which was quite gracious. Um that's we're excited about that. Blackhawk students will have priority for this classroom. So, I think that's essential um to make sure that our kindergarteners come prepared. Did you have anything to add, Mrs. Brady? So, probably one of the best days of the summer was when Dr. of an addict said, "I just came from a meeting with the lady of Head Start and she wants
059to come here." And I was like, "Yes, we want them here." Um, I do want to stress because preK is a hot topic in this district. People want preK for their kids. We were required to send a survey out to the community. We had an overwhelming response, but Head Start is very income restricted. So, in order to get into Head Start, the typical income for a family of four is 30,000. So when you have community members asking you questions, it is h it is restricted and we have nothing to do with who is accepted. It's run by an agency called the private industry council. Our students do get priority and they are trying to work out transportation but we don't have any input on qualifying students. Thank you for those updates and that information. Um,
060can I get a motion to approve education consent items 1012? Mr. Vans, were you making the motion or asking for a motion? I I just wanted to clarify. So, Mr. Puzzak is making a motion. Do we have a second? I will second it. Thank you, Mr. Show. Uh, do we have any questions or discussion about um either of those two items, the comprehensive plan or the Head Start lease agreement? I do have one question. Certainly, if um a current Blackhawk resident does not qualify for Head Start, will we accept students from out of the area? We will if they're not filled. if they aren't if they're not full. Uh usually they go from four year olds to three year olds if they're not full. Um but they will they might not necessarily bust them here,
061but they will make it open to other Okay. Any other questions or discussion? Okay. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries. Uh we will stay with you, Mr. Vans Lynch, for support services. And just a note, Mr. Vans Lynch, we're going to need to act on 11.1 and 11.2 separately tonight. Okay. Uh so, so for 11.1 is the um key solution contract for ESL uh teacher. Uh and then item 11.2 two is uh the service agreement for uh Bradley Education or Bradley Center Educational Service. Um can I get a motion? So you say have to be those second today? Yes, please. So can I get a motion to approve item 11.1? I can make that motion. Thank you, Mrs. Klein. And uh second with Mr. Wisner for 11.1. Any questions or discussion on the key
062solution contract for the ESL teacher? Hearing none. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries. Uh Mr. Vanelin Vanzen 11.2, please. Uh yes. Can I get a motion to approve item 11.2? I'll make a motion. Motion. Uh we'll take Mr. Zachitz for the motion. I'll second Mark's motion, Mr. Shopee for the second. Thank you. Do we have any questions or discussion on the Bradley Center Educational Services Agreement? Okay. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries. Mr. Wner, do we have an athletics or activities report tonight? Nothing to report. Thank you. Mr. Zakowitz, I'll turn it over to you for buildings and grounds and also um maybe some additional information from Dr. Vanetta. I I have one uh one item here regarding Head Start, our BIZ playground. Uh Dr. Vanetta, would you like to expand on that
063for us? Sure. So, um the pro the playground that we have at BIS is for um bigger kids and not necessarily those three and four. So they graciously um gifted a playground uh to us that we will also be able to use for our younger students. Um so that's hopefully you will accept this this gift from them and they will install that over the summer. I believe that Mr. Flesh will help to to supervise that. May I have a motion to approve item 13.1? I'll make a motion. Motion from Mr. Show. Do we have a second? I'll second. Thank you, Mr. Wisner. All in favor? I'm sorry. Wait, any questions or discussion? I do. Sorry. Thank you. I have one question. Just uh someone did mention um the um just the cost of the playground.
064They were just surprised that it would like cost that much to That's what I mean. They were surprised it was that cheap. They're they were curious about what we were getting or what was being put in place uh because of how inexpensive because they're like, "Yeah, that seems like we like be a swing, you know, like it's very nice. Yeah, it is a it's definitely a smaller set. If our classrooms were going out, it would be like a one classroom set, but they also are building an outdoor classroom space that has tables that they can kids can sit at. Um, so it is pretty nice. Um, don't think about like the main biz playground replacement. I mean, it's like a much smaller behind where like the shed is the entrance to the trail at Biz.
065So actually Head Start will be able to just walk out the back door to their playground. Is is there like an image that I can like visually see what we're looking at? I just want to nerd out on it because I was part of the CAC and part of the outground outdoor learning space and stuff. So I'm just interested in it. Yeah. Is it is it attached attached? Oh, just the letter. I have the image. I have the image. I'll send it to you. Mrs. Bernie, I believe it's fenced, correct? It's gated. Yes. questions. So, we do have a motion on the floor to approve the playground equipment installation at bids and we have a second. Do we have any other questions or discussion? Why do we have to vote on this? Because as per
066policy, any donation needs to be board approved because you have the opportunity to deny a donation. Well, I mean, it would be $500, but actually I don't think that you have a monetary amount in that. I think that all donations are board proof. It's a great accounting measure too because we need to keep record of those donations and the monetary value for auditing purposes, but it's also because maybe you don't want to accept it one day. Good question. Any others? Okay, we will take a vote. Um, all in favor of the playground installation I any opposed? Motion carries. Uh the policy committee. Um we do have not have a report tonight. Um I want to thank Dr. Banata for all of her hard work on preparing uh the policy review for the board. Um given
067that we were only going to be having one meeting uh this month. Um due to a holiday that's coming up, we decided to postpone our policy work until next month. So, we'll we'll be revisiting that so we can have first reads and second reads in um in May. Um and thank you again for all of your hard work with that. Okay, I think we are um down to 16. Uh do we have any um public comment on non-aggenda items this evening? Um please, if you are interested in making a comment, come to the podium and state your name and municipality. Uh 16.2 school directors. Would anybody like to make any comments or ask any questions this evening? As I mentioned, our um our regularly scheduled um voting session for April 17th has been cancelled because
068and we did our voting session this evening. So, our next board meeting will be a work session and that will be on May 8th, 2025. Same time, same place. And may I please have a motion to adjourn the meeting? Oh, I'll second you. Mr. Vancage, Mr. show on the second. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion passes. Have a great evening, Blackhawk.