001Folks, uh, good evening. We're going to call the meeting to order. The North Hunter and Vorhees Regional High School District Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026 is now called to order. In accordance with the requirements of the open public meeting act NJSA 104-6 adequate notice giving the time date location and to the extent known the agenda of this meeting has been posted at the North Hunan High School and Vorhees High School provided to the municipal clerks of Bethlehem Township Burrow Town of Clinton Clinton Township Franklin Township Glengardner Burrow Hampton Burrow Hybridge Burrow Lebanon Burough Lebanon Township Tukesbury Township and Union Township as well as other interested parties and posted on the legal notices section of the district website. Fire exits are located in the direction indicated. If alerted to fire, please move
002in a calm and orderly fashion to the nearest smoke-free exit. Restrooms are located through the doors behind this desk and to the right as indicated. At this time, please silence all cell phones. I also just wanted to read the district mission statement. The North Hunter and Vorhees Regional High School District empowers all students through innovative and personalized learning to achieve their full potential, embrace lifelong learning, and contribute responsibly to a changing world. Roll call. >> Miss here. >> Mr. Chapman >> here. >> Mr. Hley >> here. >> Miss here. Mr. Lordy >> here. >> Mr. Matthews >> here. >> Miss Makappa >> here. Mr. Morgan >> here. >> Miss Reyes >> here. Mr. Stanton >> here. Miss Stein here and Mr. McIn >> here. If you could stand for the flag to the flag of
003the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. Um, can I get a call for a motion and second to approve agenda items 41 and 42 or minutes from the last few meetings? Could I get that motion? Motion, Rich. Thank you. Second. Uh, I saw Andrew first. Sorry, Brian. Um, uh, all in favor? >> I >> opposed or abstensions? >> I have to abstain from the first meeting, >> February 17th. >> Yes. Thank you. Um, at this time we would like to uh recognize our student achievements. So I'll hand that over to Dr. Burgess and the principles. Dr. Mr. Peterson. First time we get to do this together. Stand the line right here. All right. So, um, today
004we're, uh, very proud to be recognizing the North Hunter and Borhees ice hockey team for their outstanding season. Uh this year the team won the Skyland Conference or the Skylands Division Championship, finished as runners up in the Skyland Cup, won the sectional championship, and advanced to the group runnerup spot, ending the season with an impress impressive 19 to um and seven record. Uh it was a pleasure getting to watch them play at the credential center um for a team that just uh three years ago formed. You know, this newly formed program had only three wins in its first year and struggled to find structure as a group, but through its hard work and shared commitment to each other, they developed a strong, successful team. Um, I am a huge hockey fan. So, when the district
005uh decided to say yes to uh this group and having uh a district-wide hockey team, it's been a pleasure watching you guys play over the three years. stuff. Um, I got to tell you, the first game that they had, I couldn't believe how physical the game was for your guys' age and everything else. I like, man, I love this. Um, so it was great. Although, I got to I got to ask you guys a question. Your team's song was Against All Odds. >> Is that true? >> Yes. >> Okay, whatever works, fellas. But, uh, by Phil Collins. Um, but it was a perfect reflection on their determination, their journey over the past three years. and uh we wish you all the best in the future with what you do and uh we look forward to
006seeing the team continue to grow in the years to come. I'll hand it over maybe hand. Yeah. So yeah, I just I want to reiterate what a pleasure it's been to see this team grow throughout the years and to really just acknowledge I think we have some great uh young players here who really represented us well and represents the school well, represented our district well as it's been a North and Borhees team. So uh real proud of these guys. So, I want to recognize we're doing tonight our seniors and team captains. That's who we invited to be here. So, uh Josh Joshua Kelko is a team captain. He plays center and he plans to major in environmental science. Joshua also have Jonah Spagnulo who is an assistant captain and is also a goalie. He will
007be attending Lebanon College and plans to study environmental science and play lacrosse. So Jonah Dominic Mushon is an assistant captain. He plays center and he is considering dentistry and he also plays on our golf team. Is he playing golf right now? >> Okay. Yes. All right. Uh Liam Orbin is a wing and he is thinking of studying biology and dentistry. >> Okay, there we go. Logan Constulate is a goalie and he will actually be playing junior hockey next year for the NHL. And Chase Dreer is a wing and he will be joining the local 475 steam fitters union and will and plans to be a welder. So again, our seniors and captains of our hockey team. So gentlemen, we're going to take a photo in front of the um you could face me with your
008backs to the Here we go. I'll grab this. I got back. If we could open up our folders with your names in the right direction. >> Yes, parents feel free take pictures. >> All right. So, if you can look at me first and then we'll get mom and dad up here if they want to grab a photo. Okay. Ready? >> Here we go. We do a firing line here. Thank you. >> gentlemen, before you leave, >> I just wanted to say uh congratulations. Um I know when I first stepped onto this board a couple of years ago, uh it was the first time you were having a chance to be recognized as a team, as a joint team between the two schools. And I realize that came on a lot of petitioning and hard work
009on the part of your parents and families who wanted to see this program realized here. Um I I'm going to get in trouble with what I'm going to say next. Uh as an employee of Hunton Central, probably your biggest competitor. I heard I heard from that coaching staff uh just what a what a great group of of of players that you are uh and over the years how you've become sort of a formidable a formidable force very quickly in the county. I know my daughter has gone to a number of your games this year uh and it sounds like it is just uh sheer excitement uh and she comes back talking about it every time. So once again, I just want to say congratulations. Well done. Welld deserved. >> Mr. Lordy, any thoughts as a
010uh as a hockey fan? >> Have a good night, folks. Congratulations. Thank you. Uh we now have our uh board student representatives report. Um Max and Samantha, I can't remember who went first last. Oh, okay. So we should let you go first. Okay. >> All right, Max. >> You're on. >> So first thing I'm going to talk about from this month, it was a very busy month, is our sports. So we already heard of the amazing victory on our joint hockey team. Spring sports have also recently begun. Not much to report there yet, but I see a strong season ahead for all of our sports. Some final updates on the winter sports. We had two girls from our girls wrestling team make it to states with Stell Friola placing sixth. And we also had four
011girls on our fencing team qualify for individual state championship championships with one of them placing sixth in foil. The next thing we're going to talk about is music. We've had a lot to talk about this month and a lot coming up. If you do hear my name, I promise I'm not bragging. This is just the report I have written up. So, as many of you know, Shrek recently performed at the beginning of this month. I do want to thank all the board members that came, emailed me or said hi to me or if even if I didn't see you, I do appreciate all as many of you that attended and I will say that we had a very successful run of the show. We had packed audiences, all four performances with our final show on
012Sunday being sold out. The Shark cast recently performed at two performing arts conferences this past Friday and Monday where we took home many awards. At the Music Mountain Theater dramatic performing arts conference, the following words awards were presented. Jordan Wolf won an award for best ensemble member. Savannah Wrigley won an award for outstanding sidekick. Catwolf was awarded a superlative for her Lord her role as Lord Farquad. Giana Marina was awarded the animation to life acting award as Fiona. Giana and her showcase of morning person with all of our ensemble members won first place out of over a dozen showcases. Maxclar won the title of all-star performer in their performance of Shrek as well as best actor of the conference. And finally, North received the award for best production out of all the high schools presented.
013WOW. YESTERDAY, we performed at Bucks County Student Performing Arts Festival, and awards were given out to Catwolf, Giana Marina, and Maxclar for all of their performances at the festival, and the cast of Shrek also won an award for their fantastic ensemble. Nice. >> Our jazz ensemble attended the 14th annual jazz band semi-final showcase at the Steel Stacks where they received a silver excellent rating. Coming up, we have the Prism concert. The music department is hosting their 22nd annual Prism concert this Thursday at 8 PM. This is the biggest and most anticipated concert of the entire year where the entire department collaborates in putting on a fantastic performance to showcase the talents of all our musicians using professional sound and lighting systems. Our marching bands last week, our Golden Lions marching band, to which I'm also
014a part of, marched down Main Street and Clinton to celebrate the St. Patrick's Day parade. And finally, the last thing in music, we have our representing recital coming up. So, the Triad Music Honor Society is hosting its third annual representing recital on March 31st at 5:30. This recital celebrates both Black History Month and Women's History Month, honoring musicians of both those communities. This year, Triam is also partnering with the double NAACP to bring further engagement and awareness to this event. Moving on, we've had a lot of activities this month as well. Spike for Cures, our schoolwide volleyball competition. Um, I would first like to say that our teacher team had to play their way to the finals this year since they were beaten out by a junior team last year. The teachers were unfortunately eliminated
015in round two and the same team from last year now seniors took home the championship title once again. This event's purpose was to raise money and awareness for the Jason P Shel Foundation and it successfully raised over $25,000 for that foundation. Uh, the trivia bowl was hosted by the National Honor Society at the beginning of this month. It was restructured this year where students could create their own teams of two to five people and any team was allowed to participate. There was a science teacher team and a history/math teacher team that also competed but unfortunately lost to a senior team. The winning team was awarded the highest costing basket which was about $990 worth of gift cards gift cards from restaurants in the area. I'm also proud to report that I was on that winning
016team. Um purpose of this >> Max that sounded like bragging. I'm happy for my team members. Um, the purpose of this event was to raise money for the St. Jude Children Hospital and the National Honor Society collected over $4,500 from various sponsor donations and people in attendance. The National Honor Society also hosted a second blood drive of this school year. With the recent cold and winintry weather, there's been a lack of blood donors and blood drives in the area, and North was able to collect 215 pints of blood to assist this problem and save up to 645 lives. And then lastly, we had two dances this month. Our junior prom was held on Saturday, March 7th. There were over 240 students in attendance at this dance, which was the highest attendance in the past few
017years. And we also had our sophomore semi formal this last Friday with over 130 students in attendance. And the last thing I want to say is a big thank you on behalf of North senior class. I would like to thank the North Hunter Education Foundation, the PTSA, Hunter County Prevention Resources, Hunter Health Systems, and several gen generous parent donations. for their generosity towards project graduation. Thanks to this support, five buses will be provided for the seniors to attend. The PTSA sponsored project graduation night, 92% of transportation costs have been covered, helping reduce the cost of attendance for our seniors and allowing more students to participate. For anyone who doesn't know, Project Graduation Night is a special evening that provides the seniors a fun adult supervise and substancefree environment to celebrate one of the biggest accomplishments
018of their lives. So on behalf of the senior class, our families, and our community, thank you for their dedication and planning and hosting the celebration that ensures a fun and safe graduation night. >> Wonderful. >> Thank you very much, Max. Um, and I'm I'm sad I was not able to attend. My daughter did and her friends and they raved about the performance. So well done, welld deserved. I don't know if anybody else was uh was able to attend. I got the dress rehearsal. >> Amazing guy. >> Is it working? >> Yes. >> All right. See, >> sorry. I just realized my computer hit 4%. So, I was like, "Oh, >> yeah." >> Oh, well, now I know. >> But again, congratulations, Max. And >> yes, congratulations, >> Max. Just one thing my youngest like begged
019me to take me take her up to you and introduce her to you and say how one how much she enjoyed the performance. So excellent job so much. >> It was great. >> Um okay so I also have a lot to talk about. It's been a super duper busy month. So same thing as Max said, spring sports have begun, so there's not a ton to report yet. Um there's actually a meet outside today with more and more. Um, unified flag football, which is one of our spring sports though, did visit the Jets practice stadium last week and they had a great time um, learning from the players and the staff. So, that was a very cool experience. Uh, I also have some things to report about winter sports finishing up. So, our boys 4x4 team
020went to nationals and set school record and placed 16th in the nation. And then we also had our Skyland Conference teams come out. And these are just recognitions from players on all of the sports teams. So the first team was Maddie Pac from girls basketball, uh Gabriella Lamar from girls basketball, Cole Doll from wrestling, Christian Blette from wrestling, and Kyle Beers from boys basketball. Second team was Alex Mcome from girls basketball, Johnny Deandrea from wrestling, Matteo Tramatola from wrestling, and Logan from boys basketball. And then honorable mentions were Emma Hill girls basketball, Deeos Morulis, wrestling, and Sam Gallow, boys basketball. For arts, we didn't have as much going on as Max, but we do still have a lot going on. So, we had our coffee house performance, which is where our choir students pick a
021variety of songs for their theme. Their theme this year was Broadway and Beyond. So, it was all show tunes, which was very, very cool. And they choreographed dances and there's lights and there's snacks. Very, very lovely. So, that was on March 6th at 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. We also have Into the Woods, which is our spring musical coming up, and that's going to be on April 16th to 19th, and I would love to see all of you there. Um, I am a part of the show. It is going very well. And talking about the show, we also went to Bucks County Theater Festival, but today I literally got back an hour ago. Um, and so we attended master classes. So, there's a dance class, an acting class, and a vocal class. And so all
022of our uh students who decide to attend get to go to those classes and then in the afternoon they get to perform two sections of whatever show we bring. And this year we brought Into the Woods. So we did two 20-minute sections of Into the Woods and then there's Speedback awards. So we won four awards. One for best girl out um best outstanding ensemble just as North as well. And then Joanna McDonald, Mason Chen, and Emily Dennis were also recognized. That's enough about the arts. So, academic wise, we did have our NJ GPA testing last week. Um, and the juniors took the graduation proficiency assessment and we actually ended up finding out that they don't need as much time as we gave them. Um, and many of them did not have to come to school
023on some of the days that were left over because they finished the test on the first day. So, that will allow time for future exams to be shortened. So, when we have testing in May, that will be shorter than originally planned. Uh, clubs activities and accomplishments. So, outside of Borhees, if any of you have been there during the school week, there is some very serious construction going on. Um, and it is making it very backed up, but it is getting better. And I'm happy to say that the students have figured out how to get to school on time despite the construction. So, that's been a very big accomplishment this month. Um, it was a process. We got there. >> Good. >> We have our health and wellness fair, um, which promotes healthy habits amongst the
024students and how to relieve stress. And that's actually tomorrow. So, I'm very excited. They bring food. There's a smoothie station. It's going to be a good time. Our freshman sophomore classes hosted a spring formal this year. This is the first time they've done it. They had 110 attendees, which was very, very um a big accomplishment for them. And they had a great time. That was last Friday. Unified has been very active this month. They had their week of respect at the beginning of the month. Last week they had World Down Syndrome Day. And then this week on Thursday, they have Epilepsy Awareness Day. And all of these are spirit days where they encourage you to dress in whatever color is appropriate. And it just helps bring the school together about respecting um different uh people
025with differing abilities and creating a respectful culture around the school and in society as a whole. They are also hosting their silent disco next week, which if none of you have been to a silent disco, you put the headphones on and the music is in your headphones, but if you take them off, no one can hear it. So it's just a bunch of people dancing in a room with headphones on. It's actually a lot of fun though. It sounds weird, but I definitely recommend. Um, and it's available to community members. It's April 1st from 6:00 to 8. Anyone interested should email Rebecca Kangelo for tickets and that information I believe is also on the Facebook. And then my last thing to talk about is Relay for Life. So last year Warhees um reinvigorated Relay for
026Life at our school and we run the Relay for Life of Hunter County. It's my club so I'm going to brag about it a little bit. Um so during this week we have started our kickoff week where we're encouraging students and community members to create teams. So every day at lunch we've hosted a booth with activities. Uh yesterday we hosted a booth just talking about relay. We did trivia questions. Today we did minute to win it to games and then we have more activities for the rest of the week. What I would really like to see happen this year is to have the board create a team for district employees um and just try to get everyone involved because it is a countywide event. We want to see North there. We want to see Central
027there. So, I encourage you to reach out to community members and to potentially start a team of your own. Our goal this year is to raise $50,000. We would really like to do it. We do get to shave Miss Luckart, which is one of our teachers heads, if we do raise $50,000, and we really want to show a united front as a district against cancer. So, that would be my encouragement for you all. And if anyone has any questions, I'm more than happy to talk about that. The event is on May 29th and it will be at work. Uh yeah, that's what I have. So, thank you. >> Thank you as well. Um you know, uh Max and Samantha, your presentation tonight, I think is the perfect encapsulation of I think everything we aspire to
028do as a community and hearing about the success that you have, uh the achievements from athletics to the performing arts to academics. um all of that is the reason we're here and it's just so great to hear from you and and see how this manifests itself in the things that you're sharing with us. So, thank you very much for the support we've been getting from the board um throughout all of our activities. I think as when we relay the support that we get at the meetings to the other students, they're always like overwhelmed and so happy to be supported from the highest level. So, >> and then on any of those Oh, I'm sorry. Um on any of those items where you're potentially inviting or looking for the board to um participate or have a
029team, you know, send it our way and we can certainly, you know, coordinate and see who might be available or interested and just make sure that that communication is is there as part of the the meeting. >> Um thank you so much. >> Any other um just comments or thoughts? >> All right. Thank you. >> Well, thank you once again. Um, and good luck down the stretch of the uh last stretch of senior year. >> Almost there. >> Yes. >> All right. Um, so and again, uh, Max and Samantha, whenever whenever you need to go, go. We We understand you're busy. >> You learned that lesson. >> Um, all right. So, we're going to shift to our chief school administrators report. >> All right. Thank you, Dr. Burgess. Thank you, Mr. McGisac. Um, so some
030of these things are a little bit repeats, but I want to add a little more details to um what Max and um Sam mentioned. For our um for our juniors taking the NJGPA, we typically do what's called a 2 and a half hour delayed bell schedule, which means we have to run two different bus runs. Um because of the we we we knew it was going to be shorter than what we originally had. We didn't change the amount of days we had. But what we did was we created a two-hour bell schedule, which is what we used for typical delayed openings, which meant we didn't have to have two rounds of transportation, which um saved, you know, um a significant amount of transportation cost. So, that was another positive that came out of this. And
031we're going to continue to refine that as we go through so that we can shorten the days and hopefully have the two-hour delays and and not have to have the additional um transportation. So, and I did want to mention also the um Jason P. Shy Memorial Fund. you know, that's been around for a long time now. It's a great fund and um you know, just thank all the people that were involved in Spike for a Cure at North Hunter. Uh they they put a ton of work into that event. Uh they raised a ton of money and um the the actual um charitable uh foundation um supports non-medical costs for uh for youth that are going through for families who have youth that are going through pediatric um cancer. And so, you know, the medical
032expenses sometimes are well covered, but it's getting there, babysitting, helping out with the family, food, all those things that um families need support with. And that's what the Jason P. Shival Memorial Fund does. The um Northland Jazz Ensemble that was um recognized at the um showcase in uh Steel Stacks of Bethlehem. Uh, I wanted to add one more piece of that. On top of all the what Max already mentioned, the individual players are now running for the Steel Stacks Jazz Allstar Big Band, an elite group that will take the stage at Musicfest on August 1st, 2026. 2026. So, huge congratulations to them. And now they have an opportunity to even showcase their talents even further. And you said a lot about it, Max, but I gotta say Shrek um I only got to come through
033dress rehearsal and when I I told Max the story when he came out and did a sound check, I was like, well, he doesn't quite sound like Shrek, you know, but and then when he came out and actually started doing it, I was like, "Wow, you know, I mean, you really hit it." Um I mean, everybody did the the entire cast um was phenomenal. Um but you deserve a lot of kudos for that. And um and when I sat there, that was one of the things that um as you were just mentioning Brendan, that you know the experiences you guys are having here. I sat there in the theater and I'm looking around at all the people and all the things that are happening right simultaneously between the lighting and the sound and all the
034back behind the scene things. And I thought to myself, wow, like what it takes to put on that production is huge. And again, this board, the support from this board to be able to allow that to happen. Those students that experienced that, that's what matters and that's what counts in this. So, um, congratulations on your performance and I'm glad we get to do those things here and I get to enjoy them because best part of my job. >> Um, I do want to congratulate three students who were selected to participate in the 2026 Ruters Honors Band Day on March 22nd. The students were Ava Freilley, Camila Lasano, and Gavin Casy. This year, the Rucker's music staff received a record number of nominations with over 350 from 60 different high schools across the state. And students
035will be playing in one of the three wind bands attending master classes and performing in their concert hall in the evening. So, that's going to be a great experience for those students. The North Dance team uh was named third place champions in New Jersey cheer and dance state competition. So, congratulations to them. Three of our North Hunter students have been recognized as top artists in the 2026 New Jersey State Bar Foundation's Student Courtroom Artist Competition. That is a mouthful. They were competing against 133 outstanding submissions from across the state. Our students swept multiple top honors and this is a testament not only to their talent but to the strength of our arts program as well. Ava in Wagon uh got first place state champion, North Hunter High School state champion um for the state bar
036foundation's bar competition. Um as a first place winner, Ava has been invited to represent New Jersey at the National Mop Trial Championships in De Moine, Iowa from May 7th to the 9th. The foundation will fully fund travel costs for Ava and one adult chaperon to attend this national event. So it's going to be great that not only did we win state, but now we get representation at the national stage, which we love. Um Ivy Sorheaded uh was placed third place in the state and then Elizabeth Span got honorable mention as well. Um so again congratulations to these students. Basically they did sketch um art sketch drawings of the um competitions and then were judged based on their drawing um ability. >> All three of those students and their families along with our art teacher R.J.
037Calibris will are are invited to the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick on Wednesday, March 25th uh for the mock trial state finals. And during that state finals, uh there'll be the award presentation for our students to receive their award plaques and their professional photos taken. They'll there'll be an exhibition where the students winning sketches will be framed and displayed in the law center rotunda. And then they get to continue their skills and do live sketching. Um they get to sit in a reserved front row seating to sketch the live state final proceedings. So they'll even get more opportunity to do these sketches. Um, congratulations to all their students and our art program, you know, just for, um, allowing our students to have these opportunities and be able to succeed like this. I do
038want to congratulate our student wrestlers, um, at North Horn, Stella Friioli for placing sixth and Kaden Wadd for placing eighth in the state. So, we had individual wrestling, they um, they did well and that was nice to see two um, state winners come back. I do want to spend uh send a thank you out to the Capus family and capus landscaping and the Hansen family for their generous donation of the throwing circle. It was used for the first time as we hosted the first North Horn and throws invitational. So today I got to go to a track meet out there before the board meeting and um walk around North Warries in Philipsburg a try meet I think is what they call that and I got to go up to the throwing circles and actually see
039in action. It is really impressive what they did. Um the facilities look phenomenal. They said they modeled it after college facilities. Um all the materials and uh labor was donated by our parents by the parent groups and um and it was just great to see uh our students using it and and being part of that. And we for the first time we were able to hold the throwing meet because we had a facility capable of doing that. Prior to that we weren't able to actually um host it here. So So I do want to throw one more um plug out there for the Prism concert coming up. I believe it's this Thursday, right? Thursday. Um I believe it starts at 8:00. >> Yes. And um I know there was an invite that went around from
040the from the North Hunter Music Association for board members. If you have an opportunity to attend this, it's a phenomenal um concert. Uh it's they have a professional group that comes in that um puts sound with the color with the sound and just a it's just a great experience. You you'll really enjoy it. It's hard to explain until you actually see it. Um but if you have an opportunity um please do that. All right. I do want to report a little bit on our strategic plan as well. So, we did meet on We did meet on March 10th. I'm going have to find the right paper here. That's not going to be it. I'm going to tell you what we did. We met on March 10th. I do know we met on March 10th. And
041um and so we the biggest part of the presentation was um Katie actually came to our meeting. Uh we we at the February meeting we talked about you know some of the things all the district goals that we have and we focus a lot on on staff wellness uh we focus a lot on our um future ready um learning framework and one of our goals is to um increase financial um transparency right which we've tried to do here for the board with all of our presentations but it occurred to me as we were talking at the February meeting that we don't do that for our staff and you know our staff you know sometimes don't really have a good understanding of how we develop budget and why some cuts have to be made and why
042some difficult decisions have to be made. So, I thought it was really important for this group to um hear that and Katie did a great job presenting a lot of the information she presented to the public and to the board here. Uh the staff was very receptive to it. We had some great questions. I think they were thankful, you know, afterwards and understood a lot more about the process and and some of the difficult decisions that we have to make. And um so I think that um really helped with the financial transparency side of that. We did talk about emerging leader emerging leaders program. Um the emerging leaders program is a program that was started um at both high schools. Now we have six uh emerging leaders that are going to be doing the program
043next year as a four-year program and five at Boris, six at North and five at Boris. So 11 total. And basically what they're going to do is they're going to do a um a project. They're going to come up with something that they want to improve in our district. They're going to develop the um project and a timeline for that and then they're going to um implement that and and um and then report back on it. So it's a program that actually Hunter Central has. uh we found out about through the um New Jersey Association of Educational Leaders. I I was able to go to a um sort of like a leadership conference where emerging leaders could come and talk to um people that are in leadership roles. And then one of our teachers went
044to it. She said, "Hey, this sounds like a great idea. Could I do something at North?" And and that's how it sort sort of evolved and then um boards became involved and it's been a great program. So, and then the last thing we talked about was our um staff recognition. I do want to just um do our staff recognition very quickly. We started a G, if you can queue up the There we go. Um, so what we talked about was having a we're calling this the board of education staff spotlight and um I think as I mentioned previously, you know, the idea of recognizing our exemplary staff here at the board table sounds like a great idea, but for our staff members, that's another evening out, right? So instead of having our staff members come
045out to tell them how good they are and how much we appreciate them, um I asked the student breast to actually join me at each of the buildings uh and um present an award to each one of the members. And so we did that today. Uh we're going to try to do it a day or so before just in case we run into any snags, but um we were able to get it done today. So first I want to talk about North Learn. And um the person that the staff member that was chosen was um Summer Mars. Summer Mars fosters North Hunter's lion pride among staff by organate organizing a fun activity or event each month that brings everyone together. She also leads our cultural celebrations day, a vibrant daylong event where students share food,
046traditions, and activities that highlight their cultural backgrounds. In addition, she runs diversity club and recently took on the role of teacher adviser for the new Muslim student association club. Through all of her efforts, she consistently builds a strong sense of community and pride within the school. And as someone who has known somewhere her entire career here, um she exudes happiness. She exudes positivity. She is a teacher that every student enjoys being in class with. Um she's really just what I, you know, she is the epitome of what you would want your teacher to be. Um so we really appreciate Summer and um thank her for all of her contributions to our district. Then at Borhees, we're able to go up and recognize a gentleman named Tony Makowski. Um, so I'm sorry, Summer is a Spanish
047teacher at North Hartman High School for those who don't know. Um, Tony is a health and physical education teacher at Borage High School. So Tony is currently in his 30th year of service to the district and in that span of time, his contributions to the school and community have gone above and beyond. As a health and PE teacher, his contributions have been significant to say the least. He has introduced new and engaging activities in the physical education program, revamped the scope and sequence of the freshman health and PE curriculum and became a certified adventure sports instructor while spearheading the ongoing development of that program. He also played a key role in our strength and conditioning program as he led the charge in updating the weight room multiple times in the last three decades, becoming a
048certified strength coach and helped many of our coaches develop workouts for our student athletes. Additionally, he has taken leadership on a leadership role in his department, coordinating equipment orders, helping to develop schedules, and serving as both official and unofficial mentor to new teachers. Mr. Makoski has coached over 40 athletic seasons for football, wrestling, and baseball, including nine seasons as the head football coach at Bores, where he led the Vikes to a division championship, two playoff appearances, and three milkand victories. More than anything, Mr. McCowsky's love and devotion for Vores has been evident throughout his professional existence. He advocates for positive change, is quick to praise exemplary work for his peers, and gives 100% in the classroom. All in an effort to make warriors a better place to work and provide students with the best experience
049possible. So, congratulations to Mr. McCaskky as well. Um, he's somebody that I've known my entire career here, which is something um not many people I can say that about anymore. And Tony is the um the leader. uh he's a leader in that building where if people have a question or they feel like they want to um get if they need something, they know Tony's a guy that can help them do that. And um so thank you to both Mr. Makowski and Senor Mars for um everything that they do for our district. So and thank you board reps for helping me when when um that. >> Do you think we would be able to um I don't know when our de next district newsletter goes out to be able to sort of capture those My okay
050my plan would be to put all of these in that you know as we roll through these. >> All right. So >> I'm going to roll into my agenda items now. I didn't even touch the agenda yet. Um but I do want to read a resolution as 7.1 um which is related to our unsung heroes. I know a lot of you were able to attend the unsung hero ceremony um on March 4th. So, we have a resolution that I'm going to ask the board to um vote on and then we're going to present this resolution in a frame to the individuals that won this so that they have that for their records as well. Um but they were already recognized at the unsung hero award so I didn't ask them to come out again but
051so resolution 032426-3 unhung unsung heroes recognition whereas the north and bores regional high school district board of education hereby recognizes Terresa Peterson and Larkin Villa Turro for receiving the Hunter County Boards Association unsung hero award on March 4th 2026 and whereas the Hunter County School Board Association in collaboration with the New Jersey School Boards Association recognizes unsung heroes from each North Hunter High School and Voice High School in Hunter County. And whereas the unsung hero award honors students who make outstanding contributions to their schools and communities, but are often overlooked by other traditional student recognition programs, these students have overcome difficult academic or personal challenges, modeled good citizenship, or in a spirit of quiet or a spirit of quiet strength that has inspired others. These unsung heroes may have organized community nonprofit programs, selflessly supported
052others, or achieved academic success despite disabilities, language barriers, or other significant challenges. And whereas Terresa Peterson and Larkin Villator have overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles to reach their full potential, have served the school community and the community at large, and stand as a beacon to inspire others. Now therefore, be it resolved that the North Hunter and Bores Regional High School District Board of Education recognizes Theresa Peterson and Larkin Villatorro as unsung heroes of Hunter County and the North Hunter and Boris Regional High School District. And be it further resolved that this resolution is presented to Theresa Peterson and Larkin Villator Toro as a sincere token of the North Hunter and Bores Regional High School District Board of Education's congratulations and best wishes for continued success. >> Would you like us to move that at this time?
053>> If you can move that at this time, that'd be great. Uh, can I uh call for a motion and a second to approve resolution 032426-3 in recognition of our unsung heroes for a motion? Nicole, thank you. Second, Andrea, thank you. Uh, all in favor? >> I opposed or abstensions? No. Um, I will say I've heard from other schools around the county um what a what an amazing job um our team did in presenting those unsung heroes. um they said it really was the spirit of what that award is designed to be and um had kudos for us as a district and I know I think Rich I think you were able to attend Brian you were able to attend Tara you were able to attend so a great a great celebration of of our
054students here >> so thank you >> B thanks have a great month >> yes we'll see you next month uh we do not have any uh well actually we have four cases of hib to report this month. Um all of them were unfounded. So we will need to vote on those next month. But for the actual vote for this month, we had no um hib cases reported last month. So we actually don't have any actions to take this month on our Hib cases. Uh we do have our monthly school reports there. I will mention um my attendance portion of that. So, in alignment with our attendance policy, um number one, if you look at the attendance report, you'll see Super Bowl Monday had a little dip. Um but, um and we still even with that,
055um North Hunter had a total of 1,959 absences for the month of February and that is down from 2,118 in the same month in the previous year. uh Borhees had a total of 992 absences um for the month of February and that is down from 1,400 um at the same time that last year. So we're still North Hunter is at 6.78% um absentee rate. Bores is at 5.47 um that is again significantly um significantly down at Borhees and cut in half at North based on what it was last year so far. We still got the end of the year be some senior ititis that attributes to this but um I think we're on the right track and I think we're we're our goal was to be below 10% which is what the state considers chronically
056absent. So and we're um in good shape right now for that. So the monthly reports are there. I do want to also mention that there is um another item on my report that I'm not going to probably mention every month but we're going to leave it on the agenda just so it's there to be noted. Uh because of the new law on how we have to advertise our legal publications, including our board meeting times and dates, um we're just going to link to the website where those legal notices are published so that it's another way that the public can um looking at our agenda can see all of our legal notices including our meeting times and agendas. And that is all I have. >> And then um one clarification I would add and I know
057um Samantha brought it up and was here and I conferred with you. I know uh she was commenting about the traffic up at Vorhees and uh I was confirming that it is a result of the gas line project up there. I think everyone on this board understands that there had been conversations between the school, the utility, and the municipality that if the if the district were amendable to having a line brought to the school, uh I think we just had to connect a single device to commit to one appliance, you know, over the next year. But and I know Tara, I know you were an advocate for a lot of folks who were looking for that opportunity to have gas lines run up that and they needed a partner in someone like us to bring
058it to the community and make it viable. >> We are constituents from Kriger Road up. So, it's servicing a lot, but it is snarling traffic. I've gotten stuck getting quite a bit. >> I have to say they are moving fast, it looks like. >> But they are. Yeah, they're moving fast. Yeah. But it'll be great. So >> uh okay, I will shift into my report. Uh still once again the reminder I think I briefed um last week and probably the month before um the CSA evaluation as Dr. Burgess finishes his portion. We will get that. Um just so for the folks who are new um Dr. Burgess will go through each of the district goals. he'll sort of report out on the things that he's done and the district has accomplished towards that goal. Um
059you'll get he'll self assess as to whether that goal was uh partially met um completely met. Um as a new board member you may find yourself in a situation where you do not feel like you've been on the board and able to observe enough. So you have the option to say that this is something that you can't comment on or you you haven't observed. Um and we will get the opportunity to provide some input on each of those goals, what we've noticed, what we've seen and then similarly there'll be a second set um that will talk about the leadership qualities of uh Dr. Burgess in his work and once again we will assess him on that sort of leadership index that gets kind of uh synthesized together into a comprehensive report uh which the board
060then um in essence delivers to Dr. Burgess about the things that we notice that we think are going well, the things that we think uh could be focus areas for improvement going forward and that just becomes a cycle of ongoing conversation. So that will be coming um this Thursday. We also have uh if you recall, we reinitiated the board leadership roundt with our constituent districts. So that's going to be happening on Thursday. Uh Tara and I will be in attendance. As I'm hearing about the prism concert, I'm thinking like, okay, maybe I can hop from one to the other and I that's not the one where I put the headphones on, right? And I can think, okay, that's a different concert or that's my daughters around the house who just don't listen. Um so yeah.
061Um it is a great opportunity. I'm looking forward to that conversation. Um I know um a number of our sending districts will be there. Um as I said previously, I imagine there'll be a lot of conversations about the budget challenges that all districts are facing. Um and with the prospect of the regionalization study that um we're participating in and several of our other districts are participating in, it really becomes a forum for ongoing conversation not only for shared services but exploring those bigger kinds of initiatives. Um and in that same spirit if you recall we had been um contacted by Franklin Township. Dr. Burgess and I had an opportunity to meet with the board president and superintendent from Franklin Township. they will be in attendance also at that roundt meeting. Um you know in in
062addition to any sort of shared service exploration uh they are keenly interested um in the uh regionalization conversation uh and something they are are very very open to exploring and and having discussions about as well. Um so I anticipate that conversation will continue in that forum as well. any just questions or clarifications on any of those specific items? Beyond that, we have our next two meetings, April 21st, our working session, and April 28th, our annual budget hearing uh and regular board meetings. So, it's sort of the book end to the preliminary budget tonight and the work that has led up to tonight uh as things get finalized for the next year. Uh all right, we now have our opportunity for public comment. During this portion of the meeting, the public is invited to address the
063board of education with comments. You are requested to sign the register provided and state your name, municipality of residents, group affiliation if applicable, and direct your comments to the school board president. While all comments will be considered by the board of education, and a response may be forthcoming if and when appropriate. Individual board members may not respond to the speakers at the time um of their appearance. The public comment period will be a maximum of 30 minutes in length unless there are unusual circumstances. You'll be allocated 3 minutes to speak and no one will be permitted to speak more than once on the same topic until all others who wish to speak on that topic topic have been heard. Please keep your comments respectful and non-defamy and maintain the level of decorum appropriate for a
064public meeting where students may be present and in the audience. Uh, so I'd like to turn over the microphone to any folks who would like to come forward and speak at this time. Hi, I'm JP Label from Union Township and I'll direct it uh directly to President McKisac. The Prism Concert is not the silent disco. You cannot wear headphones at Prism Concert. I'm really here to advertise Prism Concert, having been a band and a theater person myself. Um I've been talking with Bonnie uh Wilt. She's one of the fundraisers for the North Hunter and Music Association. She's doing a great job. And I want to cordially invite all of you to our fabulous and unique, very unique to North one and only Prism concert. It'll be this Thursday, two days away, people um from 8
065to 10. You can pre purchase tickets online. Uh where else could you experience various choirs, a jazz band, a concert band, an orchestra, the soloists, and every aspect of our wonderful music department. If you've never been, you need to come and be amazed. And if you have experienced prison before, you know that you do not want to miss it again. Um I'm looking forward to seeing all of you there. And having said that, being a band parent, um I want I wish it's a shame Max left. They were great in Shrek. I was in uh leading my high school theater. It was awesome. And my like he was drum major. My kids were drum majors and bar marching band members and so on. I would just encourage the board to be a little more timely
066in approving things like the Disneyland trips or Disney World trips that only happen every once every four years and buses and things like that to the airports and so on because that's really one of the few things that helps recruit when you hear all the wonderful things being done at both high schools. Sometimes you need some bait and a Disney trip always brings kids in. you know, having seen our marching bands go from 150 people to less than 100 is disappointing. And also seeing in just in general um either the apathy or the non-commmitment or whatever of kids who don't want to participate in different events. It's heartwarming to hear how many events we had going on, how many are succeeding, how many do well. And to this day, I my some of my high
067school memories are my best and during during rough times. So, by show of hands, who are all coming to the prism? I don't that's kind of a half. Come on. I want to see Come on. Come on. See you all at prism. >> Uh any other public comment at this time? So, Glennis, Union Township. So, I just wanted to commend the administration for the uh preliminary budget you're presenting tonight. Um, I have to say when I heard the cost that Katie presented back in February and when I saw the relatively flat state aid, uh, I was, uh, I was thought you would have a difficult time getting the number you got tonight. So, I I commend you for your hard work and the hard work of the board. Um and certainly that number as many
068of you new to the board are realizing that's that's the that's their hard work but also their foresight um and foreseeing the future right so I think you're beginning to see those of you new here that we have an excellent team running our schools right so I think you'll see that more and more as you work here um I sort of I sort of ask you right step back from the numbers sometimes right it's easy to get lost in in the in the single numbers it's easy to get lost in test scores and ask yourself more holistically like what's happening Okay, I've had four kids go through this school and year over year I asked myself, am I getting value for my money? And I and I could see that, right? And I don't have
069kids in this school anymore, but it took literally five minutes for me tonight to listen to these representatives and listen to these young men on the hockey team for me to say to myself, am I getting value for my money? And the answer is, right, astoundingly yes. Right? I I you could see it live tonight. Right? You're getting value for your money. And for you, I think you got to ask yourselves, I I don't love the tax numbers, right? And I I appreciate putting these numbers to your constituents is not an easy thing to do, but look holistically at what you're getting for the value of the money, right? And I think you saw it tonight, right? We are producing excellent students. Sit at graduation and listen to yourselves and hear the graduation rates and
070hear that your students are going to excellent colleges. They're going to the trades, right? You had a only a handful of young men here tonight and you heard a smattering of of colleges and trades, right? And that's that's not typical for every high school, certainly in in not this state, but also in the tri-state area, right? And so we have it it's our responsibility as as adults of this community to provide opportunities for our students, right? And and again, I I I appreciate the number that's that you're being shown tonight is not as easy number to swallow. It's not as easy number to present to your constituents, but ask yourself, are we getting value for that money? And I think you saw it tonight. Resoundingly, the answer is year is yes. So again, my uh
071my uh congratulations to you for that budget and I was again I'm astonished you were able to get it in at that number given what you were facing. Thank you. Any additional public comment? Okay. Um, I would just say to the supporters of the music community and the band community, as somebody who's worked in public education for many years, um, those communities are some of the most powerful communities, uh, I think among students. So, it's great to to hear their accomplishments and and hear what they're doing. Uh, and you know, the statement that those are the some of the most powerful memories that that kids have. Uh, that's something I've seen throughout my career. um and just seeing those students year in year out. Um those are those are some of the strongest bonds I
072think we see in in public education. So um thank you for your continued support. All right. If there are no additional comments, we will go to curriculum, instruction, and technology. Um we can I get a um call for a motion and a second to approve agenda item 10.1. Can I get a motion, Dan? Can I get a second? >> Second, Tara. Thank you. So, we have our home instruction um updates here. Any questions or clarifications for the administration? Okay. All in favor? >> I opposed or abstain? >> None. All right. Thank you. Uh next, we're moving to uh policy and school security. Can I get a call for a motion and second to approve agenda item 1 through I'm sorry 111 through 113. Can I get a motion? Brian, thank you. Can I get a
073second? >> Dan, thank you. Uh questions, clarifications. Obviously, these were the um if you recall from last week, these were the policies that were missing from the import of uh schoolboard policies and along with their regulations and exhibits. We took an initial look at them in committee, brought them to the working session, and they're here again um with some of the details fleshed out. I saw that the um the director of curriculum has inherited the role of smoking education for parents as as an assignment. Um, so good luck, Rich Brown. Um, open the floor for questions and additional questions, comments, or clarifications. >> Okay. Uh, all in favor? >> I opposed. Abstension. >> Yes. >> Uh, I'm a no on 11.1.1. >> Okay. Uh, we now move to finance, facilities, and transportation. Uh, can I
074get a call for a motion and second to approve uh, agenda item 12.1, the resolution and adoption of our preliminary budget and annual maximum travel expenditures? Motion, Tara. Second, Andy. Thank you. Uh, questions, clarifications. I know we have, is this time for the presentation? Yep. Okay. So, questions and clarifications during the presentation, after the presentation. And this was, if you recall, um, also shared with you, so you should have it, uh, from an email from Katie. Uh, Stephen, thank you for that suggestions on our aging eyes. I haven't seen this. >> It's in the BO resources. >> Thank you. >> Okay. In January, we talked about our cost containment and how we've been able to contain costs over the past several years. We talked about revenues last month and now I'm presenting a preliminary budget
075to be submitted to the county office. So, I'll let Rich talk a little bit about our budget goals and how we shape our budget around these goals. >> So, we've talked about these multiple times now, so I'm not going to read every component of this, but I want to make sure I highlight, you know, what the important parts of these are. Um, you know, number one and first and foremost, maintaining our comprehensive educational and extracurricular programs. I think we heard a lot of that tonight. You know, a lot of the student reports, a lot of things you heard about about the accomplishments of our students are um in the classroom, but also outside of the classroom. And I think providing those opportunities is a a primary goal for any budget to be able to make
076sure that students have, you know, the academic um support that they need, but also the experience that they should have in high school. And I think our students leave with a great experience and they are prepared academically. Um so number one I think is the reason it's number one is most important. We do have to also ensure safe and functional facilities. Um this budget does aim to do that. Just the maintenance of our buildings. When you look around our buildings, I never thought I would talk about HVAC as much as I do, but you know fresh air is pretty important in a building this size. And um you know just again cutting the grass, making sure that flowers are planted, making sure the bushes are trimmed. These are all things that um this budget will
077provide for and we'll continue to see the excellence in our facilities um that we currently have. Attracting and retaining highly qualified staff. Um you know, that would be a really close second to number one for me because um you know, if we we we we want to make sure that we have the best staff for our students. Um and I'm confident that we we have that um and we continue to maintain that. And so it's not only attracting them, but it's keeping those staff members and making sure that they feel supported and happy. And those are all the things that we've talked about many things. It's why one of our district goals is, you know, staff climate to make sure that our staff and faculty feel supported. Um, this board does that. They support the
078faculty and staff. They see it, they hear it, they feel it. Um, I know that from being in that strategic planning advisory committee. That's what that's the feedback that I get from from that committee is that um they see what this board does and how it supports them and they appreciate that. And I hope that you appreciate them as much as I do. uh as we do want to exercise fiscal responsibility and cost containment and again when you look at some of the things that we were able to cut in this budget uh 1.6 6 million alto together close to 1.7 now. Um you know again we tried to stay as far away from students as we could right as as far away from the classroom as we could as far away from activities as
079we could. Um and really got creative in ways to try to restructure some things with attrition of staff and restructuring things so that we were able to save the 1.7 million and bring this budget to a 4.29% increase instead of a 4.6. I you know I wish we could have gotten lower but um as in we'll talk about when we get to one slide how we we're $1.6 million less now than we were in 2018 2019 with the state um funding formula and that 1.6 if you think about it that's exactly what we're missing right now. So you know 2% would have been easy if we had the state funding that we thought we were going to have. And then last u but not least is aligning with our strategic goals and state mandates. So,
080our strategic plan, you know, really outlines what our community wanted. We spent a full year, you know, talking to our community, surveying them and asking them what they wanted. And these are this our strategic plan lays out what our community expects over the next 5 years. Um, so this budget supports that. It also supports the state mandates that we don't have a choice whether or not we want to participate in them. So, those state those state mandates are typically unfunded. You know, the state doesn't say we need you need to do this and we're going to give you a little bit more money to do it. they just say you need to do it. Um and then it's on us and our taxpayers to be able to make sure that is implemented. So um I
081hope you know everyone read over these budget goals. I think we we wrote these you know um so that you would really understand what we try to do from a philosophical standpoint while developing this budget which is a lot of numbers but those numbers translate to student experience. So >> So what were our budget challenges this year? And as Rich has already um stated, the state aid funding that we've been receiving is what we're going to be talking about in the next few slides. The adequacy formula is not keeping pace with the expenditure increases. And we've been seeing that the past several years. It doesn't keep pace with the actual costs of our transportation, our special education needs, and our security. Healthcare costs are rising at a significant rate. And it's an anomaly year. We
082have very reliable and consistent rate increases in the shift as we've had in the past several years as we're a part of a GIF where there's several districts all participating in the same plan. But this 20% increase that we're experiencing this year is unfortunately the best scenario in a very poor marketplace right now. Um the state health benefit plan is seeing rate increases greater than 30 35% right now. So this requires our district to raise our levy above the 2% in order to um keep pace with that expenditure. Our special education costs are rising greater than 2%. And the district out of district placements are actually reducing for this year which helped our budget in this scenario. Based on our excellent indistrict programs, we're able to keep more students in district and keep them from
083going out of district. Transportation costs do rise greater than 2%. There are driver shortages and increasing gasoline costs which also drive up the route costs for transportation. And again, state mandates require district participation in programs that require additional staffing or costs to us. So in order to stay compliant, it does squeeze our budget. So how did we bridge the gap and deal with those challenges? So again, as we presented at the last budget meeting, we talked about our budget drivers increasing at a rate much greater than our expected revenue. So how did we bridge this gap? There's an indist program proposed for next year. So that is included in this budget. So it will reduce our out of district costs. We're supporting indistrict special programs and reducing our out of district professional costs. We're right
084sizing our non-instructional staff members at both buildings. Streamlining our security operations. Continued cohort expansion at Polytech programs without increasing our staff in our buildings but increasing the number of students coming from their programs. reduction in our staffing through attrition as Richard had mentioned and reducing our budget requests from the buildings. So as far as enrollment, these two charts talk speak to the Vorhees enrollment and north enrollment. So our base population at North and Worhees are slightly declining. However, you can see on these charts that the Hunter County vocational programs, which are the smaller pieces at the bottom of each bar, are both stabilizing our total enrollment. So the first chart is Borhees and the students are the our students meaning the North Borgheis students are the top bar. So those you know reddish orange largest
085bar the smaller pieces at the bottom the blue the orange the yellow are each of the vocational programs at the Borhees building. The second chart is for North Hunter High School and the largest green bar are obviously our north students and the smaller orange is the bioed academy and the blue piece is the new north campus building right below our building here. That building has two years of cohorts right now and we're expecting two more. So right now we have freshman and sophomore and over the next two years they'll be adding also you know juniors and seniors as they're um expanding their programs and also adding additional programs in that building. So we're hoping that those numbers also increase over the course of time while our student enrollment may be declining slightly. We'll see those
086um increasing. And just one quick question. So if they take shared programs at the VOTE or Polytech, they take their uh core curriculum classes at North, they become a full-time student and take all of their core curriculum in our building. So they walk back and forth between the building. >> Okay. >> So if if it's one of our students, it's sort of they they come off our roles and go on Polytech roles, but we still teach all their core academic classes. if it is a student from outside of our um footprint um they're coming in they're still taking all their core academic classes but they're act they still don't help our enrollment so our enrollment numbers if anything are lower because of polytech but we end up getting um a significant portion of that tuition
087back because we provide the academic courses >> do we know how many I mean this is probably a question for another time but do we know how many of our students we would have lost to another vote but instead now come here and stay within district So the programs here it's typically about 50% North Borhees kids in the programs give or take the program. There are some that are a little bit heavier on North Borhees and not so heavy. Um so you could theoretically say that those students we would have lost those students to another votech program but it probably wouldn't be the same number because a student get that gets to stay here at Norththeast and um be a part of that program they that's an advantage to them because they get to stay
088in their home school. If they had to leave their home school to go to a different school they might choose not to do that. Okay, >> you're right. Other districts that are sending their students here then incur the cost of not only the tuition to attend Polytech but also the transportation because it's the responsibility of the district to provide the transportation to the students. So if that building was on another campus, we would be paying for the student to attend and to transport to the students. So we would be incurring significantly more costs. So the revenue comparison from last year, the major changes include an increase in tax levy of 4.29% 29% a decrease in our anticipated extraordinary aid a decrease in our budgeted fund balance from the prior year a small decrease in the
089miscellaneous revenue and a small increase in state gate which we'll talk about again in more detail in another slide so focusing on state aid you can see this chart has the past several years and the S2 stating cuts have impacted us in a very significant way and I know we've talked about this at length but it is important to keep noting that the district had $1.9 million cut government's budget over the course of that six-year period. Um, so again, although we've seen two years of small increases, again, it's not keeping pace though with the increase of expenditures each year. So it is bearing the burden on the taxpayer and not on the state to keep pace with the cost of education. >> And correct me if I'm wrong, that was I mean, I realize we're
090going back a number of years now. That was part of the strategy of why the district formed the partnerships with the magnet structure with the polytech because it was recognizing that if state aid was going to be decreasing over 7 years, if you weren't doing anything to make your program and building attractive enough to bring students from outside or keep them, um there wasn't going to be anything to offset that loss. >> Yeah, the the revenue was a big part of that. Um, but it was also to make sure we kept our students in district as well. So, >> quick question. So, what are the actual mechanics that go into the excuse me, the state funding formula? Like what are they using to figure out increases and decreases? Like what you understand what I'm saying?
091Like what formula like what's inside the formula that they're coming out with these calculations? >> That's a good question. There's many components to it. They do take a six-year rolling average of enrollment. Um, and then they determine how far over adequacy you are. It's about a six-page document that they give you. But the nuance to that is, but how much are they funding it? And are they funding it in 100% of what it should be? And that's where the same thing with the XA conversation. What we're entitled to versus what we receive is the difference. So, I could share that again in another meeting or off to the side. I could show you some calculations on that. Um, but it's really how much they're funding the formula itself >> than it is the calculation. >>
092So, I guess if I'm clarifying on Rich's question, the state has a formula that they've determined this is how you determine what is considered adequate funding for for students, right? >> And then even though it's their formula that they've designed, they then give us less than what that formula would entail. And um I don't know if this is what you're getting at, Rich. Like what is the rationale for having a formula that says we should fund at this level, but we're going to actually fund it. >> Yeah. At a port a portion of it. >> And there's a portion of the calculation that takes into account transportation costs and special education costs. But the argument is always our professional organization goes to Trenton and advocates for districts to say it doesn't make sense that those
093calculations that you have are nowhere near realistic, right? The transportation costs that we're incurring are not what you're portraying on this for funding formula and then you're not also funding it properly. So there's multiple layers of issues. >> All right. So then all right, I I guess I'll reiterate for the people like me in the back who are trying to understand. So a the the for they determine the formula. The formula is not realistic because it doesn't keep pace with the expenditures and the costs of goods and services and educating students. So in addition to not being realistic, they still fund it lower. But is there I mean is there an argument or a rationale on the part of the state as to why even even if it's not realistic, what's the argument for why
094they don't fund it? But is there a rale? I I think it's because it's all part of a big budget and they say this is how much we're willing to spend and you know so they may say if you added if you follow their formula and you multiply by all the students it should be some number X but Trenton says I'm not going to spend X give you X I'm going to spend 90% of X or 80% of X on education >> prior to S2 for for a long time. Um it was what they called flat funding. So everybody basically got what they got the year before and that hurt a lot of districts to be perfectly honest. Um you know as our enrollments were slightly going down we got the same exact funding. And
095then what happened other districts their enrollments were going up and they were getting exactly this same flat funding. So S2 the intention with this was to come up with a more equitable distribution of those funds throughout the state. Whether or not that is equitable that is you know up for debate. Uh but that was the intention of this and that's why it was put in place and that's why you will hear of districts that are um gaining money over the last you know seven years that we lost money there were districts that gained money. Um we just weren't. So I guess my other question is so if we know the if you know the formula right does that help you kind of come up with okay if they fund it at 100% this is where
096we think the number is going to be like can you make that predetermination based on the formula that they gave you meaning like the factor that you don't have to Brian's point is how much of that formula gets funded but does that even help assist like to guide you on where you think it should be if it was at 100% Let me just make sure I I understand what you're asking is if I were to put in the calculation what I think should be fully funded. Again, that's an estimation and it doesn't mean that they're going to be fully funding that formula, right? But you're just saying if it was fully funded, what would it be? >> Yeah. Like if it was fully funded, would that help guide you in advance? Say, okay. Meaning like
097here's the formula. So here's what we would get based on their formula if they funded it at 100%. Right? >> Here's what we would get if they funded it at 90%. And then does that guide you to say, "Okay, I have no idea if we're getting 100%, 80%, 70%." But does that help you come up with those calculations? So you can't control what they fund, but at least does that give you guidance on what you should or what we should get at the what at whatever level they funded. Does that make sense? It does make sense, but I don't think that's what I would use as my rational. We tend to rely on our county office who has direct line to Trenton to say, you know, where do we think they are for this year
098and then they tell us where we think we might be landing for our stating members. >> Yeah, the the calculation is um one factor, but it's how they're going to implement that calculation. Our county office usually has additional additional information on that. >> So, they'll be able to tell us like get ready. it's going to be a tough year. You know, the state budget's going to be very tough and you're going to have you you might see cuts. Um or they might say plan for flat and that's what they did this year. They said plan for flat. Um and so we listened to the county office and we were pretty close. $17,000 increase was >> more or less pretty much flat. >> So if I'm hearing you correctly, the funding formula is garbage. >> That's
099that's the consensus kind of most use it for anything. >> Exactly. >> No. when it comes to what for for state aid. Yes, we don't rely on state aid as um >> we're not relying on any increases in state aid from year to year. >> And the max uh increase is 6% and the the max decrease is 3%. Is that correct? >> This year. >> Yeah. That could change next year and every year. >> It totally depends on how much they want to fund. No, >> it makes sense. It's garbage. >> Yeah. I just had a question about the the other slide where the the uh revenue from the state over the years. So this is not inflation adjusted either, right? So >> yes. >> So like it's 1.6% 1.6 million difference, but inflation it's
100it's way higher. >> These are just flat numbers like from as if as if the dollar in 2018 was having the same value as the dollar today, right? If you were to take this 18/19 first bar and adjust that for inflation over each year, you're right. That would look like a >> it would be a huge much bigger. Okay. >> Which is arguably everyone says, you know, your budget goes up 2%. That's not the case because our state aid revenue is always flat. So it's always usually more like a 1.8% increase in the total expenditure. You know, the ability to raise those funds. But Rich, to your point, and I know there's, you know, not that school boards have a lot of tools at their disposal to push back on this, um, you know, we
101do have a voice as a school board. we can um we can put resolutions together that say hey you know we are facing unprecedented challenges uh whether it's your formula or the way that the state is uh handling health care or whatever those things are um we might be a small voice but we certainly can be a voice in that and we can be a voice that can engage with other voices and I could I could also see that as the round table gets together I imagine there will be a number of folks who will feel that way and I feel that you've got it you've got a couple of organizations out there. We certainly have school boards who who but I don't know I don't know enough about their their their political uh sort
102of advocacy for for funding and things like that. >> We do and we've had sessions on the county level and I'm going to push for our September as a of finance. We're going to have them come in and discuss this cuz even the experts there will talk about the formula and kind of chuckle because it should be straightforward and it's not. >> That's the thing I don't understand. >> It should be predictable. Yeah. Exactly. >> Like it doesn't make any sense. Like you have a formula that's you can't rely on, >> right? >> So it's garbage in garbage out, right? So you're it's like you're rolling the dice. >> Like the business office has nothing to rely on if the formula does itself is broken, right? So I don't know. seems like other school boards
103or boards are grappling with this like nobody can get their arms around what the formula actually consists of >> now. We're too late for this delegate assembly in May, but if we want it to put together and we might and we probably could get a lot of Hunter County and Morris County and Warren and the others a resolution and go and from school boards go into Trenton and say, "Hey, every year we're dealing with this. Here's a resolution. We want to fix this going forward for our board and future boards and our taxpayers. So, >> or even good, it's a good point, Barbara. Even if they just gave us an explanation how to decipher, I don't think they don't. I mean, that doesn't surprise me. But like, but even if we disagree with the formula,
104at least we should have an understanding how to how to read it or how to use it so we can plan accordingly, which sounds like a we can't do that. And then on top of that, you don't know at what level it's going to be fun. So, it's complete garbage. >> But I do think, you know, and and admittedly, I feel like this has been an issue and a complaint for many years. I mean, when I was on the board previously at CPS, it was every year it was what's going on with the with the funding, the formula, years of decreases. And I think individually, you often feel powerless as an individual board. Uh the opportunity to unify forces or voices. I know there's professional organizations, both superintendent and business administrators, who are probably pointing
105these things out all the time um to the absurdity of this. I just don't know at what point you hit a critical mass where enough districts, enough folks are saying enough already. Let's bring some clarity to this and and and we need solutions that aren't going to be yearover-year 20% healthc care spikes and things that are just demonstrabably beyond our control. Um, I mean, I'm I'm certainly willing to engage in that conversation and help organize um those conversations, that voice, and that sort of campaigning. Um, because otherwise, we're going to be back in a different version of this next year. And, uh, Rich, if I could I could if I could leaz you directly to Trenton as the that might actually accomplish something. No choice. Yeah, I had a question. Do we have any idea
106when the the formula was last looked at? >> I read an article, I think it was 15 years ago, that that it was implemented and that the 25 26 school year was the first time it actually was fully adapted. So, it hasn't even been like working properly. I think >> they pretty much ignored it for over 10 years. Like was saying, they just said flat funding. So, they took the formula and said, "Don't worry about that. just same as last year for several years. Now they're using the formula again, but it's also not fully funded. So again, you can't rely on it because you can calculate it all you want. But then when they say, well, it's actually 60% of what that is%. >> So much has changed years that it's now arbitrary to use
107and and it should be looked at again to you know see how it can be adjusted, >> right? But if costs for something go up 20% each year, there's that's not sustainable. I mean, nothing goes up 20% each year, >> no amount of of formula work, right? >> Formula. >> And again, if you look at >> these historical numbers like this year is an anomaly because of healthcare. >> That's that's the only reason we're even having this discussion right now. Otherwise, we would be in that 23 26. you know, we still have to keep up with the other um >> costs, but that that it would be a half percentage point or or around that. It wouldn't be another 2%, which is >> it's one thing that's driving. >> Yes. And hope and again, they're
108saying this is a oneoff, you know, so that we that we shouldn't expect 20% healthcare increases every year. Um I'm hoping that's the case. I don't believe that until I actually see it. >> What were the health costs increase last year? They were last year was about 8% >> 8% still more than >> right but 8% is still a relatively large increase for anyone minor I mean think about your personal budgets >> without a doubt yeah but again that 8% we were able to you know um cover with a 2.7 last year >> what was the year Katie that because Katie did a lot of work and we were facing this with healthcare and you went into this >> it was the double digit increase in 201 >> 2021 And that's when we went out
109for a new health insurance broker. We entered the shift and then we were get seeing normal rate increases until just last year. >> But again, that's the marketplace unfortunately in general. >> But it was we were >> we were plan and then you ride the wave of your own claims experience is that difficult. >> But I think to Andrea's point to be able to say that 8% is normal is challenging, >> right? itself, >> but there is still a big difference between 8 and 20%. >> And you know, it is hard to think that next year they're going to say, "Oh, you're back to 3% in healthcare." I mean, that would be a wonderful and amazing, but >> especially since this is a big chunk of the budget. It's not some tiny little sliver that's
110growing at 20%. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> This is the second, right? >> Okay. Sorry. So the proposed budget increase is a 4.29% to the local tax levy for the general fund of 2627. The primary budget driver for this increase is through the 20% increase in the health benefit cost. As we've been talking about, the total tax authority for this year is 4.6. However, due to the small increase in state aid and further budget reductions that we've been able to do, we are proposing a budget that is 4.29%. This will generate $171,975 of bank cap for future budget years. So, if you're familiar with bank cap, if you do not go up to your taxing authority, you could take that money and spread it over the next three budget years or leave it alone and
111never touch it again. But because you did not go up to your maximum tax levy, you can use that a future year. >> What was that dollar marking? >> $171,975. What was our our max was the max the first proposed percentage of the test levy or was it high? >> No, it was actually less than the 4.6. Last week we proposed 4.5. Yes. >> But the so the max though is >> it's 4.6. >> Right. Okay. And so since it's still below that, >> we were below it and then >> the money rolls over to use next year. Three >> next. >> You can use it next year. You can use it over the course of the next three budget years. Then it expires. It expires after 3 years. So you can use all of
112it. You can use all of it. >> All it year two, you can use part of it in year one, part of it in year three. You can, you know, you have leeway as how you can use that or you don't use it and it just expires and and it's okay too. >> So is the bank cap like real money in our bank account or is it >> no taxing authority? >> It's just it's like >> I don't want to say funny money, but it's not. I think the way to correct me wrong, but I think the way to think about it is let's say next year >> we don't have a exception. So we're at the 2% is the max. >> We could code whatever 2% >> translates to in terms of the tax
113>> and add $171,975. So would effectively look like I don't know 2.2% or something like that. >> So I mean this is not money that's free. >> Correct. the taxpayer in a future year will have to give it to us. >> Okay. Okay. >> Correct. >> But it's a way to >> it's like that extra beyond whatever there is beyond 2% because this year the >> we didn't use >> 2.6 >> points beyond 2% or because of the healthcare increase. >> It's leftover taxing authority that we can leverage in a sub. That that explains it in a way that >> now I understand >> because I think last year if I recall we didn't have any bank cap. I think LA the year before what we used up whatever >> we had. Yeah. Something along
114that. >> That was going to be my next question. So is on a rolling three is there anything left in or like what's in there now? >> There was not anything entering into this year. You generated it and that's what's going to be in for next year. But then there was there would be two years because you could use it for three. >> We could use it right we could go. >> So over the prior two right the you got a bank cap up for the prior two years leading up to this year. So >> right but we did not have any we we went up to the full taxing authority those years. So there was nothing banked. >> Okay. So this is basically this the 171 975 is everything >> is everything. >> Okay.
115>> I think for the and I can't remember the three or four years before the last two years I think we were using some bank cap each year. >> Correct. So the 0% year obviously we generated bank cap by not going up to the 2%. So then we used the bank cap over those three years with the asterisk. >> Okay. >> But we also refunded um monies that was from the referendum. So there the projects that were done over the referendum came in less than budgeted. So we're able to refund that to the taxpayers. But what we did was we refunded that over the course of the three years that we increased the taxing authority but then also gave them a refund. their net tax bill was actually less than 2%. >> So those numbers
116that we see 1.6 1.7 2.2 were the workings of bank cap in concert with the referendum. Yes. >> Okay. >> So that's the whole idea that by having the leftover you can bring down that percent in future years. >> Right. And the one and 171 could theoretically we could spend 20,000 one year and 50,000 and whatever the bank the three years. >> Yes. or allin-one shop. >> Uh Rich, I didn't I saw your hand before, but you're good. Okay, Stephen. >> So, it's still though this is money that we can collect from taxpayers in the future. This that so that you can anticipate if you have a budget shortfall, so to say, you can say, "Oh, well, I've got 170 grand. We can take we can ask for 30 grand. We'll take this extra lo."
117whatever that percent equates to to next year's tax levy increase because it might be capped at 2% so then you can ask for that little bit extra but it's not >> you're like yeah >> you're exactly right >> all right but >> yeah for a while when I first came on I thought it was like kind of free money like oh >> because of the holding money it's not >> we didn't charge >> yes that's exactly We didn't charge you 4.6 now, but we will over 3 years. >> We could. >> Yeah. >> We're trying not to. >> We're okay. Yeah. >> And again, that's up to future boards, right? The future boards will have the ability to use a spend cap if they so choose. >> That's what it comes down to. >> And
118that would be recommended off of administrations budgeting forecasts and things like that, saying this might need be needed potentially, maybe. Who knows? and and where state aid goes, >> right? >> Yeah. >> Maybe we write some good resolutions and get some good stuff. >> Katie, what what is the threshold to use the um the uh waiver, the health insurance waiver? >> The threshold to use >> that you could pull that >> the maximum that we could go to. >> No, no. What how do you how do you use like what like Yeah. >> Oh, how is it calculated? >> No, no, no. >> No. what allows us to use the the healthare that's a calculation. So so if your healthcare costs at the state level they use the state health benefit plan as kind of
119their guide and they say if that goes over 2% that triggers the health insurance adjustment for all the districts. So it kind of opens that screen in our software where you can say okay well what is our increase ours was 20 is that still more than 2% yes. So, they allow you to take anything over 2% as a health insurance adjustment. So, 18% of our health insurance um increase was able to be used as a health insurance adjustment. So, that's how they get to that $1.4 million number. >> So, >> that was available to us to go over the 2%. >> So, in other words, it is some recognition at the state level that healthcare costs if our state plan is going up this much, we recognize that everybody's plans are going up. So, we
120need to be a little more flexible and give you a little more leeway and authority to go above. >> Correct. We will allow you to raise your tax authority over 2% because of this reason >> because they recognize that the costs have spiked, >> right? >> So, so Brown and Brown should would basically be able to tell us kind of within Q4, I would assume at the latest of this year, right? About where the increase is going to be for >> Right. Right. Right. >> So that'll that'll that'll give you an idea if you can pull that lever because that'll be available. Correct. >> You mean if that's going to be available to districts that there's likely to be >> correct because we know we're not going to have the enrollment waiver available to us
121anytime soon. >> And I'm trying to remember Rich cuz we heard from Brown and Brown in November and at that time they were kind of signaling that it was >> He said he said 30%. He said 30% but we're we're hoping to do better or something to that effect. Yeah. >> Uh Stephen, I didn't want to lose yours. >> Sorry, that's back to that that tax stuff. >> How was it refunded to taxpayers? Like literally like >> or the referendum project. So you said we were able to refund the taxpayers. Was it a literal financial refund to constituents like that? They like how does that work? So what we were able to do is in in my accounting world there's different funds. So general fund is our operating budget. Debt service fund is where your
122referendum funds sit. So it's in a separate fund um to track those capital projects related to referendums. So after all those projects were completed, there was money left over, right? So instead of doing any additional projects that were um kind of under the umbrella of that referendum, we decided that being that it was a significant amount of money that we could give it to the taxpayers. So how does that look? When we prepared the budget, um there's a separate taxing um percentage on your tax bill for referendum approval votes. So after you the the taxpayers have approved a referendum on their tax bill, there's a separate debt service assessment. So, what we're able to do in the budget software is take the money that um that we can refund them and lower that debt service
123assessment because there is long-term debt associated with those projects. So, we're kind of lowering the payment that we have to make against those capital projects on your tax bill. So, it's like taking the two lines on your tax bill that's like North Warhees and the referendum vote. We're able to lower the referendum debt service percentage that you're paying in taxes. So it acts like a credit on your >> It's almost like a credit on your tax bill versus the general fund which is our operating budget. >> Thank you very much. >> And we're and we're not >> sorry that was it's complicated. >> It is very complicated. Thank you for that. >> And we're not the way I understand for a referendum you're you can only use those funds for the projects >> or something
124related to those projects. Yeah. Like if it expand but you can't just spend it on >> the inclusion of that. We realized that there really wasn't anything else that we could tie into that. So we thought it was best to just >> and also we're not in that situation right now. We they closed the books on that and we do not have a current we're not paying any other referendum. >> No, that was the the last long-term referendum. Um the last short-term referendum, we have slowly been returning the funds to Capital Reserve, but as you remember, that was a one-year referendum. So that was just Capital Reserve funds and the money that we got from the state. That was not long-term debt that we gave, you know, that we asked the taxpayers to approve. >>
125Okay, Tara, did you Thank you. >> So, the health benefit waiver, I know we've already now kind of talked about that at length. Um, but again, that's calculated. It's um the reason for the going above the 2% is due to that health benefit waiver that's available to districts for this year. Um, again, because we're having the state health benefit plan increase over 30% next year, our health benefit increases 20%, which again allows our tax levy increase to be over 2% to address that large increase in health benefits. And there are other adjustments that can be used in the budget, but none of them are available to us this year, just the health benefit adjustment. So, total revenue comparison, the lo local tax levy, you can see the dollar changes 2.4 4 million. Other revenues, tuition
126and interest, that was a small reduction, but of $120,000. Again, just a decrease in anticipated interest in other tuition revenue. Our state aid, you can see this number is going down and Brian made a good point um via email today. This state aid number also includes X aid, which is extraordinary aid. We talked about that. That's um every year that is not guaranteed by the state. So, we are assuming that we are receiving less next year because they again have been underfunding that each year. So although our state aid numbers that are guaranteed for next year are increasing by 17,000 in change, we are assuming $100,000 less in X8. So you're seeing that net number of 83,000. Our Medicaid reimbursement is related to SEI. That's a mandatory program that we must participate in. These numbers
127are given to us by the state of what we can expect. Not a huge number, but it's an increase from last year. Budgeted fund balance is less than last year. Again, each year it's going to be more difficult for us to generate fund balance. So, we need to get used to reducing our reliance on that budgeted fund balance because again, that's assuming that we're generating a surplus that we can carry forward into a future budget year. And that's going to become very difficult as we feel the squeeze of increased cost, >> right? >> What is our historical budgeted fund balance like? Has it been around that five, five and a half? >> It has been more than that at times. So, we've been trying to dig it down each year to to again get used
128to knowing that it's not going to be there over a course of time, but we can't take a huge hit in one budget year. So, we're trying to do it over the course of several. >> Is it is there a percentage that you you know, is it almost like, you know, you're you're retired and you're you're 4% kind of you're pulling 4% out per year or something like that, >> right? Um I don't know the the percentage of the budget off the top of my head, but um yeah, we are trying to lower that to closer to like a 5%. I think the last time I looked it was more like the 80. >> Okay. >> Um so again, going down the rest of the line, federal and state aid revenue and grants, we're expecting
129a decrease. We usually do conservative budgeting for any of our ESA and IDA grant funds. So that's about 80% of what was received this year. Death service again is fairly flat. small increase but that's based on the debt service schedule or payment schedule that we have related to those capital projects and the debt service aid debt service aid from the state is their contribution towards those capital projects. So overall total increase of 1 approximately $9 million for the total budget. >> So quick question. So the budgeted fund balance excess surplus, >> right? >> Can you just walk me through what exactly that is again? >> So over the course of last budget year, which would be 2425, the close of the audit, they'd determine how much is excess surplus, which is either unspent expenditures, appropriations,
130or additional revenues, which is could be additional extraordinary aid on the revenue items that we weren't anticipating. So at the conclusion of that year, they determine what the excess surplus is that we can carry into a future budget year. Obviously, you can't carry from 2425 directly into the next budget year because that budget has already been completed. So it's for the second budget year out. So 2425 carries into 2627's budget year. >> Okay? >> So you're relying on the fact that you have a prior year's surplus to balance your budget in a future budget year. So again, that's why it makes sense to lessen your reliance on assuming that those funds will be available. >> So these are monies that are available to the district, >> correct? >> Okay. So and and yeah. Yeah. So
131that's right. So essentially is that 5.2 >> assuming that you could be fiscally responsible during an entire budget year and try to squeeze every last dollar out of that budget so that you can generate surplus so that you can fund your next budget cycle. >> Okay. So said differently, worst case scenario, if that actually happens, you have $5.2 million of discretionary funds that you can tap into now. Correct. >> Discretionary funds that I can tap into. >> Yes. Like this is available. These are monies that are available to the district. Correct. >> Something something catastrophic happens. We need >> we need $5 million. We have it, >> right? >> Not even really that was built this year. Yeah, >> it's built >> built this year with that number to start with. >> So it's not
132the what we expect to spend this year includes what we raised from tax revenue, what we got from state sources and this amount >> surplus, >> but it's still a surplus. >> Surplus. Yeah, >> I know we're not adding to it, but >> it's an old year surplus. It's already built into the budget. So it's not extra money. It's not anything we try to like, oh sweet, we got extra 5 million. No, no, I know that. I'm just >> And I guess are there some catastrophic things? Yes, that that is sort of >> I know that's not how things work. I mean, we would never got we would never have that. But >> and you also have to remember that's not like the budget that we're working in currently is 2526. That's the school year
133that we're working in. These were funds generated from the last budget year. So each year we're going to feel the effect of not being able to generate that much surplus each year because of the cost rising and the revenue not being um fully funded by the state that we're used to receiving. >> So I guess I'm just so that going back to Dan's point. So so this is money that are available to the district to use or or it's not. >> At the conclusion of last year's audit, we set aside this money as I guess the best way to say it's more like an equity account for the district. you know, it's like a balance sheet number that we know is set aside and restricted for your budget preparation for 2627. It's not something that
134can be touched because it's already been allocated for a future budget year. But I think Rich, if I'm understanding your line of inquiry and if I'm not clarify, you're saying strategically looking ahead is is this money that you could be leveraging towards budgets even though you'd be recognizing that you'd be drawing down sort of your reserve and you do it at there's risk involved in drawing down reserve. >> That's exactly right. I guess where I I got confu I'm getting confused is is that >> that's my understanding of it, but it's also what um Rich mentioned is that it's kind of baked into the current budget. So that's where I'm getting a little >> confused. >> And I guess also like the way fund accounting works is we have to balance a budget with revenues
135equaling appropriations. >> But you have to make sure you never go into a deficit. I can't let this district do that. So, you have to I don't want to say vacant because I don't really enjoy that term, but you know, you have to make sure there's contingencies in place in every single portion of your budget. And not to say that they're inappropriate, it's they're completely appropriate because you can't go into a deficit. You have to be able to justify those contingencies and make sure that they're appropriate so that you can have something at the end of the year. And again, God forbid if something broke in the building, I have money that I can transfer and fix a boiler, fix a plumbing issue. This is the break glass in case of Uber emergency kind of
136thing. >> And at the end of the year, if you have that surplus, great. Then we could use it in a future budget year or we could put it in the capital reserve, which is what we intend to do. >> And I I think we're both trying to get to the same thing, but I think my understanding now is it's not like you have this money now. This is over the course of the year. >> Correct. >> This is what you're expecting to have at the end of the year. >> Correct. Everything is budgeted. Correct. if everything goes the way it's planned. >> Correct. Right. >> Okay. So, it's not like it's sitting in the bank collecting interest. It's it would slowly build over the year as part of this >> as we're collecting. >>
137That's that's what I would. >> So, that's where the confusion is. So, it's not funds readily available to the district. Now, it'll be throughout the potential should that catastrophe not. >> It's a slow build one giant thing and then you Yeah. You don't have that money. you know, a giant >> repair bill >> lowers that. >> Stephen, >> is it safe to say that the $235,000 change from 25 26 26 27 was spent out of that excess surplus and that's why it's less than, right? Because last year cuz it rolls over kind of theoretically every other year, I get but >> that's theoretically then what like it uh we know maybe not. It's going to go to >> slow down that number and we're hoping that it doesn't >> like in a sense. So it's
138always that >> amount rather we're spending you spent we spent a little bit from it and that's why it's less. Is that safe to say that that's a way to look at it or not really >> that each year it's going to be more difficult to generate as much. >> Okay. Okay then. Okay. I think it's not the right way to say. All right. Thank you. So to that point I guess if looking at the 26 27 numbers if we didn't have that budgeted that excess surplus does that mean that 5.25 25 would have to come from T tax levy >> and we can't raise tax levy anymore 175 million that we still have left be cuts >> but okay so theoretically if we weren't able to raise taxes any further we would have to
139find a4 million >> we're cut million >> which is what some districts are facing right now >> and K I don't mean to put you on the side but Dan and Andrea >> the the number. So the number from 2526. So we don't we don't that's not done yet because the the year is not done yet. So you don't know where >> the number that we're able to generate right until the school year is done and complete purchase orders are completed then >> so that that number may be a little bit higher maybe a little bit lower at the end of the year right when they when the audit is done. That's what you're Okay. >> And then that's what you plug in for the for the next year to kind of Okay. >> Correct.
140Andrew, >> and is there a max amount we can isn't there a max amount? We can bank either a percentage or a number that >> um 2% is the amount of surplus that you're allowed to keep as like a reserve, but this is kind of separating aside because this is used in a future budget. And because this is something that I guess ultimately gets reconciled through the auditing process, I guess I'm trying to think back to when we had our auditor presentation. I'd imagine that's an item that they point to and say you're in a you're in a good place as far as this goes. >> They do and they continue to say, you know, it's great that you're able to generate the surplus, but try not to rely on it. try to use it
141for one-time things, but unfortunately, you know, the situation that we're in, we're using it for recurring costs and it's going to be more difficult to generate over time. >> Okay. >> Is there a target percentage of the budget you'd want to see this number at going forward? >> I'd like to see it closer to like the 2 to 3% of the total budget. Um, but it's going to take time to get there. >> What would that be? >> Closer to 1 to2 million >> more. The county office has said the same thing when they look at our budget. you know, try not to lean too heavily on this number. Try to reduce the down if you know that you're going to get a onetime revenue, but you know, unfortunately, we're not we're not in that
142situation. So, we'll try to reduce that over time. >> But you're basically threading the needle on this between those two two polls. Okay. >> So, I'm not going to talk too much about local taxes and how much is expected tax bill. really get into the meat of that at the public hearing, but I wanted to share at least just um the worksheet that we have available to us right now, which is the regional tax share per municipality. So, you can kind of see how each municipality has changed. Um >> can you just explain what each of those columns are as you do that? >> So, the equalized valuation of the municipality, we're given that number from the counties around from the municipalities. So they update that number every year based on um the um tax
143base in their municipality. So the function of this worksheet is to say how much is the municipality share of regional taxes for our district and that's a function of that change in their municipal ratables and also their high school enrollment. So I have that high school enrollment column. um they base it on the 101525 numbers which is the ASSA snapshot date which was last um October and then you see the share of the regional tax levy for last year that was a function of last year's valuation of their municipality and also their regional high school enrollment for last year and then how that compares to this year's regional tax levy and then you see the difference column. So again, it's it's a factor of if they've had ratable changes and also their enrollment for their
144from their municipality to our district. >> Uh Andrew, >> why could there be a.5 on enrollment? >> Because of share time. >> Yeah. So when we send a student, believe me, it's a good question. It's a really small student. >> When we send a student to Polytech for a share time program, they only get to count them as.5. So uh Stephen >> no I'm sorry. >> Oh okay. So just uh again one more time for me in the back. Um equalized valuation that is the total value of all of all the ratables in each of those assessed ratables in the municipality. Enrollment is the number of kids coming from each of those municipalities, which then produces a percent of the whole that each municipality has constituted through the students they send. That changes each year
145and that produces the difference that then where things nudge up or down regarding the the the the taxation going back to each municipality. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Awesome. So if there's any if there's any um municipalities that haven't been reassessed in a while, they're getting discount. >> Well, yeah. I mean, that would always always be true for sure. >> So, what are the next steps? Tonight, we'll have the preliminary budget approval. That will give me the ability to take this budget, submit it to the county office, and get the executive county superintendent and business administrator to approve our preliminary budget in advance of the public hearing in April. >> And what is it they're looking for in their approval process? Like what do they vet in review? >> Um, it's a pretty long checklist
146that I go through to make sure that they have every document that they are looking for. So, they're looking at different things in the actual budget software, but then they also look to see, do I have all the attachments, personnel roster, um, enrollment support, tuition, send, receive information. Um, there's just several items that they ask for in addition to what they're seeing in the budget to substantiate what's in there. >> So, it's the show your work part of the math problem. >> Exactly. Um, so that'll be the work that I'll do this week to get it submitted timely and be ready for the public hearing and newspaper advertisements in April. And then after that, after the April 28th meeting, we'll certify the taxes and then implement the budget for July 1st. >> Um, >> if
147there's any further questions, I'm happy to answer them. >> So, we're in the motion. >> What motion? >> Yeah. Um Rich, at the last meeting you mentioned that you come back today with maybe some favorable news on security front. Is there an update on that? I guess I would assume that if there was it would have affected these numbers. >> Uh yeah, but there there is nothing that affect these numbers. Um and yeah, there's there's no updates. So what I said last week, um we're still negotiating that and talking about it. >> Okay. >> So the cost could possibly come down. That pass. >> No, the cost is going to be what we put in here. We're trying to get more bank for what it comes down. >> Okay. >> Other questions? >> All right.
148We are in the motion, right? >> Yeah. I know we're well and believe me, I want to thank everybody for a very a lengthy conversation and discussion. Um I realize this is this is not easy for anyone. Um, you know, this is there's a lot of hard work here. Um, and I don't want to lose sight of that. Um, I think our questions and the communications help folks to understand uh sort of some of the unprecedented challenges that we have been facing. um and the work of the administration to bring us in where they are and and while simultaneously keeping us on a um a good footing going forward. Um you know there's no uh as we learn more and more through our questions. There's there's sometimes more questions than answers when you get to
149the state level. Um but as far as trying to do our best to navigate sort of these challenges, some of the predictions, some of the volatility, um you know, it's um it's it's the hard decision that we're asked to make each year um in in seeing this uh educational endeavor continue. Um for this, we have a roll call vote. If there are no other questions, so we will proceed. Miss Ays, >> yes. >> Mr. Chapman, >> yes. >> Mr. Hanley, >> yes. >> Miss Hint, >> yes. >> Mr. Lordy, >> is this just 121? >> Yes. Just 121. >> No. >> Mr. Matthews? >> Yes. >> Miss Makappa? >> Yes. >> Mr. Morgan? >> Yes. >> Miss Rays? >> No. >> Mr. Spansen? >> Yes. >> Miss Stein? >> Yes. >> And Mr. >> Yes.
150Thank you. >> All right. >> I just want to say thank you to the board. I know this is never easy. I know it's hard work. I know it's hard thought, hard fought. And um you know, it is sort of the um looking forward. Uh it's very easy for a board to to u look at short-term thinking. Uh, and for those of us who might not be here in a couple of years, um, you know, we're trying to make it easier for the folks ahead and the kids coming up. So, I thank you for that as well. All right. Um, so, uh, continuing under finance, facilities, and transportation. Can I get a call for a motion and second to approve agenda items 122 through 1213? Can I get that motion? Dan, thank you. Can I
151get a second on that? Brian, thank you. uh questions, clarifications. I believe uh I know a lot of this was reviewed last week. I think the only thing I can just point out some changes. The ratification of emergency facility repairs. I didn't have it attached last week, but that resolution is attached with the same dollar amount that I referenced at last week's meeting. I ended up pulling the contract with Honeywell. Unfortunately could not get that off the ground last week. Unfortunately, it's not on the agenda, but everything else I believe is the same. If you have any questions, >> questions, clarifications. Brian, >> is the Honeywell project still possibility? >> It's a possibility. I think right now we'll just have to wait another month in order to get the board to approve. So, we'll hope
152that the funding was still there. >> Okay. We're just hoping we're not late to the game to get the funding. That's what we're trying to get. >> Yeah, you got a lot of balls in the air right now. >> Other questions or clarifications? >> Okay, we will move to a voice vote. All in favor? >> I >> uh object or abstain. >> I abstain from uh 1211, but everything else I vote yes. >> Okay. Um, I will abstain from 124 and 125. Uh, I fully support the tuition contracts with Hunter County Vocational School District, but I've been getting some guidance that because of my employment at Central, uh, the fact that there are students potentially shared in there. Um, the recommendation is to abstain, but again, I support the work, I support the contracts, I
153certainly export and support the experience for the students. >> Right. And I'm a no on 1211, uh, 1212, and 1213. >> Okay. Um, all right. We're moving to Oh, I'm sorry. >> On 1211, um, 1212 and >> that's it. All right, we're moving to community relations and student affairs. Can we have a call for a motion and a second to approve agenda items 131 through 133. Can I get that motion? >> Nicole, thank you. Second, Andrea, thank you. Uh, questions, clarifications. >> I find all of these clubs fascinating. I think it's a wonderful thing that they're doing. >> These are all student driven and the ideas they come up with for clubs sometimes, um, yeah, it's impressive. I was reading through the bioeththics description and like that's a lot of what I deal with at
154my job and um I've been there for 20 years. So the fact that there are high school students that want to talk about this stuff >> just blows my mind. So kudos to them. Um I I think they're all three wonderful additions to the clubs. >> Um any other questions or clarifications? All right. All in favor? I I >> opposed abstain >> delegates reports um I don't know where we are >> uh just on May but we u the resolution u deadline is coming Dawn but and I'll be in attendance but um Steven is going to be our uh representative going forward I'm the alternate but he can't make this one and then just again April 30th is our Hunter County um that's the last one of the year and we'll be honoring ing the
155county teacher of the year and reviewing legislative and any other updates. And they'll be at the chalet. So, if you go on to your school board, you can register there. Um, and they they do dinner at 6:00 and then the presentation will start at 6:45. >> Is there a deadline for registering? >> Um, no, but the sooner you do it, the better. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Terra can sneak in under the water. That's it. She knows who's in charge. >> School. >> It's the last one for this year. Yeah. Yeah. So, um, and it's nice, too, because as you go and as you do your training on school boards, um, there's different levels. There's certified school board member, master school board member, and then the highest level is certified school board leader, which I've
156attained, and we'll give out the awards at that that meeting. So, it's it's Yeah. fun one. >> Each thing that you attend gets you credits, too. Is that right? >> Yep. And you can do so much of it now is virtual. And I love going to the other county meetings and seeing what they're, you know, what they're facing. And, you know, um, I go to a lot of Essex County ones because I work in, you know, North Ward, Newark. So, I like to see what my community is with. So, >> okay. Um, so that brings us to a call for a motion and a second to adopt resolution 032426-2 for an executive session to discuss matters reflected in the attached resolution. The board expects to be in executive session for approximately I don't know about
15745 minutes but okay. Um I think we'll try and be briefer than that and upon return to public session action will be taken. Can I get a motion to go to executive? Uh moved. Andrea seconded. Rich. All in favor? >> I. Okay. We are in executive. Um, I'd like to call for a motion and second to reconvene public session. Can I get a motion? So moved. >> Brian. Thank you. And a second. I think I saw Maril on that. Okay. All in favor? >> I opposed. Abstain. >> No. >> Can I get a call for a motion and second to approve agenda item 17.1 to 17.3 and to include hearing carries if provided? Can I get that motion? >> Motion, Nicole. Can I get that second? >> Second, >> Brian. Thank you. Um, a roll
158call vote or disc. Uh, we go right to roll call vote. Yeah, roll call vote. Sorry. Yep. >> Miss, >> yes. >> Mr. Chapman, >> yes. >> Mr. Hanley, >> abstain from 171. Yes. On the >> miss. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lordy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Matthews. >> Yes. >> Miss me? >> Yes. >> Mr. Morgan? >> Yes. >> M. Reyes? >> Yes. >> Mr. Spanton? >> Yes. Uh, I have to abstain from 1721 173. >> Miss Stein. >> Yes. >> Mr. McIac. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Motion carries. Uh, brings us to old and new business. Um, Cynthia, did you have something? >> Yes. I'd like to um uh change my vote for 11.11 from yes to no two from yes to no. >> Yes, correct. >> I had yes. >> Okay, got it.
159>> Thank you. uh additional old and new business. Um Mel, if you're um comfortable, I know you had shared um some clarifications from the training that you went to as far as the HIV reporting procedures. >> Sure. Um so it's it's it's in the joint email that that we all share, but I just finished the governance one the other night. Um and the topic of HIP was covered uh pertinent really to what we were all grappling with and uh the attorney who presented said that uh we should be receiving from the superintendent a summary report on the district's hip findings. summary just ticking off the elements of let's say the HIPP statute and minimally how those findings uh how the facts satisfy the HIPP statute and from that the board will affirm modify or I
160guess the term is reject um thereafter if it happens thereafter because there are opport that that we've all experienced there is actually an opportunity for a hearing to be held before the board makes that that finding. But in many situations because of the way the flow of the work, those hearings come after the finding. >> Um, and the hearing takes place in executive session in the fashion that I think we've now experienced. And again after the hearing, the board is called upon to affirm, modify or or reject. And it seems awkward to some of us that we're being called to do that again because we already made that decision based on the superintendent summary report. But it's actually the way it works and it's actually common place where you're going to have to do it
161twice if there is a hearing. Um, but both findings suggest substantive action from the board, not we are affirming the process. Uh, and I'll own that because I was trying to understand what was going on and I think in at one point I used that word. That's not correct. Um, we are in fact making some sort of a substantive finding albeit on a summary report from the superintendent. An appeal isn't really what we're doing. Um, an appeal gets made to the Department of Education. um probably with most frequency after a hearing is held. So that's and we that's not our role. That's that's somebody else who has to decide that. Um what I wasn't it may have eluded me in my short time on the board. I I I don't know if we're getting that
162summary report from the superintendent or if we're just getting there was a HIV and it was substant, you know, substantiated. I'm asking the board to affirm that finding or there was a HIB and it was denied. I'm asking the board to substantiate that finding. But probably some of you can >> speak to I feel like there's been maybe some different versions. There have been different versions of it and we we do have a spreadsheet right now which gives some summary information. Um and what I can do is I can make sure that's in my report at the end of the week so everyone knows where that's at and then if the board wants more information on that, you know, we can gather more information. Yeah, I think the point wasn't to be jumping in and
163making the finding a new in the shoes of the administration, but it was just to make sure >> that we had enough information that tracked with the elements of the HIP statute, >> right, >> where the district is justifying its determination based upon what the law requires it to find. And I can't remember if the version that I thought I remembered would indicate like was it like the characteristic or what was the basis of you know the three >> checks these boxes >> right right something like that >> like it doesn't or does right yeah >> I don't remember well enough >> I think the report that we used to actually use was one that um was generated from our hip system and I think it did have all those check boxes on it okay
164>> um >> so I'd have to look and see what we have in a spreadsheet now I thought we transferred all that information over to the spreadsheet But I'll check to make sure. >> Right. But I don't know like with the the Hebster reports that's not where you're like redacting stuff out of it. It's just truly it met these boxes or >> we would usually have to redact it anyway because it would have names on it. But >> got it. >> Um but either way, okay, >> you know, hipster we can see if they have a different report too that would run all that information just by hidden, you know, case number. >> There's no information that >> just be redacted. >> That's summary. Right. >> I'll just make sure everyone knows in the share
165drive there is under BO board you know BOE resource materials there is a folder called HIB under that you know you can track down by date and find that sentence summary of the incident. >> Okay. Um, >> but is that still in use is my question. >> Still what? >> Is that still in use? In other words, is that current or is that the >> February 26 for February 26th? >> Yeah, we do update that. Okay. >> Um, but what I'll do is I'll share that with everyone in in my update just so it's a fresh link so everyone can take a look at it and then Okay. >> Um, that way everybody has the information we currently have and then if we want to make some changes we can. So, >> Okay. All right.
166Thank you, mayor. Um, anything else under old and new business, >> Stephen? >> Um, I think, you know, from today with the budgeting, I think we should really consider, you know, I know we missed this one for the May delegates assembly for NJSBA and legislature. Uh, you know, trying to adopt other districts resolutions to suggest to the NJ Department of Education. But I think we should with in light of the atmosphere around the budget statewide, we should work towards adopting a resolution to put forwards at the next delegates assembly for the NJSBA um presentation to get considered to be brought to the whole state. >> I think that's a great idea. >> Just think we should keep that in the back of our heads and >> plan for that in our meetings to see where
167and how that comes through. I don't know how that happens, but I'm new, so guidance for everyone else, but I think we should really come up with something. >> I I don't disagree. Um I I feel like I I raised that point last year um that some of these things are just fundamentally stacked against us. Um putting us in an impossible situation. So, I I'm certainly in favor and um you know, happy to help out with whatever sort of language or ideas we would want to pull together. Marl, >> I think I heard maybe it was Tara talking about um if we were to do that, the ability to do that in conjunction with other boards >> so that um we might get heard >> stronger. I can ask that question Thursday night with our
168roundt attendees as a as a local footprint conversation and then certainly >> Tara at the the county level or multicount might be an opportunity to see >> you get a good support from Hunter and county of the all the high schools and sending districts. Yeah. And I think that it could, you know, a letter independently but also conglomerately from everyone around would both be, you know, you can get just so, hey, we're saying this. I think it could be a a louder voice. Even though everyone's joining together, you're also independently stating the same facts and if everyone else maybe gets on board with those facts from these group discussions to have the same almost resolution to push forwards. And then there's no arguing anything that you know everyone is like with their hands up like
169what do you what do you mean we just have to accept 20 40% in healthcare and you're that's just too too bad that you know there's a lot that it's just insane to me. So I think >> okay >> I think Mr. Lordy sent us one >> a model of one that another district, >> right? So, um >> maybe that's like do we do we like that language? Is is that what we want to >> Yeah, I think we can do >> we can start with looking at something like that. Um I don't recall and Rich I don't know if you recall. I mean there were some details in there. I don't know if it was I don't know if it spoke to things like the funding formula. I don't know if it spoke to
170things like the healthcare spikes >> things about the chapter 44 and abolishing that and looking for something better. It wasn't it was a little vague and but just saying hey these things should be looked at you know maybe it's that maybe it's tuning it more >> to to to be a little more aggressive so to say or or or honed in to actual uh pressure points. >> Right. >> But >> okay any other thoughts? Change of subject. Okay. The Thursday roundt. >> Yeah. >> Is that something that other board members could attend as well? >> Well, by design it was always a board leadership round table so that the president vice president were sort of the liaison to it. Um I don't know based on who's slated to attend if it's strictly that. I think
171it would be strictly that unless somebody was coming in lie of but I mean I could certainly broach that going forward. What it used to be was this group would meet three to four times a year um and and collaboratively try to problem solve or or share best practices and ideas of that sort. I think it was initially president vice president just to keep the numbers manageable that you have you know all these all these sending districts coming together. Um, and because this is the first one of revitalizing it, you know, we'll see who we get and hopefully word gets out and if if we have this one, we could be potentially scheduling another one before the end of the year at the end of the year and where the conversation would go forward. At
172this point though, I wouldn't I wouldn't want to because the messaging didn't go out as, you know, come come one come all um that we'll just see from there and go. >> Plus, with smaller boards, you could run into quorum issues. >> Yeah. Like if we all wanted to >> Yeah. That's that's that wouldn't be >> we'd have 13 boards having a a meeting. >> Exactly. >> Simultaneously uh particularly if they can sign on to something that pushes back about fairer funding or healthcare expenses. Um >> was that anything else under old or new business? So I am hearing let's begin maybe with some some some thinking about and drafting some language using that as a model. So certainly we could move in that direction uh and begin to kind of workshop something that we
173share to see if it's hitting the notes that we want to hit and kind of go from there and see what communication we can get out to other boards. That would be great. Um the last things I it's really more just a question not even much old new business I guess as we're maintaining sort of our um you know communications uh the presentations including tonight's presentation um I'm just our ability to put as much information on the website as we can and in any sort of district communication sort of be signaling to say hey watch these meetings hear these conversations look at these reports so that you can kind of understand what we're going uh what we're working with. Um I had even mentioned to Dr. Burgess with some of the AI tools out there.
174I actually tried this tonight. Um using one of the AI tools I was able to put in based on this uh based on this is the town I live in. This is my approximate house value. Um what would be my tax increase? And it can actually kind of do that stuff. We could put the information in there that is all of our, you know, budgetary information and sort of almost be like one of those online tax calculators for you. Again, not >> not, you know, not not swearing by it, but helping people navigate these very complex documents in a way that people can access it and say, "What does this actually mean for me?" Especially because as we learn about it, you know, you learn that your tax bill is um you know there's a
175portion of it that is the regional district I think and it differs by municipality. Um where my municipality it might be about one quarter of my tax bill is the regional district. Two quarters are my K8 district and the remaining quarter is the municipal and county and then there's your little sliver for the library and those kinds of things. Um, and I realize right now all of our constituents are dealing not just with us, they're dealing with their K also. So, anything that sort of helps them understand, you know, what portion goes to what and if if North is seeing a, you know, a 4.2% increase, what does that mean on that portion of your of your tax bill? I think anything that can give clarity and ease and understanding uh can only be a
176benefit to the community. So that was just one one thought. Um potentially going forward >> I I would like I guess new business but old business when we did adopted the strategic plan and I did a Google there's a few districts that have a dashboard and we had maybe thought about the idea of some of the IT students and developing that. Um, do you think we'll be able to do something like that? Cuz that would be the tax levy would be, you know, our financials would be a big part of the >> I'm hoping actually like a tool like this um that that we're talking about the this AI tool that has specific resources um will actually create that data for you instead of just it actually um it has some really nice tools that
177I think will make it easier for >> that would be great. Yeah. >> And then I don't know what communications we continue to have. I know we have some of these things hosted on our website right now. Um, but if we can communicate to people like it's there and and we want to help you find it so that you're not, you know, navigating through and trying to find your way there. But hey, you know, here it is. We we want to be clear and transparent with the community. This is where you can go. This is where you can kind find information. This is where you can ask some of those questions. And with some of those notebooks, I mean, you can just start in a very innocent place like I don't understand school budgets. explain
178how they work and it will it will walk you through that and it does a great job breaking it out by municipality um the levies the different portions of the levies and um yeah so that's some good potential >> I'm surprised the clerk uh the county doesn't have that built in on their website >> well I mean some of it I think is just so new and evolving in terms of it and and it's the sort of thing and I I'll give you a big cheat right now like on your screen right now. You have a little button in your upper right hand corner. It says ask Gemini. If you activate that, you can ask questions of whatever document you have on the screen. That's where I started testing it out with uh this budget
179presentation. It just opens that and I start having a conversation and um you know that that can get you to some some very good information very quickly. And of course, age of AI, it's all new. You know, you go back and you check the math. you know, are are those numbers that are actually matching? But I think it it has an ability to explain and because it's natural language querying, you know, you start with where you are. Like I'm I'm a you know, I'm like a a you know, a high school kid trying to understand a a budget. Explain it to me in terms that I can understand. >> I don't know if it can explain the funding formula that we were talking about before. That might be the first test I want to give
180it and see where that goes. But yeah, >> there's definitely potential as an answer. >> Uh, anything else on old and new business? >> This is the one thing I have is um >> I guess shout out to G because some of the work that we saw >> from the the re refresh of the website looked excellent. I thought it was very clean, >> very user friendly, >> uh, very modern. So, I mean, I think it's long overdue and I would like to see the the bet go away, but >> you want dub lordy. >> Hey, I'll take it. I don't I I just I don't love that. But if it seems like it's too much of a heavy lift, because a lot of schools are either.org or >> I think edu. Yeah, edu is
181for colleges, right? >> They a lot of them have transitioned to orgs. Yeah, there have been a lot of transitions, >> but from what I've seen, the work was great. >> It was excellent. >> I agree. >> And and I don't know, Tara, I mean, maybe to your point, I don't like right now, you go there, it says district board of ed, and you would have to know to go there to find the budget. Um, I don't know if there's certain times in certain seasons where it's like, hey, easy budget button right here, like come come out, too, and add it to newsletters. We get used to, you know, Yeah, >> that being part of it too. >> All right. >> Maybe Brandon if if the communication that goes out or newsletters plan to put
182that presentation in there is that >> or direct that link >> to to the site where all the presentations are. Yeah. >> That'll be helpful. >> Okay. >> All right. If there's nothing else, can I get a call for a motion and second to adjourn? Can I get a motion? Okay, Andrew. Uh, second. Yep. >> All in favor? >> Well, I almost I almost got hung up that the motion was taking a while. It's like, do we want to keep going? >> I don't think