001Thank you. I'll repeat that. Uh the emails that I had shared with the board uh regarding policy 5756 were the board correspondents we've received since the last board meeting. Okay. Um committee reports, education filling in. The education committee met on March 31st at 3:30. In attendance were Lisa Deagio chair, Carol Pasa, Janine Potter, Bob Morrison, Susan Ober, Elizabeth Jwitt, Nicole Caro, Tim Sty, Marie Ellen Failen, and Mr. Labbera. Um, we discussed a proposed new club. Dr. JW informed the committee that this is the time of the year where students propose new clubs for the next school year. A new co-curricular club dance competition has been submitted for the 202526 school year. Dr. JW explained that this is a very costly club which would involve competitions in and out of state. Mr. Sty spoke about the
002costs, high competition fees, costumes, transportation, and costs associated with out of state competitions. In addition, an unfair labor practice charge was filed by the WHREA regarding advisor club stipens that stipens that while aligned with the contract are paid outside of schedule D of the contract as they have been added over and above the existing clubs in the contract via board approval over the years. The committee discussed the proposed new club costs and the ulp and felt that new clubs should not be considered until the ulp has been resolved. Uh we next talked about AI for education. WHRHS partnered with Bernard's Township School District for AI training on March 26 for teachers. Teachers, administrators, and students from both school districts. Some students spoke on the creative ways they are using AI, such as creating study guides
003and preparing for SATs or tests. Teachers are starting to incorporate AI and teaching in the in the classroom. This was the first of what will likely be many more um professional development sessions focused on AI. The committee discussed the use of AI and the future development of a course or courses on AI. Dr. JW also indicated the AI will likely be part of the new strategic plan. We also spoke about flag football and United flag football. We have started two new flag football programs this spring, both with ties to the New York Jets, who have provided equipment and other funding. Our new girls flag football team is an NJSIAA sport and recently won their season opener on our turf. Play play unified is a hybrid of the sport involving special and gen general education students
004playing on the same team. The New York Jets donated funds to be used for expenses associated with the establishment of the unified flag football program which was accepted by the board at the last meeting. articulation. By the end of April, we'll have met in every content area at least once. In addition to visiting Longill for tested subjects, learning walks, we were able to host social studies, math, uh, English language arts, world language, and science where the teachers were also treated to a visitation in the new design lab. We're looking forward to hosting one more workshop class on close reading with ELA teachers. And then we will meet the arts teachers from the four K through8 districts on April 9th where we anticipate showcasing our ceramics and photography renovations along with our design lab and we
005anticipate that the robust com conversations will continue. One significant change this year was the teachers themselves suggested more problems of practice and the middle school and high school teachers shared innovative ways they are incorporating AI into instructional planning. Summer reading update. The English teachers are still narrowing down summer reading which will be finalized for approval at a future board meeting. The texts for the rising ninth graders will be shared with the middle school principles to disseminate to present eighth graders and the choices will also be posted on our eighth grade transition web page. Uh the May board of eds strategic plan presentation. The strategic plan update will be presented at a at our May 13th board meeting. The format will be the same as in the past with students and staff present to highlight a
006particular programmatic accomplishment assigned with each goal. Does anybody have any questions? Anybody have anything to add? Who was at the meeting? I would just like to add that the flag football won their second game also. I heard. Thank you. Um and they play again tomorrow night six o'clock. So anyone's interested. Uh also I just want to make a general announcement because we do see some people in the in the audience this evening. Um the first opportunity for public comment is for agenda items. Um, and if you don't see the item on the agenda, then it'll be at the end of the meeting. Uh, policy 5756 is not on the agenda this evening. So, those comments will be at the end of the meeting. Uh, that being said, we we can move pretty quickly through the
007meeting, but you get to hear all the good updates that are happening school in the meantime. Personnel that most of that Yeah, that'll do an executive after the meeting. Okay. Operations All right. The operations committee uh met on April 2nd in the morning via Zoom. We had Mr. Galla, Mr. Mayor Czech, Mr. Morrison, myself, Dr. Jwitt, Mr. Sty, and Mark Snowden should be Mr. Snowden, everybody else's construction update. Uh Mr. Sty commented that our new director of operations, Mark Snowden, was joining us for a few minutes and we met him. thanked the committee for allowing him the opportunity to share his experiences during his first week at Wong Hills. He sp said he spent time getting to know the facilities and the staff and was looking forward to working with everyone. Mr. Snowden spoke about
008the ongoing construction products projects and provided a brief update on each project track said the asphalt in the area of the track will be redone but the plan is to have it done after graduation. He also said the drainage fix fix behind the bleachers is also being reviewed. The Dante memorial we are awaiting for pricing from Speasel Architects. Dr. Jwitt discussed a dedication in the fall as well as a ceremony for the official opening of the design lab. Rooftop units. Mr. Snowden said the current plan is to replace the you rooftop units over the superintendent's office and the business office. He said, "At this point, we're waiting for the co-op pricing to come in. Chiller replacement." Mr. Snowden said, "It is anticipated that the chiller will be starting uh over the upcoming spring break." Sack
009office/the former's nurse's office. Mr. Sty shared that the change orders have been received for this project. He said the two change orders total approximately $185,000 and recommended approving these items. Mr. Stay briefly discussed the rationale behind the change and said it would benefit the students to have the sachs in one location sidewalk project. Mr. Sty explained proposed joint project with the Warren K through8 district. He said he met with representatives from Warren K through8 and the township regarding installing a sidewalk and crosswalk for students who are residing at the development across Sterling Road off of Lind across Sterling Road off Lindberg Road. Mr. Sty commented that we currently have a bus stop there, but students are not using the service. He said the plan is to add a sidewalk from Woodland School up to the
010high school so students have a safe place to walk and are not walking along Sterling Road. Mr. Sty said the township engineer provided a drawing and estimated cost to be to be between 250,000 to 400,000. the he's proposing the final cost be split evenly between Wong Hills and Warren K through8 district. He also said the addition of the sidewalk and crosswalk should mitigate liability on both districts in in the event a student was to be injured while crossing the road. Committee discussion followed. After discussion, the committee recommended against funding the project. Tuition policy change. Dr. Dr. J explained that in response to an issue in a specific district, the state recently issued guidance that districts may no longer allow out of out of district students to attend or any cost outside of the tuition rate
011approved by the county exe executive county superintendent. Prior to this change, our tuition student policy allowed for students leaving the district after specific dates to remove in the district to remain in the district even though even sorry even through the end of the school year at no cost. Additionally, we have discounted rates for children of employees as part of our CBA. The state has since come out with clarification that we may set discounted tuition rates as long as they are uniform for each category we establish and are approved by the executive county superintendent. We'll be working on a rate sheet that aligns with our prior practice to be effective September 1st, 2025. We will share this rate sheet with the board for approval prior to seeking executive county superintendent approval. Dr. JW discussed an employee
012who lives out of district. No. So, Mr. That part was supposed to must be out. Okay. For closed. I'm sorry. Didn't get highlighted on there. So, you can share that during uh closes. Okay. Yeah. Thank you. Uh this makes it a little shorter. It's a long report. Sorry. Okay. Um, and then there was I don't know why there was one final construction update on the back and I still do that one. Mhm. Okay. Uh, Mr. Sty I mentioned one additional update. He said there was a new sound system being installed on to Field Committee discussion followed and the meeting adjourned at 9:45 a.m. Thank you, Mr. Core. Uh, finance committee. So, the finance committee met on April the 2nd. Um, first thing we talked about was an athletic study. Mr. Sty explained that a request
013for information regarding what the district is spending per athlete uh has come up and that we need additional time to compile the actual cost. Is the staff member in the athletic department who can provide some of that information is out on leave till the end of April. Uh we then moved into a discussion about the Hall of Fame. Uh Mr. Mr. Sty uh discussed a request from the Hall of Fame committee. that they were asking the board to contribute funding to cover uh the cost of the plaques. Mr. Galla said that he was supported the request with limits and asked if we knew what the cost for each plaque would be. Um discussion followed. We really didn't have that particular information. Um there was some concern brought up about the the cost and possible design
014options. Uh and it it ended up where after further discussion the committee was open to supporting the cost of the plaques. But we did want to get more information to understand kind of what both the cost for the individual plaque and just an estimate of how many plaques on average, you know, we should anticipate, you know, if we're going to budget for this over the long term. So, it's uh I think something that in general the committee was supportive of uh but wanted to get just some some more information so we could have it um have the specifics in place. Uh we then talked about the transportation study. Mr. Stay reviewed the request for information in the transportation study and he also introduced the committee to Miss Kelly Shien who is our transportation coordinator. Uh
015Miss Sheen spoke about the process and reviewed information that was in the transportation report which kind of looked at what are some of the options that we can use uh in order to both reduce the number of potentially reduce the number of bus routes uh and also consider the timing of when we actually open the school. So, as as many of you know, we've talked about wanting to find a way to open um school or open the high school later based on the the research that's out there showing the positive benefits that has for students at the high school level to have a later start time. Um discussion then followed. The committee suggested that the transport that um that we seek waiverss from 12th grade parents in an effort to reduce the number of high
016school routes given the fact that we have so many students that actually drive that if we end up with some sort of potential waiver that may allow us to reduce some of the high school routes. Um and more information is going to be u uh reviewed before we make a determination on that. Uh we then discussed food services shock that Pmptonian is coming with a price increase um for the school lunch program. Uh also the fact that we have an increasing number of students that are qualifying for free and reduced uh lunch um that is increasing. So that's some something that we have to keep in mind as well. And that was all that we covered. So anyone on the committee have anything else to add? Um, I'm sorry I was not at the meeting,
017but my understanding is based on last year's costs, the plaques were $160 a piece. Um, but I think they've placed the order, so I'm not I can find out Yeah, I think what they'll be this year. And how many? Um, I think four. Okay. I mean, and traditionally, is it some was like usually in that kind of three, four range every year or Well, yes. This year it's the two groups and I believe two individual two individuals. So then I guess you know rule of thumb you know would be plan on four plaques at you know whatever that amount is. I think that's within I I think that's well within the comfort range that we talked about in the committee. Other other question. No $8,000 plaques. That's it. Oh yes. Just shout out to the
018uh new transportation consultant. She was great. She did an excellent job and the data she provided was really really helpful. So Tim, did you find her? Who found her? That was really good. Good find. Oh, is that it to Liz? The credit for that. I check in with her frequently to make sure she's happy. I hope so. She really did. Uh negotiations. I think we no news on negotiations. Um and if anything we'll bring it up in executive session at this point. Uh strategic plan you uh we met tonight uh at tonight this afternoon at 4 o'clock uh before this meeting. In attendance were myself, Miss Ober, Miss Pasa, Miss Lee, Mr. Sty, Miss Carol, Dr. Jwitt, and Anthony Maluso, our director of technology. Um so this was our first step in the strategic planning
019process. Um we met with three candidates um to discuss um you know who we were going to go with. Uh we discussed and asked questions regarding their process, the number of districts they um have worked with and if and how many uh were regional 9 through 12 districts trying to get as close as ours to ours as possible. Um and uh we're we did this to determine the best candidate. So that is something that we'll have to continue to discuss. We didn't have time to discuss. We really just had time to to uh to hear the presentations before this meeting. So that's where we're at. Thank you. That concludes our committee. Yes. Oh, yes. A regional just real quick for on the regionalization shared services. Um uh there was a town hall on Thursday at
0206:30 uh p.m. Uh in this location, refreshments will be served for those that are coming. Food, free food. And so we encourage uh anyone from the public, anyone from the community to please come out. It's going to be very much a an open session. Lots of questions and answers. Come, feel free to come with whatever you want to ask regarding the work that's going on with the committee. Committee members will be there. We'll also have the team from Rowan that is conducting the study, be able to share some of the things that we're beginning to see that may inform um kind of some of the recommendations that will be in in the report. But it's really an opportunity to get a Q&A from the public so that we can answer their questions, hear what their
021concerns are, and make sure that um we're able to incorporate the information that they provide into the work as it progresses. Yes, ma'am. We are going to we we're not going to we're not going to stream it live. We are going to record it so that it can be played back afterwards. Thank you, Mr. Morrison. Any other comments on reports committees? Seeing none, move on to the first opportunity for public comment. This comment is for uh limited to agenda items for this meeting. The second comment uh time will be for non-aggenda items. Uh all comments are limited to five minutes. Anybody want to talk about how great our bus consultant is? Um, seeing none, we'll close this portion of the meeting and move to future action items. Any future action items anybody wants to bring
022up? Katherine, you sure you don't have anything? Seeing none, close this portion. Mr. President, I'd like to move items A1 through A5. Second. Roll the roll. Okay. Miss Lee, yes. Mr. Mayek, yes. Mr. Morrison, yes. Miss Ober, yes. Mr. Potter, yes. Mr. Proa, yes. Mr. Trump, yes. And Mr. Galla, yes. Carry. Mr. President, I'd like to move items C1 through C7. Second. All roll. Any discussion? Sorry. Seeing none, call the roll. Okay. Miss Lee, yes. Mr. Mayheek, yes. Morrison, yes. Sober. Yes. M. Potter. Yes. M. Proa? Yes. Trumpour? Yes. And M. Gallic. Yes. I'd just like to um point out that our health care costs went up significantly. And that's on page 12. just we just keeping a watch on our budgets for next year and this year. It's just it's incredible how much our
023expenses have increased and what a great job uh Tim and Liz I'm sorry Dr. Jwitt and Mr. Size did the budget. Uh Mr. President, I'd like to move items D1 through D5. Any discussion? Seeing none, call the role. Uh Miss Lee, yes. Mr. Mayor check. Yes. Morrison. Yes. Ober. Yes. Otter. Yes. Proa. Yes. Trumpour. Yes. Mr. Galla. Yes. Carry. Is there anything further? Second opportunity. Okay. Second opportunity for public comment. So now's the time. Um, I have a list of six individuals who um are listed here. If anyone would like to add their name to that, that's fine. You could do so at the end of these. So, state their name. Yeah. State their name and uh their address or the town you're from? The town. Yes. Just the town. Okay. Well, you can hear
024me. Okay. From here, right? Sure. You want to speak into the mic a little bit more? Like here. There you go. Oh, okay. Great. Okay. Okay. My name is Katherine Ryder. I'm from Warren. Uh, coincidentally, I go here. I'm a Wong Hills uh, senior. And, um, I just have to ask, what was the end goal of repealing uh, 5756? Because if you pride yourself on a school that protects kids, then why'd you get rid of like a policy that protects them? Nowhere in the rule that that did it state that information was being kept by parents. Nor did it state that it puts kids in danger. This was simply a rule that protects kids from their aggressors, which sometimes sadly happens to be their parents or guardians. These kids who often cannot come out to
025their families and see school as a safe place, have their safe place be school, and you want to formally repeal it. Some parents may find it distressing to find out a fact like this, thinking their kids are hiding secrets from them, and that schools are trying to drive a wedge between parent and student. I feel that schools are also there to help the student gain a sense of self and students should be able to do so in a safe environment. That is it. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Hello. Oh, sorry. Hello. My name is Emilyn Dalton. I am a senior at Watching Hills as well. Welcome. And uh I live in Warren. Esteemed members of the Watching Hills Board of Education. I have come here to speak with you about the repeal of policy 5756
026regarding trans students. It has come to my attention that some of you are attempting to repeal this policy. When you discussed the repeal of this policy, it was not placed in the agenda and directly went against the district attorney's advice. In the last meeting of the board of education, a member was not present, which did not mean you had a which meant, sorry, you didn't have a full board to vote with. This could have pushed the vote to an unfair direction. So, I implore you to please revote while giving everyone adequate time to prepare and placing it on the agenda. I know this is an incredibly controversial and stressful issue, and I would hope you would wait for all members to be present. So the revote can be fair. Not to mention the students that
027this act helps to protect have as much right to a safe school environment where they are respected and cared for and protected as any other student. One which can help promote growth and achievement. By repealing this, you are going against the strategic plans that were established for 2020 to 2025 and agreed upon by this board. The goals are as follows: social and emotional growth and wellness, pathways to educational success for all. Promoting imagination, creativity, innovation, and critical thinking. And finally, diversity, equity, and inclusion. I understand that some of you have misgivings about this policy because you believe it will encourage students and your children to hide information from parents that could possibly affect their lives. This policy does not prohibit the sharing of information. It merely gives students the same level of confidentiality with teachers
028that they would have with counselors. Where as in information shared with teachers unless it could directly harm the students like thoughts of suicide or self harm does not have to be shared with parents as they are supposed to be safe space for students. I know students who are afraid to tell people about their identity including their parents because they're worried about being judged or hurt. I know some people who would be hurt if they told their parents or guardians. In 2024, the rates of suicidal thoughts were at a staggering 47% for transgender women. And with 24 with sorry, um I get a little tongue tied. Okay, take your time. With 14% attempting suicide. For transgender men, it was 52% with suicidal thoughts with a rate of attempting suicide being 18%. And for those who fall
029under the umbrella, such as non-binary students, it was 42% with suicidal thoughts with an attempting rate of 13%. And these statistics are from the Trevor Project, which is a nonprofit specifically designed to help those in the LGBTQ community in distress. In fact, sometimes by forcibly outing people, you can cause them to become homeless. 40% of homeless youth are LGBTQ plus community members. These are statistics from the National Coalition for the Homeless, which pull statistics from other research. Um, I would hope that you would want to prevent innocent people, children, from being thrown out onto the street for attempting to just be themselves. So, please protect them. It's what you're supposed to do as the board of education and I hope you make the right choice. Thank you. Just want to remind the audience, um, we're
030not responding to you because this is the time for public comment. We'll have a chance to respond after we hear the public comment. Any other further Hi, my name is Christina Rodenti. I am a resident of Warren Township. I've actually been a lifelong resident of Warren watching in Greenbrook. Um, I have a daughter. Sorry, this is very spotty. Um, a daughter who is a graduate of Watching Hills from last year. I have a son who's a current student of Watching Hills. I want to thank the students who actually spoke. I know it's really hard to stand up here um and stand up for your peers. So, kudos to you guys. Um I do not have a transgender student. I do not have that skin in the game, but I just thought it was really important
031as a parent um of a student and just to support these kids to let them know that we are supporting them. I think it's really ill timing to try and repeal this uh especially in this kind of climate where these kids are being attacked. I don't think that it's beneficial to the student body. You know, my daughter um she's a musician. She actually sang at graduation for anybody who remembers. She has a lot of friends from the time she was little who are a part of the LGBTQ community. She is also one herself. And I feel that and she feels very strongly. She's actually upset that she couldn't come here to speak, but she's in school up in Boston. Um but she feels that it's really important as well that these students be protected and
032a lot of this will trickle down not only with the transgender students but with all the students in the LGBTQIA+ community which there are many in this school. Um I also feel that this is a really bad message to send to our students just as a whole. I mean it seems very nonsupportive. Um and honestly I think the students should have a voice in this decision. You know it's their lives, it's their peers, it's their friends. Um many of these students are supportive. So I think it this is more of a parental problem or grown-up problem than it is a student problem. Um especially in this day and age. I mean you guys are very supportive of each other. And this is a matter of life or death. And I think it's really important for
033us as parents to be supportive of these kids. Even if we don't have our own children as a part of this community, I think it's really important to send the message to our students that we're supportive and we're not just going to exclude someone because we don't agree with the way they live their lives. And being transgender is not only changing your gender, it's gender identity. it's gender, you know, if someone wants to dress a different way one day and the next day, you know, it's it's expression. And a lot of these kids should feel that they should be protected to express themselves. This is a time in their lives to do that in high school, you know, before they go out into the workforce and they have to sort of conform, right? So, um,
034I just want to thank you all. I know what you guys do is thankless. Um, but I do want you to think about the impact this is going to have and the ripple effect it's going to have. And you hear the quivering in these kids' voices. We we shouldn't be putting them in this position. I mean, it's just heartbreaking to think that they're they're scared. A lot of them are scared. A lot of them in the LGBTQ community are scared because they know this is going to be a trickle down effect. You know, this is the beginning of intolerance. So, if we can just hold tight for a while, not make the decision yet, especially in this kind of climate where they're already feeling attacked and afraid, I mean, I think we we owe them
035that as their parents and the people that look out for them. So, thank you very much and thank you for listening. Thank you. Hi, Nicole Gomero, Warren resident. Um, I'd like to start by saying that I unequivocally believe in and will use my voice to stand up for the trans and queer youth in our community. I 100% fully support policy 5657, protecting trans youth, and denounce any efforts made to resend this policy. There's nothing that I can add that hasn't already been said by the courageous youth in attendance. Thank you. So, I'd like to take a few minutes to take a p look at the bigger picture. When this policy was brought up for discussion at the last board of ed meeting, one of the board members stated that resending this policy protecting trans students
036doesn't mean that the school wouldn't support them, wouldn't protect them, just that we should remove the policy because we don't have to. With so little words, this said so much. The Watch Hills vision statement specifically states, and I quote, "Through reflection and ethical decision-making, we continue to learn and grow, embrace differences, and prepare for an increasingly complex changing world. I'd say the federal efforts to dismantle the Department of Education and create division rather than unity in our communities are certainly complex with deep impacts in our changing world. Some have said that the federal dismantling of the Department of Education is an effort to bring control of schools back to the states and districts. If that is the case, then why are we letting changes in federal mandates steer our policy conversations in our local schools?
037If policy 5756 protecting one of the most vulnerable student populations is rescended because we don't have to, I ask you board members, what's next? As we are seeing happening live before us, there are efforts underway for districts to remove diverse curriculum mandates. These mandates ensure that students are taught about the Holocaust, the history and contributions of African-Americans, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ plus community, Asian-American and Pacific Islanders, and more. My question to you board members is, are we teaching the curriculum above to check off a mandate box or because it's the right thing to do? Are we doing it because it makes sense? Sorry. Are we doing it because it makes our school and community safer, welcoming spaces where all students and their histories are valued or because we have to? Over half of the
038regional offices that investigate civil rights complaints and education are being closed. So I ask you, board, knowing that without investigation accountability, we probably don't have to, will you take bullying and harassment complaints seriously? Will we wonder why our food insecure students are falling asleep in class and having a hard time focusing because they're going hungry and we don't have to provide school lunches and other resources for them? When the beautiful diversity that students with disabilities bring to our schools is not mandated, will we return to segregated classrooms or special needs students are not given the opportunity to learn and grow with their peers? When ICE comes knocking on our doors to remove our undocumented students, will we greet them with a welcome in a hall pass? Or will we hold the physical and emotional safety
039and well-being of all students paramount? I'm here today to ask each of you, where is the line? How do you choose what, or rather who gets protected? Do we support our bipox students, our students with disabilities, our LGBTQ plus students, our low-income students, our bullied and harassed students because we have to or because it's the right thing to do? Let me be clear. These are not rhetorical questions. As a taxpayer and a Watch Hills alum, I expect an answer. I hope the answer to these questions and to policy 5756 at hand is an unmistakable commitment to integrity, to ethical decision-making, and an unwavering commitment to protect all our students. But if that's not the answer, I want to know that, too. Because when residents of our communities have the honor to elect our school leadership,
040we have a right to know which side of the line each and every member of this board falls on as we cast our votes. Thank you. Thank you. My name is River Perez Walters. I live in Long Hill. I believe that school is meant to be a safe space for my fellow students to feel safe and express themselves without fear of being harmed. If this policy is revoked, then harm could come to many. many I hold so dear to my heart. So I urge that this policy remain in place to keep my fellow LGBTQ plus people safe from any and all harm that could befall them if they are outed by this school. This policy is meant to keep them safe. And if any harm could come to people I hold dear, I genuinely could
041not live with myself. the policy is to keep them safe. And if that means keeping a bit of info from parental figures, then that's what that means. Thank you. Thank you. Any further public comment? Seeing none, we'll close this portion of the meeting and open up to uh final board comments. Oh, you can. Oh. Oh. Oh, we got current status. I'm sorry. Um, currently policy 5756 has not been repealed and will be further discussion. Uh, there'll be a matter of further discussion at the board level. Right. We we can do the question answer after the meeting, but right now we're still in the middle of Thank you, though. We'll get back. Okay. Uh any board members? Okay. I believe Oh, go ahead. Other business. Oh, yeah. Sorry. Other business. So, um you know, obviously because
042we're also we're in the budget process right now. Um and our next meeting will be to adopt the budget. um everything that we are reading, seeing, hearing, and feeling from all areas, whether it's the Department of Education, whether it's USAID, uh whether it's funding for positions at the New Jersey Department of Education, whether it's tariffs, uh you name it. Everything is driving costs and it's driving costs up. Uh we're just beginning to get a sense of some of the impact of some of the decisions that are being made at the federal level and the potential implications that they have not only for uh schools across the country but schools here in New Jersey and obviously here at Watchon Hills. I I bring this up just to say that this is a very difficult budget situation
043for this particular year. I think the administration and particularly Mr. Stay and his team have done an incredible job of putting together a budget that allows us to move forward, keep programs intact, make sure that we focus on student centered needs and and provide uh the diverse opportunities that our students expect to have when they come here. Um, but that said, uh, the next budget process is going to be a bear. And just it's important for the public to understand that as the costs that are going up for you, they're going up for us as well. Construction costs, new materials, new Chromebooks. Remember, we spend lots of money on Chromebooks every year. Chromebooks, they're going up. Everything's going to be going up. And that's not taking into account the hidden costs of what's happening to
044the food uh the the the SNAP program, the student nutrition program and the cuts that are happening there, the cuts that are happening uh to other aspects of education, the recision of the ESSER funding for states. So we are going to be getting hit from every conceivable angle. And I think it's important that the public understand that we're doing everything that we can to address this. But the next 12 months from a financial standpoint, I'm just telling you, are going to be challenging for us. So just be prepared for those conversations as we try to determine how we navigate what is going to be a very difficult financial situation, probably the most difficult financial situation since I've been on this board and probably as long as a superintendent has been u leading this district. So
045that's just something to to keep in mind because as as difficult as this is, this is going to be a picnic compared to what we're going through. On that happy note, uh any other comments, concerns, I think we're going to have to go back into executive session. So um thank you all for all the attendance for coming. We're going to we'll do that afterwards. We'll do about five minutes. We are going to go back into executive session to uh finish up the work that we have to do. Um so thank you for attending. As we go into executive session, I'm going to be asking you to leave the room so that we can Do you want to specify no action will be taken? Oh, no action will be taken during the executive session or when
046we come back or when we come back. We will adjourn as soon as we come back. So there'll be no more further action. Okay. So I entertain a motion to go back into executive. So moved. Second. Second. All in favor say I. I those opposed eyes