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002{ background-color: black; } ::cue(c.bg_white.bg_semi-transparent) { background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5); } ::cue(c.bg_green.bg_semi-transparent) { background-color: rgba(0, 256, 0, 0.5); } ::cue(c.bg_blue.bg_semi-transparent) { background-color: rgba(0, 0, 255, 0.5); } ::cue(c.bg_cyan.bg_semi-transparent) { background-color: rgba(0, 255, 255, 0.5); } ::cue(c.bg_red.bg_semi-transparent) { background-color: rgba(255, 0, 0, 0.5); } ::cue(c.bg_yellow.bg_semi-transparent) { background-color: rgba(255, 255, 0, 0.5); } ::cue(c.bg_magenta.bg_semi-transparent) { background-color: rgba(255, 0, 255, 0.5); } ::cue(c.bg_black.bg_semi-transparent) { background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } Thank you. All right. So, Justina motion to come out of executive session at 6:27 from Bowie, and see a second from Stephanie all in favor. I I motion carries and we just need a, a motion to recommend the public session at 627. I'll make the motion to see a second. From Gabby all in favor, aye motion, carries we will stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. To the flag of
003the United States of America and to the Republic. Um the first so there's 2 public comment sections. The first 1 is anything of the board will be voting on. So any of our of our agenda items? The second would be for any other school matters. So anyone that would like to address the board on any voting on tonight. Not seeing any. We can roll right into our presentations and our first. 1 is from our friends at the millsville hi, I'm Lauren Mentos, principal at the middle school so we were asked to do a board Spotlight and we chose a lot of good things are happening at our building. But I really wanted to focus on um, our exploratory lab, which is our stemma initiative. Um, we kind of rolled it out a little bit differently
004this year to get more kids in there. So, please enjoy our video. Is a chance for our students to get Hands On Learning, the district, strategic plan focuses on investing in Innovation, engage Learners and Workforce preparedness. When our students step into this room that they have, the opportunity to learn and work alongside our very talented teachers who have the knowledge of these 21st century skills. Cancer. Absolutely loving the 2 Cricut machines that we have in the room. They're centered right next to 2 desktop, computers with the software called design space. Students are able to get onto the software design, what they are envisioning to be their project and complete it start to finish including it the printing of the vinyl here. You see a student making a t-shirt that she envisioned. Um she brought the
005materials in herself and was playing around with it with the knowledge of the teachers was able to make her brother a birthday t-shirt. I'm trying to make my own phone a little stick with your guy and maybe something for my mother for Valentine's Day. I love it. How often do you visit the exploratory that and what are some of the things that you do while you're in here? How has the exploratory lab helped you become a better student? Who is the person that you helped most? What would you say is the best thing about the exploratory lab? Um, we get to like, use a whole bunch of equipment that we don't get to normally use and we get to make, like a whole bunch of people stuff, our stem committee met in the fall to
006come up with short and long term goals for this space. We opened the room officially to our students in December right before winter break and for the past 2 months, we have been building the momentum of Engagement and learning the Cricut Machine, that's 3D printers, the 3D pens, and the laser engraver and just how it can enhance that only their lives or projects for family members. But also our school, we have these students here who have decided that they wanted to beautify our school by creating um a wall display where we added pictures and words that said together, we are ntms. We are grateful that our district has invested in Innovation. It allows our students to be creative and work alongside their teachers to really see their Vision come to life. So the things that
007we can work on in here, uh teachers fill out the forms of things they'd like for kids to help them with so we can create no cooler. Drink sides. We have bathroom passes, some teachers want to give us special sizes for their kids. We cut trophies. Um, so we we students are learning about certification also helping others and being part of this. So our kids actually meet you all. Um a poster. Nancy leaves aren't very poster. I'm going to keep them in the bag because the colleague just smells really strong. So before you go home please take home a poster but it's really exciting because in kids have the opportunity to get out of their study halls. Uh, we work at where it's a volunteer, they take a pass. Um, our kids are consistently going.
008So we're starting to build this momentum of the kids who we think can maybe take this to the next level. Is our seventh to our eighth graders, then our eighth, and to ninth, because they have the Jacks of all trade room up there. So we're really trying to vertically align this all the way 7 through 12, it's really exciting. Uh I have 1 uh so I guess you know, obviously as we're getting started and we're getting moving on it, what I guess, what's the what we take things to the next level? Or what's the the kind of the future look like, so? Ideally, so right now we're starting with teacher passes, so, the teachers will fill out forms, but honestly, the kids have started talking about the craft shows, like, can we make things? And
009then be the people that represent and actually sell it. So, you know, tying it really to the pillar of Workforce preparedness. That like there's so many opportunities, the kids are getting used to how to do the cricket a 3D printer, they'll design it and then obviously the teachers have to, you know, work and actually get it done for safety but um the 3D printers, the laser engravers, all this, it really opens the door to a lot more future opportunities. Um, so that is part of our long-term goal is to get these kids able to take more orders orders from. Um, each other make t-shirts for each other kind of come up with their own Design, Graphic Design. Um, that's hopefully down the road, though, that's great. Thank you so much. We use transportation. So Mr.
010Wood, our new director of Transportation showing us as well. Always a challenge coming after building with something a little bit more. Informational per se, but we do have some exciting news in here. So, like, I have something with Mr. Wood, that might be able to write. Well, 1 of the buildings presentation today. So we're excited for that. Um, so today today going through the presentation. Uh, our goals are to review, our Fleet age and the mileage. Um, overview of our student runs, a secondary student mileage opportunity and what our upcoming challenges are. And, you know, our objective as a department, is to safely and reliably transport students, according with our board policy and all, uh, State applicable laws. So it's really just how do we get students to school as safely and efficiently as we
011can? But of course the most important thing is safely Safety First and efficiency. After what's that? So, with looking through our, um, again, our Fleet, agent mileage, overview of student bronze, our opportunity for secondary students and some upcoming industry challenge. I'm looking at The fleet age and the mileage. Um, when you go through, this is some of our large buses, so we can almost take our transportation Fleet and divided in half large buses and more smaller or specialty Vehicles. They serve different purposes. Just as a general framework of reference, a large bus depending on use where in tear weather road conditions with salt. They last anywhere between 8 to 10 years, roughly speaking and 80 to 100,000 miles. You can, of course, use a bus Beyond 100,000 miles, but then you have increased maintenance costs
012and mechanical expenses that you can incur as well. And also just what is, what is the nature of those runs? How demanding are they? Um, you can see that, um, our Fleet is a little bit topheavy in terms average miles that is due in 20 2020. 2021 the district purchased a large number of least buses and then we bought them off of lease but was uh, important about that at least as they were our buses that we had leased and that we bought the lease out. So they were always Within our care and that we know what those vehicles are. Um, the average what we call a 3, tier 1, or secondary campus our NTI, and then our K3 buildings is approximately 50 to 60 miles every day. That's what 1 of our typical, big
013buses will do or approximately 10,800 miles a year. Um, and that these mileage Figures were from approximately February 1st. And looking at our Fleet of smaller buses or specialty. Vehicles are they serve different purposes? For instance, a a small wheelchair bus for someone with physical handicaps. We also have some Durangos, which and virtually like, why we have Durango. Those are really helpful that if someone needs to do a trip with only 2 or 3 students or staff members need to go on a conference, they could cut down on IRS mileage reimbursements. And again, if those vehicles are under like our mechanics supervision, So Mr. Wood here is going to review some of our student runs. So I'm going to kind of go over the CC with the operation of our transportation department does. So, in
014the first thing, you're seeing here, the industry Care Transportation. These are all the buses that service, the IND district schools. It's going to be like Josh said, it's going to be a 3-tier run. So we're going to do, um, the high school, middle school first, then when they complete that, when they go on to the uh, NTI, um, school and then after that, they do the 3 elementary schools. So we have 10 large buses that do those 3 tier runs um, they started around 6:36 for 45 in the morning. And then they end up around 9:39 45 every morning and they do the same thing in the afternoon. But we also have 3 large buses, that service, our Bose's children. So we have, uh, the 3 buses to take the seniors out in the morning,
015they go out, get them, bring them back and then take the Juniors out in the afternoon and go out and bring them back. Those 3, buses also are our primary uh, Sports buses for the afternoon for our takeouts to service our Sports, uh events. Uh, we have 7, special education, buses. Those buses are do a similar, uh, type of run that the big buses do. In other words, they do a 3, tier run, and they tier run, and they service the, the main school. So they'll do the high school middle school with the special ed students, then the NTI then um they're divided between the 3 elementary schools. um, I already touched a little bit about the the sports runs, but we have up to 5, buses daily that we've tasked for, um, any field
016trips at the schools may have. And then anywhere from 5, sometimes 6 buses that will have in the evening when uh when we have uh, after school sports. Um, we also have a 3 Midday buses. Those are small buses that are specifically tasked for, um, uh, special ed groups that do like, um, um, Work based learning. Um, and we support that. So, um, right now, this is all the the work that we do in District uh in addition to the out of District next, um, slide please the out of District 1 we have um in the district, we have 4 buses that operate and now when we're talking about runs um, 1 bus concern, service multiple schools. So for instance, the 3, small buses services and agric Academy, North towns Academy Summit, stall, Henry, Ed
017and G Lewis, which is out in Newfane. Um also Orleans, Niagara boses has special ed program and new thing that we go out to we service the fall Ross, I'm sorry fault Roosevelt and fault, Cambridge schools in the in the town town I wanted to for some of our students and those all we are still handling in in District. In other words, our our drivers, our buses handle that. But then for the stuff that we can't handle, this is where it's not that we can't handle it, we just don't have the Personnel yet. Um, there's alternative special education programs that are contractor supported, and that schools like Summit Creek Side. Uh, Summit Hazlewood Ark Maryville, Gateway Symphony Circle. These are all out of the district cheat to wagah Buffalo area, schools that we're sending buses
018are children to, and, uh, we also do, um, some Procol schools and some charter schools that are in Niger County, um, like, say Peter's, um, um, Niger Catholic. But then also down buffalo like, um, Buffalo Buffalo Academy Science. Um, uh, the the, um, Buffalo Commons Charter, a persistence prep. So we do serve as some of those as well. Um, and eventually we would like to be able to bring all that in-house, so that we can transport all of our students on all of our own buses. But we just don't have the capacity for that as of yet. So the next slide hopefully, um, when we get exciting. Um, so a little bit more nuanced compared to some of the other, uh, insulated Apartments presentations, but for some important reasons. So our Board of Education policy
0195710 Transportation programs, specifically the mileage eligibility provision that says for secondary students only. So we're talking students in grades 7 through 12 at the middle school and the high school, they are eligible for District transportation. If they live beyond 2.0 miles um doing the work with Mr. Wood, how many students does that? Equal. Um, based on this current school year uh 2.0 miles is 365 students, but we also, you know, we're tasked and 1 of our board goals, was improving, attendance, and then, Inherently a transportation and proving that infrastructure and capacity. Uh, wanting to know how many students more would we be servicing at certain mileage points? So Mr. Wood used our various softwares and identified that approximately 524 students would be eligible at 1.75 miles. That's approximately a 43% increase and then at 1
020and a half miles, that'd be a total of 686 students, almost an 88% increase so students that you would route on a bus. Um, just for context, the capacity of a regular large bus, we have 10 of those. Currently doing runs is 4040, individuals that are secondary aged and start K3 students, you would Route 3 to a seat but in secondary world you would draw 2 to a seat But please know that the actual number of students that we do currently service is greater than 365 at 2 miles because because of uh, safeguards and Provisions through special education, McKinney vento or designated safe school zones. So we are currently routing a few more through some of those safeguards and special provisions. so, 2 pieces of information, we want to look at uh, last spring, the
021district worked with transfer pay Transportation advisory Services through a consultant and they did a amongst many things, a ridership audit. Um and this was essentially an efficiency study um and some of their recommendations again these are recommendations is that 85% of the bus is full. So that would mean approximately 37 to 38 students. Riding the bus every day. And that there are, of course, daily factors that impact live students would, or wouldn't ride the bus things such as families wanting to drop off their kids, or pick up their students um or students transporting themselves as seniors. We have a lot of extracurricular activities and sports, and musical opportunities. So, students participating that won't necessarily ride the bus, um, after school obligations for employment, some of our students, have extended academic opportunities, our Juniors, coming back,
022from Bose's Career, and Technical education. And also, whether when the weather's nice kids might ride their bikes to school, or walk to school, or go to a friend's house and when it's poor, they're more likely to probably use the bus. So that varies throughout the year, Um this advisory services on average. They said that um their study that 30% of the buses were at capacity with students actually riding the bus. Now, we would route more students but that doesn't mean there's a lesser of reasons why they're not writing the bus and on average 25% in the afternoon naturally. We would expect that to be a lower rate in the afternoon because of all the activities going on. But what we were concerned about Mr. Wood. And I with the average piece is, we're not worried
023about the average day. We're worried about the maximum capacity day, uh, which prompted us to do our own internal audit as well over the last month. So we looked at here, as we looked at, basically, the big buses is the focus of this audit and out of the 10, big buses that we're doing. Um, we broken down by the district zones where the, the localities where these posts are going. Um, they're all servicing the high school middle school but you can see most of the buses are in the spruce area. We have a higher population of students that are um in that area in the Christian history uh between Christian and um um Robinson and stuff like that, that down there, but then we still have 2 buses that are in the Ohio area, um,
024roster Park. So to say, and then, 1 bus that's up in the, in the Drake area that gets those kids. So you'll see this the students that are currently routed if um, in the beyond the 2 2 mi, um radius where we got an average about 46 kids per bus. In those areas. And you can see some of the spruce buses are are a little bit heavier than than others. But remember, even though we're saying we have, 62 can only really fit 44 on a bus that's because we've routed with the expectation that we're probably going to be transporting maybe 38%. Um, We're looking at an actual based on the accounts that we made rip in the morning of about 23 point. I'm sorry. 23 students about 51% 52% and then the afternoon same thing.
025Um, the actual ridership in the afternoon is around 44% with about 20, students per bus, and well, we can say how get that, we got on the bus and physically counted every student multiple times. And we took for our purposes, the highest count on each of those days. So they're 1 bus will take bus 1. It's not really boosts 1. It says the highest was 11. Well 1 day it might have been 5 1 de might have been 6, but the last day was 11. We picked 11. Also when we get to some of the larger numbers like a 30, maybe there's a 23, maybe there's a 24 that's great but there was 1 day where there was 30 students on that bus. So we need to make sure we have that capacity to route
026at what the highest ridership is. And again we as a common practice that you're routing more students that actually can fit on the bus because there we know they're not all going to take. Again. So when we go second questions about the slide, um, so you said this was secondary. Yes. And these are all large buses. Yes. Okay. Thank you. We did try to put the District zone just for a frame of reference of knowing, kind of how the district breaks up. We do know some of the buses for Spruce, they also serve as part of Drake as well and then some of the spruce buses also might serve us Ohio. So there's certainly some, some play so I apologize, but just in understanding the definition of routed students, um, Like tell me more is
027that people that don't that that don't opt out at the beginning of the year. Like what is that Dev? So at the beginning of the year, when we create the routes, uh, we're looking at all the total population of students that we will transport if they want a busing. Okay, so everybody that qualifies for busing gets a bus, okay? Hopefully. Near the beginning of the year, they'll contact us and say oh we're not going to take the morning bus or we're not going to take the afternoon or we're going to take no bus great. So then we'll remove them from that route. Um, the other thing that will happen is we'll start the runs um within the first month maybe 2 months, we start start bringing the drivers and say, okay well, what's going going
028on in your route? They may want to change it a little bit different, they want it to come down the street. So the other 1 to be a little bit safer at the same time, we'll start asking about okay. How many students are you actually getting? And they'll say well this kid never Rises, this kid, never rides. Um, you know, this 1's Mondays and Wednesdays only. Um, so now we have a start getting an idea about how many our actual, uh, transporting and in our routing software will remove them from the routes, but then, we'll note, um, you know, as of Date the student ever rides that way, we have an idea annually, what we're looking at. And then year over year, those things can change but we can still see on that particular student.
029The record of are they riding are they not riding, but we always route them at the beginning of year to start to just in case that they need this year. We want to be able to transport them. Thank you. so because of this, we feel confident to present that Perhaps at an upcoming policy meeting that we feel very confidently that we have the capacity to potentially route. Secondary students to 1.75 miles and reduce the radius by 20, by a quarter of a mile. We project the impact based on the transportation advisory Services audit, our own audit using ratios, and then a little bit of flexibility and variability within the seasons that the morning ridership would be approximately 304 to 38 students per bus, and that the afternoon, ridership would be 26 to 30 students per
030bus. We would like to just present that as that might be a nice talking point, that we feel confident that we might be able to do that um for the upcoming school year and that's a decision that's ultimately made regarding uh the policy. And then we would definitely want to revisit this and look at this again in March of 2026. Make sure it's, it's working as it's intended. Which is exciting. Um and then Mr. Wood's going to go into our um upcoming uh industry challenges. So again our Industry challenges. Next, slide, please. So you can preparing for us to try to expand what kind of service we're going to be able to offer this students in the in the district. Um, there's a number of things that um transportation holds been dealing with. Now for
031several years. Um Staffing is probably the biggest issue, trying to get enough drivers to um Drive the buses. Um, We are in competition with every other school district with every other company. Um, so there is a monetary um issue at hand and and and wanted to track attract and retain drivers because You probably have heard for students been advertising constantly because they need drivers. Well, we do too and trying to attract and retain. Those is very important. And we want to keep the, the, the, the right people, the people that are, um, committed to our district. Uh, so we have to deal with that. Um, the fact that the, the the staff can knows that they can chase the dollar and go to this company or go to transport or there's, there's several other, uh,
032companies Western New York, um, uh, they can If they can find a more money, say so to say, if they go somewhere else, um, we do all our training in house. So training, both drivers and attendants takes a lot of time for me and and our head bus driver. Um, the routing aspect of it, we talked a little bit about that, what we do annually. So we set up the routes at the beginning of the year, but then their tweaked constantly throughout the year. In order to maintain efficiency, we may have to slide half a bus over to another bus because that bus is getting overwhelmed, um, and we try to to to, to be as efficient as possible. Plus the fact that the McKinney vento programming, if you're not familiar with that, that's our,
033um, homeless students that may live out of district, and we still have to provide transportation to them. And that's a constant changing thing. Um, The increased level of special education program. Um, I think you, you saw that a lot of our out out of district is, um, students are special ed students that right now. First student or transport was handling for us. But we would like to be able to bring that back in. But then again, goes back to Staffing. Make sure that we have. Have enough people have enough buses but we would like to be able to do that. Um the fact that the bus purchase we have inflationary Trends right now. Buses are more and more and more expensive, I think. Uh, yeah, 12%. I was going to say, around 10%, but 12%,
034annual increase per bus, uh, year-over-year over the past 3 years. And then what's coming up, is the electronic or the electric bus mandate? Um, We're not gonna be able to purchase traditional buses, uh, after uh, 2027. And we'll have to be looking at the much more increased cost of electric busing, but we'll see how that goes with the state. Anything else? Any questions? Thank you for working so hard on this. Yes. Transportation has been uh conversation that we have constantly and I know that this was not easy to pull all this data together but we appreciate the data driven recommendation for the policy. Any other questions? Yeah, I mean I think for for us I mean when Dr, Dulce had let me know that this was on the table. Uh super exciting. I like Gabby
035said, I mean we've been talking about this for a long time. We've had a few Community come and speak on it that you know, busing was an issue and it's something that you know, certainly we you know with Dr. Ducey coming on board with a a top topic name with you um to to look at. How do we make it happen and getting creative I think is is the way to go. So yeah, I think it's super exciting. So thank you both. Um, actually, sorry, I have a question that's not about the policy recommendation. So you um, Apologies, if you don't know the answer. Um but um you mentioned that Buses last 8 to 10 years. So um so 80 to 100,000 miles. So 10,000 miles a year. Perfect. That's yes. Yes is, um, and
036our buses who are doing the big runs are 10,800 miles a year. So like, is that because we don't have enough buses or we don't have enough drivers to like shorten those routes. Sorry, the, uh, so like a 3 tier run, um, is approximately 50 to 60 miles so multiplied by about 180 days? It's about 10,800. So you're going to put on approximately 10 to 11,000 miles a year on a big bus, right? So, but my point is like, That. Gets us to that average mileage faster. So is that be like do we need more buses so that we can make even smaller routes or more route? Like, I guess like don't I think if we were ever fortunate to have a large enough of a Workforce, I mean, our I would say our our
037top priority would be bringing back all the um out of contractor runs for the servicing, some of our McKinney vento students or special needs students. Um, Beyond the cost Savings of bringing that in. We feel very confident. And, you know, Eric was mentioning having the right people, is that a lot of our staff. They live in this community. They can be for a long time and who's going to care more about our kids and our community. And, you know our employees. Now the contractors, do a satisfactory to a good job. I'm not saying anything bad about that, but when your bus drivers in attendance, no, kids birthdays and the names of their pets, like that's a different level of of caring. That certainly is, you know, our goal, I think 1 of our, our challenges
038with you're mentioning like the miles miles is um, the timing of the schools are when they dismiss and just physically getting to 1 part of the city. And then to another part of the city to a different school, there is a little bit of a timing. Challenge. And then with, you know, having a director, um, and doing the routing ourselves, this upcoming year because we were, um, the last 3 years routing through a contractor, um, we should be able to see some of the Improved. Efficiencies, and our head bus driver, he's looked in the city, his whole life. So, I my name is Street and he's like oh I would build this way this way, this way. And you can't turn left here and this is too narrow of a street and Thanks Brandon, but
039oh, let's say, you know, you beautiful perfect world. You had 10 wonderful, new hires, who are fantastic. They're going to be with the district for decades. Do we have enough buses to support, you know, lessening the around? I think what the anticipated bus purchase upcoming school year, which is going to focus a little bit more on some of our smaller buses, okay? Um, which is an IT Safeguard, we would be being very close to saying, yes. Okay. On that. Um, I believe that's actually accurate fairly close. I would say I'm confident with the number of bus that we have right now. we just probably have to revisit that if we were able to increase your labor force to the point that which I would feel comfortable to start bringing some of that work back from
040our contractors, um, I would say for the foreseeable future. I don't see that that would be a problem but it's probably going to be something, we'd have to discuss maybe in 3 years or so 3 to 5 years and we do have the flexibility of the way we've written the capital reserves to utilize both of our Capital reserves to purchase buses. If we Need to. So if there was ever a situation where we had a large increase in staff and we need to purchase Vehicles, we do have mechanisms to do that as well. That would be a part of the community proposition both. But, yeah, so we we do have that separate funding set aside. Well Eric, excellent. First presentation. This is Quality. Thank you. Anyone else? Right. Thank you both. Next up, we are
041going to jump over to our 2025 2026 budget. Sure. Um so thank you for joining us. Today, we're going to continue to talk about the uh March program. Continuation budget. Um, that we have. So again, our objective is to always strategically utilize the district's fiscal resources to support some educational outcomes. Not only for the upcoming school year, but in the sustainable way for those uh, Beyond this upcoming year. So, 10 years from now, the educational experience is very comparable, similar just as quality and robust as it was this year 10 years ago and next year, And so our budget presentation goals. Uh we have some recent headlines from the controller denapoli. Um that I think is very relevant that fits with some of the themes we've been talking about throughout the winter some of our
042historical historical and projected enrollment and average class sizes um are Bose's budget, which is we've been hearing me say the last couple of months it's more of a trajectory and a very accurate projection. Looking at historical data, we have some of those figures right now that we feel confident presenting to you and our updated budget overall. so looking at the recent fiscal headlines and focusing on some of what State Controllers, they said, um, some of these key quotes that is recent um, Communication with us, in February, with pandemic Aid coming to an end and uncertainty coming out of Washington. Local governments need to shore up their fiscal foundations by focusing on ensuring. Structural budget balance using realistic Revenue projections and multi-year planning, local governments will be better positioned to weather whatever Financial challenges, lay ahead
043and his key recommendations include communicating with taxpayers regarding the additional um use of additional aid. Over the past few years and act quickly to ensure a physical capability by continuously monitoring the current budget and adjusting as needed. And fortunately, we feel that. It's exactly what we've been doing since J. January, as we've been continuing to talk about the budget looking at what we've been doing what we did in the past and what we're doing in the future really trying to plan responsibly uh for the long term. So as we promised in our last meeting in February, we would be looking at the K8. Core programming, moving forward. so, historically over the last 3 years, uh, we looked at where our K2 class sizes have been compared to local districts in our comparison districts. We use
044a lot for Niagara Falls, Niagara we to build and start point and if you see we are the blue. Those districts on average are the red. We are slightly higher in terms of class sizes for our for our K2. Um, classes at 17 and 2122 187 and 22223 and 2324, um, close to 18 again. Um, but what these numbers? This this steady Uh, stream across actually shows is that we are appropriately staffed with appropriate class sizes and, and that's what we want. We want to a steady stream year, after year, in our class, in our, all of our schools. So next slide, please. Um, this is our projected numbers for next year. Um, as we look at um, 2526 compared to 2425, you're going to notice that. The numbers really across the board are virtually
045the same. There's really no changes across the board. Um, in terms of where our class size are going to be To 3 um 2 areas that are asterisk. Um in third grade, this year we had a a large bubble and we have 5 sections in third grade this year. Next year, we anticipate having 4 also in that double asterisk at Spruce, that's a fairly small class size at 16.5. So that's something we'll continue to Monitor, and we'll move Staffing as appropriate, um, but we will continue to look at these numbers and if we go to the next slide, um, if you look at our numbers of cross, um, all of our buildings are, our numbers are very similar at Drake Ohio and Spruce with the average building wide, um, number being 19.5. So about 20
046students in our K3 classrooms across the board District wide, Looking at that, um, getting these, uh, data points again from Frontline analytics um with publicly accessible data through uh the state system. Looking at our 3, through 8, Ela math and science. Uh, we've done a little bit lower than some of those similar schools so the same composite schools as an average. Um that's been slightly increasing. Uh a couple key things to note. These are just specifically general education students that are tagged in here, some of the districts programming. And then, of course, I'm sure all these districts have a little niche programming, um, the impact of historically, MTP and our rise 8 will lower that number. So maybe just the general Experience is slightly higher. And then also in these school years, we want to
047make note that the uh, current ninth and tenth graders. The class of 2027 2028 are definitely smaller cohorts with about 30 to 35 less students than we typically see on average. And those uh, averages are reflected in here and we know that it was a little bit more of an outlier that those cohorts were dips. Um, that were artificially bringing down some of those numbers compared to what we would expect to see. Um, so when we look at our Intermediate School uh currently currently there is 10 sections with the class average of approximately 23.3 students in it. This includes our inclusion, uh, special education program upcoming school year. We're again, we're anticipating 10 sections across each grade level with virtually an identical average class size of 23.2. When we look at the, uh, upcoming Middle
048School, um, our seventh grade has 10 sections. Our eighth grade has 11, the extra 1 comes from the United States a program that we had just recently mentioned, uh, this current school year, the average class size is approximately 22.3 next year. We projected to be approximately 22.6, there's going to be some abs and flows, but relatively speaking a nice stable year-over-year experience for our students So our aosis budget, it's going to be presented a little bit differently this year. Um, in an effort to try to be transparent. Uh, we had definitely some challenges and we just wanted to highlight some of these challenges because these are Big dollar amounts that a couple percents here and there were swinging, meaningful dollars. So our CT tuition for the 11th and 12th graders that go to Bose's. It's
049a rolling multi-year average. Um, it was a 5.3% increase that rate is given to us, and it's a historical role in average. So, we're paying the bill from the last 3 years numbers, that 5.3% increase represents almost 330,000 our special education and alternative education. Placements, those rates are set and given to us and, and these are CSC outcomes. So, these are legal safeguards for students. They're up almost 9% across all areas. Those are big dollar amounts within the Bose's budgets but are smaller percents. But on the flip side, we also want to identify areas that had very large. Large percents that even though they're smaller dollar amounts their I topping. So our safety risk management specialists at boses went up 24%. That's an all or nothing service. It's not an in between alicart. I want
050a piece of this and a piece of that it's just 24% increase and also our public information service with bosies. Um everything from PR the website and different aspects of bosies went up 83% again in in all or nothing. You Want the service or you don't increase? Well, not quite the same dollar amount as our CTE expense gigantic percentage, increase these are those were increases from both seats. That was the rate increase from bosies. Did they give an explanation in some its levels of service? And some, it's also new contractual expenses, the 1 Thing from boses, which is helpful, but it's a lagging year, um, is that there are any refunds owed to the district at the end of the year. They have to disperse the access funds to the um, districts. But that's Very,
051very variable and not something we would rely on. It is a part of the revenue source for the district that we'd call other local Revenue but it it varies a lot. Okay. And the more you use bosies, the greater, the potential, you have for revenues, the less you use the less. So we look at our bosies budget and the 2425 pound. This is what was presented publicly in our budget. Bose is excluding technology was approximately 7.3 million and our technology line was 1 million almost 31,000 dollars. We wanted to break it up into more a chunks and areas. So we understand where in the future cost drivers are We're districtwide and central office supports, that's a lot of things, like software supports where the district will have to buy the software. If you buy it
052on your own, you're you're still paying almost the same price, but you won't get any Aid back. When you buy through bosies, you get expense based Aid and state aid the following year, So, we spent about 1.8 million dollars. Some of the other larger drivers special education is a little bit north of 2 million dollars. Are that Career and Technical boses education. We are referencing approximately 1.6 million dollars and our technology budget is approximately 1.2 million dollars. Um, those are the core areas? The other areas are a lot smaller but there's a bunch of codes that can be lumped together to kind of give some broad indicators of where we're spending um our district funds overall year-over-year through just a lot of hard decisions. Um and conversations we have are expecting approximately a hundred thousand
053dollar decrease and our Bose's expenses it's 1 Thing. The other thing we want to, you know, be proud of and there's even some agenda items tonight is whenever there's an opportunity to take something. We are already paying for and purchase it through Bose's or drive it through Bose's. We're basically paying the exact same price, but we get almost 2/3 of that money back. So 1 agenda item tonight is the switch of the district's. Medical provider, we feel Peds, same contract, same same service, we can run it through bosies and now we get now we get 2/3 of that money back in 8. Whenever those those opportunities I get excited. I'm sure Mr. Lesco Dr. Jack luski. Sometimes they get a little frustrated and say, you know, Josh calm down stop chasing this rabbit hole but
054um these can be meaningful dollars. Um to look for Because we look at the net changes, um, for rolling over the budget to next year. Um the total amount at 250,000 is is actually rather small compared to where it was last time we were talking um and the reason being is and we'll talk about this in a little while through, you know, retirements of many teachers, um, that the salary number will come down drastically. Um, but you'll notice the employee benefits is still. Um, it's still a large number and that will include, uh, paying the retirement Senate. The first year of the returning incentive and the healthcare increases, which were not exactly sure what they will be yet as they are variable. But we're predicting approximately 10% increases across the board with health care, but
055that is a very low number and then, Dr. Denise just mentioned the 300112000 savings through bosis. And then also some of the debt that we've paid off from past capital projects, keeping that Number um, at a relatively small amount of 250,000 dollars between last year's budget and the increase in this year's budget. So as we go through, budgeted reserves and appropriate fund, balance the 1 Edition piece that you'll see right now is the use of the employee benefits. Accrued liability reserve, the elar reserve. That was part of a planned and intentional use of the reserve in the way we structured, um, for our teachers and the retirement incentive. Um, for those who had sick days, there are Provisions within this Reserve explicitly, what is designed for is to help cover some of those expenses. So
056this is that dollar amount now being added in as Revenue because there was also now the added expense. So this was the vehicle to make this more of a neutral proposition. When you compare the increase of expense but now also the increase in Revenue to try to match that as well. So our submitted tax cap in New York state working with Questar 3 bosis. Uh we will look and find some additional tax Capital, tax levy, exclusions that are maximum percent, Levy increase that the levy could be is approximately 2.78%. We see a relatively, uh, simple math formula here, Um, with a lot of the figures hard-coded and predetermined for us, but the things that are in the pinkish red area, that's a much more complicated formula behind the scenes to get to that number. Um,
057and working with doses, we were able to identify a few more Capital, tax levy exclusions, that drove that number to be the actual number that was submitted to the controller. Responding from that, just for good. I think at the board, um, the 2.78%, that's our simple majority is, if we were to go up to the cap, yes, that would be a simple majority vote, not a 64 correct. That is the 50% vote that changes by districts. Some of the key drivers, are your pilot agreements. That is, oh, and businesses move into your community. Sometimes, there's alternative tax arrangements for them, for a certain amount of time. Um, that can have a pretty dramatic increase, uh, capital projects, and if you're doing capital projects, how are you paying for them? And then also the P purchase
058of buses is a significant driver in the capital Levy exclusion formula as well. So districts are rewarded by the state or to have the potential capacity um to help pay for those improvements because the state wants to recognize those are meaningful expenses. Um, which they know these expenses are important like buses to drive kids to school. Thank you. Yeah. um, so when we look at our forecasted, uh, revenues, we do have a, a slight increase in the, uh, use of fund fund balance and reserves category. Again from that ablar, our Reserve. So our working draft Revenue budget is approximately 82,400,000 We look at the overall working budget. Our expense budget is a 3,761,000, so this year, just for context was 83,510,000. So again, a 250,000 increase in the overall budget from this current year to
059where we're at right now. For next year, projected and the revenue budget has a working budget working budget Gap right now of approximately 1.3 million, so much nicer figure, than last time you heard from me, which was 6.8 million, So some of our important, next steps is the presentation of the finalized Bose's expenses to be honest. You could probably take what was here and it's not going to be meaningfully change. That's basically going to be what the Bose's expenses will be. Yes there will be some slight variability. They do rate adjustments throughout the next 2 months that they say surprise it went off, they went down, but that's by and large what the boesing bill will be, um, recognize staff, position adjustment to calculate spinal, retirement breakage, and Assistance office. And just uh, we'll be
060working with the contractual language because there might be shifting of positions, um, that we want to make sure we fully recognize. And then, uh, presentation of the academic program with position adjustment is our goal for the March 19th meeting. On April 2 n. Very clean goal of this finalized budget. From the governor is supposed to be the first like February 1st. Isn't that what it's supposed to? So we have received the executive Governor's budget already. Historically. That is, the many people believe the conservative budget and the legislative budget is historically, the more generous 1, um, that is supposed to be by April 1st. It's not always by April 1st, right? Right, right. I believe in December. Hearing me. Say I was concerned and very nervous about losing 2 million dollars, and we're all very pleasantly
061surprised to receive a 2% increase in Foundation Aid. So, um, we were not expecting that in December. Um, we were very feel fearful that that safe harmless, legislation was still going to impact us Election here. So it is um back on the um and not that we have to go back to to it. But 1 of the controllers, um, reports on the February 14th, um, he did talk about the current, um, Statewide deficit over the next 2 years that their office. and the department of budget is projecting a 27.3 billion dollar deficit Statewide um due to their current revenues, they're receiving versus current expenditures that's on a a Statewide level for all things, the state does. Um so 1 of the reports consistent with some of his other comments is a concern of the long-term
062sustainability of Of this continuing for any area that the state supports whether it's schools or anything else. So that is just kind of like that concern off in the distance. Hopefully they don't. Look at schools. They have some big reserves. Are there any other questions for Dr? Juski or No, thanks for that are working. So I know it's A fun topic and we'll have to do. So thanks guys. All right, um, we will roll into our agenda. Um, so we will start out at 8.1. It's recommended the Board of Education. Approves, the agenda orders presented? Are there any additions, deletions or changes Right now, if you any I will make the motion just need a second. from Stephanie all in favor, I I any opposed motion carries We will go down to 9.29. It's recommended
063the Board of Education. Approves and consent agenda as recommended by the superintendent of schools. Just need a motion from closing the second From Gabby all in favor. Hi, any opposed motion carries. Uh, we'll go to 10.1% all agenda order is presented. Were there any additions, deletions or changes Not hear any I will make the motion to see a second. From Melissa, all in favor. I motion carries. And we will go down to 11.321%. From Bowie. And I'll second that all in favor, I any opposed motion carries All right, uh, section 12 is all of our requirements with new resignations in here. Uh, we will take these all as a group and then me and Dr. J will go back through and we will recognize those staff members, um, for their time in the district, Um
064so we will go down to 12.441%. I will make the motion just need a second from Stephanie all in favor. I any opposed motion carries All right, so let's take a look at those wonderful staff members that know, the district for quite a while that we want to thank for their service. Um, the first up, we in, sorry, if I butcher your name sir. Um, first off we have, uh, Rosanne, um, orida irida, thank you. Um, she is a special education teacher who has been with the district since February of 2003. Uh next we have Irene the CIS, who is a elementary school teacher and she's been with the district since September of 1990. Uh, next up, we have uh, Alexandria or Alexandria bertini, who's been uh, who is a teacher with the district elementary
065school teacher and she has been with the district since September of 2000. We have Tina Bill houseki, who is a foreign language teacher who is been a boy in The District in September of 1989. We have Mary Beth Brown who is an elementary school education teacher. Uh, she's been with the district since February of 1991. Uh, we have Marine, Charlie, special education, teacher, who has been with the district since September of 2006. Um, we have Michelle. 3, uh, who is a reading teacher who's been with the district since March of 1992? Next, we have Linda Clancy. Who is an elementary school teacher, uh, who's been with the district since September of 1991. We are 219. It just loaded. Yep, there we go. We have June, uh, do who is an English teacher who has been
066with the district since September of 1985? And we have Karen Dillon, who is a social worker who has been with the district since uh, September of 2007. And we have Michelle edminster math teacher from October of 1992 and Michelle is here. Congratulations. Kathleen flag. Playback was a social studies teacher since October of 1992. Amy gorin, a social worker since September of 1996. Congratulations. And Tracy, her a speech teacher since August of 1994. Chris Easton, a science teacher from October of 1994. Wendy Hockenberry, and a special education teacher since September of 1992. Jennifer Kent in elementary teachers, since November of 1990. Patrick, Kennedy, a physical education teacher since September 1999, and Special education, teachers, since September of 1997. John Lowery, a social worker since January of 1995. All right. Next up we have uh Amy Manning
067who is an elementary school teacher been with the district since January of 1993. Uh, we have uh Karen Morrow, who is an elementary school teacher been with the district since October of 1992. We have Daniel McCarthy Jr. Uh, who is a special education teacher who's been with the district since September of 1999? We have Susan Moore, who's an elementary elementary school has on Elementary School teacher, who's been with the district since October of 2000. Uh, Michelle Morgan, who is a foreign language teacher who's been with the district since February of 1989. We have Kieran ninos, who's an elementary school teacher, who's been with the district since February of 1992? We have uh, Sheila oliri Adcock who is a social studies teacher who has been with the district since September of 1990. We have Cynthia Patron
068who's a science teacher who's been with the district since September of 1995? Uh then we have Christine uh reading who's an elementary school teacher, who's been with the district since September of 1992. And we have Darlene senk who's an English teacher, who's been with the district since February of 1993. And Alison short and elementary teachers in September of 1999 Rebecca silverberg in elementary teachers. Since August of 1997, Sue servinsky. A special education teacher since October of 1992. Lisa trombol and elementary teachers since September of 1994, Paul Walker of Technology teacher since September of 1993. Cindy White had a speech teacher since April of 1990. Catherine Winston a family and consumer science. Teacher since August 1994, he write a music teacher since August of 1994. On ziptech in elementary teacher since June. Sorry September of 1992.
069And Patricia Zigman a science teacher, since September of 1990. Congratulations, to all of our Yes, thank you. It's a lot of years. We could do the math on it that we're we're losing, but we wish them, you know, healthy and well retirement and thank them for all their wonderful years of service in North Carolina. So thank you. Um, so we'll skip over the boarding. We have a full house here, I wanted to jump into a public comment, um, but I did want to turn it over to Dr. Galue, you just uh, give a brief um, update on a couple things before we jump into the public comment. Sure, I just wanted to, uh, read a statement regarding, um, obviously there's a lot of things that have been on social media and Facebook. So, as a
070district, we're taking decisive action in response to recent website, articles and Facebook posts about bullying in our schools. We are unwavering in our commitment to creating a safe and respectful environment for all of our students. This includes actively educating students and stakeholders about the impact of bullying promoting. Positive behavior and empowering everyone to speak up if they witness or experience bullying. we have implemented, clear and accessible procedures for reporting bullying students friends or parents can report incidents by speaking with trusted by speaking with as trusted staff member dignity, act coordinator, or by using the bullying incident form available on our website. Upon receiving any report, we will conduct a thorough investigation and take immediate appropriate action to address the situation and prevent future incidents. Addressing bullying is a community effort. In North Carolina, we are
071committed to working closely with parents students and staff that bought trip Foster. A culture of respect and kindness. This includes professional development assemblies and ongoing discussions about the importance of treating everyone with dignity and respect And this statement will be out in written written form and will have the bullying incident report and also obviously all the phone numbers for our schools but to speak candidly. It's, you know, the things that we see, you know, certainly, we see what you see, uh, on on the internet on websites and Facebook and things like that and social media. And we don't like the things that we see, we don't like seeing, you know, kids fighting and things like that. However, we need to let you know that we do. Take all of those incidents seriously and that we
072do investigate those situations. So we worked mostly As dis. Administrators to work with our building, administrators to figure out, solutions, to the things that are going on. you know, there are oftentimes consequences consequences consequences for all the students that are involved. And I times, you know, when we talk to parents, you know, when we say a student is being suspended, you know, the first thing that a parent will ask and and we understand that is what happened to the other student. Then what consequence did they receive? And and you know, there's laws that tell us that we can't help you. You know, there's privacy laws and or not allowed to speak to other people's discipline and things like that. So there are things that prevent us from doing that, you know. But we don't want
073to see these things. Just as I'm sure all of you don't want to see these things. So we are committed to working with all of our families and all of our students to really go on North Carolina and be the best place that could possibly be for all of our kids, but we want everyone to have a good experience and it really does take all of us working together to make. That happen. And you know that's I you know certainly wanted to let you know from the superintendent's point of view, that's what we want to do. I have 1 question on all that. Well we'll we'll get to you can address in public comment. Um, so I that's what we're dropping that next piece. So uh, we just ask that you, um, just orderly and
074orderly fashion. fashion, um, come up just state your name and address, uh, and you have 5 different comments. We just ask that you from using, you know, students names or um, staff member names. And certainly if there's a specific issue that's ongoing we can certainly after the fact get that information to make sure 1 of our administrators works with you uh directly on your specific issue. Um and then after that the board will have our comments so we won't address each individual comment. Um but we will at the end, I will certainly address those in certainly any day after the specific things that we need to address. Um so I think there was a list to start and I don't know who was focused on that list if not take a look at it. Okay,
075yeah, and then if you're winning on the list feel free to we can continue that from there. All right, so the first 1 up was in. Just your name and address and then your phone call. That's 728 Avenue. Thank you. I'm here as a parent. I still have 1 student left in the school, who is a senior and I know with speaking out tonight. I'm gonna have an issue with my son walking this year because of the retaliation that I know is coming towards my kid. 2 years ago, I went to that school. I begged that school for help my daughter begged, that school for help with 3 girls. In that school that were bullying. Her, they even pulled her hair out. Clumps of hair. They did nothing her the super Or the assistant principal.
076And her counselor called me to come and get her and told me, I should teach my daughter, not to lie. Photos. Messages videos did absolutely nothing a week later. My daughter was jumped in case 27 times. for the school to tell my daughter not those students, no way, police reports orders of protection guilty. Pleas a violent felonies, they still wouldn't remove these girls for my daughter's classes. My daughter ended up having to walk away from her education. Over these girls, in some of them are still in that school. Walking around like they only the problem isn't just with the students being bullied part of that Administration. Also, Then Administration thinks they could do whatever they want. We whatever they want away and it's going to go away. My husband passed away suddenly. Right before everything
077happened. When my daughter, my husband passed away suddenly of a brain aneurysm. I was told I was a liar, I was not married. He was not my father's my children's father and that he never died. I had to produce their birth certificates over again, his death certificate, and my marriage certificate. And instead of the school reaching out and saying is there anything we can do to help your children? You know what they did? They called child protection. For educational neglect because my kids were home for 2 weeks. Grieving their father Clearly, there's an issue with Administration in that building. Please step up and help because I'll tell you if I have the retaliation and my son can't graduate to share or can't walk. I promise I'm not shutting up and going away. I will take
078it to New York state if I have to. Because this is out of hand and the retaliation when a student doesn't agree with a an Administration or they tell your lying go home. Are you get suspended for? It, it's out of control. Stand up to these bullies show them, we're not tolerating this. No more remove them from the district, kick them out. You can't behave get out. Because guess what happens in the classroom. You disrupt a classroom. You you're not behaving. You're being all over. Guess what? They send you to the office, right? Kick them out. let's see how well these kids want to behave, then Because to watch my daughter in that hospital and with all those burn marks, from that teaser. And go through all these Court pedals with these girls. Broke my
079heart for her guidance, counselor to stand there and tell her she was lying, even with the proof. That my daughter was making things up. How does that happen? You know how it happens. They're their favorite little kids, that's how that happens. And it's not fair to the students that are being bullied. My son. Was kicked in the back, walking down the hallway. With his friends K. Came up behind him, dropped them in his back. Guess who got sent home my kid for 3 days out of school suspension. You know why? Because my son turned around and stopped the kid, See something, say something. No, see something get targeted by the administration. That's, that's what it is. Absolutely right. Because it's like these kids walk up and say something guess what? You're targeted as a snitch
080and guess what? They don't believe you. Now, You can have as much proof as you want. They don't believe you. You know why? Because you said something. That's not the mentality that should be going on in our district. Because I promise you, if I could take my kid and put him in sweet home's, District, half this stuff would not be happening. And I can promise you that. It is sad. It is disturbing and I have to worry about my kid because I'm here speaking out. that if they're going to allow him to graduate or walk that stage this year, it's not fair. I shouldn't have to feel that way. He shouldn't have to feel that way. No student no parent, should have to feel that way. It's that simple. Please step up and do something
081and help these kids. Isn't 1 of the priorities of all these. All these principles. Provide a safe environment for these kids to get an education clearly that they're not doing their job. Clearly, it's not happening. and they made my daughter, feel like it was not in Isolated incident. No, it's not. These guys got to stand up and say, do better for these kids do better for the next class has come. Snap. Soon, as you say something, you get targeted by the administration. Oh, you coughed while you were in the hallway 3 days home Oh, 3 days home. It's not fair and guess what? The kids calling all this problem, guess where they are walk in the halls with their head held high, not caring. Because why? Because they're being protected. It's not fair. Please stand
082up and do something even if it's means a change in them and a straight over there. Please. Because it's not fair, why? So if want to use decide, you want to go in, you got to get prior written permission or let them know what writing ahead of time, why? So they can make it look like, it's all good. No. that's not fair walk in there as a parent any day and you'll see the nonsense that goes on in those hallways. Thank you. next up I cannot read this but if you know that you signed the second, you're Well Linda gaudreau. Yes, thank you. What's your name and address? Hi, my name is Melinda. Gaudreau, my daughter is McKenzie gaudreau. Wrong. Thanksgiving time. She was brutally beaten and that girl's bathroom prior to that she's several
083times received messages from 2 Bulls which her cousins see several times went to the principal at North Carolina, High School to report these things that she was told to do. And she was told to do by her teachers that she was told to do by the counselor. And by the, uh, assistant principal also to continually report report every report was put in nothing was done. Nothing was done several days went by Like message after message from these girls, then it turned into their messages and their friends messages. Then it turned into them. That just targeting my daughter, it turned into then, turning my daughter's friends, then it turned into hurting also, my younger daughter who is now in ninth grade? These these girls are just brutes like they're always fighting. I seen several videos which
084I have them all. If you'd like to see them. Every single 1 of them, they're constantly in a fight in a fight, in a fight, like, how many times does a kid have to be in a fight slapped on the hand? Brought back into the school, like, when I was in school, you had maybe 2 fights and you were kicked up. There was no returning and the biggest part that I'm in here for today, is the way my daughter's face looks. I hate it, pick her up from school. Take her to Degraff Hospital, for several x-rays. She had a concussion. She still has scars on her forehead. I did talk to a lawyer. I did go to the police station. Police station. Told me with the exact words, I'm sorry, we could file a report
085but really, we can't do anything because I happened in school. That is b*******. I'm sorry. Every cop should be able to protect a kid in school or out of school. It shouldn't matter where you're located if they're in that District of North Tanana Tanana, whatever it is and that cop belongs in there. They should definitely take care of that kid. Doesn't matter where you are. Why? Because you're in school grounds, that should not matter, that's what I'm really upset with. Just because you're a minor. That is wrong. You assault somebody. I don't care how old you are. You are you should be like held responsible for that. My daughter entered that bathroom that day because she was sick of being harassed. Walking through the Halls walking home from school walking to work. My daughter's had
086a job since she was 14 2 years straight, not a break in there. she is a hard worker, she struggles with school. Yes, reason being because she's not left alone. Her grades have fallen so much that I doubt she's even going to graduate like she should because she's so far behind. She's family family and failing. She's done summer school, you know, but still like it's it's horrible. She can't keep like her brain even focused on her work because the constant the message is coming in. Then her friends calling her saying, oh there's more Tik toks being made with your face on it. new Snapchat accounts because of course, you know, you block 1, they create another 1 Biggest problem is also that I'm being told that this 1 Girl. The 1 that has caused this
087from the beginning 2 years started ago. is possibly being went back into that High School, the end of this month and I'm just saying this that happens my daughter's dropping out because I will not let her be beat up at all like that again, the 1 that actually physically, punched my daughter several times with a fist to the head like this constantly, I'm surprised my daughter didn't even have a broken nose, a broken jaw. Her head, just missed that sink. All those girls sitting in your videotaping it, I thought there's a rule you know, you videotape it, you know anything like that. Why we're only some of them suspended and not all of them. And well, the 3, why was the hallway monitor standing there for approximately 30 seconds? Watching my daughter being beaten and
088did f****** nothing. It's it's it's it's pathetic and I have a 5-year-old that has to go through this school. Had had a conference. Over the phone and in person with a principal, what does he tell me? It was both parties faults fine. My daughter probably shouldn't have went in the bathroom fine, but she was just at her wits and she she just wanted to like get it over with So possibly it would all end, but to this day, it still doesn't the text messages. There's they're all still coming in. I have all of them. I just I can't do it anymore. Even my other son. Thank God. He's out of that school. He's now in Buffalo happy as ever. You think Buffalo's schools would be horrible. He has not once, had a kid. Bully him.
089Try to fight him. His grades are great. He loves that school. I'm like, so ready to pack up and go to Erie County. Like, is this horrible here? And I used to go to that school. And even then I had problems too. Even with principles about what I'm walking down, the hall, just with the front of my mind, just chilling. He goes his his way. I go my way and you get grabbed by a principal. Right. Yeah totally my dad came. My dad took that dude in court and won because that guy said that I was being obnoxious and loud and this and that all I was doing was talking with a friend of mine and he went his way and went with mine, right? Where the lunch lunch hallway is It's just, it's ridiculous
090here. It's so bad there. Horrible. All right. Next, it looks like a shareable share name and address for the record, please. Thank you. Just want to start by saying. Um not so many promise in the Middle School. Um with my younger 1, um I mean she's had issues but her mouth sticks up for herself that no 1 kehrs about her. Um it's it's my it's my older 1. Uh that has been an issue ongoing for 4 years. Um, Started probably in in sixth grade. Seventh grade eighth grade um eighth grade. It it kind of got to the point where, you know, it was bad. Um, and she wanted me to say, um, start by saying, um, The s*** they have made me go through the school district focuses on the wrong s***. They could care
091less about kids mental health and that's what it comes about. Is kids mental health, these kids that bully Elder kids. Either they're hurting at home, they're not getting the attention at home. It all starts at home with their parents. So when you have a kid, that's bullying, another innocent kid who is going to school is could be a, a high 90 average student. And they're not at their capability because of mental illness because of the bullying, you know, which is my daughter's. She can be a high 90s and she's, she's not there. She's there now because I've supported her, I gotten help through, um, at the middle school, um, with Mitch Mr. Janice thank you. Um, But now we're at the high school and it's starting all over again. And it seems to be the
092same girls over and over again, doing the bullying. Doing the body shame and which is a huge thing on on girls, especially, you know, not everyone is built the same. Not everyone is skinny. Not everyone. You know, is a toothache, we all are built differently. We're all different. Well, you got a girl saying, well, you know, you're fat, you're big, you know, go kill yourself, that takes an a, a toll on 1, a teenager's mental health. After she's been bullied over and over the last few years. Then it comes down. You have girls doing self harm. Because they have not, they have nowhere else. Kids don't have no 1 to talk to or they do they go in the bathrooms? They go elsewhere and they self harm themselves. Um, you guys might not see it.
093I hear it, I have ones that, you know that do it. Um, They do it at home. They might be good for a while, then they relapse and they're self harm themselves again. 2 years of weekly counseling. For kids, I've been through it, it takes a toll, not only on that child. But for me also, Because I feel like my dog, can't talk to me about certain things. She has to go trust the stranger. Um, her counselor, um, unfortunately has left. So my daughter is without a counselor because she doesn't want to fulfill anyone else because she doesn't, she doesn't feel like she can trust. No 1. It took her almost a year to open up to 1 person that she felt more comfortable with now. And that takes a lot. There's so so much
094bullying and you know, she sticks out for herself and all of a sudden I'm getting a call or a message from her. Um, I have in-school suspension um for for 2 days. Um, I don't, I mean do nothing wrong because she's stuck up for herself and that seems to be an ongoing thing with NT schools since my son was here. He's 25 now so over the past 10 years, it's been an ongoing thing and he just brushes it under the carpet because everyone says alright. Russ is it under the carpet? Oh, we'll send a no contact or so I didn't file it. Oh, we're done wash your hands a bit. Let them go away. The issue is still there. The issue is always going to be there. That's why so many parents are here tonight
095to stick up for them, kids and tell their stories and I applaud every person that came in here. So You know, give them a little fun because they're, they're the ones that have to deal with it all the time. Um, you know, it's sad. It's very sad that our kids have to go through this stuff. And once they stick up for themselves, they get in school system out of school system. You know my daughter wants to go and these are so-called friends that they're doing it. They're so-called friends are at my house next to me they're telling my daughter to go kill herself for what reason you were just in my house. And my daughter approaches this kid and she gets in trouble for it. That is not fair, our rules and the district policy
096needs to change. Because our innocent kids take it off for themselves are getting the s*** end of the deal. The s*** under the deal kids going to beat up and almost concussion. She's looking at her daughter and get a brain aneurysm or something from that. I don't know if you guys saw that video. I couldn't watch it. It disgusts the freak out of me and every other video that they're posting online, it's totally disgusting. That's what's going on in all these schools. The middle school, the high school. I'm sure it's going on at at the elementary schools, too. You guys should know 1 sees it. No 1 sees it and that's where it starts from. And the parents of these kids, what happened to the parents are held accountable. I don't see any of that.
097The boys are bullying. Everyone's kids, they say, oh the school called them, the schooling, call their parents. I know for a fact they didn't call it. I know for a fact that the morals did not call um the parents of the bullies. I know for a fact So, Mr. Ross needs to get his little ball going and stop blind. All all these parents because that's uncalled for and ridiculous. School should be a safety zone for these kids to go. How you spe the mission, the mission statement, you guys should change that because that's not even true anymore. Our kids do not feel safe to go to school. Our kids cannot get an education to their full, fulfilled ability when they're being bullied and it's taking a toll on their mental status anxiety, depression, how can
0981 go to school and sit there and do their work. When they're all. Anxiety and depression is going on their head. That's going to lower anyone's grades. You could sit there and tell me it's not because I know Dan while that is, you're welcome. All right. Um Aisha. What's your name and address for the record please? Um, I used to miss Caskey, 803 Meadow Drive. Thank you. Um, I just had a couple things. Unfortunately, my kit is not in position a lot of other families are. But um, something that my daughter told me this week that was troubling is that they made a policy change that the middle school kids can no longer go to the high school after school to the gym. Um, I think that we need to look at an exception for
099kids that are part of our City Sports because my daughter's on Varsity track. So therefore they practice in the high school. So now she's not given the same opportunity that her Classmates, or whatever you want to call, it can do that. So, I understand like a general policy of middle school and high school kids mixing doesn't make sense that does make sense, but I think that there should be a way for kids that are part of Varsity Sports that they can you know, have their name on a list and say this kid is allowed because they are part of the sport. So they are doing something that they should be allowed to do. Um I get a blanket statement that is not allowed but there should be like a list of kids that say, you
100know, they are a part of this because even to be in the sports they have to have good grades and other stuff. So they're not in general trouble makers but you know they're also all kind of kids. So ideally if we can look at tweaking that new policy that happened, where if you are a part of the Varsity Sport that you are allowed, you can get your name on the list or something would be helpful because I don't like punishing a kid that didn't do anything wrong. Um, the other issue we're having is that ideally we need to have like, I don't know if it's a city officer or a school district officer patrolling the streets outside Ohio. Um, we're having a lot of issues by the Pre-K side of parents blocking other parents cars
101in and literally creating a major traffic jam and fights over. Um, the special pickup and drop off time because there's 2 different pickup and drop off times they overlap. I brought it up to the officer that is there. I was told he's not there in the afternoon. He's only there for a few minutes in the morning. Um if more officers were patrolling that area, then they could actually catch a ticket. The parents that are doing this and causing the problem because it's literally becomes a 1-way street and when people are parked there and you can't get by, uh, so ideally, if we can Patrol that, that would be helpful. So we can avoid more of these issues because they do, you know, send messages to the parents about you're not supposed to do it but
102there's 1 parent in particular that does it every single day and it still continuing and it's escalating. Unfortunately, the behavior and the bites and stuff around it. Um and then the other comment would be. I don't know if the districts look into having officers posted like outside the school buildings when they let out because that seems to be a lot of 1 of these issues happen. Is the middle school and high school. Let out so close together because the kids don't have transportation because it's 2 mile radius. You have all these kids that have to walk a bike. So there's a lot of issues in that area, even the businesses are closing their doors saying, we don't want any kids inside like McDonald's won't let you inside. Timmy's won't let you inside because they know
103that these fights and things are happening inside their premises. so if we had some more presence outside the schools when they let out you know that would be something that would be helpful to help avoid some of the issues that wouldn't clear it up but at least if there's a presence in the area, there's less likelihood for things to happen when people know that people are watching. Um, so those are the Main comments. I had, um, just things that hopefully can help with some issues that are happening. Thank you. And I don't I know we don't control the rec center, I know they're looking at relocating it, but it is really challenging for the kids that aren't in sports. There's literally nothing for these kids to do so if there's nothing for them to do
104then how are they going to stay out of trouble, right. If we can keep them busy and have something to do, then you're going to have less of these issues hopefully. So hopefully the school is looking at more after school programs, maybe for kids that are in sports because that's a great Avenue. But what if you're in the art, I mean, there's some things, but if you could expand it more, it would help to at least keep kids busy and hopefully avoiding some issues. So I just wanted to bring up some comments that hopefully can help solve some of the issues. Thank you very much. That's all that's ever signed up. But anyone else that would like to speak just your name and address. Yes, sir. 16th Avenue. Thank you, Mr. Janice sir, we need
105you at the high school. I say that because when my boys were in the middle school, you had the middle school, I had an issue with my autistic son, getting bullied. Went to that man. He looked me in my eyes and said it will not happen again. My son has never had an issue. Now, my daughter was a rock star in school. Up until she got to this raggedy ass high school. Now she's coming to me. Dad can I do online schooling? I don't want to go there. We just recently had an issue of bullies. As these experiments was saying, brought the video to the school. We signed in no contact order. Mr. Locket. What the hell is that? Absolutely a piece of paper. You don't talk you don't talk. Now she got 20 more
106Tik toks, hitting her hitting her hitting her. And I got jackass parents just saying, well, take your kid off of the social media. Why the hell am I going to punish my kid? Because your little badass kid can't be controlled. Then we come to you guys come to you guys. I'm sitting here watching this, poor lady talk and I saw a smirk on the board, like what, the what is that up there? Since like, smirking up there, smirking? So then me all these parents that, whose kids are getting. Bullied are begging and pleading. What the hell is it going to take for y'all to take action? Do we as victims gotta get together and take action. Then what now, we in the truck. Now, we in the wrong, right? I shouldn't have to have my
1076-year-old in the basement teaching you how to hit the damn heavy bag. Just to go to school. Like, for Rudolph. Your biggest fear is going to f****** school. Since when? They're supposed to be the safe haven since when. Since when is going to school. Like walking through the hood. When did that happen? None of it was forever, understand that? And we do all the steps. Did you tell the teacher? Yeah. Go to the counselor. Yeah. Did you go to the principal? Yeah. Still going on. Yep. Okay, I can't come to work today. Drag my ass up to the school. What's going on? We covered all the bases and nothing's happening. So now, what, what do we do? We're asking what's now, what what's next? What do we do? How does it stop? We go to
108the police. They point the finger at y'all it's the school issue they got to handle it. Since, when what? My daughter got 2 Brothers at the school was gonna take them to the defender, now they in trouble. What's the take? Everybody's looking to be known, has nothing to say. It's it's a f***** up World 2025 man. When your kids are afraid to go to school, to go to school. Pray for your folks because God help you with it. Don't mind. I just know, Jesse dobs 297 shank. And that was my daughter in that video as well. And I have something to say against all use right here, it seems Though, all you guys care about is numbers on that board. That's all I all I heard was numbers. Nothing about these kids. It was all
109about numbers. What you guys talked about? Money and numbers. Nothing about safety. Nothing about these kids. We need a program for these kids. For them to rejuvenate their self. With. Interacting with kids with this new policy of Tik Tok and like, we didn't have that world. when we got in the fight, we shook the kids' hand, in the next day, we're playing football with them. The next day, these kids don't know nothing about that because they're on their phone. And yes us parents. We try to, you know, take stuff away. But technology is advancing, we can't stop that. but you guys, You guys are our fall back. Sorry to say, but the numbers and everything else. You guys are focusing on should be focusing on the kids, learn anything. You need a program for them.
110Like, JROTC something for them to have stability. They do not have that and we can't, we can't teach you that at home. No more, because CPS comes, if we get too hard on our kids, In our house. Because God told me we can. Yeah. Like they use that s*** against us on a daily basis and you look at us and it's a bad parent because we can't do nothing to them. But my kids, my 2 daughters. Like she said, my daughter. She works since she's 14, she's a hardworking, kid. Her grades were Immaculate until all this started happening. I feel for my daughter right now. My other daughter. she's, Wants to become a star. Your guys' school programs? Yes, I love them. My daughter Emily. She is in band. She's in course. She's in everything
111she can be in. She takes it full opportunity of everything and she's getting bullied by these kids. Her grades are dropping. Is she had nothing to do with none of this? and, As a father. I'm to the point. Prison is looking really good right now. You need to f****** fix it. Anyone else like to speak? Just your name and address. Sir, Patrick Kennedy 1521 Cambridge Avenue. I would like to thank the board, uh, for omnem graduate of NT in 1983. I know you guys weren't around that, but NT, School District was Was great. My daughter graduated 5 years ago. Great got a great education, went to the University of Tampa. Graduated. Alice employed full-time. At Discovery Cove in Orlando but wasn't for anti. You know. I don't know where she would been. I was a
112very hard parent. I made sure who she hung out with, who she couldn't hang out with. I dmit her social media. I was a parent, I sat with her and did her homework every night, even if I had a basketball game or a softball game, Came down to parenting. I just want to tell you, I think you guys do a great job. Yes. I'm a teacher in this District. For the last 26 years and you guys are outstanding everyone up here. I just want to give you guys. I know you guys are getting bashed. No reason for it and you notice how I didn't cuss ain't no reason know how I didn't. I'm speaking sir I did not I did not interrupt you f****** joke. You okay so I just want to thank you guys
113for being a great job. Thank you so much. Anyone else I would like to see why our kids are. She was a she posted the video, the 1, where, um, Miss Mrs. Ross with them. She was the 1 that was bullied on the video about it. Listen to me experience throughout my 4 years of high school. but it's going to be Kaitlin, comeing me and I told this Times didn't care? I had troubles in my I try to come out and no 1 did anything helped me every time. Telling me my problem, call, my parents tell me as my mom is skating and know that it's the whole time until I got screamed at me told me my phone and I'm doing everything that I could to help and no 1 help with yielding. Me
114go to someone else. Yeah, but no, 1 did s*** know what the hell. He's in the boses level and as well as in just everyday school. No. Okay no, I have no idea. Anything, they do not have because she thought that she was donated, she was the kindest student. He wasn't. No 1 believe me. I was that is my fault. She tried to find me 1, time as Miss didn't do anything. She told my parents is my fault and I can't do anything about it. The reason and no 1 did anything. I don't care. Yeah, she hated all her years in school because of it just she just prayed to go to school while we sick, you know, always reasons not to go to school for everything. Like throughout all the years, any of that
115happened. If, if anybody got out of, it means I know contacting people don't don't she violated and no 1 kid but yeah, I still got I still every time. She didn't get anything back on the multiple kick me in school. And no 1 did anything. No 1 kehrs. I told the principal and she why I do it and told me he's my father, he gave me my eyes. So it's multiple times calling. My parents tell me he's my father and how she has kids and she knows that kids acting, No 1 kehrs. She told everyone it was my fault. And every time I went to her and she did nothing. I want to have you put a known cared until something happened? No, 1 can tell something happened. You went to both things. My parents
116went to both you. I tried to kill myself told the reason I'm like, fighting that handled that that yelled at me for telling Mr. Man. About his, but something happened. She yelled at me. Tell me. I'm making the weird situation worse. He did not care about his students. She should not be working with kids at all. You gotta wait here, but she was much needed. Did you not be with kids? Also, there was another incident with my son, he was on another video where he's the special needs kids laying down. While the other kid was like attacking him, and then the other kid bragging him on that was another situation that happened at. When he went to the high school and M, gave my brother almost died for help for defending himself. So I should
117have never happened. He should not get out with us, but defend himself again, beat up and then all the other kids dragging him on and he's special needs. So he, you know, like they get hyper. They, they start engaging and stuff. And then the regular high school kids are all, just egging them on, like wanting them to fight. You wonder why you guys keep killing them so you guys are not helping anything. No, I want to helping the kids. We come to you. Help you. Not helping and you wonder why kids are not going to go killing yourself doing drugs. That's why he has not helping we go to the hotel but no 1 kehrs. We when do you have multiple times that bad school? Don't talk to Miss wolves Miss and don't care until
118I almost got to fight. That's when someone got handled. But still after that everyone know 1 listens, No 1, kehrs until someone kills himself and everyone and then they fix it, that's not how it should go. That's why I should not be working with kids at all and she's been, she's even like at home. There would be bullying from like social media, Because these kids would go on calls and pull around, like, all these calls phone calls and everything and they would just pull her and just keep bullying her. So there was no, like, release back. When we were kids back in the day, like we go home. There's no more bullying. There's just too much social media and too much drama in between the system. And there's really nothing that the kids can't get
119away from it because it's so hard to stay off of the social media platforms because they're everywhere and kids want to do that. It's just it's just had a really hard. Year. And my husband could talk about her son, Chris. Thank you. 33 area. Thank you. Well my uh son. Chris my wife just told you. He was getting beat up in the bathroom and I mean he's got special needs under the other kid and then you have all these other kids blocking the door and and and and telling them what to do to 1 another. I mean, the 1 who was telling the 1 that put my son's head in urinal I mean, he's laying underneath the urinal, which is probably pissed out on the floor, and he has to stay in school like this.
120Um, my daughter. You know, I mean, she she wanted to commit suicide because these girls wouldn't stop bothering her. I went to the parents about it because my other daughter dated the the son so that's how my daughter knew the girl and there, they used to be friends. And then for some reason, they're not friends no more and then she had to keep going and go to the parent parent says, well, you my daughter doesn't lie, if she's gonna go ahead and get in the fight, she can handle herself. That was the just of it. And then school, I got to go to bosies. I got to talk to the sheriff said bosies because the girl goes to the sexing class that my daughter doesn't go. She's so it's just not anti, it's bosies, I'm
121dealing with it. And then the vice principal yells at my daughter because she talked to somebody else in bosies about the fights that's going on. Well it happened at bosies. So of course she talked to somebody else. so, she called me, telling me that She's going to give her uh, 3 Day. Uh, suspension. I told her I said, I don't think you should give her anything. What does she do? Because she talked to somebody else. She was supposed to talk to somebody else because it happened at another school. And my daughter recorded that conversation, so that's on social media. And she was sitting there just yelling at her and telling her it's ridiculous. And everything else is she did. After she got off the phone with me. She also told my daughter that she didn't
122need to listen to me because I'm not right all the time. I don't know what's going on with these schools, but they need to be fixed with these children. You know, I mean it's it's it's not just a school, it's a social media but not everybody can control that it's out there. We we didn't have it when I grew up. But I tried to not uh teach my kids violence, but it's almost coming to the point where I'm going to have to teach them. I'm a third degree, black belt, I could teach, I could teach them, but I didn't want them using it for the wrong reason, and it seems like if I did teach them, they might use it for the wrong reason. Because they're being attacked all the time, and then they're going
123to feel like they need to retaliate instead of defunding. so all I'm asking for is the board to go ahead and stop up and do something for these children and get them to stop fighting because you're supposed to go to school and learn not a boxing gym. And that's what's happening. You see it on social media, you're seeing it in our schools here in anti. It's on the media. And it seems like nothing's happening. And all I'm asking is, if you guys could, please step up and do something about it because it's not ending. And I I'm tired of going to the school talking to the principals and telling them what's going on. And then they try to tell me that. Oh, your daughter's not perfect, either Well, of course she isn't she she's the
124child. They have flaws, everybody has flaws. Of course, she's going to go ahead. Maybe twist a story a little bit. Shouldn't. But kids do that. But should she be upon the lives for that? Because this child over here is keeps bullying and and they kept doing it and kept doing it and then went on social media and they kept calling from different numbers, spoofing numbers, making different Tik, toks talking about, they're going to go ahead and shoot up my house. I mean, this is 10 out of control. And then I put it up on social media.