Agenda
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[0:00]
>> good evening, everyone. I will go ahead and call
This meeting to order.
[0:08]
it is 7:04 p.m.
[0:21]
>> thank you everyone for
Joining us this evening.
[0:31]
the purpose of the meeting
Is to talk budget.
[0:40]
we're excited to have
Both our school board.
[0:49]
and the most important
Discussion topic, that
Will be our combined funds
[0:57]
budget. We'll touch on the crp
And regarding the city
In the budget process.
[1:01]
before we actually do that,
You all know, when you come
To alexandria public
[1:13]
schools, we are a
School division. I am a teacher, will always
Be a teacher, so we will
Have a teachable moment.
[1:25]
and I'm actually going
To call on mr.â gregory
Baldwin, who is going to
[1:32]
lead us into a
Community circle. >> thank you so
Much, madam chair.
[1:37]
I'm glad to be with you. My name is gregory baldwin
I serve as restoretive
Coordinator for alexandria
[1:43]
public schools. We have a framework and the
Tier 1 practice of that is
Called community circles.
[1:50]
although we're in a
Rectangle, we are still
Going to try to make this as effective as possible.
[1:54]
with that, I want to share
About restoretive practice. Restoretive practice
Is indigtive practice.
[1:59]
we want to acknowledge the
First americans who steward
This land we want to acknowledge our ancestor
For their hard work
And for their sacrifice.
[2:06]
restoretive practices
Focuses on three things. Building relationships,
Foster community and
Repairing harm.
[2:10]
and with that, it works
In concert with positive
Behavioral interventions
[2:14]
and support and social and
Emotional academic learning
As we continue to meet all
[2:46]
the needs of all
Of our students. We start with talking
With circle agreements.
[2:52]
when we talk about circle
Agreements, all the members
Of the community have a
[2:59]
chance to share values
Important to them. To save time, our wonderful
Chair has selected three
Norms we want to adhere to.
[3:10]
they are posted on
Around the room. The first is stay engaged.
[3:16]
secondly, stay engaged
And lastly, stay open.
[3:20]
and we want to encourage
You to speak your truth.
[3:26]
while you're speaking from
Your heart, while you're
Sharing your truth, we will
[3:33]
listen to your truth. Trust you know what
To say, share the air.
[3:40]
we want to make sure
You enjoy yourself as you
Build a community tonight.
[3:49]
we will start with a
Contemplation activity.
[3:55]
this is called breath
In and breath out. Real easy, okay. When we get to breath in,
You will pretend that
You're smelling a flower.
[4:05]
when we get to breath
Out, you will pretend
You're blowing a leaf. All right?
[4:10]
we will do that three times. I know you will have
Had very busy days.
[4:15]
you haven't had a chance
To catch your breath. As we engage in transition
To the circle space, you
Want to start with the
[4:49]
mindfulness activity. You will usually start
With a song or poem. Since I didn't bring my
Singing voice and I didn't
Get a chance to ask my good
[4:56]
friend, ms. Ignacio, who
Wanted to lead us with a
Solo, I thought we start best with a
Breathing activity.
[5:00]
on the count of three,
We will actually breg
In and breath out. We will do it
Three times, okay.
[5:05]
one, twoe, three, breath in. Breath out. Breath in, breath out. Breath in.
[5:10]
breath out. Thank you. Nothing like a good
Breathing activity right
Before you engage in budget
[5:14]
work. All right. So we did move from the
Contemplation activities
To what we call a check-in
[5:18]
question. The purpose of the check-in
Question is to find out how
Everyone is doing; right?
[5:23]
this is the other thing. One of the things that we
Used to use prior to the
Pandemic, we used to use a
[5:29]
talking piece. The talking piece is
Something that symbolize,
Divides you as a community. We don't use the talking
Piece now much we used a
Phrase instead.
[5:34]
as we navigate through the
Process, you will simply
Say, I am complete.
[5:54]
that's what we will do, as
We go through the rounds.
[6:03]
three rounds as they
Represent the question.
[6:09]
thgs the first round. I will start with my
Friend, councilman chapman.
[6:19]
it will go around the
Rectangular circle. And until it
Gets back to me.
[6:34]
everybody will is a
Chance to be heard. We use it as a student
We know, school board
Representatives, for
[6:45]
students, we want to
Make sure it's lifted.
[6:51]
we're working a lot
Of time but keeping the
Fidelity of the practice.
[6:59]
you will share your name
And you will share one word
That describes how you feel
[7:06]
right now in the moment,
With no explanation. Okay? You will share your name
You will share one word that
Denotes how you feel right
[7:17]
now at this moment. No explanation >> I chair
As a teacher so I want to
Make sure I'm modeling wait
[7:33]
time. My name is gregory baldwin
And I'm feeling good good.
[7:43]
I'm complete. >> I'm john taylor chapman.
[7:50]
I'm feeling hopeful. I'm complete >> name
Is christopher harris.
[7:57]
I feel focused
And I'm complete.
[8:01]
>> my name is kelly,
And I feel ready and I am
Complete >> I feel sleepy
[8:14]
and I'm complete >>
Ashlee simpson baird.
[8:26]
tired and I am complete.
[8:35]
>> my name is sarah bagley. I feel curious
And I am complete.
[8:40]
. >> my name is abel newby
And I feel privilege, and
I am complete >> my name is
[8:51]
michelle nunez. I am excited and
I am complete.
[9:03]
>> my name is willy bailey. I feel, I guess happy
And I am complete. >> my name is
Aaliyah gascon.
[9:07]
I feel fantastic and I
Am complete >> my name
Is asensia greene.
[9:21]
I feel serene and
I am complete.
[9:26]
>> my name is alderton and I
Am tired but I am complete. >>.
[9:33]
>> my name is amy jackson.
[9:38]
I feel prepared
And I am complete.
[9:47]
>> my name is tammy
Ignacio, and I am at
Peace and I am complete.
[9:53]
>> I want to thank all of
You for sharing your truth.
[9:58]
we will move to
The second round. This is the second
Round question.
[10:03]
if you had a super power,
What would that super power
Be: if you had a super
[10:12]
power, what would
That super power be?
[10:18]
and it time, I will
Start with ms. Ignacio. We will give you about, 15
Seconds to process that and
We'll go around this way.
[10:28]
if you had a super
Power, what would
That super power be.
[10:36]
and just simply share
The super power,
That you would have?
[10:42]
when you finish the
Super power, just
Say, I am complete.
[10:53]
>> I would bring peace to
The ukraine and I am
Complete >> I would have a
[11:04]
pot of money for
Everyone to be complete
And I would be complete.
[11:13]
>> and I would
Not need sleep. And I'm complete.
[11:17]
>> mind control. And I am complete.
[11:30]
>> and I have the ability
To silence people.
[11:38]
I am complete >> I would
Make sure that everyone who
Wants to live in alexandria
[11:48]
could afford to and I would
Be totally complete >>
Telepathy and I am complete
[11:57]
>> being able to understand
Other people and where they
Are coming from.
[12:02]
I'm complete >>
I'll bring peace and
Justice to the world.
[12:10]
I am complete >> I would
Remove all the carbon
From our environment.
[12:19]
I am complete >> I would
Have the ability to know
The future and I am
[12:24]
complete >> time travel.
[12:43]
I'm complete.
[12:54]
>>.
[13:06]
>> yeah, I would
Say, time travel.
[13:14]
time travel. I am complete >> I would
Also fly and be able
To go through false. I am complete >> I would
Have a truth detector.
[13:19]
I am complete >> I
Would time travel. Complete >> thank you so
Much >> and for the last
Round, as we plan to close
[13:24]
the circle, in 30 seconds
Or less, in 30 seconds or
Less, share one thing you
[13:29]
would like to see
Happen tonight. In 30 seconds or less,
Share one thing as a result
Of this joint city council
[13:40]
school board meeting, one
Thing that you would like
To see happen tonight, in
[13:47]
30 seconds or less. Will give you about 15
Seconds to process.
[13:53]
after you shared what you
Would like to see happen,
You would close by saying, I am complete.
[13:58]
councilman chapman?
[14:05]
>> I would like to
See questions answered
On both sides. Complete >> I would like
Everyone to understand,
We're one team, one unit.
[14:18]
we should be working
Together for one cause. I am complete.
[14:26]
>> I would like to see these
Two new elected bodies come
Together and foster
[14:31]
colabration, listening
Skills and being able to
Answer questions and not
[14:36]
point fingers. I am complete.
[14:40]
>> finish on time, I am
Complete >> I would like to
See a strong foundation for
[14:50]
new work together. >> I am complete.
[14:57]
>> I would like a positive
Meaningful dialogue. I am complete. >> I would like a meeting
Where any alexandriian
Watching tonight, as if
[15:25]
this is a worthwhile
Exercise of the two elected
Bodies and we learn more how we do the work amongst
Ourselves and also anyone
Watching at home or later.
[15:29]
I am complete. >> I would like to see us
Have a meaningful dialogue,
Where our common values and
[15:33]
shared goals are centered
And at the heart of it and
That we all, and we all
[15:40]
remember, we are here for
The kids of alexandria and
The members of alexandria.
[15:47]
>> similar to what we want
To say, I realize, we have
Shared values and this is
[15:56]
the young people in the
City, giving us the best
Education that we can.
[16:04]
>> I hope that we can
Address some of the issues
That are separated the two
[16:09]
bodies, where we have the
Two disagreements in the
Past, so we leave, you know,
[16:14]
more unified than
We have been before. >> I hope that we remember
To, whatever issues we have
Or problems, between the
[16:29]
two bodies, that
We remember it's
All about our kids. I am complete.
[16:35]
>> I hope that we will
Leverage the power of our
Collective mindses, our
[16:45]
hearts and our creativity,
In order to find the best
Ways to invest in our kids.
[16:54]
>> I hope, for a productive
Meeting so all minds are
Clear, all questions are
[17:01]
answered so every city
Council member, gets to
A point, where they will
[17:07]
fully vote for the budget
Put forth by the schools.
[17:12]
>> are you complete? >> I am very complete. Thank you.
[17:18]
>> I like what
Ms. Green said. And I also hope for everyone
In the room to be excited
For the things we can do
[17:31]
for kids. I am complete. >> I hope that we will
Tackle big issues.
[17:39]
I am complete.
[17:44]
>> I hope we find the
Resolutions through common
Bridge building and truth
[17:51]
and compromise tonight. I am complete.
[17:58]
>> my hope, we can put
Political views aside, so
We can make decisions that
[18:03]
are in the best interest
Of our staff, our children
And our community and I am
[18:07]
complete. >> thank you all for
Sharing this circle.
[18:11]
the circle is now closed >>
Thank you >> thank you,
Mr.â baldwin, for doing the
[18:29]
exercise with us. And allowing everyone to get
A glimpse of one small part
Of the work that we do in
[18:37]
the alexandria
Public schools. Also, just setting the
Tone of probably moving
Forward this evening.
[18:47]
with that said, our first
Item on the agenda is to
Take a look at our budget.
[18:58]
so I will be presenting
The funds budget for
Schools this evening.
[19:05]
if I could have ms. Nielson
Present the presentation.
[19:09]
thank you. You could move to
The next slide.
[19:26]
so, to give everyone a
Glimpse in the school's
Process for the budget.
[19:51]
one of the things we do
Early on in the school year
Is we look at our strategic
[19:58]
plan. You could see we have five
Categories that we are
Always focusing our work
[20:05]
in. That's systemic alignment,
Student accessibility and
Support, strategic resource
[20:11]
allocation and family and
Community engagement.
[20:16]
the board works together
With the staff to develop
Focus areas and it allows
[20:37]
us to focus on budget. And we really have
Focus our budget align
To the strategic areas. And in the beginning
Of the school year, with
The beginning of systemic
[20:44]
alignment, we decided we
Have to focus on the
Special education structural
[20:49]
evaluation. That's a key component
Of the strategic plan.
[20:55]
and shifting from the
Superintendent's evaluation,
Which we really focused on
[21:00]
during the last realm of
The budget to the alignment
Of the staff evaluations >>
[21:06]
how we can enhance
K-2 literacy.
[21:12]
during the round, we
Decided, we need to expand
And how it impacts, k-4.
[21:26]
and how it could be
Equitable, for black
And hispanic students.
[21:38]
we also need to address,
Chronic absenteeism. And some of these have
Been carried from the
Previous budget as well.
[21:44]
as you know, we don't fix
Everything in one year.
[21:51]
there's things, to carry
Over in the budget session.
[21:58]
and just to be clear, all
Of the areas, were decided
With the use of data.
[22:04]
we looked at the
Data we have.
[22:08]
and social emotional
Support for students. We're always talking about
Co, you experienced the
Community circle, which is
[22:15]
a tier 1 support: so our
Budget is focused on
Funding, the needs for
[22:23]
students in all
Of the tiers. We want to expand access and
Improve the quality of out
Of school learning time.
[22:32]
so thinking about, what are
The things we need to do
For students after school
[22:38]
or we can continue to
Carry over the work. Strategic resource
Allocation, one of the
Big things that we talked
[22:45]
about, I think for the
Past, probably 3, going
Into 4th year, this is the
[22:55]
ongoing process and
Getting the stages
Of getting it out.
[23:02]
this is really porp, because
If we are going to look at
The next category, family
[23:08]
encouragement engagement,
To make sure families have
Access to aus and reaching
[23:15]
the right people, so
They can be served
In a timely manner.
[23:19]
we developed a comprehensive
Test plan and we also are
Expanding our cultural
[23:27]
competency training so
Shifting the work from the
Staff and moving that buy
[23:34]
in to the communities
With families. .
[23:49]
>> the board set a
Mission, core values, that
We espouse to in order to
[23:55]
achieve the goals. We want to insure success
By inspiring students
And removing barriers to
[24:00]
learning. That removing barriers to
Learning is a key component
And therefore, a key
[24:05]
component to
Budget priorities. Inspiring our students
To a changing world. And insuring our school is,
Equity focus and we have
Innovative actions and we're
[24:27]
results driven.
[24:31]
>> I'm not going
To say next slide. The slidesâ -- hopefully, we
Can get the slide back up.
[24:36]
you could also, if you want
To log in, via your
Computer, you could see the
[24:49]
presentation in esp. Our communication team juans
To come up with a budget.
[25:00]
this year, the theme
Is simply the best. So all of our work is geared
Towards making alexandria
City public schools, one of
[25:09]
the best school divisions,
I would like to say, a
Model for the nation.
[25:14]
so why do we do this work? Obviously, number one. The number one priority is
To do it for our students.
[25:21]
we do it for our families
And our community. We have a very diverse
Community and that
Requires, really, complex
[25:28]
thinking, really hard work
And a lot of creativity. From socio economics, race
And language and need.
[25:38]
acps is definitely
A special place. We have to work really hard
In order to make it the
Best >> a glimpse of the
[25:51]
the acreditation journey,
It ends in 2020, because as
You know, we had a pandemic
[25:57]
we dealt with the
Last school year.
[26:02]
however, we reached full
Acreditation in november
20th, 2020 and we want to
[26:10]
continue to move in the
Direction, and having a
Solid budget aligned with
[26:15]
our priorities is
A way to get there. Next slide.
[26:25]
>> what have some of
Our victories been. I will start by saying, I
Hope, if you didn't get a
Chance to attend or watch
[26:33]
yesterday's state of the
Schools, that is a great
Place to start, to see all
[26:41]
that we have to
Celebrate and all that
We have accomplished.
[26:46]
it is a great way, to get
Us to focus on our work. Some of the
Victories we had.
[26:51]
we saw the all-time
Highest graduation rate
And lowest dropout rate.
[26:59]
and I will tell you later
Of some of the work we're
Doing that's in the budget
[27:04]
to continue in
The trajectory. Throughout the pandemic, we
Used that time to improve
Our learning environments.
[27:14]
doing much needed upgrades
And improving spaces in
Order to have safer and we
[27:21]
always say, we want
To have drive warm.
[27:29]
warm, safe and drive. Warm, safe and
Dry facilities. We spent some time during
The pandemic to get a lot
Of the work done.
[27:37]
we took a small step
To add a greener fleet.
[27:42]
we added five electric
School buses, with
The help of dominion.
[27:46]
that's very exciting. We served over 3 million
Meals to help our families
And one of the things
[27:54]
that's expanding, we
Expanded the scholar program
To all of the younger schools.
[27:59]
this is important work. We see, we have robust
Priorities, for the talented
And gifted program.
[28:07]
young scholars is a key
Step to change the way we
Look at identification.
[28:15]
next slide. So this is the wonderful
Pie that we always show.
[28:24]
the budget totals,
It's 3.8le in.
[28:32]
because the funding is
Finite, we always strife to
Be fiscal stewards of the
[28:38]
public's money. Our budget makes strategic
Investment to enhance
Learning and improve our
[28:46]
learning environments. We take every opportunity,
To expand our resources
Outside of this, by making
[28:52]
sure we're applying
For grants, when
They are available. For example, we secured 3
Million for h vak projects
And we have been using our
[29:01]
federal funding to
Improve infrastructure
Throughout the division. Next slide.
[29:06]
>> we're talking
A little bit about the
Use of the fund balance.
[29:16]
our policy, requires
Us to maintain a 3
Percent, fund balance.
[29:25]
that fund balance, will
Not exceed 2 percent. We know that half percent
May be used for our
School board reserves.
[29:35]
this is for unforeseen
Emergencies, revenue
Shortfalls.
[29:40]
and relying on the fund
Balance, we don't use
That to support operating
[29:48]
expenses, because
It's not sustainable. If it becomes completely
Depleted, when we're trying
To use it for operating
[29:57]
expenses, we have to think
About the age old, you
Don't pay your monthly
[30:02]
mortgage with rent with
Your savings account. So this is just a piece of
Our budget that is, you
Know, we use our policy
[30:13]
d.a. About. To guide how much we
Keep in order to keep
Us in line and safe.
[30:24]
next slide. All right.
[30:31]
so we are continuing to
Battle this pandemic.
[30:39]
we reached some milestones
As of late, that I know a
Lot of people are excited
[30:45]
about. But we have always known
Since the pandemic started
That this will be an
[30:51]
ongoing battle
For years to come. And so, some of the things
That we've always known,
That we have to think about
[31:00]
are staff retention
And recruitment. I actually ran into one of
Our principals yesterday.
[31:08]
he was so excited to go to
A job fair and hear that
There were teachers who
[31:14]
were really excited
About getting jobs this
Coming school year.
[31:18]
and he was excited about
That for good reason,
Because there's a lot
[31:24]
that's happened throughout
The pandemic that really has
Shaken the profession, has
[31:31]
made a lot of people
Question their dedication
To the profession.
[31:35]
so we know that we have to
Spend a lot of intentional
Effort in making sure that
[31:41]
not only we're retaining
The staff that we have but
That we're continuing to get
[31:46]
out and charge and
Continuing to take
Advantage of recruitment
[31:50]
opportunities. I'm sure everyone has
Heard about the teacher
And bus driver shortages.
[31:59]
does anybodyâ -- okay.
[32:03]
I have a little thing here. Does anybody into
Mobileâ -- moella. And does anyone seen
The meme about pigeon
Driving the bus.
[32:13]
the pigeon in the
Story, he really wanted
To drive the bus.
[32:21]
now everybody is saying, we
Really need pigeon, because
We need school buses.
[32:31]
we have to make sure, we're
Being competitive, to
Maintain who we have and
[32:40]
entice people to continue
In the profession.
[32:45]
that means competitive pay. It's always work, to think
About how we are going to
Be competitive in the
[32:53]
market? Burnout is real. I can't even explain
Don't have words any more
To describe the level of
[33:01]
burnout in the profession. So, again, we have to do
Intentional work, to make
Sure we're recruiting and
[33:08]
maintaining high
Quality staff. Also, we know, it's been a
Lot of trauma for students.
[33:17]
this requires
Additional social and
Emotional supports.
[33:21]
we know there's been
Academic loss, that
Requires additional academic supports
And our budget needs
To reflect that.
[33:28]
with all challenges,
Comes opportunities. We have really started to
Think outside the box, of
How we can provide robust
[33:38]
professional learning
With our staff and really
Support their career
[33:44]
growth. Also, enhancements
And compensation. We are excited that we will
Be proposing, essentially a
Little over 5 percent
[33:57]
increase in salaries this
Yearâ -- well, with the
Combination of our market
[34:04]
rate adjustment and step,
We can improve pay for all
Of those, all of our staff.
[34:09]
all of our staff, at a
Little over 5 percent.
[34:14]
we're actively seeking
To continue that for the
Following school year.
[34:18]
we're planning for that. Reimagining education.
[34:27]
we've really seen, that
This pandemic is a strong
Opportunity for us to
[34:31]
rethink how we do school. We have to did that, in
Order to keep our educators
Engaged and keep our
[34:38]
educators excited
About learning.
[34:44]
next slide.
[34:49]
so at this point, I will
Just tackle our budget as
It relates to some of the strategic areas.
[34:55]
the first is social,
Emotional and academic
Learning you could see
[35:00]
here, that we are
Using some funds for
Very specific things.
[35:07]
looking at the impact that
Covid-19 on our students,
Using trauma and formed
[35:12]
practices and supports,
Really making sure that we
Have the reserve positions
[35:18]
that we need to have
Available to adjust with
Fluctuations instead in e.l.
[35:23]
programs that students
Drop in and out of.
[35:27]
we never want to have any
Left, having students wait
For service because we have
[35:33]
not funded for that need. Redeveloping our resources
To reach hispanic males and
Funding the support through
[35:43]
k-4 literacy. One of the things I'll
Say that's related
To the next slide.
[35:50]
it came up last night. Someone brought up, it
Looks like, we're actually
Reducing the amount of
[35:56]
supports that we're
Providing for seal work,
And social and emotionle an
[36:01]
and work in particular. If you go to the next
Slide, will you see, we're
Not necessarily reducing.
[36:07]
it's that we are reducing
The ester funds to support
The social and emotional
[36:13]
work. You will see, in addition to
The operating fund, we're
Using eser funds to provide
[36:22]
over $50 million, for
Use in the next three
Years for seal supports.
[36:28]
next slide. So, we know that with a
Strategic plan that's all
About racial equity, that
[36:43]
we have to use our funds
And focus on reaching our
Most vulnerable students
[36:47]
some of the things
We're investing is
Bilingual liaison.
[36:54]
and our customer relation
Management system. Our visitor
Management system.
[37:01]
and also making sure
We're using title 1 funds
To provide supplemental
[37:05]
resources that are
Title 1 schools.
[37:10]
we have done some work to
Bolster our nutrition
Programs so not only are we
[37:16]
providing nutrition in
Our schools, but trying to
Make sure the nutrition we
[37:21]
provide addresses the
Needs of each school.
[37:26]
we have had over
Identification of black
Students having emotional
[37:30]
disabilities. This is a problem.
[37:35]
we have made strides in the
Area, but we will have to
Continue to focus our work,
[37:42]
so that we don't continue
To slide that forward. There's funding we're using.
[37:47]
and if we're going to
Communicate well, it's
Time for website, and
[37:55]
rebranding. We've heard quite a
Bit, our website is not
User-friendlynd an it's
[38:05]
time to make changes there. Next slide.
[38:12]
I talked about recruitment
And retention. This let's you
Know where the average
Teacher salary stands.
[38:22]
this is according to
The washington area
School boards; right?
[38:30]
is that the name? Washington area
Boards of education.
[38:36]
thank you, dominique. That's why you should
Be here next to me.
[38:40]
wavy. Yes, wavy. In order to maintain our
Competitiveness, again,
We're being looing at step
[38:51]
increases for our
Eligible employees. That's a 2.6 percent and
Adjustment of 2.5 percent.
[39:00]
also the thing that you
Remember, that I would
Repeat, the vast majority
[39:04]
of the combined budget
Is for personnel. A lot of the money, is
Making sure people maintain
Their competitive salaries.
[39:17]
we also have the continued
Commitment to salary
Adjustments for specific
[39:21]
employer groups. For those of you who are new
To council and if you don't
Remember, last year, we
[39:29]
talked considerably how we
Did market rate studies,
For specific groups, so we
[39:34]
can start to target
How we're dealing
With maintaining our
[39:40]
competitiveness. We use the studies to
Decide, which groups need
More focus or particular
[39:48]
focus over others. We will continue to use
Those studies and do more
Market rate studies to see
[39:54]
how we will work
To maintain our
Competitiveness. Next slide.
[40:04]
>> so this allows everyone
To see the salary
Enhancement compareson across the school
Divisions.
[40:10]
so take a look at that. You know, on your own time.
[40:16]
it allows you to see, who
It's proposing the step.
[40:20]
who is proposing the cost of
Living increase and target
Market rate adjustments.
[40:28]
next slide. So we value our high
Quality staff as I said.
[40:35]
there's 86 percent of
The budget that's about
Staff compensation.
[40:39]
but compensation is
Only one component of
How we value our staff.
[40:46]
we have consistently
Heard from consultants
That we have what will be
[40:51]
considered to be a platinum
Health care package. So also in addition,
We have two defined
Retirement plans.
[41:00]
we have ars and
Supplemental plan. And our employees funds,
Or vrs retirement is
5 percent of the salary.
[41:10]
with supplemental plan
With half of the salary.
[41:14]
it contributed to vrs, with
All eligible employees.
[41:19]
we also offer a 2â 1/2
%â match for employees that
Contribute more to their
[41:26]
retirement.
[41:31]
next slide. >> we know, in order to be
Competitive, we have to be
Committed to professional
[41:40]
learning. We have added components
To the budget, that
Have bolstered learning
[41:46]
opportunities
For our staff. We are about quality
Over quantity.
[41:53]
it's not how much p.d. We do, whether it's
Effective, whether people
Have bought in and whether
[41:58]
it's making a difference. So we also have our
Very exciting grow
It teacher program.
[42:05]
that's really to ignite
A pipeline of teachers.
[42:11]
one of the things that I've
Always talked about is the
Difficulty of developing a
[42:16]
pipeline. So we know we've had
Teachers who could continue
To fill the positions.
[42:21]
and what better thing to
Do, than to grow your own.
[42:25]
and so we invest in our
Professionals, so they can
Have pathways to become
[42:32]
pathway teachers,
If they would like.
[42:37]
we also have paid
Driver training.
[42:43]
also, executive coaching
Opportunities for our school
Leaders, which is really
[42:52]
important. Next slide. All right.
[42:57]
this is a lot of
Stuff, isn't it? Well, right.
[43:02]
it should be. Mr.â mcprice said
$250 million.
[43:08]
it should be. Yes, you're correct.
[43:13]
how about our learning
Environments? So, again, we used this
Opportunity to maintain
And improve our learning
[43:23]
spaces. So we have in our
Operating budget been able
To address certain things.
[43:32]
additional funding
For h-vac maintenance. We know we've had had some
Facilities in the past.
[43:50]
we know maintenance is
Key to sustaining the
Facilities we have. Additional funding
For plumbing repairs
Has been added.
[43:56]
always need new
Furniture and equipment. Whenever you've had rooms
>> and things like safety
And security are also
[44:07]
included. I'll talk a little bit
About security funding
In the next slide.
[44:21]
all right. So maintaining safe and
Secure facilities is
Obviously very important.
[44:30]
so here is a breakdown
Of the different ways in
Which we have funded that.
[44:37]
lookingâ -- we've contracted
School security officers,
So we have 29 contracted
[44:45]
security offers and we
Have security in place
And risk management is
[44:54]
available, that includes. The program called raptor.
[45:03]
also, increasing
The capabilities
With two-way radios.
[45:07]
next slide.
[45:18]
and again, we have to be
Thinking about always be
Thinking about how we can be
[45:23]
innovative with both our
Spaces and our system.
[45:27]
so in addition to providing
Safe and secure facilities,
We're also looking to bring
[45:32]
new innovation and
New innovative spaces
For our division.
[45:37]
electric buses, we
Have talked about. We also recently applied for
Another grant for possibly
Get additional electrical
[45:47]
buses, which is
Very exciting. Also, new learning spaces.
[45:53]
thanking our city
Council for investing in
1703 north grofber guard.
[46:01]
as you know, this will help
You us in the fou tir, as
You look for or not having
[46:20]
to search for the space. And securing
Additional revenue.
[46:25]
we have a vision grant for
Technology and geef funding
To support our e.l.
[46:33]
and special
Education students.
[46:37]
next slide. So I'm just ending here with
A snapshot of our c.I.p.
[46:45]
this has sort of a look
At the biggest upcoming.
[46:52]
the high school pro. Obviously, we have 1303.
[47:00]
color guard, which
Will support us.
[47:05]
and we've had our
Discussion about the
Cip earlier this year.
[47:14]
this is just a glimpse
Of where we are.
[47:22]
so, I know that was a lot. The funny thing,
There's so much more.
[47:28]
there's not enough time to
Say all of the things that
We are doing and looking to
[47:34]
do. Again, I would encourage
Everyone to take a look
At the state presentation
[47:40]
yesterday. It gives you an idea what we
Are doing, which is serving
The students of alexandria
[47:50]
public schools. Thank you, everyone. And I'll actually
Put out a question.
[47:58]
would we like the city
Manager to share his
Presentation first and then
[48:04]
we go into questions. Or do we want to do
Questions about the school
Board presentation first
[48:08]
and then go to the
City manager's budget?
[48:13]
>> I think the
Manager's city budget
Is pretty quick. Maybe get that
Out of the way. >> that sounds good.
[48:19]
>> for those who
I haven't had a chance
To meet, I'm jim perry.
[48:27]
I'm the city manager. I appreciate the opportunity
To talk to you a little bit
Tonight and learn.
[48:38]
I want to say, it's
Been a pleasure working
With dr.â hutchins.
[48:45]
he's been helping me
Understand a lot of the
Dynamics in my new city.
[48:53]
I appreciate that. It's been a great
Partnership and
Learned a lot.
[49:00]
was very niceâ -- I
Just have three slides.
[49:06]
as you know, I proposed a
Budget that, the city
Council, recently, that the
[49:13]
council is reviewing. It does reflect the request
Schools have made at 100
Percent level, both if
[49:23]
capitol and operating. I did want to point out,
Some of the challenges
That are before us in the
[49:30]
future. When I say us, I mean the
City and the schools.
[49:35]
the first slide is an
Interesting one and it shows
Our debt service relates to
[49:43]
the capitol program.
[49:47]
the capitol program is a
Continue year program that
We adjust every year based
[49:52]
on nides. We try to be as consistent
As possible and there's
Things that pops up, like
[49:58]
20, in the past year, there
Were quite a few things
That popped up that needed
[50:04]
to be accounted
For in 2023. It does change a little
Bit of our debt service.
[50:10]
as you could see, kind of
In the slide, orange is the
City debt service and the
[50:16]
blue is school. And at the end of the day,
Really doesn't matter how
It's broken up.
[50:23]
it means we're
Growing our debt. We have to be careful of
That, how we can support.
[50:31]
next slide. So, you know, I think
This is a little bit
About the sustainablity.
[50:40]
you know, we're projected to
Need about 90 million more
Over the next 10 years,
[50:46]
that is in extra support. And I'll show you a slide,
How I got to the point.
[50:53]
that does represent
Significant increases. So we need to manages
Our capitol needs lech
Electively in a positive
[51:01]
way. And as you could kind of
See, that really does
Require some smoothing of
[51:08]
some things. Maybe looking at revenue
As well as some scoping
And some, you know, how
[51:14]
necessary are some
Of the things that the
Community I looking for.
[51:21]
next slide. So, what I want to do here,
Is just show over the ten
Year period, if we track
[51:29]
the same capitol program
That I recommended, it
Does show the black line
[51:37]
underneath is really what
We expect the growth rate
To be in assessment.
[51:42]
that could go up or down. I think that's somewhere
Around 3â 1/2 percent in
The ten year period.
[51:47]
so the blue line really
Shows if we keep the same
Capitol program, what the
[51:54]
expected need would be in
Terms of additional debt
Service above the rate of
[52:00]
growth. As you could see, the
Numbers start to get
Significant for budgetary
[52:05]
purposes. What that really means,
That has the ability for
Us to need to look at
[52:12]
opportunities to right
Size some of our capitol
Or fin revenue or find the
[52:18]
opportunity for us to share
Efficiency so the cost
Structure is considerably
[52:28]
different than that. Again, this is not just
About the schools, when I
Would look how the cities
[52:36]
capitol, staff would look,
Would look somewhat similar
In terms of the growth
[52:41]
pattern. A couple of things I want
To highlight, I think are
Really important, both for
[52:48]
the audience here as
Well as people watching. The capitol program that
The city adopts is based on
A set of fiscal policies.
[53:01]
again, I'm new but I'm
Incredibly impressed with
Our city council's fiscal
[53:08]
management some of the
Policies are some of the
Strongest I've seen in the
[53:13]
country. They are well put together. A couple of ones that I
Think are really important
Ones, the outstanding debt
[53:20]
is the percent of the real
Estate fair market value. We continue to stay
Under our caps.
[53:33]
and the debt served,
General expenditures.
[53:38]
our limit in the
Fiscal policy. Those are good
Information, good news.
[53:45]
and our ten year payout
In our capitol, we're
Aggressive as a city in
[53:54]
paying out our
Debt service.
[54:05]
those are all
Really positive. The challenge is we're
Incuring a challenge in our
Debt as it grows and the
[54:13]
ability to provide more
Cash to cover that or to
Adjust is a challenge.
[54:19]
the more cash we put into
Our capitol budget the more
Challenge we have in our
[54:26]
operating. I wanted to highlight that. That's something that's
Important for us to work on
Collectively not just next
[54:37]
year, but projecting out
Really how our needs could
Be managed within the
[54:43]
fiscal policies as well
As the logic of what we
Can support and what the
[54:49]
community is
Comfortable with. We're talking about
Changes, if we track on the
Projectory, we will have to
[54:56]
find some ways to cut
Fairly substantially or
Adjust the revenue stream in
[55:02]
a significant way. I think those are two
Challenges typically. As the same manager, those
Are not the best options.
[55:09]
you would have to have
Some glide with how we
Deal with the things.
[55:15]
the good news, we have a lot
Of good positivity in some
Of the fiscal parameters.
[55:21]
I think it's something, as
A collective team, we need
To work really well on.
[55:28]
I think it represents
Some great opportunity. This is actually really
Good news in general.
[55:35]
it means, we're
Early in trying to
Use it effectively.
[55:40]
I just want to say
Thank you for allowing
Me to share that.
[55:48]
>> thank you >> so we can
Move on to questions.
[55:54]
not all at once.
[56:09]
mr.â aguirre. >> I was curious, being a
Former liaison myself, I
Would like to speak on it.
[56:16]
I appreciate, it's
Been expanded. I was curious in terms of
Adjusting compensation.
[56:23]
I know gw, there's been
Toner, for, I would like
To say, almost 13 years.
[56:30]
there's a new apparent
Liaison every single year. I was wondering, you
Write around the time.
[56:35]
I totally acknowledge the
School systems have done,
To expand other schools and
[56:45]
include other languages as
Well >> so we continue to
Do market rate adjustments,
[56:53]
as well as compensation
Studies, to do a compareson
Of positions, throughout
[56:58]
the school. And one thing, I could say,
Within the past several
Years, the department as it
[57:06]
continues to expand, we are
Making adjustment to the
Roles and responsibilities
[57:12]
of the different roles. I think in the past,
We had limited staff.
[57:18]
people were working
Excessively and that's not
Just for family community
[57:24]
engagement but I think
In a lot of areas.
[57:29]
what we have done is make
Adjustments to how weâ --
And faith has been adjusted
[57:33]
tremendously, including
Additional liaison, adding
Volunteers into the actual
[57:48]
department as well, as
Having school liaisons in
Every single one of the
[57:56]
buildings and making sure,
We are defining what the
Roles and responsibilities are, so they are not taken
Out of what they were hired
To do to meet some of the
[58:06]
school and operations. Those are the things that
Specifically we're doing to
Make the adjustments in the
[58:14]
past you few years. We do monitor the salaries
Of all the employee groups.
[58:20]
each year, what we do, we
Have the employees studies,
To determine if we're out
[58:27]
of whack in terms of
Ranking other school
Systems >> I will make one
[58:33]
last comment, if you guys
Are looking at the market
Rate and how we're using in
[58:38]
the region I'm sure
It will be super low
Across the region. Given what we do. I hope you guys will take
That into consideration as
Well, not just what they
[58:49]
are making, or
Effects wherever. For the region, they are
Kind of underpaid, the
Value they are bringing to
[58:58]
each school. . >> ms. Gaskohn and ms. >
And thank you, madam chair.
[59:05]
I was excited to hear
About the increases and
Out of school time funds.
[59:13]
I have a question. I sit on the gang prevention
Community task force.
[59:20]
one of the things we talked
About, is the increase of
Young black males involved
[59:28]
in the crews in the
City and the need for
After-school programs,
[59:34]
focused on them. I was wondering, as
Part of the increases
And programming.
[59:41]
are there any programs,
Designed for black males
And middle high school.
[59:48]
>> I'm looking to see
If I see kurt tufman.
[59:53]
I know julia she may. And one, we talk about with
The hispanic, our schools
That we implemented in the
[1:00:04]
high school in particular. These coaches, which we
Have two at alexandria
High school, on campus.
[1:00:13]
they work directly with our
Hispanic male students.
[1:00:17]
they also work with
Other students as well
Within the high school.
[1:00:24]
we also have
After-school programs,
Towards middle schools.
[1:00:28]
it's not geared specifically
To black males. Black males, deal with
Several partnerships.
[1:00:35]
the link club, that's off
Campus for our students and
These are services that are
[1:00:43]
offered in specific areas
That have majority, black
And brown students, who are
[1:00:48]
in the particular
Neighborhoods
That are housed. That's another out of
School opportunity that we
Provide for our students.
[1:00:56]
part the strategic plan is
Really looking at, what are
The, the additional ways we
[1:01:02]
can really engage schools
Outside of the classrooms. One of the focus areas is
Externships and internships.
[1:01:09]
at the secondary level,
Kids, they are not staying
After to get additional
[1:01:15]
supports in most cases. We are trying to find ways
To expose students to
Different certification
[1:01:21]
programs and giving them
Exposures to different
Career pathways.
[1:01:25]
when they finished at the
High school, they can go to
Some sort of trade or post
[1:01:31]
secondary educational
Institution. These are some specific
Strategies we've
Incorporated and are
[1:01:39]
continuing to expand. I don't know if ms. Bergoes
Wanted to add anything.
[1:01:45]
>> I don't know my
Camera is acting funny.
[1:01:50]
I apologize. Yes, we have actually added
Quite a few resources,
Also, positions as well,
[1:01:59]
we're in the
Process of filling. We're trying to put a lot of
Emphasis in out of school
Planning and making it
[1:02:09]
sustainable. There's another model we're
Instituting in addition to
The club program.
[1:02:14]
we're looking at different
Ways to expand the program,
Especially with the new
[1:02:20]
addition with the two,
Actually two positions that
We were able to include in
[1:02:26]
theâ -- as well as the
Operating funds budget,
Operating funds budget
[1:02:32]
allocation that we put in. I think we definite
He have an emphasis on the
Out of school programming.
[1:02:40]
and in fact, I will meet
With the couple programs
Tomorrow, with regards to
[1:02:47]
sustainable effort. And we want to make sure to
Sustain the program, with
The grant dollars and being
[1:02:57]
thoughtful and putting the
Money into future years
And making it sustainable.
[1:03:04]
I hope that answers
Your question. >> and one other thing ms.
Burgos, we have earmarked,
Out of school time for
[1:03:09]
students. That's something we focused
On, including our black
Males and student males and
[1:03:26]
other populations
Within cps.
[1:03:33]
>> ms. Bagley. >> thank you, madam chair. I have two questions,
If it's possible.
[1:03:39]
I will ask them both. One of them relates
To the graduation
Rate and dropout rate.
[1:03:44]
my apologies. I'm new to the process. There's a disconnect between
A 95 percent graduation
Rate and 5 percent drop-off
[1:03:52]
rate. I was wondering, a,
If someone could speak to
That a bit and give me the
[1:04:04]
context. The lack of graduation
Rate, do we see a trend?
[1:04:11]
how are we reacting to that? And the other question is
Related to communications I
Know both bodies will go to
[1:04:22]
great lengths, on how
We're communicating with
Residents, in language and technology tools.
[1:04:26]
I'm wondering if you could
Touch on the budget, and
The tools, in the budget,
[1:04:34]
partially because so
We can use it as well
To better communicate.
[1:04:43]
thank you. >> hand it over
To dr.â hunchins.
[1:04:47]
>> thank you, councilwoman. Quickly, I will answer the
Question and then turn it
Over to ms. Burgos to talk
[1:04:54]
about the communication
Plan because we recently
Shared that with the board.
[1:04:59]
in regards to the graduation
Rate, it's important to
Note, when we're talking
[1:05:07]
about the one time
Graduation, students are
Graduating with a four year
[1:05:15]
stand. In some case,
There's students who
Have special needs. They are able
To be in alexandria
Schools until 2021.
[1:05:24]
that's why you won't see,
When you add the dropout
Percentage, it won't equate
[1:05:32]
to 100. Some students are
Still educated in aps.
[1:05:37]
they have not dropped
Out of the school system.
[1:05:42]
the celebration to having
The drop-off right lower,
The fact, we're seeing in
[1:05:48]
the trends in the past
Several years, many
Students are not dropping
[1:05:55]
out of school. Meaning they do not return
To completing their
Educational services in
[1:06:05]
cps.
[1:06:09]
as I mentioned earlier in
Regards to the communities
And schools program, that's
[1:06:14]
one of the reason why
We have that program
At the high school. Some kids get disengage.
[1:06:19]
what leads to disengagement
Is dropping out. It's a number of reasons,
Why students do that.
[1:06:26]
that's one of the
Strategies we put if place,
To remedy our dropout.
[1:06:33]
I hope that
Clarifies the two. >> maybe share about the
Early warning indicator.
[1:06:40]
>> the early warning
Indicator system, is one of
The areas of focus for this
[1:06:47]
year. We're developing not
Just at the high school.
[1:06:52]
kids don't just all
Of a sudden show
Up in 9th grade.
[1:06:58]
research shows, early on,
You begin to see pat turns. They will respond
In engagement.
[1:07:04]
and we're developing our
Early warning system
Currently at the high
[1:07:11]
school, as well as the
Middle schools, to insure
We're identifying students
[1:07:20]
sh who are demonstrating
Any deficit areas early
On and providing those
[1:07:25]
additional supports
To them so they don't
Become students who are
[1:07:30]
disengaged, that could lead
To dropping out of our hig
School >> ms. Burgos, if
[1:07:40]
you want to speak to the
Communication plan we
Recently shared and talk
[1:07:44]
about some of our
Innovative, planning. Before you start, I want
To make this one point.
[1:07:49]
it's important for us to
Know, our communication
Team over the past couple
[1:07:55]
of years: and we have one
Employee -- and we are
Trying to make sure, we're
[1:08:03]
refining and as part of the
Ms. Burgos's role, this is
A new position, that
[1:08:15]
started two years ago,
During our restructure.
[1:08:20]
coming as a chief of school,
Community relations, her
Job was to bring community
[1:08:28]
partnerships and
Communication team togethe
Under one umbrella or one
[1:08:35]
department. They really go hand in hand
As well as to expand our
Communications department.
[1:08:43]
we're able to serve
Our community. A lot of times people
Think alexandria
Is a small community.
[1:08:49]
I tell you, it's a
Small community with
A lot of involvement.
[1:08:54]
so in order for us to keep
Up with some of the demands
Of our community and make
[1:09:02]
the adjustments so we are
Commune cative to the steak
Holder, we had to really
[1:09:07]
imagine
What the communication
Department looked like. I wanted to prefas that
Before you started.
[1:09:13]
you may not mention that,
But I wanted to say it, so
People know, it's a working
[1:09:18]
progress. We're in a good place,
Where we have most of
The positions filled.
[1:09:25]
we still have openings that
Are still out there that we
Are trying to fill now.
[1:09:35]
>> yes, and I thank
You for the prefas.
[1:09:39]
I think that's a really
Important point to make.
[1:09:44]
we have restructured
The entire team. One of the things,
We've been strategic
To fulfilling the right
[1:09:53]
talent, and the family
Engagement goals
We've had as well.
[1:09:58]
we've made a number
Of adjustments. And I think we've been able
Toâ -- and as you mentioned
Earlier, we completed the
[1:10:10]
2021-25, community
Engagement plan. I think what's exciting
About the plan, probably
The first time that we've
[1:10:19]
had a communication and
Community engagement plan
That directly alliance with
[1:10:25]
our strategic plan. If I had my way, we
Would have built while
The strategic plan was
[1:10:30]
constructed. We will do that next time. And I think we've been
Able to be deliberate and
Making sure the specific
[1:10:38]
strategies and tactics we
Have in the plan, they
Really align with the work,
[1:10:45]
they are trying to fulfill
With the strategic plan.
[1:10:49]
. >> a couple of things I will
Share, one thing that's
Exciting with the family
[1:10:56]
community engagement work,
Is one of the strategies
In the plan, is that we're
[1:11:01]
creating a blueprint
For each school. That speaks to family
Engagement, that's
Completely designed for
[1:11:08]
that school. Every school has a need and
Has nuances that we have to
Take into consideration.
[1:11:14]
to make sure, family
Engagement is practiced
Well in the school.
[1:11:20]
many people associate
Family engagement with
Nonenglish making families.
[1:11:25]
we need schools with
Family engagement. And even with the english
Speaking families.
[1:11:31]
that's one of the areas, to
Make sure all families feel
That we are providing that
[1:11:37]
family community engagement
Support in every school. We have another tool that
We're really excited about.
[1:11:47]
that's parents square. That tool pretty much
Brings the communication
Platform to our area.
[1:11:58]
family will get, when
Teachers commune.
[1:12:02]
when the family writes
Back to the teacher,
It will be in english.
[1:12:12]
there's a two
Way communication,
Which is fantastic.
[1:12:18]
to make sure the
Families communicate
Well with thelessers.
[1:12:24]
we have our language
Direct line.
[1:12:29]
'. There's no gap in
The communication.
[1:12:34]
we're putting a lot of
Different communication
Schools in place, to make
[1:12:41]
sure our families feel
Really empowered to speak to
Us, to be able to call us
[1:12:47]
whenever they need us
In whatever language
Really works for them.
[1:12:54]
also, all the tools that
We've put, are putting in
Place, will help them to do
[1:12:58]
that. The other thing we're
Focused on, and sometimes
We get criticized for it, our messages may go out a
Little later than other
School divisions and that's
[1:13:08]
because we're really
Committed to all families
Receiving the information at the same exact time.
[1:13:13]
translation takes a
Little time sometimes.
[1:13:18]
we have our translator
That translates for us, at
All hours, even during the
[1:13:22]
winter break. And we will wait to
Get the translation.
[1:13:27]
we feel strongly, just
Because you speak english,
You shouldn't get a message
[1:13:32]
the next day just because
You speak another language. Those are the things,
Families are heard,
That's part of the goal.
[1:13:39]
I hope that
Answers a question. You are goal is to
Make sure, all families
Is being heard.
[1:13:50]
there's equitable access
Being and families are
Being heard at the same
[1:14:05]
time. >> we'll send a copy of the
Xhienications plan to the
City council, so you could
[1:14:11]
walk in and actually
Review the 3, 5 year plan.
[1:14:16]
>> great >> was
Your question relate
Ed to ms. Bagley?
[1:14:24]
so I will go to
Mr.â chapman.
[1:14:30]
>> thank you, madam chair. I want to go back on the
Slide, with the use of fund
Balance and understand some
[1:14:39]
of the numbers I saw
With the combined
Fund statement.
[1:14:45]
as I'm looking at it and
I'm not the expert in this. I saw at the very bottom,
The unassignedâ -- the
Unassigned amount.
[1:14:58]
I wanted to understand what
That amount is made of. I think it's
About 20 million. >> I will ask our chief
Financial officer to just
Join us for a moment.
[1:15:08]
mr.â dominique turner, just
To provide a quick overview
Of our unassigned funds as
[1:15:14]
well as fund balance >> so
This is from the combine
Funds statement, basically.
[1:15:25]
>> and I thinkâ -- do you
Guys have their slide is
Number 9 and 10.
[1:15:32]
there's actually 3 slides. But for the presentation,
We only showed one.
[1:15:37]
you could look at slides.
[1:15:41]
you could look at
Slide 9 and 10.
[1:15:49]
>> so thanks for
The question. . >> fund balance,
$21 thousand.
[1:15:53]
and there's the unassigned,
Committed and nonspendable
As well, as the assigned
[1:16:02]
>> assigned is carried
Forward carries
One to the next.
[1:16:20]
it's a little over 2
Million in the category. Nonspendable and
Noncash assets.
[1:16:25]
the committed is what we
Have for appropriated for
Use in fiscal year, 2022.
[1:16:33]
it's $5.# million. The unassigned, it's a
Little over $12 million.
[1:16:40]
as we go forward, in fiscal
Year, 2023, the total
Spendable fund balance, is
[1:16:49]
roughly $19.6 million. Out of that, we have a
Little under $2 million
That's assigned.
[1:16:55]
and it's going forward
From one fiscal
Year to the next.
[1:17:00]
we committed to fiscal
Year 2022, 5.1 million. Appropriated for use in
Fiscal year, 2023, for the
School board budget 5.4
[1:17:12]
billion. And if we use, the
Appropriated fund balance,
And the trajectory fund
[1:17:20]
balance, at the end of
Fiscal year, 6.39 million. Over the years, the policy,
As you see on slide 8, you
Know, stipulates 3 percent
[1:17:32]
of unrestricted fund
Balance and allows us to
Use, up to 3 percent, to
[1:17:37]
fund our operating budget.
[1:17:43]
good financial management. We use our fund
Balance, to balance
Our operating balance.
[1:17:49]
as the chair said, using the
Fund balance is operating
Budget is like using the
[1:17:57]
saving account to save
Your rent or mortgage. You still have to make rent
And mortgage each month.
[1:18:02]
we would like to get
Away from using fund
Balance to do that.
[1:18:10]
the way the policies
Is written right now. With the idea,
We will only use.
[1:18:14]
with the catch-22, it
Essentially says, each year,
Over fund by 2 percent.
[1:18:22]
you don't touch
Your fund balance.
[1:18:26]
that's the catch-22. That's in the
Policy right now. Depending on what year it
Is, we may dip into the
Fund balance, we may not.
[1:18:43]
past two years,
We have added. There's a lot of different
Causes that had that.
[1:18:48]
the revenue, that we got,
That we were not expecting. Obviously, we had a
Lot of expenditures
That didn't happen.
[1:18:56]
at the end of the
Fiscal year, 2020. Throughout the course of
2021, there are a lot of
Things, that went we didn't
[1:19:12]
do. We had the savings. Utility cost,
Substitute teaching, so
Forth and so for the.
[1:19:19]
that's how the
Fund balance got to the
19.6 million right now. We appropriated that, as
Well as the fiscal year
2023 >> appreciate that,
[1:19:31]
laying that out. And so, where do you, what
Percentage, that you sit
At in terms of the fund
[1:19:44]
balance? Is it, I'm assuming it's
Not below the 3 percent.
[1:19:49]
what kind of
Percentage is that at? >> that's correct.
[1:19:53]
we always maintain,
3 percent, based
On the policy. 21.6 million, represents
About 7â 1/2 percent,
Fiscal year, 2021, or
[1:20:06]
fiscal year 2022
Expenditure. 2 million of that is
Nonspendable fund balance.
[1:20:15]
the spendable of 9.6
Million, is a little less
Than 7 percent >> I think
[1:20:24]
that's one of my question. I wanted to bring out.
[1:20:30]
if I read your policy
Correctly and you could let
Me know if I'm reading it wrong.
[1:20:35]
if you have, I guess
You're trying to stay
Around 3 and 5 percent.
[1:20:41]
is that; right? . >> that's correct. That's a little bit
Of the catch-22.
[1:20:46]
we're required to
Keep 3 percent. We can go up to 5 percent.
[1:20:52]
we are required to use 5
Percent, to fund the budget
>> we are down to the
[1:20:56]
limit, required amount to
Keep the fund balance. >> say that last one again. >> if we were to spend 100
Percent of the budget.
[1:21:04]
every year, we fund our
Budget with 2 percent
Of the fund balance.
[1:21:22]
if we spend 100 percent
Of the budget, we're at
The maximum of 5 percent.
[1:21:28]
we will go down
To the limit. Next year, we woen
Utilize the next, to
Balance the budget.
[1:21:38]
that's the catch-22, with
The way the policies is
Written right now.
[1:21:42]
>> I think I was, as I was
Reading through this and
Trying to understand, your
[1:21:49]
fund balance, kind of
Regulations and policies,
Trying to understand and I
[1:21:54]
think, with the approved
Budget, doesn't seem to
Get down with the 3 and 5
[1:22:02]
percent. Am I reading that wrong
As well >> for the
Current fiscal year.
[1:22:09]
when we go to
Fiscal year, 2023.
[1:22:16]
it will. It will drop down
Between the 3-5 percent.
[1:22:25]
as I said, we have
5.1 appropriated. We have 5.1 million,
Appropriated for
Use, on the 23rd.
[1:22:29]
. >> so, again, with the 5.5
Million each year, that also
Means that you would spend
[1:22:34]
100 percent of the budget? >> that's correct. If we were to use the
Entire use, that means we
Would spend 100 percent.
[1:22:38]
that's correct >> let me
Kind of think over the
Numbers >> thank you very much >> regarding the
Shortage that every school
District is facing in terms
[1:22:42]
of bus driver
Recruitment and hiring. I'm curious, how
Do kids in our school
District gets to school.
[1:22:46]
what percent of our
School districts is
Travelling by bus. Obviously, before
Dash was free, it was
Free to acps students.
[1:22:50]
and if there's ways, if the
Buzz driver shortage
Continues can modifications or work with dash,
Regarding the new dash
Network to kind of cover am
[1:22:54]
so of the shortfall. I have another question
But it's a separate topic. >> dr.â heart is in
The call as well.
[1:22:59]
one thing, we're utilizing
The dash services,
Prior to the pandemic. It's been a great
Partnership. Some of
The complications with
That is just the times.
[1:23:04]
we did try to work through
With dash, with changing
Some of our pick up and drop-off times for
The dash schedule.
[1:23:08]
just combination
Of the school day. The problem we have is,
It's not really a problem.
[1:23:12]
one of the hurdles we have
Is that we don't have dash
Stops all over the city, wherever the
Students may live. To try to really have our
Students take advantage
Of the dash bus.
[1:23:17]
we're seeing most of the
Secondary kids are the ones
That will take advantage. The way we work it out with
Dash, they get to sleep in
For maybe 20 minutes.
[1:23:21]
you get to sleep in
Extra 20 minutes. You couldâ -- that's
Kind of the pitch to get
Our students on there.
[1:23:25]
we couldn't do that
For every location. We've been trying to do some
Creative things like that. I think our bus shortage
And I'm not familiar with
Dash shortage I'm not the
[1:23:31]
director of
Transportation, but I know
Scott would know that. I know there's a shortage
Across the dmv, with
Regards to bus drivers.
[1:23:35]
people who are able to drive
Their kids or kids who are
Able to walk or bike. If they can do that. >> many of our families
Chosen to that.
[1:23:40]
a lot of people
Enjoy their bikes and
Walking to school. We're trying to encourage
Alternative ways that kids
Could get to and from,
[1:23:55]
families could. >> what percentage.
[1:24:01]
>> I don't have am.
[1:24:05]
dr.â heart, probably
Wouldn't have that
Information.
[1:24:12]
what we can do,
Provide they can it.
[1:24:20]
we can send that to you all.
[1:24:27]
you would miss it because
You were not on the city
Council at the time.
[1:24:43]
>> I appreciate it. And on the flip side,
Obviously, you get most of
Your funds from the city.
[1:24:55]
you also get a significant
Amount from richmond. Are theres, in ways that
You were trying to make
A hole in the progress.
[1:25:03]
>> hard to say. So many things have happened
Month ago, I would have
Beenâ -- I don't know now.
[1:25:11]
we have a legislative kind
Of liaison that works with
The board as well as liaison that works with
The superintendent.
[1:25:15]
they keep us an I breast. Some weeks, they are
Like, hey, we can't
Tell you either. And I think we have to
Continue to monitor what's
Happening in richland.
[1:25:20]
I don't think there's
Anything in the radar that
Will significantly impact our state funding at
This particular time.
[1:25:24]
so there's nothing
Currently on our radar. I can't predict what's
Happening in the future.
[1:25:28]
>> I would like to say, I
Appreciate all the work you
Did nutritionalwise, during the pandemic, 3.2
Million meals, to
Keep students fed.
[1:25:33]
>> and I know, mr.â turner
Wants to add something. I want to thank our city. There was a lot of
Partnering that happened in
The city with the schools.
[1:25:38]
I want to thank the city. When the city couldn't
Do it, we did it. We were very coordinated
And collaborative.
[1:25:43]
and that's some of the great
Coordination that happened
Between the city and the schools. >> we just received the
House and senate amendments
To the budget today.
[1:25:48]
every year we get those and
Try to take a look what the
Government proposed. We try to estimate where
The governance will fall
And how it will affect us.
[1:25:53]
I believe the subcommittee
Meeting, two of the big
Items on there, grocery taps as well as the add on. I believe when it comes to
The grocery tags, with the
Funding that supplement
[1:25:58]
that. >> it will remain whole, if
They use the right, funds
And not let it go through the same funding
That they use mou.
[1:26:03]
>> okay. Soâ -- just to keep us
In order here ahead. Ms. Jackson, I think as a
Follow-up to mr.â mcpike's
Question and ms. Gascon, is
[1:26:08]
yours a follow-up
To the same. We will go, gascon,
Wilson, jackson. >> I could go last.
[1:26:12]
>> my follow-up was,
First of all, I presh
Great all of this. This is a great evening. I appreciate all
The information.
[1:26:17]
when it comes to the
Ridership numbers from
Dash, when you're asking for them, would you please
Ask not just for a lump sum
Of the students that ride
[1:26:27]
dash. I would be interested to
Know about the elementary
Schoolchildren and who is
[1:26:34]
actually putting parents
On the buses, in that
Regard, public buses.
[1:26:40]
>> I will check
With the team. We may coast, students
Who ride the dash.
[1:26:47]
let me check
With them, to see if
Aggregated in that way.
[1:26:54]
>> thank you very much. >> ms. Gas kohn >>
Thank you, madam chair.
[1:27:00]
I wanted to turn to some of
The information, that the
City manager presented in
[1:27:08]
his presentation. And sort of really talking
About how intertwined the
Budgets are and how we're
[1:27:16]
seeing the growing gap and
Growing pressure in our
Cip: I know, have meetings
[1:27:23]
and task force. I'm wondering, are there
Things we need to start
Talking about, how we meet
[1:27:32]
or the ways we meet
Together, so we can really
Plan more sustainably
[1:27:39]
together, look for ways, we
Can better coordinate on
Cip items, efficiencies,
[1:27:45]
doing projections together. I think it's a big gap I
Need right now and it's not
All the need and projects
[1:27:56]
in the city. How do we get ahead of
It but be talking about
It throughout the year.
[1:28:05]
. >> dr.â hunchins,
Looking at me.
[1:28:09]
>> I want to get
Permission to speak. I want to say, one.
[1:28:16]
thank you for that. I want to reiterate that,
Our city and school staff,
They do meet frequently.
[1:28:23]
we have communication
Mechanisms and colab
Rative to work together.
[1:28:27]
and rodea took a note, when
Mr.â pairjohn was speaking. He talked about the
Good news, this is an
Opportunity we can be
[1:28:33]
creative and foreseeing into
The future, as to some of
The deficit areas that we
[1:28:40]
will foresee. It is inevitable. I think we can start
Utilizing our internal
City school meetings.
[1:29:12]
we just met recently about
Couple of weeks ago to talk
About some of the purpose
[1:29:55]
of our collaborative
Meetings we
Had with the city.
[1:30:19]
what are some of
The agenda items.
[1:30:38]
what are some of the
Projects we see, not close
But in the distant future,
[1:31:18]
so we can talk
Through and strajize.
[1:31:38]
I think adjusting the
Meetings that we have in
Place and just being a
[1:31:42]
little more intentional.
[1:31:50]
how we can be innovative
With the spending
As well as the revenue.
[1:32:23]
those are key points that
Mr.â pairjohn spoke to
During the presentation.
[1:33:15]
I think that could
Benefit us all.
[1:33:42]
the other advantage we
Have, when we're looking
At specifically the cip. And I could say, I was
Very honored to be able to
Work with our former city
[1:33:56]
manager on a weekly basis. Sometimes daily depending on
The, the time of the year.
[1:34:02]
I made the commitment,
With mr.â pairra
John to do the same.
[1:34:43]
we're able to be creative
With our spending. Some of the creative things,
Is using patrick henry with
The swing states.
[1:34:47]
making sure we have the
Location of douglas
Macarthur, as we're building the new space.
[1:34:52]
identifying, to have
Additional swing space for
The future projects, that's
[1:34:56]
happening in the next
Five to seven years. There's a lot of creativity
That's been happening.
[1:35:01]
we want to keep
The synergy going. I just want to make sure,
We don't lose some of the
Things we have done really
[1:35:09]
well. I don't want to lose the
Things we have done really
Well, so we can replicate
[1:35:14]
that and build on the
Innovative approaches
In th past. >> thank you.
[1:35:18]
I appreciate that. I'm glad to hear about the
Creativity that's happening. And one thing that may be
Interesting for the joint
Committee to explore are a,
[1:35:26]
how often are we as a joint
Board coming together in
Order to be updated >>
[1:35:31]
knowing we come
Back together and we
Do priority setting. And thinking beyond
Capitol project.
[1:35:37]
if we know, you guys are
Getting ready to think
About the budget and major
[1:35:41]
initiatives,
You want to do. Having it in the radar
Early, are there creative
Things, that council has
[1:35:46]
been brainstorming and we
Haven't talked about yet,
Or put forth so we can
[1:35:51]
maximize the creativity
But maximize the
Cost savings as well. >> I think those are really
Good take aways for us, or
The city council and the
[1:35:59]
school board to
Talk through. We will welcome that. We have structures
In place, internally
For the school board.
[1:36:05]
I'm sure the city has in
Place for the city council. It may be beneficial to have
A joint opportunities on
The front end to talk about
[1:36:14]
some of the
Budgetary items. I wanted to turn things to
Mr.â turner, he wanted to
Speak in regards to the
[1:36:20]
colab rative and
Innovative approaches. >> appreciate
It, dr.â hudson. One of the things that was
Mentioned, the smoothing of
The service, to make sure
[1:36:31]
it's not spiking
In any one year. My teenl has been able to
Work with the management,
So the timing of the bond
[1:36:37]
sales, for instance,
200 million
High school project.
[1:36:42]
you don't want to sell the
200 million in one year and
Then be paying the service
[1:36:51]
on that, when the money
Is not being used. We're making sure we had the
Proper cash flow with the
Projects, so we have could
[1:37:00]
time things on the bonds. That could save
Money on the service.
[1:37:04]
not going out there and
Getting 2 million right
Now, won't be used until
[1:37:12]
year two and three. That's one of the ways, the
Finance team is working
Together, to smooth the debt
[1:37:19]
service over the years. I just wanted to add that
As well >> ms. Gascon now.
[1:37:28]
mr.â agir. >> I think when we had had
The discussion with city
Council, around on timing,
[1:37:48]
versus what we're seeing
Kind of with the interest
Rates and what we think
[1:37:52]
will happen. You know, what are your
Thoughts arn how you and
Your team is trying to time
[1:38:01]
the sale. Working with the city
And particular increases
In the interest rate.
[1:38:11]
>> as you know, the city,
Finances our v.I.p. Program. It's really about
The cash flow and
Need of the project.
[1:38:17]
whether the market goes up
Or down, your finance team
Will be able to look at, to
[1:38:23]
be able to benefit it's
Also the need of the money. You never want to
Sell $200 bond.
[1:38:29]
you're paying the interest
On that, while the money
Is just sitting there. That's the biggest timing
Piece, working with the
Project manager.
[1:39:05]
make sure the project
Manager is providing
The cash flow need.
[1:39:16]
so the city's team okay. We will charge the
Money on this date.
[1:39:21]
let's go to market. We know we will have
To charge the market
Year from now. To be able to not
Just have a bunch of bond
Funding sitting there >>.
[1:39:27]
>> I want to add one more
Piece of the discussion.
[1:39:35]
I think when you look at the
Capitol and I think, the
Cash flow, I think is going
[1:39:46]
to give us more
Opportunity, which I
Think is fantastic.
[1:39:53]
. >> one observation about
The collective capitol,
The delivery of that.
[1:40:02]
right now, it's bundled,
And it's funded in 2021.
[1:40:13]
projects don't get built
That way >> you may have
Final design and
[1:40:23]
construction may occur in a
Couple of years >> I think
Working collaboratively
[1:40:30]
with the team, that
Will balance it out. That will extend our ability
For you as boards and
Council to work, to get the
[1:40:43]
things you want the
Community to have: it
Give you more room.
[1:40:47]
those are the things that
The internal team, that's
Kind of refreshing itself,
[1:40:54]
I think is great
Opportunity. I think they, with
Dr.â heart and deputy
Manager, baker, I think
[1:41:04]
that will work
Out really well. I wanted to highlight that. The final, basically going
Back to sort of early
Colabration, as I look to
[1:41:19]
receive input together, put
Together a draft budget. It's really, really
Valuable, and very helpful.
[1:41:26]
some of the higher level
Initiatives that the
Decision-makers have the
[1:41:32]
opportunity early on
To sort of see what
May be happening.
[1:41:38]
I call it forecasting
And projection. For me, that's
Critical importance
At the staff level.
[1:41:45]
and that's helpful at
The decision level, at
Key moments early in the
[1:41:52]
process. . >> that allows,
Dr.â hunchins and
Myself to look at.
[1:41:58]
it looks like the
Council is interested in.
[1:42:02]
highway do we early on
Figure out where it belongs
And how do we do that?
[1:42:13]
later in the process,
It limits my options to
Present a budget that
[1:42:20]
covers those things. For it to happen in
Multiple levels, is
Really important.
[1:42:28]
thank you >> thank
You, madam chair.
[1:42:32]
I have three questions
And I'll kind
Of put it out there.
[1:42:40]
first one is not a
Question but a flag.
[1:42:45]
last month, we had several
Parents, from southern
Towers, to stop by.
[1:42:51]
we want to make
Sure, you're aware. We are concerned about the
Routes and everything.
[1:42:56]
other question, one of
Your goals is truancy
For latino males.
[1:43:03]
I was curious, what
Other strategy, you
Guys are taking.
[1:43:10]
you hired more
Bilingual staff. Many of the families, they
Do have some limitations
With english I was
[1:43:22]
wondering, any additional
Bilingual staff. The last question, because
It's difficult to speak
With a mask on, the last
[1:43:33]
time mr.â baldwin was
Here and we did a circle.
[1:43:38]
I was curious about
Restoretive practices, what
You are making, considering
[1:43:43]
when you look at
Your data, it's low. What are we doing to invest
To be able to have a higher
Results with restoretive
[1:43:52]
practices? I know it's only one
Component of several >> I
Know thatâ -- I'm sorry,
[1:44:05]
madam chair. So I knowâ -- I'm trying
To follow robert's rules. I know dr.â crawford
Is on as well.
[1:44:35]
and she can elaborate
On some of this. I want to start off
By talking about the
Truancy component.
[1:44:41]
I did touch on
It last night. If you have an opportunity.
[1:44:45]
it will be up on line. I don't know if
It's up there.
[1:44:49]
we recorded it and it
Will be in the website,
State of our schools.
[1:44:54]
we touched on this, because
It has been a challenge, in
Regards to truancy.
[1:44:59]
some of the additional
Things we are doing to make
Sure, we have the social
[1:45:04]
workers, doing some school,
Home visits to our families
Who are experiencing truancy.
[1:45:09]
we are also making sure
We're providing
Psychological as well as counselling supports
For the students, because
Typically, there's a reason
[1:45:15]
why. There's always something. Our job is to prevent
Them the root clauses.
[1:45:19]
and the community and
Schools, is another
Strategy I touched on earlier today.
[1:45:24]
we also expanded some of
Our social and emotional
Services at the school level.
[1:45:29]
I want to give a huge
Shoutout to hgcs, you
Provided services and
[1:45:34]
clinicians that are working
In our schools as well.
[1:45:39]
we know, if we provide those
Socially emotional support,
We will have kids that keep
[1:45:46]
coming back in the
School buildings. The final thing, in regards
To school truancy, let's
Stop thinking about school,
[1:45:54]
to being aa to 3:00
Thing I feel like, it
Sounds really simple.
[1:46:00]
and every child doesn't
Want to be here all
Day, but they don't. I think we had to
Make the adjustments.
[1:46:07]
we don't want kids out in
The community all day.
[1:46:12]
what we're providing or
What we're working through
Is just structured kind of
[1:46:18]
flexibility, where
Students, in our schools,
For a portion of the day.
[1:46:23]
they are doing some form of
Externship, internship or
Some sort of employment in
[1:46:30]
the community. We're revamping our
Chance for change, cfc.
[1:46:35]
this year is our year to
Really reimagined what
Chance for change and what the campus is like
For the students.
[1:46:40]
it has had had a
Representation for having
A place for kids, who had
[1:46:47]
disciplinary areas
To go through. That's the wrong philosophy
For having chance for
Change how do we make sure
[1:46:56]
we provide some various
Options, for our students,
So they don't feel they
[1:47:01]
can't be in school for
A number of reasons. As we spoke to the number
Of schools, our data, when
Kids are not in school,
[1:47:09]
some kids are working
Full-time jobs. Some kids have children. Their own children at home.
[1:47:13]
some kids are watching
Younger sibleings. Some kids are having to
Contribute to the families
Income and keeping a roof
[1:47:19]
over their families heads. When you're thinking about a
Roof over your head versus
In class, dr.â hutchins. And so we have to make sure
We're making adjustments to
Provide the appropriate
[1:47:26]
options for the populations
That we do serve >> I'm
Having technical issues.
[1:47:31]
and that's a really
Great answer. I was going to make the same
Comments of identifying
Root cause and working with
[1:47:53]
barriers and working with
Our families and students
To see what they need to be
[1:48:14]
able to access education
And, you know, heard
Dr.â jackson say to a group
[1:48:26]
the other day. I will quote her, the
Executive director of
Student services.
[1:48:30]
how are we pushing
Ourselves, to make sure the
Programs fit the students
[1:48:37]
and we're not making
The students fit into
Existing programs.
[1:48:41]
it's what you just said in
Response to programming. Just being aware of what
The needs are for our kids,
So we are able to adapt
[1:48:51]
accordingly. Thank you >> the other
Question is about
Investments and restoretive
[1:48:57]
practices. >> dr.â crawford is here. I'm glad you got to
Participate to the
Community circle.
[1:49:05]
it's a culture we're trying
To establish throughout the
School system.
[1:49:11]
this is the way we do things
In alexandria, in regards
To having balance and
[1:49:19]
starting our classes
And days this way. Doctor crawford, you may
Want to share our
Restoretive practice plan
[1:49:28]
as well as time line. As you're coming on, I want
To reiterate that a part of
The 2025 strategic plan,
[1:49:39]
restoretive practices
Is one of our
Main areas of focus.
[1:49:43]
and since 2020, hence,
This is adoptive, when
We were in a pandemic.
[1:49:51]
we didn't have kids in the
Building and teachers were
Not in the frame of mind of
[1:49:56]
doing any training about
Restoretive practices. They were trying to figure
Out virtual learning and
Contact tracing and all of
[1:50:04]
the other things
That we had to do in
The year and a half.
[1:50:15]
this year, as we return
To the school building,
Five days "week," we did
[1:50:22]
reinstate and get back in
Track with the restoretive
Practice time line.
[1:50:27]
dr.â crawford, you may want
To speak to that and the
Planning moving forward
[1:50:33]
with regards to the
Restoretive practice. >> and thank you.
[1:50:38]
thank you for the question. I want to say, thank
You for the opportunity and
Mr.â baldwin to come before
[1:50:47]
you tonight and share
Some of our practices. The focus of restoretive
Practice is to utilize our
Funding and the development
[1:50:56]
of our employees with
Their training and their
Professional development
[1:51:01]
for running community
Circles, a tier 1 support
Like you just did and
[1:51:06]
making sure that we have
Staff in each school that
Were trained in the higher
[1:51:13]
levels, responsive circles
And restoretive circles. Primarily, we look at
Use of funds, the cost of
The trainings that I just
[1:51:23]
referred to. In recent years, we were
Able to utilize funding
For restoretive practices,
[1:51:29]
liaisons and in each
Of the buildings. We really haven't, because
This is our first year in
Being in person with the
[1:51:39]
restoretive
Practice liaison. It's building that position
Up for the day-to-day
Support and oversight.
[1:51:45]
it's working with our
Principalâ -- principles for
Increasing our accountable
[1:51:50]
and ongoing resources
That are needed. We did look at it this year.
[1:51:56]
we have mr.â baldwin as our
Main restoretive practice
Coordinator, but he works
[1:52:02]
with our seal team
With the other medical
Professionals, with the
[1:52:07]
guidance with
Ms. Kinitra wood. Primarily what we're using
As we reference back with
The dashboard as well as
[1:52:15]
the auxillary
Survey results. Forecasting forward, when we
Add restoretive practice in
Recent years, we want them
[1:52:23]
to be school-based. It's building the capacity
With the restoretive
Practice liaison in the
[1:52:29]
building to offer that
Day-to-day on-site report. Appreciate the opportunity
To share one of our
Strategies with you, main
[1:52:38]
use of funds so far has
Been the liaison funding
An the professional
[1:52:43]
development. Thank you. >> could I just tag on. Because I did see
The dashboard.
[1:52:49]
how exactly are we
Collecting the data? What are the data points,
Primary data points we're
Trying to collect when we
[1:52:56]
do do it? >> initially, from the
Equity, the new one is
Administered march 11th,
[1:53:08]
starting next week. The data we were collecting
Was what type of
Restoretive practices that
[1:53:38]
are conducted in classroom. And the building with
The administertion. And to see if people
Are aware or have had
Any engagement with the
[1:53:44]
restoretive practice. As we begin to build, kind
Of professional capacity
With our staff, we get to
[1:53:50]
expand beyond whether
You're having a community
Circle in the classroom.
[1:53:55]
we want to know why
The kids understand what
Restoretive practice is. What we're trying to insure,
Our staff, at a place where
They are able to articulate
[1:54:01]
to buy into the restoretive
Practice philosophy. We're embedding it into the
Teacher evaluation as well.
[1:54:07]
in a way, we have the
Look force, that we are
Incorporating into the
[1:54:13]
teacher evaluation. That's something that
Started two years ago. It's not something
That's new.
[1:54:18]
we wanted our staff to
Understand, or evaluating. We're not evaluating to
Say, you're good or bad.
[1:54:26]
we're not evaluating
To say, you work at
Ucps or you don't. We don't talk
About evaluations
Like that anymore.
[1:54:32]
the evaluations
Is about building
Professional capacity. What are things we should
See, that we should observe
And things like restoretive
[1:54:36]
practices and different
Types of strategies, must
Be incorporated into the look force.
[1:54:51]
dr.â crawford, I don't know
If you want to add anything
Else in regards to the data
[1:54:55]
collection. I don't see dr.â paige on
Here, because we were not
Expecting a question about
[1:55:01]
accountability. Dr.â crawford may have
More specific details? >> yes, I think you hit on
The dashboard and how we
Get to the equity survey to
[1:56:14]
get a sense of experience. Our kids are having, moving
Forward, we will expand
Just looking at the number of staff we have
Trained in r.p.
[1:56:19]
that's a constant
In making sure people have
The training that we want. They are implementing
With fidelity.
[1:56:23]
but to also look at
Accountability measures,
How we are checking the circles. We know people
Are recognizing the
Restoretive circles.
[1:56:28]
they are embedded in the
Seal levels, the students
Are experiencing in the classroom at the tier 1
Level to support the social
And emotional learning.
[1:56:32]
that's not captured
In the dashboard. We're looking at the team,
To insure we'll get a
Reliable data measure, for
[1:56:36]
use, across the schools. Thank you >> okay. We're time and I feel like
I don't even remember. Mr.â wilson.
[1:56:41]
mr.â wilson. >> thank you, madam chair. I guess a few comments, a
Few questions and thoughts.
[1:56:45]
so I guess, following up on
Councilman chapman, could
We get that kind of walk through on the fund balance
On kind how it relates to
The adoptive policy and get
[1:56:49]
that with a memo and
Hold together a memo. What I'm particularly
Interested, wanting to
Understand whether, you
[1:56:56]
know, going back to the
Conversation we had earlier
And I think mr.â turner
[1:57:02]
reference and mr.â -- the
Timing, timing of money,
Whether, as you guys are
[1:57:08]
tracking this year, whether
We have the opportunity to
Steer from the capitol from
[1:57:14]
surplus funds perhaps
Giving us a little less
Pressure in the next couple
[1:57:19]
of years and helping
Us in the cip side. I think that's the question,
I want to make sure we
Explore and get some more
[1:57:29]
detail on that,
Would be helpful. I think one thing that
Jumped out as I'm looking
Into your budget and had to
[1:57:39]
go into the the folder of
Budgets 10-12 years ago.
[1:57:43]
I note thatâ -- and I can't
Believe I will say this
Because this a positive
[1:57:47]
note on the funding
For k-12 education. We have essentially in the
Last decade, the amount of
Your budget the state is
[1:57:57]
covering. Pretty much doubled,
Almost at 20 percent.
[1:58:02]
and that's a far cry from
Where we were a decade ago.
[1:58:08]
I'm curious and I think you
Go into some detail in the
Budget how we got there and
[1:58:14]
falling into
Kirk's question. You know, is itâ -- we're
Basically now in the lci. We're at 80-20 which is
What the lci calls for.
[1:58:21]
it makes me think, more of
What we provide is in the
Soq, I'm guessing in the
[1:58:30]
state's funding. Less is outside of that.
[1:58:34]
obviously, there's changes
And cost to compete.
[1:58:39]
all of that stuff
Is changing. Hopefully it
Doesn't change back. Walk me through
The narrative.
[1:58:43]
what I am trying to get at,
Is kind of what it means
For the future and what we
[1:58:47]
should expect. Is this a one time anomaly.
[1:59:07]
should we track kind
Of in the future. That's my first question. >> I think the question, the
State funding versus city
Funding and why in the past
[1:59:15]
decade, city funding has
Gone 80 percent gone to the
Operating fund and state,
[1:59:19]
less than 20 percent. The city funding
Has gone up?
[1:59:24]
>> the city funding
Has gone up. State funding has gone more.
[1:59:29]
the state is covering a
Greater percent of your
Budget than they have had.
[1:59:36]
>> and one piece
Of budget going up
Is state sales tax.
[1:59:41]
this is actually one of the
Items that is projected to
Go down during the
[1:59:46]
pandemic, and
It be did not. We received more state sales
From the portion of the
State revenue than what is
[1:59:58]
projected. The internal projection
Gone down and the state
Projection, gone further
[2:00:03]
down. I'm sure everybody
Has been following. The state had a surplus
Of revenue as well.
[2:00:10]
and just because of the
Projection is often, we
Continue to see the trend
[2:00:15]
for state tax going up. We predict the state fund
Is going up in the state
Side for a couple of years.
[2:00:24]
now even during the
Pandemic, was projecting it
Would slightly increase.
[2:00:30]
that's the largest portion
Of why it's going up.
[2:00:34]
they have been adding
Other incentives. Whenever the governor would
Propose teacher salary
Increase, they would
[2:00:41]
provide the state
Portion of that. Once it's provided, it's
Rolled into the total
Estate funding that they
[2:00:48]
give you. They are not going to give
You for one year, because
Salaries and ongoing
[2:00:55]
expense. There's other incentives
Added, and that gets added
To the total funding of the
[2:01:01]
portion of the state. Between those incentives and
The state revenue and state
Sales tax revenue, that's
[2:01:08]
where we're seeing the
Growth in the state
Side of the revenue.
[2:01:13]
obviously from the city
Funding, we had the
Increase, the transfer,
[2:01:18]
each year to be able to
Cover the other 80 percent. Okay.
[2:01:24]
>> I may come back to that
>> I am excited to see the
Investments on the school.
[2:01:29]
I will beat this dead
Horse a little bit. It's not that, it's not dead
Much we talk in the city
Schools in the coordination
[2:01:40]
of the after school side. I want to make sure, as we
Expand, those are not done
In a simply asilo with
[2:01:52]
acps, that is
Closely coordinated. The city remains the
Largest after school
Provider in the city.
[2:02:00]
and I want to make sure
We're not, we're not only
Duplicating the services,
[2:02:08]
but actually we're being
Strategic on how we add
Investment I also think we
[2:02:12]
need to have the
Conversations on our side
And make sure it's closely
[2:02:48]
coordinated. There's a lot
Of opportunity. If we are not serving the
Same kids and how we're
Serving them, shame on us.
[2:02:57]
it's probably a conversation
For more dialogue at city
Schools as well as other
[2:03:02]
venues. I want to make sure. It's a message, for our
Side, and I'm hopeful, it's
Tightly coordinated and I'm
[2:03:08]
questioning it is. The other question and this
Is probably, leave one
Thing and want to open it
[2:03:14]
up for maybe some board
Council conversation. One thing we want to
Bookmark, a conversation
Around the budget process.
[2:03:20]
I know, you guys, like
We are, heading in the
Direction of collective
[2:03:25]
bargaining. I cannot. I cannot overemphasize
Between the city council
And school board, as it
[2:03:29]
relates to budgeting. You guys are 80 percent
Of cost is personnel. 80 percent of cost is
Long-term collective
Bargaining agreement.
[2:03:36]
that will change the annual
Bargaining process and the
Discussions we have. We need to hold hands as we
Go to the process together
And talk about how we
[2:03:46]
coordinate both the staff
Level and the elected
Official level going into
[2:03:50]
that. I guess the final point and
Maybe open it up, note.
[2:03:54]
obviously, half a billion
Over the next decade and
Your crp, great, is a huge
[2:04:02]
amount of investment. I would note, all about
115 million of that is
In the next five years.
[2:04:12]
it's a hugely
Front loaded crp. If you look in the six
Years, it's 30 million.
[2:04:20]
it's terribly loaded
Crp, which is great. We're trying to get a lot
Of products off the table.
[2:04:29]
I look in the years
And no way in heck.
[2:04:34]
and when we sat down
With the previous board.
[2:04:39]
we have to figure out
What's next and have
Some dialogue again.
[2:04:45]
outside the budget process,
What we are going to tackle
Next in the crpment we're
[2:04:53]
swallowing a whole bunch
Now, which is wonderful.
[2:04:57]
what I don't want to see,
And this is always my
Concern, we should not have
[2:05:05]
projects dropping into
The crp within five
Years of completion. They should be
In the outyears.
[2:05:10]
they should be plans over a
Period of time and not just
Dumped in and us trying to
[2:05:16]
figure out how to fund them. Not a conversation with this
Budget but a conversation
That we should have.
[2:05:31]
>> okay. . >> I want to be
Cognizant of time.
[2:05:41]
we have other topics that
People want to discuss.
[2:05:47]
I will cut the budget.
[2:05:54]
the whole thing should be a
Budget conversation >> I'm
Going to go bagley and we
[2:06:04]
need to move on >>
Thank you, madam chair.
[2:06:09]
>> and the m o.u. That sps has a
Reporting element, I
Believe is quarterly.
[2:06:15]
at this stage, have you
Received the quarterly
Reports that have come and
[2:06:21]
gone. If not, when do you expect
To receive those >> thank
You for that question.
[2:06:28]
we will be presenting the
Quarterly reports to the
Board, march 24th, which is
[2:06:35]
wednesday. Not only our discipline data
Overview, but to talk about
Our school law enforcement
[2:06:43]
advisory group, which is
Also known as s.l.e.p.
[2:06:48]
we have acronyms
For everything. Those items are
Posted on friday.
[2:06:54]
it will be posted this
Friday, for the public.
[2:06:59]
but the discussion will
Actually occur during the
Board meeting on march the
[2:07:06]
10th. >> just to
Follow-up on that. You have not received
The quarterly reports,
Pursuant to kuru.
[2:07:16]
>> we look at
Data every month. In regards to presenting
It to the board, that's
Happening on march the
[2:07:26]
10th. Dr.â heart, she's here. She can provide, just kind
Of an overview of when we
Meet or when we've met with
[2:07:38]
apd. We have met with them,
Back in september.
[2:07:43]
I believe it's another date,
Some time in november.
[2:07:48]
in regards to aou. We have, dr.â heart
You may want to
Provide specific dates.
[2:07:52]
I am trying to do this by
Memory and I'm sure you
Have the specific dates.
[2:07:58]
>> and from a point of
Presentation, what will be
Presented next week is not
[2:08:09]
student discipline data. School discipline falls
Under dr.â crawford's team.
[2:08:16]
I want to make the quick
Presentation, terms of
What will be presented.
[2:08:26]
formal readings regarding
The olu review, september
14 and november 5th.
[2:08:35]
however, there's many more
Meetings that will occur
With the smaller sub set with the team and we have
The director of safety
Services as well as the
[2:08:45]
coordinator of emergency
And services, that meet
Regularly with the adp
[2:09:15]
counterparts.
[2:09:28]
>> anybody the acpsside.
[2:09:33]
and with the granted, you
Guys talk to the reporting
Requirements, is that
[2:09:42]
correct? I guess, to my colleague's
Point, I'm curious why >>
A had a conversation with
[2:10:56]
chief brown and dr.â wilkins
And talked about adding
Some additional data
[2:11:01]
points. I'm not sure there's
Additional data points and
Making it to the next round
[2:11:07]
of reporting, to kind of,
I know, I kind of through
A little bit of jum bell
[2:11:13]
there: we're required to
Report data to the state.
[2:11:38]
here's the data. This is why it's important
To have two quarters to
Start off with, any type of
[2:11:46]
reporting publicly, so
You're doing some form of
Compareson between the two
[2:11:53]
quarters, we want to
Provide some trends. I'm excited about
The fact, we are able to
Provide the data analysis.
[2:12:04]
something that we never
Had a practice of doing. Been an active
From the beginning.
[2:12:11]
I think that was deaf
At this timely a deficit
Area for us in the past.
[2:12:16]
we're trying to get
This information out.
[2:12:20]
we have to be careful
With the specific
Data that we share.
[2:12:27]
what I mean by that not
Necessarily incidents
Or type of arrest.
[2:12:34]
those things are
Public information. What we have to be careful
About and this is something
I've been sharing with our
[2:12:41]
team internally, is our
Safety structures, where
People are positioned in
[2:12:46]
the school buildings,
Talking about the actual
Safety protocols.
[2:12:51]
what we do, if we have
Public conversations like
That, we are jeopardizing
[2:12:57]
our safety within
The organization. That's why you won't see any
School division, talking
About classrooms and
[2:13:05]
locations and how
Many people are here. We have to be very careful.
[2:13:11]
I know that doesn't have
Anythingâ -- you will see,
Posted this friday for the
[2:13:18]
board. We will make sure we send
The links, that city
Council could actually see
[2:13:25]
the data analysis. I think it's going to be
More beneficial seeing the
Presentation, so you don't
[2:13:33]
just have to view slides
Without the context to some
Of them, because we don't
[2:13:40]
like to put a lot of text
Heavy slides out there,
Because that also is not
[2:13:47]
appropriate. And the information will
Be data analysis not
Just sharing the data.
[2:13:53]
making sure, we're sharing,
As well as the community.
[2:13:57]
>>nd aâ -- I totally agree. You just don't
Do a data dump.
[2:14:03]
that doesn't do
Anyone any good. There's a quarterly update,
And as you acknowledge
Specifics security
[2:14:10]
positions and
Numbers, that's not
Part of the report.
[2:14:14]
that doesn't say anywhere to
Even talk about that stuff.
[2:14:19]
I wouldn't want us to be
Talking about that stuff
As I mentioned; right?
[2:14:25]
I understand what you're
Saying, and with having two
Reports, you get to show
[2:14:31]
some trends. Part of the issue is, there
Are already two other
Reports due from last year,
[2:14:37]
because the mlu was signed
In november of 2020, which
Means there should have
[2:14:42]
been two or more
Reports before the end
Of the school year. I understand that, the
Students were not in the
Classroom, there should at
[2:14:50]
least be something. I told chief brown at
The time too; right? Is there any
Kids at school?
[2:14:57]
the report, no
Kids at the school. The fact, we're lacking
Reporting, now 23 years
Is, it'sâ -- I am sure you
[2:15:04]
could see my frustration
And we're still not there.
[2:15:18]
I think we still have a long
Ways to go to make sure
We're getting the reporting
[2:15:25]
done properly. >> I know, dr.â hart,
Her camera is on.
[2:15:30]
I wanted her to
Provide some insight. She wanted to
Elaborate a little.
[2:15:37]
>> what I wanted to be able
To provide, is a bit of
Context as it relates to almost this past year.
[2:15:42]
some of the challenges we
May have received, in terms
Of formulating a report
[2:15:49]
that would have met that
Quarterly criteria. I'm hearing this, trying to
Do a time line for all the
Changes I could remember.
[2:15:59]
we wereâ -- you're
Correct, councilman agir,
Mlu was fined in 2020.
[2:16:05]
in may of 2021, the soo
Program was not funded to
Go beyond the fiscal year.
[2:16:13]
we had to pivot and go for
A calls for service mlu,
That won't have the same
[2:16:21]
recording to my
Understanding. That's a separate mlu that's
Put in place, during the
Time frame when the sro.
[2:16:30]
the sro's were in
Stated last october. Once they were reinstated,
We went back to 2020mlu.
[2:16:38]
while that's not an
Excuse, I will say there's
A fluctuation between the
[2:16:45]
switch mlu program and
The rein statement the
Sro and back to 2020mlu.
[2:16:52]
and I absolutely agree
There's an opportunity to
Be caught up with the next
[2:17:00]
go around and we're
In, that comes up
With the meeting.
[2:17:06]
with assurance that meeting
Has occurred to the indict
I mentioned between the
[2:17:14]
september date
And november date. I wanted to add it
For a bit of clarity and
Context to your question.
[2:17:25]
>> I appreciate
That ms. Hart. I thought I was giving
Clarity as well, when I
Said it was signed in
[2:17:32]
november, even though
It ended in june
Of the schoo year. Cps was still under
The mlu from november
2020 to june of 2021.
[2:17:44]
there was at least
Going to be two reports
And we didn't get them.
[2:17:49]
>> we'll add some more
Specificity, in the future. >> yeah, I'm thinking. >> and I'm thinking, two
Things I gather, really
Determining, you know, in
[2:18:01]
the future m lsu is being
Specific on what the
Quarterly report is, what it
[2:18:06]
looks like and who
Is delivering it to
Whom, is important.
[2:18:11]
I'm sorry. I do want to jump in and
Say, that as dr.â hart
Mentioned, she will be
[2:18:22]
posting a report
And presentation
Tomorrow actually.
[2:18:29]
and I had a chance
To preview it. I have to say, I
Think people will find
It very interesting.
[2:18:34]
I think it is like
Dr.â hutchings said it's
Robust because it's an
[2:18:42]
analysis. We're not just looking at
Numbers and we're looking
At who the impact is on.
[2:18:46]
we will see some, I think
Interesting information
About this proportionality,
[2:18:54]
that may have
Some surprises.
[2:19:01]
what I would encourage
Everyone at the do, take
A look at the report. Please take a look
At the presentation.
[2:19:09]
I think we're heading
In the direction that
We all want to go.
[2:19:16]
it demonstrates how
Much better we can do
This in the future.
[2:19:25]
>> I think it's we're
Getting to the poin, where
I suggest it's lack of
[2:19:32]
clarity. It's section, section 3-d
Defines the quarterly
Performance review meetings
[2:19:38]
and gives examples
On what will be. And calls for
The assistance.
[2:19:45]
mru does provide what's to
Be in the quarterly meeting
And provides dates, in the
[2:19:53]
school year. Just forâ -- that's what I
Was being looing towards.
[2:19:59]
there should have been a
Report as defined in your
Mou delivered in february.
[2:20:07]
so I appreciate, there's
Information for coming, all
I was trying to establish,
[2:20:14]
as mr.â hart, you
Went to theâ -- in
October of last year.
[2:20:21]
you had a four quarter
Under the preexisting mlu.
[2:20:26]
just paced on the language
Of the document, I expected
To be a february quarterly
[2:20:35]
report delivered. I look forward to seeing
What's in tomorrow's report
And on friday's posting but
[2:20:41]
I just wanted, I thought it
Was worth clarifying, since
It was lacking in the mlu.
[2:20:45]
it's actually here and
That's what my question was
Routed in, as defined in
[2:20:53]
the mlu. So thank you all for that. Yeah.
[2:20:57]
>> mr.â mcpike and
Mr.â hutchings. >> and you said earlier,
There's going to be this
Report, based on the
[2:21:08]
requirements of the mlu. I also thought, there is
Going to be broader
Discussion at next week's
[2:21:18]
meeting, is that correct? >> yes, the school law
Enforcement partnership,
Also known as slep advisory
[2:21:25]
committee will provide an
Update on that as well.
[2:21:29]
establishment as well. >> you could give us
An idea the nature,
The purpose of it is.
[2:21:38]
>> back and dr.â hart could
Actually speak to this.
[2:21:43]
>> yes, so in october of
2021, we provided an update
To the board after the rein
[2:21:51]
statement of the s.r.o.'s. One of the recommendations,
We will recommend a school
Partnership advisory
[2:21:58]
committee. And the presentation next
Week will be, that will be
Posted tomorrow, will show
[2:22:05]
our proposal for that
Particular committee as we
Look for ways to increase
[2:22:12]
our engagement, as well as
How do we move forward with
Reimagining the partnership
[2:22:19]
through the process. >> and I appreciate that. As you are all preparing to
Produce the recommendation,
We all saw last year, what
[2:22:30]
happens when the council
And the school board grow
In opposite directions on
[2:22:35]
this issue. It's incredibly
Important, we find
Ways not to do that.
[2:22:40]
we're talking about safety
In our schools, which is a
Paramount concern not just people in our bodies
But the entire city.
[2:22:46]
it is a program that exists
In the school but is funded
In the city budget that's
[2:22:56]
not part of the
School budget. And hopefully a broad
Discussion with the entire
Community what we want,
[2:23:02]
safety in our schools to
Look like, we need to make
Sure, both our bodies,
[2:23:07]
council and school
Board feel connected to
Process and brought in.
[2:23:11]
in the end, we have
A product that we can
Both use to make future
[2:23:16]
decisions in a harmonious
Manner and avoid the back
And forth, we saw last
[2:23:21]
year, which I don't think
Was productive for anyone
Particularly, in a time
[2:23:25]
that we bring kids
Back to schools. I'm looking forward to what
You guys propose next week.
[2:23:33]
I hope there's a role for
The city council and the
Broader community to be
[2:23:40]
involved in the discussion,
As you're moving forward,
So we can get to the point, we're rowing into the
Direction that we both
Could be happy with.
[2:23:52]
>> mr.â chapman. >> I apologize for not
Squeezing it earlier.
[2:24:01]
could I follow-up my
Question for the budget.
[2:24:08]
I want to start off
What I see in this, on
This piece of paper.
[2:24:13]
I am concerned about what I
See with our fund balance
And some of the numbers I
[2:24:19]
walk through. Just for background, I have
Been on the school board's
Budget advisory committee.
[2:24:26]
I understood their budget
For a number of years.
[2:24:31]
you know with what we
Approved in 2019 and
Looking at reserve funds
[2:24:37]
and kind of overages, what
We wanted to do is give
Additional flexibility and I
[2:24:45]
think that has
Been achieved. I see on paper, and I'm
Missing some of the reason
Why it needs to stay in the
[2:24:51]
levels that it does and
Certain line items and the
Memos will speak to that.
[2:24:59]
as, the number of people
Talked about and I think we
Know about, we have some
[2:25:13]
challenges. Particularly in
The capitol side.
[2:25:22]
looking at additional
Capitol, pushing cash
Capitol in that direction,
[2:25:31]
hopefully to help with the
Front-loading, I think
Would be a very reasonable
[2:25:38]
thing to do. I think we have to tell the
Story to our alexandria
Taxpayers, why money is not
[2:25:45]
being used. What that means for
Our taxes as well. If we have certain amount
In reserve, we need to
Say exactly why and what
[2:25:57]
policies we speak to. I understand from the
Policies, that you have
A minimum and you have a
[2:26:05]
maximum. It doesn't mean, you have
To have right at 5 percent.
[2:26:18]
you could hold 4. You could hold 3â 1/2. You can't hold under 3.
[2:26:22]
I know I have to
Be able to tell. Police officers. $2 million of that was
Spendable and then over the
Next two years the next
[2:26:30]
fiscal year we have
Appropriated the use of the
Balance and if we spent 100 percent of our budget this
Year we will drop down to
$7 million which was
[2:26:36]
slightly under answer we
Need to make sure that we
Have expenditure controls to make sure that we don't use
A fully appropriated amount
Of that balance that we had
[2:26:40]
in the policy so we are
Appropriating a balance each
Year we want to make sure we are putting the money to
Use we don't want to have a
Significant fund imbalance
[2:26:44]
going forward and to address
Any unforeseen emergencies
Or shortfalls and again since I have been here we
Are trying to present â" so
When we say we are going to
[2:26:48]
appropriate a balance if we
Are saying that it should
Get used we should be dipping into that each year
Ultimately if we continue
To do that we will reach a point where we will be at
The lower level of the
Three percent at if we do
[2:26:54]
that over the next
Two years we will
Hit that level. I do want to follow up to
Something that was said
Earlier but I want to make
[2:26:58]
sure I am answering your
Questions and we are
Providing the memo >> I do appreciate your response and
Again I will wait to the
Memo for the discussions
[2:27:02]
with the liaison and I guess
I would have â" so we talk
About this appropriating use of fund balance and maybe
This is a better way to
Communicate this and to sit
[2:27:06]
down with the staff as I
Look up and pull off a few
Of you guys have on your website which is that
Amounts that 20 million
And we have some community
[2:27:10]
members speaking to what
That is and if the reading
Of the line item says $20 million not appropriated not
Restricted not spendable
Totally unassigned.
[2:27:14]
but I really want us to
Understand without amount is
What it is going to what is made up of want them to
Understand where they're
Coming from and what they
[2:27:18]
are. >> we have a operating
Balance of $1,995,000
2,032,975 is non-spendable. > I am talking select to skip to this part of the video">[indiscernible] and
Unassigned 12 million â"
And that is >> I am talking
[2:27:24]
about the combined
Fund statement and
Is that nutrition? >> so somewhere around 15
Million and we also have our
School nutrition fund which
[2:27:29]
are federal dollars still
Have and specific uses for
The school nutrition fund to be able to do kitchen
Projects and the use of the
School nutrition fund we can
[2:27:35]
spend what we do spend
Every single year are
Operating fund balance 21.6 million so if you're looking
Through all the combined
Budget there are fund
[2:27:41]
balances and so the
Operating fund so when we
Have the most flexibility to be able to say we are
Going to use some of this
Both operating and all the
[2:27:47]
funds to get those people to
Understand and I do kind of
Want us to understand if one
[2:27:52]
of the questions I had is
If the policies and maybe
This is a question for the
[2:28:01]
board if the policies you
Have for using the fund
Balance outside of the normal use is possibly too
Restrictive for you for the
Use of it only because we
[2:28:08]
have seen the pandemic and
If you look at the trends I
Am looking at the operating fund the trend of usage
There is not the pandemic
Spike and so I am trying to
[2:28:16]
figure out if the rainy
Day does come have you
Handicapped yourself and you are allowed to
Spend and not be able to
Address that rainy day.
[2:28:22]
>> if I could just follow
So the limitation is the
Appropriation of the of the two percent if there is an
Emergency they are able to
Go back to we can only go
[2:28:29]
out to the two percent so
We do have the ability if
That comes about one of the
[2:28:33]
reasons why all the federal
Dollars we have been getting
Throughout the pandemic most of the things that we have
Been generally not be able
To monitors funding out of
[2:28:41]
those and in the
Classroom substitutes and
A completely different ballgame.
[2:28:45]
>> that is part
Of my question. I would assume pandemic is
The rainy day and using that
Money to â" to whatever
[2:28:52]
you need it. I guess I am a
Little bit confused. >> I did not get there was a
Question for the board but I
Could say from the past
[2:28:58]
three years of experience it
Did not feel restrictive it
Has never felt restrictive it has felt nice to have
The security of knowing you
Have that in case of an
[2:29:05]
emergency one of the things
That I have highlighted on
This budget, partly we were very cautious at the
Beginning of the pandemic
We were super cautious so we
[2:29:11]
immediately thought about
Reducing spending and there
Were some bonuses that came out of that in the sense
That we were able to provide
Every single employee with
[2:29:17]
a two percent bonus so I
Think some of it was we
Were really conservative and cautious and it paid
Off and in the end.
[2:29:23]
so that's just been my
Experience as we've gone
Through the pandemic and I have been really proud of
How fiscally responsible we
Have been dealing with that
[2:29:29]
because we had moments
Of trepidation. [laughter] and fear but
We were able to have some
Security and overcome it.
[2:29:33]
>> no question about that
The question I was trying to
Have, I apologize if it was not clear, I guess I want to
Understand what qualifies
As a rainy day I guess I
[2:29:41]
thought pandemic is a rainy
Day and so some of the
Policies you have say if a rainy day happens we can do
X, y, and z and that's my
Question, has this not been
[2:29:48]
a two-year rainy day? I understand there
Are other emergencies
And things like that. [indiscernible] >> we are
Not going to get a full
Understanding this evening
[2:29:54]
but we can work on that. >> I just want to comment
On the discussion this was
Not a traditional rainy day
[2:30:02]
that's part of the problem
That's why every public
Entity is sitting on huge
[2:30:08]
surpluses because revenue
Continued and some places
Were up higher than we
[2:30:15]
expected same thing for any
Individual who remain
Employed during the pandemic
[2:30:22]
and that's not the anomaly
We are looking at I think
The conversation we want to
[2:30:31]
have, what does
Normal look like? Is there a one-time
Opportunity because of the
Experience we just went
[2:30:41]
through that didn't like
Help us on the capital
Side and I think certainly
[2:30:49]
that's what I'm trying to
Tease out the reality is we
Were having the conversation
[2:30:53]
at the end of every year
They would come and stand
In front of city council
[2:30:59]
what do you want
Us to do with it? We have an approach to
Dealing with this, the
Question is if we need to
[2:31:10]
tweak that policy and if
We need to adhere to it
That' the conversation.
[2:31:16]
>> so we had covid on the
List as well I'm not sure
What the questions were
[2:31:29]
about that.
[2:31:35]
>>.
[2:31:46]
[indiscernible] [laughter]
>> let's first start and
Make sure are there any
[2:32:11]
covid related budget
Related questions?
[2:32:28]
>> I just had a quick
Question related to this.
[2:32:53]
I know there were a lot of
Measures we put in place as
Part of covid and we are
[2:33:46]
seeing low transmission are
There ongoing expenses that
We need to plan or prepare
[2:34:26]
for if it's continuing
Sanitizing stations or
Accelerated hvac, are there
[2:34:56]
things that we will
Continue to maintain a safe
School that will be part of
[2:35:38]
the budget regardless
If we are a high
Transmission rate?
[2:36:06]
soon I guess we have
Incorporated that into the
Budget and some funds we
[2:36:45]
will have through 2,024
So we will be able to
Put tha into account the
[2:37:27]
unfortunate thing is, we
Also don't know what could
Happen and we don't know
[2:37:43]
what could be different but
We know how our worlds can
Get turned upside down.
[2:37:48]
and now we know it's
Possible so we have to be
Prepared and be cautious
[2:37:58]
because with our financial
Planning right now because
We don't know what tomorrow
[2:38:08]
will bring. In some points of
Consideration I am just
Thinking about right now,
[2:38:18]
when the variant hit we did
Not expect to have so many
Staff out and we had to
[2:38:31]
find, sub say we couldn't
Find subs we had to start
Paying people extra money to
[2:38:42]
stay and these are things
That would have never been
On our potential expenditure
[2:38:52]
list. We have a budget for subs
Only have a budget for
Having a situation if we
[2:39:05]
can't get a sub and we have
To pay a teacher to do an
Additional but not at those
[2:39:18]
levels and just in three
Weeks span so we just don't
Know what the future holds
[2:39:32]
what we are preparing for
What we do know we have to
Just try to be conservative
[2:40:08]
about it and proactive for
Preparing for the unknown
Which is always difficult
[2:40:36]
because you just don't know.
[2:40:46]
mr. Turner.
[2:40:53]
>> one of the things that
Came out of the pandemic was
The additional funding and
[2:41:10]
we try to be strategic in
All the infrastructure
Tries to prevent that from
[2:42:10]
going into the cip and
We are doing hvac projects
And improving filters in a
[2:42:59]
technology infrastructure
That we can do that helps
Estate out of the capital
[2:43:05]
improvement budget so those
Are some of the things we
Are trying to be strategic
[2:43:12]
with ease and we do have a
Time-limited when they are
Gone, they're gone so we
[2:43:19]
want to make sure that what
We get out of those funds
Last beyond september 30 so
[2:43:27]
some of them are being used
For that to be able to help
Keep those projects out >>
[2:43:35]
I just have a quick
Follow-up question in
Terms of the technology
[2:43:40]
investments that are made
Because I understand
Covering the funds but we
[2:43:45]
know technology has an
Expansion and things are
Done throughout the course
[2:43:50]
of it how is that
Factored into the budget? Because obviously when it's
Implemented we wanted to
Sustain even when â" runs
[2:44:00]
out. >> saw the technology
Infrastructure and
Improvements we are doing
[2:44:05]
we did a lot of computers
And tablets and some of it
Is a improvement so that's
[2:44:12]
going to last and you are
Correct if we are buying
Equipment does do you have a
[2:44:20]
lifecycle we will have to
Have that be replaced at the
End of lifecycle and in the
[2:44:27]
actual infrastructure
Of the building. >> so I think I am down
To two more questions.
[2:44:35]
>> this is a comment thank
You and as the mayor said,
Not to beat a dead horse, I
[2:44:43]
am looking forward to the
Presentation on the 10th I
Am excited as she pointed
[2:44:49]
out that it will be a little
Bit more of a deeper dive
And analysis and I don't
[2:44:57]
want us to lose sight of
What of the conversation was
And the mou still maintains
[2:45:04]
the status quo, if you
Will, the conversation was
The greatest conversational
[2:45:31]
community is to keeping
The sro there and it does
Go nicely with what the
[2:46:03]
superintendent brought
Up with what's a greater
Safety for all of our
[2:46:29]
schools and I think what
Everyone agreed on last
Year is the process select
[2:46:59]
and there was almost little
To process so my hope is
With some of the discussion
[2:47:34]
there will be a discussion
Around a greater community
Process that involves
[2:47:56]
stakeholders, students,
Parents, because my concern
Is there is a small closed
[2:48:01]
group it doesn't give the
Opportunity to have that
Discussion but like I said looking forward to the
Presentation on the 10th
Grade >> >> a couple of clarifications one thing
There was a report that
Happen at the end of 2,021
[2:48:10]
jan was published friday
June 11 and that was the
Final meeting at so what I
[2:48:16]
am saying is one
Of the things we should be
Thinking about is how this
[2:48:21]
information gets
Disseminated because you
Need to make sure that you go to see it and get
Notifications that there is
Something uploaded to look
[2:48:29]
at but especially on this
Particular topic that we now
Which is a topic we will
[2:48:35]
continue to come back to
You, we need to make sure
That we are creating that
[2:48:42]
dissemination system to make
Sure you're getting that in
The mou, the language
[2:49:14]
itself, says were going to
Meet on these quarterly
Points of time but it
[2:49:49]
doesn't say when the
Written report is due.
[2:50:10]
the meeting will happen in
February 1 time the school
Board is coming back
[2:50:45]
together again, we skipped
Our normal business meeting
So is there a process in
[2:51:20]
place in terms of the
Timeline of when these
Meetings happen and what is
[2:51:55]
the expectation so we are
Setting the process up that
Everyone can agree to and
[2:52:16]
they don't feel like we
Are dropping the ball.
[2:54:24]
work is happening but we
Need to make sure we are
Expecting to get this
[2:54:32]
information. >> doctor hart. >> I think there is an
Opportunity for us to
Develop a process to adhere
[2:54:45]
to the current mou in
Regards to making sure that
We have those quarterly
[2:54:50]
meetings with any reasonable
Amount of time, there can
Be an expectation that â"
[2:54:55]
can be provided as closely
As possible and in terms
Of any future discussion
[2:55:00]
regarding the process as it
Relates to the mou, I am
Trying not to get ahead of
[2:55:09]
myself but I think there
Will be an opportunity for
The advisory committee any
[2:55:17]
additional changes
Or edits to the mou.
[2:55:21]
>> the last question for
The evening will be from.
[2:55:27]
[indiscernible] >> this
Is off topic and yet not
Because it has to do with
[2:55:34]
money and timelines,
Can you provide a quick
Construction update
[2:55:40]
concerning arthur elementary
To make sure we are on
Schedule and we don't need
[2:55:46]
to. [indiscernible] [laughter]
>> so I can answer both of
Those questions directly, we
[2:55:53]
are not going to ask for
Any more money when it comes
To douglas macarthur, we
[2:56:00]
have been steadfast in
Saying that we would not ge
Any additional funding, we
[2:56:07]
have been sticking fast so
That in terms of the
Timeline, it has not shifted
[2:56:13]
since the last presentation
That we made in terms of the
Extended timeline due to
[2:56:20]
covid, there have been no
Additional changes to that
Timeline so yes we are on
[2:56:27]
schedule when that was
Discussed in january.
[2:56:31]
>> I appreciate
It, thank you. >> you are welcome.
[2:56:37]
>> thank you everyone and
Unless you would like to
Stay for an extended time
[2:56:43]
and hang out here, I
Think we should go home. I appreciate the discussion,
I am looking forward to more
And I know that we will see
[2:57:00]
you all soon. Thank you.