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All right.

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Good evening. I'll call the special meeting

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of the Berry Unified Union School District

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to order at six o'clock.

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Please join us for the Pledge of Allegiance.

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I pledge allegiance To the flag on the

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United States of America to the very Republic

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for Ship stands for one Nation under God, indivisible,

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with liberty and justice for all.

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You'll now take a brief mindfulness moment.

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All right, moving on to additions or deletions.

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We do need

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to add an executive session under one VSA 3 1 3

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A one for confidential attorney client communications.

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Are there any other additions or deletions?

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All right. Hearing none

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For that one.

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I'm sorry. I was hoping you guys can add a student voice

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before public comment so the students don't have to wait

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around till like 10 o'clock at night.

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I, we will have public comment

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for all topics coming right up after this agenda item.

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I was asking for a student voice section so

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that we can do that first.

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Get the kids so they can go home and get some rest.

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If the, if the kids, if the adults in the room can agree

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that the kids go first during public comment.

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Yes. Yes, yes.

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Thank you so much. Alright, do we have a motion to

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approve the agenda as amended?

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Moved by Ian second. Seconded by Jackie. Discussion.

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Emily, where

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Would you like to add That?

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We will add that under well at the end.

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So what would that be? Number six or 5.1?

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5.1. Executive session. Sure. Thank you.

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Any other questions Lindsay? What's 5.1?

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It's an executive session under VSA 3 1 3 A one

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Confidential attorney client communications.

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Alright, I'm gonna take a vote. All those in favor say aye.

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Aye. Opposed? Motion passes.

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Alright, moving on to public comment first lemme do a check

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and make sure, can everyone in the room hear me okay?

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Is this a good volume? Yes. Okay, thank you for that.

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So before we begin, I wanna explain

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how we'll handle public comment tonight.

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Given where we are after a third failed budget vote,

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we're gonna do things a little differently.

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We'll have public comment now before the budget discussion

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and again at the end of the meeting

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or if the board takes action.

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That way the community will have a chance to respond to

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what they've heard and you can use either

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or both opportunities to speak to the budget.

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Normally public comment is limited to two minutes

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and we do this to give everyone an equal opportunity

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to speak and to make sure that the board gets

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through its business tonight we're gonna double that

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and allow four minutes per person per public comment period.

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I designated Ian to keep time

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and we will kindly let you know when time is up

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so we can get to everyone who would like to speak tonight

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because there are likely to be questions

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about the budget tonight.

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We'll also make an effort

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to answer factual questions when we can

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if appropriate a board member

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or administrator with the relevant information may respond.

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So that's a little different from our usual

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public comment process.

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And the goal here isn't to debate or fight with anyone

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but to share information with one another

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and find a path forward that unites our community.

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We welcome concerns and strong disagreement.

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We do ask that comments remain respectful

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and focused on the issues.

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If comments become personal, disrespectful

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or threatening the chair may rule a speaker out of order.

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And if I could share something personal before we begin.

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I remember the first time I spoke at a public meeting.

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I was in eighth grade at a school board meeting

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where the board was considering cuts

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including cuts to teachers.

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One of those teachers was one of my favorites.

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I remember standing in that crowded room waiting to speak.

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I was so nervous but it was so worth it to speak up.

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It was the first time I had stood in solidarity

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with my community and together we made a difference.

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So we understand that for some of you tonight standing up

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and speaking about something you care deeply

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about may feel the same way.

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We also understand the disillusionment Many

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of us are feeling about the challenges we're facing

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economically, locally, statewide and nationally.

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But in moments like these, an open

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and honest exchange of ideas as part of how we stay true

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to our values as a community

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and find our way towards solutions.

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And so with that we'll begin public comment.

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We ask that when you come forward, whether in person

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or online to please state your name for the record.

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Can just a reminder, we also have a sign-in sheet.

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I know some people are late to come in

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but we do need, I don't know where it went.

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FYI.

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Yes please fill that out

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because we need that for our meeting minutes.

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Alright, so I'm gonna start online

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with Natalie.

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Natalie,

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Well that's my wife.

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I'm using her computer. My name is Bill.

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Hi Bill. Hi George.

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Just this won't even take two minutes.

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When I, the one of the previous budget votes,

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the information that I had was that

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the budget was going up 10% and or 10 point something.

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And I said well that's absolutely ridiculous.

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I'm a former principal

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but then I don't know where it was.

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It floated through. There was some information

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that the actual overall budget, so the per pupil

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expense expenses is up 10%.

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Partially 'cause it was low, partially

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'cause that's, there's a funny way

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that the agency construes pure per pupil cost.

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But if I'm correct, the actual budget

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increase is two overall is 2.1

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or two point something, right?

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That's Correct. Which is say very,

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I know it's still gonna, you know,

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make our property taxes go up.

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That's another battle I believe I feel really,

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really bad And empathize, not only sympathize

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for folks who any increases is hard to swallow

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and hard to pay but I a 2.1%

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or whatever that is, budget increase overall

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to me feels pretty respectful.

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And I'll vote yes again as I did this last time. Thanks.

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Thanks Bill. Is someone in the

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room

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Andy? Hey guys,

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I'm Andy Evans.

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I am a senior student of Spalding High School.

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I participate in two varsity sports. I'm in numerous clubs.

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I'm a member of NHS.

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I'm in the band and I have been elected

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as the student body president of Spalding High School.

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This position means that my peers saw me as the best fit

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to speak for them in front of our administration,

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our school board and our community.

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I do not take this responsibility lightly at all

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and as soon as I saw the budget did not pass, I knew

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that nothing good could come out of this

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as is expected of me.

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I actually started asking questions

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and educating myself on what needs to happen

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as a result of a budget not passing.

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And I understand that it is the possibility the removal

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of funding to numerous cornerstones

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of our student community is no longer an empty threat.

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As many have been saying when I stand

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before the school board in this budget committee,

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I understand it is a group of people

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who obviously do not want to be in this position.

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But I do also understand

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that you guys have nowhere left to turn.

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So when being present inside of the community

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of Spalding in the community of Bay as a whole,

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you can truly understand what holds us together.

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And before you is an example of the strong-minded group

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of people that would like to explain to you

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and the people of Barry that you are not helping us

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and you are not sticking it to the man by voting no.

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You are messing with the possibility

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of pulling apart the community.

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We as students, with the help of our coaches, our coaches

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and teachers work to build, we understand that the costs

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provided by these taxes are immense.

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But please do not take this out on us.

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We have clearly cut all the costs we can

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and we are far less expensive in comparison to the schools

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around us shining the blame on our schools.

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And the school board will do no good for you

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and will only destroy the community for your children.

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So for those of you saying

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that students should not be worried that we should stay out

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of this and that we have been put up to it

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by our principal, you're dead wrong.

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We have trusted you to advocate for us and our

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and have our best interests in mind our entire lives.

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Look where that has gotten us.

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If you knew and you truly cared, you would know

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that the students of Spalding are passionate.

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Although we understand nothing is certain, we understand

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that nothing good can come from this

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and that it will negatively affect our

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community in numerous ways.

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We do not relent and we will fight for

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what we deserve and what we have earned.

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So we'll not stop, we'll follow these decisions to

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where they start and we'll work hard

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to get the funding we deserve.

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Personally I leave you with this, educate yourselves

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before you defund our education.

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That's enough for me. Here's a look into the students

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who are going to be affected by this

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who also want to speak to all of you.

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Thank you Andy. And I was reminded

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that we are gonna give the opportunity for the kids

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to speak first, the students to speak first.

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Go ahead. It looks good. Yeah.

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Cool. My name is Luke Libo.

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I'm a senior here at Spading

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and like Gadi, I two play soccer.

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We understand that these times are very difficult.

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You know, no one wants to pay more than they have to,

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but at the end of the day, cutting sports

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isn't where we should go.

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This is probably one of the last places we need to go.

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Sports don't just build character, they build character

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for people, they bring the community together.

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Overall it's just, it just, it's wrong to cut sports.

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It derives these kids from the chance to contribute

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to their community to make new friends,

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to have the high school experience they truly deserve.

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And without it, ah, I know at least for myself,

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I wouldn't be in the position where I am.

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I've met so many great friends, I met

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so many great people in and outside of the community.

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Sports overall just they shouldn't be removed.

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Like I think you all understand,

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I'm assuming you've all played a sport before.

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The actually great experiences you've had come from sports

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friendships, numerous things.

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So overall sports are vital to our experience

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as high schoolers and our experience as people

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and just making us overall better.

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And I know everyone out here would agree

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that without sports they

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wouldn't be the same person they are.

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Thank you.

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My name is Eva Van Norman.

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I'm a sophomore and I'm three sport varsity athlete

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and vice president of Kiko.

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My message is not just for the school board

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but also for the voters And something that's important

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for your our town and city people to know is

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that being a sping student is

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not what you might think it is.

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It means whenever we go to another school or game

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or talk to our friends that live as close

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as 10 minutes down the road, their experiences are

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vastly different than ours.

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We walk onto another campus with a turf field

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or nice locker rooms or brand new uniforms

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or tens to have their logos on it.

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We know that we are the have-nots.

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We don't have the same experiences,

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we don't have the same opportunities,

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we don't have the same support as our peers do.

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I should have to defend my school when people find out

263
00:14:41,015 --> 00:14:42,415
where I go or laugh in my face

264
00:14:43,155 --> 00:14:44,615
or judge me from being from Barry.

265
00:14:45,595 --> 00:14:48,495
And even though so little that school has to offer,

266
00:14:48,495 --> 00:14:51,605
fortunately I've made great connections through the sports

267
00:14:52,145 --> 00:14:53,365
and club that I'm a part of.

268
00:14:54,385 --> 00:14:56,805
Taking those opportunities away from children just

269
00:14:56,925 --> 00:15:00,925
'cause they're angry about high taxes is not fair to us

270
00:15:01,105 --> 00:15:03,325
and there will continue to be tax problems.

271
00:15:03,425 --> 00:15:04,845
People aren't gonna wanna move here,

272
00:15:04,845 --> 00:15:06,205
they're not gonna wanna live here anymore.

273
00:15:06,865 --> 00:15:08,605
You're still gonna have to pay high taxes

274
00:15:09,045 --> 00:15:11,085
'cause there's not gonna be as many people to pay them

275
00:15:12,155 --> 00:15:14,565
through all the laughter that has been thrown in my face,

276
00:15:14,765 --> 00:15:16,885
I can honestly say this is the first time I've actually felt

277
00:15:16,885 --> 00:15:17,925
ashamed being from Barry.

278
00:15:18,485 --> 00:15:21,005
I think we all deserve better and you should do better

279
00:15:35,045 --> 00:15:36,045
Board.

280
00:15:36,045 --> 00:15:37,515
My name is Diego Omo.

281
00:15:37,665 --> 00:15:40,155
I've been playing sports here and Barry my entire life

282
00:15:40,575 --> 00:15:44,075
and I honestly could say that I don't see

283
00:15:44,075 --> 00:15:46,675
how sports could removed, would not affect my life.

284
00:15:46,855 --> 00:15:50,075
My life revolves around sports. Everything I do is sports.

285
00:15:50,265 --> 00:15:51,915
I've met so many friends

286
00:15:51,915 --> 00:15:53,235
that I probably would never have met

287
00:15:53,495 --> 00:15:55,515
or never be a part of through sports

288
00:15:55,815 --> 00:15:58,915
and as speaking for the soccer team,

289
00:15:59,625 --> 00:16:01,315
yeah we get laughed at sometimes

290
00:16:01,415 --> 00:16:03,835
but I feel some sort of pride being from Barry

291
00:16:04,255 --> 00:16:07,835
and showing that I know a lot of us here, even though

292
00:16:08,605 --> 00:16:11,115
Sping hasn't been you know, the top pinnacle of sports,

293
00:16:11,795 --> 00:16:13,035
a lot of us here.

294
00:16:13,155 --> 00:16:14,595
I know it means a lot for us.

295
00:16:14,695 --> 00:16:18,235
So taking that away from us would just make Barry even more

296
00:16:18,235 --> 00:16:20,755
of like, oh you're from Barry, why don't you move?

297
00:16:20,755 --> 00:16:23,035
Why aren't you like go to race, go

298
00:16:23,035 --> 00:16:25,395
to wherever like move go pillar.

299
00:16:25,505 --> 00:16:27,355
Like it means a little bit more for us

300
00:16:27,355 --> 00:16:29,355
to have a little chip on our shoulder to be a part of here.

301
00:16:29,455 --> 00:16:32,275
So if you take that away from us, we don't have much. So

302
00:16:47,965 --> 00:16:49,745
Hi my name is Annabel Mira

303
00:16:49,885 --> 00:16:52,505
and I'm a freshman here at Spalding High School.

304
00:16:53,425 --> 00:16:58,225
I have grown up playing sports since I could walk.

305
00:16:59,385 --> 00:17:02,745
I also don't see how removing sports

306
00:17:02,925 --> 00:17:07,145
or removing clubs do any good to the student body.

307
00:17:09,095 --> 00:17:10,435
The sports

308
00:17:10,495 --> 00:17:11,675
and clubs are one

309
00:17:11,675 --> 00:17:14,235
of the only things actually keeping people from doing

310
00:17:14,825 --> 00:17:16,355
harmful things to themselves.

311
00:17:16,605 --> 00:17:19,075
These force people to push themselves past

312
00:17:19,075 --> 00:17:20,235
what they think they can do

313
00:17:20,855 --> 00:17:23,675
and it gives them a stronger mentality,

314
00:17:24,415 --> 00:17:25,755
it boosts their confidence.

315
00:17:26,355 --> 00:17:30,795
I for 1:00 AM not usually a very confident person

316
00:17:30,935 --> 00:17:34,035
but I am standing here talking in about front

317
00:17:34,255 --> 00:17:35,915
of over 50 people

318
00:17:37,295 --> 00:17:39,755
and this has all come from my sports.

319
00:17:40,655 --> 00:17:43,755
It makes us focus on our education

320
00:17:43,755 --> 00:17:47,395
because without keeping our grades up we would not be able

321
00:17:47,395 --> 00:17:50,165
to play the sports that we want to play.

322
00:17:51,425 --> 00:17:54,925
And I have made so many strong connections through

323
00:17:55,785 --> 00:17:57,165
my sport, which is soccer.

324
00:17:57,505 --> 00:18:01,965
I'm on the JB girls soccer team and I am very proud of that.

325
00:18:02,245 --> 00:18:03,725
I am proud to be from Spalding

326
00:18:04,185 --> 00:18:05,685
but without that,

327
00:18:07,035 --> 00:18:11,125
without my sport I don't see what I would do.

328
00:18:12,295 --> 00:18:13,005
Thank you guys.

329
00:18:24,155 --> 00:18:26,165
Good afternoon. My name's Elizabeth Howard.

330
00:18:26,225 --> 00:18:28,285
I'm currently a senior here at Folding

331
00:18:29,945 --> 00:18:31,965
but I wanna tell you a story about when I was a freshman.

332
00:18:32,395 --> 00:18:34,125
When I was a freshman I arrived here.

333
00:18:34,445 --> 00:18:38,045
I had almost no friends, basically zero friends

334
00:18:38,865 --> 00:18:42,045
and every single morning I did not really

335
00:18:42,045 --> 00:18:43,205
want to come to school 'cause of that.

336
00:18:43,545 --> 00:18:46,205
But then I joined the drama club and

337
00:18:46,255 --> 00:18:50,045
after that I had made almost like so many friends,

338
00:18:50,145 --> 00:18:51,805
so many people there understood me.

339
00:18:52,115 --> 00:18:55,325
They knew who I liked, I knew what they liked, everyone,

340
00:18:55,925 --> 00:18:57,685
everyone got together there.

341
00:18:57,745 --> 00:18:59,245
It was amazing. And

342
00:18:59,245 --> 00:19:02,005
after that year I felt so much better about myself

343
00:19:02,005 --> 00:19:04,885
because that community that we built, I had joined

344
00:19:05,065 --> 00:19:06,405
so many more clubs after that.

345
00:19:06,865 --> 00:19:08,165
I'm now in the library club.

346
00:19:08,385 --> 00:19:09,885
I'm one of the co-presidents in that.

347
00:19:10,245 --> 00:19:13,085
I am now in the volleyball as as you see.

348
00:19:13,705 --> 00:19:15,205
And I'm having so much fun.

349
00:19:15,235 --> 00:19:18,245
Even though I'm not the best actor, I'm not the best player,

350
00:19:18,825 --> 00:19:20,405
I'm not the greatest at everything I do.

351
00:19:20,965 --> 00:19:23,405
I am proud to be in the clubs that I am in

352
00:19:23,745 --> 00:19:25,485
and I'm worried for the freshmen

353
00:19:25,485 --> 00:19:27,845
that come here next year if they do not have any

354
00:19:27,845 --> 00:19:28,965
sports or clubs to join.

355
00:19:29,425 --> 00:19:31,485
If they're in the situation that I am in,

356
00:19:31,795 --> 00:19:33,085
then I'm worried about them

357
00:19:33,475 --> 00:19:36,325
because if they come in they have no friends,

358
00:19:36,355 --> 00:19:39,365
they feel lonely, then they'll not want to come to school.

359
00:19:39,645 --> 00:19:42,125
I know many people that the only reason they come to school,

360
00:19:42,225 --> 00:19:44,325
the only reason they keep their grades up is

361
00:19:44,325 --> 00:19:45,365
so they can play their sports.

362
00:19:46,025 --> 00:19:47,525
If freshmen have to feel like that,

363
00:19:47,905 --> 00:19:50,485
if freshmen can't even have that chance to play the sports

364
00:19:50,825 --> 00:19:53,405
to keep their grades up, to stay at school, I,

365
00:19:53,605 --> 00:19:54,885
I really am worried about them.

366
00:19:56,105 --> 00:19:58,445
But yeah, thank you so much for your time.

367
00:20:07,315 --> 00:20:08,455
My name is Ethan Haw.

368
00:20:09,495 --> 00:20:11,175
I play three sports at Sporting

369
00:20:11,555 --> 00:20:13,135
and I'm kind of on like both ends

370
00:20:13,135 --> 00:20:15,255
of like people not respecting your team

371
00:20:15,715 --> 00:20:17,575
but also I'm on the wrestling team, both

372
00:20:18,135 --> 00:20:19,375
football team and lacrosse team.

373
00:20:21,055 --> 00:20:24,415
I feel like sports first met everyone here.

374
00:20:24,775 --> 00:20:27,295
I mean I feel like without sports that's spa.

375
00:20:27,815 --> 00:20:31,335
I mean I bet you guys have all heard about the drug problems

376
00:20:31,605 --> 00:20:34,735
with like kids struggling for marijuana abuse, nicotine

377
00:20:35,315 --> 00:20:39,135
and even worse I feel like without having

378
00:20:39,335 --> 00:20:43,535
that sports like having sports at Spalding will lead a lot

379
00:20:43,535 --> 00:20:46,975
of kids down that wrong path And I'm thankful for

380
00:20:47,725 --> 00:20:49,085
everyone I've met, met here.

381
00:20:52,585 --> 00:20:56,595
I'm not trying to get personal but this stress over

382
00:20:57,155 --> 00:21:01,555
possibly losing my senior year in sports is like very hard.

383
00:21:02,775 --> 00:21:06,075
And I know it's hard for a lot of even freshman, sophomore,

384
00:21:06,945 --> 00:21:08,075
juniors and seniors.

385
00:21:09,905 --> 00:21:12,635
Without sports a lot of us wouldn't be able to,

386
00:21:13,355 --> 00:21:15,875
wouldn't be here in my opinion.

387
00:21:16,735 --> 00:21:19,755
And kind of like falling off everyone.

388
00:21:20,575 --> 00:21:24,595
And I think having sports in our community really

389
00:21:25,975 --> 00:21:27,115
brings the community together

390
00:21:27,215 --> 00:21:31,755
and also helps people build friendships

391
00:21:31,935 --> 00:21:36,035
for long, long lasting opportunities and stuff.

392
00:21:47,205 --> 00:21:50,115
Hello, my name is Charlie Cole at Spalding.

393
00:21:50,355 --> 00:21:51,635
I compete in cross country.

394
00:21:52,215 --> 00:21:53,635
I'm in the band and I was elected

395
00:21:53,655 --> 00:21:54,995
as an ninth grade class president.

396
00:21:56,095 --> 00:21:58,115
In my opinion, if you get rid of sports

397
00:21:58,495 --> 00:22:00,875
or extracurriculars you are going to see

398
00:22:01,505 --> 00:22:03,635
dropout rates increase grades lower

399
00:22:03,855 --> 00:22:08,315
and substance abuse increase sports are what makes lots

400
00:22:08,315 --> 00:22:10,035
of kids get up in the day and go to school.

401
00:22:10,735 --> 00:22:11,835
If we didn't have sports,

402
00:22:12,455 --> 00:22:14,555
our community wouldn't be what it is.

403
00:22:14,585 --> 00:22:17,555
They bring us together and they teach kids about leadership,

404
00:22:18,195 --> 00:22:21,355
teamwork and build character.

405
00:22:22,095 --> 00:22:24,995
If we didn't have this, I don't know where any

406
00:22:24,995 --> 00:22:25,995
of us would be right now,

407
00:22:26,175 --> 00:22:29,555
but I certainly want to be here talking to all of you about

408
00:22:29,855 --> 00:22:32,715
how we need this in our community.

409
00:22:32,985 --> 00:22:35,995
I've seen many things which come great from sports

410
00:22:36,335 --> 00:22:40,195
and many things which come not great but more good than bad.

411
00:22:40,615 --> 00:22:43,395
And I believe that getting rid of sports will change that

412
00:22:43,455 --> 00:22:45,755
and we'll see lots more bad than good.

413
00:22:46,325 --> 00:22:47,325
Thank you.

414
00:22:55,295 --> 00:22:57,395
Hi board. My name is Ella Morrison

415
00:22:57,415 --> 00:22:58,995
and I'm a freshman at Spalding.

416
00:22:59,195 --> 00:23:00,195
I participate in soccer

417
00:23:00,255 --> 00:23:01,995
and am planning to participate in basketball.

418
00:23:02,615 --> 00:23:04,755
I'm also the treasurer of the freshman body.

419
00:23:06,155 --> 00:23:07,955
I recognize that all of you are on this board

420
00:23:07,955 --> 00:23:10,115
because you care for the best interest of our community.

421
00:23:10,785 --> 00:23:13,075
Well I know that the board does not have full control

422
00:23:13,095 --> 00:23:14,635
of whether or not our budget passes.

423
00:23:15,195 --> 00:23:17,635
I do know that you all make decisions on what gets cut.

424
00:23:18,355 --> 00:23:20,595
I also believe that sports are a part of the best interest

425
00:23:20,595 --> 00:23:21,915
for everyone in this community.

426
00:23:22,695 --> 00:23:25,035
Sports give students whether they participate in sports

427
00:23:25,035 --> 00:23:27,475
themselves or not, opportunities to connect

428
00:23:27,475 --> 00:23:28,755
with the community and their school.

429
00:23:29,585 --> 00:23:31,635
Many of the students that attend our school believe

430
00:23:31,635 --> 00:23:33,435
that they belong here because of the friendships

431
00:23:33,435 --> 00:23:34,435
that they've made for sports.

432
00:23:35,875 --> 00:23:37,115
I know that for me personally,

433
00:23:37,175 --> 00:23:38,795
coming into freshman year was one

434
00:23:38,795 --> 00:23:40,635
of the most intimidating things I've ever had to do.

435
00:23:41,775 --> 00:23:43,515
Soccer gave me a chance to meet

436
00:23:43,535 --> 00:23:44,715
and talk to some of the people

437
00:23:44,825 --> 00:23:46,445
that I was gonna be attending school with.

438
00:23:47,435 --> 00:23:49,365
This made walking through those doors on the first

439
00:23:49,425 --> 00:23:50,965
day a thousand times easier.

440
00:23:52,145 --> 00:23:54,965
It would be deeply saddening if next year's freshmen didn't

441
00:23:54,965 --> 00:23:56,285
have the chance to experience this.

442
00:23:57,395 --> 00:23:58,725
Even if students don't choose

443
00:23:58,725 --> 00:24:00,925
to participate in sports themselves, many

444
00:24:00,925 --> 00:24:03,805
of us do things like attend soccer, football, baseball,

445
00:24:03,815 --> 00:24:07,325
field hockey, hockey and track cross country games or meets.

446
00:24:08,525 --> 00:24:10,785
By attending these events, students have the chance

447
00:24:10,805 --> 00:24:12,625
to have fun and engage with other people.

448
00:24:13,075 --> 00:24:15,305
These events also bring in money for the classes.

449
00:24:15,335 --> 00:24:18,905
Spading sometimes, for example the football game on nine 11

450
00:24:18,995 --> 00:24:20,225
raise money for our seniors.

451
00:24:20,755 --> 00:24:22,105
These events on top

452
00:24:22,225 --> 00:24:24,705
of everything else can also offer volunteer opportunities

453
00:24:24,915 --> 00:24:27,065
which is highly important to have successful students.

454
00:24:27,525 --> 00:24:29,185
As we all know, everyone needs those 40

455
00:24:29,185 --> 00:24:30,265
hours of community service.

456
00:24:31,045 --> 00:24:33,265
For example, a cross country meet needed volunteers

457
00:24:33,265 --> 00:24:34,585
to help out various techs.

458
00:24:35,235 --> 00:24:37,665
Attendance is also heavily impacted by sports.

459
00:24:38,645 --> 00:24:41,225
Sports may be the only reason that people attend school

460
00:24:41,255 --> 00:24:43,225
because in order to participate in your sport

461
00:24:43,325 --> 00:24:45,865
and attend games and practices you have to go to school.

462
00:24:47,025 --> 00:24:49,625
I believe that without sports we would see a decrease in

463
00:24:49,625 --> 00:24:52,465
attendance, which is currently already lower than we all

464
00:24:52,465 --> 00:24:54,985
know it should be because sports gives students

465
00:24:54,985 --> 00:24:57,865
opportunities to connect, make an impact in their community,

466
00:24:58,255 --> 00:25:00,145
gain volunteer hours, raise money

467
00:25:00,285 --> 00:25:01,545
and give them a reason to go to school.

468
00:25:01,735 --> 00:25:03,865
Cutting sports would be wrong. Thank you.

469
00:25:11,925 --> 00:25:14,545
Hi everyone. I am from Northfield.

470
00:25:14,825 --> 00:25:16,865
I am, my name is Gabrielle Bach

471
00:25:17,485 --> 00:25:20,145
and I am, I have been the

472
00:25:20,785 --> 00:25:23,665
Spalding girls hockey goalie since I was a freshman.

473
00:25:25,745 --> 00:25:28,185
Spalding has become my second home

474
00:25:29,325 --> 00:25:34,105
and I really think that to all voters

475
00:25:34,175 --> 00:25:38,345
that you need to think about even if you don't have a

476
00:25:39,405 --> 00:25:43,785
kid in the school program, that you need to think about

477
00:25:44,685 --> 00:25:46,745
how you were when you were in high school

478
00:25:47,405 --> 00:25:50,745
and that you probably played a sport

479
00:25:50,765 --> 00:25:52,465
or had people around you that played sports

480
00:25:52,565 --> 00:25:56,785
and you know that those are really fundamental to

481
00:25:57,435 --> 00:26:00,865
being a teenager and growing up in a place

482
00:26:00,865 --> 00:26:02,665
where you can feel like you belong.

483
00:26:03,765 --> 00:26:07,505
And I believe that it's just not

484
00:26:08,175 --> 00:26:09,185
what we need to cut.

485
00:26:09,325 --> 00:26:13,665
And while I don't have a parent

486
00:26:13,695 --> 00:26:16,945
that can vote in this, I still believe

487
00:26:16,945 --> 00:26:21,625
that everyone should think about how you vote

488
00:26:22,805 --> 00:26:26,065
for this next budget and who it will affect.

489
00:26:26,985 --> 00:26:29,025
'cause I will be affected too.

490
00:26:29,625 --> 00:26:32,065
A lot of students from other schools will be affected.

491
00:26:33,485 --> 00:26:36,345
And yeah, I lead with that.

492
00:26:43,425 --> 00:26:44,645
My name is Noah Dunster

493
00:26:44,825 --> 00:26:46,485
and I just wanted to talk about one

494
00:26:46,485 --> 00:26:50,405
of the programs at Spalding that makes a big impact.

495
00:26:51,085 --> 00:26:54,005
Spalding Wrestling has made such a big impact on me

496
00:26:54,005 --> 00:26:56,005
because like just all the coaches,

497
00:26:56,695 --> 00:26:58,845
sorry I'm totally having a mind like break.

498
00:26:59,265 --> 00:27:00,485
But I wanna start from again,

499
00:27:01,145 --> 00:27:04,125
in seventh grade I never took my hoodie off.

500
00:27:04,765 --> 00:27:06,885
I was always really self-conscious about my entire

501
00:27:06,915 --> 00:27:08,245
body and everything about that.

502
00:27:08,745 --> 00:27:09,965
And finally towards the end

503
00:27:09,965 --> 00:27:11,485
of eighth grade I finally took my hoodie off

504
00:27:11,485 --> 00:27:12,485
because I started wrestling,

505
00:27:12,595 --> 00:27:14,645
started being way more confident in my body

506
00:27:15,265 --> 00:27:17,845
and it really like changed me and it was

507
00:27:17,845 --> 00:27:19,925
because of all the coaches I like did

508
00:27:20,125 --> 00:27:22,485
that like I didn't have rides at practice every day

509
00:27:22,485 --> 00:27:25,165
because both my parents had really like long hours.

510
00:27:25,435 --> 00:27:29,765
Like I had **** O'Mara all the coaches, like I can't think

511
00:27:29,765 --> 00:27:32,005
of one that didn't bring me to practice when I needed one.

512
00:27:32,705 --> 00:27:34,525
And you know, it almost makes me cry

513
00:27:34,525 --> 00:27:35,805
because this is my senior year

514
00:27:35,945 --> 00:27:38,045
and if I like could think about

515
00:27:38,755 --> 00:27:42,285
like all these guys are my little brothers, like Caden call

516
00:27:42,905 --> 00:27:45,685
Fallen like everyone below me really need

517
00:27:45,685 --> 00:27:48,405
to feel like I'm making a difference in 'em

518
00:27:48,405 --> 00:27:50,365
because that's just how it is.

519
00:27:50,585 --> 00:27:54,725
And like sorry I'm totally having like a mind break

520
00:27:54,865 --> 00:27:58,565
but I just wanted to speak about that.

521
00:27:59,985 --> 00:28:02,045
Had this whole thing planned out, you're doing well.

522
00:28:04,655 --> 00:28:06,925
We've got four minutes. Like this is my senior year

523
00:28:07,625 --> 00:28:09,525
and if it, I couldn't have it.

524
00:28:09,545 --> 00:28:10,685
Oh I had everything planned.

525
00:28:11,865 --> 00:28:13,245
Oh like the amount

526
00:28:13,245 --> 00:28:15,605
of times I cried over these like these guys don't even know,

527
00:28:15,785 --> 00:28:19,045
he almost quit the wrestling team last year

528
00:28:19,365 --> 00:28:21,405
'cause of something that happened and I cried to my coach,

529
00:28:21,865 --> 00:28:24,925
he couldn't make it tonight but I cried for like an hour

530
00:28:24,925 --> 00:28:28,045
because the thought about him quitting like Caden

531
00:28:28,385 --> 00:28:31,365
and Olan, I if Oland's here, Olan Mason,

532
00:28:31,365 --> 00:28:33,765
they all transferred here from a different school just

533
00:28:33,765 --> 00:28:34,765
to come here so they could

534
00:28:34,765 --> 00:28:36,125
participate in Spaulding wrestling.

535
00:28:36,595 --> 00:28:38,125
It's really made like a big difference

536
00:28:38,185 --> 00:28:39,405
on their life and my life.

537
00:28:39,745 --> 00:28:41,805
My best friend Mikey, he transferred here

538
00:28:41,805 --> 00:28:43,965
and I couldn't imagine like a life without him.

539
00:28:44,425 --> 00:28:46,605
And Charlie too. I wish they were here.

540
00:28:47,075 --> 00:28:49,205
Like it really like the only reason they

541
00:28:49,205 --> 00:28:50,245
at Spaulding is 'cause of that.

542
00:28:50,985 --> 00:28:54,005
And I don't wanna talk about like the statistics about like

543
00:28:54,005 --> 00:28:55,245
the money, all that,

544
00:28:55,265 --> 00:28:57,525
but like stuff that you'd be ripping away from kids

545
00:28:58,105 --> 00:29:01,445
and like it would just be so like detrimental

546
00:29:01,665 --> 00:29:03,525
to like Spalding especially.

547
00:29:04,225 --> 00:29:07,485
And I'm totally, I'm just gonna go into my time limit

548
00:29:12,415 --> 00:29:14,685
every day that like I put on my shoes like

549
00:29:15,195 --> 00:29:16,285
made such a big difference.

550
00:29:16,515 --> 00:29:18,045
I've had two with knee surgeries.

551
00:29:18,205 --> 00:29:19,765
I want to keep coming back to the sport

552
00:29:19,765 --> 00:29:21,285
because it's the only thing

553
00:29:21,285 --> 00:29:23,725
that's like made you wanna do it.

554
00:29:23,725 --> 00:29:26,405
Like the only reason I've had those surgeries is

555
00:29:26,405 --> 00:29:28,245
so I could progress in my sport.

556
00:29:28,755 --> 00:29:31,965
It's not even just that like the relationships you build

557
00:29:31,965 --> 00:29:33,805
with your coaches and your friends.

558
00:29:33,875 --> 00:29:37,125
Like I wouldn't, I don't even know I,

559
00:29:37,365 --> 00:29:38,685
I probably wouldn't even come to Spalding

560
00:29:38,885 --> 00:29:41,205
'cause we don't have buses here and I

561
00:29:41,205 --> 00:29:42,245
would totally be at Williamstown.

562
00:29:42,245 --> 00:29:44,125
I live right on the border but I had

563
00:29:44,125 --> 00:29:46,605
to convince my parents like I've had coaches bring me

564
00:29:46,605 --> 00:29:48,485
to school and bring me home from school

565
00:29:48,515 --> 00:29:49,845
because of my parents' hours.

566
00:29:49,995 --> 00:29:52,525
Like I don't, I don't even know what I'd be at.

567
00:29:52,585 --> 00:29:54,245
I'd be at Williamstown like

568
00:29:55,605 --> 00:29:57,445
probably crying some bench on the basketball team

569
00:30:02,745 --> 00:30:03,245
One more time.

570
00:30:03,305 --> 00:30:07,965
So I've just been like,

571
00:30:08,155 --> 00:30:11,685
I've been so inspired like we have guys above me

572
00:30:11,685 --> 00:30:13,485
that have been like trying bring into my goals.

573
00:30:13,745 --> 00:30:16,325
Oh, one thing I did want touch on is we have

574
00:30:16,955 --> 00:30:18,245
what make like three people,

575
00:30:18,245 --> 00:30:20,925
three coaches are being paid like to be coaches.

576
00:30:21,505 --> 00:30:25,125
We have like 20 coaches and like three are being paid.

577
00:30:25,125 --> 00:30:27,365
They just love coming back and supporting our community.

578
00:30:27,435 --> 00:30:31,405
Like people, like there's so many seniors

579
00:30:31,405 --> 00:30:33,125
that just come back and they're in the club room,

580
00:30:33,555 --> 00:30:37,965
like just wrestling two to three days a week all year long.

581
00:30:37,995 --> 00:30:40,325
Like we don't stop and it's because we love it.

582
00:30:40,325 --> 00:30:41,725
Like we just have so much fun

583
00:30:42,585 --> 00:30:45,005
and it's like the only like we don't even care about.

584
00:30:58,185 --> 00:30:59,605
Hi, my name is Spell Thomas.

585
00:30:59,905 --> 00:31:01,645
I'm a freshman here represent from

586
00:31:01,645 --> 00:31:03,045
Spalding Works Field Hockey.

587
00:31:03,705 --> 00:31:05,045
And I know I haven't been here long,

588
00:31:05,145 --> 00:31:07,805
but for me joining field hockey has meant more

589
00:31:07,805 --> 00:31:08,965
than learning how to play a sport.

590
00:31:09,545 --> 00:31:12,085
It has given me people to look forward to seeing every day

591
00:31:13,365 --> 00:31:15,325
teammates who push me to be better in a place

592
00:31:15,325 --> 00:31:16,325
where I feel like I belong.

593
00:31:17,045 --> 00:31:18,165
I know I'm not the only student

594
00:31:18,185 --> 00:31:19,565
who has found this through sports.

595
00:31:20,265 --> 00:31:23,125
Sports can also teach students things that we can't,

596
00:31:23,795 --> 00:31:25,885
that we can learn outside the classroom.

597
00:31:26,435 --> 00:31:28,645
They teach us how to communicate, how to work with people

598
00:31:28,905 --> 00:31:31,325
who may be different from us, how to handle losing

599
00:31:31,745 --> 00:31:33,445
and how to keep going and something

600
00:31:33,445 --> 00:31:34,485
doesn't go the way we hoped.

601
00:31:35,545 --> 00:31:38,005
We learned that our actions don't affect the whole team.

602
00:31:38,425 --> 00:31:40,725
Oh our actions affect the whole team

603
00:31:40,725 --> 00:31:43,845
and not sports are about the athletes

604
00:31:44,625 --> 00:31:46,045
so, oh my god, sorry.

605
00:31:46,345 --> 00:31:47,965
Sports are only about the athletes.

606
00:31:48,075 --> 00:31:50,085
When we have games, our community comes

607
00:31:50,085 --> 00:31:53,005
to watch our family's friends, coaches and teachers.

608
00:31:54,555 --> 00:31:56,805
This creates memory. Students can carry on with them

609
00:31:56,815 --> 00:31:57,925
after graduation.

610
00:31:58,225 --> 00:32:00,445
If sports were taken away, we aren't just losing games

611
00:32:00,465 --> 00:32:02,285
or practice, we are losing a place

612
00:32:02,285 --> 00:32:03,365
where students can make friends.

613
00:32:04,205 --> 00:32:06,565
I understand that our school has to make critical decisions,

614
00:32:07,215 --> 00:32:09,325
especially when it comes to money and resources.

615
00:32:09,745 --> 00:32:12,045
But I think it's important to consider not only

616
00:32:12,045 --> 00:32:13,965
what sports cost but also what they provide

617
00:32:13,965 --> 00:32:15,165
to our school and community.

618
00:32:16,955 --> 00:32:18,685
Even in this short amount of time, I see

619
00:32:18,685 --> 00:32:20,845
how much a team can meet people including me.

620
00:32:21,125 --> 00:32:22,405
I want students who come after me

621
00:32:22,405 --> 00:32:23,845
to have the same experience I did.

622
00:32:24,065 --> 00:32:25,325
Please don't take away something

623
00:32:25,355 --> 00:32:27,045
that gives students reason for the walk.

624
00:32:33,865 --> 00:32:36,445
Hi, my name Ising and

625
00:32:37,025 --> 00:32:39,645
before I begin I just wanna say this is an incredible

626
00:32:39,645 --> 00:32:41,765
community moment at Spalding.

627
00:32:41,785 --> 00:32:44,085
We have been trying to build our community

628
00:32:44,705 --> 00:32:47,325
and I'm in a group called Upper Spalding that's

629
00:32:47,325 --> 00:32:48,645
that's trying to build it

630
00:32:49,025 --> 00:32:52,525
and I have never seen us come together like this before

631
00:32:52,665 --> 00:32:54,365
and it is so moving to see that

632
00:32:54,745 --> 00:32:59,285
and it just shows how important these things are.

633
00:32:59,655 --> 00:33:04,045
Clubs and sports are the building blocks of our community

634
00:33:04,465 --> 00:33:08,725
and when you knock those blocks down you don't have it.

635
00:33:08,995 --> 00:33:10,565
It's hard to build it back up.

636
00:33:10,825 --> 00:33:13,245
We don't have a strong community without

637
00:33:13,245 --> 00:33:14,405
those building blocks.

638
00:33:15,405 --> 00:33:18,925
A goal for Spalding this year is to build that community.

639
00:33:19,745 --> 00:33:23,685
So it's really hard when you don't have the building blocks.

640
00:33:24,945 --> 00:33:26,085
I'm part of drama club

641
00:33:26,305 --> 00:33:29,365
and I came here to talk mostly about drama club.

642
00:33:30,305 --> 00:33:32,285
The kids who are part of drama club,

643
00:33:32,545 --> 00:33:35,605
the majority are either outcasted or bullied.

644
00:33:36,125 --> 00:33:38,205
I myself was bullied my freshman year.

645
00:33:38,725 --> 00:33:40,085
I had a really hard time,

646
00:33:40,625 --> 00:33:44,285
but joining the drama club made me feel so much better.

647
00:33:44,485 --> 00:33:45,845
I was part of a community.

648
00:33:46,445 --> 00:33:48,885
I felt seen, I felt heard, I had a voice.

649
00:33:49,345 --> 00:33:50,525
My confidence grew

650
00:33:52,425 --> 00:33:56,765
and hard for other kids to find an opportunity like that

651
00:33:56,945 --> 00:33:58,965
to step out of their comfort zone

652
00:33:59,585 --> 00:34:03,645
and into a place that they can call home like the drama club

653
00:34:03,785 --> 00:34:06,685
or like these other clubs and sports.

654
00:34:08,355 --> 00:34:11,365
It's also rare to find other opportunities if you were

655
00:34:11,565 --> 00:34:14,845
to cut drama club here or if you were to cut another sport.

656
00:34:15,325 --> 00:34:17,685
I know for drama club there's not many local theater

657
00:34:17,725 --> 00:34:19,445
programs that are free

658
00:34:19,705 --> 00:34:24,685
and available for teenagers that also aren't far away.

659
00:34:26,235 --> 00:34:28,845
This affects the students' everyday life.

660
00:34:29,385 --> 00:34:31,165
It affects their community.

661
00:34:31,305 --> 00:34:33,885
As I said, it affects their attendance.

662
00:34:34,025 --> 00:34:36,965
People have talked about drug abuse

663
00:34:38,505 --> 00:34:42,685
but I think my biggest point at the end here is please do

664
00:34:42,745 --> 00:34:47,005
not let us kids pay for adult problems.

665
00:34:47,905 --> 00:34:50,725
We are not adults, we are kids. We are learning.

666
00:34:50,835 --> 00:34:53,285
This is how we grow our social skills,

667
00:34:53,745 --> 00:34:55,005
our developmental skills.

668
00:34:55,395 --> 00:35:00,245
This is how we, there are things in school that clubs

669
00:35:00,425 --> 00:35:04,125
and sports teach us that that school cannot.

670
00:35:04,875 --> 00:35:06,925
It's, it's incredibly important.

671
00:35:07,015 --> 00:35:10,205
Thank you for listening and I hope you don't just listen

672
00:35:10,305 --> 00:35:12,485
but you truly hear each one of us

673
00:35:12,625 --> 00:35:14,605
and see how important this is.

674
00:35:14,605 --> 00:35:14,965
Thank you.

675
00:35:21,705 --> 00:35:23,285
My name's Alexis Piic.

676
00:35:23,385 --> 00:35:26,245
I'm a student athlete, student council member

677
00:35:26,625 --> 00:35:28,645
and a lot more at this school.

678
00:35:28,705 --> 00:35:30,685
But most importantly tonight I'm a

679
00:35:30,685 --> 00:35:32,165
voice for the student body.

680
00:35:33,065 --> 00:35:34,605
As an athlete, I've noticed

681
00:35:34,635 --> 00:35:37,885
that sports isn't just about playing or competing,

682
00:35:38,105 --> 00:35:39,645
but it's about getting healthier

683
00:35:40,465 --> 00:35:42,845
for all the things nobody else can see.

684
00:35:43,405 --> 00:35:45,925
I struggled a lot with my mental health last year

685
00:35:47,065 --> 00:35:50,325
and I noticed most of the time I would only go to school

686
00:35:50,465 --> 00:35:53,485
for my sports and I saw a lot

687
00:35:53,485 --> 00:35:54,925
of other people doing that too.

688
00:35:55,095 --> 00:35:59,845
Sorry, it's not just about the

689
00:35:59,845 --> 00:36:01,365
certain clubs you wanna cut,

690
00:36:01,545 --> 00:36:05,845
but it's every single one of those is a spot for a student

691
00:36:05,985 --> 00:36:10,525
to be seen and to even think about cutting any of those

692
00:36:11,185 --> 00:36:13,565
is just disrespectful to students.

693
00:36:14,465 --> 00:36:16,165
So voting now for this budget

694
00:36:17,185 --> 00:36:19,245
is just saying you don't care about us.

695
00:36:20,745 --> 00:36:24,285
We are literally the poorest school in Vermont

696
00:36:25,505 --> 00:36:28,405
and U 32 has so many sports

697
00:36:29,065 --> 00:36:33,285
and we have little things that we now have to cut back on

698
00:36:33,285 --> 00:36:36,205
because people don't wanna pay taxes for the students.

699
00:36:36,235 --> 00:36:37,685
They're trying to educate.

700
00:36:38,345 --> 00:36:40,565
And I've seen a lot of these students,

701
00:36:41,235 --> 00:36:43,685
they're not even motivated to do their schoolwork

702
00:36:44,175 --> 00:36:46,645
until they see what they have to do for their sports

703
00:36:47,345 --> 00:36:48,605
and they're so smart.

704
00:36:49,555 --> 00:36:53,645
I've seen IES focus in on her school even when she

705
00:36:53,845 --> 00:36:55,085
roams around the math ball.

706
00:36:58,195 --> 00:37:02,765
I've seen my boyfriend just barely pass his classes

707
00:37:03,145 --> 00:37:05,045
to keep doing the sports that he's enjoyed.

708
00:37:06,065 --> 00:37:08,845
And I don't think any

709
00:37:08,845 --> 00:37:11,485
of these students would pass high school without the clubs

710
00:37:11,585 --> 00:37:13,325
and sports that they participate in.

711
00:37:14,745 --> 00:37:18,645
So if you ever get the chance to vote for a budget

712
00:37:18,785 --> 00:37:23,685
and you vote no, I think you're disrespecting your entire

713
00:37:23,815 --> 00:37:27,925
state and town by going against your students

714
00:37:28,475 --> 00:37:30,085
that you want to be so smart.

715
00:37:39,425 --> 00:37:42,535
Hello, my name is Rosalie Johnson

716
00:37:42,795 --> 00:37:45,575
and I am a junior playing field hockey.

717
00:37:45,915 --> 00:37:47,055
I'm also in the band

718
00:37:47,195 --> 00:37:49,495
and I am the vice president for my class.

719
00:37:50,855 --> 00:37:52,535
A lot of the people here have been playing

720
00:37:52,555 --> 00:37:54,175
sports their whole lives.

721
00:37:55,055 --> 00:37:58,215
I have not. I joined the team last

722
00:37:58,215 --> 00:38:00,655
year, my freshman year.

723
00:38:00,855 --> 00:38:02,335
I really felt like there was something missing.

724
00:38:03,995 --> 00:38:07,975
And so when fall sports starts came out,

725
00:38:08,535 --> 00:38:09,695
I just put my name down

726
00:38:09,875 --> 00:38:13,935
and jumped in with my, I don't know what the expression is,

727
00:38:14,755 --> 00:38:16,495
jumped in both be or whatever.

728
00:38:17,435 --> 00:38:20,055
And I'm so, so grateful that I did.

729
00:38:25,135 --> 00:38:26,595
You know, I can stand up here

730
00:38:26,735 --> 00:38:29,475
and talk to you about what sports mean to me,

731
00:38:29,695 --> 00:38:32,035
but instead I wanna talk about other kids

732
00:38:32,375 --> 00:38:34,475
for whom sports might be their only chance.

733
00:38:35,825 --> 00:38:37,125
My brother didn't like high school

734
00:38:37,505 --> 00:38:40,365
and the classes he took here only left him feeling bad about

735
00:38:40,365 --> 00:38:41,965
himself and what he could accomplish.

736
00:38:44,225 --> 00:38:46,545
I know that's a feeling a lot of people in this room shared.

737
00:38:53,425 --> 00:38:54,725
He joined the wrestling team

738
00:38:54,865 --> 00:38:57,845
and he really, really excelled working harder

739
00:38:57,845 --> 00:38:58,885
than I had ever seen him.

740
00:38:59,705 --> 00:39:01,845
He became a captain and sport gave him a social

741
00:39:01,845 --> 00:39:03,125
outlet he hadn't had before.

742
00:39:04,115 --> 00:39:06,205
Instead of graduating a year early, he stayed

743
00:39:06,205 --> 00:39:08,565
through into his senior year and walked at graduation.

744
00:39:11,365 --> 00:39:13,465
School sports provided an opening for kids who are

745
00:39:13,625 --> 00:39:16,385
otherwise unable to participate in group activities

746
00:39:16,385 --> 00:39:20,585
because of financial struggles in a place where 17.3%

747
00:39:20,585 --> 00:39:22,345
of people live below the poverty line.

748
00:39:22,425 --> 00:39:25,185
Sports-based scholarships are the reason why many students

749
00:39:25,205 --> 00:39:26,785
can afford seek higher education.

750
00:39:27,535 --> 00:39:30,065
College colleges look for students who can,

751
00:39:30,165 --> 00:39:32,625
who participate in extracurriculars including sports.

752
00:39:33,245 --> 00:39:36,585
Taking sports away will only take opportunities from kids in

753
00:39:36,585 --> 00:39:39,545
this town who have no other chance from the kids,

754
00:39:39,815 --> 00:39:41,185
from the kid who works hard

755
00:39:41,195 --> 00:39:43,065
after school to help their parents pay rent.

756
00:39:43,365 --> 00:39:46,665
And from the kid who whose parents can barely afford food on

757
00:39:46,665 --> 00:39:49,465
the table, please think about these kids

758
00:39:49,565 --> 00:39:51,505
who work their entire high school career

759
00:39:51,685 --> 00:39:53,545
for a chance at better opportunities in our future.

760
00:39:54,115 --> 00:39:54,585
Thank you.

761
00:40:02,325 --> 00:40:05,345
I'm Neil Monroe and I'm the freshman and vice president.

762
00:40:05,645 --> 00:40:08,545
And I stayed here because obviously I like sports

763
00:40:08,925 --> 00:40:10,905
and it has a really big impact on me.

764
00:40:11,245 --> 00:40:13,065
But I wanted to clean up that I was talking

765
00:40:13,165 --> 00:40:16,065
to my honors math teacher about our budget

766
00:40:16,325 --> 00:40:18,985
and how much money we get compared to other schools

767
00:40:19,725 --> 00:40:21,225
and I felt insulted

768
00:40:21,225 --> 00:40:24,345
because there the Vermont average

769
00:40:24,485 --> 00:40:28,705
to pay per student is $20,838

770
00:40:29,365 --> 00:40:32,905
and our average is around $12,000 per student, which is

771
00:40:33,645 --> 00:40:34,905
insane when you think about it

772
00:40:34,905 --> 00:40:37,185
because that much money, it's not like you're giving

773
00:40:37,185 --> 00:40:38,905
that money to a student, it's more,

774
00:40:39,405 --> 00:40:42,385
it like includes teacher salaries and busing and sports

775
00:40:42,445 --> 00:40:44,185
and just anything that the school needs

776
00:40:45,005 --> 00:40:48,585
and it's just we have so much less than other schools

777
00:40:49,005 --> 00:40:51,655
and cutting sports is just,

778
00:40:51,805 --> 00:40:54,575
it's your graduation rates are gonna go down

779
00:40:54,635 --> 00:40:56,255
and kids aren't gonna wanna come to school

780
00:40:56,475 --> 00:40:59,175
and Barry's just gonna be impacted really badly.

781
00:40:59,435 --> 00:41:03,535
So I hope that you can give us a good budget. So

782
00:41:24,805 --> 00:41:26,905
Hi everyone, my name is Alexis Stock.

783
00:41:27,005 --> 00:41:29,185
For those of you who don't know me, I'm the treasurer

784
00:41:29,185 --> 00:41:31,345
of Spalding's Junior class in the student council.

785
00:41:32,065 --> 00:41:34,445
I participate in dream a youth mentoring program

786
00:41:34,945 --> 00:41:37,045
and I'm a member of Spalding's Interact Club.

787
00:41:37,205 --> 00:41:39,085
I also play field hockey today.

788
00:41:39,105 --> 00:41:41,325
I'm not just standing up here to advocate for myself,

789
00:41:41,425 --> 00:41:44,525
but for the many other students across the district Vista at

790
00:41:44,525 --> 00:41:47,685
Spalding this past school year across our athletic teams,

791
00:41:47,745 --> 00:41:51,685
the rosters document 366 participation spots

792
00:41:51,875 --> 00:41:54,245
because many students play more than one sport,

793
00:41:54,385 --> 00:41:57,325
but those are not 366 different students.

794
00:41:57,865 --> 00:42:00,565
But that number still shows the enormous reach athletics

795
00:42:00,585 --> 00:42:02,125
as within the school of our sas.

796
00:42:02,665 --> 00:42:04,125
And this goes beyond Spalding.

797
00:42:04,325 --> 00:42:05,485
Students throughout the district,

798
00:42:05,535 --> 00:42:08,525
throughout our district participate in sports clubs

799
00:42:08,545 --> 00:42:10,845
and activities that keep them connected

800
00:42:10,845 --> 00:42:12,165
to their schools and communities.

801
00:42:12,665 --> 00:42:13,845
I'm speaking for those of us

802
00:42:13,845 --> 00:42:16,845
who love being on a field court track, ice map,

803
00:42:17,065 --> 00:42:19,565
but also for the students who will come after us

804
00:42:19,905 --> 00:42:22,165
and help to have the same opportunities they

805
00:42:22,165 --> 00:42:23,245
get into college today.

806
00:42:23,295 --> 00:42:25,685
Enrollment offices ask us to show who you are

807
00:42:25,685 --> 00:42:26,725
beyond our grades.

808
00:42:27,315 --> 00:42:28,925
They notice our leadership, service,

809
00:42:29,055 --> 00:42:31,045
commitment, interests and experiences.

810
00:42:31,625 --> 00:42:35,565
If those opportunities disappear at admissions office may

811
00:42:35,565 --> 00:42:36,885
understand why we didn't have them,

812
00:42:36,985 --> 00:42:39,965
but understanding it doesn't give us the experience back.

813
00:42:40,545 --> 00:42:43,445
Our students may be losing the only opportunities they have

814
00:42:43,445 --> 00:42:44,605
to become a team captain.

815
00:42:45,135 --> 00:42:48,405
Serve on the student council, mentor others, develop talent

816
00:42:48,865 --> 00:42:51,125
to form, compete, volunteer,

817
00:42:51,425 --> 00:42:54,685
or discover an interest that influences what they'll

818
00:42:55,295 --> 00:42:56,965
eventually study or pursue.

819
00:42:57,685 --> 00:43:00,085
I understand that you're facing difficult financial

820
00:43:00,095 --> 00:43:01,285
situations, but

821
00:43:01,285 --> 00:43:03,565
as a student there is one question I hope stays with you

822
00:43:04,105 --> 00:43:06,485
or are we fighting just as hard

823
00:43:06,485 --> 00:43:08,485
to protect students in our futures

824
00:43:08,505 --> 00:43:09,765
as we are to balance the budget?

825
00:43:10,135 --> 00:43:10,605
Thank you.

826
00:43:18,125 --> 00:43:20,905
My name's eba, I'm a junior at Spalding.

827
00:43:20,905 --> 00:43:24,225
I play volleyball, I do track and field, I'm in band

828
00:43:24,285 --> 00:43:26,225
and I'm the treasurer of Interact Club.

829
00:43:27,205 --> 00:43:31,065
The biggest thing for me when I first got to Spalding was

830
00:43:31,065 --> 00:43:34,945
that in my classes I was noticing, unfortunately a lot

831
00:43:34,945 --> 00:43:37,945
of my peers, a lot of my classmates, they didn't care.

832
00:43:38,135 --> 00:43:42,305
Like I came from a school, I came from St.

833
00:43:42,305 --> 00:43:44,305
Monica's and there's more, there's like a lot

834
00:43:44,305 --> 00:43:46,225
of participation there and I was someone, I love

835
00:43:46,225 --> 00:43:48,305
to participate, I love to be loud, I love

836
00:43:48,305 --> 00:43:49,425
to voice my opinions

837
00:43:49,925 --> 00:43:54,225
and it was really hard to be in classes with

838
00:43:54,365 --> 00:43:56,425
so many kids that you know,

839
00:43:56,425 --> 00:43:57,865
maybe weren't supported growing up

840
00:43:57,885 --> 00:44:00,985
and they just, they didn't care, they didn't try,

841
00:44:00,985 --> 00:44:02,865
they never put effort into anything.

842
00:44:03,725 --> 00:44:08,105
And I think sports not only gives kids a reason to care,

843
00:44:08,605 --> 00:44:12,585
but also gives that kind of community of people who care.

844
00:44:12,765 --> 00:44:15,385
So you can, you know, you go to your sport

845
00:44:15,385 --> 00:44:17,865
and you're with people that they want to be there, they want

846
00:44:17,865 --> 00:44:20,185
to try and like other people were saying,

847
00:44:20,185 --> 00:44:23,385
sports are such a great motivator for attendance even,

848
00:44:23,645 --> 00:44:26,785
you know, for me who has no problems in school,

849
00:44:26,935 --> 00:44:29,185
I'll get up in the morning and my only motivation

850
00:44:30,005 --> 00:44:31,765
to attend will be sports.

851
00:44:33,685 --> 00:44:35,485
I just think it's really, really important

852
00:44:35,515 --> 00:44:39,725
that we keep those spaces open for kids who, like me

853
00:44:40,365 --> 00:44:44,485
couldn't find a community of people that

854
00:44:45,065 --> 00:44:49,245
wanted to be there just because they didn't have anything.

855
00:44:49,665 --> 00:44:53,325
And sports are what gives kids that opportunity.

856
00:45:02,025 --> 00:45:04,365
My name's Olin Cervantes, I'm a freshman

857
00:45:04,385 --> 00:45:05,805
and I'm in the wrestling program.

858
00:45:07,965 --> 00:45:09,845
I didn't really come up here with a plan, so

859
00:45:10,625 --> 00:45:12,805
I'm gonna talk about what sports mean to me.

860
00:45:13,905 --> 00:45:17,405
And when I think sports I takes me back to

861
00:45:18,585 --> 00:45:23,275
the whole experience of how this wrestling program

862
00:45:24,455 --> 00:45:25,475
has changed my life

863
00:45:26,655 --> 00:45:30,955
and how it was so important to me

864
00:45:31,745 --> 00:45:34,475
that I felt I needed to do whatever I needed,

865
00:45:35,035 --> 00:45:37,555
whatever needed to happen to get here at Spalding.

866
00:45:38,535 --> 00:45:42,015
And when my sport has

867
00:45:43,395 --> 00:45:47,775
taught me that what I want to do here at Spalding now

868
00:45:47,775 --> 00:45:49,135
that I'm here is succeed.

869
00:45:50,115 --> 00:45:52,495
And the wrestling program,

870
00:45:53,135 --> 00:45:55,055
I don't know much about the other programs here,

871
00:45:55,635 --> 00:45:58,855
but if the staff, the people,

872
00:45:59,435 --> 00:46:02,135
so the other students I've met, anything related to it,

873
00:46:02,405 --> 00:46:05,495
I've had an amazing experience and,

874
00:46:07,875 --> 00:46:10,175
and I'd say they're, they've become

875
00:46:11,455 --> 00:46:15,015
a supporting cast that'll always be able to lean on

876
00:46:15,755 --> 00:46:19,535
and they make me wanna,

877
00:46:22,955 --> 00:46:26,735
the aspects that it has on my life and school

878
00:46:26,875 --> 00:46:30,855
and how I view my grades is only positive.

879
00:46:32,855 --> 00:46:35,455
I don't believe any.

880
00:46:36,735 --> 00:46:40,135
I believe even if you were the most out outcasted student

881
00:46:40,835 --> 00:46:43,375
and you joined one of these amazing programs at Spalding,

882
00:46:43,755 --> 00:46:45,975
you would find a

883
00:46:46,565 --> 00:46:49,415
amazing supporting cast.

884
00:46:49,485 --> 00:46:51,375
Just like how I feel with wrestling,

885
00:46:54,515 --> 00:46:58,695
the, I truly love what the programs here do

886
00:46:59,475 --> 00:47:01,455
and how it affects the students

887
00:47:03,355 --> 00:47:06,015
and I think to take that away would be,

888
00:47:08,375 --> 00:47:10,495
I don't think it would be positive in any way

889
00:47:11,675 --> 00:47:15,495
except maybe statistically whatever you're contemplating.

890
00:47:15,515 --> 00:47:20,375
But I just think with how my experience has gone

891
00:47:20,375 --> 00:47:22,975
with wrestling and I haven't even had my freshman season

892
00:47:23,155 --> 00:47:26,895
yet, I feel it just,

893
00:47:30,185 --> 00:47:34,725
it would be illogical to take away the sport aspect

894
00:47:34,865 --> 00:47:36,245
of the Spalding community.

895
00:47:51,315 --> 00:47:52,815
Hi everyone, I'm Madeline.

896
00:47:54,475 --> 00:47:56,535
I'm a member of this JV soccer team.

897
00:47:57,765 --> 00:48:00,735
Like sports really helped me with my mental health.

898
00:48:01,615 --> 00:48:03,535
I feel like when I'm not doing sports I don't feel

899
00:48:03,535 --> 00:48:05,695
as good physically or mentally

900
00:48:06,675 --> 00:48:09,895
and it just feels really, really great to have something

901
00:48:09,895 --> 00:48:13,535
to work for and be confident in and make friends in.

902
00:48:13,535 --> 00:48:16,575
Like Annabel, she didn't go to school with me before sports

903
00:48:16,675 --> 00:48:18,735
but I just like, I love my team

904
00:48:19,115 --> 00:48:20,535
and I love coming together with them

905
00:48:20,555 --> 00:48:23,295
and I love feeling like I can have a place to belong

906
00:48:23,755 --> 00:48:28,175
and be myself and like people who don't have many friends

907
00:48:28,175 --> 00:48:31,535
outside of sports or like made friends in sports,

908
00:48:31,685 --> 00:48:32,895
like they don't have anybody else.

909
00:48:32,925 --> 00:48:34,135
Like that's their community.

910
00:48:34,505 --> 00:48:38,215
Those are their people and the pe, my friends that do soccer

911
00:48:38,215 --> 00:48:39,735
with me, they are my people

912
00:48:39,835 --> 00:48:41,295
and I feel so comfortable around them

913
00:48:41,795 --> 00:48:43,735
and I feel like I can be myself

914
00:48:43,915 --> 00:48:45,695
and I just like, they make me so happy

915
00:48:46,755 --> 00:48:49,415
and I just, I really like sports make me so happy

916
00:48:50,035 --> 00:48:51,975
and I would be really sad if

917
00:48:52,655 --> 00:48:53,935
I wasn't able to do these things.

918
00:48:54,315 --> 00:48:55,615
So that's really all I have to say.

919
00:49:16,125 --> 00:49:18,105
My name's Kate Mason, I'm part

920
00:49:18,105 --> 00:49:19,665
of the wrestling program, I'm a sophomore.

921
00:49:20,665 --> 00:49:22,465
I also didn't really have a plan coming up here.

922
00:49:22,665 --> 00:49:24,785
I just thought I had a good example, a good story to tell

923
00:49:25,395 --> 00:49:28,465
about how like a sport can change someone's life.

924
00:49:29,685 --> 00:49:32,385
My father, when he was in high school,

925
00:49:32,485 --> 00:49:33,705
he didn't have the best life,

926
00:49:33,885 --> 00:49:35,465
he didn't have the best influence

927
00:49:35,805 --> 00:49:38,825
and once he got into wrestling

928
00:49:40,055 --> 00:49:41,185
that really changed his life.

929
00:49:41,195 --> 00:49:43,665
There was, he got discipline from it, from it.

930
00:49:44,845 --> 00:49:47,905
We had coaches like **** back there,

931
00:49:48,805 --> 00:49:52,025
Darren O'Mara to help him out and lead him to a good path

932
00:49:52,085 --> 00:49:54,945
and that without that he wouldn't be here today

933
00:49:55,045 --> 00:49:56,265
and he wouldn't have brought me

934
00:49:56,265 --> 00:49:57,505
to be the person I am right now.

935
00:49:58,305 --> 00:49:59,425
That's pretty much all I had to say.

936
00:50:16,715 --> 00:50:20,055
My name is Anaya Oman. I am a sophomore.

937
00:50:20,635 --> 00:50:21,855
I'm in a lot of clubs.

938
00:50:22,515 --> 00:50:26,815
I'm not in any sports but I am in library club,

939
00:50:27,865 --> 00:50:31,045
sad club, interact Club d and d club

940
00:50:32,145 --> 00:50:33,925
and drama club, which

941
00:50:34,775 --> 00:50:37,205
drama club I've been doing since fifth grade

942
00:50:37,465 --> 00:50:41,605
and it really is like a passion of mine.

943
00:50:41,765 --> 00:50:43,765
I enjoy doing drama club so much

944
00:50:43,785 --> 00:50:47,245
and I've met so many great people there.

945
00:50:48,075 --> 00:50:50,405
Like everyone is always kind to each other

946
00:50:51,225 --> 00:50:53,845
and it just feels good.

947
00:50:54,545 --> 00:50:59,395
And I think that cutting clubs

948
00:51:00,135 --> 00:51:01,715
is not great

949
00:51:01,715 --> 00:51:06,235
because, so the drum club budget

950
00:51:06,815 --> 00:51:09,235
is currently 500 I think.

951
00:51:10,335 --> 00:51:14,715
And the cost of the rights to one play

952
00:51:15,255 --> 00:51:16,955
is over a thousand.

953
00:51:17,975 --> 00:51:20,595
So we really just get by off of

954
00:51:22,155 --> 00:51:26,275
selling tickets for the actual play

955
00:51:26,415 --> 00:51:29,195
and hoping that we make enough money to do it again.

956
00:51:30,775 --> 00:51:32,435
And there's so many people

957
00:51:32,535 --> 00:51:34,395
who are really passionate about this

958
00:51:34,655 --> 00:51:37,675
and the other clubs that I'm part of like Sad Club

959
00:51:37,695 --> 00:51:40,515
and Interact Club, they make a difference on the community.

960
00:51:40,775 --> 00:51:42,875
Sad Club focuses on like

961
00:51:44,905 --> 00:51:47,835
showing people like, well

962
00:51:49,855 --> 00:51:53,195
mental health, like raising awareness

963
00:51:54,055 --> 00:51:58,115
and Interact Club helps with,

964
00:51:58,585 --> 00:52:03,235
well right now we're going to be doing a meals

965
00:52:03,335 --> 00:52:05,275
for the homeless and I think

966
00:52:05,275 --> 00:52:07,595
that these clubs are really important

967
00:52:07,815 --> 00:52:12,355
and there's also chorus that I find

968
00:52:13,065 --> 00:52:15,115
very like great

969
00:52:15,255 --> 00:52:18,675
and it really helps me get up in the morning

970
00:52:19,135 --> 00:52:23,315
and want to go to school is to be a part

971
00:52:23,335 --> 00:52:25,995
of all these clubs and chorus

972
00:52:26,295 --> 00:52:28,955
and it's just really fun

973
00:52:29,175 --> 00:52:31,635
and it brings together the community.

974
00:52:33,605 --> 00:52:34,035
Thank you.

975
00:52:40,785 --> 00:52:42,875
Good evening. I'm a I, my name is

976
00:52:43,655 --> 00:52:45,355
and I'm a sophomore at school high school

977
00:52:45,735 --> 00:52:47,395
and I play field hockey and softball.

978
00:52:48,115 --> 00:52:49,515
I want you to look around my room tonight

979
00:52:49,575 --> 00:52:50,915
and see all the students who are here.

980
00:52:51,215 --> 00:52:52,995
We didn't have to be here. We could,

981
00:52:52,995 --> 00:52:55,235
we could have gone home, we could stay quiet

982
00:52:55,335 --> 00:52:56,595
and we chose to stand here

983
00:52:56,595 --> 00:52:59,955
because something we care about is at risk for many of us.

984
00:52:59,955 --> 00:53:01,275
Sports aren't just something we do

985
00:53:01,275 --> 00:53:03,315
after school, they're a place where we found our people,

986
00:53:03,705 --> 00:53:05,235
they're where we found our confidence

987
00:53:05,235 --> 00:53:06,435
and for some of us, they're

988
00:53:06,845 --> 00:53:08,635
where we finally found a place where we grow.

989
00:53:09,295 --> 00:53:10,915
Not every student feels like we belong in school.

990
00:53:11,265 --> 00:53:14,435
Some struggle in classrooms, some struggle to make friends

991
00:53:14,575 --> 00:53:16,435
and go through the day when be really fit in.

992
00:53:17,135 --> 00:53:18,995
But when they step on the field, everything changes.

993
00:53:19,545 --> 00:53:20,875
They have teammates calling their names

994
00:53:21,375 --> 00:53:22,395
but just who believing them.

995
00:53:22,855 --> 00:53:24,035
And people depending on them,

996
00:53:24,305 --> 00:53:25,525
they have a place where they matter.

997
00:53:26,225 --> 00:53:27,765
School isn't always easy for me

998
00:53:28,105 --> 00:53:30,165
and there have been times where I've struggled to focus

999
00:53:30,265 --> 00:53:32,805
or felt like I wasn't the student I wanted to be.

1000
00:53:33,075 --> 00:53:34,125
When I step on the field,

1001
00:53:34,225 --> 00:53:35,405
I'm not thinking about any of that.

1002
00:53:36,375 --> 00:53:37,515
I'm thinking about my team

1003
00:53:37,695 --> 00:53:39,955
and the sports that sports have given me.

1004
00:53:39,955 --> 00:53:42,555
Friendships, confidence, coaches who believe in me

1005
00:53:42,855 --> 00:53:44,355
and the reason to keep trying even

1006
00:53:44,355 --> 00:53:45,395
when school feels difficult.

1007
00:53:46,215 --> 00:53:47,995
So when we talk about cutting sports,

1008
00:53:48,085 --> 00:53:49,795
we're not just talking about practices

1009
00:53:49,795 --> 00:53:52,075
and games, we're talking about cutting away a

1010
00:53:52,075 --> 00:53:53,115
place where students belong.

1011
00:53:56,185 --> 00:53:58,345
I understand that difficult decisions have to be made

1012
00:53:58,765 --> 00:54:00,705
and I know the people in this room care about our school

1013
00:54:01,845 --> 00:54:04,385
and look at all the students in this room.

1014
00:54:04,765 --> 00:54:06,865
We wouldn't all be here if sports means something.

1015
00:54:07,605 --> 00:54:08,665
We are here because we care.

1016
00:54:08,685 --> 00:54:11,305
We are here because we want to be heard and we are here

1017
00:54:11,305 --> 00:54:12,465
because we want to make a change.

1018
00:54:13,085 --> 00:54:14,305
So please listen to us,

1019
00:54:14,375 --> 00:54:15,985
look at the students standing in front of you,

1020
00:54:16,215 --> 00:54:17,545
look at what these sports mean to us.

1021
00:54:17,845 --> 00:54:19,665
Please don't take away the place where somebody

1022
00:54:19,665 --> 00:54:20,865
with us find their place.

1023
00:54:28,765 --> 00:54:29,865
Hi, I'm Andrew Ryer.

1024
00:54:29,965 --> 00:54:32,825
I'm a junior here at Solid at Spalding.

1025
00:54:33,485 --> 00:54:36,065
The only reason I decided not to graduate early is

1026
00:54:36,085 --> 00:54:37,705
for sports, specifically wrestling

1027
00:54:38,405 --> 00:54:40,385
and something about missing out on a year

1028
00:54:40,385 --> 00:54:41,585
of sports really hurts.

1029
00:54:42,135 --> 00:54:43,985
I've been in the very community my whole life

1030
00:54:44,005 --> 00:54:46,145
but I haven't really had a hard day with sports

1031
00:54:46,285 --> 00:54:48,425
and I've never had the, never had the

1032
00:54:48,425 --> 00:54:50,025
uncertainty in not being able to play.

1033
00:54:50,645 --> 00:54:53,025
As of right now, I can think of at least four people

1034
00:54:53,085 --> 00:54:55,065
who transferred to Sping just for wrestling alone

1035
00:54:55,365 --> 00:54:59,665
and all the people, let alone all the people who transferred

1036
00:54:59,665 --> 00:55:00,785
for other sports or clubs.

1037
00:55:01,545 --> 00:55:03,545
I can't, I can't feel anything

1038
00:55:03,545 --> 00:55:05,825
but sadness for all the people who take extra time

1039
00:55:05,965 --> 00:55:07,985
and spend extra money to get quay every day.

1040
00:55:08,245 --> 00:55:10,265
And I really hope no sports are get

1041
00:55:11,085 --> 00:55:12,545
get cut regardless of what they are.

1042
00:55:13,865 --> 00:55:13,985
I

1043
00:55:21,005 --> 00:55:23,145
And I attend Spalding High School as a freshman.

1044
00:55:23,295 --> 00:55:24,825
Tonight I want to give insight on

1045
00:55:24,825 --> 00:55:26,945
how cutting sports will cause less students

1046
00:55:26,965 --> 00:55:28,385
to show up every day at our school.

1047
00:55:29,225 --> 00:55:30,425
Recently, as many of you know,

1048
00:55:30,605 --> 00:55:32,505
school budget did not pass because of this.

1049
00:55:32,505 --> 00:55:36,185
Sports clubs and all their extra-curriculars are now on the

1050
00:55:36,185 --> 00:55:37,945
line for many students sports

1051
00:55:37,945 --> 00:55:39,585
of the reason they come to school every day.

1052
00:55:39,885 --> 00:55:41,225
As an athlete, I've had days

1053
00:55:41,225 --> 00:55:43,385
where the only reason I've pushed myself through a long

1054
00:55:43,385 --> 00:55:44,945
and exhausting school day is

1055
00:55:44,945 --> 00:55:47,265
that I know I can do something I love after the bell rings.

1056
00:55:47,765 --> 00:55:50,745
Sports give student athletes something to look work towards,

1057
00:55:50,975 --> 00:55:53,625
look forward to, and also a reason to stay more connected

1058
00:55:53,625 --> 00:55:55,225
to the school and community.

1059
00:55:56,205 --> 00:55:58,505
But they also encourage good attendance. Good attendance.

1060
00:55:59,055 --> 00:56:01,225
When an athlete misses school, it affects their ability

1061
00:56:01,405 --> 00:56:03,985
to part participate in practice in games.

1062
00:56:04,315 --> 00:56:05,945
These rules hold students accountable.

1063
00:56:06,415 --> 00:56:08,225
Without sports, students could do one

1064
00:56:08,225 --> 00:56:10,865
of the most motivational things they have not to not only go

1065
00:56:10,925 --> 00:56:13,185
to school but to also keep connected

1066
00:56:13,185 --> 00:56:14,665
to friends in the Spalding community.

1067
00:56:15,165 --> 00:56:16,185
If we have to cut sports,

1068
00:56:16,285 --> 00:56:17,545
it wouldn't just take away the game.

1069
00:56:17,885 --> 00:56:20,465
It would take, would take away the important feelings

1070
00:56:20,465 --> 00:56:22,945
of motivation, belonging, and a reason to show up to school.

1071
00:56:22,980 --> 00:56:24,685
School every day. Thank you for listening

1072
00:56:24,685 --> 00:56:25,725
and I hope you all consider

1073
00:56:25,725 --> 00:56:27,765
what effect this could have on its school and its community.

1074
00:56:42,255 --> 00:56:46,515
My name is Gabe Van Warman. I'm a senior here at Spalding.

1075
00:56:46,835 --> 00:56:48,715
I play hockey and lacrosse

1076
00:56:49,775 --> 00:56:52,555
and I don't really have a plan for what I was gonna say,

1077
00:56:52,615 --> 00:56:55,515
but I just wanted to talk about like how much

1078
00:56:55,515 --> 00:56:58,675
of an impact sports and like clubs have on like kids

1079
00:56:59,615 --> 00:57:01,275
and what I heard the news about.

1080
00:57:01,275 --> 00:57:03,795
What was in the line after the budget had passed.

1081
00:57:03,935 --> 00:57:06,915
It just like, I don't know, it was kind of crazy

1082
00:57:08,095 --> 00:57:12,075
and I just couldn't imagine like a high school without any

1083
00:57:12,215 --> 00:57:15,835
sports or like other activities.

1084
00:57:15,905 --> 00:57:17,995
Like just never really heard of that.

1085
00:57:18,975 --> 00:57:23,715
And I know like sports for me has just like

1086
00:57:24,415 --> 00:57:26,995
all of my friends I've met playing sports

1087
00:57:27,135 --> 00:57:32,125
and I think it's just like a major part of a lot

1088
00:57:32,125 --> 00:57:34,245
of kids like lifes or whatever.

1089
00:57:34,345 --> 00:57:37,685
And I know like myself, I spend a lot

1090
00:57:37,685 --> 00:57:41,965
of time just playing sports and it's helped me.

1091
00:57:42,115 --> 00:57:45,605
It's you know, motivated me to go to school

1092
00:57:45,785 --> 00:57:49,205
and I don't want to, and I know quite a few like

1093
00:57:50,515 --> 00:57:53,725
kids that only, the only reasons they're like doing sports

1094
00:57:54,765 --> 00:57:57,985
or doing school is so they can participate in sports

1095
00:57:58,165 --> 00:58:02,145
and without that I think just as a whole

1096
00:58:02,205 --> 00:58:04,185
or things falling would go downhill,

1097
00:58:05,135 --> 00:58:08,305
like behavior would just not be great.

1098
00:58:08,365 --> 00:58:11,025
And I don't know, that's all I got.

1099
00:58:23,145 --> 00:58:23,925
Any other students?

1100
00:58:28,865 --> 00:58:29,865
So

1101
00:58:30,675 --> 00:58:32,085
There's another student. Oh I'm

1102
00:58:32,085 --> 00:58:33,085
So sorry.

1103
00:58:34,065 --> 00:58:36,125
Hi. If I'm being on

1104
00:58:36,265 --> 00:58:39,005
or I'm Olivia Birmingham, if I'm being honest,

1105
00:58:39,445 --> 00:58:41,925
I wasn't planning to talk and speak today,

1106
00:58:42,505 --> 00:58:44,565
but hearing all

1107
00:58:44,565 --> 00:58:47,365
of their voices really made me realize

1108
00:58:49,195 --> 00:58:52,085
more. I'm like shaking.

1109
00:58:52,475 --> 00:58:57,165
Okay, take your time. Sports mean a lot to a lot

1110
00:58:57,165 --> 00:59:00,605
of people here and I think that without them

1111
00:59:05,195 --> 00:59:06,195
It's okay.

1112
00:59:13,625 --> 00:59:15,325
You can come back up if you wanna speak.

1113
00:59:15,965 --> 00:59:20,805
I just, I just say one thing real quick.

1114
00:59:21,365 --> 00:59:23,765
I bet there would be a lot more voices from basketball,

1115
00:59:24,025 --> 00:59:25,765
but they're all practicing in the gym right now.

1116
00:59:34,115 --> 00:59:37,125
Good. Alright. Sorry. I jumped the jumped the down there.

1117
00:59:39,145 --> 00:59:41,205
So that was 58 minutes

1118
00:59:42,585 --> 00:59:46,925
or around that 50 minutes of voices from my peers

1119
00:59:48,015 --> 00:59:51,085
explaining to you the danger

1120
00:59:51,385 --> 00:59:53,965
of taking away the things that may have

1121
00:59:53,965 --> 00:59:55,405
to be removed in this budget.

1122
00:59:56,425 --> 00:59:58,445
And I quickly wanted to share

1123
00:59:58,445 --> 01:00:00,725
with you all something very personal about myself.

1124
01:00:01,805 --> 01:00:03,765
A large motivator for me is

1125
01:00:04,955 --> 01:00:08,045
growing up when I was very young, I didn't have many friends

1126
01:00:09,265 --> 01:00:12,165
and sorry,

1127
01:00:14,795 --> 01:00:18,525
this girl Valeria, she was one of my best friends

1128
01:00:19,265 --> 01:00:21,365
and she told me something when we were really little

1129
01:00:21,365 --> 01:00:22,365
before I lost her.

1130
01:00:22,745 --> 01:00:24,365
And it's that when you love something,

1131
01:00:24,585 --> 01:00:26,365
you don't let anybody take it from you.

1132
01:00:27,705 --> 01:00:29,125
And you can look at all these people

1133
01:00:30,025 --> 01:00:31,325
and you, I want you all to know

1134
01:00:31,325 --> 01:00:34,805
that if you take this from us, we are not going away

1135
01:00:35,225 --> 01:00:36,605
and we are not going to stop.

1136
01:00:37,985 --> 01:00:39,365
We are gonna get these sports back.

1137
01:00:39,485 --> 01:00:41,725
I don't care that I'm a senior, I don't care if I have

1138
01:00:41,725 --> 01:00:43,325
to come back here after I graduate

1139
01:00:43,345 --> 01:00:45,445
to get sports from my friends that are so young.

1140
01:00:46,865 --> 01:00:48,725
We shouldn't have to be in a position for this.

1141
01:00:48,985 --> 01:00:50,925
It shouldn't be something that you're taking away

1142
01:00:51,075 --> 01:00:53,045
that brings me and my peers together.

1143
01:00:53,705 --> 01:00:56,765
So I really hope that you voters sat through the 20% of you

1144
01:00:56,765 --> 01:00:58,085
that got off your butt to do it.

1145
01:01:03,745 --> 01:01:06,085
The 20% of you that got off your butt to do it

1146
01:01:06,105 --> 01:01:08,485
and the majority of that 20% that voted no.

1147
01:01:09,285 --> 01:01:10,845
I hope you feel really bad about yourself

1148
01:01:11,105 --> 01:01:13,205
and you see the damage that you may cause

1149
01:01:14,145 --> 01:01:15,245
and that you go out

1150
01:01:15,465 --> 01:01:17,045
and you do the work to understand

1151
01:01:17,075 --> 01:01:18,365
what your vote actually does

1152
01:01:18,465 --> 01:01:19,805
and where your money actually goes.

1153
01:01:19,875 --> 01:01:22,485
Because I shouldn't know. You should know.

1154
01:01:22,745 --> 01:01:25,725
And a 17-year-old high school kid shouldn't be the one

1155
01:01:25,725 --> 01:01:26,765
that has to teach you all.

1156
01:01:27,665 --> 01:01:29,245
So that's what I have to say

1157
01:01:29,825 --> 01:01:32,725
and I want you to give it up for these kids who showed up

1158
01:01:33,305 --> 01:01:35,605
to do what they need to do to keep what they love.

1159
01:01:35,955 --> 01:01:36,955
Yeah,

1160
01:01:57,945 --> 01:02:01,345
I wanna take this, I wanna take this moment to

1161
01:02:03,075 --> 01:02:05,985
thank all of the students who have come here tonight.

1162
01:02:07,365 --> 01:02:12,305
And with all the rhetoric that was out there, I think all

1163
01:02:12,325 --> 01:02:14,745
of these kids just blew it out of the water.

1164
01:02:14,815 --> 01:02:16,345
They are worth our support.

1165
01:02:17,965 --> 01:02:19,285
We shouldn't take away dollars

1166
01:02:19,315 --> 01:02:22,085
because of what people perceive with the test scores.

1167
01:02:22,085 --> 01:02:24,045
These are bright, funny,

1168
01:02:25,125 --> 01:02:27,405
empathetic, and smart kids.

1169
01:02:27,505 --> 01:02:30,005
And I think an extra round of applause for what they did.

1170
01:02:41,945 --> 01:02:44,005
And if there is anyone that still wants to speak,

1171
01:02:44,075 --> 01:02:45,965
it's not, you're not done.

1172
01:02:46,385 --> 01:02:51,285
You don't have to be done. I'm

1173
01:02:51,285 --> 01:02:53,045
happy to move on to Oh

1174
01:02:53,045 --> 01:02:54,125
No, I would like Adults.

1175
01:02:54,125 --> 01:02:57,245
Okay, cath. Oh yes, please come forward.

1176
01:02:58,345 --> 01:03:00,885
Yes. Hi, I'm Kat Allen, can you come?

1177
01:03:01,345 --> 01:03:05,965
Yes, I will come wherever you want me to go Here.

1178
01:03:05,985 --> 01:03:07,645
Do you want me to sit, stand? Sure. That's great. Stand.

1179
01:03:08,385 --> 01:03:11,125
Hey. Whichever you like. So I'm Kat Allen.

1180
01:03:11,685 --> 01:03:15,205
I am one of the owners of the Berry Social Club downtown.

1181
01:03:15,765 --> 01:03:18,125
I am also a member of the planning commission.

1182
01:03:19,065 --> 01:03:22,845
So one, we partially open the club

1183
01:03:23,235 --> 01:03:27,365
because it is massively difficult for adults

1184
01:03:27,465 --> 01:03:31,285
to make new adult friends through authentic connection.

1185
01:03:32,055 --> 01:03:33,725
Right? All of you are looking at me

1186
01:03:33,725 --> 01:03:36,885
and you're like, yes, I want more adult friends.

1187
01:03:37,655 --> 01:03:39,805
These kids, this is what this is.

1188
01:03:40,115 --> 01:03:42,685
This is their authentic connection.

1189
01:03:42,915 --> 01:03:44,445
It's built into

1190
01:03:45,795 --> 01:03:47,965
what school is supposed to be about.

1191
01:03:48,665 --> 01:03:51,045
We are so fortunate at the club

1192
01:03:51,195 --> 01:03:53,805
that we have become the go-to place

1193
01:03:53,945 --> 01:03:55,725
for Spalding class reunions.

1194
01:03:56,465 --> 01:04:00,565
We just had the class of 91 in this weekend, heritage Fest.

1195
01:04:01,105 --> 01:04:05,245
We had the class of 56. Like they're old, right?

1196
01:04:05,825 --> 01:04:09,045
But all of them talked about their sports

1197
01:04:09,385 --> 01:04:11,205
and there are times with friends

1198
01:04:11,425 --> 01:04:14,845
and the clubs that they were in, we have old yearbooks

1199
01:04:14,845 --> 01:04:16,445
that have been donated to the club.

1200
01:04:16,855 --> 01:04:20,925
Everything highlights these joint experiences

1201
01:04:21,555 --> 01:04:24,845
that students have while they are here in school.

1202
01:04:25,035 --> 01:04:26,205
It's invaluable, right?

1203
01:04:26,275 --> 01:04:30,365
It's also a huge part of just growing up to be a normal,

1204
01:04:30,555 --> 01:04:31,685
well adjusted adult.

1205
01:04:32,265 --> 01:04:36,285
So put that like heartfelt piece to the side.

1206
01:04:36,865 --> 01:04:41,685
And then let's talk about a functioning community

1207
01:04:42,355 --> 01:04:44,885
from like an economics standpoint, right?

1208
01:04:44,955 --> 01:04:49,765
I've been doing a lot of research in preparation for us

1209
01:04:50,435 --> 01:04:53,325
overhauling the municipal plan for Barry.

1210
01:04:53,665 --> 01:04:57,805
For those of you who don't know, it's essentially how we try

1211
01:04:57,805 --> 01:04:59,405
to forecast what we want

1212
01:04:59,425 --> 01:05:02,245
to see in the community in the next six years.

1213
01:05:02,995 --> 01:05:06,445
Last time it was updated was kind of a copy paste in COVID.

1214
01:05:06,765 --> 01:05:08,485
I like your sweatshirt. Yeah.

1215
01:05:09,665 --> 01:05:12,245
And so really it hasn't been touched since 2012.

1216
01:05:13,435 --> 01:05:16,445
What is important for you all to know is that

1217
01:05:18,135 --> 01:05:22,165
wages and employer wages in Barry are rising.

1218
01:05:22,975 --> 01:05:26,485
There is a true increase in income.

1219
01:05:27,075 --> 01:05:28,125
Take out inflation.

1220
01:05:29,515 --> 01:05:33,025
Barry employers are still paying 16% higher than they

1221
01:05:33,025 --> 01:05:34,545
were six years ago.

1222
01:05:34,725 --> 01:05:37,025
That's real net wage increase.

1223
01:05:37,645 --> 01:05:40,785
12% of Barry's housing stock has sold

1224
01:05:41,285 --> 01:05:44,825
to primary residence owners in the last six years.

1225
01:05:45,325 --> 01:05:48,545
That's massive. That's 12% of 4,000 housing units.

1226
01:05:49,245 --> 01:05:52,425
That's not people putting things into a living trust.

1227
01:05:52,895 --> 01:05:56,385
That is not people signing homes

1228
01:05:56,535 --> 01:05:58,145
over to their children.

1229
01:05:58,355 --> 01:06:00,985
Those are people living in Berry City.

1230
01:06:01,695 --> 01:06:04,545
However, our population is declining.

1231
01:06:05,725 --> 01:06:07,305
All of these good things are happening,

1232
01:06:08,125 --> 01:06:09,945
but our population is dwindling.

1233
01:06:11,455 --> 01:06:15,785
What does that mean? It means you have smaller households

1234
01:06:16,245 --> 01:06:18,985
and a lot of households that do not have children.

1235
01:06:20,005 --> 01:06:24,065
And it is because they don't feel confident

1236
01:06:24,685 --> 01:06:25,705
in the school system.

1237
01:06:26,485 --> 01:06:29,265
If you don't have more residents,

1238
01:06:29,925 --> 01:06:31,905
you don't have more people

1239
01:06:32,565 --> 01:06:36,265
to share a tax load, right?

1240
01:06:36,685 --> 01:06:39,185
Or like economics 1 0 1 here,

1241
01:06:40,005 --> 01:06:44,705
if you don't make the schools an appealing place to be

1242
01:06:45,665 --> 01:06:48,905
speaking to everybody who voted no to the budget,

1243
01:06:51,605 --> 01:06:56,425
we will not attract new residents who will contribute

1244
01:06:56,725 --> 01:06:59,145
to our tax burden, who will want

1245
01:06:59,165 --> 01:07:02,025
to participate in other community activities

1246
01:07:02,485 --> 01:07:04,985
or even people who will play with your kids

1247
01:07:05,335 --> 01:07:07,105
because there will be kids.

1248
01:07:09,545 --> 01:07:11,725
So take both of those two things away, right?

1249
01:07:12,195 --> 01:07:15,965
There's like this whole social part that like we

1250
01:07:16,065 --> 01:07:18,845
as adults are still trying to find

1251
01:07:18,985 --> 01:07:22,165
and kind of harness these shared connections

1252
01:07:22,275 --> 01:07:24,685
that we had when we were in school.

1253
01:07:24,825 --> 01:07:26,325
It was like a gift to us, right?

1254
01:07:26,395 --> 01:07:28,045
That you found your friend group

1255
01:07:30,385 --> 01:07:33,925
and then take the economic side of it away. Thank

1256
01:07:33,925 --> 01:07:34,925
You.

1257
01:07:47,075 --> 01:07:47,765
Good evening.

1258
01:07:51,225 --> 01:07:52,285
I'm Joelle Mulvaney.

1259
01:07:52,285 --> 01:07:53,285
I live on Pleasant Street.

1260
01:07:53,845 --> 01:07:55,725
I wanna talk about the connection

1261
01:07:55,725 --> 01:07:57,245
between education and democracy.

1262
01:07:59,645 --> 01:08:02,425
The quality of mental process, not the production

1263
01:08:02,425 --> 01:08:06,465
of correct answers is the measure of educative growth.

1264
01:08:07,925 --> 01:08:10,425
The source of whatever is dead, mechanical,

1265
01:08:11,045 --> 01:08:14,585
and formal in schools is found precisely in the

1266
01:08:14,805 --> 01:08:15,965
subordination of the life

1267
01:08:16,145 --> 01:08:19,205
and experience of the child to the curriculum.

1268
01:08:21,185 --> 01:08:22,735
Everything which bars freedom

1269
01:08:22,835 --> 01:08:25,655
and fullness of communication sets up barriers

1270
01:08:25,765 --> 01:08:28,055
that divide human beings into sets

1271
01:08:28,235 --> 01:08:32,095
and clicks into antagonistic sex and factions,

1272
01:08:32,515 --> 01:08:35,815
and thereby undermines the demo, the Democratic way of life.

1273
01:08:37,515 --> 01:08:40,735
The devotion of democracy to education is a familiar fact.

1274
01:08:41,995 --> 01:08:44,175
The superficial explanation is

1275
01:08:44,175 --> 01:08:47,055
that a government resting upon pub, public suffrage,

1276
01:08:47,055 --> 01:08:51,735
popular suffrage cannot be successful unless those who elect

1277
01:08:52,515 --> 01:08:55,055
and who obey their governors are educated.

1278
01:08:56,705 --> 01:08:59,895
Since a democratic society repudiates the principle

1279
01:09:00,035 --> 01:09:01,295
of external authority,

1280
01:09:02,315 --> 01:09:04,815
it must bind a substitute involuntary

1281
01:09:04,925 --> 01:09:06,535
disposition and interest.

1282
01:09:07,105 --> 01:09:10,615
These can be created only by education

1283
01:09:12,975 --> 01:09:15,935
doctrine that eliminates or even obscures the function

1284
01:09:15,935 --> 01:09:19,295
of choice of values and enlistment of desires

1285
01:09:19,295 --> 01:09:22,055
and emotions in behalf of those chosen

1286
01:09:23,125 --> 01:09:26,615
weakens personal responsibility for judgment and for action.

1287
01:09:28,805 --> 01:09:31,385
It thus helps create the attitudes that welcome

1288
01:09:31,565 --> 01:09:34,465
and support the totalitarian state.

1289
01:09:36,435 --> 01:09:39,575
The aim of education is to enable individuals

1290
01:09:39,795 --> 01:09:41,215
to continue their education.

1291
01:09:41,915 --> 01:09:43,615
And the object and reward of learning

1292
01:09:44,195 --> 01:09:46,375
is continued capacity for growth.

1293
01:09:48,145 --> 01:09:50,645
Now this idea cannot be applied to all the members

1294
01:09:50,705 --> 01:09:55,005
of a society except where discourse between people is mutual

1295
01:09:55,985 --> 01:09:58,605
and except where there is adequate provision

1296
01:09:58,745 --> 01:10:01,085
for the reconstruction of social habits

1297
01:10:01,545 --> 01:10:06,445
and institutions by means of wide stimulation arising from

1298
01:10:07,115 --> 01:10:09,205
equitably distributed interests.

1299
01:10:09,745 --> 01:10:12,485
And this means a democratic society.

1300
01:10:13,955 --> 01:10:16,205
Democracy has to be born anew.

1301
01:10:16,335 --> 01:10:20,085
Every generation and education is the midwife.

1302
01:10:21,745 --> 01:10:24,365
Now you might think I'm smart. These are not my words.

1303
01:10:25,215 --> 01:10:28,285
These are the words of John Dewey, a very famous

1304
01:10:28,835 --> 01:10:30,325
Vermont and educator.

1305
01:10:31,515 --> 01:10:33,325
He's the person who brought us the modern

1306
01:10:33,325 --> 01:10:34,725
education that we see today.

1307
01:10:36,815 --> 01:10:39,285
There are people in our country who do not understand

1308
01:10:39,905 --> 01:10:42,005
the value of education to democracy.

1309
01:10:43,035 --> 01:10:44,885
Some of them might even be in this room.

1310
01:10:45,285 --> 01:10:47,165
I know some of them is are in our community

1311
01:10:47,165 --> 01:10:48,885
because they voted against the school budget.

1312
01:10:54,245 --> 01:10:55,405
I just wanna say

1313
01:10:55,835 --> 01:10:59,085
that I appreciate the young people here today especially,

1314
01:11:00,295 --> 01:11:01,315
and the adults as well.

1315
01:11:02,295 --> 01:11:05,155
And I just hope that your reason for being here is

1316
01:11:05,155 --> 01:11:08,795
because you care about your freedoms and your democracy.

1317
01:11:09,615 --> 01:11:13,155
And the only way you can truly care about your democracy

1318
01:11:13,505 --> 01:11:16,405
and your freedoms is to be educated.

1319
01:11:17,495 --> 01:11:19,645
Don't stop here. This is only high school.

1320
01:11:20,115 --> 01:11:21,565
This is only elementary school.

1321
01:11:22,075 --> 01:11:24,165
There's much more education in your future

1322
01:11:24,265 --> 01:11:27,885
and in our future as old as I am, I'm learning every day.

1323
01:11:27,985 --> 01:11:30,925
And don't believe that we don't learn from you.

1324
01:11:32,225 --> 01:11:35,645
You are our teachers too and we are your guides.

1325
01:11:36,695 --> 01:11:37,845
Don't listen to those people

1326
01:11:37,905 --> 01:11:39,765
who vote against your best interests.

1327
01:11:40,545 --> 01:11:42,565
Listen to those of us who care about you

1328
01:11:43,305 --> 01:11:46,365
and who vote for your school budget every time

1329
01:11:47,145 --> 01:11:48,645
and not just these little ones.

1330
01:11:58,845 --> 01:12:00,845
Chairman, are we, are we doing some order

1331
01:12:01,025 --> 01:12:03,005
or are stepping forward?

1332
01:12:03,025 --> 01:12:04,805
You're at ex. Come on forward. Okay, thank you.

1333
01:12:06,625 --> 01:12:10,165
My name is Tom Koch. I'm a resident of the town of Barry.

1334
01:12:11,645 --> 01:12:14,785
And I have some words that the board probably does not want

1335
01:12:14,785 --> 01:12:19,705
to hear because budget has been de defeated

1336
01:12:19,715 --> 01:12:20,745
three times now.

1337
01:12:21,945 --> 01:12:23,865
I think not because the people

1338
01:12:23,885 --> 01:12:26,665
who voted no knew the details of the budget.

1339
01:12:28,545 --> 01:12:32,345
I certainly didn't. I think

1340
01:12:34,775 --> 01:12:37,785
Certainly the tax burden is a, is a big factor.

1341
01:12:39,285 --> 01:12:44,065
And I think a bigger factor is in, in my judgment,

1342
01:12:44,285 --> 01:12:45,625
in talking to other people.

1343
01:12:46,705 --> 01:12:50,025
I believe a large segment of the voting community

1344
01:12:50,885 --> 01:12:52,985
has lost confidence in this board.

1345
01:12:54,435 --> 01:12:58,215
And I believe that if the board puts together another budget

1346
01:12:58,875 --> 01:12:59,975
and puts it out to the people

1347
01:13:00,405 --> 01:13:04,445
because the board did it, the vote,

1348
01:13:04,705 --> 01:13:08,725
the budget will almost be automatically voted

1349
01:13:08,795 --> 01:13:10,165
down a fourth time.

1350
01:13:11,265 --> 01:13:15,085
So I have a proposal that I hope will will be useful

1351
01:13:16,545 --> 01:13:20,245
and that is that the board create a special committee

1352
01:13:21,145 --> 01:13:24,765
to develop a new proposal for a fourth vote.

1353
01:13:26,365 --> 01:13:31,205
I would suggest six members, three members of the board,

1354
01:13:32,815 --> 01:13:37,765
three members from the community, equally divided

1355
01:13:37,765 --> 01:13:40,005
between those who have supported the past,

1356
01:13:40,185 --> 01:13:43,285
the past three budgets, and those who have opposed

1357
01:13:45,425 --> 01:13:50,195
and attempted to say lock 'em in a room

1358
01:13:50,215 --> 01:13:52,795
and tell 'em that they can't have anything to eat

1359
01:13:52,795 --> 01:13:54,515
or drink until they come out with a budget.

1360
01:13:54,695 --> 01:13:58,955
But their mission would be

1361
01:13:59,575 --> 01:14:04,035
to develop a new budget with six signatures

1362
01:14:05,225 --> 01:14:07,675
approving it and agreeing to support it

1363
01:14:11,665 --> 01:14:16,405
And to bring that back to the, to the board for submission

1364
01:14:16,465 --> 01:14:18,485
to the to the community.

1365
01:14:19,315 --> 01:14:23,165
Without this representation of people

1366
01:14:23,305 --> 01:14:25,485
who have been known to oppose the,

1367
01:14:28,025 --> 01:14:31,405
the budget in the past, people from the community

1368
01:14:33,385 --> 01:14:36,005
off the board along with board members,

1369
01:14:37,205 --> 01:14:40,725
I think we are probably gonna be back here again in another

1370
01:14:40,735 --> 01:14:43,765
three months having the same conversation.

1371
01:14:44,665 --> 01:14:46,525
And that would be very unfortunate.

1372
01:14:47,205 --> 01:14:52,005
I realize that the opportunities to cut are not

1373
01:14:52,105 --> 01:14:57,005
as great as they are as they were some months ago.

1374
01:14:59,985 --> 01:15:04,205
But I think if you appoint the right people who

1375
01:15:04,825 --> 01:15:08,685
really know the budget, the budget and the figures

1376
01:15:10,265 --> 01:15:12,645
and can and can deal with it in detail,

1377
01:15:14,645 --> 01:15:15,845
I think you'll have a result

1378
01:15:16,675 --> 01:15:18,845
that will be acceptable to the community.

1379
01:15:19,885 --> 01:15:22,645
Although probably everybody will hate the budget,

1380
01:15:23,345 --> 01:15:26,205
but at least they'll pass it. Thank

1381
01:15:26,205 --> 01:15:27,205
You.

1382
01:15:37,925 --> 01:15:39,485
Good evening. My name is Dan Morrison.

1383
01:15:39,585 --> 01:15:42,165
I'm a parent taxpayer in Barry Town and educational leader.

1384
01:15:42,565 --> 01:15:45,085
I wanna start with something I heard tonight from our

1385
01:15:45,325 --> 01:15:47,965
students because I think it's easy for us as adults

1386
01:15:47,965 --> 01:15:50,565
to lose sight of when we're, what we're,

1387
01:15:50,635 --> 01:15:53,285
when we're talking about budgets, taxes, and numbers.

1388
01:15:53,705 --> 01:15:56,085
Our students keep coming back to one core value

1389
01:15:56,085 --> 01:15:57,205
and word belonging.

1390
01:15:57,745 --> 01:16:00,195
They're telling us that schools more than a building

1391
01:16:00,195 --> 01:16:01,675
where they receive instruction.

1392
01:16:02,305 --> 01:16:03,875
It's where they find their people, it's

1393
01:16:03,875 --> 01:16:06,155
where they play sports, participate in activities,

1394
01:16:06,725 --> 01:16:08,275
build relationships with adults,

1395
01:16:08,675 --> 01:16:09,795
discover something they're good at,

1396
01:16:09,895 --> 01:16:11,715
and feel like they matter to a community.

1397
01:16:12,415 --> 01:16:14,915
And I understand that people have legitimate concerns about

1398
01:16:14,915 --> 01:16:16,595
taxes and about the cost of government.

1399
01:16:16,885 --> 01:16:18,715
Those concerns deserve to be hurt.

1400
01:16:19,475 --> 01:16:21,075
A school board has a responsibility

1401
01:16:21,075 --> 01:16:22,595
to be careful with every dollar.

1402
01:16:23,255 --> 01:16:25,235
But I also think we have to be honest about

1403
01:16:25,235 --> 01:16:27,355
what happens when budgets repeatedly fail.

1404
01:16:28,005 --> 01:16:30,675
Eventually. We aren't just talking about spreadsheets,

1405
01:16:31,095 --> 01:16:33,635
we are talking about choices that affect the experiences

1406
01:16:33,655 --> 01:16:34,675
of students have.

1407
01:16:34,675 --> 01:16:38,395
Transportation, athletics, extracurriculars, programs,

1408
01:16:38,395 --> 01:16:41,435
and the opportunities to help young people feel connected

1409
01:16:41,435 --> 01:16:42,635
to their school and their community.

1410
01:16:43,165 --> 01:16:45,075
Right now, our students are doing something

1411
01:16:45,075 --> 01:16:46,395
pretty remarkable for us.

1412
01:16:46,905 --> 01:16:48,715
They're telling us what they value.

1413
01:16:49,655 --> 01:16:52,275
So as we continue this conversation, I hope we can listen

1414
01:16:52,295 --> 01:16:54,555
to them just as seriously as we listen to the numbers.

1415
01:16:55,575 --> 01:16:57,715
And I hope we can have a bigger conversation,

1416
01:16:57,855 --> 01:17:00,315
not simply about whether we are willing to spend more

1417
01:17:00,735 --> 01:17:03,755
or spend less, but about how we build a funding system.

1418
01:17:03,855 --> 01:17:06,515
The communities can actually understand, trust and sustain

1419
01:17:06,785 --> 01:17:09,565
because students shouldn't have to understand the politics

1420
01:17:09,865 --> 01:17:12,285
of, of a school budget to know they belong here.

1421
01:17:12,765 --> 01:17:15,605
I hope they feel the end of this process. They still belong.

1422
01:17:16,225 --> 01:17:18,205
That's our job as adults. Thank you.

1423
01:17:29,055 --> 01:17:30,075
My name's Chandler Phillips.

1424
01:17:31,035 --> 01:17:32,595
I was a kid at Berry Town School.

1425
01:17:33,155 --> 01:17:34,835
I graduated from Spalding High School

1426
01:17:35,215 --> 01:17:38,435
and I've worked at Berry Town School since the year I

1427
01:17:38,435 --> 01:17:39,715
graduated the last 10 years.

1428
01:17:41,135 --> 01:17:43,395
I'm a coach for the baseball team, an assistant coach

1429
01:17:43,535 --> 01:17:44,635
for the soccer team.

1430
01:17:45,855 --> 01:17:50,475
And I like, I got my job 10 years ago working

1431
01:17:50,475 --> 01:17:55,315
with kids because half of my family went down the wrong road

1432
01:17:55,815 --> 01:17:58,275
of substance abuse and things like that.

1433
01:17:58,455 --> 01:17:59,955
And some of them are in prison.

1434
01:18:00,545 --> 01:18:04,235
Some of them are no longer here to share their stories.

1435
01:18:04,535 --> 01:18:08,515
But I got a job working with kids with behavior issues

1436
01:18:08,515 --> 01:18:11,635
because some of these kids in our community

1437
01:18:12,765 --> 01:18:14,355
don't have a happy place at home.

1438
01:18:14,895 --> 01:18:17,155
And these clubs provide a happy place

1439
01:18:17,175 --> 01:18:19,555
for those kids to go and be happy.

1440
01:18:20,785 --> 01:18:22,395
Some of them don't even want to return home.

1441
01:18:22,395 --> 01:18:24,115
They would rather just stay with the team.

1442
01:18:26,175 --> 01:18:30,195
Taking like from an outside, like out of state,

1443
01:18:30,195 --> 01:18:31,515
people know about Berry City.

1444
01:18:31,545 --> 01:18:32,835
Even if you don't live in Vermont,

1445
01:18:33,145 --> 01:18:34,835
like it's a, it's a scary place.

1446
01:18:35,025 --> 01:18:39,085
It's not. So if you take these programs away from these

1447
01:18:39,085 --> 01:18:42,005
kids, it's it, it gives them an easier way

1448
01:18:42,025 --> 01:18:43,805
to go down these bad roads.

1449
01:18:44,625 --> 01:18:48,805
And I started working here nine years ago

1450
01:18:48,985 --> 01:18:51,805
or 10 years ago at $12 and 50 cents an hour.

1451
01:18:52,025 --> 01:18:53,085
So it's not a lot of money.

1452
01:18:54,245 --> 01:18:57,885
I still work here for not a lot of money to be a happy place

1453
01:18:58,185 --> 01:18:59,565
for kids in this environment.

1454
01:18:59,925 --> 01:19:01,605
I was a three sport athlete

1455
01:19:02,345 --> 01:19:06,335
and almost 10% of my class

1456
01:19:06,795 --> 01:19:11,335
or even more than that, they're either in prison or didn't.

1457
01:19:11,675 --> 01:19:13,095
And we had sports in clubs.

1458
01:19:14,315 --> 01:19:15,775
And I want to touch on one of the things one

1459
01:19:15,775 --> 01:19:19,495
of the students said, just imagine a high school

1460
01:19:20,245 --> 01:19:22,935
with no club, no sport.

1461
01:19:23,125 --> 01:19:24,695
Just think about that for a few seconds.

1462
01:19:26,435 --> 01:19:30,215
It would be like a prison, but they actually get an hour

1463
01:19:30,215 --> 01:19:31,695
or so in prison to go play sports.

1464
01:19:32,355 --> 01:19:35,935
It would be worse than prison. So think about that.

1465
01:19:36,515 --> 01:19:37,255
That's all I got.

1466
01:19:52,425 --> 01:19:53,835
I've been standing back here

1467
01:19:53,835 --> 01:19:55,835
with Dean Preston Marytown tax payer.

1468
01:19:56,945 --> 01:20:01,075
I've been standing up back for a little over, oh,

1469
01:20:01,665 --> 01:20:03,715
listening to all of these kids come in.

1470
01:20:04,185 --> 01:20:06,955
They were all pretty much saying the same thing about

1471
01:20:07,305 --> 01:20:08,605
how much sports mean to them.

1472
01:20:09,305 --> 01:20:11,805
And it has for anybody that's gone to school

1473
01:20:11,905 --> 01:20:13,285
for the last hundred years

1474
01:20:13,945 --> 01:20:17,285
or more, it's a good outlet for them to release stress

1475
01:20:17,825 --> 01:20:19,845
and they show unity.

1476
01:20:19,955 --> 01:20:24,645
They show teamwork and how to work together as one something

1477
01:20:24,645 --> 01:20:26,485
that is not in team.

1478
01:20:27,785 --> 01:20:29,165
And so I don't get it

1479
01:20:30,165 --> 01:20:33,125
whenever the berry town votes no on a budget

1480
01:20:33,125 --> 01:20:35,485
because they want the school board to be accountable

1481
01:20:35,505 --> 01:20:37,565
for their expenses, which they seem

1482
01:20:37,565 --> 01:20:39,525
to have a hard time doing that.

1483
01:20:40,035 --> 01:20:42,245
They put all these signs up before the poll.

1484
01:20:43,025 --> 01:20:45,885
We love our students. We need our students.

1485
01:20:46,345 --> 01:20:48,885
So why is that When the budget don't pass,

1486
01:20:49,345 --> 01:20:51,205
you target them with sports.

1487
01:20:51,865 --> 01:20:53,565
You put the fear of God into them

1488
01:20:54,025 --> 01:20:56,805
by taking sports away from them to get what you want.

1489
01:20:57,625 --> 01:21:00,165
To me, that is ridiculous that

1490
01:21:01,555 --> 01:21:04,565
they deserve sports from the time

1491
01:21:04,565 --> 01:21:06,525
that they can walk until they can't.

1492
01:21:07,105 --> 01:21:09,485
And to take it away from 'em. I don't get it.

1493
01:21:09,825 --> 01:21:12,485
Why you target them, why not go back

1494
01:21:12,585 --> 01:21:14,445
and dig up your own paperwork?

1495
01:21:14,945 --> 01:21:16,525
See where your expenses are,

1496
01:21:16,535 --> 01:21:17,845
where you're throwing money away

1497
01:21:18,145 --> 01:21:20,125
and where you need to conserve money

1498
01:21:20,425 --> 01:21:21,725
and spend it where it's needed

1499
01:21:22,185 --> 01:21:23,605
and take the pressure off them.

1500
01:21:23,795 --> 01:21:25,605
They're right. They don't have to know

1501
01:21:26,095 --> 01:21:27,845
where you are spending your money

1502
01:21:28,195 --> 01:21:30,525
that their parents are trying to put forth for them

1503
01:21:30,985 --> 01:21:33,725
to keep them in school and keep this school afloat.

1504
01:21:34,475 --> 01:21:37,725
That they need to get an education, which seems

1505
01:21:37,725 --> 01:21:39,725
to be a struggle in the school system.

1506
01:21:40,405 --> 01:21:42,285
A lot of people that want their kids

1507
01:21:42,505 --> 01:21:45,045
to get an education are going to private schools.

1508
01:21:45,395 --> 01:21:48,565
They're not going to public schools now. And why is that?

1509
01:21:49,735 --> 01:21:53,195
Why is the school population diminishing yearly?

1510
01:21:54,055 --> 01:21:55,555
Why isn't it you're not bringing

1511
01:21:55,575 --> 01:21:56,835
the students into the school?

1512
01:21:58,485 --> 01:21:59,555
Those are questions

1513
01:21:59,585 --> 01:22:02,395
that I think the taxpayers deserve an answer for.

1514
01:22:03,095 --> 01:22:04,515
And why do you keep seeing

1515
01:22:04,535 --> 01:22:08,395
for sale signs along the roadside all the time?

1516
01:22:08,745 --> 01:22:10,075
More and more of 'em popping up.

1517
01:22:10,175 --> 01:22:11,595
People are leaving the area

1518
01:22:12,115 --> 01:22:13,515
'cause they cannot afford to pay the taxes

1519
01:22:13,895 --> 01:22:15,275
to keep these kids in school.

1520
01:22:15,855 --> 01:22:18,235
People on the fixed budget are trying

1521
01:22:18,235 --> 01:22:20,515
to decide whether they're gonna put fuel in your tank,

1522
01:22:20,785 --> 01:22:24,275
food on your table, pay for medical bills or transportation.

1523
01:22:24,855 --> 01:22:26,395
And they just can't do it.

1524
01:22:26,975 --> 01:22:28,835
And that's putting too much pressure on these

1525
01:22:28,835 --> 01:22:30,915
kids and their parents.

1526
01:22:31,575 --> 01:22:33,035
So thank you.

1527
01:22:47,775 --> 01:22:48,875
All right. Good evening.

1528
01:22:49,095 --> 01:22:52,635
Before I introduce myself, I wanna congratulate everyone

1529
01:22:52,635 --> 01:22:53,995
of you students for coming in

1530
01:22:54,015 --> 01:22:56,515
and being brave enough to talk to all these people

1531
01:22:57,135 --> 01:22:58,515
and my and and me.

1532
01:22:59,455 --> 01:23:00,635
My name is Jim Breer.

1533
01:23:01,815 --> 01:23:04,795
I'm the one that unfortunately had been accused of,

1534
01:23:05,545 --> 01:23:09,135
of misinformation by several people on the board.

1535
01:23:10,595 --> 01:23:13,295
And I agree with a gentleman that just sat down here.

1536
01:23:14,345 --> 01:23:16,055
These kids shouldn't have to worry about

1537
01:23:16,425 --> 01:23:18,415
where they're gonna, where the money's gonna come from.

1538
01:23:19,025 --> 01:23:20,455
We're missing $3 million.

1539
01:23:22,015 --> 01:23:23,475
I'd like to know where that went to.

1540
01:23:25,015 --> 01:23:26,955
I'm told that it went into the general fund

1541
01:23:27,695 --> 01:23:31,995
and then used to buy computers and stuff after the pandemic.

1542
01:23:34,035 --> 01:23:37,415
So if you've got $3 million, let's take some of that

1543
01:23:37,415 --> 01:23:38,895
and put that into this year's budget

1544
01:23:39,155 --> 01:23:41,135
so these kids can play sports.

1545
01:23:42,875 --> 01:23:46,175
That's where I feel this is, this board needs

1546
01:23:46,175 --> 01:23:49,375
to go back like he, this last gentleman said,

1547
01:23:49,675 --> 01:23:51,255
and find a place for that money.

1548
01:23:52,905 --> 01:23:57,365
If it means that you gotta fire the principal, let's get rid

1549
01:23:57,365 --> 01:23:58,885
of some administration.

1550
01:23:59,355 --> 01:24:02,325
Crap. You know, these kids don't need a principal.

1551
01:24:05,765 --> 01:24:10,285
I mean, if you want to, if you want to spank them, you know,

1552
01:24:10,955 --> 01:24:11,965
take them, take them.

1553
01:24:12,105 --> 01:24:14,645
That's, that's out order. That's enough outta order.

1554
01:24:15,495 --> 01:24:18,445
Thank you. How, how, how is it that is out order.

1555
01:24:18,445 --> 01:24:20,285
What did I say that was so out order

1556
01:24:20,305 --> 01:24:21,765
to you hitting children.

1557
01:24:23,915 --> 01:24:28,085
Yeah. Well that was just a

1558
01:24:28,605 --> 01:24:31,045
a a a phrase.

1559
01:24:31,045 --> 01:24:34,485
Thank you. Has nothing to do with that, but yeah.

1560
01:24:35,555 --> 01:24:37,085
Well I had a lot of things

1561
01:24:37,085 --> 01:24:39,325
that were much more inappropriate than that.

1562
01:24:39,465 --> 01:24:42,605
Say Sure. The the superintendent like to have a point

1563
01:24:42,605 --> 01:24:43,605
Of clarity.

1564
01:24:43,605 --> 01:24:45,045
Yeah. I'd just like to add one point of clarity.

1565
01:24:46,345 --> 01:24:51,185
So we're, we're having kind of two parallel conversations

1566
01:24:51,325 --> 01:24:54,665
and I think this is important for everyone in the room just

1567
01:24:54,665 --> 01:24:55,705
to be aware of.

1568
01:24:56,615 --> 01:24:57,785
There's the fact

1569
01:24:57,855 --> 01:25:00,705
that the school district when there is not a,

1570
01:25:00,885 --> 01:25:03,865
an approved budget is only allowed

1571
01:25:03,865 --> 01:25:05,905
to have basically cash on hand.

1572
01:25:05,925 --> 01:25:09,705
87% of last year's operating budget.

1573
01:25:09,845 --> 01:25:12,345
So the school year that ended in June, right?

1574
01:25:12,885 --> 01:25:16,945
The conversation about some of these reductions

1575
01:25:17,675 --> 01:25:22,225
activities, sports, transportation, staffing, all

1576
01:25:22,225 --> 01:25:25,865
of those things have to do with the fact

1577
01:25:25,895 --> 01:25:29,785
that right now we're allowed to have 87%

1578
01:25:29,805 --> 01:25:30,945
of our cash on hand.

1579
01:25:31,245 --> 01:25:34,985
That's $8 million less than the budget

1580
01:25:34,985 --> 01:25:37,025
that folks voted on last week.

1581
01:25:39,825 --> 01:25:42,815
Athletics and transportation

1582
01:25:44,195 --> 01:25:48,415
and clubs don't even

1583
01:25:48,415 --> 01:25:49,695
equal $2 million.

1584
01:25:50,265 --> 01:25:52,535
There would still be $6 million more

1585
01:25:53,165 --> 01:25:54,735
that we would need to look for.

1586
01:25:55,595 --> 01:25:58,255
So I just want that point to be clear

1587
01:25:58,685 --> 01:26:01,655
what the board makes the decision on in terms of

1588
01:26:02,855 --> 01:26:05,365
adopting a budget to send to the voters for budget.

1589
01:26:05,555 --> 01:26:08,685
Four is an important conversation, right?

1590
01:26:08,705 --> 01:26:09,845
But there's, there's kind

1591
01:26:09,845 --> 01:26:12,565
of two conversations happening here at the same time.

1592
01:26:13,105 --> 01:26:16,285
So I just wanted particularly the students to understand

1593
01:26:16,915 --> 01:26:19,005
that part of it, like the board may not be,

1594
01:26:19,565 --> 01:26:20,925
they haven't had the conversation yet

1595
01:26:20,945 --> 01:26:23,005
but may not be having the conversation

1596
01:26:23,655 --> 01:26:25,885
about taking those things out of the budget.

1597
01:26:26,625 --> 01:26:28,725
But because we don't have an approved budget

1598
01:26:28,865 --> 01:26:31,285
and we have to operate on $8 million less,

1599
01:26:31,775 --> 01:26:33,565
there may be temporary reductions

1600
01:26:33,565 --> 01:26:34,605
that they have to talk about.

1601
01:26:34,705 --> 01:26:36,725
So I just wanted to make sure that was clear for folks.

1602
01:26:37,625 --> 01:26:42,285
The superintendent Ley Paul? Yes. My name is Paul Malone.

1603
01:26:43,045 --> 01:26:45,085
I just wanna address some of the commentary

1604
01:26:45,085 --> 01:26:46,245
that came out recently.

1605
01:26:47,505 --> 01:26:50,245
One dealing with accusations

1606
01:26:50,345 --> 01:26:53,405
and statements made to prior board members,

1607
01:26:54,855 --> 01:26:57,605
prior officials of the town of Barry

1608
01:26:58,265 --> 01:27:00,605
and also particularly in the representation

1609
01:27:00,745 --> 01:27:02,605
of Barry Town being the bad people.

1610
01:27:04,135 --> 01:27:08,285
First of all, the commentary

1611
01:27:08,515 --> 01:27:12,245
that had been put out there deals with a lot of people

1612
01:27:12,245 --> 01:27:14,605
who have been in the leadership roles in Barry town.

1613
01:27:15,115 --> 01:27:17,165
They've served this community for decades.

1614
01:27:17,925 --> 01:27:22,545
I know I have served my community for almost four decades

1615
01:27:23,165 --> 01:27:26,145
longer than the chair is alive to this day.

1616
01:27:27,465 --> 01:27:30,425
I know that the facts have been put out there

1617
01:27:30,425 --> 01:27:33,865
that Barry Town voters really

1618
01:27:34,855 --> 01:27:37,105
were controlled into voting.

1619
01:27:37,325 --> 01:27:41,025
No, first of all, I don't do Facebook. I never have.

1620
01:27:41,725 --> 01:27:43,905
The best I might have is maybe a posts

1621
01:27:43,905 --> 01:27:48,465
that I might put out on front Porch Forum posts the chair's,

1622
01:27:48,465 --> 01:27:50,825
posts that went out, never made it to even bury towns

1623
01:27:51,395 --> 01:27:53,625
front porch forum vote made in the city.

1624
01:27:54,185 --> 01:27:57,825
I find that kind of separating two different populations

1625
01:27:58,685 --> 01:28:02,585
if you're trying to bring those who voted no into the cadre.

1626
01:28:02,585 --> 01:28:04,585
If you're trying to convince people

1627
01:28:04,685 --> 01:28:06,745
who have served their own community for a lot of years

1628
01:28:07,135 --> 01:28:10,145
that you're on a right track, you need to convince them

1629
01:28:10,165 --> 01:28:12,225
but you certainly don't need to insult them.

1630
01:28:12,225 --> 01:28:15,465
Done. I am concerned from things

1631
01:28:15,465 --> 01:28:17,345
that I've read in audit reports

1632
01:28:17,685 --> 01:28:19,065
and you know it's interesting.

1633
01:28:19,435 --> 01:28:22,425
We've been told that we've been putting out misinformation.

1634
01:28:22,545 --> 01:28:25,385
I know I haven't because I've always prided myself in using

1635
01:28:25,845 --> 01:28:28,025
the data that is available from the district

1636
01:28:28,285 --> 01:28:29,465
in this particular matter.

1637
01:28:30,725 --> 01:28:33,785
Here's an example of that. I'm gonna be very brief.

1638
01:28:35,405 --> 01:28:39,585
The largest over expenditure category operation

1639
01:28:39,685 --> 01:28:43,865
and maintenance of the buildings was 315,220.

1640
01:28:44,295 --> 01:28:46,025
This was in the year 2223.

1641
01:28:46,885 --> 01:28:50,305
The largest under expenditure category was in direct

1642
01:28:50,305 --> 01:28:52,585
instruction of 600.

1643
01:28:53,055 --> 01:28:55,745
Take that back. $846,000

1644
01:28:57,885 --> 01:29:01,485
in 2324 they o,

1645
01:29:01,825 --> 01:29:05,405
the largest over expenditure category was an administrative

1646
01:29:05,415 --> 01:29:09,125
technology 247,000 operation of building

1647
01:29:09,125 --> 01:29:11,125
and maintenance for 218,000.

1648
01:29:11,865 --> 01:29:14,805
The largest under expenditure category was in behavior

1649
01:29:15,525 --> 01:29:20,415
services of 157,800 in the following

1650
01:29:20,415 --> 01:29:21,655
year, 24 25.

1651
01:29:22,115 --> 01:29:25,415
The largest over expenditure category was operations

1652
01:29:25,435 --> 01:29:28,815
of billing maintenance, which was $445,000.

1653
01:29:29,875 --> 01:29:34,055
And the board of education, which was 433,000, the largest

1654
01:29:34,705 --> 01:29:37,655
under expenditure for that year was direct instruction

1655
01:29:38,075 --> 01:29:40,775
for 479,662

1656
01:29:41,515 --> 01:29:45,975
and behavior assigned services rather, which was 370,000,

1657
01:29:45,975 --> 01:29:49,055
almost $800,000 less spent on kids

1658
01:29:49,315 --> 01:29:51,535
but more spent on buildings and other things.

1659
01:29:52,315 --> 01:29:55,335
So when we say that you thirdly gone through a line

1660
01:29:55,355 --> 01:29:59,615
by line budget, I put it to you that the last line

1661
01:29:59,615 --> 01:30:01,975
by line budget information I have for the

1662
01:30:02,735 --> 01:30:04,655
outgoing year was April 30th.

1663
01:30:05,355 --> 01:30:08,455
Now you're gonna be presenting a budget material

1664
01:30:08,875 --> 01:30:10,895
to the auditor auditors this coming Wednesday.

1665
01:30:11,355 --> 01:30:12,375
Surely have those numbers.

1666
01:30:12,595 --> 01:30:15,895
We should be able to be able to physically see May and June.

1667
01:30:16,395 --> 01:30:19,055
So you can really say that we've done a line by learning

1668
01:30:19,615 --> 01:30:22,495
analysis not only over the course of one year,

1669
01:30:22,635 --> 01:30:24,175
but maybe compare that to three years

1670
01:30:24,195 --> 01:30:26,335
and see if there are any discrepancies.

1671
01:30:26,635 --> 01:30:28,255
That's where you really can find this.

1672
01:30:28,645 --> 01:30:29,775
There's no one here

1673
01:30:30,285 --> 01:30:33,095
that has championed education more than myself.

1674
01:30:33,245 --> 01:30:35,535
I've been a proponent of education all my life.

1675
01:30:36,575 --> 01:30:38,855
I can tell you that I've served for a decade

1676
01:30:38,955 --> 01:30:40,575
and a half just on the scholarship

1677
01:30:40,575 --> 01:30:42,015
programs for this high school.

1678
01:30:44,115 --> 01:30:45,375
Can I finish the last line?

1679
01:30:47,515 --> 01:30:48,855
So having served on that

1680
01:30:49,275 --> 01:30:52,855
and having increased, having increased the awards

1681
01:30:52,995 --> 01:30:55,655
to students for scholarships for both the high school

1682
01:30:55,655 --> 01:30:57,935
and the tech center, I can tell you I'm a very,

1683
01:30:57,935 --> 01:31:00,735
very strong proponent of these children getting ahead.

1684
01:31:02,435 --> 01:31:04,695
So when you start talking about people in the community

1685
01:31:04,695 --> 01:31:07,695
and you don't even name them, I think you ought

1686
01:31:07,695 --> 01:31:09,415
to start thinking about the tactics of

1687
01:31:09,415 --> 01:31:11,855
how you really go about getting a budget pass.

1688
01:31:12,205 --> 01:31:13,535
There's maneuver room here

1689
01:31:13,555 --> 01:31:15,535
and when you get into that part of the discussion,

1690
01:31:15,815 --> 01:31:17,335
I will give you a whole series of numbers.

1691
01:31:17,865 --> 01:31:19,055
Thank you. Thank you Paul.

1692
01:31:24,945 --> 01:31:28,815
We'll do Sonya and then San I'll do you after Sonya.

1693
01:31:29,435 --> 01:31:31,095
So, hi. Sounds good.

1694
01:31:31,235 --> 01:31:33,855
I'm, I'm from Berry City

1695
01:31:34,275 --> 01:31:36,255
and I served on the school board for 13 years.

1696
01:31:36,435 --> 01:31:38,535
And I have to say I do not envy the position

1697
01:31:38,535 --> 01:31:39,855
that any of you are in right now.

1698
01:31:41,055 --> 01:31:42,135
I did serve with some of you

1699
01:31:42,195 --> 01:31:43,615
and I'm grateful that you're sitting here

1700
01:31:44,565 --> 01:31:45,775
because this is a really

1701
01:31:45,775 --> 01:31:47,255
tough decision that you have to make.

1702
01:31:47,955 --> 01:31:49,775
And I recognize

1703
01:31:49,875 --> 01:31:52,175
and want to say that I, I appreciate

1704
01:31:52,205 --> 01:31:56,455
that you have protected our community from this kind

1705
01:31:56,455 --> 01:31:58,375
of a cut up until this point.

1706
01:31:59,105 --> 01:32:00,765
And now we've gotten to a point

1707
01:32:00,765 --> 01:32:03,325
where the voters have said no so many times

1708
01:32:03,755 --> 01:32:06,285
that you can't protect the students anymore.

1709
01:32:06,865 --> 01:32:08,845
So I just wanna make sure that that's very clear.

1710
01:32:08,915 --> 01:32:11,565
This board has done an amazing job of making sure

1711
01:32:11,565 --> 01:32:13,125
that there were no programs cut,

1712
01:32:13,125 --> 01:32:14,645
that there were no sports cut.

1713
01:32:15,305 --> 01:32:18,125
And here we are on our third vote in September

1714
01:32:20,155 --> 01:32:21,415
and we can't pass a budget

1715
01:32:21,525 --> 01:32:23,615
because people are concerned

1716
01:32:24,185 --> 01:32:26,455
about any number of crazy things.

1717
01:32:28,095 --> 01:32:29,415
I will not sit up here

1718
01:32:29,515 --> 01:32:32,695
and say that I have championed the school more than anyone

1719
01:32:32,695 --> 01:32:35,895
else, but I have worked really hard to make sure

1720
01:32:36,285 --> 01:32:38,335
that our students get what they deserve.

1721
01:32:38,395 --> 01:32:40,735
And I've especially done this for Berry City kids

1722
01:32:40,735 --> 01:32:41,975
because I believe

1723
01:32:42,565 --> 01:32:46,775
that our berry city kids deserve more than they have ever,

1724
01:32:46,925 --> 01:32:50,135
ever, ever received, my kids included.

1725
01:32:50,995 --> 01:32:53,735
So I'm not gonna go on and on about the budget

1726
01:32:53,735 --> 01:32:56,655
because I'm gonna ask you some questions

1727
01:32:56,675 --> 01:32:58,135
and hopefully you can answer them.

1728
01:32:58,935 --> 01:33:00,295
I understand the funding formula

1729
01:33:00,895 --> 01:33:02,135
probably a little bit better than

1730
01:33:02,955 --> 01:33:04,735
95% of the people in the room.

1731
01:33:04,875 --> 01:33:06,455
So my question for you is,

1732
01:33:07,355 --> 01:33:11,335
if you only spend the same amount that we did last year,

1733
01:33:11,755 --> 01:33:15,175
if you say we're going to, we're going to put the budget out

1734
01:33:15,175 --> 01:33:16,815
for the same exact amount as last year,

1735
01:33:17,035 --> 01:33:20,095
how much will your tax rate go down in Berry Town

1736
01:33:20,095 --> 01:33:21,255
versus Berry City?

1737
01:33:21,445 --> 01:33:24,895
Because I recognize that the funding formula already has

1738
01:33:25,655 --> 01:33:27,975
multiple things that are completely out of your control

1739
01:33:27,975 --> 01:33:29,815
and they're already baked into the formula.

1740
01:33:30,315 --> 01:33:32,775
You cannot change the number of weighted pupils

1741
01:33:32,775 --> 01:33:34,895
and you cannot change the yield at this point.

1742
01:33:35,395 --> 01:33:36,695
So the community,

1743
01:33:37,125 --> 01:33:39,415
some people in the community are asking you

1744
01:33:39,475 --> 01:33:43,855
to do a herculean task by trying to change something

1745
01:33:43,965 --> 01:33:45,815
that is completely out of your control.

1746
01:33:46,275 --> 01:33:47,455
So that's my first question.

1747
01:33:47,715 --> 01:33:49,535
And my second question is what I,

1748
01:33:49,655 --> 01:33:51,775
I appreciate this idea of having a committee.

1749
01:33:51,885 --> 01:33:53,055
That sounds so lovely.

1750
01:33:53,695 --> 01:33:55,455
I don't think you have time for a committee.

1751
01:33:55,635 --> 01:33:57,735
You need a budget for this school year

1752
01:33:57,755 --> 01:33:59,015
that's already happening.

1753
01:33:59,555 --> 01:34:03,735
So I don't think you have a lot of time to go through the,

1754
01:34:04,275 --> 01:34:07,015
the, the idea of sitting down finding six people.

1755
01:34:07,355 --> 01:34:09,095
And that may sound wonderful.

1756
01:34:09,095 --> 01:34:11,015
Maybe you could do that for next year's budget,

1757
01:34:11,015 --> 01:34:13,135
which you'll have to start planning on as soon

1758
01:34:13,135 --> 01:34:14,175
as you wrap this one up.

1759
01:34:15,355 --> 01:34:18,455
But my question, my second question is, is what, at

1760
01:34:18,455 --> 01:34:21,895
what point do you have to make a decision about what needs

1761
01:34:21,895 --> 01:34:24,135
to be caused so that you can move forward

1762
01:34:24,135 --> 01:34:25,415
with the rest of the school year?

1763
01:34:25,675 --> 01:34:26,675
Do you know that,

1764
01:34:28,155 --> 01:34:31,535
So the contractual deadline for athletics

1765
01:34:31,535 --> 01:34:32,975
and activities is October 1st.

1766
01:34:33,675 --> 01:34:35,815
So you have less than a week and a half Yes.

1767
01:34:35,915 --> 01:34:38,055
To make decisions? Yes. Okay.

1768
01:34:38,515 --> 01:34:41,855
And how much of the budget is already under contract

1769
01:34:41,855 --> 01:34:43,615
that you do not have any legal room

1770
01:34:44,045 --> 01:34:47,455
Over 85 to I can give you,

1771
01:34:48,015 --> 01:34:51,135
I mean just labor alone is almost 80%.

1772
01:34:51,605 --> 01:34:54,575
Okay. Yeah. So the idea that we could go through

1773
01:34:54,575 --> 01:34:56,815
and sit in a room and look through line by line, we have

1774
01:34:56,815 --> 01:34:59,245
to take, take that 80% and just move it right off the table.

1775
01:34:59,385 --> 01:35:01,565
Am I right? Because you can't touch it.

1776
01:35:02,585 --> 01:35:04,605
So we're dealing with 20%

1777
01:35:04,705 --> 01:35:08,125
and part of that 20% unfortunately is going

1778
01:35:08,125 --> 01:35:10,965
to hit our students and no one wants to hear that.

1779
01:35:12,205 --> 01:35:15,985
So our options it sounds like to me is we can like noodle

1780
01:35:15,985 --> 01:35:17,945
around the edges and maybe cut a little here

1781
01:35:17,945 --> 01:35:19,585
and cut a little there and it's not gonna

1782
01:35:19,585 --> 01:35:20,625
change your tax rate at all.

1783
01:35:20,865 --> 01:35:22,705
'cause the formula's already half baked.

1784
01:35:23,405 --> 01:35:25,105
Or we could just send the budget back out

1785
01:35:25,105 --> 01:35:28,465
and see if we can get enough parents who, who, who belong

1786
01:35:28,465 --> 01:35:29,985
to all of these children to show up

1787
01:35:29,985 --> 01:35:31,185
and vote yes for the budget.

1788
01:35:40,045 --> 01:35:41,905
You gonna go online and then,

1789
01:35:45,865 --> 01:35:46,865
Hi, how's it going?

1790
01:35:47,685 --> 01:35:51,205
I just have one question Before asking students

1791
01:35:51,225 --> 01:35:52,365
to lose sports clubs

1792
01:35:52,585 --> 01:35:55,605
or other opportunities, can you guys show us dollar

1793
01:35:55,665 --> 01:35:59,525
by dollar alternative alternatives you evaluated first

1794
01:36:00,275 --> 01:36:04,205
vacancies, attrition, central office, non-union staffing,

1795
01:36:04,505 --> 01:36:07,365
hr, payroll, consolidation, contracts, overhead

1796
01:36:07,365 --> 01:36:10,445
and the approximate 11 grand funded positions being moved,

1797
01:36:10,775 --> 01:36:12,525
moved towards the general fund.

1798
01:36:13,625 --> 01:36:16,685
Can you tell us what, how much those salaries are,

1799
01:36:16,685 --> 01:36:17,685
what the benefits are?

1800
01:36:18,205 --> 01:36:20,405
I mean I read through the non-union contract

1801
01:36:22,525 --> 01:36:25,125
employee handbook, so I have some

1802
01:36:25,285 --> 01:36:26,445
questions in regards to that as well.

1803
01:36:26,465 --> 01:36:28,925
But since we don't have enough time, if that

1804
01:36:29,445 --> 01:36:31,925
analysis exists, why isn't it available

1805
01:36:32,025 --> 01:36:33,245
for taxpayers to see?

1806
01:36:33,625 --> 01:36:34,725
And also why

1807
01:36:34,815 --> 01:36:39,325
after a third failed vote, we haven't asked someone

1808
01:36:39,425 --> 01:36:41,325
to come in independently and

1809
01:36:41,785 --> 01:36:44,405
and help us evaluate this budget

1810
01:36:44,545 --> 01:36:45,725
so we can show the community

1811
01:36:45,975 --> 01:36:48,125
where the money is going line by line.

1812
01:36:48,785 --> 01:36:51,205
And that way we can put it to to bed.

1813
01:36:51,205 --> 01:36:53,205
Because right now people think you're hiding money

1814
01:36:54,025 --> 01:36:56,205
and I, I've read it all and I don't think you are.

1815
01:36:57,785 --> 01:36:59,765
That's just, that's all I gotta say.

1816
01:37:02,095 --> 01:37:02,565
Thank you

1817
01:37:07,415 --> 01:37:08,415
Nancy.

1818
01:37:08,825 --> 01:37:09,965
Yes, Nancy LeClaire.

1819
01:37:10,165 --> 01:37:13,085
I am very town taxpayer and I'm also a former board member.

1820
01:37:13,145 --> 01:37:15,485
So I know what the process

1821
01:37:15,625 --> 01:37:18,245
and the due diligence has to be done in order

1822
01:37:18,265 --> 01:37:21,285
to present a budget that is going to pass.

1823
01:37:22,305 --> 01:37:27,005
So I have a couple of questions and that the board chair

1824
01:37:27,005 --> 01:37:29,365
and the member said that you see,

1825
01:37:29,425 --> 01:37:31,005
you went through line by line.

1826
01:37:31,505 --> 01:37:35,725
Is that true? You went through, okay. All right.

1827
01:37:35,905 --> 01:37:38,485
So where did you get your financials

1828
01:37:38,825 --> 01:37:40,245
to develop the third budget?

1829
01:37:41,855 --> 01:37:44,545
Because the only financials

1830
01:37:44,545 --> 01:37:46,785
that are available there are up to April 30th.

1831
01:37:47,545 --> 01:37:51,865
I asked the business manager and the superintendent for May

1832
01:37:52,405 --> 01:37:54,465
and June fiscal year 26th.

1833
01:37:54,745 --> 01:37:56,165
'cause that's what you do. You look at your,

1834
01:37:57,555 --> 01:37:59,645
your approved budget through your actuals.

1835
01:38:00,145 --> 01:38:02,285
And when you did your budget in March, in

1836
01:38:02,985 --> 01:38:05,605
May when you had your, you had up to April 30th

1837
01:38:05,945 --> 01:38:10,445
for fiscal year 26th, but you did not have May

1838
01:38:10,445 --> 01:38:11,885
and June for fiscal year 26th.

1839
01:38:12,025 --> 01:38:13,365
So how did you come up

1840
01:38:13,365 --> 01:38:15,245
with your third budget? What did you look at?

1841
01:38:15,665 --> 01:38:17,845
We looked at those financials, which is more up

1842
01:38:17,845 --> 01:38:20,245
to date than what the berry city council, what

1843
01:38:20,245 --> 01:38:22,165
Is up update And Barry Council lets board had,

1844
01:38:22,165 --> 01:38:26,485
when they voted to send their budgets their FY 27 budgets,

1845
01:38:26,485 --> 01:38:27,885
they did that in February and March.

1846
01:38:28,385 --> 01:38:31,405
So we actually had more financials at our disposal

1847
01:38:31,505 --> 01:38:32,725
to make our decisions.

1848
01:38:33,185 --> 01:38:35,165
So how come that's not public information?

1849
01:38:35,525 --> 01:38:36,525
'cause that's part of the, that

1850
01:38:36,525 --> 01:38:37,525
Was public information.

1851
01:38:37,525 --> 01:38:39,165
That's not because I spoke to this,

1852
01:38:39,675 --> 01:38:41,085
I'll send it to you, I'll make a note to send

1853
01:38:41,085 --> 01:38:42,085
It.

1854
01:38:42,085 --> 01:38:43,165
I make, it's gotta be May and June.

1855
01:38:43,305 --> 01:38:45,845
And if that was, why isn't that been made public

1856
01:38:46,825 --> 01:38:50,205
on the website for your budget of September 15th vote.

1857
01:38:50,425 --> 01:38:53,485
That's what is missing. So

1858
01:38:53,775 --> 01:38:56,925
Nancy, the auditors are here this week, right? In the,

1859
01:38:57,805 --> 01:38:59,565
I know what you explained to me about

1860
01:38:59,565 --> 01:39:00,565
The auditors, right?

1861
01:39:00,565 --> 01:39:01,285
But let me tell the other people Sure.

1862
01:39:01,525 --> 01:39:02,885
'cause they weren't part of that conversation.

1863
01:39:03,065 --> 01:39:07,325
So John and I began on July one, there was a period of time

1864
01:39:07,325 --> 01:39:10,365
where the business office had folks on leave, right?

1865
01:39:10,785 --> 01:39:12,885
The auditors are here this week.

1866
01:39:13,585 --> 01:39:15,885
We are making sure that everything is correct

1867
01:39:15,915 --> 01:39:18,805
because we don't wanna put something out that's incorrect.

1868
01:39:19,105 --> 01:39:22,365
And as I've shared, the documents are preliminary,

1869
01:39:22,425 --> 01:39:23,645
the year end statements right now.

1870
01:39:24,105 --> 01:39:26,805
But as soon as the auditors have done what we're saying,

1871
01:39:26,955 --> 01:39:28,965
that third party independent check,

1872
01:39:29,465 --> 01:39:33,605
we will release them hopefully if they can get them back

1873
01:39:33,605 --> 01:39:35,325
to us hopefully relatively shortly.

1874
01:39:35,905 --> 01:39:38,485
So why is May and June fiscal year 26th

1875
01:39:39,595 --> 01:39:42,245
preliminary information when you've already paid out your

1876
01:39:42,405 --> 01:39:45,965
expenses for 26, those warrants everything you've approved.

1877
01:39:45,965 --> 01:39:47,765
Right? But it's more than just warrants, right?

1878
01:39:47,815 --> 01:39:49,685
We've got all sorts of other stuff that goes in,

1879
01:39:50,185 --> 01:39:51,365
But I was just asking for

1880
01:39:51,365 --> 01:39:52,685
fiscally year 20. I'm not arguing.

1881
01:39:53,105 --> 01:39:55,085
So yeah, that's the, but that is the answer.

1882
01:39:55,385 --> 01:39:56,845
And they're preliminary. As soon

1883
01:39:56,845 --> 01:39:58,245
as the auditor says taking a look at them

1884
01:39:58,245 --> 01:39:59,405
to make sure they're right, we'll

1885
01:39:59,405 --> 01:40:00,405
Release 'em.

1886
01:40:00,405 --> 01:40:01,205
Okay. So just so I have a clear understanding

1887
01:40:01,265 --> 01:40:03,485
for April 30th expenses,

1888
01:40:04,205 --> 01:40:05,285
I wasn't here in April,

1889
01:40:05,305 --> 01:40:06,925
so I can't speak to what happened in April.

1890
01:40:07,275 --> 01:40:09,045
Well they're still there, they're online.

1891
01:40:09,185 --> 01:40:10,285
But anyways, yep.

1892
01:40:11,785 --> 01:40:15,965
So the other thing is This is a

1893
01:40:15,965 --> 01:40:18,205
$57 million budget

1894
01:40:18,625 --> 01:40:21,125
and to me you had incomplete financials to be able

1895
01:40:21,125 --> 01:40:22,125
to come up with a budget

1896
01:40:23,625 --> 01:40:25,285
and then when the budget failed,

1897
01:40:25,665 --> 01:40:27,245
you immediately attacked these students.

1898
01:40:27,345 --> 01:40:30,485
And I wanna, I appreciate every one of you coming in here.

1899
01:40:30,805 --> 01:40:34,325
I love everything that you said and you're absolutely right.

1900
01:40:34,865 --> 01:40:37,565
You should not be affected by this budget

1901
01:40:37,565 --> 01:40:41,205
because I feel it's hasn't been thoroughly looked at

1902
01:40:41,305 --> 01:40:45,405
and I know there's going to be surpluses just

1903
01:40:45,425 --> 01:40:48,085
by do looking at what I did have for information

1904
01:40:48,585 --> 01:40:49,805
and trying to put together

1905
01:40:49,825 --> 01:40:52,565
for fiscal year 26 and going forward.

1906
01:40:57,775 --> 01:41:00,885
Let's see. And I also want to know

1907
01:41:01,915 --> 01:41:06,285
when the budget failed for the first two times, how did you

1908
01:41:07,235 --> 01:41:09,885
respond to the, what did you do to be able to come up

1909
01:41:09,885 --> 01:41:11,765
with another budget when it,

1910
01:41:11,925 --> 01:41:14,125
it failed exactly what you guys did.

1911
01:41:15,865 --> 01:41:19,125
We cut 11 and a half positions since last fiscal year.

1912
01:41:19,395 --> 01:41:21,845
Through attrition, through vacancies,

1913
01:41:21,845 --> 01:41:23,525
through our enrollment reports.

1914
01:41:25,195 --> 01:41:26,525
Okay, I just wanna say in your 11

1915
01:41:26,525 --> 01:41:30,285
and a half you added 16 that you failed to mention.

1916
01:41:30,835 --> 01:41:33,405
It's in your, it's in your, it's in your budget.

1917
01:41:39,685 --> 01:41:41,765
I just, I just wanna say something quick

1918
01:41:42,025 --> 01:41:46,565
and I'm going to use my time not

1919
01:41:46,565 --> 01:41:48,245
to talk about the budget,

1920
01:41:48,465 --> 01:41:52,605
but I just wanna say I'm proud of every

1921
01:41:53,465 --> 01:41:57,045
single one of you who showed up,

1922
01:41:58,015 --> 01:42:01,365
every single one and each

1923
01:42:01,365 --> 01:42:04,165
and one of you deserve to have your face seen

1924
01:42:05,105 --> 01:42:07,485
and know who you are and how much it means to you.

1925
01:42:08,365 --> 01:42:10,045
I know we don't have enough time to do that,

1926
01:42:10,185 --> 01:42:14,685
but I think taking the politics out of it, there are a lot

1927
01:42:14,685 --> 01:42:16,725
of people here, there are a lot of people who are community,

1928
01:42:17,035 --> 01:42:19,685
your teachers, your staff that are proud of you,

1929
01:42:19,875 --> 01:42:21,285
love you and support you.

1930
01:42:21,625 --> 01:42:25,085
And if you do need resources, there are ones out there.

1931
01:42:25,595 --> 01:42:28,845
9, 8, 8 Washington County Mental health

1932
01:42:29,325 --> 01:42:31,205
services crisis line.

1933
01:42:34,305 --> 01:42:36,155
Talk to a coach. I'm sure you already do.

1934
01:42:37,375 --> 01:42:40,595
So I just wanna say especially the one, the people who,

1935
01:42:41,175 --> 01:42:42,315
who came up here

1936
01:42:42,455 --> 01:42:46,715
and have that anxiety issue and there done that.

1937
01:42:47,335 --> 01:42:50,795
My daughter also participates in these afterschool programs.

1938
01:42:51,145 --> 01:42:54,195
Okay? She's in eighth grade, so I understand,

1939
01:42:55,725 --> 01:42:58,155
especially because she gets services, right?

1940
01:42:58,275 --> 01:43:00,075
I understand how much these programs

1941
01:43:01,415 --> 01:43:03,115
and taking politics out it.

1942
01:43:03,355 --> 01:43:07,915
I just want to take my time to say that I am proud

1943
01:43:08,575 --> 01:43:10,475
of all of the students

1944
01:43:11,775 --> 01:43:16,075
and thank you for reminding us what matters.

1945
01:43:16,925 --> 01:43:18,635
Every single day you carry up the

1946
01:43:20,355 --> 01:43:22,195
'cause it makes an impact on us too.

1947
01:43:23,265 --> 01:43:26,355
Okay. Alright. That's all I wanted.

1948
01:43:39,585 --> 01:43:40,945
I wasn't even gonna speak today, but

1949
01:43:41,315 --> 01:43:44,865
after what I've seen tonight, I'm very proud of these kids.

1950
01:43:45,245 --> 01:43:47,665
My name's Christie Re I'm from Berry Town.

1951
01:43:47,695 --> 01:43:48,785
I've lived here my whole life.

1952
01:43:49,605 --> 01:43:52,165
But the adults, I've never been

1953
01:43:52,165 --> 01:43:53,685
so embarrassed in my whole entire life.

1954
01:43:54,625 --> 01:43:55,765
We should be teaching these

1955
01:43:55,765 --> 01:43:57,005
kids how we should come together.

1956
01:43:57,005 --> 01:43:59,805
Whether what are differences, what side

1957
01:43:59,805 --> 01:44:01,805
of the board you're on or whatever,

1958
01:44:02,305 --> 01:44:04,525
and come up with a budget to get this thing passed.

1959
01:44:04,915 --> 01:44:06,565
Like the first time it failed.

1960
01:44:07,525 --> 01:44:09,125
I agree we should have like a committee.

1961
01:44:09,125 --> 01:44:10,965
That's a good idea, but that's a mute point.

1962
01:44:11,025 --> 01:44:12,765
Now we have to get this budget passed

1963
01:44:12,825 --> 01:44:14,525
so these kids can go on and play sports

1964
01:44:14,985 --> 01:44:17,245
and be mentally there in school.

1965
01:44:17,725 --> 01:44:21,325
I know from my son that if he didn't have sports, he,

1966
01:44:21,445 --> 01:44:22,565
I don't even know where he'd be.

1967
01:44:23,545 --> 01:44:26,485
He needs them. Our kids need them. We need them.

1968
01:44:26,715 --> 01:44:28,365
Like I love going to the games.

1969
01:44:28,565 --> 01:44:29,765
I love going to all the games.

1970
01:44:30,305 --> 01:44:32,845
And I just think that as adults we should come together

1971
01:44:33,345 --> 01:44:35,365
and figure out how we can get this thing passed.

1972
01:44:36,035 --> 01:44:39,125
Like everything's mute point right now, going live by live,

1973
01:44:39,125 --> 01:44:40,965
we don't have time for that unfortunately.

1974
01:44:41,225 --> 01:44:43,725
We have what, two weeks to get this thing passed.

1975
01:44:44,945 --> 01:44:47,445
We need to come together as a community and get it passed

1976
01:44:48,105 --> 01:44:50,445
and not hopefully not cut the sports.

1977
01:44:50,865 --> 01:44:52,325
If we could find a different way.

1978
01:44:53,205 --> 01:44:55,485
I know it's gonna be hard, but like there's other things

1979
01:44:55,485 --> 01:44:59,125
that we can cut and all these we shouldn't even go on.

1980
01:44:59,385 --> 01:45:01,925
I'm not as bad for kids and it's bad for people.

1981
01:45:02,825 --> 01:45:06,125
All the back and forth and the arguing is ridiculous.

1982
01:45:06,825 --> 01:45:08,245
We should figure out a way just

1983
01:45:08,245 --> 01:45:09,525
to come together as a committee.

1984
01:45:09,555 --> 01:45:12,005
Like these kids said, it brings people together

1985
01:45:12,785 --> 01:45:14,165
and now we're fighting back and forth.

1986
01:45:14,195 --> 01:45:15,195
It's ridiculous.

1987
01:45:28,095 --> 01:45:30,505
Well, I wasn't going to speak, my name's ****, Karen,

1988
01:45:30,645 --> 01:45:32,345
I'm one of the wrestling coaches here

1989
01:45:32,365 --> 01:45:36,385
and vice chair of various sports.

1990
01:45:36,925 --> 01:45:41,895
And we know how important athletics are for, for these guys.

1991
01:45:42,075 --> 01:45:45,015
We, we can't afford to not have them playing.

1992
01:45:45,925 --> 01:45:50,855
The lessons learned in the practice room or field

1993
01:45:50,995 --> 01:45:55,905
or court or wherever it may be for some of these kids are,

1994
01:45:56,995 --> 01:45:58,375
are bigger than what they learn in school

1995
01:45:58,375 --> 01:46:00,015
because they just learn different and they don't.

1996
01:46:00,595 --> 01:46:04,415
And it takes a while to, to, for the,

1997
01:46:04,475 --> 01:46:06,215
for the classroom stuff to come to them.

1998
01:46:06,675 --> 01:46:10,215
And, and it sometimes it comes by mistake, you know,

1999
01:46:10,625 --> 01:46:14,135
doing well enough to stay in their sport, huh?

2000
01:46:14,315 --> 01:46:16,135
All of a sudden they learn math, all

2001
01:46:16,135 --> 01:46:17,415
of a sudden they can pass English.

2002
01:46:17,875 --> 01:46:20,255
And we can't afford to lose that

2003
01:46:20,255 --> 01:46:24,655
because there's a lot of kids that struggle to learn

2004
01:46:25,315 --> 01:46:29,375
and because of sports they learn it almost by mistake.

2005
01:46:29,635 --> 01:46:33,895
So, you know, having done this for almost 50 years, coaching

2006
01:46:34,685 --> 01:46:39,175
some of my best, some of our best stories are from kids

2007
01:46:39,205 --> 01:46:41,295
that barely had any success.

2008
01:46:42,075 --> 01:46:44,535
And I run into, you know, somebody

2009
01:46:44,535 --> 01:46:48,565
that I don't recognize in the, in the hardware store.

2010
01:46:48,785 --> 01:46:51,735
And they have told us so many times

2011
01:46:51,995 --> 01:46:53,535
how much athletics means to them.

2012
01:46:53,555 --> 01:46:57,695
And I speak for every coach I'm sure, and I know I do.

2013
01:47:00,235 --> 01:47:01,525
They get so much out of it

2014
01:47:01,525 --> 01:47:03,285
that you just can't put on a report card.

2015
01:47:04,265 --> 01:47:06,085
We gotta figure this out. And I don't ever you guys,

2016
01:47:06,585 --> 01:47:08,165
but we gotta figure this out.

2017
01:47:24,195 --> 01:47:26,655
Hi, good evening. I'm Megan Spalding

2018
01:47:27,075 --> 01:47:29,535
and I live in Berry Town

2019
01:47:29,555 --> 01:47:32,175
and I have two teenagers in high school here.

2020
01:47:33,495 --> 01:47:36,055
I just kind of wanted to touch on the

2021
01:47:36,565 --> 01:47:38,815
city versus town aspect.

2022
01:47:40,135 --> 01:47:43,775
I grew up here in Berry City my whole life.

2023
01:47:44,315 --> 01:47:48,215
And when I came to high school here at Spalding,

2024
01:47:48,655 --> 01:47:49,695
I was looked down on

2025
01:47:49,885 --> 01:47:52,855
because I came from Berry City, I was looked at

2026
01:47:52,915 --> 01:47:56,535
as like a poor, you know, I don't know, trash

2027
01:47:56,635 --> 01:47:58,335
or something, something terrible.

2028
01:47:58,795 --> 01:48:00,335
And it was really hard.

2029
01:48:00,795 --> 01:48:03,775
And I always heard these wonderful things about Berry Town.

2030
01:48:03,805 --> 01:48:07,255
They had pistol, they had like different opportunities at

2031
01:48:07,375 --> 01:48:10,335
Berry Town and it really felt like it was very true.

2032
01:48:11,555 --> 01:48:13,735
And so when I became an adult

2033
01:48:13,955 --> 01:48:16,375
and decided, oh, I wanna be close to my family,

2034
01:48:17,035 --> 01:48:20,695
I'm gonna buy a house, I'm gonna buy a house in Berry Town

2035
01:48:20,765 --> 01:48:24,295
because I don't want my kids to have to grow up and,

2036
01:48:24,355 --> 01:48:27,935
and you know, not having, having that same experience.

2037
01:48:29,195 --> 01:48:31,095
And so now I'm, I'm an adult.

2038
01:48:31,295 --> 01:48:32,415
I live in Berry Town

2039
01:48:33,035 --> 01:48:37,095
and I get slammed online.

2040
01:48:37,375 --> 01:48:38,495
I see different posts

2041
01:48:38,795 --> 01:48:43,415
or even in public at different events I'm looked down on

2042
01:48:43,565 --> 01:48:47,095
because the town voted down the budget

2043
01:48:47,435 --> 01:48:49,055
and the city passed the budget.

2044
01:48:49,435 --> 01:48:52,975
And so it goes on and on and on and I cannot stand it.

2045
01:48:54,985 --> 01:48:58,625
I really want us to merge the kids, the city and town kids.

2046
01:48:59,385 --> 01:49:01,305
I think it would save us a lot of money.

2047
01:49:01,545 --> 01:49:04,265
I know we don't have time to do that right now to pass this,

2048
01:49:05,085 --> 01:49:07,585
but I'm getting, I'm just so sick and tired of it.

2049
01:49:09,195 --> 01:49:10,705
These are all of our kids.

2050
01:49:11,065 --> 01:49:12,465
I don't care where they come from.

2051
01:49:13,565 --> 01:49:16,745
We care about all of their education and their experiences

2052
01:49:17,125 --> 01:49:19,865
and we need to do better and back them up.

2053
01:49:21,165 --> 01:49:24,025
The other thing is we need to really get creative.

2054
01:49:24,245 --> 01:49:26,385
And I really wanna know like what's the

2055
01:49:26,505 --> 01:49:27,545
building across the street?

2056
01:49:27,995 --> 01:49:31,425
Where central offices, are there children in that building?

2057
01:49:31,565 --> 01:49:33,025
Are there children ever in that building?

2058
01:49:33,125 --> 01:49:36,225
If our numbers are down, can't we move some people?

2059
01:49:36,475 --> 01:49:37,865
Can't we share some offices?

2060
01:49:38,155 --> 01:49:39,705
Can't we have people work from home

2061
01:49:40,205 --> 01:49:41,745
and then come in on certain days?

2062
01:49:42,365 --> 01:49:44,985
Are there different ways of what we can be doing?

2063
01:49:44,985 --> 01:49:46,585
Because I don't think we need

2064
01:49:46,585 --> 01:49:47,885
that building across the street.

2065
01:49:48,025 --> 01:49:49,045
Why can't we sell it?

2066
01:49:50,685 --> 01:49:53,285
I just think that we need to be more creative

2067
01:49:53,865 --> 01:49:58,045
and think about long-term solutions onto

2068
01:49:58,905 --> 01:50:01,445
how to be more fiscally responsible.

2069
01:50:02,465 --> 01:50:07,205
And the other thing is, is I love our staff.

2070
01:50:07,925 --> 01:50:10,285
I love our staff. Whether it's someone

2071
01:50:10,345 --> 01:50:13,285
who works in the office, our counselors here,

2072
01:50:14,505 --> 01:50:18,005
our principal, Denise Maurice, all of our teachers,

2073
01:50:18,505 --> 01:50:22,245
our para-educators, our custodians, the lunch people

2074
01:50:23,385 --> 01:50:26,165
who know how to meet my daughter's sandwich every day,

2075
01:50:26,585 --> 01:50:27,845
you know, by heart.

2076
01:50:28,485 --> 01:50:31,565
I, people here turn up for kids

2077
01:50:32,145 --> 01:50:36,165
and we have to turn up for our staff and support them.

2078
01:50:37,755 --> 01:50:41,725
They, they need our support financially and emotionally.

2079
01:50:42,545 --> 01:50:45,445
And I cannot tell you how many times

2080
01:50:46,145 --> 01:50:50,925
my Infinite campus app goes off on a weekend or at night

2081
01:50:51,265 --> 01:50:52,365
or on a vacation.

2082
01:50:52,905 --> 01:50:55,125
Our teachers are working tirelessly.

2083
01:50:55,475 --> 01:50:57,965
They're taking our kids on different trips.

2084
01:50:58,475 --> 01:51:01,445
I've gone to so many music festivals

2085
01:51:01,605 --> 01:51:02,925
that I never even knew about

2086
01:51:04,105 --> 01:51:07,445
and every single time I go to a different community, it is

2087
01:51:07,625 --> 01:51:08,925
so much nicer than here.

2088
01:51:09,425 --> 01:51:10,485
It is so much nicer.

2089
01:51:11,305 --> 01:51:15,005
And I am so tired of a parent of a kid in drama club

2090
01:51:15,005 --> 01:51:18,845
where I have to man that food table and sell concessions

2091
01:51:18,905 --> 01:51:22,405
and beg people to come and see plays

2092
01:51:22,595 --> 01:51:25,525
because if we don't sell enough tickets then

2093
01:51:25,525 --> 01:51:26,725
they have a crappy play.

2094
01:51:27,825 --> 01:51:31,365
So please just support our kids. Thank you.

2095
01:51:36,345 --> 01:51:40,895
Can I ask? Yeah, you can ask me anything.

2096
01:51:40,895 --> 01:51:42,455
Yeah, go ahead. Okay,

2097
01:51:42,795 --> 01:51:44,135
So when you say it's nicer,

2098
01:51:44,235 --> 01:51:47,175
you mean it's nicer physical plan or it's nicer feeling?

2099
01:51:47,715 --> 01:51:49,455
No, the shows are amazing

2100
01:51:49,485 --> 01:51:51,855
because they get better scripts than we do.

2101
01:51:52,195 --> 01:51:55,415
Our scripts are the cheapest ones possible.

2102
01:51:56,005 --> 01:51:58,655
Also just go, go to our show.

2103
01:51:59,535 --> 01:52:01,775
I don't know when it is because I know this budget.

2104
01:52:01,775 --> 01:52:04,375
Can I add that? Can I, I got you.

2105
01:52:05,445 --> 01:52:09,295
When we go to other schools, one of our, our biggest

2106
01:52:10,135 --> 01:52:13,255
struggles is with Mom Hill's School.

2107
01:52:13,795 --> 01:52:16,015
We love them. We support them a hundred percent.

2108
01:52:16,875 --> 01:52:19,415
The only issue is their show dates typically are

2109
01:52:19,415 --> 01:52:21,375
around the same time as our show dates

2110
01:52:21,755 --> 01:52:23,575
and people are choosing to go to theirs

2111
01:52:23,575 --> 01:52:27,455
because they have shows like Legally Blonde and,

2112
01:52:27,835 --> 01:52:30,975
and Hades Town, these big name shows that everyone knows.

2113
01:52:30,975 --> 01:52:33,935
So people go and they continue to support us.

2114
01:52:34,075 --> 01:52:37,335
We kind of get in this depth loop of let's do the it girl

2115
01:52:37,335 --> 01:52:40,175
because we can afford it, but nobody goes

2116
01:52:40,175 --> 01:52:42,095
because we can't afford it

2117
01:52:43,275 --> 01:52:46,365
or they don't know what the show is so they don't care.

2118
01:52:46,545 --> 01:52:47,605
And it's this death loop.

2119
01:52:48,025 --> 01:52:51,205
And then the other thing about other schools is they have

2120
01:52:51,305 --> 01:52:52,485
the higher budgets for that.

2121
01:52:52,485 --> 01:52:55,325
They also have higher budgets for their music programs.

2122
01:52:56,305 --> 01:52:57,765
And you just go to these other schools

2123
01:52:57,825 --> 01:53:01,805
and you see like how, how much like you get as soon

2124
01:53:01,805 --> 01:53:03,885
as you walk in you get the feeling of wow

2125
01:53:04,475 --> 01:53:06,165
they really care about their students.

2126
01:53:06,195 --> 01:53:10,725
This is like, this community is incredible and you go home

2127
01:53:10,945 --> 01:53:13,765
and you're stuck sitting here looking at what we have.

2128
01:53:13,945 --> 01:53:17,375
And it's heartbreaking, honestly.

2129
01:53:17,945 --> 01:53:19,615
Thank you Sam. I was the principal

2130
01:53:19,615 --> 01:53:21,815
of a pretty rural high school.

2131
01:53:22,595 --> 01:53:26,895
Our budget for theater was $20,000. Oh a year.

2132
01:53:27,875 --> 01:53:29,695
Oh, I know. It says 500.

2133
01:53:31,245 --> 01:53:34,255
It's not, it's, that's also incorrect,

2134
01:53:34,635 --> 01:53:37,215
but it's, it's, it's still really well, it's

2135
01:53:37,215 --> 01:53:38,215
Really low.

2136
01:53:41,565 --> 01:53:43,615
Well I wanna thank you all for the threat

2137
01:53:43,615 --> 01:53:45,335
of canceling sports in clubs

2138
01:53:45,805 --> 01:53:48,615
because without that threat you wouldn't have all these

2139
01:53:48,725 --> 01:53:49,735
fine students here.

2140
01:53:49,995 --> 01:53:51,895
Can you please state your name for the record? Sure.

2141
01:53:51,925 --> 01:53:53,295
Jeff Flow from Beartown.

2142
01:53:53,935 --> 01:53:56,055
I wouldn't have enjoyed the opportunity to be here and,

2143
01:53:56,275 --> 01:54:01,055
and listen to them plead their case so spectacularly,

2144
01:54:02,335 --> 01:54:05,375
when I graduated from Spalding, we didn't have

2145
01:54:05,375 --> 01:54:06,855
to worry about sports being cut

2146
01:54:06,855 --> 01:54:08,615
because budgets were typically approved,

2147
01:54:09,405 --> 01:54:10,625
but there were also a lot less

2148
01:54:10,625 --> 01:54:11,665
money than what they are today.

2149
01:54:13,115 --> 01:54:15,915
I will tell you that from a student's perspective today,

2150
01:54:15,915 --> 01:54:19,435
from the comments I heard, I perceive

2151
01:54:19,465 --> 01:54:21,875
that your position is if somebody voted no,

2152
01:54:22,145 --> 01:54:24,595
they don't want sports and they don't support students.

2153
01:54:25,515 --> 01:54:30,075
I voted no. And I support education, I support schools

2154
01:54:30,175 --> 01:54:31,275
and I support kids.

2155
01:54:32,265 --> 01:54:36,195
What I don't support is a school board that isn't fiscally

2156
01:54:36,315 --> 01:54:37,875
and financially responsible.

2157
01:54:38,495 --> 01:54:40,035
And that's what this school board is.

2158
01:54:40,815 --> 01:54:43,275
At one of your recent meetings, you had an opportunity

2159
01:54:43,905 --> 01:54:45,795
with a board member Waylon,

2160
01:54:46,055 --> 01:54:49,915
making a suggestion about one more minor cut to

2161
01:54:49,915 --> 01:54:52,115
what you were gonna present to the voters that just failed.

2162
01:54:52,695 --> 01:54:54,955
Do you remember what your present presentation was?

2163
01:54:55,615 --> 01:54:57,275
It was 350,000 more

2164
01:54:57,815 --> 01:54:58,835
To get it under 56.

2165
01:54:58,835 --> 01:55:00,715
50 to be under 56.

2166
01:55:01,155 --> 01:55:04,395
I mean under 57 million it would be 56 something. Yes.

2167
01:55:05,215 --> 01:55:07,395
Nobody on this board cared to listen.

2168
01:55:08,175 --> 01:55:09,955
Can you remind me what was proposed to be cut?

2169
01:55:10,315 --> 01:55:12,995
I can't remember. I think your proposal, we didn't discuss

2170
01:55:13,025 --> 01:55:15,675
that board unfortunately there, so

2171
01:55:15,675 --> 01:55:16,915
There was no proposal. It

2172
01:55:16,915 --> 01:55:19,315
Was just pick a number and we'll figure it out

2173
01:55:19,315 --> 01:55:20,555
later is what I recall.

2174
01:55:20,665 --> 01:55:22,835
Yeah, that's what I recall. Her recommendation

2175
01:55:22,835 --> 01:55:26,075
or suggestion was to make an additional cut

2176
01:55:26,415 --> 01:55:28,595
to be under 57 million.

2177
01:55:29,335 --> 01:55:33,715
It was a perception, a visual perception for the voters

2178
01:55:34,575 --> 01:55:37,275
and nobody on this board cared to even entertain it.

2179
01:55:38,135 --> 01:55:41,515
And the difference between 56.99

2180
01:55:42,135 --> 01:55:46,965
and your 57 1 2 was peanuts that we're talking about.

2181
01:55:48,575 --> 01:55:50,235
Now I feel sorry for you

2182
01:55:50,235 --> 01:55:52,115
that you're sitting here in this predicament today,

2183
01:55:52,215 --> 01:55:55,995
but I will tell you that you've had opportunities along the

2184
01:55:55,995 --> 01:55:57,115
way to make adjustments

2185
01:55:57,295 --> 01:55:59,155
to present something a little more fiscally

2186
01:55:59,155 --> 01:56:00,475
responsible to residents.

2187
01:56:00,475 --> 01:56:03,675
And you haven't done that and shame on you for not doing it.

2188
01:56:04,125 --> 01:56:08,435
Now's your chance to listen to Catherine Wayland

2189
01:56:08,855 --> 01:56:11,395
and a specific number

2190
01:56:11,945 --> 01:56:14,835
that will visually look different to voters.

2191
01:56:15,255 --> 01:56:17,195
You might get something a little more supportive,

2192
01:56:17,815 --> 01:56:19,635
but I've watched your board meetings

2193
01:56:20,135 --> 01:56:23,555
and I almost never hear any of you really talk about budget.

2194
01:56:24,215 --> 01:56:25,515
You almost never talk about it.

2195
01:56:26,465 --> 01:56:27,995
It's very little conversation.

2196
01:56:28,495 --> 01:56:32,995
So I have zero confidence in what you folks put out

2197
01:56:32,995 --> 01:56:34,835
because I don't hear you talk about it.

2198
01:56:34,855 --> 01:56:36,555
So I don't know what the heck you're putting out there

2199
01:56:36,555 --> 01:56:39,315
to us other than what I can dig up and find on my own.

2200
01:56:39,335 --> 01:56:42,395
And and one student made the comment

2201
01:56:42,395 --> 01:56:44,875
that we only spend $12,500 per student.

2202
01:56:45,665 --> 01:56:47,595
Okay? We have about 2100 students.

2203
01:56:48,815 --> 01:56:51,595
Simple math, that's $27 million.

2204
01:56:52,295 --> 01:56:55,115
Our budget's a hell of a long cry from $27 million.

2205
01:56:55,295 --> 01:56:59,075
So we spend a lot more than 12 five per student.

2206
01:56:59,815 --> 01:57:00,995
You know, that's not the way the

2207
01:57:00,995 --> 01:57:02,075
state of Vermont calculates.

2208
01:57:02,185 --> 01:57:03,355
Come on. I don't care how the state

2209
01:57:03,355 --> 01:57:04,515
of Vermont calculates it.

2210
01:57:04,595 --> 01:57:05,835
I care about a taxpayer.

2211
01:57:05,985 --> 01:57:07,675
Well, we're not immune from their laws.

2212
01:57:07,675 --> 01:57:10,755
Jeff Taxpayers calculate their expense budgets

2213
01:57:10,755 --> 01:57:11,835
on revenue and expenses.

2214
01:57:12,665 --> 01:57:16,195
Your expense budget that you just finished

2215
01:57:17,215 --> 01:57:21,755
was north of $64 million on a, on a budget that was,

2216
01:57:21,995 --> 01:57:25,315
I believe it was approved at like 55, 59

2217
01:57:25,335 --> 01:57:29,755
or just under, it was under $56 million budget.

2218
01:57:29,975 --> 01:57:33,035
It was approved. But it is, it's irrelevant at this point.

2219
01:57:33,615 --> 01:57:37,635
My point is that when I sit back and I read the newspaper

2220
01:57:37,655 --> 01:57:41,635
and I see you, you board members say we only spend $12,500

2221
01:57:41,655 --> 01:57:43,715
per student and I can go find your

2222
01:57:43,715 --> 01:57:45,475
budget and your student count.

2223
01:57:45,475 --> 01:57:47,875
And I do the simple math. You're misleading people.

2224
01:57:48,255 --> 01:57:50,635
So I would appreciate you being honest with residents.

2225
01:57:50,805 --> 01:57:51,805
Thank you

2226
01:57:56,065 --> 01:57:57,065
Jeff.

2227
01:57:57,065 --> 01:57:58,075
I have a I have a question for you.

2228
01:57:58,215 --> 01:58:02,395
So, so the $350,000 was eye candy

2229
01:58:03,095 --> 01:58:04,715
for you and and voters.

2230
01:58:04,855 --> 01:58:07,875
So if we, if we dropped the number, I'm just trying

2231
01:58:07,875 --> 01:58:08,955
to understand, I'm listening to you

2232
01:58:09,215 --> 01:58:13,275
and that's what I, what I gathered the $350,000

2233
01:58:14,175 --> 01:58:18,035
in reductions would've turned out a yes vote

2234
01:58:18,945 --> 01:58:21,395
because it, because because it looked good.

2235
01:58:22,055 --> 01:58:26,835
The perception of 57 3 times versus 57 twice

2236
01:58:26,895 --> 01:58:28,795
and 56 on the third time

2237
01:58:29,515 --> 01:58:32,035
would've visually had an impact on loaders.

2238
01:58:33,255 --> 01:58:34,555
And that's something that

2239
01:58:34,615 --> 01:58:36,995
as a board you all need to be talking about.

2240
01:58:37,375 --> 01:58:39,995
So, but I wouldn't, I wouldn't be doing my job if I was

2241
01:58:39,995 --> 01:58:42,965
like, well, you know, that, that looks great, that,

2242
01:58:43,705 --> 01:58:47,485
you know, if we just cut seven positions

2243
01:58:47,785 --> 01:58:51,885
and do sports, it'll drop that number down

2244
01:58:52,385 --> 01:58:53,965
and hey, I'm gonna get a yes vote.

2245
01:58:53,995 --> 01:58:55,285
I'll, I'll do that. I'll make that deal.

2246
01:58:56,435 --> 01:58:57,465
We're not gonna do that.

2247
01:58:57,715 --> 01:59:01,145
We're not gonna cut sports because it looks good.

2248
01:59:02,245 --> 01:59:04,425
I'm not, I'm not here advocating for any cuts

2249
01:59:04,425 --> 01:59:06,425
of sports. I'm, but

2250
01:59:06,425 --> 01:59:07,985
You want something, you'd like something cut

2251
01:59:07,985 --> 01:59:08,985
Exactly what they deserve.

2252
01:59:10,205 --> 01:59:12,025
You, you, you would like something cut.

2253
01:59:12,045 --> 01:59:13,065
You don't care what it is.

2254
01:59:13,205 --> 01:59:15,785
But the, the budget number has to look good to you.

2255
01:59:16,565 --> 01:59:17,865
I'm telling I, I'll say this

2256
01:59:17,865 --> 01:59:19,465
and that'll be quiet 'cause I'm over my time.

2257
01:59:20,205 --> 01:59:23,785
If you want me to level expertise on your board,

2258
01:59:23,975 --> 01:59:25,625
then I'll run for the school board and I'll do that.

2259
01:59:25,625 --> 01:59:28,585
But frankly, I don't want to You people were elected to do

2260
01:59:28,585 --> 01:59:29,745
that, that's your job.

2261
01:59:30,635 --> 01:59:31,665
We're not, you're not supposed

2262
01:59:31,665 --> 01:59:32,665
to put your finger up in the air

2263
01:59:32,665 --> 01:59:33,865
and say, geez, people, what do you want?

2264
01:59:33,865 --> 01:59:37,505
Do? You're supposed to lead, lead your community

2265
01:59:37,605 --> 01:59:40,065
for a budget that you think you can get past. But

2266
01:59:40,065 --> 01:59:41,065
That's what it sounds like.

2267
01:59:41,065 --> 01:59:42,345
That's what sounds like what you're telling me,

2268
01:59:42,815 --> 01:59:45,465
That if you had a 56 point something,

2269
01:59:46,295 --> 01:59:47,985
your budget probably would've had a better

2270
01:59:47,985 --> 01:59:49,025
chance to get approved.

2271
01:59:49,855 --> 01:59:54,625
Instead, you left at a 57,128,000

2272
01:59:55,125 --> 01:59:56,945
and you've got no budget and,

2273
01:59:57,165 --> 02:00:00,585
and I wanna see this board working on the budget.

2274
02:00:00,785 --> 02:00:02,065
I wanna be able to watch a meeting

2275
02:00:02,405 --> 02:00:04,265
and see you all talking about what to do,

2276
02:00:04,885 --> 02:00:06,505
really discussing what to do.

2277
02:00:06,785 --> 02:00:09,225
I think at this point, the only way you have out of this is

2278
02:00:09,225 --> 02:00:10,545
to look at the administrative team

2279
02:00:10,765 --> 02:00:13,105
and make some alterations on the administrative team.

2280
02:00:13,125 --> 02:00:14,225
You can't do it with teachers.

2281
02:00:14,805 --> 02:00:16,465
You certainly better not do it with sports.

2282
02:00:17,845 --> 02:00:19,385
You don't have any choice. You the

2283
02:00:19,385 --> 02:00:20,585
administrative team. Contracts. Contracts.

2284
02:00:21,315 --> 02:00:25,305
Thank you Jeff. I go

2285
02:00:26,445 --> 02:00:27,445
Go.

2286
02:00:30,085 --> 02:00:34,025
As you may know, I tried to speak earlier and I got scared

2287
02:00:34,125 --> 02:00:35,145
and I sat back down.

2288
02:00:35,605 --> 02:00:40,545
But from what I just heard, this is exactly why most

2289
02:00:40,545 --> 02:00:44,345
of these kids came here to speak today is, oh,

2290
02:00:44,585 --> 02:00:46,185
I support not cutting sports,

2291
02:00:46,765 --> 02:00:51,585
but the board isn't fit for this.

2292
02:00:52,125 --> 02:00:54,865
And like voting no is,

2293
02:00:56,815 --> 02:01:01,305
it's just, you see all these kids, they came here to voice

2294
02:01:01,915 --> 02:01:05,345
about what they love and that they don't want it to be cut.

2295
02:01:05,765 --> 02:01:10,265
But then you, I also,

2296
02:01:10,905 --> 02:01:15,185
I have a brother and he goes to Berry Town

2297
02:01:16,165 --> 02:01:20,785
and so she, my kid,

2298
02:01:21,565 --> 02:01:23,065
her kid is friends with my brother

2299
02:01:23,245 --> 02:01:26,585
and I want them to have the same opportunities.

2300
02:01:27,175 --> 02:01:31,025
Like I want them to have opportunities as they grow up

2301
02:01:31,645 --> 02:01:33,985
and I want them to feel like they belong

2302
02:01:34,925 --> 02:01:39,145
and cutting, cutting these opportunities

2303
02:01:39,355 --> 02:01:42,245
with sports and extracurriculars.

2304
02:01:42,355 --> 02:01:45,845
Like it's not going, it's not going to help us at all.

2305
02:01:47,265 --> 02:01:49,885
And like voting now is

2306
02:01:51,015 --> 02:01:53,925
completely like, I think I made that point.

2307
02:01:54,005 --> 02:01:55,005
I

2308
02:01:55,525 --> 02:01:59,885
I say one thing,

2309
02:02:00,135 --> 02:02:01,845
thank you so much for coming back up.

2310
02:02:03,315 --> 02:02:04,525
It's, and good job kid.

2311
02:02:05,705 --> 02:02:06,925
And I love your sentiment

2312
02:02:07,805 --> 02:02:11,325
because that's actually why I am here on the board is I want

2313
02:02:11,325 --> 02:02:13,325
to make sure that you guys have all the opportunities

2314
02:02:13,325 --> 02:02:15,365
that I have growing up and,

2315
02:02:15,425 --> 02:02:17,605
and potentially more if that's even possible.

2316
02:02:18,265 --> 02:02:19,685
So it is very important for me

2317
02:02:19,705 --> 02:02:21,325
and it just means so much to hear.

2318
02:02:22,705 --> 02:02:26,605
One of hear you say that I I cannot even just tell you

2319
02:02:26,605 --> 02:02:27,605
how much that means to you.

2320
02:02:27,885 --> 02:02:30,525
I, I'm not sure if what I said made complete sense, but

2321
02:02:31,145 --> 02:02:32,145
It did.

2322
02:02:32,145 --> 02:02:32,145
Okay.

2323
02:02:38,185 --> 02:02:40,085
All right. I'm gonna go online

2324
02:02:40,145 --> 02:02:43,165
to Sydney first then Rachel, then James.

2325
02:02:46,265 --> 02:02:49,445
Hi everybody. Can you hear me? Barely

2326
02:02:56,315 --> 02:02:57,085
come to me next.

2327
02:02:58,855 --> 02:03:02,965
Hello. I'll come to you.

2328
02:03:02,965 --> 02:03:05,085
Okay, so we'll go to to Rachel.

2329
02:03:08,265 --> 02:03:09,925
My name is Rachel Plet.

2330
02:03:10,145 --> 02:03:13,005
I'm a fifth grade social studies teacher at Berry Town now,

2331
02:03:13,815 --> 02:03:15,205
which is a new position for me.

2332
02:03:15,715 --> 02:03:19,005
This is my 16th year working at Berry Town School.

2333
02:03:20,285 --> 02:03:24,205
I decided to buy a condo here in Berry

2334
02:03:24,205 --> 02:03:26,325
because I love the berry community.

2335
02:03:27,605 --> 02:03:30,325
I also have been coming

2336
02:03:30,405 --> 02:03:32,805
to these meetings very regularly.

2337
02:03:32,905 --> 02:03:35,845
If I don't, if I'm not here in person, I watch it.

2338
02:03:36,715 --> 02:03:39,725
I've been here coming here hearing about the budget since

2339
02:03:39,755 --> 02:03:43,605
October, maybe November when you started discussing it.

2340
02:03:44,945 --> 02:03:46,845
And for those,

2341
02:03:48,185 --> 02:03:50,365
I'm having a really hard time hearing some

2342
02:03:50,365 --> 02:03:55,325
of the people speak knowing that it's,

2343
02:03:59,355 --> 02:04:01,365
they're putting a lot of blame on the school board.

2344
02:04:01,875 --> 02:04:03,525
I've been coming to these meetings again

2345
02:04:04,035 --> 02:04:06,165
like nearly every time.

2346
02:04:08,745 --> 02:04:10,205
And this board, the majority

2347
02:04:10,205 --> 02:04:12,845
of this board wanted everything funded.

2348
02:04:12,915 --> 02:04:14,165
They wanted a higher budget

2349
02:04:14,165 --> 02:04:19,005
because they believe that our students deserve it, But

2350
02:04:19,005 --> 02:04:20,325
because of the community

2351
02:04:20,665 --> 02:04:22,325
and there are certain members in the community

2352
02:04:22,385 --> 02:04:26,165
who absolutely are purposely spreading misinformation.

2353
02:04:27,405 --> 02:04:29,245
I think there are others who think they're doing the right

2354
02:04:29,245 --> 02:04:34,005
thing, but it's a really complicated funding for, I kind

2355
02:04:34,005 --> 02:04:35,845
of get it and I've been watching a lot of the videos

2356
02:04:36,025 --> 02:04:37,805
and again, I come to these board meetings.

2357
02:04:39,265 --> 02:04:42,605
One thing I'm excited about is the legislature meeting

2358
02:04:42,615 --> 02:04:45,285
again, because they're gonna talk about reforming

2359
02:04:45,305 --> 02:04:46,765
how we fund our schools.

2360
02:04:48,385 --> 02:04:49,605
We are cutting so much

2361
02:04:49,625 --> 02:04:51,325
and taking so much away from our schools

2362
02:04:51,825 --> 02:04:53,885
and our students and our community.

2363
02:04:54,265 --> 02:04:58,485
And it has, is not directly tied to

2364
02:04:58,485 --> 02:05:00,125
how much money you're saving on your taxes.

2365
02:05:01,345 --> 02:05:04,205
We are at this point because we have voted

2366
02:05:04,265 --> 02:05:05,285
the budget down three times.

2367
02:05:06,785 --> 02:05:08,485
We say in the district.

2368
02:05:08,685 --> 02:05:10,405
I voted yes every time

2369
02:05:10,405 --> 02:05:13,965
because I believe all these student students deserve just

2370
02:05:13,965 --> 02:05:17,005
as good of an education, as any other school around us,

2371
02:05:17,505 --> 02:05:18,685
any other school in Vermont.

2372
02:05:20,455 --> 02:05:22,165
Again, I come to these board meetings,

2373
02:05:22,165 --> 02:05:24,685
they can get really boring, no offense

2374
02:05:25,715 --> 02:05:28,605
because it's a lot of finances, just details

2375
02:05:30,665 --> 02:05:32,565
and, but they're going through it.

2376
02:05:32,715 --> 02:05:34,045
This was not on a whim.

2377
02:05:34,355 --> 02:05:37,525
This is a last, there's nothing left to cut.

2378
02:05:37,905 --> 02:05:42,765
We already have so much, so little

2379
02:05:42,865 --> 02:05:46,285
for our students, for our staff, for our community.

2380
02:05:48,625 --> 02:05:51,745
I sometimes question why bought a house here?

2381
02:05:51,745 --> 02:05:54,465
Because I know it's gonna be hard to sell it if I need

2382
02:05:54,465 --> 02:05:57,225
to sell it if we continue doing this.

2383
02:05:57,405 --> 02:05:59,465
But then I remember I come to things like this,

2384
02:05:59,715 --> 02:06:02,105
these board meetings and I remember why I'm here in Berry.

2385
02:06:03,185 --> 02:06:04,465
I love the students. I love

2386
02:06:04,465 --> 02:06:05,625
the families I've gotten to meet.

2387
02:06:06,385 --> 02:06:07,625
I love my coworkers

2388
02:06:10,925 --> 02:06:13,625
and berry town's really the only place I've worked.

2389
02:06:13,905 --> 02:06:15,545
I was a para my first year outta college

2390
02:06:15,885 --> 02:06:17,745
and I've been at Berry Town ever since.

2391
02:06:19,445 --> 02:06:20,545
And even when it's tough

2392
02:06:20,765 --> 02:06:22,865
and I'm hearing people in the community

2393
02:06:25,435 --> 02:06:29,255
spread misinformation, be misinformed, some of it really,

2394
02:06:29,705 --> 02:06:31,695
again, genuinely not understanding

2395
02:06:31,755 --> 02:06:33,095
or thinking they understand.

2396
02:06:34,095 --> 02:06:35,255
I just remember the students

2397
02:06:35,355 --> 02:06:37,255
and so I thank all the students who came here,

2398
02:06:38,155 --> 02:06:39,295
all the students I work with

2399
02:06:39,695 --> 02:06:41,695
because they're, I keep coming back

2400
02:06:42,715 --> 02:06:44,295
and I think that we can do better

2401
02:06:44,395 --> 02:06:45,735
and our students deserve better.

2402
02:06:45,755 --> 02:06:46,175
Thanks

2403
02:06:53,835 --> 02:06:54,255
Sydney.

2404
02:06:54,395 --> 02:06:55,395
Are you ready?

2405
02:06:56,035 --> 02:06:58,815
Can you hear me better now? Yes. All right.

2406
02:06:58,895 --> 02:07:00,095
I had to plug in my cell phone

2407
02:07:00,235 --> 02:07:03,055
or my headphones to the student that just talked.

2408
02:07:03,495 --> 02:07:04,695
I completely understand.

2409
02:07:05,215 --> 02:07:08,815
I, I'm horrible at public speaking

2410
02:07:09,115 --> 02:07:11,775
and if you could see me now, my hand is like shaking

2411
02:07:12,115 --> 02:07:15,935
and I don't even have my video turned on, so you know

2412
02:07:16,765 --> 02:07:18,375
it's gonna get better, I promise.

2413
02:07:19,435 --> 02:07:21,215
But I wanted to say something regardless of

2414
02:07:21,215 --> 02:07:25,055
what side you are on or what the outcome in is of this vote

2415
02:07:26,515 --> 02:07:29,175
one, see one thing seems clear, something needs

2416
02:07:29,435 --> 02:07:30,615
to change moving forward.

2417
02:07:32,285 --> 02:07:33,615
This isn't for this year,

2418
02:07:33,755 --> 02:07:36,365
but next year I believe there should be a greater,

2419
02:07:36,435 --> 02:07:38,605
greater involvement from the community members.

2420
02:07:38,865 --> 02:07:41,605
Not just when you know, the second

2421
02:07:41,705 --> 02:07:44,285
and the third vote fails.

2422
02:07:46,025 --> 02:07:48,765
And I think it needs to come from the community members

2423
02:07:49,675 --> 02:07:51,445
with professional and financial

2424
02:07:51,705 --> 02:07:55,805
and accounting experience in the budget development process,

2425
02:07:56,925 --> 02:07:59,365
a budget committee that brings together the school board

2426
02:07:59,365 --> 02:08:02,325
administration and experienced financial

2427
02:08:02,325 --> 02:08:05,125
and accounting profession professionals could provide

2428
02:08:06,215 --> 02:08:07,605
additional perspectives

2429
02:08:08,265 --> 02:08:13,125
and help make an incredible, incredibly complicated process

2430
02:08:13,715 --> 02:08:15,405
more understandable and transparent.

2431
02:08:16,545 --> 02:08:20,925
The community is asking for transparency for many taxpayers.

2432
02:08:20,925 --> 02:08:23,445
School finance is difficult to understand

2433
02:08:24,105 --> 02:08:26,845
and what they see most clearly is the impact on their

2434
02:08:27,165 --> 02:08:28,605
property taxes and a larger bill.

2435
02:08:28,865 --> 02:08:30,885
As a financial professional

2436
02:08:30,965 --> 02:08:33,565
and myself, I believe we need to do a better job

2437
02:08:33,565 --> 02:08:34,925
of bridging that gap.

2438
02:08:35,125 --> 02:08:37,525
Transparency isn't simply providing numbers,

2439
02:08:37,715 --> 02:08:40,365
it's educating people about what those numbers mean.

2440
02:08:40,915 --> 02:08:42,365
What is driving increases

2441
02:08:42,865 --> 02:08:44,525
and where money is going,

2442
02:08:45,395 --> 02:08:47,525
what alternatives are were considered,

2443
02:08:47,625 --> 02:08:50,605
and what the consequences or drug reductions would be.

2444
02:08:50,625 --> 02:08:52,045
And I know that we have been doing that.

2445
02:08:52,625 --> 02:08:55,925
And that responsibility cannot fall solely on you

2446
02:08:55,925 --> 02:08:56,965
guys, the school board.

2447
02:08:57,635 --> 02:09:00,605
It's gonna require leadership, collabor, collaboration,

2448
02:09:00,755 --> 02:09:04,525
financial expertise, like, excuse me, Ika said,

2449
02:09:04,615 --> 02:09:06,205
maybe even an outside auditor.

2450
02:09:06,785 --> 02:09:08,125
But that costs money

2451
02:09:10,265 --> 02:09:12,445
in a rigorous review of the budget

2452
02:09:12,545 --> 02:09:13,845
and the process behind it.

2453
02:09:14,465 --> 02:09:16,885
Our students deserve a strong education

2454
02:09:16,945 --> 02:09:19,085
and our taxpayers deserve to understand

2455
02:09:19,085 --> 02:09:20,245
how their money is being used.

2456
02:09:21,255 --> 02:09:22,925
Those two things should not be treated

2457
02:09:23,065 --> 02:09:25,325
as opposing goals moving forward.

2458
02:09:25,385 --> 02:09:27,645
We need a process that gives both the community

2459
02:09:27,665 --> 02:09:29,525
and our students greater confidence

2460
02:09:30,155 --> 02:09:32,645
that every option has been thoroughly examined

2461
02:09:32,825 --> 02:09:34,245
and communicated.

2462
02:09:34,985 --> 02:09:38,525
And I just wanna reiterate that I am so incredibly

2463
02:09:39,255 --> 02:09:40,325
proud of our students.

2464
02:09:40,715 --> 02:09:45,285
They're doing things that I still sweat and shake about and,

2465
02:09:45,945 --> 02:09:49,165
and that's speaking up for something that they love

2466
02:09:49,265 --> 02:09:51,005
and that they are passionate about.

2467
02:09:51,265 --> 02:09:55,685
And they all, every single one of you kids, young adults

2468
02:09:56,235 --> 02:09:57,965
brought tears to my eyes tonight.

2469
02:09:58,425 --> 02:10:00,045
And I think if anything,

2470
02:10:00,045 --> 02:10:03,885
your impact tonight has been the biggest impact

2471
02:10:05,195 --> 02:10:07,765
that we will see in a long, long time.

2472
02:10:08,705 --> 02:10:09,705
So thank you

2473
02:10:16,015 --> 02:10:17,015
James.

2474
02:10:18,105 --> 02:10:20,565
Hi, thanks. My name is James Carpenter.

2475
02:10:20,645 --> 02:10:22,325
I was a long time teacher at Perry Town.

2476
02:10:23,525 --> 02:10:27,445
I just want to say echo the last speaker's comments about

2477
02:10:27,505 --> 02:10:30,605
how proud I am of the students who get up to speak.

2478
02:10:31,005 --> 02:10:32,205
I thought they were eloquent

2479
02:10:32,305 --> 02:10:37,005
and put forth their concerns to the board.

2480
02:10:37,145 --> 02:10:38,965
I'd like to thank you for putting forth a

2481
02:10:39,435 --> 02:10:40,965
responsible and reasonable budget.

2482
02:10:41,405 --> 02:10:45,925
I think with 4% inflation to put forth a budget that's 2%

2483
02:10:46,715 --> 02:10:49,605
says a lot about the thought and care that you put into it.

2484
02:10:50,505 --> 02:10:53,205
To those who are like, we should cut more

2485
02:10:53,225 --> 02:10:55,125
before hanging sports around.

2486
02:10:55,125 --> 02:10:58,325
The next of our students know that Berry Town used

2487
02:10:58,325 --> 02:10:59,405
to have middle school art.

2488
02:11:00,285 --> 02:11:02,085
Berry Town used to have reading enrichment.

2489
02:11:02,885 --> 02:11:06,845
Berry Town used to have a technology integrationist,

2490
02:11:07,645 --> 02:11:10,965
Berry Town used to have behavioral support staff.

2491
02:11:12,465 --> 02:11:15,205
We are not hanging sports

2492
02:11:15,465 --> 02:11:17,605
around students' next unjustly

2493
02:11:17,825 --> 02:11:20,685
or using it as a threat to taxpayers.

2494
02:11:21,265 --> 02:11:22,365
You have seen again

2495
02:11:22,365 --> 02:11:25,285
and again what happens when the community does

2496
02:11:25,285 --> 02:11:26,405
not support its schools.

2497
02:11:27,465 --> 02:11:30,765
You lose all of those extra classes

2498
02:11:31,795 --> 02:11:32,925
that benefit students.

2499
02:11:33,385 --> 02:11:37,005
And so here we are with a 2% budget increase

2500
02:11:38,195 --> 02:11:40,365
that really just speaks more towards

2501
02:11:41,825 --> 02:11:43,285
the state funded

2502
02:11:43,745 --> 02:11:46,045
or how the state funds education than it does

2503
02:11:46,045 --> 02:11:47,165
towards our board.

2504
02:11:48,465 --> 02:11:50,725
So our board puts forth a a reasonable budget.

2505
02:11:51,945 --> 02:11:53,485
We have nowhere left to cut

2506
02:11:53,945 --> 02:11:57,045
and now we're here saying boards are last

2507
02:11:57,225 --> 02:11:58,885
and community members feel like it's

2508
02:12:00,155 --> 02:12:02,005
somehow a a scare tactic.

2509
02:12:02,225 --> 02:12:03,685
So I would just like to say

2510
02:12:03,685 --> 02:12:06,125
that those community members we've got, we've,

2511
02:12:07,025 --> 02:12:09,005
and I know I no longer work at Berry

2512
02:12:09,005 --> 02:12:10,885
Town, love working there.

2513
02:12:11,245 --> 02:12:14,125
I no longer work there because cuts

2514
02:12:14,125 --> 02:12:15,165
have been me in the past.

2515
02:12:16,145 --> 02:12:20,725
Please stop asking the school to take less and less and less

2516
02:12:21,065 --> 02:12:24,645
and do more with less and just step up for our community.

2517
02:12:27,355 --> 02:12:28,565
Yeah, Thank you for your time.

2518
02:12:37,665 --> 02:12:38,965
So my name is Michael Dearing.

2519
02:12:39,605 --> 02:12:42,405
I know many of you in this room, many different hats.

2520
02:12:42,545 --> 02:12:44,965
I'm gonna speak as a role of city counselor.

2521
02:12:45,485 --> 02:12:47,965
The deputy mayor. I think that it is time

2522
02:12:47,965 --> 02:12:49,645
that our communities, Berry Town

2523
02:12:49,645 --> 02:12:50,925
and Berry City come together

2524
02:12:50,945 --> 02:12:52,565
and figure out what the differences are

2525
02:12:52,565 --> 02:12:53,605
in order to pass a budget.

2526
02:12:54,395 --> 02:12:56,565
This process has gone on for way too long

2527
02:12:56,665 --> 02:12:59,005
and people need to come together in order to get that done.

2528
02:12:59,675 --> 02:13:01,325
Between statements

2529
02:13:01,505 --> 02:13:04,165
and comments that many different individuals have made,

2530
02:13:04,665 --> 02:13:08,005
it seems that we have groups that are on two different sides

2531
02:13:08,005 --> 02:13:10,325
of the spectrum, that one group really wants

2532
02:13:10,325 --> 02:13:13,005
to pass the budget and other people don't

2533
02:13:13,005 --> 02:13:14,125
wanna really pass the budget.

2534
02:13:14,545 --> 02:13:16,605
And what needs to happen is that everyone needs

2535
02:13:16,605 --> 02:13:18,405
to come together to get something done.

2536
02:13:19,185 --> 02:13:20,805
Now when it comes to policy making,

2537
02:13:20,805 --> 02:13:22,485
nobody gets everything that they want.

2538
02:13:23,605 --> 02:13:25,695
Each side kind of puts together what they want

2539
02:13:26,155 --> 02:13:27,655
and out of that comes a product

2540
02:13:27,655 --> 02:13:29,135
that the voters are going to approve.

2541
02:13:29,875 --> 02:13:31,645
We haven't been able to come up with a product

2542
02:13:31,645 --> 02:13:34,085
that the voters are going to be able to approve.

2543
02:13:35,935 --> 02:13:38,535
I try not to get involved in our school issues

2544
02:13:38,535 --> 02:13:40,695
because as a city counselor, I try to just

2545
02:13:41,215 --> 02:13:42,495
maintain focus on the city.

2546
02:13:42,925 --> 02:13:45,215
It's important to keep the separation there,

2547
02:13:45,955 --> 02:13:48,215
but desperate times call for desperate measures

2548
02:13:48,235 --> 02:13:50,055
and everybody needs to get involved.

2549
02:13:50,755 --> 02:13:53,015
So this isn't me making a plea

2550
02:13:53,015 --> 02:13:55,095
for anything other than people coming together

2551
02:13:55,115 --> 02:13:56,895
and working together to get the things done

2552
02:13:56,955 --> 02:13:58,695
for our community that needs to get done.

2553
02:13:59,635 --> 02:14:02,335
So everybody just needs to stop the pettiness.

2554
02:14:02,875 --> 02:14:06,335
We needs to have good solid conversations about what's going

2555
02:14:06,435 --> 02:14:09,895
on because without the discussions that are going on,

2556
02:14:10,265 --> 02:14:11,295
we're not gonna get anywhere.

2557
02:14:11,545 --> 02:14:12,775
We're not gonna pass a budget.

2558
02:14:13,155 --> 02:14:15,415
No one's gonna come and wanna work for our school district.

2559
02:14:15,415 --> 02:14:17,975
Nobody's gonna want to come to live in our city or our town.

2560
02:14:18,475 --> 02:14:20,095
That's just the reality of it.

2561
02:14:20,835 --> 02:14:23,255
So I'm coming as a cheerleader for our community

2562
02:14:23,555 --> 02:14:26,895
to say we all need to come together to support something

2563
02:14:26,895 --> 02:14:28,335
that the voters are going to approve.

2564
02:14:28,955 --> 02:14:30,935
Yes, we want 51%

2565
02:14:30,995 --> 02:14:33,255
to support the budget, but it's more than that.

2566
02:14:33,635 --> 02:14:36,695
We want a community as a whole to support our budget.

2567
02:14:37,995 --> 02:14:38,935
I'm just gonna end with that.

2568
02:14:45,505 --> 02:14:46,505
Ellen K.

2569
02:14:48,755 --> 02:14:50,455
Hi there. Can you hear me all right?

2570
02:14:51,155 --> 02:14:54,495
We can hear you Great. This is Ellen K from Berry City.

2571
02:14:56,015 --> 02:14:58,575
I also wanna applaud the school board and

2572
02:14:58,635 --> 02:15:03,535
and your diligent efforts to pass a budget that gets lower

2573
02:15:03,955 --> 02:15:06,935
and lower and lower every time.

2574
02:15:07,555 --> 02:15:09,815
And yet some people are never satisfied.

2575
02:15:12,075 --> 02:15:14,175
The previous speaker wanted to know what the differences

2576
02:15:14,175 --> 02:15:16,135
between Berry City and Berry Town are.

2577
02:15:16,715 --> 02:15:20,775
Put simply, Berry City has a 25% poverty rate

2578
02:15:21,515 --> 02:15:24,375
and Berry Town has a 5% poverty rate.

2579
02:15:25,095 --> 02:15:27,935
Berry City has a 50%, $50,000

2580
02:15:28,075 --> 02:15:30,695
or around there median household income.

2581
02:15:31,075 --> 02:15:33,335
And Berry Town has an 80,000.

2582
02:15:34,265 --> 02:15:36,895
There are different interests here and,

2583
02:15:37,155 --> 02:15:40,135
and the amount of misinformation on

2584
02:15:40,135 --> 02:15:42,335
what these increases would mean for people

2585
02:15:44,045 --> 02:15:48,855
were really irresponsible and ill-intentioned.

2586
02:15:49,635 --> 02:15:54,415
So you're, so we have se several wealthy people

2587
02:15:55,365 --> 02:15:58,855
putting out information that it's gonna be a 10% increase.

2588
02:15:59,835 --> 02:16:01,895
It was never a 10% increase.

2589
02:16:02,195 --> 02:16:07,055
And a lot of people went to the polls believing that also

2590
02:16:09,035 --> 02:16:11,575
low income people and by low income,

2591
02:16:11,635 --> 02:16:13,415
the the threshold's pretty high

2592
02:16:15,365 --> 02:16:17,375
have in get income sensitivity,

2593
02:16:17,745 --> 02:16:20,775
which means they are not paying the whole thing.

2594
02:16:21,555 --> 02:16:24,415
So also wealthy people putting out information

2595
02:16:24,415 --> 02:16:27,615
that say it's gonna hurt poor people is disingenuous.

2596
02:16:29,305 --> 02:16:32,565
So I think that what needs to happen is that everybody

2597
02:16:32,665 --> 02:16:33,765
who did not get out

2598
02:16:33,765 --> 02:16:38,485
and vote for this budget needs to be cajoled

2599
02:16:38,745 --> 02:16:41,165
and driven to the polls and encouraged

2600
02:16:41,465 --> 02:16:44,045
and every student who spoke here tonight, you were amazing.

2601
02:16:44,545 --> 02:16:47,405
Now please go and talk to your parents

2602
02:16:47,585 --> 02:16:48,645
and your parents friends

2603
02:16:48,785 --> 02:16:51,725
and everyone else to support who, who supports this school

2604
02:16:52,145 --> 02:16:56,845
to get out and pass us a budget that we can live with.

2605
02:16:57,995 --> 02:16:59,325
It's still not gonna be great

2606
02:16:59,435 --> 02:17:00,605
because we are one

2607
02:17:00,605 --> 02:17:02,925
of the most underfunded schools in the state

2608
02:17:03,385 --> 02:17:04,765
and one of the, the schools

2609
02:17:04,765 --> 02:17:08,765
with the lowest per pupil spending, that's a statement

2610
02:17:09,185 --> 02:17:13,845
of principal Barry, do you care about your students?

2611
02:17:14,305 --> 02:17:15,565
Do you value your schools?

2612
02:17:15,665 --> 02:17:19,045
Do you remember that people sent you to school, people

2613
02:17:19,385 --> 02:17:21,285
who may have been on a fixed income, people

2614
02:17:21,305 --> 02:17:23,925
who didn't know any longer have children in

2615
02:17:23,925 --> 02:17:25,765
school, they sent you to school.

2616
02:17:26,185 --> 02:17:30,885
It is our job to make sure that these children get the same.

2617
02:17:33,695 --> 02:17:34,695
Thank you.

2618
02:17:42,445 --> 02:17:44,725
I wanna fix these awesome students over there.

2619
02:17:45,345 --> 02:17:46,605
You guys did a great job

2620
02:17:47,745 --> 02:17:50,365
and I hope that this whole thing Sorry,

2621
02:17:50,365 --> 02:17:51,645
can I just have you state your name for the record?

2622
02:17:51,705 --> 02:17:56,285
Oh, sorry. I'm Mark Tro. I'm a taxpayer in Berry City.

2623
02:17:56,685 --> 02:17:58,685
I also own a business in, in Berry County.

2624
02:17:58,805 --> 02:18:00,205
I pay taxes on that property.

2625
02:18:00,825 --> 02:18:03,685
Not only do I pay a boatload of taxes,

2626
02:18:04,005 --> 02:18:05,885
I mean a boatload of taxes, right?

2627
02:18:07,365 --> 02:18:10,325
I also give back to the community with a lot of hours

2628
02:18:10,665 --> 02:18:15,165
and a lot of money and somebody you, so

2629
02:18:16,435 --> 02:18:18,045
when people voted no one budget,

2630
02:18:18,155 --> 02:18:19,205
they didn't vote against you.

2631
02:18:20,105 --> 02:18:21,765
We love you. You're doing a good job.

2632
02:18:22,345 --> 02:18:24,685
One of the things I was just gonna say is I hope this gets

2633
02:18:24,685 --> 02:18:27,765
you guys to get out and vote when you're old about to vote

2634
02:18:27,765 --> 02:18:31,245
because teeny tiny portion of us voted.

2635
02:18:32,065 --> 02:18:34,725
That's sad. Whether you voted yes or not, that's just sad.

2636
02:18:35,345 --> 02:18:36,845
We need to get people out there and vote.

2637
02:18:37,795 --> 02:18:39,805
They voted no on the budget

2638
02:18:40,235 --> 02:18:42,085
because they didn't have confidence in

2639
02:18:42,085 --> 02:18:43,165
what the budget stood for.

2640
02:18:43,785 --> 02:18:45,485
And it's sad that we get to this point

2641
02:18:46,375 --> 02:18:48,765
where these guys feel like it's about them.

2642
02:18:49,265 --> 02:18:50,845
It wasn't about them, it's about

2643
02:18:51,025 --> 02:18:52,285
how the budget was presented,

2644
02:18:53,525 --> 02:18:56,465
how they felt it was spent.

2645
02:18:57,365 --> 02:19:00,985
And now we're at a point where things are already spent,

2646
02:19:01,125 --> 02:19:02,145
we can't do anything about it.

2647
02:19:03,135 --> 02:19:04,385
It's sad that we got to that point.

2648
02:19:04,385 --> 02:19:05,505
Something should have been done

2649
02:19:05,505 --> 02:19:07,505
before that there was room to do things.

2650
02:19:08,165 --> 02:19:10,425
We need to work harder on that. All right.

2651
02:19:10,425 --> 02:19:15,015
That's why people, people voted wasn't people were vote yes

2652
02:19:15,835 --> 02:19:17,295
for 80,000 budget.

2653
02:19:17,295 --> 02:19:18,775
$80 million budget.

2654
02:19:18,835 --> 02:19:21,975
Excuse me, if they felt it was spent, right?

2655
02:19:23,795 --> 02:19:26,815
So the taxes that I pay, the money that I give

2656
02:19:26,815 --> 02:19:30,485
to the community, I'm happy to do

2657
02:19:30,485 --> 02:19:32,685
that if I feel it's being treated properly.

2658
02:19:34,025 --> 02:19:35,845
All right? It is about you guys,

2659
02:19:36,745 --> 02:19:39,085
but we want that budget to be about you guys,

2660
02:19:39,905 --> 02:19:41,445
not all the other little things that are in there

2661
02:19:41,445 --> 02:19:43,085
that we don't feel confident about.

2662
02:19:45,225 --> 02:19:46,805
So we need to work harder on the budget.

2663
02:19:47,905 --> 02:19:49,485
I'm sad that we're at the point where we're at

2664
02:19:49,575 --> 02:19:52,405
where we don't have a lot of wiggle room now we did before.

2665
02:19:53,965 --> 02:19:56,345
So next year we gotta do better

2666
02:19:57,405 --> 02:19:59,625
and hopefully we do something to get the voters

2667
02:19:59,685 --> 02:20:01,585
to pass budget so we can run all the

2668
02:20:01,585 --> 02:20:02,985
school budget this year.

2669
02:20:03,205 --> 02:20:06,345
You taking care of these guys because they're one job.

2670
02:20:14,545 --> 02:20:17,615
I think you need to. Lisa.

2671
02:20:20,955 --> 02:20:22,055
Hi, good evening.

2672
02:20:22,155 --> 02:20:24,135
I'm Lisa Tta and I live in Berry City

2673
02:20:24,875 --> 02:20:29,415
and I wanted, I was so moved by every single student

2674
02:20:29,675 --> 02:20:30,695
who spoke tonight.

2675
02:20:31,355 --> 02:20:32,455
You guys are phenomenal

2676
02:20:32,635 --> 02:20:35,135
and I know one other speaker said they were moved to tears

2677
02:20:35,555 --> 02:20:37,735
and I was as well because your statements were

2678
02:20:37,735 --> 02:20:39,375
so incredibly powerful.

2679
02:20:40,755 --> 02:20:42,335
But I wanna talk about something.

2680
02:20:44,005 --> 02:20:45,895
I've lived in Berry City for seven years

2681
02:20:46,915 --> 02:20:50,975
and I think for all my recollection is for almost every one

2682
02:20:50,975 --> 02:20:55,215
of those seven years, the budget fails at least once

2683
02:20:56,715 --> 02:20:58,615
it comes back and the board cuts

2684
02:20:58,755 --> 02:21:01,695
and then they bring it forward and sometimes it passes

2685
02:21:01,835 --> 02:21:03,055
and sometimes it doesn't.

2686
02:21:03,715 --> 02:21:05,575
But every single year

2687
02:21:07,005 --> 02:21:10,775
when the new budget comes out, it's based on

2688
02:21:11,315 --> 02:21:14,935
the prior years operating

2689
02:21:14,935 --> 02:21:16,615
everything, programs, everything.

2690
02:21:17,215 --> 02:21:21,375
I rarely see anything added, anything new,

2691
02:21:21,635 --> 02:21:25,655
any new programs, any expansion, anything new offered.

2692
02:21:26,275 --> 02:21:29,695
And every time that budget has to be redrafted and cut

2693
02:21:29,765 --> 02:21:33,415
because voters vote it down, we lose something.

2694
02:21:34,835 --> 02:21:36,055
And I've seen board

2695
02:21:36,185 --> 02:21:41,055
after board try to preserve everything

2696
02:21:41,355 --> 02:21:44,815
for the students and we've cut

2697
02:21:44,915 --> 02:21:46,455
and we've cut and we've cut.

2698
02:21:47,275 --> 02:21:50,575
And now we came forward with a 2% increase

2699
02:21:50,795 --> 02:21:52,215
and it was voted down again.

2700
02:21:53,575 --> 02:21:58,255
I heard so much mistrust in

2701
02:21:58,255 --> 02:22:03,215
what this board is doing and it's astounding

2702
02:22:03,215 --> 02:22:06,415
because this board is working so hard

2703
02:22:07,445 --> 02:22:08,815
that the rubber has hit the road

2704
02:22:11,555 --> 02:22:14,455
and it's a result of so much mistrust.

2705
02:22:15,195 --> 02:22:16,895
So many budgets being voted down.

2706
02:22:18,125 --> 02:22:19,895
They were in a very difficult position.

2707
02:22:21,515 --> 02:22:23,455
And I thank the board for their hard work

2708
02:22:23,915 --> 02:22:27,005
and the administration who I trust

2709
02:22:28,105 --> 02:22:29,925
to bring forward a good budget.

2710
02:22:30,775 --> 02:22:32,165
These are professionals.

2711
02:22:33,235 --> 02:22:36,565
They don't need to be nitpicked line by line

2712
02:22:36,785 --> 02:22:38,165
and go through all these details.

2713
02:22:38,775 --> 02:22:41,005
We've elected this board to do the work

2714
02:22:43,465 --> 02:22:45,765
and I just wish the community would trust them

2715
02:22:46,265 --> 02:22:48,645
and get behind it and do the right thing for our students.

2716
02:22:49,055 --> 02:22:50,055
Thank you.

2717
02:23:00,985 --> 02:23:02,245
My name is Emma Heian.

2718
02:23:02,605 --> 02:23:06,725
I, yeah, it sounded like

2719
02:23:07,475 --> 02:23:10,725
some of the people were saying that they wanted the students

2720
02:23:10,785 --> 02:23:12,725
to have everything that they needed

2721
02:23:12,785 --> 02:23:13,965
and like all that was important.

2722
02:23:14,655 --> 02:23:18,165
There was another group of people that were, did not like

2723
02:23:18,825 --> 02:23:21,805
the like price of the budget or whatever.

2724
02:23:22,065 --> 02:23:25,405
And it just doesn't seem like at this point those two

2725
02:23:25,405 --> 02:23:26,565
things could go together.

2726
02:23:27,505 --> 02:23:30,885
You guys already seem to cut so much of the stuff.

2727
02:23:31,425 --> 02:23:33,485
If like even if you don't like cut sports

2728
02:23:33,485 --> 02:23:35,445
and stuff, you're looking for other like things

2729
02:23:35,445 --> 02:23:37,965
to cut enough to take it down to an amount

2730
02:23:37,965 --> 02:23:40,405
that maybe some people would be okay with it.

2731
02:23:40,905 --> 02:23:42,925
It would still have a fairly large,

2732
02:23:43,825 --> 02:23:46,005
but it would still have some something of an impact.

2733
02:23:46,385 --> 02:23:51,085
And if that's okay that year, then the person

2734
02:23:51,105 --> 02:23:53,245
who just talked, they said it's based off the year

2735
02:23:53,245 --> 02:23:58,075
beforehand then wouldn't it keep getting

2736
02:23:58,295 --> 02:24:03,195
cut and cut and slowly small decreases in like budget

2737
02:24:03,745 --> 02:24:05,915
just hurt the students over time.

2738
02:24:06,425 --> 02:24:09,195
Even if it's not like large things that we can notice

2739
02:24:12,345 --> 02:24:16,845
And wouldn't it, would it be possible it,

2740
02:24:17,515 --> 02:24:21,405
it's already been not passed so many times.

2741
02:24:21,975 --> 02:24:24,245
Would it be possible to put together a budget that

2742
02:24:25,055 --> 02:24:26,485
would fit all the things

2743
02:24:26,485 --> 02:24:28,045
that you guys think the students need

2744
02:24:28,545 --> 02:24:32,085
and then just offer that to the voters, sorry, the voters

2745
02:24:32,265 --> 02:24:34,765
as many times as it takes for them to vote?

2746
02:24:34,825 --> 02:24:35,045
Yes.

2747
02:24:45,575 --> 02:24:46,575
Jayla.

2748
02:24:48,755 --> 02:24:51,855
Hi, I am Jayla. I got three kiddos in Berry City.

2749
02:24:51,965 --> 02:24:54,895
It's only our second year, but I'm not new to Berry.

2750
02:24:55,255 --> 02:24:58,055
I went to Berry City, I graduated from Spalding.

2751
02:24:59,295 --> 02:25:02,215
I got a couple of questions following up some things that

2752
02:25:02,735 --> 02:25:05,095
multiple people have said including our last speaker.

2753
02:25:05,795 --> 02:25:08,935
So he's right in the sense that everything just keeps going.

2754
02:25:08,985 --> 02:25:11,135
Every time we cut, every year it changes.

2755
02:25:11,535 --> 02:25:13,735
I remember having cityscape at Berry City

2756
02:25:13,735 --> 02:25:18,255
that is been long gone for now, like very long time.

2757
02:25:18,835 --> 02:25:20,735
And that had a massive impact

2758
02:25:20,735 --> 02:25:22,135
of us when we were younger kids.

2759
02:25:22,985 --> 02:25:25,605
And I mean I don't think they're wrong if we keep continuing

2760
02:25:25,605 --> 02:25:28,885
to cut, we very clearly have a budget that's hard.

2761
02:25:29,085 --> 02:25:30,485
I don't know all those nuances.

2762
02:25:30,505 --> 02:25:32,845
But my main question is again,

2763
02:25:33,465 --> 02:25:35,205
why are we not merging the schools?

2764
02:25:35,435 --> 02:25:38,965
Like what is stopping Berry Town being a middle school,

2765
02:25:39,235 --> 02:25:41,445
like Berry City being an elementary school,

2766
02:25:41,745 --> 02:25:44,165
we just heard people talk about the poverty differences

2767
02:25:44,705 --> 02:25:45,765
and all those things.

2768
02:25:45,905 --> 02:25:49,165
And again, someone else spoke before I was a Berry City kid.

2769
02:25:49,325 --> 02:25:51,205
I remember exactly what that person said.

2770
02:25:51,465 --> 02:25:53,565
We went to Spalding, we were looked down on,

2771
02:25:53,865 --> 02:25:56,325
we were like the kids that were always troublemakers.

2772
02:25:56,525 --> 02:25:59,165
Supposedly we always heard how gray berry town kids were

2773
02:25:59,665 --> 02:26:01,685
and we're not dumb as adults.

2774
02:26:01,785 --> 02:26:02,925
We see those different things

2775
02:26:03,065 --> 02:26:05,725
and like we're still experiencing kids obviously

2776
02:26:05,725 --> 02:26:06,885
we have a lot more issues.

2777
02:26:06,885 --> 02:26:09,325
There's addiction problems, lots of things going on.

2778
02:26:09,865 --> 02:26:12,685
But that doesn't mean these kids deserve any less.

2779
02:26:13,185 --> 02:26:15,765
And we have a lot more kids needing services.

2780
02:26:15,985 --> 02:26:17,125
And when I was growing up,

2781
02:26:17,405 --> 02:26:18,885
Berry Town always had the services

2782
02:26:19,025 --> 02:26:20,445
for the kids that were doing great.

2783
02:26:21,125 --> 02:26:22,925
Berry City always had the services for the kids

2784
02:26:22,925 --> 02:26:24,045
that were doing bad.

2785
02:26:24,445 --> 02:26:26,045
I don't know if I said that wrong, but Berry Town

2786
02:26:26,065 --> 02:26:27,245
had the good stuff.

2787
02:26:27,605 --> 02:26:28,645
Berry City had the rough stuff

2788
02:26:29,025 --> 02:26:31,445
and it wasn't necessarily bad,

2789
02:26:31,465 --> 02:26:33,965
but it was just like the kids in Berry Town were exce like

2790
02:26:33,965 --> 02:26:36,245
succeeding more because there was more funding going towards

2791
02:26:36,245 --> 02:26:38,285
the kids that were excelling.

2792
02:26:38,585 --> 02:26:40,885
And then Berry City had funding going towards the kids

2793
02:26:40,885 --> 02:26:43,485
that were struggling and some of them were doing great too.

2794
02:26:44,025 --> 02:26:46,165
But why are we not splitting funding?

2795
02:26:46,465 --> 02:26:48,525
Why is it still separate schools

2796
02:26:48,585 --> 02:26:50,645
for separate things when we're like sharing

2797
02:26:50,655 --> 02:26:52,445
buses, we've done all the other things.

2798
02:26:52,475 --> 02:26:55,645
Like why aren't we looking at the budget of

2799
02:26:56,765 --> 02:26:58,325
creating schools, merging everything?

2800
02:26:58,765 --> 02:27:00,485
I, that's just my question.

2801
02:27:00,515 --> 02:27:03,805
Like I said, I'm new so I don't like a hundred percent know

2802
02:27:03,805 --> 02:27:04,845
everything that's been going on,

2803
02:27:04,905 --> 02:27:07,725
but that's been the main question since even I was a

2804
02:27:07,725 --> 02:27:09,005
kid like in the nineties.

2805
02:27:10,435 --> 02:27:12,725
Okay, can I, I'm gonna summarize this,

2806
02:27:12,905 --> 02:27:15,045
so correct me if I'm wrong, it's gonna be very simple.

2807
02:27:15,305 --> 02:27:17,445
So when that first merge happened,

2808
02:27:19,065 --> 02:27:20,485
people didn't want it to happen.

2809
02:27:20,965 --> 02:27:23,205
I think town voted more against it.

2810
02:27:23,785 --> 02:27:26,005
I'm not a hundred percent sure we can fact check that,

2811
02:27:26,345 --> 02:27:30,365
but I do know that town facilitated, there's articles in

2812
02:27:30,365 --> 02:27:33,605
that merger merger that we have to have a public vote

2813
02:27:33,745 --> 02:27:36,125
to merge the students into the same building.

2814
02:27:36,545 --> 02:27:39,805
So no matter what we do as a board, we cannot say, okay,

2815
02:27:40,045 --> 02:27:43,445
tomorrow pre-K through four is over there and

2816
02:27:43,505 --> 02:27:44,605
and the rest are over here.

2817
02:27:44,665 --> 02:27:46,605
We cannot do that legally, first of all.

2818
02:27:47,165 --> 02:27:49,245
Secondly, the board has voted twice

2819
02:27:50,265 --> 02:27:53,965
to have someone look at physically merging the

2820
02:27:53,965 --> 02:27:55,045
elementary middle schools.

2821
02:27:55,905 --> 02:27:59,005
Of course I have yet to follow up with superintendent nicely

2822
02:27:59,005 --> 02:28:00,925
because we're doing this for so long

2823
02:28:00,945 --> 02:28:02,205
and putting this fire out.

2824
02:28:03,185 --> 02:28:05,965
But that was begun right at the end of Joanne's tenure.

2825
02:28:07,185 --> 02:28:09,565
So we want to at least look at that.

2826
02:28:10,445 --> 02:28:12,285
I do believe there are cost savings in it.

2827
02:28:12,625 --> 02:28:14,165
For example, it's a lot easier

2828
02:28:14,385 --> 02:28:17,165
to consolidate classrooms if you have lower enrollments,

2829
02:28:17,225 --> 02:28:19,605
if you don't have the grades in two different buildings.

2830
02:28:21,025 --> 02:28:23,845
But we have to look at it so that that's the main Yeah,

2831
02:28:23,945 --> 02:28:25,285
and it does cost money to look at it.

2832
02:28:25,425 --> 02:28:27,485
But that's the main reason we have

2833
02:28:27,485 --> 02:28:28,765
to have, we have to have that looked at.

2834
02:28:28,825 --> 02:28:33,525
And it also has to go to a public vote. Thank you.

2835
02:28:34,385 --> 02:28:35,805
See, my name is Chris Parker.

2836
02:28:36,765 --> 02:28:40,685
I am, I live in Berry Town and a school social worker.

2837
02:28:42,065 --> 02:28:43,485
My kids went to Berry Town

2838
02:28:43,545 --> 02:28:45,445
and graduated from Spalding two years ago.

2839
02:28:45,445 --> 02:28:46,685
They're both in college now.

2840
02:28:47,505 --> 02:28:52,485
And I think when we talk about voting no on

2841
02:28:52,485 --> 02:28:55,125
a budget and thinking that that is mutually exclusive

2842
02:28:55,145 --> 02:28:56,925
of it's not a vote against kids

2843
02:28:57,145 --> 02:29:00,645
or it's not a vote against teachers, that's just incorrect.

2844
02:29:01,145 --> 02:29:04,725
And I think you can think that on vote one, maybe vote two

2845
02:29:04,725 --> 02:29:07,565
because you think there are efficiencies to be had.

2846
02:29:08,105 --> 02:29:11,645
Cut the copier budget, cut the supply budget.

2847
02:29:11,785 --> 02:29:13,645
By the time you get to vote three

2848
02:29:13,705 --> 02:29:16,285
and four, you are voting against kids

2849
02:29:16,465 --> 02:29:18,725
and you are voting against our educators

2850
02:29:19,075 --> 02:29:22,405
because the fat, there's not a lot of fat left to trim.

2851
02:29:22,865 --> 02:29:24,965
And so we're not threatening to say,

2852
02:29:25,085 --> 02:29:27,645
I hear you all saying we need to look at sports, we need

2853
02:29:27,645 --> 02:29:28,685
to look at extracurriculars.

2854
02:29:28,705 --> 02:29:30,525
That's not a threat. That's literally

2855
02:29:30,525 --> 02:29:32,005
where we're at by the vote for.

2856
02:29:33,705 --> 02:29:36,565
And so to tell yourselves this is about taxes

2857
02:29:36,945 --> 02:29:39,765
and this is about this money or that money

2858
02:29:40,915 --> 02:29:44,245
because you can't vote against the prices at Hannaford

2859
02:29:44,425 --> 02:29:47,245
and you can't vote against the prices at Irving,

2860
02:29:48,105 --> 02:29:50,125
but you can vote against these kids

2861
02:29:50,385 --> 02:29:52,365
and you can vote against these teachers.

2862
02:29:54,145 --> 02:29:57,125
The number of teachers that I see online tonight

2863
02:29:57,425 --> 02:30:01,485
and in this room that were my own kids' teachers starting at

2864
02:30:01,645 --> 02:30:03,725
Berry Town until now, decades

2865
02:30:04,785 --> 02:30:06,805
of commitment to these kids.

2866
02:30:07,305 --> 02:30:09,405
And I know working in a school myself,

2867
02:30:09,515 --> 02:30:11,805
when you fail a budget three times

2868
02:30:11,985 --> 02:30:16,125
and you go on to vote for the morale of those kids

2869
02:30:16,505 --> 02:30:19,005
and of those teachers is terrible

2870
02:30:19,995 --> 02:30:23,885
because they hear you don't wanna give us money for sports.

2871
02:30:24,305 --> 02:30:26,445
You don't wanna give us money for curriculum.

2872
02:30:27,745 --> 02:30:29,445
And so that is important.

2873
02:30:30,105 --> 02:30:33,645
And if we wanna keep good teachers, we can't vote down

2874
02:30:33,785 --> 02:30:36,365
for budgets because those teachers don't

2875
02:30:36,365 --> 02:30:37,445
have contracts right now.

2876
02:30:39,475 --> 02:30:43,445
They can leave if they wanna leave. We have no budget.

2877
02:30:45,485 --> 02:30:47,445
Teachers can be looking around and say, you know what?

2878
02:30:47,725 --> 02:30:50,765
I looked at this town across across central Vermont,

2879
02:30:50,875 --> 02:30:52,045
they passed the first time.

2880
02:30:53,045 --> 02:30:54,165
I think I wanna go over there.

2881
02:30:54,385 --> 02:30:56,885
And when we're talking about mergers in all

2882
02:30:56,885 --> 02:31:01,805
of central Vermont, your dancing partners want to know

2883
02:31:01,805 --> 02:31:03,325
that you care about education.

2884
02:31:04,465 --> 02:31:07,965
And you're me in the committees that they might say,

2885
02:31:08,025 --> 02:31:10,125
you know what, I'm not sure I wanna merge with Barry.

2886
02:31:10,545 --> 02:31:12,365
I'm not sure they value education.

2887
02:31:13,675 --> 02:31:15,325
They have this low budget

2888
02:31:16,025 --> 02:31:18,325
and the funding formula is the funding formula.

2889
02:31:18,585 --> 02:31:21,925
So there's no fake math, there's no fake students.

2890
02:31:22,665 --> 02:31:26,045
The things that people are saying online is so inflammatory

2891
02:31:27,085 --> 02:31:28,345
and it's simply not true.

2892
02:31:28,645 --> 02:31:30,785
And it's trying to confuse people.

2893
02:31:32,045 --> 02:31:34,985
Not to mention the name calling online, calling some

2894
02:31:34,985 --> 02:31:37,025
of these board members idiots.

2895
02:31:38,015 --> 02:31:42,065
They're evil. I I, that is shocking to me.

2896
02:31:42,135 --> 02:31:44,825
Like you wanna talk about belonging for our kids?

2897
02:31:45,125 --> 02:31:47,745
You wanna talk about how our mental health is

2898
02:31:47,925 --> 02:31:49,065
how everyone's feeling?

2899
02:31:49,885 --> 02:31:51,985
We don't call each other idiots online.

2900
02:31:52,285 --> 02:31:54,625
We don't call board members evil online.

2901
02:31:56,205 --> 02:32:00,925
And when we talk about the cost of of the revolts,

2902
02:32:01,595 --> 02:32:05,165
it's literally thousands of dollars every time we vote

2903
02:32:05,945 --> 02:32:09,325
to print the ballots, to program the vent,

2904
02:32:09,345 --> 02:32:10,405
the voting machines.

2905
02:32:10,705 --> 02:32:12,405
I'm a justice of the piece in Berry Town

2906
02:32:12,465 --> 02:32:15,325
and these, this last vote we counted by hand.

2907
02:32:15,345 --> 02:32:17,085
And we didn't use the ballot machines

2908
02:32:17,085 --> 02:32:18,565
because it was too expensive.

2909
02:32:20,265 --> 02:32:23,045
So four times you vote, that costs money,

2910
02:32:23,565 --> 02:32:26,885
printing all the ballots, programming, the voting machines,

2911
02:32:27,775 --> 02:32:31,245
these are all costs that add up time after time after time.

2912
02:32:32,105 --> 02:32:35,285
And so if people are still ****** from when Berry Town

2913
02:32:35,285 --> 02:32:38,325
and Berry City merged and we're voting now

2914
02:32:38,325 --> 02:32:41,205
because we're still mad about that, to try to punish

2915
02:32:41,905 --> 02:32:44,405
the administration, punish the superintendent,

2916
02:32:44,985 --> 02:32:46,205
that's just ridiculous.

2917
02:32:46,345 --> 02:32:47,525
And the kids are getting punished

2918
02:32:47,625 --> 02:32:49,245
and the teachers are getting punished.

2919
02:32:49,375 --> 02:32:50,565
Thank you Chris. Thank you.

2920
02:32:56,065 --> 02:33:00,205
All right. We do, we do have an agenda tonight,

2921
02:33:00,865 --> 02:33:03,605
so I'm gonna go to these last couple folks online.

2922
02:33:03,605 --> 02:33:07,925
There is another chance for public comment at the end.

2923
02:33:07,925 --> 02:33:11,445
So I'm gonna start with Alina and then Sarah.

2924
02:33:14,865 --> 02:33:17,805
Hi. Thank you. My name's Alina Shankman.

2925
02:33:19,105 --> 02:33:21,485
I'm a fifth year teacher at Berry City Elementary,

2926
02:33:21,905 --> 02:33:23,125
but I'm a long time parent.

2927
02:33:24,255 --> 02:33:26,405
We've had five kids have gone through Berry City

2928
02:33:26,465 --> 02:33:28,165
and Spalding or still going through

2929
02:33:29,285 --> 02:33:30,965
my oldest graduated from Spalding

2930
02:33:31,905 --> 02:33:34,725
is now just barely a Berry City police officer.

2931
02:33:34,935 --> 02:33:38,845
Hired my youngest, started in kindergarten at Berry City.

2932
02:33:42,405 --> 02:33:43,965
I hear the people, people are tapped out

2933
02:33:43,965 --> 02:33:45,805
financially in the state of Vermont.

2934
02:33:46,825 --> 02:33:51,245
But to me this is a Vermont problem with economy,

2935
02:33:52,145 --> 02:33:53,325
not a bearing problem.

2936
02:33:55,595 --> 02:33:56,605
When I look at the facts

2937
02:33:56,705 --> 02:34:00,605
and hear people talk about the actual facts we are spending

2938
02:34:00,755 --> 02:34:03,885
with this proposed budget around 12,000 per pupil.

2939
02:34:06,315 --> 02:34:08,965
This is thousands less than our country's average,

2940
02:34:09,215 --> 02:34:13,645
which when I looked up would around 17,000 per pupil.

2941
02:34:14,025 --> 02:34:16,725
And that's our country's average, not our state.

2942
02:34:18,275 --> 02:34:21,325
When I looked up the fact I saw that the country's average

2943
02:34:21,385 --> 02:34:24,605
for an increase on budget was around 6.6%.

2944
02:34:26,785 --> 02:34:31,165
2.2 was it. Why are people still disappointed

2945
02:34:31,315 --> 02:34:32,765
with this budget and with the board?

2946
02:34:33,505 --> 02:34:36,405
And we are so cheap compared to the country.

2947
02:34:38,145 --> 02:34:42,605
I'm confused. And I just think that people want this,

2948
02:34:43,355 --> 02:34:45,925
this vote to somehow magically pad their wallet

2949
02:34:46,355 --> 02:34:49,605
because like I said before, people are strapped,

2950
02:34:50,505 --> 02:34:52,685
but this vote isn't gonna change your wallets.

2951
02:34:53,505 --> 02:34:54,605
It goes deeper than that.

2952
02:34:55,435 --> 02:34:58,125
It's a Vermont problem, not a bear problem.

2953
02:34:59,185 --> 02:35:03,605
So please, please look at the facts, look at the data,

2954
02:35:04,265 --> 02:35:06,485
and make an educated vote for our community.

2955
02:35:11,055 --> 02:35:15,165
Thank you Sarah. Hi. Thank you.

2956
02:35:16,565 --> 02:35:19,125
I am a first grade teacher at Berry Town School.

2957
02:35:19,235 --> 02:35:20,885
I've been there since 2013.

2958
02:35:21,125 --> 02:35:22,685
I also have a daughter in first grade

2959
02:35:22,705 --> 02:35:23,805
and a daughter in fourth grade.

2960
02:35:24,615 --> 02:35:25,845
Thank you to Chris Parker.

2961
02:35:26,085 --> 02:35:28,765
A lot of what Chris said is what I am sitting here thinking.

2962
02:35:30,065 --> 02:35:32,925
But I also just wanted to share not so much with the board

2963
02:35:32,925 --> 02:35:35,285
because I know the board, this is not where you wanna be.

2964
02:35:36,145 --> 02:35:38,525
But with those people, especially in Berry Town,

2965
02:35:39,265 --> 02:35:41,525
as an educator, I feel awful.

2966
02:35:42,185 --> 02:35:45,565
It was so hard to go to work after the third failed budget.

2967
02:35:45,985 --> 02:35:49,605
We have no contract, we have no budget. It feels awful.

2968
02:35:50,445 --> 02:35:52,765
I am a professional. I have a master's degree

2969
02:35:52,835 --> 02:35:53,965
plus 30 credits.

2970
02:35:54,945 --> 02:35:57,405
I'm a human being and I think people

2971
02:35:57,465 --> 02:35:58,725
forget all of those things.

2972
02:35:59,975 --> 02:36:01,485
We're here for our kids.

2973
02:36:02,605 --> 02:36:04,685
I go to my daughter's first grade sport events

2974
02:36:05,065 --> 02:36:07,965
and all my students are there and I hear them call out.

2975
02:36:07,965 --> 02:36:11,085
They're so excited to see me. That is what keeps me going.

2976
02:36:11,605 --> 02:36:13,125
I know I am making a difference

2977
02:36:13,665 --> 02:36:16,645
and I just wish the rest of the community could understand

2978
02:36:16,645 --> 02:36:19,445
that because we're not feeling great right now.

2979
02:36:19,985 --> 02:36:21,885
And I'm also worried that I'm gonna get to a point

2980
02:36:22,135 --> 02:36:23,685
where I'm not gonna vote for the budget

2981
02:36:24,145 --> 02:36:25,525
and I don't know what to do that.

2982
02:36:26,145 --> 02:36:28,685
So I wanted to share that. Thank you.

2983
02:36:30,455 --> 02:36:31,725
Thank you Josh Howard.

2984
02:36:33,595 --> 02:36:34,925
Yeah. Fun night so far.

2985
02:36:35,705 --> 02:36:37,965
So just to clarify, there's a per pupil spending,

2986
02:36:37,965 --> 02:36:39,645
there's a per equalized pupil spending

2987
02:36:40,035 --> 02:36:41,725
that 12,000 per equalized pupil.

2988
02:36:41,905 --> 02:36:44,525
It calls one student count five.

2989
02:36:45,035 --> 02:36:47,205
It's based on race and income and all that stuff.

2990
02:36:47,205 --> 02:36:48,245
All kinds of racist stuff.

2991
02:36:48,505 --> 02:36:49,925
That's how the state calculates it.

2992
02:36:49,925 --> 02:36:52,645
But nationally, that's not how anyone does it.

2993
02:36:52,645 --> 02:36:54,725
So that's, therefore no one else actually recognizes that.

2994
02:36:54,985 --> 02:36:57,325
So in the state of Vermont, our per pupil, the actual,

2995
02:36:57,325 --> 02:36:59,885
which is the budget divided by 2100 students, comes out

2996
02:36:59,885 --> 02:37:01,805
to little $30,000 per head.

2997
02:37:02,905 --> 02:37:05,245
The state average is 28,000. So we're

2998
02:37:15,035 --> 02:37:17,245
Vermont is ranking towards the bottom of the nation testing,

2999
02:37:21,265 --> 02:37:23,565
not, these are the reasons why people are getting,

3000
02:37:24,755 --> 02:37:25,805
Josh, we can't hear you.

3001
02:37:32,505 --> 02:37:36,005
Can You hear me? There's a hum.

3002
02:37:36,865 --> 02:37:41,365
That's what it sounds like. No, we totally lost you. Yeah.

3003
02:37:42,465 --> 02:37:43,805
Is the mic?

3004
02:37:49,035 --> 02:37:50,245
Yeah, we still can't hear you.

3005
02:37:57,195 --> 02:37:59,525
Okay, we're going to move on.

3006
02:38:01,785 --> 02:38:03,645
Hi, my name is Jessica Norman.

3007
02:38:04,705 --> 02:38:08,445
I'm a educator here in Berry. I have multiple roles.

3008
02:38:08,645 --> 02:38:11,085
I teach both Berry City and Berry Town.

3009
02:38:11,585 --> 02:38:16,125
I'm also a two varsity sport athlete, coach of some.

3010
02:38:16,125 --> 02:38:17,165
Awesome. Yeah.

3011
02:38:18,185 --> 02:38:20,645
So I had to sit back here

3012
02:38:20,645 --> 02:38:23,605
and watch all these kids speak knowing full well

3013
02:38:23,605 --> 02:38:28,125
that your hands are tied and we're in this position not

3014
02:38:28,125 --> 02:38:29,165
because you hate kids

3015
02:38:29,945 --> 02:38:34,365
and I know that I think they don't understand the

3016
02:38:34,365 --> 02:38:38,005
implication and what the position that you're in.

3017
02:38:38,145 --> 02:38:40,725
And so they came to speak what they thought was going

3018
02:38:40,725 --> 02:38:41,845
to save their sports.

3019
02:38:43,645 --> 02:38:46,365
I have a question. If you

3020
02:38:47,945 --> 02:38:50,405
can you go rogue and say we're not going

3021
02:38:50,405 --> 02:38:52,005
to follow the 87% rule.

3022
02:38:52,555 --> 02:38:55,205
What is the, what is the consequence if you say,

3023
02:38:55,205 --> 02:38:58,325
we're just gonna use the funds the same as we did last year,

3024
02:38:58,425 --> 02:39:00,685
so you don't have to cut 8 million temporarily.

3025
02:39:01,345 --> 02:39:04,125
Is there an actual consequence? Are you gonna go to jail?

3026
02:39:04,425 --> 02:39:05,845
Are we gonna go to jail? Are they

3027
02:39:05,845 --> 02:39:07,045
gonna shut our school down?

3028
02:39:07,955 --> 02:39:08,965
It's an honest question.

3029
02:39:09,705 --> 02:39:12,085
So I met with Secretary Saunders today

3030
02:39:12,265 --> 02:39:15,365
and the team from the Agency of Education to try to get

3031
02:39:16,315 --> 02:39:19,805
some clarity around what that means for us right now.

3032
02:39:21,475 --> 02:39:25,685
They were very clear that we're allowed to have 87%

3033
02:39:26,065 --> 02:39:28,565
of the basically cash on hand

3034
02:39:29,005 --> 02:39:30,845
of the budget compared to last year.

3035
02:39:32,345 --> 02:39:34,565
The risk, which I think is what, you know,

3036
02:39:34,565 --> 02:39:37,685
the board will talk about when, when we get to that point,

3037
02:39:37,985 --> 02:39:40,605
is that there is a point where we run out of money.

3038
02:39:41,135 --> 02:39:43,325
Right? So if

3039
02:39:44,345 --> 02:39:46,565
and then what happens, I don't know, right?

3040
02:39:46,565 --> 02:39:48,605
Because that's not something that's,

3041
02:39:48,825 --> 02:39:51,565
that's necessarily happened in Vermont before.

3042
02:39:53,185 --> 02:39:54,185
But you know,

3043
02:39:55,905 --> 02:39:57,445
So the, I was hoping run outta

3044
02:39:57,445 --> 02:39:58,445
Money, right?

3045
02:39:58,445 --> 02:40:02,125
I was hoping that we would perhaps get some clarity.

3046
02:40:02,425 --> 02:40:05,085
Oh, and I shouldn't say that She gave great clarity.

3047
02:40:05,645 --> 02:40:07,125
I guess I didn't like the answer. Right.

3048
02:40:07,125 --> 02:40:10,285
None of us like the answer. But there isn't a,

3049
02:40:10,525 --> 02:40:13,805
a clear pathway because this doesn't actually

3050
02:40:14,145 --> 02:40:15,165
happen very often.

3051
02:40:15,165 --> 02:40:16,285
Correct. Right. Yeah.

3052
02:40:16,315 --> 02:40:18,125
That you're in the fiscal year

3053
02:40:18,785 --> 02:40:21,765
and you're in this position as a, as a school district.

3054
02:40:22,145 --> 02:40:25,885
So the board will have to weigh some associated risk

3055
02:40:26,065 --> 02:40:27,805
around some of those decisions.

3056
02:40:27,995 --> 02:40:30,285
Okay. Yeah. Thank you. Yeah.

3057
02:40:31,065 --> 02:40:34,365
So I just wanna end by saying my,

3058
02:40:34,475 --> 02:40:36,045
both my kids spoke here today

3059
02:40:37,225 --> 02:40:41,525
and my daughter, she said it's the first time

3060
02:40:41,525 --> 02:40:43,525
that I've ever been ashamed to be from Berry.

3061
02:40:45,425 --> 02:40:46,685
And I hope you heard those words

3062
02:40:46,745 --> 02:40:48,765
and I hope our townspeople heard those words.

3063
02:40:49,785 --> 02:40:52,365
We chose to come back here as a family

3064
02:40:52,665 --> 02:40:55,045
and raise our kids here because my family is here

3065
02:40:55,505 --> 02:40:57,405
and I'm deeply rooted in this community.

3066
02:40:58,085 --> 02:41:01,005
I bleed blue and red. Okay. Tied pride forever.

3067
02:41:02,085 --> 02:41:04,085
I came back to where I went to school.

3068
02:41:06,555 --> 02:41:08,805
Unfortunately, I can't afford to sell

3069
02:41:08,805 --> 02:41:10,325
and buy another house somewhere else

3070
02:41:10,325 --> 02:41:12,165
because of where I live is great.

3071
02:41:12,955 --> 02:41:15,165
I've got a great interest rate and I'm kind of stuck there.

3072
02:41:16,865 --> 02:41:21,125
And because of that, my kids have lost out on opportunities

3073
02:41:21,405 --> 02:41:22,485
'cause I chose to come back here.

3074
02:41:22,625 --> 02:41:25,245
But they're good friends. But they have grown up

3075
02:41:25,245 --> 02:41:26,365
with 10 minutes down the road.

3076
02:41:26,385 --> 02:41:28,885
And the youth three, two district have world more than they

3077
02:41:28,885 --> 02:41:32,525
do because this doesn't happen 10 minutes down the road.

3078
02:41:33,305 --> 02:41:34,325
It only happens here.

3079
02:41:35,545 --> 02:41:39,125
And that's unfortunate for our kids.

3080
02:41:39,265 --> 02:41:42,045
And so no matter what anybody says, when we are saying,

3081
02:41:42,825 --> 02:41:45,405
you know, we support the kids and we vote no

3082
02:41:45,485 --> 02:41:47,365
because we want financial responsibility,

3083
02:41:47,385 --> 02:41:49,325
you're actually voting no against our children.

3084
02:41:49,715 --> 02:41:51,205
They can't control where they live.

3085
02:41:52,995 --> 02:41:54,405
They can't control where they live.

3086
02:41:56,295 --> 02:41:58,475
I'm here because I wanted to be here with my family,

3087
02:41:58,855 --> 02:42:00,875
but now I'm really regretting that decision

3088
02:42:01,225 --> 02:42:05,115
because my children have less than kids down road.

3089
02:42:08,245 --> 02:42:08,715
Thank you.

3090
02:42:17,535 --> 02:42:21,355
I'm Jamie Evans, very community member, born

3091
02:42:21,355 --> 02:42:23,275
and raised here, graduation school, high school.

3092
02:42:23,475 --> 02:42:25,515
I work in the district, been here about 25 years.

3093
02:42:26,305 --> 02:42:28,195
I've seen a lot of these meetings take place

3094
02:42:28,205 --> 02:42:29,955
where sports have been on its own.

3095
02:42:31,135 --> 02:42:32,995
The board doesn't want to cut sports.

3096
02:42:34,415 --> 02:42:37,035
And, and I wanna say something that nobody has has mentioned

3097
02:42:37,035 --> 02:42:39,755
yet tonight, the governor's office

3098
02:42:39,815 --> 02:42:42,035
and legislators helped get us to this point.

3099
02:42:42,305 --> 02:42:44,075
This didn't happen just in the last few years.

3100
02:42:44,265 --> 02:42:46,675
This took decades and decades to get to this point.

3101
02:42:48,005 --> 02:42:49,955
Again, the board doesn't want cut sports.

3102
02:42:50,845 --> 02:42:53,795
We're here because now we failed three, three votes.

3103
02:42:55,295 --> 02:42:57,475
And there is an answer here tonight. It is fairly simple.

3104
02:42:57,735 --> 02:43:01,835
We have a 2.1, 2.1% budget that failed is

3105
02:43:01,835 --> 02:43:03,875
below the poverty is below the inflation rate.

3106
02:43:05,055 --> 02:43:06,915
If we go to 2.05

3107
02:43:06,935 --> 02:43:10,875
or something percent, we still have sports and we have clubs

3108
02:43:10,875 --> 02:43:13,325
and activities, and then the teachers can go

3109
02:43:13,325 --> 02:43:15,045
and get their contract passed and all that.

3110
02:43:15,045 --> 02:43:16,565
And we have a budget and we move forward.

3111
02:43:18,755 --> 02:43:20,335
We, we need to get the governor's office

3112
02:43:20,355 --> 02:43:22,175
and legislators involved in this as well.

3113
02:43:22,205 --> 02:43:24,895
Contact your legislators, contact your governor's office,

3114
02:43:25,455 --> 02:43:27,615
complain to them what you're hearing tonight, you know,

3115
02:43:27,615 --> 02:43:32,215
and applaud our students that had to stick up for

3116
02:43:32,215 --> 02:43:35,015
what they believe in and what makes them be people.

3117
02:43:36,375 --> 02:43:39,095
I would, I play sports myself. I play sports here.

3118
02:43:39,415 --> 02:43:40,535
I carry a lot of those values.

3119
02:43:40,695 --> 02:43:43,015
I learned playing sports to who I'm today as well.

3120
02:43:43,235 --> 02:43:45,455
Nobody wants to cut sports. We're forced.

3121
02:43:45,585 --> 02:43:47,215
We're, we're just predicament right now.

3122
02:43:48,525 --> 02:43:52,025
Go to 2.05, pass the budget. Everybody has clubs and sports.

3123
02:43:52,605 --> 02:43:55,065
We move forward, morale picks back up.

3124
02:43:55,365 --> 02:43:58,065
And then we go to the, the tough task of trying

3125
02:43:58,065 --> 02:43:59,185
to pass another budget.

3126
02:44:00,525 --> 02:44:01,525
That's my 2 cents.

3127
02:44:05,765 --> 02:44:08,105
I'm gonna try Josh one more time, then I'll go to you

3128
02:44:08,165 --> 02:44:11,065
and then we have to get to discussion.

3129
02:44:12,445 --> 02:44:14,505
Can you hear me now? We can hear you Josh.

3130
02:44:15,535 --> 02:44:16,865
Okay, so I'll start over.

3131
02:44:17,445 --> 02:44:20,665
So I hear a lot about per people spending being $12,000,

3132
02:44:21,335 --> 02:44:23,705
that is false as per equalizer pupil.

3133
02:44:24,365 --> 02:44:26,265
And I think that it, it'd be, it'd be who of you

3134
02:44:26,265 --> 02:44:27,345
to kinda explain how that works.

3135
02:44:27,485 --> 02:44:29,505
And you got one student counts as five

3136
02:44:29,565 --> 02:44:32,545
and one student counts as three based on race and income

3137
02:44:32,565 --> 02:44:33,665
and other racist items.

3138
02:44:34,405 --> 02:44:35,905
Not surprising. That's a Vermont thing

3139
02:44:35,905 --> 02:44:37,145
because, you know, well there you go.

3140
02:44:37,245 --> 02:44:40,225
But the actual pure pupil spending, we take to foot,

3141
02:44:40,285 --> 02:44:42,465
the total spending budget of 64 million divided

3142
02:44:42,485 --> 02:44:44,985
by 2100 is over 30,000.

3143
02:44:45,395 --> 02:44:48,105
State average is 28,000. So we're spending above average.

3144
02:44:48,605 --> 02:44:51,305
We spend more than our neighbors in our own communities.

3145
02:44:51,765 --> 02:44:55,225
We, we we're not the lowest spending in even nearby. Yeah.

3146
02:44:55,225 --> 02:44:57,385
Our test scores are, are bottom of the state.

3147
02:44:57,385 --> 02:44:59,705
Vermont tests almost near dead last in the, in the country.

3148
02:44:59,805 --> 02:45:02,705
And you know, yet we spend the second most

3149
02:45:02,785 --> 02:45:03,825
of anyone else in the country.

3150
02:45:04,925 --> 02:45:07,385
So money's not really the issue as far

3151
02:45:07,385 --> 02:45:08,785
as we're doing a 2% increase.

3152
02:45:09,415 --> 02:45:10,505
Yeah, it doesn't sound like much

3153
02:45:10,505 --> 02:45:12,225
until you've realize it's $1.2 million.

3154
02:45:12,405 --> 02:45:13,465
But no one wants

3155
02:45:13,465 --> 02:45:15,025
to talk about the a hundred students who lost last year.

3156
02:45:15,025 --> 02:45:16,745
That's 5% of the student population gone.

3157
02:45:17,275 --> 02:45:19,465
Again, this is not a one time thing.

3158
02:45:20,565 --> 02:45:22,705
As far as the cuts are concerned, I would have to say

3159
02:45:22,705 --> 02:45:23,745
that if you cut sports,

3160
02:45:24,325 --> 02:45:25,785
you'll probably never pass a

3161
02:45:25,785 --> 02:45:26,905
budget till you put 'em back in.

3162
02:45:27,965 --> 02:45:29,545
That's where I kind of stand on it.

3163
02:45:30,605 --> 02:45:32,265
And as far as the easy cuts to make,

3164
02:45:32,905 --> 02:45:33,945
we can just look at administration.

3165
02:45:34,005 --> 02:45:36,785
We look at central office operations manager or

3166
02:45:36,845 --> 02:45:38,945
or director that that's an empty position.

3167
02:45:39,165 --> 02:45:40,305
It can go, we don't need it.

3168
02:45:40,305 --> 02:45:42,865
That's the superintendent's job, facilities director.

3169
02:45:43,095 --> 02:45:45,905
That is, that's been a joke since we,

3170
02:45:45,925 --> 02:45:47,345
as we created, we don't need it.

3171
02:45:47,655 --> 02:45:49,265
It's expensive. I, there's,

3172
02:45:49,265 --> 02:45:51,425
there's probably $3,000 sitting right there.

3173
02:45:51,685 --> 02:45:53,065
It doesn't affect a single student.

3174
02:45:53,295 --> 02:45:55,065
Just might affect the way some tractors look

3175
02:45:55,065 --> 02:45:57,265
or how, how broad a fricking dump

3176
02:45:57,265 --> 02:45:58,465
truck looks outside of a building.

3177
02:45:58,805 --> 02:46:01,065
That's about it. Other than that,

3178
02:46:01,065 --> 02:46:02,465
we gotta start matching actual staff

3179
02:46:02,525 --> 02:46:04,545
to the population we do have now,

3180
02:46:04,895 --> 02:46:07,145
when I first looked at Barry Town as a place to look at,

3181
02:46:07,545 --> 02:46:08,465
I wasn't looking at budgets,

3182
02:46:08,545 --> 02:46:09,365
I wasn't looking at any of that.

3183
02:46:09,405 --> 02:46:10,805
I was looking at how the schools did.

3184
02:46:11,205 --> 02:46:12,965
I was looking at test scores. I went and visited

3185
02:46:13,425 --> 02:46:14,605
and I chose Berry Town.

3186
02:46:14,635 --> 02:46:16,845
Unfortunately, a few years later it merged up

3187
02:46:16,905 --> 02:46:18,845
and it's been downhill ever since.

3188
02:46:19,385 --> 02:46:21,325
And the promise of we're gonna reduce staff,

3189
02:46:21,335 --> 02:46:23,045
we're gonna reduce staff because we're all merged up,

3190
02:46:23,425 --> 02:46:25,365
has gone the exact opposite direction.

3191
02:46:25,415 --> 02:46:28,285
We've increased staff every single year.

3192
02:46:28,945 --> 02:46:30,245
It is time to put that to an end.

3193
02:46:30,845 --> 02:46:32,245
I would say put out a flat budget.

3194
02:46:32,585 --> 02:46:33,925
The answers are right there in your face.

3195
02:46:33,945 --> 02:46:35,165
You don't have to cut anything

3196
02:46:35,395 --> 02:46:36,725
that has anything to do with a student.

3197
02:46:37,025 --> 02:46:39,565
No sports, no, no clubs, nothing like that that get cut.

3198
02:46:40,035 --> 02:46:40,965
It's all sitting right there.

3199
02:46:41,075 --> 02:46:42,285
Just gotta make the tough decisions.

3200
02:46:42,465 --> 02:46:43,465
That's all you gotta do.

3201
02:46:51,495 --> 02:46:52,145
Hope we have.

3202
02:46:55,805 --> 02:46:56,825
My name is Ariel Kay.

3203
02:46:58,255 --> 02:46:59,945
Also very bad at speaking publicly.

3204
02:47:00,985 --> 02:47:04,265
I just wanted to ask a couple of questions, hopefully hoping

3205
02:47:04,445 --> 02:47:06,465
to clarify some things for other people.

3206
02:47:07,415 --> 02:47:11,745
Does it cost the same to educate a preschooler

3207
02:47:11,745 --> 02:47:12,945
as it does a high schooler?

3208
02:47:13,845 --> 02:47:17,945
No. Does it cost the same to educate every student?

3209
02:47:19,085 --> 02:47:21,505
No, actually that's what the funding formula is for,

3210
02:47:21,515 --> 02:47:22,515
Right?

3211
02:47:22,515 --> 02:47:22,905
With special education.

3212
02:47:22,965 --> 02:47:25,105
So we have preschoolers that are apples

3213
02:47:25,105 --> 02:47:27,065
and we have high schoolers that are oranges.

3214
02:47:27,805 --> 02:47:30,745
But that equalization is supposed to help us understand

3215
02:47:31,365 --> 02:47:34,825
the per pupil spending, comparing apples to apples.

3216
02:47:35,175 --> 02:47:37,665
When we start taking the formula out of the question

3217
02:47:38,165 --> 02:47:42,385
and we start just dividing one number by the number

3218
02:47:42,385 --> 02:47:45,105
of students that are there, we lose that.

3219
02:47:45,205 --> 02:47:47,545
We don't get the apples to apples formula anymore.

3220
02:47:48,045 --> 02:47:50,785
So we start saying, well, we're spending 30,000.

3221
02:47:50,845 --> 02:47:53,025
That's not apples to apples anymore.

3222
02:47:53,045 --> 02:47:56,265
You're not comparing anything that has any meaning anywhere.

3223
02:47:56,845 --> 02:47:59,225
You have to keep it apples to apples

3224
02:47:59,405 --> 02:48:01,345
or nobody can understand what's going on.

3225
02:48:02,125 --> 02:48:03,185
That's all I wanted to say.

3226
02:48:07,505 --> 02:48:08,505
I I have

3227
02:48:08,505 --> 02:48:10,025
A limit of one real quick one.

3228
02:48:10,885 --> 02:48:14,505
Do we in fact have lower tuition rates than

3229
02:48:14,765 --> 02:48:16,225
our neighboring high schools?

3230
02:48:16,725 --> 02:48:20,025
No. We, why is a yes or no tuition

3231
02:48:21,395 --> 02:48:22,745
Lower per equalized?

3232
02:48:22,815 --> 02:48:25,185
Long term weighted a DM spending or tuition?

3233
02:48:25,325 --> 02:48:26,625
Oh, you're gonna throw that at me?

3234
02:48:26,735 --> 02:48:28,625
Well, no, make sure I answer the right.

3235
02:48:29,705 --> 02:48:31,945
Spending per student or what we charge

3236
02:48:32,045 --> 02:48:33,185
to have someone else come in.

3237
02:48:33,335 --> 02:48:36,225
Well answer both ways. Okay. So

3238
02:48:36,495 --> 02:48:37,945
Yeah, a student coming in.

3239
02:48:38,055 --> 02:48:39,055
Okay, student coming in.

3240
02:48:40,935 --> 02:48:42,065
Some yes, some no.

3241
02:48:43,365 --> 02:48:45,025
So I can tell, gimme two minutes

3242
02:48:45,085 --> 02:48:47,545
and I can tell you in terms

3243
02:48:47,605 --> 02:48:50,665
of spending per long-term weighted a DM, which is

3244
02:48:50,665 --> 02:48:52,465
what this funny formula is that we keep talking about,

3245
02:48:52,465 --> 02:48:56,445
we are the lowest in the region in terms

3246
02:48:56,905 --> 02:48:59,085
of tuition.

3247
02:48:59,745 --> 02:49:01,005
And the tuition rate.

3248
02:49:01,035 --> 02:49:03,485
Rate is set every year by the board,

3249
02:49:04,275 --> 02:49:06,085
usually like early winter.

3250
02:49:08,705 --> 02:49:08,925
And

3251
02:49:18,695 --> 02:49:21,595
so the announced tuition rate, it's different

3252
02:49:21,595 --> 02:49:23,115
for elementary and high school.

3253
02:49:23,215 --> 02:49:25,395
But are we doing high school for? Yes. Okay.

3254
02:49:25,855 --> 02:49:27,955
So Montpelier, Roxbury,

3255
02:49:28,435 --> 02:49:31,675
their announced tuition was $21,500.

3256
02:49:32,905 --> 02:49:35,555
Barry's was $19,500.

3257
02:49:37,355 --> 02:49:39,475
Harwoods was 22,500.

3258
02:49:39,615 --> 02:49:42,875
And I know this just because we've been putting a data sheet

3259
02:49:43,115 --> 02:49:45,355
together for the regional merger study.

3260
02:49:45,495 --> 02:49:48,915
So we've been pulling data points for all of our surrounding

3261
02:49:49,635 --> 02:49:51,635
possible merger conversation partners.

3262
02:49:51,945 --> 02:49:52,715
Okay, thank you.

3263
02:49:56,235 --> 02:49:57,195
I just have one thing.

3264
02:49:58,015 --> 02:49:59,915
Did we have anyone pull out

3265
02:49:59,915 --> 02:50:01,835
of being in our group for the mergers?

3266
02:50:01,835 --> 02:50:04,315
Because has that happened?

3267
02:50:04,815 --> 02:50:06,875
Yes, Harwood did. Harwood did they give a

3268
02:50:06,875 --> 02:50:07,875
Reason?

3269
02:50:07,875 --> 02:50:09,475
Because we can't pass a budget. Yeah. Gotcha. Thank you.

3270
02:50:10,935 --> 02:50:14,115
So moving on now to four point,

3271
02:50:15,555 --> 02:50:16,995
Probably quick, You'll get the final word.

3272
02:50:16,995 --> 02:50:17,995
That's my,

3273
02:50:18,735 --> 02:50:19,735
I'm out of chase.

3274
02:50:19,815 --> 02:50:23,555
I'm the, I'm the newer football coach here at sa. SHS.

3275
02:50:24,975 --> 02:50:28,035
I'm not from this community. I grew up in Wells, Maine.

3276
02:50:29,635 --> 02:50:32,755
I just want to say that this community, I moved here,

3277
02:50:32,895 --> 02:50:34,755
didn't know anybody 20 years ago.

3278
02:50:35,175 --> 02:50:37,555
And this community, I know, I don't know all of you.

3279
02:50:37,555 --> 02:50:38,755
Welcome me with open arms.

3280
02:50:40,075 --> 02:50:42,675
I got to know **** very pretty well over there.

3281
02:50:44,335 --> 02:50:47,675
You know, I've seen this happen before on a different scale.

3282
02:50:48,215 --> 02:50:50,235
You think that this is a big scale here,

3283
02:50:50,345 --> 02:50:53,195
what we're doing here, you should have seen what they had

3284
02:50:53,195 --> 02:50:56,435
to do in Maine 15, 20 years ago with all these small towns

3285
02:50:56,435 --> 02:50:58,155
that couldn't afford their budget anymore.

3286
02:50:58,155 --> 02:51:00,555
They had to merge. Right?

3287
02:51:00,855 --> 02:51:02,035
And now all over the place,

3288
02:51:02,045 --> 02:51:05,195
there probably isn't just a school going to school

3289
02:51:05,265 --> 02:51:06,515
with one school anymore.

3290
02:51:07,065 --> 02:51:08,595
They're all area high schools.

3291
02:51:09,375 --> 02:51:10,675
And if you can't make the budget,

3292
02:51:10,825 --> 02:51:12,275
it's something that might have to happen.

3293
02:51:12,725 --> 02:51:16,835
Right? Also, I wanna say, you know,

3294
02:51:17,805 --> 02:51:22,075
every time as a coach, I hear cutting sports, you know,

3295
02:51:24,315 --> 02:51:26,355
a lot of kids only show up here every day

3296
02:51:26,355 --> 02:51:27,955
because they want to come play sports

3297
02:51:28,255 --> 02:51:29,715
and you take that away from 'em

3298
02:51:29,975 --> 02:51:32,475
and you think you're gonna have declining enrollment.

3299
02:51:33,495 --> 02:51:36,555
Now it's really gonna be bad after that

3300
02:51:36,985 --> 02:51:40,075
because I, I do know kids that I personally coach

3301
02:51:40,105 --> 02:51:43,795
that say the only reason why they show up to school is

3302
02:51:43,855 --> 02:51:44,875
to come play sports

3303
02:51:45,265 --> 02:51:46,995
because there's nothing else going

3304
02:51:46,995 --> 02:51:48,035
on for them in their life.

3305
02:51:48,275 --> 02:51:51,915
I, I I, I lived, my dad was from a dying mill town.

3306
02:51:52,095 --> 02:51:53,635
And I hate to say it about Barry,

3307
02:51:53,775 --> 02:51:57,515
the granite industry left here and it's a dying milltown.

3308
02:51:58,175 --> 02:52:01,155
And my dad had to make a decision he had to leave. Right?

3309
02:52:01,815 --> 02:52:05,325
So, you know, I I just want to say that I, I hope

3310
02:52:05,325 --> 02:52:08,325
that sports aren't on the table to be cut

3311
02:52:08,325 --> 02:52:10,325
because I could tell you right now, you're gonna have,

3312
02:52:10,745 --> 02:52:12,045
if you have a truancy problem

3313
02:52:12,145 --> 02:52:13,925
or if you have problems with kids coming

3314
02:52:13,925 --> 02:52:15,805
to school right now, you're gonna have a real problem

3315
02:52:15,915 --> 02:52:17,885
here. Probably if you cut sports.

3316
02:52:17,885 --> 02:52:18,845
That's all I got to say.

3317
02:52:24,665 --> 02:52:28,525
So we will now move to our current business

3318
02:52:29,175 --> 02:52:32,925
under 4.1 budget vote, operational impacts.

3319
02:52:34,285 --> 02:52:37,445
I will turn it over to administration.

3320
02:52:40,865 --> 02:52:42,605
One second, just to,

3321
02:52:44,505 --> 02:52:46,245
can we take a personal moment?

3322
02:52:47,275 --> 02:52:51,685
Sure. Let's take a five minute recess. It's 8 51.

3323
02:52:52,095 --> 02:52:53,095
8 56.

3324
02:58:05,415 --> 02:58:06,485
Watch out. Loons.

3325
02:58:43,215 --> 02:58:47,825
You ready for bed, bud? Some Apple word.

3326
02:58:49,905 --> 02:58:50,195
Nice.

3327
02:58:56,665 --> 02:58:58,645
You gone through your old clothes and phone

3328
02:59:08,995 --> 02:59:09,335
on the,

3329
02:59:51,695 --> 02:59:53,955
can you please your button?

3330
03:00:49,055 --> 03:00:50,055
I'll change the subject.

3331
03:01:09,205 --> 03:01:10,465
Quorum of the board back.

3332
03:01:10,525 --> 03:01:14,905
We will resume with

3333
03:01:14,935 --> 03:01:19,465
4.1, which is

3334
03:01:20,085 --> 03:01:22,305
budget vote, operational impacts.

3335
03:01:30,085 --> 03:01:33,385
All right, so I'm putting a, a document up

3336
03:01:34,855 --> 03:01:37,705
that was sent to me this afternoon

3337
03:01:37,965 --> 03:01:39,825
by the Agency of Education.

3338
03:01:40,275 --> 03:01:44,585
There, there has been a, I think a version of this floating

3339
03:01:44,585 --> 03:01:47,385
around that was from 2024.

3340
03:01:47,965 --> 03:01:50,345
But basically this goes through

3341
03:01:51,695 --> 03:01:55,705
what happens when a school district does not have a budget.

3342
03:01:56,565 --> 03:01:59,585
And this will be up on the a OE website shortly.

3343
03:02:01,045 --> 03:02:03,385
But, and I have kind of limited capability

3344
03:02:03,415 --> 03:02:06,105
with this document tonight, but I wanted to show it to you

3345
03:02:06,105 --> 03:02:07,745
and then kind of walk people through it.

3346
03:02:08,485 --> 03:02:11,945
But again, this will be on the Agency of Education website

3347
03:02:12,565 --> 03:02:14,865
in the next couple of days.

3348
03:02:15,045 --> 03:02:18,345
Or maybe even it was sent out at about 5:00 PM

3349
03:02:18,565 --> 03:02:20,265
so it might not be there just yet.

3350
03:02:22,575 --> 03:02:25,075
But basically this talks about

3351
03:02:25,145 --> 03:02:27,795
what happens when a school district doesn't have a budget

3352
03:02:28,055 --> 03:02:29,835
at, at this point in time.

3353
03:02:31,775 --> 03:02:35,555
And there are several different laws that basically

3354
03:02:37,895 --> 03:02:39,795
govern what we can do, right?

3355
03:02:39,975 --> 03:02:42,075
And this is kind of the information

3356
03:02:42,455 --> 03:02:45,595
behind the 87% notion.

3357
03:02:46,695 --> 03:02:48,915
So if a school district doesn't have a budget,

3358
03:02:49,495 --> 03:02:51,635
we can borrow some money, right?

3359
03:02:51,655 --> 03:02:53,635
But we can't borrow a hundred percent.

3360
03:02:55,015 --> 03:02:57,475
We do get some aid from the state.

3361
03:02:57,575 --> 03:03:01,595
We get our special education funding, we get reimbursement

3362
03:03:01,695 --> 03:03:03,275
for our title grants,

3363
03:03:04,615 --> 03:03:09,235
but we only get a portion of the education fund money

3364
03:03:09,265 --> 03:03:11,075
that we would get if we had a budget.

3365
03:03:11,385 --> 03:03:14,475
Okay? And according to the director

3366
03:03:14,575 --> 03:03:18,555
of finance at the Ag Agency of Education, Kelly Murphy,

3367
03:03:18,815 --> 03:03:19,995
Murphy, excuse me.

3368
03:03:20,805 --> 03:03:24,555
We're getting about a third of what we would typically get

3369
03:03:25,525 --> 03:03:26,995
until we have an approved budget.

3370
03:03:27,775 --> 03:03:29,955
So that leaves a gap

3371
03:03:30,735 --> 03:03:33,555
and the loan that we've been talking about can,

3372
03:03:33,815 --> 03:03:35,275
can bridge some of that gap,

3373
03:03:35,655 --> 03:03:37,515
but it can't bridge the full gap.

3374
03:03:38,295 --> 03:03:40,195
So the difference between

3375
03:03:41,545 --> 03:03:44,635
what the voters voted on last week

3376
03:03:46,415 --> 03:03:48,675
and 87% is a difference

3377
03:03:48,735 --> 03:03:52,955
of $8,453,000.

3378
03:03:53,775 --> 03:03:57,365
So until we have a budget, the school district has to

3379
03:03:57,925 --> 03:04:00,125
consider the fact that that's our operational

3380
03:04:00,705 --> 03:04:03,805
number in terms of what we can have for cash on hand.

3381
03:04:04,385 --> 03:04:06,565
Do you wanna add anything to that, John? Just Okay.

3382
03:04:06,565 --> 03:04:09,005
Interject as I go along here.

3383
03:04:11,225 --> 03:04:13,485
And so that's our reality right now, right?

3384
03:04:14,115 --> 03:04:16,445
When the school district has an approved budget,

3385
03:04:17,105 --> 03:04:20,485
that's obviously whatever the voters approve, that's

3386
03:04:20,485 --> 03:04:21,805
what we operate on.

3387
03:04:22,185 --> 03:04:24,965
But until that point, this is how the law

3388
03:04:24,965 --> 03:04:27,845
for education funding works in Vermont.

3389
03:04:29,185 --> 03:04:32,245
And so we've talked about this in, in prior meetings

3390
03:04:32,305 --> 03:04:37,245
and we've talked about the fact that we have to borrow

3391
03:04:37,465 --> 03:04:38,885
to, to make up that gap

3392
03:04:38,905 --> 03:04:40,285
and that there are interest rate,

3393
03:04:40,335 --> 03:04:42,885
there are interest payments that we would have

3394
03:04:42,885 --> 03:04:45,125
to make associated with that if we have

3395
03:04:45,125 --> 03:04:46,365
to borrow the full amount.

3396
03:04:49,265 --> 03:04:51,925
So what we're left with at the moment,

3397
03:04:52,105 --> 03:04:54,605
and I'm just gonna stop looking at this

3398
03:04:54,705 --> 03:04:57,045
and go back to here,

3399
03:05:00,385 --> 03:05:02,885
is a conversation about what to do.

3400
03:05:03,355 --> 03:05:06,685
Okay? You know, when we, when I met

3401
03:05:06,685 --> 03:05:09,125
with the secretary today, right there, a little bit

3402
03:05:09,125 --> 03:05:11,365
of a hope that there might be a little bit more

3403
03:05:11,395 --> 03:05:12,485
flexibility on this.

3404
03:05:12,545 --> 03:05:13,845
And this is what the law is.

3405
03:05:13,995 --> 03:05:16,605
It's not that, you know, there's no blame pointed

3406
03:05:16,665 --> 03:05:17,805
to the AOE on that,

3407
03:05:18,785 --> 03:05:22,645
but the board needs to consider the cash flow reality

3408
03:05:23,345 --> 03:05:24,645
of that problem.

3409
03:05:28,825 --> 03:05:31,685
In looking at the budget as a whole

3410
03:05:31,785 --> 03:05:36,005
and what we spend as a school district, we were very clear

3411
03:05:36,035 --> 03:05:38,685
with the secretary that we don't have

3412
03:05:38,685 --> 03:05:42,485
$8,453,000 to cut.

3413
03:05:42,585 --> 03:05:45,245
That's, we couldn't have the schools open

3414
03:05:45,265 --> 03:05:49,285
and run them safely with that kind of cut, right?

3415
03:05:50,465 --> 03:05:55,365
So in the interim, it's thinking about what can we do to

3416
03:05:55,945 --> 03:06:00,885
adjust spending to be able to help towards that goal.

3417
03:06:01,265 --> 03:06:04,285
And that's where the unfortunate conversation about

3418
03:06:04,435 --> 03:06:07,285
co-curricular and athletics has come up.

3419
03:06:10,185 --> 03:06:15,085
And obviously we heard very eloquently tonight

3420
03:06:15,085 --> 03:06:17,805
from the students about the concerns regarding that.

3421
03:06:18,085 --> 03:06:20,085
I don't think the board has any,

3422
03:06:20,265 --> 03:06:21,485
and I don't wanna speak for the board

3423
03:06:21,485 --> 03:06:24,285
and please tell me, just stop, I'm being inappropriate,

3424
03:06:24,425 --> 03:06:27,925
but I don't think the board has any intent of cutting

3425
03:06:28,485 --> 03:06:29,565
athletics in the long term.

3426
03:06:30,465 --> 03:06:34,925
The the problem is this short term situation

3427
03:06:34,925 --> 03:06:36,325
that we find ourselves in.

3428
03:06:36,865 --> 03:06:40,565
So the way that our master agreement works for labor,

3429
03:06:42,095 --> 03:06:45,165
there is a notification in the the contract

3430
03:06:45,165 --> 03:06:49,645
with the association with the union that if we're not going

3431
03:06:49,645 --> 03:06:52,925
to run an activity that we have to make,

3432
03:06:53,715 --> 03:06:56,165
give notification of that to the employee

3433
03:06:56,345 --> 03:06:58,205
who would get a contract for that role.

3434
03:06:58,465 --> 03:07:01,525
So by October 1st, that's our deadline.

3435
03:07:03,105 --> 03:07:06,445
And as we all know, October 1st is, is coming up quickly.

3436
03:07:08,325 --> 03:07:11,205
I met with the association towards the end of last week

3437
03:07:11,225 --> 03:07:13,805
and we, you know, had a conversation about this.

3438
03:07:13,985 --> 03:07:17,165
We, I asked for their assistance to reach out

3439
03:07:17,165 --> 03:07:18,725
to the Vermont NEA to try

3440
03:07:18,725 --> 03:07:21,725
to get some clarity from the legal team there

3441
03:07:23,875 --> 03:07:26,645
that if we had to make the decision

3442
03:07:26,645 --> 03:07:29,845
that we don't wanna make, which is say by October 1st

3443
03:07:29,875 --> 03:07:34,205
that we're not offering contracts for these co-curricular

3444
03:07:34,385 --> 03:07:35,925
and athletic and clubs

3445
03:07:35,985 --> 03:07:38,845
and all of those things, could we

3446
03:07:40,425 --> 03:07:43,005
ask if we pass the budget right, could we try

3447
03:07:43,005 --> 03:07:44,205
to have them again?

3448
03:07:44,305 --> 03:07:45,485
If, if that's something

3449
03:07:45,485 --> 03:07:48,605
that the board includes in the budget, the view

3450
03:07:48,605 --> 03:07:49,925
of the Vermont NEA

3451
03:07:49,985 --> 03:07:53,645
and of our labor folks is that that would be something

3452
03:07:53,645 --> 03:07:55,285
that we could do, right?

3453
03:07:55,465 --> 03:07:58,045
The problem is, are those people still available

3454
03:07:58,745 --> 03:08:00,205
to do those positions?

3455
03:08:00,265 --> 03:08:02,365
If in fact, when we pass a budget, we

3456
03:08:03,905 --> 03:08:05,365
do have those activities in there.

3457
03:08:05,865 --> 03:08:09,725
So that's where we find ourselves in terms of those

3458
03:08:11,415 --> 03:08:12,565
associated costs

3459
03:08:13,585 --> 03:08:16,645
to run athletics clubs.

3460
03:08:17,505 --> 03:08:19,805
And the transportation associated with

3461
03:08:19,805 --> 03:08:22,005
that is roughly $800,000.

3462
03:08:22,515 --> 03:08:26,325
Obviously we've expended some money already, right?

3463
03:08:26,325 --> 03:08:28,165
Because we're running fall sports.

3464
03:08:28,645 --> 03:08:33,595
I would make the recommendation that we would continue

3465
03:08:34,425 --> 03:08:37,315
fall sports and that we would set some sort of deadline

3466
03:08:38,425 --> 03:08:39,675
regarding winter sports.

3467
03:08:39,815 --> 03:08:43,075
But again, that's a conversation that the board could have,

3468
03:08:43,245 --> 03:08:45,995
could have if you decided that that was an avenue

3469
03:08:45,995 --> 03:08:47,555
that you wanted to pursue.

3470
03:08:49,295 --> 03:08:51,355
So that's one contractual deadline.

3471
03:08:52,935 --> 03:08:56,755
The second item that we had put in the board packet was

3472
03:08:56,755 --> 03:08:59,395
information about transportation and busing.

3473
03:09:01,415 --> 03:09:05,275
Our transportation contract has a 30 day notice period.

3474
03:09:06,575 --> 03:09:11,155
And if we wanted to not run home to school transportation,

3475
03:09:11,975 --> 03:09:15,755
we would have to give the bus company 30 days notice to stop

3476
03:09:15,755 --> 03:09:18,275
that service, as we all know, right?

3477
03:09:18,575 --> 03:09:20,915
The, there's several problems with that.

3478
03:09:21,135 --> 03:09:24,275
But just if we're speaking at about it purely from a

3479
03:09:24,435 --> 03:09:27,515
contractual point of view, if we then have a budget

3480
03:09:27,545 --> 03:09:28,755
that includes transportation

3481
03:09:29,135 --> 03:09:32,235
and pass that budget, those bus drivers

3482
03:09:32,575 --> 03:09:35,035
and that bus company may not be there to provide

3483
03:09:35,035 --> 03:09:36,035
that service for us

3484
03:09:36,035 --> 03:09:37,955
because we know that that bus drivers

3485
03:09:38,135 --> 03:09:41,115
are in high demand.

3486
03:09:41,815 --> 03:09:43,955
So I don't know if you want me to keep going through all

3487
03:09:43,955 --> 03:09:45,555
of this and then we can talk about it

3488
03:09:45,655 --> 03:09:49,715
or what you're, in terms of the, the,

3489
03:09:50,015 --> 03:09:54,725
the contract pieces, I would appreciate that Emily.

3490
03:09:54,755 --> 03:09:57,285
Okay. If you don't mind. Yep. Us through it. Yep.

3491
03:09:57,545 --> 03:10:02,125
So teachers, so the collective bargaining agreement,

3492
03:10:02,125 --> 03:10:03,125
and there were, there were a couple

3493
03:10:03,125 --> 03:10:04,485
of conversations tonight about

3494
03:10:04,685 --> 03:10:05,845
teachers not having contracts.

3495
03:10:06,145 --> 03:10:08,565
We don't have a settled bargaining agreement, right?

3496
03:10:08,585 --> 03:10:11,205
So we haven't come

3497
03:10:11,505 --> 03:10:14,105
to a, an agreement.

3498
03:10:14,165 --> 03:10:16,345
The negotiations committee, the board has not yet come

3499
03:10:16,345 --> 03:10:18,705
to an agreement with the, the teachers

3500
03:10:18,705 --> 03:10:20,785
and the support staff about contracts.

3501
03:10:20,965 --> 03:10:23,985
But that doesn't mean they don't have that,

3502
03:10:23,985 --> 03:10:25,705
the board doesn't have an obligation, right?

3503
03:10:26,005 --> 03:10:27,705
If there isn't a settled contract,

3504
03:10:27,775 --> 03:10:30,665
then we work under the terms of the old contract

3505
03:10:30,755 --> 03:10:32,345
until an agreement is settled.

3506
03:10:32,845 --> 03:10:35,785
So we issued letters of intent for all of the employees

3507
03:10:36,245 --> 03:10:38,585
before I, right before I came in the spring.

3508
03:10:40,165 --> 03:10:42,305
And in order to cut any

3509
03:10:42,305 --> 03:10:45,705
of those positions at this point in time would be a

3510
03:10:45,705 --> 03:10:46,865
violation of that contract.

3511
03:10:47,005 --> 03:10:49,985
So teachers would've had to have been notified

3512
03:10:52,085 --> 03:10:54,305
of non-renewal by February 1st

3513
03:10:54,565 --> 03:10:57,265
and of reductions in force by April 1st.

3514
03:10:57,525 --> 03:11:01,185
And as we know, that date has passed in terms of this year

3515
03:11:01,185 --> 03:11:05,385
that we're operating in support staff, same thing.

3516
03:11:05,485 --> 03:11:07,305
We have an April 1st deadline.

3517
03:11:08,035 --> 03:11:11,545
There were, there was a subgroup of support staff, some

3518
03:11:11,545 --> 03:11:14,585
of the behavioral staff that traditionally have not been

3519
03:11:14,585 --> 03:11:15,705
part of the bargaining unit,

3520
03:11:15,965 --> 03:11:20,265
but have filed with the Vermont Labor Board

3521
03:11:20,445 --> 03:11:22,425
to be part of the negotiations.

3522
03:11:22,805 --> 03:11:24,025
So they are not,

3523
03:11:24,125 --> 03:11:27,385
so they would be considered union employees at this point in

3524
03:11:27,385 --> 03:11:31,865
time and aren't able to, to look at those positions.

3525
03:11:32,605 --> 03:11:36,905
Administrative contracts, there can certainly be variability

3526
03:11:37,055 --> 03:11:39,985
amongst administrative contracts with principals and,

3527
03:11:39,985 --> 03:11:41,065
and other administrators.

3528
03:11:41,085 --> 03:11:44,905
But generally by statute notification for non-renewal

3529
03:11:44,985 --> 03:11:47,225
for principals or is February 1st.

3530
03:11:47,485 --> 03:11:51,305
So that date also has passed at this point of time.

3531
03:11:51,605 --> 03:11:53,425
And that's, I think one of the things

3532
03:11:54,135 --> 03:11:56,785
that we talk about in terms of right, the ability

3533
03:11:56,815 --> 03:11:58,625
that we have to make adjustments to

3534
03:11:59,435 --> 03:12:02,665
labor costs looks very different in January

3535
03:12:03,495 --> 03:12:05,505
than it does in September.

3536
03:12:07,765 --> 03:12:09,705
So those are the contractual pieces.

3537
03:12:10,485 --> 03:12:14,105
Do you want me to do revenue now? Sure. Okay.

3538
03:12:15,565 --> 03:12:16,625
So revenue sources.

3539
03:12:19,775 --> 03:12:24,075
So we do get a, a large amount of funding through title

3540
03:12:24,075 --> 03:12:26,075
through the federal government, through title grants.

3541
03:12:26,935 --> 03:12:29,555
We do have to front the, the payments

3542
03:12:29,695 --> 03:12:30,795
for those grants, right?

3543
03:12:30,815 --> 03:12:33,275
So if we have folks that whose salaries are paid

3544
03:12:33,345 --> 03:12:38,155
through title, we pay them and then we submit to the state

3545
03:12:38,155 --> 03:12:39,675
and they reimburse us.

3546
03:12:40,515 --> 03:12:41,915
But we do have to front that money.

3547
03:12:41,975 --> 03:12:44,915
We don't get like a big lump sum for, for title payments.

3548
03:12:44,915 --> 03:12:48,675
And I did confirm that today with the agency

3549
03:12:50,135 --> 03:12:51,405
we have

3550
03:12:51,405 --> 03:12:53,845
and will receive our block grant for special education.

3551
03:12:53,865 --> 03:12:55,605
So that's a, a large sum of revenue

3552
03:12:55,675 --> 03:12:56,965
that comes in from the state.

3553
03:12:57,905 --> 03:12:59,925
And then we get, as I said, a portion

3554
03:13:00,065 --> 03:13:04,365
of our education fund payments for, which is,

3555
03:13:06,565 --> 03:13:10,225
you know, somewhere between 0.25 and a third.

3556
03:13:10,945 --> 03:13:13,785
They're still kind of sorting that, that piece of it out.

3557
03:13:13,805 --> 03:13:16,425
But again, it's not the full 100%

3558
03:13:16,425 --> 03:13:18,345
that we would typically get in

3559
03:13:18,625 --> 03:13:19,985
September, December and April.

3560
03:13:20,045 --> 03:13:22,065
And that's really what creates that whole.

3561
03:13:23,765 --> 03:13:26,665
And then as we've talked about kind of the importance of

3562
03:13:27,175 --> 03:13:31,545
cash on hand forecasting, knowing that in order to borrow

3563
03:13:31,725 --> 03:13:34,705
and in order to be in compliance we have to have,

3564
03:13:35,605 --> 03:13:39,345
we can't have more than 87% of cash on hand at any time.

3565
03:13:42,365 --> 03:13:47,145
So that's that information. Question

3566
03:13:48,665 --> 03:13:49,665
Questions from the board.

3567
03:13:50,575 --> 03:13:53,265
Juliana? Kind of a weird question. Yeah.

3568
03:13:53,805 --> 03:13:58,065
So 87% cash on hand is

3569
03:13:58,125 --> 03:14:00,425
for the total school year? Correct.

3570
03:14:00,635 --> 03:14:01,665
Until we have an approved budget.

3571
03:14:01,775 --> 03:14:05,625
Okay. So we can't blow through the seven and then try

3572
03:14:05,625 --> 03:14:07,425
and get another 13 somewhere

3573
03:14:07,425 --> 03:14:09,985
because technically we don't have the 87 right now.

3574
03:14:10,115 --> 03:14:11,145
Right. Okay.

3575
03:14:11,925 --> 03:14:14,185
That's, that was part of the conversation that I wanted

3576
03:14:14,325 --> 03:14:16,585
to have today with the finance staff from the AOE

3577
03:14:16,585 --> 03:14:19,625
to really understand like can you, is there a way

3578
03:14:19,625 --> 03:14:20,865
to look at that more upfront?

3579
03:14:21,235 --> 03:14:23,785
Right? But then if you pass a budget eventually, but no,

3580
03:14:23,785 --> 03:14:27,025
because they never let you operate at more than 87%.

3581
03:14:27,525 --> 03:14:28,825
So we're looking at

3582
03:14:32,415 --> 03:14:33,945
take it as like driving a car.

3583
03:14:33,965 --> 03:14:35,225
You only have so much in the tank

3584
03:14:35,665 --> 03:14:38,105
and you, instead of going the speed limit,

3585
03:14:38,125 --> 03:14:40,465
you're going 35 miles an hour to coast it through

3586
03:14:41,115 --> 03:14:44,665
until we get a positive vote.

3587
03:14:45,115 --> 03:14:48,065
Right? And then once there's a, once there's a vote

3588
03:14:48,065 --> 03:14:50,905
that is approved, there's then a 30 day wait period.

3589
03:14:51,005 --> 03:14:53,905
So we won't see any education fund payment

3590
03:14:54,915 --> 03:14:57,505
adjustment for at least 30 days.

3591
03:14:57,935 --> 03:14:59,305
Yeah. Emily,

3592
03:15:00,095 --> 03:15:03,305
Have we received any payment from the ed fund?

3593
03:15:03,685 --> 03:15:07,585
We have. Okay. So last week they sent us,

3594
03:15:08,525 --> 03:15:10,945
within the past couple days, I guess actually they sent us

3595
03:15:11,535 --> 03:15:13,025
just over $11 million.

3596
03:15:13,205 --> 03:15:17,985
So 11,593,465 to be specific.

3597
03:15:19,085 --> 03:15:22,625
But again, that's about a third of what we normally

3598
03:15:23,515 --> 03:15:26,345
would get according to the agency.

3599
03:15:26,805 --> 03:15:28,825
And can I ask a follow up? I'm sorry.

3600
03:15:29,165 --> 03:15:30,745
And our next scheduled payment

3601
03:15:30,965 --> 03:15:33,425
for a third from the December agency, December is December.

3602
03:15:33,645 --> 03:15:35,905
So that, so this money has to last us

3603
03:15:35,905 --> 03:15:38,225
through December even if we pass the budget.

3604
03:15:38,605 --> 03:15:41,225
Yes. And that's typically the way that that works.

3605
03:15:41,525 --> 03:15:44,665
So the scheduled payments are not gonna change? No. Okay.

3606
03:15:44,755 --> 03:15:45,755
Thank you.

3607
03:15:49,475 --> 03:15:51,925
Yeah, I saw Ian hand first then Catherine.

3608
03:15:52,985 --> 03:15:56,325
So I know this is more of a theoretical kind

3609
03:15:56,325 --> 03:15:57,485
of off the wall question.

3610
03:15:58,965 --> 03:16:00,965
'cause I remember I had a number of, remember

3611
03:16:00,985 --> 03:16:03,645
during the comment section number of individuals mention

3612
03:16:03,645 --> 03:16:05,645
how they were supportive of school and everything.

3613
03:16:07,305 --> 03:16:09,965
Say for example, some of these individuals decide to pull

3614
03:16:10,025 --> 03:16:13,445
and donate money to the school to help fill the gap.

3615
03:16:13,945 --> 03:16:15,645
Is that something that would be remotely helpful

3616
03:16:16,825 --> 03:16:18,515
that would help us through this?

3617
03:16:18,815 --> 03:16:21,275
That's a lot of money. Like say for example,

3618
03:16:21,305 --> 03:16:25,435
that these individuals want to pull $2 million to cover the,

3619
03:16:25,905 --> 03:16:28,275
make sure that our students can have their clubs and sports

3620
03:16:28,825 --> 03:16:30,795
because they're, they wanna support our students

3621
03:16:30,815 --> 03:16:32,595
and make sure that they have their needs met,

3622
03:16:33,685 --> 03:16:35,225
but they still wanna vote no on the budget.

3623
03:16:40,075 --> 03:16:42,235
I would have to ask someone who knows

3624
03:16:42,295 --> 03:16:44,155
who has more information on that than me.

3625
03:16:44,435 --> 03:16:46,435
I wouldn't wanna, I mean, again, I'm like,

3626
03:16:46,435 --> 03:16:49,075
could you donate lots of money to a booster club?

3627
03:16:49,275 --> 03:16:51,915
I mean I, yeah, the problem is right, we can't,

3628
03:16:51,915 --> 03:16:54,315
the problem is we can't pick and choose. So

3629
03:16:54,945 --> 03:16:55,945
Yeah.

3630
03:16:55,945 --> 03:16:58,355
Right. So like this contract thing, like we can't, yeah,

3631
03:16:58,495 --> 03:17:03,195
we can't say we're gonna run basketball because people are,

3632
03:17:03,255 --> 03:17:05,715
and I'm just, please know, I'm just picking a sport.

3633
03:17:05,715 --> 03:17:07,435
Yeah. We're gonna run basketball

3634
03:17:07,435 --> 03:17:09,995
because people are gonna volunteer to coach basketball

3635
03:17:10,015 --> 03:17:11,915
and we're gonna donate the money to run it.

3636
03:17:12,055 --> 03:17:16,555
We can't do that and then not run ev. Right? Yeah.

3637
03:17:16,555 --> 03:17:20,475
And we also can't, it's against labor law to supplant

3638
03:17:21,675 --> 03:17:24,555
contracted work with volunteer work Okay.

3639
03:17:24,665 --> 03:17:26,795
With volunteers for, for us and Vermont.

3640
03:17:26,795 --> 03:17:28,035
Yeah. I just wanted to like, just go

3641
03:17:28,035 --> 03:17:30,075
through a thought experiment in case these individuals wanna

3642
03:17:30,075 --> 03:17:31,595
put their money where their mouth were. Yep.

3643
03:17:32,185 --> 03:17:35,325
Catherine, So I have a few questions.

3644
03:17:35,665 --> 03:17:40,525
And one is the, the $8 million difference from the budget

3645
03:17:40,525 --> 03:17:43,405
that we proposed in the last year, is that

3646
03:17:45,215 --> 03:17:48,285
split up over the year that there's the difference

3647
03:17:48,345 --> 03:17:50,005
of the 8 million or is that like,

3648
03:17:50,005 --> 03:17:51,685
we have it right now all at once

3649
03:17:53,185 --> 03:17:56,075
because it looks to me like the fund payments come in.

3650
03:17:56,465 --> 03:17:58,715
Like normally it would be 33%,

3651
03:17:58,725 --> 03:18:00,915
which would be a hundred percent by the end of the year.

3652
03:18:00,925 --> 03:18:03,595
Right? So if you get it in September, December

3653
03:18:04,055 --> 03:18:07,875
and April, that's a hundred percent of the budget.

3654
03:18:08,095 --> 03:18:11,075
So is the 8 billion difference also split between

3655
03:18:11,215 --> 03:18:12,715
That's the full Year? That's

3656
03:18:12,715 --> 03:18:13,715
The full year?

3657
03:18:13,715 --> 03:18:16,795
Yeah. Okay. So we're basically operating on a budget right

3658
03:18:16,795 --> 03:18:21,555
now of 48,048.

3659
03:18:21,645 --> 03:18:24,915
40 40, sorry. 48 million. Thank you.

3660
03:18:25,295 --> 03:18:29,755
675,754. Okay.

3661
03:18:30,175 --> 03:18:32,195
So that's the 87% budget.

3662
03:18:32,425 --> 03:18:36,505
Okay. So from the point of view of the agency, right?

3663
03:18:36,685 --> 03:18:39,585
And state law, that's kind of where we're at.

3664
03:18:40,165 --> 03:18:43,785
We, as you say, we've always gotten all schools, right?

3665
03:18:43,785 --> 03:18:45,385
Always get payments over the course

3666
03:18:45,405 --> 03:18:46,665
of the year from the ed fund.

3667
03:18:46,885 --> 03:18:51,285
Not all at once, but we're still

3668
03:18:51,285 --> 03:18:53,525
operating within that construct.

3669
03:18:54,075 --> 03:18:57,165
Okay. And then have payments from the city

3670
03:18:57,185 --> 03:19:00,045
and town been requested or received?

3671
03:19:00,575 --> 03:19:02,605
Those are the, the city town payments are

3672
03:19:02,625 --> 03:19:03,645
the last payments.

3673
03:19:03,645 --> 03:19:04,725
Those are the ones that come in in

3674
03:19:04,725 --> 03:19:05,725
April.

3675
03:19:05,725 --> 03:19:07,725
They come in in April only. Okay.

3676
03:19:11,095 --> 03:19:15,435
And then for the 87% amount that we approved

3677
03:19:16,295 --> 03:19:19,675
for lending, is it a line of credit?

3678
03:19:20,975 --> 03:19:22,195
So that's The,

3679
03:19:22,505 --> 03:19:25,155
They will allow you to borrow, it's a,

3680
03:19:25,465 --> 03:19:29,595
it's not just an 87, so it's 87% total of the expenditures

3681
03:19:30,105 --> 03:19:31,115
plus cash flows.

3682
03:19:31,115 --> 03:19:34,035
It's a form they have to get to that 87% total.

3683
03:19:35,175 --> 03:19:37,355
But it's, you gotta take out what you've already spent

3684
03:19:37,905 --> 03:19:40,635
plus whatever revenues you have coming in.

3685
03:19:42,215 --> 03:19:45,075
And then it's a kind of a continual calculation.

3686
03:19:45,735 --> 03:19:49,475
So it's not just the set number that's static, it kind

3687
03:19:49,475 --> 03:19:50,715
of moves as the year moves.

3688
03:19:52,615 --> 03:19:57,505
So, but then the hard part right now is like when I went

3689
03:19:57,505 --> 03:19:58,625
back to the bank, I said could we

3690
03:19:58,625 --> 03:19:59,905
extend our line of credit level?

3691
03:20:00,455 --> 03:20:05,025
They have no appetite to extend line of credit further so

3692
03:20:05,095 --> 03:20:06,505
that the line

3693
03:20:06,505 --> 03:20:09,505
of credit we have is all they're willing to give us right now.

3694
03:20:09,975 --> 03:20:12,065
Okay. So it's like a traditional line of credit

3695
03:20:13,405 --> 03:20:15,825
And it's a six month product, right?

3696
03:20:16,125 --> 03:20:18,025
Six months, yes. Six months. Six months from,

3697
03:20:19,445 --> 03:20:23,775
So from that one was executed in

3698
03:20:27,045 --> 03:20:28,335
late, late August.

3699
03:20:29,835 --> 03:20:32,255
But there is a renewal mechanism in that to cover

3700
03:20:32,275 --> 03:20:33,575
for the year if we needed to.

3701
03:20:33,635 --> 03:20:35,415
So I'm not worried about that piece of it,

3702
03:20:36,395 --> 03:20:38,335
but there's no opportunity to extend that

3703
03:20:38,335 --> 03:20:40,135
to a larger dollar value if needed.

3704
03:20:40,445 --> 03:20:43,175
Okay. And to be clear, like that line of credit amount

3705
03:20:43,175 --> 03:20:45,495
that they're willing to give us is to cover

3706
03:20:46,915 --> 03:20:51,135
our gap in cash to, to get us to 87%.

3707
03:20:51,595 --> 03:20:55,495
So that line of credit doesn't allow us to go beyond 87%.

3708
03:20:55,555 --> 03:20:59,535
So there's no ability for us to borrow from 88 to a hundred.

3709
03:21:00,025 --> 03:21:03,295
Right? Right. You know, we, we can't, we can't do that.

3710
03:21:03,555 --> 03:21:07,695
So we've always, even with that line of credit or loan

3711
03:21:07,755 --> 03:21:10,615
or whatever the perfectly proper word is that I'm not using

3712
03:21:10,845 --> 03:21:14,335
that, that still only lets us fill that gap between

3713
03:21:14,335 --> 03:21:17,135
what we're getting from the state, what we're getting

3714
03:21:17,195 --> 03:21:18,775
for these various grant payments.

3715
03:21:19,005 --> 03:21:20,215
There's nothing beyond that.

3716
03:21:21,315 --> 03:21:24,655
And that's the, that's the tricky zone, right?

3717
03:21:24,655 --> 03:21:28,575
Because the board has different

3718
03:21:29,295 --> 03:21:31,615
contractual deadlines that we're aware of right now.

3719
03:21:31,875 --> 03:21:35,575
And so, you know, you lose, you don't, you lose the ability

3720
03:21:35,595 --> 03:21:39,535
to execute some of those options as we go further along,

3721
03:21:39,625 --> 03:21:41,775
which is why we're illustrating it for you, just so

3722
03:21:41,775 --> 03:21:43,535
that you're aware of that.

3723
03:21:43,805 --> 03:21:44,815
Okay. And

3724
03:21:44,815 --> 03:21:48,245
So we're talking about like when the new fiscal year began

3725
03:21:48,425 --> 03:21:49,805
in July Yeah.

3726
03:21:50,025 --> 03:21:51,485
To now. Yes. Yes.

3727
03:21:51,985 --> 03:21:53,805
And so up until that point we've just

3728
03:21:53,805 --> 03:21:55,925
been business as usual.

3729
03:22:01,115 --> 03:22:04,265
There hasn't, well, through the summer you had your,

3730
03:22:04,265 --> 03:22:05,705
your summer staff, right?

3731
03:22:05,815 --> 03:22:07,745
It's the majority right now is the staffing

3732
03:22:08,405 --> 03:22:11,625
and then there's been some grant curriculum stuff

3733
03:22:12,525 --> 03:22:14,745
and stuff like that purchased for the start

3734
03:22:14,745 --> 03:22:15,945
of the school year that has

3735
03:22:15,945 --> 03:22:17,545
to be purchased the start of the school year. Right.

3736
03:22:18,285 --> 03:22:21,145
But we don't really start paying staff from the budget

3737
03:22:21,145 --> 03:22:23,025
that we're, unless they're year round staff.

3738
03:22:23,025 --> 03:22:26,465
Right. But like teaching staff, support staff

3739
03:22:26,485 --> 03:22:30,065
for the most part, their first payroll, you know,

3740
03:22:30,065 --> 03:22:33,105
the first output of cash for us for that group

3741
03:22:33,105 --> 03:22:35,345
of employees really isn't until September. September.

3742
03:22:35,655 --> 03:22:39,625
Yeah. And so, you know, obviously with the,

3743
03:22:39,765 --> 03:22:42,065
the budget draft that was put to voters last week,

3744
03:22:42,065 --> 03:22:45,425
there were some adjustments to staffing that were part of

3745
03:22:45,425 --> 03:22:46,985
that that we've been doing.

3746
03:22:47,055 --> 03:22:48,825
Like we didn't, you know, we didn't change that

3747
03:22:48,885 --> 03:22:51,625
and so those adjustments were made,

3748
03:22:54,085 --> 03:22:56,225
but not further adjustments at this point.

3749
03:22:56,815 --> 03:23:01,645
Okay. Yeah. Jackie, so

3750
03:23:02,785 --> 03:23:05,565
if we could magically put the same budget out

3751
03:23:05,745 --> 03:23:09,085
and it passes, do we still have to make cuts and dec

3752
03:23:09,305 --> 03:23:12,725
and cut things before October 1st with our current funds?

3753
03:23:15,395 --> 03:23:16,575
If magic wand,

3754
03:23:17,475 --> 03:23:19,415
That's the million dollar question, Jackie.

3755
03:23:20,205 --> 03:23:21,615
Okay. I think, you know,

3756
03:23:21,705 --> 03:23:25,975
after October 1st you lose the,

3757
03:23:27,515 --> 03:23:29,015
We have to decide by then, right?

3758
03:23:29,045 --> 03:23:30,375
Yeah. Like we have to decide

3759
03:23:30,515 --> 03:23:32,975
If you, if you decided to go that route, you have

3760
03:23:32,975 --> 03:23:35,375
until October 1st, that's about $800,000.

3761
03:23:36,705 --> 03:23:40,975
After that, that $800,000 locked is locked in just like

3762
03:23:40,975 --> 03:23:42,655
labor costs are locked.

3763
03:23:42,755 --> 03:23:45,135
It just adds to the pile of locked in. Yeah.

3764
03:23:46,155 --> 03:23:47,365
Okay. You know what I mean?

3765
03:23:47,505 --> 03:23:49,685
Is that, please let me know if

3766
03:23:49,685 --> 03:23:50,845
I'm not explaining it clearly.

3767
03:23:50,985 --> 03:23:54,965
So, but we, so we have enough, I don't want to,

3768
03:23:55,025 --> 03:23:58,525
but we have enough to push the decision or we don't

3769
03:23:58,845 --> 03:24:01,005
'cause we're at 87, like, can we afford

3770
03:24:01,065 --> 03:24:02,085
to push that decision?

3771
03:24:03,145 --> 03:24:05,765
You have 8 million right now.

3772
03:24:06,225 --> 03:24:07,525
We, you, me, all

3773
03:24:07,525 --> 03:24:08,245
of us have

3774
03:24:08,245 --> 03:24:12,645
$8,453,000 to make up.

3775
03:24:12,645 --> 03:24:14,645
Like, I, you know what I mean?

3776
03:24:14,705 --> 03:24:17,125
If we were to think about it through the, the course

3777
03:24:17,145 --> 03:24:21,835
of the whole year, I don't,

3778
03:24:22,335 --> 03:24:26,155
you know, I think it's really, it's hard

3779
03:24:26,155 --> 03:24:29,035
because it's an emotional decision

3780
03:24:29,135 --> 03:24:31,235
and a very real decision.

3781
03:24:31,895 --> 03:24:34,835
But that is a lever that you lose on October 1st.

3782
03:24:34,975 --> 03:24:36,515
I'm not saying you need to pull it,

3783
03:24:36,715 --> 03:24:40,355
I just wanna be very clear about what the fiscal

3784
03:24:40,985 --> 03:24:42,075
reality is of all

3785
03:24:42,075 --> 03:24:43,075
This.

3786
03:24:43,075 --> 03:24:46,405
So I mean, regardless of if we pull it,

3787
03:24:46,545 --> 03:24:47,885
we have to find 8 million

3788
03:24:49,375 --> 03:24:50,515
If we keep going like this.

3789
03:24:50,575 --> 03:24:53,915
Yes. And I, and I was clear with the secretary today,

3790
03:24:53,915 --> 03:24:55,875
and John and I have have looked at it,

3791
03:24:55,895 --> 03:24:59,395
we don't have like it, at some point we will run out

3792
03:24:59,395 --> 03:25:02,115
of money if we don't pass a budget, what happens?

3793
03:25:02,975 --> 03:25:05,035
We don't know. Right? I assume the agency

3794
03:25:05,035 --> 03:25:07,955
of education takes over.

3795
03:25:08,195 --> 03:25:12,235
I, I don't know. But we will run out

3796
03:25:12,235 --> 03:25:13,755
of money if we don't have a budget this year

3797
03:25:14,135 --> 03:25:15,435
that's black and white to me.

3798
03:25:15,935 --> 03:25:19,835
You know what that, when that point is it,

3799
03:25:19,855 --> 03:25:22,995
it depends on some of these cost saving measures that

3800
03:25:23,895 --> 03:25:26,035
we elect to take or not knowing, right?

3801
03:25:26,035 --> 03:25:30,115
That there, there are impacts on experiences for students

3802
03:25:30,145 --> 03:25:32,115
with all of those decisions.

3803
03:25:32,115 --> 03:25:36,035
And even if we cut 15 staff and transportation

3804
03:25:36,415 --> 03:25:39,755
and athletics and all sorts of, of things we don't wanna do,

3805
03:25:39,885 --> 03:25:42,235
we're still not gonna get $8.4 million.

3806
03:25:43,575 --> 03:25:47,915
So that's a Okay, so I mean,

3807
03:25:50,255 --> 03:25:52,515
so then really we're just betting to try

3808
03:25:52,515 --> 03:25:54,235
and get whatever we can, right?

3809
03:25:54,285 --> 03:25:55,435
Sorry, I'm thinking out loud.

3810
03:25:56,625 --> 03:25:59,635
Does that 800 k include our contractual agreement

3811
03:25:59,665 --> 03:26:03,035
with like coaching or is that literally everything else?

3812
03:26:04,015 --> 03:26:05,355
No, that's the labor costs,

3813
03:26:06,215 --> 03:26:08,195
the transportation costs. This, that's the whole,

3814
03:26:08,215 --> 03:26:09,715
So that, that's the, okay.

3815
03:26:09,715 --> 03:26:13,715
Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Could we, if we maintained our labor,

3816
03:26:13,995 --> 03:26:18,355
I don't wanna do this contracts, right?

3817
03:26:18,795 --> 03:26:20,555
'cause we don't wanna lose the option

3818
03:26:21,645 --> 03:26:25,275
after the first, could we find the magical three 50

3819
03:26:26,215 --> 03:26:30,795
in various other things that we can try and fundraise

3820
03:26:30,795 --> 03:26:32,075
or Hang on, hang tight.

3821
03:26:35,995 --> 03:26:37,135
So like I, I feel like

3822
03:26:37,355 --> 03:26:39,175
In terms of like if we're talking about four two,

3823
03:26:39,175 --> 03:26:41,295
like if we're talking about budget revo Yeah.

3824
03:26:41,655 --> 03:26:42,775
I feel like I, I don't think,

3825
03:26:43,235 --> 03:26:45,975
and I know it's, I know it's hard,

3826
03:26:46,075 --> 03:26:47,615
but it's almost like you have to think about,

3827
03:26:47,775 --> 03:26:49,735
I keep thinking of it as like two trains, right?

3828
03:26:49,805 --> 03:26:53,175
There's, and, and Ian loves train analogy,

3829
03:26:53,195 --> 03:26:54,975
but there's, there's two trains and,

3830
03:26:55,035 --> 03:26:57,255
and one of them is the fact that we're on this,

3831
03:26:57,805 --> 03:27:00,095
this route right now, the 87% route,

3832
03:27:00,375 --> 03:27:01,415
wherever that one's going, right?

3833
03:27:01,465 --> 03:27:02,735
We'll call that one New York.

3834
03:27:03,275 --> 03:27:06,495
And then there's the other train, which is budget four

3835
03:27:06,795 --> 03:27:08,455
and the things that are in budget four.

3836
03:27:08,455 --> 03:27:10,375
And hopefully, you know, we want that train

3837
03:27:10,375 --> 03:27:13,495
to go faster than the 87% train.

3838
03:27:14,155 --> 03:27:17,935
But it's a, I mean there's risk,

3839
03:27:17,995 --> 03:27:20,655
in my opinion there's risk associated with any of it.

3840
03:27:20,715 --> 03:27:24,615
But also at the same point, like there are,

3841
03:27:25,245 --> 03:27:26,895
there's $8.4 million

3842
03:27:26,895 --> 03:27:28,775
that we're short this year if we keep going.

3843
03:27:29,045 --> 03:27:33,625
Yeah. You know, there is the,

3844
03:27:34,485 --> 03:27:35,745
the option

3845
03:27:35,765 --> 03:27:39,785
and I, I this feel, you know, I'm sure we'll, we'll take

3846
03:27:40,545 --> 03:27:42,605
a load of criticism, but there is the option

3847
03:27:42,605 --> 03:27:45,685
to say we're not running winter if we don't have a budget.

3848
03:27:46,045 --> 03:27:47,725
I feel like that's not, you know,

3849
03:27:47,725 --> 03:27:50,205
that's a cha challenging situation to be in

3850
03:27:50,205 --> 03:27:52,965
because that feels lousy.

3851
03:27:55,785 --> 03:27:58,725
But there is at least the, the understanding on the part

3852
03:27:59,105 --> 03:28:02,445
of the union that if we have to cut it, can we put it back?

3853
03:28:02,785 --> 03:28:04,805
Yes. As long as those people are available.

3854
03:28:07,105 --> 03:28:11,125
But I, I don't have a, a good list of items that get us

3855
03:28:11,125 --> 03:28:12,725
to $8.4 million.

3856
03:28:13,885 --> 03:28:16,765
I I saw Lindsay's hand and Sam and Emily.

3857
03:28:20,475 --> 03:28:21,475
Okay, Lindsay,

3858
03:28:23,225 --> 03:28:28,205
So the 800,000 is transportation and athletics?

3859
03:28:29,665 --> 03:28:33,885
No. Well it's a, so it's athletics clubs

3860
03:28:35,065 --> 03:28:38,205
and then transportation for those items.

3861
03:28:38,915 --> 03:28:42,085
Home to school. Transportation is

3862
03:28:42,385 --> 03:28:44,805
$1.1 million roughly.

3863
03:28:46,865 --> 03:28:51,845
So our bus runs to Berry City. And Berry Town.

3864
03:28:52,145 --> 03:28:54,645
Our daily transportation rates are about 1.1.

3865
03:28:58,745 --> 03:29:01,045
And sorry to pig her back, but we may not get that back.

3866
03:29:01,375 --> 03:29:03,365
Right, right. Because the, we don't,

3867
03:29:03,365 --> 03:29:04,445
we not get athletics back.

3868
03:29:04,995 --> 03:29:07,725
Well, that's more likely like the union, those are people

3869
03:29:07,835 --> 03:29:09,565
that work in the union and they're like, okay,

3870
03:29:09,565 --> 03:29:10,765
you know, we'll, we'll hang tight.

3871
03:29:10,765 --> 03:29:12,245
Transportation is not, that's,

3872
03:29:12,245 --> 03:29:13,885
they're gonna get another job somewhere else.

3873
03:29:14,195 --> 03:29:15,445
Well, we make, hold

3874
03:29:15,445 --> 03:29:16,445
On, hold on, hold on.

3875
03:29:16,545 --> 03:29:18,045
One at a time. One at a time. They

3876
03:29:18,045 --> 03:29:19,045
Have jobs.

3877
03:29:19,045 --> 03:29:19,555
They just, they won't

3878
03:29:21,615 --> 03:29:22,615
Point of order.

3879
03:29:22,815 --> 03:29:26,125
Point of order what your 0.1 person at a time. Okay.

3880
03:29:26,875 --> 03:29:28,325
Lindsay, do you have any more questions?

3881
03:29:28,705 --> 03:29:30,765
No, that was just what I was wondering.

3882
03:29:30,945 --> 03:29:33,085
So that when you said transportation

3883
03:29:33,545 --> 03:29:34,565
or the athletics,

3884
03:29:34,565 --> 03:29:36,245
that was just the athletics transportation.

3885
03:29:36,835 --> 03:29:39,445
That doesn't include, like, does

3886
03:29:39,445 --> 03:29:40,565
that include the field trips

3887
03:29:41,265 --> 03:29:43,445
and like transportation

3888
03:29:43,675 --> 03:29:45,725
that the elementary, middle schools use?

3889
03:29:57,125 --> 03:29:59,985
Yes. Field trips. Okay. I believe so.

3890
03:30:00,825 --> 03:30:02,345
I wouldn't swear on it, but I,

3891
03:30:03,285 --> 03:30:04,285
It might believe so.

3892
03:30:04,285 --> 03:30:05,825
It might the same part of it. At

3893
03:30:05,825 --> 03:30:08,825
Least what I, yeah, kind of why field trip transportation.

3894
03:30:09,775 --> 03:30:10,775
Yeah.

3895
03:30:12,485 --> 03:30:14,265
Sam, What's the timeline

3896
03:30:14,365 --> 03:30:16,825
for warning another budget vote.

3897
03:30:17,605 --> 03:30:19,945
Do we have a timeline that we have to meet?

3898
03:30:20,605 --> 03:30:22,225
Can we run it out to November?

3899
03:30:22,445 --> 03:30:25,625
Can we run it out safely to November? We have to decide.

3900
03:30:26,405 --> 03:30:29,065
Do we wanna go to, Well, are we ready

3901
03:30:29,065 --> 03:30:31,425
to move on from 4.1 to 4.2?

3902
03:30:32,205 --> 03:30:34,465
Not really, but I feel like we, okay, so let's hold on

3903
03:30:34,765 --> 03:30:35,765
On that question.

3904
03:30:35,765 --> 03:30:37,905
Co-mingling these things because they're

3905
03:30:38,445 --> 03:30:39,445
So I can, yeah.

3906
03:30:39,445 --> 03:30:43,005
And I can answer. So in the packet we had put information

3907
03:30:44,575 --> 03:30:46,605
about the, the statute.

3908
03:30:47,665 --> 03:30:49,885
So hold on, gimme two seconds.

3909
03:30:59,065 --> 03:31:00,285
So if you weren the same budget,

3910
03:31:00,405 --> 03:31:01,645
I can start with this off the top of my head.

3911
03:31:01,665 --> 03:31:04,645
If you were in the same budget, it's the 30

3912
03:31:04,745 --> 03:31:06,445
to 40 day window.

3913
03:31:07,145 --> 03:31:11,685
If you warn a budget that has any change to it,

3914
03:31:11,905 --> 03:31:14,725
you can use the accelerated timeline.

3915
03:31:16,785 --> 03:31:20,245
And the accelerated timeline. You could, right.

3916
03:31:20,305 --> 03:31:23,565
If you warned a budget and held an informational meeting

3917
03:31:23,665 --> 03:31:25,845
and, and got everything out you could do.

3918
03:31:27,845 --> 03:31:29,805
I don't think you realistically could do it as quickly

3919
03:31:29,865 --> 03:31:31,125
as the statute says you can.

3920
03:31:31,125 --> 03:31:34,765
It would probably be more like two, two weeks. Yeah,

3921
03:31:35,045 --> 03:31:36,045
Probably.

3922
03:31:36,045 --> 03:31:39,845
Yeah. That's the fast turnaround in statute.

3923
03:31:40,905 --> 03:31:44,845
And that mechanism is there for districts who have budgets

3924
03:31:44,845 --> 03:31:48,125
that fail and wanna accelerate. Well

3925
03:31:48,125 --> 03:31:49,125
That's gotta be coordinated with

3926
03:31:49,125 --> 03:31:50,005
the city and the town too.

3927
03:31:50,105 --> 03:31:51,105
So, right.

3928
03:31:54,705 --> 03:31:56,605
Is there a dollar amount that the change has

3929
03:31:56,605 --> 03:31:57,925
to be in order for, to qualify?

3930
03:31:58,545 --> 03:32:01,965
Oh, okay. So it can be $1. So it's going by prices, right.

3931
03:32:01,965 --> 03:32:03,805
Rules. Sorry, I,

3932
03:32:06,875 --> 03:32:10,045
Catherine Did have we paid anything in interest yet?

3933
03:32:13,835 --> 03:32:15,895
Not that I'm aware of, no. Yeah, not that I'm aware of.

3934
03:32:19,705 --> 03:32:20,705
Emily.

3935
03:32:22,495 --> 03:32:26,055
I mean we, we do have to talk about

3936
03:32:26,925 --> 03:32:30,575
what we can stop spending money on like immediately.

3937
03:32:30,955 --> 03:32:32,255
So what would that look like?

3938
03:32:32,845 --> 03:32:37,375
What, what is your recommendation? I mean

3939
03:32:38,495 --> 03:32:40,255
I think I've given them right? I think we've

3940
03:32:40,435 --> 03:32:41,495
Not hiring, right?

3941
03:32:41,495 --> 03:32:43,455
Right. We're not gonna spend, and we've talked about

3942
03:32:43,975 --> 03:32:45,055
Supplies or anything, Right?

3943
03:32:45,055 --> 03:32:49,335
We talked about freezing non-essential items, right?

3944
03:32:49,335 --> 03:32:51,575
There are things we have to legally

3945
03:32:51,645 --> 03:32:53,055
that we're obligated to do.

3946
03:32:55,715 --> 03:32:59,815
But again, right. Even if we, we do all of those things,

3947
03:32:59,965 --> 03:33:01,415
it's still not enough money.

3948
03:33:01,655 --> 03:33:04,855
I mean the, we gave you some of the obvious

3949
03:33:05,995 --> 03:33:08,335
levers in terms of expense costs.

3950
03:33:08,355 --> 03:33:10,815
We don't like those options.

3951
03:33:12,075 --> 03:33:14,615
We certainly would look at not hiring.

3952
03:33:14,715 --> 03:33:16,055
We would have to have a conversation

3953
03:33:16,055 --> 03:33:18,935
with the association about that to a certain degree

3954
03:33:20,095 --> 03:33:24,055
because those positions haven't been re rift, right?

3955
03:33:24,355 --> 03:33:26,655
So to speak. Or there hasn't been a reduction in force

3956
03:33:26,955 --> 03:33:28,015
in place for those.

3957
03:33:34,275 --> 03:33:38,085
And we, you know, might have to look at is there a way

3958
03:33:38,085 --> 03:33:42,525
to cut some positions, either if someone, you know,

3959
03:33:42,715 --> 03:33:45,845
resigns and we don't fill it or, or other ways.

3960
03:33:47,465 --> 03:33:50,845
But I think our goal tonight was to kind

3961
03:33:50,845 --> 03:33:52,805
of take the temperature a little bit of the board on

3962
03:33:52,805 --> 03:33:54,925
where you are and how comfortable you are

3963
03:33:54,925 --> 03:33:56,085
with any of this risk.

3964
03:33:58,185 --> 03:33:59,485
Can I ask a follow up?

3965
03:34:00,475 --> 03:34:03,165
What do you think are, like if we, I mean we have

3966
03:34:03,165 --> 03:34:05,045
to put a timeline on making some

3967
03:34:05,045 --> 03:34:07,325
of these decisions about spending.

3968
03:34:07,505 --> 03:34:10,845
So what are you hoping that that timeline looks like?

3969
03:34:11,085 --> 03:34:13,645
I think we have to make decisions by October 1st. By

3970
03:34:13,725 --> 03:34:14,725
October 1st.

3971
03:34:14,725 --> 03:34:15,925
Yeah. Thank you.

3972
03:34:17,205 --> 03:34:18,725
Ian. Do we have dollar amounts on

3973
03:34:18,785 --> 03:34:21,485
how much the different boats have cost so far?

3974
03:34:22,515 --> 03:34:23,605
Because I know we've,

3975
03:34:24,355 --> 03:34:26,125
Yeah, I don't, I don't, yeah,

3976
03:34:26,865 --> 03:34:28,485
So I wasn't sure how that gets billed.

3977
03:34:28,485 --> 03:34:30,565
Is that, is that something that the like berry

3978
03:34:30,565 --> 03:34:31,685
town Berry city eat?

3979
03:34:31,685 --> 03:34:33,845
Or is that something that we have to reimburse 'em for?

3980
03:34:35,025 --> 03:34:37,205
We pay for. Okay.

3981
03:34:41,025 --> 03:34:43,845
So we really wanna make sure that we are in full support

3982
03:34:43,845 --> 03:34:45,885
of this budget and that we are not making any public

3983
03:34:45,885 --> 03:34:48,005
statements stating that people should not support

3984
03:34:48,005 --> 03:34:49,085
the budget that we're putting out.

3985
03:34:50,835 --> 03:34:52,485
Okay. What,

3986
03:34:53,305 --> 03:34:56,565
any other questions on this item on 4.1?

3987
03:34:57,425 --> 03:35:01,245
I'm sure a lot of questions Lindsey on

3988
03:35:02,275 --> 03:35:06,405
page six, second to last, Y

3989
03:35:08,975 --> 03:35:13,125
58, 3 5 0 revenue anticipated no interest.

3990
03:35:14,145 --> 03:35:18,725
What's that? Is that what we're anticipating paying on

3991
03:35:19,345 --> 03:35:22,765
the note that we took out? Borrow or?

3992
03:35:23,625 --> 03:35:26,045
No, there's, there's a

3993
03:35:28,595 --> 03:35:33,525
arbitrage between interest earned in a

3994
03:35:33,655 --> 03:35:37,805
money market account when you move money in out of the line

3995
03:35:37,805 --> 03:35:39,765
of credit into your money market account.

3996
03:35:41,625 --> 03:35:44,565
So they've traditionally made money on that.

3997
03:35:44,565 --> 03:35:48,485
So that's where it was budgeted that that's not gonna,

3998
03:35:48,635 --> 03:35:50,205
it's in the budget, but it's not,

3999
03:35:50,395 --> 03:35:52,045
it's not gonna be a reality this year.

4000
03:35:53,705 --> 03:35:57,245
So is that a $70,000 expense?

4001
03:35:58,025 --> 03:36:01,045
No, no, that's, Hey, I just saved this 70.

4002
03:36:03,825 --> 03:36:05,805
That's, that's not, that's not a,

4003
03:36:05,985 --> 03:36:07,205
an expense at this point?

4004
03:36:07,705 --> 03:36:09,525
It could be. I mean we're, we're we're hitting

4005
03:36:10,075 --> 03:36:11,445
that full line of credit

4006
03:36:11,465 --> 03:36:14,245
and we're spending $22,000 a month in interest.

4007
03:36:15,315 --> 03:36:17,525
Yeah, but this is showing that it's summed up in

4008
03:36:17,525 --> 03:36:20,605
that this, this 70,000 is in there.

4009
03:36:21,075 --> 03:36:22,965
Yeah, it's a budget line. Okay.

4010
03:36:23,025 --> 03:36:24,405
So we haven't spent any,

4011
03:36:25,065 --> 03:36:30,005
but if we hit like hitting that full line

4012
03:36:30,865 --> 03:36:34,085
and we we're out on that line for a long period of time

4013
03:36:34,625 --> 03:36:37,445
and it's not sitting, not arbitrage in our money market

4014
03:36:37,445 --> 03:36:39,535
account at all.

4015
03:36:39,845 --> 03:36:42,455
Yeah. So we're like paying the full interest

4016
03:36:42,455 --> 03:36:44,015
rate every month.

4017
03:36:45,005 --> 03:36:47,415
Okay. So like we're out six and a half million dollars.

4018
03:36:47,625 --> 03:36:50,415
Let's just assume that, and I'm, I'm not saying we're saying

4019
03:36:51,075 --> 03:36:52,655
for easy math, we're out six

4020
03:36:52,655 --> 03:36:56,575
and half million dollars for four months at $22,000 a month.

4021
03:36:56,575 --> 03:36:58,495
That's $88,000 in interest.

4022
03:37:00,655 --> 03:37:02,385
Okay. Right. So that

4023
03:37:02,385 --> 03:37:03,985
Could be real expense is what I'm trying to get to.

4024
03:37:04,015 --> 03:37:06,105
It's not right now. It could get to real expense.

4025
03:37:07,165 --> 03:37:10,665
So potentially there would not be that $70,000

4026
03:37:11,015 --> 03:37:12,825
Potentially expense On

4027
03:37:12,865 --> 03:37:13,865
Here.

4028
03:37:13,865 --> 03:37:14,905
Depending on if we can get a budget passed

4029
03:37:16,375 --> 03:37:19,635
and not have to utilize the line.

4030
03:37:23,255 --> 03:37:26,635
And I'm assuming you guys have gone through hopeful.

4031
03:37:26,805 --> 03:37:30,675
We've looked at like supplies to see if there's like

4032
03:37:31,945 --> 03:37:34,155
there's some larger numbers there. There

4033
03:37:34,185 --> 03:37:39,075
Like the individual classroom supply lines are like

4034
03:37:39,075 --> 03:37:41,395
$500 here, $1,500 here.

4035
03:37:41,785 --> 03:37:42,915
There's nothing that's

4036
03:37:43,865 --> 03:37:46,395
That add up to no 535,000.

4037
03:37:47,345 --> 03:37:49,675
Well that it also includes some large items.

4038
03:37:49,775 --> 03:37:53,715
So like there's tech supplies, which is like all

4039
03:37:53,715 --> 03:37:54,915
of our software subscriptions

4040
03:37:54,915 --> 03:37:56,515
and stuff like that sit in the supply

4041
03:37:56,515 --> 03:37:58,395
lines. So we have That's

4042
03:37:58,775 --> 03:38:00,035
Not down with the subscriptions?

4043
03:38:00,655 --> 03:38:02,035
No, they're in supplies.

4044
03:38:02,055 --> 03:38:03,435
So some of the subscriptions are in

4045
03:38:03,435 --> 03:38:04,515
there, some of 'em are in supplies.

4046
03:38:05,705 --> 03:38:06,705
It's

4047
03:38:07,625 --> 03:38:08,625
Okay.

4048
03:38:08,625 --> 03:38:10,155
It's just the way that they're budgeted.

4049
03:38:13,065 --> 03:38:15,925
So the tech supply lines are different than

4050
03:38:16,215 --> 03:38:17,485
every other supply line.

4051
03:38:22,415 --> 03:38:25,305
Plus you also have some larger tech items that are planned

4052
03:38:25,305 --> 03:38:28,905
to be like, they had some major work done here

4053
03:38:30,255 --> 03:38:34,505
this fall that was done to secure the server room

4054
03:38:35,385 --> 03:38:37,625
redundancy for power so that if the power goes out,

4055
03:38:38,445 --> 03:38:39,625
the servers don't go down.

4056
03:38:41,045 --> 03:38:43,185
So that sits in that supply line budget too.

4057
03:38:44,015 --> 03:38:47,705
Okay. Can we

4058
03:38:47,765 --> 03:38:49,065
adjust bus riders?

4059
03:38:50,605 --> 03:38:51,705
Is that contractual

4060
03:38:55,715 --> 03:38:56,715
Bus riders sign?

4061
03:38:56,715 --> 03:39:01,255
An MOU just like any other position.

4062
03:39:05,805 --> 03:39:06,805
Okay. And

4063
03:39:07,035 --> 03:39:08,735
So we're locked in on bus drivers. You

4064
03:39:08,735 --> 03:39:09,735
Can't touch that.

4065
03:39:09,735 --> 03:39:13,135
But the, the other side of that, well the other side of

4066
03:39:13,135 --> 03:39:17,855
that is I've been talking to the lady that oversees

4067
03:39:18,005 --> 03:39:20,175
that and with the principals

4068
03:39:20,955 --> 03:39:22,015
and they say

4069
03:39:22,235 --> 03:39:25,615
for safety reasons those people need be on those buses.

4070
03:39:28,525 --> 03:39:31,585
Yes. I'm just like,

4071
03:39:31,835 --> 03:39:33,605
maybe there would be some reductions

4072
03:39:33,635 --> 03:39:34,765
that could be them there.

4073
03:39:34,825 --> 03:39:36,765
But if, if they're contracted.

4074
03:39:36,905 --> 03:39:40,685
So even if we got rid of home to school transportation,

4075
03:39:41,595 --> 03:39:44,285
then we would have contractual issues with bus riders.

4076
03:39:44,745 --> 03:39:45,925
No. 'cause they're only paid when they

4077
03:39:45,925 --> 03:39:46,965
run, they ride a run.

4078
03:39:47,025 --> 03:39:48,525
So that's how they're paid as per run.

4079
03:39:49,745 --> 03:39:52,085
So we can't reduce bus riders. We'd have to get rid of the

4080
03:39:52,085 --> 03:39:53,085
Bus.

4081
03:39:53,085 --> 03:39:55,685
So if the buses go then there's no runs for them to fly.

4082
03:39:56,425 --> 03:39:58,365
But we can't just reduce bus riders.

4083
03:39:59,315 --> 03:40:01,165
Most of the bus riders too are paras.

4084
03:40:01,165 --> 03:40:02,445
They're, I know they're in the,

4085
03:40:02,635 --> 03:40:04,005
they do other things in the school,

4086
03:40:04,145 --> 03:40:05,145
So.

4087
03:40:05,145 --> 03:40:06,525
Yeah. Yeah. That's why I was like, yeah,

4088
03:40:07,715 --> 03:40:09,725
they wouldn't be losing their job.

4089
03:40:10,035 --> 03:40:12,925
They start extra. Yeah.

4090
03:40:13,785 --> 03:40:17,525
Sam, if we could get a budget passed within two months

4091
03:40:17,545 --> 03:40:20,365
and then there, therefore money's coming in within three

4092
03:40:20,365 --> 03:40:24,445
months, is there a solid figure on what would have to

4093
03:40:25,305 --> 03:40:28,205
cut just to get through those next three months?

4094
03:40:29,915 --> 03:40:33,415
Is that, is that a possible thing?

4095
03:40:35,325 --> 03:40:35,895
It's a bit,

4096
03:40:42,285 --> 03:40:44,335
this is insane that we're having this conversation.

4097
03:40:44,495 --> 03:40:46,695
I just want record this. It's a good question.

4098
03:40:46,925 --> 03:40:47,855
This insane, right?

4099
03:40:54,275 --> 03:40:54,735
Two and a

4100
03:40:54,905 --> 03:40:57,495
Three but it's like it it's a gamble. It's a, yeah,

4101
03:40:57,645 --> 03:40:58,645
It's a gamble.

4102
03:40:58,695 --> 03:41:00,335
Absolutely. We're taking a big gamble. 'cause if we go

4103
03:41:00,395 --> 03:41:04,495
and we say, we're going to say we're gonna put a budget out

4104
03:41:04,495 --> 03:41:08,735
and we're gonna put the budget out and God bless you.

4105
03:41:08,735 --> 03:41:10,335
If you try going to the clerks

4106
03:41:10,355 --> 03:41:12,895
and let's say we want to add something

4107
03:41:12,895 --> 03:41:16,655
to the November ballot because they're rightfully so gonna

4108
03:41:17,415 --> 03:41:18,775
probably not like you very much.

4109
03:41:20,675 --> 03:41:23,695
But if we go out

4110
03:41:23,715 --> 03:41:25,975
and we try to get something the end of October

4111
03:41:26,275 --> 03:41:30,095
or middle of November, I mean it has to be

4112
03:41:30,095 --> 03:41:33,015
before then for us to be able to get funding

4113
03:41:33,715 --> 03:41:35,175
on a normal schedule has to be

4114
03:41:35,175 --> 03:41:39,565
before then we would be,

4115
03:41:39,665 --> 03:41:40,885
if we, we'd be gambling.

4116
03:41:41,265 --> 03:41:44,325
If we just say, okay, let's just kind of go status quo

4117
03:41:44,335 --> 03:41:46,475
until then we'd be gambling.

4118
03:41:46,755 --> 03:41:47,835
'cause we could run out of money

4119
03:41:48,135 --> 03:41:50,875
before the end of the year if the budget doesn't pass.

4120
03:41:52,355 --> 03:41:54,355
'cause to get our December payment, we'd have to pass,

4121
03:41:54,585 --> 03:41:56,515
We'd have to pass a budget in beginning

4122
03:41:56,515 --> 03:41:58,955
of November Juliana.

4123
03:41:59,315 --> 03:42:02,715
So with an accelerated timeline for another vote,

4124
03:42:03,935 --> 03:42:05,875
we could run status quo.

4125
03:42:09,055 --> 03:42:13,315
As long as we understand that we lose,

4126
03:42:14,945 --> 03:42:16,475
Yeah, we lose the the Yes.

4127
03:42:16,635 --> 03:42:17,915
I, I would, yeah. I'm gonna say

4128
03:42:17,915 --> 03:42:19,115
something that's very unpopular.

4129
03:42:20,195 --> 03:42:22,995
I would, even if you do the accelerated timeline,

4130
03:42:23,555 --> 03:42:25,115
I would give the notification just

4131
03:42:25,115 --> 03:42:26,595
so you have the lever to pull if you need to.

4132
03:42:29,015 --> 03:42:32,965
Who was that? I said even if you ran an accelerated

4133
03:42:33,285 --> 03:42:36,045
timeline, I would give the notification so

4134
03:42:36,045 --> 03:42:37,765
that you could pull the lever if you needed to.

4135
03:42:39,735 --> 03:42:41,455
'cause the lev, given the notification doesn't

4136
03:42:41,455 --> 03:42:42,495
mean you're actually pulling the lever.

4137
03:42:42,515 --> 03:42:46,735
It says you may the same.

4138
03:42:46,735 --> 03:42:48,175
We're not issuing anything right now.

4139
03:42:48,355 --> 03:42:50,655
All the con, all the false reports have been issued.

4140
03:42:51,265 --> 03:42:53,135
We're not in a pressing timeline

4141
03:42:53,135 --> 03:42:55,135
to get some contract out there right now.

4142
03:42:58,475 --> 03:43:01,695
But that's the October 1st deadline.

4143
03:43:02,375 --> 03:43:07,135
And we would need to have a vote out before October.

4144
03:43:07,515 --> 03:43:08,615
No, you don't have to have vote

4145
03:43:08,635 --> 03:43:11,615
out if you're giving notice. You don't have to have,

4146
03:43:11,745 --> 03:43:12,745
Right.

4147
03:43:12,745 --> 03:43:14,375
I mean v if you just think about it from like a VPA sports

4148
03:43:14,525 --> 03:43:16,055
perspective timeline, right?

4149
03:43:16,235 --> 03:43:19,495
So right after Thanksgiving, I'm looking at right

4150
03:43:19,495 --> 03:43:21,975
after Thanksgiving we start practice.

4151
03:43:22,595 --> 03:43:23,615
So right.

4152
03:43:23,615 --> 03:43:27,975
So if we backwards plan from that, we would have to

4153
03:43:29,035 --> 03:43:31,495
fairly give notice to the VPA.

4154
03:43:32,465 --> 03:43:34,135
Right? Because we also, all

4155
03:43:34,135 --> 03:43:36,335
of these things are booked a year ahead of time.

4156
03:43:36,465 --> 03:43:37,855
Right? And including your,

4157
03:43:37,855 --> 03:43:39,855
Including including the very auditorium

4158
03:43:39,875 --> 03:43:41,015
for the state champ leadership.

4159
03:43:41,015 --> 03:43:42,495
Right. And like all of those

4160
03:43:43,065 --> 03:43:44,495
Which will not be able to happen.

4161
03:43:44,865 --> 03:43:47,855
Right? All of those things are, are

4162
03:43:50,245 --> 03:43:51,535
schools would have to fill it.

4163
03:43:51,535 --> 03:43:54,975
Like our athletes would have to see if they could go play

4164
03:43:54,975 --> 03:43:58,415
for other places their VPA, you know, guidelines

4165
03:43:58,435 --> 03:44:00,735
and contracts and regarding all of that stuff.

4166
03:44:00,735 --> 03:44:04,965
Like it's not, it's not easy

4167
03:44:05,105 --> 03:44:07,845
to just quickly turn it around, turn it around.

4168
03:44:07,985 --> 03:44:10,405
So we would, you know, we would realistically need

4169
03:44:10,405 --> 03:44:12,405
to give people notice.

4170
03:44:14,585 --> 03:44:15,685
Go to Emily then Lindsay.

4171
03:44:16,745 --> 03:44:18,165
So it's late.

4172
03:44:18,465 --> 03:44:20,765
So I'm having, I just wanna reiterate

4173
03:44:21,075 --> 03:44:22,885
what we have just talked about.

4174
03:44:24,715 --> 03:44:29,455
We have talked about pulling the levers of giving notice

4175
03:44:30,195 --> 03:44:33,975
on our athletic contracts and our transportation contracts.

4176
03:44:34,225 --> 03:44:35,895
Right. Give 30 day notice.

4177
03:44:36,995 --> 03:44:39,575
So I think while We still are planning

4178
03:44:39,575 --> 03:44:42,215
to have a budget vote within that timeframe.

4179
03:44:42,755 --> 03:44:45,975
So the athletic contract is the October 1st date.

4180
03:44:46,395 --> 03:44:49,335
The transportation contract is 30 days at any point.

4181
03:44:49,715 --> 03:44:50,975
So you have more flexibility

4182
03:44:50,975 --> 03:44:53,455
with the transportation contract than you do

4183
03:44:53,455 --> 03:44:54,455
with the labor contract.

4184
03:44:54,605 --> 03:44:57,175
Okay. Just to, that is

4185
03:44:57,245 --> 03:44:59,295
Just to be clear, something we're considering Yes.

4186
03:44:59,315 --> 03:45:00,695
In this still something we're considering.

4187
03:45:00,835 --> 03:45:05,295
But, but it's, it's not tied to a particular date,

4188
03:45:05,355 --> 03:45:07,015
but it is tied to cash flow.

4189
03:45:07,635 --> 03:45:09,975
The, you know, the reality on that

4190
03:45:12,855 --> 03:45:14,695
contract is those folks may not be there.

4191
03:45:14,695 --> 03:45:15,815
Right. That's a concern we have

4192
03:45:16,655 --> 03:45:18,255
because there's such driver shortage.

4193
03:45:19,115 --> 03:45:20,775
And we also,

4194
03:45:22,595 --> 03:45:25,135
and I'm just going to, I'm not trying to be histrionic,

4195
03:45:25,195 --> 03:45:28,335
but we also don't have buses in a school emergency

4196
03:45:28,335 --> 03:45:29,490
to evacuate schools.

4197
03:45:30,075 --> 03:45:31,365
Wait, I thought you were just talking,

4198
03:45:31,585 --> 03:45:33,245
so I thought you were saying it was just

4199
03:45:33,245 --> 03:45:34,445
for athletics transportation.

4200
03:45:35,025 --> 03:45:38,405
No, that's part of the 800, 800,000 for athletics,

4201
03:45:38,405 --> 03:45:40,645
which includes that transportation 1.1

4202
03:45:40,645 --> 03:45:42,205
home to home transportation. So the

4203
03:45:42,205 --> 03:45:44,565
800 athletic deadline is October 1st.

4204
03:45:44,955 --> 03:45:47,805
Yeah. So we train the 1.1

4205
03:45:48,425 --> 03:45:50,205
is 30 days before we do it

4206
03:45:50,995 --> 03:45:53,325
Rolling. We're considering both.

4207
03:45:53,705 --> 03:45:54,565
I'm not gonna take public

4208
03:45:54,565 --> 03:45:55,805
comment unless we're doing a vote.

4209
03:45:55,945 --> 03:45:58,645
We have a public comment after. We gotta get through this.

4210
03:45:58,875 --> 03:46:00,605
Okay. Wait, hold on.

4211
03:46:01,705 --> 03:46:03,645
So on the transportation on the 1.1,

4212
03:46:03,645 --> 03:46:04,965
that's every single student.

4213
03:46:04,965 --> 03:46:09,165
That's where taking a bus to and from. Okay.

4214
03:46:09,305 --> 03:46:12,045
One other piece. So if we say for example,

4215
03:46:12,045 --> 03:46:13,765
hypothetically we give 'em three days notice,

4216
03:46:13,875 --> 03:46:16,285
they terminate the contract that terminates contract.

4217
03:46:16,665 --> 03:46:19,445
If we decide we want to have bus service, again,

4218
03:46:19,865 --> 03:46:22,165
not only are we restaffing, I'm assuming they're going to

4219
03:46:22,955 --> 03:46:25,725
give us a different contract dollar amount based on

4220
03:46:25,725 --> 03:46:27,605
what the prevailing fuel cost is.

4221
03:46:28,135 --> 03:46:31,045
Which, yeah, I mean we do pay a, a fuel cost adjustment.

4222
03:46:31,225 --> 03:46:35,925
So we're already paying for whatever the,

4223
03:46:36,185 --> 03:46:38,045
the excess cost is for fuel.

4224
03:46:38,105 --> 03:46:39,565
But John, it would probably mean

4225
03:46:39,565 --> 03:46:41,205
they, we'd have to rebid it. We'd have,

4226
03:46:41,205 --> 03:46:42,925
We'd have to Rebid the whole time the,

4227
03:46:42,985 --> 03:46:44,405
the transportation contract.

4228
03:46:44,665 --> 03:46:45,645
So it would likely be more

4229
03:46:45,645 --> 03:46:46,845
expensive than what we're paying now.

4230
03:46:48,315 --> 03:46:49,315
Lindsay,

4231
03:46:51,905 --> 03:46:53,845
Can you tell me what the difference is between

4232
03:46:54,505 --> 03:46:58,085
on page four under,

4233
03:46:59,485 --> 03:47:00,565
I don't know what this is.

4234
03:47:00,625 --> 03:47:04,325
Salary and wages. It's summer health wages.

4235
03:47:04,585 --> 03:47:07,925
And then in the last line of the grade section

4236
03:47:08,535 --> 03:47:10,125
facilities, summer health.

4237
03:47:11,145 --> 03:47:12,165
What's the difference?

4238
03:47:12,395 --> 03:47:15,645
Like what's the summer help versus facilities? Summer help

4239
03:47:16,335 --> 03:47:18,005
Facilities, summer help as they bring in

4240
03:47:19,155 --> 03:47:21,725
some part-time help, help with grounds keeping

4241
03:47:22,725 --> 03:47:23,725
Anything whatever Did

4242
03:47:25,105 --> 03:47:26,105
So what's the summer help?

4243
03:47:26,625 --> 03:47:29,565
So the summer help is like extended school year stuff.

4244
03:47:29,625 --> 03:47:31,725
So there are some kids that require

4245
03:47:32,305 --> 03:47:33,305
Yes.

4246
03:47:33,435 --> 03:47:35,165
Yeah. So that those are those people.

4247
03:47:35,665 --> 03:47:38,925
So, but, and this is what we have to pay

4248
03:47:39,175 --> 03:47:42,125
after we get money reimbursed from a OE.

4249
03:47:45,065 --> 03:47:46,485
It depends on the situation.

4250
03:47:48,345 --> 03:47:50,245
So this is the expense side? The expense side,

4251
03:47:50,305 --> 03:47:51,445
Yes. Not the revenue side.

4252
03:47:51,445 --> 03:47:52,205
Not the revenue side.

4253
03:47:56,305 --> 03:48:01,245
So we

4254
03:48:01,245 --> 03:48:03,085
would, that's the cost, right?

4255
03:48:03,105 --> 03:48:05,205
The way that we, we build it in here,

4256
03:48:05,945 --> 03:48:07,645
that's the cost for that item.

4257
03:48:08,255 --> 03:48:11,365
There may be offsetting revenue in the revenue side

4258
03:48:11,365 --> 03:48:14,245
of the budget, but we, we would still budget the cost.

4259
03:48:14,915 --> 03:48:16,205
Okay. And then budget the revenue

4260
03:48:16,945 --> 03:48:19,645
And not all of those services are reimbursable

4261
03:48:19,665 --> 03:48:21,965
but we are still required to provide them.

4262
03:48:23,505 --> 03:48:27,885
Yes. So like the way Joanne explained it

4263
03:48:27,885 --> 03:48:30,605
before is we only got the general fund piece.

4264
03:48:31,025 --> 03:48:32,765
So I was like just trying to see. Yeah.

4265
03:48:32,765 --> 03:48:34,045
So this is, this is the piece,

4266
03:48:34,595 --> 03:48:36,765
that piece right there is what's in the general fund budget.

4267
03:48:37,155 --> 03:48:40,125
This is the piece that's in our budget. Okay.

4268
03:48:40,125 --> 03:48:42,125
So we can't touch the summer health. Can we cut the

4269
03:48:42,175 --> 03:48:43,445
facilities summer house?

4270
03:48:44,595 --> 03:48:46,445
It's already happened. Yeah, it's already happened.

4271
03:48:48,085 --> 03:48:50,625
Oh that happened over the summer. Yes.

4272
03:48:51,095 --> 03:48:53,585
It's done not this coming summer. No.

4273
03:48:54,525 --> 03:48:57,185
Do you, do you need slim from the four to tonight?

4274
03:48:59,555 --> 03:49:01,185
Would you like can I get a temperature check?

4275
03:49:05,405 --> 03:49:07,105
Who wants to start? Jackie, do you want me to go first?

4276
03:49:09,105 --> 03:49:13,305
I, if it weren't for the timeline, I would actually like

4277
03:49:13,305 --> 03:49:15,905
to put the same 2% out.

4278
03:49:16,825 --> 03:49:20,665
I think we should change enough the 2 0 5 maybe whatever

4279
03:49:21,925 --> 03:49:24,265
and get that revote out as soon as possible.

4280
03:49:24,665 --> 03:49:27,625
I think I've seen a lot of participation tonight

4281
03:49:28,175 --> 03:49:31,425
that gives me hope that we can actually get to enough people

4282
03:49:31,445 --> 03:49:34,265
to vote and get this over the finish line.

4283
03:49:37,265 --> 03:49:39,705
I think the deadline is more important.

4284
03:49:39,985 --> 03:49:42,145
I think we, I don't like rushing votes

4285
03:49:42,245 --> 03:49:45,705
but I think we kind of have to, I'm glad that Sam asked

4286
03:49:45,705 --> 03:49:47,825
that many questions because I think it's pretty clear.

4287
03:49:48,005 --> 03:49:50,185
It just, the longer we spread it out, no matter

4288
03:49:50,185 --> 03:49:52,185
what the budget is on the ballot,

4289
03:49:52,325 --> 03:49:53,625
the further back we push it,

4290
03:49:53,625 --> 03:49:58,065
the more risky it's So I would say change just enough to get

4291
03:49:58,065 --> 03:49:59,625
that change qualification.

4292
03:50:00,145 --> 03:50:01,905
I don't know if we wanna be as snarky as a dollar,

4293
03:50:02,085 --> 03:50:06,945
but just so we can get that early timeline.

4294
03:50:07,045 --> 03:50:08,745
And I think we use this time

4295
03:50:09,365 --> 03:50:13,585
to really to get to people.

4296
03:50:14,145 --> 03:50:15,745
I think we had a good start

4297
03:50:16,925 --> 03:50:20,585
and we are doing a lot of good things

4298
03:50:20,765 --> 03:50:22,545
and it feels like we're always behind.

4299
03:50:22,905 --> 03:50:24,345
I think Garrett, you did a lot of good things.

4300
03:50:24,465 --> 03:50:26,465
I think getting in front of the news and being open

4301
03:50:26,485 --> 03:50:28,705
and honest and I get to know

4302
03:50:28,705 --> 03:50:30,065
that the students are involved the better.

4303
03:50:31,325 --> 03:50:33,065
But I have a lot more hope this time

4304
03:50:35,735 --> 03:50:37,225
just in the community.

4305
03:50:38,205 --> 03:50:43,185
So I think if we use that momentum, the sooner the better.

4306
03:50:44,275 --> 03:50:45,275
Emily,

4307
03:50:46,085 --> 03:50:48,825
Are you looking for feedback on our

4308
03:50:49,895 --> 03:50:53,105
operational impacts or are we just all feedback?

4309
03:50:53,115 --> 03:50:54,905
We're just doing all, all

4310
03:50:55,705 --> 03:50:56,705
Feedback.

4311
03:51:01,595 --> 03:51:06,235
I don't know. I am so overwhelmed by being in this really

4312
03:51:07,675 --> 03:51:10,355
terrible and unprecedented situation.

4313
03:51:10,425 --> 03:51:12,395
It's really hard to know what to do.

4314
03:51:12,395 --> 03:51:15,075
Everything is a risk and a gamble.

4315
03:51:17,295 --> 03:51:20,075
We have to, if we have to

4316
03:51:21,175 --> 03:51:24,155
cut spending right away, that's clear.

4317
03:51:24,375 --> 03:51:28,005
We can't continue our

4318
03:51:28,255 --> 03:51:29,445
operations as normal.

4319
03:51:30,905 --> 03:51:34,965
So I guess I'd like to, to see that mapped out

4320
03:51:34,965 --> 03:51:36,085
what that really looks like.

4321
03:51:36,335 --> 03:51:38,165
We've talked about a lot of those different pieces

4322
03:51:39,825 --> 03:51:41,685
and their safety considerations.

4323
03:51:41,825 --> 03:51:45,405
We can't cut transportation without recognizing

4324
03:51:45,405 --> 03:51:49,125
that we would lose emergency transportation if

4325
03:51:50,065 --> 03:51:51,685
we had to get kids out of the schools.

4326
03:51:53,075 --> 03:51:55,205
Well what does one person at a time,

4327
03:51:56,305 --> 03:51:57,405
I'm not gonna say it anymore.

4328
03:52:00,505 --> 03:52:03,845
So if we're looking to make some decisions,

4329
03:52:03,905 --> 03:52:06,405
it sounds like we're going to meet again very soon.

4330
03:52:08,305 --> 03:52:10,005
Is that what we're thinking?

4331
03:52:12,405 --> 03:52:14,565
I mean our next scheduled meeting is October 5th.

4332
03:52:14,625 --> 03:52:15,845
That's up to the board.

4333
03:52:17,295 --> 03:52:20,425
That doesn't seem like, it seems like we need to meet

4334
03:52:20,425 --> 03:52:24,665
before then and be able to take action.

4335
03:52:25,525 --> 03:52:28,505
Do does the board need to act

4336
03:52:29,285 --> 03:52:31,025
to cut spending? No, this

4337
03:52:31,025 --> 03:52:33,585
Is, that's a, that's a management decision at this point.

4338
03:52:33,985 --> 03:52:37,185
I mean and I'll if you want the, the black

4339
03:52:37,185 --> 03:52:38,505
and white answer it's management.

4340
03:52:38,855 --> 03:52:42,185
Okay. Do the reason we're sitting here going through all

4341
03:52:42,185 --> 03:52:43,865
of this with everyone obviously is

4342
03:52:43,865 --> 03:52:46,625
because that's not something that we wanna do in isolation.

4343
03:52:46,725 --> 03:52:49,745
But to answer your question from just a contractual legal

4344
03:52:49,745 --> 03:52:51,065
point of view, it is management.

4345
03:52:51,065 --> 03:52:53,745
Okay. At this point the, the budget for

4346
03:52:54,445 --> 03:52:56,585
is definitely board. Okay.

4347
03:52:56,615 --> 03:53:01,065
Yeah. So I, if we're doing a vibe check on operational

4348
03:53:01,615 --> 03:53:04,865
impacts, I am going to trust the judgment

4349
03:53:05,205 --> 03:53:09,065
of our administration to, to make the call for us.

4350
03:53:09,385 --> 03:53:11,745
I think that we've discussed what that looks like,

4351
03:53:11,745 --> 03:53:12,945
different scenarios.

4352
03:53:14,765 --> 03:53:18,325
So maybe the next, if we're going to meet soon

4353
03:53:18,385 --> 03:53:21,525
before October 1st, if that feels like the deadline

4354
03:53:21,675 --> 03:53:25,085
that we need to meet, it'd be nice to see kind of a plan

4355
03:53:25,265 --> 03:53:26,365
of how that's mapped out.

4356
03:53:26,505 --> 03:53:26,725
But

4357
03:53:30,725 --> 03:53:31,845
I guess that's, thank you.

4358
03:53:32,105 --> 03:53:35,725
I'm just, just overwhelmed by being in this unprecedented

4359
03:53:36,245 --> 03:53:39,285
situation and how this is gonna impact

4360
03:53:39,285 --> 03:53:40,405
our community and our kids.

4361
03:53:44,845 --> 03:53:46,965
A lot of what Emily said, like this is just,

4362
03:53:48,335 --> 03:53:49,625
this is a bad situation.

4363
03:53:49,655 --> 03:53:51,945
This has been just,

4364
03:53:54,555 --> 03:53:55,965
I'll just straight out say it.

4365
03:53:56,205 --> 03:53:57,885
I am not happy about situation.

4366
03:53:58,635 --> 03:54:02,725
That being said, I wish I had a way to

4367
03:54:04,195 --> 03:54:05,815
figure it out but it's,

4368
03:54:09,055 --> 03:54:11,615
I just don't see a way, granted my,

4369
03:54:13,595 --> 03:54:15,415
my inner teenager is coming out

4370
03:54:15,415 --> 03:54:17,095
and saying let's just crank up

4371
03:54:17,095 --> 03:54:18,895
and just add $8 million on top

4372
03:54:18,895 --> 03:54:20,935
of the next budget and make it even higher.

4373
03:54:21,155 --> 03:54:22,575
But that's not viable.

4374
03:54:23,065 --> 03:54:25,325
That's just my inner 15-year-old coming out

4375
03:54:25,325 --> 03:54:26,885
and just being oppositionally defiant.

4376
03:54:28,585 --> 03:54:32,605
But realistically all I think we can do is just

4377
03:54:33,465 --> 03:54:34,565
put out updated budget

4378
03:54:34,785 --> 03:54:38,205
and we just all have to really campaign

4379
03:54:38,225 --> 03:54:41,165
and make sure that we are publicly behind this budget

4380
03:54:41,785 --> 03:54:43,645
on front page form front porch forum

4381
03:54:43,945 --> 03:54:46,045
and that we do not publicly speak out against

4382
03:54:46,045 --> 03:54:47,405
what we have decided on as a group.

4383
03:54:48,945 --> 03:54:51,885
Ana, I would run the same budget.

4384
03:54:52,525 --> 03:54:55,885
I think $350,000 isn't going to slide

4385
03:54:56,785 --> 03:55:00,835
the effect, the damage that what?

4386
03:55:00,905 --> 03:55:03,915
What will happen if it looks pleasing?

4387
03:55:04,295 --> 03:55:08,515
That's an issue and

4388
03:55:09,785 --> 03:55:10,995
accelerated timeline.

4389
03:55:11,495 --> 03:55:13,435
And the notice should be given.

4390
03:55:16,025 --> 03:55:16,635
Catherine,

4391
03:55:22,485 --> 03:55:26,125
I would like to champion my prior idea

4392
03:55:27,625 --> 03:55:29,405
not to be contrary to Juliano.

4393
03:55:29,465 --> 03:55:33,045
Yes. But I do think it makes a difference.

4394
03:55:33,045 --> 03:55:35,285
And I think what would make the most difference would be the

4395
03:55:35,335 --> 03:55:37,925
board coming together

4396
03:55:39,355 --> 03:55:40,455
and going through the budget

4397
03:55:40,915 --> 03:55:44,215
and finding exactly what 350 we're going

4398
03:55:45,315 --> 03:55:47,535
to decrease it by a 350.

4399
03:55:47,535 --> 03:55:50,735
That's not going to affect the students a 350.

4400
03:55:50,735 --> 03:55:53,335
That's not going to touch any of the things

4401
03:55:53,335 --> 03:55:54,735
that we don't want it to touch.

4402
03:55:55,365 --> 03:55:58,215
Because if we're running on 20%

4403
03:55:59,155 --> 03:56:01,855
that's not contracted out of last year's budget,

4404
03:56:01,855 --> 03:56:03,175
that's $11 million.

4405
03:56:04,395 --> 03:56:07,855
So I think we could find three 50

4406
03:56:08,875 --> 03:56:10,735
to put out there to get the budget down.

4407
03:56:10,735 --> 03:56:13,615
When we asked the community what they wanted for a budget,

4408
03:56:13,615 --> 03:56:15,615
they didn't say 2.11.

4409
03:56:15,925 --> 03:56:17,095
They said zero to two.

4410
03:56:17,605 --> 03:56:20,895
Putting it out at 56.9 would be

4411
03:56:20,895 --> 03:56:22,015
at the very high end of that.

4412
03:56:22,155 --> 03:56:24,415
We would be doing what the community asked us to do.

4413
03:56:25,285 --> 03:56:27,335
We'd be working together, which is something

4414
03:56:27,335 --> 03:56:28,535
that we really need to see.

4415
03:56:29,235 --> 03:56:31,375
And working together for everyone

4416
03:56:32,625 --> 03:56:34,215
who's involved in this budget.

4417
03:56:36,145 --> 03:56:39,845
Do we know what we have for tax stabilization balance?

4418
03:56:45,235 --> 03:56:48,435
I believe what I reconcile it off

4419
03:56:48,435 --> 03:56:49,915
of the notes from your guys meeting.

4420
03:56:49,915 --> 03:56:52,315
Kind of think, I don't call

4421
03:56:52,315 --> 03:56:53,955
because I, I'll have to double check,

4422
03:56:54,135 --> 03:56:58,565
but I think seven to 900.

4423
03:56:58,685 --> 03:56:59,685
I thought I was gonna say

4424
03:56:59,685 --> 03:57:00,685
7,000.

4425
03:57:00,685 --> 03:57:02,005
Seven to 900,000. Somewhere in there.

4426
03:57:02,835 --> 03:57:04,645
Alright. That was something else

4427
03:57:04,675 --> 03:57:06,405
that the community brought up was

4428
03:57:07,025 --> 03:57:08,645
use the tax stabilization money

4429
03:57:09,505 --> 03:57:11,685
to keep it where it needs to be.

4430
03:57:11,965 --> 03:57:16,845
I think it's insensitive to take people who are coming

4431
03:57:17,025 --> 03:57:20,965
and at face value telling us that they are not voting no

4432
03:57:21,105 --> 03:57:23,885
to hurt children or to hurt programs

4433
03:57:24,105 --> 03:57:26,965
or to make a point they're not being infantile,

4434
03:57:27,315 --> 03:57:31,005
they're being real, they're having real struggles

4435
03:57:32,805 --> 03:57:35,825
and we don't want to have this, it's our job as the board

4436
03:57:35,965 --> 03:57:40,945
to take this stressful and serious situation

4437
03:57:41,725 --> 03:57:43,185
and do the best we can with it.

4438
03:57:44,485 --> 03:57:47,585
So if we have a, a group of our community

4439
03:57:47,585 --> 03:57:50,665
that is not agreeing with this, we have to try

4440
03:57:51,485 --> 03:57:52,825
and even if it is just,

4441
03:57:52,985 --> 03:57:54,825
I mean I can see Julianos point in

4442
03:57:54,825 --> 03:57:55,985
saying, well it's just optics.

4443
03:57:55,985 --> 03:57:57,465
But I don't think it is just optics.

4444
03:57:57,625 --> 03:58:01,065
I think it would be showing that we really are trying

4445
03:58:02,165 --> 03:58:04,665
to come to a, a compromise where it's balanced.

4446
03:58:05,275 --> 03:58:07,145
Could I just add Sure. Point clarification.

4447
03:58:07,505 --> 03:58:09,625
I just want everybody to understand when you use tax

4448
03:58:09,905 --> 03:58:12,145
stabilization funds, just so everybody

4449
03:58:12,715 --> 03:58:14,745
we're thinking about this, when you look at the expense

4450
03:58:14,745 --> 03:58:17,265
report, it does not decrease your expenditures.

4451
03:58:18,685 --> 03:58:22,665
So you're just using prior surpluses to say, okay,

4452
03:58:22,665 --> 03:58:24,425
you're okay to spend this amount

4453
03:58:25,365 --> 03:58:28,305
but you're decreasing your tax obligation.

4454
03:58:29,165 --> 03:58:33,225
So the expenditure lines don't change, just decreasing.

4455
03:58:34,125 --> 03:58:36,545
You're just funding it differently. Yes. Bring it in.

4456
03:58:36,725 --> 03:58:38,705
So I just wanna make sure everybody's very clear on that.

4457
03:58:40,005 --> 03:58:42,345
And it creates a revenue gap. Yes.

4458
03:58:42,535 --> 03:58:45,265
That you, so you start behind whatever we use

4459
03:58:45,285 --> 03:58:46,505
for tax stabilization

4460
03:58:47,645 --> 03:58:49,545
and that's your choice. We're just explaining that.

4461
03:58:49,545 --> 03:58:51,065
We're just explaining optic. So it's gonna show

4462
03:58:51,065 --> 03:58:52,225
us an overspent.

4463
03:58:53,225 --> 03:58:55,135
Right. So like we'd have to make

4464
03:58:55,135 --> 03:58:57,455
that revenue up next year from the get go.

4465
03:58:57,455 --> 03:58:58,455
Yeah.

4466
03:58:58,865 --> 03:59:02,375
We're almost half of our tax stabilization money.

4467
03:59:02,435 --> 03:59:06,175
We we, we added it into our budget already. Yeah.

4468
03:59:06,325 --> 03:59:07,325
That didn't work. So

4469
03:59:08,325 --> 03:59:08,615
Jeff,

4470
03:59:13,645 --> 03:59:17,135
Yeah, there's a lot on my mind.

4471
03:59:18,125 --> 03:59:22,335
There's a lot of participation tonight

4472
03:59:22,965 --> 03:59:26,395
that was really eye-opening

4473
03:59:28,575 --> 03:59:30,995
as a public school educator, I have a lens

4474
03:59:31,895 --> 03:59:35,915
that's a little unique to say that like

4475
03:59:36,465 --> 03:59:41,195
schools don't have excess like personnel and funds

4476
03:59:42,755 --> 03:59:46,295
and they're, they're, they're not wasteful.

4477
03:59:46,715 --> 03:59:49,335
It doesn't mean every single dollar is spent perfectly.

4478
03:59:50,875 --> 03:59:53,855
But to think that we can scrutinize more

4479
03:59:55,135 --> 03:59:56,225
than we already have,

4480
03:59:59,255 --> 04:00:00,705
just seems like if you were

4481
04:00:00,725 --> 04:00:05,025
to have been in a school every day for the last 10 years,

4482
04:00:05,605 --> 04:00:08,825
nobody would say that there's money to cut

4483
04:00:09,685 --> 04:00:13,745
in certain places that are gonna add up to a certain chunk

4484
04:00:13,745 --> 04:00:17,525
of money that's gonna make people's tax

4485
04:00:19,485 --> 04:00:21,525
contribution feel lower.

4486
04:00:23,335 --> 04:00:26,075
And to be clear, the people who are struggling right now

4487
04:00:27,055 --> 04:00:28,115
are the staff members.

4488
04:00:29,095 --> 04:00:30,315
The teachers and students

4489
04:00:30,375 --> 04:00:35,195
and families that are having to deal with this very public

4490
04:00:37,025 --> 04:00:41,025
situation we're in where our schools aren't being funded.

4491
04:00:42,375 --> 04:00:43,665
When you cut a position

4492
04:00:43,765 --> 04:00:47,185
or a service, it doesn't just go away.

4493
04:00:48,385 --> 04:00:51,305
Somebody else has to pick up that load, wear more hats

4494
04:00:51,525 --> 04:00:52,905
or it just doesn't get done.

4495
04:00:53,395 --> 04:00:55,665
Which is most of the time it just doesn't get done

4496
04:00:55,895 --> 04:00:59,065
because the people with all the hats are busy juggling

4497
04:00:59,645 --> 04:01:00,665
and spinning plates.

4498
04:01:04,365 --> 04:01:08,105
The first couple failures of a budget, people are like, yep,

4499
04:01:08,365 --> 04:01:09,905
we have to find some efficiencies.

4500
04:01:10,295 --> 04:01:12,265
Ouch, this hurts. We have to regroup.

4501
04:01:12,565 --> 04:01:15,675
But after three times failing

4502
04:01:17,855 --> 04:01:21,795
almost a 50 50 vote, it's like 52, 48, something like that.

4503
04:01:23,145 --> 04:01:24,715
It's a little more than 100 votes

4504
04:01:26,265 --> 04:01:28,275
that tank the tank.

4505
04:01:28,275 --> 04:01:33,155
This budget. I'm concerned about

4506
04:01:33,735 --> 04:01:37,645
the staff in our district that is going to consider

4507
04:01:37,705 --> 04:01:40,165
to potentially not renew their contract next year.

4508
04:01:40,365 --> 04:01:42,085
'cause I assume we'll eventually pass a budget.

4509
04:01:43,145 --> 04:01:45,125
But who's gonna want to stick around for

4510
04:01:46,345 --> 04:01:48,165
not feeling valued in what we're doing?

4511
04:01:49,715 --> 04:01:54,435
Teachers are working clearly so hard with the students

4512
04:01:54,495 --> 04:01:57,735
to show up and sure they had the angle in of sports

4513
04:01:58,115 --> 04:02:00,895
and clubs and those were very important and impactful.

4514
04:02:02,075 --> 04:02:04,935
But the way that they were able to speak

4515
04:02:06,235 --> 04:02:10,615
their authenticity, that gave me strength

4516
04:02:11,355 --> 04:02:16,255
to listen to the testimonials from the students that laughed

4517
04:02:16,275 --> 04:02:19,055
and said, you think we don't need our principal here?

4518
04:02:19,165 --> 04:02:21,145
That is not true.

4519
04:02:22,235 --> 04:02:26,805
And the students just spoke frankly about all the things

4520
04:02:28,625 --> 04:02:31,955
they do deserve our full throated support.

4521
04:02:33,055 --> 04:02:36,235
And when we are so focused on student outcomes in the

4522
04:02:36,235 --> 04:02:38,915
newspapers, we are not performing like we used to.

4523
04:02:39,865 --> 04:02:41,155
That is so frustrating

4524
04:02:41,155 --> 04:02:43,155
because the students that were here tonight

4525
04:02:43,475 --> 04:02:44,555
demonstrated different than that.

4526
04:02:45,095 --> 04:02:46,315
Please fund our budgets.

4527
04:02:46,875 --> 04:02:50,115
I support no more cuts Sam.

4528
04:02:51,955 --> 04:02:53,675
I also support no more cuts.

4529
04:02:53,675 --> 04:02:56,515
If we have to change it by a dollar to get on

4530
04:02:57,055 --> 04:02:58,795
an accelerated timeline, that would be fine

4531
04:02:58,795 --> 04:03:00,075
with me, but not more than that.

4532
04:03:00,275 --> 04:03:02,395
I think it's a disservice to cut more.

4533
04:03:03,735 --> 04:03:07,275
And I know I was really surprised to hear people say

4534
04:03:07,275 --> 04:03:08,635
that they thought the budget hadn't been

4535
04:03:08,635 --> 04:03:09,875
discussed in board meetings.

4536
04:03:09,875 --> 04:03:11,675
Because it seems to me like that's the only thing we've done

4537
04:03:11,675 --> 04:03:13,955
in board meetings is discuss the budget time

4538
04:03:13,955 --> 04:03:16,835
and time again in great detail and enormous detail.

4539
04:03:17,065 --> 04:03:18,805
So that was a surprising thing for me.

4540
04:03:19,365 --> 04:03:21,405
I think there are segments of the population we're

4541
04:03:21,405 --> 04:03:22,485
never gonna move to.

4542
04:03:22,485 --> 04:03:24,045
Yes. And that's really sad.

4543
04:03:24,595 --> 04:03:29,125
It's so sad for these kids who came, but we got Berry City

4544
04:03:29,145 --> 04:03:30,925
and I think that we can bring Berry City out.

4545
04:03:31,325 --> 04:03:33,085
I wish we had more time to bring Berry City out,

4546
04:03:33,105 --> 04:03:35,205
but I think that's, that's

4547
04:03:35,205 --> 04:03:38,845
where the strength in getting this past lies, Lindsey.

4548
04:03:45,085 --> 04:03:48,785
So I'm wondering what's the

4549
04:03:48,785 --> 04:03:50,345
350,000?

4550
04:03:50,625 --> 04:03:54,025
I feel like I'm missing something here. No one knows.

4551
04:03:54,845 --> 04:03:56,785
I'm just like no one know You were saying you want like

4552
04:03:56,785 --> 04:03:58,665
there's this number three 50,

4553
04:03:58,885 --> 04:04:01,505
but you were talking about the getting it down

4554
04:04:01,805 --> 04:04:03,985
to 56, whatever.

4555
04:04:04,685 --> 04:04:09,145
I'm like, but if we came up with 130,

4556
04:04:10,295 --> 04:04:13,425
that would get us down below the 52nd.

4557
04:04:16,335 --> 04:04:17,635
So I'm just saying we can try

4558
04:04:17,635 --> 04:04:18,635
That too.

4559
04:04:18,635 --> 04:04:21,035
I mean it it, Can I answer that?

4560
04:04:22,745 --> 04:04:27,235
That is is just something I put out. I am one board member.

4561
04:04:27,905 --> 04:04:28,915
It's a suggestion

4562
04:04:29,375 --> 04:04:32,915
and it was hopefully to spark a dialogue between us

4563
04:04:32,935 --> 04:04:34,115
to actually discuss it

4564
04:04:34,115 --> 04:04:37,275
because we haven't really, I mean we've,

4565
04:04:37,275 --> 04:04:39,435
we've talked about it ad nauseum to a point

4566
04:04:39,435 --> 04:04:40,955
that's like a, an overview.

4567
04:04:41,335 --> 04:04:42,955
But we haven't really gone through

4568
04:04:43,695 --> 04:04:47,275
and looked at things particular like this particular

4569
04:04:47,345 --> 04:04:48,755
paperwork that we got tonight.

4570
04:04:50,025 --> 04:04:51,235
It's a generalization.

4571
04:04:51,715 --> 04:04:54,395
I don't, I can see where these codes are.

4572
04:04:55,115 --> 04:04:57,115
I can go to the line item budget

4573
04:04:57,255 --> 04:04:59,995
and try to kind of comb them out.

4574
04:05:00,975 --> 04:05:04,875
But we as the board really in my opinion,

4575
04:05:05,415 --> 04:05:08,595
and it's just my opinion, it's not the board speaking

4576
04:05:08,855 --> 04:05:12,995
but we can go through and find things to match.

4577
04:05:13,615 --> 04:05:16,155
One thing that comes to my mind is the facilities amount.

4578
04:05:16,155 --> 04:05:18,555
Because we had talked about that back at the beginning

4579
04:05:18,555 --> 04:05:19,715
of this last year's budget.

4580
04:05:21,075 --> 04:05:22,755
I really thought that we had said

4581
04:05:22,755 --> 04:05:24,675
that it was gonna be 75 cents a square foot

4582
04:05:24,695 --> 04:05:27,075
and then the last I saw it was 85 cents.

4583
04:05:27,175 --> 04:05:29,515
And if, and the original budget was up to a dollar,

4584
04:05:30,275 --> 04:05:32,275
I would love to have the facilities budget up to a dollar.

4585
04:05:32,435 --> 04:05:34,995
I think that would be great. This particular year,

4586
04:05:35,005 --> 04:05:36,035
we're halfway through the year.

4587
04:05:37,105 --> 04:05:38,715
Like if we need to drop it

4588
04:05:39,055 --> 04:05:43,475
and save another amount, I would say we should do it. But

4589
04:05:43,475 --> 04:05:44,715
I don't know how much we've Spent.

4590
04:05:44,785 --> 04:05:47,275
Exactly. But this is what we need to talk about

4591
04:05:47,455 --> 04:05:48,715
and this is why we need to look.

4592
04:05:48,875 --> 04:05:50,715
A lot of the numbers we have are stale numbers.

4593
04:05:51,285 --> 04:05:54,555
These were from prior dates

4594
04:05:54,665 --> 04:05:56,515
that are not current and up to date.

4595
04:05:56,775 --> 04:05:59,275
How are we making a decision when we

4596
04:05:59,275 --> 04:06:00,475
don't have current numbers?

4597
04:06:01,795 --> 04:06:02,875
I mean if I was,

4598
04:06:03,055 --> 04:06:06,195
if if this board was my fiduciary, I would fire us.

4599
04:06:07,415 --> 04:06:10,635
I'm sorry but this is not how you manage money.

4600
04:06:11,465 --> 04:06:14,475
It's not And money runs the schools.

4601
04:06:17,145 --> 04:06:20,245
So for my So what Oh sorry, go ahead. Sorry.

4602
04:06:20,265 --> 04:06:23,645
So there wasn't certain things that you saw that you

4603
04:06:23,645 --> 04:06:24,645
Were I did.

4604
04:06:24,725 --> 04:06:27,925
I did and I, I had a list that I had originally brought up

4605
04:06:28,555 --> 04:06:30,805
back in November of last year and I

4606
04:06:30,805 --> 04:06:33,165
Thought one of 'em was transportation but it was just

4607
04:06:33,165 --> 04:06:34,165
Because was technology.

4608
04:06:34,515 --> 04:06:35,605
What was technology? Not transportation.

4609
04:06:35,885 --> 04:06:37,565
I thought that technology

4610
04:06:37,705 --> 04:06:38,805
Not transportation. Yes. Okay.

4611
04:06:38,805 --> 04:06:40,245
Yep. And I thought it might have been

4612
04:06:40,245 --> 04:06:43,285
because we hadn't paid out on the contract yet or

4613
04:06:43,285 --> 04:06:44,285
Something.

4614
04:06:44,285 --> 04:06:45,245
And like I said, that was old numbers.

4615
04:06:45,425 --> 04:06:48,645
So what, what I had worked on prior that I had given

4616
04:06:48,665 --> 04:06:50,525
to the chair and the superintendent at the time

4617
04:06:50,895 --> 04:06:52,045
Chair Michael Putin?

4618
04:06:52,585 --> 04:06:54,565
Yes. Not, not you. Okay.

4619
04:06:55,225 --> 04:06:59,285
Our chair at the time, I asked them to share it

4620
04:06:59,285 --> 04:07:00,925
with the board so we could discuss it

4621
04:07:00,925 --> 04:07:02,125
because this was back during

4622
04:07:02,575 --> 04:07:03,845
Talks the board before me

4623
04:07:04,745 --> 04:07:06,925
On, before the talks on the budget.

4624
04:07:06,995 --> 04:07:08,685
This was November, December. Yeah.

4625
04:07:09,145 --> 04:07:11,245
And it was not, it was not done.

4626
04:07:11,245 --> 04:07:15,565
And I asked them again and again and it was not brought up.

4627
04:07:15,985 --> 04:07:18,205
And this is what makes me frustrated

4628
04:07:18,515 --> 04:07:21,765
because I think can have it.

4629
04:07:21,765 --> 04:07:23,765
Who are you asking? I was asking Michael, Michael

4630
04:07:23,865 --> 04:07:25,965
and Joanne can who are no longer here.

4631
04:07:26,075 --> 04:07:28,805
Yeah because so I feel like you're holding onto this still.

4632
04:07:28,995 --> 04:07:32,445
Like we have to move on. What I'm saying is it time to move?

4633
04:07:32,445 --> 04:07:34,845
This was back. So we're at the, we're at the start.

4634
04:07:34,945 --> 04:07:36,325
Let may I speak?

4635
04:07:37,565 --> 04:07:39,885
I have the floor of it. Do I have the floor?

4636
04:07:40,595 --> 04:07:41,845
Well this is actually something

4637
04:07:41,845 --> 04:07:43,405
that I'm a little, hold on, hold on, hold on.

4638
04:07:43,445 --> 04:07:45,205
I know, I know, I know.

4639
04:07:45,785 --> 04:07:47,965
May I please have the floor? Yes, continue.

4640
04:07:51,345 --> 04:07:53,165
My point is that

4641
04:07:53,345 --> 04:07:57,365
before this budget even failed, the first time I was trying

4642
04:07:57,745 --> 04:08:01,725
to get us to get the right budget out the first time

4643
04:08:02,895 --> 04:08:06,795
to go for a vote so that we wouldn't be here in May.

4644
04:08:07,375 --> 04:08:11,035
And whenever, and I'm trying, I'm p pouring you

4645
04:08:11,455 --> 04:08:14,275
to put out the right budget this time so

4646
04:08:14,275 --> 04:08:15,995
that we're not here again in December.

4647
04:08:17,545 --> 04:08:19,565
We don't have time to mess around with this.

4648
04:08:19,825 --> 04:08:21,525
We really need to get the right budget

4649
04:08:21,905 --> 04:08:25,645
and you can play games with $1 or whatever.

4650
04:08:26,185 --> 04:08:29,645
But what people want to see is us working together

4651
04:08:30,185 --> 04:08:32,045
on the budget and then we can get

4652
04:08:32,045 --> 04:08:33,205
to work on everything else.

4653
04:08:33,585 --> 04:08:35,245
Can I ask a question? Yes.

4654
04:08:35,515 --> 04:08:37,165
Catherine, have you ever supported

4655
04:08:37,165 --> 04:08:38,725
and voted for a budget on this board?

4656
04:08:42,695 --> 04:08:44,715
Yes. How many times?

4657
04:08:47,475 --> 04:08:51,595
I, I don't remember One time you voted

4658
04:08:51,615 --> 04:08:54,635
for a budget one time, you've never changed

4659
04:08:54,635 --> 04:08:55,715
your mind or compromised.

4660
04:08:59,845 --> 04:09:01,985
Has anyone ever gone through the budget on this

4661
04:09:01,985 --> 04:09:03,025
board since I've been here?

4662
04:09:03,185 --> 04:09:04,265
I did. And you were invited

4663
04:09:04,265 --> 04:09:05,425
to the meeting and you didn't come?

4664
04:09:05,565 --> 04:09:06,665
It was during a work day.

4665
04:09:06,865 --> 04:09:08,705
I know I was there, it was

4666
04:09:08,705 --> 04:09:11,785
during a work day when most people have to be at work

4667
04:09:12,685 --> 04:09:16,245
and that was me and I can't help it.

4668
04:09:16,245 --> 04:09:18,365
Yeah, I if it was after hours, if it had been

4669
04:09:18,455 --> 04:09:22,285
after work I could have but, and it's interesting

4670
04:09:22,385 --> 04:09:24,485
but I'm not going to get caught up on that

4671
04:09:24,485 --> 04:09:26,325
because like you said, we're here now.

4672
04:09:27,105 --> 04:09:31,295
But the point is I believe that if we

4673
04:09:32,215 --> 04:09:36,695
actually work together and come up with, go through it

4674
04:09:36,695 --> 04:09:39,495
and look at it because I believe when you went through it,

4675
04:09:39,875 --> 04:09:43,815
you guys found things and I think I wasn't there but I heard

4676
04:09:43,825 --> 04:09:45,975
after the fact that you actually

4677
04:09:45,975 --> 04:09:47,055
kind of enjoyed the process.

4678
04:09:48,155 --> 04:09:53,055
And so it's one of those things where then, you know,

4679
04:09:55,915 --> 04:09:58,695
it was horrible and we put money back into the budget.

4680
04:10:00,085 --> 04:10:02,575
Okay, so I think it's time to move

4681
04:10:02,575 --> 04:10:03,575
On.

4682
04:10:03,575 --> 04:10:03,775
Yeah, it's also my turn.

4683
04:10:05,855 --> 04:10:07,975
I agree with what Juliano

4684
04:10:09,435 --> 04:10:12,695
and Jeff were saying about how to proceed.

4685
04:10:13,875 --> 04:10:14,895
So there's my check there

4686
04:10:14,915 --> 04:10:16,095
and let me remind folks,

4687
04:10:16,295 --> 04:10:19,055
I scream this from the mountaintop on interview

4688
04:10:19,065 --> 04:10:22,695
after interview after interview, reduction of 11

4689
04:10:22,755 --> 04:10:26,855
and a half physicians from last year reduction in facilities

4690
04:10:27,775 --> 04:10:29,455
consolidation in the central office.

4691
04:10:30,155 --> 04:10:34,145
We have made cuts. We have made cuts.

4692
04:10:35,025 --> 04:10:36,905
I don't know where this, it's the right budget.

4693
04:10:37,185 --> 04:10:39,505
I don't budget by just picking a number and cutting it.

4694
04:10:39,505 --> 04:10:42,565
That isn't gonna work for me. That isn't gonna work for me.

4695
04:10:42,745 --> 04:10:47,445
And I don't wanna hear it the last minute at a meeting

4696
04:10:48,305 --> 04:10:49,645
to correct a budget.

4697
04:10:49,745 --> 04:10:52,405
We had warned I had never heard that before.

4698
04:10:54,345 --> 04:10:55,845
And I'm sorry if I didn't create

4699
04:10:55,845 --> 04:10:57,245
that environment for you, Catherine.

4700
04:10:57,385 --> 04:10:59,845
I'm really sorry. I will own up to that.

4701
04:11:02,465 --> 04:11:07,325
And I hope tonight's not really a great, a great moment

4702
04:11:07,565 --> 04:11:08,885
'cause we're all a little heated,

4703
04:11:08,945 --> 04:11:11,405
but I hope that moving forward past tonight

4704
04:11:12,405 --> 04:11:14,485
I can create an environment where you feel comfortable

4705
04:11:14,665 --> 04:11:17,365
to share that before August 14th.

4706
04:11:20,055 --> 04:11:24,105
Thank you. I think we should move on.

4707
04:11:27,205 --> 04:11:28,705
Is that, does that help?

4708
04:11:32,045 --> 04:11:34,305
Do we get any public comment here on this?

4709
04:11:34,905 --> 04:11:38,585
There is public comment after this, so yes, there is,

4710
04:11:38,605 --> 04:11:40,345
but I just wanna make sure this discussion is

4711
04:11:40,345 --> 04:11:41,465
wrapped up before we go.

4712
04:11:41,655 --> 04:11:46,345
4.21, I don't

4713
04:11:46,345 --> 04:11:47,385
know, are we wrapped up?

4714
04:11:47,485 --> 04:11:49,505
Yep. With this discuss 4.14.

4715
04:11:49,505 --> 04:11:53,625
We've done four one and four two. Okay, I'm gonna do Lindsay

4716
04:11:53,845 --> 04:11:56,385
and Jackie and then I'm moving on to public comment.

4717
04:11:57,345 --> 04:12:00,145
I I wish that we, you

4718
04:12:02,265 --> 04:12:04,825
I was surprised when I heard about the 11 positions

4719
04:12:04,825 --> 04:12:07,585
because I tried to keep track of that because

4720
04:12:08,005 --> 04:12:09,785
before you, when Joanne was here,

4721
04:12:11,545 --> 04:12:15,645
we were talking like 3.5 was like the worst that I got

4722
04:12:15,645 --> 04:12:19,125
and then all of a sudden it's like 11 and I'm like, what?

4723
04:12:20,065 --> 04:12:22,565
I'm like, I like, I feel like some of that,

4724
04:12:22,635 --> 04:12:26,405
like if I didn't know that here I'm like on the public

4725
04:12:27,585 --> 04:12:32,165
wasn't aware of the reductions that were being made if I,

4726
04:12:32,505 --> 04:12:35,405
you know, wasn't aware that there was 11

4727
04:12:36,465 --> 04:12:37,725
and a half and a half.

4728
04:12:40,545 --> 04:12:44,725
And then also like didn't we, we have the tax stable just

4729
04:12:44,725 --> 04:12:47,965
because there's change here we have the, the tax

4730
04:12:48,485 --> 04:12:50,485
stabilization money that we've only gone is like

4731
04:12:52,065 --> 04:12:55,525
in this budget to, okay, I just wanted to make sure

4732
04:12:56,145 --> 04:12:59,005
I'm like, there's been like change

4733
04:12:59,465 --> 04:13:03,045
and I've came in, I was hoping to come in

4734
04:13:03,045 --> 04:13:05,965
after this process, weren't we

4735
04:13:07,425 --> 04:13:09,685
Jackie, I final thoughts.

4736
04:13:10,385 --> 04:13:14,045
So with the whole dollar whatever and, and the amount.

4737
04:13:14,345 --> 04:13:17,805
So I just, I just wanna get the vote out faster.

4738
04:13:17,935 --> 04:13:19,245
Other, I gonna change it dime.

4739
04:13:19,915 --> 04:13:23,725
Because here's the thing, the

4740
04:13:24,455 --> 04:13:28,725
going line by line, not trusting our administrators,

4741
04:13:29,025 --> 04:13:33,085
our business office wanting to see all these things publicly

4742
04:13:34,075 --> 04:13:36,645
wanting to feel like we went through it, wanting

4743
04:13:36,665 --> 04:13:38,045
to feel like there's an impact.

4744
04:13:38,735 --> 04:13:41,845
These small, relatively small numbers like the three 50

4745
04:13:42,025 --> 04:13:44,525
or one 30 to get it down to 56 9.

4746
04:13:45,985 --> 04:13:50,165
That's, that's coddling adult feelings.

4747
04:13:51,145 --> 04:13:54,485
That's not lowering the tax impact without,

4748
04:13:54,675 --> 04:13:55,925
without doing the math.

4749
04:13:56,265 --> 04:13:59,365
The 8 million would definitely cut into the tax impact

4750
04:13:59,425 --> 04:14:01,445
as well as our ability to function.

4751
04:14:01,545 --> 04:14:04,445
But I mean it's just,

4752
04:14:08,265 --> 04:14:11,285
you know, we were here talking about sports as a necessity

4753
04:14:11,285 --> 04:14:12,285
to keep the doors open.

4754
04:14:12,335 --> 04:14:14,485
Which luckily I think we can look at things,

4755
04:14:14,585 --> 04:14:17,085
but we can do that with the sports I think.

4756
04:14:18,785 --> 04:14:20,685
But I mean it, I just,

4757
04:14:24,005 --> 04:14:26,765
I have lost some hope in this community.

4758
04:14:27,315 --> 04:14:29,245
Mine specifically, I'm an at large member,

4759
04:14:29,265 --> 04:14:30,525
but I do live in Marytown

4760
04:14:31,465 --> 04:14:35,925
and seeing the students stand up, I just,

4761
04:14:36,345 --> 04:14:38,045
and then also hearing the teachers

4762
04:14:39,825 --> 04:14:43,765
and Seth, I I have that hope again, like

4763
04:14:44,285 --> 04:14:47,685
I don't think we need to cater to the feelings

4764
04:14:47,685 --> 04:14:49,245
of a very select few.

4765
04:14:49,405 --> 04:14:51,165
I think we need to have cost conversation.

4766
04:14:51,925 --> 04:14:55,605
I think there's a very real concern about costs, about taxes

4767
04:14:55,825 --> 04:14:57,885
and that is valid and that is the majority.

4768
04:14:59,445 --> 04:15:02,925
I do not wanna entertain the spend conversation

4769
04:15:03,195 --> 04:15:05,405
because the spend is just optics.

4770
04:15:05,905 --> 04:15:08,565
The spend is people who don't wanna spend on education.

4771
04:15:08,665 --> 04:15:09,925
Yes there's an overlap,

4772
04:15:12,195 --> 04:15:15,735
but we are here to talk about costs and what we can control.

4773
04:15:15,865 --> 04:15:18,935
We're not here to make people feel comfortable with spending

4774
04:15:19,125 --> 04:15:21,615
because you're never gonna be comfortable with taxes.

4775
04:15:23,035 --> 04:15:26,255
You just need to prioritize what you support

4776
04:15:26,475 --> 04:15:28,535
and I'm gonna prioritize the students.

4777
04:15:30,245 --> 04:15:32,815
Just be very careful about these small ones,

4778
04:15:33,635 --> 04:15:34,635
All of us.

4779
04:15:35,325 --> 04:15:38,465
And so with that, I'm going to close board discussion.

4780
04:15:39,565 --> 04:15:41,625
We will open public comment for 30 minutes

4781
04:15:41,625 --> 04:15:43,345
because we have an executive session to get

4782
04:15:43,345 --> 04:15:45,705
to Sonia Spalding.

4783
04:15:47,085 --> 04:15:49,105
So I wanna throw a little monkey wrench in your,

4784
04:15:49,745 --> 04:15:51,705
I don't know, I'm hoping we don't get to the point

4785
04:15:51,705 --> 04:15:54,625
where you have to say

4786
04:15:54,625 --> 04:15:55,865
that you're not gonna do transportation.

4787
04:15:56,545 --> 04:15:59,425
I, when my first year on the board for B-C-E-M-S,

4788
04:15:59,505 --> 04:16:01,385
I made the, I proposed that idea

4789
04:16:01,385 --> 04:16:03,865
that we would just cut transportation and act.

4790
04:16:03,965 --> 04:16:05,265
We have an act two 50 permit

4791
04:16:05,565 --> 04:16:07,785
and I don't think we can not have transportation

4792
04:16:07,925 --> 04:16:08,945
for various city schools.

4793
04:16:09,285 --> 04:16:11,785
So that may throw a little monkey wrench into

4794
04:16:11,785 --> 04:16:13,545
your total number.

4795
04:16:13,785 --> 04:16:15,265
I I'm putting it out there so

4796
04:16:15,265 --> 04:16:16,465
that you can check and make sure

4797
04:16:16,755 --> 04:16:18,185
We've been doing the permit research.

4798
04:16:18,255 --> 04:16:21,025
It's not apparent, it's not abundantly clear that

4799
04:16:21,025 --> 04:16:23,305
that's a risk, but yes,

4800
04:16:23,945 --> 04:16:24,945
I hear you.

4801
04:16:24,945 --> 04:16:26,145
So I just want you to know that it may not be

4802
04:16:26,145 --> 04:16:28,185
as a big a number as you think it is.

4803
04:16:28,245 --> 04:16:30,465
Yep. And it would only be one school.

4804
04:16:30,615 --> 04:16:33,065
Yeah, because you can't cut it for Berry City. Yeah,

4805
04:16:37,345 --> 04:16:38,345
Thank you.

4806
04:16:38,635 --> 04:16:40,895
I'm gonna go online. I'll, I'll go back and forth.

4807
04:16:40,895 --> 04:16:41,895
Michael Putin.

4808
04:16:45,795 --> 04:16:49,135
So I don't remember the email that was discussed earlier

4809
04:16:49,595 --> 04:16:53,015
and if, if I did receive it, I do apologize

4810
04:16:54,475 --> 04:16:56,015
to the board at the time

4811
04:16:56,445 --> 04:16:59,375
because I just don't remember the email.

4812
04:17:01,975 --> 04:17:04,935
I, I just wanna encourage the school board to,

4813
04:17:07,635 --> 04:17:09,095
you know, keep moving forward.

4814
04:17:10,315 --> 04:17:13,215
And I know it's very difficult

4815
04:17:13,355 --> 04:17:14,735
but try not to,

4816
04:17:19,115 --> 04:17:20,975
we have, we have a divide

4817
04:17:21,355 --> 04:17:24,935
and we, we don't want to increase that

4818
04:17:25,895 --> 04:17:27,695
'cause I don't think that helps us pass a budget.

4819
04:17:33,905 --> 04:17:35,095
Thank you Pamela.

4820
04:17:35,585 --> 04:17:39,255
Thank you. I want to go over some data

4821
04:17:39,605 --> 04:17:40,895
that was in the audit

4822
04:17:41,115 --> 04:17:43,935
and also bring some things forward from observations.

4823
04:17:45,515 --> 04:17:48,135
We are in the middle of a a tax report.

4824
04:17:48,515 --> 04:17:49,575
That's what we really have.

4825
04:17:49,575 --> 04:17:52,535
People are having a hard time taking care of everything

4826
04:17:52,835 --> 04:17:54,775
and we call whatever you wanna believe about that.

4827
04:17:55,445 --> 04:17:57,295
Parents are having a hard time too.

4828
04:17:57,365 --> 04:17:58,975
They have to take care of their children

4829
04:17:58,975 --> 04:18:00,895
that they're sending to school, they have to have food,

4830
04:18:01,165 --> 04:18:03,815
shelter, transportation, all of that.

4831
04:18:05,205 --> 04:18:09,485
What I am amazed at when I went through these audits is, is

4832
04:18:09,485 --> 04:18:11,365
to find out that there were monies

4833
04:18:11,365 --> 04:18:13,965
that we actually didn't use from year to year.

4834
04:18:14,865 --> 04:18:18,885
For example, fund balances was not used in 23 to the tune

4835
04:18:18,885 --> 04:18:22,415
of about $700,000 in 24

4836
04:18:23,665 --> 04:18:26,455
$700,000 a period again did not get used.

4837
04:18:27,485 --> 04:18:29,855
When we got into 25 there was

4838
04:18:29,915 --> 04:18:33,935
$1,386,450 worth of fund balance

4839
04:18:34,165 --> 04:18:35,255
that was not used.

4840
04:18:37,385 --> 04:18:42,035
This tax stabilization is there to take care of situations

4841
04:18:42,035 --> 04:18:44,075
where things get more expensive

4842
04:18:44,215 --> 04:18:46,755
and to make it easier on the taxpayers

4843
04:18:46,895 --> 04:18:48,115
and to get punches fast.

4844
04:18:48,375 --> 04:18:51,875
You utilize that. Now we talked about

4845
04:18:52,665 --> 04:18:54,955
what I read earlier, that we have

4846
04:18:56,385 --> 04:18:57,915
underfunded curriculum

4847
04:18:58,015 --> 04:19:02,515
and special ed in several years when we

4848
04:19:02,625 --> 04:19:06,035
overspent in other categories, if we're really trying

4849
04:19:06,035 --> 04:19:07,475
to help kids and we're saying

4850
04:19:07,475 --> 04:19:09,635
that any reduction in the increases

4851
04:19:09,635 --> 04:19:12,115
that we have are gonna affect children's education,

4852
04:19:12,655 --> 04:19:15,835
you gotta prove it in the audit, which we paid for.

4853
04:19:16,185 --> 04:19:18,835
Save that. I can give you page your number for that,

4854
04:19:19,015 --> 04:19:22,995
but you should be able to find it yourself.

4855
04:19:22,995 --> 04:19:26,235
We've talked about, you know, $800,000 for sports

4856
04:19:26,415 --> 04:19:30,715
and transportation and the extracurricular activities.

4857
04:19:32,685 --> 04:19:35,945
I'd put it to you that if you put a cap, a freeze on

4858
04:19:36,735 --> 04:19:40,705
your capital improvements area, you could cover that easy.

4859
04:19:40,775 --> 04:19:45,185
Just that one boiler that from some reason went from 400,000

4860
04:19:45,185 --> 04:19:47,585
to 800,000 to $800,000 boiler.

4861
04:19:47,585 --> 04:19:49,505
If that was put on freeze, we take care

4862
04:19:49,505 --> 04:19:51,025
of all the sports issues

4863
04:19:51,165 --> 04:19:54,185
and we have extracurricular, you said it was about 800,000,

4864
04:19:54,455 --> 04:19:56,145
this boiler was about 800,000.

4865
04:19:56,645 --> 04:19:59,505
You talk about square footage for the facilities.

4866
04:19:59,975 --> 04:20:02,505
Yeah, I think if you want to look at this,

4867
04:20:02,695 --> 04:20:04,625
this is not about a revenue problem,

4868
04:20:04,625 --> 04:20:05,945
this is about a spending problem.

4869
04:20:06,285 --> 04:20:10,345
The problem is we are losing students faster than we are

4870
04:20:10,345 --> 04:20:12,985
able to reduce personnel in force.

4871
04:20:13,445 --> 04:20:15,785
And it's catching up, it's gonna catch up

4872
04:20:16,205 --> 04:20:17,585
and nothing you can do about it.

4873
04:20:17,955 --> 04:20:21,705
There are no RIF notices that were maintained surprisingly.

4874
04:20:21,825 --> 04:20:23,625
I remember the superintendents I worked with,

4875
04:20:24,015 --> 04:20:25,465
they always set out RIF notices

4876
04:20:25,465 --> 04:20:26,665
until we got a budget passed.

4877
04:20:26,805 --> 04:20:29,425
And then when the budget was passed it was fine.

4878
04:20:30,845 --> 04:20:34,265
We just have watched this personnel against balloon,

4879
04:20:34,765 --> 04:20:37,065
now we're up to 72 or 80%.

4880
04:20:38,495 --> 04:20:39,905
When I first got on the board

4881
04:20:40,565 --> 04:20:42,305
it was quite a bit lower than that.

4882
04:20:42,685 --> 04:20:44,225
And if that's the general trend,

4883
04:20:44,455 --> 04:20:46,545
then we're gonna have nothing but pencils

4884
04:20:46,545 --> 04:20:48,585
and erases to work with in trying

4885
04:20:48,585 --> 04:20:50,105
to keep a budget reasonable.

4886
04:20:50,485 --> 04:20:52,545
So it does come down to personnel.

4887
04:20:52,665 --> 04:20:55,345
I hate to say that, but it is a personnel issue.

4888
04:20:56,055 --> 04:20:57,225
It's how you balance stuff.

4889
04:20:57,645 --> 04:21:01,625
The other thing is you accuse people of trying

4890
04:21:01,765 --> 04:21:04,945
to manipulate the photos into misinformation.

4891
04:21:05,325 --> 04:21:07,605
I have not heard a documentation of what

4892
04:21:07,605 --> 04:21:08,845
that misinformation was.

4893
04:21:09,435 --> 04:21:12,205
What I am concerned about is that we've gone from May

4894
04:21:12,225 --> 04:21:14,805
to September without considering another vote

4895
04:21:15,745 --> 04:21:17,805
and we wanted to wait till we had

4896
04:21:17,805 --> 04:21:19,245
what we call the school community

4897
04:21:19,265 --> 04:21:22,205
to come back into the schools parents of students

4898
04:21:22,505 --> 04:21:25,045
and faculty and everything to have that vote.

4899
04:21:25,225 --> 04:21:26,405
But there was a danger in that.

4900
04:21:26,405 --> 04:21:29,165
And I think I said that once, that if you wait that long

4901
04:21:29,185 --> 04:21:31,085
and you were to have another failed budget,

4902
04:21:31,495 --> 04:21:32,765
you'd be in a bigger mess.

4903
04:21:32,865 --> 04:21:34,285
And now we're a bigger mess.

4904
04:21:35,305 --> 04:21:38,845
So why not look at this, this capital stuff.

4905
04:21:39,065 --> 04:21:41,525
Why not look at this square footage stuff?

4906
04:21:41,585 --> 04:21:46,565
Why not have items prepared?

4907
04:21:46,565 --> 04:21:49,885
Because I think that's the answer. Get your, your balance.

4908
04:21:49,935 --> 04:21:52,245
Thank you Paul. I, I know but this is a great

4909
04:21:52,385 --> 04:21:53,385
No, I know.

4910
04:21:53,385 --> 04:21:55,445
I'm sure you are more important than everyone else.

4911
04:21:55,625 --> 04:21:58,405
I'm sure. This why ire? It's up to you're up.

4912
04:22:00,985 --> 04:22:04,445
Hi. Hi. Can you hear me? Yes, we can hear

4913
04:22:04,445 --> 04:22:05,445
You.

4914
04:22:05,445 --> 04:22:07,085
Okay. So my name is I Ava

4915
04:22:07,625 --> 04:22:10,205
and I am the middle school art teacher at Berry City

4916
04:22:10,205 --> 04:22:11,525
Elementary and Middle School.

4917
04:22:12,775 --> 04:22:15,325
First of all, like thank you so much to all

4918
04:22:15,325 --> 04:22:18,165
of the school board members for all the work you are doing.

4919
04:22:20,125 --> 04:22:21,445
It's very, very much appreciated.

4920
04:22:21,705 --> 04:22:25,365
And I, I hope you know that. Can you still hear me?

4921
04:22:26,025 --> 04:22:30,845
Yes. Okay. I was just three, four things.

4922
04:22:31,525 --> 04:22:33,445
I was very impressed by all of the students who stood up

4923
04:22:33,445 --> 04:22:35,245
to talk today during the meeting earlier.

4924
04:22:36,745 --> 04:22:40,485
Second thing I wanted to give a shout out to those people

4925
04:22:40,625 --> 04:22:44,485
who have, who are saying in this meeting that it is

4926
04:22:45,035 --> 04:22:46,285
affecting the morale

4927
04:22:46,585 --> 04:22:48,805
of the Barry Unified Union School

4928
04:22:49,045 --> 04:22:50,125
district's teachers and staff.

4929
04:22:50,465 --> 04:22:52,165
And that the budget fo failed three times.

4930
04:22:52,705 --> 04:22:55,845
That's just a re reiteration. Everybody knows that.

4931
04:22:57,445 --> 04:22:59,645
I hope we can reach out. Two more things.

4932
04:22:59,805 --> 04:23:01,245
I hope we can reach out to more people

4933
04:23:01,345 --> 04:23:03,245
who support our students' education.

4934
04:23:04,435 --> 04:23:05,925
Education has to be valued.

4935
04:23:05,985 --> 04:23:07,485
If a community will thrive,

4936
04:23:09,405 --> 04:23:10,765
I think I'm preaching to the choir.

4937
04:23:11,985 --> 04:23:16,205
And then the last thing is that, for example, I have a

4938
04:23:17,505 --> 04:23:20,845
art club on Fridays that I haven't started yet.

4939
04:23:21,905 --> 04:23:25,365
And so many of my students, so many come to me

4940
04:23:25,365 --> 04:23:28,125
and say that they come to school on the days

4941
04:23:28,125 --> 04:23:29,165
that they have art club.

4942
04:23:29,985 --> 04:23:33,325
So yeah. Thank thank you so much. Yeah,

4943
04:23:34,815 --> 04:23:35,885
Thank you Ireni.

4944
04:23:36,505 --> 04:23:37,505
Amy,

4945
04:23:38,855 --> 04:23:39,855
Thank you.

4946
04:23:39,855 --> 04:23:42,125
I wanted to speak to an issue that I don't think

4947
04:23:42,885 --> 04:23:44,165
comments came up from before.

4948
04:23:44,305 --> 04:23:45,925
And that was that Berry City was going

4949
04:23:45,925 --> 04:23:48,325
through a reassessment this spring and summer.

4950
04:23:49,025 --> 04:23:50,125
And that may have affected

4951
04:23:50,225 --> 04:23:52,765
how some people felt about voting.

4952
04:23:52,815 --> 04:23:54,885
There was a lot of uncertainty about what would happen

4953
04:23:54,885 --> 04:23:56,645
to people's individual tax bills.

4954
04:23:56,925 --> 04:23:59,845
'cause it was the first reassessment in 20

4955
04:23:59,845 --> 04:24:00,885
years for some people.

4956
04:24:01,785 --> 04:24:03,845
And so there was just a, a lot of uncertainty.

4957
04:24:04,215 --> 04:24:06,485
There was a lot of misunderstandings about

4958
04:24:06,485 --> 04:24:08,965
how the municipal reassessment process would work.

4959
04:24:09,225 --> 04:24:11,245
You know, you'd see comments from people assuming

4960
04:24:12,025 --> 04:24:15,045
if the assessment on their house went up 50%,

4961
04:24:15,045 --> 04:24:16,645
that their tax bill would go up 50%.

4962
04:24:16,745 --> 04:24:17,845
And it's not that simple.

4963
04:24:18,025 --> 04:24:20,725
It depends on, you know, like education funding.

4964
04:24:20,755 --> 04:24:21,845
It's, it's complicated.

4965
04:24:21,845 --> 04:24:24,445
It's not as complicated as the educ education funding.

4966
04:24:25,455 --> 04:24:26,485
There was a postcard

4967
04:24:26,485 --> 04:24:28,765
that went out at some point in the spring.

4968
04:24:28,845 --> 04:24:30,045
I don't remember exactly when.

4969
04:24:31,605 --> 04:24:33,245
I think it was probably confusing

4970
04:24:33,245 --> 04:24:36,965
and misleading to people if they didn't understand it.

4971
04:24:37,065 --> 04:24:38,165
It kind of looked

4972
04:24:38,165 --> 04:24:41,285
as though all the taxes were gonna go down in Berry City.

4973
04:24:42,745 --> 04:24:45,325
But what it didn't really show was that

4974
04:24:46,165 --> 04:24:48,205
a hundred thousand dollars house was not gonna continue

4975
04:24:48,205 --> 04:24:49,565
to be a hundred thousand dollars house

4976
04:24:49,855 --> 04:24:51,125
under the next school budget.

4977
04:24:51,265 --> 04:24:55,085
It was gonna move to be 150,000 house or $160,000 house

4978
04:24:55,085 --> 04:24:57,205
and have that accordingly.

4979
04:24:57,425 --> 04:25:00,125
So we can't go back in time and change that postcard.

4980
04:25:01,345 --> 04:25:03,085
But to the extent you have any time

4981
04:25:03,085 --> 04:25:07,205
to develop outreach materials, I think trying to cover

4982
04:25:08,065 --> 04:25:10,405
now that the reassessment is done in Berry City,

4983
04:25:11,905 --> 04:25:13,285
the better communication about

4984
04:25:13,285 --> 04:25:15,005
what is happening to tax bills.

4985
04:25:16,545 --> 04:25:18,805
You know, my understanding is Berry Town went

4986
04:25:18,805 --> 04:25:20,325
through a reappraisal a few years ago,

4987
04:25:20,325 --> 04:25:23,605
given what's happening with real estate costs, you know,

4988
04:25:23,605 --> 04:25:25,765
they could probably re be reappraised

4989
04:25:25,765 --> 04:25:26,845
or reassessed again just

4990
04:25:26,845 --> 04:25:29,845
because properties values have gone up so much.

4991
04:25:29,985 --> 04:25:33,045
But they are both closer to

4992
04:25:33,045 --> 04:25:34,245
what they should be at the state level.

4993
04:25:34,995 --> 04:25:37,165
It's hard to explain the common level of assessment,

4994
04:25:37,385 --> 04:25:39,405
but I think the way it was done on the

4995
04:25:39,405 --> 04:25:40,645
postcard before was problematic.

4996
04:25:40,745 --> 04:25:43,205
So I think just being really clear about what's happening

4997
04:25:43,825 --> 04:25:46,925
and giving examples, not of tax rates.

4998
04:25:47,115 --> 04:25:49,525
Also, I think tax rates for people

4999
04:25:49,525 --> 04:25:50,685
who deal with this stuff all the time.

5000
04:25:51,585 --> 04:25:52,965
You know, giving these decimals

5001
04:25:52,965 --> 04:25:54,525
and per hundred dollars kind of numbers,

5002
04:25:55,145 --> 04:25:57,845
but like talk about a $200,000 house

5003
04:25:58,145 --> 04:26:00,685
and what is the annual tax bill?

5004
04:26:01,105 --> 04:26:04,285
Not these per mil, per hundred, those kind of things.

5005
04:26:04,285 --> 04:26:06,765
Like just communicate in really simple language about

5006
04:26:08,235 --> 04:26:10,165
what happens to tax bill, how it goes up.

5007
04:26:10,405 --> 04:26:13,565
I think that would help. And I think there may have been

5008
04:26:13,565 --> 04:26:15,765
some people who, even in Berry City,

5009
04:26:16,095 --> 04:26:18,525
maybe they would've voted even more strongly for the budget

5010
04:26:19,065 --> 04:26:20,165
had they not been afraid of

5011
04:26:20,165 --> 04:26:21,765
what was happening with the reassessment.

5012
04:26:21,985 --> 04:26:25,445
So it's just a time to maybe be educate some people,

5013
04:26:25,445 --> 04:26:28,725
because I was still seeing recently that old postcard going

5014
04:26:28,725 --> 04:26:30,525
around and people misunderstanding things about

5015
04:26:30,585 --> 04:26:31,685
the reassessment.

5016
04:26:33,815 --> 04:26:37,925
Thank you Amy. Hey,

5017
04:26:38,465 --> 04:26:39,885
say my name's Noah Ster again.

5018
04:26:40,285 --> 04:26:42,685
I just had a few questions for the board.

5019
04:26:43,365 --> 04:26:45,285
I wanted to clarify a few things I heard tonight.

5020
04:26:45,665 --> 04:26:48,125
So I heard that the budget

5021
04:26:48,125 --> 04:26:50,325
that we have is like the cheapest in Vermont.

5022
04:26:50,325 --> 04:26:51,965
Is that true? Like the one that we're trying

5023
04:26:51,965 --> 04:26:53,285
to project to everyone?

5024
04:26:54,265 --> 04:26:57,685
So I by budget that depends

5025
04:26:57,685 --> 04:26:59,965
because like if we got school districts have different

5026
04:26:59,965 --> 04:27:01,205
number of students, we have one

5027
04:27:01,205 --> 04:27:02,645
of the lowest per pupil spending.

5028
04:27:02,795 --> 04:27:04,125
Yeah. So that rates in the state.

5029
04:27:04,185 --> 04:27:05,445
So that's what I'm trying to say. Yeah.

5030
04:27:05,905 --> 04:27:09,445
So voters said that we're here, said no

5031
04:27:10,305 --> 04:27:12,685
and they also advocated for kids' sports.

5032
04:27:12,685 --> 04:27:15,925
However, they said that they do not trust or do not believe

5033
04:27:16,185 --> 04:27:17,565
and how the board is using the money.

5034
04:27:18,185 --> 04:27:20,125
And I was wondering how you plan on getting those people

5035
04:27:20,125 --> 04:27:21,445
to say yes to the budget

5036
04:27:21,445 --> 04:27:23,805
because you're taking away what they're advocating

5037
04:27:24,465 --> 04:27:25,725
and you're lowering the spending.

5038
04:27:25,785 --> 04:27:28,045
But they didn't say that the spending was an issue

5039
04:27:28,145 --> 04:27:29,965
or like how much money that you guys were asking for.

5040
04:27:30,635 --> 04:27:32,405
They were saying they, they didn't like trust

5041
04:27:32,505 --> 04:27:35,725
or like know exactly what you were using the money for.

5042
04:27:36,315 --> 04:27:38,125
Does that, do you know what I'm saying? Yeah, absolutely.

5043
04:27:38,185 --> 04:27:40,605
So how do you plan on getting those people to say yes

5044
04:27:40,605 --> 04:27:42,405
to the new budget if you're taking away

5045
04:27:42,405 --> 04:27:44,965
what they're advocating for, which is kids sports,

5046
04:27:45,195 --> 04:27:46,205
like this guy

5047
04:27:46,205 --> 04:27:49,485
and another guy said that they like advocate

5048
04:27:49,485 --> 04:27:51,245
for kids' sports, but they don't

5049
04:27:51,405 --> 04:27:52,605
advocate for what you guys are doing.

5050
04:27:53,915 --> 04:27:57,365
Sure. So our job

5051
04:27:57,745 --> 04:28:01,125
as board members is to create a number

5052
04:28:01,895 --> 04:28:05,485
based upon the information we get from your principal

5053
04:28:05,485 --> 04:28:07,285
and other principals in the other schools.

5054
04:28:07,665 --> 04:28:09,005
And it comes to the superintendent

5055
04:28:09,425 --> 04:28:11,325
and they give us their recommendations.

5056
04:28:11,545 --> 04:28:12,805
So we set a number

5057
04:28:13,465 --> 04:28:17,205
and that number goes back to your principles

5058
04:28:17,465 --> 04:28:19,325
and they decide what to do with the money.

5059
04:28:20,025 --> 04:28:23,045
We don't micromanage the money.

5060
04:28:23,555 --> 04:28:25,925
It's like me walking into this library

5061
04:28:26,465 --> 04:28:28,525
and pulling a few books off

5062
04:28:28,715 --> 04:28:30,765
because I don't like where the books are

5063
04:28:30,945 --> 04:28:33,085
or there are too many books on that shelf.

5064
04:28:33,585 --> 04:28:36,085
That's not my job. That's the librarian's job

5065
04:28:36,405 --> 04:28:37,925
to organize it and catalog them.

5066
04:28:38,485 --> 04:28:42,545
I just provide the money for those books

5067
04:28:43,005 --> 04:28:44,465
and they can do whatever they want with them.

5068
04:28:44,855 --> 04:28:46,505
They can buy new books, they can get rid

5069
04:28:46,505 --> 04:28:47,705
of some books because they're too old.

5070
04:28:48,375 --> 04:28:50,145
It's just a number we set.

5071
04:28:50,405 --> 04:28:55,305
So the trust is, I don't it,

5072
04:28:55,305 --> 04:28:56,345
it it's feelings.

5073
04:28:56,975 --> 04:28:58,665
They're feeling that they don't trust us,

5074
04:28:58,885 --> 04:29:01,065
but we are here just to

5075
04:29:01,805 --> 04:29:04,985
get information from the professionals and,

5076
04:29:05,045 --> 04:29:06,105
and bring it to the visitors.

5077
04:29:06,275 --> 04:29:08,625
Definitely. It's your job to what you

5078
04:29:08,625 --> 04:29:09,625
Want.

5079
04:29:09,625 --> 04:29:12,225
Well, and I was just gonna say by our metrics from our audit

5080
04:29:13,055 --> 04:29:14,905
from we don't over,

5081
04:29:14,955 --> 04:29:17,225
we've never been accused of overspending.

5082
04:29:19,535 --> 04:29:21,545
I'll say that. So

5083
04:29:21,885 --> 04:29:24,545
by those measures we do.

5084
04:29:24,545 --> 04:29:27,665
Well the problem is you have something like Facebook

5085
04:29:27,675 --> 04:29:29,745
where people can write whatever they want

5086
04:29:30,285 --> 04:29:33,425
and the, the person who runs Facebook, mark Zuckerberg said,

5087
04:29:33,605 --> 04:29:36,625
I'm not fact checking now, if the newspaper were

5088
04:29:36,625 --> 04:29:38,305
to print some of the claims people made,

5089
04:29:38,445 --> 04:29:39,905
the newspaper would get sued.

5090
04:29:40,285 --> 04:29:42,865
And so that's part of the issue that we have

5091
04:29:42,865 --> 04:29:44,625
with building trust in our community in

5092
04:29:44,625 --> 04:29:45,825
21st Century America.

5093
04:29:46,565 --> 04:29:50,985
So you've got, it doesn't really impact you guys if

5094
04:29:51,645 --> 04:29:52,745
the budget doesn't get passed.

5095
04:29:52,845 --> 04:29:54,825
Is that true? Does it impact you guys?

5096
04:29:54,925 --> 04:29:59,365
Yes, my kids go to school. I'm saying like you Yes.

5097
04:29:59,755 --> 04:30:01,165
Take away the kid's part.

5098
04:30:01,165 --> 04:30:04,205
Like you guys as workers, how you guys are working.

5099
04:30:04,275 --> 04:30:05,525
Like does it impact you guys if

5100
04:30:05,525 --> 04:30:06,565
our budget doesn't get passed?

5101
04:30:06,755 --> 04:30:08,325
Like does it matter for you guys? Yes,

5102
04:30:08,545 --> 04:30:10,045
It matters our entire community.

5103
04:30:10,315 --> 04:30:14,125
Yeah. So we're, we're making an investment in our community

5104
04:30:15,145 --> 04:30:17,205
and it takes time to see that investment

5105
04:30:17,365 --> 04:30:18,965
because you start out in first grade,

5106
04:30:19,225 --> 04:30:22,205
you graduate when you're 18 and you go off into the world.

5107
04:30:22,305 --> 04:30:26,165
That's how long it takes for a, a child to go through.

5108
04:30:26,225 --> 04:30:28,165
And that's the investment. You're

5109
04:30:28,165 --> 04:30:29,205
not gonna see it all at once.

5110
04:30:29,705 --> 04:30:34,205
But people throw test scores at us

5111
04:30:35,225 --> 04:30:39,845
and how much we're spending per pupil and,

5112
04:30:40,065 --> 04:30:43,985
and manipulate the numbers,

5113
04:30:45,885 --> 04:30:48,505
not taking into account how we actually formulate,

5114
04:30:49,085 --> 04:30:50,505
you know, those things.

5115
04:30:52,105 --> 04:30:53,905
I just wanna add, we're not any more

5116
04:30:53,925 --> 04:30:56,945
or less affected than anyone in the community.

5117
04:30:57,095 --> 04:30:58,545
This isn't our budget.

5118
04:30:59,065 --> 04:31:02,185
I think there are, there's again cost for suspend.

5119
04:31:02,185 --> 04:31:04,025
There's small portion of suspenders.

5120
04:31:05,175 --> 04:31:07,425
There's this view in a very small portion

5121
04:31:07,425 --> 04:31:08,905
that it's like our budget and we,

5122
04:31:08,905 --> 04:31:10,625
but it's, it's a public budget.

5123
04:31:10,855 --> 04:31:12,865
It's the same for the city or the town.

5124
04:31:13,485 --> 04:31:15,585
We are just as effective as else.

5125
04:31:16,475 --> 04:31:19,625
Quick. Can I go to Nancy first

5126
04:31:19,645 --> 04:31:21,945
And then I'll go to, unless you have any final thoughts.

5127
04:31:21,945 --> 04:31:23,585
No, let let 'em go ahead if they want.

5128
04:31:23,855 --> 04:31:25,265
Yeah, I had some thoughts. Thank you Nancy.

5129
04:31:25,665 --> 04:31:28,545
I wanna keep going. I was just, I well I was just gonna,

5130
04:31:29,065 --> 04:31:31,385
I was just gonna say, I was gonna add on to

5131
04:31:31,385 --> 04:31:32,585
what Gavin said really quick.

5132
04:31:32,655 --> 04:31:35,385
Like it's applicable when it comes

5133
04:31:35,445 --> 04:31:38,865
to like appeasing those sentiments.

5134
04:31:39,665 --> 04:31:44,345
I think a lot of times the lack of confidence in

5135
04:31:45,005 --> 04:31:47,905
how they feel the money is being spent is often confused

5136
04:31:48,005 --> 04:31:51,025
for a lack of knowledge.

5137
04:31:52,645 --> 04:31:55,145
And take that how you want to take that.

5138
04:31:56,285 --> 04:31:58,305
And I hope you take that in the way that I need it

5139
04:31:58,965 --> 04:32:02,625
and work harder for the students of our community

5140
04:32:02,685 --> 04:32:07,145
to go educate yourselves on where your money is being spent

5141
04:32:07,325 --> 04:32:08,825
and where it has to be spent.

5142
04:32:11,365 --> 04:32:13,465
And think about things more logically.

5143
04:32:13,465 --> 04:32:17,065
Because when I go to school and I write an essay

5144
04:32:17,645 --> 04:32:19,545
and I put something that is I factual in it,

5145
04:32:19,585 --> 04:32:23,825
I get a bad grade when I go to school and I sit there

5146
04:32:23,825 --> 04:32:26,945
and I go, I, I, I, me, me, me, my experiences, I,

5147
04:32:27,065 --> 04:32:28,665
I I at soccer practice

5148
04:32:28,765 --> 04:32:31,225
or in the classroom, I get sat on the bench.

5149
04:32:32,245 --> 04:32:36,145
So I think the lack of consequences for being uneducated

5150
04:32:36,565 --> 04:32:40,745
and for not being responsible as you grow older are

5151
04:32:41,925 --> 04:32:43,785
are definitely shown in this room.

5152
04:32:44,365 --> 04:32:46,225
And I think it's sad that it's has

5153
04:32:46,225 --> 04:32:49,785
to be put on these people for that to be solved.

5154
04:32:49,845 --> 04:32:51,865
So that's all I'm gonna say about it. Yeah.

5155
04:32:52,405 --> 04:32:57,165
One thing that I did want to like bring up is I bet a lot

5156
04:32:57,165 --> 04:33:00,685
of the voters that did vote on the like passing the budget,

5157
04:33:01,285 --> 04:33:04,725
I bet they don't watch this committee every

5158
04:33:04,725 --> 04:33:06,005
single time you guys have a meeting.

5159
04:33:06,725 --> 04:33:07,765
I bet they're uneducated.

5160
04:33:07,765 --> 04:33:10,525
Like he said, like I was talking to my buddies,

5161
04:33:10,725 --> 04:33:11,885
I was like, is your mom watch?

5162
04:33:11,885 --> 04:33:13,325
Like did she vote? And he was like, yeah,

5163
04:33:13,555 --> 04:33:14,805
like did she watch the meetings?

5164
04:33:15,305 --> 04:33:18,405
No. So people are uneducated, like I bet the people

5165
04:33:18,405 --> 04:33:19,565
that came in saying, oh

5166
04:33:19,565 --> 04:33:20,645
you guys don't talk about the budget.

5167
04:33:20,795 --> 04:33:22,605
Like you guys are saying, you do talk about the budget.

5168
04:33:22,795 --> 04:33:23,805
They're uneducated.

5169
04:33:24,145 --> 04:33:28,525
So do you guys, if you guys care about the budgeting passed,

5170
04:33:28,665 --> 04:33:31,525
why is the only promotion that you guys do about, oh,

5171
04:33:31,525 --> 04:33:32,925
you guys are doing this for a good cause

5172
04:33:33,745 --> 04:33:36,045
and like you guys use the money effectively.

5173
04:33:36,045 --> 04:33:38,525
Why you guys only do that on the board meeting?

5174
04:33:38,715 --> 04:33:41,205
Like how you guys show it when people

5175
04:33:41,205 --> 04:33:42,885
that vote are gonna be uneducated,

5176
04:33:42,915 --> 04:33:44,565
they're not gonna watch every single board

5177
04:33:44,565 --> 04:33:46,415
meeting. Do you guys get what I'm saying?

5178
04:33:46,675 --> 04:33:51,095
Yes, absolutely. Yeah. Person. That'd

5179
04:33:51,095 --> 04:33:52,255
Be more admin though, Sam.

5180
04:33:53,075 --> 04:33:56,135
So yeah, so most people are not gonna watch a board meeting.

5181
04:33:56,365 --> 04:33:59,175
It's as someone was point out, it can be a little deadly

5182
04:34:00,715 --> 04:34:02,335
and people showing up every week

5183
04:34:02,435 --> 04:34:04,735
or every, every month when we meet, that's really rare.

5184
04:34:05,115 --> 04:34:08,415
And becoming educated on the issuers is really hard.

5185
04:34:08,415 --> 04:34:10,655
Like we try to put a lot of stuff out there.

5186
04:34:11,215 --> 04:34:14,415
Although we have limitations as board members,

5187
04:34:14,725 --> 04:34:17,335
there's things we can do to encourage people to vote.

5188
04:34:17,635 --> 04:34:20,495
But there's a lot of things that the law prohibits us to do.

5189
04:34:20,495 --> 04:34:22,135
We cannot work together as a board

5190
04:34:22,875 --> 04:34:24,055
to make people's statements.

5191
04:34:25,975 --> 04:34:27,275
Can I just say one more thing?

5192
04:34:27,815 --> 04:34:30,595
So what I wanted to bring up was,

5193
04:34:31,805 --> 04:34:33,195
sorry I'm just blanking a little bit.

5194
04:34:34,395 --> 04:34:38,075
I wanted to bring up that, oh yeah.

5195
04:34:38,215 --> 04:34:39,795
The first time I heard about this budget

5196
04:34:40,305 --> 04:34:43,395
like thing coming out was like three days ago.

5197
04:34:43,465 --> 04:34:45,155
Andy told me about it, told me about this meeting

5198
04:34:45,185 --> 04:34:48,155
that I should come to it and now I'm getting all these

5199
04:34:48,665 --> 04:34:50,755
like things talking about it over the last like month.

5200
04:34:51,335 --> 04:34:53,675
So I think what I'm trying

5201
04:34:53,675 --> 04:34:56,355
to say is you guys should like let us, I've been text,

5202
04:34:56,355 --> 04:34:58,115
like we've been texting the group chat class

5203
04:34:58,115 --> 04:35:00,595
of 2027 talking about how we need to get everyone,

5204
04:35:00,595 --> 04:35:01,835
the parents and everyone to vote.

5205
04:35:02,415 --> 04:35:05,915
So I want you guys to be able to keep sports in our budget

5206
04:35:06,055 --> 04:35:08,195
and let like put your trust into us.

5207
04:35:08,535 --> 04:35:09,915
Let us be the PR person

5208
04:35:10,375 --> 04:35:14,875
and have our like parents, our parents, like our parents',

5209
04:35:14,875 --> 04:35:18,955
parents, our parents' friends, our like friends dogs.

5210
04:35:19,295 --> 04:35:20,295
Yes.

5211
04:35:22,535 --> 04:35:24,075
Put your trust Into us.

5212
04:35:24,495 --> 04:35:27,075
You keep the sports in the budget please.

5213
04:35:27,335 --> 04:35:30,475
And we will get the two, another 200,

5214
04:35:30,475 --> 04:35:32,035
another 300, another 400 votes.

5215
04:35:32,455 --> 04:35:34,515
We have so many people in our falling wrestling community

5216
04:35:34,865 --> 04:35:36,315
that would keep us in there.

5217
04:35:36,315 --> 04:35:38,995
How many have we done? Like Facebook?

5218
04:35:39,015 --> 04:35:41,395
We got 2000 on the Facebook. We'll get them all the vote.

5219
04:35:41,945 --> 04:35:43,755
Like put our, your trust in us

5220
04:35:43,775 --> 04:35:45,035
and we'll get the budget passed

5221
04:35:45,175 --> 04:35:46,595
so we can Well you're hiring.

5222
04:35:47,095 --> 04:35:51,875
Yes. Still gotta

5223
04:35:51,875 --> 04:35:53,435
go get good grades tomorrow.

5224
04:35:53,495 --> 04:35:57,245
So Thank you so much.

5225
04:35:57,435 --> 04:35:58,725
Well I was gonna say, just

5226
04:35:58,725 --> 04:36:01,925
before I leave, one thing that I've always wanted to say

5227
04:36:02,105 --> 04:36:04,445
and I haven't quite had the bravery or to,

5228
04:36:04,445 --> 04:36:05,445
but I think about it a lot.

5229
04:36:07,215 --> 04:36:10,245
Sixth grade history class, US history.

5230
04:36:11,185 --> 04:36:12,725
Are you smarter than a sixth grader?

5231
04:36:13,525 --> 04:36:17,245
I learned that the whole point

5232
04:36:17,585 --> 04:36:21,845
and the good part of being in a democracy is

5233
04:36:21,845 --> 04:36:23,765
that the power is in the hands of the people.

5234
04:36:25,025 --> 04:36:28,325
And I think when we see that only 20% of people

5235
04:36:28,925 --> 04:36:32,965
voted on this budget and the majority of that 20% voted no.

5236
04:36:33,505 --> 04:36:35,965
And a lot of the things that I see that are said online,

5237
04:36:38,035 --> 04:36:40,165
this is not what a democracy looks like

5238
04:36:40,165 --> 04:36:41,525
or what we were supposed to learn about.

5239
04:36:42,865 --> 04:36:44,965
So the fact that the people making this decision

5240
04:36:45,575 --> 04:36:48,365
about my education are not as smart as a sixth grader,

5241
04:36:49,155 --> 04:36:50,565
that is really scary to me.

5242
04:36:52,505 --> 04:36:57,485
So I guess along with taxing, those of you who agree

5243
04:36:57,485 --> 04:37:01,765
with me and Noah to go vote, I would

5244
04:37:02,385 --> 04:37:05,445
ask the people that continuously vote no

5245
04:37:07,465 --> 04:37:12,035
to go take sixth grade history class again

5246
04:37:12,095 --> 04:37:15,515
and learn that it is your honor to get to vote,

5247
04:37:16,235 --> 04:37:17,715
especially those who didn't.

5248
04:37:17,935 --> 04:37:22,345
And understand all of the facts when you go in to vote

5249
04:37:22,445 --> 04:37:26,025
and if you have a lack of confidence that's on you man.

5250
04:37:26,645 --> 04:37:29,385
Go learn. Either gain confidence

5251
04:37:29,645 --> 04:37:32,305
or understand what needs to change.

5252
04:37:32,305 --> 04:37:33,505
Because when you come up here

5253
04:37:33,505 --> 04:37:35,025
and you tell me that you're not confident,

5254
04:37:35,025 --> 04:37:36,825
but you don't tell me what you think needs to change.

5255
04:37:37,625 --> 04:37:39,105
I can't do that in an essay.

5256
04:37:39,385 --> 04:37:40,825
I can't do that on the sports field.

5257
04:37:41,465 --> 04:37:42,985
I can't do that in my clubs. I can't

5258
04:37:42,985 --> 04:37:44,025
do that in student council.

5259
04:37:45,285 --> 04:37:46,825
You guys need to have repercussions

5260
04:37:47,145 --> 04:37:48,545
'cause we have repercussions and we do

5261
04:37:48,545 --> 04:37:49,585
things right and we learn.

5262
04:37:50,245 --> 04:37:52,385
You guys have none. You don't have the

5263
04:37:52,385 --> 04:37:53,545
repercussions that we have.

5264
04:37:53,845 --> 04:37:56,185
And that has shown day to day in here

5265
04:37:56,365 --> 04:37:57,665
and what you guys write online.

5266
04:37:58,045 --> 04:37:59,905
And it's embarrassing. It's embarrassing to us.

5267
04:37:59,975 --> 04:38:01,065
It's embarrassing to my friends.

5268
04:38:01,805 --> 04:38:03,705
And if you haven't changed your mindset

5269
04:38:03,755 --> 04:38:05,905
after hearing all these people and all these facts

5270
04:38:05,965 --> 04:38:09,145
and all these facts from kids that are a third of your age,

5271
04:38:09,685 --> 04:38:11,665
you need to do some serious soul searching.

5272
04:38:13,425 --> 04:38:14,435
That is your problem.

5273
04:38:15,015 --> 04:38:16,355
And I'm sorry that you have it,

5274
04:38:16,775 --> 04:38:19,795
but you are destroying the community that me

5275
04:38:19,795 --> 04:38:20,915
and my friends work hard to build.

5276
04:38:21,495 --> 04:38:24,235
So thank you. And if that doesn't change your outlook on

5277
04:38:24,235 --> 04:38:26,355
things, you got other problems.

5278
04:38:27,735 --> 04:38:28,735
I'm gonna go

5279
04:38:32,165 --> 04:38:33,165
Nancy.

5280
04:38:33,165 --> 04:38:37,955
Yes. I was wondering why you wanted

5281
04:38:37,975 --> 04:38:41,915
to create the fear of these children being infected

5282
04:38:42,175 --> 04:38:44,435
so quickly right

5283
04:38:44,435 --> 04:38:48,995
after the budget failed without looking at your

5284
04:38:51,245 --> 04:38:54,685
items that you could possibly come forth

5285
04:38:54,705 --> 04:38:56,685
and say we can do this and this.

5286
04:38:57,235 --> 04:38:59,885
This is great information for fiscal year 27,

5287
04:39:00,345 --> 04:39:03,565
but how do you know where you can decrease

5288
04:39:04,305 --> 04:39:08,645
or increase without having the prior gears actuals?

5289
04:39:08,825 --> 04:39:11,805
So if you are basing it on the fact that only April

5290
04:39:12,425 --> 04:39:14,045
is available you,

5291
04:39:14,145 --> 04:39:15,925
and if you take it forward a couple of months,

5292
04:39:16,065 --> 04:39:17,885
you are gonna run into a surplus.

5293
04:39:18,745 --> 04:39:20,605
By the way, the tax stabilization

5294
04:39:20,715 --> 04:39:23,045
that you have in your account is 2.2 million.

5295
04:39:24,125 --> 04:39:25,565
'cause I know he said he was gonna check it out.

5296
04:39:27,265 --> 04:39:30,325
And also Garrett, you said that the, you got rid

5297
04:39:30,325 --> 04:39:31,645
of 11 and a half positions.

5298
04:39:31,805 --> 04:39:33,805
I went through all of your minutes and board meetings

5299
04:39:33,805 --> 04:39:35,365
and saw where you guys approved.

5300
04:39:35,825 --> 04:39:40,365
You approved 16 positions in addition to coming in,

5301
04:39:40,425 --> 04:39:42,605
in addition to the 11.5 that you reduced.

5302
04:39:42,905 --> 04:39:45,765
So just for clarification, so everybody has the facts

5303
04:39:46,005 --> 04:39:48,005
'cause that's what we want to do is we want facts

5304
04:39:48,315 --> 04:39:50,845
16 positions in a 2% budget Increase.

5305
04:39:50,845 --> 04:39:53,685
If you go, if you go look at, I'm not,

5306
04:39:53,825 --> 04:39:56,125
I'm not saying one thing, I'm just saying it's important

5307
04:39:56,125 --> 04:39:57,925
that we get factual information

5308
04:39:58,705 --> 04:40:00,845
and accurate information in order for us

5309
04:40:00,845 --> 04:40:05,365
to make a decision on a budget and when we didn't have it.

5310
04:40:05,365 --> 04:40:06,805
And, but I'm really disappointed

5311
04:40:06,805 --> 04:40:09,165
that you immediately knee jerk come right out

5312
04:40:09,165 --> 04:40:10,925
to eliminate this kid's sports

5313
04:40:11,545 --> 04:40:14,965
and all their activities right off the bat without doing

5314
04:40:14,965 --> 04:40:17,725
your due diligence and looking at the budget

5315
04:40:18,025 --> 04:40:20,925
and seeing what else you may have been able to reduce.

5316
04:40:21,375 --> 04:40:22,375
Thank you.

5317
04:40:24,425 --> 04:40:28,085
I'm hoping we can reduce legal fees from people reaching

5318
04:40:28,085 --> 04:40:29,565
out directly to our attorneys.

5319
04:40:29,705 --> 04:40:31,565
That's what I hope for Rachel.

5320
04:40:31,745 --> 04:40:36,325
Yes. Hi. Thanks. I just wanted to, oh, my phone died.

5321
04:40:36,425 --> 04:40:41,205
No, bring it back. I, Andy.

5322
04:40:41,425 --> 04:40:43,205
Oh my goodness. Couldn't have I.

5323
04:40:43,425 --> 04:40:45,005
No, I really appreciate that.

5324
04:40:45,345 --> 04:40:48,765
And just one of the things in one

5325
04:40:48,765 --> 04:40:53,455
of the many budget things you put out that's on our website,

5326
04:40:54,175 --> 04:40:55,935
u usd.org/budget.

5327
04:40:57,715 --> 04:40:59,495
Not one of the many things that as you,

5328
04:40:59,615 --> 04:41:02,375
I know you did a tour, it seems like, like press tour.

5329
04:41:03,015 --> 04:41:05,415
There's a lot of information I appreciate that.

5330
04:41:05,535 --> 04:41:06,775
I think more than I've seen before.

5331
04:41:06,775 --> 04:41:09,935
Even when we had a communications store. No, I don't know.

5332
04:41:10,285 --> 04:41:11,655
Okay, I'm gonna focus back on this.

5333
04:41:12,355 --> 04:41:14,615
Our vision in the BUS state is

5334
04:41:14,615 --> 04:41:17,655
to provide a rock solid education for a lifetime discovery.

5335
04:41:18,945 --> 04:41:21,415
Again, we heard from our students tonight, which is great.

5336
04:41:21,565 --> 04:41:24,095
It's helping us remember why we're here.

5337
04:41:25,435 --> 04:41:30,175
We, this includes ensuring students have equitable access

5338
04:41:30,195 --> 04:41:31,495
to learning resources.

5339
04:41:32,915 --> 04:41:35,575
It includes promoting student engagement

5340
04:41:35,595 --> 04:41:36,615
and ownership of learning.

5341
04:41:37,725 --> 04:41:40,095
Provide the physical, mental, emotional

5342
04:41:40,475 --> 04:41:43,295
and environmental resources that students need

5343
04:41:43,315 --> 04:41:45,735
for successful learning and personal wellbeing.

5344
04:41:48,435 --> 04:41:50,455
Create communication systems that foster

5345
04:41:51,045 --> 04:41:54,525
collaborative internal and external community relationships.

5346
04:41:56,465 --> 04:42:00,045
It also includes develop creative and flexible curriculum

5347
04:42:00,425 --> 04:42:02,605
and career pathways that enable students

5348
04:42:02,705 --> 04:42:04,365
to become successful citizens

5349
04:42:04,825 --> 04:42:06,925
and skillful, skillful workers.

5350
04:42:09,885 --> 04:42:12,765
I appreciate Andy talking about social studies

5351
04:42:12,985 --> 04:42:14,925
and bringing in that civic education.

5352
04:42:15,665 --> 04:42:17,965
Not just because I'm now teaching social studies, but

5353
04:42:17,965 --> 04:42:22,525
because it is so related, the things I'm talking about

5354
04:42:22,525 --> 04:42:26,665
with students would be really great

5355
04:42:27,125 --> 04:42:31,265
for everyone to have and be reminded of.

5356
04:42:32,685 --> 04:42:36,865
I'm gonna share a few more things from our strategic plan.

5357
04:42:38,775 --> 04:42:40,895
I think this is out of date perhaps. Perhaps.

5358
04:42:41,115 --> 04:42:42,695
But yeah, because it says we have summer school.

5359
04:42:44,775 --> 04:42:48,255
I know hard one, we don't have money for things like that,

5360
04:42:48,675 --> 04:42:51,375
but it was really valuable programming.

5361
04:42:52,475 --> 04:42:55,015
So this includes implementing grade level, sequence

5362
04:42:55,015 --> 04:42:57,375
of field trips, revised school schedules

5363
04:42:57,375 --> 04:42:58,535
to allow implementation.

5364
04:42:58,595 --> 04:43:01,975
Implementation of adequate instructional time for literacy,

5365
04:43:01,975 --> 04:43:04,455
mathematics, SEL, social emotional learning

5366
04:43:04,455 --> 04:43:05,695
and project based learning.

5367
04:43:06,075 --> 04:43:09,495
And which should civics promote student engagement.

5368
04:43:09,615 --> 04:43:12,455
I said that, sorry. Teachers work in a professional learning

5369
04:43:12,455 --> 04:43:14,815
community to develop proficiency scales

5370
04:43:14,815 --> 04:43:17,095
so they have a common focus for teaching and learning.

5371
04:43:18,125 --> 04:43:20,455
Implement a multi-tiered system of support

5372
04:43:20,515 --> 04:43:22,815
for both academics and social emotional learning.

5373
04:43:24,005 --> 04:43:25,415
Provide students with healthy

5374
04:43:25,555 --> 04:43:26,935
and nutritious school meals

5375
04:43:27,225 --> 04:43:28,935
where they're involved in taste testing

5376
04:43:29,355 --> 04:43:31,335
and making suggestions for improvements.

5377
04:43:32,385 --> 04:43:35,015
Build a system that promotes social emotional learning

5378
04:43:35,475 --> 04:43:38,055
by employing trained personnel whose roles

5379
04:43:38,075 --> 04:43:40,055
and responsibilities are clearly defined.

5380
04:43:41,515 --> 04:43:43,455
Ensure all teachers, staff

5381
04:43:43,455 --> 04:43:46,055
and administration receive ongoing training

5382
04:43:46,235 --> 04:43:49,375
to implement effective approaches to trauma, poverty,

5383
04:43:49,775 --> 04:43:51,775
homelessness, and other social issues

5384
04:43:51,775 --> 04:43:53,095
that affect school success.

5385
04:43:54,035 --> 04:43:57,415
Ensure that we have best practices, structures, supports

5386
04:43:57,435 --> 04:44:00,455
and programs in place that are delivered with fidelity.

5387
04:44:02,105 --> 04:44:04,855
Build partnerships that welcome the community into our

5388
04:44:04,855 --> 04:44:07,455
schools and engage students with community partners.

5389
04:44:08,525 --> 04:44:11,455
Help families better understand proficiency

5390
04:44:11,665 --> 04:44:12,935
based learning standards.

5391
04:44:13,985 --> 04:44:16,495
Articulate curriculum with proficiency standards

5392
04:44:16,495 --> 04:44:18,735
and learning progressions pre-K through 12.

5393
04:44:19,445 --> 04:44:22,215
Support administrators to increase their capacity

5394
04:44:22,275 --> 04:44:23,415
to be instructional leaders.

5395
04:44:24,155 --> 04:44:26,015
Revise school schedules at all levels

5396
04:44:26,075 --> 04:44:27,615
to support a multi-tiered system

5397
04:44:27,635 --> 04:44:28,855
of support for all learners.

5398
04:44:29,725 --> 04:44:32,175
It's a lot of goals, a lot of things to do

5399
04:44:33,115 --> 04:44:34,215
and we have a lot of students

5400
04:44:35,355 --> 04:44:36,375
and I hope that we remember

5401
04:44:36,375 --> 04:44:37,735
that it all is about the students.

5402
04:44:38,075 --> 04:44:39,215
That's why we're here.

5403
04:44:41,155 --> 04:44:43,055
And to provide a rock solid education

5404
04:44:43,055 --> 04:44:44,175
for a lifetime of discovery.

5405
04:44:44,785 --> 04:44:48,255
Thank you Rachel. And with that it has been half an hour.

5406
04:44:49,785 --> 04:44:51,285
I'm going to close public comment.

5407
04:44:51,485 --> 04:44:54,245
I want to thank everyone for their participation tonight

5408
04:44:55,185 --> 04:44:59,645
and I now move to executive session.

5409
04:45:01,065 --> 04:45:02,405
So is there a motion

5410
04:45:02,665 --> 04:45:06,165
for a finding under BSA 3 1 3 A one

5411
04:45:07,575 --> 04:45:09,845
under confidential attorney-client privilege?

5412
04:45:09,845 --> 04:45:12,485
Are there findings that premature general public knowledge

5413
04:45:12,485 --> 04:45:14,405
would clearly place the public body

5414
04:45:14,745 --> 04:45:17,045
or person involved in a substantial disadvantage?

5415
04:45:18,785 --> 04:45:22,485
Is there a motion? So moved by Jackie. Seconded by Emily.

5416
04:45:22,655 --> 04:45:26,825
Discussion. All those in favor say aye.

5417
04:45:27,485 --> 04:45:30,225
Aye. Opposed? All right.

5418
04:45:30,365 --> 04:45:34,305
Is there a motion to enter executive session moved under

5419
04:45:35,225 --> 04:45:37,185
BSA 3 1 3 A one.

5420
04:45:37,905 --> 04:45:39,545
Inviting the superintendent

5421
04:45:39,805 --> 04:45:44,345
and director of operations three, correct.

5422
04:45:45,765 --> 04:45:48,785
Is there a motion? Moved by Sam, seconded by Jeff.

5423
04:45:49,035 --> 04:45:53,545
Discussion? All. All those in favor say aye. Aye.

5424
04:45:54,095 --> 04:45:58,025
Opposed? We are in executive session at 10:45 PM

5425
04:46:05,005 --> 04:46:05,305
All right.

5426
04:46:05,765 --> 04:46:09,665
Is there a motion to exit executive session? Moved.

5427
04:46:09,875 --> 04:46:13,865
Moved by Ian second. Seconded by Jeff. Discussion.

5428
04:46:14,965 --> 04:46:18,865
Aye. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed?

5429
04:46:19,845 --> 04:46:22,945
Motion passes. We have executive session

5430
04:46:23,725 --> 04:46:28,025
at 10:57 PM Is there a motion to adjourn?

5431
04:46:28,485 --> 04:46:31,505
No. Move. Moved by Jackie. Seconded by Sam.

5432
04:46:31,845 --> 04:46:34,825
All those in favor say aye. Opposed?

5433
04:46:35,925 --> 04:46:39,385
We are adjourned at 10:58 PM everyone.

5434
04:46:40,555 --> 04:46:45,145
Thank you. This PhD reporter, my back.

5435
04:46:45,725 --> 04:46:47,505
Is that okay? Whatever.