1 00:00:03,090 --> 00:00:33,030 Good evening, everyone. I am Joy Telis Cooper district eight school board member with the Claim County Board of Education. And tonight we are having a conversation with the Claim County Board of Education about our fiscal year 2026 budget. But before we start, I want to go over a few guidelines for tonight's meeting. The chat feature has been disabled for participants due to the expected number of attendees, but you'll be able to type your questions using 2 00:00:33,030 --> 00:00:39,550 the question and answer feature at the bottom of your screen. Please know we may not be able to answer 3 00:00:39,550 --> 00:00:47,210 all of the questions in this form, but all questions will be saved to create a frequently asked 4 00:00:47,210 --> 00:00:53,070 question document that will be shared with the public. All attendees will be able to view the 5 00:00:53,070 --> 00:00:59,710 questions that have been answered. This webinar is being recorded and will be shared to the public 6 00:00:59,710 --> 00:01:05,550 for public review along with the frequently asked question document and full presentation. 7 00:01:06,570 --> 00:01:12,390 So I'll go right into the purpose of this meeting tonight. So we felt it was necessary to have 8 00:01:12,390 --> 00:01:19,090 this conversation due to the short timing of our state required public meeting and to accommodate 9 00:01:19,090 --> 00:01:24,070 and listen to and communicate with our staff and our constituents directly. 10 00:01:26,320 --> 00:01:27,320 Dr. Haney. 11 00:01:27,820 --> 00:01:35,180 Hello, everyone. I'm Dr. D. Haney District 5 here in Clayton County. I want to say thank you all for taking time to be with us and have this conversation. 12 00:01:35,520 --> 00:01:42,220 This will be a very candid conversation where we as board members will be listening to your concerns and address whatever concerns may come up. 13 00:01:42,640 --> 00:01:53,540 As a result of this 2026 tentative budget, we will respect what you all have to say as much as you respect as to what our replies are because we are as you all still digging into this. 14 00:01:53,540 --> 00:02:15,960 making sense of this budget to make sure that we meet the needs of our staff district as well as our community so we are very open to what you have to say what we're open to you all listening to us be open to us that is to what we have to give you as of the documents as of the budget in itself so again we are here for you to listen and then we're here to respond accordingly. 15 00:02:16,640 --> 00:02:17,520 Thank you. 16 00:02:22,230 --> 00:02:23,130 Ms. Baker. 17 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:30,180 Okay. Good evening. I'm Mary Baker District 6. This is not my 18 00:02:30,180 --> 00:02:35,740 first rodeo when it comes to a budget. They're different every single year. One 19 00:02:35,740 --> 00:02:39,340 of the things that you will notice is you're going to see this fund balance and 20 00:02:39,340 --> 00:02:43,020 you're going to say, oh, they've got plenty of money in there. You also have to be 21 00:02:43,020 --> 00:02:51,120 aware that we need to keep at least three months of operating budget in the 22 00:02:51,120 --> 00:02:56,740 in the fund balance. And that is to cover any expenses, the way that the state pays us, 23 00:02:57,560 --> 00:03:02,480 you know, we're waiting. So we need to make sure that we have the operating budget also. So 24 00:03:03,280 --> 00:03:07,320 please just take that in mind because when you see that great big number, you're going to say, 25 00:03:07,360 --> 00:03:14,120 oh, they've got plenty, plenty. I wish we did. So that's just my little two cents worth for the evening. 26 00:03:15,640 --> 00:03:26,880 So tonight, as you've heard from the three panelists, our goal basically in a nutshell as a board is to present transparency about the budget. 27 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:29,460 So we'll go ahead and review the budget. 28 00:03:31,770 --> 00:03:35,190 And once the budget is reviewed, we'll have a Q&A at the end. 29 00:03:35,190 --> 00:03:45,390 So tonight's conversation with the board members we are reviewing the fiscal year 2026 superintendent tentative proposed budget. 30 00:03:45,810 --> 00:03:52,190 We've already passed the proposed budget and now we're going to pass finalize the final budget on the 27th. 31 00:03:53,110 --> 00:03:53,530 Next slide. 32 00:03:53,530 --> 00:03:54,530 So, 33 00:03:56,940 --> 00:04:01,260 these are just some of the superintendent's priorities in one through five to cultivate 34 00:04:01,260 --> 00:04:07,480 a school safety culture and promote a positive working environment, increase academic achievement, 35 00:04:07,960 --> 00:04:15,600 maintain a financially stable and sustainable stability, sorry about that, 36 00:04:15,980 --> 00:04:22,940 strengthen organizational structure and enhance in front to structures and new facilities. 37 00:04:22,940 --> 00:04:30,060 I am so sorry about that. Sorry about that, Dr. Smith. So tonight, what we're going to do 38 00:04:30,060 --> 00:04:36,520 is we're going to talk about our budget. We're talking about a $1.5 billion budget. So 39 00:04:36,520 --> 00:04:41,920 we're breaking it down into these five buckets. So we'll start with the special revenue budget 40 00:04:42,380 --> 00:04:48,480 and what that does. So legally, it's just restricted budgets used to account for our grants 41 00:04:48,480 --> 00:04:50,200 that's that we have that's coming through. 42 00:04:50,500 --> 00:04:52,600 So that's one bucket that we're talking about. 43 00:04:53,040 --> 00:04:55,580 Then we have our capital project funds. 44 00:04:55,980 --> 00:04:58,300 And that's used, that's where our blocks projects, 45 00:04:58,580 --> 00:04:59,780 that includes our buildings. 46 00:05:00,180 --> 00:05:01,520 If you see these beautiful buildings 47 00:05:01,520 --> 00:05:03,460 that we're building within Clayton County, 48 00:05:03,500 --> 00:05:05,640 that's what that is, renovation repairs, 49 00:05:06,320 --> 00:05:09,320 HVAC buses, we've been talking a lot about buses 50 00:05:09,320 --> 00:05:11,420 and any capital outlay projects. 51 00:05:11,620 --> 00:05:16,120 So that's where that money lays in that capital project fund. 52 00:05:16,120 --> 00:05:29,420 And then we have our enterprise fund, which those are used for like our nutrition, our campus kids, that's our before and after care programs, performing arts, athletics, our print services. So that's where that money lies. 53 00:05:29,900 --> 00:05:39,220 And then we have a new bucket, which is our debt service fund, which is the bonds that we took on and that the community voted on for us to do. 54 00:05:39,600 --> 00:05:42,960 But tonight what we're focusing on is our general fund. 55 00:05:42,960 --> 00:05:53,380 That's where 88% of the fund goes. That's for the salaries and the budgets. Any operation for the day-to-day operation of teacher salaries and benefits. 56 00:05:56,560 --> 00:06:07,020 So for our proposed budget, our general fund, there has been a lot of conversation about what raises and what we can do. 57 00:06:07,020 --> 00:06:19,160 So, basically, what we've done is the superintendent came back with five options for what we may be able to do for teachers as far as, like, what staff for raises. 58 00:06:19,760 --> 00:06:32,600 What I can say is I won't go a lot into this tonight because as of today, we were talking to the superintendent and they are in the process of rebapping and coming back with several other different options. 59 00:06:32,600 --> 00:06:38,520 but what I do want to focus on tonight is our fiscal year 2025 approved budget that we 60 00:06:39,320 --> 00:06:47,060 passed last year. So basically, if you look at the bottom, the revenues, we were 32.2 million 61 00:06:47,060 --> 00:06:53,100 dollars that we had to go into that lovely general fund that Ms. Baker was talking about earlier. 62 00:06:53,620 --> 00:07:00,380 So basically, that means we had to go into our savings account last year to get that money out 63 00:07:00,380 --> 00:07:24,080 to cover all that we gave last year. Last year, there was a lot of incentives that was given, we had the 1x1500 bonus that we did, the 1,250 attendance bonus that we also gave and also during the spring break, it was $500 and what I do want everyone to understand is we as a board. 64 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:33,260 We want to see and be able to give everyone what they deserve when it is possible. 65 00:07:34,100 --> 00:07:37,880 But we know that in Washington there's some things that are going on. 66 00:07:38,020 --> 00:07:39,340 There's some things coming down the pipe. 67 00:07:39,760 --> 00:07:50,360 There's so many uncertainties that we really have to be fiscally responsible for not just this upcoming year but years to come. 68 00:07:50,360 --> 00:07:56,740 which means that we need to forecast. We need to continue to forecast years out to make sure that we're not 69 00:07:57,340 --> 00:08:03,840 spending more than what we're bringing in. So I do just want to, I'm not going to stay on this slide for very long, 70 00:08:03,860 --> 00:08:10,720 but I do want everyone to know and understand that as a board and along with the superintendent and his staff, 71 00:08:10,720 --> 00:08:19,320 we are working through some things and we are trying to come up with what would be the best possible option for everyone that's concerned. 72 00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:28,020 kind of like they said we want to win win on this next slide. Okay so the TRS 73 00:08:28,020 --> 00:08:32,300 employment portion, we wanted to let you know that there's been an increase so 74 00:08:32,300 --> 00:08:40,480 it went from 20.78% to now 21.91%. So that shows that that's a 12.7 million 75 00:08:40,480 --> 00:08:48,080 dollar increase. Now the district absorbs the cost of the unfunded certified staff 76 00:08:48,080 --> 00:08:53,600 So that means that's an additional $4 million that we're having to absorb that will be coming 77 00:08:53,600 --> 00:09:01,520 out of the general fund. So it's partially funded mandate. Next slide. The classified health 78 00:09:01,520 --> 00:09:12,600 insurance employer portion increased by $3,390 to $20,040 per year per person and that is district 79 00:09:12,600 --> 00:09:21,580 so that's an $11.9 million. So the district absorbs that full amount and that full cost. So that's 80 00:09:21,580 --> 00:09:26,360 another expense to us. So that's an unfunded mandate. Next. 81 00:09:28,940 --> 00:09:30,820 So here is just the proposed general 82 00:09:30,820 --> 00:09:40,240 fund summary. So the beginning fund balance as of July 1st, 2025 is 160 million and then you see our 83 00:09:40,240 --> 00:09:43,820 our projected revenues and our projected expenditures. 84 00:09:44,040 --> 00:09:45,920 If you look and you notice, of course, 85 00:09:46,100 --> 00:09:48,260 our expenses are more than our revenues, 86 00:09:48,260 --> 00:09:51,100 which means that we will be left with a loss 87 00:09:51,100 --> 00:09:55,300 of 12.2 million dollars that we have to make up somewhere. 88 00:09:55,780 --> 00:09:58,600 So we'll be taking that money out of what I was talking about 89 00:09:58,600 --> 00:10:01,180 earlier, a fun balance kind of like our savings. 90 00:10:01,840 --> 00:10:05,280 And that's one of the things that we are trying to figure out here 91 00:10:05,280 --> 00:10:11,100 is how can we make it work with being fiscally responsible 92 00:10:11,680 --> 00:10:15,220 and not staying in the rent as far as with expenditures? 93 00:10:16,120 --> 00:10:16,480 So next. 94 00:10:18,260 --> 00:10:22,320 So this is just a breakdown by the expenditures, 95 00:10:22,460 --> 00:10:25,080 by function, if you look and you see, 96 00:10:25,500 --> 00:10:28,760 we always say that what do we spend in the money on? 97 00:10:29,140 --> 00:10:33,660 And we are always, and we should be student focused. 98 00:10:33,660 --> 00:10:39,160 So, if you look at this chart, you'll see that instructions, most of that is going towards 99 00:10:39,160 --> 00:10:39,780 instructions. 100 00:10:39,960 --> 00:10:42,820 That's 59.6% that's going towards instructions. 101 00:10:43,460 --> 00:10:49,340 So, the pupil services, of course you see that's 5.5 and if you look down, you'll see where 102 00:10:49,340 --> 00:10:52,280 the money is going and how it's being allocated. 103 00:10:52,720 --> 00:10:59,000 So, this is just a great chart to look at so you can always see, I'm a visual person so 104 00:10:59,000 --> 00:11:03,640 I always want to look in and see where's the money going and the money is going. 105 00:11:03,640 --> 00:11:06,120 to where it should be going. Next slide. 106 00:11:08,730 --> 00:11:13,230 So here we have the expenditures by object. So it shows 107 00:11:13,230 --> 00:11:21,090 that most of 57.7 is going towards salaries. It's going towards you know our teachers and then the 108 00:11:21,090 --> 00:11:26,670 benefit and our staff not just our teachers but our staff. And then the benefits of course you know we 109 00:11:26,670 --> 00:11:34,170 had a increase but it's 28.3% which kind of makes up that 80 something percent that I was talking 110 00:11:34,170 --> 00:11:41,870 about early in the very beginning. So this is just a breakdown of by object. Now I know there was a 111 00:11:41,870 --> 00:11:49,190 question about earlier today and our earlier this week and our budget meeting about the others. 112 00:11:49,350 --> 00:11:55,190 What is other purchases? What is other expenses? What is other uses? So we have been working with our 113 00:11:55,190 --> 00:12:01,550 CFO and that's just really a drill down to be able to say this is what falls up under that category. 114 00:12:01,550 --> 00:12:07,610 So, it hasn't been ignored, it has been heard, and we are working on it as a team. 115 00:12:08,710 --> 00:12:09,670 Next slide. 116 00:12:10,870 --> 00:12:29,170 So here, the reason this slide is in here, because there's a lot of questions, and I know I want the teachers to and the staff staff all, but, you know, to know that we hear you, we understand. 117 00:12:29,170 --> 00:12:34,070 and we feel you and we know and we want to do more for you. 118 00:12:34,530 --> 00:12:40,790 But if you look at this chart here, the comparison between Clayton County and Atlanta. 119 00:12:41,170 --> 00:12:47,130 So we compared Atlanta because it's more compatible and comparable to us. 120 00:12:47,670 --> 00:12:53,890 We have 52,675 enrollment. They have 50,000. 121 00:12:53,890 --> 00:13:11,370 So, I'm illiterate 19.6. There's this 20.50. But if you look at their net digest and what they have, their tax basis versus hours, it shows a huge gap in what they have coming in versus what we have coming in. 122 00:13:11,370 --> 00:13:14,270 So, we just kind of wanted to show you, 123 00:13:14,410 --> 00:13:19,150 because some people say, oh well, APS is giving this amount. 124 00:13:19,770 --> 00:13:24,850 And we would love to be able to do what APS is doing. 125 00:13:25,130 --> 00:13:28,550 But we also have to be very fiscally responsible 126 00:13:28,550 --> 00:13:32,490 and very careful about how we're spending our money, 127 00:13:33,190 --> 00:13:36,390 when we're spending my money, and where we're spending it, 128 00:13:36,770 --> 00:13:40,590 especially in the time like this as far as we are so unsure 129 00:13:40,590 --> 00:13:42,650 or as to what is going on in Washington, 130 00:13:43,170 --> 00:13:44,670 how many cuts we're gonna have, 131 00:13:44,930 --> 00:13:47,930 and how much money we're gonna lose if any. 132 00:13:48,650 --> 00:13:49,310 Next slide. 133 00:13:53,300 --> 00:13:57,800 So with that, I just want to put out some remaining dates 134 00:13:57,800 --> 00:13:58,460 that we have. 135 00:13:58,620 --> 00:14:01,540 We had our first public hearing on Monday, 136 00:14:01,820 --> 00:14:03,920 May the 5th at 11 a.m. 137 00:14:04,420 --> 00:14:06,280 We'll have our second public hearing 138 00:14:06,280 --> 00:14:09,620 on the 27th of March at 5.30. 139 00:14:10,340 --> 00:14:12,260 However, the reason that we, 140 00:14:12,260 --> 00:14:18,660 like I said before in the beginning that we're having these meetings is because on that date, we will also be 141 00:14:19,320 --> 00:14:24,200 voting on the final adoption of this budget and the tentative 142 00:14:24,900 --> 00:14:28,560 adoption of the Millage Rate on the 27th at 6 p.m. 143 00:14:29,140 --> 00:14:35,420 Once you hear the second public hearing, we think it's very important that we hear from you. We want to hear from you. 144 00:14:35,680 --> 00:14:42,160 We want to have this honest conversation as to what you see, what we could do better and 145 00:14:42,260 --> 00:14:49,240 how you're feeling. You're very important to us. We cherish and we know that we can't do any of this 146 00:14:49,240 --> 00:14:55,180 without the teachers or any of the staff. So we want you tonight to have that honest conversation 147 00:14:55,180 --> 00:14:59,920 with us so we can talk through this and we can also get go back to the super. 148 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:14,840 And have these crucial conversations about what we can and we cannot do. The militia rate public hearing, that's to be determined at late July, early August. And then we have a final militia rate adoption in August. 149 00:15:18,110 --> 00:15:32,030 So comments. Again, this slide, it just shows all of my board members, my on here, starting with Ben Straker, who is our chair. It's Mary Baker, who's on this 150 00:15:32,030 --> 00:15:35,890 Uh, discussion tonight as the vice chair, Jasmine Bowles. 151 00:15:35,970 --> 00:15:38,710 She's district one, Mark Christmas district two. 152 00:15:38,710 --> 00:15:42,910 We have Dr. Jessie Goree who is district three, our past chair. 153 00:15:42,970 --> 00:15:48,530 We have Victoria Williams district four, Dehaney district five, Sabrina district seven. 154 00:15:48,610 --> 00:15:50,410 And I am district eight. 155 00:15:50,590 --> 00:15:55,330 So we put this up here because we want you to know that we are available. 156 00:15:55,590 --> 00:15:56,950 And we want to hear from you. 157 00:15:57,190 --> 00:15:58,330 We want to hear from you. 158 00:15:58,570 --> 00:16:00,450 We want to be transparent with you. 159 00:16:00,450 --> 00:16:04,890 and we want a win-win in this situation and I know working together and 160 00:16:04,890 --> 00:16:09,090 us discussing and going over this tonight and then going back to the table with 161 00:16:09,090 --> 00:16:14,530 the superintendent. We can come to some type of compromise where we come up with 162 00:16:14,530 --> 00:16:20,150 a win-win situation. So now I'll turn it over to Kim for our Q&A. 163 00:16:21,270 --> 00:16:28,930 Okay so the most the most questions are obviously about are we gonna get a step 164 00:16:28,930 --> 00:16:35,890 increase. Are we going to get a raise because neighboring counties are offering, Henry's offering a 165 00:16:35,890 --> 00:16:47,750 $3,000 increase, Fulton, 2.5% and a step, Cobb, 4.6% and a reduction of work days. Anyway, 166 00:16:48,230 --> 00:16:57,110 and all we're getting is a one time 1500 with no cola and no step. So that kind of sums up most 167 00:16:57,110 --> 00:17:05,510 of the questions I'm getting? Because how are we going to retain veteran teachers and recruit 168 00:17:05,510 --> 00:17:14,250 new hires if we're not doing anything that the neighboring counties are doing, okay? Mary, 169 00:17:14,370 --> 00:17:16,390 a DG, you want to take it or do you want me to take it? 170 00:17:19,300 --> 00:17:24,700 Okay. We are looking at that and I do understand 171 00:17:24,700 --> 00:17:31,100 the concerns that we have as a district as other competitors within the different counties. 172 00:17:31,800 --> 00:17:36,800 And that is one reason why we're looking at this and more depth and more discussion on that 173 00:17:36,800 --> 00:17:43,300 I too would like for our teacher staff to get those raises, those steps and ensure that I mean 174 00:17:43,300 --> 00:17:50,340 because I'm going to be real with you all. You all looking at long-term retirement. So an incentive, 175 00:17:50,340 --> 00:17:55,280 I should not, this is just me, I should have to incentivize you to come to work. 176 00:17:55,940 --> 00:17:59,720 You also want to come to work for the why, which is the children, okay? 177 00:17:59,860 --> 00:18:05,600 But on the flip side of that, I do want to ensure that you have a comfortable retirement 178 00:18:05,600 --> 00:18:11,700 because these steps, these raises and these coldest factor into that. 179 00:18:12,280 --> 00:18:16,700 And so we're going to give TRS and we're increasing that, then it's only fair that we increase 180 00:18:16,700 --> 00:18:19,740 and we give you all the raises that we have to go back. 181 00:18:19,740 --> 00:18:25,580 I'm just one district, but however, as a board collectively and we talk with the superintendent to see the different options 182 00:18:26,220 --> 00:18:30,220 As see what we have that can sustain us. Yes, I'm all for it 183 00:18:30,220 --> 00:18:31,240 I am for that 184 00:18:31,240 --> 00:18:37,940 And so I have to make sure that my colleagues that we are all on one even though we may have differing opinions thoughts perspectives 185 00:18:37,940 --> 00:18:45,720 However, we have to remember where we are as a district as a county what we're bringing in as a revenue to them 186 00:18:45,720 --> 00:18:46,500 It's supported 187 00:18:46,500 --> 00:18:51,580 We always go back to what the military know the military know what we're looking at right now 188 00:18:51,580 --> 00:18:58,760 It's a budget to make sure that we can sustain those three things I am advocating for and I'm hoping that my colleagues as well 189 00:18:58,760 --> 00:19:05,660 But again as Miss tell us Cooper stated and Miss Baker stated we have to see where we are as a how we can sustain it 190 00:19:06,340 --> 00:19:07,980 But at the same time I 191 00:19:07,980 --> 00:19:24,460 And you know, after speaking with our finance department, how can we at least get to five or how can it at least me or mitigate the report as a word for this or not that we have to be those districts because we're not. 192 00:19:24,460 --> 00:19:31,440 We may have more student count, but our money is an economic term, let's keep it real, we don't have. 193 00:19:31,960 --> 00:19:38,720 So we have to look at the whole scheme of things, that's what makes this money come in to be able to sustain our teachers. 194 00:19:38,920 --> 00:19:45,180 Because everything and I'm just going to keep it real, we've seen some lead and we've seen some come back after they've seen what has happened. 195 00:19:45,460 --> 00:19:49,220 So I don't want us to ever go back and that's it for tax situation as a district. 196 00:19:49,220 --> 00:19:53,940 They offer more and then you leave and then you find out different and you come back and then here it is again 197 00:19:53,940 --> 00:19:57,120 And then we're still saying with your incentivizing us dr. D 198 00:19:57,120 --> 00:20:00,940 I want to do more and so hopefully we can come to this medium 199 00:20:00,940 --> 00:20:05,220 What we can give you more as of your cola as of your raises and as of those steps 200 00:20:05,220 --> 00:20:11,240 And so I'm advocating for that so just know that as miss Cooper said we are working together and collectively to hear 201 00:20:11,240 --> 00:20:17,940 The options that the superintendent has and hopefully we can go into that fund balance and see how we can sustain that 202 00:20:17,940 --> 00:20:20,540 to be able to take care of our staff here in this district. 203 00:20:21,320 --> 00:20:21,700 Ms. Baker? 204 00:20:23,240 --> 00:20:27,880 I would just like to add, there, I think it's safe to say there's not a board member 205 00:20:27,880 --> 00:20:31,500 here who wouldn't want to give everybody what they deserve, plus them. 206 00:20:32,820 --> 00:20:35,160 And that is something that we go through every year. 207 00:20:35,720 --> 00:20:38,480 We will never have enough money to pay you what you're worth. 208 00:20:39,020 --> 00:20:45,880 And that's just a sad part of our community, our society, I could go off on my little tangent 209 00:20:45,880 --> 00:20:50,860 of who gets paid more than they should in the real world, but what we're talking about 210 00:20:50,860 --> 00:20:56,260 is here and now. So with that being said, all of us want to do that. But the other part 211 00:20:56,260 --> 00:21:04,340 of that is, will I be able to sustain that for next year for you? I've been on the board 212 00:21:04,340 --> 00:21:13,840 long enough going back to around 2010 where we had to do staff reduction. And we, because 213 00:21:13,840 --> 00:21:18,980 of something that the state did, we literally had to take back some money. So I never, never want to 214 00:21:18,980 --> 00:21:23,860 be in that situation again. And this is why we're coming to you to show you what it looks like 215 00:21:23,860 --> 00:21:33,420 to be honest and as forthcoming as we can be. Again, if we can figure out how to do better, I pray we do. 216 00:21:34,340 --> 00:21:42,700 Thanks. There's another question about the three months operating costs being 147 million. 217 00:21:43,840 --> 00:21:46,220 That seems excessive to this person. 218 00:21:47,740 --> 00:21:49,780 So can you address that? 219 00:21:49,920 --> 00:21:55,660 Is that the real value of three months? 220 00:21:57,340 --> 00:22:02,340 My understanding from talking with Ms. Bivens, R-C-F-O, 221 00:22:03,280 --> 00:22:05,100 actually 147 is a little low. 222 00:22:05,680 --> 00:22:07,260 That is everybody's salary. 223 00:22:07,520 --> 00:22:09,540 That's T-R-S. That's benefits. 224 00:22:09,540 --> 00:22:17,080 it's, uh, it's the electricity, uh, everything that you can imagine is involved in that. 225 00:22:17,380 --> 00:22:22,620 And one of the things is is we do not get paid from the state until later in the year. 226 00:22:23,240 --> 00:22:25,620 And so we do need to have that. 227 00:22:25,760 --> 00:22:32,640 And as you all know, it wasn't that long ago that we had a surprise called COVID, um, so just 228 00:22:32,640 --> 00:22:36,200 like everybody else's personal funds, we have to have something there for a rainy day. 229 00:22:36,200 --> 00:22:38,700 And so that's where that number comes from. 230 00:22:39,680 --> 00:22:42,120 And can I add just a little bit to that too. 231 00:22:43,120 --> 00:22:46,180 Miss Baker she she hit the nail on the head. 232 00:22:46,920 --> 00:22:51,260 As far as we do not have that three months of savings and we. 233 00:22:51,860 --> 00:22:52,600 Again are. 234 00:22:53,200 --> 00:22:53,960 It's uncertain. 235 00:22:55,300 --> 00:22:59,400 But what I do want the teachers to know just to go back teachers and staff. 236 00:22:59,400 --> 00:23:02,460 I keep saying teachers, but teachers is one of the vital parts. 237 00:23:02,460 --> 00:23:08,820 We have all parts of vital, but when we say teachers it's because that's the conversation 238 00:23:08,820 --> 00:23:12,760 that has been going on lately, as far as with the raises. 239 00:23:13,500 --> 00:23:19,320 We would love to give everyone raises, as Ms. Baker was saying, but we have to keep. 240 00:23:19,520 --> 00:23:23,700 It is important that we keep a healthy budget. 241 00:23:24,220 --> 00:23:26,980 It is so important that we keep a healthy budget. 242 00:23:26,980 --> 00:23:34,800 And with that, the 32 million that I was talking about before, that was excessive. 243 00:23:35,320 --> 00:23:40,780 We had to get rid of, this is a bad word to say. 244 00:23:40,960 --> 00:23:46,540 But some of the vacancies we had to collapse, some of the positions we had to let go. 245 00:23:46,760 --> 00:23:53,020 And that was just to safeguard and to keep us from having an unhealthy budget. 246 00:23:53,420 --> 00:23:54,380 It is very important. 247 00:23:54,380 --> 00:24:01,380 I don't want to see a person leave this county and I definitely don't want to see a person leave this county because of money 248 00:24:01,380 --> 00:24:05,980 But I also want individuals to understand that sometimes during tough times 249 00:24:05,980 --> 00:24:12,380 We all have to rally together for the betterment of the calls and the organization as a whole and 250 00:24:12,920 --> 00:24:16,380 This is just one year. This is the school year 2026 251 00:24:16,380 --> 00:24:23,840 So there's years to come and I understand I always say this I understand people have to do what's best for their family 252 00:24:23,840 --> 00:24:26,660 but me as a board, one board member, 253 00:24:26,940 --> 00:24:29,640 I don't wanna see anybody leave this county. 254 00:24:30,400 --> 00:24:32,640 Again, like I said, we are going to the table 255 00:24:32,640 --> 00:24:34,100 to talk to the superintendent. 256 00:24:34,400 --> 00:24:35,940 Again, he's gonna come back with options, 257 00:24:36,320 --> 00:24:40,680 but we may still not be able to meet that ground 258 00:24:40,680 --> 00:24:41,680 for those options. 259 00:24:41,680 --> 00:24:44,280 And I don't wanna self-false dreams to anyone, 260 00:24:44,640 --> 00:24:48,360 but I really wish and hope and pray 261 00:24:48,840 --> 00:24:53,000 that we come to something where we can supplement 262 00:24:53,000 --> 00:25:03,460 our employees with more than what we had proposed in the beginning. But again, we just don't know, we don't know what's coming down from Washington. 263 00:25:04,360 --> 00:25:18,940 Okay. Another question. Well, there's two of them that seem to be coming back up. One is we keep saying teachers, but we're not talking about parapros who do not make a living wage at this point. 264 00:25:18,940 --> 00:25:26,280 and we're not talking about administrators who also work very hard. So are those positions 265 00:25:26,280 --> 00:25:34,220 being addressed as well? Absolutely. We're looking at the totality of everything. The superintendent 266 00:25:34,220 --> 00:25:40,800 will, we will have a three on three strategic meetings that are coming up and that will be part 267 00:25:40,800 --> 00:25:46,080 of what we talk about. We're looking at it as a whole. Yes, we keep saying teachers, but we're looking 268 00:25:46,080 --> 00:25:52,980 edit as a whole. Another question, this person wants to live and work in the 269 00:25:52,980 --> 00:25:59,700 same county but a one bedroom apartment in Clayton County costs $2,000. This 270 00:25:59,700 --> 00:26:03,440 person has a master's degree with five years experience however they don't 271 00:26:03,440 --> 00:26:09,220 make enough to even qualify for a one bedroom apartment in this county. 272 00:26:10,280 --> 00:26:14,560 This person cares about retirement but they also need to make ends meet. How do 273 00:26:14,560 --> 00:26:15,460 address this. 274 00:26:20,130 --> 00:26:20,470 So, 275 00:26:23,870 --> 00:26:29,290 unfortunately, as far as with that, that's an unfortunate situation. I think 276 00:26:29,290 --> 00:26:37,710 we are all, even if we're not in the educational industry, we are all at some kind of way facing 277 00:26:38,810 --> 00:26:49,790 tough times, depending on where we stand. We are in a new world, a new norm. Everything is going up. 278 00:26:49,790 --> 00:26:57,410 the cost of living is going to food but also the cost within the school systems too are going up. 279 00:26:57,710 --> 00:27:03,190 So our light bills are going up. Our water bills are going up. Everything is going up. So 280 00:27:03,790 --> 00:27:11,310 although it is disheartening to me as one person to even hear things like that. 281 00:27:13,930 --> 00:27:20,270 And we are just we're in trying times. And this is one of those times where we're really just going 282 00:27:20,270 --> 00:27:27,930 to have to kind of buckle down, try to make it through this and come out on the other side, 283 00:27:28,190 --> 00:27:33,610 which will be the bright side. But this is one year where we really just have to be, 284 00:27:34,390 --> 00:27:39,410 we have to be physically responsible every year, but this is one year we really need to be watching 285 00:27:39,950 --> 00:27:43,270 what we're doing, how we're spending and what we're spending it on. 286 00:27:45,710 --> 00:27:54,550 Ms. Joy, if I can just add on another thing we need to do is look at partnerships with 287 00:27:54,550 --> 00:27:55,090 the county. 288 00:27:55,270 --> 00:28:01,930 There are other counties, there's other cities that the county works with apartment complexes 289 00:28:01,930 --> 00:28:08,070 and such to give a discount to teachers, first responders, something like that. 290 00:28:09,110 --> 00:28:10,630 I haven't seen it here. 291 00:28:10,630 --> 00:28:21,490 I would love to see it here, but that is going to take people reaching out to their commissioners to say, hey, we could really use this. 292 00:28:21,750 --> 00:28:26,350 How can you and the school system and the developers work together for this? 293 00:28:27,410 --> 00:28:38,130 I have said it before, if you've gone down Mount Zion, they've just put in, I think there's a total seven apartment complexes in there and three of them are new. 294 00:28:38,130 --> 00:28:47,990 And these developers are coming in from somewhere else and setting these up and walking out the door and I can get on myself box. 295 00:28:48,370 --> 00:28:59,130 But I'm just going to say please reach out to your commissioners and see if there's a way that we can do some kind of partnership to help out those who are I call 296 00:28:59,130 --> 00:29:01,570 essential teachers, staff, or essential. 297 00:29:02,190 --> 00:29:02,510 Thanks. 298 00:29:04,350 --> 00:29:04,830 Okay. 299 00:29:05,170 --> 00:29:06,950 Two, I'd like to add something. 300 00:29:07,530 --> 00:29:09,290 Kim, if you could put that question back up, 301 00:29:09,430 --> 00:29:11,810 I'd have to question what has been 302 00:29:11,810 --> 00:29:16,030 as the different districts in these percentages. 303 00:29:16,710 --> 00:29:17,930 I'd like to get to know, 304 00:29:18,050 --> 00:29:19,850 and maybe we can work with our superintendent, 305 00:29:19,850 --> 00:29:21,850 the finance team, or even the board, 306 00:29:22,150 --> 00:29:25,730 and have our liaison, Kim, send out something to the staff. 307 00:29:25,970 --> 00:29:28,170 And I say the staff, the totality of this district. 308 00:29:28,170 --> 00:29:32,970 To find out, particularly with our teachers and even staff and 309 00:29:32,970 --> 00:29:37,330 yourself, you all mentioned the variations as of each district, 310 00:29:37,870 --> 00:29:42,530 what they're offering, as a full-ton, cop, a land and all that. 311 00:29:43,290 --> 00:29:48,550 I like to get to know, or I like to know the poll from our, from our, from our 312 00:29:48,550 --> 00:29:52,930 district. What would you think would be feasible because I keep saying the 313 00:29:52,930 --> 00:29:59,170 147 million in the comments and you see the budget as attentively how it is now. 314 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:28,600 I'd like to know from you from the options that was mentioned in the chat in the question and answers, which one will be feasible for you based on what we have so we can hear your thoughts, rather than us for you're just taking the same information out of the options that you've provided you sent out there, that's facts that you shown us what folks and mates, what caught mates, allowing so forth. Based on what we have tentatively, what would be feasible for you all based on what we have in our budget? 315 00:30:28,600 --> 00:30:35,000 it and what to move us forward or what can sustain us. Maybe we can get a poll on that so 316 00:30:35,000 --> 00:30:41,300 that we can get a better broader perspective to hear your voice so that we can go back 317 00:30:41,300 --> 00:30:45,840 to the table and say, hey, this is a majority of what the district is looking at as of 318 00:30:45,840 --> 00:30:51,700 our teachers, staff, parents, and everybody involved. So how can we possibly meet that need 319 00:30:51,700 --> 00:30:57,440 if we can? That way we can gauge and say, okay, rather than have a set stone of hearing 320 00:30:57,440 --> 00:31:02,840 is right here and we're trying to please everybody know that we can't. However, let's try to come 321 00:31:02,840 --> 00:31:09,320 to a medium where we can and we can still sustain. So I want to see that if we could possibly get 322 00:31:09,320 --> 00:31:14,280 that gone and maybe can we can have an offline conversation have this with on the chair and maybe 323 00:31:14,280 --> 00:31:21,040 the cabinet and Dr. Smith. I would like to just gauge that thought and ask me go back as a board. 324 00:31:21,520 --> 00:31:24,860 We can look at that and see how we can be sustainable in that effort. 325 00:31:25,800 --> 00:31:33,840 One of the suggestions to that point, and I've seen a couple of them actually, were the 326 00:31:33,840 --> 00:31:40,840 fact that Cobb County is reducing their work days. Would there be any way to maybe reduce 327 00:31:40,840 --> 00:31:46,240 some of those PD days that's been suggested? 328 00:31:48,460 --> 00:31:51,020 I don't know if that is feasible, but that 329 00:31:51,020 --> 00:32:00,120 is something that was in the chat. So with that, Dr. Smith, he will come back with some options. 330 00:32:00,120 --> 00:32:04,880 Maybe that's one of the options. We don't know. But we will definitely, when we have that 331 00:32:04,880 --> 00:32:10,140 three on three session with him, we will definitely communicate. And I'm sure he will also be 332 00:32:10,140 --> 00:32:17,200 communicating with the community. What we've come up with before there is a final vote. I do not 333 00:32:17,200 --> 00:32:23,520 want to have a final vote on this budget until we have heard from as many people as possible. 334 00:32:24,560 --> 00:32:29,860 And to that point, we've had several people say they noticed that the public meeting, 335 00:32:30,160 --> 00:32:36,060 that the last public meeting is 527 and that's also the day that is going to be the vote. 336 00:32:36,940 --> 00:32:43,720 Will our participation really make a difference? Absolutely. Absolutely. So, um, example, 337 00:32:44,380 --> 00:32:50,880 D are married. Do you want to take this? No. Okay. So absolutely. So today, just like today, 338 00:32:51,180 --> 00:32:57,820 we are in talks with the superintendent and he's coming back with several options. So your voice 339 00:32:57,820 --> 00:33:06,640 does matter and your voice is working. So we want to hear what you have to say. So that's why we are 340 00:33:06,640 --> 00:33:13,700 having this meeting and we're encouraging individuals to continue to call, email us. That's why we 341 00:33:13,700 --> 00:33:15,060 you put our email addresses up. 342 00:33:15,560 --> 00:33:18,700 Also contact Dr. Smith, sorry, Dr. Smith, 343 00:33:19,360 --> 00:33:22,360 contact him if needed, but absolutely, 344 00:33:22,560 --> 00:33:25,340 your voice matters, your voice is being heard 345 00:33:25,340 --> 00:33:26,640 and we are very concerned. 346 00:33:27,120 --> 00:33:29,600 And we want, again, a win-win situation. 347 00:33:31,140 --> 00:33:33,560 Okay, man, just, I just wanna add real quick. 348 00:33:34,180 --> 00:33:37,920 This presentation is online, so I know a lot of people 349 00:33:37,920 --> 00:33:39,420 said that they couldn't make the first meeting 350 00:33:39,420 --> 00:33:41,160 because it was during work hours and I understand, 351 00:33:41,160 --> 00:33:47,280 but by law we do have to have a morning one. So please, if somebody hasn't seen this, 352 00:33:47,380 --> 00:33:54,440 tell them to go online and look at it or review this one. And again, you'll have our emails. 353 00:33:54,820 --> 00:33:58,420 You know how to find us. You'll know how to call us. 354 00:34:00,620 --> 00:34:06,260 But we need to hear. And please, if you have 355 00:34:06,260 --> 00:34:15,580 any suggestions on how we can cut, save, wherever, here, there, you know, I'm not the 356 00:34:15,580 --> 00:34:21,080 know-all and you know, of everything. So I would love to hear your ideas and maybe, you 357 00:34:21,080 --> 00:34:24,420 know, we can make that work and you know, every bit that we save here and there that doesn't 358 00:34:24,420 --> 00:34:30,560 really matter, you know, are we buying too much of this or, you know, whatever it is, that 359 00:34:31,190 --> 00:34:34,860 saves. It's just like our personal budgets. When you have to look at your personal budget 360 00:34:34,860 --> 00:34:40,820 and you say, Oh, well, do I really need this? Maybe I don't. So please share those, you know, 361 00:34:40,860 --> 00:34:47,880 those ideas with us. Okay, to that point, we have several several lots of questions regarding 362 00:34:47,880 --> 00:34:55,240 the fact that people feel that the district is very top heavy and that are those people getting 363 00:34:55,240 --> 00:35:05,140 raises and we're not. That seems to be a big question in the thread. Okay, so that was actually one 364 00:35:05,140 --> 00:35:11,480 of the slides in the presentation but we removed that slide from the presentation. So please forgive me 365 00:35:11,480 --> 00:35:22,000 if I misquote the amount but it's not going to be a large amount that I misquote. So we looked at 366 00:35:22,000 --> 00:35:28,040 because that was a question that was asked. So we looked at that and I think for those positions, 367 00:35:28,040 --> 00:35:34,460 it was a very low one-digit number as far as the percentage of the salary-wise. So 368 00:35:35,740 --> 00:35:41,800 again, that has been a topic of discussion, but they're not getting any raises. 369 00:35:42,920 --> 00:35:45,640 If they haven't got any raises, I'll just say that. 370 00:35:45,640 --> 00:35:53,500 Okay. So another question to that point, since the board is considering not approving raises 371 00:35:53,500 --> 00:36:00,460 or stepping forces for 2026, will the district consider allowing teachers to be released 372 00:36:00,460 --> 00:36:06,380 from their contracts without penalty after the June 1st deadline so that they can pursue better 373 00:36:06,380 --> 00:36:13,000 opportunities elsewhere? Yeah. Well, that was a lot given out the reason. Yeah, that's still 374 00:36:13,000 --> 00:36:18,980 and discussion don't miss quote it's right and discussion and sure that we can do that don't miss quote 375 00:36:18,980 --> 00:36:23,800 now if you want to come out to contract that's up on you to do however we're trying to retain what 376 00:36:23,800 --> 00:36:28,340 we have but don't miss quote to say we aren't because that's why we need to gauge your thoughts and 377 00:36:28,340 --> 00:36:33,540 look at this budget a little bit more critical to ensure that we can because like I said and like 378 00:36:33,540 --> 00:36:38,660 my colleagues have already alluded to I want to give you a step I want to be able to give you a 379 00:36:38,660 --> 00:36:44,660 to keep you in this district. And to ensure that you have room for growth, 380 00:36:45,220 --> 00:36:48,600 to make sure that you have room that you can move around in this district rather than 381 00:36:48,600 --> 00:36:53,680 subjected to the to the classroom. But what you put in is what you get out. 382 00:36:54,000 --> 00:36:58,640 So we got to put some accountability on that as well. So I want us to look at that and say 383 00:36:58,640 --> 00:37:02,640 don't say that Clayton is not getting what we have gone back to the table. 384 00:37:02,980 --> 00:37:07,960 And I know that you all have not had a race since Superintendent Beatsley has been with us. 385 00:37:07,960 --> 00:37:20,060 I know that I get that. However, let's go back to the table and let's look at what we have before we make those rational comments to say that Clayton's not giving out that that Cola or that step or that raise. 386 00:37:21,580 --> 00:37:22,080 Okay. 387 00:37:22,700 --> 00:37:25,140 This is switching over to facilities. 388 00:37:27,160 --> 00:37:39,380 two-part question. I know the answer to the first part. Why do we have money to build new buildings if we can't give raises? And I know that's another part of money. It comes out of us. 389 00:37:39,380 --> 00:37:47,500 But this question says why are there more buildings getting built, but we're not repairing the buildings that are already here. 390 00:37:48,140 --> 00:37:53,200 My building literally leaks whenever it rains, we just had a power outage today. 391 00:37:53,840 --> 00:38:02,420 I want to also mention how the cafeteria workers complain that some of their cooking appliances don't work because they're electrical problems within the school. 392 00:38:02,420 --> 00:38:11,700 right? Either one, want to take it or you want me to take it? Okay. So, um, our 393 00:38:11,700 --> 00:38:16,320 spouse dollars, you're correct him, the answer the first part of it. So, the 394 00:38:16,320 --> 00:38:22,180 building fund is out of the spouse dollars and we usually go by, um, what we have 395 00:38:22,180 --> 00:38:27,740 dependent upon what spouse it is. There are several schools that are up for 396 00:38:27,740 --> 00:38:32,140 renovation and or needed new schools. I think if a building is more than 30, 397 00:38:32,860 --> 00:38:36,060 I know Ronik is not on here, but I think 30 years are older. 398 00:38:36,700 --> 00:38:42,540 They're trying to repair it if that's, I mean, either build or repair or renovations 399 00:38:42,540 --> 00:38:45,420 or whatever they need to do at that time. 400 00:38:46,000 --> 00:38:54,100 But from Ronik's presentations that he's done, there's lists of projects that he has that 401 00:38:54,100 --> 00:38:56,040 will be ongoing throughout the year. 402 00:38:56,040 --> 00:39:03,140 Of course, you just voted in a new splot for an additional amount of years, so there will 403 00:39:03,140 --> 00:39:05,180 be other projects that will follow upon that. 404 00:39:05,640 --> 00:39:12,140 But my suggestion to you as a board member would be to reach out to that department and 405 00:39:12,140 --> 00:39:17,840 let them know which, or you can reach out to us and let us know which building you're talking 406 00:39:17,840 --> 00:39:22,840 about or Kim, you can get the information which building you're talking about, what the 407 00:39:22,840 --> 00:39:27,340 problem is and we could actually get someone to come over there and look at it and have 408 00:39:27,340 --> 00:39:32,880 run its group come over there and look at it and do analysis of what needs to be done. I really 409 00:39:32,880 --> 00:39:39,300 don't know what school so I don't want to go too deep into it because that is his, he's the expert 410 00:39:39,300 --> 00:39:46,960 in that area but I know that we are trying to look at all the schools. May I add to that? 411 00:39:49,140 --> 00:39:55,100 Ms. Joyce, I'd like to add that one of the things that we with this last 412 00:39:56,140 --> 00:40:03,140 spot was to have a bond referendum, which will allow us to get to those projects 413 00:40:03,140 --> 00:40:08,640 quicker than the pay as you go that we have been doing since before the beginning of 414 00:40:08,640 --> 00:40:14,480 time. So hopefully that will be there. But I would ask any of you, if you if you're 415 00:40:14,480 --> 00:40:34,380 Sealing is laking. I call your school board member, call Ronic, Joseph, call somebody and let them know. And if you call maintenance, still call your board member or email them and let us know. And then let us know if it hasn't been taken care of in the timely manner that they expected. 416 00:40:35,120 --> 00:40:42,400 You know, they can't be everywhere every day, but sometimes it's the week, the squeaky will that, you know, gets greased. 417 00:40:44,820 --> 00:41:06,080 Okay. I'm keeping going through this. Again, most of it is everything's going up, but our salaries and why does the district get to prepare for a rainy day when we can't with our salaries afford a savings account? 418 00:41:06,080 --> 00:41:15,180 All right, so with that, what I will say, and I don't know if D and Mary, do you want to say something? 419 00:41:16,560 --> 00:41:28,240 No, okay. So with that, I would say, I understand. I completely understand. That's why we are working with 420 00:41:28,240 --> 00:41:34,640 the superintendent to come back to the table and see what we can do. I cannot stress enough to let 421 00:41:34,640 --> 00:41:43,960 you know that we are concerned, we hear you, and we understand everyone has has to live. But 422 00:41:43,960 --> 00:41:50,220 everything is going up everywhere, even within the school district. So we have to make sure that 423 00:41:50,220 --> 00:41:58,580 we are found too. It's a must that we have a healthy balance and a healthy reserve because for that 424 00:41:58,580 --> 00:42:05,380 rainy day. We want to make sure that if it falls apart like COVID that we're able to even pay you 425 00:42:05,900 --> 00:42:13,240 for at least three months. So I understand I'm just one of nine. I'm speaking for joy. I 426 00:42:13,240 --> 00:42:18,280 completely understand that is why we're doing what we're doing tonight because we do care 427 00:42:18,800 --> 00:42:23,920 and we hear you and we want we want to come to a conclusion and a win-win. 428 00:42:25,180 --> 00:42:33,940 Okay, so a suggestion here that we all will suggestion something about a program where we can get a grant 429 00:42:33,940 --> 00:42:44,920 from CCPS for aspiring teachers who are already working in the system. Maybe get some grant funding to alleviate 430 00:42:44,920 --> 00:42:51,480 the fact that some people are having to work two jobs to make intimate. Okay, so what I would say is grant department. 431 00:42:55,940 --> 00:43:02,120 I want to go back a little bit. We were talking about the lack of raises. One of the things 432 00:43:02,120 --> 00:43:10,420 you also need to keep in mind is that the governor gave increases, I believe it was last year, 433 00:43:11,380 --> 00:43:18,840 and it was not to all employees. And we went into, we had to put that in our budget to make sure 434 00:43:18,840 --> 00:43:21,800 that all employees got that amount of money. 435 00:43:22,540 --> 00:43:28,140 And so unless something I missed, he didn't give any raises 436 00:43:28,140 --> 00:43:28,980 this year either. 437 00:43:31,140 --> 00:43:32,940 So that's another thing to think about. 438 00:43:33,080 --> 00:43:34,320 I know it's not what we want to hear, 439 00:43:34,400 --> 00:43:38,200 but it's easier to understand when you have all the information. 440 00:43:38,620 --> 00:43:41,140 And that's the whole point of this is so that we can share 441 00:43:41,140 --> 00:43:44,240 and it, you know, I love the idea of grants. 442 00:43:44,340 --> 00:43:48,300 If we can find the grant writers to make these grants so be it. 443 00:43:48,300 --> 00:43:54,340 I, I, again, it is not about not wanting to pay you, I, I would, I would love to pay 444 00:43:54,340 --> 00:44:00,020 you so much more than, than what you make. But I, they won't let me print money in the 445 00:44:00,020 --> 00:44:00,440 print shop. 446 00:44:02,700 --> 00:44:07,540 But please, if you had, you know, when we get off of this, this call, if you 447 00:44:07,540 --> 00:44:13,920 have more ideas, send them in, please, you know, this is a, this is a one time hit. This 448 00:44:13,920 --> 00:44:15,460 This is, keep, keep coming. 449 00:44:16,480 --> 00:44:18,460 This is another suggestion. 450 00:44:18,740 --> 00:44:24,520 Could we consider a four day face-to-face work week and one day virtual with building 451 00:44:24,520 --> 00:44:27,440 closures and busing, bus is not moving. 452 00:44:27,920 --> 00:44:29,440 This may save funds. 453 00:44:31,480 --> 00:44:38,720 That's just a, that's a, can someone write that down, Dr. Smith, if he's on or any of his 454 00:44:38,720 --> 00:44:39,060 staff? 455 00:44:40,700 --> 00:44:43,620 I'm sure Dr. Green has a record. She's on the call. 456 00:44:44,140 --> 00:44:44,760 Yeah, good. 457 00:44:47,880 --> 00:44:48,960 Let's see. 458 00:44:51,840 --> 00:44:59,980 Again with the top heavy and wonder and is the superintendent getting a raise and no one else is the super. 459 00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:28,500 So can I, can I address that? Okay, so the superintendent just so everyone knows he's not getting a raise either. There is a budget that's out there. And that line item was a correction to something that should have been in his budget. I mean, in his contract. And in the budget from last year. So it's really just a correction of the accounting. 460 00:45:28,500 --> 00:45:37,180 but he's not receiving a raise. It's only what was allotted to him contractually, that fit. 461 00:45:40,240 --> 00:45:47,460 Several people have asked are there they still going to receive the attendance bonus this semester 462 00:45:47,460 --> 00:45:58,200 that was promised? Yeah, so either one, I don't... I'm not sure about that one. I think that one was 463 00:45:58,200 --> 00:46:05,220 already budgeted for and I have not heard anything about taking it back. Perhaps we could 464 00:46:05,220 --> 00:46:12,900 get a CCPS info sent out on that. Yes. Because that would be that would clear up things. 465 00:46:17,110 --> 00:46:27,590 Again, Paris just wanting to have some increase and really it's across the board just all the 466 00:46:27,590 --> 00:46:37,490 positions because everybody's working harder. You know, absolutely. All these people are working harder and let's see, 467 00:46:39,860 --> 00:46:48,680 um, they don't want the attend somebody. This person does not want the attendance incentive to be used again because some of my co workers came to work seriously. 468 00:46:48,680 --> 00:46:52,420 sleep yield and that's a good situation. 469 00:47:01,580 --> 00:47:07,700 Some one here is concerned that the long-term 470 00:47:07,700 --> 00:47:14,900 plan doesn't show that much increase in salaries either. So they want to know why should 471 00:47:14,900 --> 00:47:20,720 we stay here if we don't really see in the long-term plan that we're going to get anything 472 00:47:20,720 --> 00:47:33,200 either. Yeah so everyone has to do what's right for themselves and their 473 00:47:33,200 --> 00:47:38,680 family. I would never be me I'm talking as one as a board member I would never 474 00:47:38,680 --> 00:47:47,700 be that selfish person to just say just say because we need you we do we 475 00:47:47,700 --> 00:47:53,100 really need you and we want you to stay. However, everyone has to be accountable for their 476 00:47:53,100 --> 00:47:58,900 own household. I would hope that individuals would stay, but I would also understand. 477 00:48:00,260 --> 00:48:06,200 Again, we are trying, we're going back to the table. So, give us, we have it to the 27th 478 00:48:06,200 --> 00:48:11,040 to finalize this budget and we're going back to the table and it will be communicated. And 479 00:48:11,040 --> 00:48:16,120 if that's something that you can live with, then we hope that you stay and we hope that 480 00:48:16,120 --> 00:48:23,460 We, you know, can have a relationship, working relationship with you for years to come because you are valued. 481 00:48:25,180 --> 00:48:33,860 This again, we are just in uncertain times. We really are and I, but I get it. I truly get it. 482 00:48:34,800 --> 00:48:43,200 Okay, this is a different one. I'm not sure what it's referring to, but it says can the new proposal for the employee services get cut? 483 00:48:43,200 --> 00:48:48,160 but I believe that is 400,000 and it is not fully funded. 484 00:48:48,860 --> 00:48:51,840 Why can't that be put towards our step increase? 485 00:48:52,440 --> 00:48:53,720 I don't know, employee services. 486 00:48:53,960 --> 00:48:56,460 Okay, so can we just put a pin in that 487 00:48:56,460 --> 00:48:58,100 and have Ramona look at that? 488 00:48:58,120 --> 00:48:58,880 Cause I'm not sure what. 489 00:48:59,380 --> 00:48:59,640 Okay. 490 00:49:00,220 --> 00:49:00,340 Yeah. 491 00:49:01,740 --> 00:49:04,320 And that'll be in one of the question answers. 492 00:49:04,740 --> 00:49:05,520 Maybe we can. 493 00:49:06,040 --> 00:49:12,050 Let me scroll down here. 494 00:49:22,190 --> 00:49:29,110 the question was not answered. Can we be released from our contract if if we don't get raises? 495 00:49:32,110 --> 00:49:38,210 I can't answer that. I can't answer that. That's why I didn't answer it. I can't answer it. However, 496 00:49:38,470 --> 00:49:44,750 we can put that on the question and answer. Can if you see something like that, please just let us 497 00:49:45,250 --> 00:49:50,530 reiterate it to us because I don't want people to think that we are not answering it. We just 498 00:49:50,530 --> 00:49:53,910 don't know the answer but we will definitely get the answer for you. 499 00:49:57,030 --> 00:50:01,510 Classrooms are filter capacity and we have leaders getting paid top dollar to 500 00:50:01,510 --> 00:50:06,250 evaluate classes. Has the county considered putting leads back in the 501 00:50:06,250 --> 00:50:14,290 classroom to have a better budget? Right, so we have staff that's on the call 502 00:50:14,290 --> 00:50:24,310 That's a great idea, so I'm sure they will go back to the table and discuss that if not they if they haven't already thought of it. 503 00:50:25,170 --> 00:50:25,290 Right. 504 00:50:28,750 --> 00:50:35,930 Something about is there going to be a lockdown browser for teachers purchase in this budget. I'm not sure what that is. 505 00:50:35,930 --> 00:50:46,710 As a math teacher, it's heavily needed to get accurate assessment scores and retain student focus, especially when we have 25 plus in the classroom. 506 00:50:47,710 --> 00:50:47,790 Yeah. 507 00:50:48,290 --> 00:50:51,510 So we will definitely put that on a question and answer Dr. Young. 508 00:50:52,170 --> 00:50:53,210 If you could, 509 00:50:55,750 --> 00:50:56,670 Dr. Young. 510 00:50:56,950 --> 00:50:58,690 The principal to Dr. Young. Yes. 511 00:50:59,170 --> 00:50:59,270 Yes. 512 00:50:59,830 --> 00:50:59,950 Okay. 513 00:50:59,950 --> 00:51:00,630 Okay. 514 00:51:02,660 --> 00:51:14,320 Then I don't, okay. The governor approved $2,500 raises for FY25. Did they get that? 515 00:51:14,480 --> 00:51:17,020 I'm not sure. They did. Okay. 516 00:51:19,480 --> 00:51:24,040 Okay. This question, the fund balance six years ago was as low 517 00:51:24,040 --> 00:51:30,420 as 14 million. How many vacancies must the district have to make the board members support 518 00:51:30,420 --> 00:51:34,220 support the superintendents use of the fund balance. 519 00:51:37,410 --> 00:51:39,110 Okay, say that again, I'm sorry. 520 00:51:39,390 --> 00:51:45,670 Okay, so the fund balance six years ago was as low as 14 million. 521 00:51:46,950 --> 00:51:53,030 How many vacancies must the district have to make the board members support the superintendents 522 00:51:53,030 --> 00:51:55,030 use of the fund balance? 523 00:51:55,030 --> 00:52:04,770 Okay, so what it sounds is if, is that they're saying they're leaving because of us not using a fine balance. 524 00:52:07,370 --> 00:52:19,190 Again, I'm going to say we're going to the table with the superintendent we're having our three on threes and we'll be discussing what we can do. 525 00:52:19,190 --> 00:52:23,950 but as board members, one of our priorities is to be 526 00:52:23,950 --> 00:52:28,450 physically responsible for our healthy budget. 527 00:52:28,890 --> 00:52:33,430 So we always at a high level have to keep that in mind 528 00:52:33,430 --> 00:52:38,430 that we are overseeing this $1.5 billion budget. 529 00:52:38,850 --> 00:52:42,770 And we have to, in our minds, even if it's not on paper, 530 00:52:43,030 --> 00:52:45,630 we have to forecast five and six years ahead 531 00:52:45,630 --> 00:52:48,430 just to make sure that we are able to 532 00:52:48,430 --> 00:52:50,530 sustain what we have in place. 533 00:52:51,130 --> 00:52:53,390 But again, we're going back to the table. 534 00:52:53,730 --> 00:52:57,090 Things will be communicated to the community. 535 00:52:57,790 --> 00:53:00,290 I'll reiterate again, we don't want to lose anyone. 536 00:53:03,720 --> 00:53:06,320 Okay, so this will be the last question, 537 00:53:06,360 --> 00:53:09,300 and the rest of them will be saved and retained, 538 00:53:10,000 --> 00:53:14,880 and we'll create that FAQ document. 539 00:53:14,880 --> 00:53:31,040 But this last question prior to May 27, could you pull the staff so that they could look at the options that are being presented to you? Could we share those out prior to the May 27 meeting? 540 00:53:31,660 --> 00:53:35,780 So if we could go back to, do we have time to go back to that slide? 541 00:53:36,020 --> 00:53:44,260 So those options was the second or third slide that I showed, I think, if we can go back. 542 00:53:45,520 --> 00:53:52,380 Okay, so these are the options that was presented to us. 543 00:53:54,740 --> 00:54:01,700 So we have the fiscal year 2025, which was the $32.2 million that we had to come out of our general fund. 544 00:54:01,700 --> 00:54:09,020 option one, we have is just a base where there's no change, no incentive, no 545 00:54:09,020 --> 00:54:17,420 anything. Option two was the 3% COLA and that came at a 15.7 million dollars but 546 00:54:17,420 --> 00:54:24,540 we were going to be hit by 18 million and then we have the option three which was 547 00:54:24,540 --> 00:54:30,080 the thousand dollar incentives with a 6.6 million dollar hit which we were 548 00:54:30,080 --> 00:54:39,780 going to be hit in our general fund by 8.9 and then we had the fourth option there which 549 00:54:39,780 --> 00:54:48,780 we would be a 9.9 and that was the 12.2 hit to the general fund and then option 5 which was 550 00:54:48,780 --> 00:54:55,400 the $2,000 incentive and that would have been a $15.5 million hit to our general fund. 551 00:54:57,000 --> 00:55:16,260 Okay, so the rest of these questions and we do have a lot but we will definitely go through them and and curate that document so that that can be shared out and we'll also try to get the answers from the appropriate departments. 552 00:55:20,800 --> 00:55:29,380 Okay, so I just want to talk to number one, our staff, not just teachers, but our staff 553 00:55:29,380 --> 00:55:34,300 and just let them know that we do value you, we want you to stay. 554 00:55:35,020 --> 00:55:36,420 But this is hard work. 555 00:55:36,800 --> 00:55:42,620 This is something, as I said, at the 11 o'clock budget meeting, we're not just haphazardist, 556 00:55:42,680 --> 00:55:44,280 just doing this. 557 00:55:44,280 --> 00:55:51,780 We're thinking about it. It is very much consideration about everyone. The cost of living the 558 00:55:51,780 --> 00:55:57,480 price is going up on both sides, even your size. Like Miss Baker said, if we could give you, 559 00:55:57,540 --> 00:56:04,440 you don't get paid what you should get paid to do what you do on a daily basis. And if we could, 560 00:56:04,660 --> 00:56:11,920 we would. But I just want everyone to know we're just asking you to give us a chance, let us find a 561 00:56:11,920 --> 00:56:17,460 situation that it's not going to fit all and I understand that we know this is it's not going 562 00:56:17,460 --> 00:56:24,600 to fit all, but if it can fit the majority and it's a win-win we want to do that. So I just say thank 563 00:56:24,600 --> 00:56:31,680 you for everything that you do. We appreciate it and I look forward to coming to a resolution with this 564 00:56:31,680 --> 00:56:33,960 fiscal year 2026 budget. 565 00:56:39,760 --> 00:56:44,780 Mary or Dee? I'm just going to go back to somebody's question about the 566 00:56:44,780 --> 00:56:52,140 fund balance being as low as 14 million dollars. That was not a good time. That was not a good time 567 00:56:52,140 --> 00:57:01,920 at all. And when I started on this board, our budget was less than a half a billion dollars. And 568 00:57:01,920 --> 00:57:08,400 I remember when we went over a half a billion dollars, I was floored. And now I'm looking at a 569 00:57:08,400 --> 00:57:11,160 a budget of almost $1.5 billion. 570 00:57:12,160 --> 00:57:13,740 So things have changed. 571 00:57:14,460 --> 00:57:18,100 And we have a staff that's pushing $8,000. 572 00:57:18,720 --> 00:57:20,740 So when we're having to give out that money, 573 00:57:20,900 --> 00:57:25,000 trying to do it fairly, you just think of how much money 574 00:57:25,000 --> 00:57:27,660 it takes just to give $10 to everyone. 575 00:57:29,680 --> 00:57:34,460 And again, they won't let me print money, 576 00:57:34,460 --> 00:57:44,380 because this is not what I want for you. I don't want to have to say things are tight, but I look 577 00:57:44,380 --> 00:57:49,540 at a federal budget that doesn't pay as hardly anything when it comes to helping our teachers. 578 00:57:51,300 --> 00:57:55,780 And most of the money we get from the federal government is through grants to feed our children 579 00:57:55,780 --> 00:58:03,600 and things like that. So if you have any insight, I would love to hear it. Please know that this is not 580 00:58:03,600 --> 00:58:11,860 easy for us. I'm sure that the superintendent has extra Tylenol in his office for all the emails I 581 00:58:11,860 --> 00:58:18,860 have sent. So please know that you, we respect you and we're trying. 582 00:58:23,960 --> 00:58:24,900 Dr. Hayden. 583 00:58:25,920 --> 00:58:30,340 I was reading questions. I'm sorry. I wanted to ask the question on here, but I missed a curry. 584 00:58:31,460 --> 00:58:33,920 And no, we don't want to lose the teachers. 585 00:58:34,240 --> 00:58:38,400 And we have projected balance of 147 mil. 586 00:58:38,620 --> 00:58:40,760 I wouldn't not want to lose teachers. 587 00:58:41,340 --> 00:58:44,200 I want to give you your step as to what you do for that. 588 00:58:44,760 --> 00:58:46,620 And as we've stated before, we're going back 589 00:58:46,620 --> 00:58:47,760 to the table on that. 590 00:58:48,380 --> 00:58:51,460 And also in regards to SES, yes, I'm going to find out. 591 00:58:51,620 --> 00:58:54,640 And it has been discussion where that money has been allocated 592 00:58:55,600 --> 00:58:58,180 since that as Ms. Telescope had been dissolved 593 00:58:58,180 --> 00:58:59,400 as of that position. 594 00:58:59,400 --> 00:59:29,340 So we will go back and answer those questions so that can get clarification to be able to better articulate to you all as of those particular also know and again we don't want any teacher staff everybody involved with making sure these children are well educated to lead the district but again we're going to be just as open and transparent and very honest with you about how we're going about the options that you may see is probably saying that's not worth it. That's not going to pertain me to make me stay that's going to not going to make me 595 00:59:29,340 --> 00:59:34,160 stay in my contract. All of those questions will be answered. Whether we go toe to toe, 596 00:59:34,240 --> 00:59:38,800 10 toes down, however it is, the questions will be answered in a manner that you all will 597 00:59:38,800 --> 00:59:44,820 be able to understand why and what. And so hopefully we will come and they know hopefully we will 598 00:59:44,820 --> 00:59:49,880 come to a resolve as to how to meet your needs. But again, as Ms. Baker said, we want to make sure 599 00:59:49,880 --> 00:59:54,580 everybody's taken care of and all nine of us want to make sure that you all stay with the feet 600 00:59:54,580 --> 00:59:59,960 a reasonable salary, as well as those steps and colors that's involved, so I'm working just as much 601 01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:04,120 As they are, to ensure that we do, but also to be able to sustain the budget that we have. 602 01:00:07,930 --> 01:00:19,590 With that, thank you so much for joining us tonight. And we'll have the question and answers out as soon as we get those formulated. Have a good night. Thank you so much, everybody. 603 01:00:19,590 --> 01:00:19,910 body.