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No, no. You want to everyone excited to
be here for the budget. [laughter]

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» Thank you. Sorry to interrupt your
conversations. I know it's nice to um

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see people socially too, not just at
work. So, uh we're going to get the

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meeting started. I think it's like 9:03.
And uh call the meeting to order. And

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we'll start with the pledge of
allegiance.

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I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the

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republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and

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justice for all.
>> I just do want to thank everyone for

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coming out on a Saturday morning. I know
that uh everyone has things they might

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want to be doing other than this, but
understands the super important stuff.

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So, thank you. Uh thank you for all the
administrators and uh who've come out

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today to uh
be part of this process. And I see Doug

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Harding from finance is here. I don't
know if I'm missing anyone else. Oh, and

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Logan Johnson's walking in from finance.
So, uh thank you go thank you all for

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being here. We look forward to
partnering with you on this budget. I'm

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going to now turn the meeting over to
Oliver Barton. Thank you.

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» Thank you, Carrie. And thanks board
members, too. You've been putting in a

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lot of time on meetings. Um my wife said
to me two days ago, you're having

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another budget meeting. Like I it's
getting to the point where I'm not sure

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she believes it. That's why I want to
make sure they're all posted on the

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website. She could check it there if she
has any questions. So um but thank you

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for being here. Um it is a lot of
meetings but it is very very important

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and um as we've mentioned in all our
other budget meetings we recognize that

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this is a particularly challenging year
um across the whole community

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financially and so we're very committed
to um partnering uh with the town and

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spending very wisely. So, uh, today I'll
do a very brief recap of Thursday's

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meeting and then Alicia will, uh, lead
us through a dig a deeper dive digging a

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little deeper in the budget. Um, and
we'll have plenty of time for questions

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and answers and we'll be done, um, even
before our scheduled time. So, we're

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we're really focused on efficiency and
moving along. But, um, thank you for

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being here and, um, we appreciate your
participation and your questions when we

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get to that part.

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over here. [snorts]

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All right. Uh so that was today's
schedule.

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Oops. Okay. So um the on Thursday uh we
provided budget books for the board.

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They're posted online and uh we do have
copies if you need one. Um the increase

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from last year to this year is 1.4
million. Um that looks like a really big

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number. I I reduced the font a little
bit because it looked really really big,

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but um
um those that Alicia will explain

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further, but that's driven mostly by
contractual cost increases.

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uh and it's a 2.93%
increase in the budget overall.

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So, uh recapping a little bit from
Thursday's meeting, uh we're staying

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with the priorities that we've uh
focused on for the last several years,

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and that's first off budgeting and
spending carefully. So, [snorts] of

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course, that means keeping our increases
as low as possible. Uh we're super

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committed to transparency. Uh, I'd like
to say this budget is almost naked. Um,

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and I don't think it would pass the high
school dress code because there's we've

48
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chipped away as much as possible. Um,
and you'll be able to look at those

49
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numbers in great detail. But we want you
to be able to see from the the public

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perspective and the board perspective
exactly what's in the budget and and

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what it's for, what we're spending the
money on, uh, and why increases do

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occur.
And that transparency is very important.

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That's why everything is posted publicly
and why we want to entertain questions

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at all of our meetings um now and going
forward. Additionally, we're really

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focused on a high return on investment.
And I don't mean that in the big picture

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sense uh as far as our overall
performance as a district, our student

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performance uh and the incredible uh
environment we create for student

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learning. but that each part of the
budget is really designed carefully to

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provide the maximum value for the
dollars that we spend. So that's what I

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mean by uh high return on investment and
we're committed to doing that across all

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the different parts of the budget.
So we also presented a little bit on

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context and trends. Uh there are no new
positions in the budget other than a few

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positions that we determined were
extremely important and that we're able

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to achieve uh by shifting resources. So,
we're not adding positions in terms of

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additional positions in the budget um in
the general operating budget, but we're

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looking for ways to repurpose a little
bit inhouse and to use some state grant

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money
um to meet some needs over the next few

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years. So, um we're also looking at the
special revenue account, the money

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generated through the basis program, and
we'll hear more about that. On Thursday,

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we looked at uh into how that provides
for savings across the district and uh

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Dr. Leaport did some further
calculations for us and um is able to

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demonstrate um over a million dollars in
savings um actually more like $2 million

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and and we'll provide that number
exactly um that we save by not

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outplacing students and uh also have the
benefit of keeping those students close

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to home and in house. So, it's a and
it's an educational benefit for those

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students. Uh, but we're also inviting
students in from other districts and

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that tuition uh those tuition accounts
are very helpful in our overall budget

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and for funding basis.

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Um we the part of the other other parts
of the context of course are that we are

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in the lower 10 lowest um handful of
districts in the state in terms of our

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overall spending and our increases have
remained um fairly moderate over time.

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Um
these are the last five years of uh

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proposed budgets and approved budgets
and uh there were some obviously some uh

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needs for expanding a little bit in the
middle to meet certain costs. Uh but

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we're carefully trimming uh and
proposing budgets that we believe are

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super responsible as far as the the
money we're spending and how we're

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spending it. And in terms of keeping our
increases the increases as low as

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possible, um I like to think of it as
the fact that in this budget, in this

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proposed budget, we've already done this
part of it, right? We have chiseled away

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over and over to get to where we are.
and Alicia will um provide some further

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detail on that.
Uh so the last bar on the right is that

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2.93%
which is our superintendent's proposed

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budget for this year.
Uh looking ahead a bit um a week from

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this Wednesday coming up there'll be a
finance committee board of ed finance

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committee review of the budget again. So
you have the detailed information to

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check through. Uh and at that meeting we
can answer additional questions that

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come up and the board of finance will
review and consider the budget or the

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committee will consider the budget uh at
[snorts] that time further. Um after

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that a week after that on a Wednesday is
the next board of ed meeting and that's

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when we would expect a vote on the
budget by the board of education to

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adopt the budget. And uh following that,
February 9th, the department budgets are

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due to the town. And on the 11th, soon
after, the board of ed presents to the

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board of finance um at a budget hearing
in April, midappril, uh there's a budget

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public hearing. So, uh that will be here
in the high school auditorium so that

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there's plenty of room u for
participation and questions.

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Uh and then I meanwhile we are you know
we do hear further information from the

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state. These these items are actually um
mostly predicted and decided at this

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point. The only variable really there is
the excess cost grant um and we've heard

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on the other the other items on magnet
tuition um ECS which is capped the state

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contribution is capped um flat the same
as last year. So there won't really be

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any further information in that regard.
Then uh May 12th on a Tuesday is the

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annual budget meeting for the town and
they have the opportunity to vote on a

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budget then. That that is a possibility,
but more likely two weeks out from that

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um there'd likely be a budget
referendum. So um we look forward to

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that going smoothly and partnering with
the town along the way. um and obviously

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always being available for questions uh
and your continued involvement.

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So that's the quick recap and Alicia has
a lot of detail and information to share

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with us uh and then we'll do questions.

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So, I'm taking off all the pages. He
went through.

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All right.
So, let's dig deeper into the budget.

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So, I wanted to start with some details
on the increase and really break it down

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by pieces. you do this you do have this
on page

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10 within your budget book um but I
wanted to take some time to talk about

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it a little bit right so we know that
the increase is about 1.4 4 million and

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and as we know this piece the biggest
piece is is always salaries. Um so we

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can see here the increase to those
contractual salaries is 1341 954.

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Um our second biggest is here is the
travel and transportation. Uh and a and

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a big piece of that is there is an
increase to the outplacement

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transportation and we've accounted for
that within the budgetary line. And I'll

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talk some more about where we started
there and where we are a little bit

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later in the in the presentation
with the other employee cost. Um that's

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50,785
operational fairly small at 15252.

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But you can also see down here that we
made some reductions to instructional

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services and supplies and also in the
tuition line. So where you might see

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that outplacement um transportation go
up for certain reasons, you're also

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seeing that tuition drop down because it
depends on if there's private, public,

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and where that outplacement is being
paid to.

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Here it is in the number form. So you
can see it there. When you look at

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salaries, it's a 4.31%
increase. Um and that really is our

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biggest offset. So what that shows me as
well is we start with salaries. that's

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where we need to start. Um, but then we
also look and where we can trim anywhere

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else to bring that percentage increase
down.

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So when we start this submission
proposed with no cuts, everyone comes

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00:16:32,240 --> 00:16:38,959
in, what do you need? Let's talk about
it. Where do we start? Um, the total was

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00:16:37,199 --> 00:16:45,279
50,2921
155. So, that would have been an

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00:16:41,040 --> 00:16:49,680
increase of 2.3 million or 4.95%.
And this number does not include any of

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those uh requested positions that were
not approved for this budget cycle. Uh I

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believe that's about $350,000,
but because we never move them over, I'm

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not including them within this number.
So, we went ahead and we go through and

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we have meetings and we slice and dice
and we go through the different lines

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00:17:03,920 --> 00:17:09,919
and really look at the historical
trends. We look at the needs. What's the

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highest priority? How do we get there?
How do we get the students what they

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need? Um being as fiscally responsible
as we can. Um and when you look at that,

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we ended up at at this point before we
submitted it, it was a cut of 966404,

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which is 2.02% of that 495.
So then once we we go through that, we

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sit down, we feel good about where we're
at. Um, we feel like we've come in with

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the most fiscally responsible budget we
can. And that left us with the number

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that you saw on the slide earlier, the
49, 325,751,

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and the increase of 1.4 million or
2.93%.

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And as Oliver noted, this includes no
positions added to the general fund.

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And so, I wanted to talk about those
presubmission cuts because this is

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something we don't typically talk about.
we kind of do it and send it and so

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00:18:03,440 --> 00:18:08,080
we're we're building in some
transparency as to the work that gets

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done behind the scenes before we put it
in the budget book in front of you. Um

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so at the Ellington High School um we
went ahead and they had submitted like

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00:18:15,520 --> 00:18:21,280
say for a kiln but the kiln isn't can't
really be used. So I'm like well let's

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00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:26,160
figure out a place to put it this year
or let's use some choice funding or find

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00:18:23,840 --> 00:18:29,440
alternative funding to buy that kiln. If
we can do that, we can get it into the

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00:18:27,600 --> 00:18:33,039
school because the need is there, but we
also can take it out of next year's

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00:18:30,880 --> 00:18:37,360
budget. I think when you're looking at
things that you can do that with

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00:18:34,960 --> 00:18:40,799
one-time cost is a good place to do that
because, you know, you're not pulling it

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00:18:39,280 --> 00:18:45,440
out and building a bubble where you've
then got to try and replace that in the

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next year. Um, it was the same with some
books they needed in that space. Um, at

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the Ellington Middle School, we sat down
and went over some of the needs.

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something is the one of them was a table
saw that I think is like 30 years old at

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this point. Um and that could break
tomorrow. So when we sit and talk about

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that, it's like no, let's figure out how
to get this now because the students

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00:19:04,640 --> 00:19:10,480
need to have that and do we have
capacity to get that through some

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00:19:08,720 --> 00:19:15,919
alternative funding. And so we work on
that and we figure out where we can do

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00:19:12,080 --> 00:19:21,039
that and what we can pull out. Um, at
the Windermir school and all the

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00:19:18,960 --> 00:19:25,120
elementaryaries, we I always say, well,
anyone come in and tell us what you

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00:19:22,559 --> 00:19:30,160
need. Tell us what that really looks
like so we know. Um, and when you look

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00:19:27,600 --> 00:19:33,039
at that, we especially with the
elementary schools, we sit down as a

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group and we talk about the spending
between the three schools. We talk about

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what that per pupil like looks like. We
talk about the needs and wants and then

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we realign and cut those numbers down.
Um, so they may have wanted decodables

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00:19:45,520 --> 00:19:52,080
for something or extracurricular stuff,
but we say, "Well, what is the need and

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00:19:50,080 --> 00:19:57,679
what is the want?" Um, and then we cut
some of that stuff back. And that is the

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00:19:54,799 --> 00:20:01,280
same as well with Crystal Lake School,
the lines proposed by the business

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00:19:59,360 --> 00:20:05,679
office. So, these are the lines that
Stephanie and I sit and comb through and

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00:20:03,840 --> 00:20:10,720
really look at the historical trends and
the numbers and figure out what should

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00:20:07,679 --> 00:20:17,120
be budgeted for the next year. And the
reason you see the cut to this is so big

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00:20:13,360 --> 00:20:21,360
um is because it includes a reduction of
salaries. It includes not increasing

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00:20:19,679 --> 00:20:25,919
medical and you'll see a lot of detail
on this as we go through this as well.

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00:20:24,720 --> 00:20:29,520
This is the same like with the
maintenance budget. So the director of

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00:20:27,520 --> 00:20:36,080
facilities submits this and he submits
it with anything extra he needs to fix,

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00:20:33,039 --> 00:20:39,280
increase and improve things throughout
the district. This year we really went

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00:20:38,080 --> 00:20:45,039
through and said, "Well, what do we need
to sustain? What do we need um what is

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00:20:42,640 --> 00:20:51,200
that base that we need to not cause
higher costs later on?" Um and we came

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in really tight with that. Um and
there's some notable accounts too with

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that where I'll explain why we kept some
of those increases as well to try and

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plan for the future where bigger
spending could happen.

203
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In the ED services budget, uh we made a
significant reduction there. Um we

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looked through looked at the historical
we saw what could happen. We know that

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there was some curriculum there in the
past too. So saying well okay it was

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high this year why what do we really
need? And we went ahead and made a

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reduction to that as well. Um and then
you do see a a large cut from the

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special education. Um and we know that
the special education needs are high but

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how can we do the best we can with the
most responsible? And one thing that

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typically happens is they come in and
they put in for an unanticipated

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outplacement because you don't really
know what's going to happen. And really

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throughout the budget session, we
usually cut that out because it is a

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significant cost, right? Hundreds of
thousands of dollars. Um, and so we end

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up taking that out because it is a huge
impact to the budget. Um, and I think

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00:21:54,240 --> 00:21:59,440
there is a risk there, but we also have
trust in the program that exists and the

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special education within the schools.
Um, and so we gamble on the side that it

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00:22:03,120 --> 00:22:09,120
may not be there. And we also have the
unexpended fund account that we never

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00:22:07,039 --> 00:22:15,080
want to use, but it allows us to
evaluate that risk from a little bit of

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00:22:10,880 --> 00:22:15,080
a of a narrower lens.

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So speaking of those cuts, I want to
jump into the medical and dental claim

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trends. So, this is one um visual I
really wanted to keep in here because I

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think that year three self- insurance
can be really confusing. Um and so I

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wanted to look at our claim trends. And
when you're looking at this at this

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graph in front of you, you can see the
yellow is the total claims. So that's

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the claims that everyone on the plan
they make. That's what we pay for those

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claims. The purple is the total premium.
So ve like from that basic perspective

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you want that yellow line to be lower
than the purple line. Um and as you can

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see some years that happens and some
years it doesn't. Um and then that MLR

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that's the medical loss ratio. So you
always want that to be below 100% and

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the lower it is below 100% the better.
When it's over that means we are losing

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00:23:17,679 --> 00:23:26,640
money within the medical fund. Um, and
so if you look in some of these, we've

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00:23:24,480 --> 00:23:30,799
had a few really good years within our
medical fund, and we've been able to

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00:23:28,480 --> 00:23:34,960
build it up to that target fund amount
that they really want us to have in

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00:23:32,400 --> 00:23:40,080
there for if that really bad year comes
for safety. Um, and we've done some good

235
00:23:38,480 --> 00:23:43,919
work getting there with the help of you
guys. And, uh, and I appreciate it so

236
00:23:42,159 --> 00:23:47,840
much. And actually on Tuesday, I'm
working to have Chuck come in and talk

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about this as well. Um, but when we look
at the medical fund in the way that it

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was budgeted within this budget, because
we were trying to find ways to be as

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00:23:54,320 --> 00:24:02,000
fiscally responsible as possible, I did
no increase to the medical or dental for

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00:23:58,960 --> 00:24:05,760
next year. And so what that means is
when you're projecting out the medical,

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00:24:04,240 --> 00:24:10,159
it says that we're going to we're
estimated to land at about, you know,

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00:24:08,400 --> 00:24:13,760
the 2 million that we started the year
with at the end of this year, but with

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00:24:11,679 --> 00:24:17,919
no increase to the medical fund, Brown
and Brown is predicting that we'll take

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00:24:15,679 --> 00:24:22,159
about a $400,000 cut to our medical
fund. [clears throat] So I just wanted

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to make everyone aware of that. Uh it's
an impact of about on the on the general

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00:24:24,720 --> 00:24:32,559
fund side of about $183,000
that I didn't put in there and it does

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00:24:30,080 --> 00:24:35,559
risk our a reduction to our medical
fund.

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00:24:39,760 --> 00:24:46,320
This is the salaries and benefits. Um
and as I said before when you looked at

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00:24:45,039 --> 00:24:49,120
the when you look at the salaries alone
and we'll see that as well. you are

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00:24:47,840 --> 00:24:54,559
going to see more of that increase
because the contractual obligations. Um

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00:24:52,159 --> 00:24:59,840
but because of that flat that flatting
with the dental life and medical here,

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00:24:57,600 --> 00:25:04,640
you're seeing a difference of 1.3 or
3.57.

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00:25:01,679 --> 00:25:08,240
Um and that is that is is right on par,
but if we had the medical the benefits

254
00:25:06,880 --> 00:25:11,240
increase, that would go up further than
that.

255
00:25:12,880 --> 00:25:18,640
This slide breaks down the salaries by
object code. Uh, and I really wanted to

256
00:25:17,120 --> 00:25:22,720
explain this because if this is your
first time looking at it or if you're

257
00:25:20,720 --> 00:25:27,440
looking at it the once a year, it's it's
easy to be like, well, what's going on

258
00:25:24,720 --> 00:25:31,679
here? Um, because you can see within
that certifying line, you can see an

259
00:25:29,600 --> 00:25:35,840
increase uh that you would expect. But
when you look at that non-certified

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00:25:33,520 --> 00:25:39,120
substitutes and other compensation, it
looks a little skewed. And the reason

261
00:25:37,120 --> 00:25:42,159
for that is because we have two
contracts that are up for renegotiation

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00:25:40,799 --> 00:25:46,799
right now. and that's the full-time pair
of professionals and the maintenance

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00:25:44,000 --> 00:25:50,559
custo and custodial contract. So when
that happens, those lines get carried

264
00:25:48,880 --> 00:25:56,400
forward with the salaries and the pay
they have for this year and then the the

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00:25:54,000 --> 00:26:01,120
increase we think may happen goes into
the other compensation line uh because

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00:25:58,720 --> 00:26:04,799
it is not a it's not compensation that
exists yet until the contract is

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00:26:02,880 --> 00:26:09,200
negotiated. So it goes down into a
bottom line of that salary to account

268
00:26:07,039 --> 00:26:12,559
for the expense for the next year. Um,
and negotiation for those contracts will

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00:26:10,880 --> 00:26:18,200
happen in the spring. So, we won't have
what that really looks like until closer

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00:26:14,320 --> 00:26:18,200
to the end of the school year.

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00:26:21,840 --> 00:26:28,000
I also want to take a look at utilities
um just so we can see what that

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00:26:25,840 --> 00:26:33,520
year-over-year looks like. And when we
went into um FY25 budget, we can we can

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00:26:31,360 --> 00:26:36,720
see that there was a big increase there.
And we know last year was a hard year

274
00:26:35,200 --> 00:26:42,799
for electric. we knew that we went over
in that within the budget and you can

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00:26:39,039 --> 00:26:47,360
see that here. And then we still made a
you know a conservative increase for 26

276
00:26:45,279 --> 00:26:53,360
and I've done the same for the 27
budget. Um when you look down below for

277
00:26:49,600 --> 00:26:57,760
27 it's only an increase of 6,095.
Um so what I do with electric is when

278
00:26:55,919 --> 00:27:01,919
we're trying to really come in as
fiscally responsible as possible.

279
00:26:59,279 --> 00:27:05,840
There's areas where we take risk. So I
take the bills, I calculate, I do an

280
00:27:04,240 --> 00:27:09,279
average of what the cost is for the
current year. I multiply that out to

281
00:27:07,760 --> 00:27:14,240
project out what the year current year
would cost and I carry that into the

282
00:27:11,039 --> 00:27:19,360
next. So there is no increase in there
for if utility cost goes up next year.

283
00:27:17,440 --> 00:27:23,840
It's it's making the assumption that
utilities will cost the same. One change

284
00:27:22,000 --> 00:27:28,480
I did make is with the construction
ongoing at Windier, the electric bills

285
00:27:25,600 --> 00:27:31,520
have been very very high. Um, but we
will have a, you know, we've opened the

286
00:27:30,640 --> 00:27:35,600
new wings, they've been doing
construction in them, we've had people

287
00:27:33,360 --> 00:27:38,880
in that space that aren't normally in
that space. So, really, we've been

288
00:27:36,720 --> 00:27:43,760
running electric on a bigger school than
typical. Um, and now we're going into

289
00:27:41,279 --> 00:27:47,360
that demo phase, and the school will be
functioning as it should at the

290
00:27:45,200 --> 00:27:53,960
beginning of next year. So, I took a I
took a decrease to the Windir to to help

291
00:27:50,080 --> 00:27:53,960
with that line as well.

292
00:27:57,120 --> 00:28:03,279
This slide is the out outside tuition
and transportation and this speaks to

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00:28:01,520 --> 00:28:08,320
the outplacements we have within the
district. And so looking at this uh we

294
00:28:05,760 --> 00:28:14,480
went ahead and projected it the same um
the same number of students for next

295
00:28:10,320 --> 00:28:18,320
year with what those costs would be and
and what we know they would be. So we

296
00:28:16,399 --> 00:28:21,840
didn't put in an increase like a 3%
increase for the assumption that there

297
00:28:20,240 --> 00:28:26,720
would be an increase to those costs. We
did have that in and we went ahead and

298
00:28:23,520 --> 00:28:30,240
pulled that out. And then we also looked
at and we pulled out the un the

299
00:28:28,559 --> 00:28:33,760
unassigned placement as well. So we
marked that as zero for next year. So

300
00:28:32,320 --> 00:28:38,240
this is with the assumption that all
things will carry forward as they are

301
00:28:36,399 --> 00:28:44,640
with the expenses that we know will
exist with no increase to those numbers

302
00:28:42,480 --> 00:28:48,960
increase but no increase to the above
that in case they went up.

303
00:28:47,440 --> 00:28:52,480
And when you're looking at this table
here, what it goes ahead and ties to

304
00:28:50,720 --> 00:28:57,440
this slide, the special services and
outside tuition. Um, transportation is

305
00:28:55,120 --> 00:29:01,679
is not in this because um that just
lives in a different place, but this

306
00:28:58,799 --> 00:29:06,880
looks at your your private, your public,
your DCF, your magnet, and your VOAG.

307
00:29:04,000 --> 00:29:10,480
Um, and this looks at those costs. And I
did want to speak to that as well

308
00:29:08,320 --> 00:29:17,679
because I know that it's been asked in
the past like what that looks like. And

309
00:29:13,440 --> 00:29:21,919
so we have um overall we have 41 magnet
students. That's the crack, Eastcon, and

310
00:29:19,440 --> 00:29:26,480
Goodwin. Of the 41, five are special
education uh and have IEP, which means

311
00:29:24,399 --> 00:29:31,120
we pay for their services, and that's
that 52,500 that you see under magnet.

312
00:29:29,520 --> 00:29:36,399
So that's for the services for those
students. [clears throat] Um we do not

313
00:29:33,760 --> 00:29:40,880
pay tuition for students with 504s. And
then outside of this line, we also have

314
00:29:38,960 --> 00:29:44,399
the regular VOAG which you guys had
always ask as ask about and I didn't

315
00:29:42,480 --> 00:29:48,399
include this because we're retaining the
same amount of students and we budgeted

316
00:29:46,159 --> 00:29:52,880
that forward the same. But when you look
at the VOAG here that is a services we

317
00:29:51,200 --> 00:29:56,600
pay for for special education and that's
one VOAG student.

318
00:29:59,600 --> 00:30:04,960
I also wanted to go through and I'm sure
that you'll have more question as well

319
00:30:02,960 --> 00:30:10,240
but I wanted to pull out some notable
accounts um and just give reasons as to

320
00:30:07,840 --> 00:30:14,960
why we see some swings or changes or
increases or decreases um and I wanted

321
00:30:13,200 --> 00:30:19,600
to start by looking at services for
business EA EHS right we see a big

322
00:30:17,279 --> 00:30:23,279
increase here 13,500
um and this is for new software for

323
00:30:21,360 --> 00:30:27,279
early college experience for Yukon
curriculum and this is a class that

324
00:30:25,120 --> 00:30:31,360
allows students to get college credit um
and so this is what's needed for the

325
00:30:28,720 --> 00:30:35,679
students to be able take that class. Um,
when we look at service accepted

326
00:30:33,279 --> 00:30:38,880
cleaning maintenance, uh, I had said
before that we did go through the

327
00:30:37,279 --> 00:30:41,520
maintenance budget and we did trim back
a lot, but we wanted to keep the things

328
00:30:40,480 --> 00:30:44,480
that we thought were going to be
necessary because [clears throat] if

329
00:30:42,880 --> 00:30:48,640
we're going to go over, there's no point
in taking it out because the money will

330
00:30:45,919 --> 00:30:52,960
get spent anyways. Um, and this is for
the the the well and the water line at

331
00:30:50,720 --> 00:30:55,919
Crystal Lake Elementary School. Uh, it
tends to be a little bit of a thorn in

332
00:30:54,399 --> 00:30:59,600
our side and it is the only place left
where we still have a well. Uh, and the

333
00:30:57,919 --> 00:31:03,440
past couple years it's cost us more than
we would like it to.

334
00:31:01,520 --> 00:31:05,039
» And I think Alicia too, sorry I didn't
mean to interrupt you, but

335
00:31:04,640 --> 00:31:10,799
» yeah.
>> Um, it's kind of a catch 22 with that,

336
00:31:07,679 --> 00:31:15,440
right? Because we put new equipment in
so we can monitor issues and now the new

337
00:31:13,919 --> 00:31:19,271
equipment is finding issues.
>> Yeah. And there's a and could probably

338
00:31:17,251 --> 00:31:19,271
[laughter]

339
00:31:19,440 --> 00:31:28,399
» So it's it's right. No good deed goes
undone. But it's but at the same time

340
00:31:24,640 --> 00:31:31,200
it's catching things earlier on which is
going to offer cost savings.

341
00:31:30,000 --> 00:31:38,080
» Yeah. And we've had a we had a leak in
the line last year as well. Um so it

342
00:31:33,840 --> 00:31:40,399
tends to Yeah. tends to be
>> just wanted to

343
00:31:38,880 --> 00:31:44,799
» Yeah. [laughter]
>> Um and then also maintenance projects

344
00:31:42,480 --> 00:31:48,880
Crystal Lake. Um that was something we
kept in as well. So at this point not

345
00:31:47,200 --> 00:31:52,559
much over but that project at Crystal
Lake ended over 10 years ago. And so

346
00:31:51,120 --> 00:31:56,720
we're starting to see really that wear
and the tear in the floor. Um, and Greg

347
00:31:54,640 --> 00:32:00,080
proposed this number because if we start
with that maintenance and that upkeep of

348
00:31:58,399 --> 00:32:03,279
that floor, it's going to save us money
in the long run where if we don't do

349
00:32:01,440 --> 00:32:07,919
this and we let it go, we're going to
have to pay to replace that floor or

350
00:32:05,600 --> 00:32:12,559
we're going to have to replace pieces.
So, we're trying to be proactive and get

351
00:32:09,360 --> 00:32:17,200
ahead of that as right a little over 10
years ago, we had a brand new space. So

352
00:32:14,880 --> 00:32:21,519
let's try and upkeep it without
wondering why the floor has to be paced

353
00:32:18,960 --> 00:32:26,320
and how much that cost.
Um the next one we look at is repairs

354
00:32:23,760 --> 00:32:30,399
and hardware a uh service agreements in
the technology and this is continued

355
00:32:28,799 --> 00:32:34,880
improvements to our network
functionality and security. Um this is

356
00:32:33,120 --> 00:32:39,279
really important because there is cost
savings that comes from this right this

357
00:32:36,960 --> 00:32:44,080
is our cyber security. This is how safe
is our data and all information related

358
00:32:42,000 --> 00:32:48,080
to that. And what happens too is
especially now with the insurance world,

359
00:32:46,399 --> 00:32:52,960
not many people want to give you cyber
security unless you pass a really good

360
00:32:50,799 --> 00:32:56,640
um cyber security audit and you're doing
really well. And our IT department has

361
00:32:55,039 --> 00:33:03,120
always been really good at doing that.
That our cyber our cyber insurance if it

362
00:33:00,320 --> 00:33:05,840
increases it's not a lot um because they
we tend to get multiple quotes and we

363
00:33:04,559 --> 00:33:09,760
can choose from those when they come
along.

364
00:33:08,559 --> 00:33:14,399
When you look at this repair
audiovisisual equipment, um, so this was

365
00:33:12,720 --> 00:33:17,279
added because we have some speakers
throughout the district that need to be

366
00:33:15,600 --> 00:33:21,120
replaced. We would like to get these
mics replaced that are sitting in front

367
00:33:18,880 --> 00:33:24,880
of you. Um, and just for better
meetings, better when we have the annual

368
00:33:22,720 --> 00:33:28,399
town meetings, um, and really replace
some of those items throughout the

369
00:33:26,480 --> 00:33:34,720
district that we've talked about for a
long time but have not been able to do.

370
00:33:32,399 --> 00:33:38,799
Here you see the transportation regular.
That's an increase of 72120.

371
00:33:37,120 --> 00:33:44,159
That is for students. So that is a
contractual increase. I do want to say

372
00:33:41,360 --> 00:33:49,440
that last year we ended up reducing that
number because we know that right now

373
00:33:46,880 --> 00:33:54,880
and there has been a bus driver shortage
and we do have issues with attrition

374
00:33:51,840 --> 00:33:59,039
within the bus driver world. Um but what
happens with that is if a bus gets

375
00:33:57,200 --> 00:34:03,039
looped combined something happens we
don't get build for the bus that didn't

376
00:34:00,640 --> 00:34:07,840
get used. So last year when I evaluated
these numbers, I made a reduction based

377
00:34:05,360 --> 00:34:11,679
on how often that was happening and the
savings we were seeing because of that.

378
00:34:10,000 --> 00:34:15,919
Now we continue to work on that and
improve it the best that we can, but I

379
00:34:13,679 --> 00:34:19,679
also don't want to assume for cost that
may not exist. Um, so I went ahead and

380
00:34:18,159 --> 00:34:25,280
built that contractual agreement
percentage based off what was budgeted

381
00:34:21,760 --> 00:34:29,919
for this current school year.
Um, and the transportation gasoline

382
00:34:27,520 --> 00:34:34,079
regular. So this is that gasoline um
that goes with that. And when I looked

383
00:34:31,599 --> 00:34:37,119
at historically um it was always
underspent to budget. So I went ahead

384
00:34:35,679 --> 00:34:43,040
and made a cut appropriately to that
based on what I saw. Um when you look at

385
00:34:40,079 --> 00:34:46,800
technology subscriptions uh in this past
year you guys saw it the new website got

386
00:34:44,800 --> 00:34:51,200
launched. So along with that new website
launch there was a um a reduction to the

387
00:34:49,119 --> 00:34:54,639
cost for that website and that's why you
see that reduction in that line

388
00:34:52,960 --> 00:34:59,280
specifically.
Um technology subscriptions elementary.

389
00:34:57,760 --> 00:35:03,520
This was just the elimination of some
subscriptions and we replaced Seesaw

390
00:35:01,599 --> 00:35:07,520
with parent square which was a savings
as well. Um I do want to say like I keep

391
00:35:05,839 --> 00:35:11,920
saying this like we continuously look at
things to see if we could find something

392
00:35:09,040 --> 00:35:16,720
that can save us some money. Uh like
it's conversations we're having all the

393
00:35:14,160 --> 00:35:23,760
time and this just makes me makes me see
it more. Um I also made a reduction here

394
00:35:20,480 --> 00:35:27,440
to travel administration conference and
this was something I had looked at

395
00:35:25,119 --> 00:35:32,560
taking away from in the past. Um, but
this year when I looked it is it is

396
00:35:30,079 --> 00:35:37,599
historically always underspent. So I cut
it down to what's been spent in the

397
00:35:34,560 --> 00:35:43,040
past. And then this last notable count I
have is technology equipment technology

398
00:35:40,560 --> 00:35:46,000
schoolwide. And this is to account for
cost and replacement and breakage.

399
00:35:44,640 --> 00:35:51,520
Right? So this is another one of those
things. If we spend less now, we won't

400
00:35:48,640 --> 00:35:55,440
have to spend the more later. Um, again
we have a really good IT team that can

401
00:35:53,040 --> 00:35:59,680
fix computers and do certain things. Um,
and also when you see this increase,

402
00:35:58,079 --> 00:36:04,144
there is going to be an increase to the
cost of RAM due to the AI demand. Those

403
00:36:02,640 --> 00:36:07,440
words are from Arthur's mouth.
[laughter]

404
00:36:05,040 --> 00:36:10,095
Um, so we're accounting for that as
well. [clears throat]

405
00:36:12,400 --> 00:36:18,400
Two other notable accounts I wanted to
bring up is textbooks and supplies

406
00:36:16,079 --> 00:36:23,200
English across the elementary schools.
This is that consumables for C CKLA

407
00:36:20,880 --> 00:36:27,520
curriculum and the total increase for
all three schools is 3691.

408
00:36:26,000 --> 00:36:31,760
Um we continue to move that through
sections as the years go on and that is

409
00:36:29,760 --> 00:36:35,599
the same with that textbooks supplies
and math. That is the illustrative math

410
00:36:33,440 --> 00:36:39,040
curriculum and consumables as we move
those into the different sections

411
00:36:37,520 --> 00:36:44,320
throughout the different years.
>> And Alicia, those are obligations

412
00:36:42,079 --> 00:36:46,880
through legislation. Correct. Like these
are

413
00:36:44,640 --> 00:36:52,160
» those are Oliver, right?
Um so uh the reading curriculum is it

414
00:36:50,240 --> 00:36:57,440
was required K through three but when
our team reviewed uh that resource we

415
00:36:54,960 --> 00:37:01,839
found value in actually rolling it up
through the grades as well. So uh we're

416
00:36:59,599 --> 00:37:07,280
using that all the way through grade six
at this point. Another reason for the

417
00:37:04,160 --> 00:37:10,960
increase is uh in the first year of the
new curriculum we were funding it out of

418
00:37:08,880 --> 00:37:15,359
the ed services account
>> and then now we're we're kind of pushing

419
00:37:13,200 --> 00:37:20,560
those costs onto the school side of the
budget. So school by school. Um so

420
00:37:18,320 --> 00:37:23,800
that's another reason for that shift.
>> Thank you.

421
00:37:25,040 --> 00:37:32,119
» That's the total for all three schools.
>> Yeah. Total for all three elementary

422
00:37:28,800 --> 00:37:32,119
schools. Yeah.

423
00:37:32,800 --> 00:37:38,800
» And what and the last thing I really
wanted to talk about were our areas of

424
00:37:35,839 --> 00:37:42,720
risk. Um because we look right and we we
measure the amount of risk that we think

425
00:37:40,640 --> 00:37:46,320
is safe to take. That's it's weird to
put risk and safe into that same

426
00:37:44,079 --> 00:37:51,440
sentence, but um when you're budgeting,
they they tend to go together. Um and so

427
00:37:49,119 --> 00:37:56,320
in this budget, there's a reduction of
$100,000 to certified salaries, and

428
00:37:54,079 --> 00:38:01,680
there's some history to that. So two
years ago, we made a reduction to

429
00:37:58,560 --> 00:38:06,000
salaries of 120,000. We did this for
unanticipated

430
00:38:03,280 --> 00:38:12,960
retirements and turnover. Um because you
typically you do see a savings there. um

431
00:38:08,560 --> 00:38:17,040
we exceeded that 120 that 120,000 two
years ago. And so in this budget there's

432
00:38:15,200 --> 00:38:22,160
in this budget this current year there's
also a reduction of 120,000 and that

433
00:38:20,000 --> 00:38:26,560
number was chosen based on looking where
we were under historically and making an

434
00:38:24,480 --> 00:38:30,480
assumption that we could base that based
on the information.

435
00:38:28,480 --> 00:38:36,079
In the current year we're projected to
be about $19,000 over in certified

436
00:38:33,359 --> 00:38:42,400
salaries. So we missed that mark a
little bit. Um, so what I did is I I

437
00:38:39,760 --> 00:38:46,000
still wanted to take that because I
think it's a risk that we can take, but

438
00:38:44,400 --> 00:38:51,200
I didn't want to take 120, right? We
missed the mark by 19,000. History told

439
00:38:48,160 --> 00:38:55,839
tells me we can usually hit the 120, but
where's that where's that spot where we

440
00:38:53,280 --> 00:39:00,000
can take um the best that we can. Um,
and so I went ahead and did a reduction

441
00:38:57,280 --> 00:39:03,920
of a 100,000 there. I think that goes to
speak to what Oliver was saying the

442
00:39:01,839 --> 00:39:08,800
other day as well. Like we always look
and we always pay attention to that, but

443
00:39:05,680 --> 00:39:13,520
sometimes when when teachers come in and
apply, you want to hire the best for the

444
00:39:11,200 --> 00:39:18,000
stu the students, whether that be step
two or step 10. Um, and also sometimes

445
00:39:16,000 --> 00:39:22,079
your pool doesn't always have lower
steps in it. Um, and you have a really

446
00:39:20,560 --> 00:39:26,320
great teacher that that you have to
hire. Um, so to say, we'll be looking at

447
00:39:24,480 --> 00:39:30,560
that as the year as the year goes on and
into next year as well.

448
00:39:28,800 --> 00:39:34,400
Um, there's also a zero increase to
medical and dental. I went over that a

449
00:39:32,560 --> 00:39:39,680
little bit within the medical slide. So,
that will come at a risk of a $400,000

450
00:39:36,720 --> 00:39:45,280
reduction to our medical fund. Um, it
hurts. But, we started at like 500,000

451
00:39:42,240 --> 00:39:49,599
and we're up to two 2 million. So, it's
it was a place that I wanted to take to

452
00:39:47,680 --> 00:39:54,079
see if we could take that risk knowing
we're trying to come in as as best as we

453
00:39:51,520 --> 00:39:58,320
can. Alicia, can you tell us where um
the Brown and Brown would like us to be

454
00:39:56,560 --> 00:40:03,359
in that fund?
>> 2 point it's

455
00:40:01,200 --> 00:40:07,920
» 30% of the
>> It's like 2,100 or something close to

456
00:40:05,760 --> 00:40:09,359
that, right?
>> Yeah.

457
00:40:08,160 --> 00:40:15,119
» Okay. Yeah. Thank you.
>> Yeah.

458
00:40:11,440 --> 00:40:19,119
» Um I also as I explained earlier, I base
utilities on current year cost. So if

459
00:40:17,040 --> 00:40:23,599
the cost of utilities goes up there
there's a risk there and those amount

460
00:40:21,040 --> 00:40:28,400
those lines would go over budget. Um
there's also that reduction to the

461
00:40:25,359 --> 00:40:30,733
windmir electric b with the hopes that
once that building is done we're going

462
00:40:29,680 --> 00:40:33,839
to see that efficiency. We're
[clears throat] going to see those costs

463
00:40:32,160 --> 00:40:37,040
drop because we're not going to have as
big of a building being supported. We're

464
00:40:35,440 --> 00:40:40,160
not going to have people plugging things
in that aren't usually there. So we're

465
00:40:38,880 --> 00:40:45,119
going to I'm hoping that we see a
reduction in cost there. And I we also

466
00:40:43,359 --> 00:40:49,760
did the reduction of the uninticed
outplacement. Um and so planning that we

467
00:40:48,079 --> 00:40:57,280
won't have another outplacement and we
took a reduction based on that. Um so

468
00:40:55,839 --> 00:41:03,480
I just wanted to make sure that we were
very open and honest about where we took

469
00:40:58,880 --> 00:41:03,480
the risk and what that risk looked like.

470
00:41:03,920 --> 00:41:10,319
And now I'm going to leave it for you
guys to ask whatever questions you may

471
00:41:07,920 --> 00:41:15,800
have.
Should I

472
00:41:12,800 --> 00:41:15,800
Yeah.

473
00:41:18,000 --> 00:41:24,520
Does anyone have any um questions for
Alicia or um Oliver?

474
00:41:26,160 --> 00:41:32,319
» I was diving in the weeds with the
stipens and those increased. Was that

475
00:41:30,240 --> 00:41:37,480
more than we did last year?
>> The stipens. Page 44.

476
00:41:38,000 --> 00:41:42,680
» Did you say 84?
>> 44.

477
00:41:45,359 --> 00:41:51,599
this. We talked about this. It's because
when you're seeing that bottom number,

478
00:41:49,680 --> 00:41:55,200
you're seeing that severance adjustment
support for the 134700. Is that what it

479
00:41:53,760 --> 00:42:00,240
is? Are you looking at a specific line,
energy?

480
00:41:56,800 --> 00:42:04,000
» I was just thinking
coaching activities, that's what we

481
00:42:02,319 --> 00:42:09,040
increased last year. Is it more than
last year?

482
00:42:05,520 --> 00:42:12,480
» So, those go up. Those go up about 2.9%
each year. Yeah. But you see that big

483
00:42:10,880 --> 00:42:15,880
bottom number because of that severance
line. Yeah.

484
00:42:15,920 --> 00:42:21,760
» I'm gonna ask probably the an unpopular
qu uh question.

485
00:42:20,960 --> 00:42:28,480
» Yes.
>> I think First Student has a monopoly.

486
00:42:24,960 --> 00:42:33,599
Have we looked into other companies
because

487
00:42:30,079 --> 00:42:36,079
we've had issues, but is there anything
better out there?

488
00:42:35,119 --> 00:42:40,640
» We have one more year.
>> Just a point of order. Um, I just just

489
00:42:38,480 --> 00:42:44,400
want to We really have to keep this
tight because that's really outside of

490
00:42:42,640 --> 00:42:48,160
what the meeting is.
>> Well, it's part of the budget.

491
00:42:45,920 --> 00:42:53,040
» It is, but now we're talking about like
a busing changing busing contracts. I

492
00:42:50,560 --> 00:42:58,720
just don't want to go too far down that
down that rabbit hole just because it's

493
00:42:56,079 --> 00:43:02,880
not on our on our agenda to talk about
busing contracts, but you can certainly

494
00:43:00,640 --> 00:43:05,280
talk about as it relates to budget.
Okay.

495
00:43:03,839 --> 00:43:08,640
» We have one more year on that contract.
It'll and it'll go out to bid.

496
00:43:07,119 --> 00:43:12,119
» We'll we'll evaluate at that point.
>> Okay.

497
00:43:08,960 --> 00:43:12,119
» Thank you.

498
00:43:12,720 --> 00:43:17,040
» Does anyone else on the board have any
other questions as to what's been

499
00:43:15,839 --> 00:43:20,720
presented?
>> Yes,

500
00:43:18,079 --> 00:43:26,319
» Alicia. In the past, we've gotten a
sheet that tells us how the uh choice

501
00:43:23,200 --> 00:43:34,160
money has being spent.
Um is it uh possible?

502
00:43:30,960 --> 00:43:38,760
I didn't see it in this year's budget.
You can see that on page 85.

503
00:43:39,440 --> 00:43:46,240
And Miriam, if you want more details
into what those lines entail, I can get

504
00:43:42,960 --> 00:43:46,240
that for you as well.

505
00:43:52,800 --> 00:43:56,119
Do you see?

506
00:44:00,319 --> 00:44:06,319
» I must have um had trouble with the room
writing.

507
00:44:04,000 --> 00:44:10,400
» It's 118 pages and it's tiny.
>> Thanks.

508
00:44:08,319 --> 00:44:16,560
» So, I have a couple of questions. Go
ahead. Um so as we look at this budget

509
00:44:14,079 --> 00:44:21,920
and the summary that you gave us Oliver
I guess um

510
00:44:18,880 --> 00:44:26,400
and it is it is
um

511
00:44:24,160 --> 00:44:36,880
very minimal right in in the scheme of
things. So, how do we

512
00:44:31,440 --> 00:44:43,280
maintain um or grow our
um academic excellence with such a low

513
00:44:40,240 --> 00:44:47,359
budget if our number of students we're
up 25 we're going to be up 25 students

514
00:44:45,680 --> 00:44:51,119
year-over-year.
Um

515
00:44:49,280 --> 00:44:56,720
so, how do how do we where's our
breaking point for that? like how do we

516
00:44:54,160 --> 00:45:02,240
maintain and still grow our student
population?

517
00:44:58,240 --> 00:45:07,520
» Yeah, thanks. So, um there's a lot of
work that's done on the professional

518
00:45:04,560 --> 00:45:13,440
learning side of improving uh improving
instruction and refining practices and

519
00:45:09,920 --> 00:45:18,160
sharing best practices uh across the
classrooms. So, we want to we guarantee

520
00:45:16,240 --> 00:45:23,119
a great educational experience in every
classroom. Um but we know that over time

521
00:45:21,119 --> 00:45:29,440
through collaboration and new learning
for teachers uh we can continue to uh

522
00:45:26,800 --> 00:45:33,839
improve the educational experience and
the learning experience for students.

523
00:45:31,440 --> 00:45:39,599
We've been investing in the curriculum K
through six and uh so we're we're seeing

524
00:45:37,440 --> 00:45:44,480
as we roll roll in illustrative math
we're actually going down the grades as

525
00:45:41,520 --> 00:45:50,079
we uh to roll in that that program. uh
it's really an excellent and challenging

526
00:45:46,960 --> 00:45:54,000
mathematics program and uh it's working
really well for us to be moving it down

527
00:45:52,000 --> 00:45:57,520
through the grades. Along with that,
there's a lot of teacher learning uh

528
00:45:55,760 --> 00:46:00,480
that's necessary because implementing
that well and taking full advantage

529
00:45:59,546 --> 00:46:07,119
[clears throat and laughter] of that
curriculum requires uh some shift in

530
00:46:03,920 --> 00:46:11,920
instructional practices and teachers are
receiving training and um collaborating

531
00:46:09,520 --> 00:46:16,560
with each other to uh learn to implement
that curriculum really well. That's true

532
00:46:13,920 --> 00:46:21,040
on the the reading side uh K through six
as well. Uh this is the first year for

533
00:46:18,800 --> 00:46:26,079
example that we're using Amplify which
is the uh core knowledge language arts

534
00:46:23,920 --> 00:46:32,560
vendor. First year we're using that in
grade six. So um those are two of the

535
00:46:30,400 --> 00:46:37,200
largest areas where we're working on
improving the program and improving

536
00:46:34,240 --> 00:46:42,560
instruction over time. There's work in
collaboration across the entire district

537
00:46:40,000 --> 00:46:46,960
by teachers. So the middle school's been
uh using inquiry groups and refining

538
00:46:45,040 --> 00:46:52,720
instructional practices, visiting each
other's classrooms. So a lot of that the

539
00:46:50,640 --> 00:46:58,240
like the bread and butter of instruction
is something that we are attending to uh

540
00:46:55,520 --> 00:47:03,040
very significantly and those small
increases you saw on the curriculum side

541
00:47:00,960 --> 00:47:09,280
uh are around implementing those new
programs and purchasing those uh

542
00:47:05,839 --> 00:47:13,520
consumables on a yearly basis. Um so we
really are investing more in

543
00:47:11,119 --> 00:47:17,119
professional learning. Uh we're also
doing that at the leadership level. Uh

544
00:47:15,839 --> 00:47:25,359
we're working with partners for
educational uh leadership and doing some

545
00:47:20,560 --> 00:47:29,599
uh very uh I would say challenging
uh work together on how we're going to

546
00:47:27,839 --> 00:47:34,480
lead for instructional improvement over
time. So that that's really the core of

547
00:47:32,160 --> 00:47:40,640
it, the bread and butter of it. Um the
challenges in the budget though are are

548
00:47:36,800 --> 00:47:46,960
definitely real and I don't think um it
is necessarily sustainable

549
00:47:43,440 --> 00:47:52,160
year-over-year um to not continue to
invest or to to need to invest a little

550
00:47:49,599 --> 00:47:56,480
further uh in the positions that we
identified for example

551
00:47:54,400 --> 00:48:04,319
um on that side. So this year we were
able to be very strategic and creative

552
00:47:59,599 --> 00:48:09,760
in um providing for four new positions.
Uh one's a point4 but so it's it's not

553
00:48:07,200 --> 00:48:14,800
uh 4.0 FTEES
um through some uh some adjusting and

554
00:48:12,160 --> 00:48:19,200
restructuring and use of grants for next
year. But the reason that that's showing

555
00:48:17,200 --> 00:48:23,440
in the budget, the other positions that
we're showing are because that we

556
00:48:21,280 --> 00:48:30,319
believe years out over time, we'll
continue to need to look at um ways to

557
00:48:27,839 --> 00:48:36,640
um enhance our staffing a bit.
>> Okay. Um, I would also say that list

558
00:48:32,640 --> 00:48:41,280
that you gave us of positions that um
were not included in the budget, it

559
00:48:38,480 --> 00:48:46,960
would be helpful, I believe, um, to
board members and to the public if there

560
00:48:43,440 --> 00:48:53,599
was a brief summary for each one as to
what value it adds for student outcomes.

561
00:48:51,200 --> 00:49:00,240
Um, I think that that would be helpful.
Um, and the other thing that I wanted to

562
00:48:56,720 --> 00:49:06,079
point out, um, that I didn't see in
here, but I think is important of note

563
00:49:02,640 --> 00:49:11,839
is, um, a discussion around the basis
program and the fact that, um, and we

564
00:49:09,520 --> 00:49:18,720
just were at a legislative breakfast
discussing outplacements. Um, the cost

565
00:49:15,119 --> 00:49:24,400
savings that we see not only in in the
district, but for the town. Um, you

566
00:49:22,000 --> 00:49:31,520
know, there are upwards of 22 students
that we keep in district

567
00:49:26,880 --> 00:49:37,920
um that save us a a total cost of a
little over $4 million. So, if we had to

568
00:49:35,280 --> 00:49:43,760
outplace those students, it would cost
us an additional $4 million. Now, if we

569
00:49:40,880 --> 00:49:50,640
pull out excess costs that we get
assistance for, that number drops to

570
00:49:46,880 --> 00:49:54,960
roughly 2.5 million, but that's an
additional savings that we're seeing

571
00:49:52,559 --> 00:49:58,960
here. Um, and I think that that's of
note. Um,

572
00:49:57,359 --> 00:50:02,240
» yeah, thank thank you for bringing that
up. I did look that up. Um, as I

573
00:50:00,720 --> 00:50:07,520
mentioned, Dr. Leaport had generated
some numbers for us based on the actual

574
00:50:04,640 --> 00:50:10,520
enrollment at basis. Um and that was
2,488,248.

575
00:50:10,720 --> 00:50:18,160
So that aligns with uh what you just
said um the 2.5 million. So that comes

576
00:50:16,319 --> 00:50:22,640
from not needing to spend on
outplacements because we provide an

577
00:50:20,720 --> 00:50:27,920
excellent opportunity for those students
inhouse. They're closer to home. Uh the

578
00:50:25,760 --> 00:50:32,800
high school students can take classes at
the high school. So they we're working

579
00:50:29,760 --> 00:50:36,400
towards transitioning some students um
back to the high school. Uh but that's

580
00:50:34,880 --> 00:50:41,599
also very important in their educational
experience that they when they need the

581
00:50:38,880 --> 00:50:44,800
challenge and the setting uh for some of
their classes to be at the high school,

582
00:50:43,359 --> 00:50:48,640
we could do that. With an outplacement,
we can't. They're in one they'd be in

583
00:50:46,720 --> 00:50:50,000
one very small school with more limited
opportunities,

584
00:50:49,599 --> 00:50:53,119
» right?
>> But the savings is is very significant

585
00:50:52,640 --> 00:50:57,520
there.
>> Absolutely. Um the other question on

586
00:50:55,280 --> 00:51:04,480
page 27
um you said that um one of the concerns

587
00:51:01,359 --> 00:51:09,760
for Crystal Lake is
um closing open state grants as an

588
00:51:07,200 --> 00:51:12,760
immediate concern. What can you explain
that?

589
00:51:12,880 --> 00:51:20,960
I know you're looking at me funny. Um
okay. So if we're looking at Crystal

590
00:51:17,520 --> 00:51:25,440
Lake Yeah. It says um immediate concern
is housing preschool program closing

591
00:51:23,359 --> 00:51:28,400
open state grant. Can you explain?
>> Oh, so that that has been closed at this

592
00:51:27,280 --> 00:51:33,200
point. That was a note that was left
over from last year.

593
00:51:30,240 --> 00:51:35,040
» Jen always finds all our mistakes.
>> No, it's okay.

594
00:51:34,240 --> 00:51:39,040
» Okay. Thank you.
>> Um but yeah, that has been audited and

595
00:51:36,960 --> 00:51:43,520
and and when those funding that funding
came back, um that's what actually

596
00:51:41,280 --> 00:51:47,839
allowed us to find a way to do the floor
up there, uh which was done over the

597
00:51:45,440 --> 00:51:50,839
summer this year.
Um

598
00:51:51,200 --> 00:51:59,119
the other question I have is on uh the
NESDEC

599
00:51:56,480 --> 00:52:06,800
study. Um they're projecting that we are
going to constantly decrease. Um so

600
00:52:03,920 --> 00:52:11,599
where is that 25 student increase that
we're and and and do you feel the same?

601
00:52:09,680 --> 00:52:18,559
Do you feel like there's going to be a
decrease yearover-year? I I don't

602
00:52:15,839 --> 00:52:23,040
» Right. honestly don't love that study. I
don't feel that it's

603
00:52:20,240 --> 00:52:25,599
» completely accurate, but um so where are
you seeing the increases where they're

604
00:52:24,480 --> 00:52:30,240
not?
>> Just just in in way of context, I know

605
00:52:27,920 --> 00:52:36,480
it's being streamed. So this is a study
that's done to project

606
00:52:33,200 --> 00:52:40,960
uh how many students we're going to
either gain or lose in the future.

607
00:52:40,240 --> 00:52:43,119
Correct.
>> Right. For

608
00:52:41,760 --> 00:52:48,559
» Right. I just want to make that clear
cuz we use acronyms and then sorry. No,

609
00:52:46,319 --> 00:52:54,240
that's okay. Just want to break it down.
>> Yeah, thanks. Um, yeah. So, NESD is a

610
00:52:50,800 --> 00:52:59,920
very it um it's a regional uh New
England school uh development education

611
00:52:57,359 --> 00:53:06,240
consortium and uh they do a very
intensive study of um not only our our

612
00:53:04,480 --> 00:53:12,000
they look at our current enrollment. So
we do that also like rolling students

613
00:53:08,079 --> 00:53:16,000
up. Um but they even look at factors
they they do predictions further into

614
00:53:13,760 --> 00:53:21,920
the future by looking at births in area
hospitals, housing starts, changes in

615
00:53:18,480 --> 00:53:27,440
real estate. Um and so they put a lot of
different factors in that and that shows

616
00:53:24,000 --> 00:53:32,400
approximately a 15 student decrease per
year long term. And that's true across

617
00:53:29,920 --> 00:53:38,160
the entire Northeast. Uh if anything in
Ellington we've slowed that down a

618
00:53:34,800 --> 00:53:42,400
little bit. Um and our number is our
number here is from our specific

619
00:53:40,160 --> 00:53:48,559
students rolling up specific students.
What we know about the choice program um

620
00:53:45,599 --> 00:53:53,680
the demand for prek is also factored in
there and that we see locally and that's

621
00:53:50,960 --> 00:54:00,160
very high. Right? So from the birth to
three uh programs we have um an

622
00:53:57,520 --> 00:54:02,559
increasing demand in prek for um for
young kids. So that's a factor in that

623
00:54:01,920 --> 00:54:06,400
also.
>> Okay. Thank you.

624
00:54:07,839 --> 00:54:11,520
I've got a couple if you're if you're
done, Jen.

625
00:54:09,839 --> 00:54:15,920
» Sure, please.
>> Um, so you've done a really good job of

626
00:54:13,760 --> 00:54:19,760
talking about all the cost savings that
you've tracked down.

627
00:54:18,160 --> 00:54:26,480
I'd like to hear a little bit more about
the sort of the other side of that. So,

628
00:54:22,480 --> 00:54:32,079
can you So, sort of two parts maybe like
on the risk side, what's what what are

629
00:54:29,359 --> 00:54:36,480
you losing sleep over on the risk side?
Right. and and on the

630
00:54:33,760 --> 00:54:40,720
» say the whole budget [laughter]
>> and and and on the sort of on the other

631
00:54:39,119 --> 00:54:46,480
side, what are the what are the
opportunities that we are passing up on

632
00:54:43,280 --> 00:54:49,359
educationally in order to exercise some
of these savings?

633
00:54:47,760 --> 00:54:54,240
» So, I'm going to talk to the risk side
and then I'll let you talk to the

634
00:54:50,559 --> 00:54:58,319
educational side. Um
I think on the risk side and so I'm

635
00:54:55,839 --> 00:55:03,119
going to speak to my experience
specifically is is is when I came in a

636
00:55:00,559 --> 00:55:07,200
few years ago uh we went into a budget
freeze and then the next year we also

637
00:55:05,200 --> 00:55:11,839
went into a budget freeze. And so I feel
like even though we saw the increase go

638
00:55:09,920 --> 00:55:16,160
down we've rightsized some things and
got us in a good place where we don't

639
00:55:13,440 --> 00:55:21,040
need that. as we go into the risk. I I
think what I lose probably sleep over is

640
00:55:18,720 --> 00:55:26,480
that we're coming in as tight as we can
um with the hope that the risks play off

641
00:55:22,880 --> 00:55:31,359
in our in our favor. Um in that if we
continue to chisel or come in as tight

642
00:55:28,800 --> 00:55:35,520
and chisel in future years, are we
building an expectation that's going to

643
00:55:32,880 --> 00:55:38,720
put us in a place for a fiscal cliff? Um
because if we put us in a place for a

644
00:55:36,960 --> 00:55:42,160
fiscal cliff, it's not going to be like
we can risk or take. it's going to be

645
00:55:40,240 --> 00:55:47,440
that there's no choice to add this back
in and it'll cause future cost. Um, so I

646
00:55:45,359 --> 00:55:51,680
know that's a really big picture answer.
Um, if you were asking me or if I'm

647
00:55:49,839 --> 00:55:55,200
saying the one I wish we weren't taking,
it would be the medical fund because

648
00:55:52,960 --> 00:56:00,880
we've worked really hard to build up
that fund. And one bad year um can ruin

649
00:55:58,559 --> 00:56:06,640
that fund. And we save over a million
dollars every year by being self by

650
00:56:03,760 --> 00:56:10,119
being self-funded. um and that would be
the biggest risk.

651
00:56:10,160 --> 00:56:18,160
» Um so on the educational side and uh how
we're investing in that I would say one

652
00:56:16,079 --> 00:56:23,280
of the challenges is around hiring. So
we uh Alicia referenced that a little

653
00:56:20,000 --> 00:56:29,040
bit earlier but um for every position
that we hire for every teaching position

654
00:56:25,839 --> 00:56:33,920
for example uh we're looking for trying
to find teachers towards the lower end

655
00:56:31,119 --> 00:56:40,799
in cost. There are some positions where
that's really not feasible. Um sometimes

656
00:56:36,799 --> 00:56:45,520
in the in the special ed um area uh we
don't get applicants in the low lowest

657
00:56:42,640 --> 00:56:51,359
cost ranges um or that might very much
limit uh how we're able to select the

658
00:56:48,319 --> 00:56:57,280
best possible candidate. So uh it's not
uncommon for many for in some pools all

659
00:56:55,200 --> 00:57:02,079
the applicants to be on the higher end
of the scale and that puts us in a very

660
00:56:59,440 --> 00:57:06,079
challenging position financially. So I
would say that the hiring pressure is

661
00:57:03,760 --> 00:57:10,960
one uh one area where having more
flexibility would be great. Uh another

662
00:57:08,880 --> 00:57:15,839
thing that we're uh tracking over time
are the field trip experiences for

663
00:57:13,119 --> 00:57:20,799
elementary. Uh we asked parents to help
contribute to those at times and uh

664
00:57:19,200 --> 00:57:23,680
we've dialed back a little bit. We were
you know there was a Boston trip that

665
00:57:22,240 --> 00:57:30,079
we're now doing through Sturbridge
Village. So providing the same um or

666
00:57:27,760 --> 00:57:34,960
kind of meeting the same content to a
degree uh but trying to do that locally

667
00:57:32,559 --> 00:57:39,520
and closer to home. So there's some
areas there where uh we're hoping not to

668
00:57:37,040 --> 00:57:44,240
have to cut back any further. Um there's
a projectology trip that's really

669
00:57:41,760 --> 00:57:48,240
valuable on the science side. Um, but
we're also looking for opportunities

670
00:57:46,079 --> 00:57:53,280
closer to home that are almost kind of
self-created or created through through

671
00:57:50,799 --> 00:57:58,960
our teachers and our science lead so
that we can find uh experiences

672
00:57:56,160 --> 00:58:02,000
exploring science in communities closer
to home.

673
00:58:00,480 --> 00:58:06,880
Um,
so those are those are a couple areas I

674
00:58:03,920 --> 00:58:11,680
know where there are costs that um we're
being very very cautious about and

675
00:58:09,520 --> 00:58:15,760
sometimes there are benefits to um
spending more money and and providing

676
00:58:13,520 --> 00:58:21,520
experiences for students that go beyond
the regular classroom. Uh we will be

677
00:58:18,319 --> 00:58:26,079
investing in um new science curriculum
over time and uh we've talked through

678
00:58:23,359 --> 00:58:30,240
that with curriculum committee. Um, and
that is also a stretch, I would say, on

679
00:58:28,240 --> 00:58:34,319
teachers because they they've learned in
the lower grades, they've learned new uh

680
00:58:32,799 --> 00:58:40,079
literacy curriculum, new math
curriculum, and now we're rolling in

681
00:58:36,559 --> 00:58:46,079
more science. Um, and we'll also be
revising the social studies curriculum

682
00:58:42,880 --> 00:58:51,040
over time. So that that is an area where
we would like to be able to continue to

683
00:58:48,160 --> 00:58:55,119
invest in um summer planning time for
teachers and professional learning that

684
00:58:53,520 --> 00:59:02,079
really supports them in doing the best
with the curriculum resources we have.

685
00:58:59,359 --> 00:59:06,720
» Good. Thank you. I I just wanted to make
sure that it was clear to folks that

686
00:59:05,119 --> 00:59:10,319
there are opportunities out there that
we are we're we're passing by because

687
00:59:08,640 --> 00:59:15,040
we're trying to keep as lean as
possible. And I think it's important to

688
00:59:12,079 --> 00:59:23,359
hear both sides of that of that balance.
Um the other question I had was uh

689
00:59:19,599 --> 00:59:30,720
with respect to like one-time grants,
are are there um are there resources

690
00:59:26,160 --> 00:59:37,680
that we dedicate to pursuing those or
does that fall to individual

691
00:59:34,720 --> 00:59:42,720
teachers or administrators to take it
take the initiative to track those down?

692
00:59:40,000 --> 00:59:46,160
We don't currently have resources um to
be able to go out and search for those

693
00:59:44,319 --> 00:59:50,880
and apply for those type of grants. It
does fall on the staff within the into

694
00:59:48,960 --> 00:59:54,079
the different schools and the teachers.
Um for example, right now is the grant

695
00:59:52,799 --> 00:59:57,760
that they have here within the high
school. Um it was a teacher that went

696
00:59:55,599 --> 01:00:02,960
and applied for that and got that grant.
Um so I look sometimes when I can. Um

697
01:00:01,119 --> 01:00:08,079
but the time to really write and apply
is very hard. Um, so the resources for

698
01:00:05,839 --> 01:00:12,559
that is teachers doing it on top of
their duties to look for those monies.

699
01:00:10,480 --> 01:00:18,160
» I think also there was a sizable grant
and I think Miriam, you may be able to

700
01:00:14,480 --> 01:00:24,400
uh speak more to that uh that uh was
obtained recently.

701
01:00:21,680 --> 01:00:31,280
» Yeah. So I'll have you talk to that.
>> Sure. Uh so uh Brandon Hubins and

702
01:00:27,920 --> 01:00:36,319
Leticia De Jagger um administrator and
teacher at the high school uh

703
01:00:34,559 --> 01:00:40,240
uh pursued a grant through the choice
program that provides opportunities not

704
01:00:38,480 --> 01:00:45,760
only for our choice students but other
students. Uh and that's quite a

705
01:00:42,960 --> 01:00:51,119
significant grant. Um the private
foundation grants tend to be super

706
01:00:47,839 --> 01:00:54,720
competitive. uh this is a grant that um
we just had a great alignment between

707
01:00:53,040 --> 01:00:59,200
the work that they wanted to do that
they envisioned and imagined uh in terms

708
01:00:57,119 --> 01:01:05,040
of student experiences
that happened to align very well uh with

709
01:01:02,720 --> 01:01:11,119
the funding in place at the state level
for that particular grant. So, I think

710
01:01:06,960 --> 01:01:15,599
we were very fortunate there. Um, and,
uh, hiring someone either hourly or a

711
01:01:14,079 --> 01:01:22,400
part-time position or a full-time
position for seeking grants, I don't

712
01:01:18,559 --> 01:01:25,680
think would really, um, on on the net
really bring in resources for the

713
01:01:24,319 --> 01:01:31,760
district. I think that would be a
substantial cost with a not a huge

714
01:01:28,880 --> 01:01:35,760
probability of big money coming in. I
think we want to continue to leverage uh

715
01:01:34,000 --> 01:01:40,400
the grant for example in that choice
area and the choice program as a whole

716
01:01:38,240 --> 01:01:46,160
in a sense provides some flexible
funding that um does uh does allow for

717
01:01:43,920 --> 01:01:51,200
certain opportunities and and
investments uh as noted here but that

718
01:01:48,480 --> 01:01:56,559
those will include curriculum um and
some experiences for students. So that

719
01:01:53,440 --> 01:02:00,319
that particular grant is is amazing and
very valuable, but I don't think we're

720
01:01:58,319 --> 01:02:06,599
going to be in a position to actually
hire folk someone to uh pursue grants

721
01:02:03,359 --> 01:02:06,599
more aggressively.

722
01:02:07,760 --> 01:02:14,359
» Does anyone in the public have any
questions that they would like to ask at

723
01:02:11,200 --> 01:02:14,359
this time?

724
01:02:14,720 --> 01:02:19,119
» Logan.
>> Logan Johnson.

725
01:02:18,783 --> 01:02:23,920
[clears throat]
>> Hi, Logan Johnson. Uh thank you uh very

726
01:02:22,240 --> 01:02:28,799
much for your hard work Alicia and
Oliver in putting this stuff together

727
01:02:25,839 --> 01:02:34,640
and the board for uh you know all your
work uh in going through it. Um couple

728
01:02:32,160 --> 01:02:41,280
of questions some of the things that
have come up before. Um the first is for

729
01:02:38,720 --> 01:02:46,000
the electricity I know previously we had
some sort of agreement for a fixed cost

730
01:02:44,079 --> 01:02:48,880
for the electricity sort of what's the
situation with that?

731
01:02:47,359 --> 01:02:53,760
» That agreement is in place. We actually
have a new agreement and we actually uh

732
01:02:51,440 --> 01:02:57,760
partnered with the town this time so we
could get the lowest rate possible to

733
01:02:55,599 --> 01:03:01,839
make us the biggest piece that we could
be and that is um taken into account

734
01:02:59,680 --> 01:03:06,000
with this with this budgeting numbers.
>> Okay. And just as a quick followup so

735
01:03:04,319 --> 01:03:11,680
that really what that means is that when
we see the increase in the electricity

736
01:03:08,480 --> 01:03:16,640
costs that's a really a function of
increased usage. Um, no, not usage, but

737
01:03:14,799 --> 01:03:20,640
also when you look at the bills, when we
lock in a rate, that's only locking at

738
01:03:18,640 --> 01:03:24,720
one piece, right? So, what we've seen
over the years is they're adding more

739
01:03:22,559 --> 01:03:28,799
into that delivery fee or they're adding
in other fees. Um, and a good example of

740
01:03:27,119 --> 01:03:32,799
that is we've seen the electric bill at
the high school double some months and

741
01:03:30,319 --> 01:03:36,400
it's not it's not the actual kilowatts,
it's the it's the delivery fees and

742
01:03:34,640 --> 01:03:39,119
other fees that get added below that.
>> Oh, okay. All right. So, that's that's

743
01:03:38,000 --> 01:03:45,680
very helpful. Thank you.
>> Welcome. Um

744
01:03:41,200 --> 01:03:52,000
uh another piece is just um
there was um there was some discussion

745
01:03:48,880 --> 01:03:58,799
on grants and and I thought that was a a
great question, Carl. Um

746
01:03:55,920 --> 01:04:02,960
the and I'm only asking this because I
noticed that there was specific concerns

747
01:04:01,119 --> 01:04:07,599
about the central administration for
technology and there was some discussion

748
01:04:05,440 --> 01:04:14,400
of cyber security. I know that there are
state grants related specifically to

749
01:04:10,720 --> 01:04:18,559
cyber security and a lot of things can
fall under uh school security. So

750
01:04:17,359 --> 01:04:23,440
there's a lot of grants that are
available um that could address those

751
01:04:21,039 --> 01:04:28,319
concerns and just sort of a question
about general direction for shared

752
01:04:25,200 --> 01:04:34,640
services in terms of sort of merging the
technology more between the town and the

753
01:04:31,680 --> 01:04:39,839
school. Is there something is that
something that we've looked at and is

754
01:04:38,240 --> 01:04:43,440
that something outside of this budget
for this year?

755
01:04:40,960 --> 01:04:46,319
» Um, I believe that and and I'm pretty
sure it's been like like a year now, but

756
01:04:45,119 --> 01:04:50,079
actually our last director of
technology, Aaron Fiss, he did get he

757
01:04:48,799 --> 01:04:55,039
went out and wrote a grant and got a
technology grant. Um, the grant applied

758
01:04:52,160 --> 01:04:59,599
to like past expenses and and then the
year before this and he accounted for

759
01:04:56,960 --> 01:05:03,839
all of that. So, this is based on having
that as well. um we do tend to look when

760
01:05:02,240 --> 01:05:08,000
we can because we also need a new
generator for the high school. Um and so

761
01:05:06,400 --> 01:05:11,280
what will happen is is looking for
opportunities and finding that it's

762
01:05:09,599 --> 01:05:14,559
finding the capacity to get those grants
written and submitted. That's where we

763
01:05:12,880 --> 01:05:18,319
that's where we run into the struggle.
>> Yep. Um

764
01:05:15,920 --> 01:05:24,799
» and I do think too Logan speaking um
from shared services committee we have

765
01:05:21,119 --> 01:05:29,680
aligned town and schools as much as we
can but keeping bearing in mind we have

766
01:05:28,240 --> 01:05:33,520
different systems. Yes.
>> Right. So we have to sorry I didn't see

767
01:05:32,160 --> 01:05:38,319
» no no I yeah I
>> so that we've we've aligned as much as

768
01:05:35,520 --> 01:05:43,440
we can um but we get to a certain point
where town has a different system than

769
01:05:40,319 --> 01:05:51,440
we do so there's a cost difference there
but the on the school side uh we have

770
01:05:47,039 --> 01:05:56,480
started taking over doing all of the um
fixing right the the any technical

771
01:05:53,760 --> 01:06:00,480
issues that the town has the schools now
handling that instead of them going out

772
01:05:58,480 --> 01:06:01,760
or contracting out for that. So there is
some savings there.

773
01:06:01,280 --> 01:06:05,280
» Sure.
>> Yeah. And I mean I I think some of the

774
01:06:03,440 --> 01:06:09,839
other recommendations are probably more
long-term and outside of this budget,

775
01:06:07,440 --> 01:06:12,160
you know, like merging some of those
systems and

776
01:06:10,799 --> 01:06:16,880
» Right. Right. Exactly.
>> Yeah. Those that's outside of this

777
01:06:13,599 --> 01:06:18,720
budget, but I No problem. I just just
was bringing it up.

778
01:06:17,599 --> 01:06:22,480
» No, it's great thought. It's great
thought. Thank you.

779
01:06:19,760 --> 01:06:26,559
» Um the audience um one
>> Yeah. I just um with the grants, I just

780
01:06:24,559 --> 01:06:30,559
want everybody to um understand that we
actually do go and look for grants in

781
01:06:28,240 --> 01:06:35,920
every department. So, we're on our third
year of uh the social work grant. So, it

782
01:06:33,440 --> 01:06:39,760
was not approved in the budget in the
year three years ago. So, we went and

783
01:06:37,920 --> 01:06:44,480
looked um and the state had offered a
grant. So, we ended up with $320,000

784
01:06:42,720 --> 01:06:49,599
for three years. Within that grant, we
got a social worker and then we ended up

785
01:06:46,079 --> 01:06:56,559
being able to put in uh BCBA hours that
were also not approved. So um every year

786
01:06:53,359 --> 01:07:01,039
we are looking all of us um and we do we
do um you know allocate money to from

787
01:06:59,440 --> 01:07:05,839
the grants. So that's something
important also with shared services. Um

788
01:07:04,319 --> 01:07:10,480
I have conversations all the time with
area districts Vernon Summers um Summers

789
01:07:08,880 --> 01:07:14,160
approached us the other day and said hey
have you thought about maybe us going

790
01:07:11,920 --> 01:07:19,119
together with a transition program. So,
we are always looking for opportunities

791
01:07:16,640 --> 01:07:26,720
with our neighbors to be able to support
and share um beyond the grants.

792
01:07:23,760 --> 01:07:30,559
» Fantastic. Um sorry, I I had a whole
litany of questions just as I'm zipping

793
01:07:28,559 --> 01:07:36,720
through. Um
uh back to the electricity, just a a

794
01:07:32,799 --> 01:07:40,240
quick question. Um I know normally when
you have construction projects, you

795
01:07:38,480 --> 01:07:45,760
know, the cost of utilities are baked
into the project costs. Is is there a

796
01:07:44,160 --> 01:07:51,119
chance that some of those electricity
costs for Windmir can can move from the

797
01:07:48,640 --> 01:07:57,920
operational side and out of the general
fund and into the project? So, as far as

798
01:07:55,280 --> 01:08:02,720
I know, they are not um because they are
within the school building. I can talk

799
01:08:00,319 --> 01:08:08,079
to the professional that knows all of
that state funding law and see what can

800
01:08:06,000 --> 01:08:11,920
be done. Like the trailers that are on
site, they have their own meter. They

801
01:08:09,680 --> 01:08:15,680
pay their own electric bills. Um but the
electricity in the school runs into the

802
01:08:13,680 --> 01:08:18,640
electric bill. I've broached the topic
and it doesn't seem like it is a

803
01:08:17,120 --> 01:08:23,279
possibility, but I'll double check on
that to be sure.

804
01:08:20,319 --> 01:08:28,880
» Okay. From a logistics perspective,
obviously it's hugely challenging um

805
01:08:26,480 --> 01:08:34,080
operationally to be doing the renovation
that we're doing uh and the rebuild at

806
01:08:31,279 --> 01:08:40,400
Windemir by living in the school while
half of it's under demolition. Um but

807
01:08:36,719 --> 01:08:44,400
the spaces uh end up overlapping in
terms of the the spaces that they're

808
01:08:41,920 --> 01:08:47,600
working on um are part of the building
and not metered separately I think is

809
01:08:46,400 --> 01:08:52,719
what Alicia is referring to.
>> Oh yes. No 100%. Um yeah I was just

810
01:08:50,960 --> 01:08:57,359
wondering if you know it's really
ultimately if the state would accept

811
01:08:54,159 --> 01:09:03,359
some sort of allocation of you know or
some sort of estimate but uh perfect.

812
01:09:00,080 --> 01:09:07,920
Now, for the excess cost grants, um I
didn't see like a percentage. What are

813
01:09:05,600 --> 01:09:11,520
what are we estimating in the budget for
a a percentage?

814
01:09:09,279 --> 01:09:15,440
» So, when we budget for the excess cost,
we assume that we're going to get 70%

815
01:09:13,759 --> 01:09:18,799
reimbursement. And so, we budget for
what's left um because it doesn't fall

816
01:09:17,679 --> 01:09:21,440
because of the way that it's built
within the general fund, it doesn't fall

817
01:09:20,080 --> 01:09:24,560
on our revenue line because it's the
fund accounting. So, we put it back

818
01:09:23,120 --> 01:09:27,759
against the expense and budget for what
we believe is needed.

819
01:09:25,839 --> 01:09:32,080
» Okay, great. No, I was just because I
know previously we had budgeted lower at

820
01:09:30,080 --> 01:09:35,839
times, but No, so we're going
>> Yeah, last year I think we had assumed

821
01:09:33,600 --> 01:09:39,679
this year there'd be a 60% reimbursement
and there was some uncertainty about

822
01:09:37,520 --> 01:09:43,120
that. Um, and so we did we did account
for that, but we did uh assume the 70

823
01:09:42,000 --> 01:09:49,920
for next year.
>> Okay, great. And yeah, one last

824
01:09:46,719 --> 01:09:53,920
question. Okay, just just so I
understand, I know that under the

825
01:09:51,520 --> 01:10:01,840
summary by department, I see for
athletics I see, you know, the 537,000.

826
01:09:59,199 --> 01:10:07,040
It's on page 39 if anybody's looking.
Um, that 537 is that all in does that

827
01:10:05,600 --> 01:10:10,960
include the cost of the athletic
director or where where might they be

828
01:10:10,080 --> 01:10:15,280
accounted for?
>> Did you say page 39, Logan?

829
01:10:12,560 --> 01:10:18,080
» Page 39 of the budget book is the
summary by department and

830
01:10:16,719 --> 01:10:23,560
» Oh, yes. My department includes
salaries, right Stephanie? That I'm

831
01:10:19,760 --> 01:10:23,560
speaking correctly to that.

832
01:10:25,920 --> 01:10:28,920
» Yes.

833
01:10:31,520 --> 01:10:36,080
» Yes. That includes all the stipens. That
includes all costs related to athletics,

834
01:10:34,880 --> 01:10:38,719
including salaries.
>> Okay. So, that includes the athletic

835
01:10:38,000 --> 01:10:41,600
director.
>> Yes.

836
01:10:39,280 --> 01:10:44,800
» Okay.
>> Oh, yeah. No, I assumed he was. I just

837
01:10:43,360 --> 01:10:49,440
wasn't sure.
>> Yeah. I and this might be a little

838
01:10:47,360 --> 01:10:55,120
controversial. It's just that when we
see a $537,000

839
01:10:51,760 --> 01:11:00,480
line item and I and I know they're like
150,000 in salary before benefits, I

840
01:10:58,640 --> 01:11:04,880
mean almost half the cost of the
athletics program ends up being for the

841
01:11:02,719 --> 01:11:08,480
cost of a person to run the program.
>> I do want to say that he's the director

842
01:11:06,480 --> 01:11:12,719
of athletics and wellness. So, he also
oversees the curriculum for the PE um

843
01:11:10,960 --> 01:11:17,199
the student wellness for the district as
well. He is runs and is the chair of the

844
01:11:14,960 --> 01:11:19,760
wellness committee in the district. Um,
so it is more than just the athletic

845
01:11:19,040 --> 01:11:24,480
director.
>> So, okay. So, he's probably not in that

846
01:11:22,960 --> 01:11:28,640
athletics.
>> He or he's probably or is he like

847
01:11:27,280 --> 01:11:31,920
» his salary is fully in there?
>> Fully in there. Okay.

848
01:11:30,480 --> 01:11:36,880
» All right. But he's providing other
services. Okay. Yeah. Um, and just on

849
01:11:35,199 --> 01:11:40,400
the programmatic side, I do want to
point out that over 50% of our high

850
01:11:38,719 --> 01:11:44,239
school students participate in athletics
through the course of the year. So we

851
01:11:42,159 --> 01:11:48,239
really do feel that we have a robust
program that uh students and families

852
01:11:46,719 --> 01:11:52,080
really appreciate as
>> for their own development but as part of

853
01:11:50,640 --> 01:11:56,320
the culture of the school.
>> Oh, sure. Yeah. And I'm not I'm not

854
01:11:54,320 --> 01:12:00,719
suggesting that that's something we cut.
I just wanted to make sure I understood

855
01:11:58,400 --> 01:12:05,760
and and I was just wondering how
something like that compares to the

856
01:12:02,960 --> 01:12:11,040
other schools that are in our our I
think there was a comparison the DRC,

857
01:12:08,960 --> 01:12:15,520
you know, do they do they have a similar
profile in terms of using an athletic

858
01:12:13,520 --> 01:12:18,880
director in the same way and and that
sort of thing?

859
01:12:16,400 --> 01:12:24,960
» Yeah, generally districts um of this
size do. um that some try to get by with

860
01:12:22,480 --> 01:12:28,960
a part-time person, but we have found
that that wasn't providing the quality

861
01:12:26,880 --> 01:12:34,000
of athletic experience that the
community was looking for.

862
01:12:31,120 --> 01:12:38,159
» Okay.
>> I would say South Windsor has both an

863
01:12:36,000 --> 01:12:41,520
athletic director and an assistant
athletic director. Now, they're a little

864
01:12:39,840 --> 01:12:47,199
bigger than us, but they have two
administrators just for athletics. So,

865
01:12:44,640 --> 01:12:51,040
um you know, definitely something good
questions.

866
01:12:48,960 --> 01:12:56,480
I have two questions, Crystal Banville.
Um, first, you mentioned that there is a

867
01:12:53,600 --> 01:13:00,640
huge demand for prek um in town and with
a lot of centers clo, you know, the one

868
01:12:58,320 --> 01:13:03,760
in the center town closed down. Um, do
we have a long-term plan to kind of

869
01:13:02,239 --> 01:13:09,880
leverage that need because it's a
potential for an increase of revenue if

870
01:13:06,000 --> 01:13:09,880
we extend that program.

871
01:13:11,120 --> 01:13:18,800
» Our challenge for that is space. Um so
we don't have the classroom space to

872
01:13:16,239 --> 01:13:24,239
expand that significantly at this time.
Uh thinking long term, I think we do

873
01:13:21,120 --> 01:13:30,000
need to um cooperate with the town on
long-term uh facility and strategic

874
01:13:27,360 --> 01:13:34,960
planning. And so we want to start those
conversations uh in a way that would

875
01:13:32,320 --> 01:13:39,520
then be building the infrastructure. U
the high school is overcrowded. Um and

876
01:13:37,760 --> 01:13:44,159
then you know there's a ripple effect
through the other buildings as far as

877
01:13:41,520 --> 01:13:48,239
how our grades are configured. Um so
long term I think we we need to think

878
01:13:45,840 --> 01:13:49,760
about that um with the board.
>> Okay.

879
01:13:48,719 --> 01:13:52,480
» And the town.
>> Y

880
01:13:50,560 --> 01:13:55,679
» yeah. So with the preschool program too
Sarah's Sarah here

881
01:13:54,320 --> 01:13:59,760
» Christie I just want to do a point of
order though here. I I do want to make

882
01:13:57,840 --> 01:14:04,320
sure that whatever the discussion we're
having is as to this budget. Not that I

883
01:14:02,000 --> 01:14:07,360
don't want to have these discussions. I
just want to make sure we're, you know,

884
01:14:06,400 --> 01:14:10,080
following the process.
>> Thank you. Thank you for the reminder. I

885
01:14:09,040 --> 01:14:14,400
just want to let you know that this is
something that we analyze every year.

886
01:14:11,600 --> 01:14:17,760
So, I appreciate the question.
>> Um, and then again, I want to echo what

887
01:14:16,239 --> 01:14:21,360
Logan said. You guys did a great job.
This is a very reasonable, conservative

888
01:14:19,840 --> 01:14:26,960
budget. I think taxpayers are going to
be really happy. Um, as a parent, my

889
01:14:23,840 --> 01:14:30,640
concern is, um, are we investing in any
technologies this year? um you know, how

890
01:14:29,280 --> 01:14:34,960
are we going to be competitive with
districts that are offering STEM

891
01:14:32,000 --> 01:14:39,280
programming and robotics and um all
those other sorts of programs that are

892
01:14:37,840 --> 01:14:43,520
really what kids are going to need in
the future.

893
01:14:41,600 --> 01:14:47,679
Again, I I do just want to caution
everyone to to make sure that we're

894
01:14:45,280 --> 01:14:52,560
staying on topic with this budget
because we do have the agenda item. So,

895
01:14:50,239 --> 01:14:56,640
I don't want to go too far a field and
it doesn't mean that we can't discuss it

896
01:14:54,800 --> 01:15:01,360
um in future meetings and put it on an
agenda. So I don't want to

897
01:14:59,280 --> 01:15:04,239
» address what's thank you for the
clarification.

898
01:15:02,000 --> 01:15:10,159
» What's in the budget this year for tech?
>> Right. So um to be honest, our biggest

899
01:15:06,960 --> 01:15:16,880
investment on the science side is our U
K12 science uh specialist and uh she has

900
01:15:14,960 --> 01:15:23,360
pursued grants. She's run robotics
programs in other towns. Uh she uh

901
01:15:20,960 --> 01:15:29,040
received a grant to do a drones program
at the middle school uh which is very

902
01:15:25,840 --> 01:15:34,000
popular. Uh we recently expanded to some
uh the technology for gaming um some

903
01:15:32,239 --> 01:15:38,239
gaming computers at the middle school.
So there's some uh enrichment programs

904
01:15:36,560 --> 01:15:44,080
uh related to that at the middle school
level and she'll be expanding the uh

905
01:15:42,000 --> 01:15:50,159
science experiences. She's actually
attending a conference soon. Um but our

906
01:15:47,520 --> 01:15:53,760
investment is in that position and and
that's really our biggest strategy.

907
01:15:52,320 --> 01:15:58,880
» Thank you.
I have a question on page 39

908
01:15:57,280 --> 01:16:04,679
on
board of ed. Can you explain those

909
01:16:01,679 --> 01:16:04,679
figures?

910
01:16:08,560 --> 01:16:14,480
I So, right now, Lenora, I don't have
like all that detail in front of me. Is

911
01:16:12,480 --> 01:16:21,239
it okay if I pull that and give you a
call on that? Because I my assumption is

912
01:16:16,719 --> 01:16:21,239
going to be um

913
01:16:23,520 --> 01:16:27,727
you stumped you stumped me. [laughter]

914
01:16:28,640 --> 01:16:38,840
» If the question was on page 39
>> the department summary of department

915
01:16:34,719 --> 01:16:38,840
uh board of ed 42.

916
01:16:43,120 --> 01:16:50,960
We do have some costs that are
applicable to specific board costs. So

917
01:16:48,880 --> 01:16:55,920
um in one year we purchased tablets I
believe for the board. So there are some

918
01:16:52,800 --> 01:16:58,239
board specific costs.
>> So each GL

919
01:16:57,520 --> 01:17:01,920
» Yeah. But
>> each of our

920
01:16:59,040 --> 01:17:06,000
» it's going up 135,000.
>> Each of our GL codes have these

921
01:17:04,239 --> 01:17:12,159
different department codes within them.
So, anything that's spent within uh

922
01:17:09,840 --> 01:17:18,159
department code 42 would roll up into
there. So, your question was what makes

923
01:17:15,120 --> 01:17:20,000
up the 477452?
Is that the question?

924
01:17:19,120 --> 01:17:25,360
» Basically, yeah.
>> Okay. We can dig back into the detail of

925
01:17:22,560 --> 01:17:29,440
that that we have all of those details,
but to come up with that off the top of

926
01:17:27,120 --> 01:17:34,159
our heads would probably be impossible.
>> Would that be part of salary? Is there

927
01:17:31,600 --> 01:17:38,000
any salary in that line item or no? Uh,
I don't believe so.

928
01:17:36,080 --> 01:17:41,120
» Howard's not
>> there. [laughter]

929
01:17:39,600 --> 01:17:43,600
» You didn't know you were getting a bonus
for

930
01:17:41,679 --> 01:17:49,440
» I'm not saying salaries to the board of
ed. I mean salary in that line. Not not

931
01:17:47,600 --> 01:17:53,360
for the board of ed members, but is
there [laughter]

932
01:17:50,080 --> 01:17:57,199
any salary that's attributed to that
that line item? No, Lenor, we're not

933
01:17:55,280 --> 01:18:03,280
getting a pay raise. [laughter]
>> So, no. If you flip, but if you look

934
01:18:00,320 --> 01:18:08,800
» if you flip to page 41, when you roll
down the codes, that department code 41,

935
01:18:06,960 --> 01:18:12,400
it's the third section. So like that
very first line,

936
01:18:10,880 --> 01:18:16,080
1001
01 is the department. I believe that's

937
01:18:14,640 --> 01:18:22,560
center school if I'm thinking off the
top of my head. Um that's location

938
01:18:19,360 --> 01:18:28,239
department code
for 1 2 3 4 5 in. Um, so there's no 42s

939
01:18:27,440 --> 01:18:34,640
within there.
>> So, but if you look at um non-certified

940
01:18:31,360 --> 01:18:40,239
salaries on 112 on page 43, you're going
to see the support um for the

941
01:18:37,040 --> 01:18:43,440
subcoordinator systemwide that that is
included in that that number. Correct.

942
01:18:42,400 --> 01:18:47,520
So,
>> there is salaries in there.

943
01:18:45,280 --> 01:18:51,679
» So, the support BOE would I bet it's
probably the stipen for the minutes. So,

944
01:18:49,760 --> 01:18:56,800
it's probably the board meeting minutes
stipen is in there. But but what I'll do

945
01:18:55,199 --> 01:18:59,679
is I'll go ahead and just pull all the
detail of the different lines and send

946
01:18:58,320 --> 01:19:02,560
it out. Yeah, the sub coordinator. So
I'll pull it and I can give an

947
01:19:00,960 --> 01:19:06,080
explanation as to why it's in there and
I'll send it out. It's probably easier

948
01:19:04,400 --> 01:19:10,080
than you guys going through every page,
>> but it's not the superintendent salary

949
01:19:08,080 --> 01:19:14,800
that's that's in there, but it could be
costs that are associated with the

950
01:19:11,600 --> 01:19:20,480
board. We do have uh leg legal costs
sometimes. Uh we have we're if we have

951
01:19:18,159 --> 01:19:24,560
an expulsion we have to you know pay for
legal to come and and be part of that.

952
01:19:22,719 --> 01:19:25,760
Would that cost be part of the board of
ed cost?

953
01:19:25,280 --> 01:19:29,360
» Yes.
>> And so is severance and adjustments for

954
01:19:28,320 --> 01:19:32,880
teachers.
>> So we can get an itemized

955
01:19:31,920 --> 01:19:33,600
list of that.
>> Yes.

956
01:19:33,280 --> 01:19:36,600
» Okay.
>> Yep.

957
01:19:39,040 --> 01:19:46,080
» Hi Charlotte Ward. Um, I was asked to
ask for myself and for others if someone

958
01:19:42,800 --> 01:19:51,280
could just explain pages 17 through 19
of how our staff to our studentto staff

959
01:19:48,480 --> 01:19:55,920
ratios along with per pupil spending and
return on investment comparative to

960
01:19:54,480 --> 01:19:59,440
comparable districts. So I understand
like everyone compares ourselves to like

961
01:19:57,679 --> 01:20:03,840
from a parent standpoint to South
Windsor or Vernon etc. But just when

962
01:20:02,080 --> 01:20:08,960
we're looking at the budget for general
knowledge of parents who are not privy

963
01:20:06,400 --> 01:20:12,239
to any of this insider knowledge um and
just want to know like are we investing

964
01:20:10,719 --> 01:20:15,520
in our students? I think that this is a
great way for them to kind of get a

965
01:20:14,000 --> 01:20:19,679
quick view. If someone could quickly
just kind of give us the the short and

966
01:20:18,400 --> 01:20:23,600
dirty on on that would be really
appreciated.

967
01:20:20,480 --> 01:20:27,760
» Um yeah, unfortunately I So I will
attempt to do that. kind of speak to it

968
01:20:25,600 --> 01:20:31,760
like how how it all relates to right
>> how we're running cuz

969
01:20:29,280 --> 01:20:35,920
» the public hears often that we are
running lean and that we have a very low

970
01:20:33,600 --> 01:20:38,560
cost per pupil and I think people worry
does that mean that my kids are missing

971
01:20:38,000 --> 01:20:40,960
out
>> and right

972
01:20:39,360 --> 01:20:44,320
» if if someone could just explain that
related to the budget

973
01:20:42,239 --> 01:20:51,600
» I'll give you an example of it it's
extremely nuanced and complex but I'll

974
01:20:47,679 --> 01:20:57,199
give you an example so um uh if you were
to plan a community around cost savings

975
01:20:54,400 --> 01:21:03,120
things. You would design a middle school
that had a perfect multiple of a 100

976
01:21:00,239 --> 01:21:08,239
students per grade level so that you
would have four sections of 25 students.

977
01:21:06,000 --> 01:21:15,600
If you happen to have a community that
is that size already, you have a huge

978
01:21:11,199 --> 01:21:23,440
efficiency because you have two sections
or two groups uh of 100 students. So 200

979
01:21:20,400 --> 01:21:29,199
students per grade splits out across
four core content areas very

980
01:21:26,080 --> 01:21:34,960
efficiently. If you had 130 students,
you end up in a very strange

981
01:21:32,080 --> 01:21:43,120
configuration and your class sizes would
either be super huge like in way into

982
01:21:38,080 --> 01:21:49,760
the 30s um or quite quite small in like
17 18 area. So there's some efficiencies

983
01:21:46,159 --> 01:21:54,159
that come with just having the luck of
being a community that's a multiple of a

984
01:21:52,080 --> 01:22:00,040
100 students per grade. That's one
example of the variation across those

985
01:21:56,719 --> 01:22:00,040
different districts.

986
01:22:00,239 --> 01:22:04,560
» I think that's helpful. So thank you. I
think it's very helpful for people that

987
01:22:02,800 --> 01:22:09,520
don't know that insight. They just look
at the numbers are like south should I

988
01:22:06,159 --> 01:22:15,040
move to South or you know. Thank you.
>> And I would also say Charlotte are there

989
01:22:12,880 --> 01:22:20,000
programs we're missing out on? Mhm.
Absolutely, 100%. There's no there's no

990
01:22:17,360 --> 01:22:26,960
doubt about it. But what the what's the
tradeoff, right? Um do we want to go

991
01:22:23,280 --> 01:22:30,320
through three referendums? I don't um
>> I don't either.

992
01:22:28,639 --> 01:22:34,480
» So, but at the same time, are we
providing an excellent education for our

993
01:22:33,040 --> 01:22:39,840
students? Absolutely.
>> Yes. And I I want to say I don't I've

994
01:22:36,560 --> 01:22:44,480
not heard one negative comment any
one negative. The only questions that

995
01:22:41,360 --> 01:22:47,520
have come are we are hearing, it is
already out there. I've already heard

996
01:22:45,520 --> 01:22:50,960
from multiple people like we're getting
no money. We're going to spend no money.

997
01:22:49,040 --> 01:22:55,120
That's what they're saying. And I I can
understand that and I appreciate that.

998
01:22:52,239 --> 01:23:00,320
From being on boardman, hopefully we can
make this all go smoother. But from a

999
01:22:57,120 --> 01:23:03,840
parent standpoint, it's concerning on
are we missing out? And it's no fault of

1000
01:23:02,480 --> 01:23:08,080
anyone here because you're being
directed to do something. Y

1001
01:23:05,360 --> 01:23:13,040
» but I parents want to be informed and
empowered to have a voice and this is

1002
01:23:10,560 --> 01:23:15,679
very overwhelming and they stop at page
like 20

1003
01:23:14,320 --> 01:23:18,719
» right so the only questions I've gotten
so far are on the very beginning and

1004
01:23:17,520 --> 01:23:23,199
they look at numbers that they don't
quite understand right I I'm trying but

1005
01:23:21,120 --> 01:23:27,120
I don't know all the details of it and
they are they are frightened is I think

1006
01:23:25,520 --> 01:23:31,360
is a good word they're frightened that
we are not building our schools that

1007
01:23:29,280 --> 01:23:36,239
we're not investing in them don't fault
any of you at all that's not to say they

1008
01:23:33,520 --> 01:23:40,560
are happy But our future generations of
our preschool classrooms, are they going

1009
01:23:38,320 --> 01:23:43,360
to be if we're not spending money, are
we going to keep up with our peers

1010
01:23:42,880 --> 01:23:45,440
towns,
>> right? And

1011
01:23:43,840 --> 01:23:50,080
» that's the concern. And I I hope that's
voiced by more than just me to people to

1012
01:23:48,320 --> 01:23:52,400
everyone that people want to spend
money. They want to invest in our

1013
01:23:51,520 --> 01:23:55,520
students.
>> So appreciate what you're doing. But

1014
01:23:54,000 --> 01:24:00,400
» and I think that kind of goes to my
point of the question around where's our

1015
01:23:58,239 --> 01:24:06,239
cliff, right? How long can we sustain
this before our students aren't gaining?

1016
01:24:04,000 --> 01:24:10,560
Um, and and that's that's a valid point
and it's a valid point for parents and

1017
01:24:08,080 --> 01:24:16,080
and honestly, are we missing out on some
things? Yes, we absolutely are. That

1018
01:24:14,000 --> 01:24:22,000
list starts some of that, but that's not
even the program side of things. Um, so

1019
01:24:19,760 --> 01:24:26,239
it's a it's a trade-off. Absolutely. But
yes, yes, to speak to that, it's true.

1020
01:24:24,080 --> 01:24:30,000
» I had a related I'm sorry.
>> Hold on one second,

1021
01:24:27,440 --> 01:24:37,760
» Charlotte. I think um if you can lead
people to um our return on investment

1022
01:24:34,080 --> 01:24:41,520
the ROI information and I don't know if
that's in the budget

1023
01:24:38,800 --> 01:24:48,560
» book
as

1024
01:24:44,320 --> 01:24:55,520
» well that tells if I'm correct that
tells the public that we are doing quite

1025
01:24:51,920 --> 01:25:01,280
well. we come in at number seven
um on the return statewide on the return

1026
01:24:58,159 --> 01:25:05,840
of our investment which should say to
people that we are doing the best we can

1027
01:25:04,159 --> 01:25:10,368
do
um with the money we're spending we're

1028
01:25:08,159 --> 01:25:14,560
getting a great return and I think that
[clears throat] you need to

1029
01:25:12,560 --> 01:25:18,320
tell people that
>> so I do think that people hear that I do

1030
01:25:16,880 --> 01:25:21,120
but when you look at this and you and
they're looking again probably not

1031
01:25:19,679 --> 01:25:25,840
knowing the whole details and South
Windsor has reasonable spending that is

1032
01:25:23,199 --> 01:25:30,000
less than ours and is number one they're
asking should we be doing more no one's

1033
01:25:28,560 --> 01:25:33,280
discounting anything that's being done
they're saying should we be doing more

1034
01:25:31,520 --> 01:25:37,360
does that make sense I'm not getting
across

1035
01:25:33,679 --> 01:25:40,880
» clear right so um the framework we use
for that is really around continuous

1036
01:25:39,280 --> 01:25:46,400
improvement so when I was speaking
earlier to the way that we're investing

1037
01:25:43,040 --> 01:25:50,000
in the capacity and collaboration of the
faculty uh those are really really

1038
01:25:48,719 --> 01:25:56,000
important investments and they're an
investment of time so they don't show up

1039
01:25:52,159 --> 01:26:01,440
in here as well um or as clearly. Uh but
we are super committed to uh continuous

1040
01:25:59,360 --> 01:26:06,159
continuous improvement in our
instruction and instructional practices

1041
01:26:04,239 --> 01:26:10,880
and the resources that go along with
that are the curricular resources that

1042
01:26:08,080 --> 01:26:15,840
we're purchasing and uh the teacher
specialists who are supporting teachers

1043
01:26:14,239 --> 01:26:20,639
um not only supporting students through
direct intervention but supporting

1044
01:26:17,679 --> 01:26:25,120
teachers in their planning and uh in
their classrooms. So that that's a staff

1045
01:26:22,639 --> 01:26:30,080
investment that we're super committed to
and it's part of the the return on

1046
01:26:27,840 --> 01:26:35,280
investment in terms of the educational
outcomes we're able to get um without

1047
01:26:33,120 --> 01:26:40,239
spending a lot of extra dollars beyond
what's in this budget.

1048
01:26:36,960 --> 01:26:46,000
» I also just I want to point out we
didn't spend time um looking at this,

1049
01:26:43,360 --> 01:26:49,280
but I know in the years past we have. I
don't know that it's necessary, but

1050
01:26:47,440 --> 01:26:55,360
there are plenty of school districts out
there that spend a lot more money per

1051
01:26:52,239 --> 01:27:00,639
student and do not get the test results
we get, do not have the excellent

1052
01:26:57,600 --> 01:27:07,679
programming or are able to keep students
in district like we are. So,

1053
01:27:04,560 --> 01:27:15,120
spending more money doesn't always mean
you get better value. what our jobs here

1054
01:27:11,520 --> 01:27:19,920
to what we're here to do as uh the board
of education is to look at this budget

1055
01:27:17,360 --> 01:27:24,159
and say and we thank you for the
superintendent's proposed budget. Uh at

1056
01:27:22,960 --> 01:27:29,280
the end of the meeting, it'll be our
budget and we're going to look to say,

1057
01:27:26,480 --> 01:27:36,719
are we using our resources as best we
can uh at as efficiently as we can and

1058
01:27:32,880 --> 01:27:43,920
get and and still giving every student
the opportunity for educational

1059
01:27:40,000 --> 01:27:49,120
excellence and that's our goal. So, we
all are consumers. We all know that just

1060
01:27:47,280 --> 01:27:53,840
because you spend more on something
doesn't mean it lasts longer or is

1061
01:27:51,440 --> 01:28:00,000
better. So, we always have to keep our
our uh focus on that as well. It doesn't

1062
01:27:56,639 --> 01:28:05,520
mean that hey, if we had some extra uh
dollars, could we do more? We might, but

1063
01:28:03,120 --> 01:28:11,760
we might not get any better results than
what we're getting now. uh the balance

1064
01:28:08,960 --> 01:28:17,679
this year uh that I am hearing from the
town is they're going to have a big

1065
01:28:15,120 --> 01:28:22,159
challenge and we also have to think of
the people that live in our town that

1066
01:28:20,560 --> 01:28:27,280
want to continue to live in our town and
want to be able to afford to continue to

1067
01:28:23,920 --> 01:28:34,480
live in our town. So that's the balance,
right? like if we uh do not be

1068
01:28:31,520 --> 01:28:37,600
responsible with our money, then there
are folks that might have to leave a

1069
01:28:36,320 --> 01:28:43,679
town that they love that they've
continued to live in because their

1070
01:28:39,679 --> 01:28:47,520
property taxes increase. So, we want to
be very mindful of that, too, because we

1071
01:28:46,080 --> 01:28:53,760
know that we're the biggest budget in
this town. So, I I think that everyone

1072
01:28:51,360 --> 01:28:58,560
wants to be able to everyone I know on
this board wants to be able to give

1073
01:28:56,080 --> 01:29:03,551
every child the best education we
possibly can

1074
01:29:00,960 --> 01:29:09,520
regardless of funds. Uh, and how can
[clears throat] we do it in the most

1075
01:29:05,040 --> 01:29:16,080
responsible way? So, that's our job to
to do. It's not that we want to be cheap

1076
01:29:12,880 --> 01:29:20,159
or just do the cheapest thing possible.
It's

1077
01:29:17,600 --> 01:29:24,239
ba balancing that always that concern.
So, is there anyone else that has any

1078
01:29:22,480 --> 01:29:26,480
questions on the board? Oh, yes. I just
Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. Are you first,

1079
01:29:25,920 --> 01:29:30,639
Lenora?
>> Yeah. Oh,

1080
01:29:27,760 --> 01:29:36,320
» go ahead, Lenora. Uh, two questions. Uh,
we have uh student to staff ratios in

1081
01:29:33,360 --> 01:29:41,440
the um budget book. Do we have teacher I
mean, excuse me, studenttoteer ratios

1082
01:29:38,960 --> 01:29:48,320
somewhere? And the second question, do
do we anticipate that um uh we're going

1083
01:29:44,960 --> 01:29:53,120
to have to make further cuts, make this
budget more lean once it's submitted?

1084
01:29:51,600 --> 01:29:56,320
» Um
well, so [clears throat] on the teacher

1085
01:29:55,679 --> 01:30:00,560
ratio,
>> that's a question for us, [laughter]

1086
01:29:57,920 --> 01:30:06,800
» right? Um
yeah, I wanted to ask that myself. Um so

1087
01:30:04,400 --> 01:30:12,960
on the um in in relation to your
question on teacher to student ratios we

1088
01:30:09,440 --> 01:30:15,920
do report class sizes um in the under
the enrollment section. So I think

1089
01:30:14,639 --> 01:30:20,880
that's would that would be the best
place to look at look look at what class

1090
01:30:18,000 --> 01:30:26,800
sizes look like. Um and so I think that
would be the best indicator there. The

1091
01:30:23,440 --> 01:30:33,760
um those ratios uh seem a little strange
because um the there are full-time

1092
01:30:30,960 --> 01:30:39,600
teachers who are doing intervention with
flexible small groups of students or

1093
01:30:36,239 --> 01:30:44,400
supporting um uh the the three teacher
leaders for example who do the

1094
01:30:41,199 --> 01:30:49,040
curriculum work K through 12. Uh
certified staff also includes uh school

1095
01:30:47,360 --> 01:30:54,880
psychologists.
So that uh certified staffto student

1096
01:30:52,159 --> 01:31:02,880
ratio often seems
um a lot uh a lot higher staffto student

1097
01:30:59,199 --> 01:31:06,719
ratio or lower like a lot smaller number
of students to staff when you look at

1098
01:31:05,040 --> 01:31:10,560
those ratios because that certified
staff includes positions beyond those

1099
01:31:08,480 --> 01:31:16,000
classroom teachers. So the best place to
look at at class sizes on the enrollment

1100
01:31:12,880 --> 01:31:22,560
part. Um and then obviously in in
relation to further cuts, um we've

1101
01:31:19,520 --> 01:31:26,320
looked very hard and and cut a lot. Um
and the budget book includes a page of

1102
01:31:24,719 --> 01:31:30,880
the cuts that have happened already and
Alicia provided some summaries of that

1103
01:31:28,800 --> 01:31:35,920
in the presentation. So there were
massive cuts that got us to this point

1104
01:31:33,840 --> 01:31:42,719
and from our perspective this is
extremely lean and um further cuts would

1105
01:31:39,920 --> 01:31:48,560
be uh definitely start would definitely
impact programming. You

1106
01:31:44,480 --> 01:31:54,880
» I'm the question mainly regarding you
assuming we adopt this budget uh should

1107
01:31:52,480 --> 01:31:59,360
we reasonably expect that the the town
will come to us with the expectation

1108
01:31:57,120 --> 01:32:02,960
that we cut further? Well, I don't know
that that's an answer. That's a question

1109
01:32:01,280 --> 01:32:06,960
he can answer. So,
>> well, he can tell me whether or not he

1110
01:32:04,560 --> 01:32:10,719
can answer. [laughter] Oh,
>> right. So, that's not within my purview

1111
01:32:08,719 --> 01:32:16,480
or control. Um, obviously, we'll
collaborate and work with the town. Um,

1112
01:32:13,679 --> 01:32:22,480
but um that becomes like the next the
next step here is a week from Wednesday,

1113
01:32:19,280 --> 01:32:27,520
the uh finance committee of our board uh
will review the budget again and then a

1114
01:32:25,600 --> 01:32:32,480
week after that is our standing board
meeting. So, the board uh would have the

1115
01:32:29,600 --> 01:32:35,199
opportunity to vote to adopt a budget uh
at that time.

1116
01:32:34,480 --> 01:32:39,440
» Megan,
>> um yeah, I just wanted to say this is

1117
01:32:37,360 --> 01:32:47,199
kind of goes on that, but also to what
Charlotte was saying before. Um I'm I'm

1118
01:32:43,600 --> 01:32:51,679
of the mind that I want to spend like I
I want to put as much money as we can to

1119
01:32:49,040 --> 01:32:56,239
our schools. Um, you know, and
especially when I see that there's

1120
01:32:53,760 --> 01:33:00,719
$550,000
going to athletics and about $40,000

1121
01:32:58,480 --> 01:33:04,960
going to music, art, and theater arts. I
am a theater kid. I'm like, give the

1122
01:33:02,639 --> 01:33:09,440
theater kids more money, please. But I
get it. This year is not the year for

1123
01:33:06,880 --> 01:33:13,520
that. And I think it's our job as a
board, as a board of selectmen, as board

1124
01:33:11,440 --> 01:33:18,639
of finance to work together and make
sure we communicate in ways that parents

1125
01:33:16,320 --> 01:33:23,120
understand how important it is to pass
this so that in future years when, you

1126
01:33:21,679 --> 01:33:28,880
know, when we get through this rough
year, maybe we can add services, you

1127
01:33:26,560 --> 01:33:32,719
know, but let's explain it to them this
year how this budget is the best budget

1128
01:33:30,880 --> 01:33:35,760
for us. And let's do that in ways that
they understand and get that

1129
01:33:34,000 --> 01:33:40,000
communication out. And I think that's
really important as us as parents um

1130
01:33:38,480 --> 01:33:46,800
standing in those lines waiting for
pickup and all of that to let people

1131
01:33:43,199 --> 01:33:52,800
understand that this right now is, you
know, the best for us and that we aren't

1132
01:33:51,120 --> 01:33:57,440
skimping. They are get still getting a
great education and that they have to go

1133
01:33:54,719 --> 01:34:03,920
and vote. And I think that that's really
important and up to us to make sure that

1134
01:33:59,920 --> 01:34:07,440
we get everybody out and voting um the
first time, not the second time.

1135
01:34:06,165 --> 01:34:12,239
[laughter]
I I just just briefly a comment. Um I I

1136
01:34:10,639 --> 01:34:16,080
just want to caution folks out there
when they are looking at the proposed

1137
01:34:14,239 --> 01:34:20,000
budget and because you did mention how
we spend a lot of uh you know a

1138
01:34:18,480 --> 01:34:24,800
disproportionate
uh number on athletics versus the arts.

1139
01:34:22,400 --> 01:34:30,239
Um, I I've been on this board a long
time and I I can tell you that uh this

1140
01:34:28,239 --> 01:34:34,080
district is committed to the arts, but
it you can't just look at that one

1141
01:34:32,159 --> 01:34:39,840
number. You have to look at what the
student participation is as well in

1142
01:34:36,480 --> 01:34:43,520
different activities. Uh, and that's
that's important to look at as well

1143
01:34:41,840 --> 01:34:48,080
because you you could have something
where you're spending a lot of money,

1144
01:34:46,159 --> 01:34:52,639
but then we have a lot of students
participating in it. So, it it it does

1145
01:34:50,719 --> 01:34:57,280
matter in that regard, too. I just don't
want folks to take that away because

1146
01:34:54,719 --> 01:35:04,239
that's not that's not accurate in this
in this district uh in terms of our arts

1147
01:35:00,880 --> 01:35:10,000
and music programs. So, but I think it
would also be helpful. Sorry, Oliver. Um

1148
01:35:06,560 --> 01:35:12,960
if we had uh because I think the other
piece of that too is there's ticket

1149
01:35:11,600 --> 01:35:14,400
sales
>> that are

1150
01:35:13,840 --> 01:35:20,320
» That's true.
>> around $60,000 that offset that. There's

1151
01:35:17,600 --> 01:35:26,320
also paytoplay. So students are
investing into that program. So if we

1152
01:35:22,880 --> 01:35:29,360
had those amounts that offset that
number, that would be helpful for people

1153
01:35:28,000 --> 01:35:32,639
to have that information.
>> Yeah. I just don't want everyone to take

1154
01:35:30,880 --> 01:35:36,239
it at face value. Thanks, Jen, for
adding that as well.

1155
01:35:34,719 --> 01:35:39,360
» I mean, I still think it's okay to spend
more on arts, [laughter]

1156
01:35:37,600 --> 01:35:44,080
» you know, but I agree that's, you know,
>> I'm not I'm not I'm not trying to oppose

1157
01:35:42,159 --> 01:35:49,120
your opinion in any way. I just want to
make sure for the public that they

1158
01:35:46,639 --> 01:35:51,360
understand there's a lot more to just a
number they see on a page.

1159
01:35:50,639 --> 01:35:54,159
» Yeah.
>> And I'm working to gather some of those

1160
01:35:52,800 --> 01:35:56,159
numbers as well and I'll have them for
our our finance committee meeting so we

1161
01:35:55,679 --> 01:35:58,080
can look at
>> Thank you.

1162
01:35:56,560 --> 01:36:03,040
» Is there anyone else that has any other
questions? Oh, Liz Nord, hello. I didn't

1163
01:36:01,360 --> 01:36:08,159
acknowledge you. I didn't see you are
hiding back there. Come on. Uh can you

1164
01:36:05,679 --> 01:36:14,560
pass her the mic, please?
>> On page six.

1165
01:36:10,960 --> 01:36:21,199
On page 16, you have the additional uh
positions. And I do realize it's a 0%

1166
01:36:18,239 --> 01:36:25,199
increase. Um there is a particular grant
I'm interested in knowing a little bit

1167
01:36:23,040 --> 01:36:32,960
more about and that's the seed grant.
Will that be um a one-year grant or will

1168
01:36:29,600 --> 01:36:36,719
that be continued over the years?
>> Because then the salaries have to be

1169
01:36:34,639 --> 01:36:39,520
added to next year's budget. That's why
I'm asking.

1170
01:36:37,440 --> 01:36:42,960
» Right. Uh that is true. So
>> Oh. Oh, hold on one second, Oliver.

1171
01:36:41,360 --> 01:36:50,400
» No.
>> So, so just in reading, initially we

1172
01:36:46,000 --> 01:36:53,679
heard um Liz that it was 3 years that
they were going to guarantee this is

1173
01:36:52,159 --> 01:36:58,159
legislature we're talking about, right?
So, at any given moment, and that's not

1174
01:36:56,480 --> 01:37:03,760
a that's not a riff. I'm just saying it
it it is what it is. Priorities shift

1175
01:37:00,880 --> 01:37:11,119
and change. Um but initially they said
three years but House Bill 50002

1176
01:37:06,960 --> 01:37:21,760
um states that it's going to continue.
So is that absolute? Nope. Um but um

1177
01:37:17,440 --> 01:37:27,280
we're you know it's it's $117,000
the grant. So and and it's money we're

1178
01:37:24,320 --> 01:37:32,639
going to Yes. Is there a potential for a
fiscal cliff on those positions? Yes.

1179
01:37:29,760 --> 01:37:37,119
But again, we're building risk in here
to add value.

1180
01:37:34,000 --> 01:37:41,920
» So the seed grant is supposedly
guaranteed for three years.

1181
01:37:39,679 --> 01:37:45,600
» According to the bill, it says it's it
it's beyond that.

1182
01:37:42,880 --> 01:37:53,679
» According according to the bill um and
the other grants that are being used,

1183
01:37:50,080 --> 01:37:59,040
» I'll defer to you on Oliver there. She's
asking about the other grants being used

1184
01:37:55,440 --> 01:38:02,719
in for the positions that are no cost to
the district,

1185
01:38:00,560 --> 01:38:08,119
» right? That that is it. It it is
predominantly the seed grant in relation

1186
01:38:04,639 --> 01:38:08,119
to those positions.

1187
01:38:08,480 --> 01:38:15,360
» Um and then with the other ones, there
is some movement and changes that we're

1188
01:38:12,080 --> 01:38:18,320
analyzing um to absorb those costs where
one will be absorbed through the basis

1189
01:38:17,360 --> 01:38:23,400
program.
>> Okay. Thank you. Any other questions?

1190
01:38:20,239 --> 01:38:23,400
» Thank you.

1191
01:38:24,400 --> 01:38:27,400
board.

1192
01:38:27,679 --> 01:38:32,880
» Thank you for your excellent work.
>> Yeah, thank you.

1193
01:38:32,000 --> 01:38:38,880
» A great question.
>> Yeah. Um so, so uh in in way of process,

1194
01:38:37,440 --> 01:38:43,600
we are now accepting the
superintendent's proposed budget. This

1195
01:38:40,800 --> 01:38:45,840
will now become the board of ed's budget
meeting. We have to vote on that at the

1196
01:38:45,040 --> 01:38:49,440
board meetings.
>> Yeah, we got to wait.

1197
01:38:47,199 --> 01:38:54,639
» No, right. But now we're taking over.
>> Not until we vote on it at those

1198
01:38:51,360 --> 01:38:59,040
informational today, right? So, the um
on on the 28th at the regular board

1199
01:38:57,280 --> 01:39:01,520
meeting, the board will have the
opportunity to adopt

1200
01:39:00,800 --> 01:39:06,800
» a budget.
>> Right. But now we're going to we're

1201
01:39:03,920 --> 01:39:11,440
going to be working at at the finance
the next meeting that we're going to be

1202
01:39:08,320 --> 01:39:16,080
having is the uh finance committee to
review the budget on on January 21st.

1203
01:39:14,159 --> 01:39:21,040
» That's correct. and and we'll be looking
to discuss this this your proposed

1204
01:39:18,639 --> 01:39:24,400
budget to hopefully figure out what
we're going what we're going to be

1205
01:39:22,400 --> 01:39:26,000
adopting on the January 28th.
>> That's correct.

1206
01:39:25,280 --> 01:39:27,840
» Thank you.
>> I just have a

1207
01:39:26,800 --> 01:39:34,880
» sorry if I misspoke.
>> Sorry, just a one quick question. Um

1208
01:39:32,080 --> 01:39:40,239
feedback from the public. What is the
best way that we, you know, for example,

1209
01:39:37,920 --> 01:39:45,440
if I'm asking the public to to give some
feedback on this on this budget to the

1210
01:39:42,800 --> 01:39:51,440
board, what is the best way? And for
anybody on YouTube watching or watches

1211
01:39:47,520 --> 01:39:56,880
it, what is the best way to get feedback
to the board, to the to the district?

1212
01:39:55,360 --> 01:40:00,400
What what's the best way that you want
to hear from people? Do you want them to

1213
01:39:58,560 --> 01:40:03,760
show up on the 21st? Do you want them to
email? Do you want them to call? What

1214
01:40:02,080 --> 01:40:08,719
would you like?
Um I would say if it's go ahead

1215
01:40:06,880 --> 01:40:15,199
» if it's okay with you Carrie um that
they can reach out to me um with any

1216
01:40:12,320 --> 01:40:19,440
inquiries, questions um so that they
have one central location to go to and I

1217
01:40:17,600 --> 01:40:26,080
will get answers to them and I will take
the feedback and respond. I think too if

1218
01:40:22,159 --> 01:40:32,159
if the public wants to will we is there
is there ability to uh stream the

1219
01:40:29,520 --> 01:40:34,400
finance committee or do we not do that?
We don't typically do that.

1220
01:40:33,520 --> 01:40:39,280
» No, we don't. We will.
>> But everyone's welcome to come to the

1221
01:40:36,400 --> 01:40:45,679
finance uh committee uh meeting on
January 21st at the board of ed,

1222
01:40:43,679 --> 01:40:51,199
» right? And then there is public comment
at the full board meeting if um I mean

1223
01:40:48,639 --> 01:40:55,360
we appreciate direct communication uh
through uh Jenzen as as our um

1224
01:40:54,719 --> 01:41:02,239
» finance chair.
>> Finance chair. Um, so I, you know, that

1225
01:40:59,600 --> 01:41:05,119
that's a way to to start right now, but
um, public comment could be at the board

1226
01:41:04,000 --> 01:41:12,440
meeting as well.
>> And there's also a public hearing on

1227
01:41:06,960 --> 01:41:12,440
April 14th as well at the auditorium.

1228
01:41:13,760 --> 01:41:19,840
» Yeah. The only reason I I mention is
because I know like in a you know, when

1229
01:41:17,840 --> 01:41:23,199
we have the public meeting in April,
there have been complaints. People feel

1230
01:41:21,600 --> 01:41:27,760
like, you know, we didn't know this
process was going on, so on so forth.

1231
01:41:25,119 --> 01:41:32,960
And I mean as as you know
representatives the public we obviously

1232
01:41:30,320 --> 01:41:39,119
want that to not we don't want people to
feel that way. And so, you know, at

1233
01:41:36,480 --> 01:41:42,880
least for my part, you know, we all want
the budget to go through the first time

1234
01:41:41,119 --> 01:41:47,840
it, you know, and part of that is making
sure that the public's aware and and

1235
01:41:45,040 --> 01:41:52,719
present. And uh and so anything we can
do to get people in the door in January

1236
01:41:50,320 --> 01:41:59,199
to be aware, you know, because they're
going to they're going to hear 2.93 or

1237
01:41:55,040 --> 01:42:03,840
or whatever it is. And that's, you know,
that's always the immediate and visceral

1238
01:42:00,800 --> 01:42:08,880
reaction. and we always have that uphill
fight. Um, so that's why I just wanted

1239
01:42:06,320 --> 01:42:12,880
to ask, you know, what is the best way?
And so emailing,

1240
01:42:10,639 --> 01:42:17,440
» you can always send an email, but I
think the chair from communications, Jen

1241
01:42:15,600 --> 01:42:22,000
Mullen, does an excellent job of of
getting the information out in

1242
01:42:19,199 --> 01:42:27,679
conjunction with uh Tracy who helps out
with the communications. Uh there all

1243
01:42:24,639 --> 01:42:33,119
the meetings are posted, Logan, and we
do our best. We have

1244
01:42:30,800 --> 01:42:36,159
tons of communication that goes out now.
You get like text messages and

1245
01:42:34,880 --> 01:42:38,880
everything else.
>> This is not a criticism. I'm I'm not and

1246
01:42:38,159 --> 01:42:44,320
I don't want any
>> I just don't know how else we could what

1247
01:42:41,520 --> 01:42:49,280
more we could do to be communicating
that if folks have questions or concerns

1248
01:42:47,040 --> 01:42:55,520
there certainly we have several
meetings. So even if somebody has has a

1249
01:42:52,159 --> 01:43:01,520
conflict, this is our third meeting on
the budget for opportunities for folks

1250
01:42:58,159 --> 01:43:06,000
to come and to ask questions. I think
it's always been a known issue. I've

1251
01:43:04,000 --> 01:43:10,080
served on the rec commission and other
committees in town and

1252
01:43:08,639 --> 01:43:14,239
there's always going to be somebody
saying, "Oh, I didn't know. How come I

1253
01:43:12,480 --> 01:43:19,600
didn't know?"
I I we've tried so many different things

1254
01:43:17,920 --> 01:43:23,679
to get the communication out there,
whether it's through social media or

1255
01:43:21,600 --> 01:43:28,239
newspaper ads or anything like that.
There's always going to be a group of

1256
01:43:25,199 --> 01:43:34,000
people that don't see it and don't know.
So, Logan, if you can solve that,

1257
01:43:31,119 --> 01:43:40,080
» do we send out individual emails to all
of the parents regarding uh that

1258
01:43:37,119 --> 01:43:44,000
» that each parent gets an email?
>> Everybody gets an email. It's on the

1259
01:43:41,760 --> 01:43:49,199
front page of the website. The webs, the
new updated website's got all the

1260
01:43:46,719 --> 01:43:53,760
information out there. Every parent gets
an email as far as what's going on. They

1261
01:43:51,440 --> 01:43:58,239
get multiple emails because they also
get emails. I know um Mr. Mitchell sent

1262
01:43:56,639 --> 01:44:03,760
one out from the high school talking
about the issue. The individual um

1263
01:44:01,440 --> 01:44:10,880
schools all send out their Friday emails
and note that as well. So there's

1264
01:44:08,400 --> 01:44:15,119
maybe it's an overcommunication I which
I don't think is possible but

1265
01:44:12,320 --> 01:44:19,360
» No, it is possible to be in I know there
are also people that don't look at the

1266
01:44:17,600 --> 01:44:23,679
communications corner. They don't look
at the emails from the principles on

1267
01:44:21,119 --> 01:44:27,600
Friday. I don't know how to make that
any better because if we were to stop

1268
01:44:25,679 --> 01:44:31,920
that communication, somebody would say,
"Well, I didn't know." Um,

1269
01:44:30,960 --> 01:44:36,560
» sure.
>> I think if people want to know and get

1270
01:44:34,080 --> 01:44:42,719
involved, they they certainly can.
>> I think you're also going to have the

1271
01:44:39,280 --> 01:44:46,320
set group of people that feel like
blinders is the way to go and they don't

1272
01:44:44,639 --> 01:44:51,280
what they don't know they isn't going to
hurt them, but then they're the ones

1273
01:44:48,400 --> 01:44:55,840
that say, "Well, I didn't know."
>> So, I don't hear criticism in that. I

1274
01:44:53,840 --> 01:45:00,880
think I think we're just looking to see
make sure that the public is aware that

1275
01:44:58,800 --> 01:45:04,960
we do want to hear from them and I think
we're just looking to see what the best

1276
01:45:03,360 --> 01:45:09,199
avenue for providing that kind of
feedback should be.

1277
01:45:07,119 --> 01:45:14,560
» Right. So, Logan, if you want to have,
you know, and and everybody if anyone

1278
01:45:11,600 --> 01:45:19,360
has any questions um or if they have any
comments or something they want to add,

1279
01:45:16,960 --> 01:45:25,920
I welcome their email and I will answer
them within 24 hours. Tracy, is that

1280
01:45:22,320 --> 01:45:33,360
something we can put out on the website
>> and and perhaps send an email blast

1281
01:45:30,400 --> 01:45:36,320
» just saying, you know, this is out there
and if you have any questions, I mean,

1282
01:45:35,440 --> 01:45:39,040
sorry, Jen.
>> No, it's all it's all good. I I

1283
01:45:38,508 --> 01:45:42,719
[laughter]
I get very excited about the numbers.

1284
01:45:41,040 --> 01:45:46,480
Everybody knows that.
>> Everybody knows that. So, I I don't have

1285
01:45:44,320 --> 01:45:51,119
a problem with that. But to to go back
to Charlotte's point too and and

1286
01:45:48,239 --> 01:45:55,520
somewhat to yours Logan, um I think we
did this last year and we need to do it

1287
01:45:52,719 --> 01:46:00,719
again this year is that one pager that
kind of summarizes everything um and get

1288
01:45:58,560 --> 01:46:05,360
that out to people too because that was
very helpful I think last year for

1289
01:46:03,280 --> 01:46:09,679
people to say okay if you don't want to
if you don't want to sit down a cozy

1290
01:46:07,119 --> 01:46:13,199
fire and go through 119 pages you can
read this one pager that kind of gives

1291
01:46:11,600 --> 01:46:16,560
you the summary of everything. So I
think that would be a good idea.

1292
01:46:15,600 --> 01:46:20,239
Thank you, Logan.
>> That was my last comment. People really

1293
01:46:18,880 --> 01:46:24,159
like that. I got great feedback on that.
So, Charlotte, again, that I think that

1294
01:46:22,320 --> 01:46:26,320
was very helpful because I do, to Jen's
point, I mean, on the board selecting,

1295
01:46:25,199 --> 01:46:30,239
we have the same thing. People come and
they say, you know, we didn't know. We

1296
01:46:28,800 --> 01:46:32,960
can only engage those that want to be
engaged, right? Like we we can't make

1297
01:46:31,920 --> 01:46:37,040
friends with people that don't want to
be our friends. We can try. I love to

1298
01:46:34,639 --> 01:46:40,880
talk. Um, but to that point, I think
putting it out that one pager was so

1299
01:46:39,040 --> 01:46:44,960
helpful to get those people that were
kind of like on the fence of being

1300
01:46:42,159 --> 01:46:50,320
involved. it was easy to digest and
helpful and it stopped a lot of

1301
01:46:46,960 --> 01:46:52,960
questions of of being unknown. Um so it
just puts into his perspective for

1302
01:46:51,679 --> 01:46:55,520
everyone. So I appreciate that. Thank
you.

1303
01:46:53,760 --> 01:47:00,800
» Uh so we will put into that
communication the process what's

1304
01:46:58,000 --> 01:47:06,960
happened to date the main like takeaways
big points from the uh three meetings

1305
01:47:03,920 --> 01:47:11,199
we've had so far. Uh and then look
forward including the dates for uh the

1306
01:47:09,440 --> 01:47:14,960
additional dates coming up on the school
side. Uh and then those larger town

1307
01:47:13,360 --> 01:47:17,840
meetings where the board of ed has a
presence. So we will definitely get that

1308
01:47:16,639 --> 01:47:23,119
out.
>> Um I think that if anybody wants to at

1309
01:47:21,360 --> 01:47:28,960
any time, not even just during the
budget season, but at any time contact

1310
01:47:26,159 --> 01:47:33,040
uh the board of education, there's many
ways to do it. One is just to send the

1311
01:47:31,119 --> 01:47:40,000
email. All of our email addresses are
are on the website. And also too, we do

1312
01:47:37,760 --> 01:47:44,719
have public comment at every single
board of ed meeting where people are

1313
01:47:41,920 --> 01:47:50,159
allowed to get up and talk to the board
about anything that they want to talk to

1314
01:47:46,159 --> 01:47:55,360
the board about. So, um that that
communication remains open regardless

1315
01:47:52,159 --> 01:47:59,440
whether there's budget budget or not. In
addition to that, if folks do want to

1316
01:47:57,679 --> 01:48:02,960
attend our committee meetings, our
committee meetings are public as well.

1317
01:48:01,199 --> 01:48:07,280
you're welcome to come and sit in a
committee meeting if that's um if

1318
01:48:05,520 --> 01:48:12,960
there's a certain particular interest
that you have. So I welcome that. Does

1319
01:48:10,239 --> 01:48:16,400
anyone else have any other questions?
>> Great. I would entertain a motion.

1320
01:48:14,960 --> 01:48:21,520
» I move to
>> Oh,

1321
01:48:17,920 --> 01:48:28,320
okay. Miam. And then a second
>> is is uh Lenora

1322
01:48:25,199 --> 01:48:31,920
uh to adjurnn. All in favor?
>> I.

1323
01:48:28,800 --> 01:48:37,119
» All opposed. Uh, anyone abstaining?
>> Wait, no, I oppose. Let's [laughter] say

1324
01:48:35,199 --> 01:48:38,880
» all abstaining. Motion passes. Our
meeting is adjourned. Thank you very

1325
01:48:38,480 --> 01:48:42,119
much.
>> Thank you.