Dad is like ethnic relief orthodox. this law. >> Adequate notice of this regularly scheduled meeting of the Frenchtown Board of Education has been provided in accordance with the public meeting act by notification to the star ledger and
express times on January 9th, 2026. A copy of this notice have also been posted at the public school at the municipal building and filed with the burough clerk. And we'll stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Oh, we have office. Miss Portalo, would you please uh rise
and read your oath, please? >> Yes. Thanks. I, Veta Portalo, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and to the governments established in the United
States and this state under the authority of the people. I, VAO, do solemnly affirm that I possess the qualifications of membership prescribed by law, including specifically that I am not disqualified as a voter pursuant to RS194-1,
as well as I am not disqualified due to a conviction of a crime or offense listed in NJSA 18A12-1. I VA do solemnly affer that I possess the qualifications prescribed by law for the office of member of a board of education and that I will faithfully
impartially and justly perform all the duties of that office according to the best of my ability. >> Thank you. >> Congratulations. Thank you. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, uh, roll call. Mr. Blackburn,
Mr. Germany >> here, >> Miss Howard >> here, Miss Klein here, >> Miss Nakahara here, Miss Cartello >> here, Mrs. Nent here. Um, and since we have no members of the public here, we'll move on
um to the secretary report. Um, anything of note? Um, nothing there. Just want to mention that, um, we're still waiting for the
final closeout documents on our chiller replacement project, but we're about to wrap that up, right? Um, so we'll need a motion to approve the minutes of the December 16th regular and executive session.
>> I'll second. >> Any comments or questions? All those in favor? >> Opposed or abstain? And then we'll need a motion to approve
um the minutes of the January 6th reorg and executive session. >> A second. >> Any comments or questions on that one? Okay. All those in favor
of saying the house. All right. And then if you can pass your um executive over this way is thanks Okay. And we'll move on to Jim's report.
>> Good evening everyone. No, it's just something. All right. Um, so first thing, um, just want to note there were no incidents reported or identified as HIV this month. Um, no
short-term suspension. Um, we had our security and fire drills in collaboration with our local police on 1217 and 122. That's that part. Okay. So, we'll need a motion to affirm the HIV report uh from
December. So, December 16th, 2025. >> Any comments or questions? All those in favor? I >> opposed or abstain. And then we'll need a motion to approve the resolution for um full board
recognition month. >> Feel so >> exactly right. >> I'm sorry. >> Okay. All those in favor or abstain. Um, and I know it is silly, but I would
like to say thank you to everybody for the time and the care that you put into the work that you do for the school. Um, it is definitely appreciated. >> Great. Thanks, K.
>> Okay. And thank you for the cake. >> Well, thank you again for all you do for us and FPS and our school and our staff and team. For sure. >> Okay. Then we'll need a motion to approve the 2627 school calendar.
>> Okay. Um any comments or questions? or Jim, did you want to say anything about that? >> Uh, just real quick, I know we talked um, you know, we emailed back and forth. I think then the thing for the calendars, this will be year two in a row that all the
Delbell school districts and schools start on the same day. Um, which I think is good um, across the board. Um, it allows for us to do our um, picnic on the Friday, the 20D um, in August. So we'll be planning for that again, you
know, uh just like we did last year, you know, learning and reflecting. We want to do that and build that up again. So we'll have a 12:30 dismissal on that Friday with professional development for the teachers in the afternoon. So similar model, just you know, just different days, but same idea. Um and
then there's we did embed a second uh professional half day professional development day in October just to keep the momentum going with the personalized learning plans for students and um needing that time for our teams to collaborate and support in the beginning of the school year and then again multiple opportunities
with the del with delval as well as elementary school districts throughout the year um for a lot of for the one in October where we'll all be together and then multiple times again throughout the where 12:30 dismissals align um with other schools within our district so we
can do some collaboration there too. Okay. Any comments or questions on the school calendar? All right. All those in favor or abstain? to Jim for the rest of this. All right. So,
good evening again everyone. I thought it would be good to open up today with just going actually over our district goals and some updates along that. Um just so we
can just check in and see where everyone's at. You know, it is January. Um so I've just ended up breaking down our all our goals that we have listed. Um, and I put it up here
just kind of some notes along and I'll share this again with the board by the end of the week. Um, as they typically do, uh, academic support program, you know, under goal one for student learning achievement, we established that last year for us. Um, through the help of Mrs. Thompen Thompson and
supporting teachers. Um and if you check out the agenda for tonight, we've already begun our planning um to put that in motion for um this coming summer as well. Um so we're excited to do that. Um it definitely gave us an opportunity as we talked about in the beginning of
the school year when Mrs. Thompson and um some team members have been here to share how integral that was to us continuing that learning process through the summer. Um and then starting, you know, really starting in a good space um when we began the school year and taking
some notes from the summer sessions and giving that providing that to the teacher that they were coming into. Those were some really good things. Uh increased student achievement. Um so as we know BO approved a new grading system um philosophy developed by the FPS
teacher team and our committee that we had last year um in August. Um so that's something that we've done. president's list, second marking period. We're we're we just put in our final uh grades. So, I'll be doing some final reviews
tomorrow. I have one student that keeps telling me, be honest, I haven't checked yet, but it's telling me that they're going to be the first one on the president's list, and I hope that student is there. I really do. Um so, we'll have our breakfast, PTO breakfast, um in conjunction with our burrow and
council, um mayor and PTO on Friday. So, we're excited for that. Um and then ESP, our educational support period that we've talked about, we've been driving a lot of um extra support, targeted support, um teacher communication for
students. Um that was an area that we gave a grade to. And I think, you know, that's the conversation that I think I have the most and I think teachers too. your ESP grade is is reflecting how you're doing in class in some of the
areas and how that aligns. And if you have more like a four, three or four, you're probably giving your best effort. If you have a one or two, you're not giving your best effort. You're good, you know, just on your own could be going up. Um honors we talked about. Um we built that
Miss McCann in the beginning of the year. Um I think some quick notes on that and then you know had a good conversation with her in preparation for this. Uh the rosters remain the same. We established that group of students. So through two marking periods it you know as we talked about it was going to be a
little challenging in the beginning and it was but I have to give you know students credit and staff and supporting them um in trying to find that little bit of balance and challenge. Um so they're still in it um to really give an opportunity for focused questions um you
know driven from the teacher but then really conversation really great conversations amongst uh amongst those students um thinking and deeper thinking and you know wise and and how come and all those things that are really built
into the class facilitated by Miss McCann and I'm really um just happy to hear those when I popped in there, the the the shared perspectives, right? Sometimes students align, sometimes they don't align. It's just a great collaborative um conversation that
students are learning from each other. So, I'm most um happy to hear about that. Um so, reflective planning for that, seeing what things we're going to bring to the table next year. Um where we at personalized plans. So, we did that ahead of the schedule as everyone
knows. Um, we just did our reviews last Friday when we had our professional development in the afternoon. We got our teams were all together again. Um, making any adjustments that they need. Maybe there your student has a goal that achieved. Maybe there's comments to
where they're at. Um, so that happened last, you know, last Friday. Um, some of those, so all those updates will be embedded in Mark and Fury 2 report cards. Same spot. Remember, there aren't comments. They're just your link. So you'll have your two, you know, now your
two personalized plans in there. Your personalized plan one and then just an update for second mark period. Not to them, but personalized plan and then you'll second market period update. Um I'll talk a little bit about this later, but we added um a spotlight to each um
students uh personalized plan which basically just highlights strengths or an area they're really progressing with so parents can really get a feel for where they're at. So that's one subtle change to the initial thing that we started with. Um,
oh, and one thing I did want to note because I know it was brought up on this level was just um, our team's also been looking right now, you know, we have indirect conversations with our students about their personalized plans at times where, you know, we don't go to the
kindergarter and go, "Oh, your objective is this, right?" Um, but that's something our teams are really kind of thinking about how and what grade level we want to do that. And I think what's lived this year, the way we have it, we made some subtle adjustments, but how we can really include the student, what grade level, and those things
conversations for next year. Um, so that's something that we're continuing, you know, to build conversation about as we go through this um first year. That's our um district goal one. So,
District Gold 2 community engagement um not going to not going to read every one of them, but you know, picnic was a big deal and across the board cell phone um collection and bell to bell that's been a huge thing. you've seen how much just in four months how that conversation has
grown and we're at Frenchtown and again as we recognize our board on on you know in a month like we do or anytime um you know how far ahead of the curve we were there right that conversation our community um the board members here supporting where we needed to go and
then our staff and students families supporting as well um we really just were able to make a quick difference there um talking about attendance fires um posted in the hallways, communication to families minus one or two along the way. We've had some discussions um back
to school night, family movie night. We have another one coming up um this Friday, so hopefully some people can be a part of it. Um monthly programs that we've been talking about. Mrs. Iggy um constantly drives that through our update, but I just gave a list of all
the different things that we've been driving through, whether it's been zones and regulation, executive functioning, problem solving, gratitude, kindness, respect, things that we really build pillars on here for Frenchtown. Um so those pieces are there. Um talked about
the movie nights, collaboration with the police. Um did that quick overview of um K2 technology. um pastboard meeting and we'll continue to have that conversation and building for next year.
What else? Sorry, I'll skip this. So, right. So, on to where am I? Increase district social media. So, as you see our our website's totally we went to appg last year. A lot of different variables. We're all learning that process a little bit. The
office team um myself. So things that are um going like right now live feed is a lot of those things we have some stationary things but anything that's currently going on might be on our live feed and typically in both cases it's ending up on Facebook as well and again just highlighting happenings that are
going on at our school um things that we're integrating into the community maybe how the community is helping us maybe how the we're helping the community with something like the can drive or is the community helping us like great example today with the snow in front of the school with DPW
um in Burough and everybody supporting us in that way. Um yep. So partnerships, local organizations, um as many of you know, we just came off of Delvau student, you know, education program, their practicum. We had a student here for the first time ever,
which was pretty cool in my opinion. I hope we get that opportunity for more. It gave that student some a an opportunity to grow, but also our teachers to be in that mentor role. Our students certainly benefited from having another adult in the classroom and working through that. Um, artyard, we've
done multiple things with the artyard this year. Um, we're in planning again right now for some spring opportunities. Aqual Lumino's coming around again, which many of you are um, familiar with. um partner some things with American Legion, um scarecrows earlier in the year, um
fire prevention with our local fire and police, River Union stage, Go Hunter in um all the collaborations that we do with that group. Um, as with River Union, they were able to bring Rick Sordle in, you know, famous
actor, which was pretty cool to do, choreography of fight scenes and stuff that our students really benefited. Just the movement in and in in that moment was good. Gerald Roach was a author that we had come in. Um, yeah,
moving on to school culture. Um, cell phone already kind of talked about that. um cell phone cases per cases were installed, students hands um hand in during arrival and given back at dismissal again ahead of the game and that we have a policy already. We did
receive our money last month um for the grant that um schools in New Jersey who have already gone to that or saying they're going to do that. walking field trips. Again, Artyard, American Legion. Right now, we have a team developing our capstone prog
um so I'll explain that a little bit or no, it's right here. Um sorry, I'm getting ahead of myself. Um Miss Mcan, Miss Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Thompson middle school teacher team. We've already had a really good discussion you probably six weeks ago about things that we feel like
our students would benefit from, things in the community that we could benefit from, they could benefit from, you know, what class is it going to live in, um, things like that. So, um, we're getting down a little bit more gritty with that now. So, I'm hoping to have a few more
updates in the coming months on that. Um so with our goal of next year this year's current seventh grade being the first eighth grade class that has to or will be a part of that um current skip.
All right grade level character ed um again a little bit of what Mrs. um Iggy is doing in our classrooms and we do everything else but just each month we have a theme managing emotions problem solving gratitude kindness competence those are what we've hit so far um
competence this is this month of January next month February is friendship um so those are pieces we communicate out what you know for the students what what we've done right what she communicates out in our weekly update what we've done what are some tips what are things that
you could do at home um in individual cases when students are requiring some extra support whether it's driven from a teacher or a specialist class or just mom or dad or parent and guardian at home emailing us saying hey we could use some sort of support um we do some
individual cases as many people know we support in those ways um zone sometimes is something that we do share some parents um say yeah this is something we're totally bought in and we get it so what could you how could you help us or
we have a system that's similar. This is what we're doing. And so it's just a conversation to be had um between school and the individual case. But I think we continue to really um use these as pillars to um support our students in
that growth. >> Middle school also during that ESP period, it also gives an opportunity, Mrs. time to them mostly. Um but other supporting features to take a minute to kind of hit some of the executive functioning skills um time management
pieces management like couple you know our teachers at times which I really appreciate and I think that everyone does. It's like, let's go out to your locker, right? Let's go to your locker. Let's go to your book p book bag and let's really reorganize.
Let's put stuff in a in a sit as a situation where you can it can really benefit you as opposed to kind of scattered and all of us um you know have been there, right? So, I think it's just really great um when our teacher team takes an takes a student's side and
says, "Hey, let's go do this and let's kind of get get you where you need to be." Um uh so ongoing at our faculty meetings, we we just had that low tech no tech instructional strategies as we build, right? That's something out of the
strategic plan. I think more recently um we sat some really good discussions about use of uh exit tickets, collaborative pro um exit tickets in different ways from you know and that could be something as young as kindergarten, first grade as well as our seventh and eighth graders um
collaborative projects talking about that and what collaborative projects we're doing. Um, we had a really good share from one of our teachers about a prewriting uh exercise where basically they had the students act out all the directions before they even touched, you know,
their hand to writing it. And it was really just sharing one of our teachers sharing that with the group. It really just you could just see the light bulb going with other teachers and how I could put that spin and I could do that spin, you know, on this. Um, and I think
that's just, you know, us being professional. That's us being um collaborative in the opportunities for planning times and um so I really do appreciate those those shares. It's all coming from the teachers. Um and you know at times then teachers are taking
information and they're applying it in a different way in in their world whether it's kindergarten, 8th grade, fifth grade, whatever it may be. So that's our just a run of our district goals. Um,
any questions just for that? I have a few more slides that I just want to hit on. Okay, good. All right, so another one of our pieces was we added that 75% students would demonstrate growth, right? Um, so we kind of went through
all this stuff. Um, student learning. I think for me the most important piece of this, we're still we have another group. Um, we're doing twice a period for attendance. That's something that we continue to do, make a big deal about um for our students. We did run K4 tutor
time. We're running a a second group because we have now 20 students signed up. Um so we are able to um work around our plan budget for this year um to support that. Mrs. Aronson's been great um along with Miss um really providing
students an opportunity. And the other thing that's really neat as we've grown more students in K4 tutor time, we're we're driving more middle school students to come go do their homework hub, be there for 20, 30 minutes. Maybe
they're done now. They're not leaving and going home. They're coming down to Kboard tutor time and they're helping. So as we talk about how to facilitate that younger those younger learners with the you know upper learners and and vice versa that's something if anything
that's really a tangible thing that I don't think anyone saw coming by doing those extra tutor time sessions it's a larger group and whether it's a sibling situation or not they're not going home. They're coming over and and now there's two spots in addition another spot um to
choose from and work through. So, um, yeah, that's something that we definitely, um, are are observing and seeing right now. Um, just a quick pieces, and I did talk a little bit about this is a starting American period. Now, we're in that world right now. We're doing a lot of
our midyear assessments. Um, so we had a lot of established early on. Now, between January, February, we're establishing, you know, seeing where we're at, what other areas we need to do. um some of that data is being driven right into the personalized plans which is really you know unique in itself too.
Um this is just an example. I just wanted people to see that um in addition to um the action plan strategies at home and action plan strategies here to support those two objectives um two three objectives in your
individualized plan depending on which who's which student you are. This is our spotlight. So just as an example of someone um that a student that our teacher wrote, you know, Joy sharing his knowledge with the class like just a really nice feelood and demonstrates curiosity curiosity and eagerness to
learn. I think those are just something like as if I'm a parent, it's nice to hear that, right? If something to share hopefully we share that with the student at some point too. Um you know I think that's a good moment. Um
so going back to this data piece um you know when we talk about beginning year we talk about that FMP data um font and vanel data we talk about that midyear data math facts things that we established in those things you know we
expect to see growth right we expect to when you come into third grade and fourth grade um to see some growth throughout the year I think the difference that we're do using with the Lumis data is we just did our midyear right before we went to the holiday time. It was purposely to do that. Um,
and it's basically Blumus is keeping us up on grade level now, right? It's it's giving us a current in moment time of your student right now, which is allowing our students or, you know, our teachers to see what skills they're lacking on middle of the school year,
right? As we just we just completed second marking period. So, it's really giving us an opportunity in form instruction allowing teachers to pull individual students, small group students as needed um to really, you know, get to that area that they're struggling with. Obviously, when you're
doing, you know, the areas that they're doing well in, we're we're we're backing off of that and putting it more in that a specific way. Um here's just an example that was telling um for us. So, you can see the standards that we talk about, right? Here's 8th
grade. um properties of exponents, simple interest, solving problems scientifically, math-wise, right? And here are some of the areas that you know we're doing okay in and so the only so Lumis just you know as not that the
state tests are always a little bit different in language and and we're not using we're not worried about Lumis and language and the scoring because we're using it as a tool but their their world's partial profision profession advanced profision everybody has their different >> and again we're not worried about that we're really just worried about the
score right so when they they engage in this problem where are we they engage in that problem. Okay, we have 81%. So that's, you know, potentially a good group of students is getting that concept. Whereas maybe rational versus irrational numbers is something eighth
grade level number systems we still need to kind of iron out. So and then here's reading. Um so here's an example like meaning and tone. You know, six 60% of our people have that. You know, our students have that. whereas textual
evidence um it's something that maybe we need to focus on a little bit more. So it's giving us some really real time data um allowing the teachers then to take this information and so what do we do with it? Um
so for me we've had some really good discussions how what do we do just really simple could it be an exit ticket for the day? Could it be problem of the day? Could it be when we walk in? This is our do now for the day. Is this problem? And what's unique about this
data and the teachers had this. If you just hover over the question, I can't show you because I'm not showing it live. It tells you the question literally bubbles up, right? AI world, right? It bubbles up and there's your question. So, you could screenshot that question and make your, you know, it
could be really that simple. You could screenshot it, throw it as the last problem on your existing Google Doc quiz today. Um, so it became it's it's super helpful. It's informative, but it's also allowing the teacher in a really short world, short time frame, not a lot of
work, pop it into something already they're doing. Um, and hopefully hit on that and, you know, so we get a really understanding. That's our philosophy. Um, as we talk about our philosophy and changing like we want to mass as close to mastery as we can with this. Um, so
it's that's how right now we're using Lumis. Um it's really and I think our teachers are really seeing um the benefit um and we can really target in on that area engagement I think then just on here things that we haven't hit on just
reading club Mr. Ranson um helped us out. He did his final >> He's always there. >> We'll thank him. Um we'll definitely get a post out with him. I know we took a couple pictures um with him in the group today. Um but just helping out. Uh we as
we talked about Atlas visited Frenchtown. So Marley's um brother Atlas is now in the world. Um so Atlas came last week because Marley was sick. Just funny how that things those things happen. River Union stage is going strong. Um we talked about the practicum
student um recess yoga. So PTO that's starting next week. So that's something we've been doing I think the last couple years. PTO is now um taking ownership of it which I really appreciate. Rebecca and um so Miss Bonnie will be here starting next week. Um so we're excited
for that. Um and then cultivating school to culture. I think we touched on everything here. I think yearbook club is something fairly new. You know, not new, but right now we only have we have six students in there and they're pretty
committed, but there's other stuff going on. So, um usually that es and flows a little bit as we go throughout the year. Um we're having we'll be having some NJ prevention uh presentations coming up in February, March. So, we'll be
communicating those out. Did you get the funding, Jim, for printing the Centennial book yet? >> We did not, Mr. Well, did we get the funding? >> Wasn't there some cash desired for the printing? >> I'm going to have to check on you. >> Okay. >> On on that. Check that.
>> Okay. Let me if you need help fundraising. >> Okay, we'll do. Um, but Mr. Mr. Rick has been in the building now twice. He'll be back and he's just kind of a fly on the wall. >> Um, great. Yeah, he could be in here
right now. We don't even know it. Um he he was saw him all over the place the other day. Drama club to the basement. So, he's getting the full range. Um Miss Hyler, one of our um aids in the beginning of the year, is now um a
student teacher in first grade as many of you know. So, we're excited for that. Um there it is, school board recognition month. So, thank you about right for everyone in here. Honestly, yeah, we can't really say it enough. I mean,
there's so much work and time that goes into being a part of um you know, the Frenchtown School Board of Education, any board of education, it really takes time away from your family. I, you know, I know I appreciate, you know, all the support and all the different things you
do, the questions, um, you know, how you integrate with people in our community, how you bring back ideas to our team here. I think we really appreciate all of that. Um, allowing and then allowing our team to weigh in on things that, you know, whether or not do we see that as tangible and does it make sense for FPS.
So, um, again, thank you for that. Um, and then happened. So, thank you for your time. >> Okay. Um the only thing that um I have that's not um executive in nature is that um I'm
going to draft um a second letter for the year from the school board. Um so I will send that I wanted to wait until after um data had been sworn in tonight. Um, so I'll talk about the reorg meeting. Um, a little
bit about the upcoming budget process and, um, I'll try to give a a like a brief note about the regionalization study and where we are with that. Um, if there's something, um, I'll send you a
draft and then if there's something specific that you want me to add, please let me know. >> Is there any plans since the last meeting on the New York? Has there have there been any conversations since our last meeting? >> The um I spoke to You mean the regionalization?
>> That's exactly what I said. >> Um I did speak to um the president of the board at Holland after our meeting in December. Um they did not have a discussion at their reorg meeting.
They're having discussion I believe Brenette tonight. Their their meeting is tonight. So, he was going to be to relay our message to his board and have a conversation tonight. So, um you know, that's that's where we stand. Um and
I'll let you know if I hear from him tomorrow what what that conversation resulted in. take this is on a separate thing, but remember how Delval said that they would eventually they were building a database to help us identify how Frenchtown students are doing in comparison to the
rest of the student body. Any progress on that? Any heard from them? >> Um there is no progress on that currently. Jim has reached out a number of times on and we just recently talked about it as well. Um, you know, and what
I said to Jim is if, you know, if we haven't seen anything by the spring, maybe we could schedule another meeting, um, you know, for some of us to go up and talk to some of them. >> Yeah, I definitely think there's
movement in trying to create something. Um, I just don't know if it's in a in a shared world. I know it's not in a sure world yet, but >> um Okay. So, we will move on to our consent agenda.
Now, we'll need a motion to approve items 12.1 through 12.11. Okay. Comments requirements on 12.1 through 12.11. I had a question about the preschool uh doors. Are they because of the like are
they to meet some mandate or >> some Oh, okay. >> Just upgrading. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> They're part of the preschool budget for some minor renovations. So, as part of the preschool classroom, >> okay, >> renovations. The doors were part of
that. >> Which doors are we talking about? Is it parking lot? >> The one that goes out the back to the parking lot and the one inside that goes to the hallway. >> Okay. >> That lunch donation is so nice.
>> So nice. Okay. Any other comments or questions? We will need a roll call. Mr. Germany, >> yes. >> Miss Howard, >> yes. >> Miss Klein, >> yes. >> Miss Mr. Harris, >> yes. >> Miss Patello, >> yes. >> Mrs. Nent,
>> yes. Um, and is there any other new business before we uh move into budget discussion? This is more to inform the budget discussions. I was just curious about the change in student enrollment. Seemed
like the four kids added one kid to network and I don't I know that like that's not exactly how the budget numbers are set but just for us to know I'm guessing a family just moved out of town but I could be wrong.
Um, >> I don't think we can converation. >> Are you asking how that affects the next year's budget? >> Yeah. So next year's budget is based on enrollment numbers from October 15th of
this year of 206 >> 25 >> 25 that 101 100 >> 101 I think >> yeah and it was 101 time possibly by October of connection
>> might give us more resources student small think about it. >> Okay. Um All right. So, we'll move into budget discussions and I will let this
take those. So, with the approval of the pilot revenues tonight, you'll see on the revenue um section that there was uh about $61,000 in additional pilot revenues that were going to
receive. Um, no, I'm sorry. Yeah, it is 61 from last year's budgeted. We have some additional names, but it's about uh 61,000 on the budget. access the budget. >> Yeah, it says this folder is empty.
Look, >> this is something you should be doing. >> Yes, I'm going to share. Okay. >> Are you able? >> Which file are we starting in, Teresa? >> Well, that was the revenues. >> Okay.
>> I was speaking about >> Yeah. No. She'll be just in talks, you know. >> Okay, >> Teresa. The 60 something thousand in pilot. >> Um,
is that just for this year? Like why were we anticipating were we anticipating that for this year that increase from last year or were we not? >> I don't anticipate it. I get actual numbers. >> Okay. So the number that we approved
tonight is the number that's used in next year's budget. >> Okay. Got it. Okay. >> Yeah. So you'll see the 19162 is the number that we approved tonight which recognizes the calendar year 2025 actuals that we got from the
>> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> So the 19% difference is quite a good boost for the school. Um maybe something worth calling out in your letter, Kate, as people try to understand how like
pilot actually impacts the school. >> Yeah, there's more in there. So the the current year amount is we got $18,000 more than what we actually budgeted in the current year. >> Okay.
>> So that number looks like it's only 30,000, but it's actually 61,000 something like that. It's like a difference number. >> Yeah. The actual because the current the current column is what the current numbers are in the budget, which is
something that I might change when you get the next version. I just didn't have a chance to go in and redo all the numbers in the current year. I really like to show budget to budget because the >> the current numbers just confuse everything. It it recognizes
extraordinary aid, any additional revenues we're getting, some unanticipated things, and even in the in the expenditure side, >> any open purchase orders that come over, the appropriation of extraordinary aid, if we moved any money from reserve accounts, anything like that will
confuse the budget to budget comparison. Um, so I I haven't gone through this pulled in the current year amounts, but I like to show it budget to budget because it's more clear. >> So then you're saying the 2026 current
is not 161, but should be 191. >> No, >> no, >> it should be >> 130. >> What line are you looking at? >> Um 102,300 the pilot and it's just >> the revenue. Yeah, the pilot payments to school districts
2300. No, actually that number is right. >> 161 >> 161221 is the correct number >> and then the 191 is what we anticipate for next year assuming 30 $30,000 difference.
I mean, it's almost doubled since 2025, which seems like a significant enough thing to call out to the taxpayer base. >> Well, that's just because they weren't built. Yeah. Yeah. No, I understand that. It's just my understanding is, and I could be wrong because I didn't live in Frenchtown at the time, but that it
was quite a charged discussion around how pilot got set up in the first place. So, giving people some transparency around like the school is actually getting significant funds now might make them feel better if they were initially opposed to the development.
Yeah, I mean that was those amounts were agreed upon based on full um you know when they were fully lived in. Um so those aren't a surprise. Those are you know what was anticipated. >> But we've hit
>> Yeah. Yeah. But we're there at full capacity. So >> what is the miscellaneous line above that Teresa above the pilot? Um are um proceeds from the afterare
program and interest revenues and anything else we might get. So the the state aid is flat at this point and conservatives on the school choice. So when we get state aid figures hopefully at the end of February with the new governor, we haven't been told
whether or not they're po we're they're postponing or delaying the budget address. We're thinking they're going to um and then we'll still have the same new dates though for our budget even if they delay. What's the um anticipated
delay? Like what what are what's the speculation about when it when we'll get those numbers? >> Isn't like the following week? >> They're saying that yeah, most likely the following week. Um that's the latest that I've heard as
well. So in March >> likely and then >> with the likelihood that we will not get an extension on our end as we just shared. >> Okay. Well, hopefully we'll get them before our March 17 meeting.
>> Hopefully we'll have those numbers. >> Marissa, can you help me understand what 1320 is? I I confused it with the state choice and school choice aid contribution. >> That's tuition from another school district.
>> And how does that differ from choice >> contri is state aid? >> Tuition is tuition paid by another school district. >> So is that when when would that occur? When there's a student that's
>> we have a student placed here that is a resident of another school district and they pay us tuition to have that child attend here. It's generally when we have resources that they they do not do understand. So the tax levy on here is currently
showing to keep everything based on what is on the expenditure side to balance the budget that the tax increase is 5.1%. >> Okay. So you're in the tax calculation. >> Yes. Okay. >> No, I know in the local tax
on the revenues it says 5.1%. >> 10 1210 the biggest number on the page 2,62. >> So the 2027 proposed is with 5.1% >> right currently. Yeah,
>> that's the >> okay. Yeah, which is, you know, definitely an improvement from my email last week. >> The revenue I haven't >> the revenue one. >> And which number did you just reference?
>> The the $2.6 million number. >> Oh, okay. It should be easy to find. >> Okay. 12. Yeah, that one. >> Okay. A local tax member. Okay. Got it. Um so the expenditure side um reflects all
of our existing current staffing levels and um programs. So, you know, keep trying to keep everything um the same. That's brings us to 5.1 and that's with all of the the updated PEA
allocations. PA is another u moving target in this budget because that won't come out. I think they're trying to do a better job to get it out early, but it hasn't come out yet. So, um not sure when that's going to happen,
but I did a preliminary based on what I know at this point. Um so that I could reflect it here, but it could affect um now I'm in the appropriate expenditures. It could affect the first line um
the amount that has to be transferred to the special revenue account for the students that are classified. Um they haven't given us our per pupil number yet. So I don't know what that number might be. Um
the biggest increase of course is the health benefits. Um health benefits are currently estimated at 20%. Um you're seeing greater than a 20% increase because
the impact like that we weren't budgeted correctly in the current year. So to go from this year then to next year's budgeted number. Um and again again even at this this is probably with already with additional money that's already
been transferred into this current year number. That's not the budgeted number from last year. It's it would be way like more than 25%. Um and that's why we have a very large um healthcare adjustment and we'll get to that but healthc care
is a huge issue. Um we don't have any tuition in this budget. Um the student that we were paying out of district uh tuition for is graduating and the transportation for that co for
that placement is also um been removed. That helps a lot. I want to know where there's the health benefits. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> The top page 11. >> Thank you. >> It's actually the bottom of page 13.
You have the same bird. >> Oh, you might have It's up to >> No, you're right. It's probably 11. Yeah. On yours. Yeah. >> Oh, wow. What is the idea funds that offsets some of the >> There's only one line. Um it's currently
moved from tuition to um purchase services for related services. That's IDA. That's the individuals with disabilities. >> No, I know what it is. But how come it's offsetting the we're just moving money >> because Yeah. Part of that will be charged directly to the grant. Okay, I
understand. So it's budgeted at the full amount and then reduced by the funding. >> Yeah. So you know what the actual cost is and then reduced by >> and the funds aren't guaranteed every year. So it makes sense that presented this way. >> IDEIDA we've been told because last year
there was question about it. This year we're being told IDA and title one should be equal to what we received this year. Um I mean you can look through that and then ask any any questions. Um I'd like
to look at two things. One is the cap banking eligibility >> and where is that? >> That's it file >> in the folder. >> Oh. >> So in the 2627
um the healthcare adjustment is uh calculated here at $122,856. So that's because of the large increase in the healthc care uh cost that that number um is being generated.
That is an ability to tax over and above the 2%. Um so our total available amount that we would have includes that 122. So, our tax levy could go as high as 2 point
2,7728,331. Um, that's the total uh amount. And there is bank cap. This 17,940 will drop off this year if we don't use it. And then there's $19,519 that will continue to be available as we
move forward. Um, if we don't use that, >> does the 122 continue to be available? >> Yes. For three years, then we can take a portion of it this year, not the whole amount if we wanted to. Correct.
So then I want to um if you go to the tax levy calculation um and actually if you make sure when you open it you're on the 2627 tax rate tab at the bottom. >> So what I did on this page was show you
like some of the tax impacts. So the ratables are currently at the top left hand corner are the same because I don't have the new ratables yet. They haven't been certified. Once the 2026 uh ratables have been certified, these
numbers will change. If if the number goes up, the in the the impact will go down. If the ratables go down, the impact will go up. They're reverse to each other.
Um, so the 2526 up here at the top is like what what we what last year was. That was the general fund tax levy amount, the debt service tax levy. The 2.648 was the total tax and this is what
our current um rate is $164 or six $16.4. Then at the bottom on the 2627 the 50,705 that's represents 2%.
And the debt service um there's a minor you know increase in the debt service which doesn't incl. So um the new levy at 2% would be two 2,585,000. So just for the 2% the increase in the
taxes would be 2.1 which is about $21 per 100,000. If we took the a portion of because the healthcare adjustment that we have is12856 but if we only took 77988 because that's what we need to maintain our like to
keep everything whole that would get us to 5.1. um that's additional 3.1%. That would be an increase of 3 cents. So the total increase would be 5.1
or $51 per 100,000 and Jim and I have not like gone through like there are still like some work that we could probably do and you know with some things. So we're not saying that that's our final budget. where I'm just giving you some numbers, things to consider because there's still a couple
months until we have to finalize everything. So, can you explain to me again? I'm I'm a little confused about the um the CAT banking eligibility.
So, just for the healthcare costs, we can increase the tax levy by $122,000 over the 2% over the 2%
and then >> wow over the last three years >> or we could do it this I mean you can do it yeah that just seems Okay. And then I have an alternate debt service one. If you click on that
third tab, I have an idea to propose, but I want everybody to fully understand what it means and the implications of it. But it's >> it's pretty great idea. But anyway,
>> it's an idea and I >> it's an idea. >> I definitely want you to share with >> But there are some there's definitely positives, but there are also some stumbling blocks that you should be aware of if we do this.
So, our current capital reserve amount is we just had it here underneath statement $595,000. The debt service
is about 114 and it it expires in 2030. So it's right there, right? Like we're within three years like the fourth year actually we're going to make one final principal payment
in the in July of 2030. So it's like it's like right there, right? So we can kind of see the end. It's about I think the last payment is like 115. So we're around where we're going to be over the next three years.
There's enough in the capital reserve account right now to actually pay the full debt service through 2030. We could use debt service or use capital reserve
to offset the debt service payments over the next 3 to four years and potentially replenishing a little bit of it so it's not completely depleted. Take this 4.6 cents off the tax rate or more than that. It's actually on the
previous tab. The full amount is Oh, no. 4. Yeah, 4.6 6 cents and instead of taking it on the debt service, we replace it with general fund levy.
So we would reduce the debt service. If you look on this alternate tab, what I did was I kept the debt ser the healthc care adjustment amount the same at 779.88, 88, but I reduced the debt service by the same amount.
So, the tax impact is still only two two cents because the general the general fund actually comes down to 1 cent at the top. The 2% amount actually comes down to 1 cent. And then when you add
the healthcare adjustment, the three cents, it really it comes down to two cents. >> Chris, you're saying that you reduce the debt service from 114 by the same amount as the healthcare adjustment? >> Yes.
>> But how does that have net you at 36? I don't do my math correct. Or is the 114 number all? It should be one. >> Now the 114 number is the correct number because that comes right from uh that service
>> amortization schedule. >> Okay. So 114us 77988 gives me 3674. Oh, you're doing the Okay, I understand. I was like, how does that minus 122, but you're doing the 77988.
Understood? Cuz you're not >> cuz that's what I need to get to 5.1. >> Yeah. You're not taking the full >> I'm not taking the full amount. >> So then this actually makes us more resilient down the line because it also gives you funds over the next three years.
>> Yes. But here's here's the one here's the one downfall. >> When the debt service is supposed to fall off in 2030, the community will not see a reduction in their taxes. Like it's it's there's
there's not going to be that. >> In addition to which if we wanted to go out, >> correct? because there's no >> right if you wanted to go out if there was a need >> in three years we wanted to start planning for another referendum to
replace that debt that's falling off it's then going to be a tax increase not a flat yeah total flat for the for the new and the only I'm not saying there isn't things that we could do but I've been
trying to build the capital reserve because There's really the auditorium really needs it's been noted in our facility walkthrough during CQAC. Um we can do some of the chipping of the paint and stuff like in the ceilings and
stuff over here. We've done this corner. We need to do the corner over there. Those are things that we can just do through the operating budget, maintenance reserve and things like that. But the auditorium is going to be a major cost and
there, you know, with so how small our budget is, even trying like even trying to do like the only other thing that I could see us doing and seeing what it would cost us to do a 5-year capital lease to do the
renovations in the auditorium and then pay capital reser use capital reserve to pay the costs of the the lease payments over 5 years. And I think they were going to extend I don't
know if they passed the law if there was a law that would extend that to like more to 10 to 15 years which I think would be great. >> Um because it's just another funding option. You don't have to ask the taxpayers because it's part of your 2%.
it's actually part of your of your budget. So, you don't have to ask the taxpayers, but there's a public hearing and there's, you know, it's a it's a formal process. The state has to approve it. Um, but it gives you a funding option to have the
funds up front and then make annual payments over five to 10 years on that project. Um, >> so that would minimize any shock to taxpayers or the right that would
correct >> which way >> the the borrowing the money the the um >> yeah you're calling yes if I would be able to the only way like even that lease payment would fit in our budget is if
>> I would use capital reserve money to make the lease payment. Do you know what I mean? like it I would have to have enough in the capital reserve year over year >> to make the lease payment so that it wouldn't impact our programs. >> So then what would the impact be if
we're when our capital reserve is down in in three or four years when the capital reserve is >> Yeah. Well, but we would have >> we're hoping I'm hoping that every year there's there's something left over where we're even partially if we're
replenishing it in some way. >> So, what's the the current balance on our capital reserve? >> Uh 595,000. >> And what's the limit that we can put into it every year? Um, let me look what the limit is on the
total amount that we can have in there. There isn't a there isn't a cap on how much we can put in every year, but there's a cap on how much in total it can be. And
I feel like we're not I remember from the audit we're not that close. >> Yeah, it's not. >> Um it didn't seem worried about us hitting the limit. >> And I'm also wondering what the ballpark cost of what's needed for the auditorium
is over. And that's a discussion maybe we should start to have. >> Yeah. >> Um and I guess it depends also on what the scope is going to be and it's probably something that the board should start to talk about. I know there's a lot of
sentimental um feelings around that space. So I'd kind of need to know what the board is kind of willing to do in there. Um, we definitely need to do something with
the ceiling and the walls and it's going to be a matter of the flooring and the seating. So, if we do that, because the seating is what's preventing us right now from
being able to do the repairs that we need to the ceiling and the walls because of the like the spacing and the the grade of the floor. >> Okay. So, I've tried to get contractors
to come and give me a proposal and they see the space and they're like they don't want to do it. >> Um >> because they can't access the ceiling without ripping up the chairs. Yes, they can, but it the it is so labor
intensive because they would have to move the scaffolding every time like the >> And are people sentimental about the woods where they're placing all of the feet for that to try and place it around the chairs? >> When is it the chairs are
>> sentimental thing? What what what is is it the chairs or what are the chairs? They're the original >> original. Okay. >> Wooden with the iron the cast iron sides and the wooden seats >> exactly
>> question. >> We talked about removal and putting back. The the the problem with that is is they also now like if you remove them and then they have to be placed in more like an ADA required spacing
because they're not >> Yeah. Once you move them out because the spacing between them this way and it is tight. >> Adam said we could auction off the chairs like they did at Yankee
>> probably. >> Yeah. And drilling the new holes because we did get a proposal a while ago to do the floor and the the seats. But it was many years ago now. >> Yeah.
>> And then they looked at it. It was like drilling the holes in the spots for all the seats, which they're going to have to do with new seats also. >> Um. Yeah. Okay. Well, sounds like a
discussion to have. So, what do you uh need from us tonight? Um, in terms of the budget, I guess I'd like to hear what your thoughts are on the alternate debt s
like the alternate tax levy because like I said, Jim and I have kind of some more work to do as far as like reaching what the final, you know, total program plan looks like. there are some other things that I think we can do. We're still
discussing some staffing levels. Um so just kind of like where you're comfortable being um with the tax rate would really help us like decide, you know, what we need to do and if this
alternate option is something that you want to consider or or not because then we need then it requires us to cut more If it's not and >> and that would lead to to something in
capital option three >> over multiple years but if we replenish it may not you know >> I'm not going to be able to replenish 114 every year or 75 every year but >> right >> yeah so it will deplete over the four
years but I would think not completely Okay. And whatever decision we make, there's still always the option of like if we go light this year to then potentially dip back into the healthcare funds the following year or the year after.
>> Right. Right. >> And the difference is 50 on 100,000 versus 20 on 100,000 between the two options for an average taxpayer. Yeah, we have per 100,000. >> I was just reading the Love French Town
newsletter that comes out and they were talking about the medium sale medium sale prices in French Town being around was it 480 490. So it's a difference between a 250 and a per year increase and 125. So
yeah, 120 no and a $100 increase per year, >> right? >> That's the median sale price though, not the median value. >> Not the medium value. I think the medium value is actually higher.
>> Yeah. >> After the re-evaluation, I >> mean, I'm hesitant. just personal opinion looking at the numbers cognizant of the significant raids that occurred last year. Um also looking at like do we
really have a like a shrinking population of students again I'm hesitant to have another large taxpayer like I love that you've done the math and try to figure out like what's a way that we can you know be a bit more creative. Um,
so I'm sort of personally leaning towards the Teresa versus the like larger tax hike now. Um, also because I feel like as a town financially, everyone seems to be a bit
>> but no, just like >> Yeah. >> Yeah. prices are too damn high, you know, like um and while it is reasonable to expect an increase given the health care cost that the school is experiencing, also have to be mindful that like a lot of people in town are
experiencing similar increases in their own personal health care costs and bills, etc. Um, so trying to be creative with letter budgets seems smart, especially if we then fine a year or two or even three years down the line.
It's not, you know, sufficing to still have the option to go back and increase the taxes a bit more. I would definitely take the 17 and not let that go to waste is my take. >> Well, you have to use So that's the
trick, right? Oh, wait. >> That put so there's an order in which you have to take the adjustments. >> Go on. >> So 2% first healthcare adjustment. Oh, they won't let you take and then the
bank cab. >> So the 2% >> So the only way to take the bank cap is you have to take the full healthcare adjustment. >> Yes. >> Why is it always a riddle? So they're trying to like incentivize
people not to take previous there's just an order of you know and we didn't take that in previous years thinking like not knowing you know >> we we purposely like no let's not take that >> let's save it for like we had some
increased state aid and we're like okay let's not take the banked cap. that, you know, so that we could potentially have it available if, you know, if it was needed >> and not to overt tax when we didn't need to.
>> That's so disappointing. >> Just like it. >> It's riddle is a good word. like I'm you look like Smeaggle. Gosh, every time there's like a new
layer of >> Are you reading louder than rings to the kids? >> Leave it to me. So then that's blur. >> So the the the
alternate one, the third tab, it's you're still it's still a 5.1% increase or no, it's a what is the increase? Um,
>> it's a 5. It is a 5.1 on the general fund tax levy, but >> the debt service is what's going down. >> So, the impact to taxpayers is >> is two
because I'm going to offset the the value, right? The value of the >> Yeah. Yeah. I didn't of the 3.1 by >> reducing the Yeah. Great. Okay. >> The overall impact is two, but when you see it on
when you see the tax levy on the budget, it's going to say for the general fund, it'll say 5.1, >> right? >> But on the debt service, when you get to the fund tax levy, it'll be a reduction. >> Okay? But the actual impact is 2%.
>> Is 2%. Because the total then becomes lower than the 2526 total. Does it impact our 2% the following year? It should. Okay. >> It actually gives you a larger base the following year because it's only on the
on the it's only on the general fund portion. >> Not the debt. Nice. Actually >> and not the debt surplus. >> All right. Didn't know that. Riddle back. Okay. I mean, you know, I personally feel like
>> I like option three. >> Okay. Yeah. >> That's how I personally feel we have in the past >> brought from capital reserve for much riskier stuff. >> Yes. So I don't
>> when we knew there was like one year things we had to get through. >> Yeah. Or not >> or even fund balance. We did it with fun. >> Yeah. >> Years ago we did um you know desperate times but um
so that doesn't make me personally feel that concerned about worry using that capital reserve money. Um, but you know, I think everybody needs to chime in about how they feel
about it. The third option, the your creative option seems like Yeah, agreed. Yeah, I'm I'm liking the sound of it. Are there any ramifications other than what you told us that we
should have? >> Just like what I said, like if you know when it comes time for the debt to drop off, there really isn't going to be a reduction in the tax rate. I don't know that that's necessarily
like top of mind for folks. I don't think that folks are thinking like, oh, come, you know, whatever, you know, 2030, we're going to see this major reduction. Um, >> and frankly, it's not that we're doing
something with that money, it's that we're just spreading it out. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> We're spreading out that that money. So yeah, I mean the only concern I have with that is the referendum >> referendum.
>> If we if we had to go for a referendum because like the last time we went for a referendum, there was basically no movement in the debt service because we just kind of, you know, replaced it >> replaced it with a new referendum. So,
um, but I I do like that the lease idea some options. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> The um can you just review the process again? So when we meet in
February, when we meet in February, we'll just be shy even if the even if the um the governor makes the budget address on the scheduled date. We'll just it'll be
that day, I think. So we'll just be shy of getting our state aid. So I can provide an an email update when we get our state aid notices. But Jim and I at our February meeting will have a better program. We'll have like sort of the
full program designed for you and then once we get the state aid, we'll give you the updates on, you know, where everything kind of lands. >> Great. Thank you. >> Thank you both. >> And any, you know, as you go through it, if there's any questions or, you know, I
make mistakes, you see a duplicate or you see like something's missing, just let me know. Okay, we'll be going through it, too. >> Okay, so moving on in the agenda. Um, we have no members of the public, so we'll skip public comment and we'll need a
motion to move into exe executive session to discuss terms and conditions of employment. So, all those in favor? Thursday will let me know when Okay. Okay. Then we need a motion to
adjourn. So moved. Second. All those in favor or abstain. >> Thank you everybody. Stay warm. So >> yeah, >> right
now he was walking and he's texting me like, you know, we should auction off the chairs. I breathe.