Today is Tuesday, March 31st. The time is 6:33 p.m. And I'd like to call this meeting to order. First, just some general guidelines. We'll be presenting the budget. um first hold all of your questions to the end and then we'll ask visitors comment and you can um identify
yourselves and ask your question and then we'll do our best to be able to engage at that point. Um so now we'll begin our public hearing on fiscal year 27 budgets. >> Good evening everybody. My name is Mary Jane Rickson and I'm the superintendent
of schools and um I have our uh director of finance and operations here as well. Um they'll be um chiming in with some of the details as we move forward with the budget. Um just a couple of things before we get started. This budget is not a final budget. This is a hearing to
talk about um what our projections are. Unfortunately, as many of you know that the town is in a um in a flux of looking for a new town administrator. So we don't quite have all the information we need to um get our budget where it needs to be. So, the numbers we're putting out
are preliminary based on last year's number and some of the projections that Mr. Dorman and myself and some conversations that we had with the town. Um, moving forward, we hope to have the numbers tomorrow as soon as possible. So, the numbers you see are preliminary. Um, so
the the budget will fluctuate um in the next couple of weeks until we get the firm numbers. Just to tag on that real quick, I did have a conversation with the select board today and they're working on the budget, but it's kind of a situation with we've had four town
administrators in the last year. So, it's kind of um or everyone's in a pickle, so we're we're working through it the best we can. So, we're doing the best we can and uh you have questions, we'll do our best to answer them. Okay,
moving forward. Here we go. So when um we look at our budget, there are certain things we look at. We have priorities um in creating any budget. Specifically, we're looking to increase our relationships with students and families because the students are our future and we need to make sure that
they're involved in what's happening around here. Um we our main job is to meet the needs of all of our students. So our budget does reflect that. Supporting development and powerfully engaging learning experience. Those are ways that we create opportunities for our students to stay in school, do things outside of school, create um
online activities, just things so that we're more involved. We look at all data to create our decision- making. We just don't pull um numbers out of the air. We don't um just look at information to um say, "Okay, we just need to add 10% to things." We don't do that. We look at data. We look at um trends in education,
special ed, transportation when these things when we do create our budget. So we always looking to be an organization that respectfully embraces diversity and and welcoming to all to all folks. Um one of the other activities we look at is providing professional development
and instructional services to our staff to make sure that our students are continuing to get the um most relevant materials that they need. And finally we just want to make sure that everyone can grow and shift and succeed and Grand Public Schools really is a firm believer in that particular notion. These are our
four values. I'm not going to read them to you, but first and foremost of students come first. That is our main goal and that begins with relationship building between the administration and our and our families and the families and the students and the school committee and the community. So really
that is what we try to strive to deliver. We look for productive, effective and respectful communication and create a growth mindset and celebrate who we all are as folks. So these are our specific objectives. I'm going to focus on the first two
objectives. Provide the best for our teachers and students. Instead of trying to do the best of what we have, we're really looking to support our students. Um it's not enough to just say we're going to do we're going to make what we have. We really need to strive to do better and that's what our goal is this year. Looking to collaborate with the
town to create fiscally responsible budgets because again we're all taxpayers. We want to make sure that you are getting the the most for your parents uh your students, your family, your taxpayers. Again, the students that are here today are going to be our future community leaders. We want to make sure that they get what they need,
provide high quality instruction, provide resources and materials, um provide a well-rounded menu of services, supports, and opportunities for all students, and really to maintain and grow possible with 21st techn uh 21st century technology. As we know, technology moving at a rapid pace, and
we really need to keep up with that. our students are going out to the workforce and and to the uh colleges and we need to make sure that they're ready for that. And then uh finally we have to make sure our facilities and our maintenance um continue uh continue to be upkept so that our students can have
these buildings for the future and uh moving forward. So there are lots of things that happen with budget development. One of the very first thing is we meet with our um with our teams, our leadership teams, our department heads, our teachers and we took look at um build best case
scenarios. Our director of finance and operations meet with all those folks and we talk about what do we need. So the first part of our budget is researching. We build best case scenarios and looking at um changes student data what possibly could we need to support the students.
The next thing is we analyze the data to make sure that we have the tools and resources to to provide students with what we need. And then we create an action plan to create our budget based on that. And then the last part is to make sure that when we're building our budget, we revisit it yearly and monthly
at our school committee meetings. We look at that how are we doing? Are we falling short in one area? Do we create enough money and opportunities for our students in one area? So we really try to keep that in mind throughout the year. So this budget development process goes on throughout the year. It's not a one and done. We start as early as
October, November, December. We continue to go till June. So really, it's just a constant momentum. That being said, when we create our budget, we have certain parameters that are put in place. Um I just want to talk about this the next slide. It's going to
be a little um difficult for you to see. In Massachusetts, we have certain things that are given to us. We are given a department of education gives us a number that for our students of uh a per student ratio what we have to spend
per student. So we are a stu a district that has a minimum contribution and then we also get money from the state for chapter 70. That being said when all of those things are added up our budget this year starts off at $1.4 million short. Now that is not unusual because
we have not put in our town's aotments. We have to put in our grants. we have to put in um you know other resources we have to bring that deficit down. So this is the basic where we start with budgets. It was not an unusual thing to see.
So when we created our budget we looked at what we have our chapter 70 funding from the state is about 4 million $4.9 million. We are required to to um the town needs to give us 6.62. Um, we're not sure of this particular
number from the town. Traditionally, the town has given us about $600,000 over u minimum contribution. This year, we weren't quite sure. So, we played it a little bit safe and put in about $400,000 as a placeholder. It may be more, it may be less. So, the numbers you see are going to be skewed a little
bit based on that particular number, but we figured we had to start somewhere. So, um, we started with that. um transportation, uh state and local revenue, inind expenses. This is money that is build back to us from the town for things like health insurance, um
payroll, um retirements, things like that. So when we build our budget, the town bills us back for for that amount of money. Um so our allocation for the school is about $10 million. Our school operating budget is about 12 million to operate the district budget.
We look at uh the funding gap is about $2 million which which is about where we usually end up. But we have to look at our grants for school choice. These are some of the things we use to offset our budget which really leaves us at this point at about $847,000
short on budget for FY27. And we continue to work through this process as we move forward. And as you can see, these are some of the changes we've had in our budget. um slight increases and there's been some slight decreases in some particular areas. Um you can see there's been a
decrease in nursing um because we changed from a full RN to an LPN that really helped us afford our budget this year. And then we have a decrease in special ed. Uh one of our significant students um will be edging out for that will help us with some of our budgets in
the future. Um, well, most everything else has gone up, but our overall budget ask for this year to the town, the difference would be about $335,000 from last year and a two 2.11%. So, we're really looking for 2.11% for next
year if possible. But that still leaves us with $84,000 deficit. So, we have to make that money up some. And so, how did we get here? So again, I just said our first budget submitted to the town was about $336,000 over FY26,
which about 2.11 increase. Um, so contributing factors to our deficit is because we're a minimum aid district, we are only allow a certain amount of money um by the state that the state gives a certain amount of money to for our students. And last year it was about
$150 minimum. We don't know what that looks like. the governor puts in about 75 and the legislature changes it. That's how it works. So, we're not sure what that is be, but that's part of our deficit. Again, that could also increase, could decrease, but some of these numbers don't come out till July. So, these are some also things we're
little fluctuation on health insurance. We all know nationwide is in fact just as impacted everyone else. Our health insurance cost increased dramatically um after the FY budget FY26 budget was put in place last year and it will continue
to go up. Um FY foundation formula increased um benefit of 8.29%. And our insurance went up from 48% to 52% in in from the PO and HMO. This year we put in about a 16% rate for
insurance when putting our budget together just to have that in place. Out of district costs um are increasing. So special ed out of OSD is students that out of district placements. So that also is a cost that we can incur and oftent
times we can't predict what those out of district costs are going to be. Um sometimes the um placements give us midyear changes. sometimes uh we don't have all the information we need when a student they move into town things like that. So we those are also things that
we have to keep in mind moving forward but we do get reimbured at the end of the year but it doesn't always help us at the beginning creating these budgets and inflation we all know that inflation is has been um a mitigating factor for all our households as well. Okay so
here's what minimum aid districts are. So, in the state of Massachusetts, we have about 300 or so um public school districts. Of the 300 public school districts, 271 of them are minimum a district. And that says that the minimum
aid district is based on the students foundation enrollment multiplied by $30. And I just kind of talk about that a little bit. FY27 means we're getting $75 per pupil. the legislator increased each 150 per pupil which increased our budget
for $46,950,000 $950 at this time. FY27 is the final year of minimal aid contributions um which will also increase the student opportunity act which is the last year to that as well. So next year again there's going to be lots of changes coming FY27
but right now but FY27 chapter 70 state funding increased by of less than a percent. Um but our required local spending increased by 4.46%. So obviously we're not keeping trend with the with the state funding formulas
not working for us as far as the um stimul special education costs. Here is a trend over the last few years. And you can see they've gone up dramatically from 22 to 23 from 24 to uh 23 to 24 and 24 to 25.
We had a a little decrease in 26. And the reason we had a decrease is there was no change in our spec. Um even though our our numbers may not reflect the 20 to 30% change, our numbers remaining consistent. So about the 70%. It's going to go down a little bit as we talked about earlier because we have a
decrease in anticipated because of a change of out of district placement. So that will go down in that font 17 for special interest. You can see the foundation budget and the actual inflation rates really aren't matching. The foundation budget is at um
that's the budget that the state gives us. Uh the money the state gives us but it doesn't reach inflation which is about in the y in the red. So the red is much higher than the blue. You take a look at that. Um if you look at 21 and 22, the inflation rates were
extraordinarily high. Um the foundation budgets really didn't support that. They did try to make it up a little bit in 23 and 24, but um it doesn't quite match 25, 26, and 27, although it's a little closer than it was earlier in the
mid20s. And these are spec these are our expense drivers. Again, we talked about special special students with special needs. um inflation, transportation, um outdated um the junior senior high
school. That means we're going to have issues with maintenance and um you know just regular upkeep of the buildings really becomes an issue for us. Um special education costs um especially transportation and out of district placements against we are kind of um at
a loft with some of these um out of district placements because the students are sent to places who are truly in the best places for them, but we don't have control of the um amount that they charge us for these particular students. So, we do need to do what's best for our students, but unfortunately those uh
what they charge us for tuition for those students is beyond our control in many many cases. Um and again, the health insurance increase really um has thrown everybody probably all of you sitting there as well into some sort of wondering how that's going to look. It's
fun to high high need students. Um 55% of Massachusetts high high school age the Massachusetts school age children are considered high need um really that is we've seen 11% increase in high need students in uh in the last since 2019 and that may be um may not always be
special needs but it could be socially social emotional needs. It could be academic economic and social um socially and economic um and um things like that. Did I change that? Okay, so that's our original one we
talked about. The initial deficit was $1.4 million. You can look at the change from 26 to 47. Um, so as you can see, our working deficit as of today is $847,000. Chapter 70 money has only gone 1% just
about 1%.95. Required local spending, not much changed in there, but that did increase at 4%. So those two numbers really as I said uh what the state gives us what we have to pay is really uh kind of upside down and our inind is gone at 30% again
that prediction we put in place last year in kind was $2.6 million that we get go back for this year Mr. Burman and myself being conservative in the fact that uh we don't know what healthcare is going to look like and what we're going to be build back from the town. So that's the number he got. Correct.
That's the first version of it. >> That's our first question. >> So that is an $812,000 increase. So if we take that's kind of the same number as a working deficit if you take a look at that. So that's kind of where we're seeing the changes. And then our offsets
are down by a $450,000 which is 20% decrease. That is because the state create uh the government created a new formula for um the poverty level and because Massachusetts has
exceeded the poverty level of $40,000, we may not be getting all of the money of chapter title one that we've been entitled to for many many years. So, Department of Education and the state has asked us to fund our grants at 85%
right now because they don't know that we're going to get through the federal government. So this is why that number is a little bit different and um we're hoping that we get fully restored again because of the new formula with uh
um local and um I'm sorry with um what was I think with the poverty level that's why um you're getting 85%. So those numbers have gone down. Mr. for me didn't only do it for title one, he did it for title two, title 3s, he did it for all of our grants because we don't know what that's
going to look like because those grants are fedally funded and the federal government does uh filter in some money for us and those are called entitlement grants. We are entitled to that money but at a different rate. These are our funding sources chapter 70
required local and these are our offsets. So you can see where where the required local spending is 49%. >> Chapter 70 is the 37% and our offsets again are the grants and um whatever uh we use as far as could be granting, it
could be circuit breaker, it could be our um school choice. Those are the numbers for off for offices. This is a little bit more breakdown of that. We'll go mention a little about I will mention a little about circuit breaker.
Circuit breaker is money that is given to us to supplement some of our students with with uh special needs. So we do get money back reimburse from the state but that money is not always um at the rate that we're given. It's only percent. Do you know the percent?
>> So they reimburse at 75. There's a threshold of spending on students with special needs and once you cross that threshold you get 75% reimbursement on everything over. So I know it's not 50,000 but let's say hypothetically it's
50,000. We spent 75,000 on a student. They're only going to give us 75% of that additional 25,000. Um so it's a a fractional reimbursement of the actual total cost for providing services for the students.
>> He's much more eloquent to finances >> and that comes in the next >> and that is right it's reimbured. So we're preparing um our circuit breaker claims based on this year's numbers that's coming up very soon in anticipation for next year's budget. So
it is always a reimbursement rather than paying ahead when you know a cost is coming. So it anticipates you having money in reserve. >> So there's always that but never know what it's going to be.
Um this is just the same chart as uh earlier when I showed the um FY26 and 27 comparison with um inflation with um um framework with the chapter 7 and it's just broken down by how this
department is using it. We're pretty much staying pretty um consistent. Um but you can't see that the town in kind estimates have gone up, but our um FY26 is again some of the um other driving
factors have have support for that. This is by department where our money goes by department. As you can see, our um money goes for salaries and students with um students with disabilities and that's the vast
majority about 60 well yeah about 60% of 25 50 70% are catching go to that and this is a copy of the comparison between last year and this year in kind technological um as you can see in
kind's gone up from 17% to 21%. Transportation has remained the same. Technology went up slightly. Um special ed went down again because we had that out of district placement. Um the district stayed the same. East Meadow um went down slightly and the high school
pretty much remained the same and our maintenance facilities uh remain the same. So there's just a little bit of different um numbers but again most of it is good being kind and um that's what so right now as of today our deficit is
847,772 that is our deficit we're facing right now with the numbers that we put in. So how we get to a balance budget now where we going to get the $847,000 this is where our work begins.
So we're going to work with the town leadership may have to make some strategic budget cuts related to personnel supplies and services. Um look at potential areas where we have some flexibility school choice. Do we have to absorb more money through school choice? Um it's not something we would like to
do um because that money is going to be used for other things in the future because um we all know that the population is in um enrolling is declining across the state. So our enrollment is also going down. So our school choice is important to us. So we need to really have a little bit of reserve moving forward with that and
other revolving counts, special ed revolving counts and you know um you know things like that and it's make some difficult decisions moving forward. We're hoping for a level service site. This is what this would be our best case
scenario. So, if we do some of our cuts um and put things forward, which of those things I just talked about, we could move our Whoops. We can move our deficit down to about $594,000. And you can see where we've made um some
difference in athletics, some curriculum with not much change. The district moved a little bit. Um nursing, pupil services, again, um that's where we're down. And then technology, we brought down a little bit. So, we reduced our budget with the first round of budget
cuts to 253,000. $253,000. We've brought our deficit to $594,000. We still have another 594 infold. How we going to get there? Well, we could um this was the impact
of creating um some opportunities. We asked the principles to um put in some new programs that they're interested and they may be uh cut as a result of trying to create programs at the high school to increase um students interest. So we
tried to do some of that. So those are probably not going to move forward. Um reducing funding for special um professional development. Um really looking at Chromebook repair and replacement which is unfortunate because our Chromebooks really are coming to the end of a lot of their lifespans. So cutting some of that is going to be
hurtful in the in the short term. In the long term, I mean the long term, the short term probably fine, but the long term is going to really certainly impact us. Athletic game and the camera subscription, the athletic trainer hours. Um, p reduce some contracted services related to special ed, reduce
line related technology and repairs. Um, looking to not refinish the gym floor at East Meadow and perhaps not filling the playground mulch. and looking at the baseball and softball field. So these are just some of the first round cuts we're thinking about if we
need if we have to do a level certificate. The next one is a level funded budget. Now there's a difference between level service and level funded. Level service is maintaining the services we have already in place. Level funded is a little different in the fact that
I'm going to have Mr. Doran talk about this because I knew I'm going to get it wrong. Here he goes. Level funded is operating on the same allocations the same amount as we do this current fiscal year and operating at a level funded budget is going to have inherent cut in
it cuts in it because other costs increase but yet your dollar amount is fixed. Um as uh Mining goes forward you're going to see only a small difference between the level funded and the level service which would not
normally be the case. And as Mr. Ricken has pointed out, we have a change in um on a district tuition and that savings I would not move forward as a level service because it wouldn't be necessary under normal circumstances. That tuition would be in place which we'd see
probably close to a $300,000 difference between level funded and level service. So there's some significant savings in the budget uh from that. So that's why it's really only a 9,000 just shy of $10,000 difference between level service and level fund. It is really that one
area and it is not something that is sustainable or predictable. Um but if we are able to take advantage of it for a year, we have to move forward with the best plan. >> There are there are some some ramifications if that happens. If we do move forward with a level funded budget,
it's going to impact what happens in the future. um we are required to have a maintenance of effort for our students in instruction. So we have to maintain the same quality of services we have in the past. So be moving to the level funded budget that will reduce our budget for the following year which may
impact us getting grants in the future for IBA and title one. So there will be some serious implications if we have to do that um because we will not be able to maintain our um right maintenance >> right our maintenance bur is on instructional cost not total amount the
district is spending right >> but if some of these cost drivers take away from instructional costs um then as we apply for key federal grants that that support our programs we might not need that maintenance of effort that's uh their term for what we
have to So, we have to make sure that we maintain what will require. >> We can't spend less year-over-year on instructional costs. >> Even again, even though it's a $10,000 difference, it it really is not. In the future, we'll we'll see a difference.
So, that's not So, right now, after our work today, we are still at a $584,000 deficit. you know, we're continuing to assess our portal and continue that we're going to advocate for increase funding hopefully um and identify potential opportunities to close that
gap. Um and then possibly it may require to reduce um other positions and reduce other um budgetary runs moving forward. We have to close the gap somewhere. So, where are we going to go from here? We're going to continue to look at our
proposal. Um, we're going to advocate for increased funding, identify potential opportunities to reduce the deficit without reducing and cutting services. So, I mean, that's our main goal. Um, we want to maintain the services we have for students and cut staff will not allow us to do that. We
really are at the bare bones in this district. There's not a lot of room to um to do that. So if we're required to eliminate the district district may the deficit the district may need to reduce the budget by by cutting. It's not something we
need to do. We don't want to do but it may be something we have to do some difficult decisions and um Dr. So our total operating budget um increase for FY26 really is about 9 $9,000. It's 8.8% increase.
And that's what we have for today. Hopefully I can answer your questions. If not, I have Mr. Dor here if you have any questions. Remind me, please. >> Oh, sorry. Alina Smith, 46 Eastn Street.
Um, remind me, did we start this current year below level services already? >> We had a reduced was called >> where you did a reduced service budget. >> Level services. Was this the first the this current budget year was that the first year that occurred? >> Yeah.
>> So we've been continually reducing services. >> Yeah. We reduced plus last year what we what we called it >> right. There was some required additions that we made. Um yeah. So and and a lot of our reduction in service has come through attrition
not you know not replacing retirements or vacancies but it didn't meet the need provided by those positions was gone. Right. And did that affect grants? >> Not yet. We have We're still at maintaining our maintenance of effort.
>> There are some potential scenarios in the future where our um spending is less than the current fiscal year. So right now, nothing we proposed is le spending less than the current fiscal year. >> Again, we're still waiting on some some numbers to to move forward. So
I think we can close that gap soon. Uh Jeff Lawson, Burke Lane. Um regards to chapter 70, I know the governor released her proposal back in January and she had some increases in there as far as state aid goes. What are we anticipating the actual um state aid is
going to look like level any increase cuz she had a slight increase for transportation and overall you know chapter 70 in her proposal. >> So we have the governor's we're using the governor's budget uh for the numbers that we have today. um we don't qualify
for transportation uh reimbursement. Um so those won't affect us. Um the legislature hasn't red released their version yet. I check daily. Um and so they have um increased it over the
governor's initial uh the past several uh fiscal years. So we'd like to be hopeful. Um but in the long run it's a small if they're going $25 per pupil that you know could be a change of $50,000 for us which
$50,000 obviously would be a positive impact but when we look at the scale of our deficit we're concerned that's not the place that it it's not going to be made up on the state end. >> Um unless they one of the offsets that
we didn't break down too much was the change in rural aid. um for FY25. Um so that we had rural aid for a few years. The first year it came out it was about 27 28,000. Um we've had it for
about three or four years. Last year was slightly over $100,000 which was a a noticeable impact for us. It it gave us some relief in areas. The original budget for FY uh 26 was to be fairly stable with that. It was cut in half.
So, we're receiving about $50,000. There are proposals to fund that at last year's level or above. That would be the one area that many communities like Graanby would actually see some noticeable relief is people advocating for rural aid.
>> So, at this at the legislative, they've had some discussions on that just the last week as well. So, >> do we have any idea when the actual budget might be released or >> July? July. >> July. So after it's made its way through the legislative process and reconciliation, it's typically after the
fiscal year actually starts in July. >> But we're not anticipating any big positive surprises in their obvious. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> Unfortunately, no. >> Maybe try to be cautious with my pessimism.
And again, we don't don't forget we only create we created this budget on the $400,000 um minimum contribution this and the town has always been has been given us about 600 for the last four years. So we're just conservative with that. So that number that they 50,000
may go down to 600 again and we maybe close the gap but again there's still a lot of variables that we have to consider. Now remind me why we don't qualify for any transportation. Um >> the transportation reimbursement is for rural I mean it's for regional districts
>> that's not consistently funded at the legis at the legislative rate. Um, what is the cost per student ratio in the budget? Does it cost us $10,000
to educate one student or >> We don't break it down as the total budget divided by the number of pupils because the costs are wildly different depending on the services the student gets, the grade level the students at.
Um, so it's not a fair representation to say if it was 15,000 per pupil, um, that that would be a meaningful number >> because we have some students that are in our budget that it's $450,000 to educate them because they're an out of
placement district that we're responsible for. So that would skew any kind of average. And then if there's someone that isn't getting an out ofplace service and midyear switches or vice versa comes back then it adjusts
and someone could end up having you know something happen where they need additional services >> throughout the year. So it's it's nothing that is a stable number. >> The and the formula is state state determined. They take our enrollment
data from October one and plug it in and we have um I think there's 20 something different >> components to the state's formula. Uh low income level of students is a factor. um the
>> assessment. So the the the town's tax base and what they see as what the town is capable of spending and they plug all of that and that's what gives us those two numbers required local and chapter 70 and then
we've um been working with the town for that additional allocation over there's very very few districts in the commonwealth that spend at minimum minimum is not >> two there's only two I think there's five and certainly
>> well won't fall in those five gateway cities that get more from the student opportunity act and and we it and no rural school district the 200 >> 271 >> 71 rural districts across the
Commonwealth get no funding from the student opportunity. >> Great. when when a student is outplaced in the district say for special ed or whatnot, do we have any say in that? Do we can we negotiate the cost of that or do they just basically say this student
went there and we're getting a bill? Um the negotiating of costs we cannot that is set by the operational service division OSD um it is one of the state organizations um and they will set an annual percentage rate increase um so we use
that as one of our factors in building our budget but as Mixen said there are times and we've over the past couple years we've gotten mid-year increases so the schools can't petition OSD for a mid-year rate increase and if it's granted,
the the bill is for us for the remainder of the year, regardless uh of it not being in our budget and not originally allocated. Um the the process of identifying a student for an out of district of placement is a significant team effort. It is not someone just says
we want to we want to go out and so we're we're going out. It is >> assess what's best for the student. We will have the student services department uh assess the student what do they need? What programs fit those student needs um and you know >> you know we have to just ed you know
often times where is their placement for that particular student that sometimes is isn't you know is is a factor as well >> and the cost of that placement is just what it is. >> It is. >> Yes. Can I just add a little bit? Sure. So those students who go out to these very
expensive outer dent placements are typically um um very involved um some sometimes medically certainly uh educationally um socially emotionally they're not they're not just your
average kid looking for an outdated >> so special ed I mean my son he's old and I took advantage of the 18 to 22 program special ed so >> I'm very impressed with the we just sorry how many kids are graduating
this year and is the trend going down as far as numbers >> is it 47 47 >> I ordered 55 signs 55 I go with 50 >> and then the the junior class is at 43
>> but the numbers are pretty steady. The that next year class has been the lowest in quite some time. >> Yeah, I think tech the numbers are a little higher. >> Yeah, this is just a two administrations ago, I feel like there was a strong effort to try to get
out of placement stu students that were being placed out to come back and being educated here in Graanby. It was we are Grahamby students. We want to keep them in Grammy and educate them. And there have been a lot of there was a lot of effort then. Is that still continuing on through these budget budget talks? absolutely is. We actually created a new
program um last year um for students um in an autism program. So, we are certainly looking to continue to do that. We're trying to do an autism 2 program, but again, have they'll get the funding to do them and provide the services. And one of the reasons we like to do this not only for our own students, but we're able to offer these
um programs to other districts so they can bring their students here. Mrs. our special ed director has done a really good job creating that autism program here at the elementary school and and we are looking to do that as well because obviously not only do we want to to it's not about you know saving money all the time it's really
those students belong here it's a community member they you know they live here they should be part of the community and I and I really think that's important so the more we can do that but again as as Miss Lefon said some of the students the ad are being placed out really are stabbing
>> with budget cuts. I would assume some families are choosing to go elsewhere in school choice out. Are those numbers affecting the budget each year as we're coming down? Keep continuing to cut. >> Um, we've been remaining steady. I don't think we we haven't really seen a huge
decline in those numbers. We've been remaining steady. We've actually have a uh we opened our school choice numbers last week and uh we have a waiting list already. >> People still want to come here. >> We still talking about Graham resident students leaving. We so we maintain net positive. Yeah. Stu there are families
that still choice out but uh we're receiving more than we are losing in in school choice. Um and there's an >> that's part of those initial estimates from the state that I used to build the budget as well. So we have a projection. It does again fluctuate a little bit
based on that October one enrollment. Um but we use that to help. It's one of the bigger offset numbers uh in the budget. So right now we are net positive as I think >> I know I think this focus still wants to try to figure out ways to keep Graanby students in Graanby.
>> Absolutely >> right. That's truly important. So I know that there's still school choice coming in which is fabulous. And years ago it used to be this rainy day fund that we had for extra programs and things that we love but unfortunately it's required now but you wouldn't want to create a situation where you're now losing
Graanby resident students to go out and we're still just being okay with people coming in to balance that out. >> And that's our hope for this button. you know, we really want to maintain those services so we can keep our students here. >> So, we're looking to do that, >> right? >> For sure. >> And I also just want to point out we are not unique in this.
>> Um, Belgium passed an override to be able to stop catastrophic cuts. South Hadley doesn't know where they're going to land. I guess they have stuff on the ballot to cut 9 million or 11 million or somewhere in between or I think there's three options. So, it's not unique to
Graanby. This is like a bigger than just grampy kind of a problem. >> It is a systemic problem of the plate >> state and >> districts of who are not um who are not
in the gateway cities who are not receiving that full that much greater percentage of chapter 70 their local contributions are quite a bit lower. um anyone else, unless they have that very strong historical tax base that has always funded well above minimum,
this is the boat we're all in until they reexamine the formula. And this is the final year of the formula. Um so the legislaturator's appetite for reopening it right away is we can hopefully put pressure in lobby. um because the last
time it was 10 or 12 years between re-examinations of the formula. Um so they're not quick to respond. We know that of >> disparage legislators, but we know they're not quick to respond. It it is slow to move that needle.
>> Take I know they're interested in doing it, but it will take a couple of years to see that fun formula change. Sure. Leah, >> as I'm sure you've met with the finance committee many times, I hope you have. Um, any indication what they're giving
you as indication what they want you to do? >> Uh, we've we've had one meeting with the acting town administrator, uh, the chair of the finance committee, school committee chair. Um, and we that was our preliminary discussion and we're waiting
for that follow-up information following that preliminary discussion. >> Typically, Dennis, we would have had additional meetings or tried to, but with the situation, no. Um, >> no TA. >> Yeah. No TA. the problem that they had
in the office. And then when Chris Martin came back and the consultative role, the problems that he found to be able to go through were not small. So typically free cash was certified um
like end of Janu January >> and it was just certified like a week or two ago or something. So everything is behind. When we had a conversation with Chris, cuz I'm on the
TA search committee, he's saying that they're about 3 to five months behind on where they would like to be on the um it was no, it was on our budget meeting. >> They said our budget mean three months behind three month. >> Um but then when it was in the search committee, they were saying that >> they feel like it's even further far
back than that just by as they're going through and they find different things that weren't >> Yeah. taken care of or >> something something wasn't done right and having to backtrack and fix and stuff. >> Trying to be patient.
>> Anything on regionalization and I'm not again I'm I'm not for it. I want our students here. So, I will tell you I had um I've had a number of conversations with Mark B, who is the select board chair, and it
is something that um they're starting to explore because it's been something that has been mentioned repeatedly at almost every town meeting when there's anything that's contentious with the school budget. I will say I'm also
not fully on board, but again, we want to put our students first. But even if we decided right at this very minute that we were going to regionalize, it's five to seven it's 5 to seven years. >> So we have to we can't just think, oh,
it's a problem to kick down the road because we're still going to have to fund the schools if that's the way that we're going to do. And we to be perfectly honest and very clear um before about two and a half years ago um
with Superintendent Sullivan, we as directed by the Colin Center, which is a part of UMass that does a lot of work with regionalization, we did a survey with all potential local partners, schools that would be a legitimate regionalization partner.
People were interested in maybe having conversations about sharing services. People were interested in having conversations about maybe looking at transportation, sharing things that way, but there wasn't an appetite for regionalization because everyone has different things that are going to be a
problem. So, um, we're revisiting that. I believe the select board is looking to form a committee to do that. I don't know where they are at that, but it is something that I believe the town is going to take a much fuller look at. Um,
the last I knew is I will be on that committee, but I I don't know where they're at at that because we don't have a town administrator currently. So, >> um, you know, yeah, it's something that people like to talk about. It's not necessarily a guarantee. And within the
last year we had a meeting with um MSBA who is the school building authority >> and of education >> yeah department of management we're talking about regionalization that was the main with the select board and they said you don't go into regionalization
as one a avenue to save money or two to repair your buildings. >> Those are the wrong reasons. And I believe that meeting is recorded somewhere on the town website site so if people wanted to go and look. So it's not you know if if it were to be like
the something that would be truly beneficial and make everyone I don't know. I just don't know that how how it would work. So, it's something that they're going to explore because really, we just need to
be able to do that so people we can stop spinning our wheels and being angry like we're not turning the page or not looking deeper on ways to save money or being fiscally responsible. >> Did I leave anything out? >> You did a great job. >> Can I add just a little bit to that, Jen?
>> Sure. >> Jen spent a lot of time talking to folks in town at the at the board level and certainly with the town assistant um our administrator sorry um and I appreciate that she's willing to give up
her time to do that but to be I guess everybody u needs to understand and upfront uh is that you never go into a regionalization with the idea of saving money there are two huge problems with going
into regation pounds students are very emotional about giving up right their students to what's it going to look like A and then B what are the assessments going to be to our town going forward
for that regional budget um and a huge driver there is the first thing that well you have to create a regional agreement which is long process as Jim said but the salary scales
and the insuranceances have to be balanced out and you can count on knowing um being the district that says, "Oh, we'll lower our salaries." >> Yeah. Right. >> Um so there's a big there certainly is a
big cost to doing it and if the tarot or anybody has an appetite for it, I mean that's a big if, right? What you have to consider is what will the students get from this? how much better can we provide of an education for them by
doing this. So it is a process that takes a great deal of time uh data collection and study and in the end the town side decides typically a town meeting. >> Oh and typically uh regionalization is
at a level. It's very rare to see a regionalization agreement that would be prek to 12. It's typically going to be 9 through 12. The way our schools are set up, we're 7 through 12 in the building next door. So even if we found a regionalization partner for the high
school, >> what do we do with the seventh and eighth graders? So then we would still be responsible for educating the prek to eighth grade, say, right? So you still have a superintendent salary, you still have staff salaries, you still have building maintenance, you still have um,
you know, all >> where you going to put them though, >> right? Exactly. you know this building is full the way I understand it. So, are you going to put, you know, >> I don't know, 100 students, 150 students
without expanding. And if you're going to expand, let's take care of our high school with you. >> I thought you had spoken. >> There's still some >> talk to you later. >> Okay. This is the first time I attend the
meeting and there is a real good reason for it and I I can't do it because of >> all right >> certain things I think you know >> you guys are here. I appreciate everybody coming. I really appreciate your feedback and >> this has been great. It's actually very nice to have people here be able to engage a little bit um you know spread
the word. >> Appreciate your advocacy getting us where we need to be once we get once we get our numbers. Um next week we'll hopefully will happen as a forum. We hope we'll have a more firm number next week. Fingers crossed, right? >> Yeah. We've had
usually So, by the time we get our final vote in the last meeting in April, um that will be whatever stored up any back and forth with the town. Um next week, we will have our start with a forum. The forum is a strict presentation. it
doesn't have the hearing where we can have the dynamic uh with with the community members who can participate. So that'll be updated information provided we receive some from the town and we'll present where where that puts us at that point and that still might
won't necessarily be the final version that'll get voted on um at the last school committee meeting in April. So that'll prepare us for town meeting requirements. >> And we've talked about it with Chris that if we need to, we may delay
votes as needed because we don't want to act irresponsibly, if that makes sense. It's it's unfortunate the budgets are the way they are, but with what's going on within room one with, you know, the
select board and TA that just it's the wrong time of year to go through all this because budget's got to be finalized, you know, and >> it's going to be interesting. >> Security is as well. You know, job security is important to folks. So, you know, getting that information out to
them as soon as possible is is important to us and, you know, and to the families, you know, what what services can we provide to your students. So, you know, it's important to us as well. Sooner or better. >> I think we need to look at it positively in a way because like we touched on,
South Alley is in dire shape. Beltown's done their thing as far as an override and they actually just got rid of all their 911 dispatchers to save a couple bucks, which was ridiculous. So, we're not in that boat yet. >> Who does have we have it as well? Yes.
>> Yeah. So, um I mean the number is what it is, but I I I don't think it's as bad as it could be. I also think people don't realize if we were to real regionalize our voice goes from what this room has
>> to pigeon hole because our representation would be squashed because we don't have the the student volume to kick into a new new system. And I see that with Pathfinder. Um
you know they do an excellent job there. It's just we don't have much say what goes on with that and we regionalize. It's the same thing. >> You know, we won't have control over what's being taught our kids.
>> Um >> I believe they're proposing about a 5% increase >> and Graby will not be able to dispute or discuss that. >> We're we're proposing a 1%. Our best budget is at 2%. Yeah.
>> Yeah. >> And 5% and that's Graanby's assessment. As you said, that's where you've lost some auton you've lost a lot of autonomy in a regional setting. >> Yep. >> You consider the 2.11%
increase that's being requested. That has to be the lowest. Well, certainly one of the lowest across the state and the lowest in this region. Um when you look at South Adley asking for 9 million or 11 million
um or those catastrophic cuts that's serious business we're looking for a level service budget. Um I was at may I just add that I was at day on the hill in Boston yesterday with about 330
other school committee members from across the Commonwealth. Um, and we heard from a number of legislators. Um, and I will tell you that it was not um, good news that we were hearing by and large and that's driven by the cost of
healthcare >> which apparently consumes at this point 57% of the state budget. um with all of the costs of their employees and the other programs that they fund, they did say that there would
be an appetite uh both in the House and the Senate to increase at least to the 150 minimum aid for pupil this year again over the 75 which is not a huge amount of money but to us it means a lot. Um there was considerable
conversation around rural schools as you might imagine because we're the ones suffering the most and um there was a lot of conversation about so-called millionaires tax um and how
it's been used so far and that this past this current fiscal year they dipped it a bit to what they considered the reserves if you will although it's so new there can't be that much in the way of reserves. Um but they did say that um understanding the critical needs of
rural schools um and the ability for schools in rural communities to educate their students um they would consider looking at what was available in that bond. We certainly wouldn't get to the $60 million ask that are asking for. Um
but they thought that once the budget process was closed out um and they had solid understanding of where that number laid that they could look to see if there was some way they could access some of that to help rural schools in need. And that
was the best news >> and some of our in some of our superintendent meetings that's what they're talking about taking that millionaires tax to supplement the rural laden and that's news we're hoping um again as said there $60 million 60 billion I think it is
>> 60 million and annually would fully fund rural aid >> uh rural aid was I think funded at 12 million last year and they cut it to seven so >> fingers crossed >> so maybe someday that will help. Um but
but districts that you would typically not suspect to be hurting um because uh up until now they funded way above their minimum contribution are really struggling >> and also the state needs to readress
proposition two and a half. I mean that was brought in what in the 80s mid 80s somewhere around there. So yes, in the 80s >> in in the 80s and at that time it was great because it really controlled spending and things really got going in
the right direction, >> but it it needs to be revamped because two and a half is killing us. Um I go back on my budget as fire chief. I had $100,000 to play with, you know,
to run a complete department. It was like you might as well keep it. it doesn't affect me, you know, it I can't do anything with it. Um, so there's a lot that this state needs to do. I just hope, you know, you guys keep up good
work. See what happens. >> There's a lot of people who feel very confident that this ballot, but if we roll back the state income tax, 12% is going to pass. And uh uh if it does,
we're all in big trouble. bigger trouble than what we're already question. >> Yeah, I just um this is my first year on uh school committee. I just want to, you know, seeing you guys, seeing the educators and your staff, I think you guys do a great job, tremendous job. So,
I want to thank you for what I've seen. Um I just had a question about So, a big bunch of this. >> Should I close it up? Let me open. >> No, this big bunch of this is with the healthcare. >> Am I correct? >> Yeah. And the second piece I wanted to ask about was um with the way gas prices
going up, are the transportation locked in? Is transportation locked into this? >> We are Oh, go ahead. I'll let you talk. >> So, our contract for transportation expires this uh school year. Um we're in the process of preparing a joint bid with wear and voucher town, which is
what we did for this current to get better pricing. Um what happened in the last contract is there'll be a fuel search charge clause that there'll be a benchmark rate and whenever the price for diesel goes above that benchmark rate there's a search charge and
conversely if it drops below the benchmark rate we get a credit. Um in January December and January we got like $50 credits on our monthly invoices. I don't anticipate that with our next invoice.
Um, so that's how it so we will build a our our transportation. So our transportation is a placeholder until that contract is settled. Um, or we negotiate the bid process. Um, but it doesn't have a contingency for fuel
search charge. >> I would imagine that's going to definitely go into the bid for sure. The main gas five something right now >> look like carved yesterday. $53. >> Yeah. So I imagine >> I was just saying when we were talking
about regionalization, it's going to go into town floor. So it'll be taxpayers vote. So whatever it is, so all the information that will be put out there, all the research and work that's going to be done in the end, it'll be the taxpayers's vote. Um, with that, I've attended budget meetings and school committee meetings for probably 11 years
now. Um, I'm not sure if any one of your faces were there 10 years ago. um on the board. No, you weren't there yet. >> I've been You've been there for a long time. >> I've been building for >> I think Miss Jordan's the only one that I remember 10 years ago at these meetings. But though the faces have
changed, what the common denominator is that budget meetings, it's always the same kind of big things that have been big cost problems year after year after year after year. it always goes up and it's always different problem a different um kind of approaches but
still the main main ideas are still there but Graanby is not in the situation that South Hadley in Beluretown is because for 10 years we have cut and cut and cut and we've always started in a in below level services it's still based on losing
staff members losing technology losing things so we may not have a massive cut compared to other towns but it's because Graanby has done what it's always done best. We work with what we have and we come together and we solve the problems at hand. Um, so I think that's why Graanby is where it's at and you're not
seeing these massive cuts as other districts because we already had them and we keep doing that. So I don't know. >> We saw that trend last year during our budget meeting. How many we I can't remember. I want to say 18 staff.
a lot >> over the past several budget cycles. >> So, I think that we we you know, everyone comes together and the staff does a great job, the administration does a great job in finding solutions um to to utilize what you have at hand.
>> And we have great staff honestly and I appreciate you saying that because the staff really I mean they wear multiple hats. >> They go above and beyond um you know they really do support the students. >> I thought was a substitute today. I can't say I can't say enough not about
our staff. They're dedicated um and uh and they love our students. I truly believe that. >> I do too. So I have a grandson school now here. Um I have lived in Graham E.
>> A year almost the end of a year. Um so I move here. are not into this kind of work. But um the not only caring nature of the staff, but the fact that they actually love the kids they're working with really shines
through in this school. Um and I'm sure that that there's relational um aspect at the at the other school as well. It's incredible. >> It is. Um we have been waiting for a long time. Every time I hear like, well, the budget's going to come through. We're waiting. It seems like every year
you hear the well, it's going to get we're hoping to get better this year or two years from now hoping the legislation is going to be better and we're just all kind of waiting and it's been that story for a while. >> We've got at least a couple more years to see what happen.
And so that's the state is holding back on that. I know there's a real name for it, but I'll call it an expat. Mhm. >> Um is they need to withhold enough to sustain any critical cuts that might come from from a federal problem there.
Right. >> I also think Grandandy is very fortunate. We have one of the safest school systems I think in the state. You listen to the news report locally and see what goes
on. Graanby doesn't make the news. That That's big. >> Yeah. Can we still touch somebody, please? >> Don't jinx it. If you think you're having a good day, what happens? It's a good day. >> No, it is a nice place to be, Miss. And
I have to say, our principles are very diligent about that safety. >> That is a top priority for Mrs. Sykes and Mrs. Jordan and and the assistant principles. They are very diligent and we have the school resource officer. He's both buildings. So, uh we're fortunate that we are honestly one of
the few districts that actually has a school resource officer. >> Many districts have uh withdrawn that. So, we're fortunate in that respect as well. >> Does that come out of your budget or police? >> Our budget. our budget >> cuz I know for when it first started
many years ago, it was basically the >> the police budget and then it went half school, half >> police. So we pay a full proportional rate for the school resource officer in
our inind expenses. >> Just for the record, we have an outstanding police department and dispatch unit, but I may be a little by It's funny that you say that. Last week I saw a black pickup truck across. >> That was funny. School.
>> Everybody thought I was funny. And there was just a gentle with a baseball cap and it was release of the little ones and I was waiting and I'm thinking, "What is this vehicle doing over there?" So I get out and I take a picture so I can have a license plate. me. Uh, the
car takes off and comes around, drives through the high school, and I go in and there's a resource officer and I said, "Should we be worried that there was just a black pick up from me?" He said, "That's one of our detectives." >> Charles, how did you tell you that?
>> Well, thank God. No, they're the the resource officer is here so often and the kids really like him. >> Everyone loves Gild. >> Can I ask a indepth question? >> Sure.
>> Do we pay for snow plowing and lawnmowing? >> We pay we we do our own plowing. Um the town because of this winter came out once to move piles back to create more
room. Um the town ms the large expanses of the campus as I'll call them. Our maintenance department ms the athletic fields. So we do get charged. Um I think last year it's falls under a category of
maintenance. Um they'll sweep do the street sweeping of the parking lots. That'll come up hopefully in April. Those sorts of things. It's about $17,000 that they're charging us for facilities maintenance. Um, I don't know the historical number when the town did do all the plowing and all the mowing.
Um, but those services have been scaled back because our staff is doing a lot more of it. >> I have a problem with that because we plow private roads. I'm sure the library isn't being built.
I'm sure the safety complex is not being built. And again, the schools are taking it on the chin >> and it constantly >> I I know I I've thought of those very
scenarios before and the short answer is it's it's an allowable expense under ed reform. And so if the town is allowed to charge us, >> they've they're charging us. >> There are two seats on the school committee open.
Are there two seats? >> Uh just in case, you know, you're interested. >> And there's also a situation with the generator here. >> Oh, >> which is the emergency shelter, which you were aware of. And >> I'm the one who got the the old army one
>> and they're picking up the cost schools. >> Yeah. I'm not going to say I >> so so we did have that authorized as a capital article. Uh it fortunately is going out it's out to bid right now. So
we are looking uh to have that finalized and hopefully replaced in June uh before the for the summer um to we you know we never know when that incident may occur. we've already experienced it this year. Um and so so we are you know working but
it will be where the generator had been the municipal generator as part of the town's shelter the maintenance and upkeep of the generator will fall under our maintenance budget now as opposed to being what had been a a town cost. So meanwhile, the schools won't be charging
when the town uses it for a shelter. And I'm glad that we >> right. We will not build build itself. >> Could I make a recommendation? I I heard it brought brought up that there might be cut.
I would highly recommend if our Chrome books are in that sad shape. I don't know how many's in the school system. chip away. Bring it to town meeting as a warrant article. I'm a firm believer and
I got my butt in a bind. I amended the budget on town floor. I'm a firm believer let the taxpayer decide where we're going to spend our money. Not five people on the finance
committee, three people on the um selectman. If you need a hundred, go for 30, and just chip away, but do it as a warrant article. Um, and let the taxpayers decide because what's going to
happen is you're going to keep going backwards and then all of a sudden you're going to say, >> "I need 100." >> And they're going to say, "Oh my gosh, I can't, you know, we can't afford it. I needed 35 sets of turnout gear for my
firefighters. They said absolutely not. I said okay fine. They wouldn't put it in my budget town meeting. I went for 17. Not even a question. Let the taxpayers
decide where they want to spend their money, not the people in these committees. So, for what it's worth, you need it today. It's It's only getting
more important. My only comment about technology and it, and I know that we were getting grant money from things to try to supplement last year. Technology has been the first thing that's cut for years. It's like right off the top, like you need money and it's always technology. And yet, you
said it yourself tonight that that's something that we have to keep up with because we're trying to prepare the students to be able to go to college and to go where to trades. I mean, they need the technology. It's not something that's slowing down the world today, but is one of the first things that's always cut on the budget in the school district
or reduced, not cut, but reduced for years. >> Yeah. >> Or you don't want to put face, you know, that's the choice, >> right? get into those very difficult choices, >> having a teacher available in a classroom
>> versus a reduction in technology. >> These are the painful choices that that we have to make. >> We've been really with the grant that we received a few years ago for the INC pathway. It's we have chairs and desks.
It's beautiful. Our maker space is going to be awesome. We've been talking about it for three years and so The kids are assembling the furniture and tables and it looks great and we round up I believe what I believe in what you're saying
right so if we need 15 we ask for 30 and that's those are our new computers for that space so we've been really fortunate to have that money the IT grant it will run out eventually and that's where our team the admin team will have to work to apply for another
>> but Chromebooks need to be replaced so that we remain one-on-one with our students Yeah, we would not propose eliminating uh that line. It is how can we maintain where we are and still have
some wiggle room for those those devices that are going to fail because of age >> or other causes of failure. Um it's not we're not eliminating it. Um but when we look we again just it comes down to trade-offs at this point. >> That's sort of 50th out of 100.
>> Yep. you know, hang on to them a little longer. Have Mr. Kevin W do a little more repairs on them and see if we can get a gear on those types of things. >> Yeah. And and that's it's a hard it's one of the hardest things to predict
because you can go for a period of time like a couple of months during a school year and you're you're you're looking at your service tickets and stuff is running. You look at your spare devices. You have a handful of spare devices. you say, "Oh, I'm all set for this year, and
if I get a little bit of money, I'll be all set for the next year." Then all of a sudden, a month later, things change. You have like a a rapid increase in system failures. Not because things are being abused, but it's like a car. We get someone that takes care of their car, Nick, right? They change it for a
long time, but then unexpectedly someday doesn't start and you find out it's a serious problem, right? >> So, um, it's one of the hardest things to predict. infrastructure we can predict a little bit better the the networking you know but the Chromebooks are tough so the question is do I need
you know do I need 50 this year you know to get me through next year do I need a 100 do I need 120 that's hard >> no but if you if you start at like I said you right now you know how many you really need right basically >> I have an idea
>> okay >> and and you hope that they're going to go a little further than their lifespan If you need the 100, just go for 30 and then every year just keep >> Well, that's that's what we're doing right now. That's that's that's what we're doing. >> Do it. Don't do it in your regular
budget. Do it as a Warren article. >> We It is It is being done in the regular budget, but it's it's it's incremental. The only time we did anything drastic where we where we would re replenish like 90 plus% of the fleet at one time was when we had the federal money to do it where the federal government paid.
Actually, one of the grants we had I if I recall was one time I think the federal money paid for like 98% of the bill which was was wonderful. So that that's that's when we did it and then of course when this build when we had the MSBA money for this building
here >> the state paid for all so there was an influx but when it comes out of the local budget and even when we had capital articles in the past was more incremental. >> Any further question?
Thanks everybody for engaging with us and asking a question. >> Does the committee have any questions? hearing none. I'll take motion to have a second. All those in favor. >> Thanks everybody. Thanks. Thank you.