>> HSD Broadcast: Know. Having a hang in there. All right. Let's call the meeting to order. Mike, can you call roll?
What's good? Here Mr. Ritter here, this side here. Vice President Hooker here, President Crooked. Yeah.
These fancy the pledge. I pledge alleged into the cloud of the United States of America and she Republican which stands one nation under God, indivisible the 13th and Justice show.
My could you please read the statement concerning open? Public meetings. Public, Those are the speeding pursues to the open public meetings, that has been given by the Superintendo Schools, in
the following matter, on January 2025, Notice how this meeting was posted on the interior of the school administration offices 95, 95, Grove Street Hadfield. Written notice was
submitted and file with Haddonfield borough clerk and notices for email to the Courier Post and the retrospect newspaper. Okay, we are going
to start our day off with some entertainment. So we have the all South Jersey, elementary chorus, All right, you guys could probably file in the center that
or if where's the camera, move the camera, okay? like this way, you And then Christopher all the way Down syndrome. Okay. By Casey Musgraves.
You raise it goes. What you tended me and notice made it raining anymore. that's, A great holiday. Noted the struggle up staying in the world, the rising water Side is finally, openness the
rain and wind sunlight, what you suck out in the same old song again. Outside to you. Why see? Size one, we open the rain and
winds up with what you suck out in the same old store again. Always been a rainbow hanging over here. Oh, inside of you. Every single. So right now,
It's the size. My little opens, the rain, and wind, would you talk about the you. You go. Hanging over. Do you want to?
So there's accomplished right? There's five students that are chosen by the director from each elementary school for South Jersey. All right, of the teachers that participate and they get together, there's over 100 kids that come together, fourth,
fifth, and sixth grade, and they sing together for the day, we prepare them beforehand. They come and there's a guest conductor that works with them.
So, it's an amazing experience for them. Excellent. It's a great job. Great job. But what
about there to? Pick. Alright. Right. Albert. Christopher Easy. Right.
Alexandra Smith. Thank you. Very much, right? I want to watch out. I just don't want you to trip around here. Some people moving up front.
make sure you can see the camera and then we make sure you're in the camera here and all these mountains. Make sure we can see your faces, very nice.
Congratulations. Job, you guys. I'm not sure how the parents have dry eyes because I hear that I will make you Thank you. So, we do not, it's only the
third of the month but we have no, we had a bit of What do you call it? It's not what schedule. You know Definitely it's apology. One on one Monday. For politics or more. Yeah, now
the third it was a way to kick off the I was a Tuesday. That's true. So anyway, we're going to do that on Friday, but we don't
have any anyone doing any committee business or PTA is any One been APA updates. Okay, um, so we're gonna jump right into our board discussion.
Oh wait. A regulation for the Boards Review. We don't really need to do that this. Yeah. Because I'm I mean, you can check that out a little bit
unless anyone has any discussion, they want to have on that. I know we've had that before and we vote next week, so Dr.
Carrillo you have anything? No. um, Mr. Class give anything too quick ones. Next week, I'm gonna have I'm pulling together, enrollment projections for next year. So, next week, I'm going to take our current projections,
third grader, pick a fourth graders, going to free registration, the pipeline. Try to get a first look at what our numbers again next year. I think I pointed out last week or
two weeks ago, the third grade next year. Is already at 227 kids which is two above our our class from the maximum. So I'll get all that, all that pulled together next year. Should we start seeing
where those trends are? And on other news, we had our bond sale on Tuesday night was yesterday. Wednesday, we had a bond sale when we went out for
the referendum, we were estimating for two, four point two percent we got 3.907%. So we did well with on sale. We'll have the exact tax impact, we have some estimates, but they're
crunching, all the numbers. We'll be able to tell you next next meteor. One after exactly what that's good turnout as far as yeah, but we did make out better than you.
And that's yeah, exactly. You would off Um, did you anything else? You okay, I know I and I'm not really saying anything either for my boy present report
because we, we are planning to have our board community, the whole discussion on the budget process and planning. So there's going to be we are now at that
point, but we're going to do a lot of talking, so I figured on we'll just get right to that as, you know, Thank you Mr. Krause for
compiling so much information. There's a lot of information that went out. We are going to put some links. It's all like like resources that are publicly
available but we're gonna put some of them up on our website after this. So people want to go look for themselves. We had talked about how we
wanted to talk about the budget process knowing that this year's was a challenge. And we do not anticipate the next few years. Being easier, probably more challenging and so we want to start planning now and we also talked
about how we didn't want. We want this to be constructive and not get too caught up in. complaining as you know, but mildly. Um, so we are going to
try to focus on solutions and what we can do. All also educating each other, there's so much information in there. I'm
sure some of us has I'm listening. So talking a little bit about our challenges and issues with the funding, which are presenting a problem. And I know you have probably a greater
idea or this Mr. Craft of what you think we should go from here. So I think I pulled together something and Just trying to get talk about how we got to where we are
basically. And as you said, I'll put together, I put together a sliding of some of the information but I feel
might actually Mike and I feel before might go most of the number one, I just asked him what to put in there. Um and then we'll pull this together, we will post that slide deck on
the website so that way people can see those numbers. Um, what I didn't want to do is give you a slide deck, is that would be end up me talking you through my
slide which is kind of what we don't want to do. But I did I did put together something. Our revenues. We're already has come from our state funding.
Tax levy. What we what they look like and look at where we are now. But also look at historical view. We talked about that grant. They came out and why we're not interested in any way shape
before me, this grant. Um, okay. And then look look at our expenses. and where we spend our money, what cuts were made this year and then really kind of the rest of it's gonna be
like, Ideas are what we may where we may think we can go from here. and given the fact
that we're a government entity, without actually, No, revenue generation is difficult for us. We saw savings and maybe some of the fall process going forward. I asked
Billy Crystal would be here in case they had anything to offer. Mrs, Mccale's not here because she's going to Disney World with 185 kids tomorrow. So she's got the pack. And rest up that
can be stressful. Oh, yes, that's more than that but I mean, that's where we started. So, I mean, I don't know I guess the We've
spent the last couple of meetings, talking about the dilemma. Which is our 2% increase on our reduction state aid. Is not keeping up with our
costs. and then, Looking at our. So I'm just looking at our revenue lines right now, our tax levy is 42.2 million dollars. We have tuition which is 819,000. That's for um, that includes a
kindergarten extended day kindergarten piece, which is a number that is going to only be there for year, too, because once you go to complete, there's no more kindergarten tuition miscellaneous revenue,
which is interesting, those type of things, might a lot of things. Mostly, yeah, um, state aid, which is 3.7 million are Fund balance, which is 1.3
million, and we're taking money, I made for sure, prepared a thousand dollars That's that's where our money's coming from. That's it. And then if we look
at historically, State Aid This year, the 3.3 million is 72,000. But the interesting thing this is a, there's a 20, I'm looking at 20
year history. Stating UM, 2009 10. You're getting 2.5 million dollars dating. There was a 1.8
million dollar cut next year. So right now 2025-26, we're going to 800,000 more state aid than we were 15 Um, which is
part of our blood. that, you know, if we were getting, if we're going to consistent state, you would think if a 15 years, we get more than 80,000,
more than state, and I had a chart in here this of difference between state aid and Different. There's your rising stadium and the lack of rotating compared to operation costs.
And then actually funding budget. So, I mean, is there anything anyone to ask questions on those things or put in
comments into the food belong to us, wanted to share my reading of how we got to here, because I think we hear a lot about the funding formula and maybe it
just happened to be the time that I was out of the state of New Jersey. But a lot of this comes to a head in 2002, we
serve planning for what becomes this school funding Reform Act of 2008 and the process that led to that or the number of Abbott
decisions which I read the 20th, avid decision this afternoon, which is the one that found that the current school funding Reform Acts formula is,
in fact, presumptively constitutional course subject to review But the way that the funding happened and how it rolls out. And I think Chuck
said some slides, and we're all pretty familiar with the formula. the reports that were done prior to the formulas and the amount of care that the court talk
with reviewing each of those steps. I think was important because I think, If we're talking about being constructed,
we have to know. Where there's room to push. And I think despite how thoughtful that process was there are places where the formula doesn't isn't as robust underfunded I need one of the
things that struck me was according to the school funding performance, 31% of schools are underfunded and 69% are overfunded. We are underfunded, they know we're on
their funded. But yeah, local share. And so we had talked about the local share, also a big factor of this and I think this is important because I don't I
didn't realize this was such a big factor is income. And we have people in our community who make very high incomes. But that's not the majority of us.
And so the solution and then I was going to ask, It's not coming back to us, right? Yes. And it's not getting redistributed to us but they're according to the school funding
formula, we are supposed to then just be property. Taxes based half income, but wait let me finish it because it leads into what I wanted Mr. Class to explain, is that so 31% of schools are
underfunded 69% are over-funded. Part of our underfunding comes into the fact that the state is income which does not come directly.
As a reason why we're not going to get more state aid. So then, the solution which is this proposed Grant. UM, Is, is
their solution? Can you speak to that? I'm going to speak to them. Mike should have the bail me on this because one I'm gonna get My blood pressure is going up a
little bit, and this is more. More about the numbers and of things. So, going back to the state, the funding formula my
question about the adequacy budget and the local fair share budget, both of which were inactive. So, one of the biggest things, the one piece of category of state aid,
that is supposed to help with the funding underfunding or essentially, bridging the gap between what the state says, our budget should be to provide their own efficient education.
Also call our adequacy, right. They calculate that for us based on our weeded enrollment versus what the local fair share. What we should be raising
in taxes to to fund that budget our adequacy budget this. For next year, we have a calculation, it's 46 million dollars, which by the way, our opposed, Tax lobby, by
the way, is 42 million dollars. So, and I did this before, before the increase, for the next year knowing what the adequate budget is, it would
take us roughly seven years on just a 2% a year just to get to this year's calculated and okay. Then a local fair share
part. That's where local equalized valuations property property assessments, come in place. And That calculation spits out. 69 million dollars for your twenty
three million dollars below what the state says, how a local fair share should be. It doesn't Can I declarify that what that would and
I'm what you're what they're saying is that we're supposed to raise taxes to generate that 69 million dollars based on the people in. that's,
Recession. Which so if it was before that before the state kicks in, right? Right. There are districts getting equalization A It's supposed to
be the other way around your Your your adequate budget is supposed to be closer studies, the same numbers 69 million dollars, but oh you're, you're adequacy budget is 46
million dollars. So to get those pictures, the local fair share, you have to, you have to go give you that aim. That's,
that's the calculation. So, I mean, that that's what a lot of districts that are making out in state. It's the equalization. There's getting all that. He getting any
equalization. A no that's where 20 becomes important. So when we if you ever hear someone say, Oh, are you above or below that Actually we're below adequacy
because not only below our attitude budget. We're also we can't even get to our local fair share. Because we as a board,
don't believe the community can bear any more than what Calculate what the tax impact. Yeah. Okay. Historically though, the reason why this comes about is we have these outfit
decisions that say that the current system of school funding that was in effect in 2002 in 1980 was unconstitutional because it
depended too much on local property, taxes, and that led to two great disparities between what were then at it and non-abbit districts. So they try several times to improve the
formula the school funding Reform Act is the result of a half decade-long process. That was intense study with the intent to be Okay, this is with
the Common Core Standards. What we think of fair and thorough efficient education in New Jersey. Looks like Adequacy budget is what it's going to cost to get there.
Fair, share is what you have to pay. So in other words because we have such high property tax values and income tax values is to add it. To
adequacy, budget is 46 and they think our fair share is 69. Adequacy budget would have to be 70 before we would get a dime
from the state. but, as Mike has said historically because the way that that funding shook out, we have been dramatically underfunded and stuck with the
2% property cap. So even if we wanted to, and to be clear, I think we all pretty agree. None of us want to But it's
impossible to bridge that gap. So, and that's Mike, did you have something that was gonna make the point? So the state area Mike mentioned a taxi that Levy Tax lady said.
This is a way. So, school districts to get get out as hope. and this is where I, I
So it's actually for us to take advantage of this tax lady to Senate. I almost hesitate to say Say that loud because it's like you might be
recommend it, This is not something we're not, it's not on the time but that's solution. We would have to in order to get the grant. we would have to use all of our
bank cap and budget adjustments, which would mean we'd have to read that would be our health care adjustments and our band cap, which would mean we would
have to raise taxes. With the Bring Our adjustments up adequacy, which we know the 5.2 million dollars, according to say formula which is a 12.7%, it would be a 16.65% tax Because
what we get from the state I wanted 60,000 or whatever a million dollars, it makes all of that. So it's it's like so this Was I feel bad? Because I asked Mike
to figure this out and he spent time doing these numbers and it was just, we had the figure it out but we had to figure it out, but it was important to
figure out. But it's also showing us that this is not a path. Yes. Showing that we are operating on a fairly shoe string budget compared to what The state thinks that we need.
So when we get create, we need to be creative. We need to think of what we think of solutions. We might need to think of maybe look at other
areas as well. The other thing is I Right. It's been a 2%
cap. um, 2017. We were three. Two seven. 2018, we're two five, six. Twenty one or twenty three, six
three, then twenty one, two percent, twenty two percent, twenty three, two percent twenty, and the only reason for the daily we had no adjustments
available to us. Um, 24 or 2.3 25, we're 288. And our this year, the proposed is 294 which is not officially, that's a fish. I can change between now and May 1st. We
adopt the budget basil with the board size to do. But In each of those years, all of those 10 years, seven or 10 years, we had
extra the state gave us. Here's the ability to go put Buck 2% Because of bank cap because of health care because enrollment adjustments. It's almost like they know 2% doesn't work,
right? And so they give you basically around at 2%, um, but in the last 10 years, we've only stated two percent three times. That's three years. You did not
have any backgrounds. And I mean, even with that, I mean last year it was the healthcare rose by so much. That the state said You can go up And we said, Well, we're
gonna go a little bit more than two percent, but we're not taking all of that because we don't feel that the community can bear this. And I mean, it's
just It, it just seems like, you know, there's where do you go? And and one of the things that struck me was that I have notes here. So, it's that Inhanding County, the
tax. Let me share for how to build is the highest in our county, our tax levy for schools is 88.36 percent. Okay, that's local time. That's the little property, right? So, so out of, so we're already really funding
the budget, you local property tax. The next is Voorhees is 84.42%, but they have so much industry. They have like this. They know, like
not just small businesses they have much bigger than us. much larger population, and we have to think about how we have these new properties coming in, which will not. We are only only the tax paying citizens are
bearing this. This cost, this is not being spread out by the new families that are coming in And so again it's going to be on us but their
incomes, they're gonna count it but their incomes, are you my question about the incomes might maybe you know, this is the
income just People or is it all residents, including corporate residents? Your business you to practice.
I know it's based off file because in trying to think strategically about where are ways that we can really point out that the current funding formula is not functioning as
intended. And I think we're all very conscious of the fact that we do live in a wonderful community. We have a lot of A lot of affluent people, we're not saying that we shouldn't be
paying our fair share. But that's a ridiculous and everybody isn't making that amount of not everyone. Now you make these really really high
salary. Maybe an extra $400 a year on top of already. What? We're raising maybe that's probably not as big a deal for them. Some of us, it's going to be the difference between you being able to stay in your home
and you're not right? And and especially if work on pounding that over years. And one of the things I think, in terms of like looking at, why we talked about
this about just disparities within the funding formula, is they allocate that you get percent up to 14.7%, special education costs, with which way is the States way
of managing. How many students become classified? So, we were saying, if we actually got fully funded, you would have Yes, it was based off of real
enrollment numbers. I project we get another 600,000 and special education. sounds great because it's two thirds is based on reported actual class and then the other third is categorical
not right? Which are you only is the only category that actually Special education is actually part of what makes up your attitude, that's how they
determine, whereas it's a weighted factor but it also gets gets you a category which is our biggest category by the way. We we get well over two
million and those are the biggest variability is those health care issue which is the thing that I took is with looking at this school funding Reform Act and what they just
did with the Educational Advocacy Report from 2023. They're saying okay, health care costs, went up X amount but across the state of district
employees don't take the district. So we're going to only do an 88% for everyone in the state. Okay, I don't know how that compares to our
district. I don't know how our district compares to others. Why don't we using actual costs? So, I mean, I think that that the actual cost part is really
because we do this that, you know, we could sit here and say this just this is terrible but what can we go out? You know, that is the thing. So if we had actual calls here, if we were
actually going after how many students rather you know, the real numbers of students, What would what difference would that make up Chuck? I love the your example of when we're
talking about income, you know if if you live in a district that maybe has some sports figures here that get a million dollar bonus, the school
district doesn't get one dollar more because they got a million dollar bonus but that million dollar bonus is now going to take us. Because there's more
incomes, I mean, that's just doesn't make sense the threat. The three year average, Yeah, three-year average.
and it's easy the incomes two years behind so that the it's it's the three year average income is 2021-22. It's 1.1
billion, 1.45 billion. 2.1 billion, so it's jump. Of significantly from 22 to 23 21. Averages 1.57 is the average for the three years. The median
salary or the mode. Yeah. That doesn't. The mean does not reflect the average citizens ability, and it's going to actually worsen income inequality throughout the state
by like Jamie said, pushing people out of their homes. Yeah, if you're forced to raise, taxes based on that is one year I think that is a huge push. Yep.
I also think I know we are a local board and we are talking about state law but the impact of the state and local tax deduction. federally, I think
affects us in the state. That's another pressure point that we can be. Encouraging, our state representatives to be representing us at the federal level, to make sure that we are
not Adequately funding, our schools. All on our own and paying taxes. Three different times on that money. Well, and I do think we have to just not
count that because I have emailed everybody, um, you know, all the people from the email list that I had um and a one
person gave me a Russia up and no one else even responded after several times. Heard, especially not just me. So we'll all start, we can start community members. Sharing emails and and pushing.
Um, and but I don't I don't that's not going to be a fact that you know it's not but it's You know, thinking about what can I be? What can we focus on
and actually you just 31% or underfunded? To get together. Yeah, we're too simply too small. Yeah, we're meeting. You know, When the governor said
we're 100%, they funded. We are 30 69% over phone Right. So but it all adds up, the numbers add up. But I mean, so I know we have neighbors had in town to
Cherry Hill who are in the same. Same facing the same challenge rotation, um, and we're starting to organize with them. But the other thing is Jamie's
point. A couple lunch, the difference in funding between North Jersey and South or is to leave. The Bergen County is significant. It's a significant. Huge salaries.
Yeah, I ask a question, right? I don't understand on that note. So totally effective living adjustment, huge power in numbers. And so, I had when I was reading all this stuff,
which thank you, Chuck. And Mike, I feel like I understand things Tiny bit better than I did. So thank you. It's complex. Um, but I just had written down like,
collective advocacy, right? And so you're that's what you're talking about. How do we identify those 31% of districts? How do we have a more localized South Jersey focused? Push where we can be more
effective? And also I was just curious like, what role can or or not can njsba provide in terms of helping to coax us along the way and figure out. I mean this is named a lot of
really good resources on the website. Yeah, in addition to the ones Chuck shared there are more and perhaps you know, when we obviously time is of the
essence here. But I mean the relationships that everyone has established with our NGS faith SBA leads. Like we need to tap into this is really pretty
incredible. And while I imagine that some people here like Oh Geez, hadn't feel you're saying you can't, you know, people can't wear the tax tax burden but that is a reality or members
of our community and As you say that, you know, the way the formula is written, doesn't doesn't make sense, and it's not fair. And so the argument
isn't Hey, that's not fair. It's Hey, can we approach this differently? But part of that is just raising divisibility and
saying it's much more powerful when it's not just our little little small district, but if we had, you know, five other towns
On board. And there was the ability to go and kind of advocate more effectively to get students involved in
advocating and talking about what the you know, the Of this budget situation is. Get some press and pr around it. We might
actually, we have to really organize them. We are meeting with Kelly Hanko from Haden Championship, but I think I mean this is where Every single
one of us, I mean, this really should be every one of us, get out there because one voice isn't going to make a difference. But if we can get collective words of education, who are feeling the same exact
pinch that we are, well, you read. The news districts are feeling this if everybody can reach out and we can organize together and have a much louder voice, that's
gonna make the difference. So and and keeping in mind, there's there's constant mandates being sent down that are not being funded and when we're underfunded and
we have new mandates to to provide with it just continually learnable. I mean, the part, I mean, The department that you got three
million dollars in grants for cell phone holders. That's I make that up. That's yeah that's one of us Department of Teachers, New Jersey Department of Edit, three
million dollars, an hour or two years. She's Oh boy, um let the intern and you know, everyone here knows. I'm strong advocate
for Rochelle education. But pre-K is not mandated. And they're spending. Pre-K is not mandated non-former Abbot
District, right? Abbott districts, still have three. Okay, they're not the amount of money going out for free today. it's not just so maybe that I mean there's there's areas it's
frustrating me look at okay. So maybe we should transition because we have like Things that would would be income generators for us and you know, pleased to offset, right?
So, so, I mean, I, I just threw down ideas and there's nothing by the way. I'm not gonna say anyone here. Anything today that people were like go, oh my God.
Brilliant. you know, we are already starting to look at my leadership that the 220 to 26, 27 budget because we know now that we can't just tie this out.
So raising revenue for us is difficult. We can we can raise activity fees and facilities feed. That's that's something You know, we can look at like we've been kind
of stingy with our sheets and in grade six to 12 tuition program, um, we could open those up and say anything, squeeze another kidney classroom, maybe those
type of things we can do that. It's not honest with except for Sandy's. Grant for saying secure. We haven't had a lot of success in that and our electric
bus that we can't afford to buy because you move the brain across too much, um, advocacy for state aid, advocacy, for about positive funding and other
actually very, I mean we've just start thinking about how we can raise revenue other areas, and one up, here's Geno's Summer program, Summer program. Right?
That started off as an answer thing, we did. It was a great way to spend money and help families out Now, we have this here and, you know, can we make
this into something that's going to be a 40 50,000? A year of revenue generator, you know, no pressure for 40 or 50.
Crying, right? And one of the things, That you should the last meeting where we opened it up to middle
school teachers. so, students outside of Haddonfield, superintendent, having township, and had in heights agreed to share it with their
communities. And they just did that about 48 hours ago. We already had seven Heaven, Township having heights presidential Cherry Hill that just didn't. And
To get more focused. And most importantly, aside from the revenue piece, it provides an opportunity for having full students without any it provides
an opportunity for To come. I think the earlier we can plan that to you know, when you were more of a longer day, Yeah, you'll see
a lot more people. Signing up my my next thought was on. Something we talked a lot about what then we got sidetracked
with the bond referendum but what about preschool partnering with neighboring. preschools in order to do that to get the funding because it comes with someone we can look
at that. Um and doesn't still come. Tomorrow. that's, it's that then in our 6, 9,000. Yeah, you're right. Sorry, not for you.
Can you can have private child care places. Comported part of your organization and and have them be funded and benefit both the private institution and ours
and they don't have to be in your town. They with people outside the community. So we can explore that as as you know, just talking. And I think some
people to mentioned about the number of hours of summer programs. Yeah, you talk to alphabets, you see, they put the other summer camp. No, what we get we get a percentage of
whatever they whatever they can make, right? So that could find a look at some places like that, you know, there are school
districts that have open gym but you also has to use and see that's enough. We've never done that. but I mean, there's the type of things to look at and
then the other thing I look at the savings, You know, renegotiating with character party contractors, Mike has been on the phone. Calling people,
we have long-term contracts with and saying, Excuse me, your line, reducing your rate, and he's had some successful. Like you were having some friends.
You know, shared services looking through the barrel of a school district. Was a really investigating those possibilities? Yeah, on the website and look at that
because there was a link on there and that was like updated in 2014 that I was like, well, so I would I'm interested. I think it would be great to see
if there are already up. For shared partnerships with the borough and neighboring town. I just felt like their the website was like, Well, you
know, we might find that in a related service where we have a need and had in township was in need, we can confide with hiding township. We're close enough with other schools. One
licensings. I tell people I walked at work, I could walk to two other super tennis office quicker than I can walk in mind. so we can, we can do that. We
look at that and then, you know, the reductions out just replacements and behavioral services and then you'll future schedule future, look at the future scheduling. Um, you know, we do
things here that I would hate to get away from, but it's reality, our best policies and 15 students who are in class, we run classes for less than 15
you know. Because hey First in poetry. So everyone apology class. There's really a point time and say Can we continue to do that? But I don't want to do that, but that's something we
have to look at Restructurally departments, you know can be used, whatever you staffing, more more efficiently and then weather opportunities. We start
thinking about you. Know I sat down with with Tammy. Who's got high school sketches? Different I know it better to understand just but it's different about
already looking at 26. 27 schedule 2016? That's it. Okay, what moves can we make here? Let's look at this. Look at that. And looking at our
numbers. And we have some ideas but I mean, we don't know, we don't know. Of course, election. Soon. We know what class size would be but we can look traditionally say, okay,
These classes are just something they have to reconsider offer a rather year unlimited but everybody years and then have that plan out for kids who can
get those but go out and the other thing with the should be noted. And then if 15, there is an exception for like unique courses, or AP courses, you
know multiverse yeah. Okay. You can't it's not run those through 10 or 12 they run anyway. but the television of the example, we have
traditionally that poetry writing class typically has does it or fewer kids that also thinks in with the any
intuition program, the high school is a really great place where it's not like our elementary schools where those kids are in the same room with
the same teacher and we can't take it another day, right? They are rotating. They are flexible. There is a lot.
to offer for a tuition student from another district who might be very interested in what we offer and that would increase the class sizes but increasing from 15 to 18.
15 to 20. It's not necessarily bad thing. No, it's not. It's, it's the other side of two is because I did some work with some people and Mike and I've met with some people who do consulting on
budget If you have a giant school district, It's impress, these bad sizes to save you a ton of money. Yeah. We save
four sections. Not Even right? I mean that. So if you, if you have, if you're freehold, you got six high schools and you
can press your class sizes, you can save a ton of money. we won't get that impact, but it might help us maybe use resources differently to save money together. That's that's
how we've started looking at those. Things, you know, and that, I mean, that's what, that's where we are. Where we got to where we are. We're looking ahead, and I think
the plan like my plan of the kind of the agenda kind of threw together was like talk about where we are now and then on the May whatever beauty really talk about advocacy, you come up with
a plan of what we want, how they want to attack that. because right now, We have may first is a budget. So, you know, we have where we are. We have another meeting of
the tent. The next time again, would you go to the budget? So we can talk more about this next week, too. I'm not going to finish tonight. I've been up
that right now that that's kind of where And, you know, I mean I I that's why I'm gonna talk a
circle. Yes. And I know that you very thoughtfully, put the agenda together, and I'm only just for one moment. Going to go here and then I'm gonna come
back and say, please should put you agenda together so let's be respect, but given everything that we've said here tonight, I know we're gonna talk about it in in the next
meeting, but I have a hard time believing that any commissioner for this borough who understands the position that we're in, will not look and say for the next 30
or 40 years that you shouldn't be your marking a portion of that pilot to go to the One final note. and that this is what this I hesitate to say,
because we know, so little, like a couple weeks ago, the department of that, and impact that would have And that's looking. if you spread the paper today,
well, Center has a very helpful interactive tool about federal Department of Education, cuts by state and the range of potential impact. And there is New York
Times today, there's an article that the president said He's gonna withholds funding from states. Who don't? Eliminate any equity programs? Well, I don't know what that
means. Except I've read in the paper today. And I stopped reading Okay, that's that's all requirement to what it would. The challenge to us as we we
have a governor who says do it and and a president who says, Joe do it and the government governors gives us more money but also isn't going
to make up the funding that we use bed early. and a lot of our programs are I mean, we don't really a name, right? It's probably title funding which we
don't really get anyway. It's not. That would be one thing that I think having the affordable housing with zero pilot money, would at least be a little bit helpful to offset some of the
cost and now that title one funding is going away. We will now Have and and it is. It is. If you look at the statistics,
it is more likely. You will have students who have disabilities coming from lower income homes. So we might that that is going to
send up our special education, services Bill. Um, And the title one funding which is why you get more Title One funding for low income households. I
mean, that's just a non-starter for me. I think we have a constitutional application under the New Jersey State Constitution. I think, right? I'm just think, and I'm thinking more, I think.
One. Like I'm not sure how Title One will be regardless, but I do. I do think that was the one thing. What I was like because we have our families coming in, right? And and I was hoping that that money would help at least
so that's what I do for more similarity, they have no idea false even right now. that 18 minutes. So I just bring it up
that way you just, It's yeah. I mean It's complex and Alright. Any other thoughts? No, I I just billing you back to
sleep. I'm not getting anything back to that Dynasty pot, step just throughout Like her, this may be as you engage Chuck, Linda Jamie with other districts. This may be
very wise use Of a legit educational consultant to help support. someone, this is a big undertaking if you're serious
about like, you know, engaging with five other districts. Organize, there are other. There are already vehicles in place that we will be I don't think
we that's I don't think Green vetting the wheel. We don't have that kind of time, but there are very like Cherry Hills. Very what organized and we have
people who are one staff who are already very engaged in that and have reached out give us a lot of information. There's already organization
that fairly they're funny. Yeah, there are organizations that will be joining. Um, so I think that that's going to to really help I think getting this school funding formula is
really where our right, okay. And it has such a lot of all aim and it was so thoughtfully constructed in so many respects. But then there are these pieces like the income
where you're like this. That's what makes this. This does not make sense. It makes sense to take some portion of the income
tax and allergy to actually get distract the income tax. The people are paying sure. I mean, that's it, they're not. Okay, so it shouldn't you your fair share can't be. You take all
this money away and yet you still also have to pay for the same money that you said right around this. But Don't really
don't have obviously yeah. The very like the very basic premise of the funding is wealthy districts. Need to subsidize less wealthy districts
because we are all one state we have one obligation. But why? Your education and that much and even so I still Think the amount of money that we're
getting already, like? We're trying to self. Sister crack. I don't, I think so. All right. But now we're gonna yeah leaning into wine again. So, um, sorry.
So we have some actionable things. We'll continue to be involved in the advocacy, anyone from admin have any solutions like them put in the table here we're open. We
have like the primal scream like yeah. so, for the, I guess that's it for our next committee, the whole next month will put together some resources for advocacy and some groups. And we
talked about maybe reads we can do that. And who might even talk about you might want to talk about this? That's great. Yeah I would love it. Everybody spends
a little bit of time to say You know what what do I think that I can do? And then, let's, let's in that. Next meeting, talk about how can we organize, How
can we divide and conquer, how can we make ourselves be good? Maybe we should sit down the next with call together a meeting of the Finance
Committee. we don't have one on the box and say, Let's look at all of our big contracts and maybe go out from store RFPs.
Maybe you say, Okay, we're not RFP for this last year. and we're gonna three years but that's that's redo it. And one of the top of my head is
benefits, all right, so you ground and you Experiment. It's probably over so benefits or our broker does their parent. For us. We went out and prepared
them a year ago. Well, you see him. Yeah. So broker a broker of Riker for for health care on. They're actually coming to our the next month I have other
communications may is elect the energy. People talk about electricity and Is I invited Brown to come to water. I mean,
I don't know anything about brokers, but maybe is do we need a different broker? I mean, I don't know.
really harder. Certainly has an impact on the cost of broke up. You don't see that note because it flip flows through the camera. That's right. Um, I did not only happened at Gcap, our property taxes and 10% and yet hope they're craft
Beer next week. update because I usually give a schedule for but this is tummy, right? Do it. I do all related services, instructional services, every
year also have some services on there that almost went good for me the services. And do it on the three year. Rotation, that's
the schedule but you can do whatever year. It's it's more time but it's at least times, it's Something, so we have to explore
what and see if it's the juices work this week. Oh yeah, I would say, I do want to make a suggestion on that. It's something that Linda and I talked about
after when it's school, boards conventions is active being very proactive with soliciting bits because we tend to get the same people. And one of the
things that one of the budget issues that we went to, one of the talks with a district or trying different budget, they had said it tends to be you send out your RFP and it goes to
the people who are usually looking, but being very proactive and soliciting other people to encourage them to put in bids. Because if they're not, what happens, is the people who
already have our business. They're like well they're gonna, you know, they're just going out for RFP. They've already they already know us but really
drumming up some competition and getting people who want our business and because they very but we have to actively seek
them and so I think that that to be an approach when we do this, that we really going out and looking for other other options, some healthy
competition among others. A star emails. That's how I organize things. I know I have to do. I'm a story email since like September from Chuck about
a potential substitute service company. I mean it's not just the assessor Kelly services, they're the two biggest providers but I mean, we got to
consider cost in all these things. That's just experience, history. All, I mean qualities, a big piece of it, right? But
also really, Yeah. Oh because I'm thinking I remember long-term subs will. Oh yeah. No I'm thinking we're just like her DM. I remember in the post-grad period of 2008.
when a lot of people were feeling a lot of crunches, people looking for new jobs were like, Oh that really went went
Into having it. More time. Well, the administrative costume that I just So now you'd have to be able to get people to only
producing three days a week. Maybe, Whereas I believe that's definitely services. They actually get unemployment summer, there's a lot of different, there's a lot of stuff they can there and then
if something sick, then you have somebody else that you that's one like we've talked before about behavioral services. We
House from the challenge, there is training them, keeping them trained well. And then the sum is sick, you have they'll have a replacement. And that's there's
they musically students of people so important to our 90 students. so that you can save a little here and there, but sometimes it they said This year
costs becomes a challenge. Okay. Um, I think there's we're in for a lot of changes, right? We have all that we have a new construction happening on refer
you families that are going to be moving in. our that the community as itself is is going through a lot of growing pains. And I want to make sure we're prepared to
welcome and and be open and inclusive and and support all of our students, to the quality. We've always done, which I know we will and it's a matter of finding out how we get there,
but that these discussions is hard, as they are as uncomfortable as they are, are really necessary. So that we continue to provide this high level of education that that our
families are welcome to and that we couldn't do it without all of the community accounts. As well. And that's always something that we have a lot of and our faculty and
administrators. Like, everybody has come together. and when we look at the difference between what we are our budget, what our actual
budget is and what are our adequacy budget is, um, you see how much goes into this school. That's not what a budget sheet and and I really can only say that that's a mark of the people who
are involved. So, thank you all, and, and we're gonna continue to fight the good fight. And we're trying to make this as, you know, as As efficient and
effective as possible. So yeah, I just wanted to say that because what I I do want to make sure there's a positive feeling around the community and walking in our family.
Well, yeah, I mean we're doing it with 41 when they say it should take 45. and that's because people here, All right.
Any other last minute comments questions before we go comment? all right, well now begin public comments session members of the community are invited to, speak
to prop, the three minutes at this time. or comments must be directed toward the board, not members of the public according to our bylaws comment session
can last no longer than one hour. This is an opportunity for the board to listen but not to be issues around our question and answer period. Please be aware that, not all
issues brought up before board meeting will be resolved. That evening, we ask you to identify yourself by saving your name in the name of your street before making your comment, while
public education could be an emotional issue. Which strives to maintain a certain level of decorum at the meeting public. Meetings are streamed and
available for replay on YouTube and students often participate in the meetings as such citizens are expected to maintain its own privacy and adults.
I mean, how much? Oh, okay. It's a working session so we're just going to go through governance. We'll have time to talk more about the next week at river.
Also going to be talking about them and policy tomorrow, but they're pretty standard. But if
anyone has any questions. it's only the first read of itself, you know, this is Just just me, I, I was confused on the participation thing. I hope it made it
for many years, but it is 75 dollars per student. And then, that's why what's that that's middle school? Yeah, that's the
middle on high school. So this is 75 dollars per student, right? And then 125 for middle school and 200 for high school. It's so if you have more than one you just pay that. Once you want that I say okay, you don't
right, so if I had one in middle school and one in high school, you have to pay 2005. But if you had two in high school, you
pay just Okay, not exactly. Fair. Yeah. yeah. Okay. Okay. Talk about your right. Okay,
Yeah. So you're making a deal, you know, it's the worst when you've got a middle school. Right, I think we can correct.
You know, formatting is not not great the way it is. Okay. I'm curriculum and special.
Education, love in the field trips. It's been thrilled and very excited about the learning. They've been doing out of
building as I love them. So yeah, our first gifted and talented field trip, Really? Yeah. I, I received two on solicited
parent, emails to say how long of Philadelphia. That was all our new kitchen, talented elementary teacher. He said, just she, she coated with
the recommendations. So for the kids over here, right? All right, personnel. Oh sorry. And business and finance.
That someone give a sort of quick casa update, I think that was being discussed. He told that no we did. Okay, I'm sorry.
Yeah, with the last minute, Cool Finance Committee was going to discuss it. Yeah, okay good.
So I'm not gonna read that you You can negotiation. Okay. So much. I'm on. So I
All right, any issues with the minutes? Steph needs to go home. I'm sorry, I read all those Albert's cases. I like,
it was very All right. Items for future consideration. I feel like we talked with a lot. I mean, we talked about, we're gonna have
another Oh, sorry. You know, we we go to PTA meetings, right? As a word, I can remember when I was on the PTA, it was my job.
the board of president to look at the agenda for the Board of Education and then come to the BOA meetings when there was something having to do with the PDA. So taking that and applying that I
would love to suggest that as a board that that there be someone or someone's that looks at what the Commissioners agenda is, and that we have representation At
the Commissioner's meeting. So I make it so much that, what's that? Yeah. Coming in here with
all that sense. Yeah I think that's a great idea and increasingly really important and so I don't know how we might
want to organize that, but if we could do rotating or we could do, if somebody's really eager and wants to volunteer. Yeah. yeah. He organized. It's not
like, okay, whatever anybody can, you know, show up that right? I would suggest that we think about maybe too people voluntary to do it for continuity, rather like to me having a rotating person. Like because what helpful
that's what I was thinking with help, you know, whatever like oh and the meeting you a great idea. I have a hard time with
evening commitment so adding another Yeah, automate Greg and just Second. I'm excited in the back and just
wanted to shower out publicly since I already emailed her privately, the message that went out for Autism, Acceptance Month
was wonderful. Neurodiversity affirming. Really great. They're like, Top batch so well done. To Dr. Blair and her department, and
all of our administrators that are making our schools welcoming for all of our kids. Thank you. Can I do circle back to that though? Because they, yeah, I
would like, for us to have some kind of organization of what we're gonna do and then the same way that we were back. What's going on with PTAs? I think it's
very important that whoever is representing the word comes back. What they yeah, exactly. Yes. So you actually copy or you're just looking at,
just are you guys just go falling tolding Jess and are you guys just an email and get feedback you know, get representation Well that would then we'd be doing it so we
really want like No, no, sorry I meant to solicit who the two people are. And I guess, just he lost whoever you wanted to do
it. But I think because, you know, we're asking now, so if you'd like to do it if you think you could do the commitment, if you find a
partner who can do it with you, or you could do it, you know. with two people. Of course, the amount three emails, I have three. And there's lots more
that you exploded up. Yeah. but the more consistency I think that you were right. And a more consistency we have the better and their meetings are also one zoom. So if you can't make every meeting but we would like you to
make a public appearance because that's important. I think that we also want to talk about, you know, making statements when it's appropri. Ate as well. And if we are,
whoever can organize that can then talk about what the statement is if we as a board are behind that, then you can make a statement as the board
rather than as your person. So it would be great if somebody could pick that up. Just like the organization. Yeah. Yeah.
And of course, We're sounding boards, right? Like so we'll all like them generating ideas and definitely it'll be, it'll be a group conversations and stuff like
that. So nobody's out on their own, right? Um, but it just to have somebody who can spearhead it because it does get Unmute unwieldy. And I mean, to
be clear that, when I started that, I said that as a PTA Representative. It's not like I sat in the meeting every single time it was my job to review
what the agenda was and then see when is it appropriate? When should I be there? When should I be listening? So, it's not Oh my God. Now I have to go to every
single meeting, it's when when is the meeting talking about something that should be? That the word should be paying attention. Well, I will I will volunteer to Start the process. And if others
would like to join me, please email me. And I'll, I gotta get the date. Thank you. Yeah, good. I think you're right. It's important. And there's a lot,
you know, we have wonderful, informative groups and websites. I get a lot of information from Mrs. Carol Stoner in the audience. I look
Dave, Seidel does phenomenal posting keeping Going on. So yeah, I would be intrigued to get closer to me. Yeah, that
would be great. As of now. He's the joys of putting. Yeah no, it's a good idea. It is a
brilliant. All right. Um, okay. Anything else? All right, motion to adjourned. Sure. Seth and me.