>> HSD Broadcast: and finally, bringing Another team. And that's called the meeting to order. Mike, can you please call roll?
Thank you, President Mrs. Here this rascinclair year Miss Hollingworth. Mr. Knuckles here, Mr. Ritter I'm here Mississauga here Vice
President Hoke earlier. Yeah, President Crooked. Yeah. Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which he stands one nation. Under that, indivisible liberty and justice for all my could you
please read the statement concerning open Public meetings. Public notice of this meeting. Pursuant to the Open Public Meetings. Act has been
given by the Superintendent of Schools in the following manner. Well, January 8, 2025. Notice of this meeting was posted on the anterior of the school
administration offices, 95, Grove Street. Haddonfield written notice was submitted and followed with the Haddenfield Borough, clerk. And notice it for email to the
Courier Post and the retrospect news. Thank you. Okay, let's get started with some student commendations. We're going to
start with the Olympic honors band. Are you? Watch video Marshall play first Mike. That's a good play first,
it will be now. So don't know what exactly what I know there. Good. All right. The honors Olympic band. And
okay. So this is the Olympic honor stand and the Old South Jersey band. Okay. Right. So this little group is comprised of both the Olympic Conference and all South Jersey
band members, Rachel Tomkins made both older conference and all South Jersey Dance. Marlin made all South Jersey Ben and Gigi made Olympic conference.
So we're gonna play Buffalo Wild. This is a snippet from what we're gonna play at our concert, this is gonna be very hard for them because usually they have four or five members next to them supporting
them while they're playing. They On their own island with these parts. It's three separate parts that are completely
different, and they do a very nice job, so hope you enjoy. 'S. Are. Why? Give another two. staffers another tuner, you
know. All right so we have something for you. So, a little bit about what the conference on South Jersey. They prepare on their own time but also we do it during lessons for
the school day. They're prepared for Olympic conference. It is scales. and then sight reading. All right, and then the difference between Olympic
Conference, all South Jersey, all South Jersey has an attitude that they have to prepare as well as the skills a couple more scales for all
South Jersey, but they're great honors Ensemos, and the great job representing. And now you got different picture taken. So, come on over
here. But the instruments. Many props. Why don't you come over here? But congratulations. So welcome back. Okay, and that brings us to Mr.
Catalano's riveting, budget. Presentation jobs that. I need that color. Not quite as
musical. Sure. Was uplifting. sorry, not members of the finance giving you It's close. All right, so here we are.
Been working hard on this budget toughest one yet platform in the, this is my sixth one six budget presenting to the Board
of Education. It's tough last year. This this year was Definitely harder. I have the
mission statement up here in front of us. This is something we keep in mind during our time, entire budget process. We have to be sure that Were setting
out to meet our goals. We're not sending ourselves up for failure. We're not deviating from from our mission statement.
There's a board. One of your board goals is about spending. Quite frankly, our finance, we had a finance committee just for the budget last week. What a
little bit longer than anticipated. We didn't get to that board spending goal after the conversation. We have another meeting on Tuesday, we'll talk about it then. So I
want to tell you guys, we're still, we're still on that. Okay, something that we're not forget. All right, so I'm gonna
get right into the numbers. This is what we're looking at for next year, 54.6 million dollars. That's all of our governmental funds. So
our operating budget, well be talking about the most tonight, funtime, 48.7 million dollars. Fun 20. That's that that's our
grants federal grants. each ET grants and also is our student activity funds. It's all the activity that flows through all of those accounts, it's about 1.3 million dollars and
then, lastly fun, forties debt service, that's all of our voter approved debt. A little bit higher than last year because we just passed upon referendum.
It's about a million dollars more than last year, that that service. So, 4% increase on the
operating bud. Get. That's that's the difference from Fiscal year. We're in right now versus what we're what we're preparing for next year, four percent increase. Our average
budget I'm going to talk about How we spend our money? what the challenges were. And what? Where we're going? Where we're
going? As I said earlier, this is very hard. There, I don't see anything changing anytime soon with this process. So, what I'm trying to say is next year's gonna be hard
to But we're doing our best to address these challenges. I'll show you, I'll tell you the story of how we got to where we are. this year during this
budget process. So, first start at a revenues, it's kind of obvious that. Text taxes. Or farm majority of our
revenues. We're the only school district in the county that has 87% funding. Their budget from local taxes. There's we don't have any neighbors around here,
like that. Number stays pretty consistent from here. Following. Our local taxes CD, that's that's about 3.7 million dollars.
You're probably aware, we are receiving a reduction in stinging next year. 2.16%, which was about 72,000. That's so much less. state eight. We're going to be getting
very hard to say that in front of you guys when we have I'm going back to our neighbors Arcana County neighbors, summer scene, 20 million dollar
increase, five million dollar increase decreases, right? No increase in state. While we're getting a 2% reduction on our stating two
percent of our state aid. allocation produced by two percent. We got a notice from the Department of Ed a few weeks before.
our state numbers were released that no district in New Jersey would see a reduction of more than 3%, more than three percent so, Trying to you know, look at the bright side, could be worse,
right? Could be very far worse, 3% profit 100,000 hours, but what if they decided not to have that cap on reduction? Again could have been worse back in
2010. 2011 had to feel so 1.8 million dollar reduction. in stating It was a percentage wise, I forget, but we just got to the same level of funding from 2010. Two years ago. So it
took almost to over 10 years to get back to that level of state funding. the last part is kind of like a caption, all everything else that we we can use to fund our butt. Our budget is,
I call other local, That would be our tuition revenue. This would be our, our interest, on our deposits. This would be our
any withdrawal from withdrawals, from reserves, like, maintenance reserves. We're doing that again this year and then last but not least budget, fund balance budget fund, balances money on
spending prior years that we can use the fund. Our budget. There is something called excess surplus, or auditor talk about it to me.
Two meetings ago. What that is is where there's a calculation he does for us. That tells us how much we actually staggeratorily. Are allowed to
keep in unassigned fund balance. Therefore, the rest has to be spending to fiscal years from the year that he wants, which would be for the that we're talking about right now. That's a good question about
this. So, if we received monies from a pilot would that be that like pink that would go in there? So that could offset the balance of some of the taxpayer
money? Any questions on revenues before I get an expenditures. I'm a spend a little more time on expenditures that I could practice pretty straightforward revenues
with what makes up how much we can spend expenditures. So it's also a lot about our mission statement things that we strive to
whatever it is equation. We don't get any of the time, right? Well, we we could they have a decided? Yeah, no, you're asking What category wouldn't that? I
it is customary for girls to share the pilot buddies and I just wanted it clear that, that money does not come out of the taxpayer section, it actually comes from that little. Yeah,
that would be only you. So what we're spending our money on? These percentages are not going to add a cross for the account. In me, realize that I
like when things sign each other, but I just want to explain what? What your makes up your budget. Okay, sounds and benefits three-quarters of our budget, is our time to people,
we're in the business of people, we're in an industry for people. So we're spending a lot on people. 74% of it is on Saturdays now, these
next three categories I put up here for you, there's salaries and benefits in them. So of this 22 million dollars. There's there's Allocation portion of that is
salaries and benefits. Also, I wanted to explain so instructional programs. These categories that I'm showing you the way I arrive at them is, is through budgetary
line items. So what I say instructional programs, I was going to explain that. to think of things that are in the classroom, but there are
actually things that I have to charge. Another places that are really considered central expenses that are in the classroom. For example, there's
some special ed costs that I charge not to a specific program but because it's considered what's called a extraordinary extraordinary services. I have to charge them to to a central
service, Okay? So what I wanted to show you here you go. I think most of what makes up that number Helps helps us to
achieve one of our goals in, in academic excellence. Management Grounds Technology. We're trying to keep our building safe for our students
and staff and also Giving them the tools of technology. So these are the categorization of the start the conversation
with, because then, We'll go a little more detail here again. There's three quarters of our of our budget. That.
Salaries and benefits. They're that's what makes up most of our budget. And even the remaining The remain. The remaining aspect of the budget, a lot of that's
mandated or what I say untouchable too. Special education that's going to be a theme. Sorry. So there's there's
a mandated expenses. There's not a lot of In reducing them, mitigating them. So that that becomes a challenge when we're through. When I tell you the story. How
we got to where we are. since challenging, we can't just say, Oh, we're not going to provide the services in our IEPs. We
have to. We'll be breaking the law. If we don't. So that's that's part of these challenges.
I have these eight categories here so you can really see what's the third aspects. The third one, get cut off the profile. Professional educational services. So that is a lot of mostly special education across so costs, like
behavioral services, which is a three million dollar lion falls in that Any questions here? so, Chuck
explained to the last border They gave you a good groups of where we're at, what the the moves were making in order to balance our budget.
so when we started this budget season with all of our, our projected and anticipated costs, Before we even apply a
2% increase in taxi. We're in a whole 3.7 million dollars. So you apply that 2% brings us down
to about 2.99. Okay. They're only three things that we can do to help bounce that budget, the IT falls In these three categories. Yeah, revenues
reduce appropriations or or renegotiating contracts. so with adding revenues something, we've been proud of that we've been able to avoid the last few years is really don't want to increase
the burden of cost on only parents but the activity fees is something that we're looking at increasing for next year. that that helped us you know
after years I think it's been 20 years. She's been. Yeah. Yeah you know I think it's the same rate as when it was instituted. In 2010 or whatever institute. So I think that's I'm being self
I'm saying as long as I've been here which is the last few years that we we've been able to avoid doing that but that's something that were that we're
looking at doing next year. Tuition tuition, tuition, revenue line increased by over half million dollars Because we're, we're capturing, we're recognizing of revenue for
the edtv, are we sorry? Extend a day kindergarten program. um, That that's something that we as of right now is not a plan to
have in our budget. For. Forever. This is a start, we're starting this program, right? We're beginning this
program, but the plan now today is, we do not want to charge tuition when the buildings from the construction from the referendum is all done. Once,
that's all done a week in a house, the entire kindergarten universe a plane right now today is to not charge tuition But I'm going you the board.
Now, when it comes to that point, Don't disregard that option altogether. What I'm saying is keep the options on the table, okay?
What are we doing? Everything We can communicate where we attract because I just want to reinforce the reason why right now where we're tuition tuitioning extent, they kindergarten because we cannot offer it to
everyone. It's the lottery people. Yeah, we actually had a plan that we are going to Build our within our budget. Sorry, expanding our operational budget for to begin device. We
guess there. We do not have to charge these three hits. We took with a big money this year. Put us back a year. Right? So
that's it. But the we got we are like so, right? So, the plan is another other schools have done this or Michael tell more detail right now. We have 75 seats so
we'll try. What's that tuition for somebody people. We're gonna put our budget as if there's only 60 kids, they're coming. So that will send the rest of it.
And then, the next year, 30 kids, this will win ourselves off of that. So that way we get to that point, we won't be relying on the tuition as much.
We'll be relying on on. Exactly. Like rather take up. I don't know $150,000. Hit over three years then. Oh, one year. That's just that's kind of my personal. That's right. I will
say. I just feel extremely uncomfortable with what you just said. Um, I we we said that we were doing this and and I know things change. I know that you guys
worked very, very hard on this budget. I am uncomfortable putting that good giant asterisk there right now. I think that we need our goal needs to be to do exactly what we said. You know,
I'm very welcome, we're trying to get there and and we will talk about that some more because as a board, there are things that that, you know, we,
we can, we can say, we, we like this, we don't like that, will tell you that, I personally don't like that. Yeah, and I
think we have years, we have yet now. And it's something that we need to. start planning for my my talk's going to be a little bit about
that during my update. Not that I've answers but on, but yeah, but thinking about how knowing that this is likely going to be the landscape for at least a few
years that we have to start. Yeah, making hard choices. The other side of that is very likely about time art. voters are built. This could be mandated kindergarten. We will
be that charge. Yeah, choice might not be our work, we're getting not charged. Yeah. Last point, about the adding revenues moves that were making. So
I talked a little bit about budget and fund balance and unassigned fund balance. The excess surplus amount is what the order says, we have to have
in our budget but we can get into on assigned fund balance that balance. As of as of today's about a million dollars, we decided to take another 300,000, which is teaches at the same levels of or less. You're so I'm comfortable and happy with that
number. So that's something else we're doing to increase our Reduce appropriations. So this where this, this category is, what was most of the work over
the last Four weeks. so, I told you we were at that 2.7 million dollar deficit, all of these things, help reduce that number but reducing reducing what we're spending our money on.
Where I tell you every every department, every school was not numbered out everyone felt this the same way. It stinks. I have to say that
that were that were decreasing, our appropriations. But what I could say, I'm proud of is the work that we've done as
administrative team altogether in making this budget work, because that is where Talking about this budget more than we've ever had before. To deceive where we can cut
without impacting students as best as we can. And we've, we've, we're as happy as we could possibly be with where we're at. so some of the categories and
like what we actually cut supplies this is I believe Chuck mentioned this, you know, the 18 to you guys. Was very a
third year, third year, in a row cut. Ting supply final automatic and I don't know how many more years we can do that. we're we it's it's so much easier to cut a supply versus a
person, but we still need the things that we need to operate the the school district. um, A gift surplus. So
A lot of insurance policies that none. None of them are built exactly the same if you've ever had like a dividend check before with some insurance policies. Well, this is kind of that. So
there is an aspect of our insurance. That's called Aggregate X excess liability. Okay, we pay into it every year, it's about half of our premium goes into this fun.
It's the purpose of that is for something catastrophic. Oh school building falls over a huge multi-million dollar. Liability claim that goes against our joint
insurance. That's the purpose of of that fun. As playing years, close out. The Jeff will release surplus from that aggregate access liability. There have been
years. We've actually offset some premiums but I'm offsetting the most I've ever had this year because we also received a It was a 16% increase and property
Catholic insurance. It reduced down to 10%, but we're still using Big portion of that excess surplus, the offset are GIF premiums. and go a little
sidetrack there to explain that, but I've never had to before because this is what I'm relying on the pound translation. Try to tell that story.
Staffing and other other conversation. One thing that all the principles have helped us with one of the first things we looked at what I went, it comes
to reducing Personnel costs, We started with extra conversations, so stipends. we looked at this with, with all of our administrators and what we tried to do
is keep keep. If there was a activity, that was non-student facing we focused on them. First, we tried to get back students as little as possible when looking at
these sites. We also something that working with like for example are elementary principles, we're able to combine clubs so we're not really losing out on like we're
not just based on on numbers. We're not losing out on on activities that we've been doing all very real thoughtful
stuff. So that's that's what we try to accomplish with. With. Compensation reductions. now,
as far as staffing, We are definitely going to have to reduce our our staffing numbers. By Chuck, you put it
in your looking at the number of what we'll do is we're looking at. We will wait. We don't know exactly what the staffing is. Today I wouldn't want you here. But how
we look at it is we don't say we're gonna get rid of these people. We have a number that we're going to have to meet and then we'll look and see what
that how that works. And the key to that is things like retirement, that people leaving the district. So what we don't want to use laying on But if someone retires, you can
reorganize and move people around and then not feel that position, that's how rich I work our statement. We want to go through attrition first so we
don't have something to be three teachers. We're 17, we have a number in mind that we want to get to actually down when I get to and, as you go through this
process, we're gonna see the best way to get there, as at least impact on and on the structures and programs. Our goal would be to lay no one off
that we can use. Retirements and people leaving the district and then find a way to move those around. We may not be able to do that. But that's
that's they're all so, it's not instructional staff. We are looking. There's district wide staff, Who we're also?
we're gonna have to look at and say, You know, you can We take responsibilities of this job and distribute somewhere else. There may be people from going from full-time to part-time. That's what this will look like. I will
not even try to give you an example, because as soon as I do, People are gonna hear. Oh, do they well this person or that department. So the the key is
We have we have a number of target, we have to get to when we see your times people leave the districts over the next couple next month or so, we'll then work our way to make sure
to our best, not the refill, this positions to get the standard productions. and when we talk about like mandates or contractual obligations, it's actually in eg contract that we have to
use attrition to our best ability when doing things be honest. I didn't know it was, there is already trying to do it. We were trying to do it. So
like Chucky explain, there's definitely things that we would hope to happen. So we're not telling people that they're not. The way it's aspect of how we're getting to where we're at. This is something that
I haven't renegotiated in contracts that gets us a million dollars in sickness. All three of these categories or something. That
We have to work on all. Not just me. I am bound by procurement rules and laws. Sometimes, I can't negotiate contract, because you know, when we go out to bid for
these referent projects, different budget, but but we got to basically budget front. I have to take the lowest better, no less under bucks. I can't even talk to the other to
the other bears. So, there's some procurement laws, that that Doing anything else besides the lowest there, but when it comes to our professionals,
I'm happy to say that they're very open. They want to continue business and hadfield, the very open to talking about how we can go with the cost, efficient measures. All right. Things were things
were achieving. We got to put back to put some Yeah, we're bright side of those conversation. So frequent, enhances professional development technology
initiatives and maintaining our facilities. They're, they're definitely four categories. We're proud of investing into Kind of expands upon the slide.
I had earlier, and the four buckets of expenditures that we that I explained earlier. So, a lot of these are contractual. There are some contractual obligations, but
there are things that help us achieve our goals. All right, finish up. Maybe it's good. So some of the challenges that we face this year, almost every year Chuck alluded to a lot of
this. Last last for me, first things first rising health care costs. That's the highest rate, increase that I that I've ever
seen since I've since I've been here. So, 13% increases already. For us as far as it. Special education mandates. I explained You know this things
that are written in IEPs, we have to provide those services. Enrollment projections. There
are. Things happening that are probably going to send more kids to to our school district. Even without that happening, it's happening with these
developments are happening. Historical numbers show an upward trend anyway. So that is always a year year challenge for this school district. And I
just want to point out that that money doesn't follow the new students. So when students come in, it's not like, Oh, here's X amount of money to then support the the child, even if we get a nominal amount of state
funding, that's years before, it could be two years the student. Now, the worst case scenario for us as a student moving here on October 16th, we
won't see that money for two years. Because it's so it is right after the snapshot of October 15th application for state state aid process, because
that's the snapshot of how many kids they calculate into our stadium numbers for the following year and we even saw the minimal amount that we get
and state aid compared to our taxes. That that's still a nominal amount. Even when we do get it in two years later. Now,
it's not the cost of the educating the child. This one is new. I've never had this up here before but this affects all of us. So, this is the effect of commercial world,
but also residential world, I have been advised To increase our budget and prepare for a 20% increase in our electrical utility Just to give you an idea, our electrical we pay a little bit
typically over half million dollars. That what is going on 115,000 next year? I can get a little more into that. So we're part of the Penn Jersey, Maryland
Grid, It's mix up, 15 states. It's not the largest geographical electrical grid in our country but it's the biggest as far as demand goes. So probably asking Well why are
the rates going up because these the The demand auctions happen year to year and I just pulled this number out in the first time today and it's kind of shocking
when you hear something like this, but they have to predict what the demand is going to be over here in advance. Very anticipating. 833 percent increase in demand
for their next cycle, which is a 25-26 year. So That's that's why the the rates are increasing the way they are. It's actually something I want to bring at least a finance
committee in the future too Explain more. Why? This is I'm not an energy broker I'm not an expert to talk about these things but it's something
definitely that affects again everyone on the island with this. but it affects everyone. But it's a, it's a big impact this year than it's ever been.
The last one, probably the the least. Impactful on all these challenges but it is something to keep in mind and consider
the uncertainties of federal funding of Right. Now this year for title, one funds, which we are receiving for the first time this school year, we're in
right now. First time in four years, we are already not eligible again the following because our low income numbers or below two percent. The requirement and do
we have to wait two years for that as well. So, when we have the affordable housing, yeah, you find out here to year the baseball of census data from two
years, probably. So yeah, so so that Title one idea receive a little bit over half million dollars, an idea funds those so those are the two federal funding categories.
It's I'm not the federal government. But what I hear in my, in my, in my school, business administrator circles, what nobody tells us from the candy
level or even state level I think ideas a little bit more protected than the esea grants at the ton of long title too.
So, Something could happen at the federal level where, you know, we have to be prepared if that
money goes about. All right. So what are we head after tonight? So the tentative budget is off for approval tonight. After tonight, if approved, I
will send the budget to the county office and the county has until April 20th to prove all the budgets in the county. And then we have our budget hearing and adoption anticipate for mate first. Those are all
kind of statutory driven timelines. So that's where we're headed. Do we actually voting on it tonight? We are having an action. Yes. So there's two
resolutions, there's a budget itself. There's also one about legal cost per people legal costs. They're, that's there. Every year I saw them on there, but it wasn't sure we were actually yeah. So those are
the only two action resolutions, everything else is for next week. Just give you an idea. I went back and I Michaelson historic
data for us. Health benefits from 2000 to 2025 those. Those years, the averaging increase was about four thousand dollars.
This year is 750,000, so it's it's 54% more than our average over the last five years, that's something we had no idea. It's coming out for that and
electric utility the average increase from 2025 0. Hundred fifteen thousand dollars. This year state aid, we've been averaging
getting state aid increases. Now we've lost 772,000 and then our increase this year in. In contracted behavioral slides was another quarter of a million
dollars. I mean that's over a million dollars that Freakish for us, right? If those things were in our normal range. This presentation that's gonna last
slide. We're saying we're doing this would just be okay we're going to use less paper. Basically not more than that, I don't know, exaggerating to try to over Believe me. We're
looking at historic jumps all once any one of those three. Out of there, makes a significant difference in how we have to approach it. So we are dealing
with very challenging situation and there's things that might in touch one that even if you shop, we spend a million dollars and transportation busy. And we
don't, we're walking Mr. Right? Because of athletic exercise is like there's things in there that you that you cannot touch when we're making with When Mike pointed out. When we have to cut significant money,
we've cut our supply lines year after year. We've got two hundred thousand dollars in supplies over the last two years, We are at the point now. Unfortunately, we do have sort
of looking at staffing and no one wants to. That's why we're trying to find solutions where attrition can help us. but, We
are and by the way. as soon as he submits this one, we're starting to look at next year because we know it's going to be similar and we're going to try to cut things off the past
now. So that way we're not having the same conversation next year because the last thing you want to do is get a cycle of massive cognitive
against. Um, do you know, I just, you're a national conference and the one person one they're talking about budget, one person that cut too much, and then that Nation of
the Cup people. I feel bad next year, but that's our philosophy. But God, they were doing it over cut. So they do the next year would be as bad. We're
hoping and we're gonna work to find solutions so that we're not in this situation next year. On that there aren't historic jumps. If they go back to to where we normally are average.
We have a much of a conversation as I just want to. It wasn't just we say we went up 700,000. What does that mean? That's 54% more than our historic average. That's that's a type of thing. I just wanted
to make sure I gave that context of some of these numbers. Doesn't feel in hand. Feels not on an island in this predicament. A couple of things
I wanted to actually mention. So Linda you and I went to a well I thought was a really good seminar at school board. This past year, it was a panel superintendents, all with five
different stories about the school funding formula budgets and financial impacts for school districts
on. The ALL the State Funding Formula. That is actually. supposedly nationally, so if you're one of the better funding
formulas, but It's not working for us and it's not working for a lot of lot of districts. So that's number one. Number two, There is a calculation that that
tells us what are it's called, our adequacy budget. It's what our local fair share of the tax. levy should be according to a state calculation that has a lot of different variables.
Were four million dollars below that tax levy. It would take a seven years to get to over 46 million dollars with a 2% cap. We can't even get to where the state says our tax
levy should be. On top of that. At 4:30 today, from New Jersey, Association of School Business Officials. the governor just
announced, This is 4:30 today, that there is something now called they're going to be implementing. There's been more
guidance from the county levels on this something called Tax levy incentive eight. You can't ask a lot of questions on it
because I just got this at 4:30 today, Okay, but from what I read a few times That if a district goes to the over two percent, what we're
allowed allowed to go over two percent and you're below. So that adequacy budget, I described you. we're below adequacy. So, when you hear someone say Are you above
advocacy below? Actually, we're below Actually you have to be below adequacy in order to be eligible for this eight were and the, the incentive would be lesser of million dollars or
five percent your state aid or us five percent of your tax levy, five five are five percent for us is over two million dollars. So that could
be million dollars in eight. I don't know what a means. A could mean. Oh, here's a million dollars more in state aid, or it could be, Oh, you're allowed
to go. Over increase your tax. Let me by another milliona. I don't know what that means yet, but this is literally news from from the state today.
So thank you. Best posted on that. Yeah, but like I said, And feel it. We're not alone. You're not unreliable. This just
goes to show you that even the state knows that that this is. There's a there's something systematically wrong with how this? All right. On the taxpayers to pay such a large
bill. It's so little state funny and we all pay our state taxes. Is just ludacris, we can't keep believing dry taxpayers and they
were all tax. Payer. Um, It's it, you know, we need more, we need a fair share of the state funding. Yeah. The other thing I know you're talking about our goal. Yeah. When we're
starting. Right? Yeah, one of the challenges is State a formula. Even though our money comes from your chest, it's tax values.
Your house. There is a part of formula is aggregate income of your community. To a billionaire moves in and buys just the most inexpensive house
in Haddonfield and moves in, but I pay more ink. They're not paying more property tax, but their billion dollar income affects our stadiums.
Which which is, it's a very convoluted thing the way it works. So These are the things that you have to get together to say, it's not when we talk
about. Like, next week, I might just talk about what books are buying. We've got to be an active group to say. How can we make? Sure how did you get?
It's adequacy that. That's it. Maybe I'll just talk about what my board. What? I'm gonna talk about the board update. We were talking about what our goals might be in support and one of
them, we really think this year needs to be advocating for fair funding formulas for schools, particularly our own school and South Jersey schools. But it's
time to get active and get vocal. We have the opportunity to go to the Round Table UM Fund for funding formulas and have
township. And it was really eye-opening to see. First of all, we're not in the worst, we're not in the worst case but nonetheless nobody's looking like that
community was all struggling and South Jersey was hit far worse than North Jersey and Central Jersey. North Jersey was hardly hit at all. Central Jersey, a bit. And and
the bulk of that funding loss was South Jersey And it's unless we start speaking up and become organized, we're not going to be able to make a difference here. We can't keep relying on the
taxpayers, it's just not just not It's just not feasible. So, one of the the issues too, when you're talking about the funding was as Chuck was saying that
that the income advocate income being involved in it that it's relying too much on our local property taxes and that it's two years before we see any, any
really revenue coming in from the state from from our new students moving in, and You know, we're we're hopeful This brings us then to the pilot
because that was something else we were going to talk about. We're very hopeful that some of the pilot monies will be shared with us. One of the things we talked about at the
fair, finding Formula Roundtable, was there were legislators there, which really gave us the opportunity to be. Like, now we have, like people
whose names, we know we can reach out to and talk to them in terms of what can we do to have a seat at the table and also we had asked
about the pilot and they were You know, they it's customary for boroughs to share pilot monies with districts. um given that the Bancroft was just settled they voted on it. Again there's now believe 18,
affordable housing units that's going to bring students in And and I think they estimated around 600,000 a year in pilot logo. So even a portion of that
offsets us needing to raise taxes to keep up with the new students that are coming in, because that money's already going going to the borrow it
still serving the constituents. So, we're hoping that that's going to to help offset this. because like we were saying there's just no, we just can't keep, we can't keep doing what we're doing and it unless
something changes it's on the going to So that we were thinking that would be one of our board goals. Um, so when we talk about that at the retreat, start thinking about how we can get involved
and and really keep track of what things show up to some of the county and the statewide. The thing is, I mean we can't speak for the board. So the first thing is we do really
need you guys to think about that and make sure that everybody is on board with like we want to do this as a board but Jamie has already started
reaching out both locally and to some some legislators and we want to to see how can we be more active? How can we use our voices? And not only at the state
level, but at a local level, as well. So, everything from how can we have a louder voice on, what's going to happen from the state and this funding to?
There's pilot money, and we're all taxpayers, and it just is there and there are other municipalities to do this. Exact thing certainly can't be all of
it but there's no reason that is a portion of that. Can't be your market for the school and we believe it should be and advocating as a board and having all of us amplify each
other and our voices. That's Something we can do. If we choose to say advocacy is important to this word. And we have connected with some of the other area school boards.
So the more unified we can all be. I think the stronger that will be in terms of ensuring that South Jersey has a voice in some of these decisions that are being made and part of
that. Includes us going up to Trenton. Yes. Yeah, because we're really easy to forget about down here. Yeah, they're amazing. And you might be able
to help us too with that the answer lawyer and and like having that maybe you can give even if you can't go to things, you let us know if you could do a little research on that, give
us some guidance because that's really we're new to this and but we want to we want to be active and vocal and now's the time as we were saying now is the time
to think about next year's budget. Can't do anything about this year's, but if we want to start thinking about it, oh, the other thing that I don't think everyone realizes is that we get
our numbers only weeks before we have to have a budget. Yeah. By the way this year I really the time I won't. Because last year we go to see the numbers and we
approve the tenant of budget that night. So I like how we are working now with our, with our, with our calendar, but it's scrambling, it's really, you're putting it over 50 million
dollar budget together not knowing how much you're losing because I mean at least they said, you're not losing within three percent and you Districts
visited Cherry Hill last year that lost six million dollars, six million dollars. Yeah, they lost 800 number 800,000 this year but
Yeah. It's it's such a short amount of time because I'll be honest. I I knew I bet money. We were not gonna see more money but I really was realistically thinking we were just gonna be
flat, you know? And there were a lot of districts like that just flat. Like I was not anticipating us seeing a decrease but Especially within all the increase. I mean they
are aware, they're the ones raising our energy bill so Um, yeah. So, but thank you for your work on that. anyone else.
Have any questions about the budget? Not more. Thank you. All I know that it was not in. I don't think any one of us would
want to have to. chop our budget like that. I think it was, I know a very, very difficult process. So thank you for going through and holding as much together as you could. It was a much, a lot of our team. And,
and Who they are like. there could be the tendency to try to protect protect your little world. That was not the case. Again was vertical. Let's we are school district. We're not five schools, we're not
Maintenance versus this and that. So it It made it easier. In some ways made it harder because people will only give more men. And, you know, so I
said No, you have to get that much but it was It's a hard process and we're still not done it. As I said, There's we know we have we still make hard decisions coming out, you know, we have but the balance body making sure
that and make sure we stick to those, right? It's easy to cut something and then, Oh yeah, everyone needed. We need this. Put something back in. That's that's the second part of this.
Okay. Um, Curriculum Committee. Megan Meg is not here and we already had ours and Oh yeah, we did not meet. That's right. He's taking the last one. I
think she wrote her email that she already reported. That was correct anyway. Great, you finance. That policy, we had a postponed
for last minute. That's right item. So we'll pick it up. Next time. Sounds good. And lrft we have not had meetings but we're getting more. Yeah,
yeah. Doesn't mean yes. Any PTA updates and um, so the meeting was last week um just a couple of highlights. They had a couple, you know, really great events. They said their eighth grade ski trip was
like a huge success where I think they said like out of the 200 or so students in the eighth grade 18. Yeah. So like really there's
been a lot of interest in their events. They had the all school ice skating, which was slightly literally dampened by some rain that night on the outdoor ice rink. But students all still showed up had a really Time. And then the coming back
of record was a huge success where I think it sold like a few hundred tickets and then they had another $120 students show up at the door like to pay
cash. And so from everything that they had heard, it was a great event that they might. I think look to just shorten the time a little bit from I think maybe two hours to
90 minutes and, but they are looking to do it again. I think maybe sometime in the spring so there's there's a lot of activity, it seems to be,
there's a lot of engagement and then I will say the other shout out is just involvement on the parent side and recruitment. So they already have. And for middle schools
parents, it comes out in the newsletter, but there's a link to next school years, sign ups for just, whether it be on a committee or something like that, and just kind of shouting
out that especially middle middle school. Seems to be a hard Of that, with that PTA and
when you're in elementary school, you have that long period of time like Okay let me step in and get involved but that there was even reports of the meeting from some of the parents that were also involved
in the high school, PTA of that. How so many people like wait high school even has a PTA and that thinking that it just kind of falls off in the school, takes over all the
activities but really, it is amazing to see how engaged involved. Our p. is continue to be at the middle school and high school level and just kind of some of those
events and community building and just really milestone kind of things that it doesn't take a ton of
time to just maybe just sign up for something and get more. So that was my little plug Great. Thank you. The Red Cross and like, a really great event. For
in person. socialization. Yeah among them and the other thing was also I saw that they were checking Oh yeah I heard it was very like sixth grade heavy but like that
they had a really great time so especially yeah. right happy. Yeah. Like yeah. It was really
Present anyone else? Anything. All right, Dr. Perillo, do you have anything? Well, I just want to give a shout out to Principal McHale here for reinstating, a
recall on Friday nights. As a former middle school principle because a lot of Friday nights at recall That night always
gave me some great hairs and I I loved it, I love it because we had a hundreds of kids, with something you do engaging in
positive behavior. And there's a lot of work in putting that all together, so just tell your team, great job commend, you on that, I'm happy to announce that we will be
bringing back the summer enrichment program. This summer. Biggest differences, it will be a tuition-based program.
a relatively small amount. As you may recall the past three years that we ran this program, it was funded through in a federal presser grant that money has run out. We that was due to the covid related funds
and the expense by October 1st. And so the charge, I think will be someone reasonable about 125 dollars, per course, courses will run two weeks. We we aim to
be bringing back many of the most popular classes from last year. The deadline for teachers Smith proposals is tomorrow we have a pretty quick turnaround
within I would say no later than the end of next week. For more email about the community with registration information. So
we're excited that we'll be able to provide fun and engaging summer opportunity, activities, for hundreds of students in our schools, it will be held at
Tatum this year. It's a little tricky. Finding a location that wasn't going to be severely impacted by the construction but we think where I am the second third floor is that Tatum? So we think we're
going to be able to make that work and we just finished up two rounds of standardized testing this week. Our high schoolers 11th grade specifically The New Jersey
Graduation Proficiency assessment. commend assistant Principal Serrano or first time being the school test coordinators did fantastic job a lot of moving
parts with that. A lot of schedule organization coverage. Making sure all the accommodations are implemented. Making sure all the computers are running smoothly. We're Al and and John and the team do an
unbelievable job. Testing went very well with that and the other test that we did standardized test, that's required by the state is for our
multi-lingual. Learners, Those are students, we're English is not there was not their primary language, we require to assess them every year and our language, our specialist at the
elementary level as well as our reading specialist at the Middle School, conduct those evaluations we have total about eight students that take that
testing and that also went very smoothly. And we anticipate wrapping that up tomorrow. A couple of few things and I wrote So Cool. Demolition begins Tuesday.
So you don't take it. Okay, it'll take roughly two weeks. Um, I use it to pretty construction meaning and and what I would imagine be very loud thing. There's like, No,
you won't even notice what's happening. What all? They're gonna take it down and they actually grind up all the slabs and they to gravel and they usually the fill somewhere else
so that'll all be happy to reach. Um, I'm gonna be talking in the April meaning, the first thing for me about next year's
enrollment numbers once we have some pre-registrations on, but if you hazard, so I'll have Um, enrollment accounts out for
the entire for the public then too. But if you look at second grade right now on this one is 224. We have two pre-registered. third graders next year,
So that puts us a 226, which is above 25 per class. So we will be looking at going to. It's one class of 26 right now, that's assuming no one leaves.
um, the place it had the field, the first families will be moving in July Um, we don't know who they are. And I would, what I wanted to try to do is encourage them.
They can find out as soon as they are to register when they move in. Um, there's two kind of dates that give me adjective thinking about this one was one was maybe
April. Moving in the last month of school, the other was August. We don't have time to prepare or adjust, but I found it today the
first time as we moving in in July. That's those. The other one. I want to address something to happen. Um, yesterday, our Special
Olympics United, but United Farm Unified Bowling team, which is a typical learners and special needs students on bowling team together. And I think in a
Special Olympics, um, they took a picture out front the high school. who shared from our Facebook was we shared on another Facebook page that I'm
not a member of, but I have to see Screenshots. So there were some of the things that were written about that were simply very cruel statements. Very unkind things.
And unfortunately, we found out that some of the students involved back some salt, it was in the sack and I just want to point out like that unified belong to you. Is philosophically what we do,
right? We are 10. We're all students together. We're we include each other and everything. It kind of it represents our philosophy that
we include people on education process. 89% of our students are classified, students are spend 80% more 80%, more of their day, in generalized, classes.
That's what we do here. It's a great thing and we're proud. Just give you this. This the national average is 64.8% and the state average in Jersey is
45.1%. And we're 89%. That's who we are and it's a great thing. I will tell you this benefits all students, not just this, specializes, it benefits
ever. I said, I could walk, I could, I don't think there's a single person with God's good earth. I couldn't something from And the fact that people
are separated out is not what we do here. We don't believe in that. And when we try to celebrate it for cruelties to come out, it was very upsetting
for me. I'm Jewish and study for a lot of you. If you've read them, certainly those families and the teacher put time in were offended and rightfully so.
So I just wanted to say reaffirm We believe that that's who we are. We're not gonna stop doing that. We're actually suck having an inclusive model of what we do at education.
and also as a plug April, is a disabilities inclusive awareness month and we'll be doing celebration then and I believe it's kaleidoscope of mind is our theme. this year. So that's
coming around but I just I couldn't see what happened last night. And not make a statement about how upsetting was to me, instruments for many of you. If
you saw it from the people done, that's it. Thanks. Yeah, thank you for saying that you welcome. And I mean it's we should be
proud for you. Thank you. Not only is it a legal requirement, but it's something that we are proud of. As a community. And
as our student, our students are proud. Yes. You know, I think that that's Yeah, I mean that's I actually want to keep the law out of it. I want to keep
politics out. This is who we are. This is the core part of who we are. Good. The right
thing, for the right reasons. All right. I already did my my report. So, we don't have a we We discussed
the budget really today. So we did that earlier. So we'll move on to open public comments. Members of the community are invited to speak up the three minutes at this time, If you'd like to make additional comment, please wait until each person
has had a chance to make their statement. All comments. Must be directing towards before not members of the public. According to our Bible comment says You
can ask no longer than one hour. This is an opportunity for the board to listen but not today. Issues or enter a question and answer period.
Please be aware, not all issues brought up before. Board meeting will be resolved. That evening, we ask you to identify your name yourself by stating your name
and your street. while public education can be made emotional issue, we strive to maintain a certain level of decorum. Public meetings are streamed and
available for replay on YouTube and students are invited to participate as such citizens are expected to maintain a tone, courtesy and disability. And let's make
comment. Hello Stoner on Avondale Avenue, it's kind of a this and that comment tonight But first thing I wanted to say is that there is
not a guarantee of money coming from the borough for the pilot for the Hundred and twenty Reynolds units at Woodmont, which is why so many of us
including myself and I will continue to fight to keep open space and build only 10 affordable units on that property. so, the burden to put
out any money, guaranteed money from the pilot, which I think Greg. You said the same thing, the burden from Woodmont and a place and Haddonfield, behind the post office will rest
on the taxpayers. It's just unsustainable. And it it any type of rental on under a pilot is not going to get money for student and it's That's the
reason why we didn't want it to happen and hopefully will still go the way around it. I don't know. There's just not a guarantee. In your budget. There's only three million dollars allocated for all of our
schools for maintenance, I believe. Um, I'm just a little concerned because, how are you going to keep all these schools going? The only three million
dollars. so, when it comes to maintenance painting, like things like that, like With the budget, the way that you have it. And I'm not focusing,
anybody just because it's only money, you get from real estate taxes for the most part, but I'm just concerned as well without getting something from state that there's not gonna be
enough money for maintenance things, like I think of Mama Elizabeth Haden and we're tripping over the side box that's maintenance like that
should be fixed, but you have a limited amount of money. So just expressing my concern about that, I agree with Linda and Jamie that we need to reach out to the state and change it,
especially with being Dean 702,000, Cherry Hill is doing a lot, other weird things, a lot it's unsustainable as well. Um, other comment. I emailed
Chuck and Jamie but please call for handwriting this summer to end and all ages. I regret that my 11th grader did not receive
handwriting in this, Strictly a lot of things but it's like a secret secret language that we can hand write in my son can't
read it. So I'm just hoping that a wonderful teacher on who it is. I'm off here what we pay them but just because each generating um and lastly just a
comment that the community just approved almost 50 million dollars for what they thought would be. Oh they kindergarten. So please don't start changing turkey tuition when
there's room to do. So yeah, thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Okay. We learned today
that there's a bill on the floor, that's going to require cursive writing from grade, three to five. Already doing great three. But
I'm with you on that. Tell me how to sign things like. Yeah, my kids will be like, here's
All right. Okay. Um, items for for approval, but it's so let me know. Am I reading out the ones that were voting on and Photos.
Yeah, your number one, that's the entire budget. And then number two about the organization. Of statutory.
Regulations, you want me to make separate motions, for those, or they tell you. So, I don't
think Jeff is welcome. So items were born about approval versus the approval of the business and finance recommendation. The recommendation of the adoption
of the 2526 tentative budget, And to approve the implementation of procedures listed in Njac 6A 23a-5.2
regarding pupil legal costs. And Linda stuff. Discussion. Can you tell me where we are in pupil legal costs compared to the previous years?
actually, if you had that one that I just follow up we had so much craziness with the budget that I usually I just want to track it for future, and I know
we have been doing that. So I'm curious to see here. That's what But yeah, I just if you could follow up, if you think about that. I know they had been going up
incrementally every year. I just was curious. Slowed down. I think my only question on that is, aren't we already doing? Like we have a resolution to do all these things, but isn't this
already our policy as well to have a review inside of something. So it's not a change, it's telling you, of course because we are 30% of the average. Yes, this is beautiful
that we Her audited numbers to put two fiscal years ago. Exceeds that we have to have. So the statute requires those procedures but we already have
them. Yeah. The county be able to say where's this resolution?
If that's why that's All right. Could you call? Vice President Hooker. Yes. Ms, Benuckie Yes, this dress. Yes, Mr. Clark. Yeah, Mr.
Knuckles. Yes, Mr. Ritter. Yes yes. President Accordion. Yeah. Okay, and now we're just going to review. So we looked over governance.
I hope you have a question. No, we don't know that's working. So on the monthly HIV. Chart there is on. I mean, if you don't have This out on Road, 20.
Says, the boe HIV review date was 320, and it says, Billy HIV Confirm Date. We're 10. Does that mean that we have until 4:10 to confirm it? It's it's for eight that
confirmed date is April 10th 2025. So either that's just typo, where I am not understanding that. Maybe that's
when we have To come until from the Pool. Yes. Sorry. Like 23. 23 first one. Yeah. Is your foxy, can you talk about the the review date compared to
the confirm date? Because I know that's a statutory regulation. It's a recommendation. All do so you report it. So it's reviewed the board. Today, with our 20 data is reviewed and an
intense Okay, so that date is not saying that it was confirmed, it will be confirmed on that date. Got it. Got it. Okay, the first one. Yeah, the 20th is you're looking
it or Doing. So we have to vote on it twice because it's two action meetings. Yeah. Okay. Got okay. Thank you.
I thought that I was just not understanding that I wanted to make sure thank you. The way the policy is implemented. After the board, approves the review of it
that would signal potential of an appeal to a family and that window between the 20th and the 10th allows for that appeal. So that way it has this is our date. so that it's out there and how
this is the daily window. So yeah. So they're gonna let her next Friday. Okay. Thank you. According to the board. Here. Thank you. Thank you, Sir,
Foxy, no problem. So, it's literally like a review period. It's an appeal period for that, but it's like Yeah. Like so it's like we're starting that clock starts today and then
they have until this date too. Technically. Yeah. It's hard. With you, I Would you?
All right. Anything else there? And then, curriculum and special Ed? Personal. The business and finance. I have something. So, actually I
realized today, the annual audit was not approved yet. We had our auditor present that to you guys last month, but I have
to get it on the agenda for for next year. So that'll be on time if we do it next. Yes, okay, there's no, there's no time. That's gonna give you heads up.
We've reviewed it but yeah, that's the formal interview and discuss it nice to meet. You guys just accepted.
It's a nice gift from the baseball boosters. Especially given our budgeting history. Thank you foundation. The Haddonfield Foundation is a
local, which I'm a trustee owner. and so the Haddonfield Foundation is a local organization that donates and fulfills grants for local, nonprofits. So if you have a
local nonprofit, you can go to the Haddonfield Foundation and fill out their application. It's on the website and you submit funds for something for your
organization that benefits the town. And so they, the, They needed a new sound system to announce the players and they were very grateful to get the donation from the Haddonfield
Foundation, and then the boosters will get that donation. And then donated options It's wonderful. So definitely keep the Hatfield Foundation in mind
for any of your grant needs for local nonprofits. Because a lot of forgiving too forgiving actually forgiving as well.
Yeah. All right. So oh yeah, I did and I did the minutes. Items for future consideration. We had talked a little bit about
the advocacy. We're going to talk more about that. We're even talking about possibly having someone come home or become that someone coming up
very treated. We could we have to if anyone out there listening those anyone in legislature that would like to think we have an action that's What's up? We have someone where
to reach out to okay? It has some. Yeah. Well, that's the thing and I feel like sometimes you don't know who's in town so
we're open. Yeah. Anything else? All right, and we did all reply or at least if you didn't reply yet to your
interests for the retreat, then it's too late. You know, I was doing it, I won't Okay, um, motion to adjourn. Stuff and machine. You need a direct