All right, everybody. Are we uh okay on camera? Okay. Um we're going to call first of all the budget hearing to order. Um going to remind everybody that this
meeting is being recorded. Um if anybody else wants to record, please let me know at this time. We'll start with a we'll open the public budget hearing with a roll call vote from the uh committee. Um then we'll
move from there. So um let's see. Jason >> here. >> Mark >> here. >> Jean >> here. >> Jen here. >> Lucas. I am present. And with that, if there are any members of the public or other
people here at the tables who are um inclined or disposed to um speak about the budget and what has been presented thus far to the public and so forth, please do so. Please try to keep your marks 3 4 minutes, something like that
to allow enough time for anybody else to speak. But go ahead. Good evening, Dr. Crew and school committee members. My name is Susan Cochran and I am a resident of Kingston and I'm also a par professional at Civil Lake Regional High School. I am here
this evening to speak on behalf of the Civil Lake school students and staff in my community. As we are now in our budget presentation, I would ask that you continue to hear from the stakeholders who are vested in this community. Over the past two years, we have all worked hard to understand how
challenging it is to keep our educational system fully funded. It is imperative to continue to listen, have quality dialogue on how your budget decisions directly affect our students, our staff, and our community. It is
critical to keep all all our quality staff to ensure our students continue to have educational opportunities which is necessary for them to flourish and be successful. We understand fully the challenge as you walk us through this process to understand your budget
decisions. As there are always hard decisions, I ask that you weigh these decisions greatly and thoroughly as you have in the past two years. I am also here to support some of our staff that also need your support in wrapping up their contracts. These staff members
need living wages. They are dedicated and always show up for our students and staff and we ask that you support a fair contract. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> Other comments? Anybody else wish to speak?
Okay. Um, with that then we will conclude the public hearing. Um, motion to close the public. >> Thank you, sir. And we'll take a roll call to conclude. Jason, >> yes. >> Mark, >> yes. >> Jean, >> yes.
>> Jen, >> yes. >> Lucas, >> yes. All right. We'll now have a roll call to open the regular meeting. Um Jason >> here. >> Mark >> here. >> Jean >> here. >> Jen >> here.
>> Lucas >> here. >> We see Mark G walking in >> here. >> Here. And I am here. Um like the budget meeting. This meeting is being recorded. And anybody um intending to make an audio or video recording should notify
me at this time. Are there any other visitors who would like to speak um whether on the budget or other matters? Okay, seeing none, we will move to uh school committee correspondence. I don't
think there's um anything of further note on that. So, we'll move to the consent agenda. A reminder that the consent agenda is a number of items that are thought to be low controversy and um so by the rules that we follow, these
can be voted on in one block. Um if there is anybody who objects to any portion of the consent agenda or wants to discuss any part of the consent agenda um please note so at this time before we vote it and then that would be
removed from the consent agenda. Okay, seeing none, do I have a motion about uh the consent agenda? >> Motion to approve the consent agenda is presented. >> Okay. >> All right. Um, all in favor of approving the
consent agenda. >> Any opposed? Very good. All right. All right. Well, I think we have some exciting news. So, um, let's go to Liz and to >> There's going to be Sarah tonight. Liz is not here. Yeah. >> Very good.
>> So, as you know, my time here is short and you approved um for my successor to start. I'd like to introduce to you Stephanie Hatton who is the new director of finance and operations for the Silver Lake Regional School District. She and I
have had the opportunity to work together for two weeks so far and it has been a good opportunity and I'm really confident that I am passing the baton to the person I want to pass the baton to here.
>> Excellent. Thank you very much. Stephanie, anything you want to say? You don't have to say anything. Okay. >> Um Sarah, I think you're up next also with what looks like busing. >> Yes. Uh first, so the first student
contract um had five years and two option years. I've put the spreadsheet in your packets that shows that the year 7 option for per student would be a 4.51%
increase for FY27 over FY26. Anybody who's been following the transportation contracts statewide knows that that number is a a very good number. If Silver Lake had gone out to bid this spring, I would expect
something like a 10 to 15% or more increase. So, um I am recommending that Silver Lake Regional School District and the joint school committee vote for uh exercising our year 7 option in Silver
Lake voting tonight and the joint committee voting on the 26th. Okay. Um, we discussed this on Monday night meeting. I think this is a no-brainer um to exercise your seven. I do want to caution as we do so that we
are aware that we do go up within the next year. Um, Sarah said it's kind of um got something left for Stephanie to put out um that has some additional requirements of um those hoping to make
a bid. As we know the last several contracts that we've done with our students, they've been completely bid, but we need to understand that we're looking at most likely um transportation >> more a percentage increase that I would
say is likely to be much greater than what we have been increasing. So a step increase as they would say in final change. Um, all right. Any other discussion? And if not, I would entertain a motion in
relation to accepting the 7-year option. I make motion success option for a second. All right. Any further
discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? I. Any opposed? >> Excellent. Thank you. Uh, Mrs. Gil, Mr. Swanson, >> I I let Mr. Swanson go home. He had an early hockey game, so I'm going to fill in for him this this evening. Um, thank
you for your support of our wellness elective offerings that we were able to add to the program of studies last month. Um, now with the addition of those electives, we went back and took a look at our wellness grade nine program description, and I'd like to propose a change in that course description to better align with the state frameworks
as well as simplify and update it. Um, so that part of the experience as freshman would be to explore what those electives would be in grades 10, 11, and 12. Um, so it's not changing anything really, just the the course description. >> Happy to answer any questions. I won't
put Miss Lopes on the spot. She doesn't have her glasses. >> I believe this needs to be voted. Correct. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Any discussion? If not, I would entertain a motion to accept the language change.
change. Okay. Second. >> All right. No further discussion. Seeing none, all in favor? I. Any opposed? >> Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. Miss Ket. >> Similarly, at the middle school, we do
have similar updates due to the updated curriculum frameworks. Um we have moved as you know into all of teaching all of the units in open sed and that curriculum is connected directly to the Massachusetts framework. So that is now shown in the program of studies. That
curriculum specifically um is fit for all learners. We have not run accelerated science for 3 years. Um so it would be removing that force which had old standards connected to it. It would be updating language for the
coding elective, updated language for art because all of our students really want to take grade 8 art and they want to do 2D and 3D. If you see the art coming out of my building, you'll know why. Um, and there's updated language like Michaela said, Miss Gill said, for wellness.
>> Okay. Any questions or discussion in relation to the updated program of studies? And if not then I would entertain a motion to accept the um updates as presented.
>> Thank you. So moved. Okay. Second. >> Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? I. Any opposed? All right. >> Miss Ked, I think you were also up next. >> I am. Thank you so much. Last time we
were here, I talked about um one of our foundation partners, 18, who has really been helping us fund some academic discourse, professional learning for teachers. Um and they came yesterday to film some academic discourse in the
middle school. The students were compelling. Um the teachers were amazing and even the films, the video camera crew said they were more mature than the high school they went to this week. And I was so proud of that. Um the
initiative really focused on coherence between classes. So not just academic discourse in open sedic discourse throughout all classes including wellness. They went in there to film wellness as well. Um and the most compelling comment from a student was qu
I think this really transcends the classroom. And I said what do you mean? She said, "Well, I think I think we're able to use our voice in the hallways like for no place for hate. When something wrong happens, we can speak up." And I thought that was so powerful. I wanted to share that with you.
>> Great. >> Two other very quick things. The Valentine's Day dance is um Thursday, February 12th. You're all welcome. Come middle school Valentine's Day. It's thrilling. And then um which is I think
the March Madness game with staff versus students playing basketball is far more fun and exciting to watch. That is March 11th and we invite all of you to those events. Thank you. >> Very good. Thank you. >> Let's go. >> All right. I'm going to turn it over to
Carly for your school update. >> Good evening everyone. Thank you so much to the committee, our adviserss, and especially our principal, Miss Gil, for giving me the opportunity to speak today on behalf of the student council. We truly appreciate your continued support and trust in our leadership. I'd like to
start by sharing some highlights of what our school community has been working on recently. Student council recently put together the excellence book, which is required to remain a gold star council. This book reflects our work in leadership, service, school spirit, and
inclusion, and represents the dedication of many students who go above and beyond for our school. Recently, many of our student leaders attended a unified botchi event on January 24th, which was a great opportunity to support inclusion and connect with other schools through a
unified sports experience. Looking ahead, winter seam mask will take place on Wednesday, February 11th. This event allows student leaders to collaborate, share ideas, and bring new perspectives back to our school. In
addition, MASC is approaching um the Massachusetts Association of Student Councils continues to provide leadership opportunities and resources that help student councils grow and make a positive impact in their schools. This
week, we're excited to celebrate Patriots Day. On Friday, February 6th, students are encouraged to wear Patriots gear or red, white, and blue to celebrate New England Patriots being in the Super Bowl. Um, outside of student council, there's been a lot happening
across our school community. This past weekend's drama club held their 24-hour plays highlighting the creativity and dedication of our students. Shrek auditions are coming up on February 9th, and we're excited to see more students get involved in the arts.
Um, Key Club has confirmed the Ramsay run on March 14th, which honors Eden Ramsey and raises money for the scholarship in his memory. An event that reflects our school's strong sense of compassion and unity. Finally, we want to recognize our track team who broke
several new records at their New Balance event. An impressive accomplishment. Overall, these events demonstrate how engaged and motivated our school stu our students are. None of this would be possible without the continued support of our admin administration, faculty,
and staff. Thank you again to the committee and our principal for allowing me to speak today and for supporting student leadership and school spirit. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> I'll give an uh while Mrs. Gil comes back, I'll give an extra plug for the
Ramsay run. I usually run it. I've run it ever since it started. Um, I run it with my little white be on. Um, he really can run the entire 3 miles or 2.75 or whatever it is. And there is nothing better than running past a bunch
of football kids. You go, "Oh, dude, I'm getting beat by a little white dog." >> Mrs. Gill, do you have anything else? >> That's all for me. Thank you. >> All right, Sarah. Um, I have for you our END, our
unencumbered, I'm sorry, totally certified unencumbered excessing deficiency of $89,358. So, >> $89,358. Um, this was all of our documentation was submitted to the Department of
Revenue in mid December and apparently it takes a really long time to get this back. So, this came out last week and I sent it out to put in folders. Any questions about excess efficiency?
>> Go ahead, Jason. So, I just want to bring you where our excessive efficiency certified at this year at roughly $800,000 for change. If you recall last
year, we entered into the budget season with our END maxed out on the statuto 5% level. We were much closer to 2.2 to $2.3 billion last year, which again is why I cautioned us with leaning into our
budget operationally and why I encouraged us to look at utilizing the rolling off debt with cooperation from our three communities to fund our capital. >> Yep.
Yes. The uh um I'll emphasize that point. Obviously what has been certified this year is less than half of what was certified last year which reflects um sort of the um I want to say instability but the uh fluctuations of END which is
also what makes uh various town administrators and various of us uncomfortable in terms of relying on it to patch up or cover up um difficulties which is partly why some of the mechanisms that we'll discuss in relation to the budget tonight are um
what they are. And so I just want to keep everybody in mind we're we are not wanting to develop a habit of of in an ongoing way um
augmenting the operating budget with END um when it's subject to those fluctuations because you create a fiscal cliff for yourself at some point that only certainly comes to you. Uh Sarah,
>> second thing I have for you tonight is prior prior year's fiscal sorry prior fiscal year's bills. So if you recall um in June of 2024, I drew a line in the sand and said June 30th is the end of
the June 30th budget. And then anything that came in, any invoices that came in after that, we voted out of E and D last year. I believe somewhere in the $20,000 range. Um the the good news is when you draw a line in the sand, when you tell
everybody you're drawing a line in the sand, they listen to you the second year. And so this year I'm bringing to you $61059 worth of prior year fiscal prior fiscal year bills that need to be paid.
All right, this has to be voted. We have to vote to accept those bills and pay them in case of the easy. >> Yes. Okay. So, do we have any further discussion of that or or and if not, I would entertain a motion to pay the um
amount that Sarah has recommended. >> So, second. All right. Any further discussion? That doesn't have to be voted by the entire town. >> Um any other Jason >> they've been challenging
they would have to do so and they understand the cost practice of this. >> Yeah. >> And the wisdom of this process. We do need 2/3 of the entire committee to vote. >> Any other discussion? Seeing none, all
in favor? I. Any opposed? >> All right. Dr. Clifford. >> Okay. Um, I have some district-wide information. Professional development on February 23rd. So we're going to be having profession professional development day throughout the
districts. The offerings will be AI professional development which will be at the high school. Um a consultant from HMHR math program will be working with educators K through 8. K through five and six through eight ELA curriculum councils will be working on program review for ELA focusing on selecting a
new ELA program and department meetings will be happen happening also at grades 7 through 12 and um at the schools there will also be some schoolbased training and some other professional development for specialist and pair professionals. Um, as I mentioned, um, the math
consultant will return for professional development to work with teachers in May for I think it's a fourth time, um, K through 8. And just some elementary information, um, at the elementary level, we're piloting two programs right now. One is CKA and one is Wonders,
which are both ELA programs. This is part of our prison grant, and we have a consultant coming from TNTP who'll be at all the elementary schools next week. and secondary information. Midter midterms are now complete at the high school. Second semester starts. AP
seminar presentations happened a few weeks ago, which many of us were able to um watch, which were wonderful. And um grades 6 through 8 um are they're also piloting two new ELA programs, Amplify and EL and Up and um programs of studies
hopefully completed. Course selection will begin soon. and graduation requirements continue to be discussed at the state level at this point and I will update you when I learn anything new on that front. That's all.
>> Okay, Dr. Bruce, >> thank you. In your packet tonight, you will see three new charts. Uh the first is 7 through 12 students attending instate and out ofate private schools. Uh you'll notice that we're holding steady at uh 70 students in total. The
second chart is the out of district vocational and technical uh students by grade by program and you can see the numbers there for your uh respective districts. And then the third is the students leaving the
district using school choice which includes uh numbers by town as well as the totals. And you'll notice the numbers um are coming down since the all-time high of um 20 and 21 school years um which coincides with the pandemic.
The second item in your packet which you will notice is the Silver Lake Regional School District calendar with the school committee the proposed school committee meetings on it um both in calendar form and list form. If you look at Silver
Lake in blue, uh there's a list of all of the proposed meetings, which includes our school choice hearing, April 15th, and our um our budget hearing for February 11th. And in the bottom right corner, you'll see the joint school committees listed.
Our November meeting traditionally for budgets, uh presentations for curriculum, technology, and special education. Then there's the February meeting where we traditionally have voted uh shared cost budgets. And then the April 15th which we tend to go over
our progress towards um district goals. >> Are we officially trying to vote the budget tonight or is it in March? So we're trying to vote it. >> We can wait till March. >> Okay. So, I raised that because there are parent teacher conferences that night in neighboring districts that are
going to affect Amy and going to affect Jason. And we're going to need to assess whether we will have sufficient voting weight and distribution from each of the towns to actually vote that budget that
night. in which case if we don't then we might have to um schedule a separate meeting to vote just the budget if that's the case. So Karen probably you'll probably need to check with everybody. Um but Amy and Jason are
definitely on for that night which already puts a crimp in that likely >> it's hard to hear you burn because of this fan so I'm trying to translate but I >> Okay, sorry I apologize. So when when when we vote the budget for the towns um
or when we vote the school district budget um we have to have a stricter weight of representation than we have at a normal school committee meeting. And Amy and Jason who are teachers have
parent teacher conferences that night. So they are already out >> for next month >> for for the March meeting which will be the meeting when we vote the school budget. >> So if we have others out that night as
well we are you know for example if Lucas can't make it we can't we won't be able to to vote the budget that night because >> because Plimpmpton Plimpmpton has to be represented. >> Okay. So at the schedule and you want me to send out any emails?
>> Yes. Do you want to keep it on Thursday or do you want >> Well, let's let's see first whether we would actually have sufficient quorum to have the meeting. If Blimpton's not represented at all, we can't even have the meeting. Um let's see if we have sufficient quorum to have the meeting.
And then let's see if we have sufficient voting distribution to cover the vote. We could theoretically, it's March the 5th. um we could theoretically um have the meeting and then schedule a separate meeting solely for the vote.
So we just have to kind of evaluate options based on that call. >> With that in mind, are there any meetings here listed that you would like to see changed or if it looks good for next year? Uh if if the committee would
entertain a motion to approve the uh proposed meeting schedule as presented. >> Okay. Well, sir, if this conflict has come up and superimposed the school committee dates on the rest of our school calendar, I assume that we don't
have conflict student conferences within our district. >> We have them the following week. >> The 12th. >> The 12th. >> That was just Motion to second. >> Any further discussion?
>> All in favor? I. Any opposed? Very good. >> So, tonight we have for you our annual assessment presentation. This will be mine and Sarah's last assessment presentation together. We will um we will share this presentation this
evening and we will start with some a little bit of a review of um what we were asked to do and what h how the assessments were um ar derived. So um the school committee asked us to
prepare the assessments assuming a 2.5% increase for the Silver Lake Regional School District budget with an additional line to fund the regional stabilization account. So, um, a 2.5 increase on the FY26 budget would be
$41,660,551. Adding 700,000 for the regional stabilization account brings the Silver Lake FY27 budget to $42,360,551. Um the next thing taken into account uh are the following budget offsets which we have taken and we discussed in more
detail in when we originally presented in December and you recall that uh the revolving accounts which includes circuit breaker estimated at 75% for tuition and 50% for transportation we estimated approximately $2,192,97
and the grants um which we have taken and anticipated uh that the one will be carryover amount from this year's 240 grant FY27 grant for 240 and FY27262 grants which would provide us with an
additional $682,75 in order to meet the 2.5% we presented you with the reductions after meeting uh on several occasions with building principles, central office staff uh scrubbing the budget and making sure that uh we eliminated anything that uh
we could before um considering reduction in force. And so we presented you uh with that. We also wanted to let you know that we have factored in an anticipated um unemployment cost. So we've already uh considered that and that's why the
numbers are what they are. to give you um some statistics about the budget. 57% of the budget is payroll. Fixed costs are 15% of the budget. Health insurance uh increase is estimated at 10%. And there are no official retirements at this time uh for
Silver Lake with the exception of um Sarah. Um we had presented to you several needs in our our business department. We were asked for this presentation to list them
by priority and amount. You see them listed here. They are not currently in the shared cost budget. So the shared cost budget that is used for tonight's calculations does not include these positions.
We um have changed the look of this because we thought that a segmented bar graph would probably give you a better picture and we typically provide these two graphs with this presentation um because we know the impact that students leaving the district has on our our our
funding. So here you will see by year um students attending instate and out of state private and parochial schools and uh charter school enrollment. So these charts are obviously easier to read on your screens or in your packet. Um but we wanted to include those in
case you wanted to see those numbers and the trends. I'm now going to turn it over to Sarah who will discuss the assessment steps. >> Thank you, Dr. Proof. Um, Silver Lake uses the statutory assessment method and
I will go through the steps with you, but I wanted to let you know that the whole assessment process starts with that chart in the bottom right hand corner, which is the October one enrollment for students. And so the assessments are calculated based on the
percentages of students from each town attending Silver Lake integrated preschool, middle school, and high school. Um, and so that's what those uh percentages are on the bottom right hand corner. And then for the assessment, we
start with the uh the budget, the 42,360,551, which was the 2% 2.5% increase plus the $700,000 uh line item the stabilization account. From that amount, we subtract out the
funds estimated in on hand. So that is uh various revenue sources and state aid. So 12,582,828 was subtracted out of that and then out of that again is subtracted
the uh amounts for transportation equipment and replacement of equipment. That leaves us with a number that is what's called the net school spending budget. So from that net school spending budget in step two
that is the minimum contribution per uh des. So department of education takes the state aid for each town and says this is the amount that Halifax that Kingston and Clinton are responsible for giving for their state aid towards Silver Lake. That's the amount in line
two. Again divided up using the percentages in that bottom right hand corner. Step three of the statutory assessment process is no longer um calculated. That was something from I'll call it the holding times called teacher
deferral. That's no longer used. So step four is the amount to be assessed after the minimum contribution. So when we take the budget minus the funds estimated on hand less the transportation equipment and replacement
equipment less the minimum contribution that gives $8,248,444 to be divided up amongst the three towns in step four. Step five and step six then add back the amounts that were taken out for net
school spending. So step five takes the total cost of transportation minus the transportation reimbursement and divides that up proportionally among the towns. Step six takes the the equipment um
purchase and replacement of equipment and divides that 52,000 amongst the three towns. Step seven, it says up there debt service assessment. that is the middle school and high school building projects.
Sometimes we refer to that as capital. So there's 657,895.30 of payment that needs to be made in FY27 that has been divided up proportionally among the towns. So that Q's in step eight, the operating
assessment, which is steps two through six, um totaling 29,777,723. The last line up there is the total operating and capital assessments. So that is the portion that each town would
be build um as their assessment for Silverlakes operating budget for FY27. If you recall in previous years I divided up the presentation in a different way for you to look at and that is what this next slide is. So the
operating assessment that is that steps 2 through six all added up. There's the FY26 number and the FY27 number, I give you the dollar increase between 26 and 27 and the percent change. One of the
things I want to be very clear about is when we look at the next slide, the next slide is the capital, the exempt capital or that debt service. So, the debt service this year was about $1.3 million
and the payment that is due next year is $657,000. So there's a dramatic decrease 52% 52% overall in payment for the debt for the towns which is where is you know
contributes to this increase in the um the operating assessment sorry the total assessment which is the operating assessment assessment plus the capital. The total assessment to each town will be as
presented here. Uh 1% increase for Halifax, 3.4% increase for Kingston, and an 8% increase for Clinton. I'm I'm sorry, Clinton. It looks like a big number, but you had a large increase in student population. >> You also had a zero question.
>> Okay. >> Right. So it's that eb and flow again of assessments even when you have a fiscally responsible budget. >> For the next slide we have the town operating budgets. I have highlighted FY27 in yellow and on the left hand side
have written three times not yet voted not yet voted. So so the town operating budgets have not been voted. Um this is what is presented currently for each
town and the total cost of education the Silver Lake assessment plus the town operating budget is the next slide. So this would be if those town operating budgets were approved as they were up
there with no changes. Uh this would be the total cost of education for each county. questions, anything on this presentation. Going back to talking about how the budget was built 2
and 12% increase for silver lake that the figure that's represented in this one here for total cost of education for so total cost of education for Kingston has that 2.5% for Silza Lake the 700,000
in stabilization and a 4.8% an 8% increase for the elementary schools. >> But it already assumes that we had made those cuts. >> Correct. >> That was the direction at the last meeting. >> I understand.
>> So there are two points that I want to get extremely clear on for the public and for um the audience here. Um I think that the first point
is I I think we cannot reiterate enough the mechanism by which and the reasons for which we are creating the stabilization fund and not just solely taking advantage of the
disappro you know providing sort of relief so to speak to the towns um for the uh debt coming off, but um proposing that the um but proposing that the
um that debt money be made or that the money that the towns have been contributing each year be then used to create a stabilization fund. So Jason, I would appreciate it if you would just restate that for everybody here and restate it for the record and help
everybody to understand sort of the mechanism and the reason why it's possible that a town could wind up having an override that would be that would not amount to an actual increase above the 2 and 1 half threshold but and
so could you go back to the slide that shows the debt So, so far I've had an opportunity to speak formally um with the public finance committee. There was a member of the board of selecting president
and also had the opportunity to present with Sarah in front of the Halifax board select. I have an invitation from Mr. Pike to come to see the Kingston board selectman on February 10th.
and I gave them the news about our engineering report on the viability of our two major buildings here and also our wastewater treatment plant which I'm finding many people don't even realize that we have our own wastewater
treatment plant on campus and uh also our central office facilities. We have over $50 million worth of repairs to do. The engineers and the architects say we have 10 years to do. Building that out over time, even if we
did it just within the 10 years with their excavation cost, they believe it would cost us closer to $73 million to do the projects that we already know about. understanding the appetite right now of our three towns to go for a debt
exclusion for a bond to take out a loan to deal with all of these not being very likely. Um the plan that we devised was to ask the towns if they have the appetite to allow us to increase the silver lake stabilization fund to take
care of our capital needs here by the same exact amount of money more or less you see rolling off of the debt this year. I proposed $700,000 solution, a slight relief to the towns. Um Clinton
said one paper if this was an isolation, it's a no that they would absolutely want this. Um they did vote for us to continue down this path, but they're concerned about the budget in time. Um,
Halifax very very similar but even more concerned financial standpoint for them. Um, John Cal literally said, "It's brilliant. It's a no-brainer. I don't know if we can do it even though I know we would regret it in the future,
right?" Um, they're talking to their towns about making not even level service or level funding, but actually cutting departments in town by substantial numbers. um for FY27. So that's why we asked the
administration to give us a 2.5% budget baseline because we know none of the communities have an appetite for an overhead. And then with this 700,000 balancing it out, the overall impact is still 2 and 12% increase. where there is a slight
question. It depends on how each individual town has been funding the debt payment to Silver Lake for the building of the Middle School High School. I know for a fact that Clinton did not use this except capital to pay
for the project here. So, they wouldn't necessarily need any vote beyond just building our budget. There are some towns that might have to move accounts of how they pay the vent capital mortgages from these two buildings to coming on board with the
capital that could result statutoily in them having to go to town meeting for an overhead just to change the account and then one in the ballot box the following Saturday to approve this one.
So I know Halifax is looking into that right now the feasibility as close to the level as they are and I know it's something that Houston has looked into but hopefully by the 10th of February. >> Okay. Does anybody have any questions
about that? I also want to make it very clear that I did say the two communities I've spoken with so far that $1.3 million a year is not going to be enough to address all of the issues, right? Because somebody said to me, you
know, Jason for $1.3 million a year for how long? And I said, well, if it's exactly the problems we know, exactly the cost, 56 years, that's how long I need 1.3 million. Good. I said, but the truth is what this is allowing us to do
is this will allow us to replenish our back up to the 5% that is statutoily allowed. If we have a midyear major catastrophe on campus, we would be able to approach the towns and say, "We have a kitty with $2.3 million. We need 900
for handler. How would you like us to proceed?" We don't have that flexibility right now with $800,000. we've really put ourselves against the wall. So by letting that replenish that gives us that emergency capital fund and
also we might need to do some more targets above and beyond. So this is really going to be a threeprong approach to our 50 million plus capital issue. But this will allow us to address some of the most needed issues
right now from John and allow me to give the town some room to breathe so that we can approach some for some more articles in the near future when it makes sense. >> Okay. Uh the second point I'd like to address,
Sarah, could you go back to the slide with the reductions? Okay. So, you'll see there that the reductions say $586,000 etc. to uh come to the 2.5%.
You heard uh END came in at $800,000. I am sure that there are various folks who remember last year that we had an END that was 2.1 or 2.2 million and that we used something like 1.2 million in
order to stave off at that time a what would have been a much more substantive reduction um and would have been or felt relatively disastrous. And I'm sure part of the question is um why are you not
doing that this year? Why are you not offering to do that this year? Um is it possible that if you were to do that this year um you be able to get into a better financial position and buy more time? Obviously things seem a little bit
better cuz this is not nearly as big as of a layoff as was proposed or put on the table last year. So, is it possible that it could get smaller in the year to come? So, I would like to hit that issue head on because I'm sure that is on
various people's minds. Um, I have my own thoughts or feelings about it. Um, I'm supportive of where we have landed thus far, but I'll open that up to committee members if they would care to comment. Am
I I'm the one who suggested using ED in the past two years. Um I absolutely against using it this year to supplement the operating budget. I think you said it well when you said the situation
we were facing last year was much more dire. This makes me want to throw up. I'm not going to lie to you. um seeing $586,000 still above 5 2.5% increase though.
I don't know how else we can address that. And don't forget that that part of this EMP replenishment was the $300,000 more we got from the Senate and the House versions of the budget. Governor Healey actually went a little
bit more aggressive with her house to her version of the budget than I thought she was about. Um I was very surprised to see the increase we got from her budget for Silver Lake regional transportation. Chapter 70 was funed
much much higher than I thought she was going to. She's already being attacked because she's using some of the fair share of dollars for the regular budget this year because of the lack of revenue from the federal side. She's lost over a
billion dollars of revenue federal dollars for her budget. So, I was told last night uh on meeting that her budget is DOA when it gets to the house means they're going to basically scrap and start over from
scratch. So, we used to be able to look at the governor's budget as the floor. Um we saw the house last year backtrack on some of the things she did last year already with a less aggressive uh package. I'm very concerned that you we
don't count on seeing any extra money come in from the high school district, right? So that means we came up with $500,000 in additional revenue into END. Don't forget we also left ourselves a
little bit of room last year. We left ourselves about 300. So that means END only replenished by about $200 $250,000 since last time we were at this table talking about using it last year. Again, if you want to take that chance on
funding our realizing we can't move oursel next year might be a zero. What if that area does go down mid year and we lose occupancy in the cafeteria portion of our building? That number is unacceptable to me. I
wouldn't even capital $800,000 this year. You shouldn't touch it for operating for capital. That is our main fun. That's why we can't touch it. >> I guess can I just ask a point of
clarification? you mention I guess what the governor brought us as opposed to what they voted from the house because the numbers that Sarah gave us in December. I understand that was a $499,000 reduction that we had to be 2 and 12%.
So we saying those numbers were not as favorable as we thought they were or where did the 586 change from 499? It was 499%. I'll go back to that slide. >> No, that's the slide right here. >> Okay. Um so one of the things that we
are going to constantly that that we as a school committee are going to constantly do is take a look at our obligations. And we have a an additional out of district uh tuition and transportation that we found out about
this week. So if you actually if you look in the folder, this is a different presentation tonight than the one that I put in there earlier. >> That's why I so the school committee is required to make accommodations for tuitions and
transportation for special ed students all the way up to July 1st. >> Understood. that that probably should have pointed out because I was trying to follow along and it wasn't the same. Um, going back to where we're at right now though, I think
when I spoke to Jonathan as well, I I feel like where I'm at right now is I have a hard time saying what to create an additional savings account when we're looking at $586,000 in cuts. Although what we're talking about obviously as you know is a little greener at this point since we just found out about the
89. I guess it was in my overd certification amount, but $89,000 that that would carry us not that amount, but that we don't need right now to use that
$700,000. And if we were to sit in town, our budget's going to come a little higher, but they don't still have that $700,000 debt exclusion. But I understand how difficult it would be to get it back to the phone. But I'm following, you know, the plan. The plan of it is is if we can
put that in place now, then we may not need to keep going for capital planning. I have a problem cutting $586,000, five teachers, two administrators, um, or one administrator, one two paras that going to greatly impact our
dayto-day and our students needs. So, I I think I'm kind of cautious about putting $700,000 um taking it back stabilization
and reducing the budget by this. That's that's how I feel about it. And I understand that $700,000 is not ours and it's not the budget yet as well. I'll just I'll just let you know that I don't believe the towns would feel the same
way about moving exempt capital to fight off. >> They're they're willing to vent because they see it going from capital to capital. >> I I don't think I'd be asking them to do that. I think I'd be asking them to fund
the school budget and if they need that money for something else or they need it for their debt ceiling regarding where they're at with their assessment that they don't need to now go to the taxpayers for an override to then fund a stabilization account. the overall would
be for operating budget is the way that I'm looking at it because again I think people will say well where's that $700,000 and it's more difficult to explain it's only capital expenses that are unforeseen as opposed to funding the budget that we know that we need right
now and I'm not saying we need unfortunately it sounds as though we probably in the minority say we need all of these positions but I would have a hard time saying let's stick at 2 and 12% when our budget was I believe over 10% last year and then moved money to a
stabilization account. That's just >> Well, I I just need to understand what we're fighting for. >> So, if if the committee >> decides it would rather fight to up the budget by $600,000.
>> And I and I would speaking for myself, I don't think we need to increase the budget by $600,000. If you think 2 and 12% that that that looks like a huge loss for us and I think that we
are looking at um five teacher positions. you know, we knew about five retirements and our um principal would tell us that we could maybe exor some of these places to attrition, but five teachers is a lot of teachers and um I
would I would caution against using five teachers in high school. >> I'd like to to point out that the capital fund is part of the school budget and the $700,000 is not spending on contingency unknown items. We have
$73 million of things to spend that money on right now out of that stabilization fund. The idea is to be able to get the money into the stabilization fund so that we can use it to move forward on our capital. So whether you take and ask the towns for a
bigger school budget to fund taking care of your buildings within your budget or whether or not you go forward and identify capital dollars from one side of the ledger to the other side of the ledger, there's still capital dollars.
You're taking money that you use to buy the schools that are worth over half a billion dollars combined and you're going to use that same money now to maintain them. So you don't end up spending that money. >> I I understand the purpose of the solution. My understanding that that
$700,000 does not belong to this point the town to mortgage funding right now. Not that doesn't come from the business office. That money is not already included in the budget. That's why we just listened to the presentation about where the money how it would roll in and
where it would go if it were put into a stabilization account that's controlled by the school department. But right now it's not being controlled. That money is being controlled by the town. I'm not talking about I'm talking about that $700,000 that we if I'm not mistaken
years ago we were talking about maybe we could refinance our debt just to kind of extend a little bit to balance budget two years ago. And thankfully we didn't need to do that because we've been offsetting it with B&B. But I think I I don't know. I just I feel like um the
staff cuts to put aside money for capital planning is doesn't sit well. >> Any other thoughts or comments? We're not voting this tonight, so we don't have to reconcile. Sarah, go ahead.
>> I I just want to remind you that a year ago, we got the facility conditions assessment that told us that we had uh $6.9 million worth of work to do on the existing buildings and the amount of work that we've been able to do, the
limited funds that we have had taken care of some of the really big things. And I think Jason mentioned that um we're talking about things that when they fail, we'll lose our occupancy. So
I the $700,000 is allowable to be put in as a line item in the operating budget to then transfer into the stabilization account. And then the stabilization account can only be
used for the repairs for the capital. I understand that part. But wouldn't the county need to vote to allow that $7,000 to be trans budget? >> No. Once once the
Silver Lake school budget is approved and has that $700,000, the purpose of that $700,000 in the line item will be to transfer into the stabilization which has already been approved by all three towns in 2022.
I think we're talking about two separate things respectfully. I'm talking about the $700,000 that we're talking about for future. It was currently used this year. Towns and plumbing wrote checks. The school department did not write those checks. That money is still part
of the town operating budget. >> Correct. I understand you're saying. >> Thank you. I don't think we can use this angle enough. We we owe Z for a capital Z.
If if you want me to ask the town if they would be building to even entertain that $586,000 of more in the operating budget, I can as part of my presentation and see where
they come in on it. Um, >> right. And and again, I'm not I mean, I I think where I came to this table incorrectly was I thought that understanding that we had directed our administrators to bring us a 2 and 12%
presentation for this budget for this scenario. It's my understanding we did not vote at 2 and 1.5%. So, none none of these cuts have happened yet. And I I just think it's um a little bit um when we get to
those final numbers and stuff to say because Kingston got caught up a few years ago and I blame the online meetings for it that we're not looking at the exact things right in front of us in front of us and stuff. It's easy to think that something that you saw on a previous slide might be included or not
included. And I just want to remind everyone we did not vote these cuts yet. Something like this I feel like needs much more of a discussion than this is what we're going to do for our capital items when we're talking about reduction in eight staff members, various positions, various supplies and increase
unemployment costs. I mean that's I think that deserves a lot more discussion than about our capital projects which we understand we need to run the buildings but I out of respect for our staff I I don't want to treat you that they don't
regard more discussion. Well, it's exactly why I raised the two points because I wanted to be extremely clear on what the implications were for the when it comes time to vote. So, let me ask
this. Um, how would how would people do it otherwise? I mean, for one, I I don't think that we've seen what that would look like in class sizes, what that might do to various course offerings or um how that
would >> that's one of the things I wanted to ask, right? >> Thank you. So I think that without without having that information I think it's I think it's difficult to >> so our principles presented scenarios in December that spoke to class averages and they're here tonight so they could
give you more detail if in fact you'd like to ask them. I mean tale as old as time right it would certainly impact class sizes. It would impact what we could offer. um it actually might impact some of the honor and AP classes that we provide because we would need to make
sure that we remain in compliance um so that all of our classes remain um inclusive. So that would be the big impact here at the high school. And then obviously with um you know the whole high school experience for students when we're impacting stipended positions um
for some kids that means it's a club or activity um or a program that they're a part of um that is something that lures them and kind of hooks them into the high school experience that may not be able to be offered to them. >> And we talked at the middle school about um the elective exploratory classes in
grade seven and that would be difficult to run. Um class sizes would remain generally the same with this but any further cuts than that they would increase tremendously. So >> Kayla, would we be uh altering the block
schedule? >> We would not be able to do a block schedule. >> So the schedule we've been running this year, we would have to revert to >> No, we could sustain the schedule that we're in. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. We wouldn't be able to Yeah.
I maybe I should take a different approach back to what you're offering to approach the town setup. I know that we had talked about at least before those powers and numbers and you know my what I've been told regarding Halifax is
that Halifax is extremely anti-overrides. They don't want to be taxed. They don't want to be um put out of their homes. >> Been told and I respect that. And just to be clear, they have laid off at the elementary school already. They had a they had a layoff for at the elementary
school that was at least this size for a much smaller department. And more is not off the table because they're they're looking at reducing fire, they're looking at reducing police, they're looking at reducing, you know, wreck and
other things like that. And it wouldn't shock me if they had to look at the schools again. So the town as a body is not afraid to demand exactly what you >> When you say off, you mean they've already voted to remove
>> last No, last year they laid off. >> Yeah. >> So we did, right? That was a year ago, but that wasn't But with this year's budget though, they haven't made any. >> Correct. They they haven't yet. But um you know what I'm what I'm saying is
when staring at the possibility of dealing it with it as an override or uh reducing expense, they just straight up chose reducing expense. They didn't bring it to the town or anything. They just reduced expense. And I can virtually assure you that they they
would take the same thing. They're gunshy about having a an override required that that might be required just to move from, you know, exempt capital to
um you know, an an operations budget. They're nervous about that because of various contingencies in town that would say something to the effect of one, give the money back to the people, back to the town, etc., etc. to they're trying to pull wool over your eye or something
like that. This is all dressed up in a way and corrupt and you know everything like that. So they what they what they also recognize is that if Kingston and Halif or Kingston and Plimpmpton vote it, they
don't have a choice. Um it, you know, they will have to come up with the money to support um the schools at the level demanded regardless. And to do it, they're almost certainly going to take well more out of the town and possibly
out of the elementary school. >> Well, unless, and this is, I guess, where I was going with that point, unless we were to talk about a three town approach towards an override to see what exactly that would mean. Um, you know, towns around us right now, we we all, I think, are aware of what's going
on with Hansen. That that's even worse this year than last year. There's a $4.7 million deficit right now. Hands or handover did not vote for override a couple of years ago called the block and then they
reduced their budget greatly and then did vote and now they need another one this year because they made such a mess of themselves. Um, Ducksberry right now is trying to determine exactly what dollar amount to bring forward for another override because it failed last
year after already reducing nearly 20 staff members. And Abington today I just saw was $1.6 million deficit as well. So they're looking at a reduction in 30 staff members in Abington. So I don't think that I don't think anybody wants to vote an
override. I just will get like we can either sit here and make these decisions ourselves without I mean this like with respect to Carl we'll say don't get everyone up in arms over something like you know 21 to 31 class sizes. I'm not trying to say that but I do think you know people would like to know what
we're reducing even if it just means a few teachers because you know I just I look at it like that like maybe takes more time on this. If Jason goes back to town and says, "All right, what exactly are we working at? Maybe it doesn't need to be 2 and a half. Maybe it could be 3% and then
we're looking at at least one more position that we need to salvage." So, but I hear your point, Gordon, that anything that we don't reduce on this end is only going to affect at least Palax Elementary. >> And keeping in mind though in regards to
total cost, I mean, we spoke at the Kingston meeting on Monday night. I think all of us know there's a little bit of room in the budget, but we just we wanted to bring that number forward just to kind of see what the investment is and then go from there. Um the other thing to keep in mind is that in the middle of that presentation was $300,000
in requested positions and I don't see how we possibly add anything when we're looking at this kind of reduction. So, and that that discussion is not going to happen until, you know, later this month. So one last thing I I would say this
just from the not not as the chair perspective but as a Halifax perspective I I can tell you as well there were various entities in Halifax that were unhappy with our approach last year. They were unhappy with uh the fact that
we did not make reductions last year. Um they felt as though that the failure to do so um put um particular additional burden on them to deal with it um further within the town.
um that they, you know, had to rob from various places in order to um augment or supplement um what was going on in Silver Lake, that it kicked the can down the road, that it was through unsustainable means with END um and that it was in many ways
fundamentally irresponsible. So, I'm not I'm you know, I'm telling you what the position was and that was not scuttled out on Facebook and things like that. That was town officials talking to me saying you're making it
very difficult for us. >> We've been told that as well. >> So again, I asked the question um if if going forward like this you feel like
is and and I'm saying you as committee members. I'm not saying just Jean, but I'm saying that uh you as committee members or we as committee members, if going forward in this fashion is not where you want to go or you feel like you want to see alternatives, what would
those be? >> I I would need to see the assessments drive up with those cuts so I could show both scenarios to the towns. If if it's even still the will of the
committee to to pursue the capital plan as representative last week, I don't want to keep offering it to the towns and talking about it, but that's not actually where we should be spending our time and our deliberate capital
and it's going to confuse the waters. Yeah, >> I'll throw my support into Jason's plan as presented for the way it is presented and capital dollars for capital dollars and stay on the same page. I think that
the uh committee wants to advocate for a proposed override to see if we can fund part or all of the 586 $100,000 there. if you want to go to that. Um, I think you could stand up on a separate line item and and argue your
point that we we want to keep the teacher, but I have a feeling that it would be one of those standard override test meetings because you're sitting next to your neighbor and then everybody goes to the ballot, >> right? And and I get that Mark and I know that this was discussed greatly and
Kingston was looking at a potential override last year. It's almost like as much as I'm elected to represent my constituents, I don't know if my constituents would be in support of a reduction of $586,000, you know, like
I don't know if Mr. Pipe wants to speak tonight, but town of Kingston may still be looking at an override even with these numbers. So, so my Halifax and I don't know about Plimpmpton, but if that's the case, then I'd love to get some of this figure included in that
request from the town because if we're going for an override anyway is what I'm getting at. then I'd love to not reduce all of this in the event that it does pass because otherwise we all know that this compounds our problem because if there's any kind of issues that arise
from these kind of cuts then next year we're going to be looking at needing to make greater cuts and then depending on if the town voted an override or not we might have just missed an opportunity to get you know >> a piece of it >> if that makes sense because the town of
Kingston at least what we were talking on Monday night. I don't think any overrides will be heard in by the schools right now. So the board is the point I understand the other departments are definitely, you know, they're they're waiting for their piece of too, but it's my understanding in Kingston that the other department budgets look a
lot worse than the schools and that includes that that would include the $586,000 I believe towards the income assessment. My comment uh in front of the local school committee was that
we would probably get away without doing a two and a half override in Kingston as long as the Silver Lake assessment came in somewhere around 3% for the town
of Kingston assuming the 2.5% bottom line expense increase plus the $700,000 of capital um and a certain assumption that there would be a reduction in the local school
budget so that our total education budget bottom line would be somewhere around 3 3 and 12%. The numbers presented with this assessment, my first look at it says that we're still
probably doable without a 2 and a half override as long as we get that 2 to 300k reduction in the local school budget that you know would get us down to around 3%. What I did say in addition to that is
I'm concerned about medical insurance that the initial impact of medical insurance compared to last year has been targeted as high as 14%. I hear you people have your 10% in there as an
increase. I hope you can live with that. I hope this we can get closer to 10% or less at uh our local medical insurance. But the one thing that bothers me more than anything of all of this discussion
tonight, I just want to make one quick point. Please, public, teachers, school committee members, don't get hung up on $586,000 as being a huge number. It may sound
like a huge number standing by itself, but you're looking at a gross Silver Lake expense budget of over 42 million. 586,000 is about 1.2%
of that. So, I don't think anybody here is talking about a massive reduction. I I just would like to emphasize that if they have to cut five, six, seven people, it's still not a huge impact on
the total education when you're talking $43 million. Thanks. Um, Clinton has no appetite for an over and that has not been officially stated, but we we had a debt exclusion fail
massively for fire station last year. I've talked offline about an override eventually down. Remember, the only people who can put an override on the ballot is the board of select or the select board. Um, so even if we approach them, we would
have to have that conversation prior to when the warning is closed. So again, um, I'm happy to bring both versions of the assessments and see what direction I get. Go back to the tax. Um,
but I'm just telling you from from the conversations that have already been had, if we bring more money in, we might lose both sides of of the argument, the capital and the personal. So I think my question then and I I
don't know any other way to do this. Um I think I would say um do any committee members want to move to um revise or reconsider the direction that we have given the administration in
reference to the budget because if nobody wants to move to do that then we would leave this guidance in place and they would continue to prepare. If somebody wants to move to do um otherwise, that doesn't necessarily mean
that you would be voting to uh change the final outcome. You could just be voting to open up the view of it, so to speak, or present further alternative scenarios or something like that. Um, you know, time would be of the essence
because of what Jason said, but we can't walk out of this meeting without the administration having a direction of what they're pursuing. Whether that's cobbling together more options again or whether it's uh going forward with this
and making adjustments here and there based on whatever comes from the state or whether whatever other information they get from the legislature or so forth. I would like to um request that Jason does bring both versions if you would um
to each town. I completely respect if all the towns tell you to pick a hike, they're not looking at an override this year, then at least we know that it's it's not helpful to get to this figure
um to meet the town's requests. So what are what are the two versions specifically? >> Two versions. One would be to continue with the debt exclusion without without any of these positions where >> as presented tonight >> as presented tonight at 2 and a half%
that would include all of those reductions there. The other is to say to get to the 2 and 12% reduction or excuse me the 2 and 12% increase we had to reduce this $586,000. Is there any appetite for reconsidering
an override? And if there is, >> $600,000. >> Um, maybe not $600,000, but you know, I think a portion of that. Um, >> so hear me out and tell me if you think this will fit the bill cuz I don't Sarah would 17 versions.
>> She's retiring. >> It's got nothing to do with time. Please understand that I can produce 50 different we're talking about one cell in the spreadsheet that I just need to change the number. >> But I really think the easiest way to do it
>> is bring them tonight's version. >> Yeah. >> And bring them the version with all of this put back in and see where we land. >> So just to be clear, two versions. One or two and a half% increase with the 700,000 and then the other one would be
level service. Correct. with the 700,000. >> Correct. So I believe it was 3.7% increase. >> Yeah. >> With also with the $700,000 exclusion. >> Okay. So the debt exclusion is in both
versions. And it's a question of >> level service or 2.5%. >> Yes. And it's in both versions because we did vote last month. You're right. to move forward with that. >> We're really up the creek if we don't get that done.
>> I understand. >> It's got to be worth I mean speaking as an educator, right? If we shut down this building, I mean, who thinks CO was a good thing for students in retrospect
and remote learning in retrospect? I know a couple of kids who thrived in that scenario, but most kids did not. >> No, they did not. So, >> so let's let's make sure we can keep the building functioning. We can heat it and place
where we can cook for our staff and our students. And again, I said that this right here makes me sick to my stomach to contemplate, but you just laid out how much worse it is in several other districts on the Southshore. >> I did. And if we don't pay careful
attention, and I appreciate you calling this out and saying we need to talk about this in more depth and not just glaze over the issue, um this is a far better scenario than we faced last year and we could face in the future if we're not very careful with
our budget. >> Okay. So Sarah, I think he'll prepare two different versions. just make sure you get them to Jason so he can socialize those to the towns and then um we'll take any information um you know he can funnel that back and
uh we can see what it looks like in March as as the administration has made the choices that we see in front of us um understanding that you've labored and come up with these as your uh primary
way of of addressing the issue Um, I would like to have you consider now that you've got a at least a a version A and B, one of these versions here to look at whether or not this is still the most efficient way to reach those numbers.
Um, there are efficiencies that we have used in the past and my experience on this committee, it goes back decades. um where we involved and utilized a little bit of the administration to provide the
the on hands to the students. At one point we had our coordinators actually taught one course. That had some value added in that the fact that they were in a classroom. They were exposed to the students as well as the other duties that they have evaluating teachers. But
sometimes those efficiencies can get you that one more teacher that you can save on the payroll um by doing that. They're just an idea, a suggestion. I'm not advocating that, but obviously it's a negotiated position and the the job
descriptions are defined. But some of those efficiencies that you can get um you need your managers, you need your administrators, but you can also overlap a little bit and allow them um to share some of those duties to see if we can save some of those positions.
>> Thanks. Can I ask kind of it might be an inappropriate question so I apologize in advance but considering that potentially if we knew about one retirement they could potentially save two positions if you figure like where an employee may be.
Could we incentivize our employees to announce retirement maybe for like say $1,000 or something if they do it by March 1st? Is that something we're allowed to do? >> We're allowed to do that. You wouldn't have needed to put the money in your
FY26 budget for that. >> Correct. If you're looking to buy somebody out and I understand, you know, typically that's contract language that says that and it would have had to be done usually by January, but I'm just trying to think of ways that I >> We do have that, Genie. They have to tell us by November 1st, though.
>> November 1st. Thank you. >> Yeah, >> it's it's new, >> right? But if we can but if we can amend you know something >> say March 1st or April 1st >> you know and what I mean by that is um you know for attrition we don't we
wouldn't you know they hire I just like to yeah point out that the four items that the uh administration identified the budget analysts the grants manage manager, the
accountant, and the full-time treasurer are uh by the vote of the um joint committee are not in this budget. And at some point I'd like to hear a presentation of how, for example, a grant manager might be able to not only
get a grant, increase grants for the 70,000 to pay said grant manager, but maybe make us some money going forward and be a worthwhile ad to um to the staff to be allow us to make be more efficient and actually get recover some
of the funds that we're not getting right now. So um I I don't know when that presentation would be >> joint meeting later this month >> joint meeting we'll have to discuss that but um there is some some opportunity to
prepare some of our expense and actually get some of the grants that we might not be getting if we had somebody to present those for example. Okay. >> All right Sarah you have your direction. Can you understand where we've landed with this? And Okay. All right. Let's go
to the SLEA. >> Good evening. My name is Kristen Show and I'm an SLA rep um community building representative here at the high school and I'm speaking on behalf of the district who cannot be here tonight.
The SLA is aware of the fiscal landscape we are navigating here at Silver Lake. Our members live in this community. We see the rising costs and the difficult trade-offs you are forced to weigh. We aren't here to ignore the reality of the bottom line. However, we are here to
remind this committee that the budget is a moral document. It is a direct reflection of our district's values. In times of financial constraint, there's often a temptation to lean out the front lines. We urge you to resist that. Every
vacancy left unfilled and every position cut directly increases the burden on the remaining staff and more importantly diminishes the individual attention each student receives. We ask that you protect student-f facing positions,
maintain educational and mental health supports for students and invest in retention. We want to work with you as partners. We are ready to engage in honest conversations about how to maximize every dollar, but we must do so with a
shared understanding that the heart of this district be in the classroom. Thank you for your time and for your service to our students. >> Thank you, Miss S. Um, admin review. >> We met prior to last month's meeting.
Um, it was recommended to bring the requested positions to the joint meeting. Okay. >> Um, CTE, >> it's nice to have Lucas back in country. I'm still the chair prompt until we reorganize and make Lucas the chair
about chair every >> just for being out of country. >> Do we have any updates other than that or no? >> Not for CT. No. Okay. Um, see, legislative agents report. >> Uh, there was rumors that title one and IDA were actually going to be increased
down in Washington. It did not happen. As you know, there was a partial shutdown. Um, I had a trip scheduled for Monday and Tuesday this week in DC. Enjoy. Um, governor's very interesting again. Um, much more aggressive and good
for us than I thought it was going to be. Um, but again, I'm concerned that it's not going to be able to carry weight in the house, especially. Um, ear marks. I did request some ear marks from our legislative delegation, and they told me that most likely was going to be
one of the most limited parts of the state budget this year. So, not to count on any ear marks from our delegation. Um, as far as the graduation council, we have a meeting on Monday. It's our first meeting since before Thanksgiving. Uh
the governor mentioned in her state of the commonwealth address that she expects to have the new graduation requirements on her desk in June. Uh I'm working extremely hard with legislators right now not to sign that
bill that gets sent to them because it's basically going to be a blank check for DESIE to make up whatever regulations they want. And Dusty right now has a terrible track record of trustworthiness and understanding how districts actually work in the ground. So I'll do
everything I can to sabotage that effort. >> Very good. >> That's my report. >> All right. Negotiations. >> Uh we finally kicked off the SLA. Um it's weak. SLA is uh relatively new in
the process and the other two are well underway. So, we are making progress. >> Okay. Uh Amy is actually at Pilgrim Area Collaborative tonight. She chose to go there so that she would have an update to give in the future. Um and I think
she's a fairly prominent member there, too. So, um policy committee, >> no meeting. >> Okay. Regionalization. >> I'll be brief tonight. We have a working group meeting. It's going to be the second Tuesday of every month for the foreseeable future until we get more
information. >> Okay. Safer. >> We haven't had any meeting. >> Okay. Union 31, >> you're going to meet on February 26th and that's going to be a joint meeting to um for the shared cost budget.
>> All right. Um my understanding is that we are not going to have an executive session tonight. Correct. Um and so I think >> discuss your budget meeting date. >> Uh yes, we can come back to discuss the
budget meeting date. So um you've written to me that you're not likely to be available, which um is probably just about tipping the scale, Karen, which would suggest that
>> we should find a new date. >> Yeah, we're going to need to find a new date. Do we want to try to hash that out here or should we have Karen send out? >> We can have Karen send out some um proposed dates and then we'll see if we can get a quorum on any of Well,
>> okay. So, that means you're going to have to um Sorry, go ahead. >> Just make sure that we keep in mind our statutory report. >> Great. We can't push it too far out, which means if we when we change the date, it may impact other districts and other negotiations
>> and other school events cuz there's a lot on the calendar. >> So, yes. So, right now we have um we have multiple negotiation sessions going on. So, but obviously voting the budget is in everyone's best interest. Um so um
just be aware there's only so many nights in an evening and multiple units and multiple districts doing it tonight. >> Can I make a recommendation that we um meet as a separate meeting on the night of the joint meeting like have union 31
followed by a joint meeting and do that meeting in person on the >> is that possible? >> Is that too late? on the 2600. >> Yeah, a week and a half, but for two weeks, >> just a week and a half, a week, one
week. >> And I don't have an issue with that. I'm available. So, >> if I'm if I may to facilitate perhaps the only item on the Silver Lake budget on the Silver Lake agenda would be in fact the budget so that we can have enough time to make sure we ask any
questions that we need to ask. >> Okay. What? >> So Karen, are you following that with >> So follow the joint meeting at 5 on Thursday the 26th with a separate >> with a separate Silverlake meeting in person
>> at 6:00 in person and we would keep the agenda limited to voting the budget. >> Perfect. >> Okay. >> And just cancel March. >> Yes. And may I ask since our chair is here
for Union 31, uh would you like the the um joint the >> the union 31 meeting also in person rather than online? >> Yes, that's what I that's what I mean because I think we could be here at 5:00
and go right into >> Well, but I don't I don't think the meeting needs to be restricted at six, right? because we're going right from one to the other. >> Um, >> it'll be how we post it. We'll post it so that there can be a >> Right. But I I think when you say
restricted, what do you mean? Just >> you're saying to limit it to the budget discussion, but I there's no reason to really do it other than like the March meeting. Yeah, but I think Jill was suggesting that in the event that I we have a couple of scenarios in play,
we'll need to hear any further debate on that. I mean, you know, we're like more than 90 minutes in and probably 80% of that was devoted to this one question. So,
um, so I think that's the I think that was really kind of a point. Okay. All right. Any other comments? With that, I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. Have a second.
All right. Take the roll call. Jason Mark, Jen, Lucas, Mark. Yes. Thank you everybody.