Hi, good evening. I'd like to resume the meeting. Take your roll call. >> Mr. Buzz >> here. >> Min >> here. >> Mrs. Beltran >> here. >> Mr. Min. >> Mr. Tell her this is >> here of America to the standy
for all. >> Okay, we're going to report. Good evening everybody and welcome. So nice to see so many familiar faces here and lots of former students in the audience. So I'm glad to have you here
this evening. As you were aware, it's been a long and challenging winter and snow closures on February 23rd and 24th. Here I go again. I'm asking the board to
update the school calendar. Um hopefully this is the last time, but I have to tell you if there is snow again, we will maybe doing this again. Um what I do want to bring attention to is that now the last day of school and our graduation for our eighth graders and
12th graders will be on Tuesday, June 23rd. It will be Tuesday, J at the high school. So, please mark your calendars respectfully. The other thing is I would like to recognize you'll see on the agenda we have some wonderful teachers that are
going to be retiring. Miss Barbara Elanos, our MTS teacher has been with us for 41 years. Let's give her now currently teaches at our middle school has been with us for 25 years.
Let's give her For me it's bittersweet because I' I've worked with these women for many many years. They are exceptional teachers. Mrs. Wowski actually started at the elementary and then came up to the middle school. Um what I find they are
such a blessing because they have such institutional knowledge about amilies in our community, but we wish them all the best. So, congratulations to both of those wonderfully talented teachers. I also would like to encourage you to come out this weekend to our
drama production of MMA Mia. Mama Mia will be performed on Friday night at our high school and I believe also there are two showings on Saturday, one at 2 o'clock and one at seven. Our our students are just so truly talented. This is going to be a wonderful
production and so if you haven't purchased your tickets yet, you should go on our website and you should certainly do so. Thank you so much and I'm gonna hand it back to you. Um, our military ambassadors are here. So, next we have our report from
our student representative Jordan. Good evening everyone. My name is and I'm the treasur of the executive student government uh student government high school. I'm here today to provide you and the board with important regarding the important
events that happened at the high school since the last meeting that we've had. The executive board successfully had the lucky duck fundraiser where where we sold rubber ducks for $1 and2 the senior dinner was a success and also a lot of
fun. The seniors loved all the food, donated rapper prizes and the hypnosis. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the night and made it special. The juniors had a successful fundraiser at BJ's house. They are preparing for their
in. And then we have also our spring spirit week. We have Monday soccer moms. Tuesday for St. Patrick's Day. Wednesday was a character day. Thursday crazy hair
day. Fridays we ended the week with our spring door and we also signed everyone of the year. I just want to say thank you for allowing me to represent the township government.
I'm truly honored to be here with all of you and have the opportunity to fill everyone in. Okay, thank you. And now the moment everyone is here for Mrs. Pros presentation in our back room. Great.
So, welcome everybody. And this is my honor and my privilege to be able to recognize all the wonderfully talented and remarkable students we have here in Manchester. We're going to start with this beautiful face.
A lot of beautiful faces here. techical diff. Look at this face. Representing Manchester Township Elementary School, MTES. Is Laurel here? >> I see that beautiful face.
Your principal, Mrs. Healey, was under the weather tonight, but her wonderful assistant principal, Mr. Johnson, is here. And I think you know him. Come on up with mommy. coming up with mommy. Okay, so this lovely young lady is a
natural leader and I'm not surprised that so was her mommy who is consistently setting a positive tone and example for others. She is kind. She's respectful and always willing to lend a helping hand. She's also a little shy.
As a great friend, she makes everyone feel included and supported. Her polite and thoughtful attitude helps create a welcoming and positive environment for everyone around her. Can you look at everybody? >> Congratulations.
Congratulations. >> Sweet and humble. She's humble, too. Congratulations. Congratulations. We're gonna continue. Our students are not only cute, but they're handsome, too. Look at Where's Matthew from
Ridgeway School? >> I know we have a lot of students here that we have, but we were we started when we were like 18, right? We started when we were very young. Very very young. So, Matthew,
we we are just so impressed by him. He exhibits constant initiative and responsibility. He actively contributes to the school community. His progress academically this year reflects notable diligence and determination. And we love good work and
that's what you're all about, Matthew. As the leader of the daily afternoon announcement, he displays confidence, professionalism. It sounds like a resume and sense of school pride. You're hired. Do you want to be at the high school with us?
Now, his courteous demeanor, willing to assist others, and his exemplary leadership serve as a model for his peers. So, congratulations Minson, I'm sorry. She would like a picture as well. So, let's look back there, too. Did you get it?
>> I thought he was looking at a nice big smile. Okay. >> Okay. My pleasure. My pleasure. You're very welcome. Congratulations. >> You give another round of applause. I'm looking at this lighting school. Did you principal just took choose all the
cutest and really is is Avery here? Hi Avery. Avery is a thoughtful present in the classroom. Often anticipating before they arrive. She knows the small details other
hand for someone looking without being asked. She'll point out the right page and quietly slide a spare pencil to her ins. Thank you so much. We're so proud of you.
We'll continue now. >> Oh, I love this smile. Is Charlotte here from Regional Day School? >> This is my girl, Charlotte. Hi, Charlotte.
and her teachers are here >> and Mrs. and is she cute or what? So, we are so proud of Charlotte for so many reasons. >> She has made significant progress this
year in both work. and strengthening her communication skills. As you can hear her, she consistently perseveres and works diligently to complete her school related task. She's actively tracing letters. She's writing her name and
appropriately request breaks when she's growing and engaging. And we are super proud of you, Charlotte. You did it. >> Thank you so much. >> You did it.
>> You sure did. That should be our motto. Mr. Lorenz, we did it. >> What do you think? That's awesome. >> Fantastic. We're going to continue now with my buddy. My man is Thomas here
from the middle school. So, I'm gonna digress a little bit because Thomas is my main guy because what happened was when I was principal at Ridgeway, Thomas was there and then we all know that my sport is soccer, but Thomas's and I asked Mr. Loren wouldn't
come to baseball game where the blue Thomas came and he helped me throw out the first pitch. And did we get it? You did it, right? Because I just supported him. He got it right over. You know, I would have done that, right? Thomas,
too. So, we're so we're so proud of him. But he's an a student who really is exemplary in leadership. He has a very strong commitment to service through his work. and we appreciate that. His contributions so far this year have
included participating in the candy sale, helping to prepare for the Thanksgiving food drive, assisting at the children's memorial garden, and he regularly attends the Rotary breakfast. Overall, Thomas, you are just an incredible young man and you are an inful part of our school community. So,
congratulations Thank you. Congratulations. >> Don't you worry. Okay. So, we're gonna talk about athletes from the middle school and I believe I saw Madden Madden here. No. Okay. And Alison. Hi Alison.
We're very proud of Alison who represent the middle school as our student athletes for the month of March. They are both great representations of what it means to be a student athlete. They're eighth grade leaders on our baseball and our soccer, track and field
teams, respectively. And they work just as hard, which is so important, in the classroom as they do in the athletic arena. And they are excellent examples of what it means to be a younger student athlete. So, thank you to both of you.
Our next student unfortunately couldn't be here this evening. Tyler Fman is an outstanding young man, but it's my understanding that they have a wrestling banquet tonight. So, we will actually represent him and and recognize him next
month. Is that okay? >> All right. So, we'll we'll we'll save his award and we'll give it to him next month. Thank you so much, George. Okay. And we're going to speak about our next athletes. I believe I saw Ashley and Justin.
So Ashley is a freshman and a first year varsity letter winner for our swim team. She played an important role this season and was named third team all county in the 200 IM. She also qualified in the
500 freestyle for the SCT, which is the short conference tournament. Is that correct? So that's fantastic. Congratulations. And Justin, I mean, if you haven't been to one of those kids basketball games, he is just amazing. He's a sophomore who has established
himself as the heartbeat of the boys basketball team. He leads by example with relentless toughness, which led him to be named second team all division. Congratulations, Justin. Set the standard in helping guide the Hawks to a promising and bright future.
Congratulations to I also want to say that they are not only exemplary athletes, but they are just so smart and they are great academically as well. And that's what sets those two apart. So, congratulations and thank you to both of you.
And so I leave you with and I hope March winds and April showers may bring forth May flowers. I'm thinking it's going to happen. What do you think? Yes, the weather doesn't feel like it, but certainly it was nice to have the sun
out today and it's nice having all of you here this evening. Thank you so much for your partnership with us with your children. Thank you for of our school community and I know you may some of you want to go home, get the kids home. We we understand that. So now would be the
time if you wanted to take the children home. Okay? >> Unless you want to stay for the budget presentation. >> I don't think so. We have no insurance. Where do you want to stand? I know it down there, but if I don't
One, two, three. number one. >> Yep. It's okay. No problem. Bring it to them. Is it quiet? >> Okay. Next, we're going to have the report of the the business administrator.
>> All right. So just one item tonight and unfortunately it's a little long because we are we're discussing the tenative 2627 budget. Uh so we have the budget on the agenda tonight for approval to submit to the county office. Uh the
budget is at statuto cap. Uh the budget submitted to me back in December was 5.7 million over our budget cap. Uh it's it's probably one of the largest overages I've seen since I've been here 18 years. Uh the projected health
benefit increase contribute to about 3.8 million of that uh which is problematic. This is something that we've been talking about. Health benefits increase this year for the district over 30%. There's another projected increase next year of 30% plus. So 8.3.8 of that 5.7
million is just one line item in our budget. That's our health benefits. Uh to get to our cap, the district cut $2.4 million out of the budget. uh a bulk of that being staff uh and about a million dollars of that being cut out of
district operations across across the board. Um the balance of the balance of that cut to get to our cap was a health benefit waiver which we are going to roll which we are going to use this year uh without taking that waiver
making an additional $328 million and cuts out of this budget. Um so this budget programs after school clubs, sports all remain intact. Student transportation remains intact. Um, now we will continue to evaluate those
things uh and see where we could make some changes, potentially cut some things down, but for now everything uh all program services are all intact. Uh the budget is going to cut 13 to 15 positions. uh we are we are doing
majority of this through attrition and that means people that have either retired already or are retiring at the end of the year we are going to absorb those positions uh I think right now we're up to about eight or nine of those are are through attrition so we are still working through the remaining four
or so uh to see where we can where we can do that uh we are looking at schedules we are looking at enrollments all kinds of things see where we can where we can remaining position state aid the district did receive a
increase in state aid this year uh but there with a catch. So this year, uh, the state aid funding forms are calculated that our school district should receive $1.9 million in additional state aid. But because there
were caps put in place, 6% caps on increases and 3% caps on students on school districts that saw decreases, of the 1.9 million, all we received was 380,000. Um, and if you were if you were here last year, last year the district was
supposed to receive almost 1.8 8 million in state aid and we received 360,000. So over the last two years the district should have received an additional $3 million in C that we did not get. Um so look while I was glad that we got an
increase obviously you know there's there's a big discrepancy on what we should have got what the formula says we should have gotten what we actually got. So obviously that creates part of the problem you know that would and you know that would have significantly closed the budget gap that we had but that's what
we got. So you know that's what we got. Uh the district is adding another section of preschool next year. Uh so that'll be seven have 17 preschool classrooms next year. Uh this budget includes funding for 32 charter school students. Um which which is about $640,000 of our
budget. Now again if you remember over the last couple years we We never had a charter school kid um in Manchester. As as the neighbor, you know, as the neighborhoods are changing, uh we we now have kids that are living in town that go to charter schools outside of
Manchester. We are responsible. Our our district ad is essentially a payment that the district makes to families with students that go to private schools within a 20 mile radius. Uh we do have a lot of those families now. Again, some
similar, you know, Seven years ago, we were paying about 38 39,000. We are now projected to be paying 1.4 million next year. So, there's funding in the budget for that. Uh this budget supports Yeah. supports 50 out of district placements. So, these are students that are
attending private schools for the disabled. Uh budget supports we have 50 of those that we're estimating for next year at a cost of 4.8 million. Uh this budget supports the addition of a fourth day of extended school year. Uh Last year we were in a three-day program. Uh
but we but we have we're moving back to a 4-day program in most areas. Uh so we needed additional funding to add that fourth day. We are budgeting federal grants at 85% what we got this year which is what what they're telling us to
do. Now that has not happened yet. Um we have not seen decreases in our federal grant funding overall. We've seen decreases in certain pockets here and there but overall we have not seen that. But we are still told to budget that and they make us do it. Uh hopefully you
know that's not the case and our federal funding comes in at least at currently current year levels or uh a little bit a little bit higher. You know again biggest biggest pieces the biggest cost driver in this budget is our health. Uh we are projecting a 30 you know we are
projecting in our budget a 30% increase in health which is which is you know it's astronomical. Um this is not this is not unique to Uh this is happening all across all across the state whether you're in the state plan or whether you're in private
sector. The private sector increases seem to be a little bit a little bit less but they're not significantly less. You know I'm hearing things of 20 25% private sector. So this is this is this is just a general problem across the
board. Uh but because the state health plan runs on a calendar year and our budget runs on a fiscal year, this is a challenge for us because They're telling us to bud at 30%. We don't know what the renewal is going to be until August or September of the
next budget cycle. So if that if we just if we said no it's never going to be 30%. We're going to budget 15%. And that and that number comes into 30, we have a problem. Um so we do we have to budget what our brokers think this is going to be based on the information they have at
the time. Liability insurance, you know, is another one. This is workers comp. This is the insurance that we have throughout, you know, all of our all of our liability, auto, all that stuff. You know, projected 17 to 25% increase. You know, electricity, natural gas. I'm sure
you guys are all getting your bills for your homes. You know, we we've seen 20 25% increases here. And, you know, we are running six buildings with, you know, 500,000 square feet that were heating, lighting, cooling. Uh,
has, you know, that has a significant impact on our budget. And then the last two items, and these are these are things that we're pulling out of out of our capital reserve. First one is a project to upgrade our school and bus radio system. The police are the police
are changing over to a new communication system. Um, so when they when they do the final cut over, our radios will no longer communicate with the police department. Uh, so in an effort to obviously continue to do that. Uh police
have gone out and they've they've secured some grant funding to support part of this project and the district will pick up the balance of this funding uh through our capital reserve. So that is one project that is built into the budget. Uh and then the second one is uh
installing two bathrooms in two rooms in Ridgeway that will be kindergarten rooms I believe this next school year. Um that's you know that's just kind of an overview of where we're at. Our public hearing will be uh at our April board meeting which is April 29th I believe
where we will do a a little more we'll get a little more in depth and we'll hear a lot of this information again but uh I just wanted to give you guys kind of the highlights or the low lightss however you want to look at it but I I will say I want to thank everybody throughout this budget process because again
I get it when I'm coming to you and I'm saying look we got to find more ways to do less with more it's a challenge. Um everybody is over the years we were one of those districts that were we were an S2 district so we were losing state
aid um you know again we are seeing a lot of transition in town which is which is deferring costs and moving costs around in our budget and we've always done an excellent job we've always done you know we've always stepped up and and done did the things that we needed to do
to try to keep what we can make sure we are providing you know the instruction we need to for providing the resources we need to provide for our staff and our students. We're keeping our buildings in good shape. So, I want to thank everybody. I know it's not easy and I know you get tired of hearing me say
this year is going to be the worst year. Every year seems to be worse than the year before. This is by far the worst year budget wise and how much of a budget gap that we had to close since I've been here since probably 2010
2011. So, I want to you know thank you and I want to thank the board. Um, if you guys have any questions, obviously, we can answer them. Um, between now and the public hearing, if there are any changes, uh, we can do that.
Before we adopt the final budget, if any changes are made, I will report those public. That's my >> Thank you. Does anybody have public comment on agenda item only?
Okay. Are there any board member reports? >> Any old any old business or correspondence? >> Okay. Then we'll move to the action portion of the meeting. So I'm going to say letter A number one.
Um can I get a motion? Any discussion? >> Mr. Guzman. >> Yes. >> Miss Atinson. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mkin. >> Yes. >> Mr. Keller. >> Yes. >> And Mrs. >> Yes. >> Okay. We're still on letter A, but we're
doing numbers two and three and B through H, which you have. >> Yes. I will be adding a letter H and letter H will be uh the following resolution to uphold the decision made
on PI res-9 as affirmed. So that will be the that will be letter >> that we did. >> The one that we just motion. >> Any discussion? >> Can we get a roll call? >> Mr. Guzman,
>> yes. >> Mrs. Atinson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Belchure, >> Mr. I just want to do a yes to everything Mr. Keller. >> Yes. >> And Mer.
>> Yes. >> Okay. Section two, administrative. I'm taking a motion. >> Any discussion? >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Atinson. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Belt. Mr. Murphy.
>> Yes, >> Mr. Keller. >> Yes, >> Mrs. W. >> Yes. >> Okay. Personnel numbers 1 through 34. I get a motion. >> Any discussion?
>> We get a roll call. >> Mr. Madison. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Yes. >> Mr. Min, >> yes. >> Mr. Keller, >> yes. >> Mrs. W. >> Yes. Student personnel numbers one and two.
Can I get a motion? Any discussion? We get a roll call. >> Mr. S. >> Mr. Guzman. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Atinson. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Belchin. >> Yes. >> Mr. Min. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Yes, Mrs. >> Yes. Special services number one. Can I get a motion? >> Any discussion? Can we get a roll? >> Mr. Guzman. >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Bel.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Min. >> Yes. >> Mr. Keller. >> Yes. >> Mrs. W. >> Yes. >> Um, athletics just number one. Can I get a motion? Any discussion? Can we get a roll call? >> Mr. Guzman.
>> Yes. >> Mrs. Atinson. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Belgian. >> Yes. >> Mr. Murphy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Keller. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Wingler. >> Yes. >> Section three, finance numbers 1 through five. >> Any discussion?
>> We get a call. >> Mr. Yes, >> Mrs. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Bel. >> Yes, >> Mr. Min. >> Yes, >> Mr. Keller. >> Yes, >> Mrs. >> Yeah. At this time, we can open up for public
comment if anybody has any public comments. >> Yeah. Are you coming to the microphone? >> Just checking. Why do I have to read? >> Yeah, sorry. I have to read the statement. >> We finally have someone coming. The
floor is now open to members of the public. The board of education recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues. The board requests that each statement be made by a participant is limited to three minutes as cited in policy number 0167. There's a sign in sheet located on the
podium. Um but we know who you are. >> Hi Dan Staples Mtea president and I want to talk about something really really important. Dolphinfest. Uh last weekend came out with the family. My daughter is a graduate of Ridgeway School and a
former dolphin. Uh my wife was out there, Heather St. she oversees the NHS kids and they were out there volunteering as well. Uh and all the Ridgeway staff that were out there volunteering. I know all the admin were there helping out. We kind of became the unofficial help desk. Uh just walking around the empanadas, whoever made them,
uh you need to hire them because the empanadas were amazing. And one of the things that I was really floored by, it was nice weather. So the lot was completely full. Uh and then there was another community event going on in town. I think there was like an Easter Bunny thing up the street. Uh so to think that we live in a town where we have all these events for families on a
weekend. Uh the weather was absolutely perfect. The food was great and all the donations uh from the PE I don't know how many there were. I know the MTA donated a couple of bicycles. But then I got there I thought we were the show and then I saw like a hundred other baskets that everybody was putting in for. They
had such a good time all the families and um I mean I've been to it before but I have to say this might have been the best year ever. So, I just want to commend all the staff, administration, the volunteers, everybody that gave all the planning to make that happen. Uh, and then volunteered on a beautiful Saturday to make it come together. So,
thank you for that. And I just wanted to make sure the board recognizes that. >> Were there hermit correct this year? >> Lots of them. And I think the kids took all the leftover. >> Ours just died. They live forever. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Okay, this time I'm trying to make
a motion to adjourn the meeting. >> All in favor?