Good evening. The school committee budget workshop of April 22nd, 2026 will now come to order. This meeting is being recorded and will be made available for viewing on the Mthuan public schools website. I'll ask member Dunovan to call the role.
>> Present member here. >> And I'm here, too. >> I am present as well, folks. I can't hear if Mary Beth's uh >> uh mic wasn't on.
Next, we need a motion and a second to accept our agenda. So moved. >> Second. >> Motions from member Bayz, seconds from member Keegan. Any discussion? There's no discussion. We'll take a roll call vote on accepting the agenda. >> Better get it right. Okay. Member
Keegan. >> Yes. >> Member Daglio. >> Yes. >> Member Sice. >> Yes. >> Member Wlette. >> Yes. >> Mayor Bogart. Yes. Member Donovan is a yes and member by >> Yes. Right. And at this point we will
uh stand for the flag salute. Next we have public participation. Uh we don't have anybody in the audience tonight and I don't think we've received anything in writing. So I will close public participation. If you are unable to attend a school committee meeting in
person, uh you can email uh Susan Shanti at snc n ti mthuan.k12.mma. us before 3 pm on the day of the school committee meeting. So, on tonight's agenda, we only have
one item, uh, the proposed, uh, fiscal year 27 budget. A discussion about that. Um, I'll pass it off to the superintendent and then we can take it from there to continue our discussion. So, so just last week we shared the
binders with you of our preliminary proposal for FY27, including the the articulated requests and the rationale for those um and also our level service budget. And I I
believe we've been in contact with all of you over the course of the week um and we appreciate um the questions and you looking deeper into the budget. Um, and I I'm hoping today for a healthy discussion where uh we're able to put
forth some priorities or some programming that we want protected knowing that we'll need to inevitably make some um reductions along the way. Uh so um what I can do to maybe help guide the discussion is that um in terms
of our our planning the number for the school department uh as everyone knows needs to fit within the broader context of the full complete uh citywide budget that the council will be receiving on May 8th. Um, we're still working through
uh the specifics on that front. Um, and I'm not prepared to make any uh definitive announcements about uh where we're at with that tonight given the fact that it's not going to the council uh for another couple days. But um what I can share is that uh we're dealing
with an extremely difficult budget cycle. Um I think we've all seen that coming. Uh we've seen a reduction in terms of federal aid. Uh the state uh as member Wlette has referenced many times
just is not keeping up with rising costs that uh school districts and municipalities across the Commonwealth are facing. And if you're looking at the initial uh budget that's been shared, you know, we're looking at mostly an
attempt at a level service budget. And last year the amount was 110.6 million and now at this point just to maintain this uh degree of level services we're looking at 123 million. Right? And so if you follow that
year-over-year that's an increase from 110.6 to over 123. we're able to uh tax up to two and a half percent right when it comes to new growth and all these different aspects
of taxation. And so clearly the increase year-over-year just to maintain level services is nowhere close to that framework that we're required to work within as a municipality per Prop 2 and a half. And the challenge that we have in Mthuan, and we talk about this every
year, it's that, you know, there are municipalities like Arlington, they recently approved an override of Prop 2 and a half. Uh Brooklyn is looking at more than $23 million Prop 2 and a half override. This is something that other
municipalities do regularly. Some of them, I think Arlington, they've done this from what I can recall, it's been more of an annual thing that they do this. And in Methuan, the difference in Methuan is that given our socioeconomic
makeup, right, we're not a Lexington, we're not a we're not a Brookline. And you know, our our residents are already tapped out, as I mentioned, from uh this terrible affordability crisis that we're dealing with. And so, uh that conversation about Proposition 2 and a
half and and override that that's just a non-starter in Mthuan. there's no expectation uh that that would even be uh considered seriously by the residents and completely understand. So given that we have these rising costs
year-over-year, just looking at it from a level service standpoint, for the schools, but also for all these other departments on the city side, federal aid's going down. State aid is not rising at a fast enough clip to keep up with these cost increases that we're
seeing. uh and an override is out of the question. And so what I've had to do uh with the CAFO and uh HR on the city side is we've been looking at each department and ultimately we have a number that we need to fit everything into. And so we
we've been making some very difficult uh decisions and having to literally just make all of these departments and all of these expenditures fit into that number. And so, you know, ultimately, uh, that is going to result
in a downsizing of our government. There's just no way around that. Uh, unless people are thinking maybe on the city council front that there might be an appetite for an override. I don't think so. I I would not be in favor of that.
Um, free cash is something that, you know, sure, we have uh over $20 million in free cash. That's a great financial position for the city, but that's something that does not provide for recurring revenue that we can rely on year after year. And so it is very
unhealthy uh to use even a portion of that. We we did that last year and we may have to do it again this year, but that's not sustainable either. And so, you know, we're at this point uh where uh without an override, without significant
increase in state aid, you know, we're in a we're in a tight spot. And I think we all recognize that. And so, uh there will be difficult decisions made here, difficult decisions made on the city side across all departments. And we're going to figure
it out. We'll get there. Uh but I don't want to sugarcoat any of that. Um so with that uh in terms of context uh we can discuss further uh what we're looking at. uh something that would be very helpful I think for uh the um
acting superintendent and her team it's going to be to provide some direction where okay if we're looking at uh obviously the concept of the level service uh amount uh is something that's not going to be even close to uh where
we're going to be able to end up landing. You know, I think the conversation with leadership needs to be okay, what are the priorities in terms of direction. I think that's going to be a very helpful aspect of this conversation. Um, so with that, I'll
open it up. Uh, but I just wanted to I guess started off by sharing some straight talk. Member WLET. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Obviously, last year we incurred a structural deficit that had to be shored up uh by the municipality
and it might be uh entailing a municipal uh assistance to us for free cash. Again, that's what I envision. Uh but also if you look at the state level what the state has in terms of a surplus
um it's approaching it's at least $8 billion. The millionaire's tax incurred a surplus. Um we need to have what's called a home excuse me a hold harmless provision. Um so any cutbacks from the
federal government we need to have a hold harmless provision. Um the amendments that I'm reviewing right now at the state level uh are not very favorable to us. Uh there was one amendment that would increase uh circuit
breaker uh threshold for reimbursement to 90% from 75%. Um there's talk about having a special education reserve fund and having the power given to the school committee and
also uh dealing with the chapter 70 inflation adjustment. Uh but it is very marginal. It's in years past it was about $200 to $300 million and it's really just a marginal amount
of $125 million based on my estimate. Uh so the resources obviously in years past we've we've talked about this. You have a rainy day fund at the state level. You have the millionaires tax, you have
casinos, you have draft kings, um you have an income tax, you have all these different mechanisms. The local level, as the mayor indicated, uh proposition two and a half is off the table for an override. um the meals tax. Uh there's no
amendment to deal with literacy programs and maybe helping with our libraries and giving us a tool to just do an uptick on the meals tax. I didn't see that with the amendments being filed. There were about 1,800 amendments at the state house on the house side. Maybe the
Senate will file an amendment. I think in years past the Senate has been more favorable for chapter 70 and circuit breaker. Um, obviously if anybody looks at a report, um, we have to frontload special education transportation costs.
Uh, and then we get reimbursed the following year. We're only one of six states that do that process. Uh, obviously we're grateful that they're starting to help fund uh, special education transportation reimbursement,
but it's simply not enough. So, as we're having this ongoing conversation, it's going to be a combination probably of major cutbacks, a structural deficit that'll have to be shored up, major assistance from the state, uh, a
hailmary pass. But again, realize what the state has for tools at at disposal as opposed to what the municipality has. We don't have the same tools. We don't have the same surplus. We don't again casinos, draft kings, um the pot
dispensaries, there's a lot of funding that's going into the state level that we're not able to obtain. Um so it's going to be something that we'll have ongoing conversations, but people should be aware of that. The focus should be at the state house at the current moment.
Thank you, >> member Keegan. So my biggest concern right now is that we're about $8.5 million difference from the money that we are given and the level services that we
have, right? And any money coming from the state that we're going to get extra is going to happen after the city council passes their budget. So, our budget has to cut eight and a half million dollars from what we have right
now. And that's not just a couple teachers, right? Like, we're not looking at, oh, we can cut a teacher here, cut a teacher there. We're This is like massive restructuring of what we have. Um, and
this is going to be devastating, but this is what we are going to have to do. And then we're going to need to have a list of things that if the state comes through with some money, this is the order in which we're going to be able to put things back. Um, and I I don't think
that that's like the magnitude I don't think is understood by a lot of people. Um, but we are looking at like 8.5 million dollars of a deficit. Thank you. Other comments, discussion member Dagley, a
vice chair, anything uh to add or ask? >> Yes, mayor. Thank you. Um there's two things. All of us knew this was coming from last year. Um so I know even though we're using words like devastating, we all
know that this was coming and um hopefully we prepared for it. I mean for majority of it has been nine months of discussions um and being on the council prior I was very vocal on you know using the rainy
day fund as we call it here or free cash and we did receive an extra three million at the end. Um, so I we're gonna have to make some really tough decisions and I really don't want to impact jobs, but that's going to end up being where we probably have to go or
programs. Um, one question I do have for you, mayor, is I know a lot of this money might come later on. Are you guys looking at potentially a 112 budget at all? And I know I'm a big proprietor of it and I've always said that that to
help us to get through some of this, a 112 budget might be um a way that we can get through uh without cutting too many jobs right up front. Is that something you're considering at all? >> Uh so it's not an active consideration
at this point. uh the uh considerations that are currently uh active just in terms of our own discussions. Uh we're in the midst of talks with the PEC regarding health insurance. That's an ongoing conversation.
>> Uh there's an opportunity for savings there uh that we're trying to work with them on. Um, and then beyond that, there are different tools that I'm trying to establish so that we can have uh some
new buttons to push, so to speak, on the dash uh that will enable us to generate some savings. For instance, I have an ask of the city council to consider letting me petition the legislature to
establish an early retirement incentive uh for the city uh which could potentially save us not only on salaries for folks who have been here for some time uh but also saving us from a longevity standpoint potentially.
Beyond that, uh we're looking at uh things that we may have to talk with the unions about. Um but you know, ultimately uh the goal is to try to have as many structural structural, excuse
me, structural reforms as possible uh at the ready so that we are able to generate savings through some potentially non-traditional means. Another thing as well uh that is uh very much in active conversation is utilizing revenue from the sale of municipal
property. I've been sharing information about the Oakland Avenue school. Uh so we have opportunity with that. The PV the courier granted that's going to have to go towards uh capital upgrades for the schools and not necessarily to the budget. But uh the long and short of it
is that we're trying to go through every aspect of the proverbial uh couch uh cushions to find uh added savings and opportunity to generate uh new revenue and the like um without having to
entertain things like a 112th. That that certainly carries with it as you know significant uh implications more broadly speaking. But you know at the end of the day uh all options need to be on the table and we can't shut the door on any
one option. So uh you know that's something that may potentially uh at some point be a point of discussion but at this point the focus is more on finding uh some structural reforms and savings uh so that we can try to get
ourselves into a more sustainable position over the long term uh rather than focusing on uh any short-term bandaids. But it's a good question and as I mentioned every option should be on the table. Last question I have here too, uh,
mayor, is when will we have your number officially locked up? >> So, at this point, I I've shared with the superintendent, uh, that, uh, given all of the adjustments I'm making across the city, uh, we're looking at a, uh,
major, uh, reduction in government size and spending on the city side. Uh and with that factored in, uh we're looking right now at a school number of approximately,
uh just shy of $114 million, which is >> a >> 10 million, right? >> Well, something to keep in mind is that uh that would be a 3% year-over-year increase from last year. Um that is over
net school spending. Uh however it is nowhere close to the number that is being presented in terms of level service. Uh and so this is something that last year the city side was largely immune uh from
issues uh say related to reduction in force things like that. uh this year uh that is not the case given the skyrocketing cost of whether it's health insurance uh just overall um every department is uh seeing the
need for additional resources and as I referenced at the outset uh given the fact that we've seen a reduction in federal support state aid is not even keeping up at say the two and a half number that we're all expected be held
to. Um, you know, we're in for a difficult time here, but then again, you know, I think we we see these times, you know, once every decade or so where there needs to be significant adjustment and and this is no different than, for
instance, what we saw back around the time of 2008, 2009 during the Bill Manzy days. Similar situation now. different though. Yep. >> Yeah. Thank you.
>> Member Bayas. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Through you, addressing you all, my distinguished colleagues. There's two words that you said, Mr. Mayor, that struck me deeply, and it was structural
reform. I believe you're right. I believe that structural reform and proactive thinking can move this district forward with long-term planning. non-traditional
avenues, creative paths can move us from being reactionary and having discussions that are nine months knowing that we're going to have uh devastating budget season to being proactive in the ways that
we reform our system. And I know, for example, for me personally, if we do end up needing to use free cash or uh a means of injecting uh funds into our
budget, I wouldn't I wouldn't want it to be a reactionary effort to cover, let's say, salaries or or operating budgets, but more so of an investment
of ways where we could find a path forward to create a situation where in the long term our district is saving money at least. So whether that means making bold decisions
as school committee, as city council, as as yourself, Mr. Mayor, it's important to make decisions, bold decisions, and not simply be reactionary. So, I would like to ask um assistant superintendent
um Miss Bozac if it is possible to look at our special education program. And this is a conversation, by the way, that has been had for previous years with other school committee members, um, constituents,
counselors that I believe needs to seriously be considered because yes, this is a a bleak time, but it's also an opportunity. It's also an opportunity. So I would like to ask to see if there is a
possibility where we can find a way to invest in our schools in a way that's going to create cost savings in the means of special education and bringing out of uh out of district placements um not necessarily back into the district
but preventing them from going outside in the first place. And I'm I know there was a proposal in the past. Um but is there is is is it a possibility so that we could have that and and maybe consider if we do have to go to free
cashache be it for an investment. >> So the short answer is yes. Um I can I have been working on that plan um because it already exists from last year. So just updating it for this year and then I can present it um to the
committee for review. >> Thank you. And the second thing um and this is a question for you, Mr. Mayor, is not necessarily looking at millions of dollars in cost savings or or revenue generating mechanisms, right? It's what
we can tackle at one time is a bus stop uh arm system, right? Um, I know that there were conversations. Um, and at at at worst it could be a public safety increase and social benefit for
our community and at best and and and costneutral and at best um maybe perhaps um revenue generating. So is is there an update on that process um and or is that a serious consideration? >> Yes. So uh thank you members for the
question. So uh it is uh very much a serious consideration and it's well along from a process standpoint. Uh so uh I had been in touch with uh representatives from a company called Bus Patrol, one of the leaders in terms of Massachusetts. Actually they have an
active presence in a more than uh outside of New England. So more than one state. Um but the uh issue that uh we have run into is I had a conversation with the inspector general Jeff Shapiro and one of the questions that I had for
him uh was uh this is relatively novel. It's new a newer system because of the fact that the legislature only recently adopted this legislation that provides for the local option. Uh so we uh took advantage of the local option uh last year I believe at some point uh and we
uh accepted this provision that allowed for the establishment of such a program and according to uh my conversation with the inspector general uh directly uh he shared that uh although this is new there there's no specific procurement
exemption for that type of program and so uh although for instance the bus patrol folks have said, well, you know, there's uh soul source, different uh considerations. Uh the inspector general uh highly uh was uh highly suggestive of
going out to bid for that service. And so uh the bid specs are uh in the works with the first assistant city solicitor, Haley Riceman. This has been a project that she's been working on. And so we're at a point now where uh we are on the cusp of going up to bid for that
service. And so that's something that we can most certainly incorporate as one of those reforms looking ahead to fiscal year 27. uh and uh the thought at least that I had at the outset uh would be that that's something that if we were to set
up perhaps something like a revolving fund using the revenue generated by those tickets that's something that perhaps we could have allocated towards school transportation costs which would be probably not a major relief but at
the same time every little bit helps and so uh that is something that is well along and it's a great idea. Another thing as well that we've had extensive conversations about and again uh just leaning on uh you know playing it safe
from a procurement standpoint uh is solar having this conversation about uh bringing on uh these solar projects and that is right alongside uh that Q4 procurement uh with the assistant city solicitors. So between school bus star
arms and uh the solar aspect um legal is uh on the cusp of being able to go out to bid for these services that we can then account for as potential savings for next year. >> I want to add on that very quickly. The drop off point is July
>> because of the uh the big beautiful bill >> right >> for the tax incentives for those. That's, you know, we got to be very careful of that that we lock that in for that company, whatever. Who is the victorious bidder is going to be something we have to really keep an eye
on because now it's crunch time, >> right? Well, that I think is going to be um key from the standpoint of that federal legislation. But I think overall too, just something to keep in mind, you know, there's a there's a book that um I would highly recommend. It was
written by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, I think from the New York Times. It talked about the future of solar and about how, you know, even in spite of some of these issues at the federal level, these investments in solar now are very likely to reap dividends in terms of energy savings over the long term, looking ahead to the
2030s and beyond uh just as a as a energy concept. And so I think that getting after it now is key for July for sure. But I think over time this is something that uh is going to be beneficial for us. >> I just want to add I don't have the
technical expertise. We might defer to leadership in Mthoan and our own uh municipal leaders on the DPW or engineering. Um can we bypass the middleman and and buy these products and
have our team install it or subcontract it out even on a small scale? and and hook them up to some of our buildings. Is that something that we because if we're dealing with these large vendors and again the first presentation I
thought was like equivalent to a used car salesman and I was very uh appreciative that you decided to go back to the well and have a second presentation. I am concerned about the timeline and I want to lock in the incentives uh and
federal law that's going to change come uh July, but also looking at if we directly purchase and have our men or subcontract it out to bypass the middlemen and derive direct savings if
that's something maybe other communities have done something to explore. Yeah, I know Beverly's done a lot uh along similar lines. I I think uh in terms of our staffing capabilities at this point, that could be a challenge, but nevertheless, something uh that we could
certainly discuss with Director Bower and see if that's something that we could incorporate as part of this broader conversation as we're going out to bid for a contract so we can lock it in ahead of July. The key is going to be in terms of the procurement is that uh
we need to have that uh vendor relationship established and projects identified before that deadline. And so uh given the fact that uh we are nearing that point of uh going out to the market, I think uh I'm confident in the
timeline at least where we are now. Uh but definitely a conversation that we'll have with DPW. I like that idea. >> Thank you. Um, members, >> um, I just
had a question probably through you to, um, Miss Bozac for the student services secretary. I know that you have asked for one every year and it's desperately needed, especially for your transportation. Would you consider a halftime secretary?
>> Yes. >> As opposed to a full-time secretary? >> Yes. And my other question was um and I had met with Ian the other day and he's going to also get me the answer to his halftime secretary that he's requesting.
That's a position that we need to fill >> and I was I my question to you and I I know you've been busy and I I'm not putting you on the spot. I know you're going to let me know, but just so the committee knows that I asked him what has been paid for the substitute
secretary who's filling in for that position that um needs to be filled. So I I'm waiting. We're going to get that information from Ian, but just so the committee knows that what's a bookkeeper. >> A bookkeeper, excuse me, bookkeeper. Thank you. Um I'm also waiting for the
committee to get that information as well. Thank you. Something to share is an idea and this is something that uh I don't think I mentioned I mentioned maybe in passing but it might be helpful. Um we have in Mthuan the senior tax workoff program and we have a list
of people who are chopping at the bit to be a part of that and to provide services to the city in various capacities. The challenge is that at least at city hall we have more people who are interested in participating in that program than we have actual work
functions available. And this is something that uh it's it's interesting because a lot of the folks who are part of the program in some cases we have retired teachers, we have retired accountants in some cases, people who come from uh different uh lines of work
and have different experiences. And uh the beauty of the program is that uh these seniors are able to provide up to a certain amount of hours each year in terms of actual uh service to the city. And they do that in return for an
abatement on their property taxes. But in terms of the amount that's abated, it's roughly $2,000 for that person for the entire year to provide up to uh you know a certain amount of hours in service. So, it might behoove us to take
a look at maybe any administrative functions that we could maybe use some of these folks who are really chomping at the bit to to be involved. And we talked too about um the need for even like substitutes, things like that. Uh
this could be a way for us to have additional help uh but do so in a very cost-effective way uh that we may not be taken advantage of at this point. Just a thought. >> I'm just to um touch on that. Do you
know if there are any bilingual people on that list? I I'm not sure, but I I would imagine that, you know, if we were able to get the work, if we are able to identify areas where we have needs, uh that's something that if we are to uh try to fill that, you know, I
think it would behoove the city to maybe advertise that opportunity a little more loudly uh so that we can get more folks who might be interested in helping. So, you know, that's something that I'd have to check with the HR director to see what the list looks like in terms of
capacity, but you know, that could be a great opportunity. >> And the other thing I don't know if um if it would be something we could do again for Miss Bozac probably this question, but for different meetings, we need translators for different we have
like 18 20 different languages in our system. >> I'm not sure what the number is right now, but I know it's pretty high. 22 >> 22. I mean, we're always looking for translators to sit in on meetings in that for families. I mean, that maybe that's another thing if we could find
out. We may have volunteers that speak, you know, Italian or, you know, other languages, you know, besides Spanish. I mean, there's always a need for that. So, I don't know if that's something we could do, but just another thought. Right. Thank you. and and this could be
an example of another structural change where you know we have this program available. uh it is a huge value to residents who are dealing with as we referenced affordability issues and you know rising taxes and all these different factors and you know the the
these uh people who are part of that program and I would imagine others if we were to make the opportunity more widely available within the schools uh you know it's a win-win where we're able to fill gaps on our end but also it's a benefit for the residents as well member Dunovan
>> I have some specific specific questions. Maybe Mr. Goslin, can I help me out, please? >> I'll do my best. >> Yeah, I know you will. I know you will. I'm just curious in the here and now, the House Ways and Means budget proposal is out. Have you had a chance to I know nothing is set and and I know there's
some differences with the governor's budget. Have you had a chance to look at it to give any perspective because there seems to be some differences, not a lot, but some stuff maybe >> I've read everything I can get on I can see on it. Yeah, >> but nothing's really broken down to the
district level. >> That's my Yeah, that's my concern. >> I mean, they're showing big parts of this and big parts of that, but when it filters down to the communities, how much of that are we going to get, if anything? >> That's so I just looked um circuit breaker, if
it went to 90%, that's almost 2,000 uh $2 million increase for us. It's like one between 1.8 and $ 1.9 million increase for us, which would be great. Um, so that's that's a known if they they bump it up to 90%. Um, but other
than that, they don't give you they're really talking at the state level and once that's passed, I imagine they'll shake it out and we'll get another spreadsheet. >> Yeah. And then we wait for the Senate >> and we usually have a little more that we usually get a little more money when
the you know after the Senate. Um I I just that would give us I think a little bit of glimmer looking at the numbers because there are some differences from what the governor proposed. I'm very grateful we are not living in the western part of our state right now. >> I will say it it's more promising than
it has been in the past. >> I know and I >> I feel like for the last I mean I've been here 12 years of those 12 years 10 of them whatever the government put forward was our budget. you know, there was very very little change, right? >> But at least we're starting to see, I
mean, last year and again this year, we're seeing stuff being added to the budget even if it's for this fiscal year. >> Yes. >> You know, so at least it's it's favorable in that in that and it's an election year. So >> you took the words out of my mouth.
Yeah. With this budget, we're going in a direction that for the schools at least, I don't know the city, you know, municipal side, we are going in a better direction than we've had as you said in some past years. Specifically, it looks like with chapter 70 and circuit
breaker, but we don't know how do we push like how can we need to have a sense of urgency in this city. >> There there's a couple other bright spots too. Um the the House Ways and Means budget is compared to the preliminary with the supplement of $160
per pupil, >> right, >> minimum is exciting. Uh and the idea of >> what would that translate to us? I mean off the top of I know >> who's got a calculator >> that number yet. >> Okay. >> Um but sizable increasing.
>> Yeah, that is that jumped right out at me. Um unrestricted general government aid. uh circuit breaker reimbar. Um there's a lot of things that make me feel a little bit better, but to your point, member Keegan, these these are
tough times. Um Okay. So, is there any way to kind of fasttrack this or is that just crazy? Just do you have an idea like how the breakdown comes to the city? >> I know. I'm looking at you, Mr. Gosling. You always give me hope. >> They haven't even voted it yet. I know
they haven't, but >> I'm not sure how I'm going to predict how they're going to vote, never mind how they're going to split it up when they're done. >> Yeah, I'm I'm always intrigued by the split. >> I'm good, but I'm not that good. >> Yeah, I And I'm grateful this is an election year. Okay, so that said, maybe
we just all need to I know we all have really good relationships with our state reps and uh our senators and so maybe that's part of the the secret sauce. U Mayor, I'd like to know. I understand free cash. I understand why
you are making it very clear you're protecting it. I get it. I get it. And free cash can only be oneshot deals. We're not going to use it to pay salaries. I know some communities slip that baby through, but we're not going to do that. Have you talked to the
superintendent and Mr. Goslin and Miss Bozac? Is there anything we could steal away from free cash that is a one-shot deal? >> So, uh, if I may share, one of the things that, uh, the superintendent did share is that, uh, we in the last goound
worked on identifying, uh, one-time expenditures, especially in the context of special ed. And so uh they have identified um five uh students uh who are going to be aging out of out of district placements during the upcoming school year. And collectively those five
students uh between the five of them $618,47827 >> is that included in here? >> And that's for five students. >> Okay. >> Um and that just that speaks to the >> insane cost of special out of district
placements. Um, but that's one example of something that would be a one-time expenditure that we could look at. Um, but uh, you know, beyond that, the key is really to find >> uh, those other one-time opportunities, and that's something that we'll continue
to discuss. But that right out of the gate is one of the most prominent uh, areas that uh, we uh, looked to last year as well. >> Do you, Mr. Guys, I'm just out of curiosity, do you remember any of the other oneshot deals we were able to access free cash with?
>> Um, I can come up with a real lot of oneshot deals, but they're not in our budget right now. >> Okay. >> So, like we have a lot of um building maintenance stuff, a lot of that would be one-time things. I didn't put in the budget because I know we can't afford it. >> I get,
>> you know, so I mean, we could get it done, but it's not going to reduce our budget. >> Okay. And that's good information for us. I appreciate that and I know we used some of that money last year for some really serious concerns in our um in our buildings. So, okay. Right.
>> My um third question is you you made a kind of a a reference to some dark days in Methuan when there was some real budget issues and I honestly can't remember. You talked about Mayor Manzes. Was that when everyone was asked to take
a pay freeze? Was that the year like Okay. Yeah, that that was that was a widespread reduction. Um, >> and we were facing a lot of well obviously >> right that was the that was the time of the great recession. Um, >> so yeah, that that's the last just going
back in terms of you know trying to find another uh recent budget year that was as difficult as what we're looking at this year. It's going back to that time. And I know I did observe I watched a little bit of the council meeting last night and the conversation about early
retirement on the municipal side. Is that it? It's probably too late and we have to deal with the state MTRSS. I can't imagine. Would that be an option? Would it make a difference if there was
some sort I know we offered it once a while ago, but it wasn't it wasn't a really great package. I think it was just some money and retire. It wouldn't have anything to do with years of service, all that stuff. >> That's what we had offered in the past was that one-time payment from the
district um to incentivize retirements. I I believe we had very few takers, if any, >> because it wasn't a great deal. >> Right. Well, we're we were on the brink of a new contract, and that was attractive. And um
>> MTRS people have in mind where they'd like to land on the scale. So, I I think in order for that to have any significant movement, it would have to come >> from MTRS. I I can't help but wonder that they're not thinking of that as I don't know of any school district that
isn't really, you know, banging its head against the wall right now trying to figure out how we're going to continue. Um but that's nothing in our purview. So, frankly, if it's not in our purview, I don't think we should be talking about it tonight. I think we need to have a um
real sense of urgency. Um something that's I think sometimes lacking in um in government. Um, and you know, I I heard what members said. You know, we've talked about this constellation thing for three how many? I don't know. It's
definitely last year. Um, I I appreciate having old decisions made in tough times. I think right now we're in survival mode, but I think we need to have a strategic plan in place
once we figure out what we're doing here and once we know what the state is giving us. And we also have to keep in mind we have families, we have kids, we have staff who are all going to we're all going to ratchet it up really soon. Um and they need to know that we're acting
in their best interest and that's where the tough decisions are. I really think we need to be looking at revenues that we can generate. I don't know what we can do, but let's think about it down the road. Um, and that could be with creating the day school that has been
brought up a gazillion times, member Keegan, to your credit and now meas. So, um, I hope we can find some one-time deals in our budget that we could access the money because I
think that's why we have that fund. So, I don't I don't even know if it's worth looking for positions to cut right now because we don't know enough. I think because we have um a short
period of time to get this done, we have we have internally taken some passes at this already. Um trying to maintain what we think is an optimal class size. um considering life as we know it for
teachers and students without m too much um adjustment. So we we've made some headway but we still have um miles to go. My last question, and I'm sorry. Um,
the things we typically look at, class size. Do we need to see if we if we up that? Nobody wants to do it, but do we up class size? Do we want to talk one more time about cutting bus routes? None of the conversations we want to
have, but ways where we would find money. Why is everyone staring at Mr. Goslin when we do this? No, but like do we need to have these conversations now? I mean, obviously the alakat stuff, there's a few things we desperately need, but do we start saying, "Okay,
we'll cut them only to have the state ride in again and save the day like they did last year and they state deserves a lot of credit for that." Maybe that's a good place to start if there and we took notes last meeting and as you've been talking I've been noting as well but is
there are there areas on that alle cart list that you think are absolutely essential for this coming school year or should we wait and defer? Um, or are there any areas in the budget
that you know or believe to have been really successful in in producing the student outcomes that we desire and that you would be really fearful of losing that might give us a good starting place. >> So, uh, I do want to recognize I know
um, the vice chair has his hand up. We'll hear from member Bayas and then from the vice chair. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Through you. Um, so yeah, so as you mentioned at the beginning of your remarks, Mr. Mayor, it'd be good to give the administration um direction in terms of where our
priorities are, and I think that's what the administration is is asking for. Um before I you know say what I where this budget is in in terms of priorities where I'm at um I know we received an
email this afternoon um Madam Superintendent about uh member Wlette's request for comparable districts administration costs uh expenditures. So, just for context purposes, before we even get into um what the priorities
are, could you just give the community a little context to to Member Wlette's request and where we are as a district in terms of administration expenditures? >> Yes. >> Yes. Member Wlette had requested um some
comparable data in terms of our uh administrative expenditures and I I did found find a really useful resource um that the most recent year was 2024. So that was the data that I
pulled. Um, and so of the 395 districts listed, Methuan ranked 388 in terms of administrative expenditures for the district. Um, and that equated to $48 per pupil. And so I shared with
you the the spreadsheet so you could see the disparity between the districts. I believe the highest was knocking on $3,000 per pupil. So that would be 3.88 out of 395. Um I think we're the only uh
urban district or district of our size in that quartortile. Uh and then there's another category uh went by function code. It was for instructional coaches who aren't UNIPE and don't necessarily evaluate but serve a lot of that the
purpose of how we use administrators to model lessons, support teachers on the ground. uh making sure the quality of instruction and materials is what we would desire. Um so Mthuan has zero instructional coaches uh and I shared
with you the full table but some of our urban peers um such as River has 35, Salem Mass 34, Malden 11, and Haveril 25. Um so those were just the comparables that I pulled. >> Thank you and I appreciate you sharing
that for context. Um my second point out of three, so I apologize. Um my second point is to the sense of urgency that we need that member uh Dunovan Grassi brought up. Um and I want to appreciate the letter uh madam superintendent that
you wrote to um Senator Payano's office. Um I I think that I think that was great initiative and I thank you for that. And I wonder, I know that the most powerful tool is having one-to-one conversations, advocating, but I wonder if, you know,
as an institution, as a school committee, we could draft perhaps a resolution to send a letter of our own in ter of our own with that sense of urgency implied in a letter of of asking for, you know, whether that be the 90%
reimbursement fee or whatever we feel um is necessary. I know it's symbolic. I know it doesn't bring real dollars back necessarily, but it's to that point of urgency and it shows the community where we're at in terms of advocacy. So,
um perhaps that's something that I will bring up in our next meeting is a letter and a resolution to to to pass that. Um so so thank you for that sense for that for that uh for that comment. And lastly for me in this budget, um I know uh
Assistant Superintendent Bozac, you mentioned that we're in compliance finally with evaluations and timelines. Um and that's awesome, but I would really hate to see the delivery of services um having to have contracted services
that that increase our budget instead of reduce it. um and compensatory services as well just because you know whether we have to cut or not be able to add and that's why this this investment in a and re and restructuring our special
education program is important but I'll keep that separate from the budget talks for me it's being able to provide the services that students need thank you >> thank you member bes that's a great idea uh we'll hear from the vice chair
>> thank you Mr. Mr. Chair and and and I have a few notes. Uh first off, everything that everyone has said so far is is um part on to what we need to do right now is thinking about one the services that we need for our students,
but also growth opportunities that bring back costs or or or uh I wouldn't say income back to Mthuan. And and I know we've been talking about it for over at least five or six years, but I think
there has to be uh and this goes to the superintendent uh Bozac, there has to be some sort of number out there that would be the the dollar amount that we would need to kick off the day school program
in Mthum. Do we have any inkling of the investment that that would need to take? So last year the proposal that was presented was $2.4 million >> and I'm assuming with inflation and cost
that's over that's that's higher this year, right? >> Um so I'm waiting for the final I have um I'm working on that proposal. So I'm hoping to have that with to you all soon um so that I can give you that real number. >> And that wouldn't kick off day one. I'm
assuming that would be for like school year 2028 at this 2027 2028 budget. Correct? >> Nope. The the goal would be to kick it off for the 2627 school year. >> So we would be able to transition all
those services into Mthuan by September. >> No, we have to invest to build the program and then work to bring students back. So no, the students wouldn't be transitioning back um that school year and that is has to be a collaborative process with the parents because the
parents have the final say on returning those students to indistrict programming >> which I would assume would start kicking off in the 2728 school year. Correct. >> That's when we would try. Correct. >> Yeah. So we need to invest to bring back
and to see executed by 2027 2028. >> Correct. >> So that that is more of a likelihood than anything else I could see happening right now. And we've been talking about solar projects for the last I mean since Bob Vogler was here
for God's sakes. Um Ian Gina, you've been talking about, you know, having a secretary for a few years. And and to be fair, I actually have that note here. Mayor, you're right. the senior center program is an awesome opportunity here for substitutes andor um the type of
clerk work that currently city hall utilizes for. Uh the last thing I would bring up is Lowel and I want to say Springfield have done away with giving
buses to to students in high school. Have we looked at cutting bus routes yet in in any of your theorems, Ian? Like, have we started proposing anything like
that? That I know the numbers down, by the way, in school buses, like the number of students using the buses. Um, but have we started looking at which routes have less students? Well, um, last year I I did go through of every student who lived within a mile
of the building. Um, if we stopped them from having a bus, how many kids would that affect? And we came up with about 200 students across the district. Um, vast majority of those, um, you guys would consider their walk to school
would be unsafe. Um >> so and it 200 spread over the 90 routes we have would not have reduced us a bus. Um so we did do that. State regulations
do say does say that we do not need the city does not requ is not required to transport kids between grades seven and 12. I am not recommending that. Um, but I don't think that's a a political fight
many people want to have. So, um, yeah, we have looked at it. Um, there's no favorable answer to that right now. >> Well, I I know, mayor, your partnership with MEVA is starting to kick up a little bit and Lel uses public
transportation for their high school students in the city of Leel. Um, I mean, is there any partnerships that we can do here for more public transportations? >> Yeah, so that's a conversation that I've had with Noah Burgerer, who is the president of MEVA. Um, so we do have
several students at the high school level that utilize MEVA to get to and from school. The challenge that they have is that uh one of the questions I had, this was actually last year when we were having this conversation with them about how um you know, could we have
more of like a designated MEVA route for our students to help alleviate some of our transportation cost issues? And the challenge for MEVA is that uh they are fair free and they are only able to be fair free and qualify for the grant
funding to uh provide that service if they make their services available. I'm about to sneeze. I'm sorry. My allergies are killing me. Um they can only qualify for this grant funding if they uh provide this service to the general public. And so it's not like they can
have designated routes uh for say students in any of the municipalities that they work with. But that's not to say that students can't uh partake in their services and and many do. I don't know how many exactly super but um that
is something that uh folks do currently utilize. I know we're not a city that and again we're I don't want to put it back on the parents but if we're not going to ask for Prop 2 and a half which is not something I am advocating for we need to look at other areas
where we have to charge unfortunately and I know some cities have gone to sports they've gone to the busing and there's opt out programs and exemption programs that could be added into it I don't want to be that person but if it's about getting a good education and
having an a, you know, an extra curriculum. I don't want to cut extra curriculum, but at some point we have to unfortunately look at some of those discussions. And I know we're not the city that's ever wanted to do it, but we we lowered the the cost for a parking
pass. We've we've looked at ways of maneuvering uh just patching things along the way. And and unfortunately for the last year this warning light's been going off and unfortunately we're starting to to stall
and we can't stall anymore. >> Thank you. >> Member Keegan. >> So we need revenue. Um and unfortunately we're not going to have any revenue for this particular budget. Um that said um
last summer I had asked Dr. Kuang to look into opening a virtual academy so that we could start charging for seats in a virtual way that wouldn't affect our students. Um I think that got lost with her leave. So that's one thing that
I would like to look into um to opening a virtual academy because we can bring we can charge for those seats um from people from other districts. You know, the other thing that we're going to really seriously need to take a look at is our enrollments down by 200 students.
Um, we need to start looking at possibly taking in students from other districts and opening up to school choice and that would bring us in almost $4 million if we replaced the 200 kids that we've lost
um with school choice. So, those are revenue generating ideas, but those aren't going to help us this year. And so we really need to focus on, you know, what are we doing this year to get down 8 to10 million dollars
right now? And then we need to start, as member Bayz said, seriously looking at changes that can bring us in some money. Um, so I'm I'm going to turn that focus at this point on to
where can we cut without hurting. Um, and so that that's going to be my um, one of the things I was looking through is that the Excel classrooms at the CGS. Um, is it a possibility of combining classrooms
because those numbers look really low. um is is that one place where we could possibly combine things. That's not going to get us the money that we need, but it's just one place that possibly could help. Um and then my other question is you said that you've taken a
pass at at it and um where are you at and how far down are you um with those numbers? Um to me, we're going to look at increasing class sizes. So what does it look like if we have 27 kids in the
classrooms? Um what is what does that look like? But we need to one prioritize safety in the buildings. So some some classrooms like for instance at the Tim I would think that we would need one classroom with a very small class size per grade so that
we can push in our choices kids. Right? So, like we need to when we when we increase class size, we need to be thoughtful about our programs that we're pushing kids in that are making those classes even bigger because then you're dealing with safety issues. So, so, so
at the Tim, I would think that we need one class that's smaller and the other ones that are all bigger um so that when we do push in, we're still safe. Um, but I we have to prioritize safety and
we have to we have to realize that it doesn't matter who our superintendent is going to be. If we don't fund the schools, then they're never going to be successful. It doesn't matter who we put in that position. And so, you know,
we're cutting 8 to10 million. We can't expect miracles when we're cutting that deep. So people need to have that expectation of what we're expecting from our administrators. And
if we can't fund our school and we can't give them the resources to be able to teach reading, then it doesn't matter who's in that position, they're not a miracle worker. They don't have the money to do the job. Um, and the other
thing I I just want to caution is I love the idea of using the seniors. That's a fantastic idea. The problem is is that when um Dr. Kuang looked into it, it was union issues. We couldn't use them for secretaries because it was a union issue. We couldn't use them for um I
forget what else, but it because it was union, we were going to get a grievance from the union for using for doing union positions. So, we have to be careful. While it's a fabulous idea, we need to work with the unions before we say, "Hey, let's get somebody to be a
secretary because we've already tried that and we can't." So, um, and the last thing I want to say is with the busing issues, three tiers of busing is the same as two tiers of busing. It doesn't matter if we if we bust the high school
kids because it's going to cost us the same whether we have one route, two routes, or three routes. So, we have looked in at getting rid of the high school busing and it's not going to cost it's not going to save us anything as well as we would not have kids come to
school and we wouldn't be able we're not going to give the kids an education because they're not going to be here and on top of that it's not going to save us any money. Um, that's all I have to say. >> Thank you. Member Wlette. I mean, I understand the fears of existing
positions. Our libraries are not really being occupied. We have a librarian for the high school. We really don't have librarians. We don't have volunteers. We don't have uh reading specialists in the libraries. You know, we're tackling
the literacy deficit. So if those are like not related to direct positions, I'm not foreseeing what would be the problem of having volunteers with the tax abatement. Corey checked to help with our libraries, help
with volunteering with the books and helping maybe even with individual reading sessions. I think that the seniors would take a great advantage of that. Um I think the the kids in a generational thing would take enjoy that
immensely. Um so I'm not understanding I don't want to put obstacles where there's no obstacles. Again I'm I'm not foreseeing if we don't have librarians in our school system how that's going to impact with with unions.
Okay. The other thing and the vice chair and I I applaud him and I also applaud the mayor and I've been saying it for decades and I would encourage anyone to go to the Boston Foundation and read their landmark study on the GIC the
group insurance commission and again that's the health care that the state workers and their families enjoy is 460,000 individuals that affiliated with the GIC.
I partaked in the GIC for 24 years. I was linked to Harvard Pilgrim. I raised two kids under that. I had zero issues with Harvard Pilgrim or with the GIC. We would benefit from millions of
dollars in savings. So when we're talking about shoring up a structural deficit, that's like uh neon lights blazing is that if we join the GIC, look at I think uh Quinsey, uh Hopedale,
Haveril, North Andover, Malden again, which is one of those districts that's always been compared to Mthuan in terms of different metrics, right? They're going to be joining the GIC this year. So right there, right in front of your
face, if we joined the GIC, that would solve a major portion of the deficit. But to put up obstacles and not entertain like ideas and say, well, a prior administration mentioned this would be a
roadblock. I said, I'm not interested in that. It's going to be very difficult sailing going forward if we don't entertain structural reforms. And again, I'm regurgitating from prior meetings. I've said that some form of privatization,
some consolidation of programming, elimination of duplication of services, joining the GIC, solar panels. We have to entertain a whole gamut of possibilities.
But just to automatically assume, well, the the unions are going to be outraged by it. Well, the union is going to be outraged when we have to entertain layoffs. We've done year after year after year. I don't think so, but let's, you know, go through the process. Thank you.
>> Well, something just briefly, um, just to reference, uh, this was mentioned by member Donovan, um, and this ties into with health insurance and all these other factors, uh, the free cash, the use of the free cash. So, just to provide some context, right now, uh,
people look at the city and they see, okay, we're sitting on over $20 million of free cash, which, okay, that that speaks to the city's fiscal health, our improving bond rating and the like, but at the same time, you look at the expenses that we need to incur over the
next couple of months just to run the city where, for instance, uh, and I referenced this uh, yesterday with the council, uh, there had been some reductions made in the budget last year to tipping fees for trash. And so that money was taken away. That was projected
we would need that. And so here we are. We need what we thought that we needed. And so uh there's a conversation about using free cash for that as a one-time expenditure so that we can ensure that trash is picked up. Uh beyond that, uh we had a nasty winter and snow and ice
expenses. That's the one area of municipal government where we can legally have a deficit. Um and so in that context, uh we underfund in the budget snow and ice knowing that it's going to go above and beyond and we make the the difference up using free cash.
We're looking at $2.5 million from this past winter in expenses regarding snow and ice. And then we're having this conversation about health insurance because this is one of the areas where we need fundamental structural reform where right now just for the sake of
illustration uh we have um excellent insurance provided through Blue Cross Blue Shield uh we are a self-funded municipality so we pay all of the claims right now. Uh, for example, if you look at the claim spending for the city, we're at 109%
of budget on claims and we have to cover that cost. We had to take out a free cap or we took out a stabilization last year to cover uh the health insurance trust fund deficit and we are running up these annual health insurance trust fund deficits because we are going so far
over the anticipated claims that we include in the budget uh that we cover. And so that's going to be a significant multi-million dollar expense that's going to have to come out of free cash again this year in all likelihood. We don't have the exact number. Uh but this is why we need to have uh especially
this year this conversation about the structural reforms because given all of the challenges that municipalities are having across the Commonwealth, uh we're not unique here. We need to have sustainability. We need to be in a place
where we're not dealing with these uh issues that other municipalities for instance in a program like the GIC hypothetically they don't deal with multi-million dollar annual deficits in their trust because the state steps in and covers that and so we saw the GIC
was in a major deficit recently and the state had to bail out the GIC. Uh and so there's issues with the GIC in that uh context. But you know that's something that as I just referenced the state covers that we wouldn't cover that. And so that's why um there's just a
wide-ranging conversation about uh this. It's ongoing with the PEC. Uh no decisions have been made about health insurance. I want to state that publicly. I think that's a misconception where you know a decision's already been made. we have to make every decision uh in the context of the future of health
insurance in partnership with the PEC and so that's ongoing in terms of conversation but um this that's what we're looking like that you know we're talking about the need for these reforms but this is also speaking to what member Donovan referenced with free cash where just because right now we're sitting on
over 20 million it given all of the challenges and structural issues we have uh that's something that is uh potentially fleeting if we're not careful. Remember Dunovan? >> Well, I'm heartened about the 600,000 though. >> Yes, >> that that's a start. And thank you,
Mayor. Thank you, Dr. Golski, Jean. So, I think it's time we really should get focused and um start. Our team needs some direction. Um so, I'm wondering where we begin because I think we owe it to the team and I'm keeping my fingers
crossed that we'll undo it all like we did last year. And that's a terrible way to do business. Um, but that said, should we address class size? Dr. Gopsky, I know it's class size is tough. What you have in the books is something
that everyone agrees is doable, I mean, and appropriate and what we want. What do you um think we need to do about class size? Would it save money? We know it will it could impact instruction. I know there's a lot of
discussion about class size. What's the driving force be behind kids learning? Not always class size, >> but that said, do you have any recommendations or do you have a number that you could go so high on and sleep at night? >> Yes, that's what we did today with our
first pass. Member Keegan had asked how we did that or where we ended up. So, we didn't make it through every building yet. Um but primarily for grades 2 through 8, there were some pockets where if we
reduced in some areas, we would be around 24, a couple 25 classrooms. So still not the old days of 30 32. Um but we have that number of below 26 in our minds. So that was that was our our
first pass. when we got to the high school it gets a little bit more complicated because of all the offerings and we certainly don't want to reduce opportunities for students. Um so we are pulling um our system provides a report
of uh teacher and student load so we can see um how how many students teachers are interacting with and is there a possibility of maybe rearranging scheduling to maximize um how they function. We've been looking at that too. Um we've also been really cognizant
of um the people in the positions >> and looking at where we have retirements. Is that a place where we could maybe lose a position? Um so so to date I think that that we're pretty good in that area. >> Okay. >> Um so we did we did get close to a
million today. Um just starting first pass, not get not going through all the buildings yet. um in not getting to Excel or special education yet either. And that's round one. Um or, you know,
we're being a little lenient >> and we do plan on continuing that work tomorrow morning. >> We'll probably do that daily until >> until >> but we we'll get to a I think we're going to get to a really difficult place where we're not comfortable anymore. >> Yeah, I understand that.
>> And then we'll need to bring >> bring that to you. Um, and that's we'll let you know where that place is. But right now, um, we're in a spot where we don't have many people who we would need to relieve of of their role. We
could shuffle with attrition. Um, and class sizes are manageable. Not too much of a departure from what everyone's experiencing now. Mhm. >> Um but I did hear last time there was some support for the risk PA positions, recognition of behavior,
>> uh and certainly the CTE positions >> which by design are are >> self-funding. >> Uh I would I would still be a proponent of putting those forward. >> Another thing too is >> we need to be in compliance. So, I know
the director of the CTE, that's something we have to automatically do in order to receive the funding, >> right? >> And then, uh, we're concerned about the nursing ratio and field trips in the future years. >> That's something too. And then also making sure that the paperwork is being
processed for compliance for special education. So, you know, and then the bullying aspect of it with the wellness, we we sacrifice that, but then we have this bullying discussion and what happened in the neighboring uh district with the suicide. Um, again, it's it's
something that you are damaging the school district by not fully funding the school district. And again, it's a combination of the federal government and the state government because in terms of special education, they're grossly underfunding. But then you have
a federal and state mandate under law. Um, and like the the mayor indicated on the same thing. Again, I don't want to cast dispersions to the special education population, but similar to being self insurance, if you have five or six people, they might cost you about
a million dollars in claims. Well, the same thing with the special education population, all of a sudden that will cost you as a system. And what I learned in in prior years was we automatically in incur up to a threshold. So the
taxpayers pay for that and then we receive reimbursement from the state and it's only 75% and at times has been was down to 65%. And like I said before, it should be 90 to 100% because it should match the services should match to their
child based on federal and state mandates and it's an unfunded mandate. And again, some of the behavioral issues too are unfunded mandates to provide if we have to remove a student from the
school system. We still hypothetically are responsible for the education of that student, the school district, not the state. And that's something too that's been said by uh the auditor and probably by the inspections office is
that it's an unfunded mandate. So we really have to marsh our resources. And another factor too is uncertainty because the supplemental budget based on my recollection that was something that was reconciled pretty early before the
house and senate and the conference of their main budgets for fiscal year uh going into fiscal year 27. They can go through a whole process up until July. federal government is October madness. They call it the October is with the
federal government. July is for the state and the state might incur like a a 112 budget. So there's an uncertainty, but I know the the uh supplemental budget in prior years, they reconciled that pretty quickly. And like the Senate
budget, I've always been advocating for that with the Senate has been the strongest advocate. And no you know, espersions to our House delegation because they've done like great work, too. But the senator and uh
the Senate as a whole, they delivered the circuit breaker package to us. There's a differential with the Senate supplemental budget and circuit breaker amounts. And also, there's a literacy grant component to the supplemental budget on the Senate side that the House
doesn't. That's $15 million that could hypothetically go to Mthuan and also the green works program. You're talking about green energy and upgrading and saving energy costs. That's a minuscule amount of money and that's from the millionaires tax. That's only like maybe
$5 million for the entire state. That's nothing. That's a pittance. So these are things I member buyers. I think in years past I drafted a letter and it was approved by the school committee as a whole. I think a a sense of the school committee and the resolution is
fantastic. Next week is the house will be undertaking the budget with its amendments and I know again one was increasing from 75% to 90% and the members of the house can sign on to amendments at any time and they can
advocate for amendments. the uh chapter 70 inflation adjustment has been something ongoing and I recommend people also the uh the superintendent I I'm grateful for the report on the administrative cost two other uh think
tanks one is left-leaning is mass budget they're phenomenal they will tell you uh by each district chapter 70 the deficiency I think it's still about 7 to8 million dollars that We're below uh
the inflationary rate and they don't have any catch-up provisions and we have the neighboring community of Haveril and there's a guy who has a PhD in economics who serves on the HAL school committee. He also did an analysis. So anywhere
from 7 to8 million you're behind the curve on chapter 70 in terms of not being able to adjust for prior inflation. And then the circuit breaker should be like 90%. the literacy grants and then what's transpiring unfortunately and this is something that
the MTA has hundreds of thousands of members the the tea is is getting a a huge bulk of that millionaires tax and the rest of the pie on the education side is preschool
community colleges universal uh meals and then K through 12 K through 12 should be automatically the biggest uh beneficiary of the millionaires tax. And then also uh preschool I think is a big factor. Uh
the synapses that connect and motivating the kids and then also you have to realize and I appreciate the demographics English language learners is increasing again. The uh profoundly disabled uh
community is increasing again. uh low-income and at risk families is increasing. Again, the mayor alluded to in terms of the demographics. We are not a Lexington. We are not a Swampscott. We have limited resources. They compare us
to Salem Mass as a gateway community. Salem Mass is internationally known for Halloween celebrations. They probably have millions upon millions of dollars of tourist dollars that's going into that community. Uh and we have uh Salem, New Hampshire. Again, we're in
competition with them. We've been in competition with them for decades. So, the tools are at the uh the state level. And like I encourage anyone if they want to reach out to me, I will respond to
every email, every call, every text, and you have to marshall your resources. I think ultimately and I think uh the secretary alluded to it. It's going to be the Senate that will deliver the Hail Mary pass. Again, I'm going to say that
for the record. I I'm not was not pleased with the governor's budget. I think it was what 1.5% increase. Totally unsustainable. Um the mayor has done in years past and this here would be like a 3% increase. We really need an
infusion of circuit breaker monies and then also the unions and the city have to really contribute to this process. Now in terms of the school choice that might bring us some revenue, but I'm not
going to entertain a proposal, right? If I don't have municipal partners that are coming to the table for structural reforms, I will not do that because you have a grand bargain where you have this package where everyone is upset about
some aspect of that package. Okay? It might be the meals tax. It might be pot dispensaries. It might be the GIC. It might be school choice. It might be some uh you know a program in in the in the center of uh our community. It might be
something that someone might not be happy with. But at the end of the day, there needs to be a grand bargain of saying we are contributing to the process as opposed to just saying no or we're going to draw from the rainy day fund at the local level. It's not
sustainable. Thank you. >> Bias. Uh yes. Um just to get into some specifics here from um part of the new request or the alquart's request I feel
um is necessary absolutely necessary is a bilingual parent leaison at the m at the high school. So I don't know if someone please educate me if I need to make a motion to to move that into the next budget presentation or if that's just an informal request. Do we need a
motion? >> We we feel the same way. >> Yes. Okay. >> Yeah. >> I think we all do. >> All right. So, that's just Yeah. I think that's might might be not speaking for everybody a unanimous consent type of thing, but that is definitely necessary to be dollar amount allocated in the
budget next time around come in. Thank you. >> Absolutely. Thank you, Mayor Bayas. >> Member Stories. >> So, this is my first budget. I've been taking a lot of notes of what everyone's saying.
First of all, we're 388 out of 395 districts in the state as far as administration. >> I I was shocked when you said that. >> That's from data from 2024 and they're pulling from uh the administrative fund
code that's reported to Desi from all the districts. But probably since that time, we've also eliminated our deans of students and and different other positions that were administrated at the time. So, we're probably even lower than that now. So, I hope that stops all the rumors about how we're
administrativeheavy. And I mean that I was shocked when you gave that that number. That was just unbelievable. Um I just had a question for Ian if that's okay. I do have a question for you, too, but I'll do Ian first. How's our snow
removal, the the budget? I'm sure we were way over what we budgeted for. >> Way over. I'll get you the exact numbers. Um I believe we budgeted somewhere around 175,000 and spent 350,000. So about double. >> Where do we get that money?
>> Um we took it from salaries. You guys transferred money from salaries of unfilled positions, etc. moved it over to contracted services in order to cover that. >> Okay. So, we covered it out of our own budget. Okay. Thank you. >> Um, listening to everybody talk about the
state and the money that we may get, we may not get, we might get it. We have to figure our budget on money that we're not getting, but we don't know if we're getting it. We might. I don't even understand how that works. I
I don't get it. We have two weeks left to balance our budget, but we have a figure from the mayor. Thank you because I appreciate that. However, that may change because of what you're doing on the city side. I'm I'm hoping that may
change. The state has money, doesn't have money. They may delegate some money. They may not. How is any community supposed to do a a budget for their school department with with that? I don't even know what to call it. I just don't even know what
to call it. I'm shocked. Shocked. I thought we were going to know numbers we're getting from the state numbers. I, you know, for grants and it's just mindblowing, mind-blowing. So, if you could help me with that, I'd appreciate it. And I also wanted you to
touch on um the 112th budget that um the vice chair talked about and how that works. So uh I to answer your first question I don't think there is a good answer for that um the the process that we have the
whole system that we have uh at the level here in Massachusetts between the state and and the cities uh it it really it's mindboggling right where we're expected to have these budgets in place but then we have uh for instance last
minute infusions of support uh like we saw last year, like we'll probably see again this year, uh hopefully. And so, you know, there it's like a constantly moving target and it's almost like you have to settle on, okay, uh you know, the most conservative number that we
possibly can and that's where uh we're at in terms of uh trying to give number from the city perspective. Um, and what's also uh challenging beyond that is not only are we trying to establish a target for the schools, but that's based
on also making significant reductions to uh the workforce and our likelihood on the city side as well. And it's just uh a very complicated process, but you know, we have to work within it every year. Um, in terms of the the 112th
concept, what uh the vice chair is referring to is this notion where rather than adopting a budget for the full fiscal year, uh you adopt in essence a budget that carries over your spending
for uh in essence one out of 12 months of the year. the issue with that um and the reason why it's something that you know I know uh we've discussed it before especially during COVID when there was so much uncertainty about support uh
from the feds and the state uh etc where you know was really I think to an extent difficult to establish a full year without knowing with so many unknowns uh so um you know the implications of that are an issue because of the fact that
okay, if you're only uh going off of uh you know an amount for one out of 12 months, you know, that has implications uh too when it comes to looking at the year broadly speaking. And so um you know it's something that uh you know the
vice chair has been a proponent of, but there are some challenges uh that are tied to that uh that make it not um necessarily advantageous. But, you know, again, with this year of all years, uh, all options are on the table,
>> but it seems like we're all pulling our hair out of our heads. >> And then at the last second, >> after all this worry, all this stress, because it's worrisome and very stressful. I I'm talk speaking for myself, but I'm sure it is for everyone
else as well. and then this this white horse rides in and gives us what we needed in the first place. It just makes no sense to me whatsoever. And I just feel just one more thing. I just want to say that once again
combining classrooms for L um making our classroom numbers higher once again we're being asked to balance a budget on the backs of our students and that is not fair. It it's I don't I went through this budget several times
um for adding a few of these things that that we desperately need and that we're mandated to have. I myself couldn't find anything to cut. I really couldn't. I have seen as the secretary that took the minutes for years, I have seen cut after
cut after cut. We can't even afford to give a department a a half of a secretary. I I I just don't know when it's supposed to stop. We cannot continue to balance these budgets on the backs of these students. we finally got our class
numbers down. People are talking about how much work we need to put in to, you know, keep our kids at reading level and >> and to now say we want to increase our class size because that's how we're going to
have to balance this budget. I I just think it's it's just a bad a bad situation and I don't know. I just can't see increasing the C class size. We'll never go back again. It'll take us years to get back to where we are right now. Um
that's just my thoughts. Thank you. And I'm also for um I know member Bayz mentioned it, but >> the half a bookkeeper for special education, the half a bookkeeper for student services, excuse me, for the
senior bookkeeper for um the business office, the student service secretary. a half secretary um for those. I'm also for the risk program assistance. I'm also for the SEA positions replaced replacing the
ETFs. These are positions that we need. We have to have these the program assistance that we have to have to be in compliance. People that work in the school department are so overworked. It's incredible. And I can speak for myself
when I say that the number of jobs and positions that ended up in my role was probably four secretaries that got lost. >> You have PE our F FRC do all the registrations there. They lost somebody
last year. Like it's just a constant reduction. And I'm not saying that laying people off at the city is the right thing because I'm sure you need every employee that you have. I think a lot of these thinking out of the boxes, you know, down the road this we need to
come up with ways to make more revenue, but I just I do not see how we're ever going to get to cutting $8 million. That's the salaries at the high school. So, what do we do? Close the high school? That's that's a ridiculous thing
to even think about. You could never do you could never close a school to balance a budget. You can never go backwards. And I just don't understand why every year we are asked to reduce reduce reduce in increase our class
size. I just I don't know what the answers are but I I when it comes to reducing the class increasing the class size. I can't see I have seen what this district has gone through to get to that point. I I I can't see doing that. Thank you.
>> Yeah. We're we're not cutting from fat. We're cutting from bone >> at this point. It's it's terrible. And the thing that I think is helpful for just this whole process is member Wlette uh has a background working in the state house. And so um you know I think
there's a lot of experience that he has uh to offer in terms of uh process and outlining that. >> I just had I'm sorry. May I have one more thing? Do I need to make a motion for us to um draft a letter to send >> Can I just >> to the state or we can just
automatically do that? >> Hello. True. Can >> Can I just jump in on that real quick? I was just planning on on our next meeting. Um, >> it has to be at the next meeting >> on at our at our at our next meeting. I was uh planning on bringing an agenda item of a drafted letter that then we could approve to send out, >> right?
>> Yeah. We don't have it on the agenda for tonight, but next meeting would be fine. Yeah. >> Just as a point of information, if you look at um MASC, they have a list of the proposed amendments. You can cherrypick them. doesn't mean you can't. I don't know how many I pick up the phone and
talk to a state rep on a regular basis. I hope everyone else does. Um so if you go to the MASC site and for those watching at home, you can see it. And there's a list of amendments that um MASC which we work with, we pay money
for, they advise us of amendments that people are trying to push through right now. one is moving um circuit breaker to 90%. You know, those are the things that we need to as individuals
letters are great. We all, you know, but I think it needs to be more like build some relationships with people. Um we got the email today. It's wonderful. It's comprehensive and it tells you some of the differences, but also you can go to a link and look
at all the different amendments that people are pushing forward. Now we're hearing. Oh, okay. I'll text. Okay. So, I just wanted to throw that out. It's really awesome. >> I see the the vice chair's hand raised. >> Yeah. Thank you. And and all of this is
great great discussion, too. But, you know, ultimately, no, shutting down a school is not what we're saying here either. And um that white horse that member uh um mentioned it it's usually takes
collaboration. It takes hours, days, weeks. The getting on the phone, talking to your senator, talking to your state rep. That white horse is usually all the state and local people actually doing their jobs. That that's the white horse.
And unfortunately, that white horse is getting darker and darker. Uh, it's getting drier and drier and older and older. And if you don't have a state house that is willing to give back to its community,
you're never going to see the dime come back in the way it was in the past. This this economy has inflated so so high in the last 10 years that we are looking at uh leveling out and unfortunately collapsing a little bit.
And we have to restructure. And to Mayor Boagott's point, it's going to have to be a governmental restructure. It's going to hurt. He's doing the right thing. Unfortunately, we're going to have to do the same thing on the school side. And the day school
is probably one of the best ideas because ultimately that that is going to take over a school and we're going to have to realign the schools anyways from an operational standpoint, too. So the way that we know our schools may also need to shift and I've been only
saying that for 5 years. The undertakings that need to come from these conversations isn't just finding that white horse. It is actually sitting down and redistricting, realigning the schools, redeveloping operationally. And all we've done is kick that down the
down the street by hoping for free cash, by hoping for the white horse. So, I I mean, we have to make cuts. We're the D-Day is coming up and going into 2020 uh7 is the hard discussions of what we need
to do with the district with our schools. I mean, I I see emails on the the bleachers can't even open up at the Tim during a pep rally. Uh you know, we and we had a fully functional, you know, uh fieldhouse.
uh our fields look beautiful, but you know, parents or or certain people on the council don't understand that water freezes this time of year. So, some of the discussions that are happening across our city is in, you know, just
inexperience. And that's another thing, man. I don't know how you're dealing with this because the inexperience that I'm seeing upstairs right now is ridiculous. It's going to cost this city millions of dollars. Educating and collaborating is the only
way we do it. Not arguing or worrying about me, myself, and I and how I look at the end of the day on a podcast. We need to understand that we need to make tough decisions here, folks. Not on the benefit of us or the benefit of
people we know, but the people we serve. Okay? This isn't a punchline. This isn't somewhere we give a a speech and and and make kumbaya moments. We actually have to make some tough decisions here. So going around here, great. We're going
to have to discuss it more and more, but this team needs to do their job when Lisa comes to us with the final number. And we can't sit here and say, "Oh my god, we got to move this thing around." We can't play chess with this. because that's what I saw last year is a lot of
chess. Lisa needs to provide us what needs to be done in a in alignment with the mayor's budget and we need to decide if that's okay. We can give the you know the the the the
alakart special but we truly need to look at where we program and what is necessity. We need to give these goods a good education, not a college education, a high school grammar school education. Some of our programs are college level.
I 100% believe that if these things are being offered in a 101 college program, unfortunately, we should probably look at those things to see if NECO or UMass Lowel or any of these college programs that we're doing are going to meet that for us in that cohort program. and and
and we should probably look at how we can transition that out for a few years. There are some specifics that I am not going to agree to keeping and or getting rid of. Arts are number one on the priority of keeping,
but I'm sorry, these kids can't budget. So, finance and marketing, I would keep that. But, do we need to do broadcast journalism? Do we need to do cyber security for four grades? Could we do it for one grade? And could that be the college program?
You know, there are some hard decisions that we're going to have to make. And it these kids need to read, they need to know math, and they need to be able to succeed outside of school. That's our goal. Thank you. In all deference to the vice chair, over
the last two years, how many layoffs have we incurred as a result of budgeting? Is it was it 24? >> Colleen would know the number off the top of her head. >> At least 24. >> Yeah. Oh, at least. >> So, we made the difficult decision over
the last two years of laying off 24 people. So, I'll match my conservative credentials to anybody who's ever served in the city of Mthuan. When I I served on the city council back in 2008,
we received 10% concessions from the municipal unions in order to save jobs and people were losing their homes at that moment in time. and we were buying them some time a a breath to to be able to survive a
major uh recession. The biggest problem I've said over the last few years is that technically we are not in a recession, but it seems like we're operating like we're in a recession now that you could have the analogy of a a
skinny let's say horse. We're using the analogy of a horse, right? A fat horse is at the state level like Clydesdale. They feed it. They take care of it. It's in a and it's a great barn. They walk it. All that stuff, right? The municipal
horse is is is dying. The local aid has been stagnant for like decades. Okay? Unrestricted governmental aid has been stagnant for decades. You look at Mass Budget, which is left-leaning. You look at the Pine Institute which is right
leaning right they will agree with you is that chapter 70 has been woefully underfunded to account for inflation. Last year's budget there were two amendments and they were sponsored by
members of leadership that would have added $200 to $300 million to compensate for chapter 70. I'm not witnessing that. I'm not witnessing any amendments that deal with holding our communities harmless for any
federal cutbacks. There was supposed to be a promise that any interest from the surplus was going to be dedicated to hold harmless the federal grants. I'm not witnessing that. The millionaire's tax was a promise to education. I'm not
witnessing that to the extent of the original promise. There should be parity between the K through 12 schools under the millionaires tax and the T. The T is they're absolutely
inundating the T with hundreds of millions of dollars, upgrading all the systems, expanding the system, okay, all the personnel, right? Without any of the reforms, okay, while we're laying off hundreds of people across the
Commonwealth, Boston is going to be incurring hundreds of layoffs. we will more than likely have to incur layoffs unless we have structural reforms. Other communities are doing overrides and I'm not sure if it's going to be even successful in Lexington. And the topper
in Lexington, they just opened up a brand new school and they're talking about laying off people to populate that school. And then I think it was North Andover had to do they had this whole talking about what the vice chair was saying the redistricting that was thrown
out the window because of budget cutbacks. So they had to delay a redistricting process. So I'm looking at the reality of the situation is that there's a a great amount of uncertainty with the state.
the mayor might have the the closer number of what the latest surplus is at the state level. We were in the top three is Texas and I think might be another state and we're in the top three for having the the largest surplus.
Okay. It is raining locally. All right. And if you have above average uh expectation with the millionaires tax, right? Why isn't that money being reallocated to the local communities?
The mayor with with chapter 90, I know it went from $200 million to $300 million. That's just a recent manifestation, right? Imagine if the millionaire's tax instead of flooding the tea. Okay, imagine the local roads
being repaired. what you could do if it was $400 million a year, what you could do locally for the people, right? Um, again, I don't want to cast aspersions to our elected officials, but last year
we had people at the podium giving speeches to us and then directing the our at the city council, right? That's not the right approach because we will make sacrifices locally and I'm sure you
can point to dozens of positions in the municipal side where you would love to fill certain positions DPW maybe the the water department uh maybe in in other uh services like I think the fire department I think for our population
we're still below average right and we're still getting to the point of what is recommended for the police department. Okay, now we're starting to get some retirements and people departing from the system and maybe we can have the savings go back into the
system. But again, the administrative cost, I definitely wanted that report so to dispel that Roma. We made difficult decisions. I just want to say that for the record. It was at least 24 layoffs over the last two years. So I don't want
to hear that garbage. there was a structural deficit which I don't want to have the same thing happen but it's going to occur but it has to be a combination of grand bargain okay of a package that people will not like but
they'll accept it to save jobs okay some type of uh spursal from free cash right a day program and then like either you want to say a Hail Mary pass or a white horse from the state. It's going
to be have to be a combination of everything. I foresee that it's going to be done. If not, we're going to be repeating the same arguments as years past. There will be layoffs. People will be dissatisfied. We will have to fight for a structural deficit. The mayor will
present his budget, but it's going to be different what the school committee was going to approve. Right. And I know there was some school committee members in in deference to uh member right that wanted to approve outright the superintendent's budget that was
absolutely going to wipe out your free cash in one or two years that is irresponsible fiscally. So we know we all have like I want the res uh counselors I want that and the wellness and the nurses to be in compliance and
the special education when I the CPAC meetings I attend right is going to be very difficult decisions but I'm not hearing any interest from like again I say the unions or our partners are saying sit down and let's do some
constructive reforms and concessions that we can work together. And like I said, the state when there's a deficit with the GIC, they've always short it up. When a feast or famine, they take care of the situation.
When you have to draw from a a deficit for a number of cases, right? It's almost like a version of Russian roulette. And the same thing is with the circuit breaker. If you have five to 10 children that come into the system, they
will overtax your system. and it's not fair to the workers and it's not fair to those families with the special education kids, but we have to do some structural reforms as well. Thank you, >> Marias.
>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Through you, um, so, uh, I just had a quick question for you guys and then a comment. um in constructing this budget um did the finance subcommittee or administration
um get input from school councils in the in that and and how did how how did that work? >> Um I did go to the the CGS school council meeting. Um there was only one member attending that day. Um but uh we
had a nice conversation mostly about the process and how how it works. Um but I w we we didn't formally seek input um seeing as we just presented to you. >> Um is that a requirement? I know that
there's some mandates with school councils, but um perhaps seeking that input as well from them would be would be helpful. >> Yes. I travel around, I will do that. >> Um, and so my comment is actually just
for you guys as well. This conversation that we've all been having, I'm just wondering if it has been helpful to you guys and and or what where do we need to focus on our on our conversation today so that you guys could get something as well productive um tonight as well. Does
that make sense? >> Thank you for that question. Um what what I envision happening is us going back um internally taking another pass at everything. I I think some of the areas you brought up we had been looking at as
well. Um and then bringing to you I would say on Monday we have a workshop with an a budget item. Um perhaps a refreshed uh insert for your book of where we we stand after going through everything.
Um, I think I have a sense of in the new request some areas that you're interested in. I think we have some ideas of of maybe how to to make a step forward in those directions even without maybe getting everything that we had
been asking for. Um, but at that point I think I think that would be the really crucial element for uh us is to have your direction once we have gone through and and got to a place where we feel comfortable. um where we go from there is going to be difficult.
>> And something else that might be helpful too is maybe uh we can connect sometime tomorrow offline and start to look at whether there may be opportunities for us to utilize the senior tax workoff program and see if we can try to plug in some of those gaps. I know this the
union concern uh but um you know we have that available as a resource that could potentially uh meet some of our needs. Just a thought. Member Stories. >> Thank you. May I just have one clarification? So, we're talking about
the possibility of bringing a program into the school department that would save us money and maybe at some point be able to have students from other districts that we're talking about coming from free cash. That's a discussion that we don't have to include
in our budget right now. Correct. Free cash we can go to. or does it have to all be included in the same conversation? >> So I mean in that context, you know, it's something that it would be a part of the
broader picture for the full budget that we would talk with the council, not necessarily above and beyond. >> Yeah. >> Just for the record, that's not included in what we've presented thus far. >> Right. That's what I that's why I was
asking. I didn't know if it I knew it wouldn't wasn't included, but I didn't know if it was something that can be discussed >> the mechanism to get it forward >> at a later date or if it has to be done, >> talked about, accepted within the two weeks that we have, right?
>> Try to balance our budget. Okay. >> I just and also to build on clarifications. So, what you bring forward to us will will it include like the uh $600,000
for the free cash that we talked about like will your will the information you include that the um million dollars in savings if god forbid we have to increase cast class sizes I'm not quite sure what you're bringing back so I just want to be ready
>> the out of district tuitions we would need to include because we need to pay for them unless >> there's another means to do that through free cash >> right okay >> the positions that we would um look at reducing ing due to attrition retirement largely would be removed from what we're
bringing forth to you. >> And you know when you talk about retirement, do we still have any teachers on emergency licenses or have we passed that five-year mark? you know, we hired so many during COVID. I'm just it just >> so there's there's a couple different um
measures for lensure now and one that um they're weighing heavily which would I think greatly open the field >> to getting licensed in terms of needing to pass essentially one >> MTEL. Right. Okay. >> Um so yeah, we have we have some
teachers who who are working toward it. um others who have had those extensions um by taking the portfolio route from being close on the Mtown. Okay. >> But predominantly our staff is is licensed. >> Okay. >> Just a few a few niche areas of need
where we have people working licenses. >> Well, real quick, I'd like to commend the team. I mean the alocottat it's a terrible phrase when we're talking about people and our children but I think what you brought forward 90% of it seems to be based on safety and compliance
and you know to see that once I think this is like the eighth year in a row that we are faced with looking at that STEM position that we desperately need because we're starting a new math program and teachers are screaming for help in math and science. I think we're
up to like year 10 or something and cutting that position. So everything is about sa keeping our kids safe, helping them stay regulated and I appreciate that. I think it probably took a lot of restraint. Um and where we cut from there will be interesting. I look
forward to seeing your budget come out. Was that May 8th? You think we're going to hit all the dates? >> We have to. We have to. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Well, thank you though. Thank you very much for what you folks have done. I know this is not easy and I know it's
not easy for people sitting at home wondering what is happening. >> Just a point of clarification or inquiry I guess to the superintendent that's 600,000 from the outside tuitions are being absorbed. That's not a net new or
net plus. It's going to be just absorbed and we're going to have to cut it from that number that we're we're we're really trying to chew away from. I'm assuming correct. >> So I I might be able to answer that.
Last year uh city council was gracious enough to uh approve a one-time similar thing. We had students who were aging out. It was to the tune of about $900,000. Um they approved it around this time or May at some point right around budget
time. Um and we were able to back it out of our budget. So reduce our budget by $900,000. And those funds were moved over into the circuit breaker account so that we could use them this year for those those things. So yeah, it would come out of it
would be taken out of our budget knowing that that additional money if approved by city council would be left in um circuit breaker. >> Okay. And mayor, I'm not sure if you had a line of uh questions, but I just have
one question for you. um if I can get in the rotation. >> So the the one question I have for you is I know you're saying citywide SRO's are are no go for me. We cannot cut SRO's. I just want to make that clear. Like
SRO's have done so much for our schools. It's an added line of defense. Uh they've been proven to be a huge advocate and and and a measure this last year alone. and in previous years. I
just want a commitment from you and the chief that that will be that will be safe. >> Well, school safety is absolutely paramount. Yeah. No doubt. >> So that so SRO's are off the table there. They will be all all the SRO will
still be in place next year. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Member Donovan. I'm just wondering I'm just wondering if it's we've discussed as much as we can and perhaps it's time to make a motion to abjour adjourn. >> Do we have any other business from the
committee? >> Oh yeah. >> Um I just had a question for u Mr. Goslin about jurisdiction of like of the fields the gates. I know that there was concerns uh today about the gate at the CGS. I was
just wondering uh and this is for my own education. Um is that a city jurisdiction, a school? Like what's >> I honestly don't know whose jurisdiction, but I did make a phone call on my way home from work and it's been removed. >> Thank you.
>> Any other business from the committee? >> If not, we'll take a motion to >> make a motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> So moved. >> All right. Take a roll call vote. >> Member Keegan. >> Yes. >> Member Sice. Yes. >> Member Wlette. >> Yes. >> Member Daglio.
>> Yes. >> Mayor Borgard. >> Yes. >> Member Donovan is a yes. And mayor. >> Yes. >> I called you mas. >> Yes. >> All right. The time is 8:12. And we're journ.