It's 5:30. I would now like to call this meeting of the New Regional School District School Committee to order. The flag to the flag of the United States of America
stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for >> and a reminder this meeting is being live streamed and recorded and is available to watch on both our Facebook and our YouTube hears
then we can start moving through our agenda. We are going to skip over the first item under regular business which was to approve the meeting minutes of February 26th. Those will be ready for our next um meeting um bills and payrolls. Is
there anything bills and payrolls for tonight? So then we can move right ahead to the preliminary budget hearing. Um so we're officially opening the preliminary budget hearing. Um and we will turn it over to Dr. C for the fiscal year 27
budget presentation. >> Thank you. So uh for those of you who have you know sat through this before this will be a lot of the same information um with with a number um and I'll go into that as we
get. So um reminder we're held harms um which means that we do not have the same we have less than the number of students that we had last year and so the state um in
essence freezes um what you receive. So you never you never receive less. Um but you certainly don't receive a lot. Um you know we'll we'll somewhere we'll receive somewhere in the area of 90 tound maybe,000
more um depending what they finally settle on the per pupil um expense. So what they'll do is they'll give you x amount of dollars per student that you have and that's in general what you'll receive over over the last year. So, um, to kind of talk about that a little bit
more, there were 229 districts held harmless. In general, that's a number that that went up quite a bit. Um, small regionals um, and smaller towns are quite used to being held harmless, but for the very first time, we had many
urban districts held harmless. And that is when it spurred quite frankly uh, the conversation or at least a louder conversation to change. um chapter 7 they fall and look at educational funding in a whole different light. 69 regional districts are held harmless and
um most you know we are seeing a decline in population in Massachusetts um that has been you know well written about um you know we are in the area of I forget the exact number of total
number of students say 10 years ago to now um and so it's it's becoming a problem but mostly not within 495 though it's generally everyone Um well 495 and next um so this will be the last year of
student opportunity act increases um and so we'll be we won't um benefit from those because we'll be helping homeless but in general if you remember we talked about the multipliers right um specialification
u low income DLL those are those are multipliers and and if we had say 50 or 60 more kids than we did last year, we would see we would see a lot more money. Last year, we were only maybe think 12
or 13 students um you know more than a year before that be u close to what $600,000. Yeah. So, so I'm saying so if you're if you're stay out of held harmless, you know, you receive a lot more chapter 70. If you're you are a
health harmless like 229 districts are this year um we're not going to see uh any major increase uh to the chapter. So every year you know we say look here we are um this is how many students um
that are foundation enrollment. And as a reminder, we receive money for every school age student that goes to a public school that lives in our two towns, Templeton and Philston, go to a
public school. And so that means if someone is school choice um out of the district to whatever district um yes, the district pays 5,000, a little bit more than that um to that to that district, but we
would keep the difference. And so for us, you know, uh we are $15,592 per student as the foundation. So if you think of it, um any student who does
school choice out in general, we can keep we we gain 10 we still have $10,000 for that student. Okay. Um that does not include the spin increment. We won't get into the depths of that, but just in general terms. So, vocational um it's a line that we
would just skip over. It's a green um circle. Um we have a vocational we have um we send students to M Tech. I know you're very aware of that. um they pay we have chapter 74 monies that we receive because we have vocational
students and a portion of that money goes right back to Monty Tech because they're you know for for the vocational portion of their education we keep what was the breakdown in terms of >> last year I think it was just shy of
7,000 that we have to send them for them >> so so we keep yeah we keep pretty good job and generally what I guess it's just difference between their but their proposed pardon me their foundational boundaries and my foundational in general. We uh our low
income group actually um decreased. So we have fewer lowincome students than we did the year before. Um that's not a sad thing. We we certainly don't want to see those numbers, you know, spike or go up
say incrementally, you know, to, you know, always eight or nine. Um, but we dropped um a good 4% um and that affects how much money we receive from the state, right? Because remember, they're
a multiplier and regardless if we're held townless or not, we would still get some extra money. But we've actually um we we decreased our lower income group. I I believe we might actually be one of the few districts around us that
actually dropped out of their low income group, but we were eight last year and we are seven this year. So we're at 38.89 and we're 42 and some change um% last year.
So this is really the summary page and just to kind of give you an idea. So the required you know when you look at the on the right side of of the uh the sheet you see the comparison FY26 we're 58 students um less than last year. Um we
will only receive as of right now 96,675 more than we did the year before. Um, and the reason why I say as of right now, because there have been times that um that you know the state government
will say, okay, well, we won't give you $100. We're not going to give you 75. We're going to give you a hundred. I don't know where that will begin, but as of right now, that's based on $75 per student that we have. And that's how we get to 96. Um, $96,000
more than last year. talking about enrolling a lot because our entire formula is based on enrollment. Um we're at least a chapter 74 and so what I'm going to do is show a look at how many enroll those are um those are seats and the foundation
enrollment I just explained to you. So we have that includes school choice students. So we have 1365 students who have been currently enrolled as of October 1. uh and our foundation
number is 1,289. So obviously we've seen we saw a pretty significant decline um from last year to this year. 58 students I believe is the biggest other than co it's been the
largest drop since that I can remember. Um so we'll see how that you know progresses over the next couple of years. um school choice. You know, every year I say here's the
good news. Good news is we have fewer kids school choicing out of this district. And why is that good news? Well, they don't have to pay. But it also means that um you know, parents are not going to keep their students, you know, in a district that they don't feel is either physically or emotionally safe, do do
not provide good products, which in our case is education. So, but I see that never go down, right? That's a good indicator that we're doing things. The other thing though I will say is that, you know, we we're not taking as many of school choice students in as we have or could have over the past. And that
differential is the problem is where I, you know, get nervous, right? So, the difference between school choice in and out is 35 students. We try to stay around 80 85 give or take. Um, that's like the sweet spot, but I mean again 35
is really close. And so, you know, we've often talked about h just trying to replace the number of kids who graduate um who are school choice just to try to get a you know, keep basic number. It's hard to do if our classrooms are full um because
you don't want to overwhelm, you know, um the classroom setting by bringing in school choice students. And as we talked about the tri board meeting, why would we v school choice? We have nine teachers that are coming out in school choice with all of them. And you know it
was a decision that was made 2011 but it's something that I have to keep an eye on cuz our challenges like most everyone fixed costs rising insurance you know increase about 10% um you know special education continues
to rise while the services that that are needed for special education continue to rise transportation continues to rise has um the ball apartments, you know, like you know, I talked about this last time and I hate to put that up as a challenge, but it's only a challenge in
the fact that we have no idea how many students we're going to get all of a sudden, whatever that means. And so that that is a problem and you know, and that again a challenge not that they're coming. We welcome you. um you know, welcome to Tamilton, Ballingville,
however you'd like to look at it. But they're probably coming after October 1st and that means that we will not receive um Dr. 70 foundation money for them because it's in seats on October one held harmless. We talked a lot about
that. That's obviously a challenge. School choice, again, we talked about that. Um decreasing numbers over the past 5 years. we try to or we need to replace the graduating seniors at minimum. Um they you know rely on the funds to cover salaries as we've talked about athletic supplies, curriculum and
PD needs and again it's a good source of revenue so that those type of costs do not have to be put back onto the towns. So the budget drivers you know we've these are probably definitely the compar this is the largest increase in these
type of um drivers we've seen I could easily say that spread of disregard transportation you know 287,000 but you know obviously the bigger you know that that is one of the larger ones employee health insurance is the largest one it's
close to half a million dollars um retirement 128 28,000. So, we're looking at $1.5 million in fixed costs increase. And these are things, and I know um we've talked about this a lot. We don't really have a lot of,
you know, effect over these. This is really kind of done to us or done to you. Um we do try to keep transportation down and of course, school choice out. Um, but a lot of these are just numbers that we just kind of sit back and um
hope and pray when they come in they're not, you know, they're not higher than the year before. So, as we look at it, you know, the uh expense increase over level service or two level service, pardon me. Um, again, benefits and fixed charges 15,
you know, percent, you know, debt. That's a little bit misleading just because you know 138 36,000 while we have to take on the debt not the debt pardon me but the um the roof but um initially it's the debt. So that's that's there. Although if
that's some good news I kind of talk a little bit about that in terms of what we'll have to borrow or we only have to borrow if I put it that way. Um so yeah, so we're looking at an increase of $3 million, right? $3.2 million, which
represents, you know, um you know, for service million dollar budget or 12.92% increase over over last year. That is that is gigantic. That's huge. Again, we throw this, you know, we just
don't throw anything together obviously, but we do put this slide in the presentation. Um, just to make sure that we're being transparent. We received a lot of positive feedback. The last time, you know, well, plat the very first time um and to kind of show folks how we, you
know, how do we um well, how do we fund these positions? and the general fund obviously is the largest but we do a lot with grants circuit breaker revolving um extended day revolving uh cafeteria revolving cafeteria
revolving is completely self- sustaining so is extended day um preschool you know we've talked a lot about that it's self-supporting but it's a great tool for us to get these kiddos to us you know as quickly as we can um and as soon
as we have the sooner we have them So they're you know the better off we that's that's our position on that. Um so you know we ask what is possible for the district you know we we impose that clinically through the trial board.
Um we understand what the limitations are or at least in general we understand what the limitations are. We have some limitations obviously when we look at level service. You know, level service used to be, you know, it you used to get angry like upset if you only had level service, right?
So much. Well, this year, you know, level services is is quite a is quite a bill, right? And so, um, I guess you you have to be thankful for what you what you get. But when we start talking about the numbers
and u I'm not sure how many people might have watched the Templeton um well their budget hearing took place on Monday. Um if you remember we didn't it was a little bit different this year. uh in past years
where we're given a number right off the bat you know where they or what's said is that ah you know temple folks will say I can give you x amount over last year you know that's generally how it has been how how we've done business
who um is you know obviously the town manager does it a little bit differently um and so what he wanted to do ultimately is look at the budget for all the departments in the town of Thetton and
including the district and look at what level service is and he looked at um what was cut last year from every department and and the district. So when I spoke with James
he's like well how much did it cut last year? We said $884,000. Okay. You know, you know, and we had a really good we've had a really good conversation about like what does that all mean? And you know, if we got $884,000, would that bring those positions back? And I'm like, no, they
wouldn't bring them back because we're talking about level service. We're, you know, we're that's $884,000 is not going to keep us at level service, unfortunately. Um so what he did um in his presentation is he um I want
to be very clear about this. He must have said it 15 times. I don't know. Uh but these are preliminary numbers. No one is saying that this is what the town we haven't spoke to Philips. We haven't
had a meeting yet, but this is just in the case of town. No one no one has said that this is what the the amount is that they're that the schools will receive tuned. So I want to make sure I'm very clear about that because I do not want you know someone to say yeah you know cast said you said you're going to give
this um what but what the number they use is to in order to keep us at level service is a $1.8 million plus the 2 and a half two and a half%
increase. Okay. So what you see and I keep confused for 100 years always jumpify more. Um but if you look at that you were looking at the temple in total
right um of 2,342,861. So 1.8 plus two% their debt. Oh, that's their debt to >> 19. >> 2 million9 >> 2 and a half% increase plus 1.8 million that he >> Yeah. that that they used as a I guess
as a starting point. Okay. So, what does it mean for Well, I mean, I'll let you kind of drink those numbers in. I mean, they you know, it'd be before debt a 22.98% increase uh Templeton and
factored into the fellow student number on the percentage of 20.3. >> We're just going to jump in right here. Um, >> that capital debt number, that number that I used was an estimate based off of the financial advisor's
estimates for borrowing 8 million in order to keep our cash flow for this first year during the construction phase. They just reached out to me this afternoon. they feel that we won't have to borrow that much because of the timing of how they expect the reimbursement from MSBA.
So, they're thinking we only need to borrow about 5 million, which brings that number down a lot. They just haven't had time to adjust it yet. And it still is just an estimate until the borrowing actually happened. But that capital debt for both towns, um, it's
interest only for this year because that's all we'll have to pay in FY27. But that number will go down significantly for both towns. >> That's good. So that's excellent. So it's it's always good to
any questions. So just kind of Yes. Excuse me. You're saying those budget numbers are going to go down. You just got up the information. >> The capital debt numbers for each borrowing for the roof. >> Excuse me. So when will we know that?
Will we know that before meeting the final months these budgets? >> Yes, I thought at this stage to have time to adjust all of the presentations. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So, can you just Dr. C, can you please explain uh what do you mean by the Templeton increase? It says operating at
roughly 2 million. Is that that's just so we're clear that's 3 million 3.2 minus that 2 million. Like what what does this left signify? cuz I'm >> that the left signifies the increase over last year for each town. So that 2
million >> is the increase without the debt for >> and that's for the school budget. >> For the school budget. >> Understood. Thank you. >> Okay. Next. What would this mean? Well, we have to
reduce the budget by $300,000. And these were to be open positions, two of them, right? So, a UFCW parent position currently open, an NDA teacher that
position that's currently open. um and uh an independent contract because of their union uh from central office and dependent heavily on the health insurance rates being reduced from the 19.94
15% which we've been working on various you know by doing various things. So, you know, at first we lost, right? Um, you go, "Oh, you know, that's Jesus horrible." You know, it's could be
worse. I want to caution everyone again that this is a preliminary number. They have meetings on Saturday. I'm talking about Templeton. Every department goes through their budget meeting with the town. I'm
I'm unsure exactly when either the town manager or or if the select board will say, you know, 1.8 that sounds great, you know, um or not, right? So, it's a little bit different than we are normal
we're normally used to. Um you know, different boards, different town managers run their how they do these numbers are very different. Um superintendent and business managers do the same. Um I think it was from what I understand he wanted to show um and
again it's recorded it's on YouTube but uh he wanted to show them like what these budgets would take cuz they gave they gave up last year and so you know that this is what they needed this was service level so
I you know if you ask the question say well do you think this is going to be the number I hope so I hope it is it's a large number Right. So, and I also know that. So, what are we prepared to do? Well, we are prepared
to if a lower number were to come to us to then move forward to try to see what that means. What does that mean for the district? Um, and what kinds of vetting would would take place. Well, I mean,
I think I think it would be reasonable to say that um that anything anything lower is going to take, you know, is going to the staff's going to take a hit um than what C, right? So, unless they give us 3.8
million, sorry, unless they give us roughly $2 million, okay, then then there's going to be there are going to be cuts. So, I am I I'm under the understanding that
a citizen's petition for an override has been duly signed and brought to the clerk from the clerk. Um I I don't know that to be exactly true. Um so I don't know what the select
board feels about overrides. I have no idea what town feels, you know. So it's it's you know we're we're kind of in flux. We're we're you know but we're going through the process to when I say got to no one is no one is ahead of the game right so it isn't like the schools
are kind of just sitting here kind of you know uh you know treading water all the departments go this Saturday and we go next Monday right we go Monday to present our budget I guess again you
know they were here so they're going to hear it again but there'll also be the advisory board as Yes. >> Um, they will be hearing it again, but there's going to be some changes with the numbers. Correct. >> I don't think so. >> The just the debt. >> Just the debt.
>> Oh, this is only for the debt. >> Only for the debt. >> But doesn't it affect everything? >> Not the debt. The debt has its own line on that sheet. >> So, this proposed budget reduction of 300k, that is the number that you're looking
at. That's the number they said it's preliminary. >> Yeah. So the number that they that the town manager said look we do this all equitably. >> We would give the school this
hir this you know whatever right. So I'm going to keep he he said a lot that it was preliminary number and then I think the select board was also quite like that's a preliminary number. Um, so I don't know what the number will
ultimately be, but you know, we're we'll we'll wait. I mean, obviously to see how everything, you know, sits out over the next, you know, week or so. >> Thank you. >> Um, Dr. for Casper and team. I'm I'm always
like so appreciative of the work that goes into putting this presentation together and especially the um commitment to making it visual and easy to understand. The slide that I I think is so important for the community is that slide where it shows where all the
funding is coming from. um because it really does paint a picture that uh there's a lot of staff and a lot of services that live outside of the general fund that you guys do a really good job of making sure um continues to come in. We don't know what is on the
horizon for grants. Um and so that's a consideration that we also want to keep at the forefront that um always the potential not having the that money available to um you know offset some of those status positions in the
general budget. So there's no other question. >> Yeah. No no. >> Okay. So then we can move forward. Um, our next agenda item is
>> the public input. >> You have to close the >> Oh, we have to budget here. >> Do we have to vote? Do I just say I'm closing the budget here? >> Okay. That's public input in FY27 budget. All right.
So, just to be on the safe side, um I would entertain a motion to close the public um hearing for our budget. >> So, second >> um all in favor? >> Um
and I say yes. Now, um, is there anyone from the public that would like to, um, make a comment for the budget? Right. We don't have a student rep with us this evening. Um, and we don't have
an NDA rep. That moves us on to our um public input that might not have to do with the budget, I'm guessing, because that is still on here. Um and I don't see anyone for that. So,
our FY25 budget update. >> Um we can talk about the insurance when we get down to that. >> Perfect. Business manager report. >> Why? Um we have a school committee vacancy um because um Peter has
resigned. Um we would welcome anyone from Philipston to reach out and ask any questions that they might have about serving on the committee. Um it is really important to have a full committee especially during our budgeting season and when these big
decisions are being made. Um so if anyone's watching at home um please consider running for a uh saving ponder committee. Next we don't have any surplus items but we do have a transfer of funds
request. So, just as a reminder, the reason why this is on here, it was it will allow the request is to move 338,000 from excess and deficiency to the uh FY26 general fund for the purpose of
making a payment towards the district's FY25 health insurance deficit with Mass Strategic Health Group. Um, passing this vote or or voting will allow 500,000 to be used for the FY27 budget and leave a
balance of for the FY27 of $60,87. The district will make a $400,000 payment towards the 539,791 deficit. The other 62,000 will come from rural 8 and the remaining balance will be determined. We'll figure out where
that will come from. I would entertain a motion to move. So moved. >> Second. All in favor? Those opposed? And I say yes. Ready to do.
Um and we have two out of state field trips to review and discuss. So, the first one looks like it is a JL. Let me go back and try to reading and I'm struggling. Um,
JLC Construction Expo in Providence, Rhode Island on March 27th, 2026. >> That is to support students that are enrolled in our MVP program. So, there are vendors set up at that event um regarding B carpentry and electrical and our students were able to attend last
year and had a really great experience. um and they're requesting to attending it this year. >> It looks like there's no cost. You know, we're able to do that making our vans. Our numbers are small. >> You have no any questions for mom. >> This is awesome.
>> This is good. >> So, we can do the vote separately. Um I'd entertain motion to approve the out of state field trip to the JLC construction expo in Providence, Rhode Island on the date of March 27th, 2026. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? And I say yes.
>> I would like to let you know our MVP classroom teacher here, Eric Supple, has has um single-handedly kind of found this as an opportunity for students and this will be the second year he's proposing it. So, I want to give a shout out to him because he's works really hard with the program and making
opportunities available for students. >> Thank you, M. All right. Looks like the second field trip is for Canaby Lake Park. Um it was submitted by Lisa. Does anyone want to speak to it or >> This is the uh every year
>> every year. >> Every year um Gang Lake Farm gets invaded uh by Nerd Dancer Warriors sixth grade. >> So it is a team building. >> Yep. And also the lessons are attached
sample lessons are attached >> to relate to these. >> Any questions? >> I see the cost of the field trip is 5700. Is it all set to be determined fundraiser?
>> Fundrais fundraisers for this. When I read it first, I thought they're going to a park, but then I scrolled down and this is actually educational. Um, they're going to see how >> rides have potential energy, kinetic
energy, and mechanical energy, and a lot of things. This is so >> Yeah. Are you going? No. What was it for? It's a fun trip.
Thank you. All right. Then I would entertain a portion through the Osman field trip to Cany Lake Park in Salem, New Hampshire for the security class on June 11th, 206. >> So move second. >> All in favor say yes. Have fun. Sixth graders,
right? It's wonderful. We should have some Madison school committee field trips as well today. >> You go to Cam Lake Park. They would love to have it. >> All right, moving right along. Curriculum and instruction. Molly, do you have anything you want to add tonight? No data for us.
>> I mean, I can post nothing for today. >> All righty. And I don't think that there are any other items that have come up in the last 48 hours. Um, just last week we went through all the subcommittees and I don't believe any of the subcommittees
have met since then. Right. And we don't have any correspondence for this evening. Um, our next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 19th at 5:30 and that is the budget um hearing take place after the meeting opens up
and then we'll do a budget certification at that meeting as well. And we don't need executive session this evening. No. I would enter a motion to adjurnn. So >> I'll give um Hank the ad and Sean the
second.