Good evening. The Sparta Board of Education regular meeting is called to order at 6 PM. Emily, would you please do us the honor of reading the meeting noting notice announcement? >> Sure. The New Jersey open public meetings law was enacted to ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice of and to attend the meetings of
public bodies at which any business affecting their interest is discussed and acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of this act, the Sparta Board of Education has caused notice of the time and place of this meeting to be published in the New Jersey Herald, the Star Ledger, Tap into Sparta, and notice of the meeting has been posted on the
Sparta Township School District website. >> Thank you. May we have a roll call, please? >> Dr. Mr. >> Here, >> Mr. Lowry >> here. >> Dr. Martinez >> here. >> Miss >> here. >> Miss Williams >> present.
>> Mr. Woodino >> here. >> Present. >> Thank you. Uh, join us for the pledgece of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. >> Okay. Uh we'll now be convening into close session. Whereas section 8 of the Open Public Meetings Act, chapter 231, public law 1975 provides for the exclusion of the public from a meeting in certain circumstances. And whereas the Sparta Township Board of Education
is of the opinion that such circumstances exist to discuss client attorney privilege matters which are exempt from public participation pursuant to New Jersey Public Law 1975, Chapter 231, Open Public Meetings Act. Now therefore, be it resolved that the
Sparta Township Board of Education shall enter executive session. >> Thank you. At 6:02 p.m., the board will reconvene in public session at the conclusion of the executive session. The information discussed during executive session will be disclosed to the public as soon as it is determined by the board
that the information is no longer confidential. May I have a motion for closed? >> Thank you, Andrew. Second. >> Thank you, Rebecca. All in favor? >> I. Any oppose? Any abstensions? Okay, we anticipated about an hour. Thank you.
closes executive session and enters back into the public portion of the meeting at 7:02 p.m. May we have a roll call, please? >> Mr. Mr. Lakaruba >> present. >> Mr. Lowry >> here. >> Dr. Martinez >> present.
>> Miss Nol >> here. >> Miss Williams >> present. >> Mr. Wood. >> Miss Saraphino >> here. >> And Miss Gagen >> present. >> Worm confirmed. Thank you. And now we'll begin with our public budget public hearing for the evening which will be
presented by our superintendent Dr. Beck and our business administrator Miss Decker. Good evening. Uh so this is as Miss Gagnon said our budget presentation. This is the final budget presentation uh slashpublic hearing. Um last month we
did the preliminary budget. In fact, I'll get into that part of it now. The budget timeline. Um, so, um, tonight we are, uh, looking to have the final budget approved. Uh, but how did we get here this evening? So,
um, the budget process usually starts, um, late late fall. Um, but this year it started earlier because in September of 25, we were notified that there would be significant health insurance increases in our district. um not just our district but districts across the state
and across the country. Um so um we started to come up with uh some ideas and some plans at that time. Um at no November December uh we started to get more formal into the budget process and we started to hold department meetings and uh department budgets and building
budgets were starting to be developed. January through March was when a lot of the work was done. uh that was the ongoing budget development through administration and through board discussions. In March of 26, which was our last board
meeting, um which was March 17th, we did the tentative budget presentation and uh we received board approval that evening to submit our tentative budget to the county. The county then receives our tenative budget and they review that budget uh to
make sure that um everything is in compliance and and all the numbers line up and everything like that. Um and then they give it back to us with county approval. From that point, we make any necessary adjustments. Um continue to work with the board, continue to work with administration to arrive at what
will be the final budget, which is this evening, uh April 30th, the final budget presentation and the public hearing. This presentation is largely going to be exactly the same as what was presented um back in March as as a tentative budget because not many of the big
picture things have changed uh when it comes to the budget. The budget process was and always has been since I've been here zerobased budgeting, which means um it's not really efficient and responsible to just
carry budgets over from one year to another. To say that X amount of money was dedicated in uh to a department last year, so we're just going to roll that money over to this year. Um really we want to make sure that every dollar that is spent is justified. So um in theory what we do is we start at zero and then
we justify all the expenditures from there. Um it's not totally that way because there are some fixed costs but uh that is the theory and the uh the method that we work under. We work with the budget secretaries. We work with the administration team uh administrative
team. Uh we review the process. We review what we've done u multiple times. We work with the finance committee uh throughout the process and um keep the board in the loop, the full board of education in the loop the whole time. Um and I just want to use this opportunity
to to say that this and I said this last month. Um this has been the most difficult budget and personnel cycle that I've ever been part of, not just as a superintendent, but as an administrator. And what I'd really like to thank is everybody that's on that board right now. um from building level budget
secretary from building level secretaries, budget secretaries, our entire administrative team and our entire board of education um really came together and worked as a team. And that's not to say that we got along all the time and that's not to say that there weren't some uh um strong
discussions that took place, but those things are healthy. We wanted to make sure that uh in the challenges that we were facing that uh we were making all of the right decisions and always always at the forefront making decisions in the best interest of our students.
So some highlights from the budget for next school year is that all program all programs are maintained. um technology. There's ongoing upgrades and maintenance to infrastructure um utilizing -ate which is a federal funding program.
Some curriculum high highlights for next year we have a new math program K to 5 coming in the science resource renewal 6 to2 uh the non-academic skills screener K to2 and uh AI brisk teaching this is just to name a few.
So as I said this was a challenging budget. It was a challenging budget because of the deficit that we that we were facing and um how we got to that deficit is what I'll explain in the next couple of slides. So, these are um big picture increases
and appropriations that go into pretty much every budget, but the these increases, the amount that they were increased uh were unprecedented in this budget. Uh so, salaries go up roughly $1.4 million. Uh medical benefits is where we
really got hit in this budget, which is nearly $1.9 million increase. Prescription benefits nearly $700,000. Liability insurance went up $160,000. This total increase in appropriations uh total increase in costs um amount to
over $4 million for starters. Then on the that's the appropriation side. Now, on the revenue side, um that would be what would offset those appropriations. The unfortunate circumstance that took place this year
was that the revenue was a net decrease. So, when we raise the taxes 2%, you can see what that gets us. It gets us $1.3 million. Um but these are things went these are revenue sources that decreased for next year's budget. excess surplus, reserve
accounts, extraordinary aid, fund 30 transfer, um interest was down, and we actually received a decrease in state aid. So, this net uh this net decrease in revenue amounted to over $272,000
adding to the deficit. >> We ask questions. >> There's a public hearing as soon as we're done. So you take the increase in appropriations which I already spoke to and a decrease in revenue and that is the total deficit um that we were looking at for a period of time nearly
$4.5 million. But then you have to increase other things as well. Instructional needs, transportation needs, utilities go up, buildings and grounds equipment capital projects nearly another million dollars. So add that now to the deficit from the
previous slide and we were facing a deficit of 5.4 over $5.4 million. Like I said, the biggest challenge that I have seen as an administrator. So that was $5.4 million. Not that this helps the situation, but uh Sparta is
not unique in this circumstance there. um the healthc care impact and the uh state aid decreases and other measures have all led to um this type of uh issue this type of challenge happening all across the state. So yesterday just
googling um New Jersey school financial struggles or financial impact or something like that you get all kinds of headlines and this is just a snapshot of those headlines just to demonstrate that this is not a unique to Sparta problem um but it is our problem to solve here in Sparta.
So what do we do to close that deficit? Uh we entered into the electricity cooperative which is ACES which we have spoken about before. Um the reduction in medical insurance renewal. Uh so the um of that 5.4 million the insurance renewal actually came in a little bit
lower. So that helped uh but that was originally what we were facing. We increased the use of surplus. We withdrew from uh maintenance reserve. We withdrew from capital reserve. We uh are implementing a health care adjustment for next school year um which we'll
which we'll speak about more in a second. We reduced the athletics and co-curricular budgets. We reduced the building level budgets. We eliminated late busing. We reduced the ESY staff by 30 minutes per day. These last three items are in italics because they were
in next year's budget, but these are items that we're trying to get out of this year's budget. So it actually would bring down next year's budget. So these are items that we are hoping to purchase some if not all of during the current year budget so it doesn't impact the next year budget.
Personnel um unfortunately this was a circumstance that uh that took place as well. The reduction in personnel 17 certified staff members uh these took place through annual non-renewals which take place every year. uh retirements that uh
may or may not or may not have been backfilled and the SMS schedule revision helped us with our staffing. Um and the SMS schedule revisions will be spoken about much more uh next month. And that's just certified staff members. Um we looked across the district when
we're looking at personnel. So there was there is a restructure of central office staff, a restructure of administration um support staff and that um equated to uh 10 staff members as well. So you can see the tax levy for the
current year that we're living in. The tax levy gets you $68.5 million. Uh the 2% increase, which is a standard increase, which is the increase that u most school districts go to without having to go out to vote or use adjustments. The 2% increase gets you uh
$1.37 million. And then uh we were able to go above the 2% increase with a healthcare adjustment. A healthcare adjustment and an enrollment adjustment. These are two things that exist if your health care costs or in your um are exorbitant or if
your enrollment becomes exorbitant uh above what is typical and you're allowed to then get um adjustments that you can go out to the taxpayer for. There's a lot more money than that. Not a lot more, but there's more money than that available. But we
were trying to balance um what we are charging, being responsible to the taxpayer, but also making sure that we are doing the right thing with the budget as well. So, as a result, um the 2% increase, we actually ended up going to a 2.99% increase over the 2% increase. And that
2.99% increase, you can see what that money gets you. And the tax levy is 88% of our overall revenue. There's the healthcare adjustment on its own, which is just uh showing uh demonstrating how we uh were able to go above the 2% to get to 2.99%.
Um this is uh $677,000 in the healthcare adjustment helps us offset the budget by raising the tax levy a little more. So 2.99% is what we are raising. What does that mean? What are other districts doing? uh in an informal survey, just
checking in with other superintendents from around the county, I was able to obtain um 13 different school districts in Sussex County and what their tax levy is going to raise. Um and I averaged up what everybody weighed in with. And the average tax levy in the county, just of those 13 districts, that's not all the
districts in the county. I didn't hear back from all of them, but the average of those 13 districts is over 4% tax levy. And again, the perfect storm of negative circumstances. Um, with all these
increases, what we were hoping for was at least to remain flat when it came to state aid, and that was not the case. When we got our state aid numbers, our state aid actually decreased. Our state aid went down $187,000 or went down 2.8%. Um, which that is 8%
of all of our revenue. So, we got a decrease there as well. Okay, this slide actually shows us a summary of the revenue that we're relying on for fiscal year 27. Local tax levy was already discussed and the state aid. Uh we've got a fund balance in
there of 1,209. Uh that comes from excess surplus as well as through the budget process and the software. Other local sources of 326,800 is the uh interest we're earning off we anticipate earning off of investments uh
uh the demand on the bank as well as some facility use and the semi program uh that's provided to us by the DOE is coming in at 2417. The semi program is the um special education Medicare uh program. It's uh where we can recapture
some of the expenses that are medically necessary for our students with uh very severe needs. And the withdrawal from reserves uh extraord excuse me extraordinary aid is next a 561900 uh again we're able to submit to the department of education uh every year an
application to try to recoup some of the expenses for the uh most fragile and the students that need the most care that are quite expensive to educate. So that's just a process that we go through and then the state looks at all of the expenditures and um it determines how
much the district is permitted to get back in the in the form of extraordinary aid. We have two withdrawals uh from the reserve accounts that are 9337,000 and that brings us to a total general fund budget of 80,12040.
Special revenue is another source of revenue that the district relies on. This is in the form of grants and entitlements. There are two federal grants uh the ESA which is the elementary and secondary education act and that comes in the forms of titles one two and four that helps with
professional development. It helps um with students for uh technology needs and it also helps just um with students and staff to uh that are in the most need for extra help outside of the school day and inside of the school day.
The idea is another federal uh entitlement and grant and that is the basic. It's coming in at 599035 and that helps us reduce the costs of the uh tuition for our students that attend outside of the district. The
total for the special revenue on the federal side is 693,232. And again, these are both federal grants. The other portion of our special revenue is preschool education. Uh that's coming in at 3,983140
for our preschool students. And the district has to also put in a portion of those um funds to help support that program. That's uh about $413,000. We had a $47 carryover from fiscal year 25 that's going over uh in the budget as
well. So the total pea or preschool budget is 4,396112. And I'm going to add on the uh federal entitlement of 693 from the prior slide. So the special revenue or the entitlements for the fiscical year 27
budget are just over $5 million at 5,89,344. This screen allows us to compare the revenue sources from both fiscal year 26 that we're living in and fiscal year 27. uh 27 is in the first column what we're projecting and it helps us compare just
apples to apples so we can see exactly where we're at as far as the revenue comparison. We've got the tax levy, state aid, the fund balance, x a semi, and the miscellaneous, which again is just um the basically facility use and
interest. And you're looking at a total of 1,691209 from fiscal year uh 29, excuse me, fiscal year 27 to 26. So all the budget can grow is 1,6919,
which is 2.2%. We also have bank cap. Bank cap is um a result of the budget process. It's from the in uh the entitlements or the uh waiverss that the district is entitled to through the budget process, whether it be a healthc care waiver or um an
enrollment adjustment. In fiscal year 25, we generated 393,000 and that has not been used yet. Fiscal year 26 uh was 960,000. That was last year and that was a healthcare adjustment. And this year we generated a
very large um health care adjustment due to high expenses for health care, high costs and we used the 677,000 to help uh increase the tax levy from 2% to 299. The balance is 1,32792.
So altogether for future use there is $2,682,210 in banked cap that can be used in the next budget cycle which in our case is fiscal year 28 because fiscal year 27 is what we're working on tonight and discussing.
We also have reserve funds. So the capital reserve fund is helping us pay that EIP. Um EIP is a program that we went through a few years ago. It's an energy savement savings improvement plan and it helps identify um and put into
place some cost-saving measures to help us save money. It's usually a 15-year payback which is what we're now into. So that we're going to use capital reserve funds for the 560,304 payment that is due for fiscal year 27. And then the required maintenance is to
keep a building safe and that's 377,200 in the fiscical year 27 budget. So we'll have a withdrawal for that as well included in fiscical year 27 budget. So just to give you a little bit more background on those reserve accounts. As of March 1st we had 1.8 million in the
capital reserve. And again that's money that can be used to uh help uh pay for any kind of capital project that's needed throughout the district. There's a budgeted withdrawal included in the current budget that we're living in of 477,393 and we anticipate another withdrawal in
fiscal year 27 of 56304. So that should leave approximately 766,000 that's not allowing for the interest that that account earns, but roughly 766,000 we would anticipate at the end of the school year.
So maintenance reserve as of March 1st had just over a million dollars. There's a withdrawal for the current year of just under $400,000. There's another budgeted withdrawal for 27 of 377,200. That's going to drain that account down
to 287892. So here we're looking, this information comes from the township. We work with the assessor's office and we look at we compare the ratables from uh the current year and the prior year. You can see that although they went down 1 million
1.9 million comp compared to the ratable value it's not even like a tenth of a percent decrease. The tax levy shows for the uh current year and uh the projected year of 70 million6605 for the increase. And then you arrive at
the tax rate by taking the tax levy divided into the ratables. So that tax rate then times the assessed value and the assessed value you can see from 26 uh to 25 has increased $460. You multiply that across and you get
your estimated taxes for 26 and 25. And you can see that there's a $264 and 18 cents increase from 26 to 25. So as people are watching this from home or watching it from the audience, a lot of there's a lot of numbers being thrown
around. There's a lot of uh terminology being thrown around. uh but might be wondering, people might be wondering what does this mean for me? What does it actually mean for me and my household? So, as uh Miss Decker said, this is the first time, I think, since I've been here that the average home assessment
has gone up, albeit $400 or $460, but it has gone up. Um, so on the average home with this tax levy that we just presented, with this budget that we just presented, the average home uh taxes would go up $264.18
per year, which uh equates to 20 just over $22 per month. Um, and you can see what the general fund taxes to be raised are on the bottom. So this is what it means to the average assessed home in Sparta Township.
And um just for your information, we do uh a look back over the past tax levies over the past 10 or so years, and you can see where they've been. Uh typically, we try to stick around the 2% tax levy as much as we can, but when extenduating circumstances present
themselves, as is the case this year, uh we go above the 2, I'm sorry, the 2%. And this is just I'm not going to go through every number, but this is the appropriations. This is just uh all the appropriations that we spoke about and it's just comparing all of those
appropriations to last year. And you can see um certain lines where it went up and certain lines where it went down. And by the way, this presentation will be posted on the website tomorrow. This is just again the appropriations summary comparing um the year that we
are currently living in fiscal year 26 and the proposed budget which is fiscal year 27 with those appropriations going up 2.2 2% as Miss Decker uh spoke to before. And again, just more information for you. This is just the enrollment trends,
our ASSA reports over the past couple of years of where we're at. Obviously, 26 not on there yet because we did not finish that year uh to get the actual enrollment um as far as the state goes when they when they give it back to us, but you can see the enrollment trends
over uh the past 10 or so years as well. And when you take the enrollment trends or you take the enrollment and you factor in the overall budget and the enrollment, one uh comparative tool that people like to use is the per pupil cost. And you can see our per pupil cost
uh has in will increase for for next year um by about $700. Administrative costs have actually gone down and uh legal costs, this is per student, uh have actually gone up by $1. And just finishing it with uh the resolution. This is the resolution that
appears on tonight's agenda after the public hearing. This is the uh resolution that the board of education will be voting on which is available on the agenda. So, thank you again. And again, I would like to thank everybody that was involved in this um unprecedented uh
challenging budget process. Um really uh appreciate everybody's time, the great questions that were asked, uh the discussions that were had, the openness that took place in all of our admin meetings and our board uh committee meetings and and in any venue really. Um it was really a team effort to take this
big challenge and uh get it into a budget that um we feel is best for kids given the circumstances. >> Does anyone from the board have any questions, comments, points of clarification for the public for Barbara or Dr. B? >> Um yes, I have two questions. Um,
>> we're just going to sit for the hearing and we can >> Okay. >> Ready? Locked in. All right. Um, my first question, can you speak to what led to the decrease in enrollment? Um, we saw a decline of 73 students based on those numbers. So, can
you speak to where that happened? >> Yes, I can. Uh, the bulk of that was the large senior class that graduated out. I believe that was 35 or 36 of the um 70 72 students. That was a decrease and that was the largest to my knowledge
that was the largest uh group in the in the district that graduated out and we just didn't get the students to come back in to fill those seats. You know, a 30 a 30 student per year fluctuation is not uncommon for us. >> Yeah. Especially in a large district. >> Okay. Excellent. And my second question,
can you just explain the difference between assessed and market value on homes in Sparta? >> So, that comes from the township uh the assessor's office. There are different criteria that go into calculating the assessed value of a home. Um, I don't
know every one of those details, but there's a formula and when your uh assessor or whomever they hire to come out looks at your home, they take a peek at everything, your your fixtures, your the the property, uh where it's located, those types of things. They come up with
a derived uh value for the assessed value of your home. It may or may not reflect the market value of your home depending on the municipality that you're in. So, um, it's a the the assessed value is definitely a
calculation that may or may not reflect what the actual market value of a piece of property is. >> Thank you. Uh, the one question I had, it was more of point of clarification for uh, the public related to surplus
specifically. Now, this is something that we've discussed at length in committee uh, going back for a long time now in terms of finance. The question that I have or would like to clarify is and can you speak to historically whether or not the surplus has been used
in what capacity for future budgets and whether or not the board's goal to move away from that model given that we unfortunately do have to do what we have to do excuse me do have to do what we need to do this year. Um, would you say that that's just a setback or a complete
change of course? Because I do think it's important that >> historically the district, most many districts, not most, many districts in this district included do rely on um surplus. Surplus just means that when you go through the auditing process and you close one year, in our case, fiscal
year 25 was our most recent closed year. At the end of the year, there are funds remaining. We didn't spend the entire budget. So those funds are called surplus and districts board of ed need to determine what you're going to do with those surplus funds. You have a couple of options. If you have reserve
accounts, you can place those monies or portion of those funds into reserve accounts. You can also use it as excess surplus. And excess surplus means it came out of in in the case that we just closed in June, it came out of the June
of 25 or June 30th 25 um year. 26 we were already living in. So that excess surplus pushes out one year to the next budget cycle that you're going to develop, which in our case is fiscal year 27. So traditionally and historically, the district has relied on
um we were down to almost nothing relying on surplus and now we are back up to about 750,000. We've been last year was 800,000. That's quite a bit of money. Um, listen, it's an $80 million budget, but the point is the every cycle
you need to generate excess surplus in the future, meaning we're in 26 now. If we don't generate another 800,000 or 750, we'll already be short that in the next budget cycle, which is 28. So, you don't want to rely on it too heavily.
Um, doesn't mean we're living beyond our means. I guess you could interpret it that way. Um, but you also don't want to have your budget so tight that there's absolutely nothing left over either. So, we are trying to we wanted our goal and intent was to bring it down to 500,000
in fiscal year 27 to become less reliant. That was too aggressive and we were not able to meet that goal. We had to bump it back up. Uh, we had said maybe 600,000. We had to push it up to 750. So I I just want to add like so being on
the finance committee understanding a little more of the what that term means. It's really not a surplus. It's you budget it for items that should cost those things and then sometimes they don't. So I kind of want to hit what
Barbara says. You don't want a tight budget because if you do it to the dollar and we get the snow that we just did, then we have no money to cover for it. and and we're expect I mean we know weather we know there's a lot of extreme things happening and we need to have
those funds available to cover situations like that. So the word surplus, I know it's an accounting term, but in layman's term, it's it's giving the ability in case of an emergency to have money to deal with it. And if we don't use it, then we get to use it the
year after, >> right? It the easiest way to think of it, if we have a 70 or in this year in this new budget, $80 million budget, and we spend $79 million, we have $1 million in surplus. We didn't spend every penny of it. And then the board determines how and what will happen with that $1
million moving forward. And you you need you do you need it left over at the end of the year. You have to build up reserve accounts to take care of items as well. And that's certainly a goal that we need to hopefully achieve. >> And I didn't mean to put you on the spot in saying that. The reason why I ask is I do think it's important for the public
to understand that that is a stance that is a priority now. I would say for this finance committee moving away from the model of relying on surplus to fund future budgets. It puts us in a hole year after year and that is a practice that preceded you as BA and frankly all
of our tenure as board members. So I just want to make sure that the public knows that that's something we're committed to doing. Minor setback this year giving the whopping season that we've had. Um but we do feel confident that we're moving in the right direction and again not a change of course just a setback.
Any other questions, comments from the board? Okay, with that we will open the public participation portion of the budget hearing. Please step to the microphone. Please state your name and address for the record. Each participant shall receive three
minutes to speak. Comments during this public participation must pertain to the budget. Hi guys, good to see you. Lee Mcichel, Sparta. I had a question regarding the AI brisk teaching initiative. I know a lot of districts are already implementing it and a good portion of it
is free. I was wondering if we're implementing a free version of it or if we're using paid and if it's paid, if we're using professional development hours and things like that to implement it. Thank you. >> And I'm assuming for this format, we're going to wait till everybody goes. We'll
take notes and we'll answer once we close the >> I was going to say to Excuse me. >> Right. >> It It was in the budget presentation. >> Okay. Step right up. Yes, Dan Gunlac also Sparta just got a
couple of questions. First of all, thank you for the letter newsletter that you put out after your last meeting. It was very helpful. It did prompt me to make sure that I had tonight off to come and and see you folks. You did a pretty good job of highlighting some of the pieces
and of course your presentation tonight also helped it tie more of it together. One just statement I would have is especially with something like this, it would have been helpful to see a copy of that at the door so that I could focus more on what you were saying and less on taking some notes, but I'll look for that to be posted uh and and print that
off next week. Um because maybe some of my questions will be answered there. So I'll hold back on a couple. One question I had is that you have in regard again we're seeing a continuation I think of reduction in state aid each and every year to the township of Sparta and on an
overall basis I think to Sussex County and I just continue to see that as very very unfair to us residents up here in Sparta and in Sussex County. So my question is what are you doing to highlight this at the Trenton level?
Okay? Because we keep being paying more and I know there are increases in state aid in other school budgets in other cities, right? And I'm I'm still struggling to understand the fairness of this. And I think most residents have
that question. How is it suddenly that we're always hammered by this? Because what you're telling me is tax levy is now providing 88% right of every dollar, right, that we're spending on schools. and that's getting higher and higher and higher. So, that's
one followup that I have for you. I know you may or may not be able to answer that tonight, but I'd like to hear from you about that. Um, the use of reserves and drawing down reserves and surpluses. Appreciate the explanations that you've given. It does seem that they're larger and you're kind of beating them back. I
don't know if that you find at the end of physical 26 that that'll bump you back in with in essence a deposit in that regard. So, I'd like you to clarify that a little bit because otherwise I understand what you're saying. It's important to run tight, but you can't be right to the penny. Otherwise, you
cannot deal with unexpected things that occur and you have to be able to do that when you're running a a school district this size. So, are we heading for a Titanic type situation in a year or two where reserves and surpluses have totally been, you know, exhausted and
now you need to provide for some of the other things that I know the projected school budget was supposed to provide for? Um, unfortunately, as you know, that was that referendum was turned down, but for for good reasons. Taxpayers wanted more information, right? So, that there is a question that
I have. Are we heading for something that we all need to be aware of that a tax future tax lately may be because you're not have the ability to draw on surpluses or reserves? Okay. I was looking for some explanations on drivers of the increase in spending but I think
your one slide towards the end highlighted that doctor. So I'll look for that in the slide but I had hoped to see that quantified. So I'll stop there. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. And just to clarify, we'll be answering all questions at the end.
Leonor Dafanel, 29 Sunset Trail. Thank you for the water. Um my first question is that on the agenda um you have I think listed four or five new director positions and yet we're also talking
about 17 um teacher positions and 10 central office positions. Towards the end of your budget presentation, I caught on the word that this is what we're getting for, you know, the increase. said, "I understand the the health insurance. Um, but how do we
justify the 17 cuts in teacher positions and then the increase in director positions? I've I've seen this before where Sparta creates these director positions and then they leave. Um, so
I'd like a little bit more clarity on that. Um, I understand the insurance has increased. It's everyone is talking about it. it's beyond your control. Um, but the reserves are actually a little alarming to me because I was looking at
your budget. Um, and by the way, you know, a fabulous PowerPoint that you put together and the PDF and that was very helpful. So, I I looked at it and your capital reserve from 2021 to the present decreased 4.5 million I think. So, where
in those five years, what did we do with $4.5 million? Um, I don't I don't you know, again, I'm only in one school at this point, so I don't see it, but if we can have a little clarity on that. And then my last question is one of your reserves uh your legal reserve, your
audited legal reserve says zero. you have zero balance for your legal. In a district where we have been sued before, um, any district, to not have a reserve for legal seems not the way to enter a school district
year, which then wraps it all up to earlier in the year, you had a presentation and um, Dr. back talked about we're on a zerobased budget which you know for those of you who understand accounting zerobased budgeting you I
think you've talked about how you budget to what you need so we need teachers right uh we need staff and I don't see how this is improving because now we we did the zero base and we're losing 17
teachers so what is the what's like the five year what's the three-year plan for Sparta? Are we going to see continual decrease in teaching in in teachers and increase in classroom sizes? You know, with regards to the number of
individuals or students, the fact is is the population is decreasing. 2008 is like when population started decreasing. So, that can play a role in it. But we're seeing families come into Sparta all the time. So, a little bit more clarity on that. Thank you.
>> Thank you so much. >> Anyone else for public comment? Good evening, Dr. Beck and the board of education. Nice to see you all again and thank you for the budget presentation. Um, I have a number of questions. Piggy backing off. Oh, sorry. Lauren Collier,
Sparta Two Summit Trail. No, thank you for interrupting me. >> Um, I wanted to piggyback on some of the questions that were already asked, but I was curious regarding class sizes. Um, you mentioned in the board newsletter that the cuts um would be would would
not have a large impact on the class sizes. I'd be curious if you could elaborate on how they were balanced among buildings. Um, especially considering how many new hires were added at HMS after a significant number of retirements. Um, you mentioned that student programming will be maintained,
but does it impact the number of sections available? I know that's something we've had to look at in the past and I want to make sure that we're giving our students ample opportunity for the programming. Um, regarding the net in decrease in state aid, which I believe the gentleman already mentioned
before, but um, has Sparta considered joining the Highlands impact state aid equation. Our legislators are actively working on this and working on um, just really trying to get better aid for all of the Highlands region and you know, Jefferson is our neighbor. We share
services with them. um this has negatively impacted them as well as us really. So I would love to see some more advocacy and working together um to reclaim some of that lost state aid considering it wasn't a highly
significant um enrollment change. Um I'm curious in regards to the banked with the banked cap um the board seeks to reduce the reliance on um on the surplus yet wants to build up the reserves. How do you intend to build
them up if we are doing less reliance on reserves but not? What is the plan with utilizing the bank cap in order to do so? And were there other uh scenarios considered to utilize more bank cap to retain more positions? Um given that there was a failed
referendum and the reduced state aid, how will we begin work on um on really what needs to be happening to uh stop some of the overcrowding in some of our buildings? And has there been more consideration brought to potentially redistricting
uh to potentially reduce uh transportation costs by bringing back neighborhood elementary schools? And finally, um, sorry, regards to tech, I know it's offset by federal funds and rates, and one of the italicized items was instructional devices. How much of
this could we consider with the work that the district did with the anxious generation go the next step in reducing the tech and reducing the budget line? I think that's time, right? >> That was not me. >> That was not time. Oh, >> okay. All right. So, we know it
negatively impacts student performance. We've gone ahead and you guys did the cell phone. Um, but what can we do to consider fundamentally rethinking the tech and lowering that expenditure? Thank you. >> Thank you. Hi Jack Servile 36 Newar Ridge. Um thank
you for the presentation. I understand a lot of the things that you said. You know one of the things you said is basically agreeing basically you cannot have basically a budget there. You know I think the issue that I have absolutely agree because costs are always going to come up. The issue that I see here right now is you actually have two structural
deficits. You have a structural deficit in your general fund and you have a structural deficit in your reserve accounts. Looking at it, going back and looking past through the few years, basically it was pointed out previously before the reserve accounts are being drained.
Essentially, let this will be the third year in a row that we're using general fund of 1.2 to $1.3 million. Based upon your budget next year, you're basically down to 1.5 million, which is pretty minimum you have to hold. you have no more money left to do that. Looking at
essentially your capital reserve accounts, you basically brought that down from four and a half million, I think was $7 million when I was on the board, um down to basically $800,000. I think you mentioned you have the EEP there, which is a 5year 15-year program.
You're pulling $600,000 out of there. So, you're basically telling me in the next two years you will run out of that reserve account to fund that program. I'm assuming that program goes on for continual time. You've actually kind of showed out here and I understand the healthc care is hitting you really hard.
It's hitting everybody hard and that's the reason why you actually have bank cap because that helps offset that. Well, my concern is is I'm looking forward and I think you guys covered this budget here, but you're kind of hitting the end of the road right now. You're basically you don't have the $1.2
$2 million anymore that you've been using the last three years using onetime money to cover recurring expenses. I flash forward and I look at next year's budget. Salary increases are 1.5 million. 2% increase on property taxes is 1.5 million. They pretty much cover
themselves. You're going to have about another two $2.5 million increase in healthcare benefits. That's probably a reasonable expectation and you've lost the $1.2 million. you're in a structural deficit just in your general operating budget next year of close to3 to4
million. So my first question is are you going to pull down the vent cap of the 2.7 million because I think you have no choice. If you do that then basically property taxes next year aren't going up 3% they're going up north of 6%. Then what are you going to do going
forward? What is the plan? Because you've run out of money. The reserve accounts are gone. your general fund surplus reserve accounts are gone. You were talking about before, Barbara, and you know, we have a long history here.
In the past, we never relied on surplus to fund the budget. All the money in surplus always went to the reserve accounts because you still have a long range facilities plan. Forget the EIP, that's probably north of $20 million at this point in time. Those reserve
accounts are gone. You have two structural deficits. You need to basically replenish those reserves and you need to find a way to basically cover the hole in the general fund. I want to know what the plan is. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Hi, my name is Don Borick. I'm at 44
East Short Trail in Sparta. Um I just looking for a clarification. Uh there's I know that the property tax pays for the schools, but uh I know that there's also other schools in Sparta. There's Pope John, there's Sussex Tech, and I'm
just looking for a clarification of how all those pieces fit together. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? Jenny Derek's tap into Sparta. Um, at the last meeting I had inquired about
uh cuts that were referenced to co-curriculars in athletic athletics. Can you explain what they are? You said they hadn't been uh divulged yet to those impacted people, so you were waiting to do that. What about staffing? When are we going to know what staffing
is not being replaced or replenished after either a riff or a um reduction in force because of retirements, non-replacements? And then um I had the same question
about using bank cap. Was there something magic about 2.99? you didn't want to go north of 2.99 rather than use some of that bank cap to retain staffing because staffing is going to whether you say it or not it's going to
impact class size. Staffing is also unlikely. It's unlikely that reducing staff isn't going to impact programs. If you have no Russian teachers left, there's no Russian program. Um I appreciate your input on that.
Anyone else for public comment? Going once, going twice. Seeing no one. Motion to close. >> Thank you, Rocky. Second. >> Thank you, Dominic. All in favor? >> I. Any oppose? Any abstensions? >> Okay, we have a lot of ground to cover,
so we will try to go in order. >> Do you want to start with AI? >> Uh, yeah. Tyra, you want to do the AI brisket? So um this is in regard to the AI platform which is Brisk. Um this was part of our technology plan. We have a
technology team that works together um across the district to make determinations about useful resources, how and why and to what extent we um approve those and and implement. I think you asked about the free versus the paid version. So the paid version allows for
some things that are really important. Two big things that free version uh the paid version allows for is that it has curriculum intelligence and it's it grounds the assignments directly into your curriculum using your scope and sequence. Um it auto aligns to standards when creating assignments. There's no
limitations on usage and probably the most important is that um it's a more secure uh version of the platform with enhanced privacy. So that was actually approved at last board meeting is a $15,000 purchase. K12 um there's
different 612 will have different um components compared to K5 and um and we already started with some professional development and plans for roll out. >> Next, >> the reduction in in state aid. I I can
tell you that even just organizations that I'm part of uh are advocating in Trenton. So the Sussex County Round Table, we have representatives that advocate for us in Trenton when it comes to state aid because Sussex County uh to your point has been hit harder than most counties. Um that's the Sussex County
round table. Then uh NJSA does the same thing, advocates in Trenton for us as well. And also >> u I'd be happy to speak on that as well. Similarly, I'm um luckily I was in um excuse me uh elected to the county
leadership team through the NJSBA. So their involvement of the NJSBA and the advocacy, it was ironic Lauren mentioned the Highlands Impact aid before I had written it down um related to your comment. There is a lot of movement in terms of trying to offset the increases
that we're seeing in the health benefits. There's also other movement that we're seeing related to specifically Highlands areas. So on an NJSBA level, there is constant advocacy. We meet regularly. Um we meet as a county team. We also meet with board
representatives. So and then we have our delegate assembly in two weeks now. Um where there's also movement there. So there's a multi-pronged approach to try to advocate for different needs. Um, and I guess to highlight that while we're on it, I do agree. Um, there is benefit for
the Highlands impact legislation for Sparta for sure. Uh, just because we don't see the involvement doesn't mean that it's not happening behind the scenes. Um, so that is something that every option is available in terms of advocacy that might be available to the district. And he sorry,
>> also mentioned >> reserves. >> Yeah, I think we'll do I think we'll go address reserves. Maybe we can do it now or later, but there's a bunch pertaining to reserves. >> Yeah, there were quite a few um questions about the reserves and the reserves are um low at this point in time for a district the size of Sparta.
Uh they were hired a number of years ago and prior administration they used the money to complete projects various projects that were needed throughout the district and once that money is spent down it is very difficult to replenish based on the economic conditions that we
are now being faced with. So, it is a goal of course to replenish those uh funds and we're aware of how tight the budgets are and they probably will continue to be definitely for the next at least few years based on health insurance increases alone. Um, as far as
using bank cap, is that an option? Yes, it is an option to use bank cap. However, the board is also cognizant of what's going to happen to the tax levy and the impact on homeowners in Sparta as well. So they try to walk that fine line moving forward next year. That will
be an option for the board to decide how much if any of the bank cap that they will use to help support that 28 budget. But um the reserves it it is a goal definitely to try to increase them as much as possible. Uh you never want to
continue to um use one-time funds which reserve accounts are and recurring expenses. And that's exactly what we have have been faced and forced to do because there is no other funding available to make the budget balance. So um we are working to rectify that and
deal with it the best that we can. >> Um and a few things to add to that related to bank cap. And I think this kind of we're going a little all over the place so I apologize but hitting on Jenny's question. Uh no the the goal wasn't per se to stay uh within a certain range. it was more to deliver
the most fiscally responsible budget that we could, especially with a referendum on the horizon. Uh we went through what we did with the first referendum that was clearly unsuccessful. Part of that solution is also exploring other new ways that we might be able to alleviate some of our overcrowding issues. Um and again, we're
not ready to report out anything just yet, but we do have ideas uh that are in the works and we're trying to do. And again, that doesn't negate the fact that there are ultimately fixes that still need to be made and a referend a referendum that still needs to be passed. But at the end of the day, the idea was if we were to take say all of
our bank cap and raise taxes to the rate that we've seen in some of our surrounding districts, first of all, what service does that do to our taxpayers who are already suffering on a greater scale between utilities, cost of living, everything that we're seeing on higher levels than the board of education? But beyond that as well, what
does that what impact could that possibly have on asking the town in good faith to pass a referendum in the future? So this was a holistic approach. This was a multi-committee approach. This was something that we have looked at a lot of history to decide. Um and frankly, you know, I understand that
there is misinformation spreading related to campaign promises or um things of that nature. And I would just say that ultimately if you look at the history of what boards have consistently done um in the past in recent years the numbers speak for themselves. The last
two years have been 2%. This year at 299 with the shortfall that we have and we're still expanding programming. I do think there's obviously very difficult decisions being made but in many ways that's still a successful win in some regard. So um I stand by that decision
in terms of supporting this budget. I am proud of the board for the work that we've done to get to this place. Um, and the decision to not utilize bank cap this year was an intentional one. >> Can I say something? >> I just want to also say that the the
reason we don't we didn't do all of the bank cap is because we would be at the same spot next year. So, we went 6% next year without making the gentleman talked about structural changes. We're making structural changes to make sure that our
finances can adjust accordingly. If we don't make these now, you're going to have to make them next year. So, do it now and and spread it out and make sure that we structurally are prepared to keep things within uh an u an increase
that's manageable, right? Going 666, it's it's not going to work. So you have to make the changes we did so that we could stay within uh a decent increase. >> Um and then we can move to >> there's a couple um personnel questions
that I could address. >> Uh the admin structure. Yeah, there are there are director positions. Those are not going to be added admin positions. That actually um is the result of reducing our supervisor positions. So um I mean in a district this size you still
need um curricular instructional support on the district level. So doing away with all supervisors was not a solution but a way to decrease supervisors was to restructure um how we are going to oversee curriculum instruction in the
district. So um going from um six or even seven actually um supervisors down to four directors is where the decrease takes place. Um also um somebody somebody cited the uh
decrease in enrollment. If you look past uh back over the past 10 years, there's an eb and a flow to our enrollment, but uh from 2016 to 2025, you're seeing a 51 uh student reduction. Um that's like that's an average of of 10 students per
school. Um not as significant. The the issue with that is that um yes, so our enrollment has gone down. Um but our state funding, our state aid, part of the state aid for formula is based on enrollment. So as our enrollment goes down, our state aid is going to go down.
Um class sizes has been brought up with the reduction in staff members. How will that affect class sizes? Um the reduction in staff members will not significantly impact uh class sizes especially on the elementary level. Um
where you might see an impact on class sizes might be when you get to the high school and you get to these uh unique classes where there's one or two or three sections um where the sections might have been running with um 10 students and 11 students uh two sections maybe you're going to see one
section of 21 students instead. So yeah, that the class size went up there. Yes, but um >> yeah, logistically um not not a huge you're not going to see a huge impact on class sizes. Um sections available. Yeah, I mean regardless of the budget,
the sections that we offer are going to be based on interest, based on student interest. And again, talking about the secondary level, uh the sections available are the sections available when you're talking about K to5 education. Uh but when you get to middle school and high school, um again, budget aside, uh it's really student interest
and student enrollment. uh that that that drives uh what programs we run, what sections we run. Um so if there's a a section of I don't want to pick on any specific department, but there's a section that's going to run and and only six students
signed up for it, um then we're not going to run that section. We wouldn't run that section on a on a good budget year because that's just not fiscally responsible. Um and I believe that takes Oh, the personnel. Uh Jenny, the co-curricular ones I could I have to look back to get
to the specifics and I can get you those specifics as well, but we're looking at um clubs such as uh intramural sports. Um you were looking at um skiing, which uh is no longer an NJSIA sport, so it's
going to move to a club. Um we're going to look at we are also looking at um athletics where um if we're not running a freshman team per se um or for example I should say um we might have a freshman coach that helps to be an assistant at the upper levels which is very helpful
to the program and to the kids. But those are things that we're going to look at that maybe we don't need to have uh those coaches if they don't have a team. Uh it's a great luxury to have um but um might not that's another thing that we're looking at. And as far as specific staff cuts, um there are some
singletons that um I'm not sure if they're identifiers if I'm allowed to go through the list. >> Um >> you want to review them and I can get them to Jenny? >> Yeah, I'd like to do that. >> I just want to make sure there's no identifiers, but I can get those to I have a list here, but there are there are some singleton, some one-offs, but I
can get them to you with uh after the attorney approves uh reviews them. >> And just a few other things I wanted to highlight. I don't know if we want to cover the job descriptions. I think that was important. We we you covered the the roles, but why the job descriptions are there and whether or not there will be
>> Oh, yeah. So, the job descriptions, obviously, the director job descriptions are there. Those are the four that that's the restructure that we're looking at. Um part of the restructure, too, is taking place in the business office where we eliminated a position. You're going to see two business office uh related job descriptions. We're not
going to um fill both of those. We um are restructuring the business office and we're leaving our options open. So, having the two job descriptions, we're only going to run one of them. Um, and then one more that I can surely address was the other schools in Sparta, how they're affected. Um,
a couple of schools that you mentioned were private schools, so those are just private funded. Those are families that fund the schools. Uh, have nothing to do with the taxpayers. Sussex Tech is funded through, uh, county taxes, so that share is spread out. Yes, you pay some county taxes. So, some of your taxes go towards Sussex Tech, but so
does Wantage and Montigue and Frerieden. So, um, that's spread out, uh, as a as a county entity and the other ones are, like I said, they're they're private. So, if a student wants to go to Pope John, that's not going to hurt our taxpayers. That's the parents paying for their kid to go to Pope John. >> Um, and a few other things as well. You
had also mentioned the five-year plan, and I'm so glad you did because this weekend on Saturday, we actually were right in this room as a board, and we were taking part in NJSBA board certification. Uh, probably the best turnout we've had thus far since we started that process. So I'm super proud of my board, forgive me. But one of the
discussions that we had was about strategic planning and how we think that as overall while administration does a phenomenal job of setting markers and having goals and even reporting those to the board, there's ways that we can bolster that, but also bolster communal engagement. So five years ago when a
vision 2025 was passed, I was uh a member of the public at the time and was very concerned about the amount of money that went into that plan. I had everyone had concerns I think on a public scale. So one of the things that we were discussing was trying to bring the community more into the fold for future plan strategic planning which is an
option we have through the NJSBA. So potentially having a small committee structure or even participation evenings where the community can come out and share what goals they have in terms of what is their vision for the future of Sparta or at least for the next five years. Uh again that is led by our
administration. Not every recommendation would be honored per se, but it is good to have that feedback and to make sure that it's a collaborative effort uh for this board. And again, I can only speak for this board. The goal of actually involving the community and making sure the community knows they have a say. I can't thank you all enough even for
being here and asking not just comprehensive questions, but good questions, important questions. Um many of you were even at our referendum events. So, thank you for following up and actually being here to have those questions answered. I think that's a great great thing. and we want to see more of that. So the more positive
communal engagement we can foster, that's that's our role and that's excuse me our goal. Um so that is uh what I wanted to note about strategic planning. Um a couple of other questions. I don't believe the this board is interested in redistricting at this time. Again, there are other options we're actively
exploring although we're not ready to um actively comment on those. Um in terms of an instructional perspective, you know, red reduction of tech. This is always tricky because I feel like and again Tara is probably best equipped to answer this. I do agree with some of the comments you made, but some of them we
also have to recognize tech is an integral part of the educational experience. Now we can resist that and our students are left behind or we can embrace it. And while there are measures like the cell phone initiative that we all felt strongly about even members of the board before you know uh with a
former board we all felt strongly about there are ways that we can reduce the impact of instructional time when it comes to technology that's a distraction but learning how to use technology as an integral tool of an inevitably changing landscape I do think it's a disservice
if we're not teaching our students now again everything's a balancing act right because we still want them to be able to write well and cursive all of the things that matter to all of us. But again, there is a balancing act and I'm sure if anyone Rocky would probably love to speak on that more, but I'm going to defer to Tara in case there's anything there.
>> I would just add to that. Um, you know, we are living the tech plan that we developed in the district that used to be mandatory is now not, but we want to stay on top of the evolving world of technology and how we implement it in a purposeful and considerate way. So, we do lean on research and important
research from the field. So, for example, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends for students six and above consistent limits and that it does not displace physical activity or face-to-face interaction. So, that we're not really seeing research right now that says like that there should be no
technology. It's more about how it's being used. So, we're working on um continuing to provide as a district technology team recommendations to our staff. Um as it relates to the technology plan and the importance of striking that that that right balance
for students developmentally, um we're coming up with tools and resources to support the community. And a lot of really what we're seeing out there is the importance of technology being purposeful, active, balanced, and monitored. So we are working towards what that looks like across the board, how we can um you know support our staff
and students and community parents at large. Um next year we will have a screenager initiative that was funded through the M municipal alliance. So we we take it really seriously. I think um we're fortunate to be able to have so many people engaged in that work. But again, right now I would just reiterate
the emphasis of that these are tools our kids need to learn to use. there are resources available um but that it doesn't interfere with or displace what we know is so important about inperson active and engaging instruction. >> Thank you so much Tara. And one last
thing I want to hit on because I think that's it and please raise your hand if I need to check my notes again but um one thing that was mentioned from a structural perspective I think Rocky covered most of that in terms of the changes that we're making. Uh Jenny, you had also asked something um
excuse me, related to uh I think you mentioned Russian specifically if I'm not mistaken. So we sent this out in the newsletter. It is very important to understand >> not everybody has access to the news. >> I understand that we're working towards Great point. Look, we're actually working towards working with the town council to get that out uh through our
liaison rep obviously to get that out to all taxpayers to make sure everyone in Sparta that's on that roster has access to the newsletter because it should be going out to everyone not just schoolboard member or not just school members. Um the one thing that I want to mention that I think is really important to highlight and Dom I apologize I'm
stealing a little bit of your curriculum thunder here. Um, not only are we maintaining our programming, but in many ways we're enhancing it. And there will be a presentation in May for the board, um, related to the new revised schedule
for the middle school. And you'll see on the agenda tonight, there are about 17, I believe 17 was the final number, course approvals for middle school electives for students. And these range from a very wide amount of topics. Tom, I don't know if you want to speak to that now because I'm totally stealing
your thunder, but we can do that now. >> Yeah. So, when we had our curriculum and instruction meeting earlier this month, um I was really shocked, uh positively shocked by the um differentiation of choices that our students in the middle
school are going to have, my son being one of them. Um I got jealous. I was like, man, I wish these were available to me when I was a middle schooler. um they really speak to the interest of the kids of this generation, the things that um they would gravitate to, not out of
because their parents are forcing them to because they're making these decisions because they're topics that really engage them. Um, and it's like growing through the pain, um, is the way I put it. That this was a painful process. Um, to the parents, to the
students, to the teachers, um, and to those who are going through the pain of this budget process, um, has been felt all around. But making lemonade out of these lemons is what this team has done. And it was really really um just uh
heartening to see that they weren't just focused on the losses but how we can grow through these losses which is um a vision that I wasn't aware of until I sat through that meeting and saw those different courses that were being made
available. So I was really excited not just for my own son but for all of our students that are going to be going through the middle school in the future. >> Thank you so much. And again, we'll have a more formal presentation on those next month. Uh, but super important to highlight, this was based on data, so
feedback surveys that came uh from parents, students alike. Uh, and what's especially exciting is the course names are actually curated to peique student interest. So, you'll see things like Shark Tank or you'll see AI. And again, I might be straying a little bit without
having them right in front of me, but um, there's financial literacy, thank goodness. There is legal, there is students uh or sports medicine, there are all kinds of different um options. And I just want to thank the teachers who participated in the process of not
only enhancing this during a very tumultuous time uh programming. I think also leaning into some of those passions to open doors for our middle school students. So again, we'll have more to report on that, but that's what we've been alluding to when we say that there's enhanced programming. Um and
then Dr. Dr. Beck, I don't know if it's most appropriate for you to speak to world language, but to also understand that the programming that exists is essentially m maintained with minor revisions. >> Yeah, we can get through those details next month when we when we talk about
the middle school schedule, but uh at the time all of the world languages at the high school are being maintained. >> Perfect. Thank you. That's what I wanted to clarify. And I think we covered most of it. I really do. Um and of course, if there's anything we missed, please email us. We'll be happy to answer your
questions right away. Uh, thank you to everyone who came out and with no one else, I'd have ask for a motion to close. Or did we already close? >> We did close. Thank you. So, in that case, I'm going to ask for a motion to approve agenda items. We'll do 4.1 through 4.8, please.
>> Thank you, Rocky. Second. >> Thank you, Dominic. Discussion. Think we've had a good amount. Roll call, please. >> Dr. Hinkle. Mr. Lacarova, >> yes. >> Mr. Lowry, >> yes.
>> Dr. Martinez, >> yes. >> Miss Null, >> yes. >> Miss Williams, >> yes. >> Miss Saraphino, >> yes. >> And Miss Gagnen, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. I think we are set for recognition and presentations for this evening. So, we will move on to our
student representatives report. You guys have been so patient. Thank you. >> All right. So, uh we would like to recognize first some uh sports achievements. Um we'd like to recognize a few of the high school's amazing athletes and their accomplishments. Uh so, volleyball player George Sadas
recently achieved his 10,000th assist and uh Josh Tolantino recently achieved his 500th spike. Additionally, lacrosse player Eddie Brown achieved his 100th goal and quarterback Shane Hoover was nominated for the North South football game sponsored by the Army National
Guard. Finally, we would like to congratulate the girls flag football game or flag football team on their first win in school history over Indian Hills. >> In some club news, we would like to congratulate the DECA students who recently attended the national competition. We would also like to
congratulate robotics team 5249B for an excellent performance at the World Championship last week. The band and orchestra also had a great time at the Virginia Beach trip this past weekend. We would also like to mention some of the upcoming events that have been planned for the near future. First off, there is decision day tomorrow where we
would like to celebrate all our seniors and honor their future plans after graduation. Next week also brings the start of AP exams and May also brings the various honor society inductions. We would like to congratulate all students for being for being inducted this year. Additionally, upper classmen are looking
forward to prom which will take place at Birwood Manor on May 28th. Excellent. Thank you so much. And that may have a motion to approve the minutes. >> Motion. >> Thank you, Dominic. Second. >> Thank you, Andrew. All in favor?
>> I. Any oppose? Any abstensions? >> Okay, moving on to our superintendence report with Dr. Beck. Thank you. I would like to begin by congratulating those that are on this evening's agenda for uh receiving tenure. While this has certainly been a challenging budget and
personnel cycle for our entire district, I want to make sure I recognize all of the teachers on this evening's agenda who will be receiving tenure when they report back to school at the end of August. Granting tenure is not something that is taken lightly by our board or administration. I was taught early in my
career that granting tenure is a1 to2 million investment if the educator receives tenure early in their career and chooses to remain in our district for their entire career. So congratulations to all those educators who by appearing on our renewal list this evening under the tenure sections
will earn tenure. I want to acknowledge the two retirements on this evening's agenda. Uh Michelle Moreno who is a school bus driver. She has served our district for eight years. And Zeta Ortiz, also a school bus driver, uh, who has served
our district for seven years. Each year, the Sussex County Superintendent Roundt Association hosts a lunchon where we honor one student from each district. This year's Superintendent Roundt student award recipient from Sparta was our very own student representative, Hayden Copco.
Some of Hayden's accomplishments that led to this award include being a member of multiple honor societies, serving as a peer tutor, Sparta, serving as Sparta High School's mascot, student council executive president, a member of the peer
development program and find the courage and president of the national honor society. Next year, Hayden will continue his academic career while serving our country at West Point Academy. And that was great news pertaining to one of our student reps. I would also
like to acknowledge and congratulate as decision day looms uh our other two student reps present this evening as they have made their college decisions as you can see. Virginia Tech will have the honor of welcoming Abigail Weiss as one of their students.
And I had this as a blank on my report because the decision was only made today. But Maryland will have the honor of welcoming Jason Caswell as one of their students next year. Speaking of student success, each spring Sparta High School carries on the tradition of honoring the graduating
seniors with the top 10 GPA in the class at the academic excellence dinner. This year's honores in alphabetical order are Natalie Bellish uh who is vowed, Amelia Buhof, Ling Mai Chen, Haley Dalippo,
Emma Hamilton, Victoria Allardi, Shannon Kelly, Zanab Mashall, Noras who is the saludiatoran, and Terrence Zukowski. Congratulations to these high achieving students. Still not done honoring students. Sophie
Coup has the honor of being named Sparta High School's Pass It Along scholar athlete and Hayden Copco has the honor of being named Sparta High School's NJSIAA scholar athlete. Congratulations to both of these scholar athletes. And lastly, a board honor. Next week on
May 7th, the Sussex County School Boards Association will be hosting their annual celebrating success and honoring service ceremony at Newton Country Club. I would like to congratulate this year's honores from our school district. Rocky Martinez and Rebecca Williams will receive new
board member certification. And in our audience tonight, coincidentally, uh Lauren Collier, pastboard member, will receive certified board member certification. And that concludes my report. >> Thank you so much. I will save some of the updates I have and I feel like I
covered a lot of them during our budget uh for liaison reports, but I just want to acknowledge it's been a very challenging time for our district. But I really want to applaud our board, our admin teams, our building teams, our teachers, staff, uh the SEA, parents,
taxpayers. There's a lot of change that we have on the horizon in this district. Some change is good. Some change is hard. It's difficult, but the amount of effort and work that went into this budget season, I think deserves to be celebrated in some regard, as challenging as it was. Um, I also want
to just say again, we had our board certification training on Saturday. We have one more slated for June, at which point we'll be hopefully recognized in the fall by the NJSBA as being, I believe, the fourth district in the county, if I'm not mistaken, that's board certified. I could be wrong. I
don't have my notebook, pardon me. Um, but I am so proud of this board and the amount of hours alone that we put into Saturday, but what we got out of them. I am so so so proud of everyone here. I am proud to sit alongside you. I am honored to be your board president. Um, and
yeah, I just I have to celebrate you all because the off the number of hours that we dedicate to our roles is already pretty daunting and it's a lot of time effort, time away from families, time away from dinner, but um, spending your whole Saturday and making it an enjoyable experience, a bonding
experience, a learning experience. We all um, we also reviewed the CSA evaluation. I hope our new board members feel more equipped than I did when I had my first CSA eval a few months into my tenure. Um, but yeah, I just had to recognize that because it's something I'm very proud of to sit on this board
alongside you all. So, thank you all. And with that, we will move on request. May I have a motion to approve the Hib report, please? >> Motion. >> Thank you, Emily. Second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Rocky. All in favor? >> I. Any oppose? Any abstensions?
Okay, moving on to communications. Emily, do you have anything? >> Um, nothing, but I'm glad people enjoyed the budget newsletter. Caitlyn especially, but Caitlyn and I worked uh on it. We really just wanted to get information and didn't want this
presentation getting lost because it affects everyone in our community, whether you have a student right now in the district or not. Um, so we hope to do more special editions like this to keep the public informed and like we said working with our town leaison to hopefully get it to everyone, not just
parents of the district. >> Thank you. Um, and I just want to add to that from the newsletter. I think one of the best takeaways, and I had mentioned it earlier, come to meetings, get involved, know what's happening. Your answers are not going to be found on social media, unfortunately. A lot of
times, uh, it's just not the best source of information. So if you have questions, email us and if you'd like to speak at a meeting and ask any question you have, we'll be happy to do our best to answer it. So thank you again to everyone who attended tonight. Uh moving on to delegate and liaison reports. Does anyone have anything for their
respective committee? Go for it, Tom. >> K. Oh, we checked them. >> Yeah, we checked. >> I thought you were saying I do. Um uh Becca, Rebecca and I did go and meet with the town council, two of the our liaison there. Um we were able to talk
about communications. We talked about um the the tough economic environment that is happening both for them. Um there is also health care costs that's hitting uh the township also for their employees.
Um kind of commiserated on that. Um and also uh got kind of an update on from the trails committee. Um there's been some discussions about trails connecting the schools. Nothing concrete yet and nothing to share um uh that's like
finalized or anything like that, but just making sure that we're staying connected on those things. um also talked a little bit about the affordable housing um that the district has or the township, sorry, has to meet and what the plans are there. I think
there's going to be a formal presentation coming up um from the town on that. So, we definitely need to pay attention to that. Additional housing obviously will impact our budget, our the number of students we have. It has a huge impact um on the board of education, the everybody in town as well
as the the district. I'm sorry my mic wouldn't turn on. Excellent. Thank you so much. Anyone else for their committees? No one. Um I just I've kind of already covered it. Emily and I are traveling to the delegate assembly for the NJSBA in a
few weeks. Uh I always look forward to reporting back to the district in terms of what we supported, what we maybe didn't support. Uh so we'll have an update on that next month. And we already covered our uh night of honoring our new board members certification. So
with that, no one else would we'll move on to public comment number one. Public comments are invited on matters pertaining only to action items at this time. Please state the action item number as well as your name, municipality, and group affiliation if appropriate for the record. Each
participant will receive three minutes to speak. Once you have had your allotted three minutes to speak, you will not be permitted to speak again until public comment number two. All statements should be directed to me as the presiding officer. Excuse me. The border administration may or may not respond to any questions or comments
after the conclusion of the public participation. Does anyone have comments related to budget items or agenda items rather? Okay, seeing no one. Oh, did you have >> Did you say budget? I said budget and corrected myself. It's agenda. Good
catch. Very good. Agenda items only. Uh seeing no one. Motion to close. >> Oh, were you Do you want to come on? >> Do you want Do you want to look at Do you need an agenda? >> Okay,
>> you got it. Okay. No one motion to close. Thank you. Motion. Thank you, Rocky. Second. >> Thank you, Dom. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. May I have a motion, please, to move personnel and policy items 16.1
through 16.36? >> Motion. >> Thank you, Emily. Second. >> Thank you, Rebecca. Discussion. >> Sorry, Andrew. >> Um, I'll report out on our meeting. Oh, >> did you want to report? >> I just want to clarify res. Oh, yes, please. >> Yeah. So, we realized the staff list on
16.9 contains some errors in longevity and other minor errors. We realized that yesterday. We removed the list, corrected them, and reattached them. So 16.9 is now correct, and 16.9 is being recommended as amended.
>> Okay. So just from a a procedural standpoint, when a motion and second is made, please be advised that you are voting on an revised version. >> Okay. Um reporting out from our meeting, we had a very long meeting. Um, we met
with all the building principles to talk about staffing for next year, but we really got a lot out of it and understanding the schools and what's happening in our schools and what the future looks like in our schools. Um, a couple things on the agenda I'll point out. Um, congratulations to our soon
tobe tenure employees. That's an amazing accomplishment. Um, and congratulations to our two retirements, Miss Mariano and Miss Ortiz. Um, and then finally for policies, we are continuing on with our policy audit. Right now, we're working on missing policies. So, you'll see in
the agenda, there are two sets of missing policies and regulations for first reading. These are just things that we didn't have on the books, but overall, we generally in practice, we're already doing them. We just need to have the formality of the policy or the regulation. And I want to thank Barbara
especially for looking at so many of the business regulations and policies um and to verify that everything matched up and the language was appropriate for our district. So, I appreciate you taking the time to look at all those. >> Now, I have to follow up on that. I we also have to thank Melanie because I
have bombarded that poor woman with countless versions of templates turned into revisions, turned into red lines. So, she's doing a phenomenal job and always, everyone that's involved in the process, Matt and Tara, you guys were reviewing policies as well with us, right alongside us. Um, so thank you for all of that. Um, and another thing just
to point out, the amended bylaws, policies and regulations, Emily hit most of it, but these were primarily just small minor errors you could say that were flagged by Strauss. So, in some cases, these were older policies that say didn't have adopted dates. It didn't show when the dates uh the original
policy was adopted or revised. Uh, in one, it was relevant to a vocational school only, one of the ones that we uh recently pulled from or abolish. Um, evaluation of the superintendent, there were options there as well. So, we're starting to kind of shift now. We're getting past the first phase of the
policy audit, which was abolishing obsolete policies, adopting policies we should have had on the books, uh, and now thankfully do, and now we're shifting into more um, I wouldn't say that the Strauss policy audit is complete. You could argue it's close to it, but we're going the extra mile with
our board goal and we're going to be moving into the NJSBA wellness policy check and also just looking at our roster and taking some of those super outdated policies, some from 1999, assessing whether or not they need revision. It is a huge, huge, huge task.
So, Andrew, Emily, thank you for enduring it alongside me. Um, great job. >> Is social media going to be part of the ones that need >> uh there are there is a large list. I would say social media, cell phone use. Um, even that they had like a minor revision. We were ahead of the curve and
there's been changes since. Um, >> because I think it's still refers to beepers or something. >> Exactly. So, that was an issue that we had that we flagged. Um, and we noticed that. Yeah, I remember we were notic uh electronic recording devices. So, yes, there's new language for that. Um, and thankfully even Strauss has a template
for that which we might deviate a little bit from, but ironically that was on our list for this month, but because we wanted to compare our language and keep what we needed. I believe there also wasn't a um um regulation related to that and we might have wanted to add one. I could be thinking out of another
one, but either way, it's probably going to be on next month's agenda. Uh, but these whopping lists, if you have any questions about what's being revised or why, anything that's redlined will show you. Um, any other discussion on that? Roll call, please. >> Dr. Hankle.
>> Mr. Lacaruba. >> Yes, but abstain from 16.9 16.8 16.34.12. >> Mr. Lowry, >> yes. >> Dr. Martinez, >> yes. >> Miss Null, >> yes. >> Miss Williams, >> yes. >> Miss Saraphino, >> yes. Yes. And Miss Gagnen.
>> Yes. >> Motions carry. >> Thank you. May I have a motion to approve curriculum items 17.1 through 17.11? >> Motion. >> Is that Andrew? >> Was it Dom? I'm sorry. Thank you, Dominic. Second. >> Thank you, Andrew.
Uh, discussion, please. We covered most of it, I think. Right. We're good. Any other discussion? >> Okay. Roll call, please. >> Dr. Hankle. >> Yes. >> Mr. Laruba. >> Yes. But abstain from item 17.8.
>> Mr. Lowry. >> Yes. >> Dr. Martinez. >> Yes. >> Miss Null. >> Yes. >> Miss Williams? >> Yes. >> Miss Saraphino? >> Yes. >> And Miss Gagnon? >> Yes. >> Motion's carry. >> Thank you. May I have a motion to move finance items 18.1 through 18.9?
>> Motion. >> I knew it would be Rocky. Thank you. Second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Dominic. Um, discussion. >> Yes. Thank you. Uh, a few things. Um, this is a bus driver on bus aid appreciation. Please,
uh, appreciate your bus drivers and your bus aids. They do a wonderful job for us and they deserve to know they're appreciated. Uh, there'll be two new routes going out for bid. the stuff that still been doing this almost a year and a half. I still is floored about how
much we do. Uh there new floors in Alpine. Uh the oil tanks were finally repaired in Harlem, Morgan. Uh the sign outside uh the middle school was repaired and we added a sign so everybody could know where the gym is when they come visit and new doors were
installed in the high school which is a security issue which is why we rushed to get that done. Um, one things I wanted to talk to around the budget is that um, as was noted that uh, some of our reserve funds
are decreasing. It is imperative that we do these repairs um, as soon as we can within the budget so that we have a better control of the as the gentleman the structural changes that are going within the district. Um these
repairs are not cheap and they are important for the students, the staff and everybody who's in the district. So um keep in mind when if there is a new uh referendum that the money is going to be spent in the district and it's not
going to be used um it's not a fool's folly. This is money that's going into fixing our schools and creating a better environment for our students and staff. Um something which I've refrained from talking about because of the uh current
economic place we are we are now at a roughly $35,000 in a rears for lunch. That's up roughly $6,000. Um and the we and then we're only in
April. So, um I again ask anybody that to check your your lunch balances. If you're in a rears, please catch up. If you need help, the building principles are there to help you. Um there is no
need for you to to worry about this. Um, everybody I'm sure at this table um knows that every child needs to eat to learn and we we have no problem keeping the arars but we do eventually going to have to pay them. So please if you have
the means please cover your rears if you don't please ask for help. Um and finally, we are donating to the women's club as we do every year, uh two buses and drivers during Sparta Day so that they can do the um their event, the
junior women's club event at uh Sparta Day. And I think that's it. Did I miss anything? >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. And with that, roll call, please. >> Dr. Hinkle. Mr. Lacaruba?
>> Yes. >> Mr. Lowry? >> Yes. >> Dr. Martinez? >> Yes. >> Miss Null? >> Yes. >> Miss Williams? >> Yes. >> Miss Saraphino? >> Yes. >> And Miss Gagnen? >> Yes. >> Motions carry. >> Thank you. We actually don't have any operational items to move this evening. So, we're just going to go ahead and skip over that section if that's okay.
Uh, moving to onto old business. Does anyone from the board have something they wish to discuss for old business? New business. Oh, sorry. Go ahead. >> I My window was small. Go ahead. >> Well, I just It just occurred to me. Um, so our second NJSBA training will be on
June 6. That's another Saturday from 10:00 to 1. Um, this we'll be doing our board self-evaluation. And for Dr. Beck, Miss Decker, and Dr. Rossy, if you can attend this one, since we're doing like our board self evaluation, we'd really love to have you
there. Um, sorry we're gonna take a Saturday if possible from you, but I understand if you've we've got other things. Um, and we're looking forward to it. And then yes, we'll be done with board certification and I'll be really proud of us in at our dinner in October.
Spoken like a true vice president. Thank you so much. Anyone else for old business? Does anyone have anything for new business? Okay, with that we will move on to public comment number two. The board uses the second public comment period to
invite comments on all matters pertaining to the school district. Please state your name, municipality, and group affiliation if appropriate for the record. Each participant will receive three minutes to speak. Once you have had your allotted three minutes to speak, you will not be permitted to speak again. All statements should be directed to me as the presiding officer.
The board or administration may or may not respond to any questions or comments after the conclusion of the public participation. >> Unfortunately, I'm sorry. >> Um, >> I don't make the rules. >> Leonard Dphano 29 Sunset Trail. Uh I understand that the budget process is
complex you know to a school district to any organization and that there are expenses insurance expenses cost of living that goes up that's beyond your control. Um, so in terms of the performance of this
budget process, you've done what you've needed to do or you think you need to do in order to continue. this said what it's like an oxymoron like in the fall we had a presentation about a referendum to build a beautiful gym and now it's in
the spring and we're cutting 17 teachers and we have reserves that are depleted and and so that is concerning to me as a taxpayer and as a parent because it it seems like is there and I'm not pointing
the finger but is there did you go into it blindly like did you not like I'm not sure how we were entertaining expansions and beautiful gyms if we're ending the year here. So that is a little unclear to me. When you answered
our questions, you really didn't answer the question that for example we have zero budgeted on legal reser how could we have >> I'm so sorry >> and that's okay. That's okay. You can just email it to me. But it doesn't ma, you know, it really doesn't matter because we've obviously noted that there is an issue with reserves and that's a
real issue that, you know, are we looking at next year a 4% increase, a 5% increase, right? Because you got to get the money from somewhere. And so, you know, we're we're we see a reserve issue. we we have a decrease in in student
population, but I'm I'm not seeing like what we're doing moving forward to improve that and and a long time ago a former superintendent said that you know it's great to do everything we just can't right the one thing I do ask
because you mentioned towards the end about um you know the sports and coaches and the programs at in in Sparta are amazing and athlete you know The athletic aspect of it is very important to many of the students. The music very important to many of the students. You
know, before you say, well, we don't need an assistant coach. That really impacts the experience of the athlete because that assistant coach may be the one that's going to be there with them at, you know, lifting or
that's the assistant coach that they're going to use when they need to do the extra drill. So, I know you can't do everything, but I do u advise or say that if if you see yourself in that situation, then you should reach out to
the boosters and you should reach out to the parents because I'm sure if it's a situation where we can save that assistant coach, we would because it it is impactful. So, thank you. >> Thank you so much.
>> Anyone else for public comment? Jack Serval, 36, New Star Ridge, Sparta. Um, I guess I'm kind of following up on my question and my question maybe wasn't clear enough. You guys did this budget. We know that there's structural deficits
both in your general recurring expenses and in your reserve accounts. My question was, what's the plan? You covered the whole this year. What's the plan for next year? And I'll go through the numbers for you. Your budget's going to go up $1.5
million next year for salary increases. Your budget's going to go up $2.5 million if you pretty much stay on the same line for your health care costs. Your budget's going to go up another $1.2 million because you don't have reserve accounts anymore. So that's a $5.2 million increase. At a 2% increase
on property taxes, that brings you down to $3.7 million. That's your hole you just wrote into the into the plan today. I think you basically have 2.7 million in bank cap. I think you probably have no choice but to pull it. The other
question I have now is 75% of your budget is personnel costs. So what you're telling me right now is you're going through cuts this year. We're going to see it again next year. That's the problem I have. You guys, this has been going on for years. You
guys keep covering off the budgets every year. You depleted your reserves. You've created a second structural problem. What is the plan? Because everything that's being done right now and what what I just forecast is going to happen next year is going to impact the
children. That's what's going to happen. The district has been in a hole now for years and you're still digging. What is the plan? When I was on this board, I went through things. Jenny Derek, when she was on this board, she
had a black swan event, but you know what? We put together a plan. We didn't look year to year. We looked out five years to figure out how to do it. What was the plan? Because you're not going to fix it in a year. But what I just heard now in this budget is you covered
off this year. I don't know what the plan is for next year. And I don't know what the plan is on how you're going to get back to having a stable district. everything you're doing here because if you go through the drip feed that's going on right now with staff, the only thing you're going to do is make it
worse for the the children in this school district because of the anxiety, because of everything else. You're going to make it anxiety in terms of the staff members because people are going to know, well, am I in a stable district? Am I going to be the next one cut because I'm low on the totem pole
because I don't have tenure or I'm low in seniority? What is the plan? Just start with next year first. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Jenny Derek happened to Sparta. Just two quick things, maybe three. Um the
newsletter, reach out to me. I could probably help you get that out. >> Thank you. Um, Kim, when you're talking about housing units, it's my understanding because I go to all the meetings, there's about
272 housing units waiting to be built in with within a year or so. So, 272 units, just know that's coming. Um, breakage, I had asked that last meeting, do we know what breakage is? And then policy 1240
which you just had your first reading. It um regards the evaluation of superintendent throughout as stricken um written not so what form is that going to be taking? Thank you. >> Can you repeat that again so I understand the question? I'm sorry you
still have extra time. policy 1240 which is evaluation of superintendent which first reading >> um throughout the red line is >> written form written form keeps is struck through the whole thing so what form is it going to take
>> okay thank you >> the black swan event we had to let let go 70 staff members close the school The district voted on the budget. The township cut another 600,000. >> Thank you.
>> Hi, Lee Mcichel again. I'll sign it at the end. Um, thank you all for doing what you do. I know it's not easy and tonight's not been an easy night. Um, obviously with the staff cuts that we're working with. So, I'd like to offer a twopart comment regarding the district's increasing reliance on technology,
including the Chromebooks and emerging AI tools with an eye towards next year's planning. Um, first, from a financial perspective, it's just not a new conversation. Just a few years ago when I served on the board with Lauren Collier, um, Dr. Rossi worked really
hard to go ahead and eliminate close to $100,000 worth of subscriptions, recognizing the need to evaluate costs and prioritize value. Um, during tonight's presentation, I didn't see anything about further cuts. So, I was thinking as we look at next year's
budgets, it's reasonable to ask, what are we currently spending on devices, software, or subscriptions? Which of these costs are recurring? and have we revisited whether any of them remain necessary or all of them remain necessary? Um, looking ahead as new investments are considered, are there
existing subscriptions or platforms that could be reduced or eliminated? Responsible budgeting isn't just about adding new tools. It's about continuously reassessing what we already have. And in a year where 17 teaching positions were eliminated and others not
backfilled, including my own daughter's non-tenured ELA teacher, it underscores the importance of examining every dollar and ensuring that our highest priority, which is direct classroom instruction, is being protected wherever possible. The loss of educators who have a
meaningful impact on students, is not abstract. It's deeply felt, which I know you all agree with. Um, to echo what Dr. Rossi alluded to earlier, there are important student impacts to consider. As reliance on technology increases, so should our level of scrutiny, not only
in how the funds are allocated, but in how these tools are being used in practice. Technology certainly has a place in the classroom as a tool, not the tool, an implementation that's thoughtful matters. I encourage you all to carry this perspective into the next
budget cycling to ensure that technology investments are both fiscally responsible and effectively supporting student outcomes. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else for public comment? Seeing no one were you going to come up?
No. Okay. Seeing no one motion to close. >> Thank you, Rocky. Second. >> Thank you, John. All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. Discussion. >> I I'll just clarify the the assistant coach uh comment slashquest. First of
all, I do appreciate the uh the booster club offer. Um >> No, I understand. No, I understand. I understand. >> On behalf of >> I'll use your name. That's fine. Um no. Um what I'm saying is coaches coaches that are are hired for programs
that don't run. So, typically, um, if you have a a JV coach and a varsity coach in a program and they're not playing simultaneously, the JV coach by default becomes the, uh, becomes the assistant coach, uh, for the varsity event. Um, I'm talking about hiring freshman coaches, not hiring freshman coaches for freshman programs that don't
run, for freshman sports that don't run. Uh, which we've been doing in the past as a luxury to your point. Uh, it it's great the more coaches the better, the more impact they have on kids. Um, but it's a luxury. So if if a if a level of program is not running, we will look to
not hire a coach for that and do away with that quote unquote luxury. >> And then um Barbara, I'm going to ask you to um speak to the legal reserve point. I do have follow-up points related to legal overall that were included in our newsletter, but uh the
one point I just wanted to also mention regarding the referendum, this was certainly not the the biggest variable was the timing of finding out the health insurance that happened pretty much at the peak, if not near the end of our referendum process. We knew there were issues on the horizon, uh
which was a large part of the reason why we moved away from the self-insured model and into a private plan model. Um, if we had stayed in that insurance model, which we had had for years with former boards, this year would have been an absolute disaster for us. So, I'm
very, very grateful that we were able to at least make some accommodations with some foresight. Um, but by no means was this something where, you know, referendum time were ready to pass. We are under the impression that we're facing this level or severe level of a
pitfall uh when it comes to our district budget. So perhaps >> and and I would just say at the same time uh the referendum the need for the referendum doesn't go away because of the budget uh circumstances that we're facing. So and the taxpayer made it loud and clear that they weren't willing to pay for it, but
there is still a uh overcrowding problem at Alpine. There are still facility issues that need to be addressed and could be addressed through a referendum. The public was loud and clear that that's not what they wanted. Um but again the difficulties the challenges
that we're facing don't go as far as um overcrowding and facility issues don't go away just because we have uh the uh the budget challenges that we're facing as well. >> Barbara, did you want to speak to the legal reserves question? >> Uh districts are not required to have
any reserves by the way. um they're they choose to have reserves whether it's capital maintenance or uh the legal and no we don't have a legal reserve here in Sparta um are most of the time when um a legal issue comes up it's run uh often
through the insurance company we have a deductible that we have to pay and we just really have not had the luxury uh to either open and designate funds for a legal reserve or >> really I don't think we have had a legal reserve here years ago. Okay. So, years
ago, we may have >> It's okay. It's She's responding. Go ahead. >> I'm sorry. >> No, you're okay. So, we don't have the extra funds at this point to add more to the legal reserve. >> And Mr. Civol, I would say uh there are
things that we would explore or go to. there are options that we would explore and go to when it comes to the future. I don't want to state those as hypotheticals and and cause panic or or be held to those things. Ms. Decker has spoken highly of you and your time on the board. I would love to have you come
in and we can uh sit down and talk about uh your past practices here, your expertise, and uh any ideas you might have as well if you'd be willing to. >> Yeah. Okay. We'll be in touch. Thank you for that. Um, and one comment I do want to hit on on, uh, legal that
we did include in our newsletter. Uh, just a few short years ago, I came on this board very concerned that our legal services were around $108 per pupil on average. Uh, we took the initiative to seek new legal counsel. I'm proud to say that it is not only a wonderful attorney sitting next to me, it's also her
birthday tonight and this is what she's doing. So, everyone, happy birthday to Jackie. Thank you. >> Sorry I told you I wouldn't say it. But um I say that to say we're this year we're projected at $54 per pupil. So we've slashed that number in half. And I think that these are these types of
steps and frankly there was push back when I advocated for that that it's such a small portion of the budget basically more or less why should we care? Um and we pushed for it because we knew we should and I'm proud to say that this board, this administration, there is no line item in that budget that goes
unchecked. Technology was checked. those subscriptions that we're referring to that was the result of an exorbitant amount of COVID subscriptions uh that were eventually taken away because when we were telling teachers whatever you need to get through this time that was
the answer at the time but as a board we agreed to review those audit those and Tara led that initiative Barbara encouraged it. So the these are the types of things Joanna excuse me um these are the types of things there is no line that goes untouched when it comes to that budget. every single
member of this board uh if not the entire finance committee goes and sits in Barbara's office for hours each year and pours through every single line and asks every question under the sun as to what can we take from here what would the ramifications be here um so that is our plan that will continue to be our
plan the goal is to fund our reserves all kinds of reserves even ones that perhaps we haven't been historically funding so you raise great points this is our goal this is our objective and I think it took a new board with a new perspective to come in with that mindset. Um, and we do have it, but when
to your point, when you're digging and you're in a hole, you're in a hole and you have to dig your way out of that, too. Um, so I certainly don't want to speak to what next year has in store in terms of a hard plan, but also I would be more than welcome to meet with you uh to learn about your experience as well, any advice that you might have for us,
any solutions. And that goes for anyone in the district or community that's interested in being engaged. Um and again there are other areas I would say but I think Rocky already covered it. The efforts we're taking this year do are a structural change to how our do
district operates from the supervisors and uh director situation even to staff which is very very difficult and unfortunate. Um but again goal is to to fund the general to fund our reserves. There's no doubt about that. Um and I believe was there anything else?
Jenny newsletter. Thank you. That's amazing. We will definitely take you up on that. We're trying to spread the word. Um I believe we already covered the Chromebook comment with COVID. Um the uh let me just see here. Oh, you had
asked about the the um wording for that. That's just following the Strauss template. I'm assuming they got rid of written and changed it to annual because it might be an email. it it might be a digital an electronic copy instead of it actually because even through the NJSBA most of our process is digital. Well, we
we do still have that. You obviously have to but the point is is I think they just converted the language and so we're in many ways and I I'll make this promise to you if there's anything where we're deviating strongly from a Strauss template in a given policy. I will tell you, we will announce that at the table
when we have our discussion. Right now, we're just trying to clean up what we have in existence that should have been cleaned up a long time ago, if that makes sense. So, no red flags, nothing to deviate from um on an extreme level. And then you had asked about breakage. I
don't know if that was a I not sure if we covered that well. >> Yeah. Um well the breakage some breakage was accounted for in retirements that were not uh backfilled which which actually wasn't many. Um and then since then um there's been some breakage
breakage with uh two hires but you're looking at like $40,000 something like that in in breakage. Like I said uh last time uh I believe the retirements are typically there's more of them and we can rely more on breakage. That wasn't the case this year.
I hope we covered everything and if I forget another question, just email. Um, thank you all. And with that, let me just see where we're at. Motion to close. We already did that. We went through discussion for the good of the order. >> Uh, I just want to I don't know if I can talk for everybody. I just want to say
that this process was very, very painful and we are very well aware of what this budget means and that in no time was this taken lightly. In fact, there were very
passionate discussions about it and um we understand what it means and unfortunately we are where we are but the taking these actions will actually help us next year because if we just took
bank we'd be here again next year. So, um, just just everybody know that everybody that I saw was was very they took it very very seriously because we know what it means. So, I just wanted to make sure that everybody understood
that. >> May I? >> You may. Uh I just wanted to add after what has been clearly an arduous devastating task for all of us especially our teachers, our building administrators, our central office
people. I just wanted to comment for the board. Listening is what leads to compromise and compromise is an integral component in collaborative achievement which is what we're all looking for. With that said, I also just want to thank everyone for your input, your
perspective, and most of all your thoughtful comments. Thanks so much. Anyone else? >> Okay, thank you all. With that, I think we are ready uh to close or to adjurnn rather. We are not convening back into close session this evening, so we can
skip that portion of the agenda. May I please have a motion to adjurnn? >> Thank you, Miss Rebecca. Second. >> Second. Thank you, Dominic. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Thank you all. Have a great night. 8:30.
Little past 8:30.