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I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Our business uh board secretary is out this evening. Damian is going to be

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filling in. Can you take the please? >> Okay. Mr. Andre >> here. >> Miss Crystal >> here. >> Miss Diovani >> here. >> Miss Hollandat >> here. >> Miss Calderon >> here. >> Mr. Sher >> here.

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>> Mr. Stampone >> here. >> Mr. Toth. >> Miss Wadwitz >> here. >> Okay. Notice of the July 15, 2026 meeting of the board of education was emailed to the clerks of the burrows of Essex, North Caldwell and Rosland and to

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the township of Fairfield and the editor of the progress on January 8th, 2026 and the Star Ledger on the same day. Good evening everyone. I hope everyone's enjoying their summer. Um I just want to um welcome everyone. Tonight we will be presenting our state aid numbers. Um Mr.

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will be um putting up some slides and we'll be going over our referendum state aid numbers um to ensure that the community does I know it's summertime a lot of people are away we are also going to u present them again at our September meeting so this won't be the only time that we present the numbers to the

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public I also want to say on the agenda this evening we have Mrs. Lauren Summers, a longtime um employee of the district, 23 years, an alumni of West Essex. We will be approving her this evening as our new middle school principal, assistant principal. I'm

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sorry. Sorry, Alicia. >> We forgot to tell We forgot to tell you. No, assistant principal. Sorry. Um Lauren's been here a long time. She has her hands in everything. always goes above and beyond when asked to do um take on different projects, step in as a

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lead teacher over the years. So, we're very happy to have you on board in a new role. Um I know Damian's going to go into more detail, but we just want to say congratulations and welcome aboard in the new role. >> And that's all I have.

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So, just piggybacking off of Miss Wadwitz, I am uh pleased to be recommending Miss Lauren Summer uh to be the next middle school assistant principal. Uh her appointment follows the transition of Mr. Jeff Martin, who will returning to the classroom as a mathematics teacher at the high school

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beginning in September. We thank Mr. Martin for his service as a middle school assistant principal and look forward to his continued contributions to our district. Miss Summer, as Miss Wadit said, has been a dedicated staff member for the past 23 years where she

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served as a middle school science teacher, consistently demonstrating exceptional leadership, professionalism, and a strong commitment to our students. She's done a number of things throughout her career. Um, just to name a few, she's been serving as the lead teacher

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for the science department for the past 10 years. She's been recognized as a governor educator of the year. She's led numerous initiatives in the building. She's a part of just about anything that we're doing in the school that's good for our students, spirit day, bring your

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child to work day, makers day, you name it, Miss Summer is willing to be involved in it. So, we're excited to have her join our administrative team and we look forward to seeing her in her uh new role as middle school assistant principal.

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So, congratulations, Miss Summer. [applause] [applause] Good evening all. I'm Caesar Dabberto, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction. This is a terrific turnout for our 2026 graduation report. It doesn't get much

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more simple than this report. In back in June, about a month ago, we had 259 students graduate. None of those students need to attend summer school to complete any of their requirements. No students were denied graduation. Uh and no students graduated under the

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portfolio process. So the portfolio process is is if someone cannot pass the testing requirement and then cannot pass any of the alternate testing requirements, then they go to the portfolio process. that did not occur with any students in terms of our special ed population

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uh with alternate requirements. As per IEP, only five students for both ELA and math uh had a few accommodations that were applied in this case that didn't mean a few different things. In this case, it was with regards to their

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testing requirements. Okay. as far as substitute compet although those special ed students still did sit for the original NJ GPA. Okay, which is the high school testing requirement. Okay, in terms of the substitute conc test for

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graduation, five needed to uh meet some other alternate assessment. So that means that five students did not pass the initial NJGPA. But other scores could be applied that could be uh ACUPPLACER, which is our most common, but it could also be different scores on

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the SATs or ACTs. Uh, and with regards to math, they a few more students there. 17 math students needed an alternate assessment to make. And that is all. Thank you. >> Thank you.

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Hey, good evening everyone. >> Um, our assistant superintendent for business and finance couldn't be here this evening. We typically would tag team these types of presentations. Um, so I will be doing the majority of the presentation tonight. We do have some of our U consultants here. Our bond

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attorney Tony Salamini is here. Our architect Alan Barnett is here. So, we do have some other people here if there's any specific questions that may arise specifically with finances or anything um you know involving the some

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the scope of the work. Okay. All right. So, I'm Damian Macho. I'm the superintendent of schools. Um, I want to thank you guys for coming out tonight. Tonight, we'll provide updated information on the proposed t uh referendum, including state aid

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estimates and and the estimated tax impact. As promised, we are sharing information with the community as soon as it becomes available. The district has been planning this referendum since 2019, working with

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architects, engineers, and financial professionals to identify and prioritize our district needs. So, with regard to our timeline, um on February 19th, 2026, the board approved the project applications and

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submitted them to the new the New Jersey Department of Education for review. At the end of June, roughly June 26th, the district received preliminary state aid eligibility lever letters outlining

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how much financial assistance the state would provide if the referendum is approved. Um, using those figures, our financial advisor calculated the estimated tax impact for each municipality and bond council prepared the referendum questions for the board's

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consideration tonight. If the board approves the questions, the referendum will move forward on November 3rd. Tonight, we will review the state aid estimates, explain the projected tax impact, and discuss how those factors were calculated. Um, but before we

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begin, I'd like to briefly recap the proposed projects for anyone who was unable to attend our referendum presentation on May 11th. Note that those slides from May 11th are available and the recording for that

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meeting, they're available on the district website. Okay. So, why a bond referendum? A bond referendum is a special election that allows voters to decide whether the district can borrow funds for

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large-scale school improvements while receiving state aid to offset eligible project costs. We chose this approach for three reasons. Number one, state aid. Voter approval allows the district to

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receive state aid. If both questions pass, the district is eligible for approximately $9.3 million in state funding. Second reason is faster completion. A referendum provides funding upfront so projects can be completed in a few

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years. By comparison, completing projects through the annual budget and capital reserve took 12 years to accomplish $12.4 million in improvements. The shared long-term cost bond costs are

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spread over time among property owners. If a home is sold, responsibility for future payments transfers to the new owner through property taxes. So, state aid. Okay. The total proposed investment for both referendum questions

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is roughly around $49.5 million. Question one is approximately $42 million in projects. Question two is roughly $7.5 million in projects. The state has determined our district is

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eligible to receive approximately $9.3 million in state aid if both questions are approved. Keep in mind question two is contingent upon voter approval of question one and question two cannot pass independent.

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So if we break question uh the question one project down. Okay if you look at the chart this chart shows the cost breakdown of question one projects by category. Take note, the largest investment is the two-story addition and media center

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renovation at the high school along with the auditorium renovation at the middle school. The next largest category is HVAC improvements, including selected classroom units at the high school and rooftop units that serve both gymnasiums

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in the middle school, the auditorium in the middle school, and the cafeteria in the middle school. Infrastructure improvements include replacing deteriorating exterior walls and windows at the high school where settling has created gaps in the walls

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that reduce energy efficiency and comfort. This category also includes removing the deteriorated concrete trellis at the middle school. Because it no longer serves a a functional purpose, it would be costly to repair and removal is the

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most practical and coste effective solution. field improvements, including replacing the existing grass athletic field across from the middle school, would be replaced with a turf field. The district also qualified for state aid related to the drain compon the drainage components

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of the turf field project. Security enhancements uh represent the smallest portion of question one approximately 6% and including uh and include adding secure entrance vestibules at both schools to provide an

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additional layer of visitor screening. Okay. So we'll break down uh question two. Question two includes two project categories. So approximately 60% of the funding would support construction of new stadium bleachers and a new press box.

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The remaining 40% would fund additional security improvements, including replacement of interior doors and hardware throughout the schools. These security projects qualified for the maximum available state aid, which is $1 million.

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Okay, here's the estimated monthly tax impact. If approved, referendum debt payments would begin during the 2728 school year. Estimates are based on a 20-year bond with an assumed 4% interest

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rate. The estimated tax impact is based on each municipality's average assessed home value, not current market value, which is typically much higher. Note that based on 2025 assess, these

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values are based on the 2025 assessed values and 2025 average home values. And if you see the slide there, average assessed home values are as follows. Essex 947,342,

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Fairfield $530,788. North Cowell $800,484 and Roseland at $639,995. Our district will include a link where residents can look up their own assessed value along with charts showing estimated tax impacts at various levels

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for each municipality. Question one, the total project cost roughly $42 million. The estimated state aid 8 The estimated monthly tax impact for the average assessed home,

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Essex Fells, $21, Fairfield $15, North Caldwell $22, Roseland $15. With regard to question two, remember, can only be approved if question one passes. The total project cost roughly

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$7.5 million. The estimated state aid is $1 million. The additional monthly tax impact for Essex would be an additional $4. Total for two questions would be $25 a month.

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Fairfield would be an additional $3 for a total of $18 per month. North Caldwell would be an additional $4 for a total of $26 a month. and Roseland would be an additional $3 totaling $18

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per month. And just again keep in mind question two can only pass if voters approve question one. Okay. So, I just want to emphasize, and this is a message that we've been

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continuously um promoting, that we remain com committed to keeping the community informed throughout the referendum process so residents can make an informed decision on November 3rd. I see many of the people here in attendance tonight are on our referendum communications committee, and I thank

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you guys for your uh dedication to to this um to this process. Um, updated project information, financial details, and state estimates will continue to be shared through the district website, social media, and local media outlets, and they will be

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often um community members are encouraged to submit questions at any time using the district's dedicated referendum email address, which is vote west.org. In closing here, we will continue to host informational sessions, um, events,

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additional presentations, community forums where architects, engineers, financial adviserss, and other professional consultants will be available to explain the projects and to answer any questions you may have.

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And that's all I have for you, Miss Wadu. >> Thank you, Mr. Machoi. >> Um, >> thank you. Do we have any comments from board members? Anything? No. Okay. Do we have any committee

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reports? Um, okay. Then at this time, we'll open up uh public comments. Uh, we will open up the floor for public comments on non uh on agenda items in accordance with bylaw 0167, a copy of which is available on the district's website. The board is now opening the meeting for a period of

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public comment. Please remember to announce your name, place of residence, and group affiliation if appropriate. Your statements will be limited to three minutes in duration, and we will take your comments as they relate to the obligations of the effectiveness to govern the West um school district. Do

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we have any questions on agenda items? >> Hi, uh Yra Denjin. I'm from Rosland. Do you want my full address or >> Yeah, that's fine. >> Okay. Um A couple questions from the agenda in finance number item number four. Um it's related to a particular

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group. It says uh the board intends to renew, award, or permit to expire the following contract. I feel like that wording is kind of vague because it's not clear if you're creating something new or getting rid of something. Is that intentional because you don't want to actually say what action is being performed?

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>> These are >> the renewals. It's just a It's just a wording that we always use, but these are renewals. >> Okay. But I mean, it's it's good to know it's a renewal, but upon reading it, a person wouldn't know what the action is based on the wording. So, if it's if

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it's easy to specify like maybe if you have a long list, it's hard to do, but for a single item, it feel like you could specify if it was a renewal or expiration, etc. Okay. Um the next one is uh number seven. uh you got some money for title one and title two, but

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there was about $3,000 for title three that you um are approving to refuse. And I think is that because it's not above the $10,000 amount that you would need to be able to accept it. >> Yeah. There'd have to be a consortium with other towns. Yeah.

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>> In order to accept that. So, I think um the Rosine Elementary School has I think for Title Three has had a similar issue and they're in the process of getting into a consortium with Livingston or something so they can actually get the money. Is that something that the board is considering doing generating consortium so you can get $3,000 that

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was on the table? >> I I'd have to Yeah, our business administrator isn't here. I can check with her and get back to you on that. she would be the one to be able to answer that if they're against you first year. >> Yeah, I don't know what goes into making consortium, but if you can get three

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grand, why not try to get it? And then my last question is um for the estimated uh household contributions per month, is that per month uh over the a 20-year period? So, everything that's up there should be multiplied by 12 by 20 if you want to figure out what the total cost

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of that household will be. >> Tony, would you be able to answer that for us? >> Sure. So, it's laid out is um for the one community was $25. So every month $25 for each year the bond's outstanding but it's not 25 and

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then another 25 is 25. >> It's just you're paying 25 25 time 12 for the year. Correct. And the bond is outstanding for 20 years. Okay. So >> thanks >> if you're living in if you stay in that because if you pass it on you said yeah but that just kind of gives a little sense of what

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>> what my ultimate contribution will be if I stay there. >> Thank you. >> Are there any other questions? Okay. Um then moving on we will move on to our agenda items. Um, Ray, do you want to take finance,

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please? >> Following finance motions are made at recommendation of the superintendent of schools. Anything placed on this agenda, items 1 through 10 will be voted upon in one motion. And I so >> any questions or comments.

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>> All right. >> Yeah, sure. Take your time. >> Mr. Andre, >> yes. >> Miss Crystalall, >> yes. >> Miss Giovani, >> yes. Miss Hollandat. >> Yes. >> Miss Calderon. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sher. >> Yes. >> Mr. Stampone. >> Yes. >> Mr. Tote.

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>> Miss Waduits. >> Yes. Bill, if we take buildings and grounds, please. >> The following building and grounds motions are made at the recommendation of the superintendent of schools. Anything please on this agenda? Item one will be voted upon one motion and I

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second. >> Any questions or comments? Mr. Andre, >> yes. >> Miss Crystalall, >> yes. >> Miss Diovani, >> yes. >> Miss Hollandat, >> yes. >> Miss Calderon, >> yes. >> Mr. Sher, >> yes. >> Mr. Stampone, >> yes. >> Mr. Tooth,

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>> Miss Waditz, >> yes. >> Uh, John, can you take the curriculum, please? >> Yes, ma'am. >> The following curriculum special education motions are made to the recommendation of the superintendent of schools. Anything placed on this agenda? Items one through seven will be voted

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upon in one motion and I so move. >> Any questions or comments? >> Are there any questions or comments? >> Okay. [clears throat] >> Mr. Andre. >> Yes. >> Miss Crystalall. >> Yes. >> Miss Divvani. >> Yes. >> Miss Hollandat. >> Yes. >> Miss Calderon. >> Yes.

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>> Mr. Sher. >> Yes. >> Mr. Stampone. >> Yes. Mr. Toth, Miss Waditz, >> yes, take personel please. >> Anything on this one through motion?

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>> Second. >> Any questions or comments? Call the roll. >> Mr. Andre, >> yes. >> Miss Crystalall, >> yes. >> Miss Dioani, >> yes. >> Miss Hollandat, >> yes. >> Miss Calderon, >> yes. >> Mr. chair. >> Yes. >> Mr. Stampone.

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>> Yes. >> Mr. Tooth. >> Miss Waduits. >> Yes. Officially congratulations. [applause] >> Um Ruth, do you want to take miscellaneous, please? >> Sure. The following miscellaneous motions are made at the recommendation of the superintendent of schools.

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Anything placed on this agenda items one through three will vote upon in one motion. And I so move. >> Second. Any questions or comments? >> Mr. Andre. >> Yes. >> Miss Crisal. >> Yes. >> Miss Dioani.

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>> Yes. To one and two. I recuse myself for number three. Miss Calderon. >> Yes. >> Miss Hollandat. >> Yes. >> He's a newbie. >> She threw him off with that.

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>> Mr. Sher. Yes. >> Mr. Stampone. >> Yes. >> Mr. Tooth. >> Miss Wadwitz. >> Yes. >> All right. At this time, we'll open up the floor for public comments on non-aggenda items. Do we have any public

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comments on non-aggenda items? >> As the chair for the ad hoc committee for the referendum, I was overwhelmed with the prices, the costs, everything that we received from the DOE. Um, thanks to Tony and Alan and all of those

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who actually do all the hard work and determine and get our numbers for us. We appreciate everything they've done. We have been badgering them since the start of this trying to educate ourselves and to make sure that we were fiscally responsible going forward to all of our

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communities. We understand that, you know, in the in the labor and economy and everything, we're all in the same place. But we do hope that the communities will look at everything that we're trying to propose

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and that we're initiating for the school, for academics, and for athletics. It has been hard work by the ad hoc committee and the whole board here looking at our priority lists and trying to really come down to what we

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felt was the most fiscally responsible all the way down to making sure that we did the vote in November so that we didn't go out at a different time which would have cost the taxpayers more money and this way it's all encumbered during the regular county voting. So, I hope

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that you will continue to come, continue to look at the website, continue to reach out to us, call us if you need more understanding about numbers and what does it mean. You know, I said today we had we had a meeting this morning with our mayors because we

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wanted to be as transparent as we can with all stakeholders. So, we invited the mayors to come and shared all of our numbers with them. And then when they left and I was talking to everyone, I'm like, I think we should break this down into do how many cups of coffee at

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Starbucks in a month Duncan or a pizza once a week for your family you know and when you break it down to that and you see even the minutia even though the little littleer you keep going down you're like okay I understand it's for the good of the students it's for the

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good of the community and we just hope that once you do understand all of this and you come to us if you have any questions that you will be able to support us going forward So, I appreciate everyone coming tonight and all of those who are on YouTube out

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there. Um, so thank you very much. >> Any other comments? Any other comments from the public? No. Okay. Uh, Ray, do you want to read us, please? >> Sure. There being no further business before this board of education, be it resolved that this public meeting be

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adjourned at 6:30. I'll make the motion. Do I have a second? >> Second.