The 2024-2025 budget, as presented by Superintendent Aderhold, focuses on aligning with the district’s mission and vision while managing risk and utilizing surplus funds. The budget incorporates measures to address cost drivers like special education tuition, custodial contracts, healthcare, staffing, transportation, and staff salary increments. It also makes provisions for additional positions in special education, English language learner support, and programs such as reading intervention and language immersion.

Facility upgrades were a budgetary consideration, with plans for roof replacements, tennis court resurfacing, theater enhancements, power upgrades, and school paving projects. An initiative for a second Energy Savings Improvement Program (ESIP) was proposed to drive energy savings and reduce the district’s energy footprint. The budget accounts for annual maintenance needs and a potential roof replacement project funded through a Regular Operating District (ROD) Grant.

Inflationary drivers pose challenges, particularly in transportation, employee benefits, salary guides, insurance, and technology costs, which have outpaced the 2% legal allowance. The board discussed these challenges extensively, focusing on generating $13.7 million in savings to compensate for the previous year’s budgeted fund balance. Fixed costs have risen by 4%, yet the board was able to secure a state aid increase of $16.1 million. The tax levy is set to increase by 2.82%, and the board compared the district’s growth dollars with local and state benchmarks, noting the district’s below-average increase over time.

Healthcare and prescription renewals were identified as potential drivers of fixed cost increases. The board discussed staffing challenges, advocacy efforts at the state level, and the district’s hiring and retention strategies. The implications of building and grounds renewal for the 2024-2025 year on the subsequent year’s budget were also examined, considering the increased square footage and labor force allocation changes.

Questions from board members prompted a discussion on the savings from reduced out-of-district special education placements. The savings from bringing students back into the district were elaborated, with potential savings of over $100,000 per student on placement costs, transportation, and other associated expenses highlighted.

The board also announced the lease purchase of 72 Grovers Mill Road for a postgrad program and a middle school mental health program. The mental health initiative has already seen success, with a notable increase in attendance for a previously absentee student. While reductions in out-of-district placements could lead to savings, the board acknowledged the additional costs for instructional and district staffing.

Staffing challenges were a recurring theme, with the board recognizing a marked decline in college graduates entering the teaching profession and the impact of changes in pensions and benefits on educators’ perceived value.

New administrative appointments were made, with Heather Shanklin and Melissa Lock announced as principals for Millstone River and Dutch Neck Elementary Schools, respectively.

Public comments addressed concerns over an incident involving a student questioned for wearing a glove with an American flag design, prompting calls for policy review. Another public comment mentioned an overdue invoice for door installations, which the assistant superintendent for finance was tasked to follow up.

The meeting covered reports from various committees, highlighting approved professional development for teachers, including science institutes and Orton Gillingham certification. Financial reports, budget issues, construction project updates, and food service issues were among the items discussed by the Finance Committee.

Staff retirements were acknowledged, and the board took votes on administration, curriculum, finance, and personnel items. The session concluded with a closed executive meeting addressing personnel and student matters, along with the superintendent evaluation process.