4/24/24 BOE Meeting Recap

Mr. Nixon is proving to the community what many already knew – he is an effective, mindful and respectable leader. It was a productive, albeit long, meeting with healthy civil discourse that, for the most part, stayed on topic.

Jordan Hyman and Angela Penna were absent from the meeting.

Budget Presentation and Discussion
The BA, Asst. Supt and Mr. Nixon provided an updated budget presentation. You can see that presentation here.

Several questions were asked, regarding reserve, capital planning projects and a future referendum but the BA requested time to review the areas of concern with his data.

Settlement Agreement
There was a settlement agreement and settlement payment ($34,000) for an OPRA case (actually, two cases that were combined) approved by the BOE. Ms. Akiri asked about the cost of the District’s legal fees for litigation against the plaintiffs.

CMS Tiger
CMS student spoke again (I give this child massive credit – she is respectful, dedicated and passionate) regarding the abrupt change of CMS mascot from Tiger to Junior Highlander. Ultimately, Mr. Nixon commented that since no physical changes have been made at CMS to remove the Tiger that it’s worth taking a pause to revisit how this was handled and determine next steps. He concluded that the new Superintendent would be tasked with resolving this matter.

Committee Minutes
Ultimately, the attorney recommended the BOE establish a policy that provides oversight in the posting/publishing of committee minutes. The BOE and Administration was in agreement about publishing committee, but relevant concerns surrounding confidentiality and timing of posting/publishing were addressed.

Budget Survey
The survey sent to BHPS families was discussed and all are in agreement that this practice will continue in the future and for other matters involving the District. The possibility of upgrading software for surveying, allowing for more interactive and wide-spread reaching factors were discussed.

Legal Spending
There was a motion to cap legal spending at $150,000 and advertising at $10,000.

Transportation
Mr. Nixon, as a result of meeting with facility and finance committee and the District Transportation department, provided three options to the Board in an effort to allow the Transportation department the opportunity to properly and adequately plan for the 2024-25 school year. The three options presented were:

1. Mandated Bussing Only: students who reside more than 2 miles from elementary and middle school receive free bussing and students who reside more than 2.5 miles from the high school receive free bussing. This option would require a re-bid for routes.

2. Status Quo: we keep the current program in place, everyone who received free bussing this year (courtesy and mandated) receive it again next year.

3. Mandated Bussing + Subscription: students who fall into the mandated bussing category (see 1.) in addition to those wishing to PAY for bussing would be eligible. However, the subscription bussing would only apply to those established routes, of which there are currently 16. The District identified approximately 250 available seats for subscription.

In a 4-2 vote, the District will be moving forward with option 3, those receiving free bussing who are not within the parameters of the state mandate would be eligible to pay for a subscription. The maximum fee for 2024-25 subscription bussing will be $1,000, but the final rate will be determined at a later time, when the Transportation department ascertains who is going to be utilizing the mandated services and can identify open seats for subscription.

Ms. Akiri proposed the BOE offer a reduced rate of $500, similarly to the subscription program after the reconfiguration. Ms. Bradford said that this rate would not be feasible. Ms. Stanley commented that the aid in lieu rate is approximately $1150 and that the $1000 rate the District has been offering is less than what the state has established as the per pupil cost for bussing. Ms. Khanna also reiterated the notion that subscription bussing is not intended to be a revenue driven service for the community, but one of support.

Mr. Nixon commented that the committee discussed capping the rate for families, similarly to the athletic and club fees, so that subscription bussing does not pose a financial burden on any family.

The Subscription bussing fee, until more information is deciphered, has yet to be determined.

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