[1. Meeting Opening ]
[00:00:10]
>> CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER. PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE.
>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE 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.
[2. Public Comments ]
>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME. WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO 2.01 PUBLIC COMMENT ON POSTAGE AGENDA ITEMS. WE HAVE THREE PEOPLE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. AS I CALL YOUR NAME PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM AND DO NOT ADDRESS ANYONE INDIVIDUALLY. FIRST UP
IS SARAH RENFROE. >> GOOD EVENING BOARD. I AM SPEAKING ON 3.01, BUDGET ADOPTION. I AM THE PARENT OF AN EIGHTH GRADER AT FISHERS JUNIOR HIGH. I HAVE SPOKEN BEFORE ABOUT THE HIGH QUALITY OF OUR EDUCATORS. SCHOOLS ARE THE REASON WE MOVED HERE NINE YEARS AGO . I CONTINUE TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE TREATMENT OF THOSE IN THE CLASSROOM BY THOSE IN CENTRAL OFFICE. OUR TEACHERS DESERVE BETTER.
TEACHERS DESERVE TO BE HEARD. OUR TEACHERS DESERVE RESPECT.
OUR TEACHERS DESERVE BETTER PAY. OUR TEACHERS DESERVE
BETTER, PERIOD. THANK YOU >> NEXT UP IS ALYSSA ROBERT.
>> I AM INTERESTED IN MAKING THREE POINT TONIGHT. ALL OF THE DISCUSSIONS SURROUNDING THE BUDGET AS WELL. I HAVE REVIEWED THE DOCUMENTS. I'VE GONE BACK TO LOOK AT BUDGET ADOPTIONS PREVIOUSLY. WHAT IS INTERESTING IS WHEN YOU DO THIS YOU SEE ALL OF THE DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE HISTORICALLY. ALSO, MANY BOARD MEMBERS HAVE REPEATEDLY ASKED FOR MORE INFORMATION, SAYING THEY WERE NOT GIVEN ENOUGH. HOWEVER, I FOUND SOMETHING REALLY STRIKING. THIS YEAR IS PROVIDING FAR LESS DOCUMENTATION THAN PREVIOUS YEARS. MISSING TODAY FROM THE POSTED DOCUMENTS INCLUDE FORM ONE, TWO, AND MULTIPLE VERSIONS OF FOUR. MANY OF THESE FORMS INCLUDE BUDGET ITEM BY UNIT CLEARLY BREAKING DOWN EACH EXPENDED SURE. IT SEEMS A LITTLE ODD THAT IN THE PAST WE HAVE REQUESTED MORE AND IT SEEMS WE ARE ENTIRELY CONTENT WITH FAR LESS THAN WE HAVE EVER HAD THIS YEAR. THE SECOND POINT IS REGARDING THE EXPANSION OF THE INSTRUCTIONAL COACHES. AS SOMEONE WHO SERVED FOR 7 YEARS I FIRMLY BELIEVE IN THE BENEFIT AND IMPORTANCE OF A STRONG INSTRUCTIONAL COACH PROGRAM. IT IS OFTEN CITED AS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO CHANGE TEACHER PRACTICE. I SUPPORT AN INSTRUCTIONAL COACH INITIATIVE SO LONG AS THE COACHES ARE DOING THE ACTUAL WORK OF COACHING. RECENTLY, HAVE BEEN MADE ABOUT WRITING AS PART OF THEIR DUTIES, WHICH IS AN EGREGIOUS ASK HITTING TEACHERS AGAINST COACH FROM THE VERY ONSET. ALANNA AGUILAR HAS THAT COACHING IS A FORM OF CONFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT BRINGS OUT THE BEST IN PEOPLE, UNCOVERS STRENGTHS AND SKILLS, CULTIVATE COMPASSION AND BUILD EMOTIONALLY RESILIENT EDUCATORS. COACHING IS AT ITS ESSENCE THE WAY HUMAN BEINGS AND INDIVIDUALS HAVE ALWAYS LEARNED BEST. I AM CONCERNED THIS MODEL WILL NOT BE EFFECTIVE LEADING TO MISTRUST AND THE INVESTMENT OF INSTRUCTIONAL COACHING. THIS ADDITION COULD BE TRANSFORMATIVE, BUT ONLY IF ADMINISTRATION IS CAREFUL NOT TO MAKE THESE COACHES JUNIOR ADMINISTRATORS AND ALLOW THEM TO DO THE WORK OF COACHING OUTLINED BY EXPERT. THE FINAL POINT IS HOW IMPORTANT AND VALUABLE OUR TEACHERS ARE. ALL OF YOU HAVE SAID THAT. NOW IT IS TIME TO SHOW IT. DEMAND YOUR ADMINISTRATION TREAT BARGAINING AS THE IMPORTANT AND VALUABLE EXPERIENCE THAT IT IS AND THAT THEY TREAT TEACHERS FAIRLY AND RESPECTFULLY. OTHERWISE YOUR WORDS ARE EMPTY SOUNDS. THANK
YOU. >> NEXT UP IS TYLER ZERBIE.
>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD MEMBERS. I AM THE V.P. OF SECONDARY FOR HSE AND AN ENGLISH MEMBER OF THE BARGAINING TEAM. I AM HERE
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TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEM 3.01. THE LAST TWO DAYS WE HAVE BEEN PARTICIPATING IN THE BARGAINING PROCESS. TONIGHT YOU WILL BE VOTING ON THE BUDGET. I AM SURE YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS A TOP CONCERN FOR US. THIS WEEK WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE CONVERSATIONS SURROUNDING THE BUDGET, WHAT IT IS, HOW IT IS MADE UP AND HOW MUCH WE HAVE TO SPEND ON OUR TEACHERS AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT GOES INTO MAKING A DISTRICT RUN. WE HAVE HEARD AN IN-DEPTH RECOUNTING OF THE PRESENTATION GIVEN DURING THE LAST MEETING AND WE WERE PRESENTED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK MORE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE BUDGET THIS CYCLE. SO FAR WE HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT TWO PROPOSALS. WE KNOW THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE BACK NEXT WEEK TO SOLIDIFY OUR CONTRACT. DUE TO THIS WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO REMEMBER THIS WHEN YOU VOTE ON THE BUDGET TONIGHT. YOUR TEACHERS ARE THE ONES THAT WORK TIRELESSLY DAY IN AND OUT TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF THEIR STUDENTS. YOUR TEACHERS ARE THE ONES TO GO THE EXTRA MILE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN CLASSROOMS EVERY DAY. YOUR TEACHERS ARE THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND WORKERS THAT WORK TO MAKE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SUCCESSFUL. YOUR TEACHERS MATTER. FOR THESE AND COUNTLESS OTHER REASONS YOUR TEACHERS, ALL 1300 MEMBERS OF THE BARGAINING UNIT, AND WHETHER THEY ARE IN THE UNION OR NOT CANNOT GO HOME WITH LESS PAY THAN WHAT THEY ARE NOW. WHILE WE HAVE BEEN TOLD WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXPECT SIGNIFICANT INCREASES THIS YEAR WE ALSO KNOW THAT WE DESERVE TO BE PAID CORRECTLY FOR THE WORK THAT WE ARE DOING EVERY DAY. WE ASK THAT YOU REMEMBER THIS AS YOU PLAY SURE ABOUT TONIGHT AND AS WE CONTINUE TO WORK THROUGH THE BARGAINING PROCESS AND REACH AN AGREEMENT NEXT WEEK. I DIDN'T MEAN TO TURN THE LIGHTS OUT ON EVERYBODY. THANK YOU[3. Action Items ]
VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE IT.>> WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO 3.01, BUDGET ADOPTION. THE PRESENTATION WILL BE BY 10 BROWN.
>> THANK YOU MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH A PRETTY EXTENSIVE PROCESS AS WE HAVE WORKED THROUGH THE BUDGET.
JUST AS A REVIEW WE DID A HIGH-LEVEL OVERVIEW ON SEPTEMBER 10 WITH A BUDGET FINANCE COMMITTEE. I PRESENTED BEFORE THE WORK SESSION BOARD ON SEPTEMBER 25. WE HAVE ADVERTISED. WE HAD A PUBLIC HEARING ON OCTOBER 9. TONIGHT WE ARE READY FOR OFFICIAL BUDGET APPROVAL. THAT IS THE PROCESS WE WENT THROUGH. EACH TIME I HAVE COME BACK AND TRY TO GIVE YOU AN ENROLLMENT UPDATE. ENROLLMENT DOES DRIVE FUNDS. EACH TIME I HAVE TRIED TO CLARIFY THAT THIS IS A WORKING PROCESS. UNFORTUNATELY I AM HERE TO REPORT THAT WE HAVE DROPPED FOUR STUDENTS FROM WHAT WE THOUGHT THE ACCOUNT WOULD BE BEFORE. ENSURING EVERY STUDENT IS PROPERLY ENROLLED IN OUR STUDENT INFORMATION SYSTEM AND THE TIMELINESS OF THEIR ARRIVAL CERTAINLY HAS EBBS AND FLOWS. AS A RESULT WE ARE DOWN FOUR STUDENTS FROM THE LAST TIME THAT I TALKED. WE BELIEVE OFFICIAL ENROLLMENT IS 20,698 STUDENTS. THIS IS SET TO FUND AT 20,691 6/10. THAT DID NOT CHANGE FROM LAST TIME IN THE SCOPE OF THE FACT THAT WE DO HAVE NINE DUAL ENROLLED STUDENTS THAT WE GET TO ACCOUNT FOR 2.6 STUDENTS. IT IS JUST THE WAY THE FUNDING WORKS. OF THE STUDENTS 27 ARE VIRTUAL SO WE ARE FUNDED AT 85% FOR THOSE STUDENTS. THIS LIGHT HAS ONLY ONE UPDATE FROM THE LAST TIME WE TALKED AND THAT IS THE APPROXIMATE NEW MONEY VALUE COMING INTO THE EDUCATION FUND.
IT DID DROP A LITTLE BIT FROM LAST TIME AND THE NUMBER IS NOW $388,500. LAST YEAR YOU HEARD ME TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE BUDGET BEFORE. WE HAD NEARLY 5 MILLION IN NEW MONEY COMING INTO THE DISTRICT. $388,000 IS DIFFICULT IN TERMS OF OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE RAISES, EVEN THOUGH WE ABSOLUTELY ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BARGAINING PROCESS AND INTEND TO FULLY PROVIDE RAISES TO TEACHERS. WE UNDERSTAND THAT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT DESPITE THE CHALLENGE OF ONLY $388,000 IN NEW MONEY COMING IN. A COUPLE OTHER RELATED ITEMS. I WANT TO POINT OUT ADDITIONAL COST. TEACHER RETIREMENT, I MENTIONED THAT THE LAST COUPLE OF TIMES. INSURANCE INCREASES AND WE ARE WORKING CREATIVELY TO FIND A REALLY GOOD SOLUTION THERETHROUGH COLLECTIVE BARGAINING. I FEEL LIKE THAT IS GOING WELL. ONE THING THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT INTO THE SLIDE DECK, THE STATE OF INDIANA PRODUCES A REPORT EVERY YEAR
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THE DOCUMENTS HOW MUCH OF TUITION SUPPORT DOLLARS ARE SPENT ON TEACHER SALARIES AND WAGE RELATED BENEFITS. 62% IS THE TARGET THAT WE NEED TO HIT. UNDER THE LATEST REPORT HSE SCHOOL. 83.81% OF NEW MONEY GOING TO TEACHER SALARIES, WAGES AND BENEFITS. THAT DOES SIGNIFICANTLY SURPASS THE EXPECTATION OF 52% AND DOES DOCUMENT THE VALUE THAT WE HAVE PRIOR TO MY ARRIVAL AND CONTINUING WITH MY ARRIVAL PLACED ON OUR TEACHERS IN OUR DISTRICT. I THINK THAT IS AN IMPORTANT NUMBER TO KNOW, A VERY HIGH PERCENTAGE WENTCOMPARED TO OTHER SCHOOLS. >> AND YOU REPEAT THE NUMBER?
>> 83.83% WAS OFFICIALLY DOCUMENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. MOVING FORWARD TO PUT A BOW ON THE BUDGET THE REFERENDUM FUND AGAIN HAD TWO NICE INCREASE IF WE DO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PENNY AS WAS PROJECTED TONIGHT IN THE REQUEST. THE EDUCATION FUND IS LOOKING AT A $1.8 MILLION DEFICIT. THE REFERENDUM 800,000, OPERATIONS 3 MILLION AND THAT IS PRIOR TO ANY RAISES. THAT DOES FACTOR IN INCREASES FOR INSURANCE BUT NOT RAISES. WE ARE LEFT WITH A VERY DIFFICULT PROCESS. WE ALL HAVE A BOTTOM-LINE TO MEET. THE PROCESS OF THE BUDGET AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO DO THOSE THINGS TOGETHER. BUDGET INFORMATION, JUST A REMINDER, WE DO HAVE TO ADVERTISE. YOU ARE GOING TO SEE THAT WE ADVERTISE SLIGHTLY HIGHER TAX RATES AND KNOW THAT THE GROUP THAT MANAGES OUR BUDGET CAN BRING THAT DOWN.
THEY NEVER CAN RAISE. YOU WILL OFTEN SEE THE STRATEGY OF INCREASING ACTUAL RATES KNOWING THEY WILL BE CUT LATER. THIS IS A SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON. ALL THIS IS SHOWING IS USE THE RATES ON THE LEFT SIDE THAT ARE A LITTLE BIGGER THAN THE ACTUAL RATE THAT WE ARE GOING TO ABSOLUTELY HIT, THE CURRENT TAX RATE IN 2024. AGAIN, A PASSION OF OUR TEAM FROM DAY ONE IS NOT TO RAISE THE TAX RATE DESPITE THE ECONOMIC AND FISCAL CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE. WHAT YOU SEE ON THE RIGHT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE BELIEVE THE BUDGET WILL FALL IN. COMPARISON OF 2024 TWO 2025. THIS IS THE SAME SLOT WE HAVE HAD FOR 3 OR FOUR MEETINGS IN A ROW. IT LOOKS LIKE A SIGNIFICANT INFLUX IN DOLLARS.
REMEMBER, THIS IS PERMISSION TO SPAN AND THERE ARE A VARIETY OF REASONS WHY. I FEEL LIKE I'VE TALKED ABOUT EACH OF THESE BEFORE. THE EDUCATION FUND, AT THE NEXT BOARD MEETING I WILL COME AND ASK FOR PERMISSION TO SPEND 5 MILLION MORE DOLLARS TO BALANCE THE BUDGET AT THE END OF 2024. THAT IS TO GET PERMISSION TO SPEND CASH THAT ALREADY EXISTS. WE KNOW IF WE NEEDED IN 2024 WE WILL NEED THE CASH IN 2025. WE KNOW THERE IS AN INFLUX TO THE EDUCATION FUND DUE TO CURRICULAR MATERIALS. IT USED TO BE ITS OWN SILO. IT STILL EXISTS, IT JUST LIVES INSIDE THE EDUCATION FUND. IT WILL STILL BE EXCLUSIVELY USED FOR CURRICULAR MATERIALS BUT NOW FIT INTO THE EDUCATIONAL BUDGET. THE INCREASE IN COINSURANCE ACROSS THE DISTRICT, $2 BILLION -- MILLION DOLLARS. THOSE ARE SOME OF THE BIG PIECES THAT RESULT IN THOSE INCREASES. THE REST I HAVE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE. I'M CERTAINLY HAPPY TO TALK IN MORE DETAIL. THE EDUCATION IS THE ONE THAT STANDS OUT THE MOST.
WE ARE ALSO GOING TO DECREASE AS FAR AS OUR RECOMMENDATION OF THE BUDGET OUR TRANSFER FROM 70 MILLION TO 50 MILLION. THIS IS ALL TO GO TO WORK BUS PURCHASES . ONE OF THE BIG THINGS I REALLY WANT TO EMPHASIZE HAS A LOT OF VALUE THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS EXIST IS ANY INTEREST DOLLARS THAT THIS CORPORATION MAKES FROM THE MONEY IN OUR BANK ACCOUNT, IF YOU WILL, GOES TO THE EDUCATION FUND, MINUS ANYTHING RELATED TO GEO BONDS.
WE CERTAINLY ARE NOT ABLE TO DO THAT. THAT IS KEY. AT 5% THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY PLUGGED INTO EDUCATION WHEN A MAJORITY OF FUNDING ARE TEACHERS, SALARIES AND WAGE RELATED EXPENSES IN OUR BUILDING AND PRINCIPLES AS WELL. I THINK THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT. BEFORE YOU TONIGHT A REVOLUTION FOR APPROVAL OF BUDGET FORM FOUR. THE OFFICIAL NUMBER IN TERMS OF NUMBERS HAVE APPROVED. WE WILL TAKE ANY INTEREST THAT WE HAVE EARNED AND PUT THAT INTO THE EDUCATION FUND. THE CAPITAL PROJECTS PLAN APPROVAL, THE BUS REPLACEMENT APPROVAL AND THAT TRANSFER APPROVAL WHICH WILL BEGIN ON JANUARY 1 FOR THE 2025 CALENDAR YEAR. REALLY THE SAME
[00:15:02]
PRESENTATION OF THE SUMMER IF WE ARE DOWN FOUR STUDENTS SINCE THE LAST TIME WE TALKED AND THESE RESOLUTIONS ARE UP FORAPPROVAL. >> THANK YOU. ANY COMMENT?
>> JUST A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. OBVIOUSLY THE DEFICIT PER FUND CASH BALANCE IS THE KIND OF MAKEUP FOR THOSE. WE TALKED ABOUT IT AT PREVIOUS MEETINGS. CAN YOU GO OVER IT TO FIX IT LONGER-TERM, HOW WE ARE GOING TO GET THERE? CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT OF USING IT SHORT-TERM AND HOW WE ARE GOING TO GET THERE TO NOT HAVE TO CONTINUE DOING THAT?
>> THE THREE BIG FUNDS THAT I HAVE TALKED ABOUT WERE EDUCATIONAL REFERENDUM AND OPERATIONS. THAT IS THE EASIEST ONE. AS LONG AS WE MAINTAIN THE FULL RATE THE 800,000 DEFICIT SHOULD TAKE CARE OF ITSELF OVER TIME. THAT IS A BOND THAT CONTINUES TO GROW. IT IS GOING TO TAKE A BUDGET STUDY COMMITTEE TO GET TOGETHER AND LOOK AT CRITICAL CONSIDERATIONS. I WAS ON RECORD SAYING PROTECT THE CLASSROOM.
WE ALL UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF THAT. THERE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE SOME CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS TO WRITE SITE THIS. WE CONTINUE TO OUTSPEND THE REVENUES THAT COME IN. WE ARE USING OUR SAVINGS ACCOUNT AND YOU CAN ONLY DO THAT FOR SO
LONG. >> AS FAR AS THE STUDY COMMITTEE, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT MR. MAPES CAN SPEAK TO? HOW DOES THAT BEGIN? WHO WAS INVOLVED IN THAT?
>> AND THE JANUARY START MEETING AND SEE THE CHANGES WE CAN MAKE IN ORDER TO SAVE SOME DOLLARS.
>> I HAD BASICALLY TWO OTHERS. WE HAD A SPEAKER TONIGHT WHO MENTIONED IT. THERE ARE SOME PUBLIC FORMS. ARE THOSE AVAILABLE DURING THIS OR AFTER THIS?
>> WHEN WE PUBLISH THE BUDGET I WILL BE PERFECTLY HONEST, I HAVE NOT SHARED THOSE. IT JUST WASN'T SOMETHING THAT I HAD DONE IN THE PAST. I THOUGHT THE PRESENTATION TOOK CARE OF THAT.
>> I THINK IT IS SOMETIMES NICE TO HAVE IT ON THOSE FORMS.
>> HAPPY TO DO THAT IN THE FUTURE.
>> I THINK THAT IS IT FOR ME. THANK YOU.
>> ANYONE ELSE? >> CAN YOU SHARE WITH THE COMMUNITY WHAT HAPPENS IF NOT APPROVED BY NOVEMBER 1?
>> I AM NOT SURE I'VE GONE DOWN THAT ROAD AS A POSSIBILITY TO
CONSIDER. >> JUST IN GENERAL, YOU ARE FORCED INTO THE RATE THAT YOU HAVE CURRENTLY ADOPTED AND
CAN'T MAKE ANY CHANGES. >> WRIGHT, MEANING WE ARE STUCK WITH ALL OF LAST YEAR STUFF. I JUST WANTED THAT TO BE CLEAR.
>> THANK YOU. I HAVEN'T GONE DOWN THAT ROAD.
>> ANYONE ELSE? >> I JUST WANTED TO COMMEND YOU. I HAD QUESTIONS THAT I SUBMITTED TO YOUR DEPARTMENT AND TO THE AD MAN. I WILL PIGGYBACK ON THE IDEA OF IF WE DID APPROVE WHERE WOULD THAT LEAVE US? I AM GRATEFUL FOR YOU. YOU WORKED REALLY DILIGENTLY AND GAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION AND I GREATLY APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. THEN ALSO MAKING IT CLEAR TO US THAT IF YOU DO NOT APPROVE THE BUDGET TONIGHT IT IS NOVEMBER 1, IS THAT RIGHT? WE WILL BE GOING OFF OF ALL OF THE NUMBERS FROM LAST YEAR.
>> YES. OBVIOUSLY WE FOLLOW A NUMBER OF STEPS AND ADVERTISE THE REQUIREMENTS AND PUBLIC HEARING REQUIREMENTS. HERE WE ARE ON NOVEMBER 23. IT WOULD NOT BE AS SIMPLE AS LET'S MAKE
A CHANGE IN RHE AVERAGE EYES. >> CORRECT. WE WERE AT .2275.
REDUCING THAT AND, YOU KNOW, BEING ADVOCATE IN THE COMMUNITY FOR THE REFERENDUM AT .1195, I THINK IT GOT BUMPED DOWN. I WASN'T EXCITED. IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO DO THE .5 SO WE CAN HAVE MONEY IN THERE. AND ONE MORE TIME WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? IT WAS 1.8 MILLION OR SOMETHING?
>> DROPPING THE RATE TO THE PENNY THAT WE APPROVED LAST
[00:20:04]
YEAR WOULD BE $1 MILLION. WE TALKED ABOUT THIS. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE REFERENDUM IS TO SUPPORT TEACHER WAGES ANDBENEFITS. >> RIGHT. OBVIOUSLY WE ALWAYS WANT TO SAVE MONEY, BUT NOT WHEN IT IS THAT THE EXPENSE OF PAYING OUR TEACHERS. I WANT TO PLUCK THIS IN THERE AS I SAY EVERY MEETING. BE VERY MINDFUL WHEN THIS IS FINISHED AND WE ARE SUPPORTING WE ALSO REMEMBER OUR SUPPORT STAFF. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE MAKING SURE SOMEHOW WE FIND A WAY TO SUPPORT THEM AS WELL. I AM JUST GOING TO GO ON RECORD TO SAY I HOPE WE DO NOT SPEND LOTS OF MONEY ON ADMINISTRATION STUFF IN THE SPRING.
TEACHERS, EDUCATORS AND SUPPORT. THANK YOU.
>> I JUST WANT TO ADD A COUPLE OF COMMENTS JUST TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS. IF WE DO NOT PASS THIS BUDGET CAN YOU TRANSLATE WHAT THAT MEANS TO THOSE SITTING IN THE SEATS?
>> IF WE FALL BACK TO LAST YEAR'S RATES THERE IS $1.3 MILLION INSTANTLY OFF THE TABLE FOR THE REFERENDUM. THE DEFICIT, WE MAKE IT 2.1 MILLION. WE WOULD LOSE DEBT SERVICE INCREASES AS WELL WHICH WOULD FACTOR INTO OUR ABILITY TO DO VARIOUS BONDS AND PROJECTS. THE BEST WAY WOULD BE TO LOOK AT THE SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON. IF WE TAKE A LOOK AT ALL THOSE RATES, THE BUDGET AMOUNTS WILL STAY THE SAME AS WELL, CORRECT? SO NOW WE HAVE A DOUBLE-SIDED SORT PROBLEM. NOW WE ARE LIMITED ON THE CAPACITY OF THE PROPERTY TAX AMOUNT THAT WE BRING IN AND WE ARE LIMITED ON THE BUDGET THAT WE WOULD
HAVE TO IN THOSE FUNDS. >> TO SIT HERE AT THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER AND HEAR PEOPLE COME UP AND SPEAK THAT WE DON'T SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS WERE WE WERE NOT DOING FAIR TEACHER BARGAINING PRACTICES. THAT WE WERE NOT GOING TO DO IT TO BEGIN WITH I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE MISINFORMATION IS. HERE WE ARE FOR THE FOURTH TIME DOING THIS BUDGET. WE ARE OPERATING AT A DEFICIT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DELIVERING THE BEST FOR OUR TEACHERS, WHICH LAST YEAR WITH A RECORD YOUR RACE. I'M REALLY TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THE MISCOMMUNICATION IS COMING FROM? I CAN'T FOR THE LIFE OF ME FIGURE IT OUT. WE ARE LITERALLY DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN AND OPERATING AT A DEFICIT AND GOING THROUGH THE BUDGET 3-4 TIMES ON PUBLIC RECORD STATING THE MOMENTUM RAISES THAT WE ARE MAKING SURE WE ARE GIVING OUR STAFF, AND HERE WE ARE AGAIN STILL RECEIVING COMMENTS ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE DO NOT CARE FOR OUR TEACHERS. WE ARE NOT DOING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING OR WE CARE ABOUT COLLECTIVE BARGAINING. I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHERE THIS MISCOMMUNICATION GAP IS. THANK
YOU FOR CLARIFYING THIS. >> I HAVE ONE MORE COMMENT. I THINK IN THE FUTURE IT SEEMS A LITTLE BACKWARDS TO ME TO NOT HAVE COMPLETED BEFORE WE ARE APPROVING THE BUDGET.
APPLAUSE ] >> OBVIOUSLY I DO NOT KNOW IF I WOULD BE HERE, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE TEACHER SALARIES ARE GOING TO BE FACTORED INTO THE BUDGET BEFORE I APPROVE IT IF I AM HERE IN THE FUTURE.
>> I CAN MAKE A COUPLE COMMENTS. THE FIRST IS THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS WILL BE ASKED FOR. THE BUDGET WAS NOT PREPARED FOR THAT. BETWEEN MYSELF, MR. MAPES AND A LOT OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS RESTART VERY EARLY TO START THE BARGAINING PROCESS.
>> I WOULD ALSO SAY THE BARGAINING WINDOW RUNS BEYOND.
>> I KNOW, ABOUT TWO WEEKS, RIGHT?
>> YES. >> AND I ALSO ASKED ONE QUESTION FOR OUR LEGAL COUNSEL. IF WE HAVE THE COURT SUPPORTING ANY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS THAT CURRENTLY SIT ON THE BOARD IS THAT A CONFLICT OF INTEREST? I AM JUST CURIOUS?
>> NO. >> OR IF THEY FINANCIALLY GIVE?
OKAY. >> ANYONE ELSE WITH COMMENTS OR
[00:25:01]
QUESTIONS? HEARING NONE DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THEBUDGET ADOPTION AS PRESENTED? >> MOTION TO APPROVE 3.01 AS IS
>> I WILL NOW POSE THE QUESTION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING ITEM 3.01 SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSE SAY NAY . IT PASSES.
WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO 3.02 THROUGH 3.06 BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL INSULATED TO BUDGET ADOPTION. WE WILL APPROVE EACH RESOLUTION IN TURN. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE 3.02 2025 BUS REPLACEMENT PLAN RESOLUTION AS PRESENTED?
>> I MOVE TO APPROVE AS PRESENTED.
>> SECOND. >> WE -- ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? I WILL NOW CALL THE QUESTION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSE SAY NAY. PASS THE SEVENTH -ZERO. WE WILL MOVE ON TO 3.03 2025 CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND PLAN RESOLUTION. MOTION TO APPROVE .
>> MADAM PRESIDENT, MAY I PLEASE ASK WHO SECONDED THE BUS
REPLACEMENT? >> SARAH PARKS-REESE .
>> THANK YOU. >> TO HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE?
>> MOTION TO APPROVE 3.03 2025 CAPITAL PROJECT FUND PLAN
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING 3.03 SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSE SAY NAY. IT PASSES 7-0. MOVING ON TO 3.04 2025 INTEREST RESOLUTION. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE 3.04?
>> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING ITEM 3.04 SAY AYE.
ANY OPPOSE SAY NAY. PASSES 7-0. MOVE TO 3.05. 2025 TRANSFER FROM THE EDUCATION FUND TO OPERATIONS ON RESOLUTION. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 3.05?
>> ITEM 3.05 2025 TRANSFER FROM THE EDUCATION FUND TO THE
OPERATIONS ON RESOLUTION. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING SAY AYE? ANY OPPOSE SAY NAY. PASSES 7-0. MOVING ON TO 3.06 2025 FORM FOUR APPROPRIATIONS AND TAX RATE RESOLUTION. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE?
>> MOTION TO APPROVE 3.06 2025 FORM FOUR APPROPRIATIONS AND
TAX RATE RESOLUTION. >> SECOND.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING ITEM 3.06 SAY AYE.
ANY OPPOSE SAY NAY. PASSES 7-0. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> WE WILL NOW GO TO 3.07 SECOND 1028 PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS FOR FALL CREEK INTERMEDIATE PRESENTATION
BY TIM BROWN. >> THANK YOU. THE LAST FOUR MEETING WE HAD OUR FIRST. THIS IS A RENDERING. WE HAVE ALREADY SECURED $4 MILLION IN A PREVIOUS BOND TO DO MUCH OF THE EARLY NECESSARY DRAWINGS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. WE ARE ASKING FOR A MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF $35.5 MILLION FOR A TOTAL PROJECT COST WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE EARLIER BOND. TONIGHT THE BOARD WILL BE ASKED TO MAKE A PULMONARY DETERMINATION TO ISSUE THE BONDS. WE DO HAVE MATCH SHOEMAKER HERE THAT WILL BRIEFLY GO OVER THE PRESENTATION AS WELL.
>> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. I HAD A PRESENTATION A COUPLE WEEKS AGO. LET ME KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS.
LOOKING AT ALL OF THEIR OUTSTANDING BOND ISSUES, THEY ARE COLOR-CODED BY THE ISSUE. YOU CAN SEE PAYMENTS FROM 24-25. THAT IS BECAUSE IT IS MATCHING THE AV GROWTH. EVEN
[00:30:01]
THOUGH THE PAYMENTS ARE GOING UP THE TAX RATE IS GOING TO STAY THE SAME. MOVING ON THERE IS A BIG DROP GIVING YOU GUYS FLEXIBILITY TO CONTINUE TO PLAN WHAT HAMILTON SOUTHEAST HAS DONE FOR MANY YEARS. WE WILL GIVE YOU ROOM TONIGHT, BUT TO ALSO MAINTAIN FLEXIBILITY TO DO ADDITIONAL FACILITY NEEDS SHOULD YOU HAVE THAT TIME. THIS PAGE LOOKS AT YOUR CURRENT DEBT AND THEN ACT ON THE FALL CREEK INTERMEDIATE PROJECT THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TONIGHT IN BLUE. THESE BONDS WILL NOT BE ISSUED UNTIL 2025. YOU CANNOT COLLECT THE LEVY UNTIL THE YEAR AFTER. WE WILL BE ISSUING THESE IN 2026, PAY BACK OVER 20 YEARS. EVEN WITH THE PAYMENT IN 2026 THERE IS STILL PLENTY OF FLEXIBILITY TO MAINTAIN THE TAX RATE MOVING FORWARD. THE LAST PAGE WITH ALL OF THE NUMBERS, THE MAXIMUM POWER AMOUNT OF THE BOND IS A NOT TO EXCEED NUMBER. YOU CAN BORROW ANY NUMBER UP TO THAT NUMBER. YOU CANNOT GO ABOVE. THE MAXIMUM TERM IS 20 YEARS. THE AVERAGE INTEREST RATE AT 6%. AS WE WERE TALKING ABOUT IF YOU ARE ISSUING THESE SOMEWHERE IN THE 3 AND HALF PERCENT RANGE GIVEN WE ARE NOT ISSUING THEM TODAY INTEREST RATES COULD RISE SO WE ARE TRYING TO PRESENT A CONSERVATIVE FIGURE. THE TOTAL INTEREST COST IS AT 6%. THAT TOTAL INTEREST COST IS $26,592,500. IF AND WHEN THESE ARE ISSUED, HOPEFULLY AT A MUCH LOWER INTEREST RATE THAT TOTAL WILL COME DOWN, HOPEFULLY SIGNIFICANTLY. THE MAXIMUM PRINCIPAL PLUS INTEREST AND LEASE PAYMENT , THIS IS THE MAXIMUM YOU CAN PAY OVER THE LIFE OF THE BOND. THAT EQUATES TO A TAX RATE OF 58.33 CENTS PER $100. THE ESTIMATED COMBINED DEBT SERVICE LEVY IS ESTIMATED AT $77,920,783. THE NUMBER HAS INCREASED BECAUSE WE EXPECT THE ASSESSED VALUE INCREASE. WHATEVER IT DOES IN 2026 WE WILL MATCH THIS NUMBER TO MAKE SURE WE HIT THE TAX RATE YOU ALL DESIRE. BASED ON THIS NUMBER WE ESTIMATE A DEBT SERVICE TAX RATE OF .6138 OR 61.38 SENT. ESTIMATED NET INCREASE, WE TALKED ABOUT $1.14 AND THAT IS WHAT IS GOING TO BE IN 2026. THE PERCENT OF YOUR MAXIMUM ANNUAL DEBT SERVICE PROVIDED BY NET ASSESSED VALUE IS .68%. YOUR OUTSTANDING AND OVERLAPPING DEBT IS 5.16%.HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THE BOARD MAY HAVE.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU. I FEEL LIKE WE SEE YOU AT ALMOST EVERY BOARD MEETING AS WE GET MORE RELIANT . RELIANT ISN'T THE RIGHT WORD, BUT THANKS FOR GOING OVER IT. AT LEAST TO ME THIS IS COMPLICATED STUFF. HOW WE CAN USE THE MONEY, WHERE THE INTEREST RATE GOES AND HOW IT HAS AFFECTED THE TAX RATE. APPRECIATE YOU COMING OUT EVERY
>> I APOLOGIZE THAT I NEED TO GO BACKWARDS. MADAM PRESIDENT, I WOULD LIKE TO AMEND 3.03, THE CAPITAL PROJECT FUND PLAN AND MOVED TO AMEND TO THE UPDATED DOCUMENT SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD AND AT THAT. I POOLED THAT DOCUMENT UP AND IT IS THE OLD DOCUMENT. WE RECEIVED ONE FROM OUR CFO YESTERDAY. IT IS JUST ONE SENTENCE THAT HE ADDED WHERE IT IS THE SECOND TO LAST PARAGRAPH. IT SAYS EDUCATIONAL FUND TO OPERATIONAL FONT 1.25 MILLION ON THE MONTHLY BASIS FOR JANUARY THROUGH DECEMBER.
THE UPDATED DOCUMENT WAS GIVEN TO US YESTERDAY. TO THE WHOLE BOARD. I AM MOVING TO PUT UP THE UPDATED DOCUMENT.
>> ADMINISTRATIVELY IF WE WANT TO PUT THAT UP WE CAN, BUT WE'VE ALREADY VOTED. WE CANNOT GO BACK AND REVOTE.
>> YOU CANNOT MOVE TO AMEND THAT TO PUT THE NEW DOCUMENT
ADMINISTRATIVELY IF THAT IS SOMETHING YOU GUYS WANT TO DO,
[00:35:01]
YOU CAN. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, I ASK AND WE PUT THE UPDATED DOCUMENT ABORT DOCS SUBMITTED TO US BY
THE CFO YESTERDAY? >> LET'S DEAL WITH THIS ITEM 1ST AND THEN WE WILL COME BACK IF THAT IS OKAY. DO YOU WANT TO
OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING? >> YES. I WILL NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO COME UP AND SPEAK ON 3.07, PLEASE DO SO. HEARING THAT I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 3.07, THE PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION RESOLUTION TO ISSUE BONDS FOR
FALL CREEK INTERMEDIATE? >> MOTION TO APPROVE 3.0 SECOND -- 3.07 TO THE ISSUANCE FOR BOND FOR FALL CREEK
>> THERE WERE TWO OF YOU WHO TIED ON THAT SECOND.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING ITEM 3.07 SAY AYE.
ANY OPPOSED SAY NAY . >> THANK YOU.
>> SUZANNE, CAN YOU RESTATE WHAT YOU ARE ASKING?
>> I AM ASKING FOR -- WHEN I ASKED MY FINANCIAL QUESTIONS IT WAS GIVEN TO ME BY OUR CFO AND WE WERE GOING TO UPDATE THE DOCUMENT AND IT WAS CHANGING THE ONE SENTENCE AND PUTTING THAT UP FOR A VOTE TONIGHT. I REALIZED THAT IS WHAT I THOUGHT I WAS VOTING ON UNTIL I JUST CHECKED IT ON OUR BOARD DOCS AND THAT IS NOT THERE. I WANT TO CONFIRM WITH THE REST OF THE BOARD THAT WE AT THE UPDATED VERSION. REALLY IT WAS JUST THE ONE SENTENCE OF THE PUBLIC KNOWS AND PEOPLE SITTING HERE THAT ALL OF THAT IS THE SAME EXCEPT FOR THE ONE SENTENCE IN THE SECOND PARAGRAPH. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
>> YEAH. I THINK YOU'RE NOT REFERRING TO 3.03 BUT IN FACT
>> I APOLOGIZE IF MY EMAIL WAS UNCLEAR. I MENTIONED THIS WAS AN OPTION IF YOU WANTED. YOU SPECIFICALLY ASKED. I APOLOGIZE IF THIS WAS NOT CORRECT. THE EMAIL SAID HERE'S AN OPTION TO CONSIDER. I WASN'T PLANNING ON BRINGING THAT TO THE BOARD.
CERTAINLY AS A BOARD MEMBER YOU WOULD HAVE THE ABILITY AND THE RIGHT TO DO THAT. I WAS GIVING IT TO YOU AS AN OPTION AND IF
THAT WAS NOT CLEAR I APOLOGIZE. >> I WONDER IF WE WERE ADDING THAT FOR CLARITY FOR PEOPLE TO READ AND UNDERSTAND THAT WE WERE NOT GOING OVER THE $50 MILLION.
>> DO YOU MIND THAT UP. TO YOUR POINT IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE RESOLUTION AT ALL AND IS A PIECE OF CLARITY. THANK YOU.
RIGHT THERE. IN THE NEXT-TO-LAST PARAGRAPH THAT WE SEE ON THE SCREEN WHERE SAYING WE WOULD TRANSFER AN ANNUAL AMOUNT OF $50 MILLION AND THAT DIVIDED BY 12 IS 1.245 -- 1.2
$.5 MILLION. >> CORRECT. THAT RIGHT THERE IS NOT A BOARD DOCS. EVEN THOUGH IT MIGHT BE THE SAME I AM ASKING CAN WE PUT THIS DOCUMENT ON BOARD DOCS, CHRIS?
>> I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE QUESTION IS. THIS RESOLUTION IS
WHAT WAS PRESENTED. >> THIS WAS NOT THE RESOLUTION
THAT WAS APPROVED. >> THE ONE SENTENCE THAT SAYS EDUCATION FONT OPERATION FUND. $250 MILLION ON A MONTHLY BASIS IS NOT ON THE FORM THAT I FELT I WAS APPROVING TODAY.
>> BUT THE SAME NOT TO EXCEED NUMBER IS NOT CHANGING? ON AN ANNUAL BASIS IT IS STILL $50 MILLION. YOU ARE JUST ASKING FOR CLARIFICATION ON A MONTHLY BASIS?
>> THE DOCUMENT WAS PRESENTED THIS WAY AND THAT IS WHEN I HAVE MY ADMINISTRATIVE CONVERSATION. WHEN I WAS APPROVING TODAY I WANT AT THIS WRITING. IF IT IS THE EXACT SAME, AGAIN, I FELT THIS DOCUMENT SHOULD BE ON BOARD
DOCS. >> WE CANNOT GO BACK AND AMEND THE ACTION. THE RESOLUTION DIDN'T HAVE THE LANGUAGE STANDS AS APPROVED. IF WE WANT TO CLARIFY SOMEHOW AFTER THE FACT THAT THE $50 MILLION NOT TO EXCEED NUMBER ON A PER MONTHLY BASIS IS 1.2 $.5 MILLION WE CAN DO THAT, RIGHT? -- $1.25 MILLION, WE CAN DO THAT, RIGHT?
[00:40:05]
>> IS THAT SOMETHING WE HAVE TO MOVE TO DO?
>> NO. I THINK THAT YOU WOULD JUST ASK TIM TO ADD ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE TO THE SITE THAT SPECIFIES THE LANGUAGE THAT SUZANNE IS ASKING FOR ON A MONTHLY BASIS IN THE
DESCRIPTION OF THE DOCUMENT. >> I WOULD SUPPORT THAT TOO EVEN THOUGH WE ARE NOT CHANGING THAT. TO JUST HAVE THE ADMINISTRATIVE CLARIFICATION OR A NOTE THAT MAKES THAT MORE CLEAR TO THE PUBLIC. WE ARE NOT CHANGING ANY NUMBERS.
>> I PERSONALLY DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM. I THINK IT'S JUST A SIMPLE EMAIL TO SAY CAN WE AT LEAST AT THIS POINT JUST SO
THAT WE CAN MOVE ON. >> OKAY. WE WILL MOVE ON. 3.08, ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION OF THE 2024 TAXABLE BOND PROCEEDS.
>> THE 2024 TAXABLE BOND IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $6.7 MILLION HAS BEEN THROUGH THE PULMONARY DETERMINATION HEARINGS. IT HAS BEEN THROUGH ITS 30 DAY WAITING PERIOD AND WE ARE MOVING TO THE NEXT STEP OF THE PROCESS. WE HAVE UP FOR APPROVAL A FINAL BOND RESOLUTION AND ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION RESOLUTION ON INTEREST EARNINGS AND RELATED MATTERS. THIS IS JUST FORMALIZING WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY DONE SO THAT WE CAN SELL THIS BOND.
>> ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? >> MATTE IS STILL HERE AND CAN SPEAK TO THE DETAILS IF YOU WOULD LIKE AS WELL.
>> WE NEED TO OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING.
>> HEARING ON WE WILL NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 3.08 MAY DO SO .
HEARING NOT I WILL NOW CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. WE HAVE TWO RESOLUTIONS TO APPROVE TONIGHT. THE FIRST IS THE FINAL BOND RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUES OF BONDS FOR THE MATTERS DESCRIBED. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BOND RESOLUTION?
>> MOTION TO APPROVE 3.08. ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION FOR
2024 TAXABLE GO BOND. >> JUST TO SPECIFY THERE ARE TWO. THIS FIRST ONE IS THE BOND APPROVAL RESOLUTION AND THEN WE WILL HAVE THE ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS RESOLUTION AFTERWARDS. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? SAME ITEM, JUST TWO
RESOLUTIONS. >> GOT IT. MOTION TO APPROVE ISSUANCE OF THE BONDS AND RELATED MATTERS.
>> SECOND. >> I WILL NOW CALL THE QUESTION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED SAY NAY . PASSIVE 7-0. NOW THAT WE HAVE APPROVED THE BOND RESOLUTION THE SECOND RESOLUTION ASKED THE BOARD TO APPROPRIATE THE BOND PROCEEDS FOR WHICH WE CONDUCTED THE ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION PUBLIC HEARING. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO
APPROVE? >> MOTION TO APPROVE ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION OF BOND PROCEEDS AND RELATED MATTERS.
>> I SECOND. >> I WILL NOW CALL THE QUESTION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS RESOLUTION SAY AYE. ALL OPPOSED SAY NA
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.