The evening of 2026-03-10 was a meeting of the Honeoye Falls-Lima Board of Education (BoE).
One of the Board’s regular Agenda items is the Consensus Agenda. Normally a minor insignificant topic. And for practical purposes, was that tonight as well. But sometimes the details are amusing. For example, it looks like the former Town Supervisor is becoming a substitute bus driver. Retiring from what is effectively a full time job to a part time one seems fitting to me. We all need things to do, and what better then to help out.
Time again for the Cougar Pride award presentation. Once again the Board did the reading recipient rotation. Which I think works well, as doesn’t put all the reading on one person. And afterwards were cookies to eat and people to chat with. It would not be accurate to say I go to meetings for cookies and chatting. But it can be a nice bonus at times.
And after that, robot demonstration in the B gym. Their contest is coming up soon, so they had a mock arena setup in the gym for practice. Still some work to do before game time. As Gary put it, all the parts work individually, now we just need them to all work at the right time. I hope the contest goes well for them. Either way, is an impressive enough machine they have built.
During Committee Updates two tidbit came up. First, that we can expect large increase in retirement costs next year, in the 70% ballpark. Which supports the logic that the District either needs to get out of the retirement (and insurance) business. Or toss the levy cap. Both of which are problematic, for different reasons.
Second, Albany won’t be touching electric bus mandates until after the election. Which doesn’t mean they will do it then. Just that they are refusing to do so beforehand.
As Gene (Superintendent) put it, his report was just the student board representative report, but with more pictures. He also shared that the District website is being remodeled, and we can expect to see the new version on/near July 1st.
Tonight the PBAC made their recommendation. As I was the one presenting, and thus very much not in the audience, I won’t say anything more on the topic. Just link to the recording, for those interested.
Colin (Business) gave a budget update. Long story short, there is ~$2.8 million budget gap at this point. Overall budget is up ~$5 million from past year (or 8.5%). Which is about what it was last year too. Revenue is expected to be up ~3%. While the overall expense percentage increase wasn’t said, big drivers are benefits (up ~$1.8 million) and salaries (up ~$1.5 million).
I’ve been trying to come up with an analogy for the math, and I think I have one. Imagine you’ve got a boat, and it’s taking on water. So long as you’re above water, all is good. You’re bailing out water at a consistent 3%, that’s the levy increase each year. And you are taking on water at a consistent 3%, that’s the salary increase. But too often you get a big wave adding 8% here or 10% there, that’s hikes in insurance, retirement, etc. To compensate, items are tossed over. But long term? The 3% levy increase and 3% salary increase mostly balance. While everything else will eventually sink the ship.
I’ve long thought the public education model was running on borrowed time, for other reasons. But now… Either I’m missing an important detail, or the finances will doom them. In due time. Not this year, I’m sure they can make it work again. Probably not next year. But it wouldn’t surprise me if the electric bus mandate becomes a non-issue. Because by the time that comes into effect, there are other issues rendering it moot. Or, you know, I could be wrong. I like being wrong.
First review of next years calendar. As my household has no students in the District, this mostly doesn’t matter to me. But if it interests you, and you can’t wait for it to be approved, it’s available for review.
There were a number of policies reviewed. Enough so I wonder if we fell behind during budget season. Either way, in light of the Town’s policy discussion last night, is good to see the School conducting regular reviews.
Although the one changing religious opt outs didn’t sit well with me. I can understand the school’s point, if you opt out of too much or certain topics, there isn’t enough to get credit and therefor graduate. But at the same time, serious religious beliefs should permeate a persons life. And if we are serious about freedom of religion, the school should not be forcing their religious views onto other faiths. Yes, the school has religious views. Religion and education are inseparable.
Break it down to fundamentals, putting aside any particular deity and such, what is a religion? A belief system about how the world works, and by extension your place in it. And at the fundamentals, what is education? Teaching how the world works, and by extension your place in it. If you do not believe in gravity, for example, you can’t really do physics as the school teaches it.
So the school taking a stance of you can’t opt out of certain things for religious reasons, is in effect, the school forcing their religion on children. Which would mean that those who are serious about their religions, and don’t share it with the school, would have no choice but to withdraw their children. Which actually isn’t the worst option in the world. If nothing else, if it happens enough, it would help with the budget situation.
And this is all entirely moot if parents have the same religious beliefs as the school district does.
Another monthly construction report. Which, as usual, includes pictures. I particularly liked the picture of Room 130. Nice empty space, no windows, nothing but lights in the ceiling and an outlet assembly on the far wall. No idea what it’s going to be used for. But I liked the picture.
Also found out the overall project is ahead of schedule. Which is good to hear, as it was behind schedule for a while there.
And those are my Observations From Audience Land for the March 10, 2026 meeting of the Honeoye Falls-Lima Board of Education.
Agenda’s and similar information can be found at HFL’s BoardDocs page. While a recording is also available.