Tonight (2020-03-31) was a meeting of the Honeoye Falls-Lima Board of Education (BoE).
At the core, there were two topics tonight: Next years budget and the ongoing panic.
Gene (Superintendent) started off the meeting with updates on how the school is adapting to this every changing world. In particular, the steady flow of executive orders and how they change what needs to be done.
The May Election/Budget Vote has been postponed, to an undetermined date. There was some speculation that it may be June 9, but that is far from certain at this point.
Likewise 3-8 state assessment. Which really comes as no surprise, if students aren’t being taught, because the schools are closed, it doesn’t make sense to test them.
The schools current capitol project has been declared ‘essential‘. Along with the reasons listed, it was stated that they couldn’t open in September if they don’t finish the work that has been started. I do find it ironic how the government can declare it’s own projects ‘essential’, and continue work on them. While also declaring everyone else’s ‘non-essential’, and thus must be postponed indefinitely. On the plus side, without the students on campus, it may provide the builders more flexibility.
On to the budget discussion, there wasn’t that much that was new to anyone that has been following along. Expected tax levy increase of 2.86%, ~$53 million total budget, ~$500k in buses, etc.
Where it got a bit interesting was in how the panic would play out and impact things long term. Mostly just speculation, but it seemed to be a decent attempt to plan for the future. To the extent we can in this climate. Was a comment made about this being a ‘rainy day’, and thus why we had reserves. Because, eventually, it will always rain.
After that was approval of an “Energy Performance Capital Project“. It was made very clear there would be no cost associated with this, and that that fact should be made clear to the public. The rest was a bit vague. Speculation based on the conversation and the memo, it sounds more like this is an audit then construction. And that those involved expect to be reimbursed by the state. Which makes the claim of ‘no cost’ true enough, from a local school board point of view. But it still all comes from taxpayers…
As is standard for the end of school Board meetings, the audience is granted an opportunity to ask questions. In context, this seemed rather odd. As, to the best of my knowledge, the general public did not have the ability to ask questions in the video conference. Habit with the agenda or should I be looking harder?
Which brings me to what I felt was the worst part of the meeting, the negative impact of the technology used. From a public point of view, using the method officially endorsed, the meeting was already in progress when the public was let in, and still going when they were forced out.
When the stream started, Gene was already into his report. As I type this the recording is not available, thus I can’t speak to what was chopped off. While the agenda items before him were quick ones, I was refreshing the page often enough, either they started streaming late, or were unusually quick to act.
On the other end, while I believe they had officially adjourned, everyone (ie a quorum) appeared to still be present and Gene was talking to them when the stream cut off. Ironically enough, he appeared to be saying how great Rhonda was at managing the recordings. Or not, as he was cut off part way through.
I understand we are in a ‘crisis’, and the governor has waived certain legal requirements. And I fully believe everyone involved is doing their best, despite the continuing panic, for which they should be commended. Doesn’t mean I like it.
Yet another, ‘if this is the worst, we are doing pretty well’. And who knows, maybe the recording will include the missing pieces.
On the plus side, either Gene was in the High School Foyer for the meeting, or more likely, he had taken a picture to use for his background. Either way, I thought it was a nice touch.
And those are my Observations From Audience Land for the March 31, 2020 meeting of the Honeoye Falls-Lima Board of Education.
As has become the norm for this group, Agenda’s and similar information can be found at HFL’s BoardDocs page. While a recording of the meeting will likely be available soon.