--------- I am going to call the meeting to order. This is the community preservation committee meeting >> for >> for Wednesday, May 6th, 2026. In accordance with chapter 2 of
the acts of 2023 suspending certain provisions of the open meeting law, public bodies otherwise governed by the OML are temporarily relieved from the requirement that meetings be held in public places open and physically accessible to the public so long as
measures are taken to ensure public access to the body's deliberations through adequate and alternative means. This meeting will be live on Zoom. The public may participate remotely by joining Zoom meeting ID number of 846008222
or by calling 9292056099. For additional information about remote participation, please contact Carly and Danellis, the assistant town manager at atmair.mma. US or 978-772-8220 extension 100 prior to the meeting
during normal business hours. All right, this looks good. >> So, it's just the five of us tonight. >> It's just the five of us. >> Okay. >> One, two, three, four, five. Yeah. >> Yep. Doesn't look like we've got any. Yeah, it's only five. No, no one else
calling in. Like I say, Kevin was going to try, so he just may arrive late. So, all right. Um, any updates with regards to the agenda? Do people like it the way that it's been written? Can I get a motion?
>> So moved. >> All right. >> I'm sorry. Who's seconded? >> Me. >> Okay. All right. And because we're on Zoom, roll call. Julie. >> Yes. >> Jess. >> Hi.
>> Barry. >> Hi. >> Colleen. >> Hi. and the chair says I. So, approved the agenda. Next is the approval of the minutes. Um, I didn't have any corrections.
Did anybody else have any updates or anything or corrections? Jess does a great job. All right, then we're going to approve the minutes as written. Can I get a motion to approve them? >> Motion to approve the minutes as
written. All right, Colleen. Can I get a second? >> Seconded. >> All right, Julie seconds. Roll call. Julie, >> yes. >> Jess, >> I >> Barry, >> I wasn't at the meeting, so I guess I have to abstain. >> Okay. Um, and Colleen,
I chair says I Kevin just um has entered the building. Woohoo. Woohoo. Um, okay. >> All right. Well, we're moving right along. Kevin, just thought to let you know. >> All right. >> Okay. This is this is Kevin's gonna be
Kevin's last meeting because he he's not he's he didn't renew when for reelection. So, we're going to have to find somebody from the parks commission again. Um, put in a good >> Sorry. >> I know. Put in a good word for us, Kevin.
>> I will. Um, just so you know, I'm in the I'm in Shirley near the prison and there isn't that great uh connection. So, if I don't reply and there's a there's a vote, uh, I don't know what you would normally do. You'd count me as abstaining or how's that work?
>> Well, I tell you what, we really aren't going to be voting on anything. It's just a review and just getting some feedback. So, >> fantastic. >> Okay, so we are all set. >> Great. Thank you. >> Okay, no problem. Next on the agenda is correspondence and invoices. Um, one of
the invoices, and I'm sorry, Jess, I don't have the the dollar amount. Um, but it was the um, public hearing announcements at the uh, the Shabba Valley Voice. I think it came up to
about approximately $511 in total to run it the two public hearings for two day, you know, for two separate weeks. And with that, it's already been sent to the town and the town has paid it. So, um, that was
>> approximately $511. >> Yeah. 511. I'll get you the >> Don't we don't need the exact. >> Okay. Yes. >> Yeah. >> So, um, that was it. And correspondence. Uh, really the only thing I mean I do
have the document in Barry. um the state registry uh register of historic places in 2025 um from the Massachusetts Historical Commissions. Is this a um I know that we
get this book, but I think the historic commission gets this book as well. >> Yeah, I think we do. >> Okay, >> that's it. >> But yeah, >> hang on. Don't don't get rid of it yet, though. I I'll double check with George. >> Yeah, I'll be honest with you. I never get rid of anything, so >> Okay.
>> Okay. So I have I have that um it comes to like I say the CPC and then the other thing is um there was a nice little gathering yesterday that the correspondents went for or you know
correspondent went out for um the success of becoming a housing choice community which gives us a chance uh to get additional grants of being in that type of a community. I think that that
gives us a a little bump up in the C community block development grants, CBDG grants. and uh Colleen was there. Um and it yeah it was it was really nice um to
go ahead and do a little uh meet greet u discussion and you know really wasn't a discussion but just meet other individuals who are you know um involved in making the uh the community a housing
choice community. Um, so you had Danny, you had Katie Nelville, who is our new uh community development manager. And >> yeah, it was nice. It was nice to have the chance to meet her. >> Yeah. Yeah, it was nice. And um I'll see
whether or not they It was cute. What they ended up doing is they had cards on the table. Um that was and congratulations on your new home for new home buyers within the town of air that everybody got a chance to write
something in a card. Um and then as someone buys a house, they were going to go ahead and you know make sure that they get the card to to say what you can uh what are your favorite things about air. You write that inside the little card. And I definitely gave kudos to the
library and a couple of my cards. So, Colleen, how about you? Did you have fun writing those? >> I did. I gave kudos to Sandy Pond and Peron Park. >> Excellent. All right, that's great. So, it was it was cute. And I'll see whether
or not um again, I'm going to probably backwards, but this was like the little duck and everything. Hold on. No. Oh, that's not going to work. Let me put that back. No. >> Okay. All right. That doesn't work. Okay. No problem. I'll see if the
handout of uh the air supports affordable housing. Um it's a nice handout of building a strong foundation, keeping people in their homes, and creating more homes. The little success stories that Katie developed. I'll make sure we get a copy of that um out to the
team. Again, that's my my you know, housing app, but that was one of the correspondents that we got invited to. So, um, okay. All right. I'm just moving right along. People stop me if you want to
stop me. Town meeting update. All three articles passed. I think we did um a real good job. Thank you very much for everybody, you know, showing up and for the support. Um, I think it was um very very good. Uh, I think the whole town
meeting was good. Anybody's got any feedback on it? You had one of the funniest lines of the night. >> Should I I don't know if Barry saw it yet. >> Did Did Barry Did you Did you see town meeting yet?
>> I haven't. No. >> Okay. Well, that actually just makes me very proud of Barry. I would have been a little embarrassed for him if the first thing he did is watch town meeting. >> No. >> So, thank you, Barry. >> But Janet's line was amazing. Janet, you have to share it. What ended up
happening is when we were talking about Sandy Pond School Association, um, one of the residents was concerned that uh, it may take away from the historic value and I emphasized, you know, that um, it was going to, you know, be
inconspicuous, etc., etc. And he really wanted the students to live a life of, you know, hot days in the summer and cold in the winter. And uh he goes, "You know, you really, you know, not bringing
any type of modern um um facilities in there or something." And I go, "Well, they do have working bathrooms now." >> Everybody just broke up. >> It was so perfectly put. >> It was It was the delivery that was exceptional as well.
>> It was amazing. >> I don't even know where it came from, but >> perfect. And thank you. You did a great job of presenting all of the articles. >> Yeah, it's good. >> Thanks. I try to keep it brief. Um,
yeah. And it's like, oh, but no, I think I say it was pretty good. And I did talk with the gentleman afterwards and I told him about the U grant agreement as well as the historic U preservation document
that um, Robert still has in his hands. So, um, yeah, I don't know if you guys Well, we'll find out as we move along. So, um, again, thank you very much for everybody's help. I really do appreciate it. Um, all right, moving along. The
draft grant agreements. Again, they're drafts because what ends up happening is this goes to KP Law, um, our town council, and they're the ones who will rewrite this, um, more ways than, uh,
whichever. But the first one is the affordable housing trust. pretty much copied exactly what KP Law um had done before um you know for what they they um
right you know for what they recommended before and I know I have a highlighted section so forgive me um I know that it's going to be more than 72,000 for ARAP because there's 14 families
um am I right Colleen Yes. Yes. The 72 was with the 12 families. >> Yeah. >> So that whatever amount we went up >> Yeah. I mean >> Oh. Oh, I think it's it would be 12,000
more. So 84 >> 84. Okay. >> Yeah. Okay. >> All right. And um so the like I say the 212
23 and so that would be 128 for the property purchases because from what I understand you still have money left over for the um audit. I think there's still, but no
matter what, there's the 128,000. So that makes the one 212. Um, but I just again, it's just more for um review and seeing if anybody has any other type of concerns with regards to
uh the grant agreements. Is there any feedback? >> Can you put them up on the uh >> Yeah, I was going to ask the same. I can't open town email on my work computer and that's what I had all day
today. So, I didn't get a chance to look through them. So, if you don't mind >> No, I don't mind. Hold on. Um I thought they had them up and going, but I must have shut them down. Hold on. Thank you for being patient with me. Um, let me view one page.
>> Can you guys see that better? >> Mhm. So again it goes ahead and speaks about that it's the it KP law saying with being CPA funds it's still goes through the select board etc.
So that's what all this is. And we had the proposals to us from the housing trust and it's known as the project. Um April 27th is when the town meeting
approved it. This is another one. It's article 20. Um, I think it was 22. I missed a number. We'll find out there. Tell me when I can move on. I'm good.
>> Yeah, you can move on. >> All right. I guess I had one quick question. It says it will have enough I can't remember the conversation. It's all going to come out of the community housing fund or will some of it come out of it
undesated? >> Nope. Community housing. >> Okay, perfect. >> And I think that's about what it says here, too. >> Yeah. Yeah, that is what it says. I just couldn't remember. >> Yes. Yes. >> Um, >> so yeah, go ahead.
>> So, that that would I just wanted to confirm that. >> Okay. And then we've got the application that we did on uh the public hearing on March 4th where we um agreed to bring it to town
meeting and it just states that as the it's described in the application what the work is going to be done which again the application says those two things the housing trust as well as the additional
funs. funds um to put inside the trust if any funds have got to be used. No, no more than 10% can be used and that would be should you have to tap into it for the um
audit. Okay. Um, it's going to be used just for community housing. >> Tell me if I can move on. >> Fine, >> people. Okay.
>> Yep. >> All right. >> And this here, I got to change this number to 84. >> Whoops. >> Nope. 84 is the rental assistance. And then did you say 128 for the
>> Yep. 128. All right. And really what ends up happening is the money gets put into a bucket for the trust. So the money just it's not paid
within a 30 days. it just goes inside that bucket because it's townto town um accounts if that makes sense. It doesn't it doesn't go over there on a on a monthly basis or whatever. You
know, it's just all lumped in. So, this probably will get changed by um town council now that they know a little bit more of what ends up happening. And the rest of it is just the liability. You know, if you guys do any if the trust
does anything wrong, the town's not liable. Um, the housing trust keeps the record keeping, which is true. Something that um Katie Neville's going to, you know, have to go ahead and do.
All set. >> That's it. >> Okay. And this is all the other legal stuff saying you know about successors and assignees and how the grant agreement you know should this not
should this fall through the grant agreement is okay null and void then return of the funds which means if they don't use the funds it comes back to um the account that it came out of the community housing reserves account
and got to be in complian with the how to make sure that it's being used for community housing. >> So on the that one, the only money that could possibly be returned would be the uh 84,000 for the rental because the
other money goes into that trust fund and is just there now. Right. >> Right. Unless the fund unless the trust fund gets folded. >> Okay. >> Yeah. which the bylaw of the trust fund has
the stuff that's supposed to happen should that you know fold which I don't see it folding at all. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> All right. Move on. >> Mhm. >> Yep. And then this is just who controls
it all. Um, and then the the chair of the select board, the chair of the housing trust, and the chair of CPC signs it signed, sealed,
and delivered. And they took out the date. I don't know why they took out the date, but um, we'll find out. So that's for the one for the housing trust. And like I say, what's going to end up
happening is this has got to go to Robert. Robert sent it to town council and then it will come back to us um signed, sealed, and delivered. Hopefully make sense. >> Yep. >> Okay. So that's that one. I'm going to
stop sharing this one. And the other one is the Sandy Pond School Association page. Let's try this. No, that's too much. But I try see if I can just go that way.
Okay, this is the same, you know. text in the beginning. I just noticed that I must have had a hard return. Um that it's between the town CPC and uh
Sandy Pond. Again, same um verbiage and the money's coming out of the historical reserve because that is exactly where you know it can come out of we have the money in there.
>> But uh can you just the historical preservation category, right? >> Um I think I think it's just it's just called historic. It's not preservation. Um >> okay. The historic Okay. The historic. So Okay. Just clarifying when you say
historic um category >> reserve fund there that that gets confusing because we have the undesated reserve fund. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> That word historical category.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Janet, there's one earlier typo too. Um up where you had the streets. >> Yeah. Um, if you see Sandy Pond School Association, the line right above it,
there's like a all the way to the left. Thanks. I don't know what it is, but it shouldn't be there. That's because it's right next to the P. So, if I do capitalize P, I hit the whatever curly Q
bracket that is. Okay, that's gone. Um, I'll double check. I think it's it was article 23, but I'll double check it. Um so what ends up happening is it's does state you know with the um
public hearing March 4th as well that we agreed to move it. >> Uh all right. Can I move? >> Yeah. I think it was article 25, not 23. >> Okay. Thank you.
Whoops. We have article 53. That's a lot. Okay. >> Yeah. >> All right. And so like I say, public hearing, the work should be done within the three years of this unless there's an
extension. It's going to be covered by, you know, CPA laws because it's historic. We've got Sandy Pond School Station giving us invoices
which is very good at doing that. Mention CPC. Um Sandy Pond School Station already has the contact person in the application and this is the restriction. Um, and
this is where Beth is concerned that this isn't detailed enough where we want the historical commission to review the design prior to the commencement of any work. the town building inspector, the historic
commission, make sure that it is following the secretary of the interior and the historic commission's guidelines and all materials in accordance with the treatment of historic properties and the
project would be installed as inconspicuous as possible. Beth was concerned about this inconspicuous as possible. She liked it to be more detailed. I don't know how detailed we can get. Barry, did you talk about this at all over at historic commission?
>> Uh, not yesterday. We didn't. No. >> Okay. All right. >> But I don't I I it was my understanding that it was going to be placed in on the the rear of the building. So, I mean, I I don't know how inconspicuous
you can make that, but um I'll I'll mention that to George. All right. >> To the other student, but >> Go ahead. >> No, that's all right. Go ahead. I >> was going to say that should be inconspicuously
with an L Y. >> Okay. >> But >> yeah, inconspicuously as possible. Yeah, that that makes more sense. >> Okay. All right. >> Um I would go ahead. I I I wouldn't I
would prefer not to put too too many details in a grand agreement that does that might interfere with necessary flexibility depending >> and like I say no matter what that's why we're really can't vote on this because
it's it's got to go to town council and town council you know um and on top of it there is a preservation restriction that Robert is supposed to be taking to town council um to find out exactly and
I think I I spoke with uh you Barry and George of um you know who's really going to hold on to it. Is it you know on the mass because of it being on the mass registry you know um that type of question. >> It's it's usually the local historical
commission that hangs on to it. >> Correct. I mean, I I would imagine and that's why again I still go back to you should have received a draft and I noticed that you didn't. So, um we do have a meeting. Robert is supposed to be
scheduling a meeting um to to review it um with Irv and I mentioned it again to Robert yesterday and he's supposed to come up with some dates. So, I will keep you informed, Barry. >> Okay. Okay. Um so, so this here, like I
say, you know, get get more detailed, less detailed. Um we'll we'll find out um what is the best way of doing it. Same thing, you know, with the the funding. Um we're going to get the invoices.
Um the town's liability. Danny Pond is doing this all on their their own, but we'll keep track of it. recordkeeping. >> That all looks good to me. We're good. >> And pretty much it's the same legal jargon,
>> right? Yeah. >> And um again, the money goes back to the historic should it not be used. And here there's a good chance that half of it might not be used if they get that grant. Yeah.
>> Correct. Yep. All right. Any other type of feedback from anybody? >> No, I'm good. >> Okay. All right. So, those those are the ones. And like I say, we'll um let me stop
sharing. Okay. Um, so that's that's what I'll be working on with um with Robert and I will make sure that the historic commission is kept in the loop and find out, you know,
we got to move on on this. So, all right. I'm I'm going to continue on the agenda. Um, I've got public comment and I don't see anybody else here. Um,
but I will make my same spiel. If you have any questions for the community preservation committee, please contact Karly Anthon Ellis and she will get in touch with the respective party, you know, of uh CPA uh the CPC um committee and uh we'll get you an answer. We do
appreciate you watching this on YouTube. All right. So, that's it. Next is just committee reports. Um, I'm going to go ahead and let's pick on Julie. >> Oh, thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Um, planning board's been having a lot
of fun. Uh, we have just approved 50 Jackson. Um, so site plan reviews 64 Littleton Road, which are three units. um each have their own ADU attached. Um
we also have started the Air Family Pharmacy property with a second parking lot because they're so awesome as I like to point out. Uh they're popular and they need more parking. >> Place was that? >> Air Family Pharmacy. >> Oh yeah.
>> On Park Street. Um and they they've got a great solution it seems for that. So we're working on that site plan review and the senior center just came before us. Uh so we're just working on a few things and after um right now we have two board members
that are off or ending their terms and we're hopefully getting two new ones as we all vote next week. >> That's right. May 12th, make sure you vote. Um I know that uh I have worked
side by side with Dave Seaborg and he is on the disabilities commission. So that would be a great ad to the planning board. And the other writen candidate is uh Mr. Kush. I forgot Peter as his first
name. He is a writen and he comes from a household of individuals who have been volunteering in their towns. Um one on the planning board as well and he is involved in a lot of housing. He because he wanted me on the um housing
authority. >> How do you spell his last name? >> K US. Okay. >> Got a sign on West Main Street. Um but it doesn't say writing. >> Uh thank you by the way for explaining
who he was because I didn't know who he was. And now that you've explained, >> thank you. That's going to make a difference. It it it really will because I think the two of them um being on the planning board is going to be a good addition. Um I'm we'll see. But um I
don't know if I'm I'm supposed to say stuff like that. >> I know. I didn't know if we were allowed to either, but you already did, so I'll blame you. But um Kevin, you're going to get a text from me on all of that anyway. And uh they are both fantastic. And uh anybody who's open to serving in our elected official capacity is
fabulous. Um, but also important to recreation. As far as I know, Peter is also an umpire for baseball uh, and very active uh, this season. So maybe we can get him in parks and wreck stuff soon, too. That's that's great. All right. Um,
okay. So, I think that works out good. Again, May 12th, make sure you vote. Um, this is the place that you can make a difference by one vote. All right. Um, moving on. Let's see.
Colleen, anything to report? We have not met since Katie took over. I talked to her at the event yesterday. I think we'll probably have our meeting later this month. So, hopefully by the June meeting, I'll have something to report.
>> Excellent. But I know from her that the, you know, she's taken over the reigns of the uh rental assistance program and seemed to be a smooth transition. >> Right. That's great. Good to hear. Thank you. Um Barry, I know um historic met
yesterday. >> Yeah. Um nothing really to report because we haven't um we're just talking about some things. The um cannon for one. Um, and I we haven't heard back from Datalus. I sent them some pictures
and then I also shifted my responsibility for that to George and George is going to take that over. So, >> okay. >> So, hopefully >> I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> No, no. I was going to say the cannon is because it's sinking into the ground or something. >> Uh, the the the wheels are are rusty.
Uh, it's on it's on some cement some concrete uh platforms that would have sunk. So that means that the bottom of the wheels have sunk and then we're concerned about that rusting. But hopefully Datalus is the name of the company in Watertown. Uh they can uh
give us some good input. So >> Okay. >> And they will probably I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> Could you just mention where that cannon is? >> Uh it's at the um uh wood lawn on the west the old the old section. Uh,
actually it's just as you um go past the Woodlon Cemetery, it's right on the right hand side behind that little brick building. And consequently, where that where that howitzer is are some Civil War uh
soldiers that are buried there. And that's in addition to the other um veteran cemetery that's there and not up by the flag pole. >> Nice. Didn't realize that there were Civil War
soldiers there. >> Yes. Yeah. I think believe there's five. >> I got to walk that. >> Yeah. >> Nice. Thank you, Barry. >> Yeah. Um Kevin um from what I understand uh Sarah has
left her position. >> Oh yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So um she put in So just as a quick review uh she put in her resignation two weeks ago. No. Yeah. Two weeks ago. And her her uh last day was
May the 1st I believe. >> I think so. Um, so, um, there has been some there's some new updates as of today. Uh, Jerry Amenta has, uh, uh, put in for a resignation of, uh, as being a
parks commissioner. He only really has a week left anyway. Um, and has taken on the role of interim parks director. >> Could you spell his name, please? >> Jerry. G E R R Y and then A M E N T A.
So Jerry, >> guess what? >> Um, he is he knows how to work all the equipment >> and uh he knows all the excuse my son who's making a lot of noise in the background. Apologize. >> Um, and he knows how to do the job. And
so um, we look forward to him um, you know, taking part and uh, doing the things that uh, Jeff had done in the past. Jeff um >> his name >> Thomas. >> Yeah. Actually, a matter of fact, uh
Jeff Thomas had approved uh had helped approve Jerry to be in that position. So, he gets Jeff's uh star approval. >> That's that's great. And um how many openings are there on the parks and wreck board?
>> So, as as of now there are two uh uh there's one open and then mine. Um and uh it is that there are only two people running uh Greg Carter and another gentleman I Brent's I always forget his name. Uh but uh they are running
unopposed. So and you know I know I know both of them and they are both dedicated to sports and helping the community and the children of course. Uh so I don't have any problems there. >> I guess >> excellent. Um, I don't know if you're
going to be having another meeting, but just make sure that they do know that we need somebody from parks and wreck on PPC. >> Yeah, I was going to actually forward your email that you sent yesterday >> to Jerry and Sarah. So, Sarah Gibbons is
is still the chair person for uh on the on the board. So, I'll just let them know uh as my last uh well, actually, no, I don't know if it's going to be my last. I don't know what's going to happen next week. as it were. I'm gonna send her an email with that information and tell her, you know, we need another person sitting in here.
>> Excellent. Thank you, Kevin. We'll miss you. >> Oh, I'll miss you. I actually enjoyed uh sitting on this board. I learned a lot. So, I appreciate that. >> All right. Well, we appreciate you as well. And um like I say, give us, you
know, good thumbs up to to the rest of the individuals. >> Five stars. >> You get like that. All right, Jess. Um, nothing nothing earthshatteringly new from conservation. We closed out a
New England Power Company order of conditions that got approved. We're still waiting for hearing from uh Mass Wildlife to approve a um project on Orion Park Drive to extend that. Um,
uh, Ken Diskin from the planning board and the senior center committee came to talk to us about things we might be seeing in the future related to the senior center and, uh, conservation restriction there. Um, but otherwise it
was we did a lot, but it nothing nothing earth earthshattering, just business as usual. >> All right, that's good to hear. I from what I understand though um I gather Heather is thinking of coming up with some sort of u tree bylaw or something.
Um >> yeah, we are reviewing updating our regulations and Heather also really wants to do a a bylaw um to help us protect more trees. Um which I think is a great idea because trees are one of the lungs of the
planet. >> They give us oxygen. >> That's true. That is true. All right, that'd be great. If um you need help, you know, supporting anything, please let us know. I will. All right. Um for housing um the housing authority, um
pretty much they have started some of getting the u quotes in for the work that's being done um at 18 Pond Street for again the parking lot as well as the sidewalks.
um with that. That's why they wanted to make sure everything was squared away uh for the generator that is going to be placed for buildings um B and C. And with that, then the other hat is the housing the affordable housing
committee. I think I let everybody know, but just a reminder, we're are going to be holding a housing forum on September 29th, approximately 6 o'clock at night in the great hall at town at town hall.
We um are I'm going to be going to the different committees to find out the I've had sort of like the agenda of what we're going to be covering things like inclusionary housing, the open space and residential development as well as ADUs
um as well as asking DPW to talk about um our mandatory water ban that is by state not by uh the community. So with that, these are things that I think uh needs to be uh brought up of what's going on with housing plus also to some
of our successes on affordable housing projects that we do have. So um I'll be going to like I said every one of the committees to let them know about September 29th as well as getting some feedback of what may be a good topic to
to cover. There'll be little activity beforehand. Um we probably won't do the welcome to our community cards, but we'll have something of interaction so that people can um either see some of the new successes that we have and u
make people more aware of what really has been occurring. So that's that's it for housing. Um did I catch everybody? Barry. Yeah, I got everybody. So yeah. So other than that, um right now, uh I don't know what
we have on the agenda for June, but if we don't have anything on the agenda, uh we might not have a meeting in June. So um we'll keep our fingers crossed on that and see what happens. And if there's nothing else, can I get an
motion to adjourn? >> So move. >> All right, Barry. Barry, it's so great seeing you. I tell you, it was good seeing you yesterday and every >> Oh, it's good seeing all of you. So, >> all right. >> And good luck to you there, Kevin.
>> Thanks, Baron. I appreciate that. >> And we do have to have a second and >> Julie seconds it then. All in favor? I >> All right, everybody. Thank you so much for all your help. >> Okay.
>> All right. Good night, everybody. Good seeing you all. Bye-bye. Part: 2
We will um open the Air Shirley Regional um school committee meeting for Wednesday, May 6th. >> Recording in progress >> at 6:33. Um for those attending tonight's meeting, please be aware that the meeting is being audio and video
recorded by Air Public Access and ASRSD. Any audience members who wish to record any part of the meeting must inform the chairperson who will announce the recording. This is to comply with the mass wire wiretap statute. The listings of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the chair which may be
discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law. Per the Shirley regional school committee policy beed public comment is not a discussion debate or dialogue between citizens in
the school committee. Is a citizens opportunity to express an opinion on issues of school committee business. Citizens will have three minutes to express their views. Any staff members addressing the committee are reminded of their obligations under state and federal student records law with respect
to maintaining the confidentiality of student record information and refraining from disclosing any personally identifying information regarding students. Um, with that you will please rise if you're able for the pledge of allegiance.
I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay. Michelle roll call
>> here. here. Mr. Quincy >> here, >> Mrs. here, Mr. Looper >> here, >> Miss >> Um, great. So, first um item on our agenda is a student showcase um for the Paige Hilltop Elementary
School with Principal Faulner. Would you like to Good evening. Thank you for inviting us to share some of what we've been working on at Page Hilltop Elementary School. I have six students here with me from grades 1 and two tonight. Our first graders have just completed
presentations for their families and other students on their animal habitat project. Students had to do research, write a report, and create a display and present their work several times to students, teachers, and families. With me tonight from first grade are Finn Jones, Josh Joselyn Shen, Mila Makuch,
and McKenzie Kathers Gray. We're going to start with Finn Jones. See that paddle back? >> That was cool. >> Talk to these people right here. >> So Finn um he did his animal habit habitat project on the black rhino. All
right. Okay. Do you want to learn about the black rhinos? Black rhinos are amazing animals. Black rhinos live in the African savas.
Savannah. The Savannah had open planes gathered. We >> and grass. Let vinyls make their home
in stubs and woodland. Black rhinos are large animals with gray skin
black rhino have two horns on their nose. Black rhinos have a large
horn head Short neck and >> short take legs. Did you know black rhinos
have >> adaptations? >> Adaptations. They that help them survive in the African savannah. They
swallow in They wall in mud to regulate their body temperature.
It protect their skin from insects. Black rhinos are herbivores.
They only eat plants like twigs, fruit, and leaves. Did you know that black rhinos? Babies can weigh up to 100 lb. Black rhinos have
incredible healing. Black rhinos are very interesting >> interesting animals. Tell them about the author. >> All about the author.
Finn Jones is a six-year-old fourth grade at Page Hill Talk. Finn lives at home with his lover, mom and dad. He has two
dogs and two cats. When he grows up, Finn wants to be a police officer. >> Nice job, Thank you.
Up next is going to be Joselyn Sh. Do you want to learn about blacktailed jack rabbits? Blacktailed jack rabbits are amazing animals. Blacktailed jack rabbits live in the desert. They make a nest shrubs or lift
and tall grass lined with grass and fur. Jack rabbits are pretty small, sometimes big. Jack rabbits have big ears, long legs, big ears, leaving predators, long legs to run fast. Did you know blacktailed jackets have
adaptations that help them survive in the desert? Long legs run fast, big ears to their predators. Black tailed jack rabbits are over. They only eat plants like leaves, grass barks, and cactus.
Jack is almost no water as a horse. Joselyn is a 7-year-old writer who lives in a nice neighborhood. Joselyn likes to roll over with her brother Owen probably.
She's already changing. Up next is >> all about swordfish. The swordfish. Do you want to learn about swordfish? They are amazing animals. Swordfish live in the open waters of the Pacific Caribbean Sea. They like warm to
temperate waters and migrate with the season to find warmer water. Swordfish have smooth skin and no scales. They have large eyes and a forked tail fin. They have a sword like
a nose and adult swordfish have no teeth. Swordfish can reach up to 12 ft long and 1,000 lbs in size. Did you know swordfish have a kitchen that can help them survive in the ocean?
Their bill acts like a sword that they use to defend themselves from predators. Swordfish eat are carnivores. They eat other animals like small fish and squid. Here are some interesting facts about
the swordfish. Swordfish can swim up to 60 m hour. That's faster than a cheetah. They can also travel thousands of miles in one year. They can
heat up their eyes, their eyes and brain to give themselves super sight in cold dark waters. Fourth, they can live up for 9 to 15 years. Now
you know about the swordfish. All about the author. Mila is a 7-year-old first grader at Paige Hilltop. Mila likes to make crafts and play board games with friends and family. This report was written
and illustrated on April 7th, 2026 by Mila Makoot. >> All right. And our final first grade is going to be McKenzie for Brothers R. This is the best. Mhm.
>> That's awesome. >> Don't you like to know about the giraffe? Giraffes are giraffes live in the African savannah. Giraffes sleep standing up. There are lots of trees and grass. Giraffes are 10% black spots. They are
between 14 and 19 ft tall. Giraffes have very long necks and and tons. Giraffes have hosts. Did you know that giraffes have adaptations that help them survive in the African savannah? They have a long
neck that helps them reach leaves high on tall trees. They have long legs to help them run fast. Raps are herbivores. They only eat plants like acasa, leaves, twigs, buds,
flowers, and fruits. Did you know that giraffes are the tallest land animals? Giraffes tunnels are 18 in long. Baby giraffes can walk right after they their board. graphs are very interesting.
McKenzie grew up his way to 16 at P. He lives at home with his mom and brother and sister and he has a he has a dog, a dragon, and a cat. His favorite animal is a cat. When he grows up, McKenzie wants to be a fire.
So, our second grade students um held their wax museum presentations in March and in April. Students had to research a famous person, write about them, create a presentation about them, and dress up life out. They also present it to students, teachers, and families. With
me tonight from second grade are Remy Kurthers Gray and Luke Brook. Remy, you can run the spray. You go first. >> Who was Neil Armstrong grew up in Ohio? Important people Buzz Alden and Michael Collins
education. Neil Armstrong learned to be a engineer in Purdue University. Career astronaut. Five. Personal characteristics. Smart.
kind, calm, brave, and accomplishments. The first human to step on the moon. Things you may not know. That neon star read more than 100 books in one year.
Post that's one full step for man, one giant leap for mankind. Timeline and events. Born on August 5th, 1930. Fly 78 by Fighter missions during during
Korean War 1951 to 1952. Soviet Union launches Sputnik into space. October 4th, 1957. US launches its first satellite. June
31st, 1958. Neon and Buzz Bowen become first to walk on the moon July 20th 1969 died August 25th 2012.
Nice job. And our final student presentation is Luke Grub. Hi, my name is Jackie Robinson. I was born on January 31st, 1919. Did you know that I helped end segregation in baseball? Another fact about me is that
I was the first Africanamean to play in an all-white baseball team. I would like to show you a project who created a book. He's not going to read everything from it. He's like reading. Jackie was born on January 31st, 1919 in
Georgia. He had three brothers and one sister. College. During his senior years, he played basketball, baseball, football, and track. Jackie's job. Jackie began playing
baseball for the Kansas City Monarchs in 1945. He got signed to the Dodgers on April 15th, 1947. Importing life events. Jackie became a soldier during World War II. Jackie
retired from baseball in 1956. In 1962, Jackie became the first black player to be voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Timeline 1919, born on January 31st,
1946, Mary's Rachel, 1947, begins playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers. in 1955. Hopes Dodgers win the World Series. 1972
dies on October 24th about the author. Luke Luke is a second grade student at Pilton. He plays baseball in the rookie leagues. His birthday is on April 19th. Did you know that Luke's favorite color is green? The end.
So, thank you for the opportunity to present these wonderful projects. We enjoy watching our students sharing what they have learned about every year. Um, I want to say I think it's really apparent, we talked earlier in the year um when we did our um school improvement plan um that we were going to emphasize
a focus on writing and our teachers really took the charge on that and they have done a ton of writing. These are just a few examples of it in our younger grades, but our older grades have also really um just dove into that with so much enthusiasm. So, I'm really excited
about what we're going to be seeing from our students in this unit. Well, thank you so much. >> Do you have a question? Yes. >> Thank you for coming. >> These kids were great. You let him go too soon. I have about a thousand questions. >> Oh, I'm sorry.
>> Did you want me to have >> Thank you again. Yeah. Thank you kids for all coming. That was really That was fantastic. Yeah. Thank you. >> I have so many questions about the black rhino that will go unanswered.
>> That was quite the quite the rhino. >> Astronauts. We have a whole thing here. >> I think I'm most surprised about 60 m hour by the swordfish. That's That's And no teeth. >> Yeah. It's all right.
>> I was pass. >> I mean, better than having a yummy rhino. >> Okay. Uh, next up on our agenda is our um high school representatives. >> Um, Mr. Hullbrook and Miss Obasan.
>> Colin. Nice sweatshirt. >> Thank you. >> Which is University of What? >> LOL. Oh, you meant as well. >> Yes. So, that's kind of the first thing I had was I committed to a college finally. Um, it was such a relieving feeling. I wish I had done it sooner.
Uh, I did it probably about like 5 days before the deadline. >> So, but I mean it's I still got those 5 days of being like, "Oh, I'm glad I picked." Some of my friends were still like struggling to make their choice. Um, but yeah, it's like I'm going into biomedical engineering as of right now.
Um, I'm really interested in all the engineering. Not sure which one I'm going to pursue still, but I'm probably planning on taking this class. It's like intro to engineering. It gives you a little bit of everything. And also, I like biomedical cuz it still keeps like the premed track open cuz that still
interests me, too. So, I was trying to hone in my decision. It actually made me realize I don't know what I want to do at all yet, and I still have a lot of thinking to do about that. But, I'm sure college will help with that. Um, AP tests are also happening right now. I just took my AP GUV one yesterday. I
think it went really good. There were a couple questions that I was like I I don't remember, but I'm pretty sure I did pretty good. And then I have AP physics and AP calculus mechanics coming up. Um the next week um besides that, senior trips are happening and I think
that's next week is prom and like the week after that is when all of our trips start. I'm very excited. I've been helping plan them cuz I'm on student council and I'm actually happy that we got it's been kind of a little difficult to get them in place cuz we were a little late and also it's like hard with
the how packed the senior schedule is to really fit um everything you want to do. So, we had to make we have to make some compromises, but I'm glad I'm happy with the trips that we ended up with. And yeah, I'm very excited for that. And
prom is coming up. Um, plus my prom posal, which I still need to do with my girlfriend. I'm a little late on that. I feel a little bad. We only got like a a week left, but I'm going to do it in the following days before the weekend. Um, but yeah, I'm excited. Senior prom. Uh,
it's going to be it's going to be great. I'm we're I'm going in a limo with all my friends and yeah, it's just really something to look forward to. Um >> your experience was tell about your experience being student.
>> Oh yeah, and my experience being a student represents been such a great experience. Um, I really appreciated all the advice that um, although it may have come in like small little bits like every now and again cuz these meetings aren't very often, it actually everything like
actually really helped me and I appreciate everything and I appreciate Mr. Christie for giving me this opportunity. It's been great. Um, it's actually I feel like it's definitely helped me also like overcome kind of my fear of like just talking to people in a
more professional standing because like it's different talking to people here on this like board compared to in a classroom in a presentation and I I felt a little more pressure at first but then I realized that it's honestly just kind of talking about how my life is going.
But I'm glad to have gotten this opportunity. So, thank you guys. Um that's all I got. Yes. >> Um University of L um has been coming along u for a number of years now in
engineering and I think it's underrated and you know sometimes you think the stuff that's closest you don't need to look at but um I've heard really good things about it and I work with I end up meeting a lot of engineers. Um so good luck there. I think you'll actually
choice. >> Yeah. I heard about it cuz my grandpa went to and my grandpa and grandma met there when it was two separate colleges like Voltec I think it was called and I was like so I've like I've known about it for a while luckily I think it was just um coming down to like money and
like how far I wanted to be away I was like I just felt like it was the best choice for me. I have I've attended L State and LE before they emerged. But um a brief story my uh nephew Patrick wanted to go
to Rice a lot of money you know good engineering school and so why don't you do a couple years in UMass somewhere and then metriculated up to Rice just get the grades. So he did two years at UMass LOL and he got accepted to Rice and then as I was talking to him he said you know
we have a really small tight engineering department and uh I really like the people and the professors so I think I'm going to stay. So consequently stayed there. He ended up uh and something you should consider when there is nuclear engineering because of the fields that is a really burgeoning field that is
really short on talent right now because the plants are getting smaller and more local. So, my nephew graduated from there and he's now a nuclear engineer for working as a civilian for the Navy on submarines and ships. See, he's out
of Portsouth, New Hampshire, and he lives in York, Maine, but he gets to fly to San Diego and Hawaii and Japan and basically all over the world. So, it's a pretty good gig. But in his office, um, everybody, you know, the kids in there
are, uh, Carnegie Melon, uh, uh, MIT, they're all around. They call him the state school kid, right? And he's like, "Well, let's see. Couple of things. One, uh, we're all the same pay grade, so we get the exact same money. I have no
student loans, and our boss is a UMass LOL graduate, so it all works out. So, when you're there, uh, don't bypass nuclear options. >> I I know they have, um, they have a reactor on campus, too. That's pretty I mean, these are all This is great news
hearing that I I know it's like a I've heard a lot of great things about it. I'm very excited, and that just >> I got so many options. >> Secondly, are you going to uh walk on for hockey? >> Um, I wish, you know, they called me, but I had to decline. I was like, engineering is going to be too hard.
probably should just focus on academics, but I think I'm gonna do I think I'm gonna try to do club. >> Yeah. >> So, yeah, >> there you go. >> You could talk to one of our selectmen, Mr. Tavarz, who I believe works at that lab at UMass in the nuclear lab.
So, I I chat with Mr. Tavarz a little bit. Might be a good connection for you. >> Um, do you Colin, have you been um doing the Instagram account? Do you do a couple of different accounts? The student >> I am mostly involved with the the like
the main the main one like the Panthers. Troy is the one that's like kind of on all the other ones like the commitment page. But I I'm I'm one of the people that's in the Panthers too if anybody has seen those videos. Those are the more of the kind of um silly ones are the ones I'm involved with.
>> What's the main one that you do? >> Um I think it's the just the ASR Panthers page. If anybody has not if you're not on on Instagram or if you are if you haven't seen this page then you have to go search it and it's it's great content. I I mean I love it. It's there
they actually do a lot of informational things as well as fun things. The um the commitment things with everybody in their sweatshirt was just it brought a tear to my eye. It was greatly well done. I mean everything about that it's it represents the school in a great way. It's fun. So you did a great job with
that and you know and to the administration to bring that up and have the kids doing it. That's it's been a lot of fun to watch over the year. >> Thank you. Yeah. I feel like we were we were able to take the we always had a school account but we were able to like actually start >> it's a whole another level. Absolutely. >> Following social media trends and
actually trying to do some like fun things to get some more engagement. I think we I think we grew the account by like twice as many followers in one year. >> It's a great representation of the school. It's really been Yeah. fun to to watch and to see. Yeah.
>> Um there was a theme of procrastination early in your your update. I would say of the things to procra or not to procrastinate, it would be taking care of significant others. So I'd recommend that be the thing you prioritize shortly. Um >> I focus on that over like signing up for
orientation. >> Sure. Yeah. I Yeah. Um, and as someone who personally went to four different colleges to finish their undergrad, you know, where you start might not be where you finish. And, you know, again, you have so many options ahead of you. Um,
your point about, you know, becoming more comfortable in this space. Um, my wife used to work at a preschool called kids are people too. Like the reality is like grown-ups are people too. And so I think as you are interacting with the world like all of us are just people.
Mr. Dvar is like all of these are assets to you. Everyone wants you to be successful and so I just would encourage you to continue um the comfort you have built in this space just you know taking that with you from here because you know all of us want you to do well everyone
who you meet at UMass LOL is going to want the same. So just don't be shy um and take the chances. >> Yeah thank you. I definitely will. This has helped me learn more than that. You just got to sometimes you just got to talk to people even if you your your mind is telling you like oh maybe you shouldn't like you should do it because
it's not actually that scary at all. >> Congrats Colin. >> Congratulations. So, I have like only like three major big things for the end of the year, but I did start volunteering with a couple of my friends at the unified track team. Um, we just competed at the Moberg um
sectionals yesterday and it was really great. It was a lot of fun and a lot of food and just a lot of just enthusiasm which was really great. Um, we did um end up being second in our overall like division which is really great. I'm glad I could like contribute like with my skills and like long jump and the 4x4
which was really great. I think that was like a really great time with just everyone there. Um, also it's the home stretch as Colin said with like all the AP testing. All my classes are kind of just coming up to the point where we're just testing and getting ready for the upcoming weeks and I'm great I'm grateful that we can finally be almost
done with the school year. Um, but also for the music department, we also have tomorrow, which is going to be our um, spring concert for the year, which is really great. It's going to be on 6 6:30 p.m. I believe, which is really great. So, come support the jazz band, the
concert, and um, the choir, which is really great. But yeah, big things. So, any questions? >> So, this So, I just want to make sure I'm right. So the spring concert's tomorrow like >> here like Wednesday
>> at when time >> Thursday >> Thursday I don't even know what day it is. >> Thursday. >> Awesome. What instrument do you play? >> So I do opal for concert and then I do um classical for
that. >> Very cool. >> I know. >> Wow. That's great. Do you have a solo? >> Um, in La La Land there's a solo for Opal, which is really small, but it's really cute. I like it. >> Yeah. >> Um, so I have a rising, we'll be ninth
grader next year. Um, and is in the band and is trying to decide, actually, I think she had to choose, so she may have decided already which band to pick to like fit into her schedule. >> Recommendations for a incoming freshman. I think for freshmen, it's always really
nice to have like a set class. Like I think having the concert band class and having that as like an honors class is also really nice for like being able to just get in with like the scene of concert, being able to have like a practice in like a high school setting, which is really great. That's what I did freshman year. Like I know a lot of my friends were doing that freshman year,
but as we got into um like as we got into like taking more AP classes and like prioritizing like other things like extracurriculars, we kind of like straight away and like joined jazz band where it was like having that after school opportunity but not having the commitment of the full class but being
able to participate in concert band. >> That's great. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> If you wouldn't mind for just one moment. Uh tonight will be Colin's last meeting. So I just want to say for me,
thank you Colin. Uh you have an infectious energy of yourself and questionable haircuts sometimes. What Colin wasn't telling you is one of the reasons why he was procrastinating on his prom proposal is one of my least favorite activities, senior assassin. As
many of you have read, uh Colin was afraid that that his girlfriend was potentially going to assassinate him during the problem, which led to the delight. So, we we believe we've solved this now and that he has
he um but but truly it's been wonderful to meet with you every month for the last two years. Uh you really are an incredible young man and the the world of engineering is lucky to have you. Um, and for Aluchi, Aluchcci's been amazing this year. You continue to astound me
with all of your projects, and I can't wait to see you lead an upcoming junior next year. >> It was really nice to be on the board with Colin. I think he's a really nice and humble person. Also, just wanted to say that um, it was really nice to get the chance to have another person's perspective, especially like another
student, which you don't usually get because you're usually in like your own social groups, and I think that's really cool that this place gives us that opportunity. >> Yeah. >> You'll be back next year. Yes, I will. >> Great. Awesome. >> Thanks, guys. >> Yes. Thanks. Appreciate it. >> Um, okay. Good job. Thank you, Aluchi.
Thank you, Colin. >> Mr. Christie. >> Yes. Um, if you have the opportunities on time next week to do me a solid and if you come across the Queen of Hearts, >> tell her that >> one, she frightens me and two, she has no ceiling.
>> We'll do. >> Thank you so much. >> We'll do. >> Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed the show. >> Um, okay. So, public comments. I don't know that we have anyone in the room. So, is there anybody? I >> think she just
>> she just left. So, >> was she actually planning to be public comment? >> No. >> Mhm. Oh, she wasn't. I thought she was going to present that. >> Nope. >> Okay. >> Um Okay. So, for vote is our consent agenda. We have April 7th, 2026 regular
session minutes for release. Um the middle school outofstate field trip, Trills and Thrills Festival. Um, adjudication of concert band May 29th, 2026 to Bristol, Connecticut. We can vote on all these together.
>> Mhm. Uh, warrants our AP warrant 1145 dated 410 2026. AP warrant 1146 dated 410 2026. AP warrant 1150 dated 424 2026.
an AP warrant 1151 dated 424 20226, April payroll warrant 21 dated 417 2026 and payroll warrant 22 dated 512026. Um so all warrants as shown. All right.
Um I'd make a motion that we approve the consent agenda including regular uh session minutes, the middle school field trip and the warrants listed. >> Second. All those in favor? >> I I Any opposed?
Okay. Um on to our new business for our FY26 budget update, a request for revolving funds. Mr. Plunkett, >> Mr. Chairman, uh we're coming into the the the last uh stretch here with our
FY26 budget and we want to be very conservative uh as we close and make sure that the the budget is balanced at the end of the year. So to help facilitate that, we'd like to request access uh to two uh revolving funds uh
the special education reserve fund and the capital stabilization fund. Uh we would propose to uh request an amount not to exceed 300,000 from the special ed reserve fund and 200,000 from the
capital stabilization fund. Uh we don't think we need all of this money, but we want to be able to close out any deficits uh at the at the close of this fiscal year. So with the having access to those two, we would be able to
balance out any any uh deficits and not have to be in a short a shortfall at the end of the year. We also have the FY26 OPE contribution uh and it's in an abundance of caution that we would like to pause it for this year uh for FY26
and it's a contribution of $10,000 that we make uh and we would resume that next year. Uh so these are these are the funds that we would like to access and also depose the OPE contribution uh for FY26
and we would need a vote uh for us to have access to it. Like I said, we may not need uh the funds uh as we go through the close. We'll we'll be more certain of what we really need uh to finish off the budget.
Go ahead, Joyce. >> Um, so, um, reading the balance there that you thought you might have on the special education and on the stabil this, um, capital stabilization and I know the OPED contribution
um, is u something that we have to keep doing. And if we have enough left over, say $10,000, shouldn't we just continue the OPED to show good faith? >> Well, that's up to you. Um, I did make
two um two motions for the OPED to be separate. if you wanted to continue with the with the uh OPEC contribution and not pause it. >> If if I may if I'm hearing you correct, um um are you asking us to reassess at a
later school committee meeting once we uh some >> I had to find some >> uh once our undesated funds are better known in June if we have the money then go to go ahead and make that contribution. But we have that obligation.
>> Yes. >> And it's something that um it's going to be harder and harder and harder as we go along. And so not to um to stop it from one year. I think that is this is a >> I think we could
>> a big a big thing that is required. >> I think we could pause that and if needed we could bring that back at a later date. I'm just going to clarify. Mr. blanket. Is there a a a specific time we need to make that payment? >> It has to be done during this fiscal year. >> So before July 1.
>> Okay. >> Yeah. So we have time we do to evaluate it. And um while you know this is something that this is something that everybody has a problem with. But to skip it one year, I think that we have
to keep showing that we have a healthy respect. I'm trying to think what to put in there to uh show that we're doing something. >> We can um certainly pause this and re-evaluate uh come June
>> whether or not we will will have the funds. We don't, as Mr. Mr. Punka said we don't expect to use um all of these funds from the special education reserve and capital stabilization. Um we are realizing some savings every day.
>> Um but having just gone through the certification process, we want to make sure >> that we are taking the advice of um the do and and and closing out um the way that they would expect us to uh moving forward. Um so we yeah we can bring that
up in the first meeting or or the second meeting in June. >> I think it's something that it's very easy to try to because it's ever since they have implemented it it's been difficult for everybody in the whole state to do it you know but to to cross
it off is I don't think is a wise way to approach it. >> Can I ask I'm I'm sorry if I didn't hear at the beginning Joyce. >> Okay. So what do you what do we but >> what are we gaining by delaying this >> what do you think? >> Well so we have a fairly big obligation
to do OPED like everybody in the state does >> um and I don't think anybody in the state is meeting it because you know prices are going up, budgets are tight and the kids come first. Um, so but to say that we're just going to ignore it
for a year, I don't think that's what we want to do. Um, to show that we are trying to do something and that's the way I think we've always approached it >> and we and no one ever wants to think about this. This is like, you know, >> we're happy to pause this for this meeting and and come back with the
recommendation. We very well may come back with recommending uh that this is not something that we want to do. This is um >> the other things are many districts doing that >> that's that I would not really want to approve that item and bring it back and do it later.
>> Um just a question. When was the last time that the account or the fund has been like evaluated? Is it in good standing? Is it not? Do you guys have to do >> like have to be we're up for valuation this this year June 30.
>> Okay. But we wouldn't have that information until after the decision would have to be made then. >> Correct. Okay. >> For that date, for that valuation date. We do have prior ones. >> Okay. >> The >> I actually don't think it's a terrible
idea to wait. We are realizing some savings every day. We are unencumbering funds. We are scrubbing uh different lines. So there is there is the chance that we won't need that. Um but we definitely don't want to we we
want to take the advice um in the direction um from the do which is to make sure that we are not using END funds >> um to rectify any shortfalls and so that we don't end the year with a deficit.
Um, so really the important the the most important items here tonight are the the access to the revolving funds or excuse me the the reserve funds which we do not expect to use all of those and that's why we are saying up to. >> So we will only take exactly what we
need to rectify any shortfalls before the close out of of this fiscal year. But we can absolutely come back um at the next meeting or the final meeting of the year. Um and if we really need that 10,000 from from OPED,
we will we will make that recommendation again. >> When do we actually um make the payment to OPED? Like we're saying we could do it in the last two meetings in June, but is it again I'm like do we have a >> schedule like is it going to go out May 30th sort of automatically or you know
>> we just have to do it before June 30th. >> Okay. So this conversation, Bill, you'll be like, "Okay, I'm not going to make sure I'm gonna make sure that check doesn't go out until we've >> Okay. And I wasn't trying to challenge. I just didn't hear. So I wanted to educate myself, Joyce." So >> Well, it's something that sits there
like >> I just say the um >> um >> and it's in the was in the original budget. It's in the budget every year, right? Clearly the the 10,000 doesn't help our oped standing one iota but the
oped is a global issue and what it does for me if we're able to keep and we can review it later but I'm I would certainly if there's a way we can keep making that 10,000 contribution I just want to be in the same boat with everybody else who's doing the exact
same thing we're doing saying like we know it's there we know it's a giant liability everybody has a giant liability we have no idea what to do with it, but we're doing what everybody else does. So, I want to be treated like everybody else. I don't want to do anything that says we're just going to like get out of the boat for a while.
>> Yeah. Well, uh it's funny you say that. This this recommendation is really one of the reasons we're making it. Many districts, especially those looking for overrides, are pausing for this year. >> Um but if we can, and we we very well may be able to uh make that payment, I I
think it is showing good faith uh to make that. So I I don't think unless Mr. Plunkett you you're thinking differently that pausing this the decision on an oped tonight oped tonight is is not a problem. >> Yeah I feel waiting as long as we can is is the best. If we can get it in we'll
get it in. Um, in terms of the motion that you need, is it that we move the um 300 from sped and the 200 from cap stabilization to general >> or
>> it would be saying to make it available >> authorizing the use of the funds to not and >> I I do have it written out if you want to take a look at it. >> Good idea. >> Who wants it? Chris is back.
I'd like to hear your freelance. I >> I felt like I could have done it, but um >> the trust was gone. >> I just wanted to make sure I was putting it in the right place for you, Bill. Um, I'd make a motion to approve the use of funding from the special education reserve fund not to exceed $300,000 and
funding not to exceed $200,000 from the capital stabilization fund to balance the FY26 appropriated budget if needed at June 30th, 2026. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I I Any opposed?
>> Thank you. All right. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Plunkett. Um, let's see. Where am I? Um, recommendation to accept school choice students for the 2627 school year based on available seats. Dr. Renda.
Thank you. Um, that's essentially what I'm asking. Um, every year around this time, we ask school committee to open school choice based on available seats. What you see in front of you is a list of schools and grade levels where we have available seats. You'll notice that kindergarten at both Paige Hillsoft and
law and 9th grade at the high school are to be determined. We don't yet know the class sizes of those grades. Um we will know the high school uh soon uh before the end of this this year. And the um
kindergarten, we really won't be able to open those for available seats until sometime in August. Um we don't have lots of seats available. Um the middle school currently has has the most but we would um would like to accept um as many
school choice as we can um this time around. Um it is a a a help fiscally. Mhm. Um if I remember correctly, we don't take
students in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades generally for cultural reason. Like I'm trying to remember the rationale why. >> Yeah. It's not that we don't want to, but oftent times it's unfortunately the way that
accountability works in the state. oftentimes when a a student is in high school is looking to school choice, it is because it is going to be very difficult for them to graduate. The second we say yes to that, if it's a if it's, let's say, an 11th grader or a 12th grader,
>> um, we probably won't be able to get them across the finish line and then that hurts us as far as graduation rates and dropout rates and we hate to make decisions based on that. Um but it's it's a reality of how of how the school is judged in that with that
accountability. Um comes a whole lot of work that we have to do with the state. Y >> um so I I think you find that's common throughout the state. Not not everyone but many high schools only take freshmen because we can have them for four years. We can guide them through the process
and we feel like we we have a good opportunity to make sure they graduate. Um we we did I think at one point talk about considering um accepting some after but it was largely because some of the other community
schools are talking about like eliminating all sports or something like I think Lunberg's in a really tough position and so I don't >> Yeah. And that's something that we're we're kind of monitoring now. I know that their um their their override passed a town meeting. It's going to be
on the ballot. Um, but I would not be surprised uh based on um what's happening at some of the um our our other local high schools that we might have some requests. If we have an abundance of requests and we feel like we have seats, we may revisit this with
the school committee about about opening. >> Okay. >> Can I >> um trivia questions? Um, so what is what's kind of what do we see for kids
moving into towns and stuff like this? So let's say the last three or four years typically in total enrollment, what do we do? we lose more or gain more because there's a lot of new housing and sometimes people don't move till
December and you know >> anytime we could get like where we want to keep our class sizes certain time someone moves into town we don't have a choice this isn't a choice student thing it's a >> so if it's a resident this would have nothing to do with school choice if they live within the
>> I know that yeah >> but just we're up >> how much we've been impacted by that >> by our local enrollment >> yeah We're up 23 students um from Shirley the this year and we're down down 88 but but about 30 of those
students were from the the shelter. So we were down roughly 58 students from air. >> So overall we're we're down we're down some students. >> Um >> we are expecting enrollment to grow. There's lots of um units about to
>> either start being built or to start being sold in air. >> Yes. and in surely too. >> And in surely too, great, >> right? There's a number that are getting ready to to blossom. So, um, these numbers, so it's tricky because if you say you take choice kids and then you
take choice kids and then you get, >> well, that's one of the reasons we say based on available seats. So, these numbers will change. There's by next week some of these numbers would change based on students either moving in or moving out. Um and and we we ask for it
this way specifically to address um your concern. We want to make sure that our class sizes aren't too high in that um if we are full with with students who live in Aaron Shirley, we'll close that section. You'll notice we have um
different grade levels closed throughout um both the the elementary and middle school. And it's based for that reason. And we have very really healthy class sizes. I mean I think the largest class size we have is 8th grade at the middle school. I think it's 26 but that number
will reduce going into high school because many of those students will be attending the show. >> Right. Right. >> Or Parker. >> Any other questions? >> Um as far as some of the classes that are maybe having more challenges like
behaviorally and needing more support, are you also looking at that before you allow them? I just know that even the classes that might be smaller, they're not really smaller because they are just so, you know, challenging for the teachers. So, I would just be worried about accepting more in some of those
grades. >> We can we haven't um that's a that's that's a good point. Um we we can so we could look at lowering uh what the we have self a self-imposed
cap and for I believe K and one it's 20 students um two through five it's 22 I believe the middle school we move to 25 um and the high school would be 25 so that that is a good point we could um
I think I know the the grade level that you're referencing thing and that is at 20. So really there there there aren't many seats open. Um there's really five seats. >> Um and it's actually a little bit less than that because of of the.3. >> So it it really wouldn't impact that
grade level moving into second grade all that much. >> Um anyway, but that is something that we we could could abs absolutely consider. >> Yeah. I just think sometimes the numbers are are deceiving. You know, it looks like >> I I think that is true. Yeah. >> Okay.
And from a fiscal standpoint, we're down 50 studentsish. >> About 50 students. >> Um, and in a year with rising costs, right? Like having I'm assuming having filling some of those seats,
right? Like in total here, there's a 65ish >> openings. Um, I would be surprised if we had 65 students school choice into the district. Um but it feels again especially given the
sort of financial constraints that we're in having some students choice in would be >> 86. Okay. Um would be important to make up some of that deficit. >> Yeah. So we're down 86 in air but we're up 23 in Charlie. So that brings
>> We were just looking at the school the choice numbers. >> Oh 86. >> I think this shows we have 86 choice. >> Yeah. Um, but that's that's K to2 and those are students that we already have. >> We typically get maybe 30 requests. It's around 30 requests over the summer. Um,
and it ranges anywhere from accepting 5 to 15, I think, was probably the most since I've been >> uh been here. So, it's not a we're not taking on 86 kids in one year, >> right? >> Um, and we're going to be losing some of those. There's some of our seniors that
are graduating, I'm sure, are choice. Um, so it is it is a good idea and healthy to keep the numbers. We want to keep it around 86. Um, last year or two years ago, we had a 100 in and we had
100 choicing out. So we we'd like to at least break even there. Um, but I wouldn't be surprised if we have more requests for choicing in um this summer, but it's it's been roughly around 30. But with this, unless we get a very high
number of kids wanting your choice in the middle school, I it we it won't it won't have a huge impact. We're we're looking somewhere between five and and and 15 kids again. >> And that's I mean generally where you have school like I mean historically
when you have families choicing in is there grades where it's most common it's like kindergarten was rough. We're going to look for a different like first grade experience or middle school is rough. We're gonna look for like what are the or is it just random all of a sudden third grade you have a kid showing up?
>> It's it's it's pretty random. I would say seventh grade is a big one. I I think they start middle school. >> Okay. >> And maybe the middle school experience wherever they were wasn't great and they're looking for a change. Uh and that will start um November December of
next year they'll start rolling in. >> Uh we we do a lottery. The only time we um allow if we have students who are moving who want a school choice, we allow them to stay. >> Yeah. >> And then they they they are they end up in part of that lottery. Um but we do a
lottery in August and if we need another, we do it sometime after winter break. >> Um we we did stop doing the rolling um the rolling rolling. >> Yeah. Yeah. And that's not recommended. The lottery is what is recommended by
the state. Um, but I haven't noticed a pattern. Seventh grade's one. Um, >> that's that's really >> we we get we tend to get some kindergarten um request because some of our our neighbors don't offer full day.
>> Okay. >> Or free kindergarten. So, we get some requests there. >> Um, but we take very very few Yeah. >> Um, kindergarten request, especially because you need to hold it till August. Yeah. choice >> roughly how what's our balance with
choice out? >> Choice out is right around 100. Do you have that? >> Uh >> so we fairly balance choice out and choice in >> we're we're short about 15. >> We're short about 15. >> I hear
>> they're pretty close. Um we can I I don't have the number on me. I can get you that number. >> I just you know it's part of this picture really. Yeah. you know because talking about the fiscal balance of it you know so um that's why I ask
>> yeah we do like to keep those we would actually like to have a few more in um but for instance if we if we had 50 students school choice in which that that's not going to happen that would be $250,000 so it is
uh it's a kind of a double-edged sword that's a nice um amount of money to receive especially especially when when when money is tight. However, um we do often find that school choice students are more expensive to educate than the $5,000 that we get um from the state.
So, that is one of the reasons that we started to go more conservative with accepting school choice in um you know, but when when money is tight, you change those priorities a bit. Um and like many of our neighbors, it's it's tough times. So, we are looking to
to possibly up that, but it it's going to be it it it's going to be under 20, and I would be surprised if it was even at 15 based on the available seats. >> Right. >> Any other questions?
If not, this does require a vote. I'm going to make a motion that we approve the uh choice in students for um next school year on the 2627 school year beginning July 1st, 2026 as um as
projected at this time. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I >> I Any opposed? Okay. Um next on our agenda is the reappoint of Dr. referenda to the Keystone Collaborative Board of Directors for the
2627 school year. >> So once a year um a representative for Mayor Shirley needs to be appointed to be on the um executive board for uh is this I'm sorry I got to Is this for CAPS or Keystone? >> Keystone >> for Keystone Collaborative. Um
traditionally that has been the superintendent. I'm happy to continue doing it. I am actually on their uh facilities committee. Um so it would be much easier um for Keystone if I was reappointed. Um again, I'm happy to do it, answer any questions. I guess if Dr.
Clearary or Mr. Plunkett would like to do that or a committee member, by all means, uh that can happen, but um for continuity purposes, um it would probably be easiest if it was me. >> Questions? This brings up a question.
How many collaboratives are we involved in with now? >> Well, we're members of two. >> Keystone and >> CAPS, right? >> We are involved in other collab. We do have students um in other collaborives, other district students who attend other collaborives that we're not member of,
>> but we are members of two. >> Members of two, right? >> And are they still is it CAPS who's uh leasing the space in the high in the high school or is that Keystone? Keystone is renting space in the high school and CAPS is renting space at Page
Hilltop. In fact, we have students from CAPS, their deaf and heart of hearing program that attend class with with students from Page Hilltop. >> Yeah, it's a great program. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> It's important. >> It is. We are we're happy to have them.
>> We used to get reports. How often do they meet? >> Once a month. Okay. It seemed like we used to get reports from CAPS and Keystone as to some of their functioning and students and stuff like that and I don't think we've seen that recently. Have they stopped doing
that or >> um is it necessary or >> I don't think we've received >> stuff fairly often like how many students they do. >> I I don't think in the last five years I
mean I can absolutely ask for that. I'm sure they'd be happy to provide it. There is you are getting an update uh tonight from CAPS >> on their um the quarterly update for their um their budget. Um but I'm happy
to uh speak with um John Deans and ask for updates for um the same type of updates from Keystone. >> I think it's good for them. >> Yeah. >> To you know be more public with their information. It's makes them stronger. >> Yeah. I would believe if we asked for it, we would probably receive it in an
email within an hour or two. I I I think they have all of this. >> Yeah. Nobody was just It was a public presentation at school committee for some period of time. >> So, I don't know. I think may have blazed over, but
good for them to get their yeah >> publicity out. >> Mr. Chairman, there was a question about school choice numbers >> and we have 81 uh receiving and 87 sending. So >> just about breaking even six more going
out than coming in today. >> That's as of uh the October one numbers were from FY25 or no calendar 25. Okay. Like >> thank you Mr. Wonder. >> Thank you. Um, any other questions on the Keystone?
No. >> I would make a motion that we appoint Dr. Renda as a representative to Caps Collaborative for coming >> Keystone. >> Keystone. >> Oh, Keystone. Okay, I would second that motion.
>> All those in favor? >> I Any opposed? >> I was reading this instead of >> Gotcha. Yep. That that is next on our agenda. Um so uh submission of the CAPS collaborative quarterly financial report to the school committee Mr. Renda Dr.
Renda. >> Um again you're doing most of my job for me. Um Mr. Chair, this is the submission of the CAPS collaborative the quarterly update for the member districts which we are one. Um, I think some of the the
probably the most exciting thing here is that they are leasing a new building uh in Lamester where their offices and an adult program that they are starting um is opening. It is in the building Oh goodness. Uh it was the Lister Library
when the library was being um renovated. It was also the former home of DCF uh in Lemonster. It is uh for those of you who don't know Lumpster well um Gold Farms uh if you know that or the old driving range that was in Lancaster it's on that
road um it's pretty exciting this adult program there's a there's a huge need for it um and that will be I believe starting um the next fiscal year um and this is a it's a great space um CAPS is doing a lot of great things like I said
they are uh part of Page Hilltop with their deaf men hearing program and um Um we've been um very happy since we've joined and actually uh we we receive a um a member discount which we are now
paying less money being a member uh to them even with the membership fee than uh what we were paying to have students in there on a district program uh prior. Okay. >> Any questions? No other questions.
Um, and that does not require a vote. Thank you, Dr. Rendo. Um, so I'd like to open for discussion and then we'll need a vote to open contract negotiations um with Dr. Rendo, superintendent of schools. Is there any discussion?
>> I think it's like the timing would be good. I mean, we're talking about getting into our next strategic planning. It's nice to know if you have the same cap in on the ship the time. So, I think this is if we're going to do extend it, if we can come to agreement on the contract, this would be the
perfect time to do that. >> Yeah. Agreed. >> Okay. >> No argument. >> All right. Do I hear a motion? >> Uh, I'd make a motion that we open contract negotiations with Dr. Renda for the superintendent of schools position. >> Second.
>> All those in favor? I. >> Any opposed? Okay. Um, so back to you, Dr. Render, for your superintendence report. >> Thank you. Unfortunately, I'm still waiting for the final update from our uh general counsel on the regional
agreement. So, not uh anything new to share there. Um, but on the next item, there is a um new seclusion law that has um some impact or has already had impact on the district and will have impact uh moving
forward. Uh there is a memo attached to the superintendent's report. Uh I'm not going to read the memo. I'll I'll just basically give you kind of an outline what what has been happening. Um and I'm sure many of you have heard. Um there are it's much more frequent to have
students who um at times have um behaviors that can be unsafe in the classroom. Um in the past um when I was a building principal, Mr. Clar was a a building principal, though his his students were much bigger than mine, so it was much easier for me to do. We
could go in and very safely with another staff member remove the student who who who was being unsafe. Um bring them to a place uh to to regulate or to co-regulate. Um get them to a point where they were available to learn and and bring them
back to class. um that is really no longer legally allowed uh unless a a student is an imminent threat to themselves or others. Um and even that language getting a definition of what that is is very difficult. It's um
it's really that has not been clarified uh for us. So it's open for interpretation. So this law changes on August 22nd. We have been trying to get into compliance and get ready for this law. This current
year we have um instead of going in for uh and and meeting a student uh where they are and and um removing them from that situation, what we have to do now um is evacuate the classroom. So we can have a student who is um flipping a
chair or a desk or or any number of of unsafe um actions. And what we do is immediately move the classroom. Um the teacher would would take the students and go to a safe place. If it was Pay Hilltop for instance, they might go into the cultural arts. Other places might be
the cafeteria, uh the gym, any open space. And then administration and behavioral staff would go in and try to help um regulate the student in that classroom. Um this is a significant disruption to education. Um but there's
really not much of a choice here. Um, one of the things that we are realizing is we need to do a better job at communicating with our families when this happens so that they're hearing this from adults and not hearing it from a first grade student or a second grade
student and then have lots of questions and and it can be scary for parents. Um, we we were um lucky enough to have a conversation with a parent who this has affected and when I say we um Mrs. Bernard joined me for this conversation. Um, and uh, this parent had very
reasonable requests, would like to be contacted by the school in the form of an email. Um, if their child was directly involved, a phone call uh, and that's what we're planning on doing. we have a kind of a draft kind of a template letter when a template letter can be used for these situations and
oftentimes it can be um and it's just out of transparency um and just to be um upfront and and clear with parents. However, one of the things
that we may ask the school committee if if they are in agreement um there are many districts um pushing back against this um and asking the department of ed to reconsider um this rule. Uh I I'll
give you for instance um if I am no longer safety care trained so I am not restrained. I cannot legally restrain a student. Uh I had been in the past many times. There were times that I I was and it's lapsed and I I we certified by the way all administrators will be safety
care trained um this summer. But I can't even stand in front of a door to prohibit a student who is being unsafe from leaving a room. Um students have to have access almost always to be
able to exit any room they they they wish to exit. Um, one of the techniques besides very safely removing a a a student from a from a classroom when I was a principal, another technique that was used often, once you remove that student, you bring them to a safe place
and you just stand literally stand in front of the door in a very safe place where could be bean bags and other things that the student can use to calm down and just wait until they're regulated. Just wait the behavior out. This is a technique we probably all used when we had toddlers. I'm currently
still using this at home with a four-year-old. >> Um, but we're not as a school, we're we're not supposed to do that. And when we are allowed to do that, that it's still gray that the state hasn't clearly defined when that's okay and when that's
not okay. Um, I think what has happened is when many districts did this or some districts did this, they didn't do this with an abundance of caution. They didn't do this with trained staff and they would go in and be frustrated and angry with a student who was being
violent and out of control and maybe yank them out of the room and it causes injury. And so this is to me the version of the state taking recess away from everybody. Right? So, there's some guilty um districts who don't do this the right way and they're taking this
away as a as a um method to not interrupt education and to help kids really co-regulate. Um and it seems extreme to us. So, we are we are pushing back as a group of superintendent. We may ask the school committee to to join
us uh in that if you agree. But I think one of the things you would have seen in the past when I was doing this as a building principal with a first grader or a kindergarten student for instance um many times they would want to come with me because of an established relationship that was built. And often
times I would carry them a toddler like I would carry my own son. And what you would see often um if you were an observer is a student almost immediately a collapse into the adult holding them head down on the shoulder and a complete
almost an immediate um relaxation. Heartbeats start to to go in rhythm. Breathing starts to go in rhythm and co-regulations happening there. Um we can't do that anymore. Um and I and I can understand why. Uh all you see on
the news is students who get injured by by being removed uh inappropriately or students put in behavioral boxes. Um we don't have behavioral boxes. We wouldn't have behavioral boxes. We absolutely have calm down rooms. Uh we've talked to you about them before. They're outfitted
with fidgets and comfortable furniture and and plenty of other things to try to help the student co-regulate. So, we're trying to work this out without these rooms currently. Um, and so what you've seen is many more evacuations this year
in our elementary schools. This really isn't a a Miller high school problem than what we've seen in the past. Um, we've learned a lot. I think we're going to be better at this next year. Uh but one of the the um things that is going to happen is the school is going to
communicate with every parent in that classroom that an evacuation happened. And if um your child was put into in particular was put into an unsafe um situation um you're going to get a call from either a school counselor or a
school administrator letting you know that so that the parent would have the opportunity to ask further questions. Uh we're trying to do this in a way where we protect the privacy of the student who is having difficulty. Um but we feel
we need to to communicate better and be more transparent um with parents about when this and why this happens. Um but this all comes I feel like I'm rambling a bit there. This is all coming back to that seclusion law that we think is is really overreaching and once again
taking tools away from the school. um that almost everyone else has. Parents have them, police would have them, um but schools for some reason don't. Um and we really want to get back to a place, and I'm not speaking for for
everyone. This this is really to me where if it's not okay to hit a police officer and shop and save, it shouldn't be okay to hit a teacher in a school. Uh and we're not there right now. Um, so
I'm happy to answer any questions. Felt that was a my apologies for for a bit of a ramble. This is a a very important topic to me. Um, I think we can do things the way that we were doing them with care for the child and it will be more beneficial to them, but we're
figuring it out. Uh, and in the meantime, um, we're going to, uh, change our communication, uh, to parents when this does happen. It just seems like that's what I mean. I I understand your your need and want to communicate with the parents. That seems
like that could be a lot. I mean, you're talking about communicating with all not the parents. I I'm sure you'll be talking to the parents of the child that had the problem, but now you have to talk to everybody else or find some way to notify. That seems like that would be
>> really tough load. How? >> Yeah. often it's just going to be an email and and the the programs that we have we can we can pinpoint just the class and send it all at once. But there will be times when if a student is throwing books and my Mr. Plunkett's um
kid was hit with a book, we're going to give Mr. Plunket a call >> and let him know. So yeah, it's going to at times it's it's going to be a lot of work. Um but we all we all have kids here. if my my child was was was hit with the book, I' I'd want to know and
I'd probably want I'd want to hear from an adult, not not the version, >> not the kid, >> not the version that um my my kid is going to come home with. So, that's that's work we're willing to take on. >> Ashley had a hand. >> Um no, I just wanted to say um as Dr. Wenda said, I joined the call. Um he did
99% of the talking and I just wanted to say he did a really great explaining it. And I think the important thing is as a parent who's had their kid come home and say so and so, as they say, crashed out today in class. Um, I didn't know what that meant, but I learned. Um, and it
coming from them, it's so much scarier because you don't know what they're talking about. You don't know, you know, what really happened. Um, and why they had to all leave their classroom. And I think as a parent, it's super frustrating to hear that 20some kids had to leave the room because one kid needed
some assistance. And I think that might be where our parent who wanted to speak to us was at. And I think it's the parents need to know that they're doing it because they have to, not because that's the the choice any of us necessarily want. >> Um the other thing was um I think Dr.
Render, you mentioned this on the call, but I think the biggest issue is you're making the child stay in the place where they initially got upset to begin with. So like instead of moving them to someplace new where they might >> regulate as you said, you're keeping
them in the classroom where the incident started. So I do think that maybe if we're able to write a letter um as a school committee kind of, you know, speaking out against this law and I think that would be really important. >> Um and then also I think one of the other kind of takehomes I took from the
conversation, um we're prioritizing the safety of one student over the others. And I think that's why it's really important to tell parents when these incidents are happening because that's how it feels when you're not getting the full story. Um, so just to kind of find
a better solution because as Dr. Renda said, if he's not even allowed to stop the child from leaving the classroom, how can you stop the child from throwing the books or throwing the chair? So, um, I just think the it might be more work, but I think we at least owe it to the
families. Um, I've personally spoken to families who were considering leaving the district because of these issues. So, they're they're really serious and people are really really upset about it. So, I just want to make sure we do everything we can to not not lose families.
>> And I I think communicating will probably bring a lot of that anxiety down. Our teachers make very good decisions in the moment often. There there was one instance where the teacher could has known the student all
year and could tell this was about to happen and simply just had the students exit. I think they went on a bath. We're going to take we're all going to take a bathroom break. Students didn't even really realize what what was happening. Um so that that type of thing happens
every day. It it probably happened today at one of our elementary schools where that really wouldn't there wouldn't need to be a need for an evacuation email there because there was no unsafe behavior. The teacher just noticed it and uh moved the class away. There was
another example where where we had a student having a difficult time in the hallway. Um the student happened to be in a member. They were in the nurse's office having a difficult time. the the class that the student is a member of happened to be walking out of their
classroom to go to um I believe it was art teacher noticed it saw it happening said it's a beautiful day we're going to walk outside to art today kids were happy to walk outside um it didn't really disrupt their day but one of the things that that that that
happened in this instance one a student did see his classmate having a difficult time went home and shared that information um with a parent. The parent thought this was a typical evacuation. Um was upset, rightfully so, and
concerned about what had happened. If we had communicated that, um we we could have eliminated all of that anxiety. It was handled perfectly by the teacher in that instance. So, um we we know we we can improve on this. We weren't not telling parents because we didn't want
them to know. We were just really it was an overabundance of of student privacy, but we feel like this is important enough that parents um have the right to know um and we can commun I believe we can communicate that without violating
any any student privacy um issues. Was uh is was Desi getting pressured from above political pressure from above to do something because of a couple incidents? I mean it doesn't sound like this is the kind of thing that
>> that normally, you know, you would come out of a think tank with psychologists and developmental people to say this is better for everybody for all these reasons. It just sounds like this is a knee-jerk reaction that someone told us to do. just doesn't seem like there's
much behind this. >> Yeah, I I I wouldn't want to speculate on that. Um out of control behavior is rampant throughout the country. Um we're seeing a lot more of this than we have in the past. Um as to why I I don't
know. Um I I can say that one of the one of the reasons may be that um there their students may feel like there aren't a ton of consequences for this type of behavior. But I what I will say is that we impose all the consequences
that we can legally. Um whether or not that's enough um you know we don't know. Um, this isn't uh I the next thing I'm about to say is not a reflection on any of our
our current parents. I would say all of the parents that I'm aware of who are having struggling with some of their um child's uh behaviors have done everything we've asked them to do. But in general, accountability has been
taken away from the parent and put on the school district. And what we all know what happens, right? A student gets removed from class in an unsafe way, gets injured, which is unfortunate. The sue gets the school gets sued and then everything changes. As soon as one
school is sued and loses and that money comes out, the recommendations all change. Um, this seclusion law I believe is coming from the board of education. Um, there's one practitioner on there. I believe I think there's one former superintendent. I'm not sure if there's
any former teachers on the board of education. Um, but it's it's it it really handicaps us as far as how we can can handle things. And no one there's not one person, not one adult, one not one educator and air
surely who wants to injure a child. Whenever I've seen restraints in this district, it is done with an abundance of care. And nobody wants to do it. It is it it's always a last resort. But um now standing in front of a door is
considered a restraint. If I stand in front of a door and don't allow a student to exit, we have to record that as a restraint. I can't even do that because currently I'm not restraint trained. >> So it's it's interesting.
It is things that I would not allow my own child to do and I would if it was my child I'd just throw them over my shoulder and walk them out wherever they were. Um, but we can't we we can't do that. We can't if it was my I would sit with my child
in and I would sit in front of their door in their room and and they would stay in there until they were calm. Uh, which is a common tech was a common technique in schools for many years. We we can no longer do that. Yeah. >> Um, a question and maybe two comments.
Um, how many uh, evacuations, and this can be ballpark like in the within a dozen. Um, how many evacuations do you think there have been in the district this year? >> That is a I don't know that is I can get that information.
>> Yeah. And part is, can you imagine the volume of communication to families? And I'm again thinking >> about the if >> I'm like I I can't tell if this is a sort of event that is now occurring every other week in a classroom, once uh
semester, once a year, >> right? And I can imagine a generic email coming every week saying your class was evacuated because of behavior. how that might >> sit. Um, so it would be helpful to know
like what an average family and again I imagine most of this is occurring in elementary grades. Um, but what an average family in air surely might expect in terms of number of >> emails. Sure. Um I do think that um it
is worthwhile and again I don't know when so I'm like there's some like preemptive communication that it feels like would be important. So rather than a parent the first thing they see is your child was evacuated because of and
again you can write the email as sort of like benign and matter of fact as possible. if you see the word evacuation like you're going to have a certain reaction as it. So I I just putting that procedure into context as early in the
year as possible I think will be helpful for families whether that's part of kindergarten orientation nights or back to school nights. Building some awareness of here's a procedure from the state that required that we're required to follow. If we have to use it in your classroom you will get this type of
communication. If you have questions like let us know. I think doing that on the front end would help tamper what might be I think uh reasonably big reactions to an email that again is relatively
benign. Um and then I would say if there are folks on the committee who are um feeling spicy about this and I mean every year we talk about the mask amendments that we uh vote on. This could potentially be something if
someone wanted a a fun summer project. Um, so not nominating myself, but if someone is motivated by it, um, it feels like something that you could put into an amendment to be voted on at the mass conference. >> If I may, the memo um will be the
information in the memo will be um an email to parents in the next u weekly update. So, next Monday. Um, but that's a it's it's also I think it's a great idea to include this in preschool and in in kindergarten orientation. >> Um, there is a a example of a template
type of letter. Uh I imagine including a little bit more information on each instance because some of these are going to be very um um >> quick matter of fact if the you know because of a requirement by the state if
there's a behavior that you know could pose any sort of threat which could be as again >> a book is thrown >> the sort of behavior that you can you know we've all seen in classrooms we've all seen in our homes this is the procedure that we're required to follow if we follow that we will send you an
email if your child was you know in any kind of risk you will get a phone call like I think that matter of fact >> um >> and and just we'll get we'll get the numbers that won't be difficult I know that both principles are keeping logs of that um but I don't want to just throw a number out there I have one but I'm not
going to >> it's not urgent I'm just again in my mind I'm like next year are we going to be getting the email of I've gotten you know a dozen of these emails over the course of the first half of the school year what's going on. >> Yeah.
>> Um >> part of the rationale though too is that they're already being told about these evacuations. >> They're just being told by by their their 5-year-old, six-year-old um which is as we all know that information is not always reliable uh nor accurate. So
we want to make sure that um um the parents are hearing it from us. >> Yeah. >> I think another um important note Dr. would be that usually by the time you get to like the third instance, I think other steps are probably being taken >> on your side where you know maybe that
that child is getting additional assistance. So hopefully like the same classroom wouldn't get >> sure. Yeah. >> Yeah. You I mean I guess you don't know but >> yeah I mean we if if once is an anomaly right and uh twice is
a now we have two data points three times is a pattern right? We have these students are all brought up in during our student support group meetings. We we are putting plans in. As soon as it happened once, we're trying to figure out why. >> We're calling home. We're seeing what other supports they have. If if they
happen to have outside uh therapy, we're looking to get uh releases to talk to that therapist, putting in safety plans and behavior plans. uh if they um if they're not in special education, there could be a referral to special education so that we could do a functional behavior analysis and a behavior
intervention plan. There's a whole slew of things that we do for all of these students um that parents just don't know that we do. It's uh we're not crossing our fingers and hoping that this doesn't happen. Um it's it's very frustrating. Um and the parents are doing a lot too.
I mean, not to take away the parents who are are dealing with with these behaviors from their their kids almost always are doing everything we ask them to do, but a lot of what happens to help these kids is trial and error, right? And and some of the things that they do
takes two to three weeks to see if they're going to work, right? So, um it's uh it's a it's a tough it's a tough situation. the point about student privacy. Maybe also again like if you have that like and again ideally short 45se secondond amount of air time like
at a um uh again the preschool kindergarten back to school nights um would be the note about >> and like >> we respect every student and staff's privacy, right? like because of both
federal law and our respect for all of the students and families in this community. We will let you know when things happen. We will not communicate who the child is or the things that we are doing to support that child. That is something that we are not going to or
able to communicate to you. That might be unsatisfying, but we assure you we are doing all the things we can to support that child. Like again, that sort of proactively saying you're not going to know this. That's going to be frustrating. Trust us. >> One of the things that we can do
>> is communicate the supports that we would give everyone. >> Sure. Yeah. >> Who happens to have this type of behavior. >> Exactly. >> Um and we can do if we do that before anything happens at the beginning of the year. Um that makes it a lot easier and that's that's where we need to get better >> because the parent who you know Johnny
got hit in the head with a book that got tossed. What are you doing? Like what are you doing? Right? Like and that's again natural parent reaction. Sure. If they know on the front end when you say no, they can sort of couch it in. Oh yeah, I heard that thing. >> Um, >> you can do that. >> Transparency. Transparency and
transparency as much as possible. It's what it comes down to like upfront is going on. >> Yeah. And say you say it ahead of time so that when it's heated >> when you're not in the >> already stated, >> you're not in the moment. >> Mhm.
>> Okay. Um, any other questions on that? Okay. So, we are in the final stretch. We have 31 days remaining in this school year. The last day for our seniors is May 29th. The class of 2026 graduation will be held on Friday, June 5th. And the last day of school for grades
preschool through 11 is on May, excuse me, May. Wishful thinking, I guess, June uh 22nd. Uh there's nothing new to report for college acceptances or or um >> there should be one I don't see on here since Colombia.
Nice little school. >> Um, >> great place to go. >> Yeah, >> it should be on here. I mean, it's I know someone just committed to Columbia. >> We'll get we'll get that added. Got to get them on here. >> There is a possibility that they didn't tell the uh guidance department, but
we'll we'll go ahead and add Colombia. Yeah, that's a great school, Ivy League school. Fantastic. >> Be in New York. >> Yeah. >> Did a semester there. Did you sure for >> I did uh want to take the opportunity to to let the school committee know unfortunately I will not be attending
graduation uh this year. My daughter is graduating the exact same night from Fitchburg High School. I have asked Dr. Keri to speak in mystead. He has accepted. Um I'm sure he will do a great job and it will make me look really bad for next year.
>> So thanks for coming. >> You're welcome. Yeah. >> Do we have an outside speaker coming in this year? >> I'm sorry. >> Do we have an outside speaker coming in? >> Uh, that is a great question. I'm not I'm not sure yet. >> Just curious. >> We'll let you know. >> Yeah, it could be. >> Interesting.
>> Enjoy your graduation. Thank you. And that is all for the superintendent's report. >> Okay. >> For those who are sat graduate from high school, this will be the >> I'm sorry, what? be this is your second daughter who's graduating from high school, right? So,
>> yeah, I got one graduating from college in two weeks, next week, and then one graduating from high school, and then I got to wait a long time for the I got a ways to go. One not in kindergarten yet. Interesting timing.
>> All right. Thank you, Dr. Renda. Uh for ongoing business, we do not have there is no ongoing business. Um, I do not have any chairperson's notes for tonight. Are there any other topics for discussion not reasonably anticipated uh 48 hours in advance of this meeting?
>> Not tonight. >> No. No. Um, then we have our communications. I can bring it up. I have it. Um, so on Thursday, May 7th, the Air Reg Air
Shirley Regional High School spring concert at 6:30 p.m. at the high school. On Monday, May 11, Shirley annual town meeting at 700 p.m. in the middle school. On Tuesday, May 12, Air Shirley uh PTO meeting 7:00, Laura White.
Wednesday, May 13, middle school cultural day, 5 to 8:00 pm at the middle school. Wednesday, May 13th, ASF meeting at 7 pm at the high school. Friday, May 15th, half day of school, no A.M. preschool. Dismissal times for the high
school are 11:25 a.m. Middle school 11:15 a.m. Lauralay White and Paige Hilltop 12:15 p.m. On Sunday, May 17th is the Janice President Run for Education. Uh, registration starts at 10:00 a.m. at
the high school. Monday, May 18th, robotics banquet, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the high school. And Wednesday, May 20, school committee meeting, 6:30 p.m. at the middle school. Um, I I guess we should have done an
announcement for our award-winning robotics. That's just what I was going to ask. >> There you go. I was going to ask they were the champions >> in their section. Absolutely. Yes. Fantastic, right? >> For uh New England or for
>> nationals. Yeah. So, we will um invite them >> into a school committee meeting before the end of the year and and have a >> because there was awesome stuff and there was just >> it's a name but consider it their district. They first time in their
history they are champions. Yeah. All right. >> We were getting updates from golf. >> Absolutely. We had a a teacher, one of our teachers there, um, Mr. Obo, he was giving us or he was giving Mr. Christie live updates and
then we were receiving them from from Spencer. That was it. The kids are so excited and so increased with self-confidence from that program that um and just going
is I asked a couple of them even last year just going was like they couldn't they couldn't get over their thrill of it, >> you know. So, um it's it's a huge thing. >> It's fantastic. Great great program. >> Impressive kids.
Mr. Chairman, if I could just um since we had the Shirley um vote yesterday, the town election, I would like to thank all the people in Shirley who voted uh and got out and did their civic duty. Thank you. >> Congratulations. >> It is.
>> It was a tough election. It's >> hard to fight ghosts. >> Congratulations. >> Well, I really want to thank anybody who comes out to vote. the vote was very light and uh cuz there wasn't really too much going on. But I appreciate people when they come out and you know even
come out and vote and leave it blank that's still participating in government and your civic duty. So that's where I'm going. >> Um I do is there any need for executive session? >> There is not. >> Do not believe. Um then I will take a motion for adjournment.
>> Make a motion to adjourn at 8:15. If I can read the clock side please. Is that close? >> Close. >> I would second that motion. >> All those in favor? >> I >> I Any opposed?