Good evening everyone and welcome to the uh May 21st school committee meeting. I'll this time I'll call to order and ask everyone please to rise for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation
under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Next we have introduction of members. I'll start with you Jane. >> Jane Reio Milville. >> Terry God at Blackstone. Eron Vanco Milville. >> Matt Catalano Milville.
>> Chuck Dunton Blackstone. Uh Dan Keefe Blackstone. Tara Scobby reached out. She will be momentarily a few minutes late. And now we have our student uh representative >> Maya Gier student body president. and yeah, we'll enter that same time. My my
apologies by your show. We're going to roll you right into it. >> And Kristen Donado, director of finance and operations, >> and Jill Pilgarani, interim superintendent. >> Now, on to Maya. On to >> All right. So, election season is upon us at BMR. Our National Honor Society
and Student Council have just elected their new officers for next year. Off the top of my head for student council, our new president is Joselyn Hagerty, vice president Maloney, our secretary Sarah Corenzic, historian Rosalie Brier, solicitor Ivy Maloney, and our treasurer
will be AC Sha, and our public relations officer will be Charlotte Cassing. Our eighth graders have also elected their officers for 9th grade. Math MCAST just wrapped up this week and we have our senior events. Our senior banquet was
last night from 5:00 to 8:00 at 12 acres. We had ice cream sundaes catered from Wright's Farm. And preceding that, we had our obviously our community service day at the Boys and Girls Club. Students arrived around 8:30 and we finished up around 11:30, 12:00. We
finished up early because we did a job well done. Tasks included weeding, planting flowers, of course, mulching all the playgrounds, and setting up all of the American flag decorations that you see around the Boys and Girls Clubs for their 50th anniversary this year.
Tomorrow is actually the senior's last day. My class of 2026 will be having their senior parade in the morning, arriving at the complex by 6:30, bright and early. and parents are welcome to come, but they must arrive to the school around 7:10 if they'd like to be there
because the roads are going to be closed. So get there if you want to be there. Following the parade is going to be senior signing in which each senior has a slide which is displayed in the auditorium depicting their future plans, some advice for the underclassmen as well as their favorite teachers and a
faculty sponsor which will present them with a certificate certifying that they have graduated from Blackstone Mobile Regional High School. At the end of the day, there is going to be a nitro ball tournament which will be sponsored by student council and all students were uh
notified that they were able to register for teams and that is going to run in the gym. In between all of that in the courtyard of course the seniors are going to have some yard games and they are going to have a special lunch catered by Bajas which is like Chipotle and I heard is really good. Our civic
showcase is going to be taking place on May 27th as well as our senior trip. The senior trip is going to be crab apple water, white water rafting. And our civic showcase will have presentations from both our eighth and ninth graders
and will be run by Miss Ki. If you drive into the high school today, you're going to see all of the graduation signs. They've just been put up this afternoon. Honestly, I got a little bit of a jump scare when I was pulling out of the school parking lot and saw my face. I was like, "Ah." But those are there now. So, if you want to see a certain senior,
drive in or drive out and they will be there. This weekend, our mock trial team will be participating in the invitational of the Apple Blossom mock trial tournament hosted by Westford Academy in Westford, Massachusetts. The first day of the tournament is this
Friday and the second day is going to be this Sunday. And I'm grateful to have been invited to judge on both days. So that will be a great experience as our new team leadership is taking over in their bigger roles and all of the seniors are judging. And that's it for
my final update. >> So that is my it's your final call. >> So I think as a committee we want to thank you for all your very thoughtful and detailed pres um you know updates to the committee. You've done a wonderful job. Um, congrats on all your accomplishments, you know, this year and
we want to wish you the best of luck as you move on for high school to whatever your adventures are. You definitely be missed and your updates will definitely be missed. >> Does anyone else have anything else for Maya? >> With that, I'll I'll take a um if there's no objection, we'll go to the report of the superintendent and we'll
recognize Maya and Marissa at this time. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> So, Maya, again, we want to thank you very much for all that you've done. We have just something little for you. >> Sure. give that to Maya just to say thank you for all of your updates. Um, we're glad you helped you
>> and thank you for being a great model when we had our middle school students who came to present. It was nice that they were able to see you in action. So, they'll be hopefully continuing to come in the future. >> Well, I'm grateful that we have middle school representatives as well now. I would have loved to do that in middle school. >> So, I think this is so fun and speaking
is honestly such a great experience that you can get like growing up because once I started doing it, I got more comfortable. >> I mean, I'd be hardressed to order a coffee 3 years ago. I'll be so real. >> I had my friend do I was like, Emily, can you please talk for me? I'm >> You've done a great job.
>> You've done a great job. >> You're inspiring. You're well spoken. You're confident the way you speak and just your presentation skills are are commendable. Thank you for having me all these years. >> Thank you, Maya. >> It's our pleasure. >> Yeah. >> What What are you studying when you
>> Astrophysics? >> You're going You're going to do amazing. >> You are. >> Keep us updated. >> Great. Um we do have another student recognition tonight. So, I think it was back in March that um we had the
Worcester County Superintendent's annual scholar um uh presentation and um we had Marissa come in tonight. If you can come on up to the table. So, I know I went through when she was chosen as a scholar, but I just wanted to read a little blurb about Melissa
Marissa. Keep calling it Melissa. I know it's Marissa. Um, among a graduating class filled with accomplished students, Marissa Pedella stands out for her exceptional academic achievement, leadership, service, and dedication to her community. Through a rigorous course load that included AP classes and
advanced Spanish studies, she developed strong independent learning skills and earned the seal of biiteracy. Um, you balanced athletics, leadership, and work and service. um with remarkable commitment. You served as treasurer of the honor society, solicitor for student
council, editor of the uh paper, and your commitment to helping others is evident through your volunteering at the food pantry, mentoring younger students, and coaching for Special Olympics. Um inspired by your hospital intern experiences, Marissa, you plan to go a bachelor of science and nursing. Is that
correct? Um and then we hope you continue um with your compassion, uh perseverance, and leadership. And we again want to congratulate Marissa on her recognition as the Blackstone Milville Regional School Representative for the Worester County Superintendent Award this year. Congratulations.
We want you to tell us a little bit about, you know, your plans for the future. >> Yes. So, in the fall, I'll be attending Providence College for nursing and I'll also be minoring in Spanish. They have a minor in Spanish specifically for the health professions. and I was admitted
to their honors program and I received a merit scholarship which I'm so grateful for and I plan on joining the club swim team. They are division one so I'm going to stay at the club level and I'm interested in other clubs like the faith in nursing club as well as the frier
club and I'm super excited to stay close to my family but also explore a new city. >> That's great. >> Anybody have any questions for Marissa? Best of luck friers. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> CONGRATULATIONS.
OKAY. OKAY. Now we will move on to um approved minutes uh for May 7th, 2026. >> So move. >> Motion by Jane. >> Second. Second by Carrie. Any further
discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. Any oppose? The eyes have it. Uh, next up is public forum. Anyone wishing to address the committee. Uh, please come to the table and state your name
and welcome. >> Good evening members of school committee. My name is Jenny Chan Rama. I am a proud principal at Federate W. Hottn Middle School. I felt compelled to speak tonight because
I believe it is important that you hear directly from someone who has worked closely with Jill for the last seven years and who has experienced firsthand the impact of her leadership. Throughout my career, 28 years in
education, I have worked with under many superintendent and district leaders. I can honestly say that nothing compares to the leadership, support, and professionalism I have experienced under
Jill's leadership this year. What Jill has brought to the district go far beyond simply managing day-to-day operations. She brought stability during a time of transition. She brought focus, organization,
accountability, and vision. Most importantly, she brought people together around the work that matter matter most, the students. This year was not easy work. Yet, the transition transition fell seamless because Jill led with
clarity, consistency, and purpose. Under her leadership, we refocus our work through district blueprint, implement new assessment system, strengthen instructional practices, expand our work around writing student ownership,
continue our partnership with TNTP, and keep moving forward with major district initiatives, including new building project. At the same time, June never lost sight of the people doing the work us. She support principles,
teachers, staff, students both professionally and personally. And I can give you an example. I don't cry. I had a really tough childhood. I was fostered by my aunts, abused by my aunts. So, I
don't cry. I cried this year. I broke down because I just burn I was burned out and I call her I say I just want to resign. I can't do it anymore. She dropped everything and say come to my
office and I went she spent one hour with me and she was so busy. Sorry Christina she was with you and she talked to me and she encouraged me. I felt so supported. So supported. I left
districts that I was not supported. I left a district because of a superintendent. I love my school that I was at. My daughter would say, "I for someday you die, I'm going to spread your ashes over that school." I'm not going to say what school. And I left and I called the superintendent. I'm
leaving. Why? Because of you. I'm not afraid to speak up even with consequence. I really not. I have courage at this point. I'm going to be 58. I really don't care what's going on. So, I strongly believe in accountability and that's how I run my building. And
you might hear some horrible story about me because I'm holding people accountable. But because of that, without accountability, there is no growth. Jill understand that balance. She gets she sets high expectations while also providing support needed for
people to meet them. That combination is rare. Strong leadership is not always easy because true accountability require difficult conversation, high expectations and willingness to push people toward growth. Not everyone is
always comfortable with that process. However, meaningful improvement in school only happens when leaders are willing to hold people accountable. In other district where I work, leadership and district culture did not
always felt grounded in collaboration, trust and share purpose. Purpose purpose. I remember one time I sat in a meeting, all the women sat in the back and all the men sat in the front. That was how my superintendent went the
meetings. What has stood out to me about BMR and about Jill's leadership specifically is the focus has consistently remained on students, staff support, instructional growth, doing what is best for the
district as a whole and the kind of culture does not happen by accident. It require hard work. For those reason, I was deeply disappointed to learn that her decision to return to assistant superintendent role. I respect her
decision, but I also believe it is important and acknowledge what the district is losing is not having her continue as superintendent. In closing, I want to say in 2018 and Jane, you know
that this district made the right choice in selecting Dr. Dalco. I know that because I was one of the candidates that you did not select and good job. I didn't deserve the job. Jason did. Look
at the district. But then in 2025, you made another right choice in selecting Joe as inim superintendent. I hope when you go through this process, put our students in the very center of your decision.
Thank you. Thank you. So, Christina Schaefer, Milville Elementary. Um, I've actually known Jill for a long time. I've been in the district a long time with her. We actually did our M's program together. Um we were teacher, team chair, special
ed and principal, um assistant superintendent, principal, and now superintendent and I'm principal. Jill has provided consistency this year when things have not been necessarily we were unsure of where we were going to go. She's continued the focus on teaching
and learning, helping our staff, personally me, and our students grow. She keeps high expectations and accountability for our students, staff, and everyone in that comes into our doors. We are headed in the right direction right now, and we need someone
to keep that right work going. So, I ask that you reconsider as well. Jill will be the next best person in our seat. Thank you. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Mary Colonino.
I'm district lead coach. I just wanted to take a few moments tonight to express my sincere appreciation for Jill and the impact that she's had on both our district and on me personally as an educator. I truly love my job and I'm
incredibly grateful to be part of the Blackstone Millville Regional School District community. Before coming here, I spent many years as a teacher in Rhode Island and I value those experience greatly. However, in the past few years working in this
district, I have grown tremendously as an educator and as a leader, and a great deal of that growth is because of Jill. She is the consumate educator, thoughtful, knowledgeable, student centered, and deeply committed to doing
what's best for for children and staff. She leads with professionalism, integrity, and compassion, and she consistently brings out the best in the people around her. When she moved into the role of intram superintendent, the
transition was seamless. We were able to continue the important work of the district without interruption. And that is largely due to Jill's steady leadership, her organization and commitment to our schools and community. Her ability to guide the district
through a leadership transition with such professionalism and calm speaks volumes of the kind of leader that she is. She's been a wonderful leader, mentor, and colleague. She has created a culture of collaboration, support, and
continuous learning. And I know I'm not the only person in this district who has benefited from her guidance and from her encouragement. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work alongside her, to
learn from her, and to grow because of her leadership. Her impact on this district will continue long after. and though many educators she supported and through many of us that she has supported and inspired.
So tonight I actually want to say thank you Jill for your leadership and for your dedication and all that you've done for the schools and for our staff but especially for the for the children and students.
>> Thank you. Hello, I'm Jennifer. As you know, I'm just a parent. I do not work for the district. I do not work for Jill. Um, but I wanted to speak on behalf of a parent point of view. There's been a lot
of items in that I've been able to have the support as well. So, I'm going to echo a lot of the um sentiments that have already been spoken. Through some personal tough times in regards to my child in the district and dealing with
it, Jill's been very supportive and active in being able to be reachable and has moved towards being able to move towards progress in addressing the items. The other big portion that Jill has been tremendous in doing is the
continuous support. She had been there previously. She has been there continuously supporting the community. And when you volunteer, you need someone to help back you up. And she's right there to do it all the way through from the beginning to the end. And she's very, very active in that role. That
says a lot for somebody who has to take care of a lot of different items throughout the district. Not just her staff, not just her own personal items, but the district and getting the b bombardment of all the parents in the district constantly. And she's able to make that time still for all of us. It
was a huge impact and a huge weight off my shoulders knowing that I was supported when the students really needed the most. So, just wanted to echo all of that and say thank you. Thank you. >> Try it again.
Um, my name is Jessica Sinclair and I've been a resident of Blackstone since June of 2020. I have two girls in the district, one in seventh grade and one in fifth grade. Both girls are very active in the school participating in cross country, soccer, track, student ambassador, NGHS, band, and soon to be marching band. Kissing my Saturdays
goodbye. Um, their grades aren't so bad either. For full transparency, as you know, I'm also the district's HR specialist and have been since February of 2024. When we moved to the district, it was the height of pandemic. Now, what we had planned worked out just as well. My youngest was starting kindergarten. My oldest was into second grade. The
minute we switched schools, I was instantly impressed with the amount of communication from the superintendent and the school in general. Both girls have been amazing teachers, administrators, and support staff through their years here, and my husband I've been very happy. This doesn't happen by accident. We started under the
Defalco administration both personally and professionally and I'll admit I was apprehensive when I found out he wasn't returning. I really enjoyed working with him and every decision he made was with the kids in mind. A change like that can be really disruptive. But when Jill took over it was seamless. They're very
different people. Their vision and worth ethic are identical. She works tirelessly to leave nothing not addressed. Holds people accountable all in the name of the students. I know this is time to address the school committee, but Jill, thank you for a great year and I hope I get to work for you as long as
I'm able to. >> Thank you. >> Hi. >> Hi, Pastor Cody. um graduate of the district, retired educator of the district, uh lifelong resident of Blackstone, and uh
CCLC after school director. Um I'm here tonight to speak in support of our interim superintendent, Jill. I've known Jill for a long time, 34 years, and throughout those years, I've watched her dedicate herself wholeheartedly to our school community.
She has worn many hats in the district and has consistently put students, staff, and families first. Her commitment to Blackstone Millville has never wavered. When Jason left the district, there was uncertainty and concern about how such a major transition might impact our schools.
Thanks to Jill's leadership, that transition was seamless. She stepped into the role with professionalism, confidence, and a deep understanding of the district's needs. Rather than allowing the district to lose momentum, she worked hard to ensure that we continued moving forward. Jill has also
been an intricral part of the high school building project. This is one of the most significant projects our district has undertaken, and it requires strong leadership, consistency, and someone who understands both the both the history of the project and the needs of our community. Continuing with
someone who has already built relationships and work collaboratively with staff, families, and town leaders and the school community to see this project through to completion is extremely important. What I admired most about Jill is that her leadership is
grounded in relationships and trust. She knows our community because she has been part of it for decades. She understands our students, our staff, and the unique strengths and challenges of our district. That knowledge cannot be replaced and it has made a tremendous difference during this transitional
time. Jill has remained visible, approachable, and focused on what matters most, our students. She has supported staff, celebrated student achievements, best uh cotton candy maker at the district of one event. That was awesome. Ella had about 17 bags. Thank you for
that because she was at my house for the weekend. and continued initiatives that strengthen our schools and opportunities for children. Her steady leadership has brought stability during a time when stability was exactly what this district needed. Leadership is not always about grand gestures. Often it's about showing
up every day, listening, solving problems, and keeping people moving forward together. Jill has done exactly that throughout her career and especially during this year of transition. Tonight, I want to publicly acknowledge and thank you, Jill, for your dedication, your leadership, and
your continued commitment to our district. Our schools and community have benefited greatly from your service, and I truly believe your leadership has helped position our district for continued success moving forward. Thanks, Joe. >> Thank you.
>> Hi, my name is Renee uh Christie. I'm a parent in the district um third and fifth grade. Um I um recently lost my dad about a week ago. Um I promised that I wouldn't do this. Um and Jill was so kind and
reached out to me. Um so I'm sorry. I'm just going to say that and I feel much better if I just say it. Um, I'm here because I'm really truly shocked that this is even a conversation that we wouldn't be strongly considering and giving her really whatever um she
would need or want to continue. I think um just as everyone had said, I was, you know, certainly um uncertain when Jason had left and seen the um seamless is the word that everyone's used and it seems so appropriate that
um so seamless and to seeing an interim superintendent step up and not just get through the year, but really to grow and to walk into the position of needing to continue building a new school, which is
pretty tremendous. Um, and taking that challenge and seeing how well she's done, supporting all of the staff, uh, the students, myself as a parent, um, that keeps saying she won't cry but keeps crying. Um, so
I looked down the street at Oxbridge and see what they're going through, having a different superintendent every single year. There's no way that you can take 34 years of experience that you can have these transitions be seamless without the dedication of someone that's here
and it seems just honestly crazy. Like I can't believe that this is really a conversation. I thought it was really a slam dunk and was happy to hear that she would be considered. So, uh, just as a parent, um, I just hope, yeah, that people really
see, um, the future and not be so shortsighted and whatever kind of personal or professional issues that there may be that, um, you can look at Blackstone and Milville moving forward and not have, you know, one year, but looking at, you know, multiple years.
Um, thank you. um because I just don't think that there's any way that you bring someone else into the position and get them up to speed and not lose an entire year. And again, as an interim, I think often it's just trying to tread water and keep your head above water and learning
everything. We're just so fortunate that that's the case that we wouldn't have to do that in this position. So, I personally thank you and I thank everyone uh for just listening to this because I'm mad at myself. But thank you. >> Sorry for your loss. Is there anyone else for a public forum
this evening? >> Okay, thank you. >> Uh next up is uh school committee MSBA update. >> So I have a quick update uh for MSBA. Um we are still in our schematic design
phase. Um we will be submitting our u submission to at the end of June. Our at our last school building committee meeting on the 13th, we talked about our exterior design and materials which um some of them were very surprising the brick, the metal panels and the concrete
bricks. And we talked about different sizes, shapes, colors, and finishes. Um we do have ongoing community outreach. We plan or hope to plan to have representatives at our uh Blackstone Town meeting which is on the 26th. We are scheduled to go and visit some of our seniors at the Blackstone Senior
Center on June 4th. Um the ice cream social on the 20th and the be the Bimble color run is coming up. And then of course the Blackstone 250th celebration. Um I will encourage those with any questions to reach out. Visit our web
page. You can reach out directly. Um you can watch our meetings. Our community presentations are there and review any information that is there. And our next meeting is um scheduled for June 10th. >> Okay. Any questions or anything for the follow up on the MSBA update?
>> Moving on. User fees, athletics, and music. >> Okay. Um so the last school committee we had discussed user fees and some proposed um increases. I have put together a grid just to get a sense or
or to easily show what the differences would be um based on those proposals. Um just to reiterate what was discussed at that meeting is that we would do a $25 increase for fall sports
um and for the high school sports. For middle school sports, we would keep the fee of $200 the same. So, you would see that the $200 is the same there. We also talked about keeping athletics user cap
separate from the the music um I'm sorry, sports and music completely separate as family caps. And marching band would increase by $25. Winter Guard would increase by $10
and we would remove the fees for middle school jazz band in Woodwind Choir. So, if you look at the grid that we have here with the proposed changes, you'll see for athletics, the increase of the
$25 for all the high school sports would give us an increase of $6,850. And then the difference whether we did a family cap of $750 or $900 is listed there as well. Um, as far as the music
fees, because we're proposing to take away the middle school jazz band in the Woodwin choir, we would actually decrease our fees collected because of those those two changes there. Um, but if we increase the family cap, it would
go those numbers are there as well. Um does and and I do have it set up on the screen so that if you wanted me to change any of those numbers or wanted to propose anything else, we could make some changes on the fly to see what the
changes would do. Um and wanted to know if there's any questions or discussion on those different changes and take a minute to kind of look to see what What is here
>> down at the bottom? The note only six families reached the cap combining music init this year. >> This year everything is based on 26. >> Yes. >> And you will notice the way we had done
the increase with the family cap of 750 or 900. If you look there in I guess the high school spring sports, there were 15 families that reached that family cap. However, there would only be six
students that would increase up to the $900 in the 750 because some of those students are multiple students in the same family. So, not all 15 students would actually have their um we wouldn't be collecting money from all 15 students
because of that. And the same on the bottom there with the um jazz bands, the high school jazz band. Even though we had four families reach the family cap, none of those students would actually the family cap wouldn't affect any of those students because they are involved um in other
music or sports. So there is and you'll see at the bottom the difference in going between $750 for a family cap or $900. the difference is approximately $1,500 more you would collect. It's not a significant amount
of money there. I would say truth be told none of this is a is you know a significant amount of money when it comes to the overall budget. >> Um I think I've made it clear that I'm not in support of any increase.
um looking at the numbers from how they offset and I've said it la last meeting the way the numbers offset towards our budget towards our transportation cost alone doesn't even cover that on either
side music or or sports. So, I'm going to pose the question of is it even necessary to have user fees at all? If to the point made last meeting that we have a significant amount of money in our END,
um does it make sense for us to really be charging families more to be taking part in the district extracurricular as it is? I mean, this is what we want families to do. This is this is what we're asking. This is all these families, all these students are what
makes Blackstone Milville Blackstone Milville, the sports, the football, the marching band, everything. And we're charging them and it's not even really putting a a a dent in in anything really. I mean, it's
>> Well, it is it's $85,000 >> to $121,000 transportation budget. So, that doesn't cover any sort of stipens for, you know, extra coaches. I understand what you're saying, but it is a significant >> I also think there's the piece too though that like when a child has made a
commitment to a sport or a music group >> with a monetary amount attached to it, there's a little bit more of that drive of no, you are going to practice >> every day. >> Less than what you're saying. I I do agree on a
certain level though to do away with it now because our END looks wonderful and great. Let's help let's let these kids participate. You it would be a hard cell to ever get it back. But I sit here and say, "Do we really need the 6,000? like we're going
to go through all this paperwork and >> they're going to be figuring out the family cap and the like the increased amounts and we're plus 6,000 here. Why are we why are we even looking at this if it's if it was doubling it which I would never support doing to our
families and I don't know why we're >> looking at this for $6,000 a >> when we have an END right now. Not saying in the future we won't have to do something else but leaving it in place as minimal as possible and you know
letting these families that maybe they're not reaching the family cap with sports and music but they're reaching the family cap with one or the other. These numbers aren't small. So, I don't I don't I don't support raising it, but I don't support eliminating it
because once it's gone, you >> and my only my only thought in on this is >> expenses are increasing. So, like we've said, the transportation all of that is increasing. >> Our budget is not increasing
significantly. So, as our budget can only go up a certain percentage and our costs for athletics and some of the other things continue to go up, something's got to give. So, our focus should be with, you know, our our focus
is is is all of it, but educating the children, making sure the money is in the classrooms. This is an offset for those extra items. Um, and as things keep increasing, if you increase a little as you go, we have not increased
fees in over 10 years, I love the fact that we don't charge as much as the people in the surrounding towns are not are paying much more than than we are. Um, so we have been able to keep it low, but I think doing nothing
is your decision. But my opinion would be that even if we increase it a little bit, it makes a difference when we are trying to budget to keep teachers to keep everything. We want to keep our schools getting better um for all for
all the pieces that we have in the schools. I don't like it. I don't like that we charge user fees and I wish we didn't have to. But I I do support the small increase before we get to a point
where it needs to be a large increase the way we see surrounding towns doing it. I don't ever want us to have to have the conversation where we're going from 200 to $400 a sport. And if we're only adding $25, and I know like when
you do compare what we take in compared to our overall budget, it it is pennies to it, but it's something. >> Go ahead. >> Um I will say that a lot of those districts that we're looking at are also the same districts that are looking for
overrides. So, I don't think that, you know, it's a case of their user fees, you know, really they're actually probably necessary to run their their sports and music programs. A lot of those, you know, uh programs are they're
losing they're they're losing kids. They're losing not kids, but they're losing the ability to have certain programs within the within the district. We heard it from the music director last week or last meeting um that there's you know you know music programs that aren't
competing anymore not you know not showing up to things and yes I'd hate to see that happen here as well but I don't think we're in that that position. Um I think we're in a a very healthy position uh as a district and kudos to everybody that's that's put us in that position.
Our towns are not looking for an override this this year. um doesn't seem like, you know, Blackstone has a need for it. Milville is another conversation, but that's the story of Millville for many, many years. Um that
situation is probably not going to change, but we say that prices are increasing, so so we should too. We're a public institution. Prices are increasing on things that are that are, you know, everywhere. you know, why do
we need to why do we need to be the ones why do we need to follow suit? Why can't keep it the same? I would say, you know, suspend them for one year. See what participation looks like for for the next year. See if increase in part
participation participation increases. I would love to see I'd love to see a you know effect where I know we didn't have enough kids going out for certain sports. So, there were no, you know, no cut. I don't want to see cuts, but I'd like to see more teams, maybe club teams and all that kind of stuff. I don't know. It just to me it seems like we're
putting more on the backs of the of the families of the district who are and I'll repeat it who are doing the things that we're looking for them to do. They're part of our community. They're part of our and we're saying well since you're doing it you get to pay and
it's a percentage of our overall population. um refresh my memory on this. Um the revenue that we receive from this does that ends up going into END correct? >> No.
>> No, it isn't. The the revenue that comes in here actually has its own separate revolving fund. The money that comes in then is offsets the transportation cost for the athletics and the music program. >> So it's directly this for example this this 85,000 would go into a revolving
account. >> Correct. Okay. And >> and when we budget, we budget for the offset that we're only budgeting that even though if if it's $110,000, we're only budgeting for $40,000 because we know that this money is going to
offset that. So, we don't we don't budget for the full amount of transportation knowing that this fee is going to um go against that. >> Yeah. I I um so this since I first got on this committee and those fees I I've had
trouble with um I look at it as uh and I appreciate that you know students want to get involved and and and there's a certain cost to these activities but it's activities we offer and I look at who's paying for it and it's the people that are paying
>> for the operation and the you know I what was END this year? 250 was used to offset. >> Correct. >> And it was started at 750. Well, those are some of the numbers that we were right. >> Yes, that's what for next year's budget. Correct. We started at
>> That's what I mean. For next year's 750 and I believe we ended up at 500 500 where we 250 was reduced. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. and and same and so in in this current year's budget we put in
250 I think and we not we're not using it >> we're not using it right um >> we will >> we >> we're still in a circle >> we're not supposed to say that word either yeah >> I didn't say it >> I did I started to I got halfway through it and stopped
so I'm definitely not I I just I just you know it's 85,000 or so with the the current would that would that's used it's used to offset >> correct
>> but we have the funding also the revenue is generated that could be used to offset >> but that might not be sustain that is not sustainable year-over-year I think that's going you know that's going to change
>> you know just because right now we have it doesn't >> it's been it's been consistent for the last three or four years that that the the E and D we've been at that at that number almost for as long as I've been on the committee >> and I will say this year we've actually
and and to get our budget where we needed to get to there was money that we had in revolving funds that we had to use that are not getting replenished. >> So those are one-time funds that are not going to exist. Mhm. >> So, yes, are we getting through this year? And we should be able to get
through next year. We were able to build a a pretty solid budget, but that's using one-time funds that are not going to exist that I don't know that we can continue at the pace, keeping our budgets as low as we are. We're trying really hard. We know we're we're in the middle of trying to build a new school
and we're doing everything we can to be sensitive and fiscally responsible. I think all of a sudden now taking this away is going to make it very difficult to first of all like you said to all of a sudden now you're going to take it
away and now what do we do in the future years to reinstate it. You're reinstating it is just going to be a battle. It's also putting the onus on every taxpayer as opposed to just those who are participating because we also charge
for things like AP tests >> and that we're not going to wave that like there's so many or summer skis that >> credit. >> Well, we weren't charging for summer school until that last meeting. So, >> but we are now, right? >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Um
>> that that's that's not that's a choice though. there was a lack of partition obviously on the other end. So, >> but and so I'm I am I am not um supportive of doing away with user fees. I think that >> there
I don't you know the idea of paytoplay is a horrible idea but that is an idea that's been around for for quite some time. But um I think if the current fees are manageable and they are what we
use to offset the budget then it would make sense to keep that. I am very supportive of removing the middle school jazz band and woodwind fees because they are more a club than they are any kind of traveling participating team or musical group. So, um that would
probably decrease the total, but um I would support removing those fees. my opinion, I would support these modest increases in the fees and I would not uh remove the combination of sports and
music >> and we haven't like you said we haven't increased the fees in 10 years. It it needs to be done modest increase. I haven't spoken yet. Is that emotion?
She says I'm on the fence. Um because I see I see Matt's points and Erin's points and Carrie's points, but I see Kristen's points, too. And I don't think like personally myself would take it as a big hit to pay an extra $25
for a sport. Um, I do pay attention to all the districts around us. So, I'd be okay with the minimal increase and agree with Charles. Don't take away that cap on sports. And
I I'm not saying I'm h like happy to do it, but I do think any little bit helps. So, >> so can I make a motion >> to May >> increase user fees by the $25 and I think it's
$10 in other instances >> waving the middle school Jawsband and Woodwin choir fees and increasing our family cap to 750. So, it's small changes >> across >> so that we don't have to have a big
change. Second. >> Motion made by Carrie, seconded by Tara. Any further discussion? >> I just think we're again, I'm going to make the point again. We're doing this on the backs of families of the town who are already
paying taxes. Regardless, we're we're possibly disenfranchising families from participating. We don't have to be like the other districts. Matter of fact, that's what sets us apart of other districts. you know, when we're I always think we're
better than other districts. I I think um but if we want to chase their money, you know, let's let's do it. But I think this is a I I will not be on record as uh raising fees on the backs of taxpayers.
>> Um >> Jane, >> current cap is 600, correct? >> Yes. And if we raise $25 and there's three sports in a season, what is it if we raise the cap to 675? >> There's a little bit more math in this
than that. 675. >> Just remind me the stole motion in a second. >> Yeah. >> I would have to change >> all that numbers. Yeah. Unfortunately, that is not going to But my guess is in this was 4,200. It's probably half. I would say 2,200.
>> So, does that make more sense? >> It I think so. >> Otherwise, we're making it unreachable in a >> What are we going to pay for with 22 2,200 extra dollars? Are we Is the Is the district really in that much? >> No. >> Are we really in that much? >> I mean, I would support keeping the cap the same that it is, but God.
>> Um, but I'm just trying to say, >> we were arguing last week, last meeting, that we had to spend down the END. We we that was said in this meeting that we had to spend down the END. We had too much in END and now we're looking for more money. And I get it to what the
business, you know, and finance director says that it might not always be there, but to the chairman's, you know, point, it's been there. I've been on this committee since 2023, and every year our business and finance director has sat there and went, "Is this right? Do we have do we actually have this much
money?" And it it's been every year. It just seems like we're I get that at some point things have to go up. I don't believe that it has to go up on our on our taxpayers, but to really nickel and dime them for $2,200. What are we going to pay for for $2,200?
>> Getting waving this though, that puts the onus on every taxpayer, >> not just those who are >> It's a school district that we expect to have extracurriculars in a school district. >> If we didn't, we we would lose school choice kids. We would lose. But maybe
we'll gain some school fees. >> Do we have a lot of school choice kids? I think it was like 22. >> We have actually we've had quite a few over the last few weeks for next year requesting, but we don't have a giant population of school choice. >> It has been increasing every year for
the last four years. >> Maybe this is attractive >> for fall sport. >> This would be for next year. >> The low fees could be attractive. >> The no fees are even more attractive, >> I would say. So could >> and I know there's a motion in the second on the floor, >> but but Jane, are you still waiting for
any? So I'm satisfied with in terms of the motion, I'm not supportive of raising >> and we'll continue to discuss. I'll just >> amend the motion. >> Well, I didn't make an amendment because I didn't know what the but I'm just I I'm not supportive of a raised cap.
>> You know what I mean? >> So the question again, Ch. >> So I I think I just little plot twist. Correct me if I'm wrong, Elizabeth, but if we're looking to change this for the fall, registrations have already been open. >> Registrations are open, but you don't have to pay to
>> Okay. So, okay. >> That's a quick question I had when this come come up. So, if someone apply applies or registers to be on a team, I would imagine they don't pay until they're picked for the team. Correct. Okay. >> So, we if I'll just jump in just to
that. So, we give >> Come on out for a sec, please. Thanks. Got to get you on the microphone. >> We need evidence. >> You can't hear me. >> Um, so the first week we consider to be tryyous. So we set rosters and then we give all families the following week
before they have to pay user fees. So they have two weeks from the start of the fall season before we ask for that user fee. >> Okay. >> Paid. >> Good. And that's in all the sports. >> Yeah. Excellent. >> All right. So I mean where I I I mean I am not interested in increasing it
whatsoever. Um and I would argue that um to your point of being on the heavy side of EMD year over year over year um and and that this this revenue is in a revolving
fund. So, it's revenue um that would typically go into END and END would then be used a portion of that to offset the budget. This is a revolving fund specifically designed to offset the budget regarding transportation.
Um, but I'm I I know that if I'm put up if if in J in the June meeting if I'm asked to pre- purchase certain things and I would be hardressed to find um
um items that would be more valuable than giving the opportunity and unburdening the families of user fees before other items. So, I mean, I am definitely not uh in
agreement to increasing it uh because the the the district is uh financially in in a strong position unlike the district districts that may have been compared to many of them going for overrides as Matt said earlier. So, with
that, I understand certain accountability as was point brought up and and things of that nature, but We also there was when I first got on the committee we did wave user fees. We did it was co and the year after we had
two years of no >> and that did not change >> and when I was on the committee we didn't have E and D to think we could even make our minimum. >> Right. Exactly. >> So there have been year I mean committed user fees but >> we increased user fees.
>> Same as as was I on the committee but we did >> but we did eliminate user fees and then reinstitute them. >> Yes. Which is a matter of select. >> That's all that is. No, >> we just Yeah, >> you you >> you reduced them to zero and then you
reinstituted them >> with the intent that they would be. >> This was still out there, but there was a zero that way. >> Fair enough. Fair enough. >> So, do we wait to touch these until >> we're in some >> no
>> place where we need to touch them? >> I really don't know what is the right thing to do. Well, there is a motion in the second. There is also going away. They're going to continue to rise. >> We have to go for the money somewhere.
>> Write that down. Yes. >> Got to revisit those gas prices. >> For our feelings, our feelings, we want to keep things really great and no user fees, but practically uh financially. I
I've had lots of kids in playing the sports. I had to pay the price >> for them to participate. Um, everybody does it. We should just put it out there more. Uh, make people aware if you're struggling and you can't do it,
we're going to help you do it. >> Absolutely >> right. >> If anything if anything we should be doing is teaching our kids peer pressure, uh, everybody is doing it. But um to that point uh as far as transportation costs, am I am I wrong or am I right that there's some sort of
governor as far as um what they charge us uh for gas. So there's like a level set and that if it goes below it or goes above we exchange money back and forth with with the bus company >> as far as >> So there's a set upon price for gas. It's kind of the level correct
>> for Yes. for the for our vehicles, not the Are you talking about the busing >> for for trans for for Telstone? >> So, we have we don't pay their gas. We pay for the contract to use their their per >> But within the contract, isn't there a gas? Um
>> there's a mileage as far as how many miles they go. So, it has nothing to do with gas. It's just basically built into their contract of I go so many miles and this is the cost per mile. So they build it in >> not sure >> till there right >> there
>> like their prices are going to matter on >> the gas. >> Yeah. As far as I >> might not be a clause. >> As far as I recall when I read that contract it was based on we have they give us mileage and the cost per mile for when they're wherever they're traveling. Um and that is our cost.
>> There's different pieces. So there's we do a bus calculator so that we can understand how much transportation does cost. So mileage is a part of it, wait time is a part of it. So we get charged a certain amount based on how long the bus is actually there for the for the trip. Um and then there's a bus minimum
as well. And I do want to share that bus minimum does increase every year. Um and with the new conference, we have maybe hit the bus minimum since I've been here uh maybe two or three times. It's a low number in comparison to where we're
traveling and the mileage and the wait time. And I know we haven't looked at this. We keep saying 10 years. My fear that I just really want to make known is in order to provide the kids what they deserve in a special experience. I don't want anyone to have to pay
extra. But I just don't know what will happen if we do not make a move to move in a direction so that we're financially at least helping offset these costs so we can provide these kids the opportunity to go to all these games and have this experience. >> It is something that can be looked at
every year by us. It doesn't like we we know what our outlook our forecast is for the next year. >> Our budget is approved from one town already. We know where our END is landing. So it is something that can be circled back. We could say we'll look at
it every February. That way we're not missing the fall registration and you know we could keep it as a driving agenda item. >> Okay. Um so we al Yeah. So we'll get our we'll have a town meeting what next week
and we'll have a um so that'll finalize the school budget. Um and then next month we'll probably be looking at um our END is in purchases. >> Yes. Next until the next meeting. >> July.
>> I thought it was July. >> July be the first meeting in July. >> Okay. I thought we have we have to we have to authorize before authoriz. >> Yeah. Yeah. So the incumbent if we're going to encumber anything >> correct >> such as >> that can be done at any fees.
>> Just kidding. I don't think we can encumber you. >> No, I'm kidding. I was kidding. I made it clear. I was kidding. >> Tara, you and I made the motion. Second. >> Can we move the question? >> Yeah. Well, I was just clarifying. >> Amend it and split it so that there's one motion on user fees and then one
motion on >> Are you fine if I amend it? >> You can amend it. Yeah. >> Okay. So, just withdraw your motion. >> Yep. >> You withdraw your second. So, Carrie withdraws a motion. Tara with a second. And Carrie's going to come back with a new motion. >> Yeah. to just do
the user feet increase the 25 and 10 and wave the jazz band and wood woodwwind choir and then the family cap can be a separate conversation. >> Okay. So the motion and second >> second >> is >> what okay
>> is to as Carrie stated but the family cap is not included in the motion. >> Raising the family cap would be a separate conversation >> but does it keep it where it is? I It would for now. >> Okay. So, leaving the >> So, you're leaving the Your motion is to
accept the $10 and $25 increase. Did I say that right? >> Yes. >> And essentially not and leaving the family cap as it is. >> No, she's not mentioning family. So, you want a mo a vote on part of the Okay. >> Half of it. There's a vote a motion and
a second on on a portion of the um proposed increase uh fee increase and that is how Carrie helped me out with that. That's the 10 and 25. >> Yeah, I think they were all summed up in 10 and waving the waving those two.
>> The J what was it? The jazz >> middle school jazz band and the woodwin choir. >> And the woodwin choir. Okay. There's a motion and a second on that. Any further discussion? >> Can I Sorry. Good. >> So, >> um, >> this means >> no family cap.
>> No, keep it. It's just not It's not It's 600. We haven't addressed it. It's >> So, it does say if this passes and nothing the family cap is still $600 >> essentially. Unless there's another motion on this >> because if this >> if this passes, then I'm thinking cuz
when Jane mentioned the 675, >> that would be >> the 25. I feel like the motion really needs to include a statement like leaving the family cap in in place because otherwise >> essentially by omission it is staying in
place >> because it hasn't been removed. >> Yes. Yep. >> It is. It it it is. So that's why I'm assuming we may come back to a motion with the cap. But right now, if this is the motion with the 10 and the 25, the
$600, which is which is the current cap would remain. >> Does that make sense? >> In combination, >> it does, but the way >> in combination >> it was >> in combination. >> 1025 and but the six the cap is still a 600 >> as it exists now.
>> As it exists. Yep. >> Any further discussion? There's a motion >> and a second on the floor. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> Any oppose? >> Nay. >> Nay. >> Nay.
>> Nay. Three. Okay. So, it's one, two. Oh, come on. >> How many? There's four. >> Four to three. >> Oh, Ter, you showed up. Thank god. >> Okay. So, the motion passes. >> Okay. Can I just >> Matt? Sure. um the music director, athletic director, can we just get numbers at the
May meeting next year? I know I'm putting it way out of overall um participation so that we can start tracking that. I know we probably already have those numbers. You can probably get it like year but year over year so we can start seeing you know user fees up down um >> you want to see the impact. >> Correct.
>> Yeah. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> If we can let the music director >> and we will it's in a revolving account. So that's all the fees are going in that one account. You'll see it in the fees, correct? But it's not necessarily a one for one because there's families don't pay because of free lunches, families
and all that kind of stuff. So we see actual participation. >> You want to see complete participation as well >> breakdown to, you know, each sport, each, you know, a plus and minus >> each musical group, >> each everything. >> Absolutely. >> Yep. >> Okay, moving on. Policy
>> no. So then that brings us to a conversation of the family cap because a $600 family cap does not make sense with $225 sports. >> Actually, I think it does. It just keeps it lower. It will >> it would support more families because
they're paying more. >> That's what I thought. >> But that >> Yeah, >> if that's how it >> the difference >> if that's how it would be calculated. I don't know. I've always assumed the 600 was derived from like
>> 246, right? Three sports, 246 or three kids, one sport when you have more. And >> so that's why I was thinking if we if we're talking small incremental changes and change that to the 675
just to keep that same line moving forward. >> So I'll make a motion. >> You kept it the same. They're getting a discount. >> Correct. for the cap >> if you kept it at six.
>> If you kept it at 600, you paid 225. You paid 225. Now you only have to pay the difference for that third sport. >> Yep. >> Less. >> That's what I thought. That's why it >> not much.
>> I agree with Chuck that we should >> uh keep it at, you know, 600. That way we can offer more discounts to families. Does that become a nightmare to track? >> That's what I'm asking. >> I think it's all a nightmare to >> Yeah. Too many rules. >> Do the family care, >> but user fees.
>> They're necessary rules. I guess these >> we're inviting you. >> Um, no, I don't think it becomes an issue because I have that issue this year. Also, there are families who play football and then they pay for two more. So there's sometimes I have to say you
only owe this much $20 >> or when you add in band the 140 plus 200 >> cause some some weird numbers to be made at 6 at 675 that means three sports >> so a family with two children will pay
for three sports and get the fourth free >> which is how you take them to at 200. >> Yeah. And if you don't do that now, we're also not we're also if we don't do the 675, we're also decreasing it, >> right? Like we're the overall
>> Yeah. We'd be getting a discount. Yeah. >> We'd be getting the same money we got this year essentially. >> Yes. >> But if you have a a kid, one child, I'm I'm on the one child family. I'm always on the one child, which is why I really hesitant when we were going up way high.
Um and they only do band. >> You're never hitting it. >> You're never hitting it. Mhm. >> Basically >> possibly at 600. No, >> you could >> with the increase if they do. >> Well, then all of it. >> I don't know.
>> But then if we don't increase it, we're not offsetting us taking away the user fees for jazz and choir. >> Correct. Correct. We weren't anyway. It was already a negative $610 from removing >> motion. Carrie is there is still a motion.
>> I can't remember what. All right. What's the motion? >> 675. >> It's a 675. There hasn't been a second yet because of dis. All right. So, a motion by Carrie, seconded by Tara. Um, Yep. And so, still this any further discussion? So, the motion is to
increase um the cap to 675. >> But to Jane's point, it if you're only a music family, you're never hitting 675. You're never you're never unless you're multiple kids, which
>> or if you're only a >> more spring sport family. Yeah. >> But you have you have that now. If I have one kid who's a three sport athlete, I pay all three sports. >> True. >> Which is why the music numbers are lower
with the family number the second column >> because there's more there's it's less money. If it does go up to 750, it does raise our revenues by
>> 4,000 7500 between music and sports. >> So 67 if we went to 675. >> 675. I don't think you're going to change everybody who hit it this year. We'll hit it next year. >> Keeping it keeping everything the same.
And I know kids graduate and everything like that. The same families will hit it at the same time this coming year, >> which means we'll we won't make any there'll be no difference. >> Oh, well, I was thinking that like the total fee increase where it's the 4,200 that then maybe we'd be looking at like
2100 which is like pennies but >> but it kind of offsets the middle school. And I think that's what we were trying to do with the numbers is we knew that keeping the middle school sports at
200 and taking away the fees for the the jazz band and the woodwin choir, we're going to lessen it. And I think we were trying to rightsize all the user fees and the slight increase in the slight increase in user fees. We're going to offset us right sizing the other Yeah.
other pieces. >> Okay. Any further discussion? Okay, there's a motion in the second. Uh, all those in favor of the use of fees at 675 signify by saying I.
>> I. >> I. Any oppose? >> Nay. So 43 again. >> Yeah. >> All right. Motion passes. >> All right. Uh, thank you very much.
And now we can move on to >> policy revisit and review. >> So if you look in your packet there are um policies with that have the red um line in the language as well which is KBE GB
and JJ. Um after our last meeting when Kelly was here um she took the information that she received from all of you and updated the language based on the feedback she received. So for those three items, I know this is our I think our third time reviewing, but she
updated um the language in those three policies. The only thing I'll have to say is the KBE is really wishy-washy. It's it seems a little bit um
doesn't really keep with the like the original essence of it. I think we're going to un we're trying we brought Kelly in to understand her legal interpretation of a parent booster or parent organization booster organization and what ended up coming from it seems to be like
you can you don't have to >> I feel like it's very clarifying I read it and I'm like okay we can still have >> yeah I mean >> group of three parents that are going to stand at outside and sell water bottles or you know without being an official
because that was our hold up right was every single person that wants to try to raise a little bit of money had to be 501c3 and this kind of clarifies >> and we've definitely come a far long way from that and you know >> just the last statement in red this
policy does not prevent parents guardians or community members from creating informal groups in support of students >> right >> that's clarifying >> that I see I disagree because I think that that is kind of negates everything above Yep.
>> Cuz it says you do all of this, but >> but hey, go raise some money anyway. >> No, but what Kelly explain doesn't say that they support formal groups. It doesn't say that they can raise money. >> But what Kelly explained is that if it's a with a a long-standing group and they
want to they want to be able to do the raffles of chance, they have to be a 501c3. That's clear. >> This this needed clarification so we can approve all these others.
Huh? You just confused me. >> This said every the the KBE says everyone has to be a 501c3 the way it was written. So then we couldn't get past our
our JJ and GBBC because we were circling back to saying we parent the parents that are doing the little the little bit to get the jerseys
or the the matching t-shirts can't afford to be a 501c3. So, Kelly was asked to clarify, can that still happen? Yes, that can still happen. But if you want to do all the other big stuff, you have to be a 501c3
because you have to be able to get the permit. You have to be able to prove that you're an organized group. I think it's more clear than it ever was. >> I went back and watched it because I missed Yeah, that before you >> and that's how I take it.
So, I guess my I guess my question is if you have a par a parent that's not part of this wants to do a road race or some kind of big event that they raised $20,000.
>> Did they not have they can just put it in their personal checking account and that's okay. >> They're going to come to the DMR road race. They can. That's my only concern is that >> there's >> there's still a policy >> outside of this that uh
>> it's gifts. Um >> I don't I don't think it's the GBBC. >> I think there's another one that that it's not in here. It's there's another one that covers gifts to the to the um in >> Oh, there is. Yeah. >> Gifts and donations to the district.
>> There is. So, if there's a if there's an entity out there that has a fundraiser, and I'll just use Good Stuff as an example because everybody >> I don't think there's a Thursday night that goes by that's not one of us at Good Stuff trying to raise money for our kids that does that need to be then
donated to the district, you know, and I think we're we're getting too far off topic with this. I I'll admit this first, but to your point is like something like that that would be a donation to the district. >> But would we not know that the money came in cuz it went to mom and dad and now they're using the money however they
wish >> for whatever purpose that they want. >> I think Kelly said, and I can go back and watch it, but I believe she said that it would be a donation to the school committee for a specific reason. Because remember that question was asked what if it's a donation to the school
committee and the school committee could decide to use it for anything but I think she specifically said it could be for a specific purpose >> the donation would be made for >> correct agreed upon >> in good faith would be accepted upon you know for whatever I would imagine that's >> so but this this policy is regarding
having relationships with organizations that support money for school groups or school >> official organizations that we recognize who Say we are BMR whatever. Yes. >> Hockey club. Whatever. What did I use last time? Lacrosse.
>> Lacrosse. Lacrosse. >> Um >> BMR parents of lacrosse. >> Lacrosse. But she changed it all to officially recognized groups. >> Well, and they're the ones that shall obtain and the officially recognized ones are the ones that come before us and present
themselves is the way I understood it. I think the officially recognized ones she also mentioned are officially representing our school, our teams. >> They're the ones that can use the charger. >> Yes. >> Team and signage, >> right? But that's another thing you need to consider. If we have these, are these
the organizations that are going to be allowed to sell snacks at the basketball games or do events during our events? I don't know. Are those the official groups? Because right now I I don't I don't know. That's just something for you to consider. I don't
>> I would say no. It's the >> If you reflect on what this year was, it's going to be the same thing next year. >> So that is why we have the clarifying language because it needs to be able to be the unofficial groups because that's what
we've had. We have one or two 501c3s. >> I believe we have one. >> Three. Well, I'm sorry. We have band and we have two parent groups. >> Two parent groups and volleyball. >> They're not 501c3, but they they are registered with the state as um
>> an entity organization >> more than one. >> So, we have three. >> Oh. Oh. >> Two official >> two 501c3. The band and a P the PTO. >> Okay. >> And then the volleyball team has registered with the state as a legal
entity. They just don't have their 501c3 >> and football that does a golf tournament doesn't just does it on their own and has for years. >> They used to be a 501c3. >> They're not even an entity. >> Yeah. No, they're not. And they're not a legal entity.
>> They were is what I when all of that started. >> Yeah. They were >> they were and they were spending their money on honestly I don't know when it stopped but
the they when we were doing it right those 501c3s presented to us once a year with their >> budget with their spending and they
would come to these meetings and present their financials. So, but just I mean just the topic that Jill just brought up is who's who's selling the candy and the water at the like I don't I don't I don't want to do
anything that changes the momentum of what this year was last year, the year before the like next year should be fluid. you know, we're not locking any groups out by approving these. And I believe that's why there's so much clarification in here.
>> I think it's going to be a semantics game at some point because they're going to like instead of saying BMR, you know, whatever >> lacrosse club. >> Yeah, thank you. Lacrosse BMR parents of BMR lacrosse, it should say parents of
Blackstone Milville >> Lacrosse. >> Lacrosse because that takes out the district, right? To you know what I'm saying? like trying to >> our clubs and teams are so small that >> it's a turnover of people. That's why they don't the football team ended up
not being continue with this five. >> It was a turnover and there was that there is that >> we bemoan that point. We bemoan that point that that's every organization. I just spoke with the PT you know PTO that you know and I spoke with I just had another organization come in. It's their
third time you know at the bank this year that they've changed you know leadership. It just it happens with especially with volunteers because it's like I'm done, you know, and and you know that's the first thing to go. So it's what I'm saying though what I'm saying though is
not that they can't do it, but how are they portraying themselves? So, we know that it's the lac lacrosse parents of Blackstone and Milville and it's the lacrosse team at Blackstone and Millville, but if they're going to say it's BMR,
then they're saying that they're, you know, part of that they're representing a district entity. So, does that make it's kind of semantics where you just kind of like, you know, >> do we know what >> can I give an example?
So, a basketball group that sells the things out in the hallway, just a b some mothers. They call themselves um I'm I don't even know what their name is. My wife is one of them. >> The mothers.
>> The mothers. They just, you know, they keep track of the money. They're not a 501c3. >> They collect a little bit of money just to put us pay for the banquet at the end of the season. And you know, would you
because of this new policy, would you not let them do that unless they became a It just seems unreasonable. >> That's why we asked for that clarifying this last official. >> We don't want to see that go away, >> right? >> Next year. >> And there's something like that for mostly every sport.
>> And I think that's that's cleared up in, you know, saying that if they're not officially recognized, they can still do these things. Um but they don't report to the school like we raised this you know >> it's none of the you know they are doing
it on school grounds but they're not reporting to the creating extra responsibility for the superintendent to keep track of these I think it's to let >> and they're not going to be told that they are they can't do it anymore
>> but there's a chance of money the big things that's different >> so than other organizations stepping in saying, "Oh, well, >> we're 50/50s. >> Can we be there?" You know, "Can we go sell our thing?" And, you know, >> which I personally wouldn't have a
problem if other, you know, I mean, we go out to the, you know, for just for information, we have the, you know, the the school building committee go out and do that stuff, which is great. They're going to other people's events, you know, they're going to, you know, they're they've been at scout events, they've been at other events, so which
is great, you know, but can other organizations come in and now say, well, good for the goosees, good for the gander, and put in a facilities request or just >> you can deny it. >> We can. Yeah, we can.
>> I I move we um accept policy KBE as amended in red. Second. >> Uh motion by B by motion by Jane, seconded by Aaron. Um any further discussion on uh um on the motion.
>> Thank you. Any further hearing? None. I'll call for a vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> What did I say? What did I say? >> I said all those. Who wants this motion to be as it's written down with the red?
>> What did I just call for the vote correctly? Okay. Because it was very quiet when I said you did. >> All those in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> As as it's written in red >> as amended. >> As amended. >> Are the amendments. >> All right. So all those in favor signify
by saying I. >> I. Can I was that was Carrie Eric? >> I only heard Eron. >> No, I'm No, actually I made the motion. >> Was a Chuck. There's three. All those opposed
>> one me. >> Everyone else vote. I'll >> abstain. >> All right. How many how many of us? Seven of us here. >> I can't I called for a vote. No one was any you threw me off. I started the whole meeting off with just stopping at
my Meer and not going for the rest of the you made it through here. I know. >> Okay. So, the motion passes. Um, next next. Um, next item.
Well, that was difficult. JJ, we still have to stay. We still have two more policies. Yes. Next item. >> GB EBC. No, I thought J. Oh, it doesn't matter. >> Oh, I don't know which one you want. I don't care. >> I'm done. Getting the heg like >> the next one would be um
>> I told you ABC, right? That's what's in my That's what's All right. All right. Raffles and Games a chance. No one's getting fired. I'll take a motion to approve the amendment on this. Uh, >> so moved. >> Second. >> Motion made by Jane, seconded by Matt. Any further discussion?
>> I'll just say that this this one absolutely clears up that you know, everything that was the concern of this board. >> I think it I think that it clears it up. >> Um, >> agreed more so than than previously. So,
I support this. Okay. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Any oppose? Unanimous. And then next one is JJ. >> I'll make a motion to approve JJ as
written. >> Matt makes a motion to approve. Approve JJ as amended. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second by Jane. Any further discussion? >> I just make a point on this one too that this really didn't change much uh other than
explaining that students can't have uh to do raffles a game of chance. Um but it it this does encompass like I you know like prom tickets and all that kind of stuff. So there maybe I don't know if
they still do that but this is going to be a change and this is >> it does include prom. What >> it would it would cuz it's >> we're not allowed to sell tickets. You're not allowed to raffle. >> Banned cookie dough. Just >> No, no, no. Raffles. So, no. >> But they're collecting the money and
bringing it. They're selling. I'm just using it as an example because I say seven years. >> God, I've been wishing it away. So much. It's so much cookie dough. But it is the biggest fundraiser they have. They do an hour or 45 minutes during band camp
where they do a teleathon. You have to bring your sheet, call everybody you know, and sell as much cookie dough in that short time, and then you collect the money and you bring it back to BMMA. That's Why is that any different than selling prom tickets?
>> Raffling prom tickets. I was I was talking about raffle >> raffle raffle. >> Not this pay for your prom tickets. >> I think you're talking about I didn't hear the raffle. >> Do they have raffles for prom tickets? >> Not prom. But >> no, my when I was nodding, yes, NHS raffles off. empty bowl.
>> Buy this bread and they cannot do that. >> They cannot do that. That is a huge fundraiser for them. >> And that was a huge >> Yeah. Yeah. >> That's so they can still sell things. They can sell things out of a catalog. They can sell food and >> is that can they
>> is that state law or is that recommended policy? >> Ravvel's a game is a chance. >> No. The that the students may not sell or handle tickets, collect money or conduct drawings. >> We need Kelly to answer that. Well, no. We just need somebody to look up. >> That's not like the selling.
>> It's for raffles. It's If you look at the red line above, student groups that are not separately incorporated are not eligible to organize, sponsor, or conduct raffles or other games of change. >> NHS. So, is NHS separately raffles in the hallway?
>> Oh, yeah. There's MCAST raffles out in the hallway. >> Mhm. >> Are they paying money? Are they earning tickets? >> Don't know. It's still a game of chance, but it's students and student. So, we're talking about students and student groups may not sell or handle tickets, collect money.
>> No, that red that first red line, Jill, is yes separating what we just approved in that it's saying if they're not incorporated nonprofit organization. They're not eligible to organize, sponsor, or conduct raffles because the
other groups can pay their permit fee. >> This one concerns me with our school groups. If StuO is doing something, if NHS is doing something when the like the students themselves are >> doing a raffle for whatever that's
>> I'm pretty sure Kelly made it clear that students cannot handle money or sell >> and that's why I'm asking is that mass general law or not? >> Can I just ask something for NHS? Are
they an incorporated is national honor society I assume is >> a national >> thing right so they're a chapter of the national honor society >> does that have its own >> thing like like does that is that
>> clearly tell you that the kids sell the tickets to the events the kids are selling those tickets to the event so it's not separately incorporated and it goes to the food pantry >> for National Honest Day, >> but there may be a student group that's
separately incorporated. If there's a national honesty, >> that's what I'm asking. Is the NHS separately incorporated? >> Yeah, but there's a separate pieces that Kelly said like kids under 18. But that's gambling, right? Raffles are g That's the gambling piece versus the
>> still the handling of the money. My is giving you a ticket. You're giving cash to that event. >> I mean, that's where the prom tickets would come in. You can't sell them in the cafeteria. I feel like we're confusing this. >> Yeah. With gambling. >> I think that that's separate. They're, you know, they're selling.
>> Honesty is a premier nonprofit student organization in American high schools that recognize outstanding students and is sponsored, managed, and supported by National Association of Secondary School Principles, which is a recognized 501c3 nonprofit organization. So anything that goes on through the National Honor
Society would be backed by that. That would be considered a a a student uh recognized separately nonprofit organization. So anything n we got in national honor society would be recognized as that
>> student groups that are not separately recognized as a nonprofit or are not eligible to organize sponsor. National Honor Society is not one of those groups. they are authorized to do. So what you're saying what they they're a they're protected to do those things. >> They just have to follow they just have
to follow local law and get the permit like they like anybody else would have. >> But my concern is the second part. Students and student groups may not sell or handle tickets collect money. That is what they do >> in every graduating class group in NHS in everything. They do do that
>> for such activities. I think what you're saying for such is such activities or games of chance. So the games of my understanding. Yeah. So that's for the game. So it is not I'm buying a ticket. That's a games of chance. >> Okay. So Thursday nights at Good Stuff
you, it was already pointed out we always have a group there. You walk in the door, the kids are sitting here selling raffles and you're buying your food. Is that not allowed anymore or is because it's not at >> there the National Honor Society. It is >> should not be doing >> because they are
>> they raffle off um I won a cure egg once like they raffle off items and like the senior class holds a fundraiser there >> and they have raffles to boost the revenue. >> I know we've we've actually had some um organizations within the school that have done raffles but they've gotten
their permits. So we have had PTOs come to us to do something in the last couple of months and they've gotten a permit and so they can do it. So, so the students aren't doing it. The >> No, it's not the students, the parents doing this, >> right? But I'm I think what everyone is getting at too, like say the senior
class, >> actually, I think the upcoming senior class is hosting a fundraiser at Good Stuff coming up. >> There will be raffle >> prizes, I'm sure, donated by community members, and it's the students who sit there >> and sell the tickets to the people
walking in the door. >> I don't believe they're supposed to be doing that. No. as matter of policy or matter of mass general law. I believe all of these policies were updated because of mass general law. I believe that's what Kelly >> Yeah, that's right there. The Mass
General law reference is right there in the red. >> Yeah, >> because this is the first time it came in because of the updated law. >> But I will tell you the Mass General law says the raffle needs to be for something above $10,000 or tickets more than $10 each. >> Yeah. Typically, like when I when we
having this conversation before tickets, it is >> Yeah. change. Just put a >> exact change. >> $9.99. It's a bargain. Now, >> not typically going to be a 501c3. If you're raising less than $5,000 a year, you're just going to be registered with the Secretary of State. Like these
smaller ones, uh there's no there's no need to be a 501c3 uh because you're not hitting that level of of revenue. >> You know, it's not >> these small groups would love to hit that level. >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> Yeah. I don't think the issue is with the adult small groups doing that. >> Yeah. T like if it's say if I'll use a hockey team because we don't have one, right? Because but say if there's a group of parents and we're getting uh fundraising for sweatshirts or jackets
for the for the hockey team and they raised enough money and then they wanted to um donate it to the players of the team, they would come in and it would already be purchased and everything. We'd like to donate. We donate. We'd like you, the school, to accept these jackets for these plays. That's one way
of of getting us to accept it without we don't know where it came from. We just know this group of parents purchased these and want us to accept it for the teammates type of thing. >> Why would they even ask for permission to give it to the >> Well, they're going to use our likeness. You know, BMR on the G. You know what I
mean? Yeah. That's >> that's existing policy. Huh? >> So, under state gaming laws and regulations, students cannot legally sell raffle tickets themselves. >> Right. >> What is that? The 271.7.
>> Yes. >> So, whether they're officially recognized or not officially recognized, then it's an age gambling thing. You can't legally gamble until you're not the state getting >> which just >> yeah that's what it is
>> ridiculous because it's just harming the kids that are >> trying to pay for their senior class for their >> same same argument the same ones that are >> no good deed goes unpunished >> they're getting you know >> yeah so the adviser who takes on a
group to raise money for a food pantry >> has to stand there and take the money, >> right? Like >> or the or the the lacrosse team parents while the lacrosse team members say, "Hey, come to good stuff." The parent has to take the $10 in hand. Hey, you
know, it doesn't say anything about child labor. We can just stop babysitting like they can work for it instead of >> No, it specifically says that they can do that. Okay. >> JJ specifically says that they can work good only in nonmonetary ways. setup,
clean up, decorating, attendance. Yeah. So that they can do laborous stuff. We just can't. >> We can have child labor, but we can't have them take >> $10 in their hand. So I also think >> that once we finish working through this, we
need to communicate this very clearly to our current like any group that operated this past school year just so the clarity is there and they know that there's no surprises next year when
they try to do a 50/50 raffle because that's super common and the kids sell the tickets and you can't I I there isn't a high school I went to during basketball season that wasn't doing it. It's not it wasn't just BMR. It was
and it's a huge thing at B home band shows. And >> didn't you get around that with your game of skill >> but it also says in here >> happening everywhere too. But actually it also says in here which we used to do in at MESPA all the time.
Fundraising activities may not in involve competitions among students. Students may not be rewarded with additional recess snacks, activities of any type or a type of prize for having raised larger amounts of funds for reaching the point. There used to be pizza party for the club that didn't do
the penny thing here. So good. That was the money PTO. >> So, so >> we'll have to get all the 18-year-olds. >> So, this is a a policy >> cuz there are some >> this a policy that's under the revised under the letter of the law.
>> Correct. >> And that we have on file. >> Correct. >> That's all that's that's the way I look at it. >> We all want to just make sure that we're not >> Yeah. That's not >> getting people in trouble. That's why I asked Kelly to come in. That was
Nobody's going to be fired. Nobody's going >> protects us, but it doesn't mean that anybody's there to police it is the way I look at it. >> Well, I wasn't trying I wasn't going to say that out loud. >> Well, I said it. I said it. >> Yeah. These are policies. The towns update their policy. That way there if
anything ever came about was Well, >> yeah. But it takes one person that's upset and comes here and or reports it wherever that the MMA was selling 50/50 raffle tickets. They make that's how they make their money. So, we just need to make sure they have to go to the
authority, state or federal government that's going to prosecute that. We we don't have that ability. We have a policy. They can come to us if they have questions. >> And that's all we needed. >> We can clarify it for them that we can get our legal counsel to clarify it for them and they can continue on their business to fund raise and support our kids.
>> And parents can fold the money bag, >> keeping money for the kids. >> They just can't be running casinos on these band shows. That's all. And typically like these well like I'm going to use banned because I went to that sh the show and it was the par.
>> You raffled off a lawnmower man. >> Huh? >> There was like purple and yellow. >> I was an independent I know business in town and then I gifted it to the >> Yes, you did. I don't mean you. I don't mean you. a business. Kids can't, right?
I was not a billion tickets. >> Who sold the tickets? So that this is what I'm saying is I don't This was a long time ago. The one was dead now. >> It's okay. No, >> it's still there, but it's still I had that custom painted. >> Yes, >> it was. It's pretty cool.
>> And then it was donated back to the band, which is a beautiful thing. Like whoever won it gave it back to >> Vin Gary. Vin Gary won that lawn and he donated it to the band. >> But guess who sold those tickets? the band members, the kids, >> the tickets, >> the raffle tickets. >> Yeah. No, I we I sold them.
>> So So did I. >> Well, then I don't know where you got those tickets from unless but as a relative of mine may have had those tickets, but I didn't realize the band was selling them. >> It was a long I'm just using it as an example. People want to do gestures like that. We just want to All I'm saying is I want to
clarify so nobody feels like they're that they're without explanation. and they just say, "Oh, we can't do that anymore." >> And that was a total of $199. I did not go over the $5,000. >> There you go. >> It was worth $10,000. >> For the record,
>> is there a motion on the floor? >> I I don't remember. >> I'll make a motion. >> Did we get a motion? Did we Is that what we had? No. Yes. >> JJ, >> I'll make a motion to accept JJ JJ as amended.
>> JJ as amended. Motion made by Matt. >> Second. >> Seconded by Jane. Any further discussion. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any oppose? >> The eyes have it. Unanimous. >> I abstain. Not. >> Okay. >> You have two absentions.
>> I'm obaining. >> All right. So, >> well, you didn't open for discussion, but I just wanted to say >> I said any further discussion. >> I Oh, I'm sorry. I just wanted to say I'm comfortable with Kelly's presentation >> and I um people can get crafty and that's all I want to say. Yeah. And I
just want to make sure that this is cleaned up and we're inserting it into a policy, but it is shared to any group that operated this year, recognized or not. They need to have this in their hands. So everything is done
>> that can be done. It has to be done. >> So it' be really helpful if there's any groups out there who have never recognized >> all the motion passes. 502. >> Okay. And now just so that's on the record with with with Tara's comments
and Aaron's comments and sorry Joe go ahead. >> I just want to say absolutely we can get information out but there are probably groups that we're not aware of. So I mean once it's approved goes into our booklet. It can go out in a community update. Um we know the PTO's we'll send out whoever we know but if anyone has
any groups out there that we're not aware of and you'd like us to share with please let us know and we can get that out. Okay, now on to policy update review. More policies. >> So, yes, these policies are all having
to do with Title 9. We couldn't do red line because Kelly revised so much in them. So, you'll notice there are three policies, ACABA, ACA R, and ACA. What we did was we put the current policy on top and the new
brand new policy from Kelly is right behind that. What she did was she updated all of these based on the regulations. >> Well said we went through these on our last policy committee meeting. Correct. like >> passed over the changes real quickly because there wasn't
>> there wasn't there was some language changes but it's it's the regulations. Correct. >> They're federal regulations. >> They're not even state they're federal. >> Correct. >> Yeah. This is this is all so and the big thing was aligning the names correctly because we had we still had >> um once on there.
>> Yes. So once these are sent back to M MBA to I mean um MASC >> to update all of those names will be updated. >> Um >> not because I have to have a problem with everything but >> what you do.
>> Let me let me get my roll tonight. >> Let me get my wet blanket. I know someone said I was going to be quick tonight. Um the only thing that you totally fault it wasn't me. Um number three on the second page of the revised
it's on both >> which ACABA >> I'm sorry uh ACABA abricad um >> if either party is a student under the age of 18 facilitator will notify the
students parents guardians if after initial consultation with the student it is determined to be in the best interest of the student >> right down here. >> So, I'm sorry that I didn't catch this in sub policy, >> um, but I'm catching it now.
>> When do we not notify a parent of harassment or or an investigation or anything like that? >> Well, I I can't imagine. I mean, there may be times I can't give an exact
situation. Um but when we've had instances with this situation we as far as I know we've had communication but you do know that these regulations also come because of the regulations and what students student rights I guess I'll put
it that way just concerned me that a parent wouldn't know of something affecting their child in school and I think it's just a >> I've never had a situation when it came to this where I've been aware >> I wonder if I wonder if that adds
precedent for other things that the school district could withhold from parents. So, I'm gonna make a motion >> to accept ACABA um with the striking that line if either party is a
student under the age of 18. Uh and replacing it with with um uh excuse me, I had this I had it written. I left it at >> just the facilitator will notify, right? >> Uh the facil Yeah. Is it just the last chunk of that
>> sentence then if after initial consultation with the student it is determined to be in the best interest of scratch? >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> Yep. To strike if after initial consultation >> so that it it compels the school district to notify and this is both the
um complainant and the respondent. >> So can I want to ask a question when it comes to title 9 or regulations? I know there are certain policies that MASC sends out. This isn't this is from Kelly >> that we can't amend. I I mean we this
could be amendable or not. I don't I don't know that answer >> that you're saying we can't amend. >> I don't know. For example, you can't amend Title 9, right? So I I I'm not 100% sure that what Kelly gave us for these if there are certain areas that
are amendable or not. cuz there are like the ones that she amended um before with the red lines with the other three policies cuz she said that you know some of these are just suggestions for MASC this didn't come from MASC the suggestion this we asked Kelly to update
our policies and procedures in relation to >> and this is a this is a child abuse reference this one in particular if you read the top part. It says in certain cases of harassment
of a student may constitute child abuse under state law. But this also has to do with notifica. Like I I am absolutely reaching here, but I'm I'm guessing that like I'm trying to envision why you wouldn't contact a parent. Maybe you
wouldn't contact a parent if some of the abuse was >> tied to a parent. Mhm. >> See, I'm reading this as inter in intra student like between students or inside the school district. I don't see title n
as reaching into the home. >> Yeah, I took it as as part of that whole like when you have to report, why you have to report and following up on. But maybe I >> get more clarification. >> I read them all at the same time and I'm >> right. It's all
>> Dan. Can I make a motion that we >> can I make a motion that we table this to get more clarification from Kelly and to even see >> My motion wasn't seconded. So, no, it's motion wasn't second. So, you can >> and see if if it even can be amended
>> and it could be. We just want to make sure we do it >> correctly. If if you'd like me to do that, I can absolutely do that. >> So, this So, so >> sorry. >> No, no. And that's fine. All we could >> Yeah, we can do that. We can do that or we could or we could approve the
amendment and Kelly will let us know >> if it's uh >> or or not approve it. It will let us know if it's legal or not. It can be done. So, it's a pleasure. So, Matthew, you weren't seconded. And Tara is asking to table
>> acracadabra. >> Um until we get further clarification. So there Matt seconded by Matt. Uh any further and that's just be to be spec specific. It's clarification on um item number three. Um
>> yeah clarification on that but also clarification on is this student to student or is this >> it says right I think Jane's right. It says >> it says child it says in certain cases the harassment of a student may constitute child abuse under state law.
>> Okay. It says the district will comply with all legal requirements governing the >> it's within the district. So title N does not >> I thought it just referenced more >> title N does not does not govern >> mean within the district. >> So >> if a child comes here and tells a teacher that they're being that
something's happening at home that teacher has an obligation to >> if a child Okay. Agreed. But Title N title N I don't believe reaches into the heart. This is this is acceptable. >> It says harassment and discrimination is banned not just at school during school
hours but also before and after school hours and all school programs and school including the bus school functions school events. The policy also applies to any off-campus conduct that causes or threaten to cause a substantial and material disruption at school or
interferes with the rights of students or employees to be free from hostile school environment blah blah blah problems blah blah blah blah blah regarding discrimination and harassment should be resolved and prompted and then it talks about reporting. So, if there's,
and again, I'm grasping like I don't know of a specific, but if there's a child who comes to school and they're acting up in school because they're being harassed at home, but it's causing issues at school, reporting that to the parents at home may not be something you want to do. I I mean, I I'm just
>> I think that that is a different that's a wholly different situation. That's not covered by Title 9, >> but it does say in here covered by this policy. It's it's the the school district will comply with all legal requirements governing the reporting of suspected cases.
>> And so we'll get that clarification >> and then 123 is under that. >> All right. >> This happens inside of schools too. That's >> right. >> We'll get we'll get that clarification. Yes. >> But before So there's a motion in a second. >> Motion to table. >> And to table. Yeah. There's already a
motion in the second. Is there anything else that's highlighted that uh that on this particular uh policy that has anybody has any qu because if we're going to reach out to Kelly I just want to make sure we don't you know get that clarification then two pages later
we have anything else on it you everybody with the policy um committee was good >> with the rest of it >> yeah I believe so >> okay so there's a motion and a second to table um uh um file ACABA
until getting further clarification from Kelly on item number three on this. Um all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any oppose? Unanimous. Okay. Next item calls.
>> I make a motion to accept the changes to ACA-R and ACA. >> Okay. Two of them. You're going to whack them. >> I'm going to whack them both. >> Whack them both. All right. any any comments uh questions conspiracies or
whatever we have on ACA B AC/DC Matt you have anything to add on this I know that you were not looking to uh cause any issues tonight at all so in the you know I wouldn't want to lead into any more conspiracies Mr. chair.
So, >> I was just running out of things to say. >> I will uh forego any sort of comment on that one. >> I think you I think you're doing a fine job, Mr. Catalano. Uh yeah, we good on this. >> Yeah, I'll make a motion to approve. >> No, Jane did.
>> Oh, you already did. >> Yeah. >> All right. Second or did Matt second? >> Did I miss? >> I don't know who seconded. Jane. >> Tara just did. >> Tara did. That's what I thought. Yeah. >> On both. >> Yep. Both. Um any further discussion
hearing? None. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any oppose? The eyes have it. It is unanimous. >> Okay. Moving along. >> Are we >> in your packets? You have the um unit B
contract >> with all of the changes and recommendation. >> Okay. And so this essentially we we discussed in >> we did yeah >> executive session. Um and this is essentially what we what was agreed to. Everything's
>> and unit B has reviewed this as well >> and they're all set. >> Yes. >> Um any I'll take a motion to approve the uh agreement between Blackstone Mobile Regional District and the Blackstone Mobile Regional School District Administrator Association unit B for
July 1, 2025 to June 30th, 2028. move. >> Motion made by Tara Scobby, seconded by Carrie Goddette. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any oppose? >> The eyes. >> Do we have one for signatures? I do.
>> The eyes have it. It is unanimous. Just one need signatures. >> Yes. >> Okay. School committee packets. >> Yep. So, we discussed um the last time we said we'd bring a proposal and this is totally your choice. So, right now um
for every school committee meeting, every piece of paper that is presented is copied and delivered to you prior to the meeting. Um and I know there was some discussion about um you know looking at you know paper and the time.
Um so I think the proposal would be you know to send everything to you electronically prior to the meeting and if anyone requires a hand a packet we will have that available to you when you come at that evening and again that is your discussion and
decisions but um I think that's what we we'd like to propose if we have it as email document should we also should Like when we're here, should we have Chromebooks or should like something set
up to have access to it right in front of us? >> Because if our devices if your personal devices on the table, it becomes public like >> Yep. And everything else >> you could request your phone. That's why our phones are all >> So if you would like a paper copy, we will have it here for you when you come.
>> And that was going to be my request. I'm happy with getting it electronically. I mean, I always feel bad that somebody's like come to my house in the rain and whatever and didn't need to. Like, I'm happy to get it electronically, but I'm a if you look at these, there's notes all over them. So, I prefer having paper when we get here.
>> And I do know like for example, Fara L would prefer probably not to have anything in paper. So, if we could send it to you electronically prior to the meeting and if you are someone who would like the packet when you come um they will be available for you.
Typically like in the in in Blackstone B selecting, you'll get it emailed to you and then on the in the >> you'll have at your seat there's a a packet as well. >> Well, I'm fully capable of printing that. >> I I felt the same way. I was very surprised that it's it was kind of cool
when you first get on the school committee with delivering the packets. >> It's weird. >> It's but it's it's not cool. It was cool. >> I always know when the packet arrives because the dogs let me know. I'll say this like years ago when I learned and when I when the Blackstone
police used to deliver the border selectman's and this was long before but they would deliver the packets to the border selectman which I thought was crazy that that >> that's nuts. >> Yeah. And my understanding Matt is um the um Pony Express are still delivering them
in Milville too. I'm just giving that a hard time. That's a that's an inside joke. Okay, moving on. Um, okay. So, did we get a vote? Did we take a vote on that yet? >> Packets go with that.
>> Okay, beautiful. >> Okay, next on uh superintendent search. Um uh we have an up update on how >> we are we are we have posted the position for superintendent of the BMR
school district. We have a quick um expedited search process and we have um a few items that we need to discuss today. Uh first and foremost is um a an initial screening committee.
It's we're calling it a paper screening committee. You won't be on paper. It'll be electronic, but uh a review of the applicants to whittle it down to people we would like to bring for formal uh interviews. Uh and that would be a
committee that has to be less than quorum. Um and I would recommend that it be two. Um Tracy told us it could be three. Um but the reason I think two makes sense is it could be one from each
community and then you have equal like we have in other things but it could be three but we need to um decide if that's the way we want to go. Um well we already decided that was the way we want to go. So we need to decide who those
people should be. And so you recommend two two is so it would be one from each community is suggesting and Tracy right Tracy >> Tracy and I think one other person from her staff is also reviewing or from MASC is also reviewing.
>> Yeah because she said ideally it would be >> less than a quorum but an odd number as well. >> Yeah she said three I think she said >> she said it could be three she said four she worries would be questioned because that's half our quorum is five. >> Yeah. Yeah. But it's still less for less.
>> I mean I you know I this is this is literally a group that will have to have the time probably next weekend to
really dig in and delve in and and make make quick turnaround decisions. So it's got to be people who have the commitment and the time. So I I mean if it's three, great. >> And what did she say that she'd be
asking each person to bring a certain number? She didn't say what number, but she said to bring at least three or depending on how many applicants. >> No, that referred to how many we bring to um final interviews, like how many we
bring on to She recommended that we don't just bring one person to the district. That's not a search. That's just a hiring. Yeah. Um so that we you know her minimum was that we look to bring in at least three. >> Yeah. >> Um but that's what the group would ultimately decide
on. This is to decide on who's who's reviewing the applicants. >> When you say the group, you mean the school committee would determine what number of applicants? >> No. >> No. You have the paper. The paper screening will determine. >> So the small group's going to determine
>> if there's 100 applicants what three. So, so then the school committee should be determining how many applicants a minimum or a maximum then I would imagine >> if you want to >> I don't I would think that >> so we we'll appoint two people then two people are going to determine if it's
two candidates three candidates four candidates >> but it could come down to Dan that that's who has what we're looking for right >> when you say we you mean the two people >> no the committee know so it needs to be so we decided what we were looking for
when we approved the job description. >> Right. Job description. So we So based on the job description if people meet that I think I just signed on the wrong >> there are some automatic applications that go out through I I don't >> that are superintendent of a building or
an you know so those have to be kind of weeded out to because what was because we're doing the >> expedited search every single person that is offered an interview accepts our interview is going to be a public
essentially if like a finalist correct >> where their name is going to be public because we have to we have to do everything in public. >> So you're not going to call to get 10 you're not going to have 10
interviews and >> but essentially we'd have to if we were doing it as a public meeting, >> right? >> Or we'd have to at least talk about them publicly. >> Yeah. Okay. So Jane, you're saying so
we will be looking for someone member who wants to volunteer. >> Who wants to vol? Yeah. Who? And if we have more than than four that want or three that want to volunteer, we'll have to >> we'll have to do a vote. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, who's interested in
volunteering? >> Just one more time on the dates. It closes on the 29th. >> Closes on the 29th. She said >> 29th. >> The 29th Friday. >> Yeah. Which is and the group prom. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> So, but the group would independently review them over >> the group would the group would receive all of the people >> and then they'll review review. They'll meet as a group >> and and >> the following week >> the following the week of June 1st >> you have to meet as a group. You're
saying you Oh, >> you would you would Yeah, I would imagine you would. a small group would meet as a group. >> Yeah. I mean, we probably have like a, you know, so nowadays with HR processes, there's like you read an interview, you check, yes, they met,
yes, they have a a master's degree. Yes, they're certified to be a superintendent. Yes, they're and you know, you get a star for each of those. And if you got four stars, you know, you move on. But the group, the paper screening committee will likely meet and
say, "Yeah, we all gave them four stars. Yes, this person should move over." No, I only gave them two because I think, you know, they have green hair and green hair is not a criteria. >> Did she say in person? >> Are they meeting in person? >> Meeting in person? >> No, I doubt it.
>> It would be virtual. >> I don't know. I think it would depend on the group, >> but I I would believe it would be virtual. and then those name. Then those people would be contacted >> to see if they were still interested to
the group is interested in bringing them to the district um for formal interview and that's when they would go public if they accept continuing in the process.
>> As an employee of can I ask a question on this? >> Yes. Are there levels like is there going to be I know that you're talking about that there's going to be a screening and if you find six candidates will you be bringing six candidates forward that you have a panel interview
that includes staff members and school committee >> and then you have two or three candidates that then move forward. Nope. >> That's the end. >> So you just said interview process panel interview. We have we will have an interview process that will include
staff, community members. We're going to talk about that in a few minutes, but >> Okay, I apologize. >> No, that's okay. No, that's okay. But there'll be like a whole day like come for a whole day, tour the district, do the and then end at the school committee with an interview. Somebody might come on Monday, somebody might come on
Tuesday, somebody might come on Wednesday. people will have an opportunity to submit one of those Google form like we like we didn't like we thought whatever and then the committee will make a decision based on who was invited to come and got it >> those results but there'll be
opportunity for input but it'll okay >> not in a phase one phase two phase three >> perfect thank you >> okay getting back to the original question so who's interested in serving on this
uh commit. Let me ask this. Who's interested from Blackstone? Jane, are you interested? Are you >> I am happy to to continue in this process >> and Blackstone. >> I would do it. >> Carrie, anyone else? >> I could possibly do it. >> I way at a conference.
>> So, so where we are right now is that if >> we'd have to vote for either you or Carrie, >> I'm comfortable with giving it to Carrie because I'm going to be at a conference. >> I don't I'm kind of in favor of having three people. Okay. >> Just so you know, like you're saying vote between, but >> Well, no, no. If if
>> Yeah, that's okay. >> To the point where if Okay, so let's back it up. So, how many people representatives of the school committee um does the school committee would like would the school committee like to have on this panel?
>> I think an odd number is where I was >> I don't disagree with that. I think as long as we have one from Blackstone, one from Milville, I'm also okay with being three, but I want a minimum town represented. >> Yep. Yeah, I'm good with that. >> Okay.
Okay. So, three is fine. >> It's Erin, I don't know where you're failing on it. >> I just I felt an odd number. I agree with Carrie on the one from each town and then an odd number just >> I agree. >> Yeah, you could do it virtually. I can do it
virtually depending if it's after like 5:00 p.m. >> But it sounds like >> Jane, you can say it if that's not working. >> No, I I I I think it's going to depend on who the the group is. I
>> I mean, my guess is that the MASC people work during the day. >> Oh, like >> Yes. >> No, no, no. When they've come out here, they come out at night. >> Yeah. Like >> I mean >> is there somebody else? >> I also work during the day so I would prefer night. >> Right.
>> Erin, do you have capability on >> I do but I'm I would like fresh new eyes out there. I've done I've I'm I am available. I'm willing and I've done it
four times. So I think there's pros to that. But I think it would be good for other people to be part of it. >> So they're going to review the paper on you're going to review after the 29th.
So the weekend after the 29th, but then that that next week is when >> that next day like the first or 2nd, whatever. Monday and Tuesday. >> Monday or Tuesday. >> Is your conference on the weekend or the week? >> My my conference is Sunday through Wednesday.
>> So that might be hard for you. >> Yeah. And it's >> but it is the week after that we need to make sure our schedules are >> like I can't leave the >> right >> it's not like I'm at my desk and I can you know zoom in >> can't
>> but if we were doing it at night you're saying you're free. Yeah, >> we just tell >> unless there's somebody else who's available for that. >> You free. >> I'm that Monday the 1st. I can make absolutely anytime that day work.
Tuesday the 2nd and Wednesday the 3rd are a different story. Is there anybody else who would like to do this? >> I have already done it and I've already interviewed a qualified candidate and I'll leave it at that. So
>> I Well, you have three. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> So we good. Next step. >> Next step is to talk about the week of the 8th and the week of the 15th. Are there any
dates that people could absolutely not be available for interviews? And that includes things that might be happening in the school district. >> Is this for the entire committee? >> Yeah. This is for the entire committee and the the towns, the district and the
>> Okay. So, the week of the 8th and the 15th, I would I think you're just going to have to set up dates, right? I mean, >> we need all of us. >> We need we So, we will in the evening
have actual interviews with us. So we need >> so that so for the week of the 8th and the 15th are we talking during the day availability or evening availability? So >> so >> ideally what we would
do, let's assume there are four candidates. I'm picking a number out of the blue. We would have four days where they might come in the morning and uh start at the Blackstone
Town Hall meeting the Blackstone town administrator and then they'd go to with a school committee member as their uh representative who will not be Jack Keefe and take them to Betty's Donuts. Um >> Dan Keefe can do that. >> Dan Keef can do that. >> Dan Ke might get stuck there longer than
>> might get stuck there longer. Exactly. um take them to the high school, meet the principal, get a tour of the school, whatever, whatever, whatever. Um then they might go to the middle school, then they might go to the elementary school,
then they might at 3:00 in the afternoon have a half an hour uh somewhere in the media center with staff. Um they would certainly during the their tour of the day have a meeting with the administration administrative offices
and the staff there. Um and then a few people might take them to dinner and then they would come to a school committee meeting for their formal interview with the questions we will determine next. Now we can do a half day. we can do uh
but we need to I believe it's important and I think we representation today about why it's very important that we include that we include people because that matters so we need to have a process that not only people have an
opportunity to see and hear from these people but to ask them questions and to give feedback based on that. So, we need to be looking to clear up some days. So, I guess I'm saying is there a like you don't have to be available all
day long. You you would just not be a person who would say I'll take them from point A to point B or I'll take them from point B to point C. But that was also the time where um for me in the process when I've done it, I've had the time to chat with that person
individually like you know like hey you know do you like Chinese food? No, whatever. But um so it's great if you are available, but if you're not, I mean I know some of us work and they're just not, you know, days off. >> Being available that for the actual
interview, which will be on the day that they're visiting is >> critical >> is critical. >> Critical. So that's why I guess I'm saying the from the 8th to the >> when does school end? >> 18th. >> The 18th. >> From the 8th to the 18th. Are there any
days any evenings that people absolutely we have to avoid? >> Well, we have a meeting on the 11th as a committee. We have a school committee meeting. >> I'm available on the 9th. >> You're what? >> I'm unavailable on the 9th, 16th, 18th.
>> I'm unavailable even for me as well. >> Yeah. Meet the coach tonight. >> 91 16 and 18. And you said no 12. >> Yep. Anybody else going once? I'm good in the evening. >> I'm no good on the 16. >> Okay, we already got the 16. >> Yeah,
>> I got 9 12 16 18 which means we could do 8 10 15 >> 11. Oh, we could change our meeting if we have. Yeah, >> I got a finance committee on the 10th at 11 a.m. I'm getting my notification.
>> On the 10th is a school building committee meeting at 5:00. They could attend. >> There you go. >> A school committee meeting. >> Uh 8. So I have 8 10 11:15. >> Were you just suggesting moving the
school committee meeting on the 11th >> potentially >> if we have to? >> Well, the only reason I'm saying is staff knows that as the date for our EOI. >> Just throwing that out there. They've been notified that that was our next school committee meeting for their attendance. >> Okay.
That's important. >> And you're just asking for the >> We can have a 400 p.m. interview. >> Yeah. But you were asking for the two weeks of availability because But she did really say we should do it the 8th through the 12th. >> Yeah. >> We're just trying to make sure we not
knowing what's out there, what we're going to get that we have the days to do what we need to do. The half day option might be since we're already doing expedited. I I I'm trying to remember the dinner part. Did we We had already met like I don't
know if I want to go to dinner with with every applicant that you're meeting that day. Not saying but we could have something in a conference room, you know, to make it. >> You're inviting somebody to come here at >> You have to feed them. >> You have to feed them. >> But it doesn't Yeah. >> No, I'm not saying it has to be all No,
it does. It wasn't all of us. It could have just been a couple people like >> we did it with finalists at one point and I don't >> but I remember where that was in the process. >> Now we did it. >> Okay. So the eth and the 10th we have available at night 8 10 15
>> but we don't even know how many days we actually need. Correct. It could be more than what? >> Well, we we might bring two on the same day and not have them >> cross. Sorry. One more time. What days are you You're saying 8 8 10 15
>> 15 is a kindergarten graduation in the morning. Just >> Yeah, I can't do that. >> You can't do What do you mean >> 15th? Definitely >> the night. You can't do the night. >> No, I can't. >> It's not one of the ones you gave me, Matt. >> Sorry. I can't do this now that you're reminding me. Thank you. >> What was wrong with nine? Did someone
say nine? >> Ninth. I'm out. >> Okay. >> Yeah. N. So, I got 9, 12, 16, and 18. >> Oh, what about 17? What was 17th? >> Nothing. >> Uh, school building committee. >> I thought that was
>> on the 17th. That's on the 10th and 17th, isn't it? >> Um, unless I don't mind. I think we have two quick ones because of the submission for the M. I do think we have two quick ones >> and that's a virtual vote. I think the 17th. >> Yeah.
>> So, but you you are no more you're not good for the 15th anymore. >> Don't believe so. >> Okay. I'm leaving it there for right now. >> So 8 10 15 17 >> 8 10 11 15 17
>> Okay, perfect. 8 10 11 >> No, I thought we said no to the 11th because that's our school committee meeting with end of >> year. We can we can we can before >> Oh, okay. >> before 6. >> We might have to come at 5 for an
interview and have our meeting at 6. >> We just need I mean we can make that be the last date we pick, but we need If if we're committed to this process, >> yes, >> we need to commit to the process.
>> Hopefully, >> so now members from the staff and and public, how does that how what do they reach out to? How does that work? >> Volunteers. How do we find those people? >> Yeah. That >> volunteers for what? For what? >> For the town representatives that want
to interview. We we we the three people that just volunteered to be on the paper screening committee will be setting that up. >> Hold on. We we're there. The only people that are participating in the interviews are us
eight. They can be present when the interview's happening. We will have a scheduled meet and greet time, but there won't be a panel of PTO members, staff members participating in the interview process. No, no, but they will but they
so so they so >> Jane will take John Jane Doe candidate Jane Doe to meet with the administrative staff over at AFM JF. What school? What building? Complex.
>> The complex, right? And and introduce them and let those people talk. They're going to ask them questions. It's not it's an interview process. It's not a and then those people who did that will have an opportunity to provide the committee with
>> feedback. Um but and then they'll leave the complex and they'll go to the elementary school and meet the principal of the elementary school and walk around the school and chat for a few minute and
that and the principal can certainly ask questions and give feedback and >> I'm assuming it's the principal who will kind of like lead correct the correct core of that building and go to the next building. And in the past, we've also brought them to the town to meet the town administrators. Now, the town
administrators may or may not be available. Last time they were available for some and not all. So, some of our candidates met Blackstone and not Milville or some metville and not Blackstone. Like some did it virtual. We may give that option like but the three
people that agreed to earlier will be figuring out how to and and Erin you did a beautiful Google form that had here's the candidate coming on this date here's the person oh I'm free I can take them here and I can pick them up here and take them here um
>> that was the document that you had shared >> correct and then um they come to the school committee at the end and we do the interview with the questions that are public questions.
They all get asked that same question >> and it's open to the public. anybody can sit and listen and it'll be and we'll have to make sure uh Tim you available in those dates >> um that somebody is because it's it's
and after the very last one we will have an open meeting where we have open discussion and appoint somebody to negotiate with that person if there is a So, >> so do we have three people? >> Mhm.
>> Right now. >> And that is Carrie, Jane, >> and Tara. Okay. >> Anybody else want to be on this? >> Okay. So, that's clear. Clarify that. That's that's clear. >> Clarify the dates like what what were
because it kind of went all over the place. >> 8 10 11 15 17. >> Okay. And as you will confirm as well you guys will meet up and um and so I am curious in how the the how
people will be oh so it's not really going to be ch some people expressed wanting to so that'll be wanting to have input and that's the way it's going to be throughout that day and visit you'll get feedback >> and so I'm just asking >> in the last one if you looked at the schedule I think there was like a 3:00
end of school day like present. I think one time we did it in the media center, high school media center. I think one time we did it here where if staff wanted to come and the we asked the candidates to give a little presentation and people got to
ask questions. So really the length of time we need is going to be determined by how many candidates we're moving to that phase. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. Is that everything? >> Uh, no. We have to choose the questions
that we want to ask the people. >> Questions? Who wants to ask the people? >> A school committee. >> Oh, no. No. I I'll What do you mean ask when we're interviewing them? >> Mhm. >> But that doesn't We can send out a Google doc. >> Yeah. I ask I >> And they can we can all submit our
questions back. tailoring questions. I ask questions based on the candidates's. Uh >> uh yeah. No, that's not >> Oh, that's how you interview. I interview you can every town administrative interview I've done, I've had questions based on their their history and how they would fit into the
district. I mean, when an interview giving the questions in advance is not an interview. It's a dog and pony show. >> It is a dog and pony show. Public dog and pony. >> I'm not I will not participate in that. I as a member of this as a
representative of the Blackstone Milville Regional School District, as a Blackstone rep, I will ask questions that I would for any individual candidate that I think is pertinent to the district and the communities, but I will not >> You can you can ask a question that
follows up on a question. >> Sure. >> So, you can absolutely do that and they can be different, but every person needs to get the same questions. And there's a form from MASC. >> I I don't care about any of that. I I am not going to be dictated on how I'm
going to interview. >> You get to pick there's we didn't do that in the in the last set of negotiations. I'm not going to do it in this set. So >> I am not going to have scripted I you guys can do what you want, but I can assure you that I am not going to hand
off my questions in advance. I don't even I may not even know what my questions are depending on like you said the response questions but there's that's like calling for a united front uh which I it's going to be based on the
individual based on my individual thoughts of the needs of the district your individual thoughts of the need your individual thoughts so I I >> I will be who I am >> I believe the way we did this last time
was everyone had the sample questions because you can curate them for yourself. Um, they don't have to be the MS MASC questions, but then they were all sent, I believe, to me because I was running the search and put into a form
that everyone had in front of them. >> Um, they weren't given to the candidates ahead of time. However, what happens when you just mentioned Tim, if we start recording these, they can be done in public. Those other applicants can come watch, but we don't have to have a
recording that then if you're asking the same questions at every interview, which is how it has been done, then they already know the questions. But there's definitely some spontaneity in it because of the personal experience of
each person. There's nothing. You can absolutely go off script, >> but for each of us sitting here knowing we're that we want to talk about MSBA, we want to talk about budget and finance. We want to talk about their personal experiences and those are
absolutely part of the conversation, but we also need to keep it on a time limit and it can't be a 4-hour interview. >> So, it's structured more than dictated. And which is why I recommend you be one of the hosts that take the people around
and you can ask any questions you want. >> Oh, absolutely. Yeah, you can talk to them one-on-one and ask them a question about it when in public, too. It's not >> forbidden. It's just for structure of the process.
So, are we able to everyone's going to take a look at your email and submit questions they would like to ask or they would like to hear? I mean, >> sure. >> It could be either way, >> right? >> Yep.
>> Yep. And you can create your own form. >> It's something Terra sent hers and she created some of her own based on the MSBA process. I would just probably have a hard deadline of of June 5th personally if we're starting if we could start anytime
on the 8th or later. >> Okay, I can do that. >> That's it. >> Okay. Thank you, Jane. Okay, we passed the report of the superintendent on to nothing else to
add. Uh on to the business office credit recovery revolving account. >> Yes. So um on the last meeting we discussed the credit recovery um during the summer that we're going to be doing and that there is a fee that is going to be charged for that. So, I am just
requesting that we set up an account for those funds um that we can deposit into and that that money will then be used to go against the cost of that those um those classes that we're we're hosting during the summer. Um but I do need
school committee approval to set up an account that that money will fall into. Okay. >> Motion made to set up a credit recovery revolving account. >> Motion by Carrie. Second. >> Seconded by Chuck. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify
by saying I. >> I. >> Any oppose? It's unanimous. >> I'll abstain. >> Oh, Matt. Okay, we'll have to. >> So, it is we got 7601, right? Is the vote. >> All right. >> And donations.
>> And donations. So, there are um a few donations that we've gotten since the last time we had we had met. um Ohio Pile Prints. They are the um company that sells BMR gear in the um CVS's or the um local
stores. Um when they sell anything at those stores, the school does get some money back for um those sales. So, it was $4.75 that was um brought into the district. Um so, we had that money come in and you'll see here a listing. I had spoken
last week or last meeting regarding some um stale checks that um we are working on and we're looking through over the years some checks that have never cleared um Kathy had done a letter we
sent to everybody um telling these people that there is a check still outstanding um and we gave them the option of reissuing the check or if they would like to, they could donate the money back to the school and we could
use it for in we an angel fund that if there are any students that cannot afford something and we could use that um with principal's discretion or or if there's anything recommended that we have some students that are in financial need that we could use that money towards something that they have. So,
here's a listing of the checks which total $1,943.31 and that is um for the angel fund that that money is going into as a donation. >> Kristen, what is J to clear voided checks? What's J? >> Journal entry. >> Ah, okay.
>> I was trying to come up with someone's initials or something. I couldn't. >> No, that's a journal entry. >> And you said 1,940. >> Correct. >> Correct. and we are still working on that list. There's still some more checks that um we're waiting to hear
back from people that we we have not heard back from. So, we will reach out. I I said this before, we'll keep reaching out a few more times to any of these um different companies. Um and if we can't reach personals or company, it will end up going to the state as
unclaimed funds. >> Look at Scott He kicking in 50 bucks. >> Yeah, look at that. Lot of stuff on there. Yeah. So, thank you to to all of these people. >> Absolutely. Generous donations, >> staff, retired staff. >> Mhm. >> Yes.
>> Nice. >> So, um >> I can't believe you >> and we have to we do have to accept these. >> Yes, you do. >> So, I'll take a motion to accept the new BMRSD donations to date 51426 as M. Motion
made by Matt. >> Second. >> Seconded by Jane. Any further discussion? >> We need to create an angel fund >> as we're creating >> it is in a donation account. So, we do have a donation fund and we've done a
subset of that fund um in there. >> Where the gear is being sold? I am Am I missing it? CVS. >> CVS in the very back. >> You have to run in there on Mother's Day for the last minute. >> It's right. It's in the very back of the store. >> It's in the back of the store.
>> Yep. Can we ask CVS to put it to the front of the store so we can increase upon that$475? >> I mean, >> I don't know. I'd rather have them buy from our kids >> selling the >> It's It's not the same gear. If you ever see anyone If you ever see them go to
CVS hat that just says BMR, >> I'm like, "It's not even our It's not >> Okay. I Yeah. Okay. >> It's purple and black. Maybe. Maybe purple and something. It's for all those guy people who don't plan ahead of time have to run in and get a a mother's
birthday card or something like that at the end and say, "Oh, I'll get my mom a charger shirt." >> Just I'm speaking of someone else. >> Yeah, you of course you are. >> Okay, >> we still have to vote. >> So, we have a motion in the second somewhere in there. I know we do.
>> Yes. >> Any further discussion? >> All those f in favor signify by saying I. Uh, >> any oppose? >> The eyes have it. >> Okay. Our next meeting is June 11th at 2026 at 6 PM. Uh, school committee
forum. >> Can I just say something before you? So, we have our special Olympics tomorrow. We have students who are going there. This is our third year. I shout out to Bellingham for inviting us. But I did want to give a shout out to Neil Telstone because this year I had asked I
had an ask for Neil and a big ask ask for Neil. He always donates to us for that day a mini bus to take some of our kids there. But I had a big ass this year and I asked for a big bus because we're going to be taking some student fans with us this year. So I think that's and this is total donations, the
drivers, the buses. So I wanted to say thank you to Neil for doing that because this will be our first year of having some fans. Bellingham because they're right there able to bring their fans over. So this year we have a bus going and we have some representatives from every building. So they'll be they'll be heading over. So, I just wanted to say thank you.
>> Are you filming it again? >> So, they film it. We do take pictures and I will share those. So, we're heading over at 9:30. I believe the ceremony starts. They have an opening ceremony which is great. The kids all march in together. Blackstone and Bellingham and Milville. Um, and we're
thinking this there's a ceremony and then the events start around 10:00 and they're usually done by probably 11:30. They do the track events first and then they do the field events. So, yep. So, we're looking forward to that. And I I I don't even want to say this about the weather, but hopefully it's a nice day.
I think it's going to be. So, >> tomorrow. >> It's tomorrow. Yes. But again, thank you to Neil for doing that. >> Weather's going to be good for you tomorrow. >> It has to be good tomorrow. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you for that update and thank you uh Mr. Telstone for your
generous donation. School committee forum. Does anyone have >> I have a question for another school committee member. It's um I just wanted to know I because I came in late. I wasn't sure if the student rep said it. What time is the start time for the parade?
>> Start of the senior parade tomorrow morning is be there. Well, kids have to arrive at 6:30, but if you want to watch this parade, you have to be at BMR before the road is closed at 7:10. >> So, it's an early morning with coffee on
the sidewalk. >> That works. The buses are rolling in at 7:00. >> I asked my senior that question and she said, "Mom, just be there at 7:00." So, I stopped questioning it at that point. >> You'll be there at 7:00 with your coffee. >> Yep. >> There's this one in particular following.
>> I would like to thank the staff and the community members that came to speak with us today. I heard their words. I thought they were very important. I also thank Jill for the effort that she has given in the interim position. Uh the work has not been unnoticed. Uh it is
unfortunate we um are moving in a different direction from my perspective. That's my I'm one person. Um but I do appreciate the work that you've done and I do appreciate hearing from
folks and I'm glad it was a good transition and I'm hoping as we move forward we can continue to have a smooth transition. >> Very good. Thank you. Anyone else have anything to add to school committee forum? >> I have a Well, I had a question for Scott, but now my question's going to be
for Jill instead. >> There was um a post made on social media with concerns about ticks at >> um I believe both complex and the elementary school. >> Can we like are we and the middle school? So, you will see in your weekly
update tomorrow and parents will be getting some notification of some um spraying that will be taking place. Um we will make sure our notifications go out in time, but that's actually part of both the community and the school committee update tomorrow. >> Thank you. >> They're really bad this year.
>> Yeah, they are. >> Okay. Anyone Anyone else for >> I know >> I have a couple things. I know Scott wasn't here again, but um the flag at the high school needs to be retired. I was there this morning. It's tattered
and should not be there for be pulled down immediately um and replaced it for Memorial Day and for the ceremonies next week. >> I know we just purchased some I think in the last week. They probably just haven't been put up yet, but I do know
that was brought to my attention last week, I believe it was. >> Got some in my truck, too. He has them. He >> and P flags, too. I don't think you put those up at the school. >> Big flag transition day in the next two days in the area. So, thank you, Matt, for catching.
>> And I got a bunch of old flags that can go to the scouts when you have your burning ceremony. Sooner than later, I hope. H. Okay. Anything else? >> I just wanted to echo Jane's sentiments with everybody that came today.
It takes a lot of passion and and and guts to for employees to come and and speak in that way and and I applaud them and thank them and I too feel the same way as them and you know and it's unfortunate the way that things went and
you know um you know I would like to personally say you know it wasn't in any way what I felt to be an appropriate way for us to go as a committee. um the way that our employee was treated
should not have ever been a way an employee was treated anywhere. Um so, you know, I will say that and uh you know, um again, I hope the best for the district. I
think that we made the wrong decision and uh that's where I'll leave it. Okay. Thank you. Anyone else? >> So, I'll just add to that because Matt opened the door that
the decisions that were made were on offers that were made. >> Mhm. >> And that's where I'll say that I'll I'll I'll leave it there. >> Okay. I'll um Okay. Anyone else?
Okay. And so I would I would concur with um I appreciate the people that came in and spoke the employees, parents um and and retirees and lifelong residents and employees of the school districts school district. Um
as uh Jane you would know Aaron you would know as chairman I spent a tremendous amount of time over the last year communicating with Joe as I did with Jason. um the year before and the the common theme was this evening and I
can attest to it a seamless transition. It tr and it truly was. It was as seamless as possible as as as No, I couldn't it couldn't have been expected to be that seamless. But with that being said, um
um the the district the the district overall um uh could not um reach a amicable agree amicable agreement. Uh and um I
appreciate I have more to say as next month um in as my experience with you working with you in a positive way. um at the appropriate time, but I I concur with these people. I appreciate their passion. I appreciate everyone's passion
on this matter. Um and I and I'll and I'll leave it at that as well. And with that, I'll take a motion to adjourn. >> So, motion made Matt. >> Second. Seconded by Chuck. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify
by saying I. I. I. Any oppose? The eyes have it. Thank you very much.