Good evening and welcome to the July 6, 2026 school committee meeting. At this time, I'll call to order and ask everyone to please rise for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation
indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Uh, next is introduction of members. I'll start from this side. >> Harry got it Blackstone. >> Matt Catalano Milville. >> Chuck Dunton Blackstone. >> Dan Keefe Blackstone. And on via Zoom,
we have >> Tara L. >> Tara Larkin Milville, >> Kristen Donado, director of finance and operations, >> and Jill Pilgalerani in superintendent. Okay. Uh, next up we have consent agenda A.
Um, approval of warrants. >> Um, motion made by Carrie. >> Second. >> Second by Chuck. Any further discussion? I hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying uh I I >> I >> I.
>> And that's I. Okay. Tan lock and I I'll moving forward I'll take roll call votes. Um any oppose? The eyes have it. And uh next up we have approval of meeting minutes from March 2nd, 2026.
And that was a joint uh between uh the school committee and the finance and board of selectment of the two communities. >> So moved. >> Motion made by Chuck. Second. >> Second by Kerry. I'll do a quick roll call. Tara Lockin. Yes. >> Carrie.
>> Yes. >> Matt, >> yes. >> Chuck, >> yes. >> And I'm a yes. And then next up, we have executive session minutes for March 5th and June 29th, 2026. >> So moved. >> Motion by Carrie. >> Second.
>> Seconded by Chuck. Quick roll call. Tara Lockin. >> Yeah. >> Carrie. >> Yes. >> Matt, I'll abstain. >> Chuck? >> Yes. >> And I'm a yes. A motion passes. Anyone here have for public forum?
Seeing none, we will move on to school committee. Um on June 29th, um the board of uh sorry, school committee um I met with an
interim candidate um Moren, please say I'm gonna I'm gonna say this several times. The last name is >> Vinnie. >> Pinanda. All right. Um and we were able to come
to an agreement um with Moren. She will be starting on um the July 27th and and um working for until June 30th uh 2027 as our interim superintendent.
At this time, I would ask for a motion to approve the interim contract. >> So, >> motion by Carrie, >> second. >> Seconded by Chuck. Any further discussion? >> Uh, we'll do a roll call vote. Tara
Lockan, >> yes. >> Cherry, >> yes. >> Matt, >> yes. >> Chuck, >> yes. >> And I'm a yes. And with that, um, due to the nature of that contract starting on the 27th,
um, we, uh, vote to amend, we voted to amend, uh, the assistant superintendent's contract to extend to, um, July 26th or in that area. Um, so that we will continue to maintain having super
certified superintendent coverage. So with that, I will take a motion to approve that amend amended contract. >> So moved. >> Motion by Chuck. >> Second. >> Seconded by Carrie. I'll do a roll call. Tara Lockan, >> yes.
>> Jane, >> yes. >> Carrie, >> yes. >> Matt, >> yes. >> Chuck, >> yes. >> And I'm a yes. >> And it's unanimous. Okay. Next on the uh school committee uh portion is the MSBA update. >> So I just have a quick update and Tara
feel free to jump in if you want to add. Um just as a reminder on June 17th at our school building committee we approved the schematic design submission which was sent in on June 25th. The estimated project cost right now is about 197 million before any
reimbursement from MSBA. We are on the MSBA agenda for August 25th for everything to be finalized and then we hope to be able to move forward um with a vote to the towns on the in the fall, early fall. Okay.
Anything else, Tara? And I know our next um meeting is uh this week, >> Wednesday. >> Yep. Wednesday for the school building committee. Okay. >> Okay. And next up is technology program procedure agreement for parents,
students, handbook update language. >> So if you remember the last school committee meeting, we did all the handbooks and there was so much on the agenda. We we saved Dan for this first meeting. So he's going to go through two things today. One is going to be some language that was in your packet that
we'd like to add to the the school um school uh handbooks. And then Dian had to update our procedure manual because it's from was it 2016 Dan? >> Roughly. >> Yes. So it's time for an update.
>> Okay. So I have um I I can go through sort of like my summary of what I think you guys would want to hear unless you just want to fire away with questions. I'm not sure how you want me to proceed. Do you want me to go through? Okay. All right. So um this was not intended to be like a full
review of the policies and procedures and everything. It was really we we came across this and we realized that some of the language was incredibly old and so the focus was really just updating the very antiquated technology language. Um so there were items that uh the
discipline measures that would be taken if students do something wrong with their technology that I think is something best handled at the school level. So, I'm suggesting that we take it out of the uh the tech manual essentially, and that should be something that the schools can write. And I think it's not a one-sizefits-all
issue because uh first grader doing something with a Chromebook might be very different than an 11th grader doing the exact same thing. So, um I think that stuff should be should be pushed off to the student handbooks and the or the the school handbooks. >> And that language, Dan, was in last um
month's school committee packets and we did include it in that one just as a review. Yeah, thank you. Um, so just a few important changes that I think uh I'd want to highlight. So we removed the intro language that was about a page and it was really I think the idea is that
back 10 years ago, 15 years ago, technology felt more of a end itself, but it's really just a means to an end. We use it to to help us learn. It's not it's not something that uh we're trying to do. It's just a tool. And so I think that the whole introductory language
really just is no longer really relevant. So I took that out. Also I was trying to reduce it. I think it was a 19page document and I got it down to nine pages which I think is much more reasonable. Um we so as I said we removed the consequences. That's just not a one-sizefits-all.
Um we removed language um such as students be responsible for backing up their data. At this point the data is in the cloud. Um quite honestly most adults don't back up their data and it's a to suggest that the kids be doing that is uh is a huge burden and I don't even
know how they would attempt to do it. So uh the data is in the cloud and we don't have issues with data backups anymore. We added language about replacement USBC chargers. That's something where in the past uh we handed out chargers and if
kids lost it or if it broke the district was took on the responsibility of making sure that they got another charger. And at this point with USBC being everywhere and and every household for the most part is going to have a dozen of them. We took that language out and instead we
we added language that basically explains what a appropriate USBC charger would be. Um then we removed the insurance suggestions. Uh we just we don't do insurance anymore as a district and I don't think it's worth it for the families to consider. So we took that
language out. We changed the lost or stolen wording. The district was sort of obligating ourselves to conduct quote a full investigation if something were to happen to a Chromebook. And I just don't see that as being practical. um in the same way that we wouldn't necessarily
conduct a full investigation if a if a book was has gone missing. Um of course the circumstances the the school the district can do whatever is appropriate under the circumstances but I took that language out. Um it moves more of the responsibility of safekeeping on the students and the families where I think
it it belongs for any kind of a device or anything that that students are given. Um there was also a whole lot of language about illegal file sharing. And many of you might remember the old days of uh the file sharing with with uh MP3s, Napster, and um there were these
things called Bit Torrance, and people would share movies and things like that. It's really not a thing anymore with all the streaming, and there was a lot of wording on that. So, I just took that out because I think additionally, it kind of implies that certain illegal things are worse than other illegal things. And in the end, if it's illegal,
you shouldn't be doing it. So, I didn't want to sort of try to prioritize which things are particularly bad versus other things. And then the last thing was uh completely removed a lengthy section on bring your own device, BYOD, because we don't we don't let people bring their
own device. Um in the end, I put language in that's pretty concise. It basically says that if you want to use your own device, there has to be a legal or a medical reason and it has to be approved by the principal. Um, and even at that that we would try to provide a
district device no matter what the circumstances are. So there is no BYOD and I don't know that we ever really had it in any kind of full force. So those are the the highlights. Any uh thoughts or questions? and our policy, the policy you put into
place last year that we continue to remind parents about is still in play about the replacement cost. So, we just thought after how many years? It was 10 years, it was time for a bit of an update. >> Y >> So, because these are part of the handbooks that you would approve the
language and then there's a link that will be in the handbook to this that parents sign off on just like your >> approval. Motion to approve the updated technology handbook. >> Second. >> Motion made by Carrie, seconded by Jane.
Any further discussion? Do a roll call. Uh Tara Lockin, >> yes. >> Jane, >> yes. >> Carrie, >> yes. >> Matt, >> yes. >> Chuck, >> yes. >> And I'm a yes. Unanimous. >> Thank you very much. Appreciate it.
All right. Now, on to the school building vote. >> We made it. I know this was in your packet, but I thought it was important that you had in front of you as well. There's a three-page document. It's called BMR MSBA High School building project. You might want to have that out in front of you. We have Kelly here with
us to kind of go through some of the next steps um that a discussion that needs to take place and a decision that has to be made by the school committee um for us to continue to move forward with this project. So, Kelly, I want to hand it over to
you. So, as you probably know, since you've been involved in the MSBA project for a little while, um there are a number of votes and processes you need to follow every step of the way. Um so, tonight the question is going to be about um
incurring debt to fund the project. The vote tonight is not about the actual debt vote. Um that will come at a later date once uh we have more information from MSBA about the final number. Jill mentioned um an estimate right now, but
we need the final number. So tonight the vote is going to be um how to um put the issue before the voters of the two member towns. So there's two options for that. Both are covered uh in the statute
and in the regional agreement. Um so the one that I am going to recommend is to follow the 16N as in Nancy process. Um what happens there if you vote for it tonight um it requires a twothirds vote
of the committee after this vote um you will then have a second vote actually no matter what we do there will be a later vote on acquiring the actual debt. But if we go with the 16N process, which again is the one I recommend, what happens next is that there will be a
coordination between the school committee and the two member towns um boards of uh select boards and clerks to arrange for um a a district-wide um ballot question. So the ballot will be about whether or not the um the folks of
the two member towns will vote to approve uh the budget, sorry, the debt that has been approved by the school committee. Again, once you approve that, the reason why I recommend this process is it's um far more streamlined. So, the school committee will work with the towns to develop an actual, you know,
polling day and and date and time and then um print ballots. So, the members of both towns will vote at the same time. Um there'll be polls in both member towns. Uh and it requires a majority of all voters. So, in other words, um it's not per town, it's the
entire district. Um this project is a district-wide project. So the idea is uh to vote as one district and also um as I mentioned it's it's more streamlined um because you can um you just have this this ballot process. Um and we you're
going to get information in August it sounds like from MSBA. The goal is to get this voted on uh in the fall. Um so the idea is to kind of go with this process which will meet that timeline. Um, so basically again, so tonight the vote would be by two-thirds vote to go
with 16N. Assuming that passes, at a later date, the school committee will then vote again to authorize the actual debt, and then we'll work with the two member towns to set up the ballot question um and warrant articles for a um two town vote that will be at the same time. Um,
>> Kelly, can I just >> the alternative? Kelly, can I just make sure of clarification so everyone understands? When you say work with the two towns, it's a district vote, >> but where we would work with the two towns to figure out dates and times that would be the same.
>> Correct. >> Okay. >> Correct. So, whatever the date would go to districtwide meeting, correct? >> There would be a ballot vote, not a district-wide meeting. It' >> be an election. >> It's not a district-wide meeting. No, you're thinking of the budget process, I
think. So, it's the same general idea in that it's a district-wide vote. So, it's a majority of voters from both towns. So, regardless of which town you live in, it's a majority. Um, but there'll actually will be ballots and polling places in both towns. The date will be
the same. The hours are supposed to be the same. >> So, that's why there's some coordination with the member towns to make sure that um, you know, we're doing it on a date that makes sense and that we uh, the district is responsible for organizing this. But certainly we want to cooperate with the uh select boards and clerks who
who will facilitate this. The other piece is and again I know you haven't gotten that far yet, but to the extent um you're going to be looking at debt exclusions for this um it may be possible to um have a ballot on the debt exclusion on the same day. So in other words, both of those could be taken care
of simultaneously. So that's that's 16N. Again, that's the recommendation. I think it's more streamlined. If you look at recent votes um in regional districts, that seems to be the trend I think again because it does sort of um it's in a more expedited process. The default if you don't vote
for that tonight is um 16D. Um so what happens under 16D like Doug is once the school committee authorizes uh the debt again at a later date, it's the same first step for for both processes. After that, you notify the two school two
select boards uh the two member towns who have 60 days to have call for a town meeting. Um and at the town meeting, they can vote to approve or disapprove. If there's no town meeting, then it it's assumed to be approved. I would suspect that both member towns would convene a town meeting. Um so there would be that
town meeting. Again, assuming if either member town doesn't approve it, then the project the the funding the the debt is not authorized. So, we'd have to go back and either go through 16D again, look at 16N. Um, the bigger piece is that timeline because there's that 60-day
holding period. Um, so we have the towns have 16 days to have that town meeting. So again, assuming we get the information from MSBA late summer, which again is is what we've sort of been told, if we're aiming to have this the debt piece finalized by
uh midfall, that really it gets really tight, if not impossible, um to have that 60-day window open. Other piece is that assuming again both towns do vote to approve at town meeting or neither disapproves it at town meeting. Again,
if we're looking at a debt exclusion, there still will need to be another ballot for the debt exclusion. That would happen another time. So, if we're looking at ballots anyway, there is some um efficiency again if it's possible, and that will be a conversation with the towns, there is some efficiency in
looping those two votes together. Um so, you know, kind of one day, one ballot or probably two ballots. Um but voters are there filling out ballots. It's it's easy enough to do that all in one fell swoop. So I I we've some of us have been in the
weeds on this. So I hope it wasn't too fast. If anyone has questions, I'm more than happy to to help walk you through. >> So I have a qu. So to go back to the 16D you said. So it's not like a normal town meeting where if one town votes no,
one town votes yes, we don't go to a super town meeting. It just fails. >> Is that what I'm understanding? >> All right. >> So unlike a budget issue, there is no sort of super town meeting option under 16D. >> Gotcha. Um, but you can go back and propose it again. Um, and I suppose hope
for a different result. >> So, we keep saying expedited process. Is there like I felt like we're on track. We're on track with everything. So, is there a reason why we want to expedite this process at this point? Um, I understand that we'd have to wait a few more you would have to wait another what
if it fails in what is it another 60 days or another 45 days? I I I guess what my question is what's the reason for expediting the process if we're on track. >> So I someone else might need to answer the specifics on this. My understanding
is that it's based on MSBA timing because all the different phases for MSBA have to get approved both locally and by MSBA. Um and I think we're on track but we're already cutting it close by a a week or two. Um I is what I understand from the project manager Tara
or Dan or Jill. I don't know if any of you has can answer that question. >> This if you do N, you have your 60 from the time that MSBA tells us we're good to go. Here's our percentage. Here's our blah blah. And we
know what we're needing and asking for. It's gonna be and Tara can correct me but very late a like it's going to be in August sometime maybe late July August sometime >> which means if you have to post if you have to get the towns together you have
to post you have to do 60 days you're in September so you've given yourself very little time to organize and have your 60-day before you take your vote in November which is the time frame that
MSBA is looking to have us follow. If you do 16 as in dog D, then you've organized the towns independently set up their meeting which they need 60 days.
If one says yes, one says no, and you decide to do it another way, whether 16N or 16D, again, you're beyond you're now into January. I also think what was brought up when we were talking
to both our uh project manager is that a lot of districts that are regional are going with N because it is a district project and they're looking at as a full district vote, you know, rather than just the two towns because it is one
project for the entire district. Um and that was brought up as well. else just as the timeline because I think that actually brings up a really good point that I I did miss the when talking about 16N. So 16D is the one is the default that
each town has its own town meeting if they choose. That's a 60-day runway. 16N once the school committee um votes to authorize a debt, you only have to give 10 days um notice of the election. Um, part of what we talked about in
preparation for this would be to um, delegate to Dan and Tara or whomever you wish to start coordinating with the towns now. Um, so that if you are proceeding that way, I mean, no one wants just 10 days notice. Obviously, we'll give as much notice as possible.
Um, but I I understand that you're probably not going to get answers from MSBA on the actual amount until late August. So, you really are looking at, you know, end of October, early November, best case scenario. um for that 60-day period if you went with D whereas we could aim for kind of
midocctober um with 16N and again assuming that the committee or some members of the committee continue to work with the town so that you know no one's rushing at the last minute to get this done but you can't vote nor
would you ever vote until you have the final numbers >> so in 16n >> and with that if we win 16N we would also The school building committee would have community presentation before the ballot vote as well to make sure that everyone is aware of the project. It
wouldn't be a town meeting. There'd be no vote at it, but it'd be a presentation to explain where we're at with the project, explain the breakdown of the funding, >> um the grant um percentages and such. >> And 16N wouldn't be town meetings. It wouldn't be like a tent meeting. It's
literally just two polls open where you can go in and and complete the ballot. So again, as part of the process, the school committee will actually vote on the ballot language and the warrant language which will align so that you the voters will know what they're going to be voting for and all that gets
approved by MSBA along the way um to make sure that how whatever way you proceed is going to meet MSBA muster because we don't want to go through the process and have them come back and say that someone forgot to, you know, cross the tea. >> But wouldn't the debt exclusion be
different for both towns? So that part of it would be different. >> Different articles of different questions. >> Yes. >> Different language. I think the language in the questions would be the same. The amounts would be different. >> Different. >> Yes. >> And they don't need to be run at the same time. It just we assume that that
would be an efficient way of doing it because again you just have the two different ballots >> and if folks are already at the polls then they can fill out the two ballots without having to go have two separate ballots in addition to whatever other you know um elections are already happening this fall. And what Kelly mentioned too, I think we'd be looking
at if you all decided to go with a 16N, we would potentially look at having a vote probably earlier October just because we want to make sure that our clerks have time for upcoming elections, upcoming primary, all of that stuff. So if you decide to go with 16N, Kelly Adal
she'll mention is appointing two individuals, one from Blackstone and one from Milville to be able to begin work with the clerks in both towns to be able to look at because it has to be the same date. The hours need to be the same, which the hours are a little bit different for a ballot vote than they are for election. We have to be the
same. We'd have the ballots. Again, that would be a school district responsibility. it would be our responsibility to to do all that, but we would need two members to help coordinate that all with the town. Um, and then that would give us time if we get all the information from the MSBA at the end of August, then what'll happen
is we'll be able to get as much information, as many, you know, talking points, sessions out there to let people know, you know, what the cost is of the building, what the reimbursement is we'll have at that time, and then what the, you know, potential split would be. Of course, we won't know the exact one,
probably till October 1st, but we know potent it's usually around 75 76% Blackstone. Um, so, you know, it's around that area. So, that would potentially be the plan if you all decided to go with with a 16N.
>> I'll just add that >> just one more. >> Go ahead, T. >> Go ahead, Dan. >> Go ahead. >> Oh, I was just going to say just with the ballot vote, we cannot put it on the November 3rd um ballot votes because of the hours. Um, we're restricted. It can
only be up to an eight hour ballot >> for this project. >> Yeah. >> What days can it What days can the vote not happen? What days can the polling places not be open? >> Federal holidays. >> So, I I'll I talked to the town clerk again.
>> Be open on Saturdays is my question. >> Yes, >> it can be a Saturday. >> I Well, let me back up. I I believe so, but I I don't but I talked to the town clerk today. So, and as um Kelly said, I may have said earlier, so this in in the
law is it's interesting because it it can't be less than four hours or more than eight hours, right, >> of ballot time. So, we're talking to the Blackstone Town Clerk today. She said ideally it would be the week of I just looked at it but uh for for for her
office the week of the 5th, 6th, 7th or 11th um >> of October >> of October because um early voting for the November election starts right right after that. Um so it doesn't want to be so she they
have early voting stations there. Um, and so that gives her time after the primary, but before the before the early voting. Um, on the and and and so as far as the the district preparing the ballots and things like that, they simply what the
town clerk told me is the the district gives the town clerk the information uh the the the language for the ballot. The town clerk then in Blackstone uses their um um their their people their Yeah.
Because we have machines so that they um >> Oh, it needs to be printed so that it can be read by the town machines, right? Is that what >> Yeah. So, we give the clerk the language to be printed. In Milville, they have um it's all hand counted. So, Milville prints their own ballots. Uh but in
Blackstone, we would send it to our vendor to print print those out and we would pay for that um you know that service as well as the cost of the election day. Um >> and by we you mean this part the school district?
>> School district. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. We have to pay for it all. >> Um so that was um probably the most I explained to her because she asked why couldn't it be done after the November election. I the the timing I I um and
and and the November election they have three weeks to certify. So this wouldn't if we waited till after the November election she would ask that it was almost into December. >> Oh jeez. So, >> so if I recall that there was a there's a
date in October that indicates the split of the the percentage split between the two towns based on >> 1st, right? >> Is it October 1st? >> Yes, >> it is exactly October 1st >> because that will certainly
change things or >> much. Yeah. >> So I I would But with that being said, then if we don't know those numbers until October first, how long does it take to get those ballots prepared,
>> right? Because we're going to need to know those numbers, >> right? >> In order Well, will the I mean, is the debt exclusion question? >> That would be a town, >> correct? But is it a specific dollar amount that we're going to have on the ballot?
>> The towns would put those on, not us. >> Right. >> Right. But they would go by our number that that we gives us. >> Right. >> We also asked during our last meeting for our OPM to go back and check to see if the number is this October 1st or or
this past October 1st because some schools are having the votes like in September, you know what I mean? September before October 1st. So we did that some ask them to check that you know is it the the number we had from our budget that we just did right now or is it this October 1st? We actually
asked that at our our just last week last Thursday at our meeting. So we're asking for some clarification so we can get that once we find that out. >> So we expect that answer on Wednesday. >> Um well I I'm just I expect that answer this week actually. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. That's what I'm hoping. Yes. We
asked them at our, you know, we just have, we have a weekly meeting and that was the question because someone brought up, well, a lot of towns do these votes in the fall. Well, if you're doing them right in the fall and you're doing them before October one, is it, you know, what number, right? >> If you're regional, what number do you go by? >> That's why I'm asking, is there is there
a general or did the debt exclusion number come from the previous October? >> Or Kelly, say the district did go forward. Right now we're like 76% Blackstone and normally it I think it's only changed by a percent over the last several years.
>> Um if it is this October 1st just trying to think ahead and then we did approve something and it was a half a percent less or 1% cannot that be amended for the ballot or I mean because I don't know how long it takes to be printed. I guess that's my question.
>> For the debt exclusion ballot you mean? >> Yeah. I don't know if we'd have enough time. It would be >> Yeah. So, that's I'm I'm not trying to punt, but that does go back to the town. So, the the select boards in both towns would have to vote for to put the debt
exclusion on the ballot. Um, so again, that's part of why we were hoping to get some runway now so that Dan and Tara could ask those kinds of questions and we could ask MSBA. So, in other words, answering your question already about the October 1st date. >> Um, I mean, I I don't know how long it will take the towns to do that. But I
would imagine the amount for a debt exclusion is um I mean again it's if you've been close to the 75 25 plus or minus a percent that that's not that huge of a a difference unless you've had some kind of population explosion in in Melville. Um I would imagine that you
can get you know you might be able to round it in some kind of way or put in a number. I mean it's just excluding that amount of debt. You can always you can also have a debt exclusion later. You don't need to do it when you take on the debt. So that could you don't have to do them at the same time, I guess, is the point. >> And if I'm reading it right, I think the
ballot that goes for the debt exclusion, we just put the project cost on. We don't need to actually put in writing what each town's actual >> okay >> breakdown number is. We'll have that like the meeting. I think that'd be obviously voters want to know that. I think it'll be really important there. But on the ballot, it doesn't seem like
that goes on it. >> That That's right. That's for that question. But if the choose to put >> the debt exclusion on that same ballot because it'll be a ballot that the town can add to, >> then they can put the number there. Um
and so I guess a question for Kelly uh is for just hypothetically if the number the total number that for the for the school district's end of it passes >> and then the debt excl the debt
exclusion question is question two for example that fails does that mean that it fails or do we not know? >> No. So I guess just to be clear too they need to be on two separate ballots. It's again just a sort of part of the law there. I don't know the actual reason,
but they do need to be two separate ballots. So, it's two documents. So, you're going to be responsible for printing the the debt approval one and the towns will do the debt exclusion or not. You don't need to actually put in it for a debt exclusion at the time you take on debt. I think most places want
to do that. Um, but regardless of the debt exclusion question, if the taking on the debt is approved by, again, if you go 16N by a majority of the the voters of the member towns, um, then it's approved and, um, if there's no debt exclusion, it comes out of, you
know, the budget, >> the town. And again, you can also apply for that exclusion later. >> Who knew? I wouldn't recommend it coming out of the budget just to be clear, but um you don't need to do it out of the debt. You don't need to do the debt exclusion if it's time you take on the debt.
>> So, and I'll say this, no matter which way we pick tonight. >> Yeah. >> I was going to talk to the committee about >> maybe next month having a joint meeting like we do with the budget so often. The finance committees, the town clerks. >> Yeah. because D would be D would include
the finance committees in the town if it was going to town meeting but N doesn't and I don't think the finance committee does not make a recommendation on N because it's going directly to a ballot question so it's it's not a a war finance committees are only making
recommendations on warrant articles there would be no warrant article so >> it's a ballot question >> but they may be making a recommendation on may warrant out in the near future based on >> this the funding source. So
>> there are also people that others in town will ask questions of. So would be like we want them to have all the information. >> Yeah. But I think it would be a good group session like because it's been successful in getting everybody in in in
>> whether they agree or not at least everybody is getting the same information. >> Correct. And we are voting on our option tonight. >> Then I would move that as a committee we Yeah. Do we need twothirds of our members or twothirds of the members at
this meeting? >> Twothirds of the committee. Twothirds of the members. >> The full committee or the members present >> of the full committee. >> Do we have two? >> Well, we have missing. >> We're missing two.
>> We're missing two. We have six. We have two/3. Wait. >> So, we'd have more than that. That's three quarter, right? >> What is our 2/3? Five%. >> Yes. It's the three quarter. 68. >> What's 2 * 8? >> 6ided by three. Five. Yes. So, six. All
six of us would have to vote in agreement. >> And if you're if you were going to make a motion, do you have the >> No. Just to be pass. >> You have another one? >> Yes, we do. We have a we have a formal formal
>> well just if we're going to do it by uh >> okay >> we're covered under the letter of the law when MSBA >> okay >> so I would move to adopt Massachusetts general law section 7 uh chapter 71
section 16N a district-wide election as the method for authorizing the borrowing associated with the approved Blackstone Millville Regional Middle High School pursu to section seven of the regional agreement. >> A motion made by Jane.
>> Do do we need all these parts or just do one part at a time? >> That's one motion. >> You can do one part at a time. >> One at a time. Yeah, that's one. Yeah, >> that's one motion. >> There's a motion made by Jane. >> Second. >> Seconded by Carrie. Discussion.
Can I I only have one and Kelly maybe you can help me with this. I'm not asking you to re remember because we we weren't here at the time but is this would this have been a vote on how like the original
high school was built? Would they have had to take a vote like this or or to to create the district? we would have had to do it for the >> I don't think so because it went under the regional agreement and I think I don't remember exactly when 16N came to
be but it it is more recent than 16 >> okay >> D so um I'm guessing not >> okay >> but I I don't know though I was just curious of how like it had to start somewhere with the district so
um but it was probably Tommy at the time but all right okay so there's a motion on a second uh on the floor. Any further discussion? Okay, I'll do a roll call vote in favor. Tara Lockan,
>> yes. >> Jane, >> yes. >> Carrie, >> yes. >> Matt, >> yes. >> Chuck, >> yes. >> And I'm a yes. So, >> there's our twothirds >> unanimous. So, it's 80% 75% of the committee that is in
attendance. 100% in attendance. >> Okay. Um, so the next to to reconvene the school committee to vote the authority of such debt to approve a warrant out. We're not doing that one tonight, right? >> Yes. Correct, Kelly. >> I think you can skip that, Dan. I just wanted to make sure that everyone knew that you were going to vote on the
actual debt another date, but I think we've we've that horse has been well beaten. So, >> yeah. And but do we want to delegate Dan and Tara? Yeah, >> I would recommend that you do that because I think that there is a lot of
logistics and it will be helpful if two people can so at least get that ball rolling. Okay. So, I'll move to delegate Dan Keefe and Tara Larkin to coordinate with the select boards and town clerks of Blackstone and Milville regarding
the number and location of polling places in each town and the dates and hours during which all polls in the district are open. Which hours shall be uniform throughout the district and shall not and shall be not less than four nor more than eight consecutive
hours. and two, the process and logistics for preparing for the polls and printing ballots. And three, any other matters that need to be resolved to comply with the requirements of MGL
chapter 71 section 16N and the terms of the regional agreement and other than those matters properly written properly oh within the purview of the secretary of the committee. Oh, that's
>> a motion. You get all that. Motion made by Jane. >> Second. >> Second by Chuck. Okay. Any further discussion? >> I will just say this, Tara. We're probably going to be best like reaching
out to the two town administrators, um, a couple of members of the board of selectment, the two town clerks together, and maybe just setting up a meeting. >> Yeah. um in the next week or two um at either town hall just to >> Yeah.
>> uh and and and Kelly probably bring you in and maybe the legal counsel from one of the towns or both the towns to just help us walk guide us through this this this new uh territory.
>> Steal it from somebody else. >> All right. Any further discussion? Take a roll call. Tara Lockin. Yes, >> Jane. >> Yes, >> Carrie. >> Yes, >> Matt. >> Yes, >> Chuck. >> Yes. >> Yes. It's unanimous.
>> Okay, >> I believe that uh concludes our uh school building vote for this time and we'll um set up a meeting. Well, once Tara and I start talking to the towns, um, we can then kind of
coordinate a meeting for end of August, maybe with the towns, middle of end of August. >> Okay. >> You have anything else for Kelly? If not, >> thank you, Kelly. Thank you. >> If you need me, just um just because she
mentioned it, um there are a few things once we get to the debt authorization vote that the secretary is responsible for submitting to the towns. We'll we'll walk you through it, Jane, when that comes, but um I just wanted you to know that that will be coming your way, but you don't need to do anything right now. >> Thank you, Kelly.
>> Perfect. Thanks, everyone. Have a good night. >> All right, summer program update. >> Just something quick. I know we already talked about all the summer programming that's going on. Today um was a start day for some and tomorrow is a start date for another one for the rest of
them except for our summer sports camp which again is running the first week in August. And the sign up is still out there and we currently have about 260 kids participating districtwide in our our programs as part of our um summer programming.
>> And that's the that's the update. >> Okay. Thank you. Business office. All right, we're going to start just with um the vote on the budget journal entries. There are um several journal entries which the majority of these are grants. We're coming to the end of the year and
just re um realigning our grants to spending or or kind of setting it up so that we can spend our grants down. Um there are a few that are general um general funds journal entries and those were to fix some errors and consolidate some GL accounts as we get to the end of
the year. Any questions on any of those? >> No. Motion to approve. >> So moved. >> Motion by Jane. >> Second. >> Second by Carrie. Uh any further discussion?
All uh Tara? >> Yes. >> Jane? >> Yes. >> Carrie? >> Yes. >> Matt? >> Yes. >> Chuck? >> Yes. >> And I'm yes. Unanimous. >> All right. Next item is our personnel report. We have six new employees that were appointed and there were three
resignations on that list there. Um then we go into our expenditure report. We are coming to the end of the year. Um we've been pretty busy closing out the school year. Um reaching out to vendors right now just to make sure that we have all the invoices in hand so that
we can close out the year. Um, we're holding off on closing probably for another couple of weeks just because as invoice invoices are coming in, we're hoping to do another run of checks at the end of this week, either the end of this week or the beginning of next week just to close out and pay those vendors
for FY26 and then we'll work on incumbrances from there. But just to make sure that we get everything um because of the holiday, you know, there's still a lot of stuff that's coming in now. Um, a lot of people were on vacation, so there was stuff that even though we were looking for invoices
that just did not come in. Um, but as we close out, we are um, let's see, there's still some journal entries that we have to get done. I know one of the things that we had talked about is there'll be some moving of um, some of our electricity expense over to the food services. So, there's just some things
as you try to close out the year to make sure everything looks good. We will do a review of all our GL codes to make sure everything was properly um accounted for and the right codes for our DESI reporting as well. So that will will all happen within the next few weeks that
we're working on. Um so that is our expenditure report with that just I guess for the closeout and our projected END. Um I guess END must be calculated and submitted to the state by October 31st. Um, however, we try to get it done
before we do our end of year report and that has to be due to the state by September 30th. So, we will be working on that. We have because we have bills coming in, we don't have a solid um exact number, but the projected END
right now is at $1,586,879.58, which that is 4.97% of the budget. So that'll keep us under that 5% threshold. Um once we get those numbers finalized, then we will give you
a a final END number um to to submit. It'll be submitted and let the um school committee to vote on as well. Um any questions on on any of those items? And in I know we talked about
incumbrances. I um because we are running another payment batch, I can't give a listing of incumbrances yet um just because we're going to try to pay as much as we can and not incumber um on that. So, the last item on my report here is
actually student activity accounts. So, this is something that we should be doing every year where we're sending over a list of what we have for student activities. Um, what funds we have and what money we have in the accounts. Um,
a student activity account, it's a separate account that's set up for each school. It's money that's raised by the students, used for the students. It is not the school district's money at all. It is um considered an agency fund. it's
accounted for separately. Um, but it is something that the school committee should look at every year and approve for audit reasons. It's one of the audit items that we have. Um, you'll see on the listing that I gave you, it gives you all the different student activity
funds. And these are clubs or classes, your class of, you know, class of 31, 32, where the money comes from that funding source. A lot of times there's either dues, there's fundraisers or events that are put together to put money into these accounts and then what
the fund is used for or what that club uses their money for. Um so you'll see student council, you'll see your class um class funds, your field trip funds, yearbook um are some of them in where we
are ending the year with this money. Um, and I guess I would need an approval. I just I guess any questions that you have regarding all of these funds and an approval for these. >> Yes.
>> Oh, I apologize. Yes. >> Did everyone get one or is it >> that one? >> Okay. So you you you're looking for a motion to approve. Um
>> it would >> acknowledging that >> acknowledge that we have these funds. Um what is it that you have? Let me see. Um where's my thing? Is for certification of these funds.
>> Okay. So, I'll take a motion to um approve the uh student activity account report uh fiscal year ending 6:30 2026. >> So, moved. >> Motion by Jane. >> Second.
>> Second by Chuck. Any further discussion on this? I'll take a roll call. Tara Lockan, >> yes. >> Jane, >> yes. >> Carrie, >> yes. >> Matt, >> yes. >> Chuck, >> yes. >> And I'm a Yes.
>> Uh, thank you, Kristen. >> Yeah, so then we move into >> Are we not done? >> Kristen, yeah, we done. >> No, we're So moving on. >> She's Scott tonight. So I am Scott. That's right. That's right. So Scott is on vacation.
So the facilities update. So I will start with the high school. Um so the gym floor was refinished during the week of June 22nd and 26th. There were two additional security cameras that were installed at the high school and there were boiler inspections
that are scheduled to be done in July um followed up by Maya insurance inspection. At the middle school, there was a sink hole in the asphalt located near storm drain that was repaired. Our Brian Paving Company or Corporation did that
on June 29th. The gym floor was refinished during the week of June 22nd through the 26th and Precision Alarm was in on Thursday, June 26 to perform the fire alarm systems quarterly test. The boiler cleaning and inspections are scheduled
for July. And then Milville Elementary School, the sprinkler pipe in the boiler room that had been leaking was repaired on June 23rd. The gym for was scheduled for the week of June 25th, but had to be postponed and will be rescheduled
sometime in July. >> What gym? This one. >> Um, that's for Milville Elementary. >> Milville. >> Um, for the JFK AFM elementary school, we're getting quotes to have the damaged heater core located in the JFK cafeteria to be replaced in boilers are scheduled
for July to be cleaned and inspected. Um, as far as the grounds equipment update, the newly purchased zeroturn mower suffered a broken belt tensioner bracket. The Stateline Power Equipment responded quickly, removing the broken
part and had to had it welded until the replacement part came in. The plow on the F250 had a short in the wiring hardness. A new harness has been purchased and installed. And the new salt dog spreader has been purchased and installed in the F250 as well.
Do the words industrial burner not appear anywhere on the report? Nope. >> He purposely does not put it in there even if they're involved. >> It's just I'm just too bad Scott's not here. I just had the question on the the plow on the F250. The short is that did
that is that a result of the truck being tipped on its side? >> I don't know. >> He would respond. It's not the same truck. It's the 250, not the 350. >> Oh god. Um, >> hope he's enjoying his vacation.
>> I know. I know. So, that is the facilities update. I thought we had two um use of facilities. I only have the one that we passed out. >> We have two. We have um the basketball and then we have the dance. Okay. Let me see. I do not have that one in my packet. Can I
>> Do you want the basketball? >> Which one do you need? >> Both of them real quick. >> Yeah. >> Thank you so much. both of them. So, >> so the first one is the dance company that we have and that is the dance
rehearsal and performance um Blackstone Milville Regional High School, the auditorium cafeteria. This is something that comes every year December 3rd through the 6th. It's a Thursday through Sunday where they have use the auditorium and then they use the
auditorium in the cafeteria. um throughout that time. Um we have sent them a letter just going over all of the rules and regulations that I'm going to have them or ask that they actually sign and send back to us just because we've >> issues with the floor
>> issues with the floor. So I think >> um we're trying to to be more mindful of um letting >> the people that are using the facilities know what what our expectations are. So, um, >> it's the team, but it's no smoke smoke
machines, you know, things like that. >> But do we I mean, and again, they have used this a million times. They've used it year in and year out. I would hate to see us get in the habit of not. But can our floor handle another dance? >> No.
>> Because we were told if they have to sand it one more time, there's no floor to sand. >> There is no more floor to sand. It's where it is right now. I think that there can I think what and Scott and Kristen go through these beforehand. Um Scott's involved in this conversation as
well. There can be no tape. They can put down a mat, >> but they can't put any tape at all. And I I'm not quite sure the lift is >> no no use of the lift anymore. >> No lift on the stage anymore. >> Their request asks for the lift. Are
they still going to want it? So the letter let them know that that there is no lift and and there'll be a discussion and I'm I'm sure as my my plan is that this would be we would approve this contingent upon all the rules that are set forth and if they
would still be okay with >> with using the facility based on that. >> So >> we do have to be really cautious with the stage of this >> four more years out of it. >> Yeah. Right. That's the hope. So, um,
so and there is I know it's not attached here, but there is a fee for this, um, for the stands. I don't have the I don't know if anyone else has had it attached >> on the back. >> $2,593. >> Yes.
>> So, do we want to vote them separately or just >> uh motion to accept the dance? Is it the dance company? Is that >> Yeah. >> Yes, the dance company. Ed by Kristen >> Chuck. A motion by Chuck. >> Second. >> Second by Carrie. Any further
discussion? I'll do a roll call. Tara Lockin. >> Yes. >> Jane. >> Yes. >> Carrie. >> Yes. >> Matt. >> Yes. >> Chuck. >> Yes. >> Nami. Yes. >> All right. And the second one is a is something that we've been doing, but just bringing it forward. It's an open
gym that Chuck actually runs. And it's something that's run June 22nd through August 20 20th. It's Tuesdays and Fridays from 8 to 10 at the high school and the middle school in the gym. Um and that was no fees on that. And that was
like I said an open gym. Then he's worked with um Elizabeth on dates and and making sure that everything is coordinated so that there is no interference between Elizabeth and Scott to make sure everything was okay. What were the dates again?
>> It is June 22nd through August 20th on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8 to 10:00. >> And we're flexible like if anything has to happen, we're fine. So does that run when CCLC is >> as far as I know it was there's
coordination to make sure it does there's if the gym is being used by another something else that we have set up the school is doing that there is flexibility is what I've been told is that correct >> correct >> and then the hours are a little
different on Friday it's 9 to 11 because of a um captain things >> practice >> practice. >> Okay. >> Yeah, we adjusted it. >> Okay. And I would ask that you continue to work with staff to to make sure that
there are no conflicts in that. >> So moved. >> Motion made by Jane. >> Second. >> Seconded by Carrie. Any further discussion? I'll do roll call again. Tara Lockin. >> Yes. >> Jaden? >> Yes. >> Carrie?
>> Yes. Matt? >> Yes. Can I vote on that? >> Um, you can abstain. >> Abstain. >> And well, you It's up to you. I'm not taking >> And I'm a Yes. Uh, so it is
uh 51. 501. 501. So motion passes unanimously. >> And then the next item on the facilities report is the high school surplus. You'll see a listing here of some surplus items. um to dispose of
and see one of the items from a couple of them are from the 19s. >> Where do we keep finding this thing? How would we deal with those uniforms? Do we get rid of those uniforms yet? >> I personally like the last laugh laugh math book. I I would like to know what a laugh math book is. You might
>> I'll move I make a motion to approve the surplus and whatever. >> Motion uh by Jane. >> Second. >> All right. We have a second with Carrie. Any further discussion? Do a roll call. Tara Lockin? >> Yes. >> Jane?
>> Yes. >> Carrie? >> Yes. >> Matt? >> Yes. >> Chuck? >> Yes. >> And yes. It's unanimous. >> School committee forum. Anyone have anything for school committee forum? So, I'd like if if I could just say something. I guess until then, just to
um say I want to let everyone know that tonight is my last school committee meeting. Um I've submitted my resignation and we'll be moving to another school district um in Massachusetts and my last day here will be mid August. Um and I'm going to write stuff. I'm I'm I wrote something down
just so I don't blubber. Um, I want to express my sincere thanks and appro appreciation to school committee, to Jill, to the central office staff, the district staff, and all the residents of Blackstone and Milville. Thank you for supporting me, entrusting me to oversee
and guide the school finances this past year. It's been a pleasure to work with the staff that truly care for this community. The staff are dedicated, conscientious, and loyal, and those are traits that are not easily found in every school department. This district
truly is special with the people that he that are here and they care with what they do. Um, I'd love to give special thanks to the following individuals. To Tina Croy, who's the accounts payable clerk, Monnique Samad, our payroll specialist, Melissa Dcastro,
our director of food services, Justin Claire, our HR specialist, Jen Hernandez, the special education admin and grant superstar. Jackie Dio, the superintendent executive assistant. Mary Kolanino, the D district's lead lead coach.
Elizabeth Bard, the athletics director or extraordinaire, unbelievable with what she does. Scott Heert, the best facilities director and Mr. Fixit that a district could ever ask for. Kathy Steerman, who has been to every
school committee and has been my sounding board for the last year. She's amazing, smart, dedicated, and hardworking. You've made my time here at BMR easier than I expected, and I appreciate all that you've done to help guide me with
history and information on this district. Lastly, to Joe PJ, I want to thank you for an incredible year. It's been such a great year working together. The district has been incredibly lucky to have you at the helm this past year.
You've made difficult decisions that have pushed the district forward to achieve greatness. We worked so many hours together to create a budget that was smart and responsible and I've enjoyed our time together and have learned so much from you that I'll take as I continue my journey. So, thank you
all and I appreciate all um all that all that have been here. So, thank you. >> And that's it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you for your time, dedication.
I'd like to express condolences to the Catalan family and send our best. >> Agree. >> Yes. >> Yes. I It's a little awkward doing it with you sitting right here, Matt, but you um Yes. I don't need to tell you who
your father was, I'm sure, but People who make a difference matter. >> Yes, very much so. >> Yeah, you will be truly truly missed by our
community. I can tell you many stories but really before you were born and your mom and dad and um I said quite a bit at this the last select meeting about my experiences uh growing up were
um molded by a few people and one of those few people were your mom and and your dad. So he will be dearly missed and uh most sincerest condolences to your
family, extended family. Thank you. and um Kristen uh leaving on a high note with 4.97% of the maximum 5% of uh EMD before we have to start kicking back to the
tables. >> Uh leave it on on that high note. Um thank you. It's been a pleasure working with you uh uh over this last year. Um and I wish you the best of luck. >> Thank you. Thank you. moving to your
next uh chapter. >> Yes. >> Does anyone else have anything to offer for uh so our next meeting is scheduled for August 20th? I would just we may be uh throwing one or two in
there and uh in between with some joint meetings with the towns at Tenza on how Tara and I make out with um hopefully we have more success coordinating with the towns than we did in what 2017 that super town meeting that was a just
trying to get a moderator was but I think I have I'm confident that we'll get some better cooperation this time around. I'm hopeful. Uh, with that, if there's nothing else, I will take a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Motion by Matt. >> Second. >> Second by Chuck. A little quick roll
call. Tara. >> Yes. >> Jeez. >> Tara's chase. >> Dang. >> I'm camping. It's cold. Layer it up. >> James. Yes. >> And Carrie. >> Yes. >> Matt. >> Yes. And Chuck.
>> Yes. >> Yes. uh meeting. Have a good evening. >> I