Don't sit back. Yeah, she was convinced a mouse ran behind me. I didn't see it, but that's what she said. Good evening. Everyone, I'm calling the meeting of the Bridgewater Regional School Committee meeting to order this Thursday, June 26, 2025
at effect. to continue the recess meeting of June 25th, 2025. Tonight's meeting was posted as an emergency meeting so as to meet the acting commissioner Tuckweiler's extended deadline of June 30th, 2025 for
the school committee to reconsider, amend or resertify our budget which was disapproved by the Bridgewater Town on May 16th, 2025 and town of Rainham on May 19th, 2025 and failed at the override special elections in
Bridgewater on June 21st, 2025 and Rainham on June 24th, 2025. live. Please note we are live streaming on our YouTube channel and the recording will be available on our YouTube channel following the meeting. Um please to my members that are um up here, please make
sure you're speaking directly into the microphone. So the sound quality is good. Um we had some feedback last night that the sound quality at watching the video was not great. So please make sure we're speaking into the microphones as much as possible, including myself. U
hopefully this is better now. um the committee members and admin and attendance for this evening. On my left I have Mrs. Mayfield, Mr. Gothro, Miss Hoy Thomas, and Superintendent Powers. On my right, I have Mr. Fitzgibbons, Miss Davenport, Miss Conrad Labberto,
and Vice Chair Lo. We also have in attendance, Miss Natalie Sedorit, who will act be our acting recording secretary this evening. And I am Rachel King, the school committee chair. Um going right into our continuation of our meeting for Yes. Mr. Fitzki, could
we do the pledge of allegiance? Uh we may. It was not on the agenda since we're continuing to do the pledge of allegiance. Sure. At one point during the meeting to the flag of the United States of
America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisibley and justice for all. Thank you for helping me madam chair. Thank you Mr. Fitzgiven. And thank you
again for everyone that's here again for the second night in a row. Um, continuing on with our fiscal year 2026 budget. Um, just a couple of updates since last evening. Um, I met with Superintendent Powers yesterday evening and based upon last night's discussion
and feedback. Mr. Powers and Miss Babalola have prepared more detailed figures and analyses on the scenarios that we discussed as well as an additional one that was requested. Um, and I do want to know I received I did have to work today. I'm going on
vacation next week. I work 9 to5. Um, was not very productive. Um, but I received so many emails and I did not respond to all of them and I apologize. Um, I did read as many as possible but in preparation for this and trying to
work today I could not. But please know that we received feedback in your emails. Um, varying degrees of opinions and concerns and questions and I I hear that. But the number one message and everything was everyone is still
invested in this and so are we. Um, also another note, all of us up here, all eight of us, we're volunteers elected and I get that. So we work for you, but we are volunteering our time. and we have different opinions, experiences and
we bring something different to the table of all of us. So I can appreciate that in everyone. We do not all agree but we need to come to some consensus this evening and hopefully we will at least six of us. Um so I just want to put that out there to please respect all
of us up here doing um something that we're volunteering for and doing our best. So thank you. Um I'm going to turn it over to Mr. hours who has prepared some more information. Um if you want to just update us on any updates between now and today or yesterday and today and
then the information that you have. Good evening everyone. I do want to just provide a few brief updates and then get into some updated slides from last evening. Uh Miss Pavalor Babola and I did have a conversation with Department of Elementary and Secondary Education today. Uh just to check in uh we
provided them an update on last evening's meeting and the fact that we had one scheduled for today and potentially one for the future. Obviously um just as every member of school committee and every member of the audience is uh Jessie is concerned uh that we will not have a budget by June
30th. uh obviously they impressed upon Mr. Balola and me how important it was to encourage school committee to come to some consensus and approve a budget to be able to send to the towns. Uh either way, uh just given the timing of it, we
are obviously preparing for a 112 budget. Uh that is something that uh Miss Babalo and I had a conversation with Desi today. I will be sending them, Miss Babalo has been sending them information all along, but we'll be sending them additional information after uh this evening's meeting uh just
so that we can prepare for next week. Uh obviously again depending on what happens uh this evening or at a future meeting with school committee um and approving a budget by the time we get that uh certified and sent to the towns uh it will not be approved by the towns before
June 30th. So we will begin the year in a 112 scenario. But obviously once uh we have an approved budget by the towns whenever that does happen we will come off that hopefully sooner rather than later. Uh but we are preparing for that scenario. So just want to provide that
update um for everybody in in attendance and obviously you know regardless I know we had the conversation last night about kind of timelines and you know ideally June 30th is is the deadline. However, if June 30th comes and goes, the school committee still does have an obligation
and responsibility to approve a budget. And so, uh either way, whether it doesn't happen by June 30th, um but it has to happen at some point before it can actually be sent to the towns, uh for their review and approval or disapproval before we can actually
continue on the process. Um so, that's updating M. I think I got everything that we talked about with with Desi today. Um and so again also um just wanted to go through some updated slides uh for you this evening. Uh I was asked
to again prepare a full scenario after last night's meeting and so I just wanted to kind of review that with everybody share some additional information. Much of what you're going to see here is obviously repetitive to last night. So I won't go over these
slides again. All these slides are the same. Really is. This is the the newest version. So, we get to what we're referring to again as the town approved budget. What both towns have already approved at their uh
local level. Uh the post-election option one, which is what we discussed last night. Uh if you remember that was um raised $298 million for 97 and post-election option two which was uh
introduced today and then level services and obviously I'll get into each one in a little bit more detail especially election option two because that is post-election option two because that is our newest version. You can see obviously the corresponding
numbers and percentages uh to the towns in terms of their assessments. You can see their assessment increases and then their actual FY26 projected assessment. Uh the numbers below that have stayed consistent. The chapter 70 number 71 and
then other revenues as I explained are district contributions uh charter school reimbursement and such. Uh that number is obviously higher than it was yesterday because as school committee had discussed um the scenarios involved in increasing END contributions by
$800,000. Um post-election two does uh still result in in in somewhat of a shortfall. Certainly when we're talking about you know a shortfall 800,000 um is you know 800,000 is still a significant amount of
money. U certainly don't want to downplay that but when we're talking about 6.4 before down to 800,000 you know when we ran through the different scenarios and again I'll get into a little bit more detail um you know there was no anticipated changes to currently employed staff I say that
obviously um you know this number was introduced to us today we tried to u you know move at the speed of light to go through the different scenarios and make updates uh at at first glance and first work through we believe that uh we'd be able to maintain current staffing much
like we would in level services However, we would still have to make some of those uh cuts to goods and services, you know, look at increasing fees and such, but I I will get into greater detail, but to if you remember in town approved scenario and post-election option one, u
a shortfall would still exist at the end where it would negatively be impacting staff. Um we believe at this time that post-election option two uh would not do that. However, um you know, we say no anticipated because we we don't believe
as we run through it, but certainly you know, obviously, as I shared with you last night, unemployment costs uh are still un unknown, although we have a number that we can work with and project out. Um you know, we we really won't have a good sense of that until we we actually go through the summer and see
and and whether or not uh you know, employees that unfortunately have lost their job at Bridgewwater Rainham remain on unemployment or or gain other employment. So, um, we're hopeful that there'll be no anticipated reductions to current employees. Obviously, we would look first at any position that may be
open either by leave of absence or a retirement, but our hope is to be able to be uh staffed just as we are this year. But I I obviously leave that uh caveat out there. Again, not going to, you know, go through level services too much. We've really already seen this uh from last
evening. Happy to answer any questions about it as we go. town approved uh certainly explained uh the $6.4 million shortfall that would arise uh if school committee would have agreed to this. You know, we've
talked about the impacts across the district, what it would do to class size, what it would do to electives, what it would do to extracurriculars and athletics. Obviously, I provided a little bit more detail last night, and I'm happy to review this again if need be. Um but, you know, how we would look
to try to close that $6.4 4 million shortfall. Obviously, we we've discussed about using uh capital funds from the towns, not using those for capital expenses, but just onetime costs, but again, there's a risk there because it would just be for this year. Uh those
funds may not be available for next year. Uh we've obviously seen an, you know, savings in health insurance. Uh retirement incentive. I reviewed that. Um again at a minimum raising sports fees um to $600 per student per sport.
Um retirement's not filled. We're looking at again 12 retirements in received you know still some are coming in. I actually received another one today. So that number could fluctuate as well. And then the reduction in admin facilities and support. We're looking at currently at
12 positions right now. Again, as we go through these summer months, that number could certainly change. Reduction to technology and teaching and learning. I shared with you that we've already slashed those in addition to already slashing them throughout the budget development process, but additionally
200,000 and then the potential savings and negotiations. So, you can see, as I shared last night, still the 1.4 million short. And obviously we have 21 classroom positions that would be eliminated in addition to all those other positions. And obviously
some of our retirees, our classroom teachers as well. And then the unemploy uh and anticipated unemployment costs, what we have currently budgeted for that. So what we would be short potentially unemployment uh you can obviously see as I mentioned
the salaries for those 21 positions for next year including benefits uh would be approximately 1.6 million. Obviously, that would make up for the shortfall, but then again, the unemployment scenario comes in. Post-election option one
really assumes much of the same scenarios as um the town approved budget. However, uh if you recall, just to go back to this, we're potentially looking at uh being able to preserve these 21 positions in that uh
post-election option one. Obviously, these other scenarios would come into uh effect in terms of uh not filling retirees, not filling administrative positions, facilities, other support positions, secretarial positions, um and obviously looking at having to, you
know, still increase sports fees and and such. But really, the main difference here in the post-election option one is that that shortfall uh has been reduced. Thankfully, uh, you know, overall when we look at the town approved, we're looking at, you know, potentially 40 positions plus when we start to factor
in unemployment. Uh, obviously, uh, by going to u, you know, this option, we would be able to uh, conceivably cut that in half. Um, again, you know, 40 now, I'm sorry, 40, we're planning to hang on to those 21. So, you know, we're
anticipating 20 potentially plus positions if unemployment does come into play. Uh obviously the retirements would not be filled as I mentioned. Uh we reviewed last night and and obviously the class size K to8 ranges and then high school ranges um certainly
still significant. Uh trying to do what we can to preserve the elementary numbers. Um but obviously at the expense of something and and certainly making that a priority as well as special education. Uh, you know, we obviously want to be able to start the year in compliance, providing, as I mentioned
last night, uh, not just bare minimum services, but high quality services to our students with disabilities. And so in this scenario, we would certainly prioritize that, but we would still have loss of electives at the high school. And then again, as I mentioned, we'd really have to take a closer look at extracurriculars and athletics and at
the very minimum raise athletic fees. So that's post-election option one, which is what we reviewed last night. post-election option two. Again, very similar to a level services budget. And so, what you saw in the level services
budget would really be mirrored here for the most part. Um, again, as I mentioned earlier at the beginning, we would be looking at potentially a $800,000 shortfall, but we would um, you know, through the increase in fees, uh, some of those other reductions be able to
make up that shortfall. So, we don't anticipate any reductions in currently employed staff. Uh that would be again just getting this today and working through it. Um at first glance we believe that would hold true. Uh we would be able to fill uh most if not all
of our retirements. And then obviously looking at our class size averages you know again right now we're slated to be 26 to 32 to 35 and and I' as I've stated numerous times and I I'll state it again tonight.
This is just based on current enrollment. Um, obviously enrollment trends fluctuate and so when we look at what we may be facing with in September, it could certainly look different now and so we may have to make changes uh in these numbers u as students move in or
in some cases as students move out. Uh but again in post-election option two special education is projected to stop the school year in compliance. We don't believe we would have to lose any electives at the high school. And again, I I think at this point all
extracurriculars and athletics would remain the same as they currently are uh during the school year. But again, this is, you know, new scenario for us, new scenario for you. We've done our best to work through this to be able to give you this uh as as much certainty as possible
around these numbers. U but obviously I I do leave that somewhat open-ended uh just because there are a lot of moving targets especially around as I mentioned before unemployment again here just so you can see them side by side and then obviously as a review from last
night uh really the the three options faced by school committee obviously to either reertify the currently proposed budget of $16 million uh reduce amend and certify a lesser amount. And then
obviously the last option would be to agree to the town approved budget and I would just encourage you know school committee again at the urging of of DESIE to um you know think about the implications if if a decision is not made this evening I think we all agree
that decisions before are are none of them are ideal. It's not what anybody wants. Uh certainly it's it's not at the level that you asked me to prepare back in January. We're looking at a $ 109 million operating budget. I I think we would all agree that's what our district
needed and that's what our students deserved, but we're faced with other challenges that unfortunately uh we've had to make difficult decisions. I've had to make difficult decisions. You as a school committee has had to make difficult decisions and we really have these options in front of us. and and
again I just uh encourage you to um you know think about the the implications if a decision is not made uh and also in fairness to you know just our staff especially our staff that um you know has been laid off the uncertainty and
anxiety around this um I I think just in fairness to them if if we knew either way uh again whether it's certainly a preferable option but if it doesn't turn out that way at least we have a definitive decision and I think in fairness to our kids so
administration and we can start to plan for what really next year will look like. Do we have any questions for Mr. Barrow? Let him sit. Sure. It's just the post election option that's just different because we baked
in now the numbers from the 800 Right. Is that why like Yes. So the great great question. Let me just explain how we kind of arrived at that. So really uh as you know with level services obviously everything would be maintained. We wouldn't necessarily have
to look to uh have any uh true obviously we would have savings from say negotiations and from health insurance but obviously we'd be able to divert those funds to other areas. So looking at from level services down to post election, it's assuming that we were able to reduce the overall number that
102 number down by $800,000 which we've identified in savings and then also increase E and D by another $800,000. So we've reduced the top number by 800 and then increased that bottom number uh that 2.9 up to 3.7.
Uh so we we've you know attacked it at both ends I guess you could say. Thank you. I'm gonna let Mr. Powers have a seat and has any questions. I'm sorry, Mr. P. Understand a little
bit of the M right into the um I'm just trying to understand some of I know you don't have specifics and we've asked you to do a lot in 24 hours, 36 hours. Um just on the post election option one loss of electives at the high school. Is
it as deep as it originally was intended? Originally we heard it was potentially up to 40 electives that or classes that were going to be cut at the high school. I don't know if you have any I know this is kind of moving. Um
any kind of estimate like what is that still the case for the loss of electives? It would be around 40. We do believe so. Yes, that that really the the main difference between that post-election option one um and the town approved budget would be maintaining those 21 teaching positions. Uh of those
21 again just initially thinking uh where we have it mapped out on on paper. Um, originally we talked about uh being able to preserve when I say originally going back to if an override were to pass and we were able to add those, you
know, uh, 20 20 plus 29 positions initially, we were really looking at uh, being able to add six um, student services positions um, as well as up to 14 at the K to8 level. Um, obviously
that would get us to 20. So thinking of those 21 positions, you know, I I think that's really where our focus would be. Um so I wouldn't anticipate being bringing back any high school positions at this time. Um, again, as we work through these scenarios and enrollment
changes, um, that that that could change as well because if all of a sudden we have a mass exodus at the elementary level, um, in class sizes just by default go down, then some of these positions could be potentially um, you know, reallocated to the high school and
vice versa. Certainly, you know, it is a moving target as as we go through this. Thank you, [Music] Mr. Correct. Uh Mr. Powers, one option as we look at these different scenarios
that's not laid out is what a 112 budget would look like. And I understand part of that is we don't actually know what a 112 budget would look like. It will probably fall somewhere between this year's budget. But probably my question is is it safe to assume that a 112 budget if we were to project it out over
a full year would be less than the town approved budget? Yes. I I would say that is that is safe to say. Uh obviously when we looked at our total budget from last year, including capital and debt, it was about $96 million. Uh so again, those are
numbers that Desi's uh grappling with right now to figure out exactly what our numbers would be, but our operating budget was 90. Uh capital and debt was about 96 for our total budget. So, we're anticipating it if we're on a 112 budget
operating, you know, kind of under that town approved scenario where we're going to have those massive layoffs and not be able to bring back positions until, you know, a final decision is made, but certainly going into the summer that we're kind of operating under under the
uh negative implications of of that first scenario. And you answered my follow-up question already, which is going to be, you know, is a 112 budget with the cuts worse than the town approved budget, but it sounds like our our hope at least, and that's I want to be careful that we don't speculate
because we don't really know yet, but it sounds like our hope would be they would have a very similar outcome on staffing. That is what we're anticipating at this time. Yes. Without, you know, to your point having that definitive number. But I I think in our initial conversations
with Desessie and even again today um I I I think we'll be around that number. That's my hope. Very helpful. Thank you. Of course. Also to point out 1112th is only funded monthly which makes um the business office. It makes their job
extremely difficult with all of the expenses and contracts etc. Um, and also if we go past December 1st, we lose total oversight of the budget. So, yes, we're 112th budget is terrible. Having no oversight of the budget because it is
out of our hands is even worse. Mr. Fitzgibbons. Uh, thank thank you, Madam Chair. I want to put an exclamation point and underline and whatever I can else on what you just said to Miss Mr. Guthro's
point, uh, we only we as a school committee only operate under a 112th budget until November 30th. Then the state says, "You guys have screwed up enough. We'll come in and work and do it for you."
That's not a position I want to be in, Mr. Guthro. I do not want to be there. So, let's not talk about a 112th budget for the year. Let's not talk about a 112th budget even for the rest of the summer. Let's get this done tonight. Thank you. Just to clarify the ration, I
know y discussion point is is is I think it's important to understand what the consequences are before we head into the broader discussion and I was clarifying the broader point. Thank you. I think yeah, it it will be
devastating staffwise and running the district too as well. Any other questions before we get into more detailed discussion? Mr. K, if you want to have a seat. Thank
you. All right, to pick up where we left off, we've been offered an alternative option, which is post-election option two. Um, and also more detail on the post-election option one, which we um discussed and deliberated on yesterday.
We did we did take an initial vote on that one yesterday that did not pass. It failed 5 to three. Um but we did have several members that had questions and concerns. So we did provide more detail. Um do we would I'm taking suggestions on
what members would like to look at right now and discuss. Miss Davenport. Um I'd like to make a motion on post election option one. Thank you. to approve. Sorry. Yes, I'm a little slow. Give me
Give me a moment. You got a lot of paperwork going on. And you can make a motion on anything. I'm just stalling from the chair. You can make a motion. I'm trying to trying to use the microphone and manage my paperwork. And madam chair, while you're managing
the paperwork and whatnot, can we just please observe um moment of silence for Miss um McDougall and the loss of a close family member to
her, which is why she is not here, which is why you have a lot of paperwork to do. She is the heart behind the school district. Could we have a moment of silence for her, please? Thank you, Mr. Fitzg. Yes. Mrs. McDougall can't be here tonight. She lost a very dear um family
member. Her father has passed away. So, if we can have a moment of silence. Thank you. Thank you. And yes, I agree. Mrs. McDougall keeps us on track and without her um my job is more difficult, but Mr. Dorvitz is doing her best tonight. So,
thank you. Um okay, moving on to a discussion regarding post election option one. I'm going to as we did last night. I'm going to do a tenative vote to put it on the floor if we want to or would you rather we do the whole motion
to I'll second whatever Miss Davenport just did. So we have a a motion of a second. M would you like to make a Would you like me to do this whole motion or you just want to have a discussion on the
floor? Let's vote. Thank you. Motion made by Miss Damore. I'm going to read it out and seconded by Mr. Fitzgiven regarding the post election option one. Um, which is the $98 million
um budget. Um mo I will entertain a motion which has been put on the floor to recommend that subject to review and verification by the district's treasurer the school committee vote to approve the final budget for fiscal year 2526
excluding debt and capital costs in the amount of 98596,693 the final budget figure of 98,596,6 [Music] 693 to be reduced by anticipated revenue totaling $ 37,985,22
[Music] and an END appropriation of $2,800 leaving the amount of 57,8116 $671 to be paid by the member towns as follows.
Rainham's aortionment of said cost is to be the state's required minimum contribution of 21,396,255 plus the non-discretionary charges of $937,313 for a total due from Rainham in the amount of 22,333,568.
Bridgewwater's aortionment aside cost is to be the state's required minimum contribution of 33,970,677 plus the non-discretionary charges of 1,57,426 [Music] for a total due from Bridgewwater in the
amount of $35,478,13. The aortionment and non-discretionary charges are based upon the enrollments in the Bridgewater Rainham Regional School District about as of October 1st, 2024. So that is the motion on the floor by
Miss Davenport, seconded by Miss Mr. Vgiven for discussion and deliberation. Mr. So I'll sound like a broken record especially. Yes. I'll sound like a broken record from
last night. This isn't going to meet students needs. It's going to widen this gap and create an even larger issue. And frankly, it's going to impact our most vulnerable students by far. It's also going to let go a lot of new
teachers who are going to end up leaving us. One either because pink slipped or frankly because they don't want to be able to do the class sizes and challenges that present here next year. I don't I don't know how in good faith and say we're here to support advocate
for students. Mrs. Mayfield, can you hear me? Yes. So, I've prepared a statement to kind of keep me on track here. Um, after months of meetings with our town council and select board, I truly believed we were building mutual
understanding about the budget, about each town's position, and about our shared responsibilities. But last night, it became painfully clear that the school committee is still operating in a silo. We're not working with each other. We're working around each other. And that's not just
frustrating, it's heart disheartening. What's even more concerning is how we've been engaging with the people we serve. Too often we've mistaken activity for progress. We check boxes, host a meeting, post an agenda, and tell
ourselves we've done the job. But real connection, real engagement is more than that. It's openness. It's about asking not just if we held the meeting, but did we build trust? Did we communicate clearly? And did people feel heard?
And I believe we missed a critical opportunity to pro proactively engage community members, particularly those who supported the two separate petitions that each generated over 300 signatures. Their willingness to act and organize
should have been seen as a signal just not not just of concern but of a commitment. We needed to meet that energy with dialogue and we didn't. Our own policies demand more of us. As stated in policy KBC, the school
committee endorses the concept that community participation in the affairs of the school is essential and intends to exert every effort to identify the desires of the community and to be responsive through its actions to those desires. These words aren't window
dressings. They are respons they're they are our responsibility. And in this moment, we have the opportunity to honor that. We're also reminded in policy BBA that the committee has a responsibility to provide clear and direct means for
keeping the local citizens informed, just as we must keep ourselves and the school staff informed and the community needs and wishes. Effective communication, as policy KBC also notes, should facilitate dialogue and create
community advocacy, not confusion and mistrust. So, I want to be clear. I am supporting postelection option one, not as a punishment and not to undermine our schools. But let's be honest, supporting
a higher budget right now would send exactly that message that despite warning signs, despite community concern, we intend to stay the course. I can't support that. This must be a turning point for us. We need a reset.
We need to challenge ourselves to work more transparently, more efficiently, and more in cooperation. That's why I'm calling for a forensic audit of our financial practices. Not to place billain, but to ensure we are
stewards of every dollar with care, with accountability, and with a commitment to continuous improvement. This is how we begin to build trust. This is how we show that we're listening. Thank you.
Thank you, Miss Nathan. Do we have others? want to speak. Mr. G, I have further discussion unless Miss Thomas or Mr. Guthro does, I'll defer to them. Sure. Thank you. Thank you, Miss.
Um, I can't support option one. I don't think we can take the hits. The children deserve more. Our main goal sitting up here isn't to I hear the need to appease the voters that voted no and that's a
role for town council and the select board. Um we need to be putting the oath we signed to put children's needs developmentally and educationally first. And just to that point I I can't support option one.
Thank you. Mr. Gun, I agree with what Mr. Los shared before. Anything short of a law services budget, anything short of even post election option two does not meet the needs of our students. It does not meet the needs of our educators. It does not meet the
needs of our communities. With that said, there's also a reality that we have to face, which is we could stand up here and do what makes us feel good about ourselves, which is approve a budget which is not going to get funded.
The simple question of asking about what a 112 budget would mean, right, immediately evokes a visceral reaction. We could go home tonight and look our kids in the eyes and say, "We advocated for you. We voted for a level services
budget. We voted for option two, but now because of that, you have a town something which will be akin to or maybe even a little bit worse or somewhere around the town budget." So, we advocated and we advocated and we advocated
and now you're going to get something that you don't deserve. So, as I sit here and I try to determine as we prepare to vote in a few minutes, what I'm going to do, because I think a vote for anything other than I think even a vote for
post-election option one might be actually a vote for a 112 budget. I think that's the reality that we're in at this time. It's not right. It's not fair. It doesn't make anybody feel good. But I think that's a reality that we have to
consider. I think post election option one is simply asking the talents for a little bit more. We went to the people. We asked for more. They said no.
I have feelings on that. We all have feelings on that. It's disappointing, but the people said no. What we're now doing is we're coming back to the towns and we're just saying we have a little bit more. You all have a little bit more. Can we just chip in a little bit more? Because that's the right thing to
do. The right thing to do is a level services budget, but I don't think that's going to happen. So, can we just try to squeeze every ounce out of a rock that we can? Um, there's still an option. There's still a possibility that they might turn around and right they
might say no or they might send it to joint town meeting or whatever happens. My hope is my hope is that they'll say and they'll agree that a 112 budget and that whole situation is something that needs to be avoided at all costs.
So, you know, I I don't think post-election option one is ideal. I don't think anything less than a level services budget is ideal. I don't think anything less than 109 million that we talked about in January is ideal, but I also don't know that
it's worth the risk of a 112 budget, you know, for trying to get any more out that you know, frankly, I I just don't think we're going to get it. Mr. Fggin, she wants to speak. Mrs. that I'm not
necessarily on the issue. I have decorum though. Um I I just have a few words. I mean I kind of said a lot last night I will just say is I think part of our challenge right now
is being balanced, being fair and willing to compromise. I think part of our problem in our society today is there's an unwillingness to compromise. Um, and right now that is what we're doing. Is it the best for the kids? No.
I I am I have two kids at the high school yet next year and the biggest hits of this is the high school. Um, I would just and I am supporting option one. I would just ask Mr. Powers. Um, I know there's been a lot of conversations about the high school and electives and
a lot of conversations around sitting in study halls. Um, and there's been an unwillingness um because of schedules to the ability for kids to take dual enrollment classes. And I think we have to find a way to do that next year.
Sorry. We have to find a way next year to let our juniors or seniors take dual enrollment um if this is going to be what they are stuck with. That's Thank you, Miss Conrad Labberto. And to Miss Conrad Labberto's point, um, I've
been on school committee for eight years now, and sometimes what I have to vote is not in the best interests of my own kids. And tonight is one of those because option one, I also have a rising senior, as does Mr. Powers. So, mine was
in tears the other day because of all the AP classes that she cannot take with this option, um, or most of the options on the table. So we feel your pain. So thank you Mr. Fitzgib.
I'm trying to think of the right words here, but I have to give a huge shout out to Miss Mel down at the other end of the table there. M
has stepped up twice in my my time serving with her on the school committee to say we need to come together. The first
time was in the appointment of the superintendent and she made it unanimous on reconsideration. Thank you, Miss Mayo. Thank you for your statement earlier this evening. It was
powerful. It was true. It was correct. And I applaud you for that. Thank you very very much. Thank you, Mr. Fitzg. Um I also have something to say um regarding this budget. As I said, it is
the best budget. Um, it is not even really in the best interest of the kids. It is in the best interest of the kids right now with what we have to deal with. Um, the voters voted no. I understand that was not the majority of
the towns, but we walk a fine balance of trying to hear that, trying to see what the town will fund us and how we can mitigate the damage and still provide services to our children. because our job, one of our main jobs is create a
budget um to teach our kids, to foster and nurture them and educate them. And right now with the funding that we're looking at, option one looks like the best way to do that and mitigate
what next year is going to look like. And I understand what Miss Mville said. We need to come together as a committee and definitely as the two towns. I understand some people who are saying as Miss Maple said, we operate in a silo
and this has frustrated me over many years. Um, as a regional school district, we are in such a unique position of we're a town as I said last night, but we are a totally separate entity. So we create a budget in this
silo and we send it to the town and then we go back and forth because of the way the government works. We always have to worry about our committee making decisions. They have to worry about their towns making decisions. So yes, we do need to do better. the three of us
working together and I I see that and especially through this budget cycle, I think we've made strides, but we definitely need to do better and try and get on the same page somehow. Um, and looking at these options, I feel
like option one is our best. As much as I see the option two getting positions that we don't want to lose, I've seen all of the teachers already leaving the district in anticipation. Um, I don't see how the towns will have
that extra money available. And I don't want to put our staff that we could save and our students in the position of going to another override, going to another town meeting and town council and prolonging this. We need to retain
who we can retain and start next year when we can. Um, do I have other members that want to discuss before I call for a vote? Miss Davenport, I know I bought the motion and I was kind of the hold out last night. So, thank you everyone for
bearing with me to giving me that extra day um to feel comfortable with it and I I know we I I know a lot of people probably think I don't want to give the kids everything and I do. I just want to do it in a fiscally responsible way. I
mean, I understand it's not our role, but I I also said back in March that I was going to honor the voters's decision, and I believe I did that. Um, I do stick by my word and yeah, just thank you to the committee members for
coming out another day to give me a chance to just absorb and um make my decision. So, thank you. Thank you, Missport, Miss Conto. Um, Mrs. asking I I would ask that whatever
step we take here tonight is that we commit to having whether it's once every other month meetings with both towns so we are not in a place like this there was a lot of points this this
round a lot of you know who said what um but I think open it is a joint meeting between all three towns that needs to start as soon as as possible. Thank you. I agree. And I know Mr. Fitzgiven I
think had started the um the working group which was a great stride towards that and I think it is definitely something we need to work on of having joint meetings and we started the budget meetings a lot earlier this year but something year round where we're all meeting and having that relationship I
think would make a a huge difference. So I think that is a good deal good idea. All right, seeing no other discussion, I'm going to call for a roll call vote for the motion on the table.
Miss Hoy Thomas, no. Mr. Lo, no. Miss Mville, yes. Mr. Fitzgiven, yes. Mrs. Davenport, yes. Mrs. Conrad Leto,
yes. Mr. Bethro, yes. And the chair votes yes. The vote is 6 to2 passes. Um, I just want to say thank you to the eight of us um for doing that. I know it
took two days and we are all very different life experiences coming at this different ways and different beliefs and different everything. So thank you. Um I have two more motions regarding the
capital and debt to put on the floor as well. The EMD we did last night. So the 2.8 8 million. We voted that last night and approved. We just stole uh I will entertain a motion. Um based
on October 1st, 2024 enrollment figures, capital costs will be assessed to each town as follows. Rainham's portion of the capital cost of the Bridgewater Ringham Regional School District is $716, $362. Bridgewwater's portion of the capital
cost of the Bridgewater Ringham Regional School District is $976,138 [Music] for a total capital of $1,692,500. [Music] I will entertain that motion.
So moved. Motion made by Mr. Prince. I get a second. Uh this again has to be a roll call vote uh regarding the capital. Um Mr. No. Mrs. Mayfield, no.
Mr. Fitzgiven, yes. Missy Thomas, no. Mrs. Davenport, yes. Mrs. Conrad Labberto, yes. Mr. Guthro, yes. And the
chair votes yes. That is a five to three. That does not pass. So we have no capital next year. Okay. Can I just ask a reconsideration and maybe next why folks the the prevailing
side is the only one that can make a motion for reconsideration. So it would be one of the three members who voted no. They prevailed. Thank you. So may I ask Mr. Powers what does that mean if we do not have a capital for
next year? Obviously several of our projects will not be able to be funded for next year. Um building maintenance, building upkeep, just day-to-day operations will suffer. Um, we obviously have been able to try to maintain our buildings over
the last number of years because of this capital funds that the towns have have given us. Um, and unfortunately without it we have equipment that is in need of repair both internally and externally HRA systems and without it those
unfortunately will suffer and we will see the negative consequences. Um, you know we we may not have heat in some of our buildings. We may not be able to maintain our grounds because we don't have the equipment to do that. I I just I again I it's another step back for the district.
I'll make a motion to reconsider. Thank you, Mr. Lush. Mr. Lush has made a motion to reconsider. The second needs to come from a person on the prevailing side. Miss Ko Thomas has done that. This
will be a roll call vote as well. Mr. Mo to there is no discussion on a motion for reconsideration or is that no there's not any the capital that we're voting on was the same that we voted on in March. It has
not changed for the original budget. So that was the original capital the March 12th public hearing as well as the March 25th or 26th that we voted on and sent to the towns. The capital portion did not change.
Uh we have a motion for reconsideration on the floor made by Mr. Lo and seconded by Miss Hoy Thomas. Mr. Lo, Miss Mayfield, no. Mr. Fitzgiven, yes. Miss Hoy Thomas, yes. Miss
Davenport, yes. Miss Conrad Labberto, yes. Mr. Gothro, yes. And the chair votes yes. So the motion for reconsideration pass. Um we will go back to the motion for capital.
I'll renew my motion. Second. Motion made by Mr. Fitzg and second by Miss. Shall I reread this? Um motion for the capital made by Mr.
That's given seconded by Miss Davenport. Based on October 1st, 2024 enrollment figures, capital costs will be assessed to each town as follows. Ranham's portion of the capital costs of the Bridgewater Ranham Regional School District is $716,362. Bridgewater's portion of the capital
cost of the Bridgewater Ringham Regional School District is $976,138 for a total capital of1,692,500. So that motion is on the floor again. Um Mr. Powers, I have a question. So is capital and operational how how does the towns fund that? Is that separate? Is
that come out of their operational budget? Again, typically um the towns will fund our capital expenses uh either through their operating budget. Uh they may raise an appropriate to cover those costs or they may use uh free cash or
was some type of stabilization that again is kind of at the determination of the towns. But historically, it's it's been a combination or like I said, free cash. Thank you. Do we have any questions or comments on capital this main bill?
Do we have any unspent capital that we've received in the previous years? Uh the last I believe unspent capital goes back to uh 2020. I would have to confirm there was a parking lot repair um that was slated to be uh completed.
uh and I don't believe uh it was that was for the town of Ranham. Uh but all fiscal year since I believe all capital funds have been either spent or uh they have already you know either going out to bid or uh in the process of going out to bid.
Miss Mel, you have a followup. So just to clarify, currently we have a zero balance in any capital funds or wherever we we put that money because it's my understanding that we ask for those funds every year and so we've
spent it down and we have very little left or none. So those funds they we we don't receive them into a capital fund. So for example, the town of Rainham at their town meeting they approve capital projects. As those
projects are completed, we send them the invoices. They reimburse us for the expenses. The town of Bridgewater um handles it a little bit differently. Once we identify the capital expenses that we send to them, uh they allocate the money up front on and then obviously we put it towards uh those projects that
uh either for the Bridgewater side or for districtwide. So the Bridgewater funds that have been received upfront, is there any balances that are remaining from previous years? From previous years, I do not believe so at this current year. Not all projects
have been completed at this time, but we are able to carry some of those funds over uh for example, if some of the projects have to be completed in the summer, um such as parking lots and such. Obviously, that money can be uh encumbered and carried over into uh the summer months of next fiscal year.
Um, is the rain fund the one that I emailed you about and like um the finance committee was wondering about? I think it was around like over 500. Is it the same funds? Um I would have to go back and just double check your email, but yes, I believe when we looked
at the uh 2020 uh capital projects, uh there was money that had not been uh spent. Okay. So, we haven't spent it. We just have the town actually hasn't even sent it to us. So, I thought they had I thought we had to do and then we submit the receipts, right? No, not in rain. Rain does not submit the funds. Okay.
[Music] Seeing no other discussion, I'll put this to another roll call vote. Miss Hoy Thomas, yes. Mr. Lo, Miss Mayfield, no.
Mr. Fitzgiven, yes. Mrs. Davenport, yes. Mr. Guthro, yes. Miss Conra Lberto. Yes. And the chair votes yes. Motion passes. Uh the last motion regarding the budget
is for debt. I will entertain a motion to recommend that subject to the review and verification by the district treasurer, the school committee vote the final budget for fiscal year 2026 debt costs as follows. Rayham costs with bond
interest and principal of $515,114887 [Music] to be reduced by state reimbursement and grant distributions in the amount of $0 for a total due from RAM of $515,11487. Bridgewwaterers's cost with bond
interest and principal of 3,565,92263 to be reduced by state reimbursement and grant distributions in the amount of $0 for a total due from Bridgewater with bond interest and principal of $3,565,92263 for a total debt in the amount of $4,81,37.50.
[Music] So moved. Motion made by Mr. Fitzgiven, second by Miss Conrad Labberto. Do we have discussion on? Yes. Let me emphasize
how horrendously bad it would be for us not to fund our debt payments. Our credit rating would go into the toilet. We could never borrow money again. I mean, this is this is the
ultimate no-brainer to me, but I may be wrong. My other colleagues on the council on the committee may disagree. That's why we have eight people. Thank you. Thank you, Mrs. Conrad Labrento.
Oh, sorry. Do we have any other questions? I'll go to a roll call vote. Sorry. Sorry. I'm trying to I'm trying to switch it. Yes. Uh, Mr. Fitzgiven, yes. Mr. Gothro, yes.
Miss Hoy Thomas, yes. Mr. Loach, yes. Miss Mayfield, yes. Mrs. Davenport, yes. And the chair votes, yes. Motion passes. We have a budget. That's exciting.
and a slight um weight off of my shoulders. Not a lot, but a little bit. I will still have lots of sleepless nights. Um as we go into the summer, I'm sure all of us will. And Mr. Powers,
it is not going to be the budget that we wanted or the kids deserve, but we will have a budget. Um, and we need all of you to still stay engaged because as we saw this year, we need to start earlier. We need to connect with the towns. We
need to connect with the community and start this much earlier. Um, looking at next year. So, Madam Chair, Mr. Fitzki, I I just don't want to leave people with the wrong impression. We We have voted
on a budget. Towns need to approve. Yes. Thank you. That is true. And if if they choose not to fund what we what the extra is we've asked for them, we'll be back here this summer for another meeting and another discussion. I was I was getting ahead of
myself. Yes. So Oh, I'm sorry. We we we have voted a budget and approved it. As Mr. Fitzgiven has stated, this will go to Brainham and go to Bridgewater to vote. However, their town government needs to vote that. Um within 45 days, they need to act on that. So, I'm hoping
that they will see this reasonable budget that we have put forward and act on it as quickly as they can so we can get to work here. So, thank you, Miss I was getting ahead of myself. Um, uh, we do have public comment at the end
of the meeting right now. So, if members of the public and the community want to come up, we would love to hear from you. Um again just to reiterate this because we deal with open meeting law you can comment um but we cannot engage with
discussion with you but if you would like to come up and say anything um please come to the microphone and state your name and address for the record please and we'll open public comment for a period of 12 minutes per policy BEDH right Good evening everyone, members of the
school committee. Mr. Powers, I'm Eric Boy, 120 Bridgewater. I'm English teacher at the high school and I worked in the district for 16 years. Um, I do understand how difficult a decision this is for all of you tonight. And of course, like Mrs. Kings already stated,
fully happy with the decision that was made. I do want to bring up one concern under the post election option one that really hasn't come up much in discussion. Um I am concerned about the safety of the building at the high school with the decisions that have been
made here. I understand that strong attempt to preserve class size at the K to8 level and really it's coming at an expense of pretty much decimating uh our staffing levels at the high school. So class sizes of 29 to 43. My concern is
when we hit winter and we're in a situation where the flu arrives and it wipes out a number of staff members and we see this every year with um students. What does it look like on the dayto-day for making sure that our building is accurately secured? What's the situation
of where um students are going to be placed when there are enough substitute teachers available to cover some of the class um classrooms maybe with 43 students in them that will will have a substitute teacher. Um, it hasn't come up much and I do want to bring it up just so that it is part of your
discussion moving forward about how that's going how that's going to look on the dayto-day because I do think it's um worth exploring and discussing so that the safety of our students and our staff is preserved. That's first and foremost my um biggest concern with that budget that was voted in tonight. Thank you
again for the difficult decisions that you make and for hearing my concern. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mo. Would anyone else want to come speak? Seeing none of public comment at 806.
Um, under announcements, the only thing I have right now is Monday, July 7th, 2025 at 5:30 in the superintendent's conference room will be our next budget sub meeting. I'm sure we'll have a lot to discuss and to look at and to see get
updates from the towns at that time. Um, and then our next regular school committee meeting is scheduled Wednesday, July 23rd at RMS here in the auditorium. Um so between now and then we will have hopefully lots of updates and more information regarding the budget and the status with the two
towns. Um do members have um announcements and things to say. Mr. Fitzgibbons, given the opportunity, I'm always going to plug this and it's because especially it's right around the corner and even
better for everybody who is uh not in favor of public funding and things. It's not funded at all by the town of Bridgewater. The Fourth of July is coming back to Bridgewater. Please look it up online. Please donate if you can.
There are great people who run it. Lisa Bazelle Curley does Yman's work all the time. Jeff Fowler Yman's work all the time. Keith Bule unbelievable fundraiser there. It's a great time. And uh they
they hope everyone from Bridgewater, Rainham, all the surrounding communities come out, have a great time at the parade, uh have fun at the uh at the arts festival and whatever they do at the college and then come down for the fireworks display and whatnot at Legion
Field later in the evening and it's right around the corner. So I encourage everyone to support that event. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Fitzg. Does anyone else want to speak or say anything? Seeing none, uh this concludes our
school committee meeting. I'll entertain a motion to adjourn our 20 June 26, 2025 school meeting. So move away. Motion made by Mr. Fitzgiven, second by Miss Davenport. All those in favor. Any opposed? [Music]
I just got here. Look at her down. [Music]