tomorrow. >> Yeah, that's true. >> All depends on >> alternating. >> It all depends on your perspective. >> Yeah, we get just this month. So, >> good evening everyone. >> Back to alternating. >> I would like to call the school committee meeting to order on Wednesday,
March 25th, 2026 at 700 p.m. at the Bridgewater Rainham Regional High School Lecture Hall. Please note, we are live streaming on the YouTube channel and the recording will be available on the YouTube channel following the meeting. Please rise and join us for the pledge of >> allegiance
to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. I would like to introduce our school
committee members and admin in attendance this evening. On my left, Mr. Fitzgibbons, Mr. Guthro, Mrs. Hoy Thomas, Mrs. Davenport, Superintendent Powers. On my right, Miss King, Mr. Selenus, Mrs. Conrad Labberto, and Vice
Chair Loch, and I am Rachel King, school committee chair. We also have in attendance Mrs. McDougall, our recording secretary, and many other members of the admin team. Uh, first on the agenda is correspondence and recognition. Uh,
regarding community emails, we received an email from a town counselor regarding questions for the CLA operational review presentation. An email from a school committee member to bring um their feedback to budget sub regarding advocating for more positions and a higher budget. An email from a town
counselor regarding staffing and budget numbers from fiscal 26 to 27. um an email from a BR educator regarding the challenges this year has presented and advocating for the budget. An email from a parent also regarding the challenges of their students and teachers have gone
through um this year due to the budget. Um I do not have any recognition. Mr. Powers, do you have anything at this time? >> Thank you. Um next we have public comment. Um we do have lots of community members here in addition to our admins. So, thank you
for all being here. Um, I am going to since we do have many people in attendance, I am going to entertain a motion to wave policy BEDH as to the 12minute rule this evening only. Um, so we will still um again public comments
will be only comments. uh we cannot respond at any um at this time regarding that and I would ask that you limit your comments to three minutes um as we do have a lot of people here and not be repetitive of other people um but I will not limit the comments to 12 minutes so
I can have make sure that everyone does have the ability to speak if they feel so inclined and we do have a second public comment at the end so I will entertain a motion to wave policy BEDH as to the 12minute time council so moved Second. >> Do we have any discussion on that? All
those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Thank you. Um, so I will open public comment now. There will not be a time period of that, but again, please state your name and address for the record when you come to the podium. Um, and please limit your comments to
three minutes just so we have enough so other people are able to speak, but I won't limit the 12minut time. Um, so I'll open public comment at 7:03. Um, I do have one person signed up, so I would ask that she come up first to speak. U, we have Mrs. Lindseay Redern if you
would like to come forward. >> Good evening. My name is Lindseay Redern and I'm going to speak to you tonight as a graduate of BR, a BR educator, and most importantly, a parent raising their children in the BR district. I am lucky enough to have been part of BR as long
as I can remember. My dad took me to BR football games every Thanksgiving. My grandmother chaired the Citizen Scholarship Foundation, and my uncle and sister hold a place on the Sports Hall of Fame leading into the gym. To say I believe in BR's education and community
is truly an understatement. However, I am extremely sad saddened by the lack of prioritizing education in this town. I never thought my husband and I would be having conversations about private schools, but this has become an ongoing discussion at our
house. As two public educators, my husband and I believe strongly in the values of public education and are saddened by this thought. I recently asked my children what happens in class and what is needed. I think my fifth grade daughter summed it up perfectly. She told me it's really
hard when 10 of us have our hands up and there's only one person to help us. She's in a class of 30 students. Although my children have been extremely fortunate to have incredible teachers who go above and beyond every single day to ensure they are making progress,
children cannot be successful in a classroom setting of 30 plus kids with more diverse needs than ever. And it is not fair to expect the teachers to be able to provide the individual attention students need and deserve. Not to mention, I'm going to put my BR
guidance counselor hat on. It is unfair that our high school students do not have the courses, rigor, or opportunities to compete with other students or fully be prepared for their future. How can they? Choose studies each day for seniors, no business
department, no computer science classes, and minimal electives put our students at a disadvantage. We have to remember our role and responsibility is to provide the best education for our children. To ask for 10 teachers is not enough. We need to ask for more. We need to expect more of
our towns. We need the towns to step up in this time of need. Our children deserve more. I stand here before you requesting a budget that asks for more than 10 teachers. Thank you. >> Thank you. Good evening everyone. Eric Hoy
Bridgewwater, myself like Lindsay, an employee here at the high school, um parent of two children in the district. Tonight, our school committee is faced with a very difficult decision. They must decide whether or not to vote in favor of a budget that does not give our students and staff what they need to be successful. Last week at the joint
meeting between the school committee and the towns, I advocated for the towns to at minimum fund the budget that is being voted on tonight. Doing so is the bare minimum they can do, quite literally allowing the district to continue on in survival mode. However, myself and others here tonight support revising the
proposed school budget to restore 20 positions out of the 72 positions that have been eliminated during the past two fiscal years. I would urge the school committee to discuss and reconsider and consider this new option. This auction would allow us to build back to where we
once were at a tolerable pace rather than the pace afforded by only reinstating a meager 10 positions. This budget would ask a great deal of our towns and is likely more that they can afford at this time without increasing revenue andor without cuts across the board. While no one wants to see cuts
anywhere, I am a firm believer that cuts should not solely impact only one department or only one subgroup of the population. in this case, children and families. In times when cuts are necessary, the burden must be shared uniformly. If tonight the school
committee decides to do right by our students and staff and support a better option, I would like to point out to everyone that two things can be true. We can advocate for increases to the school budget, all while supporting other town departments. We can speak frankly to our town officials, encouraging them all to
be better advocates for increasing revenue and securing state funding while acknowledging that most of them have all of their constituents at heart. And most importantly, supporting our students and schools can mean saying a mediocre budget is unacceptable while not
compromising your relationships with the town. Please remember who you have been elected to represent when voting on the budget this evening. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Do we have other members of the public that would like to come forward right now?
Elizabeth Sharp, 1000 South Street. Tonight, the school committee will vote on whether or not to accept the proposed budget. Honestly, it's painful to support the budget where the primary goal is just to keep elementary class sizes down to 27, 28, 29 kids.
But realistically, I support this budget because it's the best hope we have to avoid the 33, 35, 37 kids in a class projected for elementary school next year. We have the second lowest per pupil expenditure of all K to2 public schools
in Massachusetts. Last year, many towns people and leaders during the override process claimed that it was just mismanagement of the school district, which is just baffling to me to make such claims if you spend just five minutes looking at the funding data.
They demanded an audit to see where the money was being misused. Last week, I sat through the $70,000 presentation by the outside accounting firm contracted by the towns to do a deep dive into the school budget. Interestingly, the people who were so
sure the district is wasteful didn't really show up. But what I heard was firsthand from this outside agency is that the district is actually doing a really great job spending the little funding they have as wisely as possible. The district and the teachers are doing
their part. The towns in the state are not. The students are the ones suffering. This budget is sad, but I do appreciate the superintendent's targeted effort to keep a third grade class at 29 instead of 33. I know it has
to hurt to vote to support this, and I share that pain with you. But I do hope to see it pass tonight. We know even this budget is going to be difficult for the towns to fund. So asking for the greater amount the students actually deserve feels like a little bit of a
waste of time right now. My hope is that going forward our town leaders will look at the time and resources spent digging into the school department and finally feeling comfortably comfortable vocally supporting the schools. I'm hopeful to hear them relay the facts about our per people's spending to the public instead
of feeding into the mistrust of our educators. I hope this budget will bring us one teeny teeny tiny step in the right direction and it'll allow town time for the towns to get behind supporting the schools to make the budget changes
needed in the very near future to what the students actually deserve. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Sharp. >> Do we have any other members of the public that would like to come forward? Good evening. Wendy Lasciva, 115 Beach
Street in Bridgewwater. I'm not only a Bridgewwater resident, but a full year secretary at the Williams Intermediate School and the Union Steward for the Secretaries. I'm speaking tonight as the union steward. I'm hoping to leave you with an earworm this evening. Some of
you are probably too young, but many of you should remember a song from the 1980s that was made popular by the movie The Breakfast Club. I bet you know it. Mr. Fitz Gibbons, the Simple Minds classic, Don't You Forget About Me, or in this case, Us. The small but mighty
group of secretaries understand that none of the positions we lost this year are being considered for reinstatement the next academic year. While we recognize the current budget constraints, we cannot allow these gaps to become the new normal. We need to know that those positions are part of
the conversation for the next budget cycle. They deserve to be part of the conversation. We deserve to be part of the conversation. Just in case anyone didn't hear the impacts to the secretaries or you need a refresher, we lost 16% of the
secretaries districtwide last year. We lost two academic year secretaries in our schools, leaving most that remained as half-time or floating between two buildings to try and maintain some kind of coverage. Hiring and retaining an open floating
position has proven challenging, leaving two buildings without any academic year secretary for most of the year. We lost our guidance secretary at the high school who was critical in many ways to all 1300 current students and to graduates who need transcripts and other
documentation and support. Much of that work was shifted to the athletic secretary. So athletics work was shifted to other staff and so on and so on. We lost our transportation secretary who did so much more than just help coordinate um buses and vans, but the
title would be too long if the other duties were included. The work had to be spread so wide even our assistant superintendent was doing some parts of that job. We have less when we need more. Mr. Powers has mentioned in multiple presentations how we have more students
and families requiring special education services and support. Yet, we haven't added a single special education secretary to keep pace with the demands. As a matter of fact, I believe we lost one years ago, which wasn't replaced. We, the secretaries, often the heart of
our schools and departments, are struggling. We often feel that no one is getting the best from us because there isn't enough time even while we're putting in overtime. We take pride in our work and not doing our best hurts. We're overwhelmed and exhausted. We
sometimes feel like we are to once again quote simple minds giving everything inside and out. But we'll keep showing up doing our best to serve our students, our families, and our staff because we love our jobs. We just need to know that we're seen and remembered and part of
the conversation. Please don't you forget about us. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Hello, Eric Mirup, Star Road Bridgewwater. Um, first I want to thank you for the opportunity, but I also want to really express my sincere
appreciation for Mr. Powers, Mr. King, uh, Dr. D'Angelo who, uh, to deal with my emails and phone calls and all of that. But um it's important and I I hope they know how important it is and meaningful it is that uh they listen and and they hear. Uh serving on a school committee I I can imagine is not easy. I
recognize the time, the thought and the care that goes in to the decisions you make and I respect that. I'm also grateful that you've taken the time um and the care and we've seen it this year, last year, um and everything in between. Um, but I'm here tonight as a parent, but also as an educator and
someone who deeply believes in our schools and the promise that it needs to hold for every student. Three of my four children are part of this district. Uh, and they're part of the community. And like so many other families, we want to just trust that the system in place is strong, is stable, and is centered on
what students need to succeed. All students need to succeed. And I have to be honest, right now personally from where I stand, the special education system is in a very difficult place. Not only here, but especially here, but also around the Commonwealth and around
the country. I don't pretend to have every answer, and I know the challenges are complex, but when you step back and I begin to start connecting the dots, staff turnover, staff staff uh vacancies, gaps in communication, disruptions in services, families feeling like they have to fight just to
be heard. It is starting to paint the picture much more clearer that things are concerning. Something that once had a strong foundation is beginning to show signs of strain. It won't last much longer. I I worry. And this isn't about blame. It's not about recognizing or
sorry, it's about recognizing that something isn't working and we all need to be together in this. Our students, my kids, deserve consistency. They deserve qualified staff who are supported to be able to stay and continue to work in the district. They deserve clear
communication and systems that work with families, not against them. And they deserve a district that is proactive, not reactive, when challenges arise. But I want to be clear, this is not just a school committee issue. This is a town council issue as well. The support our
students need require the full commitment of the town, today's leaders, and tomorrow's leaders. And I urge the town council to ensure that the resources, staffing, and funding meets what our students require and what the town council and the superintendent have proposed, if not even more. Rise to the
occasion. Meeting minimum expectations year after year is not enough, and our student success and the well-being are all at stake. Tonight, when I was telling my one of my 12-year-olds that I was coming tonight, he said, "Does this mean we won't have to sit in the auditorium when we don't have a sub
anymore? Dad, can you ask for that? Like that's just awful because he needs to be in a classroom and he needs to be learning, not in an auditorium when we can't make it work. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Merc.
>> Do we have any other members of the public? >> We do have another public comment at the end as well following the meeting at the end of the meeting. Um, I will close public comment at 7:18. Next, we have consent agenda. I will
entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented which includes minutes dated March 4th, 2026 and March 11th, 2026. The personnel report acceptance of gifts from BR Educational Foundation grants regarding Mitchell Elementary School for Mad
Science Marvels of Motion and Fire and Ice in the amount of $2,000 and anti-bullying BMX bike performance in the amount of $500 as well as Rainham Middle School responsible online and cell phone communication two assemblies for grades
five and six and seventh and eighth as well as approval of payroll warrants dated March 5th, 2026. So moved. >> Mot motion made by Mr. Lo, second by Mrs. Conrad Labberto. All those in favor? >> Any opposed?
>> Thank you. >> Uh, next we have educational reports. Um, the BR student advisory report. I welcome Sophia King to the podium. It's a little tall. Good evenings, madame chairperson, school committee, superintendent powers,
and audience. There's a lot of you tonight. Thank you for coming out. Um, today I'll be reporting on Mr. BR and TJ Squared Robotics. On March 13th, BR held the 26th annual Mr. BR talent show. It was a lively and fun event with multiple
contestants and even more laughs. There was a dance, swimwear, talent, and formal wear portion. Don't worry, the swimwear was not actually swimwear, except for one notable contestant. The rest was costumes. The boys and girls both practiced for the two weeks before and put on an
amazing show, one that was hilariously MCed by our very own Mr. Hoy. Can I get a round of applause, please? Fabulous work. There was multiple awards given with our first runner up being Jack Lambert and our own Mr. BR was Dylan Reed. There was also awards given
for the talent and formal wear portions as well as as well as Mr. Congeniality who was chosen amongst the boys as someone they felt they couldn't have done the show without which was a tie between Jack Lambert and Craig Colston. That very same weekend, it was a very long weekend for me guys. TJ Squared
participated in the second event of the season. It was called Northshore and it was held at Reading Memorial High School. There was an exciting and eventful competition and we are so incredibly proud of our team, specifically our drive-in pick crew. This was nope, I already read that. We
placed seventh overall and we were the first pick of Alliance 3. I know no one knows that what that means. It's very good. Alongside that, TJ Squared also achieved the Innovation and Control Award, which was an honor that we dedicated to our two student programmers, Gus Berry and
Aean Abasi. They did incredible work and they were called out in the speech when we were awarded it which we felt deserved our own dedication to them. Thank you for your time and I now welcome Ka Kayla Tjan to the stand. Good evening everyone. Tonight I will be
reporting on a read across America event in our best buddies presentation at the high school. On March 6th, Miss Beach and myself went over to the Rain Middle School to read the scholarship jacket by Martha Selenus to the eighth grade class as part of ReadAcross America week. We also answered some very thoughtful
questions that students had prepared for us, giving them an insight into what it's like being a student at the high school. It was great to go back to my old school and give advice to a group that I was once part of and see students eager to know more about their future environment. On March 18th, the BR best
buddies held two assemblies to present to the high school students. The assemblies were split between the underclassmen and the upperassmen and students spoke about the what the club is and what it means to them the unified sports program and the events in the events and activities they participate
in across the state. They also spoke on disability etiquette and ways that you could engage with people with disabilities in a respectful manner. The students shared ways they could get involved in Best Buddies and spoke on the spread the word to end the word campaign they are currently participating in. They did an amazing
job with this presentation. Thank you and I now welcome Sydney Smexant to the podium. Good evening everyone. Tonight we'll be reporting on two annual events that occur at the high school. Bead wars and penny wars. Bead wars is an event that runs on St. Patrick's Day where students are able to buy a green bean necklace at
the start of the day for a dollar. Throughout the day, students with a necklace play three rounds of rock paper scissors against others. If the game is won, the student gets all the necklaces the person they played against has. At the end of the day, people with 22 or more necklaces gather to play against each other. The last person standing
wins a $100 gift card to a place of their choosing. This year's winner is junior decept who's ecstatic to have a Visa gift card after losing in the final round of last year's game. Congratulations, Charie. Also occurring this month is penny wars presented by Rainwater Players. Throughout the month
of March, draws for each class and staff are placed in the cafeteria. Placing pennies and dollars in your class jar adds points while adding silver coins to the jars of other classes subtracts points. At the end of the month, the jar with the most points gets half of the money earned. If faculty wins, Rainwall
will provide them with a special prize. The rest of the money goes to supporting the production of Rainwater spring show of Mean Girls. As of March 12th, the freshman are in the lead with -472 points. Staff are in second place with77. Sophomores are in third with -2,625.
Juniors are in fourth with 111,827. And in last are our seniors with -12,462 points. Thank you for your time. Good luck to everyone else speaking tonight. And I now welcome Marissa Cabraw to the podium. Good evening everybody. Tonight I'll be
reporting on last week's step-up day and I'll be reading Jackson Cogshaw's report because unfortunately he wasn't able to make it tonight. So last week was step-up day where RMS and EOM came up to tour the high school and listened to presentations from administrators and students. They were first greeted with
student leaders clapping and cheering for them as they entered the building and made their way into the auditorium. Principal Watson, Vice Principal Lucia, and Vice Principal Beachch, head of guidance, Miss Feroli, and the athletic director, Mr. Okonnell, gave presentations on various topics, and the student leaders presented on community
service, clubs, and sports. The French students also made a wonderful video that we all loved. Um, and we on the tour, we took them to various classrooms like Miss Malards, Miss Leiden's, Miss Bjakas, and Mr. Czechalini as well as through the nurse, guidance, the gym, and the music rooms. TJ Squared also
invited the students to watch as they demonstrated their impressive robot and its abilities. And the cheerleaders gave a quick performance just before the students departed back to their respective middle schools. We hope that this event encourages more students to attend VR and makes them more comfortable in the building before they officially become a Trojan.
And then Jackson's report is that the class of 2028 part uh gave a pickle ball fundraiser at LTP pickle ball in Easton. The event had two tournaments set up by Miss Negrich and Mrs. Kulie. And Miss Negrich and her son ended up winning the
beginning beginner division and the school resource officer, Mr. Pastana, and his wife Liz winning the advanced division. Along with the pickleball tournament, seven ras raffle baskets were set up as well, and a total of $1,400 was raised from the event. Thank
you. And this now concludes the Student School Committee Advisory Board's monthly report. Thank you to the student advisory committee. Um and also just a note on Monday, March 30th, Mr. Hoy and I as well as the five students will be headed to day on the hill which is run by MASC.
Um we're going to the state house. Um we'll have some morning presentations by legislators. Um and then a lunchon by the local culinary vocational schools, the culin culinary departments. Um and we do have meetings with both Senator Dunner and Senator Driscoll um that day
as well. So we will obviously be talking to them about budget related um things as well as other things that the students would like to ask and um you know speak to them about. So we do have those um meetings on Monday, March 30th and the students will report out on that
at our next meeting in April. Uh next we have literacy bill with Mrs. Richards. Good evening, Superintendent Powers and members of the school committee. Uh, back in February, Senator Duner sent a letter to the school committee and to Superintendent Powers about a new literacy bill that is currently being
reconciled between the uh, House and Senate versions uh, up on Beacon Hill. And the bill is around K3 literacy in in the Commonwealth. And um as part of her letter, Senator Juner said that she was, you know, looking forward to partnering with Bridgewater Ringham as we prepare for the changes that are going to be
enacted because of this legislation. Um so I provided a a timeline uh for the school committee that I'll share with you right now to let you know that BR is actually thankfully in a very good spot to um enforce this legislation if and when it gets signed by the governor. Uh just to get a little background in where
the state of literacy has been. Uh back in 2019, the state passed legislation that DESIE, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, had to create dyslexia guidance for districts to follow for when students uh have that specific learning disability. So in
2020, Desi released a 95page guidance document around how to um how to assess for and how to instruct to mitigate uh students who have learning challenges due to dyslexia. Um in 2021 then Desi shifted their focus to um what they call
curriculum matters which uh expected districts to utilize what they refer to as highquality instructional materials. In 2022, they passed an additional law uh around early literacy screening. The early literacy screening law stated that for
students in kindergarten through grade three, all districts are required to assess students for reading two times per year using a tool approved by DESIE and that they had to use that data to identify students who as they uh term it
are significantly below benchmark. uh then districts had to share this information with families as well as have a plan for how to target instruction and support for those students. Um in addition to that back in 2022 there was a podcast that got a lot
of uh a lot of it got around a lot called sold a story and that podcast was about a curriculum that we do not and never have had here in Bridgewater Rainham that has been that was widely popular and has been debunked. Um, that podcast made a lot of folks interested
in what's called the science of reading, which is ultimately the way that we understand children learn to read. And when that happened, states started to pass legislation. In fact, now most states have passed legislation around what K3 literacy instruction needs to look like. Fortunately for us here in
Bridgewater Ringham, we have been um, you know, right along with this timeline working towards implementing the science of reading in our schools. Uh back in 2000 during the COVID pandemic, we implemented foundations in kindergarten. That's our phonics program. Uh in
2021-22, we brought foundations up from kindergarten to include first grade as well. And we implemented Heggerty in kindergarten and first grade, which is a phone awareness curriculum. We also had our K through three folks implement Ready uh as a pilot. and Mel Mitchell
and La Liberty participated in a um in an MTSS academy that Desi sponsored around early literacy. It was a three-year endeavor that included professional development and support in curriculum adoption. Uh in the 2223 school year, grade two implemented the
foundation's phonics program and we rolled out a full K through8 I ready diagnostic implementation and Mel Mitchell and Labbert Liberty participated in year two of the DESIM MTSS literacy academy. In 23 24 grades three and four implemented wit and
wisdom which is our district's reading and writing program and uh grade three also implemented a phonics program that um aligns to i ready called phonics for reading and meil mitchell and law liberty finished up the work with the desmss literacy academy. Uh K through8
continued to utilize Ireie and uh implemented the instructional path as well. That is also the school year in which we were uh first enacting the early literacy um law that was passed and I Ready is one of the approved screening tools. In the 2425 school year, we rounded out our curriculum
adoption with K through2 implementing Witten Wisdom for their reading and writing program. Meaning that they have foundations and Hegy to focus on the foundational skills of reading and then they have witten wisdom for reading um comprehension and and vocabulary and
writing as well. LBR was accepted to participate um in Desi's dyslexia institute with an organization called crafting minds and we had a district team that worked together to learn about dyslexia and create a dyslexia action plan. Uh during this current school year
we brought the folks from crafting minds using grant funding to the district. Uh first they worked with our K5 special educators to help uh strengthen and enhance their understanding of dyslexia. and they've also been working with our first and second grade teachers this year on structured literacy. And
finally, we shifted um from using Dibbles offline reading tasks to using those that are incorporated into the I Ready platform in order to get a better sense of students aso as readers. Um, so I share this all of you with all of you so that you can feel confident that once
this bill gets reconciled and becomes passed, we are in really good shape here in Bridgewater Ranham to not have to make any substantive changes in anything that we are doing. >> I'm happy questions. >> Do we have questions from the committee? >> Mr. Fitzgibbons.
>> Yes, thank you. Um, I just want to say thank you for doing all the research into the into the bill and understanding how we fit in and um, you know, it's very important to be ahead of trends rather than behind trends. So, it's nice to hear that. Thank you.
>> Thank you, >> Mrs. King. If I could just beforeend back seat, but I just want to take a moment to recognize her uh, in her efforts. As you know, uh, Mrs. Richards has been at La Liberty and Merrill full time this year. Uh but despite that uh having really that as a full-time job,
she's also continuing her her role as our coordinator of teaching and learning for humanities. So many of these great things that you see happening are are direct result of her efforts and you know this is a concern that uh if we're not able to continue a position like hers um you know what this looks like all this great work and what happens.
Um, so just another, you know, case in point of of why we need, you know, strong support for, you know, our budget going forward, not just for next year, but also for the future because, you know, our students are benefiting this and we're seeing the data benefiting from this. We're seeing the data prove that. Uh, but I just wanted to take a
moment to to thank her and acknowledge her for all her efforts. >> Thank you. >> Uh, next we have special education procedures manual with Dr. D'Angelo. Good evening. Thank you for having me. Um, so at the last meeting, I presented
the updated version of the 504 manual for procedures. Um, and tonight in front of you, you have the updated special education procedure manual. Um, I'm here to answer any questions that you have um about the document. >> Uh, were there any big substantive
changes that you want to point out or was this just um housekeeping to update? >> There wasn't. and it was just a housekeeping um to update uh from last year. So every year we kind of look at those manuals to make sure they're updated and align with any new regulations or implementation processes. Um part of this one was also reviewed
during our focus monitoring. So part of their work was to look at our documents that currently were in place. Um and that was um relatively simple. There was not a lot of feedback from this document. Um so we are good to go and we're waiting for that final report which we should be receiving within the
next week or so. Thank you, Mr. Fitzgiven. >> Yes, thank you, uh, Dr. D'Angelo. Um, so I think you answered my question, but just to put a bow on it. Um, if we sent this to the highest person at
Desi to say, is this best practices? Would they say yes? >> Of course they would. >> Okay. No, that's that's important. So, >> as long as we got the same highest person. No, no, it's important. No, we shouldn't joke about this because it's
important. It is for folks to understand that we are taking this job very seriously. Mr. Muricep when he came up and spoke at public comment talked about >> uh his his uh interaction with the
special education department. um Miss Lav Lasciva, sorry, Wendy, um uh came up and talked about losing special education secretaries, etc. And as long as we're doing everything right by the students that
were doing it, I've said it before, I'll say it again, how we treat our most vulnerable students is how we should be judged as a district. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Lo. Uh, so the 504 manual and the special
education procedures manual. We're going to have those on the website publicly available. >> Yep. So the 504 manual is already up there. Um, and then this one will go up. I just wanted to give you guys a chance to look at it and review it to make sure there were no questions or edits or things that you like to see in there.
Um, so once you know once I know that it's all set, um, we can put that one up there as well tomorrow. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, of course. >> Do we have any other questions? Thank you. Thank you Leto. Sorry. >> I just want to confirm um Mr. Lo asked
my question about this being on the website, but the one thing I just want to confirm is you said during the um tier garner review, Desi reviewed this and gave their feedback and >> it was yes, >> they have approved this manual as it is right now. >> Yeah, we haven't received their final report. We did receive their preliminary
report um I would think two weeks ago about um and there was no preliminary finding around the document. Um, and there was again not too much feedback. A couple of little things that we added in that aligned with some of our handbooks, our student handbooks, um, because part of it was civil rights, part of it was
special education. Um, so we just wanted to make sure that all of our documents were consistent even though different elements were listed in different manuals. Um, but as far as the alignment piece, that was just um, language to make sure that the handbooks reflected what was in the procedural guide and vice versa.
>> Of course. >> Thank you, Dr. >> Thank you. I appreciate it. >> Next, we have administrative and school committee reports. Um, and we'll start with the report of the superintendent. >> Yes. Yep. When you get to that, I thank you, Mrs. King, members of the
school committee, members of the administrative staff and faculty, and welcome to our special guests. I appreciate you being here tonight. As I always say, your presence is appreciated because it shows you are invested uh in our district and our students. So, thank you. Uh very brief updates uh this evening. Uh as you know uh to the school
committee, we've talked prior about uh conducting a transportation survey. Uh you had asked us to put that together. Uh with Mrs. McDougall's help, uh we did send a survey out to our families. Uh the premise of the survey was really to gauge uh famil family's intent for next
year. Not to lock them into anything because obviously as you know we are required to provide transportation for students living over 2 miles but we certainly uh transport students living a mile and a half and over. Uh but if there was an opportunity uh if we had many of our students not taking the bus
or were you know able to u show their intentions of not taking the bus in the future could there be potentially a reduction in the fleet and therefore savings. Um so we did share that uh survey with you. I believe you have it. If not we'll certainly get it to you. I know he shared it with budget sub the
other night. Uh we only received 120 responses. So obviously a a lower response rate than we we typically get. We try to always aim for that 10%. uh but this was certainly lower than that. But uh just to point out uh 82% of those that are eligible will continue to use
transportation next year. U we don't and about 14% um said that they were eligible and would not be using transportation. There was a small percentage u you know that that rated other. So you know looking at the that initial data set um it doesn't seem as though
that there would would be any significant opportunities for us to try to save in transportation costs. I know Mr. Fitzgibbons asked this question the other night. You know, we are legally bound to transport them over two miles. So, it's not as though we could in theory really give those seats away. Uh
but, you know, again, we were really kind of just trying to gauge uh the intentions of parents. Uh but I just did want to follow up on that and share that with you. Uh the other big item that I I talked about, and again, I I know I've recognized him and his team's efforts, but Mr. Chaka um we had followed up u
about budget costs I'm sorry about blizzard costs and how much our most recent storm uh cost us and so I just wanted to we have some final numbers I shared with uh budget sub the other night some preliminary numbers but now we have the the full the full cost um so
you know our facilities team that uh we put on what we call standby we notify them please be available for the storm there is a storm coming um that is something that uh you know there is a cost associated with that because essentially they're giving up uh what would normally be a free day just to
kind of uh sit and wait uh for the call. So that equated to uh $450. The actual overtime cost for the storm uh as you know the storm came in Sunday night uh and through Monday uh our teams worked late until Monday night and then each day from there uh although they
were working their regular day shifts they also came in early and stayed late to be able to stay above it uh stay ahead of it I should say. Uh so that was roughly $9,500. Uh we did have to get another load of salt. Uh that was approximately $3,000. And then we did have to bring some heavy
equipment in. Uh we uh used one of our local companies uh that was able to uh construction companies that was able to um uh provide us that equipment. So that came to 7 thou a little over $7,300 for a grand total of a little over $20,000. Um obviously this is our second
significant storm. I think our first storm brought about 2 feet, Mr. Chaka, almost 2 feet to the area. Um, and thankfully other than that, we certainly uh, you know, were outstanding on occasions. We didn't have any other significant storms other than that. Um, so we we actually, um, budgeted pretty
close to the the amount we spent. We've had some really good winters the last couple years, so we've had a little bit of a surplus, but currently right now, uh, we are left with about $1,400 in our snow removal line. Uh, so pretty pretty accurate about what we predicted. Uh certainly hopefully we don't have any
more uh winter weather on its way and and that'll last us and we can uh obviously reallocate those funds for other areas in our facilities department. Those are the two major updates. Uh obviously uh Mrs. Barry was not able to join us tonight. So I would
uh with Mrs. King's permission and with the the school committee's permission through vote uh present the the calendar um for next year. >> Yes. I will entertain a motion to take the 2026 2027 school calendar final reading and vote out of order. >> So moved.
>> Um motion by Mr. Fitzgibbons, second by Mr. Loch. Um all those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Uh thank you, Mr. >> Okay. Thank you. Yes. Um really no significant changes from the calendar the last time. Uh we did uh consider the feedback from the committee. So, I did
want to just point that out that there was some feedback in the month of April. Uh, having an early release day so close to school vacation and and coming off of the month of March where we already had three scheduled uh didn't necessarily seem um uh you know a best practice. So,
we did remove that early release day in April uh based on the feedback we received. We did keep the uh beginning of the school year as originally proposed. uh teachers and staff would uh report back to work on Monday, August 31st. They would have a professional
development day on Tuesday, September 1st, and then students would return uh on Wednesday, September 2nd for grades 1 through 12, and then preK and K on Thursday the 3rd. Um as you note on this calendar, that is before Labor Day. Uh historically, um at least during my time
here, we have started after Labor Day. Uh but this year, you can see Labor Day is late. Uh we also have a midterm election coming up. Uh the towns have requested that we do not hold school on on that day as well. Uh so given the
early late uh lateness of Labor Day, the election day, we obviously look ahead towards the end of the school year. Um I I think we can all agree and our faculty and staff would agree. um it it gets difficult uh when we get into late June as we will be faced with this year uh
just with temperatures and um you know keeping the attention of of the students and and their level of engagement. So whatever we can do to try to uh you know uh shorten the school year uh by starting early uh we certainly want to try to be able to do that. We did,
you'll notice after the Labor Day holiday, we did include two days there in purple just because there was some question uh at the last meeting about, well, what would it look like if we started after Labor Day? So, you can see uh those two purple colors there, which would be our traditional start, Tuesday
the 8th and then Wednesday the 9th. And then looking ahead to June, you can see again uh the the days in green. Uh so we'd be looking at uh June 9th for the last day of prek and K, June 16th for
the last day of school, and then obviously as you know, we have to build in those five potential weather days, although we do have to make up any days beyond that. That would push us to June 23rd. Um so ideally, no inclement weather days, no school closures. We
would be getting out now June 16th by starting before Labor Day. If obviously we go uh with starting after Labor Day, we would then be looking at Friday uh the 18th. Uh and then with the snow days, Friday the 25th. Um so that was
the the only significant change really was April removing that and then just highlighting the potential for starting after Labor Day. Uh but it would be my recommendation based on this calendar uh that we would begin this year uh prior to Labor Day.
>> Thank you, Mr. Powers. Um, based on Mr. P's recommendation, I'm going to put the motion on the floor to discuss. I'll entertain a motion to approve the 2026 2027 school calendar with the first day of school for grades
1 through 12 on September 2nd, 2026. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion made by Mr. Lo, second by Mrs. Conrad Labberto. Um, thoughts, comments, questions on that version of the calendar? Uh just one point of uh information,
Mrs. King, we we did uh because we are getting laid out uh out late this year, starting a little bit earlier last year, we did kind of review the summer um schedule and and we're still although we have two half weeks in there, it would still be approximately 10 weeks of summer vacation that we would have.
>> Okay. Do we have any comments on that? >> Seeing none, all those in favor? I >> Any opposed? Okay, that concludes my report. Thank
you. Um, next we have budget subcommittee report which is quite lengthy. We've been having a lot of budget business. Um, the budget vote itself is at the end of the meeting just to set expectations. Um, on
March 9th, 2026, budget subcommittee met at 5:30 in the superintendent's conference room. In attendance were Mr. Lo, Miss Hoy Thomas, superintendent powers, Miss Babalola, director of business services, Miss Robishau, treasurer, Mrs. Healey, HR director, and Mrs. McDougall, our recording secretary,
as well as myself. Um, we did receive a 2027 budget update. Uh, we went over updated budget numbers and updates from the towns. um looking at a 3% potential increase from Bridgewater, which would equate to a 1.82% increase from Rainham,
which would mean no potential for the restoration of the 10 positions we had been speaking about, reallocation of ESL positions to grants, reducing utilities, reducing health insurance if applicable, which our PEC has been meeting um over
the past several months. um elimination of Chromebooks um for certain oneto ons um that we would put off, increase of athletic fees potentially and reduction of supplies and materials um as well as potential unfilled retirements or open
positions. Um all of those were discussed as potential um to meet that um funding um equation that we would have to go over. Um continue to go over reductions and different percentage increases. um budget subcommittee went
over the March 11th, 2026 budget presentation slides for feedback for the public hearing. Um we discussed the operational um reviews which were still we were awaiting um he gave Mr. Powers gave an update that we were waiting for final
reports and would have that within that week and was sent to the towns over as we had scheduled a March 18th CLA workshop. March 2nd, 2026 budget minutes were approved. Um, on March 10th, 2026, Vice Chair Loch, Superintendent Powers,
and myself attended a Rainham Finance Committee meeting at 6 PM and the Rainham Select Board meeting at 7 p.m. During those meetings, we answered questions, gave clarification, and received feedback from the FINCOM members and then gave an update and received feedback from the Rainham
Select Board at the Select Board meeting that evening regarding the budget presentation. On March 11th um 2026, the school committee met at 7 pm at the Bridgewater Rainham Regional High School lecture hall and we had the p uh fiscal 27
budget public hearing. In attendance were Mr. Lo, Mr. Fitzgibbons, Mrs. Conrad Labberto, Miss Hoy Thomas, Mr. Guthro and myself, Mr. Selenus, and Mrs. Davenport were unable to attend. Miss Smelts took the minutes. At that time, I presented fiscal 27 budget to the school
committee and took feedback and questions from the school committee and members of the public. At that time, we took a motion to take the budget under advisement. On March 12th, 2026, Superintendent Powers and I attended the Bridgewater Capital Planning Committee via Zoom. At
that time, we went over the capital budget procedure and timeline as well as theou recently approved. This was helpful for the Bridgewater Capital Planning Committee to understand our capital timeline and process and at how it fits into their budget timeline and process as well. So, thank you for um
that subcommittee for having us that evening. Um budget subcommittee met on March 16th, 2026 at 5:30 in the superintendent's conference room. In attendance were Mr. Lo, Miss Hoy Thomas, Mr. Fitz Gibbons, Superintendent Powers,
Assistant Superintendent Barry, Miss Babalola, Miss Robo, Mrs. Healey, and myself. Miss Smeltz took the minutes. Uh we approved the minutes from the March 9th, 2026 M um budget subcommittee. Um first on the agenda, we discussed the
fiscal 27 budget update. Uh we went over feedback from the school committee and members of the public at the public hearing. We had also received a few emails from parents and educators following that hearing. The budget subcommittee went over the budget that was presented on March 11th at the public hearing and the potential of the
budget being passed at school committee and funded by the towns. It was agreed that the budget subcommittee would stay supporting this current budget. It was also discussed if it was possible um regarding if Rainham if the budget would not be approved in Bridgewater, if
Rainham would also have funds available to give that money to the district and what ramifications that would have as well. Um the operational audit um was discussed and reviewed in advance of the March 18th, 2026 presentation by CLA. Um
we've re reviewed the recommendations by CLA. Um and though the operational review report and the budget book were put on the district website um on the budget tab for anyone in the community to review as well.
Uh we did receive a fiscal 2026 budget update from Mrs. Babalola. Um she gave an intern update on the budget. She indicated that the budget was unfroze as of March 9th to avoid lastm minute spending and reconciling between now and June. We reviewed any line items that
were being monitored um such as utilities. Uh we also asked at that time regarding the snowstorm uh which Mr. P had just received those figures and got back to us with. Um and the next quarterly budget report will be at the April meeting with Miss Babalola. Uh we
also reviewed sports uh for the the athletic fees um to date. Um so far the projected numbers for winter um in revenue we had taken in 105,000 in athletic fees. Expenses to date were 186,000 in coaching stipens and costs
including rentals, 5,000 in supplies and 89,000 in transportation. So the fees we are collecting are not fully funding athletics but they are offsetting the cost currently. So, we will continue to review that after spring sports begin as well.
Um, again, we reviewed the CLA workshop um uh information and we approved the March 2nd, 2026 budget minutes. Um, on March 17th, 2026, I attended the Bridgewater Budget and Finance Committee
meeting um in the academy building. Um although the school committee was not invited to speak or attend that meeting. Um we did have our budget on their agenda to discuss. Um so I did go to attend and oversee what that discussion was. Um there were several parents,
students, and educators that spoke at their public comment in favor of the fiscal 27 budget and advocating for the town to approve this. So to the parents that attended that meeting, um thank you very much for going to that meeting and advocating for your students and your
and our staff. Um during that agenda item, it was also discussed the financial constraints of the town of Bridgewwater has in the upcoming year and the CLA presentation that they would be attending on March 18th. Um, the town council did vote in favor of me speaking
at their town council meeting for public comment and I reminded the town council and members of the public present or watching at home where we were in the district budget process and upcoming dates for them to be aware. Um March 18th, 2026, um we held the
joint meeting of the school committee, the Rainham Select Board, Rainham Finance Committee, Bridgewater Town Council, and Bridgewater Finance Committee here in the lecture hall um for Clifton, Larson, and Allen to present the operational um review of the Bridgewater Rainham School District,
which was received March 11th and forwarded to the towns um for their review on March 12th in advance of the March 18th joint meeting. Um, in attendance were many members from school committee, town council, um, and Rainham Select Board. Mr. Eric Mason presented
highlights from the operational review. Um, the scope of work from the operational review was originally drafted by President Loretti and then approved by the town of Bridgewater and the town of Rainham. Once that scope of work was approved and it was bid out and awarded to CLA, the towns of Rainham and
Bridgewater appropriated and paid for that review. um high priority observations and recommendations student enrollment and population um it was a review and recommendation um regarding the 8th grade to 9th grade attrition
which had historically been about 23.5% and had grown to 28.2% in the past year. Um CLA recommended implementing structural longitudinal moni monitoring processes for gradetograde conversion. Um, this is supported by the district at
the middle school level, but we do note that we do lose a quarter of students to vocational, agricultural, school choice, and private high schools for a variety of reasons. And this year we did also lose many more due to budget concerns and high class sizes, which I
understand. Um, also increased sports fees, which was an issue for many parents. Um, the second high priority was a chart of accounts and ERP design for capital. The business office relies currently on Excel tracking for capital activity. CLA rem recommended
integrating capital and accounting tracking into an ERP to invite to provide enhanced reporting, monitoring and budgeting. Um note this was supported but it is also a cost driver which we are trying to constrain our costs right now. Uh medium priority
observations and recommendations fixed asset capitalization threshold. The district's fix fixed asset capitalization threshold is set at 5,000 which is low considering the scale and complexity of the district. CLA recommended raising this to 25,000 to
lessen administrative workload and allow for more effective management of high value assets. This recommen recommendation was supported by the district transportation oversight. The district is experiencing cost pressures due to rising special education
transportation, increase in bus monitor costs, and contract renewals. CLA recommended continuing monitoring of the current contract and a competitive procure procurement process at the expiration. Also considering tiered service level levels, monitoring routes
and bus populations, and implementing data-driven route strategies. Note, this is also supported. However, we do bid the contract out and generally have only received one bid from Lucini um which is across the Commonwealth. We also in
partnership with Lucini monitor routes and bus populations to have cost savings where where we able and as Mr. P did um note um it was brought up by Mrs. Hoy Thomas in one of our policy meetings to review the transportation policy. Um,
and what came out of that is to review um, could we have any cost savings by um, sending this survey out to parents to see if we could save any money if parents would confirm that they would not be using transportation. Um, but it was not enough that it would be a cost
savings uh, for the district. Um, health insurance cost mitigation also medium. Um, increased health insurance costs were a concern. CLA recommends adopting a comprehensive multi-year health benefit strategy for cost savings to project costs and reduce
costs. Um I do note that this year we made great strides to constrain those costs by prov retaining a new adviser and opening up the PEC to negotiate lower costs. Um low priority observations grant reliance um the district recommend
demonstrates grant reliance and utilizes the grant sufficiently. However, CLA recommended developing grant sustainability regarding any grant-f funded positions that we rely upon. Um, the district generally only uses uh grant funds for one-year contracts or special education grants. Um, but yes,
we do rely upon these and these are continuously reviewed and reconciled within the year and yeartoyear. And the second low priority was central office uh structuring. Central office operates with a very low staffing ratio for the complex reporting environment necessary.
CLA recommended increasing resources to develop increased financial planning and analysis, grant management, capital planning and accounting as well as standardized procedures and accounting, ERP system training and project accounting. Uh note this was supported
but again also a cost driver. um five-year projections took into account a constant 3% increase each year to obtain level services. Mr. Ma Mason then took questions from the school committee, town of Rainham, and Town of Bridgewwater. Um finally, we did have
public comment at the end um before the joint meeting was closed. And lastly, on March 23rd, 2026, budget subcommittee met again at 5:30 in the superintendent's conference room. In attendance were Mr. Mr. Fitzgiven, Mr. Lo, Miss Hoy Thomas, Superintendent
Powers, Mrs. Babalola, Miss Robasho, Mrs. Healey, and myself, Mrs. Smelts took minutes. Um, we did also have three members of the public attend that meeting. Um, so we did have public comment at that time. Um, and again, they advocated for increased positions
due to class sizes, um, the strain on our staff and the effect it was having on our students education. Um the subcommittee had a lengthy discussion regarding the fiscal 27 budget regarding feedback received since the last budget subcommittee meeting
regarding the budget this from the school committee members teachers and the community. Mr. Powers provided feedback from the towns. Uh we went over the current budget that we have been supporting and putting forward and the pros and cons of this budget. Also, we discussed the financial outlook for the
towns and the probability of this being accepted or rejected and the timeline of our budget needing to be approved um with Desi. The subcommittee voted 3 to one to bring this budget forward tonight for consideration and approval by the
full committee of which we would need a two-third majority or six of our eight members to approve. Mr. P further shared results from this transportation survey which he discussed um here as well. Um, we also discussed the results of the BP lottery this year, uh, which would have
a budgetary impact potentially on the district. Um, with the change in admittance policy due to lottery this year, um, if more students are accepted or and take those positions, we would lose more students and thus chapter 70 funding. If less students were accepted,
this increases class size at the high school potentially. Um, so we did receive preliminary numbers. Once those students are fully accepted, um we will bring that back and discuss again at budget. Uh we did have a followup on the CLA um
after the hearing um and discuss that presentation. Um and again, Mrs. Babalola indicated that she would give her quarterly update at the April school committee meeting. We approved the March 16th, 2026 budget
subcommittee minutes and we closed that meeting with um further public comment from those members that was still in attendance. Again, advocating for the budget and increase positions. And that wraps up my budget report. Um
as I said we had a very busy month um trying to meet with the subcommittee the school committee the towns having presentations etc. Um so at the end of the meeting we will present that budget as well. Um do I
have questions comments? I know that was a lot of information um regarding budget before we move on to policy. Thank you. Um, next I have Mrs. Conrad Labberto with policy. >> Thank you, Mrs. King. Um, on March 9th,
the policy committee met um really fat. We were very uh expedient in that meeting. But we reviewed one policy at that meeting. It was JFA residency of students. And what this policy um did was actually looked at to
tighten asked that we do that that we um review the policy, update the policy of residency um and kind of tighten it up. Um the policy is in your uh packets to review um what it really um tightens up.
>> Conor, can I just put it on the floor to wave the first reading and then you can discuss changes? >> I'll entertain a motion to wave the first reading of policy JFA, residency of students. >> So moved. >> Second. Second. Um motion made by Miss Conrad Labrento, second by Mr. Loch. Um
and then if you want to point out um changes, Mrs. Conrad Labrento. >> Um really for folks to know what's in it is um some of the changes. Um it establishes that um reverification of residency um when there are really
transitions from um school to school. So when uh students leave elementary school to go to middle school, there would be a reverification of residency. when students leave those school to go to high school there' be a reverification of um residency and then the other which
is in the notes just need to add we also add to the policy again we don't need to amend it now because we'll take it back to bring it back out is that also that um at any time that the district felt that it was necessary they could um re
um verify res residency um of a student. That's really what's in here. and then also kind of um shored up or clarified some of the documentation that is required for residency. I don't know if there's any initial comments or questions about this. Again,
we'll bring it back to the next meeting for Thank you. Do we have questions on this policy? Um I do not see any. So, as Miss Conrad Labber said, this will come to a second reading at the April meeting. So if you have um questions, comments, feedback
for her, please let her know. >> Is there anything else Mrs. Conrad? That is it. >> Thank you. >> Um next we have the breath liaison report. U Miss Hoy Thomas and Mr. Guthro. >> Yes. So the Bridgewaterham Educational
Foundation held their star night gala on March 14th. This was a soldout event in another year of successful fundraising. The BRF committee would like to thank the incredible community for making this year's gala such a spectacular celebration. From the moment the doors open to the very last song, the energy,
joy, and generosity in the room were unforgettable. A huge shout out to the high school's own Rainwater Players for kicking off the evening as the opening act. Their talent and stage presence set the tone for the entire night and had everyone excited. A special thanks to the sponsors, donors, volunteers,
performers, and guests. Because of you, we are able to continue creating meaningful opportunities for students and staff across Bridgewater and community. BRF would like to extend an extra special thanks to their foundation partners, Lucini Bus Lines, Bridgewwater State University, and Northeastern Machine Company for their continuous
contributions to the foundation. The funds raised will continue to supply grants applied for by staff at each school for innovative programs that inspire learning, enrich students educational experiences, and strengthen the school community beyond what public funding can. And that was their fifth
annual. So we'll see you at the sixth. >> Thank you. Mr. Gothro, do you have anything? >> Nothing further to add. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next, we have the fiscal 27 budget fil. >> Madam Chair, >> uh yes, Mr. Fitzgibbons, >> could I just make a motion to uh take
item C under new business out of order so that we don't have to hang around. I know Mr. Lo is going to recuse himself. We can take care of that and then get to the budget. >> Sure. Motion to take approval of general
ledger warrants out of order. >> Um so, sorry. Motion made by Mr. if it's given second by Miss Hoy Thomas. Um, all those in favor? >> Any opposed? Okay. I will entertain a motion to approve the general ledger warrant stated March 5th, 2026.
>> So moved. >> Motion made by Mr. Fitz Gibbons. Do I have a second? >> Second made by Mrs. Conrad Labberto. All those in favor? I. >> Any opposed? >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Fitzgiven.
Um, I have a presentation if the committee wants to No. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Shant. Sorry. Um, fiscal 27 vote. Uh, good evening. Before I begin, I want to thank the budget subcommittee, the full school committee, and
superintendent Powers for their dedication through this budget cycle. As you just heard, it has been many budget subcommittee meetings, school committee meetings, workshops, town meetings, town select board, town council meetings. Um,
so it was a lot. We've been trying to be as diligent as we can re getting feedback, working through everything, being transparent, and working with our town partners, as well as hearing feedback from our community members, our staff, our students, our parents. Um, I
also want to thank the towns for their support and collaboration through this cycle. We can still do better at that, but we have made great strides working together and being more transparent with each other and with our communities. However, I mostly want to thank our students and our staff for sticking with
us this year. You've heard some of our educators here tonight and over the past month. I know that class size at all grades and a lack of offerings at the high school has made teaching and learning challenging and frustrating for all of you. Despite that, as we heard from our student advisory council,
they're still doing amazing things. The students are excelling and our teachers are making it happen no matter what. So, thank you to them. Teachers still show up for their students every day. Our students show up ready to learn and excel every day. This
year has taken a toll on our educators because we are lacking the staffing resources to give our students more help, more individualized attention, and more feedback. In a class of 35, that's almost impossible. They're still making it happen, but it's been challenging.
What we need after two years of 5% and 10% cuts is a step in a positive direction. We need to show our staff and our students and our families that we are making a positive step here, not going back and not staying the same. The
budget I'm presenting this evening is the same budget Mr. Powers presented on February 4th, 2026 as his preliminary budget and that we presented at the public hearing on March 11th, 2026. This is the budget that we feel confident in and we have not wavered from. It
restores 10 critical teaching positions to reduce class size and address the loss of electives and high school and classes at the high school. It is responsible and reasonable budget with an overall increase of 4.92%. It is an overall increase to Bridgewater
in the amount of 9.87% and Rainham in the amount of 7.8%. State funding with chapter 70 and chapter 71 is only a mere 0.58% increase. So the burden of funding has
fallen on our towns. As a school committee, one of our main responsibilities is to present a budget that serves the needs of our students. However, IFI has stated in the past, we do not fund ourselves. So yes, we cannot stand in a vacuum. We need to look to
our member towns who are bearing this funding burden and be cognizant of what their financial pressures and constraints are. We saw with our budget last year and the failed override that a comm our community also felt the financial pressures and wanted to be sure we are managing our money in the
most efficient way possible. To that end, we endeavored to be as transparent as possible this year. We posted every budget presentation and document on the website. We attended town meetings. We advocated and answered questions. We have had school committee meetings and took public comment and public hearing
feedback. We presented the findings of the CLA operational review. Yes, they found areas recommended for improvement, but the bottom line is we are spending our very limited resources efficiently. What we need now is for our town
partners and our community to see that we need their support on the budget. We need the towns to value education of our students like we do. I stated last year, when a school district thrives and feels valued, this benefits our whole
community. We cannot lose any more students or any more educators. We need to have a positive step as a promise to our students and our families and our staff this year. So that's why we have not wavered from this budget.
It is a very short presentation. It is the same presentation we have presented over and over again. If my clicker would work. >> Thank you, Mr. Shant. Sorry about that. budget for a new one. >> The district impact of this budget
incrementally making a positive change in the district after we lost 72 positions in the past two years. Address NIAS accreditation warning concerns at the high school. Restore 10 studentf facing staff positions. Six classroom
teachers at the K8 level to keep class size under 30. four classroom teachers at the high school to restore some electives and lower class size in social studies classes. We can see we have lost some students in the past year. They saw this class size.
They saw the loss of teachers and we have lost students. But we have lost way too many educators. We still have half high class sizes and as you note we're still hovering at 41.3% special needs or high need students. We
need the staff and we need the support. These are our class- size projections without the 10 positions. The circled ones, as we've shown before, are where we would address over 30, which as many of we've had at public comment, this is
an arbitrary number we picked. It should be way under 30. It should be under 25. But we're trying to make small steps forward here. We would need a classroom teacher at the third grade level and the fifth grade level in Bridgewwater to make it under 30. In Rainham at the
fourth grade level, two at the fifth grade level and one in the seventh grade level. I did not put the following slide for the high school, but I do want to go back to that. that's stating the four teachers at the high school would add
some electives back and help address social studies which has class sizes of over 35. Um Mr. Powers has also tried to work out of the box um and get more dual enrollment with our BSU and other community college partners. Um, we're
trying to think of different ways that we can utilize those studies that our seniors now have, myself included having a senior, um, to have them, if we can't have all of the class offerings that they've used to be having, how else can we utilize that time in a positive way
to have those have classes. Um, this is the fiscal 27 overall budget for 10,000 administration. It's a decrease in central office, IT, HR, and legal. Increasing instructional services, which
is teaching positions, at 4.85%. Transportation up only 2%. Operations and maintenance, so utilities, custodial, maintenance down 4.6%. Anything not student facing, we're trying to make cuts. Fixed costs again,
insurance 11.9% right now. um lower than in the past years. We've really worked really hard to try and bring this number down. Programs with other districts, 15.48%. Um out of district programming, this has
stabilized, but again, as many students as we try to keep within the district. There are many students that need to be placed in out of district programming. Um debt retirement, some of those program, some of those projects are coming off the books. So, it's a slight
decrease there for a total budget of a 4.92% increase, which we believe as CLA recommended a 3% increase. This adding 10 staffing positions is reasonable. Um, the next is the
27 budget overall. Um, Bridgewater assessment and debt a 9.87% 87% increase. Rainham assessment and debt, a 7.8% increase for total town assessments of 9.11%.
I do want to point out, as I stated earlier, chapter 70 and chapter 71 aid because we've had a very minimal state funding chapter 7 aid increase this year of 1.2% I think we decreased our
transportation. Um that overall then was only a 0.58% increase. Um transportation went down. Potentially that might get a little bit more funded but we are not sure of that. Um for a
grand total overall, oh I'm sorry, the 21.37 decrease um we are only contributing um miscellaneous and END which is our free cash a slightly lower estimate this year as every year we've been adding
more and more. We've also been trying to put in our budget every year as close to actuals as we can. There's not a lot at the end of the year that we are putting down to END. Um we started when I came on the committee in 2018 putting 1.5
million every year to offset the budget. Then it was 2 million for several years. Last year it was 2.8 million. We do not have that much extra left over to continue that. Um so that is a decrease this year. um for an overall increase in
the budget again 4.92%. Uh breakdown by town for Bridgewater. Um assessment 11.2%. Um debt is a little bit lower um down through 28% for a total overall budget increase 9.87%.
And for Reanham um assessment increase 8.1% debt slightly lower at 5% for a total overall increase for RAM's assessment and debt 7.80%. Um so that is the same budget that we
have presented time and time again over the course of this. Um, I know many of you have advocated for increasing more than that, more than 10 positions. We've tried to stay with a budget that
both does a positive increase to show our educators, to show our families and our students we are making a positive step. Also knowing that our towns are financially constrained and yes, our main job is to care about our students,
but we don't fund ourselves. The funding needs to come from someone that is not us. It is the town council, the select board, the town's people of Bridgewwater, the town's people of Rainham. Last year, they said no in an override. This year, we want to be unwavering, presenting a reasonable and
responsible budget that shows we heard that, but we need to make a positive step for our children. So, that is my presentation. If the committee wants to come back, we can discuss Pardon me. All right, I will take
comments, questions on the budget. Anyone wants to start? >> I'm happy to start. Chair King. >> Sure. Sorry. Trying to or I got have too many papers tonight. >> Totally understand. I I I was just hoping and I I've been holding this
question since you delivered your Paul your your budget sub update. So, right again, we continue to ask for nine and seven. Item one in budget sub said indications from the town I guess from the towns are 3% and and 1.82%. I just want to make sure that I
understand that correctly and the intelligence that we're getting or the the feedback we're getting from the towns is regardless of what we vote tonight, right? It's really more looking like 3% and and 1.82%. >> So I'm not going to speak for Mr.
Powers. I know he's had more conversations with them. Um it's a tricky situation. They are starting their budget preliminarily right now. We have had some initial conversations or Mr. Powers has or Mr. Kasanova Davis did
come to one of our first budget sub meetings and he gave his first forecast of budget which was in a deficit. So he was projecting a very conservative budget that they could handle of 2 and a half to 3%. which we that would be
cutting positions for us. Um Rainham has potentially said they may be able to do that. We've had vague conversations with them at finance committee meeting. Um I don't know that they want to commit to anything specific until they get a
budget from us and they actually present their actual budgets next month as well. So it's we've talked about this for a year now how our cycles don't align so it makes it tricky where we're giving them a final budget and they're doing their preliminary budgets. >> So I I guess to maybe ask my my question
a different way in our record for tonight's meeting are the numbers 3% and 1.82% and 1.82 is awfully specific as is three. Where did they come from? >> Did we make those up? Where are they from? >> Happy who said them. >> Sure. Happy to answer that. Uh really
the the numbers that we're uh working off of or concrete numbers that we're working off of are the initial uh budget forecasts provided by the town of Bridgewater. Mr. Kasanova Davis did as Mrs. King's uh share um put out his budget forecast for the town. Uh the initial based on the information that he
had uh the the lowest amount would be uh potentially 2 and a half% increase over last year, which would translate to a 1.52% increase for rain. Um I I know in speaking with Mr. Casanova Davis uh he is doing everything on his end not just
for the schools but also for the other departments across the town to hopefully be able to provide additional funding uh based on uh you know updated information if there's uh you know new information for the on the town side about their revenue. Uh but at the at at the very
least we know at this point uh we should uh be you know anticipating or expecting at at a minimum that two and a half percent increase. Um and if obviously if anything goes up from there it's certainly u you know is a benefit to us.
Um again speaking with Mr. Barnes over in Rainham. Uh, you know, their initial budget numbers were higher on the Rainham side. And so, you know, that obviously would translate then if if Rainham came in at a 3 to 5% increase,
that would obviously increase the assessment for the town of Bridgewwater, uh, which we know would be much higher than what, uh, Mr. Kasanova Davis at this point is saying that, uh, he is projecting, which would be that, you know, two and a half. Again, I know he's making every effort to work uh with his
finance team, work through uh with the council to try to increase, you know, that percentage uh possibly for us and and also other departments across the town. But, uh at this point, the the number that I can say with confidence, Mr. Gothro, is that 2 and a half and
1.52. And Mr. Par, if you'll indulge me further, can can you just talk about not to lead the witness, how disastrous of a budget that would be? Uh okay like for and and maybe just to give you some clarity like would headcount go up, go down or go the same based off of this
year if we only got two and a half%. >> Uh we would have to make significant reductions uh like we had the last few years goods services um are things that we always try to to reduce. We then unfortunately um you know would be faced
with making personnel reductions although I don't anticipate it to be as significant and severe as this year. Um I I do uh anticipate having to either you know leave uh some of our retirements uh upcoming retirements unfilled which obviously then translates
to higher class size because we have you know less positions uh instructing our students um or you know at at worst case um you know having to reduce staff again. So whether we're leaving positions open or having to reduce
staff, we will make have to take some personnel actions. I I I can say it will not be as significant as this past year thankfully. Uh but we we'll still it'll still be an impact >> further reduction. Uh >> clubs and service, clubs and sports, increased more fees, reduced offerings,
fewer electives, higher class sizes. >> Yeah. all things. I just and I ask because I just don't want anyone to be surprised when we get to next year and and anyone to say, "Wait a minute. I didn't know that another sport might be at risk or I didn't know athletic fees might have to
go up higher." Right? Because regardless of what we do based on what Miss King proposed, right? Like that's the number that matters. That's the number that people need to be focused on. I >> I I think all of those things always have to be on the table uh given our
current situation. Um, I'm hopeful that as the governor's budget makes its way through the House and Senate. You know, there's a lot of talk about chapter 70 being increased for districts. I'm hopeful that happens. Uh, that could bring in additional revenue to the
district and may be able to alleviate some of the strain and pressure. Uh, but, you know, we're also working, as Mrs. King said, and you know, Mr. got through on our health insurance. Uh the budget that you um see in front of you did include a 15% increase in health
insurance because those were our initial numbers when we prepared the budget. Uh we are hopeful uh after working through our PEC group and with our new insurance advisor that those numbers come in lower. uh which then obviously makes that shortfall or deficit smaller which
then uh you know it might mean we could fill our retirements or it might mean we may not have to uh reduce staff because again we're once again going to decimate our our our things our goods and services before we have to get to personnel. I I do think if for some
reason Chapter 70 doesn't change, if for some reason uh we don't see the relief we expect in health insurance, then all of those things have to be on the table. You know, right now where we hope not to have to increase sports
fees. That would be, you know, again, we've we've seen participation down this year. I I think the the more we and I think Mr. Fitz Gibbons. Uh you said this last year, we're going to price ourselves out of athletics. We're just not going to, you know, we're we're banking on having more
revenue because we're raising the fees, but kids are not going to participate and therefore we're not going to generate that revenue. Um and and so that is that is a concern. I I think you know there there are like I said some potential relief points for us through health insurance hopefully additional
chapter 70 hopefully uh some additional chapter 71 uh transportation but you know that that's some time away before we potentially see at least a state numbers because it has to work through the house and senate but I yes to your point there shouldn't be any surprises
going into next year all things have to be on the table if this is what we're potentially faced Hopefully I answered your question or >> did you did anyone? >> No, no, I appreciate that. I I have additional questions, but I I I would like to give others on the committee a
chance to weigh in as I've started to suck the oxygen out of the room. So, thank you. Do we have other questions, comments? >> Mrs. Mrs. kind of kind of >> I would just say is, you know, it's
this is hard to stomach. Let's just all be honest. I don't think any of us up here want to stomach, want to say this is this is what's good or right for our kids. But I also think that we need to be realistic about what our towns can do. This does add positions
back to those uh at the K through eight level and the high school. I mean, I'll say I'm personally affected by the high school and what has happened to my kids and their ability to get classes. Um, and I think it's pathetic that we don't have business department that our seniors are taking two electives or I'm
sorry, studies a year and I have a senior next year that will be directly impacted by this. Um, but I also am realistic about what our towns can afford and also am realistic that we need a budget. Um, and so it's really
hard for me. Again, I would love 20 positions. I would love 30 positions. Um, but I think we need to make incremental steps um to move forward. And the other thing too is, you know, I would just say is, you
know, we're worried about the obviously we're worried as much as I would like to say I don't care about the towns and their other department their other um departments, you know, it's something that we have to think about. Um, you know, Bridgewater has significant water concerns and he has all kinds of fin um
financial responsibilities around that. As much as I would like to say I don't care, give me all your money for our students, I think it's something we do have to take in consideration is again what is reasonable um while making incremental um
steps in our budget. >> Thank you. And I I just want to put that out there, too. None of us really like this budget. Obviously, I'm presenting it. I'm advocating for it. I don't like this
budget. Um I too have an incoming I have a 12th grader graduating and I have an incoming ninth grader. So again, this affects a lot of us up here. Um and this does also two things can be true, which
one of our um public said. Um the second truth is this does not mean even if we accept and approve this budget that we will stop stop advocating or not hold the towns accountable for what is their plan, what are their projections, how are they going to get out of this
financial hole that they are in. Um because even if we get a budget, yes, how are they going to afford that? That is not our problem. Our problem is to get a budget, but it is our problem to continue to advocate to them. What is your long-term plan? Rainham is doing
okay, but they have a BP um budget that they are trying to fund out of their operational budget. They have a public safety building they're trying to gather enough funds to build. Um Bridgewater, as Mrs. Conrad Labberto said, has a huge water issue that they're trying to deal
with. So, yes, we need to keep advocating to both towns, even if this passes. What is your long-term plan? We showed you our funds. We showed you that we are as efficient as possible with our meager resources, but what how is the town going to add revenue? How are they
going to promise that they can year-over-year increase or keep our budget the same to add these small increases? So, that is also a truth that we need to keep um holding the towns accountable as well. >> Mr. Fitzgibbons,
>> you were looking at >> Mr. Lo >> and just echoing my colleague statements, this the word term reasonable is an understatement. We I think nobody at this table doesn't disagree that this isn't what our students deserve, it's not what they
need, but given the factors at play, it's what's reasonable. We see a $2 million deficit in Bridgewater right now. As we just opened up our books, we let outsiders in to review our policies and practices and look at all of our data and financial
statements. I think it's time for Bridgewater to do the same. We're obviously coming to a tipping point where we actually can't fund ourselves or fund ourselves appropriately. The school district is we're basically having to beg and plead now just to keep
our class sizes above 30. I have a child going into seventh grade next year and I you think I'm happy about 31.2. two kids per class. It's shameful. The reflection or lack and of of review
on both sides needs to happen. There also needs to be some long-term planning that goes into place that actually resolves issues instead of just kicking them down the road because everybody in this room knows these have been long-standing progress.
This budget puts forth small incremental progress, but I can guarantee you it won't be the end of it either. We know this doesn't meet needs, but it needs to push things forward. >> Mr. Selenus, >> we hired a new science teacher in the
fall who I mentored. He could not believe the fact that we had classes of 38 and 40. We had serious he had serious issues with stress throughout the fall was overwhelmed and he left with no notice after Christmas.
We have a school funding problem. I think it's time for the leaders to work on that problem because and this is just from my knowledge and looking and investigating that there's been the most cuts to the
school department. Yes, we are the biggest department in the town because we serve the most people. And I will say this and I know I've talked to many of my colleagues and it is my conviction that with so many variables in both Tom financial
pitches I have advocated for more of an increase to at least 20 positions because that is reasonable with 20 based on the March 11th um
table that would still leave at least six grades. of 30 plus students in a classroom. And I wholeheart with a high school freshman do not believe that it would help with electives
or help reduce class sizes um because that number is too small to actually make an impact. Um, so I urge and I plead with the towns to
come together and make a comprehensive plan to fund the schools to a reasonable number, not 10. >> Thank you, Mr. Selenus. >> No one else. I'm willing to go.
>> I'm happy to go again. I have addition. >> Uh thank you. Sorry. Um >> I I want to thank Mr. Lo for for his comments and and and he's echoing what I've been thinking about for a long time, especially since since our financial review last week. You know, the school district, we now have three
documents. We have the CLA review about our best practices, which shows we align with many best practices. We have the Collins Center review, which shows our budget process. And we actually, for those that pay attention, we do have an audit, uh, right, which shows the money comes in and it goes where we say it is
and and and and it goes out. Um, three very strong documents that show what we're doing. Um, you know, there's there's an election right around the corner in the towns. Um, Rainom, Bridgewater. The problems,
you know, the problem with the override vote is we talk with a lot of residents and we've all talked with a lot of residents. We all understand what their outcome was. you dig down a level deeper, it's not even necessarily that it's about the schools. Part of it is, but part of it is everyone feels like we already pay enough. And the question I
keep getting over and over is, well, if the schools, your audit last week, your financial review, whatever we call it, was was was showed good stuff, where's the money going? All I can say is ask the select board and ask the town council. So now I'm going to echo what Mr. Lo said and I'm going to ask my fellow residents and parents. This isn't
about putting parents against seniors. This isn't about putting people who want public safety against people who want beautifification. This is about making sure that our towns are responsibly planning and for the future and that they are within best practices and that it's time they show us there's some
confidence and and open their books and show us that where are they within best practices? Where are their gains for efficiency? Where are their gains for improvement? Uh I understand we're the largest line item expense, but there's a lot of other expenses as well. So, um, you know, I would say the town of Bridgewwater, it's time to open the
books. The town of Rainom, it's time to open the books. Anybody who's interested in another override, it's time to reach out. Whether you support the schools or not, you probably support the senior center, you probably support park and wreck, you probably support the library, the police department, the fire department, the water, the infrastructure, you definitely support
something in your town. It's time for a comprehensive look at what the heck is going on and where our money is going. >> Thank you, Mr. go through. Mr. Fitzgibbons, >> I've tried to be quiet because I tend to go on and I know people uh don't want to
hear me a lot. The only people who are winning right now in this discussion are the people who live on Beacon Hill. Period. until unless and until our state legislators
work to fully fund Chapter 70 the way it's supposed to, chapter 71 the way it's supposed to be, local aid the way it's supposed to be. You know what they're really happy about? It's when the t the town and the school are fighting and they're not looking at the
people who deserve to blame, which is the people on Beacon Hill. Thank you. Yes, I mean I I know you all noted the increase in state funding a half a percent. Like the entire burden of our budget is falling on the towns and not
the state. So that is number one thing that Mr. Hoy and our students will talk to Senators Driscoll and Duner on the on the 30th. Um, I'm sure we are not the only town that is facing this right now. We've heard many towns going for overrides, many towns cutting positions
um across all of their departments because they're not getting the Chapter 7 money that they need. >> Um, Mr. Mrs. Hoy Thomas. >> Yeah. Um, I had a very different um approach at Monday's budget sub and um I
thought the conversation was productive. Um, everyone is emotionally charged by this subject because not only is it our kids, it's our finances. So, I wrote a statement because I'm not the best speaker. So, um, if this budget is somehow funded by the towns, it is no cause for celebration. It will not move
the needle and proposing a reasonable budget. We have put educational standards to the side. We now have lower benchmarks. Classes under 30 are not something to strive for. They are pathetic and appalling. We are once again accepting what BR has grown used to, shrinking the needs of our students
and staff. This approach only allows the towns to delay necessary and long overdue investment. The burden will continue to fall on students and staff who deserve more. It makes me deeply uncomfortable, sometimes physically sick thinking about it, to support this budget, knowing my first grader may be
in high school before class sizes reach an acceptable level. I worry about not only the 17% of students we identify as lowincome, but those in the middle, those whose parents aren't able to look at private schools because they can't afford that option. As a department, we
are responsible for advocating for those students, and what the town does not provide them, they simply will not receive. I also understand our role in the town's budget process. And this tale cannot wag the dog. If we place responsibility with the towns, we must hold our local and state representatives
accountable. The continued devaluation of education reflects a broader societal failure that our community has allowed for too long. Uh for these reasons, I will be unenthusiastically voting yes to pass the budget.
>> Thank you, Miss Hoy Thomas. >> Do we have any other comments? >> Can I >> Mrs. Conrad Leto. >> I mean, I think there's everybody's here because you're so invested in our schools and I applaud you for showing up tonight to be invested. Um, and we all are invested. I would just like to say
what Mr. Fitzgib said and others is this is a Beacon Hill issue. If you look around the communities around us, Taton, Middle, Marshfield, they're all going to lay off staff. They all are in the same position that VR is. BR is probably in a worse position because this is our we've
had numerous years of layoffs. Um all of them are concerned with the lack of chapter 70 funding and the the small increase that is coming out of Beacon Hill. Um so again I know many people here have written letters, have called their senators, have called their state representatives, but I would again
encourage you to continue to do that um because the burden cannot fall just on our towns around this. >> Thank you. Okay, seeing no other comments, I'm going to go to the votes to put on the
floor. Um, we do have to vote them all separately. END transfer, the operational budget, and then debt. Um, I do want to note there is not a fourth vote for capital pursuant to theou that we agreed upon with the town of Rainham
and the town of Bridgewwater. Capital is going to be appro is going to be approved and appropriated in the fall. Um so there was no vote for capital right now. That is going to be pending um appropriation and approval in the fall.
>> Miss King can ask one process question. >> Yes, sure. >> Assuming there are not enough votes to advance the budget beyond tonight, what happens next? And sorry if you were going to get to that, but >> I I was you my thunder. >> I withdraw my question. >> No. No. Um, so as I stated, this is the
one vote that we do need a twothirds majority to approve of the full committee. So we do need six of our eight full members to vote yes to have a budget. If we do not, the motion fails and we continue on until we get six that
will vote yes. Um whether it's the same budget or we change the budget. um we can continue it to another day but we must we generally always do it at this meeting because it must be done by April 30th. Um we try not to go into April
because then the towns have their town council meeting where they approve the budget in May and the select board has their town meeting in May as well. Um and they need certain notices to put those on the warrants and on the agendas. Um but yes, procedurally, um we
put the budget on the floor, we discuss it, and hopefully we get six out of eight to approve it, um or it fails. >> Did that answer your question? >> Mostly, yes. >> What was what was I'm sorry. >> What are we do we do? We come back next
week if it fails, I guess. If it does fail, what what are procedurally the next steps? >> Um well, we would have to put notice. Um, if we go on and on and we cannot get a a a budget to pass, yes, we would go come back next week. We still have to
post it as a special meeting. >> Thank you. >> Um, all right. I'm going to do the END motion first. Um, I will entertain a motion to approve the transfer of $2 million from the district's END fund to
support the fiscal year 27 budget. So, moved. All right. Motion made by Mr. Lo, second by Mrs. Conrad Labberto. Um, all those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Okay. Motion passes with unanimous for
the END. I am next going to do the debt vote. Um, 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 2027, debt costs
as follows, reinham costs with bond interest and principal of $489,217.86 86 to be reduced by state reimbursement and grant dist distributions by the amount of $0 for a total due from rainham of $489,21786.
Bridgewwater's cost with bond interest and principal of 3,449,11964 to be reduced by state reimbursement and grant distributions in the amount of $0 for a total due from Bridgewwater with bond interest and principal of 3,49,11964
for a total debt of 3,938,337 $7.50. >> So moved. >> Motion made by Mr. Lo. >> Second. >> Second by Mrs. Conrad Labberto. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes unanimously
for debt. Regarding the operational budget, um I will entertain a motion to recommend that subject to review and verification by the district treasurer that school committee vote to approve the final budget for fiscal year 2627
excluding debt and capital costs in the amount of 100. Sorry, it's a very small type. Oh, sorry. Yeah, it's $13,791. Oh, that's 10379189. >> Sorry, sorry, this one had a typo. I
will repeat that. Um, I will entertain a motion to recommend that subject to review and verification by the district treasurer, the school committee vote to approve the final budget for fiscal year 2627 excluding debt and capital costs in the
amount of $103,791.89. the final budget figure of $103,79189 to be reduced by anticipated revenue totaling 38,199,810 and an END appropriation of $2 million, leaving the amount of $63,592,80
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 21,887,279 plus the non-discretionary charges of 2,254,438
for a total due from Rainham in the amount of $24,141,717. Bridgewater's aortionment of said cost is to be the state's required minimum contribution of 35,743,832 plus the non-discretionary charges of 3,76,531
for a total due from Bridgewater in the amount of $39,450,363. The aortionment and non-discretionary charges are based on the enrollments in the Bridgewater Rainham Regional School District as of October 1st, 2025.
Okay, thank you. Um, do I have a motion to put that on the floor? >> So moved. >> Motion made by Mr. Loch. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second made by Mrs. Conrad Labberto. >> Miss King, >> Mrs. Mr. Fitzgiven. >> I I just want to correct the record. I'm sure Miss McDougall wrote it down
properly, but you said 103,000, not 103 million. >> Yes, that was the debt and capital cost. That's why I >> Oh, okay. >> myself. That was true. >> All right. Okay. Thank you. >> Questions, comments on that is on the floor.
I'll do a voice vote or would I should I do a roll call since it's six out of eight? >> I would recommend roll. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, Mrs. McDougall, can you call the role, please? >> Absolutely. Mrs. Conrad Labberto,
>> yes. >> Mr. Lo, >> yes. >> Mr. Fitzgib, >> yes. >> Miss Davenport, yes. >> Mr. Yes, >> Miss White Thomas. >> Yes, >> Mr. >> No,
>> you have a seven. >> Well, you didn't ask the chair. >> Oh, me. >> Oh, I'm sorry, Mrs. King. >> Yes. Sorry. I was >> I'm like, where's the last vote? Sorry. Uh, the motion passes 7 to1.
>> 7 to one. >> Um, I just want to thank the committee. As Mrs. Conrad Labberto said, um, none of us, again, I feel like I say this the past several years are happy with this
budget, but I am happy that it's a positive budget, um, and a step in a forward direction. Um, and obviously our work is not done. I'm also thankful for all of you that are here tonight from select board, town
council, the community, teachers, staff. Um, all of you support us. We need that in the greater community. We need, as we've said, our towns to support our education of our students. that makes the entire town better. From the
students becoming community members that are educated and excited to learn to increasing property values, people move to towns that have great school systems. We do not have a great school system right now. We are bottom of the barrel with per people's spending. So, while we
are excited to have a budget to send to the towns, it is not a great budget and we know that and we will work as hard as we can to make it better. So, thank you for my committee and Mr. Powers and everyone here.
>> Mrs. King, while we're giving out thank yous, if I might. >> Yes, Mr. Fitzgiven. >> Yes. I I just want to thank all my colleagues for having what I would call a very civil discussion. But we we we've
disagreed vehemently throughout the process since the first uh preliminary budget the superintendent offered. But I think that this committee was a very good model of civility in public discourse.
And you know, nobody called each other names. Nobody uh is stabbing anyone in the back. We all agree on where we want to be. It's just how do we get there and that's the most important thing and we'll all continue to work together to
get to the right spot I think. >> No, I agree. And I know Mrs. Thomas had said this is an emotional thing. All of us have kids. Many of us have kids in all different schools within the district. This directly affects us. Um
so it is emotional. Yes, it's about money, but it's about our own families. We're school committee members, but I'm a mom. I have a ninth grader going into the high school um who's going to have to pay a huge sports fee and find classes and make sure she's ready to go
to college in a couple of years. So, it affects us and it is emotional and I know it's emotional for everyone. So, Mrs. Conra Labberto, >> um I I would just like to recognize um you Mrs. King, Mr. Lo, and Superintendent Powers. The amount of
time I would just say is these are unpaid positions. We all sit up here. Most of us have full-time jobs or other jobs that we do. We don't get stipens um as some of the town clerks and the councils do. Um the amount of time that Mr. Lo, Mrs. King, um I'll say for them
their perspective have spent out of their homes every single night at town meetings, at budget meetings, trying to advocate for our schools and speak up for our schools. Um I can't imagine the amount of hours again other folks on this committee but specifically you two the amount of hours that they've spent
away from their families trying to do this. Um so I just wanted to recognize both of you and again other commit members of this committee but I know um specifically you all have um been at numerous meetings that are outside of the school committee.
>> Thank you. Um, I'm going to move on to public comment. As I stated earlier, we did wave the 12minut time period. So, if you would like to come up and speak at public comment, please state your name and address um for the record. So, if
anyone else would have um public comment, please come up now. I'm going to open public comment at 8:59. Seeing none, I'm going to close public comment then. Um, couple of announcements. Our next budget meeting is going to be April 6th.
We will debrief about this and if we have any feedback from the towns once we send that over to them. Um, school committee meeting is April 15th. It's a little bit early because of the election and um, April vacation. So, April 15th at 7 here at the high school. Um, and
then Saturday, April 25th, 2026 is the Town of Rainham and Town of Bridgewater elections. So, please go out and vote um in those elections. We do have a Bridgewwater seat open and a Rainham seat open um as well as many other things on the ballot. Do we have any
other announcements? All right. Seeing none, I will entertain a motion to adjourn the March 4th, 25th, 2026 school committee meeting at 9:00 p.m. >> So move. >> Second. >> Um, all those in favor? coast.