Okay, we're recording. >> Okay, good afternoon everyone. Thank you for joining us for a government relations subcommittee on December 15, 2025. Um, we are going to talk about our priorities that we wish to bring to our
legislative meeting, our meeting of legislators uh that will be held in February. So, we will come up with the priorities that we can today. We'll bring it to the full committee, see if there's any additions, and then we send try to send that off to our legislators
before uh the meeting in February. It's February 9th, right, Betsy? >> Yes, that's right. Monday, February 9th. >> Monday, February 9th. Okay. And um if we're lucky, we get our state uh reps and our state senator and we sometimes
get our um uh DC rep. A congressman uh Jake Oenclaus has come a couple of times. Once by Zoom when he was still in DC. >> Yeah. And he usually sends uh some a staff member. >> That's right. His chief of staff. >> Yeah. >> So I've I've never I didn't attend this
last year. So we have our legislative meeting in our town hall. >> Yes. Okay. >> We're invited >> where we present here's what we would here's what we're thinking about. >> Yes. We tell them our priorities, what
we're thinking about, and then we let each of them talk. >> And so then >> then they usually tell us >> what they're thinking about and >> okay, >> they have, you know, Cynthia always has some legislation that she's promoting or sponsoring >> and so they kind of tell us where things
are and what's going on. >> Okay, >> so it's it's a little give and take and I think everybody appreciates it, you know. >> Okay, >> good to touch base. Um and you and and we have quite a few um
state reps because um Brook Klein has four or five reps. We're divided up, >> right? So we have now Greg Schwarz, Billy McGregor. >> Okay. >> Tommy. >> Yeah. And Kevin Honen has some
precincts. >> Kevin Honen, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I suppose. >> So Suzanne, I'm going to just completely follow your lead on this because I haven't done this before. >> Sure. >> So don't be shy about just saying like
here's what I like because I have no idea sort of even format and and everything sort of how this works. >> So did you have to see last year's um >> I didn't I'm sure I did, but I
didn't review it before. That's fine. So, I just jotted down just kind of the main topics. So, there were five of them. Five priorities we said. Okay. >> Fully fund special ed. Uh full funding for the Student
Opportunity Act. Chapter 70 funding. Full stable funding for METCO. And the fifth one, prioritize use of fair share amendment for preK to 12 education. Oh, hi Bob. We just started.
>> So that was last year's. Hi Bob. >> Suzanne, let me know if you'd like me to share anything. Okay. >> Okay. Yeah, I guess. Yeah, we could. Hi, Bob. >> Would you like me to show last year's? >> Yeah, you could show last year's. >> Let me see if I can get it here. One moment. And so
does it require discussion for us to sort of like do do you tend to just repeat this list each year or do we kind of go through this again and um so yeah, those are good questions. We
we tend to we tend to focus kind of on this big buckets that are the same. Um Bessie gave us a link from the >> Hello. Hi Bob. >> Hi Bob. >> We just started. >> So welcome. >> Suzanne, are you seeing uh my screen now
with the priorities? >> Yes, I am. >> Okay, great. Okay. >> Yep. >> Uh do you have your grandson with you, Bob, or no? >> I don't know. >> Well, he'll jump in. So, the first part, um, Betsy, if you go
just up to the top at the beginning, this was just kind of an update of what's happening in our school district. >> So, you know, we're going to say something. I don't know. Betsy thought that maybe Bob might want to write this
because he likes writing, but so, you know, talk about that we have a new superintendent, >> okay? >> That, you know, we extended for a full day for beep and it's going well. you know, Pierce is coming along under budget and on time so far. You know, those kinds of things. Uh, thank them
for the chapter 70 additional money we got last year. Betsy's going to check on how much money that is. So, you know, if you read through this, it just kind of lists. >> Okay. >> You know, it's kind of our highlights. You know, we can mention that our our uh middle grades have again been recognized
as the best in the state in the top 10. You know, we could talk about the niche ranking if we want. I mean, just, you know, kind of let them know what we what's been happening this past year. >> And do you only say happy things or do you talk about challenges?
>> No, we can talk about challenges. >> Okay. >> Because they need to know what those are, >> right? >> Yeah. So, you know, I guess I would say kind of think about what those things might be. >> Okay. >> You know, send them maybe send them Betsy, can I have people send it to you? >> Yeah, of course. >> And then we can, you know, kind of pull
it together. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um, and then the other thing we can do though is Betsy gave us a link to the AFT Massachusetts uh list of priorities that they have, which are quite okay.
>> Quite a few, but those are very specific uh bills both in the House and in the Senate. >> Okay. And I'm sorry, I didn't see these. And I'm even I'm looking in the our usual meeting materials page, but are
these linked? >> Betsy, you put these just in the email, right? >> I did. >> Okay. I'm sorry that I missed that. >> That's okay. That's I mean, this is kind of why we're meeting now, >> right? >> Suzanne, are you seeing these priorities? >> I am. Okay. >> Yeah, I am.
>> Okay. That's interesting. >> So, this is really interesting. We didn't do this last year, but I think there may be a few that we might want to specifically ask about. >> Okay. Uh I think um so you know things like um
>> what about this one? >> Uh empower communities there was uh yes yes that one uh highquality prek grant program. Um I'm not a big fan of charter schools.
There's a whole bunch on charter schools. You know we might just ask what's happening with charter schools. Uh there's a one that's a family and medical leave for educators and municipal employees where the state would reimburse us for some of that. Um
the way I could read it again. Oh, and I like this one about uh opportunities for career technical education. >> Uhhuh. >> So, you know, I think we could go through these. I mean that's only a senator that's doesn't have a house but you know we
so the idea is that there would be some of these opportunities at the local high schools not just at the regional schools right >> and then whatever we end up with sorry I'm jumping ahead do we bring this to
the full full committee for approval >> yes we do yes we do >> okay So I would I would guess maybe I mean we don't want 10 you know we want >> something like four or five or maybe we do the buckets but we include some
specific act so they know what we're you know >> curious about >> so here are the buckets. Oh Bessie you're so good. >> Um these are mention >> um >> we've lost Bob I think. Oh, okay. I want to just read the fully I was going to
ask like what does it mean fully fund special education program? I'm just going to read this for a sec. >> I have a full funding increase to 90%. So, right now it's 80.
>> Is it 80 or 75? >> 75. 75 sounds familiar. >> 75 sounds familiar. You know, maybe they changed it. I don't know. Uh >> so that's really important. Yes. >> And is there like would it be worth
saying in there even if it's not connected to any particular legislation like the fact that special ed transportation which of course is essential but is really killing us.
>> Well, I think we Yeah. When we talk about fully funding Yeah. education. I think we should talk about how transportation and we're not alone, you know, >> course everybody >> killing rural uh districts, but that's just general transport. That's general
ed transportation, >> but you know, it's it's a real it's a real problem. I mean, we we don't actually have that except for the cost that we have >> mostly around special ed. I mean, we have the other, but but no, I think it's important to mention that
>> that's been such a big um increase. >> Yes. >> And it's a and it's it's obviously not optional, >> right? And that and the pot's still the same. So, if you're taking if you're, you know, taking the money for transportation, it's not going towards
uh, you know, the classroom. So, right. >> So, anyway, I think I think that's a very good place to put that. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Um, what student opportunity act >> is this still relevant?
>> I would think is still a student opportunity act. We don't have the stimulus money. Yeah. >> Right. >> Um, so I guess we should kind of take a look at what that still might be. >> And I honestly don't really know what that is.
I would have to look into it more. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, the ARPA funds are I think they're done, right, Betsy? >> I'm sorry. ARPA, >> I believe. So, yes, >> we might have them going through this
year. May there may be some left over from 20 in 26, but I'm sure 27 doesn't have any. Well, I say that I think they don't. Now you chapter 70 funding. We got some additional money last year. I don't know if you remember that went
from $75 a student to $150 a student, >> which may have given us 500,000. What Betsy is going to check on the exact amount. >> Okay. >> I think the town got the town allocation was to have been $516,000. Um that was subject to then the town
school split though, so it doesn't mean we got the whole thing, but definitely our legislative delegation worked hard on that. So, >> right. But that's an addition because we had we get 16 million. We got 16 million last year. So >> that's right. >> Right. So I guess we should know those two numbers.
>> Why does that go through the split if it's is chapter 70 not all education? >> Seems like >> um I think because it was a house allocation. And I just um when Representative Atollo, he briefly
attended a finance subcommittee meeting to share this news and that was definitely the conversation, you know, um and it was subject to maybe some additional adjustments based on u Melissa Goff receiving the cherry sheet which is a name of some
>> budget document. So um >> anyway certainly the town was getting a bump and you know a portion was coming to the schools. Okay, I need to understand that more too. Um,
and so then also relevant in the METCO one, hold on, I'm just writing a note. So this came up last year too when we talked about spe special education. And so I have a couple thoughts on on
METCO, which of course I support continuing the funding. Um, I have questions that haven't even been fully answered within the district, but have been partially answered about the allocation
>> and sort of the limitations. Sorry, >> sorry. >> Sorry. um the limitations or restrictions on what we can do with the grant in terms of allocation.
Um and I think that's related to the special education note there. >> Um like remember Mariah I think brought this up last year although that might have been just in finance. Um, so I definitely
and maybe this requires a little more conversation and for me to learn a little bit more from um from um sorry I'm distracted by something over there from um Malcolm. So like
specifically remember Suzanne we've been told that like the state supposedly has gotten stricter and stricter about how we can allocate the METCO grant. So, and they've been
limiting more and more our ability to fund our general fund with the METCO grant. And that's we've been told is the reason why they've like created all these sort of little positions that
aren't classroom positions or aren't special education related. Um, and I remain curious about whether sort of I remain curious about that information
>> and just how we can best utilize the METCO grant to support um, budget in a way that makes sense for us. So I I'm sort of formulating this as I'm I have questions that maybe would
inform this this section. And then definitely, you know, I mean, we know we're spending a lot on special education services for METCO students. And again, from a service perspective,
obviously that's fine if it's necessary, but when the grant doesn't support that, it's it's it's something that we end up getting a lot of questions about, right, from the public. So, >> right, >> um that this feels like an important one, but I don't know enough to sort of
formulate the questions, but just putting out there like my >> Right. So they they're not going to help us with how we spend the money, but we're asking them to fully fund it. >> Yep.
>> So So you know, but you could we could explain the challenges we have around this. >> Uhhuh. Right. >> Right. They're not So they, you know, they're not going to get into our budget questions that we have about the spending of the grant, but they, you
know, we might want to let them know, you know, the challenges we have. And >> if the if the grant really if the state really does tell Malcolm, you know, for example, you can only fund four
classroom teachers with the METCO grant anymore, right? So we have $2 million and we can only spend >> four teachers worth of it. Right. >> Is that something that the legislators >> would >> Yeah. I mean, I don't I don't know if
that's a if that's a policy that comes out of Desi or if that's legislative. >> So, maybe that's a sort of park it and I can continue to try to learn more about that. >> So, I guess that would be the question. How is that a bill that funds it or is it a policy?
>> Okay. >> Okay. I mean, >> I'll talk to Tommy about it and just try and learn more. >> Okay. That would be good. But then but definitely >> but we went >> largely this one would stay the same >> probably. Yeah. So I'm thinking and then the last one is a fair share monies. You
know we want to be sure that we get our that education in general gets a good bulk of that. Um although we're splitting it with I think transportation. Is that who we split that with? Something like that.
>> I believe public transportation. Yes. And it's educ um it's higher education also. So it's not just K through 12. Yeah, >> it's not just K through 12. Yeah, but of course we're pre-K through 12. So we'd like a lot of that. Um so maybe we should have us look at
this, see how tweak it in what way that might feel right. And then under each number we could I under each little paragraph we could if we know of particular bills that might be of interest we might those
>> that would be a way to get very specific. Otherwise they just say >> otherwise they say yeah I agree you need more funding for special education. But if there isn't a bill for it then how do we get a bill for it? I mean they but we could tell them we need one or we or if
there is one you know what is it and how's it moving through the house or senate. >> Um >> okay >> okay. Um what else Betsy? Anything else? Um I think that's it as far as these go.
Um yeah take those off. Um, >> so Suzanne, um, would it be you that when you say tweak,
start by tweaking last year's, is that you or do you want me or Bob to try and do that? >> Sure, you and Bob want to try. >> Okay. >> Yeah, go right. You can start. >> Okay. >> See what you we got. >> Okay. And the timeline is
>> well we we probably want to as a subcommittee go over >> so let's work backwards. So we were saying >> February 9th is the meeting. >> Yeah. >> We want to get it to them by the 1 of February. >> Okay.
>> So they have some time to prepare for it and then so we would have it approved by the end of January meeting. What was that Betsy? Um, January 22nd. >> January 22nd. We should have it approved.
>> So, um, we have until January 22nd to >> We need to meet again to >> Oh, I think we do, don't you? >> I guess so. >> Yeah. >> I mean, it's not very I mean, technically we do, right?
>> Yeah, I would think we should meet. >> Okay. So I would say um I don't know when that sometime before January 22nd. >> Yeah, >> we need to meet. So that's we can maybe do a a poll and see when the committee member available.
>> I'll look for some open I'll look for some open dates and pull the subcommittee. >> Okay. Now I I think Val read the opening, didn't she? Last year. >> Yes, that's usually how we've done it. I kind of forget now, but yes, we >> the chair does that.
>> Yes. Okay. And she she knows all this, so she may want some input as well. >> Oh, yeah. That's a good idea >> because she she really knows this stuff. >> Maybe can she come to
So if she came to the next That would still be fine if she could come. Maybe Betsy, we could include her on the poll because that would only be four. >> That's right. I think that I think that'd be really helpful. >> Okay. Me, too. >> Yeah. And and she'll know what to push
and what not to push. >> Okay. >> How hard, >> you know, great. >> She's stays up on all this. She's good at this. >> So, >> and in fact, because she's not a member of this subcommittee, I could consult with her
offline. >> Oh, sure. >> Between meetings. >> Yeah. Yeah. These threeperson subcommittees really put you in a tough spot. >> I know we lost Bob. I don't know what happened. >> He was there in the car.
>> Um Okay. Well, I will I can take a pass at it. >> Okay. Great. >> Okay. Okay. >> Definitely Val. That would be really helpful. >> Yeah, Val would be really good. Um >> Okay. >> I you know I don't know if we want to even ask what they're doing with cell
phones. you know, that's kind of a hot issue right now. >> Yeah. >> Um, there's a House bill about pay for pair of professionals and ed support staff. >> Okay. >> I I don't know, you know, how far that's going. I don't know if that means they
give us money. That's a big push right now to get pair of professionals higher salaries. >> Um, yeah, >> and we did that the last our last year. So, I mean, we have to keep it going, but we're I don't believe we're behind. >> Uh, >> yeah. Some districts are >> okay.
>> And sorry, are you still looking at the ATF thing? >> No, I'm just looking at some notes I have. >> Oh, okay. >> Well, I am. I mean, I'm looking at notes I put down. Yeah, >> Betsy. >> Yes. >> I'm sorry. I'm going to ask you to do something that's a pain. >> Sure.
>> But it has to do with just like because there's so many emails and stuff. Would you be able without too much trouble after this meeting to put the ATF memo and the last year memo into your
wonderful school committee meeting materials page? >> We'll do. Yep. >> That is actually where I go all the time because it's so organized. >> I do like it. Quick note, um, we are launching a new district website this
Friday unless plans have changed. And so things have migrated over. There's a lot of tweaking I've got to do. The most important thing being my media materials page and there will be new address. So um, I know >> we need a launch party. >> Yeah. Um, no, we really rely on that.
And the next tab under that is archive meeting materials going back 10 years, which is fantastic. Fantastic. >> So, yeah, I'll definitely put that there. I'll send you the word version of just so everyone can work on it and then um or maybe I'll put it in Google Docs
and then I'll get those items up to the meeting materials page. >> Okay. Thank you. I really do rely on this because searching through emails, >> oh, it's so hard. >> Crazy making. And I'm just like >> the worst with Google, too. And Google
is just so there's just this weird thing that it does, you know? It's like I just don't find it easy to search. Although I do like the search term thing. Um, okay, great. Thank you. >> Okay, so another note I just jotted down was the loss of Medicaid
uh aid, you know, if that's cut off for by the that's federal, but that we get a a lot of our special services paid for through that. >> Okay. So that would be a could be a big that's Karen but that could be a big >> that could be a big
>> I will ask Karen about that. >> Oh >> I always wonder about that one. I keep hearing that mentioned and I I'm like totally uninformed. So people have So if you have a if a if
a child has a disability >> they are entitled to Medicaid or is it to the >> you know I don't actually know how that works. >> Okay. >> I do know that when I was an ETF way back when we always had the parents sign
that uh to give us permission to apply for Medicaid. >> Okay. Right. >> And I do know that now that I'm on the other side of the table where I'm a special ed advocate, they ask me to sign that.
>> So I don't know if it's a lowinccome thing, you know, to qualify, but I do know that Karen's concerned about some of the loss of money. >> Okay. >> I will ask Karen about that for sure. >> And I don't, you know, I don't know what certainly Jake might needs to know that
we're worried about that and our senators do. >> Okay. Yep. the federal level, but also our state people should know that that could really impact our special ed funding. >> And then I wonder now without sort of
like in this it's amazing how how much damage has been done in a year. Um like are there other big horrible bill Trumpian things that we
want to address? >> I don't know. I'd have to think about >> maybe that's a Val question. She would like know that. >> She probably would. >> And actually, they may know that the the representatives and senators may know that. >> Um they should I would guess if they're
following that >> even at the state level. >> I would think the state knows the federal stuff. >> Okay. Yep. >> Because the burden is he's passing the burden for a lot of this on to the states, right? >> And you know, I don't know what we're going to do. Um,
>> okay. >> So, I mean, you know, we'll we'll also ask them to just kind of give an overview and they certainly can tell us what they >> Okay. >> what they're worried about. >> Okay. >> We can ask them about some of that. >> Okay. >> We don't have to, >> right? >> We don't actually carry the conversation
because by the time you have all of them say a few words, it doesn't it takes a while. >> Okay. Understood. That makes sense. And we kind of give them the big buckets and then a few examples of >> right >> like you know you know we went fully
funded special ed going from 75% to 90%. This is some of the reasons why the transportation's really hurting. Out of district placement's really hard, especially since they >> can have that uh unlimited cap, no cap for uh inflation and whatever. And then,
you know, loss of Medicaid from the federal, what what does that mean? I I think that that would give us plenty to talk about. >> Okay. Okay. >> But they don't know what we're what we're worried about. This is the time to find out. >> Okay. Um, and again, we want to thank them for
the work they've done and uh and the, you know, funding we're getting for Pierce and, you know, all that good stuff. I mean, we >> we we've gotten a good amount. >> Yeah. >> Did you see what Lexington High School's going to cost? Their new one?
>> Yeah. >> It's insane. >> Unbelievable. >> Yeah. It's absurd. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I was thinking about that today. H not Lexington but just um Okay.
>> Okay, >> cool. >> Um Oh, so we do this. It's two of us. We do need to vote to approve the minutes from October 8th. >> Oh, okay. >> I'll move them. Would you like to second them? >> Yes, I would. >> How would you vote? >> I will vote yes.
>> And I will, too. Betsy, >> we're aligned. >> Aren't you proud of us, Betsy? Uh, anything else you want to bring up or talk about now? >> I don't think so. >> Yeah, that's that was it, right, Betsy? >> That's it. Yes. Any new business? I
mean, we don't >> any new business? >> No, this one's really just I'm a learning as I go on this one. So, >> yeah. >> Okay. I mean, we Oh, another thing we haven't talked about is the um the state
requirements for um competency for high school dipl um which I actually haven't looked at yet because I just was like I'm going to look at this and everything's going to change anyway.
>> I know. Um I guess that so I guess that sort of answers for me. I'm in a sort of just like wait and see. It's um >> and it's you know that's sort of
I I leave that to the experts. Um >> yeah. >> Well, what are you thinking about it? >> Uh I think it's doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I find it very confusing that the kids still have to take MCCAST or
they're prepping the kids for MCCAST and yet that's not the test to get your high school diploma. Um, I think they've got to figure this out. Uh, and you know, we we could put in our two cents if we have it. I don't know that we do as a committee.
>> I think individuals probably have some thoughts about it. Um, >> but you know, uh, the voters voted that they didn't want MCCAST as a high stakes test. Apparently, they're still keeping MCCAST as a low stakes test, but I don't
know if that means there can be receiverhips or not based on MCCAST results, whether they can take over a school or not. And um I I this this assessments at the end of course that is
uh written and scored by the state sounds very much like MCCAST. So I don't quite get how that's different. >> So um they may know something about it. I don't know. I mean our people >> I don't know if they're on the education subcommittees or not.
>> I don't know that they are but we could look into that. Um, but they're gonna they're having a period from now until June to get feedback on this, >> right? >> So, um, I don't know what's going to happen. >> What did Anthony say? There's soliciting
feedback from like anyone or from district leaders? >> Oh, anyone. I mean, the public can give feedback on >> Yeah. Did you look at it? I I've looked at um the seven components
that for each I mean it's a nightmare seven components for each student you know that's it's too much I have seen that um well um Bella shared that with us right
>> yes maybe in that meeting with Anthony yes I don't know if she shared the specifics but they definitely talked about it and it sounded Yeah. I mean, I've seen the slide. I don't remember where I saw it online or Okay. >> I think it was when Anthony and Hal came
to >> update us on that. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So, yeah, that sounded to me like they all imagine, you know, it's it a work in progress. >> Oh, it's definitely a work in progress.
you know, some of us want it to go in one direction, some people want to go in another direction. So, I I'm not sure where it's going to end up. >> So much bureaucracy. >> Yeah. But this is a time that anybody can give feedback. >> Yeah, I should look at >> um you know, you can go to a hearing,
you can write, send emails, write desi, you can write your all your legislators, you know. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. As I think of things, I'll jot them down as well. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. >> Um it goes by, you know, pretty quickly, you know, by the time everybody speaks, it's >> Yeah, I bet >> it it goes pretty quick, you know. >> Um Okay. Well, I will take a stab at
updating that. >> Okay. >> We'll watch for Betsy's poll. >> Okay. And >> and you have the last year, so you know what that looks like a little bit. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay.
>> Other than that, maybe we're good. >> Okay. Few minutes early. We'll have to find >> fine with me. Yeah. He I something popped up on my screen that said didn't work. >> Oh, okay. >> Oh, with grand boys. I couldn't get into
the meeting. Sorry. >> Yeah. Well, I'm happy enough to wrap up. Like, I literally ran into this hotel. Yeah. Ran to my room, ran to the lobby, and then we have to I have to leave in an hour to go to this dinner with all of
these second cousins. Did I already say that? >> Well, you said you're doing something with cousins. Yeah. >> Yes. >> Well, that'll be fun. >> Oh, it's crazy. >> Okay. >> Um, >> don't talk politics and it'll go better. >> Oh, we won't be talking politics, I'm
sure. One of my second cousins is actually a producer for Fresh Air with Terry Gross. >> Oh, how much fun. >> I've never met him. I've I've never met any of these people except my first cousin who's here. >> Oh, wow. >> Yeah.
>> Well, that's cool. I'm one of 80 first cousins both. So, I don't I never got to second cousins. I barely made it through first cous. >> How can you have 80 first cousins? >> Well, actually, that includes my eight. So, we're actually I have 72.
Well, you know, one side had um nine kids and the other side had seven, I think it was. >> And we all had really big families. >> Oh, wow. Oh, >> I have cousin. I have a family that has 13 kids, you know. Another one that has
six. >> So, one of your parents siblings. All your So, your parents? >> Yeah. My parents had >> came from big families. >> Yes. And they all had big families themselves. >> Wow.
>> Yeah. Yeah. You know, my husband's from Ireland, so typically it he's rarely outdone, you know, on the but at the not his I don't know how many
first cousins he had. Probably a knot, but but not 80. And then at the Yeah. And they got they've gotten smaller and smaller. >> Yeah. Well, we probably have, too, but >> Yeah. >> We did that on rainy days at the lake, you know, with the cousins. We count them up and
>> Yeah, >> that was >> Wow. >> Yeah, it's good fun. Yeah, >> that's amazing. >> Yeah, it is. Yeah. >> Um, okay. But >> well, enjoy your dinner. I think we're good. >> Thank you. And sorry again for holding us up.
>> That's okay, Betsy. And I just got to >> Glad I made it at all. Stay warm. >> Yeah, you too. Okay. Talk to you. Good night, everyone. >> Good night. >> Thanks. Bye. Bye.