Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. This meeting is by being live streamed by Cha Tele media and post the CPS website for interested community members to access and watch. Inerson
public participation will be taking place tonight in accordance with the cha school committee public participation policy. Anyone speaking tonight during the public input portion of this meeting is notified the superintendent's office of the desire to speak provided with these guidelines. Upon request, written comments received no later than 12 p.m.
on the day of this meeting also be read and made part of the record of the meeting during the second public comment session. So, welcome to this meeting of the school committee. First order of business to approve the minutes from our meeting on August 19th. I motion that I move that we approve the minutes of the
regular school committee meeting of August 19th, 2025. >> Second. Second. >> Okay. Any corrections of comments on the minutes? All those in favor? >> I. >> Great. All right. Uh moving on. Uh we don't have our reps yet. Are we going to see them next meeting or
>> they're going to join us at the next meeting? Great. Y So the the two reps will be here. >> Great. All right. Um any good news to share? Um, I don't want to take away the thunder from the first agenda item, but we had a, you know, very good opening to school. Things are going well. It's good to see everybody back in the buildings.
The buildings are back alive, which is what I always like. So, welcome back to everyone. >> Great. Anybody else any good news to share? >> Yeah, I just want to mention that I don't know if everybody knew, but school started and my kids, I work at home. They're no longer there. >> Congratulations. >> That's good. That's good news to you.
Congratulations. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Yep. Thanks for that. I think another great thing is when school starts for because I don't have kids in this school system anymore any longer. It's to see all the meeting notices come in for our PTO meetings and the things that are
going to get going with families. Uh which I always enjoy at the beginning of the year. >> Not to mention the s'mores newsletters. >> Oh yes. How could we forget that? >> Very exciting, wasn't it? >> This is great. >> All right. Um we don't have anybody here for public comments, so we'll move on to
new business. Yeah. Well, uh, we'll just jump right into the opening of, um, schools annually. I just provide a little kind of verbal update of how things went. Um, we had covered a bunch of different items at the last school committee meeting in August, right before school went back into session. And I have to say, as Linda and others
have mentioned, it was an incredibly smooth opening of uh, school. It almost felt like we hadn't left. Um, the routines were, you know, very quickly established. Um, the it was great to see the staff back. They came back that full Monday for some PD. Um we did completely
building base that day, a little bit of orientation, PD, get your classroom set up, um work with some of your colleagues. Uh so that was wellreceived in the schools and then most of the kids came back Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Um you get to go through all of your different routines, get to know the your
um new classmates and um whatnot. So that obviously was excellent as well. Um, transportation went off very smoothly last week, um, with our runs and I know Joanna mentioned it was a heavy week for new people registering for the bus. We had about 140ish um, new
people registering last week, which is not, you know, unusual, but it does affect a little bit of the the runs and things like that as the year gets going. But no, all in all, uh, transportation was smooth. Um, the kids were happy in the buildings. Uh, the staff seemed really happy to be meeting them and getting all the going back to school,
uh, things out of the way. Um staffing wise, we had had I think I reported that meeting just a couple of openings. Um we've been able to fill uh both of our openings that were kind of hanging out there. The um McCarthy Middle School finished their process of selecting a new assistant principal. I had emailed
you about that last week and uh that individual will be joining us uh next week. So uh by the time we get back into buildings next week, they'll have a full complement of staff over there. and we had had um a couple of teachers uh very last minute um resignations that we were
looking to fill and we filled just the last one last week as well. So I honestly I I don't remember if they're starting next Monday or the Monday after. I think it might be next week but um at least they're filled at this point. We'll get through the next week or week and a half um until they come on board um help them get acclimated. The
other staff have stepped up in the various disciplines to help out quite a bit. So um so that's been great. So staffing wise we're in very good shape for the fall. the uh the kids are back. All of our capital projects are wrapping up. We had an opportunity to go out and take a peek at some of the projects after our last meeting. Um we're in very
good shape with the new uh secure entryways at the five schools. Um the structures, even the storefronts have now been put in. Uh they're just in the process of putting the final uh glass and things like that in. That should all be wrapped up this week. U Bill Silver's uh technology group and the security
group um following right behind the install doing all the access control hookups and things. So really again by the end of this week everything should be um good. Again we went to center and south row those were kind of completely different than the other schools. Those are just about done at this point and um honestly look like they've been there
forever. So if you didn't know South Row if you hadn't worked in the um center let's say if you hadn't worked in the building you wouldn't know any difference uh coming in and kind of seeing the um the area where you're all going to check in. So all in all really that has gone um you know excellent. We encourage people to continue, you know,
if they do know that they want to take um buses or uh things like like that. The quicker you let us know, the better so that we can get you a bus pass and get you set up. But u very good opening of the school year. We're excited. Um as Dennis mentioned, you know, the newsletters have started uh in the schools. It's just it's great to see all
the different activities already starting to kind of kick off and open up for the fall. So I think this is going to be a great uh great school year. As an aside, too, the weather has been super cooperative because sometimes when you're going back and you still kind of feel like summer weather, the buildings are hot and they they stay hot. This has truly been like fall weather and uh
they're, you know, the buildings are cool with I think just helps everyone with temperature and things. >> It also didn't rain so they didn't have to worry about indoor recess either, >> right? Yeah. They got to go out and have a good time. So, just to follow up, um I ended up going in to center on Tuesday because they needed people to give tours
to the kindergarten children while the parents were doing the orientation. Okay. >> So, since I know the building, I went and I took, you know, one of the kindergarten groups around and showed them all the classrooms and everything. And the entryway looked great and the office, you know, they had some things
they were doing going to be doing internally in the office to move furniture, but it was functioning really well. And like you said, there was nothing that indicated that people didn't know what they were doing the first day of school. Every I went through the hallways, everything was going really smoothly.
>> It was nice to see that for the on the first day. >> Yeah, >> that's wonderful. I'm very very glad that these entryways >> are done. >> Me too. >> And I think you know we've been listening to news that made us even
happier to know that this is there. Um so I know that you're going to look into the followup on the security and so on this year and and I think that's very important because there's so much that's not within our control, >> right? But what are what we can do
within our control? I'm glad we're doing it. >> Yeah. >> Very happy to know it. It >> was it's been very well received at the um schools by staff and I think the parents I was at a couple of the schools when um this is a little earlier in the summer. Some of the parents were coming by for their meet and greet tours and
they seem to be very um appreciative also of our efforts. You know, we do take the safety and security very seriously. We continue to work with our um consultants to make sure that we're doing the very best that we can um to make sure all of our staff and students are safe and you know know how to
respond in an emergency. So we'll continue that >> and that's something I have to say I I truly appreciate it too. I went to the schools >> and the door um was being held I was way far away and the doors being held open. The the staff member knew who I was. I
had I knew who she was too. uh and she um closed the door. She didn't wait for me to come and so on which I thought was really really >> so important because all of us have to follow the procedures and they do too, >> right?
>> And any break from it >> is what can lead to a problem. So I was so glad to see that. >> Well, now that we also have the consistency from building to building, we'll be able to really like streamline our whole entry procedures and processing. Um so over the next you know
couple of weeks and and months you'll certainly see that become more uniform across the district. So it's the same feel whether you're entering center or south row or park or the high school. Um we'll continue to work on that. >> That's wonderful. >> Other questions
I just two things I one is um I know you said all the teaching positions how are we doing with like par educators and math coaches and all that? Are we still looking? We >> Yeah. So we were able to hire the second math coach. Okay. >> Um so that's good. They actually were transitioned. They're already on. So I I
forget exactly when they were hired over the summer, but that one's filled. So all of our teaching, all of our administrative kind of professional positions are staffed at this point. I know um over the course of last week, there were still um trying to identify I'm not trying to put you on the spot, Joanna. I know they were trying to
identify some additional support staff. I don't know if you've seen a number of new um support staff hires come through. I can get you a report for the next meeting if you'd like, but overall, I think we're in pretty good shape. Um but obviously in the end sometimes we do have u some openings we're trying to fill.
>> Great. And they had um I think today maybe five more support staff started. >> Great. >> So that which is really good. >> Um and I think they're getting close. >> Yeah. On a positive note, we're starting to see the application pools come back.
you know, during co for sometimes we weren't really getting a a lot of applicants or significant number of applicants for jobs at least on the professional and even the support staff openings and I know like the job fairs that they have, you know, uh attract some people into the district. Um we're at least getting a good pool of people
to be picking from. So that's been positive. >> Great. And my other question, you may answer the last time we met, but the McCarthy field, what's the timeline on that for the tennis court? >> Okay, so that's running a little bit later than even I thought to be honest with you. Um I thought that would be wrapping up closer to the end of
September, early October. We met with the contractor um a week ago because they still need to do a significant amount of work over there. They're thinking it's going to be more like November 15th as kind of a contract end date. I guess um and this is the first time I've done the hockey rinks. I guess
there's a significant amount of effort that has to go in once they put the pavement down. They actually have to go in and cut out the pavement around where the hockey uh boards are going to be placed because they have to actually then pour cement where the boards are going to be attached to the ground. You
can't just attach them in concrete, which I didn't realize. >> Um, but obviously they know what they're doing. So, uh, but that's just like an added step that adds a little bit of time. Um, so their target was November 15th. So, we weren't really anticipating using them too much this fall. I really wanted it to be 100% done for the spring
when the snow melts and we can kind of get right at them. So, we should be able to do that. Uh, the contractor has been good to work with as far as coordinating the site with now because you get 29 buses and families coming to pick up kids. They've been responsive on that front. We haven't had any issues the first uh, you know, four days of having
kids in the buildings. Um, so that piece has been good. And yes, you know, it's it's probably about a month behind where I had thought it was going to be, but um, there was no significant push for anything this fall anyway other than just letting people kind of experience it. So, I think it'll be similar to the high school project where everything
will be done uh and then by the time we come back in the springtime to open up, it'll be ready for the public. Right. >> Y school opening. >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right. We'll move on. >> All right. Um well, Joanna, would you
mind doing number two, the budget transfer? So, there's a one-page memo in your packet um requesting one budget transfer for fiscal year 2026. And this is for the employees who have
um achieved a higher degree. We um call that the lane change. We had one account number in the fiscal 26 budget where we um put the lane change estimate which was 128,443 and um 22 employees achieved a higher
degree for a total of $111,846. So, this budget transfer is requesting that the funds be moved out of this one account number where we budgeted for it and then put it into the account number where the actual labor will be charged. And these employees will also receive
their higher pay in this first pay date of the school year, which is Friday, September 5th. Okay. >> Any questions on this? Do you know where most of the changes are? Like is it from masters to masters 30? What are the most of the the
>> Yeah, that's that's probably the most um bachelors to masters. >> Okay. >> And um masters to masters 30 is probably the >> most common. >> Great. >> All right. Any other questions? All right. We'll take a motion.
>> Just congratulations to everybody. Um I move to approve this um budget transfer um for the local operating uh budget in the amount of 111,846 from the salary reserve lane change
account to the various labor accounts as presented. >> Second. >> Second. Okay. Any last questions? Okay, we'll take a vote. Susan >> I. >> Diana >> I. >> John >> I. >> Maria >> I >> I 5 Z. >> Thank you. All right,
>> great. Uh, third item is a memo that I'll walk you through with regard to um what's called circuit breaker uh relief funding. So on this particular fund about a week or so ago, we had a conversation with um Darlene um Lucia who's the town accountant as the uh town
was working to close the books for fiscal 25 going into 26 and the department of revenue has to certify the free cash for the town at the end of the year as one of the processes um indicated they felt we had too much money in the circuit breaker account for
fiscal 25. The way that we um have historically budgeted um circuit breaker is we budget the full amount of appropriation in a fiscal year because that's an actual as the next year's budget. So the fiscal 25 amount the we
received we budget as a fiscal 26 offset. um on the little chart that you um that I attached to the second page of this um what ended up happening is our total circuit breaker reimbursement for fiscal 25 was 3.592
million. Um however, if you recall two years ago back in 24 was a year that um OSD who sets the special education out of district tuition rates they had a very high um increase in what the percentage is that they were charging. Usually you would see a, you know, 3 to
four to 5% and it was well over 10%. It was a double-digit increase and a lot of districts were struggling with how to actually pay that year's um special education tuitions. So the state um decided to give what they called reserve relief to districts, not extra money for
circuit breaker, but they basically gave you a prepayment. Um so for us our appropriation of the PE prepayment was the 408963 and that money actually came to us in May of 24. So it was booked in fiscal 24 and so circuit breaker funds can usually
carry forward for a year. Um the state did not use um regular like chapter 70 account uh funds for that. They use their version of like desiester funding. Um, so the Desi Esther funding that they used had a June um 30th 25 date where
those funds had to be spent. So even though they were 25 funds, we would just prepaid them. You had to spend them by 25. They didn't roll over to 26. So when the department of revenue was certifying the town's free cash, they were saying that in 25 the the amount
that we should have had as a cap in circuit breaker was 3.183, not 3.5 because they're not um allocating the 408. They're saying that that should have been spent. It shouldn't have been there at the end of the year. >> Um so and I understand what what they're
saying. It's just not how traditionally we've ever allocated and appropriated the u the circuit breaker fund. So like in our budget planning for 26, we actually included 3.55 million as the offset because we knew that's what we'd be getting in in 25. So um the town was
um anticipating and doing their planning on free cash of about approximately $4 million. So when we got this news that would actually make because what the DOI's recommendation is is to close it to free cash at the end of the year. It would actually make the city's or the town's free cash like 4.4 million like
the town wasn't planning on spending the four million the 400,000 because it was earmarked as a school expense. So when again we met with Paul Cohen, Darene, John, Joanna and I to kind of talk this through and we think the u the best and easiest way to reconcile this is um to
basically have the 408963 close to free cash at the end of the year because that won't hold up the town's um certification of free cash and everything they need to do to close the books. But on the town warrant in October, they were anticipating having $4 million in free cash and then Paul
typically makes a recommendation of where it goes. They would have $4.4 million of free cash and 408963 would be recommended to come back to the school department to be spent on special education tuition, which we anticipated doing as part of the budgeting in um 26
anyway. um we really can't put the money back into circuit breaker because ironically they'd be saying we're over the circuit breaker threshold, right? Um we could potentially put them the money in that special fund, but then that actually requires action of the select board and the school committee to vote
to move the money out and that's more of like a savings account that you wouldn't use unless you had to. We know the 408963 is actually part of our budget for 26. So we're going to need to access it. So, uh, the five of us just kind of agreed the easiest way to do it would be
to just designate the 408963 as a specialed tuition expense in the school department, put it in a special fund like all the other funds would go with free cash. We'll then just expend it, we'll report it, and we'll be done with it. Um, and we're not anticipating this reserve relief issue will come up
again. This in 10 years, it hasn't happened prior to this. So, I think we'll be back to just our regular routine receiving and reporting um and then budgeting of the circuit breaker funds. So, I don't see this being an issue going forward. Um however, if reserve relief ever did come forward again, we'll just have to be very
careful that um whatever year it's in, whatever the date has to be spent by, we make sure it gets spent. If if we had actually identified this, you know, prior to the closing and everything, we probably just would have prepaid another $400,000 worth of tuitions because we would have needed to to make the fiscal
26 budget happen. It's not an extra $400,000. You know, it was actually planned. Um it's just more of an accounting where it came in 24 and had to be spent in 25 even though it's part of the 25 allocation that we were anticipating spending in 26, which is
consistent with what we've done. Um, so just wanted to there's actually there's no action on the school committee side. Um, Paul will just be presenting this to the select board and then the finance committee as they're putting together the warrant for the fall. And I just wanted you to have the background um as they have these discussions. But uh we
think this is the best way to u to account for it and um you have the money be allocated back expended on its bed and then closed. And I understand perfectly all of what you talked about because we're involved in it. And hopefully a town meeting, people will understand it and approve
that money coming back that we won't have arguments about doing something else with it. >> Right. I think I think I mean we'll we'll be there and I'll certainly make the um um you know make the um the case for it. I think it it will be pretty
straightforward I would imagine for town meeting because the state is basically giving 4089 963 as a reimbursement of special ed costs that the school department incurred. So the state is basically reimbursing the the town right
for those costs and then the town is going to be giving us the money so that we can then pay the cost. Um >> it's really just to um meet the requirements of reporting. That's the only reason it's really needing to move to the town. It's more of it's more of an Yeah, it's an accounting >> money all along.
>> Yeah, it was reimbursement for sped tuition and it's going to get spent on sped tuition. Um I'm hoping it it's pretty understandable. >> Yeah. And it was he's smiling at me and it was um again this was budgeted, you know, so this isn't like it's not an
extra cost or anything like that. >> We'll just have to explain that. >> Right. I agree with what Susan's saying because it it I don't know when it something goes into free cash >> it it just sounds like it's free cash and you know that we're getting a dip
into this free cash account for some reason this year. Um it kind of you know but so the explanation has to be >> the explanation will be important very clear. I understand what's going on and I remember that. But just
>> any other questions or comments on this? >> Right. Good. Great. >> I'll coordinate with you. If I hear anything in the meantime, I'll certainly report back, but um we'll have a good explanation and uh and discussion. Um last, it was literally just about an hour and a half ago that
we received the MASC resolutions for the fall meeting. We have our fall conference, the joint conference in November. And um so there was an email that went out today. I honestly haven't had a chance to read through it to see exactly where the agenda falls or what day the different actions are taking place. Um but there are eight
resolutions that are going to be um up for discussion at the conference. So I just put them in the packet for you. There's no action you're taking today or anything, but I just wanted to convey them to you. you can have some time to uh kind of read through them and then at one of the meetings probably in October um when it's fresh on our minds right
before the conference we'll just go through the eight and see how you um as a committee want to vote to either support or not support the different resolutions and then we'll elect a um a representative and a backup um to be the voting members and delegates at the
conference in November when it comes to that. >> Great. What about the press? Yes, >> I wasn't even there when I read everything. >> No, >> it was an hour and a half ago. Yeah, we were hunting them down since last week and Diana point out we just got the
program like a program preview today. So, we're just >> trickling in a little bit a little. So, >> but we got it. So, I wanted to um convey it to you. >> Great. Thank you. >> And that's all I have for tonight. >> Hey, anybody have any leazison reports yet? >> Not yet. Question week.
>> Question. Go ahead. Uh, first high school is on o on November 11th. Could somebody go to that? >> September 11th. >> Yeah, November 11th. >> Oh, really? >> No, it's November. September. >> This is in November 11th. >> Never mind. I'll look and I'll call you. >> November 11th is veteran. >> I think you're right.
>> Yeah, I think I'm on the wrong date. >> The first one would be in September anyway, right? >> It sounds late. >> I'm pretty sure. >> All right. The school year just started. Give me a break. All right. I I was thinking in the wrong month. >> It It is September 11th. I'm on their website right now. >> Okay. Thank you. Looked it up for you. I I should be able to make that. So I have
>> Okay. But you let me know if it isn't and I'll I'll be able to go. >> All right. Thank you. >> All right. Any other >> just sharing that um the South Row PTO meets for the first time on Monday, next Monday, and the McCarthy and Parker
PTO's meet beginning in October. So I look forward to joining them for those meetings, but nothing yet. >> Yep. >> Right. And Chips and Harrington both meet next week. So I will be able to go to both of those meetings. Chips on
Monday, Harrington on Wednesday. >> Yeah. Center also sent me their schedule and um the council of schools Yeah. >> is going to be coming up in this month too. >> Yep. Great. Right. Um just went ahead.
We we did meet uh the subcommittee of the building committee technical designer. We did meet with MSC. We narrowed our choices down to two firms and we'll be interviewing the two firms Tuesday. Next Tuesday. So hopefully next time we meet we'll have a a designer on board. So
>> can you share who the firms are that we're >> I don't know. So >> my So there was there was six proposals. >> Okay. >> So we actually um reviewed all six proposals and then um it was the MSBA designer selection panel. Uh after we discussed and voted uh we went from six
down to two. So two were invited in for interviews. Um, AI3, this is just in alphabetical order. Um, AI3 was the first one that's coming in next Tuesday. Uh, and then TAPE, uh, TA PBE, I believe that's how you pronounce it, is the second firm. So, those are the two, uh,
firms that are in the running at this point to be the designer for, uh, the Parker project. Um, next Tuesday, both will present. Um, it is a public meeting if people wanted to watch it. uh it's a zoom type meeting but they um AI3 will be presenting first followed by tap a
there's questions and answers of the um the firms um after each presentation then there's an open discussion and then there's voting so again this is the group that has myself Dennis and Paul are the three voting members and then there's 13 people from the MSBA that
vote so it's a 16 member board we only have three votes um it's a little wild but um I have to say the on the first side. Um I think getting down to these uh three, these two, AI3 and TAP A were in the top three for both me, Dennis,
for all me, Dennis, Ian, and Paul. So these are two of our top three um firms, which is uh which is great. So I actually would be very happy with either firm. I think they would do a good job. Um overall, all six quite honestly, could have done the project. The quality
of the applications were excellent. Um I think a couple of them were looked at with a um more of a negative light just because they had both been awarded projects over the last month by the MSBA. So there's a question just about um their ability to
basically perform. Um and I think the MSBA does like to kind of spread the wealth a little bit when it comes to the different designers. But um honestly all six are qualified and could do the project, but these two that we're down to um were certainly my top two. I believe they were Dennis's top two as
well. and um they were both in Paul's top three. >> What was what was it about them that put them kind of in that top two just generally? I'm just curious. >> It it's a lot. I mean, so when you look >> You've done a lot, so it's hard to summarize. I'm just >> When you look at the proposal, there's like so many different elements, but like one of the things you have to look at is like the staff that they're going
to actually dedicate to the project. Yeah. >> Um the years of experience, um because they're going to commit to that group. So if they're awarded the project, those are the people you're working with. they can't have John present and do a great job at the presentation and then all of a sudden Jay's assigned the project in
the field, right? So you're actually kind of selling your project team. So that's a huge thing. Um you want to take a look at their track record specifically building middle schools. So that was something a lot of these firms do not only schools but they might do other commercial properties, they might do, you know, fire stations, municipal
buildings, private buildings. Um so real experience working with um schools and um middle schools in particular was important. Um each of them have a little bit of a different approach to engaging the community in like what the discussion is going to be like, what the building should um uh in the end really
kind of serve. So often times like it was really important for me and I think for Dennis and Paul as well that we had a group that really wanted to come in and work with us and not have any preconceived notions about what they're going to design, but they want to actually hear from us. They want to have a lot of community input about what
should go into this building because we're building a building that's going to serve the next 50 to 75 years. Um we don't want a boilerplate uh type building. We want someone who's going to really get to know and understand Jumpford and what our unique um needs are, what our vision for the for the um
for the school is. That was really important. Um there's a component of like financial um experience on projects and how many projects that they manage actually come in on time on budget. What do cost overrun percentages typically look like on their projects? Um you know
a lot you have to be ler sometimes of designers that like overdesign or overengineer a project and then in the end once they leave you know as a community we have to make sure that that building can still be operationalized and and be operated every day. We don't want systems that are so complex that
our own staff can't operate them. So, you have to, you know, take that into consideration. Um, this there's I'm I'm just hitting the surface, but like there's a lot of different components that you really have to uh to to weigh. And >> those two too, I think, you know, look reading their proposals. Both those companies spent some time looking at
what we're trying to do, not just build building, but also deal with overpopulation at the lower grade levels and the fact we might have to do different grade configurations and you know, so I I thought, you know, that's >> you're flexible. >> Yeah, very flexible to be. >> Yeah. To Dennis's point, both actually
because we have the three different options that we have to fully vet out, both basically talked about how they would even go about under the three different scenarios. You know, some firms might have just picked a scenario to explain it, but they really were pretty comprehensive in how they would look at it. They'd already looked at our
sites that we were looking at, identified like pros and cons. They were very, very, both of them were very thorough. So, like I said, we can't go wrong with either. And we'll have to see what happens next um Tuesday, but I was very happy to get to this point. And yes, by the time we get together at the next meeting, we'll have a designer on
board and then the work is going to begin. >> That's really exciting. >> No, thanks for doing that. >> No, it's a lot of fun. a lot of work, but it's a lot of fun. >> I think you think it's a lot of fun. Not everybody thinks it's I think it's fun. >> It's fun. You know, it is. It is. Uh, it's fun. >> One of those things is fun and it'll be happy when it's done.
>> Yeah, absolutely. And then we then Jake can retire and I can finally get off the school committee someday. Sunday someday. >> Something to think about. >> Something to think about. >> Everybody needs goals. >> They do. We need goals. Long-term goals. >> Long-term goals. >> All right. Um, anybody have any new items?
>> Question if I can for future items. I don't remember when do we set our goals and >> the superintendent goals and so on and then because that last year I remember led to the agenda for presentations and so on. >> So we're working with DM now to kind of
on their end firm up the schedule for the year for like the group presentations. >> Okay. >> And we're finalizing all of our kind of draft goals each of the five different categories. Um Maggie had her baby uh so she had her baby early. uh they're in the middle of
transitioning from Maggie to test a Hannah who's going to be working with us over the next month. So, we just want to actually have that schedule be finalized. I think it's going to be finalized by the end of September. So, we're going to probably start taking a look at some draft goals either at the next meeting in the first meeting in October or at the latest the first
meeting in October and wrapping up the second meeting in October. Okay. >> So, we will be done in October kind of setting our goals for the year. um you will have a draft schedule for those meetings like when we uh meet as a group uh by the end of September. So, we're already throwing around dates that seem to work for folks and then that work
will really begin in earnest. >> Okay. >> Yeah, we're getting there. >> All right. Any other >> I'm sorry, I'm just following up because I'm a little Are you talking about the goals for the broad district strategic plan? Because I don't know if Maria was asking about that or about our school
committee goals because we >> school committee goals but they all they're all linked together. So, we're waiting on I'm just confirming we wait on one to be set before we set ours. Yeah, that makes sense. >> Yeah. Well, because we usually take the strategic plan goals and then >> do little iterations of it that are like
more focused for the school committee. So, the strategic plan stuff's all kind of coming together really within the next by the end of September. >> Yeah. I was just making sure I kind of got this >> and then that will kind of weave into the school committee goals. >> Yeah. But that's a I think Diana's question is a really good one because
one of the things I was thinking about is we haven't in the strategic plan meetings we haven't really had okay what are we going to do as goals for revamping >> re um looking at it again for how what
we're going to do in the coming and a couple of things we've been talking about throughout the year for example the policies um right the two policies on um >> y >> one AI, the other one on um the electronics. Um trying to figure that
out and how do those come into you know they come into the goals. >> Sure. >> Um I think would be important and something I want to watch out for. So >> Okay. >> Just >> No, I get you. And like something on that like even just on the policy work like the policy work may not be
completely aligned to the strategic plan but that is still like a significant area for the school committee. So when we are doing like school committee goals, you could always have just a goal that relates to like some policy work you want to do over the course of this year. That's because that's not >> separate from what >> it's not counter to anything we're doing
be doing, >> right? >> But that could be like school committee work, right? So we definitely can do that together. And if I misunderstood, I appreciate you clarifying, but um the strategic plan stuff should happen. That'll kind of drive a little bit of the work on the school committee goals, but then you can still have a little bit of extras,
>> right? >> At a school committee specifically. It does just feel a little later than last year in terms of when we're setting I feel like we set our goals by this time last year, but I might be wrong. >> I think it was in September. >> Okay. >> Um, so we're not we're not too too far off. >> Sometime in September, but this has moved along so smoothly
>> that it's like, okay, what time of the year are we? >> Well, we're a week early though. The September meeting dates were a week later last year. Just the way the calendar fell, like to be meeting on September 2nd is very early. I don't think our first meeting was until the 8th last year >> and then it was um you know in the 20s
so we were just a little bit uh further along because um like we did as an admin team spend some time obviously looking at the goals from last year the review what worked what we want to tweak so we have some draft stuff in progress so we need to kind of have that um meeting with the logic group to get uh buy in
and then finalize those and then get working on the school committee and then my goals are kind of dependent on that too >> right I get that >> okay We'll get there very soon. >> Right. >> I Oh, go ahead. >> Um I have a request for a future meeting in the not too distant future since
we've talked about looking into possibly developing policies about AI. Um I'd like to hear I know Bill Silver had mentioned that at the end of the school year he mentioned that this school year there's going to be a lot of professional development for the staff on AI
um use. So I'd like to hear what that is before we start to talk about what our policies might create. >> Yeah, we were talking about that before that maybe doing something next >> about it. Yeah, >> sounds great. >> Discussing that. Y >> I did get email right before this meeting too and I will follow up with you. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. >> It's all part of the same thing. Just trying to get the information. Uh yeah, I wondered if there was an update on the school that has sent us an application to potentially open a school in Chumsford, an independent school, and
if there has been any since the school year has started for us, if there has been any communication about what their intentions are in terms of opening or if they're postponing or anything. >> I don't completely know. So, um, where
it stands now is I had originally sent them the dates of all of our summer meetings to be able to present like their full packet, um, for review and then ultimately hopefully approval. Um, after the last meeting when we didn't receive the packet, I just reached out to say, you know, here's our next meeting coming up. Here's the date we
would need to receive stuff, which was last Thursday, just because we had to post early because of the holiday and the 48 hour posting notice, but we didn't receive anything by Thursday, so I didn't put anything on the agenda. Uh Friday, the individual from the uh school did reach out to just indicate that they had a a personal situation
that they were dealing with um that they would um you know get us information as soon as possible. And I did indicate well we kind of missed the date for this school committee meeting. So the next one is going to be um whatever the date is our next meeting when they had to get stuff to me. They indicated that they
would uh they intended to do that and that as a board they were going to be meeting to kind of figure out exactly what their strategy for potentially opening was or dates and things like that. I replied and just said, you know, I I appreciate um knowing that. Could you please just tell me now though because like our Chsford public schools
are open for the year and kids have to be in school. You know, are you even contemplating enrolling or has there been any interest from like Cher Public Schools, you know, families from this? I just don't want a kid sitting at home, you know, hoping that the school is going to open. and she uh replied back
and said that there has been um obviously interest that they didn't have any current uh Charles public school students um on the pending or accepted list that most of it was um homeschool students that they were considering uh doing something with for the year or
non-Chford students. So I >> enroll from other districts. >> They could enroll from other districts. So that made me feel a little bit better knowing that like there's no childhood family kind of just sitting home hoping that something happens. At the same time, you know, whether you're in another district kind of waiting to see those transitions are just very
disruptive at the beginning of a school year. So they did indicate that um they would have information at our next meeting for us. So as soon as I get it, even if it's before the meeting because it's a lengthy package, I'll send it out to you ahead of time so that you could like start to review it. Um, and hopefully at that point if we have the
package and we have questions and depending where it goes, I guess they're going to go back to their board and kind of figure out a strategy for when they um might open or how they may open. But that's the most I know >> and there's it sounds like then there's no concerns that they are operating without us having approved them or
anything. >> Well, they have been very consistent. I have been um firm in that they cannot operate they cannot actually enroll until the school committee is approved. and in several correspondents back, they've acknowledged that they understand that >> and that they have not they're not operating and they have not formally
enrolled um students. They just have potentials. >> That's great. I just, you know, thinking about the fact that last we knew they didn't have an occupancy permit. I want to make sure this building is safe before students are there and things like that. >> So, say they decide they're going to start in October. Do they have like is there a certain number of days that they
have to have I know not 180 probably, but you know, >> I truly don't know. approved by us. You know, if there's open in October and they can only get 150 days in, you know, is that not meeting the requirements that we need to be approved?
>> My understanding, I do not believe independent schools have exact numbers of days that they need to hit or even as long as they essentially could be considered providing a comparable level of academic experience
enough to be approved by the local school committee. um they're not beholdened to schedules. In fact, I mean, I know you work at a at at a school that may or may not follow those calendars, but I know I worked at an independent school several years ago
that did not make up snow days, started a full week later than the public schools in the district they were in, ended a full week earlier than the public school district. >> I didn't know if there was a cut off, like, you know, >> if they're not starting until November, whatever. >> At the time, I was told there was not, but I don't know. Yeah, I honestly don't
know enough about the um this whole private school um process. I would think that Desi would think if a school is not opening until November that children enrolled somewhere else satisfying the requirement up until that point and then at such time that they opened up, you know, from that point forward that they
would be attending there. Um I don't know. I mean, I can try to inquire for you. I I don't know at this point, you know, exactly what their timeline is, if they're going to even get off the ground, so I don't want to put like a ton of time into it. um until we really have some kind of a a package to even respond to.
>> Great. But >> I I'm hopeful that'll be next week. And like I said, if it comes in early, I'll send it to you in advance so you can start to get an early read on it. Um there weren't too too many things that they still had to address, but I mean, there was some pretty big ones, >> but they may need to address how they're
going to meet the academic criteria for a year. If they're not really having their students for the year, how are they going to address that? I also would like to know that. >> Yeah, I can inquire with Desi. >> Yeah, >> you know. >> Okay. >> All right. Any other things?
>> Okay. If there are no further new items, I'll take a motion. >> I make a motion that we adjourn. >> Second. >> All right. All those in favor? >> I >> I >> I