Welcome to the February 25th uh school committee meeting. I'd like to call this meeting to order. And would you all please stand for the pledge of allegiance? I pledge 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. The mission of the Danas public schools is creating a supportive environment where all learners thrive. This meeting is being broadcast on Danis Community
Access Television. Is anyone in the audience um recording the proceedings? >> And in anticipation that I will forget later, our next meeting is March 9. Tonight's meeting is focused on our
budget. Um but outside of that, is there anyone in the audience that's looking for public comment? Is this on? Yeah, >> it is. >> Hi everyone. Uh good evening. I'm I'm happy that we're all back after extended
holiday uh or extended vacation. Um and I am just following up on the community letter that I just had a chance to send you right before this meeting. So I understand if you haven't had a chance to take a look at it. Um but encourage you to in the next few days to take a look at um especially the comments that
we got from parents on the impact that special education has had for their families, for their child's education. Um it was very uh moving to read comments about um special education being one of the reasons that their
child's attending college um or that their child's now speaking words. um and you know how their child's now on track to um higher education where they weren't before in part because of the services they received. Um I always like
to tell my own son's story. Um and that he David's um autistic and dyslexic and we were we did get the option of going out of district and looked out of district and did not want to go and just waiting that year. That funding you all
put in place, you were able to hire a Wilson certified teacher at Thorp and he was able to stay and is just thriving. And I think you know his comments always coming home, I'm dumb. I can't read. I just look at the pictures. And in the first probably month of school this
year, he came home um and he was like, "Mom, do you know I can read and I'm really good at it?" And he literally he reads out loud to us now. And it's that shift, that shift in confidence. That's everything. It's not only a savings in, you know, an out of district placement,
but think of just the mental health toll. We know students with dyslexia suffer from anxiety, depression at higher rates than um students without learning disabilities. Having that confidence is going to be everything for him going forward, allow him to stay in the system. So, I mean, that staff
member is a direct investment from um those increased funds. So, we hope that you can take a look um at those comments. They're really touching. Uh we also were able to collect 60 signatures from the community in support of um you know, continued investments in special
education. I hope um the school committee and the town can figure out a sustainable, intentional, strategic way um so that these programs are institutionalized and the funding because we all know, you know, we're all not going to be here someday, but other
people's kids are. And so, you know, we want to make sure that it's a long-term vision and a long-term funding plan as well. Um, and I have if anybody needs handouts, I brought them as well. I'm happy to provide them.
>> Thank you very much. >> Do any other um information? Oh, I thought you going to wait for the budget, but that's okay. Go, please, Mark. I should never assume. Thank you. Uh Mark Zubreck
and I'm a resident of Danvers and uh I do not have any children in the school department, but I have grandchildren that I could think of. The reason I stand today before you is because I was watching this meeting
because this is the only public hearing uh regarding the budget and uh I was watching that since last week and has been delayed what three times understandably
but I think what you see today is you don't see anybody here from the public because they're worn out with the storm and I I expected this meeting to be postponed
till next week so it can actually be discussed with the general public as well. So that's my whole point here. And the other one is I know you're going to be going through the budget, but I like
I have not seen this before and I am ex I'm anticipating some good explanation because I think that's what this needs for the general public. Uh the last thing is that I was told
before this meeting uh began uh is that DAT or Comcast has issues with televising this program as well. So I already inquired but I'm just
looking at it from the standpoint of general public participation. Thank you very much. >> Thanks. any uh piece information of interest for the superintendent. All right, seeing none, let's move on to
new business. >> Thank you, chair. Thank you for all the flexibility. Obviously, this was scheduled for the first time on Monday and unfortunately with the weather, you know, we postponed and were able to have it tonight. And fortunately it is being transmitted via
DAT successfully which is important. And just as a further note that we will post all the documents on a web page as we always do after the year right because the next step from tonight is to present there the school committee um makes a decision and votes and then it moves forward to the select board which we
know is March 7th. So the presentation I have is really just kind of a summation of the work we've been doing. there's been additional work and um first of all before I begin though I want to recognize uh members of our team that are here tonight Chris Anderson our assistant superintendent who spent lots
of time and crunching numbers and working with grants and coming up with creative ideas to save and to be able to move programming forward Pamrum who spent all last week she did not have a break because she was working uh feverishly to make the adjustments as we
have throughout to bring forth uh we feel a respons responsible budget that meets the needs of our students. Christina Ryan, our director of student services, who um has been working all along, not only not only ensuring that our programming is moving forward, but
also coming up with creative solutions to ensure that our students and families are all supported as well as our staff. And I also have to recognize our administrative council who they're not here tonight. I asked them not to come because they've been a number of meetings. uh but their input and work um building this budget to where we're at
tonight I think deserves recognition on their part. So just to kind of go through the the feedback um because this is a whole process right where we had our budget workshop we had our subcommittee meetings um I think the bottom line is being able to move forward with
specialized programming and we heard just through public comment and also we've received lots of information in terms of the success of the programming for all students. uh think outside the box in terms of when we're faced with the challenging financial situation which all the units within the town and
certainly within the Commonwealth are prioritizing specialized programming phased in approach if needed. We know that we have a lots of priorities but we know that we can't do everything at once and we try to be uh look for priorities and do the best that we can at this time but I think in red I put up there find
non- studententf facing ways to save money and help with budget offsets. So, what can we find that would be within our budget that would be um non-facing such as budget lines, such as transport? What are those areas that we could do to maximize that to keep as many people in
front of our students? And um that's why that's in red because that was a lot of feedback from the last subcommittee meeting. Um our town goal uh has not changed obviously is sustaining progress with special education and other essential programs, but also advancing academic excellence and innovation,
right? and and all that we've discussed over the last few meetings. It's happening in our schools. Um but we really feel that the specialized programming is so important to talk about because it's not just special education. It's not about innovative practices. It's all in one. We have
multiple groups of students and different backgrounds and different ability levels, but it's really it's up to us to make sure that we meet the needs of all of our students and support our staff to move that forward. Um so I think that's important to note, too. So, in this budget, there's a lot of items
that are in the budget. Many of them will be on the asks, but some of these are reallocations um that we've talked about, which I think when you look at this list, it's a lot, which I think it is because our administrative team has done an outstanding job in moving pieces that
fit the needs. For example, we know that the stride and embark programming, the SOP and the IAS, we know that we've talked about that's the ask. But in terms of the special educator in the sore programming, that's a reallocation from one building to the next. Uh in terms of the rise programming, again,
that's a BCBA coming off of contracted services back into our line, which we've had, and also the secondary teacher moving from one building and the IAS that we need to staff the program appropriately. So personnel, uh reading teacher is there, that's just moving off
the grant into our budget, which we've had. Our ELLL teacher, same thing. and the van driver from the savings in our transportation will save further with auto district transportation. So these are all things if you get into the administrative needs, the team chair at the high school is in need. That's the ask. But department chairs, the director
of strategic initiatives, innovation, and pathway directors aren't costing anything. That's moving pieces within our puzzle to make that happen. Um, and the curriculum piece, I feel very good about this where our team has worked very hard to increase or advance placement programming for students
excelling as well as curriculum across all levels. and um a lot of work has been done to move that into our grant funds. So that's supported and then being one of the first schools in the area to have an advanced placement program and diploma uh at the end of next spring I think is impressive. So we've done all these things and we have
some of these are asked but a lot of these are within our um reallocations. So Christine and team talked a lot about successes of specialized programming. Um, basically the bottom line it comes down to, you know, what's the return on investment? And I think it's hard to say
that when you're dealing with humans as we talked about, but ultimately when you're talking about costs for students going out of district, what can we do to create programs that keep them in district? Um, so the extended evaluation referrals are huge because those are ones that the more that we can do in
district, that's money that's not going out of district. And we know when students go up for the extended evaluations, they probably will go out of district placement generally speaking. So those numbers are down. If you look at our overall placement of students without district placements, that's reduced. Although the tuition costs we know have gone up as everything
else. But at the end of the day, I think we can demonstrate even more detail the success of our programming, which we're very proud of. Um, and I think that hearing the anecdotal feedback from families just really makes us feel good as a as a community for supporting all
programming because this supports all of our programming in our schools. Again, if you look at the actual placements, the number has gone down. Um, and and that's no that's no small feat. That's a lot of hard work right there.
When you look at the priorities, when we break it down in terms of our special education, the specialized programming, we've already gone through this. And this is also to show that we're using a phased in approach where we know that many of these items in year two we're asking for. Some are reallocations. We
know there just some things we can't right now is just not the right time that we know in a year based on our projections that, you know, through some reallocations we can make that happen. So, I want the committee as well as the public to know that we're very thoughtful in terms of, you know, there
are a lot of needs to build the programs, but we we've and I think we've done this all along where we've used the phased in approach, which I think is important because we are part of the um of of the town budget. We're a substantial part, but we know that we have to work well for all services for
the betterment of our community. And if you look at our priorities at the high school, we're trying to reimage this to push rigor and um and outcomes in a different place and re reimage meaning providing opportunities for all of our students with pathways so they
get real world experience. Right? So we need people to to do this. The director of strategic initiatives innovation and pathways director again not asking for new that's reallocation. We need people to drive this work. um EMT certification, which we're looking forward for in a year, as well as the
early childhood pathway. By the way, if we receive chapter 74 funding for these specialized programmings, that's money that we will receive from the state in addition. So, that will that will actually help support the programming that's coming. Early college, you know, the early college program is thriving
and we're looking to create an associates pathway um within a year. In terms of the curriculum, again, uh we offer a lot of advanced placement offerings and we're pushing for more participation amongst all students. Um and the professional development and
team department chairs that's going to be there. Um and again, a lot of that's happening because of grant funding and Kristen's hard work to to move things around and as well as Pam and Christina's work too and and really our whole team. and the interventions to work to improve students that have need
that may um struggle in school such as an afterchool program that can provide education but also provide work study opportunities uh as well as an ACE program to or targeted and we're looking at those that that is actually a small investment that we're not quite there yet and we're looking to defer that to
hopefully maybe by the end of the year with some uh increased revenue look to improve that. So when we talk about revenue possibilities, we know that we have choice and that program I believe has been successful this year. We we have students in the district. We receive
tuition from other towns. Um and we have the capacity to do so. And honestly going forward, you know, we know that we have um a meeting next month to talk about choice again and looking at the amount of seats if we can tuition in students into our specialized
programmings. Again, not to not to create a a situation where we overload our existing, you know, students and stuff, but looking at way very sensible ways. All districts are, by the way, are going this route because it's it's less
expensive and oftentimes a better program for students that might be placed out of district if we use in district. We have opportunities possibly there by finishing our programs. Um, user fee increase, we're looking at modest increases. we haven't increased in over 12 years. So, we understand the
the issue with, you know, it's it's a tight budget for everybody, but we need to be realistic here. And then we're looking at an early incentive uh retirement program for teachers. I know that we're working on the final stages of that. And once that is actually going to move forward, I'll come back with the
committee for a final approval to move forward to see if it's worth our while to offer the early retirement incentive. That's deferred annuity over time. So we feel that that piece may save us by those at the top step because we have a
high number of teachers in our district that are at the higher step. Although there's a riskreward with that you have a lot of talented very experienced but at the other end you know if teachers retire and they're very close bringing in a teacher the mid way can save money.
So, can we save these deferred funds at this mo at this number? That's possible. But we have a plan moving forward that if everything falls into place, we would be in a better place that might allow us to if we were to continue if we had the funding. Again, not asking the town for more money, but looking for ways to add
that assistant principal team chair at the elementary, right? We've talked at at great length for that. Um, if we're improve the programming work study and the ACE program at the high school, right, then that's a small investment. um the lunch recess monitors which would free up our IAS instructional assistants
that should be working directly with students. Um and again that that is a way we might be able to fund that outside of our budget a math specialist and a digital literacy specialist possibly grant funded. So these are things that we are looking at this if possible without adding to the bottom
line of the town ask. So I think we're trying to be as creative as we can without putting an additional burden on the town. Um, and we know off off in the horizon, we know the need for assistant principles at the elementary are important, but we're just not there yet. Um, so that doesn't mean that the need
isn't real and the priority is not there. It is. Uh, in terms of the school psychologist, uh, we know that would help our programming, but we can wait for a year for that at the high school. Um, actually the 0.5 Smith nurse is for the specialized programming we have there with students with medical needs,
but we we have that, but we're using that right now with substitute money. uh and digital digital literacy specialists as well as math specialist are things that you know we'd like to be able to add that may be grant funding over time but we're not quite there yet. All right. So I want to move into
basically what what are the nuts and bolts. So looking at the obligations, these are basically the non-negotiables, the responsibilities that we have in terms of salary, um contractual increases, steps and lanes, and we see that's almost at 4%. Right? We have the
non salary, student services, district tuitions, transportation, contracted services. We anticipate an increase for the uh consortium tuition. That's not finalized, but we're trying to prepare for that. We we've we know that that's more likely going to happen. Um and then
the non- salary others such as curriculum adoptions, our bus contract is up this year. The AED devices which are were up and expired, but we we need to move forward and replace them. Vape detection the middle school. So that's right at an 8.8%. Right? So that's a
substantial amount that um we have to fund these. We're obligated to do that. when you look at offsets now what are ways that we're able to offset the actual uh obligations I think one of the areas you know the non- salary reduction
we do have an out of district placement adjustment in our favor um we have a non- salary reduction other so the the the reason those numbers are in red is because the committee asked us to go back forth and look for ways we can reduce the budget with non- studententf
facing ways so for example we know that the lease at the middle school for the one one will expire. We will not renew. We're looking for a way to reconfigure that with existing devices. We know that the bus fee we're were proposal at 50,000 over the course um
one fewer bus. We're looking to reduce one bus off there. So those are almost the equivalent of teacher salaries. Excuse me. Kristen's done an outstanding job again moving the curriculum to title one which allows that to come out of the operating budget. Um, we're going to
suspend the voluntary professional development that takes place at the end of the school year and the beginning of the school year. It's very important that we have this because it offers professional development opportunities for teachers that are able to attend. But since it's voluntary and we know that the cost is at least 75,000, we
would rather best use that to reduce the budget and we've already talked with the union and and again they're great in understanding that. uh the operating line budget reductions. Again, looking across the different budget lines and and what are areas that we can reduce without really impacting operations, we
were able to find about 100. It was 117,000. So, um, we wanted to show this because if you look at that number, you know, 500,000, that's several teachers front facing that through our hard work here, um, we're able to make these moves
and certainly save staff, but also allow us to improve specialized programming. Right. I think the next piece that's important is that we do have staff reallocations. Um, we have retirements. We have people that may have left the district that are not going to return.
Um, we have situations where we may have some non-professional staff that we may need to make moves because of enrollment changes or reorganization. And right now at this time, you know, we have 10.6 FTEEs, unit A, which are teachers. And that varies across the elementary, middle, and high school.
We have IAS and BTS that are nonprogram, non-specialized that will make reductions. Um, and that's yet to be determined who these individuals are. But these are areas that we need to reduce and central office will take a substantial reduction as well. And that's that that's part of it because
we're all in this and we know that in order to make it work to keep moving our programming forward, we need to make some some reductions. And we look at reductions that will not impede the progress of our students and programming. Right? very strategic, very calculated, never easy, but we need to
make these because we're at a position where um something has to give in in the budget in order to make our programming and keep building, right? Sal salary obligation. Uh there's an adjustment there. Um preschool tuition, some of the increases for the two-year panin that uh
came into play. uh stipens for the middle school and high school curriculum leaders will fall off because we've developed a department scheme team share model that will not require those stipens. So you look at that number is pretty substantial in terms of that reduction. Circuit breaker is another
area that quite frankly we're going to take take more out of that which is reimbursement from the state to offset special education, tuition and transportation at a larger amount. And we have to give the town a lot of credit for working with us to allow that number
to go up. And that is important because if that number, you know, you get to a point where you do have to keep some cushion to make this move for unexpected expenditures, but it's there to to keep us moving. Um, and when you take that all together, that offsets our non- salary reductions, student service
obligations. Um, that's a pretty healthy total that we work really hard to offset the obligations. The thing that we're very happy about is that we are showing no changes from the budget workshop in terms of improving our specialized programming by the instructional assistance that we already
have that we want to keep in the budget that were primarily funded through the EA grant and other funding mechanisms as well as the speech language pathologist and as well as the team chair at the high school. So that addition goes in. And when you take a look at the breakdown,
quite frankly, the bottom line is you take the obligations, you subtract the offsets, the specialized programming additions, and we get to the bottom line of a 4.05 increase, which um I think through the uh reductions and and continuing the programming. I'm very
proud of the fact that we're at a position where um we're able to continue improving our special education program and specialized program and very proud of the fact that the investment that is being made. We need to continue this. We're at a point where the returns are showing and we need to fi finalize this
to bring further returns not only to help students and families but we need to look long range financially because if if we do not continue funding this we can't go backwards because the cost will continue to go up in tuitions. Even though we can demonstrate that
fewer students are going out and more extended valuations are in those costs keep going up. So we need to look not just this year but these cost and changes are are really steps were taken to protect future not only the the schools but to help the
town as well. So the recommended budget um is a 4.05 increase um and it's 56 million151,63. When you take a look at the pie chart that we accompany, we know that primarily the salaries themselves are
the biggest portion of the school budget and generally most municipal budgets. Um that is down a little bit. Um our special education and costs are up just because the increased tuition and increased transportation. The transportation to and from school we're able to shave off a little bit there,
but really 95 95.9% of our budget is fixed. Um and we know that the smaller percentage of the 4.1 is curriculum material supplies and equipment. Um we are a little bit below the per pupil expenditure from the state. Those are the latest numbers. But
when you look at the piece over time, you know, we have a for I put the 14-year average in excuse me, you know, at a 3.865% over 14 years. And when you put the 4.05, hopefully my math is correct. you
know, that brings us down to 3.7, which um you know, when you look at time and all the things that we're doing, all the things that we're asking, again, we're so appreciative of the town support. We're so appreciative of the effort of our educators, our administrators, and their students, uh quite frankly. So,
bringing this forward, um I think it's important to note that, you know, the steps that we're taking is we've done a lot of work on this, and I'm and I wanted to say thank you to the school committee for the work and support you're showing. the subcommittee meeting, the school committee meeting,
the workshop, the recommendations, uh the budget book, the hard work that's been on that, um the budget hearing tonight. So, the the whole idea is the time is is important because we have to present uh our budget to the select board by March 1st in order for them to
have an opportunity to review for the March 7th uh budget meeting at the select board level. So that does accelerate. You know, the meeting was supposed to take place on Monday. Unfortunately, the weather um you know, played havoc with that, but we have to have this meeting this week so we can
stay on a timeline with the town. Um which I think is fair. And then we know that once it leaves the select board, depending on how that goes, then the fallout meeting is actually April 15th with the fincom and then the town meeting is May. So if I go back um the
recommended budget um for school year 27 um is the 4.05 increase 2,187,872. So I'll stop there. I think I probably um I'm open for any questions. Um and our team is available for questions as well.
First of all, Dan, uh, thank you and the team, the entire team for the work that was done on this budget. Um, so I think when we had our very first meeting and the um the different schools presented, different levels presented. I think that
the the we knew it wasn't going to be the ask, but I think it was like 8% or something that if you did everything we wanted to do and but we knew that wasn't going to be it. And then the the iteration that we saw I think initially a week or so ago was around
4 and a half% I think. And my suspicion is it's tougher to go from four and a half to 4.05 5 than it was to go 8 to 4 because you sort of know what you're looking at, know what is reasonable, but now um I think the real
work was in getting this budget down to where it is now and really making those final um priority choices. So, I think you've laid out essentially some of the uh the things that we are going to defer, but I'm pleased to see that we're able
to continue to move ahead on the special education piece that we've been working on. Um I don't see any fat in this budget as I look through it. It is what it is and it is what's needed and uh I think we've worked closely with the town
to arrive at a number that works for everybody. um you know when it comes to uh I think all districts are um having similar issues to us and I will say I think that we're in some ways in a better position. We have ongoing
contracts settled, so we're not going to have to worry about that for a couple of years. Hence, um, we're fairly stable here in terms of what we're doing. And, uh, it was funny, I read, I think there was an article in the Globe today about special education, transportation, and,
um, you know, talking about people looking for changes to the formula for reimbursement, which always is a year behind. So we get reimbursed in fiscal 27 based on what we spent in fiscal 26. Sometimes it just doesn't match up. Um
so but I get the sense um you know from looking at the lay of the land so to speak that um a lot of districts are finding this a tight budget year. A lot of municipalities are there have been changes in federal funding which impact the ability of the state and grants and
all sorts of things. So, I think to get to where this budget is has taken a lot of work. Um, I'm pleased with it and I think it does allow you to move forward with the things that you want to work on next year. So, no objections from me.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you, chair. Um, one I I just want to applaud like the work that you did coming out of the uh budget subcommittee. Um, we we definitely had a spirited conversation in regards to
looking at the budget and you did exactly what was asked. How can we create some offsets that did not have a direct impact on students? Um, so very grateful for that. Really really appreciate that. Um when I look back at the budget and I think about what was
passed I believe in 2025 we made a big jump there over 6% to set the stage to give us the ability to start right sizing where we were short. Um I I think the impact on performance and
the improvement for all the students in Danver has been marked. Um and it just it it will continue to get better. I mean, every year we we identify places where we can do better. Um, I'm really
excited about the team chairs coming on board so we can specifically address our student needs on site. Um, disappointed that we can't get the assistant principles, but that's, you know, further downstream. But, I mean, to
Eric's point, going from 4.5, which was the expectation, and coming back and seeing 4.05 5 given the economics and the challenges that we're seeing in the town, I think are incredible. Um, specifically calling out the impact that the investment in
special education has made with the out of district tuition. You know, you keep a student in Denver, you're also eliminating the cost for transportation, but you're also keeping that student in the community with their friends, with their family, and they get to participate. you you you almost can't put a price on
it, but we've been able to save money and and put more investment where it needs to be. So, you know, being on this committee for so many years and, you know, being here from day one and seeing the work that you and your team are doing, I I I can't applaud it more. Um,
and that's it. I mean, I I I think it's incredible work, incredibly responsible budget, a really great number. um to be able to continue to progress and and make all the other changes. The
retirement the early retirement offer, you know, other communities are making some drastic cuts, working with our union to make things like this work. Kudos. So, I I definitely want to applaud everyone who's been involved in this. Um and I know we've had many
conversations about the budget and all that other stuff, but um it really makes all the work worth it. So, thank you. That's all. >> I think the gentlemen on either side of me would have hit uh just about every
point. But, uh one thing that I do want to applaud is the fact that with bringing that uh number down that we saw last month, we are not focusing on one set of students. We're focusing on every level from top to bottom. So, every student, no matter who you are, there's
something still there for you and we're not backing off of anybody. We're still pushing for the best of everybody we talk about. So I that's the one thing aside from these guys I definitely noticed. So I appreciate that. >> I I I wholeheartedly agree. working in
public education for as long as I I have, you hear a lot of different stories of different problems. And right now, district districts uh all having the same problem of deficits and and a
lack of resources. And it wasn't so long ago, and I told you we were in a meeting and I heard somebody say something about the focus on one set of students. And I was confused because
I understand the programming that's in place or that was in place for all students. And we do want to take care of our high achievers and we want to take care of our most vulnerable and and meet the needs of everyone else in between.
That's what a good public uh school district does. Not only do you do that here, but that program has been expanded. We've we've stayed true and you've stayed true to your commitment to
special education that started over what two years ago at least. That's now um you know paying dividends and we're seeing a lot of positive uh responses from our families on that. But we're also, you know, there there are
other untold stories of kids having difficulty with their education, getting in the buildings, staying in the buildings, you know, reaching graduation. And there are programs now in place to help those people realize their potential. And with 26 APs,
um, possibility of having an associates degree when we come out of here, we're helping those families that maybe can't afford four-year college education. there's not enough accolades to to bestow upon all of you for the work that you've done to get to 4.05 for where we
were. Um, so as an educator, I'm incredibly impressed as a member of this of this committee. I am just grateful that I can be part of the work that we're all that we're all
doing. So, thank you very much. We good? Does anyone in the audience since this is a public meeting, does anyone in the audience have any questions about the budget or need clarification on anything that you've seen tonight? Please mark.
Thank you, Mark Zuber. Uh, I just took a few notes and I'm just looking at I haven't looked at the numbers before intentionally. However, I have some questions that
this increase is from 56 million now. I think it was 47 or 48 before. Okay, I'm going to look that up. But, uh, last year's budget was also increased by 6.4% at that time.
So, I heard >> that was actually two years ago, the 6 point. >> Okay. Well, it was increased that that time definitely >> and then the following year was also increased >> and this year we're going for another
4.05%. Uh, one of the questions that I just noted to myself just listening to your dissertation about the budget, uh, state aid, has anybody looked at
what the condition of state aid is going to be this year? Uh, has it increased, decreased, or are we going to be holding the bag again just like we did a few years back?
So, the thing is, you know, it's it may be a great thing. Could you put back the previous one? That's the one I'm looking at. That's okay. Um, state aid is still undefined.
And what we're going to do is the town is going to be subsidizing the school department because state aid is going to decrease. Um, I heard a references
I guess to my uh tiraate that I had three years ago in regard to your special education uh priorities. And my intent at that time was we cannot
focus on special education only. We need to focus on the general population because that's 95% or even more of the students that we have in this uh community.
the number of students has that decreased I I didn't see what the number is right now but uh what is the student count this year and how is it been performing whether it's going down or
it's going up and what is the inclusion of this budget how is tech being accommodated because those are our students as well.
The thing is that we ignore that because we anticipate the state is going to pick up some of that cost but the town is going to pick up another four to5 million. So, but that's an unknown number yet.
So, how does does this budget with an increase of 4.05% 56 million, how does that improve or ex
improve our general population? And I know that we have a priority about uh special education, but that's an item that's been talked about right along. And I don't know,
maybe I'm reading wrong, but does that include more than 10 students or less than 10 students? >> Sorry, that's not clear. >> I don't get the question. I was just looking at your uh
>> district placements for one year. Yes. >> So I I don't understand that and I'm just wondering how has that been incorporated into this budget because every year we're going for more and
more. Some of it is obligations. I understand that. But you have not taken a a general review of the staffing because a lot of communities in the Northshore are
finding that they have overextended themselves and they're reducing staff and I I don't know what what is is this the offset that we're talking about? So we're eliminating what? Person
personnel circuit breaker and non- salary. Most of that $3.8 million is from the circuit breaker that the town is is providing. Isn't that true? So I I think you know we can't be doing
this uh you know um and I hate to use strange terms charades but I think we need to clarify that because that >> the town doesn't provide the circuit breaker the state does and it's provided
specific >> no no circuit breaker comes from our investment of the town from the prior years and it comes back to our budget, >> but it's supposed to be for educational purposes. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. >> Okay. >> And it comes from the state. Um, >> it does not come from the state. It's all our money that was invested. Come on. Let's let's be serious. We need to look at the
taxability or taxing of our residents. And, you know, it's just part of it. The thing is, how has this budget improved other than special education for our
students? That's that's the question I'm asking. Do we have an answer for that? >> Yep, I certainly do. Um, and that's why when you take a look at um under the high school, right, the advanced placement program that we have at the
high school, I don't think you'll find another school in this area that has as many advanced placement courses that we have. We're adding to that and adding an AP diploma this year is unbelievable in terms of the pathways that we're looking to. We already have pathways. We have a
number of other science programs that we have that we're increasing. So the curriculum changes for math is outstanding this year. So that will impact all students. That's built in and that's no extra cost because Kristen's work really hard in adding that to our
grant um in terms of being able to create um these early college opportunities. These these programs are helping all students in terms and there's a lot of other curriculum development that's not even in here that that's not even part of the budget because it's been grant funded. So in
terms of that piece, um I do question the fact that and I understand that asking the question to me in terms of where we are improvements, special education has been improving, but all education's been improving here. We've been providing these programs. Our enrollment is relatively stable, which
is a good thing. The state aid, the the chapter 70 funding has come in. We have those numbers. The town has those numbers and they're working through that. So, um, in terms of that piece, um, you know, I'm really proud of the work that that we're doing to look for all students because that's been our focus. But we have to get special
education under under control as we said because of the fact the costs keep going up and that will impact and I don't know if you saw the slide here, Mark, but in terms of the like we are made there are some reductions here. >> That's the one I was looking at that there's 10 students.
>> No, no, there's 11. >> There's at least there's 10.6 six teachers. There's nine F uh FDES for IAS and BTS being reduced. There's some central office a significant central office position being removed. So that's that's substantial and I know that's that's right there that's in the first
upper U where you might be facing at the right hand corner. So we are reducing those pieces. So just for my own edification, >> so we haven't just added positions and I know you didn't use the term willy-nilly and I know you wouldn't say that, but I the insinuation is that we've been very
careful in calculating like I agree there has to be some positions that we have to move and there are reductions here. So we're going through that process. >> That's I was very I was very happy to hear that >> and I think that's just being responsible and as you said that many communities around us are in significant
reductions. Um, and I would also point out that, you know, in terms of the enrollment and also the IEP, in terms of students and percentage, I think it's about 22% in our district, right? Or so. But again, that doesn't matter to me. What matters to me is all students get
what they need. I think your point's well taken. And that's why our focus has been not just in one area, but across the board. >> That's that's the whole point three years ago. And I got very I rateated that time. >> I know. and I did not come back until
this year because I think we need to have you have some time to make the adjustments and that's what I wanted to hear and I didn't hear that at all. So that's something that you need to uh
present. Um, one of the things that I've noticed, and that was even three, four years ago, is that we've had some federal funded teachers uh through COVID and all that stuff. And
then we have uh state funded positions by grants. And then well at the end of the day we convert them under our own budget because that budget runs out after two to three years and
all we're doing is multiplying the number of staff whether it's administrative or teachers we had you know increase the number of staff and I I didn't see what is the total number of
staff from last year to this year. I'm I'm going to study this a little bit more, but I I don't know if I can get an answer out of you guys right now. Um the other item that I noted for myself
is will this early retirement incentive ultimately reduce the number of staff that we have funded under this budget because usually
that's the intent of an early retirement uh function And I didn't hear anything in regard to that. I mean, you know, why are we doing early retirement if we're not going to reduce the staff?
The staff has been increasing every year because of these uh grant functions. And it's great that you get the grants, but how are you going to be able to support those under the budget? We we
have constraints on the budget and you've seen, you know, the new town manager squirming already in the papers and the thing is I don't think she knows what what we're in for yet.
And you're just going along because you're allowed to do that and the town has not put any pressure on the school and education budgets. So will the early retirement
um evolve into a staff reduction in in the future. >> The let me talk about that a little >> the object of the earth. >> Excuse me one second.
>> The one thing that I noticed sitting back there is when you don't speak into the mic >> I can't hear you. Maybe I'm going deaf. I don't know. But I have >> Well, let me How's this? >> I have selective hearing. You know that.
>> You always have. Um the question in in terms of early retirement or whatever grant positions end up moving to the budget through the years is always based on the number of persons that are necessary to provide
the programming that we think is important. Well, you can shake your head. But I'm telling you that because we don't not every position, for example, that is grant-f funded for two or three years ends up becoming a permanent position. The ones that help
the program, yeah, if we can fit them into the budget, we certainly do that. The purpose of early retirement is not to reduce the overall number of teachers. You know, we're not here to try and increase class sizes. Um, but
the early retirement benefit, those teachers who are replaced, and it won't be all of them, but those teachers who are replaced will be replaced with teachers who cost less. You're looking at a budget this year, this pointed out, that has a reduction of the full-time
equivalent of about 10 teachers and about 10 aids. So, we're not just, you know, >> that's in somebody's perception. I I perception I don't know what the number is. I haven't seen it. >> You saw it on the slide. A reduction of
rough that FTE is full-time equivalent position. >> My question was will this early retirement incentive in some way materialize in reduction in staff. >> It'll it'll save money and it'll reduce
staff if it's appropriate to do so. We have we have people that are retiring this year. >> Can you speak to the mic? >> We have people retiring this year that their positions will not be filled. >> That's the way it should be offered >> because it's not necessary to fill them.
If it were necessary to fill them to keep programming for our students and our families, it probably would be replaced. There's been a very direct and intentional um effort that has gone on to get to
4.05%. While maintaining the efforts that started with the 6.41 because special ed needed that those things have been continued over the last three years
ultimately to save us money from students going out of district. >> I understand that. Additionally, programming has been added for all students of all abilities in our buildings because they all matter, not one group
over the other. >> That's my whole point. >> And in doing that, we've come in with a very lean budget of 4.05, which I think is incredibly fair in this day and age. If the town has a problem with that, I'm sure they're going to tell us that. But
you have to understand at this point, this team has been working collaboratively with the town >> to get to this number. >> And I understand that it's very difficult to come up with a reasonable number. But I think what the school
committee and the superintendent need to realize that budgets are not infinite. I mean, they are limited to how much money can be allocated because what we
see here, you're saying 56 million, but then you add all of the town department allocations to the schools, to the buildings, to the fields, and you
get another 20 to30 million on top of that. So our budget right now for the schools if it's done the same as in other communities is probably in the 80 $85 million range.
>> You think guessing at that number is fair right now? You actually believe that that's a fair statement to make. >> You don't know what that number is? >> Well, I've se I've watched it every single year and last year >> and you showed up without a number. You're guessing at that number. I'm I'm
telling you that >> you don't even know what that number is yet. You're committing to that number to this to this board. >> It's in the town meeting warrant articles and they have that in there. So every year that is a percentage that's
reflected for the commitment of >> those I've seen those town warrant articles because I'm a town meeting member. Those numbers don't ring a bell. Well, then >> so it's offensive that you come in here and you and you throw these accusations
out like you're doing. Asking questions is not a problem. Getting clarification, not a problem. Are you coming in here insinuating that things are not transparent, things are hidden, that
that that numbers are inflated, that we continually add staff in a needless fashion? That's offensive. Well, then that's a position that you're in. So, you might as well start getting
used to it because the other item that I have noted on here is staff reallocation. This really came in at the same time as the retirement uh you know uh early retirement uh criteria staff
reallocation. That to me means that you're shifting people from different positions which is very appropriate. And the thing is that that does not reduce any budget.
It shuffles the deck to different uh departments or different uh functions. So, one of the last things that I would like to discuss, and I don't want to offend anybody. This is not
>> it's not a uh offensive uh posture here. This is questions and answers. That's all I'm looking for. The Essex Tech has become a political football basically last uh five, six
years. has the school department because we went through some questionnaires and uh surveys and things like that to find out why our students
are going to SXT. Has that materialized in any way? >> Okay. So, what have we found out? because that's going to be the next four or5 million budget item that's going to be hitting us. So this slide right here
Mark can demonstrate pathways when you see EMT which we know that's mer medical technician pathway that's a very specific technological way the pathways that we have in engineering medical science I'm sorry is that better >> well now I can hear you
>> okay the pathways are those pieces where students we want to create relevant programming right that prepares our workforce for the future or college readiness and And that's what the pathways are. We've already had some pathways in our schools. We're looking to enhance them further.
>> Do you know what pathways are, Mark? I want to make sure that we're not throwing terms out that you don't get. Do you know what pathways are? >> Sure. >> Okay. >> But the thing is what I'm looking at is >> so I just want to say something that we we work we work with Essex Tech. So we
understand the statement that you made earlier. I didn't point out, but the fact of the matter is that all of our students in Danvers, you know, we we are here to serve our students. If they proceed to Essex Tech, that's wonderful. They have outstanding opportunities there, but we have opportunities at our high school, too, that are outstanding
that might meet a different niche of a student. And it's our job. So your point about finding out what students need is that we've been digging in and and I don't I you know I should have brought over that open house sign to your house because I wish you would have attended the open house to see the programs that
we offer and what we're trying to do to show our students and families that back in the day maybe the community high school was the option. We know families have many different options. So it's up incumbent on us to show like we have these opportunities where you can graduate from Danver High School and
become an engineer. You can graduate, become a nurse. You can graduate and become a technician. You can do all those things at our high school that you can do at Essex Tech. And we support and we work with Essex Tech as well. So, it's not it's not a political football for us. So, that's that's not true with us.
>> But the point was to find out why these students were leaving. And I understand that they have a u um a lottery system for selecting students.
Now there's no um uh you know special uh selections. However, did we ever find out why the students left? We had 260ome students
that went into the uh Essex Tech from Danvers and I don't think that number has changed recently either. >> There's been a reduction over the last couple of years. It's come down slightly. Um >> very little >> but yes, I think there's a lot of not
enough information on our end where students can achieve what they're looking for for terms of career readiness and opportunities. And that's one thing that when we had the surveys, we've talked with families understanding that we have opportunities here. Um, and the lottery system, as you know, was put
in by law, was passed. So that changed the whole admissions process to Essex Tech into all technical schools across the Commonwealth. So with that being said, that certainly we look for the the amount of applications actually have gone down from Holton Richmond this past year. I'm not saying right or wrong
indifferent. I'm just saying that we have to do a better job of showing that we have the programs here and also develop the programs. So at that point is well taken. So >> that was the whole point when I worked with your u
principal of the high school and he's no longer here but uh he and I have had long discussions in regard to what kind of a survey question can you put out? >> I would invite you to come in to meet our current principal. I think you'd be very impressed with what he's done this
whole DHS 2 2030. That's a lot of his hard work and sweat and I I would invite you to come in. Please reach out and I'll set up a meeting with you to sit down with our principal. I think you'd enjoy meeting with them. >> Gladly anytime. Uh the final question
is how is the school department or the school committee responding to the Essex Tech students? Are we making any
um conditions that will attract them back? And how do we settle on the funding? I mean, that's that's the big deal. You know, my position about the funding is that it should be reduced from the Denver school department and put towards
the SX Tech because that's where it really belongs because those are our students. and we need to service all of our students. >> Okay, one more time. >> We we've actually received a number of
students back from Essex Tech. In fact, three recently. >> Um the only thing I'll say about the reasons why is I think it has to do with our 26 advanced placement courses. I think they're looking they're looking they were looking for more uh
opportunity with advanced placement which we had. Um and so they've come back to us. Um other than that we had some earlier in the year as well. So maybe five to 10 students have come back this year. >> So it's a revolving door between the two
schools. >> Well, you know, you get over there and you think you're going to get something. It's not really up to your expectations. So you and we take obviously we have to take them back. we would happy to take it. >> And also, as you know, the town pays the assessment to Essics Tech as well as all 17 member communities. So, if that that
number goes up, obviously that's less available for our schools, too. So, that's the balancing act. So, the town does support that through the assessment every year. So, even though our numbers may have gone down, the cost of doing business has gone up. So, that would account for an increased assessment
>> and that is supported by both the town and the state. And the problem is is that the state is not funding enough of it. For other communities, it does, but for us, for some reason, can't get them to do it.
And we're the host community. So, I want to thank you for at least listening. And don't get offensive or or offended. You can get offensive, but that's okay. >> You tell me what I can and can't do now.
Oh, no. No. You we can play this game for a long time. No, but I appreciate the time, but uh the one thing that I'm really concerned and like I mentioned in the beginning is that this meeting
is to a audience of three or two three people. Is that what I think, you know, our school system deserves? I think it deserves a heck of a lot more. So, I don't know. Maybe uh this
I don't know. Maybe it'll raise a lot more questions at the board of selectman. And uh uh well, finance committee is going to do their own thing. All right. Thank you very much. And uh no offense.
>> Thank you. >> You're so sensitive. That's what my wife tells me all the time. Please want to approach this, you know, part of the conversation with a lot of compassion. Um, these are really complex
budget times and special education funding is really complex. Like, um, Dan had said, we're dealing with human beings. It's it's not an easy thing. Um, and it's not it's not easy either to get up and ask questions that might not be popular, but it's a really important
role. So, um, I thank you for coming here and doing that. Um, I did just sort of write down some thoughts that for us to think about. Um, and it's true, budgets aren't finite, are not infinite, but neither is childhood. And we have to
keep that in mind. And, and it's such a hard job that you all have to balance that. Um, but it's the absolute truth when we're talking about humans and trying to make up that time that's lost and those skills when it when you're trying to recruit them so much harder.
We know that it's the proactive investments where we can intervene early and get services that are going to help our students thrive um and ultimately reach their full capacity. And which gets me to my my next sort of
observation is that the programs that we're talking about AP courses um early college special education students are in those programs and doing so well. They are very capable. they are high achievers and we cannot continue to
undercut that and pretend like they're not part of it. That's a bias. That is a bias that is common. Um and that was part of what I have seen underlying some of you know discussions and when I I
think people don't um you know think about disability in a new way that I often I'll get my son David people will say he doesn't look autistic and it's not it's just a new concept. He is though he doesn't look it but he is and
there's disability everywhere that we don't see. Anybody can come become disabled at any time. It's true. Go to Spalding Rehab. So, I really commend this committee. I think if we could get more consistent
engagement from the public, um you've discussed many of the issues that were brought up in length at these meetings. Um and you know, that information is there. Um I think dialogue, you know, act happening proactively can can really
add a lot um instead of just at this point right now. uh and that you know my worry for long-term special education is that um not so much with this committee and in in Danverse public schools but town
my concern is that it's a very volatile type of funding that we continue to reactively rely on what's like a longer term plan. We know this is always going to be here. health care costs and special education costs are always going
to be part of this. And so we're in sort of this predicament now because of the investments that weren't made 10, 20 years ago. And what that looked like is parents tell me now there was, you know, the conditions that their kids were in
were really this town would be if if they could hear those parents and those students talk about that, they would be very embarrassed and ashamed. That's not how people should be treated. Do we want to go back? No, of course not. So, I think we really do need to start
planning more for a longer term future of what's this look like in five years. We can't just continue to patch things. Um the the question I had was about that PD funding, the $75,000 for optional. Um it seems like they I don't know if your
staff is able to, you know, opt into it for like two days or something and get a stipend. Um uh I think you know one of the things we hear from families is that more PD is needed. Um especially around some of the concepts that I just you know talked about that would really benefit
everyone. Um so you know I hope that we can figure out a way to to get more training into the hands of educators who I know really want it. Um and just thank you all. I appreciate everybody's time. I'd entertain a motion to close public comment.
>> Motion to close public comment. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. >> I. Opposed. >> And now I would entertain a motion in regards to either accepting or not
accepting the budget. I would move, Mr. Chair, that we approve the uh proposed FY27 budget in the amount of 56 million $151,63 to be passed on to the select and
finance committee for consideration. Second any discussion, further discussion hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. I. I. >> All opposed. Congratul um at this time I would I just remember
our next meeting is March 9th. I'll say it one more time and I would entertain a motion to adjourn. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All those in favor please say I. >> Thank you Damas. Good night. >> Good night.