Welcome to the Monday, June 15, 2026 meeting of the Dennis Sherman Regional School Committee. Please join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance 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. >> Right. First on our agenda is a presentation on the trip to Italy in 2028. Mr. Patrick Aern. Make sure the little green light is on on your microphone.
I'll push it. There it is. All right. Um, so, uh, thank you for having me tonight. My name is Patrick Hearn. Um, I'll show you the slide with that information on there in case you already forgot. So, I, uh, teach seventh grade social studies at Dennis Yarmmouth
Middle School. Uh, I do some other things here as well. I do the prek program and the summertime and coach the middle school cross country team. As this is a presentation about taking students abroad, I include a little bit of my past where I've lived in Europe,
specifically Ireland because that's you might have guessed with my name. Um my family is from Ireland. uh and I spent uh time in Japan and also when I was uh in my 20s I spent a couple years taking
undergraduate students abroad as well. Why I travel? I mean these are the pictures from last year. Uh last year we took uh eight students to Italy and Greece. Um we went to a lot of the major
sites that we talk that we talk about in social seventh grade social studies and um these all these students all had a wonderful time and I had an amazing time taking them as well. These are kind of the numbers from the
EF program that we go through when we bring the students abroad. So 94 of their travelers say that the experience uh expanded their knowledge of the world. 84% felt like the tour helped them grow as a person and 84% felt like
they were inspired by their tour. The proposed trip for the middle school, the middle school age students would be this time it would be for Rome, Naples, and Pompei. And if you're curious, you can look
through the itinerary for each what each day would look like. Um, for the most part, and I specifically requested this time around, last time we went, we went with we went we were also with some high schools and working with middle school age students, they needed a slightly
more rigorous program where they needed, you know, less free time is what I found from last time when I took students abroad. So, when I talked to EF this time around, they gave me a very structured uh trip. It's not that they had tons of free time
last time, but I just wanted it to be tailored more toward middle school, and they happen to have some programs that would help out with that. The trip would be uh during 2028. What I when I was talking to the agent, I
thought this is probably what the dates are going to be. I'm not if if they change, I can change them. I don't remember if that was on the school calendar or not when I looked, but it would be during April vacation. These are some of the things that they would be able to do when they are on the
trip um in Naples. They could take an underground tour uh with local experts and local guides. They would make some uh working with some of the Buffalo mozzarella farms in Naples. And in terms of where it ties into
social studies or at least what they learn in seventh grade, a lot of what they'd see in Rome, especially the forum and you know many of the sites where Julius Caesar was involved, they'll see that all in Rome and the Trevy Fountain and all the other famous places that
they would go to see. Um, so this presentation is for the parents that I will be meeting. So, I don't need you guys to, you know, respond to the questions or anything, but this is what we would think about um when I talk to them.
And again, we have a uh tour director that works with us throughout the entire program. I had a fantastic tour director at my last experience. They helped with quite literally everything that we could possibly need. And while I do have lots
of experience traveling, I don't have like I'm not an expert and the tour director is an expert and they speak all the languages, right? I don't know enough languages to be fluent in plenty of languages to help the kids out. So, there's a tour director that helps with
everything and they're usually, at least last time, the one that we had that was told that this is how most of the EF directors are, they were they were amazing in helping with everything because we had a we had an incident at one point where I needed his assistance to help us out with a student to get through some get through something in
the Vatican and he handled it all and it was it was wonderful. So, those are all the things that are included. The important things for the students in terms of the cost is that breakfast and dinner is always included and then um they just have to pay for the lunches which they usually follow us
like what the adults around and kind of eat where we eat and all those things. And again for the parents uh 24-hour emergency assistance and traveler support is there as well. And again, this will be the things I'd be showing the parents, but the major
thing that they have to pay for is the tips, which I work with the kids to figure out beforehand. Big pro, the big issue is always, you know, there's a cost associated with this, right? And it's a pretty substantial cost. Um, the reason we try to plan it two months out or two year,
not two months, two years out is that we can try to cut down at least a monthly cost for it. Um, again, last year wasn't the first time I did this, and I didn't actually plan it last year. I took it over when the person who planned it dropped out. So, hoping that I can do
some more fundraisers and things like that to get the cost down for students that are maybe on the fence about whether or not they could do it. That would be the the hope. And, you know, they could pay, parents could pay in monthly installments or bi-weekly installments. It depends on what they
feel comfortable with. Again, EF is I I'm 38 now, but when I graduated college when I was 21, I almost worked for them. They've been around for a long time. Um, and you know, they're they're fairly trusted in this field.
And there's lots of things EF does to make sure that the kids are safe and we are not traveling in a particularly unsafe part of the world. So, I would feel very safe with EF. And again with the trying to get trying to cut costs a little bit, there's
personal fundraising pages that EF has that the students can get like QR codes. They can send them out to family members, to friends, just little things to try to cut down the cost. We'll try to figure that out as we go forward. This is again for the parents. There's lots of like cancellation plans as well.
Um, so if they do sign up now and they cancel before the year comes, they'll be able to refund everything. And the closer it gets, the less they can refund. But for the most part, they have I mean, if they purchase the biggest the biggest plan, they could cancel up to 24
hours before depending on what was going on. And yeah, so that's the support that EF has for them. And I don't want to take up too much of your time, but I'll just show you quickly what we did uh in 2025.
So, we went to Italy and Greece, saw the Pantheon, the Colosseum, the Vatican. Uh we took a ferry from uh across the Adriatic Sea to get to Greece and then drove through the mountains of Greece and ended up in
Athens. These are some of the photos with students at different spots. You can see the coliseum. The pope actually died when we were there. So that was a uh interesting time in in Rome. So the students got to even though I think some of them didn't quite grasp how important
it was at the time, it was they will remember that for the rest of their lives when they think about it. Um we went to Oto and Florence as well. Uh kind of in the Italian countryside. And there's lot, you know, students took lots of photos of them doing different
things where they were depending on where they were in uh Florence, crossing the Adriatic Sea. Took a nice overnight boat to Greece. And then we were in the uh Mtoria and Delelfi region of Greece as well.
and we ended our trip in Athens uh which was really nice because that's what we were talking about in my social studies classes at that period of time and uh a lot of the kids whenever questions were asked of them and things like that they were actually able to you know occasionally respond to some of the questions they were asked and have the
knowledge about it. So and that is the end of my presentation. Do we have any questions or concerns for me? >> Thank you. Why don't we just go down the line and see if folks have questions starting with Mr. Glenn? >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh Patrick Hearn
is a great name. I I used to uh there's a school in Dorchester um that I used to campaign in front of and they voted there, but uh now I can't think of who Patrick was that they named a school after. So um my concern always
is uh and I know you're doing fundraisers um but it's not you. I've asked this question before. Um, for families that just can't afford it or even the down payment, I just I always kind of feel like we should think about
this stuff ahead of time um so that we have the funding for future um you know, trips and uh because it it just seems to me that you know, kids that want to go that can't afford it are losing out on a on a lot. And it's like you said, it's
educational and and it's helpful and things that they will remember for their own their whole life. And I just think it's a shame that some kids can't do it. >> Yeah. Um and I I totally agree with you on that point. Um at this point in time
out of other than fundraising, I'm not sure what the answer is for that unfortunately. So last uh you went on one trip or sponsored by EF uh with this itinerary. Yes. >> Is there a minimum number moving forward? Like the first time you hit eight,
>> will they still accept that? >> Yes. So they will accept uh you have to get up to at least five students I believe and then they after that is just added just adds on more students after that. So they want at least five signups. Yeah. So, you know, at this
point that the the price point is based on maybe 10, >> right? >> And then it changes. >> Well, it wouldn't it the price point doesn't change. It's just in order to sign up, in order to have the trip, they
need like five. They need five students. >> So, the price won't change no matter what. In the event that you don't have the sufficient number of six or seven, do you envision opening it up or is it are you firm it's going to be a middle
school trip? Um, well, I mean, it's tailored for middle school if my my vision one isn't as broad as that, but I'm not opposed to taking, you know,
lower schools or things like that. But I just at this point in time, I just I've just did all I'm just going off what I did last time. Right now, six and seven. Yeah. >> But the students in the photographs seem to be a little bit older, >> right? because we planned it two years
out. So they were eighth, seventh and eighth at that time. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So they're just a little bit older. >> Um no excited for all the times that our students get to do these things, especially at a young age. Um the only thing I ask is if you do a car wash, don't do it on the same day as Mr.
Hansen, right? They already take care of my my car a couple times a year, but uh we'll be happy to to support anything that you guys do for fundraising. >> Thank you. I never wash my car, but I'd be happy to come to a an an Italian themed spaghetti
dinner or something if you were hosting something like that. Um, so going back to the amount of students, are you uh is is there a cap of how many that you can handle or take or do you have other uh other like chaperons or such that would go with you or kind of
like what's the what's the maximum amount that you would take with you? The maximum amount that I would feel comfortable with is 30. Uh because 30 is the most that they can take on a single tour bus. >> Okay. >> Um like if if you do get 30 students to
sign up, you get your own tour bus. You get a completely private tour. If you don't, you we sometimes get combined like well what happened last year is we did get combined with another school which was quite which was actually a nice thing because they got to meet people from Canada >> and learn about them as well. But um if
you do get up to 30 signups, then you do get your own, you know, just DY tour. So yeah, past that, no, I wouldn't I wouldn't be too comfortable. >> And uh with 30 students, would you take other chaperrons with you or
>> Yes. Uh every five every five students, EF requires another chaperone. I believe that's the amount. So for every five students, there has to be one adult. >> Okay. And leading up to a trip like this, do you um do you anticipate maybe
doing any sort of um pre-briefing sort of thing with the students as far as maybe like going over what to expect when you get there, you know, different customs, how it's different than here and what not to do and you know and all that kind of stuff as as like maybe you know after school
or or whatever. How how are you approaching all that? Yeah, as the date gets closer, um I would have last last time we did this, we had some meetings, uh a couple times before we left and we would just brief the students on what they're going to experience, what culture shock is, what you're going to
feel like. I it's not a long period of time, but for the a lot of these students, especially middle school age, being away from their family for this period of time, especially in a different country, is a big shock. So, we we talk about the things that they they're going to feel, they're going to experience, and so yeah. Yeah,
definitely. We'll have those meetings for that. Yeah, >> great. Thank you. >> Do chaperrons pay their own way? How does that work? >> So, after it's I believe it's every five students, you get a free chaperone to
go. If it's less than that, a an adult could pay if they really wanted to go as well. I just I just don't always advertise it right away with the the the adults because I don't want them to feel like they have to go with their student
or something like that. But it is possible. It's more it's like a $1,000 more I believe if adult just wanted to accompany us accompani um so yeah it's possible. Yeah. And I
remember the students who went on the last Japan trip coming back to school committee and presenting to us on their trip, but I don't remember the students from your um Italy and Greece trip coming to present to us. Did I miss that or did that not >> No, that uh that did not come through
the way I meant it to. And so actually speaking of that, I I am in contact with some of them and I was thinking maybe you know this is the slideshow we made collaboratively. Um, so they could they could talk about it as well if they wanted to. >> I I think we we definitely get the idea
from these ties. I don't know that we need to bring them back now, but um could you please put that on the schedule to come back and present to us after the trip is over? Um, >> you know, we, you know, we trust in the process when you're planning these trips
that it's going to be educational and that the students are all going to be um engaged. And so we like to I personally really like to see the outcome uh to make sure that what was supposed to happen actually happened and hear from the kids
themselves what the value is in these trips. So um any further questions? >> All right. So anyone want to make a motion? >> I make a motion to approve the Dennis Yarmouth Middle School Italy trip for
2028. >> Second. Motion has been made and seconded. Any discussion? All right. All in favor? >> I opposed abstensions. Unanimous vote. >> Thank you very much.
>> Thank you for your time. >> Next on the agenda is the high school 2028 Japan trip. Mr. Hansen >> KBA. Good evening everyone. I'm Christopher Hansen, 27-year veteran teacher. Next
week, I'll be completing 21 years teaching technology and robotics classes at Dennis Yarmouth Regional High School. Thank you for allowing me the time to come in this evening to request your support in offering another intense and p powerful learning experience for our students in Japan in 2028.
Tonight, I'm going to start briefly activating prior knowledge. I'm going to revisit how this program began and evolved. Then I'm going to outline my proposal for this next trip. In March of 2023, I came to school committee. I proposed to take students
to Japan to learn about robotics, engineering, and ideas for future cities. A month later, I held the trip information meeting. The response was immediate and overwhelming. So much that two months later, I returned. June 2023, I returned to ask
you permission to take students on a trip the following year, 2025, without first going to 2024 because I had enough students registered and paid deposit for two trips. Starting summer 2023, we started fundraising over the course of the year.
We met regularly to prepare for our trip to learn about Japanese culture, trip procedures, daily routines, medical and safety scenarios, traveler expectations, and all the unknowns that we might encounter. We
really grew and molded into a travel team ready to take on Japan. In April 2024, 30 of us, 24 students, six chaperones, traveled as eddu, edduka neore, a pot of dolphins, moving together with curiosity, with purpose, and teamwork, navigating Japan,
supporting one another, collaboratively, learning halfway around the world. That trip cost $5,000, and many of these students, student travelers, had never even previously been on a plane. May 2024, I came back to school committee again, this time with student
travelers. Before, during, and at the conclusion of each trip, each students students are assigned evaluations and reflections, learning moments, skills they gained on the trip, their most memorable
experiences, and overall how this trip was or in any way could be considered a life-changing experience. Zara, Teddy, Jacob, and Max. Max is this year's Dennis Yarmouth Regional High School uh valadictorian, shared with you the powerful learning,
personal growth, and global awareness they gained through their amazing learning experience. April 2025, our 26 person travel team, 20 students, six chaperons, immersed immersed in Japanese life and learning,
experiencing transformational growth that travel-based education provides. Students step into a world that challenges inspires challenges and inspires them. That trip was $5,200.
Honestly, it's amazing. students navigating everything that's completely different, engaging with advanced innovations and connecting with Japanese culture while developing a stronger sense of themselves as global citizens. These trip prove these trips prove that learning extends far beyond the
classroom, pushing students to think differently, adapt and see the world through new perspectives. Our district homepage states that we support the aspirations of all students for college, career, and civ civic readiness so that they can be active and engaged members of society, continually seeking new
challenges and ways to make a positive difference. Honestly, that's an incredible statement. The DY community strives to inspire a community of lifelong learners prepared to make positive impact both locally and abroad.
I've been involved with student travel since I was a sophomore in high school. Since then, I travel I traveled to learn as much as I can. It's fitting that I came before school committee three times in 15 months for the two trips because, as it turned out, I traveled to Japan
three times in 15 months. Last summer, just after school got out, I went back to Japan to check off a bucket list item to fulfill a lifelong quest to attend a World's Fair. World's they now call it World's Expo 2025 was in Osaka. It was called
Designing Future Society for Our Lives. Absolutely amazing. 161 countries. It was in the in in Osaka Harbor on a man-made island with the world's largest wooden architectural structure. This was probably the most intense non-stop learning I've experienced in my
life. From sun up to sun down. After three days at the World Fair, we took a bullet train to Hiroshima for a day trip. The Peace Memorial Park was such an impactful moment for me that I knew I needed to offer students the opportunity for
life-changing lessons in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. That sets the stage. Now, it's time to look forward. Japan 2028. I want to continue expanding a program that has proven its value, far exceeding expectations twice so far.
Japan 2028 is an intentional, structured, and intellectually rigorous travel-based learning experience for high school students. As some people say, when I get back to the high school, how was your vacation? It's not vacation. We are working and by the time the kids get back, we're up up
early back. By 9:00, they're they're out. I built the itinerary based on traveling to Japan three times in the 15 months. It's been almost a year since I started pondering this project. as I was on the bullet train heading back to Osaka from Hiroshima.
The first two trips we used EF travel tours for this year. For this trip I'm working with uh World Strides. They're also they are the biggest competitor with with EF. Uh both companies are similar. Um in the in the packet I I added the uh the world strides that
looks like EF all the things they offer with safety and security and wild worldwide support and um accredited credits and all all the things that they they offer. Um, for safety purposes, I need to pre-arrange student seating for all student travelers on planes and
trains. And, um, I've written confirmation that World Stries will allow me access to put kids where they are most safe and um, and secure. Tonight, I'm requesting your approval to open enrollment for this trip I've
created with World Strives. 11 days, nine days in Japan, two travel days. I'm opening it up. I'd like to open up to 30 students with at least five five chaperons, one adult for every six kids. Here's the overview. So, I made a map. The the um Tokyo, Sakuba,
and Mount Fuji are in green all in the middle of the main island here. That was in our in our in 2024. Uh we stayed in oneo one hotel in in Tokyo. The purple locations are are from what I added in 2025. Four hotels in
nine nights. My customized itinerary was ambitious, especially with first-time travelers who had not previously packed their own overnight bags or left their families without left their homes without their families. We spent a lot of time, the parents used to roll their eyes when I would use the P word packing
because we worked on different strategies of packing, unpacking, packing quickly, rolling, packing, interweaving, um different ways to uh settle in a in a hotel, but also be ready to go first thing in the morning.
2028 is even more ambitious, traveling by trains and exploring even more of Japan. You can see I've added Takayyama, Matsumoto, and Hiroshima. 11 days, nine tra nine days in Japan will cost $5,500.
There's a lot on the itinerary, so I'm going to breeze through some of it. Uh, Wednesday is our travel day. Thursday, we arrive in Tokyo. We meet our tour director, Tkuma, who was my tour director the last two years with EF. He can freelance um with World Strides, and
he's excited to work with us again. Friday, it's on. It's go time. We're up and out early. We we breakfast by 6:30 on the bus by 7:30. That's Japan standard time. We hit the tea ceremony. One of the one of my highlights is the tea ceremony. Then we have guided tours
through um through Oakusa, the San Joi Temple. The Miji Shrine um is right up the road and then we'll walk to the Herajuku district. Heruku district is the center for teen fashion and culture. The kids love love it there. And then and then
Friday night um we'll hit Shabuya Crossing before dinnertime. That's the busiest intersection in the world and I like to hit it right at the busiest time on a Friday afternoon at six o'clock. Ambitious Saturday intensity is up. Team Labs Team
Lab Tokyo is one of the favorites for the for the kids. Um then we go to the the disaster relief park learning about survival surviving natural disasters. Lunchtime is inside of the the Diver City Center. Um on the outside we look at the 60 foot Gundam robot moving and
doing its thing. We head up to the uh Tokyo Sky Tree and see from the top the immenseness of the world's most populous metropolis. Sunday we head up to Sukuba and we go to um we have a tour of Jaxa, Japan's NASA.
We go to Cyberdine Studios and the kids put on and try uh exoskeleton wearable robots. Then we head down to Acura. I put Arabar here. Acar is the center for anime and electronics. Um they close the road down on Sundays as I learned the first year
and I didn't realize they didn't always shut the road down because we were there on a Friday night last year. Um, so we're going on a Sunday afternoon and they shut the road down so it's like for I don't know four, five, six blocks. It's wide open. There's tons of people there anyway, but it's just a little
easier to navigate through. Monday, we get all packed up and we head south. We go into the Hakune Prefecture via and we check out Mount Fuji again. We go to the Mag Lab exhibition center. That is where they are building and testing the world's fastest magnetic levitation
bullet trains and they go right past us. It's wild and crazy. If you want to see something cool, check it out on YouTube. Um, Roy and then we in Hakune, we spend the night in the Rayukin, um, which is traditional lodging and we have a traditional dinner. We wear kimonos and
sit down for a traditional meal. The kids try most of everything. I wouldn't say everything is tried that night, but almost everything is tried. Uh, Tuesday, a bus to Matsumoto and Takayyama, uh, up in the Japanese Alps. Those are
renowned historical cities. Wednesday, uh there's tons of cultural learning in Nara and Kyoto, including uh Fushimi Anari, which has 10,000 Tory gates. You walk through the tunnels. Temple University, I added that last year um with the help of of our guidance
department. I got in touch with someone at Temple and then Temple University, Temple University, Tokyo, um Temple University, Japan, Tokyo campus. um this year um and he had in the presenter it was awesome. He was actually the president of the university presented to
us and he was ab absolutely amazing and engaging. Um he told us about opening up the next campus in Kyoto. Um he told the kids if anyone is is seriously interested in in coming here reach out to him directly and I know that um a few students did reach out to him directly.
Um, we hit the uh Nijou Temple and the manga experiences, the the excuse me, the museum and the drawing workshop are going to be fun. We hit the fl part of the philosophers path and a ramen dinner. Friday, we cap off the trap uh excuse
me, the trip with a bullet train to Hiroshima. We'll take a bullet. We'll pack up. We'll leave our luggage in the hotel that will get shipped to Osaka and we go we take a bullet train from from Kyoto to Hiroshima. We spend the
day uh with backpacks at the at the Peace Memorial Park. Students will learn firsthand the need to seek new challenges and imagine ways to make a positive difference. Then we take the the same bullet train I already took back to Osaka. Saturday we travel home.
Sunday, we're back to it. As I mentioned earlier, students are assigned reflections. Not going to go through everything, but I will highlight a few. Step out of my boundaries in a way that I've never before. Not being afraid to try new experiences that what I was scared of
before. Sometimes living simple is best and makes little things in life more meaningful. This trip trip changed my perspective on how I want to live my life. I now know that life is completely different and it has encouraged me to travel to learn as much as possible.
These are in the words of our of our students. They go on and on. You start to see the world differently. I became more interested and accepting of different cultures and ideas and it was really when my research about specific engineering and robotics projects started. There are so many
more. I could go on all night but I'm not going to do that. I see this person personal growth each time I travel with students. I'm going to close with one um with highlighting Ryan in the middle underneath Mount Fuji. He's recently
been accepted to and it is prepping to start Temple University Japan Kyoto campus in January. When we're over there at our college tour, we're also going to check in on one of the DY alumato gooasu. Thank you very much for your
time and support. comments, questions, thoughts. Uh the car wash is uh the the uh town of Yarmouth is a water ban at the moment. So we will I saw the sign. I'm like no.
>> Um why don't we go down the line again and see if anyone has questions. Mr. Glenn, >> thank you, Mr. Hansen. Um, you know, this is the same thing I said at the previous speaker, but uh, I know that when you first came and it was just a thought and I remember saying, who
wouldn't want to >> of course >> go on this trip and so it it it poses the the question that I think we still need to think about because it is such a great experience, but imagine the kids who didn't get to go that might be at
the Japan campus. So, I I kind of would like to through you um madam chair to the superintendent. Um is there any thought like we do the dolphin dash for for the athletics program in the music program. Is there any thought to trying
to get a fund or group up with philanthropic or organizations or any other sponsors to try to build that up so there's more opportunity? Um, so like one thing that I've thought about, but it would it's going to take a little
while to enter uh to organize and it's not something that we can do as a district. Well, we can support it, but we need a we need sort of a it operates sort of um adjacent to a school to a
school district, but it would be like a an educational trust, right? Um, and so there are other school districts that that have them and but they they operate as a separate, you know, 51c3 that but their mission is to support the school district and then they're usually I was
at a a meeting somewhere where like Cape has one, right? And but and then they give specifically it's like centered on I think they call them toolerships. I don't know. It's got a neat little name, but it's essentially like funding kids with the tools that they'll need as they
enter into the trade, right? Um, so so it's like mission focused and they might have other missions, but that was the one that I heard when I was at this particular meeting that I was at. So, you know, this could be something that a particular educational trust could be centered at and then maybe there'd be
some process that a kid could apply for, you know, funding through that that trust. Um, but anyways, that that's potentially a vehicle. um where you could uh where you could address something like that because we do have a very you know I'm going to talk a little
bit about some generosity from our from our community um during my superintendent report but there's you know we do definitely have a very giving community >> have no questions but I just want to take the time to thank you for taking your time because it it means a lot to
our children for somebody to take the time to actually do this for and provide them experiences they wouldn't be able to have. >> Thank you. >> Boy, I'm already excited. This is wonderful. >> I'm already >> I I can I can just see the the the enthusiasm, the commitment, and the
drive to make maybe get up to 35. >> Uh, what's the youngest that you allow to go? Do you do you do oldest first or how is the sign up usually run? So yeah, this year it will be so instead of everybody signing up right away like
last time um I everybody's going to um say interested they pay the deposit and then I can take I'm taking the oldest um the oldest students down but students this year um I did want to come in um before the end of the year because so it
gives um you know students two years to um fund to make to make their to to get the funds to pay for the trip. Um but that so that would mean that these this year's eighth graders could sign on and that would be 10th graders. I did take ninth graders both trips before um and
um if it doesn't fill up um I am going to have a meeting next Wednesday to um just throw it out and see if there throw it out there with the um student body and see if there are people wanting to jump on and and plan. Um but in the fall if I'm not full I'll do another meeting
and that would be eighth grade. So they would come as ninth graders. >> So I'm just, you know, my kid will be in eighth grade in April 28, probably too young. But >> after seeing one of these, one of your presentations, he's on day 460 of Japanese and Duolingo. And he just finished the robotics club here. So
>> he's excited to make it. Probably won't be 28. Probably be after that. Thank you. >> Awesome. >> My daughter's going into ninth grade, so you know, I'm sure she would be all over this. Um, when can when is it open to start signing up?
>> Wednesday. Wednesday. >> Next Wednesday. >> Next Wednesday. >> This coming Wednesday. All right. Um >> 5500 on Wednesday. >> 5,500 on Wednesday. You know what? You know what? Take my money. Um, no, I think from per my personal experience, I
didn't get to really start traveling until after I left high school and, you know, was in the service and then afterwards and such and and I didn't know what I didn't know, you know, I mean, getting to be in the middle of, you know, the locals and eating where
the locals eat and being able to, you know, kind of experience different places and different cultures, you're just, you know, it expands through so much and it gives you such a worldly perspective and I think that's unbelievably important and the earlier that we could give the the students that
those experiences the better. I am all for trips like this. I am all for you know uh uh as many as we can as wide ranging across the globe as we can. I mean I think this is a fantastic experience. I want to see that thing. I
just you know it's it's going to be Yeah. It's just going to be it's just such an awesome experience the way that you laid it out and the itinerary. They're going to be exhausted, but they're going to just have a ball, you know. So, yeah. No, I mean, I think this is great and I'm all for anytime we have one of these presentations. I'm all on
board. >> Thank you. Yeah, I remember your first presentation um years ago and feeling like a little skeptical of a the price tag >> um and b um you know the the distance
and so pleased that it's worked out so well. Um I as always encourage us all as community and staff and faculty to all find ways to help students. Um with the price tag,
it is substantial. So whatever we can do to help um and so yeah, thank you for everything you put into this and you know the same you know we should have said the same to Mr. Aern but um hopefully he'll hear about it. But, you know, I've had the
privilege of traveling pretty far and wide and living in other countries and uh nothing beats that experience and preparing you for for life. So, thanks for taking the kids on these trips though. >> Um is there a motion, >> Madam Chair? Make a motion.
>> Um I move that the to approve the Dennis Yarmouth Regional High School Japan trip for 2028. >> I second. >> Motion's been made and seconded. Is there any discussion? All in favor? I I have one point that I just wanted to make about the the fundraising because we do it is it is
expensive to travel. I do um >> travel extensively as much as I can. Um and it does cost a lot of money. Um we fund raise which is really hard as we know. Um when I when growing up speaking
personally I traveled abroad when I was a sophomore, a junior and a senior in high school and I paid for those trips all myself. My my parents didn't. It was a great learning experience for me to fund my own trips. Each trip, each time I had students that funded their whole their own trip, either kids that had
jobs, several kids got jobs to pay for the ability to go and for $5,500. Um, I wanted to make sure we had kids had two summers if they really want to come, they have two summers to make that kind of money. Um, and I think that's
also an incredible learning experience to um, say set a goal and bust your butt with a job. And many of our students have done that and it's really I'm impressed by that 100%. So, thank you. >> Any other discussion?
All right. All in favor? I. That was unanimous vote. Thank you very much. Next on our agenda is the final summary of finance and operations for 2026. Okay. Um, I am going to say that I have
loved every minute of my life at DY this year and um, we've made some really significant strides and I thought it would be good to talk about them because the business department is very hardworking and they really support one
another. Um and um so we were given two um major things that we um were that were aligned and allowed us to participate in the district strategic goals. And so um one of the um one of
the major goals this year was to advance and move forward a capital plan for five years um and create funding strategies. And so, um, looking at this, um, I'm going to actually show you the evolution
of what will what will become the posted plan on the DY website. So, um, looking here, um, this is something that we worked very hard on developing. Um, and, uh, we were able to take the document
that you have in your packet and fully align it. Um you can see this is FY27. Um and uh the projects, the key areas for anybody looking at this will see the cost of the project. They will see the
funding source because we may we took a vote and just determined that we would fund certain things with one-time costs with the excess and deficiency fund. Um there is um the steam table that will uh be implemented at the high school. Um
and the the money that will pay for that the source is a federal grant for the lunch program. And then also uh approved at town meeting was the Margaret Small feasibility study through the MSBA. And so the 1.5 million was approved for
funding by the town of Yarmouth. Um so there are also significant projects that um don't need to be funded by us because they were approved by a grant. And so I think it's noteworthy to be able to mention these um and this summer um hard
at work to to be able to complete the high school LED lighting project. Um and that would have cost us $284,000. And then also we're being uh allow we're actually grant funding um full replacement of an LED lighting project
at Station Avenue and Ezra Baker. Um, so I think those things are important to know and um, we're going to go into the detail of the uh, alignment of the projects with the capital plan later in
the presentation, but this is exactly what's up on the DY um, website. Um, I wanted to have it ready so that you could get a handle on it, see it um, and any changes are very easy for me to make. Um so the other thing that um
really we worked hard on um and I will tell you Steve Foucher was key to this and uh Don Self in the business office u was key to this and so this year we found that there were uh for to for the capital projects funded by the towns.
The typical process is once we pay for them then we have to submit invoices to the towns to get the reimbursement. So we had paid for projects since uh 2022 and so um we hadn't sought uh
reimbursement yet. So we went through the process of compiling all of the invoices and let me tell you um when you do painting kinds of projects those invoices add up and and across multiple years. So, um I think we're we're
finally to the place where um we have received most of the reimbursements um for these projects. Um and basically um we're uh you know it it goes back with we've already expended the money um and
now we're getting it back from the towns. And so that's been a huge um investment this year. The other district strategic goal that we were able to uh really work on which resulted in um
numerous like process improvements um we implemented uh we talked all year but as of effective May 23rd we have the completion with the full district that transitioned from a paperbased system to electronic reporting that's integrated
with the district fiscal management system for vacation sick and personnel leave. Um, it also includes selfservice access to W2 forms and all pay stubs. So, everybody is now on this portal. And
I'm really thankful and uh Trish Walsh is also really thankful because she was the key person in the business office at the end of the road that was having to manually enter um over 660 employees um
with time sheets that were paperbased. So, um this the um and I wanted to show you a little bit quickly about what this looks like. Um this is my own personal um access to the portal and um everybody
can enter in their own basically they have um my time and everybody can go in and they can request their time off for each one of these things and then um it shows up in um every supervisor's box
for approval and um so I can um approve it um or reject it. it's as easily done as that and then it, you know, it eliminates that need for manual entry. So, um, so the payroll person has so
much to do um that I think she's grateful because this this was um like she was doing this at home on nights and weekends and trying to uh put it all together. So, we've completed that. Um, the other thing I can happily tell you
is I implemented something that I called ride alongs. Um, and um, basically my I rode every specialized transportation bus that the district has. And I, um, I I really have, um, a some great stories
to tell you about my roots. Um when when I was riding the bus, it was a great opportunity me for me to observe um and truly I would say that every bus, the driver and the bus monitor are really attentive to all the differences and
learning is happening right while they're on the school bus. And I was also extremely surprised to see that um there were um people had on the bus that were um either bus monitors or drivers had taken the time to collect books um
have books available to students. Um things that um they also had like a a a bucket of um toys, but they were all learning toys um to attend to the different needs of the students. And so the the thing that um that had been
missing was that the buses are all like they're like classrooms going along, but there was not a lot of in uh interaction or opportunity for interaction with the drivers and the monitors. So what we
built on um you know and it was initiated last year um by um by by Maria Lopes um and um what we built on was in the meetings having um a gathering time. The last meeting in June was really
great because we brought in the uh BCBA, the behavior specialist to um really um talk about um basically making the um the books and the um the toys, the
manipul manipulatives um so that um people had questions about how to use them better. So they all brought their materials. We looked at them on different tables. It was an opportunity for sharing and growth. And we also brought in this school resource officer
because people had safety um concerns that in some of the parking lots the arm was extended and uh the stop arm was extended and drivers were passing or not drivers but some parents were passing right by the the arm when it was extended. So there's been some very
valuable conversations and learning. Um, and additionally, um, I was able to give, uh, feedback to every single one of the drivers and monitors that I rode with. So, they were very pleased and I was, um, very happy to do that and I learned a lot about the neighborhoods
across the community, um, that we, uh, the students and the students that we pick up and transport. Um so the other big thing that um we did with consistency um this year was the the quarterly reports and if you remember
this little um summary of all the major accounts um we did that so you could see how everything uh is put together with amounts throughout the year. We also did a month-to-month summary um comparison with previous years because the basic
question is are do we have enough budget to really um land on our feet by the end of the year. And so we continued to show these at different points and um and become more confident in our um spending ability because it did remain
consistent. Um and uh and we are going to you know we're going to continue to land on our feet. So um the other thing that we did um was uh we moved our bidding process into a more modernized
format. We had been um we are required to post any kinds of projects that are bid out for that for capital. Um, oh, nice little good evening. Um, and uh, so
anyway, the um, we were we are required to post in the capital register and this the purpose of posting in the capital register is to provide information about the projects we have. Um, and we the we're also required to um be able to
distribute um RFS's so that people can read what they need to submit to apply for the project. So what we did was um to alleviate the amount of words that we put in a newspaper ad and in the capital
register, we redesigned and created a bid a school district bids website. It tells about all the upcoming projects um and um gives people it what it does is it there people are directed that read the newspaper ad and see the
advertisement on the capital register and it is like self-service because you click on the link and it takes you to a Google folder which is accessible and you can get the RFS um download it yourself um and read any attachments um
that are like this is an evaluation criteria scoring sheet so that everybody has the fair shake that we could possibly give them. Um and so um that's alleviated a lot of the copying and paper handing out and things like that
that we had done before and it makes the advertising in the newspaper that we're recited to do not so expensive because it's uh lesser amount of words. So um so um okay and then the other thing um that
we did um is we actually um have created a new structure um which has been talked about by with myself and the athletic director at the very beginning of the year and we kept the conversation going. Um what was o almost unwieldy is there
was one line in the operating budget um that um contained the entire amount and it was called high school athletic fund. And for years the high school athletic fund um had been leveled at uh level funded at 580k.
And um basically the intention was that the money from that one line be removed into the um on into the revolving account. And then if you think about all of the DY sports um and multiplied there
was there w there was a dispersement of the the 580 amongst every single sport multiplied by um eight um basic types of accounts. And so it was not a very efficient and manageable structure both
for the person weak intact. We just talked about that. Um but um so um it was not very efficient um because the revolving account had so many lines on the finance side. The finance person had been
expected to deposit all of these in the individual accounts across all the different sports and the history suggested that that was um unwieldy to maintain. The um business secretary for the athletic program was also struggling
to um work with all the different accounts. So we have created a different structure and um basically it's the majority of the spending is going to come directly out of the operating lines
and um there is a budget in there for next year. Um and coaching salaries will be in one line, athletic officials in another, um maintenance of equipment for all sports in another and so on and so forth. And um so that is going to be
much more um able for the um the athletic director to track them, maintain them um and for um finance directors to also work with them. And again the strategic goal was focused on what can we do to increase efficiency
and those are the major things that we have done this year to increase efficiency and process. So um so thank you very much and um I've enjoyed working with everybody and I wish everybody well.
>> Does anyone have any questions for Susan? >> Yes. Um >> Mr. Yep. Mr. Glenn, >> I'm sorry. Um, I did have a point of order first. Madam Chair, are we voting on anything tonight in regards to capital or >> Yes, there's a Yes.
Further down on the agenda. There will be a vote. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, um I appreciate especially you putting that information up is is that the the software the easy CIP? >> Easy CIP. Yes. But what it required is
they they're really great about working with you. So I had to work with the um the representative at ECCIP and I had to do like a custom this is the way we want things. He and I talked back and forth. It actually took a lot of hours to get
it to um reflect the paper copy that you see in the the memo and that you see in the packet. And so we were looking to just not put up two things. We were looking to post one that kind of said it all and the full story. >> So, but what we have in our packet isn't
the detail. It's just a summary. That is a summary and you'll see the connection to um later on you know if I took you back to that website or you can go on there and take it take a look yourself
but you will see that that is a more detailed summary of what you see in your packet tonight. >> Yeah, that's that's just my concern is I didn't get to see it. Um and I don't want to vote on something that I didn't see the detail on. Um, but I appreciate
you putting it up there for for us and the public to see. U, but I'd like to see it. Um, and I don't know again, Madam Chair. Um, is the has the finance I mean the um capital subcommittee reported out anything or will they be?
>> Yeah, the the capital subcommittee has approved the plan and that's we're going to look at that and vote on that later tonight. >> Okay. No, no. I I just I would didn't know where you were in that process. So, but I I still would like to see this
whatever the stuff that we haven't seen, I'd like to see that before we vote on it. >> We've been discussing it all year long. >> So, >> no, I know you've been discussing, but I'm saying the detail that you just put up on the website. >> Yes. >> For the public to see and for us to see. >> Yes.
>> It hasn't been available until just recently. Correct. Well, I mean, some things that are on there are things we've already approved to pay for through END, >> right? >> And then other things are going to be part of this capital plan
>> that you're going to look at tonight and hopefully approve tonight. >> Okay. I I'll save my questions. >> Okay. Sure. Thanks. >> Anybody else questions? >> All right. Thank you very much. >> Thank you very much. reports.
Um, I have yet to appoint uh subcommittees and representatives to the select boards, but that I'm meeting with Mark tomorrow and we will have that for you. Uh, in the meantime, does anyone have anything to report um from the either town select boards?
No. All right. Thank you very much. Superintendent report, please. >> Thank you very much. Um no donations to report um tonight. So just moving on down the list. Uh in your packet the you
have a one-page flyer from uh the or regarding the joint MASC MASS conference. As I mentioned at an earlier meeting, uh the location is moving moving off Cape. The site that it's been at for years, uh has
transitioned owners. Um and due to the transition and ownership, uh and sort of the repurposing of that site, the conference is going to be in Danver, uh in November. So, registration, you know, before registration wasn't open,
registration is now open. So, uh we're looking Our office is looking to just get a sense, you know, not tonight, but ideally by the next meeting in July from from any committee members who are interested in going. Obviously, it's a
different commitment when it's not right down the street. Um but anyways, just looking to get a sense from any commit any committee members by the next meeting in July that are interested. uh it's you know discounted pricing when it's uh you know a bundle uh for um for
registration. So uh if you can let Sarah know by the next meeting if you are going to attend what nights you're going to attend um the the information if you want more details is is on if in this little blue box or it says masc.orgconference
org/conference you can get details on you know the speaker etc etc the speakers then the lineup what's being offered etc through the chair >> yeah I just sure what's up >> before we move on how much of a
difference from obviously being to the cost to the district is it going up there >> yeah I mean the biggest cost is stay right >> yeah No, I meant for to cost to the district, not the
>> individual. So, just it doesn't the registration costs haven't changed as far as I mean, I haven't compared it to last year, but I don't think the registration costs have largely changed um other than maybe a slight annual escalation that they've had, you know,
year-over-year in the cost of the um >> conference. >> Conference, right? Yeah. um unless you know members would commit to go for more days than but we've also had pretty high participation because it's been right
down the street right so we've tended to have at least since I've been superintendent it's not been uncommon for almost all of this committee to participate on at least one or two days right so um and
and you pay kind of per day per meal like this is sort of the way that this particular conference is set up. So, >> well, I'm gonna I'm gonna be up there. I'll do a giant rub. My son's getting married. We're staying at that hotel. So, >> all right. There you go. >> But
members would cover their own hotel stay. No. >> Again, we >> I mean, we've never come we've never had to deal with this issue before because it was >> right here on the Cape. I mean, what's our our budget for this, right? >> Yeah. I I could get back to you on set aside for school. I don't know what our
policy says, Madam Chair, but as a person working in hotels in Hyannis, districts paid uh for the school committee members. >> The the payments came from the districts. >> The districts paid um >> yeah, I think we should take a look at what we've got, you know, for a budget
for this before we commit to, you know, everybody being able to go. I think, you know, we'd want to give certainly, you know, John the opportunity to go as a first-time member and especially get through his >> charting the course. >> He was charting the course, you know, get that done those days and we could see who else, you know, several of us
probably don't need to go again. But >> there is a line for school committee expenses. I don't know off the top of my head. >> Yeah. No, we could look at that. Get back. Okay. Thank you. >> Anything else on that topic?
All right. So, moving on. Um, just a quick update on the Emmy small building committee. Uh, well, specific, yeah. Um, I guess it's committee adjacent. The, uh, RFS, so request for services went
out, uh, went public just about two weeks ago. Um, and then last week on the 10th, which was Wednesday, we had a walk through over and an information sess session over at Emmy Small, uh, started at 4:00 p.m. at the site. And that was
for prospective biders. So, any company that was interested in bidding to be so the the request for services was for an owner's project manager, O, OPM for short. And we actually we had eight um potential uh interested comp
representatives from eight different companies show up. Um spent about an hour or so uh touring them around the outside and the inside of the building answering questions. All bids are due by 4:30 on this Wednesday. So we'll have a
sense uh on the total number of bid packages on Wednesday. And then the through the building committee, the building committee created a sub group subcommittee of five members of the building committee to create a
selection team that so that selection team is scheduled to meet on Thursday this week. Uh and then what's outlined in the RFS is that selection committee will do what's referred to in the MSBA process as short list. So we'll go through how many ever bids we get.
There's a a prescriptive process that MSBA has where you um they give you a set of criteria and uh we had to wait those criteria like give each set of those criteria a number of points and that had to go through a whole back and
forth through MSBA to get approved. Um and then so the the five of us that are on the selection team will each go through the each bid package individually. We'll score uh each of those criteria and give it um so let you know like one criteria is like eight
points, another criteria is seven points, another criteria is 10 points, but we'll each give a score. So you know I'm one of those members, right? So I'll give this criteria a score from 1 to 10 and but it all adds up to 100 when you get to the bottom. So bidder number one,
Dr. Smith gives that bidder uh 83. the next member of the team gives it a 85, you know, so on and so forth. And then from that, you get the the scores and then you get a list of somewhere in the ballpark of about three biders. That's
your short list. And then the next week, the shortlisters come in for interviews. And then from the interviews, you get down to your final um finalist. Uh and the finalist then goes into negotiations. uh our attorneys will handle the fee negotiations because the
contract is cut and dry. The contract is MSBA set up by MSBA. So we don't really negotiate a contract, the feasibility study contract. Very much of the process is established through MSBA, but the fee
negotiations will happen between our attorneys and um whoever the u awarded bidder is. Um, so that and then we have to have all that done and wrapped up by July 8th because we have to submit that to MSBA by July 8th to get into their
and I lost the date of the meeting, but it's somewhere in early August. Uh, we have to have that already. The MSBA board meets once a month to accept OPM
um, uh, and district OPM proposals. Again, everything's very bureaucratic with MSBA. So then it has to be accepted in. Well, then once they're accepted in, then it's sort of fully buttoned up and then you can move on to the next phase. And the next phase will be then us seeking a designer and the designer will
actually do the feasibility study. So that's where things currently sit in that process. >> Joe's gonna win the award for questions, too. >> Yeah, I know. Um and I'm not done yet. um the um the OPM process
there's it like you just laid out the the fee structure is pretty much cut and dry but is there like a low bid number um what percentage of those uh questions that you have h what how does the the
the finance play into that? I I'm just curious about how the potential biders I guess if that's what you call them um what percentage of the number is or is it just subject subjective
questions to them? >> So the criteria so in the first in the short listing there's no um fees associated with the short listing. It's like criteria. So like one example is um
and I'm I'm paraphrasing I don't have the language like memorized off the top of my head but it's you know in their leadership structure um it speaks to like the expertise like so do they have expertise in um like engineering and um
uh like and in the MSBA process like and then you know how much how many projects have they done in the past etc etc etc. Um there's like there's a criteria related to their experience and understanding with like energy efficient
buildings. Um there's another about like relationships with owners like there's like again there's about a dozen criteria that are all specifically laid out that are all just about their qualifications and qualities as a uh as
an organization as a company. Um and like from from their hierarchy and how they're structured to their responsiveness to working with uh with the owner in this case the district um to their knowledge base etc etc etc.
Then um the interviews dig in a little bit deeper on three topic areas. Again it's about their relation mostly about the relationship but again a little bit more about expertise. Um but then fees are we have a ballpark
um about so we have the the number the big number right but the big number is um portion of it for the OPM a portion of it for the designer that will actually do the u feasibility study and
then a portion of it is for soft costs associated with the whole feasibility project and so we've given estimates to um MSBA on what percentage of that 1.5 million will fit into each of those buckets um which is also all already
been approved. You can you know make some movements around but we have a rough estimate and that's what the lawyers will use when they start to negotiate the fee >> is the short list like from 8 to 4. What what it's eight you said were biders.
>> That's we had eight people show up to the information meeting. We won't know how many biders we get until the end of the day on Wednesday, but a short list is, you know, it's like finalists and that'll be once it's a
it's like a two-page criterion sheet that will score all the bids. How many we get? We get a dozen, we get eight, we get whatever to get down to a smaller number that we'll bring into interview. Ideally, two or three that we'll bring into interview. But it's kind of going to
depend upon how all the scores, you know, play out. >> Great. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Yep. >> Before I move on, any other questions? All right. Last last was just uh graduation and awards. The last couple
weeks have been uh great time to be an educator. Uh the graduation uh it was a lovely event. Uh the weather ended up being pretty much perfect. Um it was didn't rain um except for a light sprinkle like just before graduation
started but it stopped just in time. Uh and then there was just just the right amount of cloud cover so the parents didn't roast in the uh in in the uh stands. Uh and then you know Mr. Tolantino, our saludiatoran, validator, Miss Bennett, they all gave lovely
speeches uh to commemorate the day. Uh, and you know, it's it was a this particular class has dealt with some some tragedy. Um, and I think the everybody did a really nice job of of
marking that moment. Um, but also um using it as a as a way to inspire and move forward. Uh, so I really thought they did a nice job balancing um and recognizing the, you know, the tragedy that this the tragedies that this class has has worked through. um
and and still uh finding joy and moving forward in this in this moment of celebration. Uh and then you know with senior week or with graduation is preceded by senior week. So earlier in that in that week uh
we participated in some great events including prom which was fabulous. Um the second year they've done it at the Palm House. The Palm House does a great that was another beautiful night. Um kids looked fabulous. Um, a great great great evening. The senior awards night
was another great night. 634,654 in scholarships were awarded to our kids. Just unbelievable. Over 100 donors um just to as I pre previewed just a great um representation of the
generosity in our community and how much folks give to our kids. uh you know some for some kids, some individuals, you know, is m not only do we have donors that give like a great award for that first year of college, but we have several donors who give multi-year
awards to kids, right? So, you know, they're getting multiple thousands of dollars for like four years uh which is just such a significant uh thing for so many of our students. Uh and then just last week uh also was able to go to the
underclassman awards where you know somewhere in the ballpark of I I didn't count but it had to have been we definitely gave out close to 200 certificates so and some of the kids were up there more than once but I would have to say at least a hundred different
kids got uh awards uh underassman awards if not more than that and it's just a really strong representation if if I look across all those events. A really strong representation of two of our core values around integrity. You know, these are kids that have really stuck with
their work um and been diligent through um you know, I'm sure there were times when they didn't want to do um what it meant to get the excellence awards that they got, the perseverance awards that they got. Um and it's also a reflection of our value of excellence uh because
excellence was on display. um in so many different ways over the last two weeks for me. So, it's just a great time again, great time to be a superintendent, great time to participate. Um I said at my graduation speech, you know, I I have the privilege of either um directly participating in
or just going to so many of these great events at the end of the year. Um so, I just wanted to highlight that and that concludes my report. >> Very positive report. Thank you. School committee business. Um there is a
draft of the 2728 school year calendar in here. Um I don't think we need to vote on this tonight, but this is for information. Everyone should take a look at it, see if they see any issues, conflicts, problems. Um
and then let Mark know. Next is the five-year capital plan which was in your packet, Joe? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, um it it was in your packet. Um are we putting it up on the screen
and going through it or are we just going through it? >> We could and and maybe Jenny um you could lead us through >> what we talked about. >> Sure. Yeah. Um, it's I mean I cannot see what's happening up on that screen. I
don't know if I need better glasses or >> Yeah. >> Um, I mean that I can see, but when you had the the >> the capital stuff up before it was very hard to see, but >> but everybody's got it in their packet, the memo. Um,
>> it's the memo on the capital. It's >> That's right. We've all got it in our So, while you're working on that, I'll just um so John New and I are the capital or have been the uh capital planning subcommittee and
over the course of the year um we have met and based on guidance from um Susan and uh Steve Foucher and others who had input into what the capital needs were or are or going to be. we've
come up with this plan and we just mean John and I were happy to review it and to ask a lot of questions and it actually came before you all once in sort of a draft form um a while ago but then um John and I both had some
questions so it went back to the uh subcommittee and is now back to the full committee. So um and please keep in mind that this is a living document. This is going to need to be updated pretty regularly. Um as the needs of the
district change as we discover new needs and um we have to probably rep prioritize as things come up. So but what you have here are the first you're looking at the projects that were included in FY27 already. um a lot of them from uh excess and
deficiency. Those were things we all voted on as a committee through the budgeting process to apply END2. Um a lot of things were um Steve and others were able to work into the facilities budget which is fantastic. Um
and other things were things that were already approved by the towns and we just needed to uh get the money from the towns to pay for them. So, and then you can see also there was a there's a nice uh grant there from Capeite Compact for the lighting project um at the high
school and station Evan um and Baker. So, um total for FY27 capital projects, you've got 1 point just over 1.4 million there. Um and it's all basically from END um department budgets and um grants.
So, we really had to take a look at big picture, you know, what are all the needs? What are all these big ticket needs for the district and we had um Steve prioritize a lot of it for us because what did we know, right? Like
about the, you know, the high school RTU replacement, you know, is that emergency? When do we need to, you know, put that on the schedule? So, um, Steve did the first go at all of this and brought it to us in conjunction with Susan. Um, what's also built in every year, you'll see, is a school bus
replacement. Uh, you know, these school buses are the districts that we own, and they only have a certain lifetime, like any vehicle. So, we need to get in the habit of keeping these in the plan every year to keep these replaced. Um, that
amount is sort of a placeholder. Um, but so you've got FY28 there. Um, can you scroll up? No. Can you go back up for a second? I just want to um the high school RTU replacement that's on this on the roof.
That's the three rooftop units, right? Um, lighting control, a school bus, a van, security upgrades, um, and the Ezra Baker uh, feasibility study. So, um, 2.7
million. Um, one of those things is a request to the town of Dennis for the Ezra Baker feasibility study. Um, possible sources here, right, of funding for these are listed. END, if we decide to fund them with END, looking for
grants. Um Susan has been looking at the possibility of getting um grants or Medicaid to cover some of these things which um is a great find. Um our we have a capital stabilization fund. So the how
we're going to fund these has not been determined, but this is setting out what the needs are and at least attempting to prioritize them based on what we know at this point. Right. Yeah. A blueprint. Right. So, we've got FY28 2.7 million. Um, will you
scroll down, Susan? FY29. Um, big year. Uh, station a roof replacement, another school bus as I noted, and then the high school stadium. So, that's a big project. And that's
something that was really getting like pushed down and down and down. And both John and I felt like it was really important to find a way to bring it up on the priority list. You know, we've got a track that our team can't even host meets or compete on. We've got, you
know, um so we've got a lot of issues over there. It's an old facility. And so what Steve has done is looked at the whole picture, which would which is not just it's the football field, it's the track, it's the bleachers, it's the press box, it's all going all the way to
the tennis courts. So, it's a big stadium renovation and looking over $5 million. So, it seemed like to John and I and, you know, with in talking to Susan and John, Susan and Steve, how were we ever going to come up with, you
know, $5 million for a capital project? So, um, we are talking about a ban or a bond on this. Um, and Susan has been looking into the possibilities for that. Did you want to say anything
about that? >> Um, I don't have a lot to say, but I've initiated the conversation. And so I think that what's critical to know is by listing possible sources um that each year at budget time we need to work our
way through the budget and we need to essentially keep the plan in mind and then use our repertoire of funding sources and then finalize that as the budget becomes more finalized. Um and this is a good time to make final
decisions for each year annually. It's, you know, it's much easier to decide whether we want to use END or capital stabilization or, you know, look at a debt mechanism for these things when you can see the big picture of all the things that we're looking at as a
district. And also to have them in what's a priority, what we think is a good priority list. Of course, things will move around and of course things are going to get added to this list, but um this should help during uh budget conversations. Um FY30, we've got um
more rooftop units. Uh HVAC, another school bus, year two of the um stadium renovation.
Um and then FY31, another bus, and year three of the stadium renovation. So, but things are going to get added into those years as we learn, right? You know, 29, 30, and 31 are obviously not fleshed out yet because we don't know what's going to >> break.
So, um it's as you know, as Len just said, it's an outline. It's a blueprint. it gives us um a a way to plan budget uh budgetarily and also when it comes to
END and looking for um grants and other funding mechanisms. So um this is the plan as recommended by the subcommittee that was done in conjunction as I said with um Susan and Steve. So now I will
take questions. So, first of all, I think it's great that you're doing it and thank the subcommittee and Susan, everybody that had anything to do with it because it is great to look forward. Um, I you know, the Ezra Baker feasibility study, are we going to have
an SOI on on that? And um I just I just feel like all of this stuff, we shouldn't have a vote before we had a good look. And if it's not, I understand it's a blueprint uh and it's a living breathing document that's that's uh
going to change anyway, but that's more of a reason to just I I would like to either table it or um you know give more time to date specific like even our next meeting, what whatever. But my concern is I didn't get to look at this the
details of all of this. Um and you know some of the stuff I just uh you know that the Ezra Baker feasibility study I knew about the the track uh condition and that number actually was lower than what I thought would be. >> Yeah. I mean I guess Joe you can decide
to vote on it or not vote on it tonight as your as you wish. Um this was reviewed by a subcommittee and that's our process you know um for a lot of these things whether it's a policy or um
you know anything else you know budget it comes to us from a subcommittee um who's looked at all the details with staff and then presented it and you can choose to vote up or down for sure. I >> I'd like to make a motion to table it and >> does anyone want to second that motion?
Sorry, no second. Anyone have other questions on this plan? So, my questions are more because I need to be educated. Um, how do we decide to submit something to the town
as a small capital? you know, do we get directive from the town what they will accept only a certain dollar amount and then we look at our long list of of needs and submit something that falls into that criteria like the masonary project is one that comes to mind and
you know that has been approved I know through Dennis over the last couple of years but you know looking at this list which is great and you know um I'm wondering where we would go and look for sort of submit it to the town as a
capital project. >> Yeah. Um Mark and then I could also come in. >> Part of the challenge has been as I as I learned and part of the reason why this ended up as a strategic one of our strategic initiatives is we didn't have a plan.
So we had no capital plan. So, um, when we would go to the two respective towns and get in either their CPC process or their CIP process, for lack of a better phrase. It was kind
of catches catch can, right? We would kind of think like, oh, this would be nice or that would be nice. But we didn't say, here's our fiveyear list of needs. Let's see where our fi our five-year list of needs fits in with the
town's five-year list of needs. And is this going to play out as exactly as we hope it's going to? No, because the two towns have their priorities. We already asked for the feasibility study last year when we went in front of the town of Dennis and did it make it all the way
through? Nope. Um uh so we're going to go and ask again next year because it's and we probably need to rename it because it's not a feasibility study in the same way that this that we're in a feasibility study now. What it is is really a design study to understand
what are the full needs in Baker because what you don't really see on this list is a lot of projects in Baker on Baker because I don't you know for as a superintendent of schools I don't fully understand the needs over at Baker like but I can tell
you the heating system is 60 to 70 years old. I can tell you that some stuff has been renovated in there. I can tell you there's paint issues. I can tell you there's tile issues, but I don't really know and I don't really know what the
cost is. And what I want to do is understand what that is and then go back to the town of Dennis and say that because by the you know this this I have said to the select board is by the time that Emmy small project goes through whatever it's going to go through Ezra
Baker is going to be a hundred years old. So, we need to have a long-term conversation about the Ezra Baker School. Is it an SOI route? Is it uh you know a ren? I don't know.
But that's a conversation town of Dennis needs to have. But in total, I have a sort of a sense of what we're talking about. You know, is it, you know, some renovations that are going to cost, you know, cuz that building is built very differently than Emmy Small is, right?
It's a solid brick building, but there's a lot of stuff mechanically on the inside of there. It's a lot of old, you know, asbestous tiles and lead paint, like again, stuff that I don't fully know, and we need somebody to come in and tell us. And what's the cost to fix all that stuff? you know, is it $10
million? That's one problem. Is it $40 million to renovate it? That's a different problem, right? I I just don't know. And that's what we need a design study to tell us. Um the last one that was done of any kind of scope in there is really really old. So, we need one and that's sort of what we're trying to
get to then understand what's the next step for that building. I I don't disagree with your um character characterization of the sort of catch as you can, but I I think that a little more history on that maybe is that you know there was there was a time
when and I can't believe I'm like the old lady on the committee now but here we are. Um you know there was a time where we had a huge I'm I'm the Phil. um where we had a huge laundry list every year and we'd go to the towns and
say here's our laundry list and they were like sorry we have no money for like so then we'd be like okay next year it was like well here's here's five things and they were like nope so we're like okay here's one thing can you just
fund this one thing right so it it ended up that way not because anyone didn't care but it just felt like the less if you ask for one thing, you'll get it versus asking for 10
things, but that wasn't strategic. This is this is strategic, right? So, Marilyn, you had a question. >> I I guess I have a string of questions. Um, so my next one is, thank God we're going for the reimbursement,
and I think I'm I'm tying something else together. I think on paper for a long time we've had the ability to create a capitalization fund but we haven't had one. >> We have one. We have a capitalization fund. We do.
>> So is it a stretch for me to believe that the reimbursement would go back into the capitalization fund? >> We have to vote to put funds into the capital stabilization fund. So these are just reimbursements for things that were paid out of operating that we were
entitled to be reimbursed for already, right? >> There were separate fund accounts that were set up for the different projects. And so basically we would expend money out of those accounts and then we'd get the reimbursement to come up back into a
zero balance. So the other thing I think I'm putting pieces together. Um the reason not only did we have the capitalistation fund committee meet this year but we did formally approve their process and we have a a policy of what their charge is
and what they do and we spent a lot of time talking about that and two different meetings before that was adopted as well. So that's sort of what the purpose of having that policy. It sort of spells out for everybody what the charge is and what the work of the
committee is. Is that the >> You got it. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any other questions, John? >> This might just be my newness and just kind of make sure I understand it. Nothing on here is actually binding. Correct. >> Correct. This is just a our priority
list. >> Yep. Just because like say it's like 29 like we come into another budget issue like the stadium might be a tough sale. >> Yes. >> Yep. Absolutely. Yep. Joe, you had more questions. >> Yeah. So, first of all, I don't want you to think that I don't appreciate I I've
been talking about this going back to Ken Jensen and Ed Centio, the finance director. So, I think it's great that we're doing this and I I know that you did hard work on it. Um, but the the you're right when you say it's the two
towns and that's why I'm on about the regional agreement. There's capital. there's capital is in the regional agreement and how we address capital and so I think if we don't review what is in the regional agreement we don't know
that we're doing it the right way and so I think I think we might be in violation of the re regional agreement if we approach it this way so that's what that's what how we're supposed to do capital is in the regional agreement and if we're doing it a different way even
if it's better but that's why I want to update and look at everything in the regional agreement, especially in this case the capital. >> Thank you. Any other questions? >> All right. Um, is there a motion?
I'll make a I make a motion to approve the Dennis Sharmath Region of School District capital Plan for FY27 to FY31 as recommended by the capital improvement subcommittee and and as presented. >> Second. Motion has been made and seconded. Is there any further
discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? >> I against one. Abstain. Zero. All right. Motion passes. Uh consent agenda. All we have is
some surplus uh from Sher Santini. Um these so they're uh human all EL stuff all English ELA curriculum
stuff that we don't need anymore with their new curriculum. There's a memo listing them all. And then we have the minutes of the April 6 meeting on the consent agenda. Anyone move the consent agenda? >> Some moved.
>> Second. >> Made and seconded. Discussion. All in favor? I opposed. >> Abstained. Wasn't present to to just the uh meeting minutes, >> I think. So the consent agenda contains
both. So if you're abstaining, you're abstaining. Okay. >> On both. >> Yep. Okay. All right. Next, we've got a calendar. Almost done with the school year. We've got a holiday this Friday. Last day of school next week. Um, and our
next meeting is July 20th at 5. Don't forget it's a little bit earlier. And there's nobody here for public comment.
So, anybody have anything else? >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Made and seconded. Any discussion? All in favor? I. >> I. >> All right. Thank you everybody.