Fair enough. Okay. Good evening and welcome. This is the May 12th meeting of the school committee. Call the meeting to order 5 36. This meeting is being both audio and video recorded. I would ask that
everyone please rise for the pledge of allegiance. 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.
Okay, if we could do a roll call. Emanuel, if you could start. Emanuel Garcia, student representative. Amy Delento, William Strawther, Roella, Gregory Thompson, Gordon Smith, superintendent of schools. Sarah Trulio, Pamela Blair, assistant superintendent
for business. Okay, thank you all. We have minutes for approval. I would take a motion please the April 28th, 2025 executive session meeting minutes. Motion made by Sarah. Second by Antella discussion. All in
favor say I. I. I. I. Those opposed? Nay. Motion carries 5 to zero. Move to approve the April 28th, 2025 regular session meeting. Motion made by Sarah. Second by William. Discussion. All in favor say I. I. I.................... Those those
opposed. Nay. Carries. Five to zero. Thank you, Samantha. Committee and subcommittee communications. Manuel, would you like to start there as well? Sure. Um, last Wednesday was the spring concert featured uh high school groups from the
chorus jazz band and concert band. That was a really nice concert. My last concert ever. Um, it was really nice. And then, uh, the high school prom was on Friday and that was a really nice event. Very nice. You play saxophone? Trumpet. Trumpet. Cool. Very cool. Thank
you, Amy. Um, I just wanted to share that I was able to attend the diversity and equity steering committee meeting. I wasn't able to stay the entire time, but we were able to have some good conversation talking about outreach partnerships, partnering with different
colleges, and um I think Heather's going to be leading the charge for some of that as well. So, I think more information will be forthcoming. Great. Thank you, William. Nothing reported. Okay. Nothing else. Sarah, uh I had the meeting with the collaborative
um last week. Um we talked about the educator support personnel awards and they've been they've been notified and they'll be um recognized again at the um recognition reception uh on June 12th, which will be exciting because it's a
new addition to our whole set of um recognition and awards. We had two individuals this year. Um, we also talked about the um the banquet for the educators. That's this week, I believe. The Grinsswoon. No. Uh, no. Recognition
night, the recognition reception. Oh, that's June. Yeah, that's that's June 12th. In June. And then we also talked about attendance at professional development sessions, educator attendance at professional development sessions. And then I was able to attend the lacrosse uh senior night uh which
was slightly delayed because of thunder and lightning, but they did they did end up having the game after and they they came out with a win which is great. So they're having a great season. Mhm. Okay. Thank you all. Um and now we have an opportunity
for visitors to address the committee. Davis you just introduce yourself for us and I am Megan Davis. I teach sixth grade English at Virt Park Middle School. I recognize the face here at the table. Um, thank you for giving me the chance
to speak on behalf of my colleagues. I'm going to read a letter written by all of the sixth grade teachers at Bland Park Middle School. Um, and I will tell you that I'm reading the aided version for the sake of time tonight. Um, but people feel pretty passionately about I'm going
to share with you. Um, and so I did email the full letter with everybody. Um, so you can read that in more detail. So, we're writing to express our disappointment at the elimination of the computer program at Birchland Park Middle School. We have seen the benefits
of this course across all of our subject areas and know that it would be a detriment to our students to send them on to high school without the fundamental instruction that they receive there. We know the district has worked diligently to make sure that we're onetoone when it comes to
computers and technology. We were one of the first schools to pilot this format in the area and we've invested the time and the financial resources to implement it effectively. Without this program, we'll be missing an integral piece for our students. Learning how to use the
technology safely and effectively in the middle school classroom and beyond and how to navigate the 21st century digital age as informed and responsible students. Um, and here uh in the original letter
we sort of broke out in each department wrote to you, but I've kind of summed it up in bullet points. Um, so it says, "In the core classes, we see the positive impact of this course on a daily basis. It's immediately apparent to us when a student has completed the middle school computer
course because we see their efficiency and accuracy improve dramatically. They're able to correctly use the Google Suite, effectively organize their Google Drive, write formal emails to advocate for their own learning, create engaging
and polished multimedia presentations, execute basic keyboarding and word processing skills with accuracy, apply math concepts like basic computation, fractions, formulas, and data organization in a real world context. So things like using
spreadsheets to create budgets um and conversion formulas. They're able to more easily grasp abstract math concepts through visualization and modeling such as charts and graphs um and to type equations, use functions, and make calculations with increased efficiency
and accuracy. So this course builds stronger students across the subject areas by reinforcing writing skills, improving numerousy and strengthening the use of logic and precision when it comes to checking work which again is important in all of their
classes. With the elimination of this program, we'll lose this benefits as well as important instructional time. Focus on computer-based tasks such as formatting, organizing files, and remediating mistakes due to an inability to type
accurately. The elimination of this program especially applies to our special education population, many of whom have IEPs that legally require the use of computer-based tools. The middle school special education teachers see the immediate correlation between the
computer science class and carrying those skills over to the students academic core classes. These skills directly impact their abil ability to function and become independent in an already technologydriven school setting at the middle school level. Not being
taught the various tools and how to access and apply this knowledge to help them would absolutely take away from their successful performance at Birchland Park Middle School. There's a misconception that because young people spend so much time
in technology that they have learned to navigate it adequately. However, their technology use is more social media based than academic or professional. We depend on our middle school computer courses to address the DLCS standards. We're
advocating for the retention of this course because it embodies the mission statement of East Long Meadow Public Schools to promote achievement and accountability in all endeavors as we educate today for challenges tomorrow. And that is from your sixth grade staff
at Briden Park Middle School. Thank you. Anybody have any questions? Thank you for writing this. Uh you know it certainly that last paragraph certainly um hits home for me in terms of you know use of technology. So um you
know we will take it out on revisement and um see see what we can do. Thank you very much. Thank you for coming. Appreciate it. Appreciate all of you. Okay, moving along. We have we'll bypass the East Sino High School program of
studies and put that off for next meeting and move along to the uh presentation on visit SLO public school international leadership program. Okay. Uh so last Monday, a week ago from
today, we had um the privilege of hosting seven educators from Lebanon uh working specifically in the Teach for Lebanon program and they were coming to um a number of different states and
school districts uh over their entire visit, but they're being sponsored through the International Visitors Leadership Program. And this was um or is a program that brings educators from around the world and um our ELLL
teachers have connected with different uh individuals from this program and uh over the last three years we've hosted uh visitors twice uh which is is really a great privilege for us. um we learn as much as I think they learn and they
specifically were coming in to take a look at how we deal with students who are learning English as a second language. So we had seven educators from Lebanon and two representatives from the IVLP program.
Um this actually got added to but when I was um printing these slides uh they started in Washington DC and looking at the Washington DC district schools then they came to Boston um because of our connection they came out to Western
Massachusetts um and connected with us at Burland Park Middle School in East Long Meadow. They went on from us um before they went out to Cleveland. I think they went down to Orlando. Um maybe they stopped off at some of the theme parks. I don't know. Um but then
uh eventually did end up heading out to Cleveland. Uh so they got a a a good wide ranging look at how different districts um within different states look at and implement teaching English
as a second language. specifically for our purposes. Last Monday we were looking at how East Long Meadow uh public schools delivers uh English langu excuse me English learner education and um then how that intersects with special
education and what our inclusive practices look like. Uh, I think the highlight for them and certainly the highlight for us was when we toured classrooms and they had a chance to look at some of our special education classrooms, some of our ELLL classes. Um, and one of the educators was a
librarian and so was really interested in talking with our librarian at Bon Park Middle School who does an exceptional job. Um, and so they I think they spent the entire time together which was really neat. Oh, great. Yeah, it was really neat. Just to give you some pictures, uh we
met in the community room and um had a discussion first. Uh there are some of our visitors. You see Mr. Pearson there. He's um I don't know if you see any of our other educators visitors. That's uh almost the entire
group, but uh we also have Mr. GM with us. Um you see Miss Brown in the picture, as I said, Mr. Pearson Steiner, uh, Miss Palini, um, some and some of our P special educators also joined us, uh, especially on the
tour. That actually might be that's it. Yeah, great opportunity. It was it was a great opportunity. It was nice to be highlighted uh, you know, up there with Boston, Cleveland, Orlando. Then you have East Long Meadow,
world famous on the map. Um, move right into the other one. Um, yes, we have building project update. The high school building project update. Thanks. So, um, it's a good time to present an update on this is if you've
had a chance to take a look, it's really starting to take shape, um, and change in front of our our eyes. Um, obviously, this is the existing building. This is where we hope to go um, in a few years.
and we continue to be on schedule and on budget which is really uh yeah it's really great at this point because now we're really getting into purchasing of materials uh putting materials up quickly. We know that um there some tariff issues out there and you know
there's there's a lot of steel that was um utilized and put up over the winter months. But quickly going back this is where we're going. It's actually starting to take shape. I know. And this is even
outdated. The pools, uh, starting to frame in, too. Yeah, that's coming up in a later slide. Oh, yeah. Um, so this is just the building itself. Um, but they're they're really it's starting to take shape. It It's looking like the drawings. Um, you can start to see how
it's going to be that that original drawing from the beginning of the slideshow. Um, now they're starting to put up steel studs on the outside walls. Uh, this is D-Wing. This is another uh the corner of D-wing. They're also fireproofing the
interior. Uh, and they're starting to actually pour the subfloor, the concrete subfloor both on the first floor. This is something I didn't know about the building trades. And you're also pouring concrete on the second floor. Yeah. So, that goes on all floors. um uh and and
obviously firmly sets the floor in place. Then just smoothing out the floor once they have it poured. Um but here's the um the naptorium starting to take shape. So they're digging it and you can see the
walls of the outside um starting to be formed. That's a an aerial view of it. He has some water in it, which is nice. And that's the way to go. I don't think it's chlorinated yet. But then also our concession
building is starting to take shape which is just outside the fence of the uh existing stadium. So unfortunately that's not going to be ready for the fall of next year, but um it could be online in the spring of next year. So fall we'll still have our two um
concession buildings um but we hope to be online in the spring of next year which is exciting. And then this just gives you a look an aerial look that um they are clearing the space down towards the end of the high school parking lot existing
parking lot and getting ready to put um new tennis courts there. So that whole end of the parking lot is going to look different as we start up the next school year. Um, and that construction will start happening once school gets out in terms of the actual tennis courts going
in and so forth because they have to move some power lines as you can see. Um, and they're working on an underground water pipe as well. It's taking shape. Will that entrance and exit still be there? Yes. Yeah. in
not exactly the same way, but for next year it will be a little bit wider. Same spot. Um and then and then it'll all get reconfigured. But yeah, 2026 it's going to be a whole different ball game. Very cool. So nice. Yeah, we're on our
way. It's really exciting. And the last SPC meeting, we're on time and on budget, too. So, it's very exciting. No. That sure. Next, assistant superintendent for business. We have the April financial report. We do. So, I was just here two weeks ago giving you the
March. So, we're doing this one quickly, which is nice. Roll right into April. Um, so, as I always say, this report also includes your grants and revolving accounts. If you turn to page six is where the spreadsheet is. Uh salaries are on the top section of the operating
budget spreadsheet here. Um you know we've gone over all of these as the year since we've been meeting you know going over financials every month. So there's not a whole lot to talk about here except that the substitute you are going to see that that has gone up um quite a bit over the last month. And in doing
research I wanted to bring to your attention that we have 16 unit A leave of absences. And with a long-term sub position on day 31, they go to the bachelor one per damn rate, which is $279.88 uh compared to $110 per day. So, as you
can imagine, that starts adding up very quickly. Also, what I want to bring to your attention is that the uh PAR substitutes are also in that line. So, I don't think we're as in terrible shape as as what we were thinking um last month. I think it has more to do with
these long-term subitions. So when we talk about the transfers, you'll see that we have um 73,502 deficit there. And on the expense side on the bottom there, you're going to see we have two lines, contracted services 8,169
uh deficit and uh the out of district tuitions which is 223,817. So we've uh the contracted services is basically uh special ed transportation. There's many things that fall under that category. Um, so those are the three line items that are in the
deficit and we're going to have uh some of these other line items be able to cover those and that's things like the nurses and medical staff um line, the paraprofessional, the teachers um down the bottom section, the educational supplies um as we talked about, we still
have a budget freeze on and we're only ordering essential supplies. I am going to analyze that and go over that with the leadership team and hopefully be able to release a little bit of that back so that we can get some uh orders done which always helps us for the beginning of next year as well. Is it
possible to look at where those leaves of absences are just to get a sense of if any one of the buildings is feeling that in a disproportionate Sure. I I Yep. I can tell you that the next time. You're welcome. I did go through each of the paperwork so I did have them listed.
I just Thank you. You're welcome. And the athletics line item has increased, right? Weren't we running low last time? But now sports fees must have come in for this. Well, that's the revolving. That's the revolving account. So, this is athletic. This is the Yeah, this is the salary. The coaches and because we
have the three seasons and um they get paid, you know, halfway through. So, you'll see that change next month and it'll all get expanded, right? Yeah, pretty much. Yes, I believe so. Um, so you know our budget I always remind everyone
35,9995126. We have expended to date 26,364336. We have still encumbered 8,894690 and that leaves an available balance of 736,1001, but we're in much better shape than we were earlier in the year because of all the many things that we've done
to prevent um it going further. So, any other questions on the operating budget? Then the next page are your grants. Um, I listed the prior year grants at the top. Um, those are pretty self-explanatory. We talked about SR3.
Um, IDA were playground going is the playground getting Oh, they use it yet. They did they did do a a soft opening and let the kids go out there. Um, I think that they had one little issue that they're trying to resolve. I think um something was a
little sharp on the SL on the slide. So yeah, so they needed to call um so right now it's shut down. I have to be honest, it's shut down so we can make sure to have the um the vendor come back to make sure everything is something on the on the edges when they put their little hand someone got a little tiny cut. Something was sharp there. So and I just
found that out today. Um but it so it did have the soft opening and we're getting there. Um they're planting grass seed or they they seeding hydro seed. Yep. That's down that. Yes, it was down like three weeks ago. So, in a monthly that's what we're hoping hoping and
we'll let families know once once it's wide open, we should send out to families that it's available. Exactly. Yeah, like that. Okay. Um so then we have our federal grants which are are these are all entitlement grants that we go over all the time. They're all on target to um be expended
uh by year end. And if not, I always want you to know that we can always roll them over to the to the next year. Um, but I believe these are all on target to um to be expended. Um, you know, um, the grants, the way that they work, I think I've told you before, we expend the grants and then I draw them down
monthly. So, I I'm always looking at them. In fact, it's on my calendar to take a look at tomorrow. Um, so does anyone have any uh questions on any of the grants? So, uh, the next page are your revolving accounts. This is where we have more
information. So, um, the athletic revolving account, that's where I put there that there's still about $15,000. I anticipate that of additional revenue that just hasn't been posted yet into Munis for my report. So, I believe we'll end up with close to a $5,000 uh
rollover in that account. Um, the next one I want to bring to your attention is the tuition revolving account. um that is an intentional balance to offset the FY26 uh budget. So, I just wanted to remind everyone of that. I have great news for circuit breaker. Uh we did
qualify for extraordinary relief. Um I gave you a sheet here behind the the uh financial to give you the detail on that we're getting and actually it came in in early May $156,31. So, this has to be expended in this year, which of course is not a
problem because we've already expended it, right? So this is just going to help us with the balance that we can roll over into next year. So I'm very pleased to um you know to say that. So we still have the FY25 fourth quarter payment coming in of
411,729 plus that 156,000. So as of right now I'm saying that we're going to roll over 582,888 in circuit breaker. Of course that number I'm sure will change a little bit but that's my best guess right now. Um, one thing I did want to mention since I was talking about extraordinary
relief is on that sheet, um, I just wanted to make mention that a letter was written to, uh, Gordon from Desi stating that we did qualify and it said the statewide extraordinary relief budget was increased 60% for FY25 reimbursement. It went from 5 million to
$8 million. However, as I've kind of been alluding to all year long that I'm a little nervous how much how many districts are putting in, you know, so many. However, claims came in at a high level and this was not sufficient to reimburse at the intended rate of of 75%. As a result, all reimbursements
were prrated and your district will receive a payment of $156,31 in early May. That is um a 39.57% increase. That's reimbursement. Um so it's a far cry from the 75, but
we're glad that we qualified for that. Um, so the next account, the transportation revolving account, I just wanted to hopefully you all received a a notice from us that we had opened up the bus transportation enrollment. Um, so those revenues will start to be coming in and you'll see that change over the
next month or two. Um, uh, then there's a school lunch and that has a a pretty uh substantial balance there, $800,000. I did reach out to Lorie Paul, our uh food service director, and she wanted to let you know that there are summer projects to replace the serving lines in
all three elementary schools at an estimated $45,000 each. Uh also to replace five to seven milk coolers at an estimated cost of $28,000 each. So, she's got these plans behind the scenes and just wanted you to know that. Um,
additionally on the food services, they um lost a federal grant or was the federal grant was stopped that allowed them to do more purchasing from local farms um which does cost a little bit more. And so I think food services is
looking at how they can still work with those vendors and the local farms. Uh but they would have to do it out of their budget as opposed to out of um right the grant. Um, so that was something that we had a a wellness committee this morning and we had discussed that that piece the loss of
their grant and where they go from here. Yeah. And the projection is actually lower than last year slightly the carryover the 800. Well, that's that's the uh Yes, that's a balance right now, right? But it will is that going to increase or decrease? It could do both because
there's all muness behind there's payroll, there's her expenses um deposits. So that that will change. So how it appears though is we spend what they took they spend what they came this year, right? But we just have a high balance hanging out there. Correct. Yep.
So the um four projects that you spoke of that's 165,000ish. That still leaves a significant balance. There's not is that where we potentially use I mean we would use the balance towards that. I don't know if it's you know going to dent that
significantly but uh certainly that's where they're going to have to go. I mean, it just seems like a lot of money to be sitting in that. I thought there was recommendations for food service accounts in general. There is. Yeah, exactly. Which ends up like at least like a 3 350. And I mean, inflation is
higher, salaries are higher. Um, it's probably more like a 350. I think before I would say like 285 at a minimum to have in there. Okay. I just remember there was something. Yeah. And we're at the minimum required cost for school lunch, right? Yeah. There's there's like
this formula that always has to be looked at lower it although we we spent what we took in this year anyway but okay right but these numbers are always off a little bit because mun like payrolls are not posted in there so it might look like you have higher revenue but there's actually more expenditures
and then her the warrant the bills like haven't touched the general ledger yet does that make sense yeah so the last account there is uh the school choice account and we still have April May and June payments um of
$16,69 if I said that right. I don't have my glasses on. $16,69. So that's another $48,207. And I'm anticipating then school choice will be at about 376,000 at the end of the year. It's imperative to remember that
balances provided are a snapshot in time and are changing constantly. You're welcome. If there are no motion to accept the April April 30th financial report.
Make a motion April 30th report. Motion made by Anton. Second. Second by Amy. Discussion. All in favor say I. I. I. Those opposed? Nay. That carries. Five to zero. Great. Thank you. And then we have some budget transfers.
Right. So this should all make perfect sense to you. The budget transfers. Then we transfer from you can see the line items there the unit A teachers pair professional professional development supplies medical therapeutic staff and the retirement that totals uh
$35,488 and transfer that to contracted services that 8,169 deficit substitute 73,502 out of district tuitions 223,817 for that total of 305488. Eight
questions on the transfers. If not, I would entertain a motion to approve the transfers as listed. Move to approve the fiscal year 25 budget transfers as presented. Motion made by Sarah.
Second discussion. All in favor say I. I. Those nay. That carries five to zero. Great. Now I'll do those in munness and you'll see those reflected next month. Thank you. Thank you. Good luck. Hey, moving right along. Business.
Approval of the 2025 Northeast Aerial Drone Middle School Championship at Fairmont, West Virginia from Wednesday, May 28th through Saturday, May 31st. So, this is actually uh pretty exciting. And we have both our middle school team and then in the next agenda
item, our high school team, drone team um qualifying for the championships, the national or championships in West Virginia. So this is uh Mr. Van Beern who is um their advisor and uh chaperones putting
together this trip to take the students down to West Virginia um for the days that uh Mr. Thompson just outlined and compete in um these championships. A breakdown on the second page of Mr. Van Beern's
letter. Um you have five students. The chaperoons are parents. Um of those students including and then also Mr. Van Beern. I think um they're out of order, right? Because we're talking about the middle school right now.
And isn't he the high school? Uh he does both. Oh, okay. Yeah. Yeah. Sorry. What's this letter then? Uh one that's just Mr. Pearson saying he uh Okay, Roger that. Um also requesting permission. I didn't know he was doing both. Um thank you. You're welcome.
Um and so you see that uh it's a substantial uh amount that they're putting forth. Uh they do do some fundraising, but um the money that the families and the students are putting forth on this trip.
Um, we also uh thank are thankful to the parents because the parents are going. Um, that allows us not to have to have a nurse which could have put a wrench into the works of this trip which is going out of state.
They have to pay 180 and 120. No, middle school looks like it's 180. No, 120. 180. Yeah. But then what's the other one? than the food, right? Are you want to break that here?
Yeah, I think it's a it's a it's the total 28 300 total. Roughly 300 total. Yeah, food food's additional. We do need to feed them. Yes,
usually is. That might be the highlight for some people. food. All right. Any other questions? How can I recruit more females? No. True. 10 males and one female. She's a senior.
Yeah. You reading ahead. I was just highlighting the middle school, but that's okay. I mean, I suppose if if that's all right with you, Mr. Thompson, you could do both motions at once. Well, they're different dates, so true. That is true for motions. So I would entertain a motion for the first if
someone wants to make that please. So I make a motion to approve the 2025 Northeast Aerial Drone Middle School Championship in Fairmont, West Virginia from Wednesday, May 28th through Saturday, May 31st. Motion made by
William. Second. Second by Antella. Any discussion? All in favor say I. I. Those opposed, nay. That carries five to zero. Thank you. And then we have the high school going as well on different days, right? So they're going to be going um from Friday to Monday
and um they have six individuals going and broke down male female just a moment ago, five males, one female. So we do have to do some recruiting and um the chaperones are three, two parents, one to approve.
Do you have to ask any questions? I think everyone's good, but thank you for asking if I wanted to ask. I move to approve um the 2025 Northeast Aerial Drone High School Championship in Fairmont, West Virginia from Friday, May
30th through Monday, June 2nd. Excellent. Motion made by Antella. Second by William. Discussion. All in favor say I. I. I. Those opposed, nay. Five. So let Mr. Van Beern know. Excellent. Please keep us posted to
their results. Chance to take a look at their I've seen them. Cafeteria. It's pretty cool that what they're doing in our cafeteria to the national championships. Um if folks want to pull out the program
of studies portion and leave in a in your mailbox then we don't have to. Yeah. Yep. Mind way to recycle. I you said it and that's why I follow your lead. So thank you Sarah. Uh and if there's nothing else I would entertain a motion to
adjurnn. So move motion made by William second by Antella. Any discussion? I I those opposed nay. That motion carries. Thank you. We are joured.