WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=6BuGrRNUCLc

Part: 1

1
00:00:00.560 --> 00:00:15.040
I'd like to call to order the regular meeting of the far school committee for July 22nd. Um Deb, would you please call the role? >> Mr. A >> here. >> Mr. Das >> here. >> Mr. Corey >> here. >> Mr. Bonus >> here. >> Miss Riley >> here. Miss Stewart >> here. May

2
00:00:15.040 --> 00:00:33.160
>> here. Salute to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

3
00:00:33.600 --> 00:00:50.399
>> Pursuant to the open meeting law, any person may make an audio or video recording of this public meeting or may transmit the meeting through any medium. Attendees are therefore advised that such recordings of transmissions are being made whether perceived or unpersceived by those present and are deemed acknowledged and permissible.

4
00:00:50.399 --> 00:01:07.600
Um we have uh one person for um citizens input tonight. Uh is is she here? Oh, it's uh Deb will read the letter. >> Uh Taylor Perry, Aberdine Street.

5
00:01:07.600 --> 00:01:23.040
>> Good evening. Before I begin, I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you. As a parent, it has been so nice to see the summer programs offered by Far Public Schools. They give our children a chance to keep learning, stay active, make friends, and create memories while

6
00:01:23.040 --> 00:01:38.400
they're on summer break. For many families, opportunities like these truly make a difference. I also want to thank the school committee for continuing to support programs that have such a positive impact on our students. Investing in our children outside of the

7
00:01:38.400 --> 00:01:54.079
regular school year matters and it shows. Most of all, I want to recognize the teachers, staff, and everyone working behind the scenes. Your time, patience, and dedication are what makes these programs possible. Smiles on the children's faces say more than the words

8
00:01:54.079 --> 00:02:09.679
could ever. I just wanted to make sure you all know that your hard work is seen, appreciated, and does not go unnoticed. >> Thanks. Subcommittee updates. First up is the policy subcommittee Colin as chair.

9
00:02:09.679 --> 00:02:25.920
>> Thank you. So, the policy subcommittee met on June 10th at 5:30 p.m. The subcommittee voted to refer several policies to the full committee and disregard some other proposed policies. U many of the preferred policies were um

10
00:02:25.920 --> 00:02:42.720
routine updates um some general housekeeping and just wording updates just um looking at the um the updated MASC model policies and trust me we assured they um conformed to the um for public schools. Um we had some athletic

11
00:02:42.720 --> 00:03:00.000
handbook revisions and updates to older policies to bring them current. Um just wanted to highlight some of the more um controversial votes. Um first was I'll bring up the citizens input policy. It was referred to the

12
00:03:00.000 --> 00:03:17.360
full committee without a recommendation by a 2:1 vote. Um the subcommittee could not come to a consensus on proposed changes. So it is being forwarded to the full committee for consideration at this time. Uh second was the timeout policy

13
00:03:17.360 --> 00:03:35.280
which was also referred by a 2 to1 vote. Um as chair as a subcommittee I voted against referring this policy as I continue to have some concerns that students and staff could be placed in harm's way with the proposed changes. Uh last thing I wish to mention and this

14
00:03:35.280 --> 00:03:49.200
has been something that has been mentioned in um prior retreats is the MASC policy services. So as everyone knows the subcommittee and I believe it's the intention of the full committee wishes to use the MASC

15
00:03:49.200 --> 00:04:05.200
um policy services that they offer. Um this subcommittee has a very aggressive agenda to get this policy manual up to date. We have policies from 2010, 2016, 2017 and

16
00:04:05.200 --> 00:04:21.519
that's just due to years worth of um neglect to the policy manual. and it's important as a school committee's role and responsibilities policy is the most important. It's important that we get that up and running right away. Um the only issue that we have with that is a

17
00:04:21.519 --> 00:04:38.240
funding mechanism. So, I believe it's the appropriate time. I'd like to make a motion that we authorize a blanket up to 15,000 and authorize the policy subcommittee to engage the services of MASC to assist in updating the district's policy manual as

18
00:04:38.240 --> 00:04:54.960
a committee works to correct those issues. That's the form of motion. >> I have a motion and second on >> hiring uh MASC to update the policies. >> I'll second that. I I uh Manny um any discussion on uh the chairman's

19
00:04:54.960 --> 00:05:11.759
proposal? All in favor? >> I >> oppose. Unanimous. >> I yield. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Das. Um special education, alternative education, early childhood, Chanel Stewart, chair. >> Uh we discussed the start and end times

20
00:05:11.759 --> 00:05:26.720
for all ed, the evolved programs, graduation credits. We also reviewed the cartwwell contract. We spoke about agency staffing and going to speak to them early. We went over description for the lead BCBA regulated classrooms which

21
00:05:26.720 --> 00:05:43.199
is a new program and request for it to explore day school and expand stone. Most of everything that we went over is here inside the agenda today. >> Thank you. And finally, instructional subcommittee Anna Riley, chair. >> Sure. The instructional subcommittee uh

22
00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:59.600
met just last week on the 15th. We reviewed all the contracts that we'll be voting on today. Everything was recommended by the full committee to come to by the instructional subcommittee to the full committee. >> Thank you. Item number four is the superintendence

23
00:05:59.600 --> 00:06:16.319
report. Dr. Smith. >> Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, everyone. Um I I want to start before I go on to uh my agenda. Uh I would like everybody to know I had talked about this at a previous meeting that we had the opportunity uh this past Monday evening to have our second retreat. Uh I

24
00:06:16.319 --> 00:06:32.720
want to thank everybody that participated. We were there for close to four hours. Some of the things that we talked about were collaboration to better function as a highly effective team. And the team I'm talking about is senior staff members, superintendent, uh school committee members. uh also

25
00:06:32.720 --> 00:06:48.960
talking about our individual contributions to our legacy for the Fall River Public Schools as we serve in these roles and certainly what we leave for years to come. We talked about our roles and responsibilities, things that we'll continue to do uh until we are uh

26
00:06:48.960 --> 00:07:04.800
working uh you know in in a way that you know feels like we're all able to do the best possible jobs we can to again support our children, families, and district. Uh and also we're looking at not only operating protocols uh for uh school committee which you know when you

27
00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:20.000
talk about highly effective your highly effective school committees have operating protocols the public is aware of them we talk whether they're norms or parameters we're also looking at senior team as to how we serve your needs. So we're also taking a look at what we can

28
00:07:20.000 --> 00:07:38.080
do best to give you information so that you can make the decision that that you need to make. So again I want to thank everybody. I thought it was very successful. Um, and we'll continue to update the public and do these retreats uh as we go along. I think our next retreat date is uh August 12th. Um, so

29
00:07:38.080 --> 00:07:54.560
I'd like to start with the hiring update. And many of you know, and I know there were concerns, you know, this past spring as we ended the school year, we took a look at licensing. We took a look at, you know, certification. We took a look at our human resource functions and made sure again that we have teachers

30
00:07:54.560 --> 00:08:11.039
that are highly qualified in our classrooms. all the while continuing to struggle along with every other district across this state for some of the areas that are the hard to um fill such as special education are uh multi- language learners um you know many of those

31
00:08:11.039 --> 00:08:28.560
specialties. So we continue people are just kind of coming back. We're getting settled after conferences and a little bit of vacation. You know our principles are are busy at work. our administrators looking to make sure that we can make sure our classrooms are staffed and ready to open up in uh September of 26.

32
00:08:28.560 --> 00:08:43.919
But I'd like to ask uh Dr. Chris Gadino to really report on um where we're at uh as far as our uh hiring. >> Sure. So, right now we've been making h um progress in the um in hiring.

33
00:08:43.919 --> 00:08:59.920
However, you can see that we've had many resignations also with the data that we supported. So, we have a real focus on the highly qualified teachers and we are striving to make sure every candidate

34
00:08:59.920 --> 00:09:15.360
that is highly qualified is interviewed before we look to hire a teacher and request a waiver from them from the department. So, that has been our real focus. We haven't had clear systems in place. So what we're doing now with our

35
00:09:15.360 --> 00:09:30.959
hiring software is we're not we're putting in notes for every teacher that we interview. We're clearly stating why that teacher is not being hired or why or why the teacher has been hired. We're sharing

36
00:09:30.959 --> 00:09:47.360
candidates in between schools now because oftentimes we'll have for an elementary position, we'll have 10 candidates in one school, three in another, and we only need one position in the 10. So, we're opening that that up so everyone can see the highly

37
00:09:47.360 --> 00:10:03.920
qualified applicants that we have. The progress might not seem great right now as you can see from the data, but everybody is working hard to ensure that we get these candidates into the district. >> And I also want to say that we'll continue to update you in your weekly

38
00:10:03.920 --> 00:10:19.040
report so you can see the progress that we are making. And Dr. Gadino makes a good point. you know, rather than when you use such as school spring, um you know, you put in, you know, second grade, um you know, at Vero School and

39
00:10:19.040 --> 00:10:35.360
again, you get so many applicants there, so many for another. The better way to do this is to bring our principles together to make sure that they're interviewing. They're as Dr. Gadino said, making notes, supporting other principles so we are functioning as a district, not individual schools. I

40
00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:51.839
mean, it makes a difference. The principles are your hiring agent. make no mistake about that. But it's certainly we're looking at better ways to to save time and to support each other. You know, during these summer months, >> we're really taking this opportunity to examine our hiring process and hopefully

41
00:10:51.839 --> 00:11:08.640
we will have a better system in place as we move forward, as we make corrections along the way. Can >> I ask a question? >> Sure, Mr. >> Just related to the front line. Mhm. >> So, we've had um we changed some things a year or two ago and then we've heard a

42
00:11:08.640 --> 00:11:25.920
lot of complaints uh but we don't work with that every day. It's on the agenda again now. Are you recommending that we stay with that? Is there changes that would need to be made and is that a hindrance to some of the >> So, I am recommending that we stay with it for this following year because we

43
00:11:25.920 --> 00:11:43.360
are in deep in the process now to change would be detrimental to our hiring process for the beginning of the school year. We are taking a look and I've talked to um Scott Cbrrell about intertwining all the systems that we use frontline teachoint Aspen to see how we

44
00:11:43.360 --> 00:11:58.640
can what would be the best databases to use and if we choose to stay with these how they um interlink and how they speak to each other so we can streamline the process. That will be what we will be doing over the course of this school

45
00:11:58.640 --> 00:12:16.720
year. So last uh school year we had had u school spring and I might be wrong on some of the people were applying in two different places and we were told it was going to be rectified and then it was never rectified I don't believe so is that finally at least one so you want to

46
00:12:16.720 --> 00:12:32.639
apply here you just go to school spring or front line whatever it is we were literally having applications in two different places which to this committee made no sense but we had the administration at the time telling us oh it's all set. We're going to do it this way and and then I don't know if it ever got fixed. So, I'm just asking

47
00:12:32.639 --> 00:12:49.360
>> it is fixed. It goes to one place now. >> Good. I mean, it's better than two. >> Yeah, there's still more adjustments we can make. >> I And I understand it's last minute that we we sort of have to approve this, but at least we're looking to >> make improvements. So, I appreciate it. >> And I will come back with

48
00:12:49.360 --> 00:13:05.120
recommendations and keep you updated. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Dr. Smith. >> Yes. Uh going on to summer programming update. you know, ev everybody is aware. We just had a wonderful note from your citizen input about what you provide for your students in a large urban district

49
00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:21.360
for the summer. Um, and I'm here to tell you that it's an incredibly busy time. Uh, you know, somebody said to me, I was up at the high school today, the parking lot was filled. It it was a busy hub of activity. And that's exactly what's happening, you know, throughout the district. I guess there are about 20 different summer programs already

50
00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:37.760
underway or or beginning in the coming weeks. We are going to have a slideshow. I'm going to just kind of talk. You'll see it over here. I can I can I can kind of see it, but but to give you an idea, um some of our highlights of of the summer is our MLL summer enrichment

51
00:13:37.760 --> 00:13:53.920
program happening at Henry Lord. The uh students have been on field trips to the zoo, an unforgettable whale watch. Tomorrow, they're visiting Battleship Cove. Of course, they're also engaged in hands-on science investigations, uh asking thoughtful questions, working collaboratively, and exploring

52
00:13:53.920 --> 00:14:10.880
scientific concepts through inquirybased learning. It's been wonderful to see their curiosity and excitement throughout the summer. You'll also see photos from our preschool extended school year program at the early learning center where our youngest learners continue to develop important academic, social, and communication

53
00:14:10.880 --> 00:14:25.680
skills through engaging play-based activities. Another program we've been proud of, you've had this for many years in the district, is your 21st century community learning centers, which are operating in six schools this summer through your grant funding. Students are participating in a wide variety of

54
00:14:25.680 --> 00:14:42.000
enrichment opportunities. At Laterno, for example, third graders were inspired by the novel Espen Raza Rising and they created a bake it forward cafe. It's a wonderful example of students connecting literacy, entrepreneurship, and community service. And not to forget,

55
00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:58.639
you're showing it right now is the sailing program, which I think is amazing for kids certainly in this community at Dery High School. Uh it's the 18th year of the summer enrichment program. This is a program where parents pay for their children to attend. Students choose from 10 different enrichment classes, including junior

56
00:14:58.639 --> 00:15:14.880
chef, cosmetology, engineering, performing arts, television production, and much more. It's always exciting to see students exploring new interests while building friendships and confidence. We're not done yet. Next week, the Fall River Police Department will once again host its teen police

57
00:15:14.880 --> 00:15:30.000
academy. And in early August, Dery High School school musicians, student musicians will participate in the marching band preseason camp as they prepare for the upcoming school year. So, just again to show the opportunities that we're providing in our summer

58
00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:50.399
programs questions or no, I don't know, Lori and Brian I know are here. Anything you want to add to those programs? I know you're out there each and every day. Okay. Enrollment update. Uh I believe I have Brien uh excuse me, Brian uh

59
00:15:50.399 --> 00:16:10.000
Michael Azac. No, I don't. Oh, okay. Okay. So, uh the enrollment update, uh presently you know that at your parent uh information, your parent registration center, parents are coming in to register their students um or certainly

60
00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:26.639
at Dery High School. And if you want a solid number right now, I'm sorry because I'm not going to be able to give you it's 10,271 at this point. This of course is important as you reach that October 1st date for all school districts. What I don't know is I do not know the

61
00:16:26.639 --> 00:16:42.560
information uh previous years as to where your numbers lie. So that is our present number on the enrollment update. I can give you school by school if you'd like. I think you have this in your folders. Uh so I'll I'll entertain questions that I can answer.

62
00:16:42.560 --> 00:16:58.720
I I thought we were over 11,000 last year. >> Oh, I'm sure. Where? Again, >> Scott, do you remember what our high was last year? >> 11,200ish. >> So, that's a thousand less >> at this point. You still have again, you have people, especially an urban

63
00:16:58.720 --> 00:17:13.679
district, you have people moving in. There are people obviously leaving. And the mayor and I talked about this earlier and and I'm sure the school committee is aware that this is something happening statewide. This isn't just the Fall River public schools. We've actually been pretty much

64
00:17:13.679 --> 00:17:30.400
stable uh in a lot of the urban districts, particularly in Fall River. I think your numbers actually have been increasing. So, it's something that we will uh watch. Um and and again, I apologize. I'll get you the figures for the past few years so you can see the trends. >> U Miss Riley, >> and I'm not sure what you're looking at,

65
00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:49.360
but I I know my enrollment right now shows my enrollment minus my seniors, and we haven't rolled the kindergarten in. thought do you think >> we haven't rolled over yet? >> So that so that could impact it too. So hopefully we'll have a better Yeah. >> Any questions?

66
00:17:49.360 --> 00:18:05.840
Okay. The next thing I'd like to update or at least to give you information on is uh this past week uh my team was able to and when I say my team I had a number of people attending the MAS uh summer leadership conference on Cape Cod. It was hosted. I attended the urban

67
00:18:05.840 --> 00:18:22.080
superintendent network meeting on the 13th of uh July uh along with uh Brian Reposa uh Amy Brunhard. I believe we had uh Stephanie Kennedy um and there there I'm sorry I think there were a number of other people attending. So we were there

68
00:18:22.080 --> 00:18:38.160
uh looking at literacy uh as we went to MASHP Middle School which is where the conference is held from Tuesday to Thursday. There were workshops, there were updates, the commissioner spoke, we got legal updates. This is something our team does every year along with teams from every one of the districts

69
00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:53.600
throughout Massachusetts. It's a way of networking. What we're most proud of is when we have people that are actually presenting. So that'll be my goal this year. They start to ask, you know, usually as we start the school year about programs that we have that we might that are successful that we might

70
00:18:53.600 --> 00:19:11.520
want to share with other people. So um again, it was an excellent conference uh and I'm happy to answer any questions that I can about it. Okay. And next I'll go on to the alternative uh school program update. And this was something that when we last

71
00:19:11.520 --> 00:19:27.039
left you or I believe our our meeting, not our special meeting in June, but our meeting in early June, I think it was on the 3rd, we are uh clearly spending quite a bit of time and this will be something that we will be working on all school year long. So, we're looking at

72
00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:42.960
uh 290 Rock Street. We're looking at RPA. We're looking at Evolve. We're looking at our new virtual high school coming on board. All the while, we're also looking at Dery High School and the tiered instruction here to make sure those are obviously the bulk of your students that we're supporting. And we

73
00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:58.240
want to continue to be able to support those students that are overaged, underredited, giving them opportunities. So, I'm going to ask uh Dr. Bronhard to give you an update as far as what's happening with our task force. our summer looking at the building. Uh Dr. Brun,

74
00:19:58.240 --> 00:20:14.080
>> perfect. Thank you. Um so to start with, uh thank you to Deputy LGO and Dr. Goodino who are actively engaging currently with FREA and FRAA union leadership through impact bargaining and developing anou the RPA school

75
00:20:14.080 --> 00:20:29.679
specifically. In addition to that, we've had an opportunity to do a facility walkthrough on a number of occasions. uh myself uh principal Monae princ um Jan uh Schwitzer from Evolve we've walked the

76
00:20:29.679 --> 00:20:45.760
building uh looking through the lens of safety security and the division of the space um Mr. Pacho was also able to connect with the fire marshall through that walk so that we could also identify every single layer of the building having two egress opportunities to be

77
00:20:45.760 --> 00:21:00.640
able to leave the building and exit for fire safety. So that was a great uh visit with them as well as the structural elements of the building that need to be modified in order to be able to create the divide that we are intending of the building as well. We

78
00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:17.200
have been able to be the recipients of some of the diamond furniture um and the diamond materials that were released and so we are excited to be able to put many of those materials into the facility of 290 Rock so that we can upgrade in many different ways. Mr. Mr. Pico, is there

79
00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:34.159
anything else that we should mention in regard to the facility walks? >> Um, I think you covered it. The only uh the the fire um department walkth through uh was also accompanied by the building commissioner uh as we walked in and out of the building. So, um we've we

80
00:21:34.159 --> 00:21:50.159
got the green light to do what we need to do and um add the additional um controls uh in place for uh the operation of the two active uh programs but three programs in general. Can >> I ask a question on that? >> Mr. D. Yeah.

81
00:21:50.159 --> 00:22:07.120
>> Relative to that, how much is it going to cost for us to do all of the work >> roughly >> for the um for the doors >> any model? Yeah. Most of the most of the work is um added doors. Uh we're probably looking at about 40,000

82
00:22:07.120 --> 00:22:23.679
um of, you know, adding extra uh doors in um mid hallways, things like that, but also uh making sure that um we have access uh with um key card in in quite a few places. So, >> and this is due to having two schools in

83
00:22:23.679 --> 00:22:39.120
the same building. Some of this stuff we would have done anyway, but there is Yes, some of it is related to that, but some of it we would have done anyway. Yes, >> we can just get a report on that. Appreciate it. Thank you. >> Sorry, Mr. Agar. >> No, I just want >> We can just get a report like more

84
00:22:39.120 --> 00:22:57.520
detailed about what's happening. The first we're hearing of it is right here. >> The next update is in regard to student placement. Uh, so as of June 22nd, there are currently 128 students enrolled at RPA. Student placement for the redesigned programs at 290 Rock

85
00:22:57.520 --> 00:23:12.559
continued to make strong progress. Throughout the summer, the administrative team has been meeting with students and parents to identify the educational setting that best will support each student's academic, behavioral, and social emotional needs. To date, 34 students have been

86
00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:28.240
identified for placement in RPA. Nine students who were formerly enrolled at RPA are projected to attend Evolve and three students are transitioning to Dery High School with an additional 13 students being served through the district's virtual pathway. All of the

87
00:23:28.240 --> 00:23:42.960
students have applied for their school of choice as this is a new mechanism that we are looking to put in place across all of the schools at 290 Rock. Evolve Academy currently has 1233 students registered. They also uh will

88
00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:59.280
have 10 students shadowing their summer school program next week and several of these students are additional RPA students as well. Placement numbers continue to evolve as family meetings are completed and enrollment decisions are finalized. 290 Rock Street administrators are

89
00:23:59.280 --> 00:24:15.200
returning from summer vacations and the focus remains on holding student and parent meetings to discuss the options so that all students are committed by the middle of August. In regard to staffing, uh the staffing efforts for the redesign programs at 290 Rock continue to move forward. Key

90
00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:30.240
leadership, counseling, behavioral support, and operational positions have been filled. Recommendations have been made for several instructional positions at this point in time. As well, current recruitment efforts are focused on filling the remaining instructional vacancies, including several core

91
00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:45.840
academic teaching positions, special education teachers, and par profofessional positions as well. So, we will continue this work on an ongoing basis, but that is a key focus of the administrators in the building currently. And as it relates to the education task force that we are looking

92
00:24:45.840 --> 00:25:03.559
to launch, our goal is to launch the task force on Thursday, August 6th. And emails to a range of community partners and stakeholders will go out by tomorrow so that folks can save the date to be able to join us for the launch meeting on Thursday, August 6th.

93
00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:20.880
Uh Mr. Monus, >> now at 290 Rock, how are the students uh they using the same entrance? Um Evolving >> the Evolve is right now slated for the front of the building and we have RPA students coming in on the June Street side of the building.

94
00:25:20.880 --> 00:25:37.919
>> So Rock Street entrance for Evolve and the June Street side for the Evolve Stu for the RPA students. >> Doesn't the maintenance use the that June Street side >> on one side maintenance uses on another side? They don't because there's two entrances in the back >> and how we and how we um taking care of

95
00:25:37.919 --> 00:25:54.320
security on that end of it. >> We'll work with uh the director of security to be able to place staff accordingly around the building um to be able to cover all of the entrances. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And I have a question. There used to be

96
00:25:54.320 --> 00:26:10.080
a staff member at RPA called a re-engagement specialist. Is that still on the books, Amy, or is that person not around? that position doesn't ring a bell from the budget season. >> All right, we'll talk later, but it was it was there before. Okay, thank you, Mr.

97
00:26:10.080 --> 00:26:27.360
>> So, I I would like to get the whatever you just said in writing. We have received nothing since end of June. So, trying to follow along with some of the numbers, so if I'm a little off on it, I apologize, but I thought you said something about there's 128 students and at one time we were

98
00:26:27.360 --> 00:26:45.840
talking 60. Are you talking about RPA or Evolve? >> I thought she said RPA, but I I'm just trying to make sure I'm making sense of the numbers. I thought >> 128 students at RPA and 123 28 128 at RPA and 123 at Evolve currently.

99
00:26:45.840 --> 00:27:02.559
>> Right. But when we were talking about whether what we were going to do with the programs, the number 60 was was told to in Dr. Smith, myself, and I think the committee >> I think 60 was the number at one point we were referencing who had not made an

100
00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:18.000
interest at that time because the data that we were presenting in early June was the students interest data to the school of choice and I believe if I'm not mistaken 60 was the number of students we had not yet received a commitment from. >> So how many kids last year were in the

101
00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:33.360
building in RPA? I I want to say it was limited >> and at one I think the high was around 170 >> but we were told that they were not in the actual building. >> They were registered they were

102
00:27:33.360 --> 00:27:48.960
registered at RPA. So we had 170 I think the high number and I don't have that data in front of me but I think the high enrollment was at 170 students on the books at RPA. >> Yeah. just to the superintendent. These numbers are definitely different than what we were

103
00:27:48.960 --> 00:28:04.159
told a month ago. So, I just like a full report on that as well as any other questions that have been asked in the past. >> Thank you. I yield. >> Mr. Corey, >> so Dr. Brian Hod. Um, along the lines of safety and security at at that building,

104
00:28:04.159 --> 00:28:21.919
h are you guys working on a map between uh the students and RPA and >> we actually have a floor plan that has already been developed and we will share that with you in the Friday snapshot, but there is a floor plan that is developed that includes the walk that we just described around the doors and the

105
00:28:21.919 --> 00:28:39.440
entrances and the exits to ensure safety and two ways out of each floor based on the side of the building that the kids are intended to be on. >> And as far as the auditorium is concerned, uh is there a security plan to secure the auditorium so that the murals are stay intact and we're putting

106
00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:55.840
new seats in the auditorium. Is that correct? >> So the auditorium we do we um as part of the donation from Diamond Regional, we have their uh seating um that was located in the um in their building. Um the building the the room itself is

107
00:28:55.840 --> 00:29:12.159
secure now. So no one's in and out of that particular area. Uh and until we get it um ready for public viewing um it'll it'll remain that way. So no one's in and out and and the murals are protected. Yes. >> Thanks. Because we want to preserve the murals as you know as a historical

108
00:29:12.159 --> 00:29:27.919
artifact. Thank you. I yield. >> One more observation. >> Mr. Agger. >> Just um just going to matter of fact speak. This school committee knows nothing of what was just said.

109
00:29:27.919 --> 00:29:42.799
That's the problem. It's one of the problems that we have with communication. >> I I didn't hear me. >> This committee knows nothing of the auditorium seats being removed or donated by diamond or anything else. There seems to be a lack

110
00:29:42.799 --> 00:29:59.520
of communication from the administration to the school committee. So that we shouldn't find out on the stage at a meeting that there's plans for that. I think it's a great thing. I do think it's something nice. Just the problem is is we don't we're the last ones to get notified and it's not your fault. This

111
00:29:59.520 --> 00:30:16.159
has been a consistent pattern. And all I'm saying is as a matter of fact that it's not appropriate for us to be learning new data, new information and things like that on the stage at a public meeting. I yield. >> I I I do want to correct you there. I I believe I talked about the seats at one

112
00:30:16.159 --> 00:30:32.240
of the other meetings, Mr. Rag. Yeah, >> we did. Yeah, I did. >> I knew about Yeah, we I told us I told you that Diamond had offered the seats to us and uh some of the summer work people were going to be doing the installation, but I don't I don't know. >> I don't believe they've been donated yet. Have they been donated or is this

113
00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:47.360
just conversation? >> No. >> So, the so the seats have been moved. We just finished the last seats yesterday, moving them out of Diamond. Yeah. >> What we've done, what the plan is is to put together the inventory of what we've received from Diamond. Both desks,

114
00:30:47.360 --> 00:31:05.360
chairs, teacher desk, teacher chairs, and the auditorium seats is the main crux of what the donation was. We do have some tables. Um, we received some donations from the LPN program from Diamond um that was is relocating out of

115
00:31:05.360 --> 00:31:22.559
its current location and uh we will put together that entire list of donations along with another list of donations um that we received from a u a city business and those will be on the next school committee agenda. >> Okay.

116
00:31:22.559 --> 00:31:38.799
Um summer facility update. >> Mr. D. >> Oh, Mr. D. Mr. Um, Mr. Pico, just answer my question with the last comment you made. >> I got one more comment, >> Mr. So, we did I do recall when we talked about potentially moving the RPA

117
00:31:38.799 --> 00:31:54.880
students to um the back of the pay center and in your presentation of whatever you had prepared to try to shoot that down even though you said you didn't know about it, you did mention something about some seats getting nothing was formal to this committee

118
00:31:54.880 --> 00:32:10.480
from the superintendent or Mr. Pico related to the seats or whatever's at diamond. There's bigger issues in that uh auditorium than just putting the new seats in. And it's been locked for a long time for a reason. And at that time after that meeting, I asked for the

119
00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:27.120
information about asbestous reports, about mold, about any of these other things. And I still to this day still haven't received it. But the point is the school committee should be involved in some of these discussions and they weren't. I yielded. >> I I do want to correct you. I did not I

120
00:32:27.120 --> 00:32:44.080
was not prepared for anything related to the alternative school. That was dropped on me that night out of the blue. I had no presentation prepared. Um sorry to disappoint you, but that was all off the cuff. >> Oh, great. >> All right. So, you're requesting things that again I will work with my team, but I just want to be clear. These are

121
00:32:44.080 --> 00:33:00.080
things you're asking for. Asbestos report. Can I have a list of what you're looking for? I I'm not aware. I'll have to look back. refer I just would refer you back madam superintendent to my email dated June 24th and the three follow-up emails since Thank you.

122
00:33:00.080 --> 00:33:18.159
>> I the day after the meeting is when I asked you for some of this information and it was June 23rd was our meeting. So on June 24th is when I sent the relating to the facility itself and the facilities. Correct. >> Okay. How about the summer facility update?

123
00:33:18.159 --> 00:33:35.519
>> Okay. U Mr. Pico. >> Sure. So we have um 17 active construction projects, 16 active, one uh which is the green energy um renewal project. We do have some um couple of snags on on uh on

124
00:33:35.519 --> 00:33:50.799
the paper side of that project that we're working through, but that project will be um very shortly um started. Uh of the 17 projects we have, it's 10 different buildings. um two big

125
00:33:50.799 --> 00:34:07.279
playground construction projects and we do have 77 classroom moves, some internal and some external moves uh from school to school and some within the schools themselves. Uh those the work and and I'll just highlight a couple of them. One of the projects, playground

126
00:34:07.279 --> 00:34:24.159
projects is the um the inside courtyard area at Henry Lord which is currently start it started actually today. Um, with that work, uh, there's a crane in the back of the building that's lifting everything in and out of that particular

127
00:34:24.159 --> 00:34:39.440
playground as it's being built. Uh, the second playground is at the ELC uh, in the, uh, turnaround in the back of the building. Um, we have a half playground being built there for trikes and bikes, uh, which was on the agenda

128
00:34:39.440 --> 00:34:58.160
at the last meeting. We also have um as part of the major projects uh the ELC lots of work at ELC uh creating extra classrooms putting some uh floors in um a lot of uh in-house labor at um ELC uh

129
00:34:58.160 --> 00:35:14.000
providing that particular work uh Varus we have some work in the library um 290 Rock Street the work that we had talked about as far as access doors and control uh doors If I could just go back for one second.

130
00:35:14.000 --> 00:35:29.680
Um, the donations are happening and and the reason why they're happening at this particular time is Diamond's ready to do the demo. So, we had to get some of this stuff out relatively quickly. They had to put some of these things together um

131
00:35:29.680 --> 00:35:45.520
with our own people and with one um mover for the um for the auditorium chairs. There are no chairs installed. Everything is at the um at the 367 um address Ray Street which is Pace. So

132
00:35:45.520 --> 00:36:02.240
all of the stuff that's been donated is there. Um we do have what we asked for. There was some additional stuff uh from both uh places where the donations came from. And that complete report will be on the next uh meeting. As part of uh the playground, we um I'm sorry, the

133
00:36:02.240 --> 00:36:19.520
projects. We have Henry Lord um receiving some work on the inside of the building. Doran uh we have some classrooms that we're building. Spencer Bordon some office space and uh classroom renovations. We do have um some work at stone now that uh ELC is

134
00:36:19.520 --> 00:36:34.560
moving out of stone. Uh we have some classroom work that we need to do in the lower level there. Uh Talbot has some work in classrooms that we're working on. Um and uh Watson is uh we're renewing a a security area in Watson to

135
00:36:34.560 --> 00:36:52.280
allow um um for uh better access to that building. And again, as I mentioned before, the green project, which is um a total of about $3.2 million worth of uh energy related um equipment,

136
00:36:52.480 --> 00:37:08.400
the Oh, absolutely. I'm sorry about that, though. So, there is one more. the WY school. We're emptying the WY so that um the city can start showing that property um for resale. We do have uh quite a bit of um stuff that's been taken out, but we also have quite a bit

137
00:37:08.400 --> 00:37:24.320
of um of stuff that we've salvaged from that building. a lot of file cabinets, uh some uh tables, chairs, um desks, um and um those supplies have been moved also to uh 367 Ray Street so that we can

138
00:37:24.320 --> 00:37:39.440
distribute those across the district. The hope is to have the wy um ready um by u mid August. >> Mr. Chair, >> Mr. Oh, sorry, one more. Sorry. Um the Morton uh power washing. So, we are

139
00:37:39.440 --> 00:37:57.880
washing the outside of Morton, uh, which was something we had planned, um, back in March, and, uh, we needed the building to be empty. We also did some painting on the fencing, railing, and, um, other items at, um, at Morton.

140
00:37:58.079 --> 00:38:14.000
>> Mr. Dice, >> thank you. Um, on the WY school, this committee took a vote, I'd like to say maybe a year ago, to um, transfer the property back to the city. Yes. >> When the school committee took that vote, that's not autom that's not an automatic switch over to the city

141
00:38:14.000 --> 00:38:30.480
immediately. >> It's in the it's I I mean the vote was taken. So switching over to the city. It was our responsibility when I was on the city side. I inherited all of the mess that was left for me. Um so I am cleaning up the school department mess

142
00:38:30.480 --> 00:38:46.720
and then we will turn it over to the city um empty as opposed to what I received when I went over to the city side. So I guess just in terms of of a procedure aspect, school committee takes a vote, turn it over to the city. Is there something that needs to be signed off either by yourself, the

143
00:38:46.720 --> 00:39:03.680
superintendent at the time to turn that building over to the city once the we take the vote um the building was voted to move back to the city by the committee. >> That's the as far as the school committee um piece needs to be done. So

144
00:39:03.680 --> 00:39:20.079
it it technically is on the city side. We do have clean up to do on the property on the outside and also uh finishing up on the inside to remove um all of the items that we used in that put in that building for storage. So it was one building that we used top to bottom for storage.

145
00:39:20.079 --> 00:39:36.240
>> Was is the building I really don't know the answer to this question. Was the building is the building currently winterized? >> The building has no water connected to it and and the um the electricity is on but that is it. So my my question is whether it's a small amount, whether

146
00:39:36.240 --> 00:39:53.440
it's a large bill, we did we receive over the past year after our vote any bills from the city for utilities um or from electric company whatnot. >> We would have um a cso bill that would have been from the day that would have

147
00:39:53.440 --> 00:40:09.520
had to been prorated while we owned it until the day we turned it over by this committee vote. >> I yield. >> And that's on the C uh on the uh CSO. Thank you. >> Uh, Miss Stewart, >> as far as WY goes, we've also been paying the storm water fee for a couple thousand dollars for the year, too. I

148
00:40:09.520 --> 00:40:24.160
only just learned that because I signed it and I was asking the question on I didn't know that we still had WY, but we still pay the storm water fee, which is a couple hundred a quarter, >> but Mr. Piggo said it's prrated and it is the >> So, it will be prrated. I I I'm sure

149
00:40:24.160 --> 00:40:40.079
that the bill came through in for a full year. Um, that bill would need to be prrated on our side. >> Yes. >> Okay. Okay. Also, Morton, we have no sign on the front of the building. >> So, right after the power wash, the the letters will be put up over the main

150
00:40:40.079 --> 00:40:54.480
entrance. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Uh, summer facility update he just gave us. And last is the state budget. Oh, >> can we just get a uh through the superintendent the list that Mr. Pico was reading off? So, we typically get one that we can just review on our own

151
00:40:54.480 --> 00:41:11.359
and ask questions afterwards. Thank you. Yes. >> State budget update. >> Um Scott, are you going to do an update on the technology as part of the facility? >> I'll keep this brief. Um technology

152
00:41:11.359 --> 00:41:27.520
along with operations is putting most of their efforts this summer into the Conley project. Uh all the work is being done in house. Uh second floor, we needed to run new phone lines to each classroom. Each classroom now has a wireless access point as well as

153
00:41:27.520 --> 00:41:43.599
security cameras on the second floor. Um the interactive panels were ordered at the end of last fiscal year. Um they hope to arrive third week of August. Um, and the big piece on the Connley project

154
00:41:43.599 --> 00:41:58.000
is we're waiting for the permitting for Crown Castle to get our dock fiber over across Ellsbury Street to connect that building in as well so that we'll be able to turn off the Comcast connection that currently resides at that building.

155
00:41:58.000 --> 00:42:14.160
Um, we are in very good shape at Conley right now. Um, we also have some other district-wide things going on. Laterno and Watson. Um we are replacing the card readers so that we can again um get them

156
00:42:14.160 --> 00:42:30.160
all in line with the new Vicada system. Um we have all of the junior technicians and some of the summer interns going through and wiping down Chromebooks, repairing where necessary. We are in the process of procuring a new

157
00:42:30.160 --> 00:42:46.960
PA system for the Talbet Middle School that will be installed inhouse as well. Um, I am finalizing the -ate um, piece for this school year. Um, you all received where we're going to go with that. We're going to be replacing

158
00:42:46.960 --> 00:43:04.400
networking equipment this year at Morton because it's the older um, equipment in the fleet. So, that should start to begin around October, November. Um, we will be expanding the network at 290 Rock Street. Um the network there is maxed

159
00:43:04.400 --> 00:43:20.720
out. So we'll be um adding a network closet on the fourth floor as well as adding an additional one in the basement. Um that will all be done in house as well. Um we will be also adding two network closets at the Henry Lord School. Henry Lord is the only building

160
00:43:20.720 --> 00:43:37.119
in our fleet that has one closet for the whole school. Um so we're going to bring that um to current 2026 technology. We will have a um closet down in the auditorium area and then one up on the second floor so that we're able to expand cameras, access points, phones

161
00:43:37.119 --> 00:43:53.040
where necessary. Um and then another big piece that we're working on um is the uh visitor management software by Raptor. Uh we had demoed it. So now if an individual comes into a school building, their ID is scanned, it prints them out

162
00:43:53.040 --> 00:44:10.400
an ID and it has a time little stop sign on there. So, if the individual says they're here for a 35m minute IEP meeting, it'll turn red and say stop. So, a staff member can stop the person in the hall if they got lost or such. And it also is doing a quick background check on the person coming into the

163
00:44:10.400 --> 00:44:26.960
building so we don't have to allow entrance um to that individual to the building. Um so, that is going to roll out districtwide. We're going to start at the high school because that is where the most visitors flow in and out of. Uh, but I will work closely with uh, Mr.

164
00:44:26.960 --> 00:44:44.400
Ventura and my team to get all of the systems out there. Uh, we intend to have the high school up and running for day one and we will be bringing the middle schools on for the start of September and then the elementary schools as we get further into the school year. Um,

165
00:44:44.400 --> 00:44:58.560
and then the last piece that I'll give you some information on is um, the SIMS team is working on schedules, enrollment numbers, getting ready to roll over for the new year, uh, Mr. Michael Azac and his team as well as

166
00:44:58.560 --> 00:45:15.680
the redistricting piece. Um, so as Dr. Smith said before, the numbers are fluid. Um, I will share with Dr. Smith for a Friday email, we do have a document that shows historical data from school year 1920 to present. Um Brian is texting me uh some of the information.

167
00:45:15.680 --> 00:45:31.880
So we'll forward that off so you'll all have some historical, you know, a look at those pieces. Um and other than that, we're just continuing with the technology as we do every summer to make sure that everyone is ready for the start of the school year.

168
00:45:32.480 --> 00:45:49.440
>> Thank you, Mr. Cor. >> Mr. Angia, >> you mentioned schedules. Uh you mentioned schedules and uh things rolling over and the like. What is the timeline for all uh schools to have their master schedule done? >> Um, so we were hoping for uh sometime in

169
00:45:49.440 --> 00:46:05.280
July, but I believe that Mr. Michael is hoping for the second week of August to be pretty close to his finish line. He every year uses an analogy of he starts in Massachusetts and makes his way to the West Coast. He's somewhere in the

170
00:46:05.280 --> 00:46:22.319
middle of the country right now with his analogy and his team. We're just waiting for administrators to get back so that they can clean some stuff up in their schedules and we'll do the rollover and then you'll start to see all that info flow >> and the administration concurs with that. So by August 14th all master

171
00:46:22.319 --> 00:46:39.359
schedules will be complete. >> I don't know that they'll be 100% complete because don't forget they get completed we make changes. So he's hoping that the bulk of the heavy lift >> I'm really not asking for the technology side more instructionally. We've always had for years now, we've had, oh,

172
00:46:39.359 --> 00:46:55.920
there's a certain deadline and then it's last minute and we're rushing around to try to figure out why don't we have schedules. And then we always say, well, why can't we do this? And then last year, we were told by the administration, we were going to tell the principles, don't you're not going on vacation or anywhere else until it's done. So that it's done. And then it

173
00:46:55.920 --> 00:47:12.079
never happened because inevitably the end of August, we're just still trying to figure out master schedules. So now it's the not so much on the SIMS and technology side, but on the functional side of being in a school, there's got to be a a date certain that principles

174
00:47:12.079 --> 00:47:28.800
have been told your schedule's got to be done by X date. >> I'll I'll work with Mr. Reposi and we'll get an update to you. >> Anybody know? Is there a date certain? >> We'll have an update as soon as possible.

175
00:47:28.800 --> 00:47:44.160
>> Thank you. And just curious, the date certain last year was when and this wasn't done. >> We were told that it was I'm paraphrasing, but it was around the time of before everyone goes away like you get your schedule done like not 100% but

176
00:47:44.160 --> 00:48:00.240
like 98% done before they left and then so you're not chasing people in the summer trying to figure out who's here and who's there. That in my knowledge did not happen. So then I believe that there should be a date certain on when it's expected so that at least once it's

177
00:48:00.240 --> 00:48:16.800
ready to turn over with SIMS and whoever else it can actually flow. >> But we were really last minute for the past several years. >> Okay. >> In addition, we also had another issue with master schedules where we used to have to pay people consultant fees to actually create the master schedule

178
00:48:16.800 --> 00:48:32.720
which I hope is not happening anymore. >> Thank you. Are you >> the state budget update, Dr. Smith? Yes. Uh, a couple of things have happened. Uh, you know, we received a report around July 10th, uh, again from our association, MASS. I'm sure you're aware

179
00:48:32.720 --> 00:48:48.800
that the minimum aid was $160, uh, dollars per pupil. There has been additional money. I believe it's about 100 million for aid to education. So, we'll watch that process. That being said, I thought it was interesting. We received a letter today also talking about municipalities. Mayor, you may

180
00:48:48.800 --> 00:49:04.240
have received the same letter. >> I did. And it talks about the administration, the governor, the lieutenant governor looking at the rising cost, as we all know, of health care, of education, of public safety, of infrastructure, you know, supporting our schools. Uh, also the uncertainty at

181
00:49:04.240 --> 00:49:19.440
this time about a lot of our federal grants. So, budgeting has been difficult. We're going to watch those numbers very carefully. I'm pleased to see that they're going to be looking at the Foundation Budget Review Commission again, bringing it back. you will know that that happened back I want to say in

182
00:49:19.440 --> 00:49:37.200
2013 2014 they spent a number of years they finally uh passed the student opportunity act in September of 2019 we actually talked in our retreat about our goal of advocacy not only with our urban counterparts also with our south coastal

183
00:49:37.200 --> 00:49:52.800
counterparts and putting together because you are kind of the big kid on the block around here meaning Fall River with a lot of the small towns hosting a breakfast bringing in our legisl ators to put together a legislative advocacy agenda to talk about the support that we

184
00:49:52.800 --> 00:50:09.839
need for our multil- language learners, for our special needs students, looking at circuit breaker, looking at transportation. So, make no mistake about it. It's important for us to lead and to make sure that, you know, we're speaking to our counterparts, school committee, superintendent, as I said,

185
00:50:09.839 --> 00:50:25.200
and holding our elected officials accountable to do what they can to bring funding to schools. The other thing uh and I see you Mr. Dice. Let me just finish on the numbers. Um also your circuit breaker is funded uh at 75% and I believe transportation

186
00:50:25.200 --> 00:50:42.079
or the reimbursement is 68%. I'm looking at you Aldo. >> 67.5. >> Thank you. So 67.5. So again just to kind of give you an update as we watch for the state budget to be finalized. Sorry. >> Thank you Mr. Das. >> Thank you. I know my colleague, the vice

187
00:50:42.079 --> 00:50:59.119
chair, um has on several occasions has brought to the administration's attention the um usage of a legislative breakfast. I know myself when I was chair of um parent and community outreach last year, we made a referral to the full committee and the committee

188
00:50:59.119 --> 00:51:16.960
voted to have a legislative breakfast. Unfortunately, it wasn't um fulfilled by the administration. My question is for for you superintendent, do you need any direction from the committee or is this something that's in the works to have in the near future? >> Well, my plan would be to again we are

189
00:51:16.960 --> 00:51:33.359
part of the urban superintendence network. We're part of South Coastal. So, I will bring that uh and I would like to be able to if you want to approve us to host it. You know, like I said, you know, we're one of obviously the larger city, you know, in southeastern Massachusetts here. So,

190
00:51:33.359 --> 00:51:49.440
we'd like to be able to invite uh you know, our counterparts to take place in that. Also, and I think I've talked about this previously, our own advocacy with I talked about state of the schools with our city council. So, that'll be my plan. I'll continue to talk about that. I'm talking to my communications

191
00:51:49.440 --> 00:52:05.680
director about making sure that we're putting together from each of our schools our each school individually, each department, so that we can take a look as we plan for the budget, not only with our new CFO to come up with a calendar of dates and expectations, but

192
00:52:05.680 --> 00:52:21.839
also to go before city council, talk about a state of the schools address. I'd like to do that before the end of November. also like to have opportunities before we go into budget season to sit with our uh city council and and again just to start to talk about some of the challenges. We'll start to see some of the figures coming

193
00:52:21.839 --> 00:52:37.839
up before we actually go into our budget season. >> I I think just to add to that as well, I think u we have a policy on the books where we designate every year a member of the committee to um serve as the legislative liaison or it doesn't necessarily have to be a member of the

194
00:52:37.839 --> 00:52:53.200
committee. However, I think it's important that you have a member of the committee um be the school committee's representative if you're sending out letters, if you're advocating for um for different initiatives to come here. So, u maybe at

195
00:52:53.200 --> 00:53:08.559
some point I think we need to take that vote to appoint someone again in the near future, but I think it's something I think it's a a role the school committee and the administration hasn't really taken that seriously over the last few years, and I think it's something that'll be beneficial. I

196
00:53:08.559 --> 00:53:24.559
yield. >> Mr. Aguia, >> you mentioned the $und00 million that was discussed. What is it exactly are we going to get from that? >> I believe it's $112 you're looking at per student. I don't think it's complete. >> It'sund $112 per student. There's

197
00:53:24.559 --> 00:53:40.400
roughly a million students in the state. So, that's where the governor has put legislation in. I've been doing my research to find out whether it'll be added to chapter 70, so we'll have it every single year or whether it'll be a one-time uh payment. So far, it looks like it's a one-time payment, but I'm really hoping that they add it to

198
00:53:40.400 --> 00:53:55.920
Chapter 70 becomes a permanent part of our budget. >> And I thought I heard something about minimum aid, like the changing the formula for minimum aid, but we're not a minimum aid uh district, are we? This is above that. >> We don't want to see that. We don't want to see it go to minimum aid because we're not we won't receive anything.

199
00:53:55.920 --> 00:54:11.440
>> No, this is above that K. This is another set of money >> minimum aid. They are changing though. I believe you're right. >> But I thought at the same I I press release or whatever it said we're coming up with a supplemental of 100 million >> and it was going to

200
00:54:11.440 --> 00:54:27.280
be middle, you know. So, um I would just like to make sure that before we >> before we count the uh money or use it that we actually get it because lately there's been a history of we have press conferences to say we're going to bring money in and then there really isn't

201
00:54:27.280 --> 00:54:43.839
money but we we still we don't come back and say that >> correct if it does come through it's about 1.4 million. >> So >> how much would it be? >> It'll be about 1.4 million if it comes through as separate aid. If they put it on minimum aid, I don't think we'll see anything.

202
00:54:43.839 --> 00:55:00.160
>> And you're saying that they are doing which do you know? Did they advocate like is there any kind of >> further info or is the mayor saying in my Yeah, he's saying it's above it's not minimum aid. So I >> I was told it was different than minimum aid, but how it is.

203
00:55:00.160 --> 00:55:16.000
>> It hasn't gone through the Senate. It hasn't gone through the House. It's a proposal 100 million that the governor wants to give back to the school students in Massachusetts. So, let's see where it ends up because it >> it says flexible education funding for school districts, >> right? So, to to your point, a

204
00:55:16.000 --> 00:55:33.040
colleague's point, now is the time for us to be advocating with a letter and meetings with our local people to say if you do it as minimum aid, we get zero. Not just sit back and wait and let's see what happens. Because if we do that, we could get zero. >> Right. It sounds like since there's roughly a million students in the state

205
00:55:33.040 --> 00:55:49.359
and the governor announced there'll be a hund00 million, it sounds like everyone's getting it. >> Mhm. >> But we have to wait and see what they pass. >> I guess my question to the superintendent is how we adv you get what I'm saying? Like >> I do we can certainly put together a letter >> something to say let's just not let us

206
00:55:49.359 --> 00:56:04.480
just like they do with transportation. They'll add money to regional school transportation and we get zero. So like that's the same type of theory. We can't complain that we don't get it when they say they're going to have money and we just say, "Okay, give it to everybody else." But not to us. Like, we have to

207
00:56:04.480 --> 00:56:20.000
be more uh aggressive and active in my opinion. I yield. Thank you, >> Mr. Cory. It's u it's it's pleasing to me, Dr. Smith, that you um raise more awareness about it's time to advocate now. And I'm in line with that. and I

208
00:56:20.000 --> 00:56:35.520
realized just how much you worked uh in the past toward the student opportunity act in 218 219. Uh we did also here in Fall River. We had a very strong delegation >> and uh I really would like to see I

209
00:56:35.520 --> 00:56:51.200
haven't heard anything clear coming out of the state legislature uh in in regards to maybe the continuence of such aid, but I really would like to start advocating loudly for it. And I'm very pleased that you proposed that tonight.

210
00:56:51.200 --> 00:57:06.000
I'll be in full support. >> Thank you. >> One more comment. >> We I know it's we're talking about state budget, but we're talking about the retreat and advocacy and the like. At the same time, the city is not immune from this conversation as well. So, we advocated as a school committee. We

211
00:57:06.000 --> 00:57:21.680
voted for 101% of that school spending just like we're advocating to the state because we have needs. The same thing would be to the city. we have to be just as aggressive with the city relative to 101% or more than just the bare minimum for funding and that we just can't forget about the city and it yield. Thank you.

212
00:57:21.680 --> 00:57:39.520
>> Okay, last uh thank you uh Dr. Smith. I don't know what we have to do with this. This was a travel request that ended four days ago. Motion I have a motion to approve >> to accept and place on file. >> Second. >> I have a motion and a second. All in favor? >> I

213
00:57:39.520 --> 00:57:55.920
chairman number five. >> I'm sorry. Approval of minutes. >> There is no There is no >> number five. >> The agenda. >> The agenda. There's no minutes on there. >> There's no minutes. Uh >> the um only question I would say I know we took a voice because this is an awkward It came in after.

214
00:57:55.920 --> 00:58:11.440
>> But technically speaking, if we're going to approve travel, we should verify that with a vote now just to say approve their travel. So I make a motion. >> Let's give it a roll call. Mr. uh discussion. >> Do I have a second? >> There is a second already. >> Oh, there's already a second. Mr. guys.

215
00:58:11.440 --> 00:58:28.079
>> Thank you. So, just just want to make it clear from this before I go into my comments. I'm not opposed to this um travel request at all. And I and I saw the um the um news coverage on it and I saw what what it was about and this was this is something great that's for the

216
00:58:28.079 --> 00:58:44.000
fall public schools. My issue is and something we need to take a look at is the policy. If there's something that comes in in the ranks like in before we can have a school committee meeting and we approve it, there needs to be something in the policy that allows the

217
00:58:44.000 --> 00:59:00.720
administration to just go ahead because my issue as one member, if we start allowing the administration just to send us an email asking us to approve these travel requests in an email or just approve without formal approval of the committee, we tend to go into a slippery

218
00:59:00.720 --> 00:59:16.160
slope if we we need to expect the administration to follow the small policies as we would expect them to follow the major policies. Um I made that um clear in an email. My only question on this um travel request. So I know this it says on here that ever

219
00:59:16.160 --> 00:59:32.559
since could be covered by the organization organization is going to be covered by the organization. We've been told that in the past and that hasn't always been the reality. So, with that being said, there's nothing that's going to show up in the warrants in a month or two from now in terms of food or

220
00:59:32.559 --> 00:59:48.240
anything that that's not covered by the Smithsonian that we're aware of. And I just so I'm clear, we're clear, I did ask this question in a um Sunday night email. Just so we're clear. >> Continue. >> May I respond, >> Mr. Aguil?

221
00:59:48.240 --> 01:00:04.079
>> Yeah. Just uh I would agree with Mr. Das on trial and policy. This particular case though, I do think was different. This came in after our meeting of the 23rd to no fault of anyone. Nobody was hiding it. Nobody was hid doing anything. So out of respect to the committee, which I appreciate, they

222
01:00:04.079 --> 01:00:20.160
asked us to just say it what do we should we do? I responded right away saying yes, as long as it was not just held, you know, in obeyance for whatever reason. This was sort of an awkward situation. But I concur that we should follow policy. In this case, I'm supporting it and I did before because

223
01:00:20.160 --> 01:00:35.920
of the timing. It was just a timing mechanism and we have to allow some flexibility for some of these uh programs. Last minute you get a grant, you're going to send four teachers to training or whatever, go for it is the way I say it. Just don't do it. Uh forget to put it in. Don't do it. That's

224
01:00:35.920 --> 01:00:51.440
not what this is. This was a timing mechanism. So that's why I'm supporting it. Thank you, >> Mr. Das. >> Um separate from I think there's two separate. So separate from this, just so we're clear, there's nothing this is all covered by the Smithsonian. There's nothing that's going to show up in the

225
01:00:51.440 --> 01:01:07.760
warrants that is contrary to this agenda. >> Yeah. The only thing, if I may, the only thing I'm aware of is I know that this particular travel included I believe breakfast and lunch. I don't think dinner was included for this particular travel. So, I can follow up with the team. Um, you know, Dr. Smith, that

226
01:01:07.760 --> 01:01:22.880
would be >> and that's that's fine. I would just say going forward for transparency purposes it should say there's a $40 stipen per day per meal just so we're all kept in the loop I >> Yep. >> All right. Can we call the role on the approval? >> Sure. >> Mr.

227
01:01:22.880 --> 01:01:37.119
>> Yes. >> Mr. D. >> Yes. >> Mr. Corey. >> Mr. Monus. >> Yes. >> M Riley. >> Yes. >> Miss Stewart. >> Yes. >> May. >> Yes. Acknowledgement of donations. Item number six. >> Motion to approve. I have a motion to

228
01:01:37.119 --> 01:01:53.760
approve all four donations. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> I have a motion to second. Um before the superintendent reads them. Um >> Deb, call the role on that just to be sure. >> Mr. AA? >> Yes. >> Mr. D? >> Yes. >> Mr. Corey. >> Mr. Monus?

229
01:01:53.760 --> 01:02:09.760
>> Yes. >> Mr. Riley? >> Yes. >> Miss Stewart? >> Yes. >> Mayor Kogan? >> Yes. >> Do you want to read the donations or you want me to do it there, Dr. Smith? >> It's up to you, Mayor. I'm happy. >> Go right ahead. >> Okay. On behalf of the Green Elementary School, principal Elizabeth Dunn requests uh acknowledgement of 10

230
01:02:09.760 --> 01:02:26.240
children's bicycles valued at 530 a donation from My Brother's Keeper in North Dartmouth. This donation will be used as an intend attendance initiative to promote good attendance for students. Number two, on behalf of the Green Elementary School, principal uh Dr.

231
01:02:26.240 --> 01:02:42.720
Elizabeth Dunn requests acknowledgement of highquality English and Spanish supplemental literacy resources including fiction and non-fiction text sets and instructional needs. Uh a donation from Ian Abatasuk, a former New England representative for

232
01:02:42.720 --> 01:02:57.920
Okapi Educational Publishing. The donation will support multi multilingual learners and bilingual literacy instruction through the multilingual learner department. on behalf of the director of grants, uh, Derek Farus, requests acknowledgement of a free ride

233
01:02:57.920 --> 01:03:14.880
on the Fall River carousel and a small ice cream to, uh, each student, a donation from Red Oak Hospitality. This donation is to support the 21st century uh, learning cent's Battleship Cove uh, summer field trip we just talked about earlier. And on behalf of the health and

234
01:03:14.880 --> 01:03:30.160
physical education director Dan Fitzgerald requests acknowledgement of 20 bike helmets and seven handheld stop signs, a donation from Trudale Health Foundation and mass in motion. This donation will be used for students in Fall River Public Schools that need a

235
01:03:30.160 --> 01:03:46.640
bike helmet. The handheld stop signs are supplemental to the walking school bus issued uh stop signs. >> Thank you. Item number seven, approval of grants. We have four grants and we usually ask if anybody has a hold on any of those grants.

236
01:03:46.640 --> 01:04:01.920
>> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> I have a motion to approve all grants. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Unanimous. >> Approval of contracts. We have a number of contracts today. Um

237
01:04:01.920 --> 01:04:18.240
we our first batch are called grant contracts. We have >> hold cartwheel. >> Hold cartwheel. Okay. Holding number four, Mr. Aguia. >> Motion to approve the others. >> The other three. I have a motion. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> I have a motion, a second on the other

238
01:04:18.240 --> 01:04:34.319
three. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> opposed. Unanimous. Mr. Aguiar Cartwheel. >> My question I I saw some of the meeting on um uh the subcommittee meeting and I was a little confused with the amount of seats. We're adding seats, but we didn't

239
01:04:34.319 --> 01:04:53.839
use all the seats, but then we had carryover seats. Just looking for some clarity on um why we're adding more. >> Hi. Um so we are looking to purchase two 151 to 200 seats going into this school

240
01:04:53.839 --> 01:05:09.520
year. Over the last couple of years, we the first year in the contract with Cartwheel, we were able to roll over 25 seats that were not used. But this year, as we looked at the data, as well as through the end of the school year, we pushed out a parent request post and we

241
01:05:09.520 --> 01:05:26.559
saw a pretty large number of families request counseling support for their children heading into the summer. Uh so, as we enter the end of our contract this year, it is looking like we will be utilizing all of the seats in this year's contract as well as the ones that were rolled over. Um so, we are fully

242
01:05:26.559 --> 01:05:40.960
utilizing our contract this year, which is why we were looking for the increase going into next year. Um, as was mentioned in some of the backup, Cartwheel is also putting together a number of specific care groups. Um, those include the school avoidance

243
01:05:40.960 --> 01:05:58.000
program as well as, um, a program for our young elementary students who are struggling with dysregulation in classrooms. So, we really are excited knowing some of the challenges we've faced as a district that we will have a direct support in a specialized program through cartwheel in addition to the

244
01:05:58.000 --> 01:06:14.400
individual tutoring uh excuse me, individual counseling sessions as students needs arise over the course of the year. >> So, how many do we currently have? You're saying you're using them all like what is the >> uh 150 for this school year >> and that was the limit of

245
01:06:14.400 --> 01:06:29.359
>> what we had this year we paid for 150 or that's with the 25 Was that with the 25 or what are we >> That was with the 25. Yep. >> So I I wonder whether we're I mean it seemed like I from the parts I watched

246
01:06:29.359 --> 01:06:46.160
it the language piece I think was one of the most important parts for me which I thought was good. >> Um but I what I didn't hear was the um use of uh being sort of a last resort like when you can't find somebody that can do the counseling in your native

247
01:06:46.160 --> 01:07:03.039
language. I could understand that but it as I was watching it it appeared to me like as if this is sort of a first option rather than a last option. So if we can't >> primary option for us too because of the fact that counseling um appointments are a range of times they carry us through

248
01:07:03.039 --> 01:07:19.119
7:00 at night for families that need that support and don't have transportation as well as counseling appointments available on the weekends through the teleaalth model for families that are in need. So this service as well as the services that are local with all of our local organizations that we

249
01:07:19.119 --> 01:07:35.599
partner with um we are really looking to meet the needs of our kids and families. And so whether it's in person, cartwheel would not be the primary option for a family, but there are a range of needs for families that cartwheel has met the need and we want to be able to continue with that. So you're saying that as

250
01:07:35.599 --> 01:07:51.520
currently instituted, cotwheel as a district proposal is a primary option for counseling >> along with every other counseling organization within our community. >> Yeah, I I personally I I don't agree with that. I I think we have to utilize

251
01:07:51.520 --> 01:08:08.000
uh our local community partners first and then when there's some issues which there is definitely issues in this um you know in the need there's a need out there but at the same time it shouldn't be the primary resort to have cotwheel

252
01:08:08.000 --> 01:08:25.679
doing this. It should be a regular um agency or individuals or whatever it is. At the same time, we're paying them and then are they billing the insurance? >> Mhm. >> So, we pay them and they get paid billing. I didn't really see the backup on it, but like it might be in there,

253
01:08:25.679 --> 01:08:40.640
but >> there is an insurance component to it as well. >> So, when we're paying whatever the 975 is, what are what is that for? like what are if I'm if I have mass health and I go and call this number and I I sign up

254
01:08:40.640 --> 01:08:56.960
for weekly to uh counseling they're billing mass health for that service this is in addition we're paying them 97,000 for like overseeing it what is the I guess the breakdown of is it just for administrative stuff or is it actually for the

255
01:08:56.960 --> 01:09:13.120
>> for the immediate service as you know Mr. Agar across the counseling agencies. We do not have immediate service for all of our students as well as the extended hours. The programming cartwheel also has offered us the webinar series. So our families also engage across the

256
01:09:13.120 --> 01:09:27.759
webinar series which we have had a large number of families engaging in. Um they also have offered us proono spots within this contract. So for students who do not have insurance and are not eligible for Mass Health, we are able to leverage those counseling spots for

257
01:09:27.759 --> 01:09:44.799
those students and families as well. So there's been a range of family counseling as part of some of the school attendance uh and avoidance program pieces and the flexibility of the scheduling has been a primary need for for the families that have engaged in cartwheel. >> I'm just curious just where does the 975

258
01:09:44.799 --> 01:10:00.960
go? Is it just to pay? Do they have like a director or something that is like on call for us all the time? We meet monthly with them. So, we're we meet monthly with um Cartwheel to be able to review our data, review our conversion to care rates, and make sure that students and and families are continuing

259
01:10:00.960 --> 01:10:16.640
with the program and finding success. So, we do get a range of supports locally as well, >> but it's not but this 975 is not paying for the counseling, >> I guess, is I'm I'm just >> I believe there is a component to it, but I would have to get back to that specificity piece for you. >> So, it sounds like we need a breakdown

260
01:10:16.640 --> 01:10:32.960
of the 975. So when you contracted for these services the 975 covered can they give us a list of everything that it covers? >> I can provide a summary of the contract which was already shared as well but I can provide a summary of that. >> Yeah I just I really think it should be

261
01:10:32.960 --> 01:10:50.159
the last resort. The language I totally get and I think there's definitely a need for that. Uh first primary um we shouldn't be pushing forward with just going to this agent. Maybe we should push forward and and we're already doing that. I'm not meaning to say that we've not, but we have a lot of other services

262
01:10:50.159 --> 01:11:06.159
providers that are we pushing them like we push these. So like for instance, if you said we we reached out to Cartwheel and we did some I can't remember what you said like advocacy or trying to like reach out for to parents for cotwhe to get like call this number if you need counseling. Well, did we do that for

263
01:11:06.159 --> 01:11:22.960
family services, child and family? Did we do any of those? Like I I'm not just I'm not looking for an answer, but that's what I'm saying. or is it just Cotwheel is getting free reign to we're going to advertise Cotwheel for this online to uh counseling but what did we do for our local folks to to build those

264
01:11:22.960 --> 01:11:39.199
relationships in a similar fashion is my concern with that I yield >> thank you okay >> Mr. I'm sorry, Mr. Riley. >> Sure. I I'll just add another um benefit to Cartwheel is that it's telealth. Not all families have transportation and the

265
01:11:39.199 --> 01:11:56.080
ability to get to counseling. Um I have been on their webinars. I I do think it's more than what we're paying for that 94,000 is the professional learning they're giving your staff monthly in those case meetings that they have. it is that they oversee the program and make sure if we have a student that logs

266
01:11:56.080 --> 01:12:12.080
on and needs um erdo as their language, they're the ones who do the work to find a counselor who can speak that. So there there are administrative costs to them running the program. In the end, I think for the number of seats we have, Mr. Aguar, I think there are plenty of other kids

267
01:12:12.080 --> 01:12:28.960
who do in-person counseling. I do think this is a good option for those families who can't get to a place because they don't have transportation or that language barrier. I don't think it's a large number of seats that we're using. Um, and just I I didn't hear you mention it, but does our staff have access to

268
01:12:28.960 --> 01:12:44.640
cartwheel? >> We did not purchase the staff seats this year. Um, the last time that we did engage with the staff seats, um, we did not utilize all of them to the end and because we have the employee assistance program where counseling is also part of that, we chose not to invest in that. Um,

269
01:12:44.640 --> 01:13:02.640
>> I just know that's another option you were using. Yep. >> Sorry, I thank you. Anything further on cartwheel? >> Motion to approve. >> I have a motion. I have a motion, a second. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Um, one one oppose, Mr. Aguier.

270
01:13:02.640 --> 01:13:18.159
>> Next up, we have 25 miscellaneous contracts. >> Mr. uh, Das, I'm sorry. >> So, I'm placing holds on Buckley Elevator, Delta Elevator, NextGen Supply Group, Metropolitan Piping.

271
01:13:18.159 --> 01:13:33.040
>> Go slow. Um, oh, so you want the first four held. Okay, go ahead. >> Actually, the first six held. >> First six held. >> And then the two front lines contracts. >> Yep.

272
01:13:33.040 --> 01:13:50.800
>> And um that's it for miscellaneous um for all three old ones. Yes. >> Anybody have any other miscellaneous contracts? Which one? >> Parent Square. >> Parent Square. Okay, Mr. Stewart,

273
01:13:50.800 --> 01:14:06.400
>> I just have a question when we get to it. >> Any other holds right now, Miss Stewart? >> I just have a question on elevators. Why do we have a whole different one for Dery? >> Dery, we have two different elevator companies. Why do we have a whole different one for Dery?

274
01:14:06.400 --> 01:14:22.080
>> Dery elevators are a different company. So sometimes for us, sometimes >> when you're dealing with the manufacturer of the elevator >> and a service company that's dealing with that manufacturer, the cost savings on the parts are normally there. So if

275
01:14:22.080 --> 01:14:38.640
we go with generic, which some of our buildings generic is okay, um then we wouldn't go to that n that national brand, so to speak. Um but with Dery um being the newest building, the technology in those elevators um I'm

276
01:14:38.640 --> 01:14:54.880
best fed with um with a person who is doing that work. >> Okay. And then I have another question. We get a lot of service done for our elevators. I sign a lot of stuff for elevators. How what's the process that they go like is it a monthly check? Is it just whenever there's something

277
01:14:54.880 --> 01:15:10.320
broke? So some work is some work is um is preventive maintenance um and some work is uh based on elevator inspections. So part of this is elevator inspections also they have to be present for an elevator inspection along with

278
01:15:10.320 --> 01:15:24.719
quite a few other people for each state um elevator inspection and then some of it is depending on age some equipment wears different and different parts. So elevator um elevator bills as you've

279
01:15:24.719 --> 01:15:42.480
seen um can range from a small 15700 all the way to major parts which could be in the thousands um to repair. However, most elevators and most repairs are much cheaper than replacement. Uh, and then

280
01:15:42.480 --> 01:15:58.320
going down. A building like Dery has quite a few elevators, but there are buildings we have that only have one elevator. And it's it's paramount that we have contracts in place so that we have a set amount of time that they need to respond when we call them.

281
01:15:58.320 --> 01:16:14.719
>> And do they usually are they pretty good with come when we need them? >> They so all of them follow that time frame, which is how these projects usually get bid. And in uh state contract situations, it's part of their state contract. Okay, I yield. >> Thank you. Okay, so we have the first

282
01:16:14.719 --> 01:16:31.280
held I mean the first six are held are Mr. Das, Mr. Aguar, Parent Square, and two front lines. >> Motion to approve the others. Motion second. >> I have a motion to second on the others. Um all in favor?

283
01:16:31.280 --> 01:16:46.400
>> I >> opposed. Unanimous. Starting with number one, Mr. Das Buckley. >> Thank you. I I'll take one and two together. It's actually what M this going to quickly piggyback on Miss Stewart's question. So I guess where the confusion comes in when we're looking at

284
01:16:46.400 --> 01:17:01.920
the the backup is in the contracts it says that both these companies handle um across the entire district but it appears that Delta does more Dery elevators and Buckley does the rest. >> Yes.

285
01:17:01.920 --> 01:17:17.600
>> And um is it do you keep it in the contract that they can do all just for that versatility? So some of them are very specific and don't do all and others are more of u as I said they can deal with quite a few

286
01:17:17.600 --> 01:17:35.520
different manufacturers. Um the older elevators are a lot different than the modern elevators the brand new elevators so to speak. The last five years seven years we only have a couple of buildings in that time frame. >> Um and those buildings we try to stay with manufacturer specific work. Um, so

287
01:17:35.520 --> 01:17:50.080
I guess when we put out when we I'm not sure if we put out like an RFQ or how we um solicit their um their services, but I guess for Delta, so Delta, as you just said, handles um more of the newer elevators. They handle

288
01:17:50.080 --> 01:18:08.159
a lot less um of like a payload than than Buckley. Buckley is the seeds of the warrants. They're our main company. So if my my only question is if do we get some sort of discount or not discount but is there less money if we

289
01:18:08.159 --> 01:18:24.000
um don't include all the schools in the bid >> there there really isn't and what you mainly look at at with elevator companies is service time. So we again we have buildings that only have one elevator. Um so we want to be sure that the response time is one of the most

290
01:18:24.000 --> 01:18:40.800
important pieces of the elevator contract. and then locking in on um on uh number one that response time, but number two on the manufacturer's um parts. So, we try not to we stay away from generic um on certain elevators and

291
01:18:40.800 --> 01:18:57.199
other elevators or other parts on an elevator may not be a um a manufacturer part needed. So I understand that and that's where we do the separation between those companies is almost right down the line on that.

292
01:18:57.199 --> 01:19:13.360
>> I'll make a motion to approve Buckley and Delta. >> Second. >> I have a motion and second on one and two Buckley and Delta. All in favor? >> I >> oppose. Unanimous. Next one up. Mr. Das is uh NextGen Supply.

293
01:19:13.360 --> 01:19:46.480
>> So um I'm just trying to Let me just pull up the contract. So I my so the way I read this this is um a blanket just to be able to get the supplies throughout the year. Um just trying to understand um just trying to

294
01:19:46.480 --> 01:20:04.080
comp cross compare from a prior year and I just just to be clear for the public at home I did ask this um prior um do we do we have like a the budget amount how much we expend expended to the actuals like is this like enough is

295
01:20:04.080 --> 01:20:21.199
this too is this going to be too much or is this not enough for >> it should be so we usually use an average um when we're putting blankets like this together. And um depending on on if we're changing any of of the product, that would probably be any

296
01:20:21.199 --> 01:20:36.640
change we would have. But um some of these companies, for instance, we just changed um the um dispensers for um toilet tissue. So those dispensers were replaced at no cost to us because the product line

297
01:20:36.640 --> 01:20:53.360
changed. Um so that was done throughout the district in in every building. um that was part of this this new deal. So this is an average uh of what we would normally use in in you know year to year. >> So um this is the same amount we used

298
01:20:53.360 --> 01:21:10.880
last year this 480 and um and that was >> and it was enough. Yes. >> So um do we didn't expend all this 480 from what I'm hearing >> last year? >> Yes. >> It was close. >> It was close. >> But there might be items that we wouldn't have. So for instance, we may

299
01:21:10.880 --> 01:21:28.239
pick up um from from this particular company, we may pick up other items that are not necessarily uh listed as the 480. Uh we may pick up mop heads, um you know, micro um cloths, things like that.

300
01:21:28.239 --> 01:21:44.480
>> I yield. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Okay. I have a motion to approve our nextgen supply. Further discussion hearing none. All in favor? I >> opposed. Unanimous. Next one. Uh, Mr. Das, Metropolitan Pipe

301
01:21:44.480 --> 01:22:04.080
and Supply >> Metro. Thank you. >> So, this my only question on Metropolitan was just um the what did we do for the procurement because I I didn't see it was on a state list from the backup I have here. So, we sent out

302
01:22:04.080 --> 01:22:20.400
um requests to uh if I'm not mistaken, four supply houses um for a general list. We provided them with a list probably about 200 items, maybe a little more, and asking them to quote on those 200 items. The the reason why we would

303
01:22:20.400 --> 01:22:34.960
go with three companies as opposed to so there are three companies listed. The reason why we would go to more than one company is because not everyone carries exactly what we mean by brand name. some brand names. Some schools have uh for lack of a better reason a Sterling

304
01:22:34.960 --> 01:22:50.800
faucet or a um or a Delta faucet or or a Chicago or one of those brand names. So in order for us to replace same product, we would need to go to that particular company. So we would put together a list of products that we know that company

305
01:22:50.800 --> 01:23:06.960
can only supply us or readily supply us. And then we put together a list of generic supplies. And that generic supply is one that would blast through all the lists. So if I'm for instance and I'm if we're going to pick up a a faucet and I need other supplies for

306
01:23:06.960 --> 01:23:24.080
that faucet, I would pick them up at the same time rather than go to another supply house and and spend time going to that other supply house to pick up incidentals, which is why we made the three dollar amounts the same so that we would have that option as we go to buy

307
01:23:24.080 --> 01:23:40.560
this item. And this and a lot of this and I'm going to say we don't have a lot of stock on hand. We have small items but we do not have the facility to have large amounts of stock on hand. So this is the easiest way for us to get the material as we need it.

308
01:23:40.560 --> 01:23:56.880
>> Um just um either through attorney spad or superintendent is that common in terms of um like that covers us procurement wise what Mr. Pico just explained. Yeah, I'm sorry. I was discussing something.

309
01:23:56.880 --> 01:24:16.480
Could you ask it again? >> Uh, Mr. Pico's explanation on how we um um retain the services procurement. Why is that that? No, that's fine. The way he explained it, >> I can answer that question. Mr.

310
01:24:16.480 --> 01:24:31.440
>> The way he did it is is perfectly fine. He put bids out to various companies and they quoted us their lowest prices and he was able to um by brand I guess break it down by different companies if we and and this isn't just um for facilities

311
01:24:31.440 --> 01:24:49.199
but any um time we for any department if it's not exempt from um from procurement we should get the backup as well showing the um what we've done for procurement. We've had we've done that in the past. This isn't anything that's like that's new. So,

312
01:24:49.199 --> 01:25:05.199
just going forwards just to avoid those questions ahead of time. And just just a reminder, I did ask this in the Sunday night email. Just having that backup in there, I think we'll um be satisfactory for myself when I ask these questions. Um I'll ask all the three plumbing just

313
01:25:05.199 --> 01:25:22.159
at um at once for the sake of time. for Wind Supply. I have a slightly um different question is um I don't see plumber supply and I've heard mixed reviews on on wind supply in return in regards to um their supply, how much

314
01:25:22.159 --> 01:25:38.719
supply they have. Um do we used to use um summer supply uh not plumber supply in the past? >> So we did if if it's not here, it's because they didn't turn it in on time. So we set a time frame. Let's say we said we needed this back in two weeks. If we didn't receive it in the two

315
01:25:38.719 --> 01:25:54.239
weeks, these are the documents. It doesn't mean that we may not come back in the future for a particular uh same um procurement piece, a $30,000 request for plumbing supply. Again, we we may or

316
01:25:54.239 --> 01:26:11.280
may not expend these full amounts. >> Okay. And um and just in the backup for this it um it looks like so when we get the backup it has wind supplies shows the different supplies we're ordering. It's um it looks like it's just like a sample of what we get throughout the

317
01:26:11.280 --> 01:26:28.000
year just to give us like an update. Is that what I'm looking at? So I have like a bill from wind supplies for the quotes for um 4900 49. >> So that's the quote. That's the actual quote right. So those if you look at the backup those are quotes that the company gave us not a bill. So that is a quote

318
01:26:28.000 --> 01:26:44.239
where we basically laid out we asked questions for as I said about 200 items. They would give us a price on those 200 items and that's what we would use when we go to the supply house to make sure that they're matching those prices that they gave us.

319
01:26:44.239 --> 01:27:01.600
>> Okay, I yield. I'll make a motion to approve um the Metro Wind Supply and Secon plumbing. >> Second. >> So all three Mr. Das Metro wind supply and secon supply. >> Mhm. I have a motion and a second on all three. >> Question, >> Mr. Aguar. >> Mr. Patronio, so the you mentioned about

320
01:27:01.600 --> 01:27:17.360
the it's okay to do the 30,000 three times. >> Yes. >> If it was 90,000, would that trigger something else? >> No, it would have be would have to be over 100,000. But if we have local pol like school committee policies that are different is that like if we have a higher thresh a

321
01:27:17.360 --> 01:27:34.080
lower threshold does this number um let's say that came up to 101,000 for round numbers what would the process be then >> it would be similar but you have to do an RFQ I mean you have to do an RFP but it's really not a proposal because

322
01:27:34.080 --> 01:27:50.400
you're buying goods and items so again you would go with the bidding process but you would go and look and you would have addition um you have additional items that you look at as far as can they meet your demand? Are they reputable? You know, how long have they been in business? You

323
01:27:50.400 --> 01:28:06.159
would look at some of those additional items as opposed to just the cost of the item >> because I think some of Mr. Das's questions are around procurement, which is right to ask, but if it gets to a certain point and we like as Mr. Pico said, he might come back with the plumber supply with another $30,000.

324
01:28:06.159 --> 01:28:22.159
Let's just say now it's atund. If you take the four of them, it's at $120,000. And if you use the $100,000 limit and you said I had to now do an RFQ or whatever the process was, it technically doesn't look good if you >> The difference is he's looking for

325
01:28:22.159 --> 01:28:37.679
supply houses. He's not looking to expend all these funds. But if you said, "We're going to rehab this auditorium and I need 120,000 worth of supplies." You're actually making a purchase of 120,000. Now you're going to do the RFQ and you're going to go through the whole process. What he's basically saying here

326
01:28:37.679 --> 01:28:54.159
is, I'm estimating that we might spend some of these funds. We may not. So, you're not actually buying the items. You're just looking to get the contract approved of who you're going to use. Again, making sure you have a reputable dealer, someone that can meet your demands on your supplies. But unless you're actually buying all 30,000 from

327
01:28:54.159 --> 01:29:09.280
all three people, you don't have to. >> Yep. No, I I understand. And I'm I'm just trying to clarify so that we don't have the same things happen, you know, questions happen again. But in essence, if we had a $100,000 line item for supplies and Mr. Pacico needed a couple

328
01:29:09.280 --> 01:29:25.280
supplies because this week he's got X projects going on, you just go buy those projects, you put them in, and the money comes out of this. So really, this is just sort of a blanket, but not necessarily a problem as far as procurement doesn't really exist here in my mind, the way I'm seeing it. Am I

329
01:29:25.280 --> 01:29:40.320
accurate or is >> correct? Because you're basically what you're doing is you're you're preapproving companies that you want to do business with. So, if you were going to buy one item, let's say a boiler, and it was going to cost you from one of these supply houses, that boiler was going to cost you $51,000.

330
01:29:40.320 --> 01:29:57.199
Now, you'd want to say, "Well, wait a minute. We can't just accept what we have here that we're going to do a special procurement for. We're going to go out and we're going to go out and get bids for that particular item." >> I understand. Thank you, sir. >> Sure. >> Just one quick follow, >> Mr. Das. um on my colleagues line of questioning. So out of $90,000

331
01:29:57.199 --> 01:30:14.880
$90,000 that we are going to approve for a blanket, how much do we expect on at a ballpark average? Um how much do we expect to spend out of that 90,000? >> Well, I I want to my my hope is that I

332
01:30:14.880 --> 01:30:31.360
spend $10,000. Uh, I mean I I I don't know unfortunately by I'm going by past experience, right? So, we're trying to buy what we think we're going to need for the cost of the year, >> but there could be some expenses um that

333
01:30:31.360 --> 01:30:48.159
are going to go over that amount. >> How much did we spend last year? That'll make that that I think that'll answer my question. I don't have that off off the top of my head, but these numbers were put together also in cooperation with um with our finance department so that we would see we did take a look backwards

334
01:30:48.159 --> 01:31:05.440
to see what we did. So, but my guess is is that we probably spent this amount of money in each of these supply houses or close to it last year and that's why we did it, you know, this way. >> So, um Mr. patronial. So if the local so

335
01:31:05.440 --> 01:31:21.760
if the local the local ordinances of the city of Fall River requires so if we end up having to spend in total $50,000 and local policies of the city of Fall River requires to get a sealed bid at $50,000

336
01:31:21.760 --> 01:31:38.400
then we we would have to go out at that point. >> Correct. And even if if if your local ordinance was 10,000 and he'd get permission right now, he's pre-approved 30. If he was going to make a purchase of over 10,000, he'd have to come through and meet your requirements.

337
01:31:38.400 --> 01:31:54.880
>> Thank you. I yield. >> I have a motion, a second on Metropolitan Wind Supply, Secon Supply. All in favor? I >> oppose. Unanimous. Now, we had a hold on uh Parent Square number 10. Mr. I >> we had a a program that I had asked

338
01:31:54.880 --> 01:32:12.480
about uh back in March called EDIA that I think was affiliated with parent square relative to attendance or something. Parents were getting emails or something about this e edia. >> Those are those are two separate um

339
01:32:12.480 --> 01:32:28.800
platforms. Parent Square is used for parent communication um and school communication and EDIA was a um a demo of an AI based software that would make um phone calls, text messages um when a student was absent or out um and it was

340
01:32:28.800 --> 01:32:45.120
demoed at the high school only >> through >> middle schools as well. I'm sorry. >> But that went through Parent Square. So they utilize Parent Square as the >> vehicle to do that or >> No, they utilize their own process to communicate >> and that's not on the record. We're not

341
01:32:45.120 --> 01:33:01.120
using that anymore. >> We are still in the process of um vetting some of the pieces. Dr. B, if you wanted to touch on it. Um >> Oh, we don't need to. I was just asking if it was part of this. >> It's not part of No. Parent Square and Ed are two separate.

342
01:33:01.120 --> 01:33:17.520
>> That's the only question I had for today. The my comment would be we as a district typically have subcommittees, technology subcommittee. Any software that we're going to add, trial, spend $45,000 on usually goes to the subcommittee first and then they kind of

343
01:33:17.520 --> 01:33:33.280
vet it. That's a good use of the subcommittee in my opinion. This other program didn't. That's why I don't know what it's all about because we just started getting parent calls saying what is this now? So I guess for technology subcommittee we should probably have the further discussion. I yield. Thank you.

344
01:33:33.280 --> 01:33:48.639
Motion to approve. >> Second. >> I have a motion to second on Parent Square. Um any any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? >> Opposed? Unanimous. >> I had one more question on contracts. >> The request. >> How about the two that he asked for? You

345
01:33:48.639 --> 01:34:07.440
want to go to them first? Front lines. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um Mr. Dus had both of the front lines. >> Thank you. So, um I guess and and I understand we have um a new HR director coming in. Um but just from the

346
01:34:07.440 --> 01:34:23.920
administration's um I guess first glimpse at this has this been how's it been working front line in general? >> Well, I mean front line works in isolation, I think. Uh but what we what I mentioned earlier is we're looking in

347
01:34:23.920 --> 01:34:41.120
to see if all the databases we use if it's the best combination of those databases. So we are going to be reviewing it. In fact, Scott and I are setting up a meeting to meet with frontline um in the next couple of weeks and we have to look at all the databases that we're using, not just them in

348
01:34:41.120 --> 01:34:56.159
isolation. At this point in the year, we would we would not be able to change what to change to a new system would take uh staff training um data data merging data. It would it's

349
01:34:56.159 --> 01:35:13.360
a big process. So we are going to we do hope to stick with these for the upcoming year and you know we will come back to you with recommendations. Is this um this is this exempt from procurement? This um the service is it exempt or you

350
01:35:13.360 --> 01:35:28.320
have to go through procurement? >> No, you don't have to go to procurement. >> So it's exempt from procurement. >> Yes. Yes. Okay. I yield that. >> Motion approved. >> Second. >> Uh both front lines. >> At both front lines.

351
01:35:28.320 --> 01:35:44.320
>> Uh motion to approve both front lines. I have a motion and a second hearing. Any further discussion? None. Deb, call the role, please. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dy, >> yes. >> Mr. Corey. >> Mr. Monus? >> Yes. >> Mr. Riley? >> Yes. >> Miss Stewart? >> Yes. >> Cougar?

352
01:35:44.320 --> 01:36:00.960
>> Yep. Um, Mr. >> A question on scenario. >> It's not a question. It's a request. So, the vector solutions, we're told it's the um certified and staff evaluations for clerks, custodians, paris, and security offices. All I would like to ask the superintendent is to submit

353
01:36:00.960 --> 01:36:17.600
something relative to completion percentage by each of those categories when it when it's possible. Simple request. Thank you. >> I'm sorry. Can you just repeat that request, please? >> To get us the completion percentage by category for all the people under the

354
01:36:17.600 --> 01:36:34.159
vector solutions software. We typically get it after we've asked, but I see it here and I think it's valuable to look at. Okay. The next um group is the special education contracts. We have seven of

355
01:36:34.159 --> 01:36:51.600
them. Um they cover two pages. >> Motion to approve. >> I have a motion to approve all seven. Any discussion on any of them? Hearing none. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Unanimous. The next batch was

356
01:36:51.600 --> 01:37:07.360
two grant contracts. Center for Responsive Schools and Linda >> Mud Individual. >> I'm excuse me. >> I have a question on one so I might as well just take an individual. >> The first one. >> Yep. >> Uh Mr. Aar Center for Responsive Schools. >> So my only question is I guess I'm

357
01:37:07.360 --> 01:37:23.360
curious to what are we utilizing for responsive classrooms currently across the district? And I thought that we were already already doing that. I don't know if this is just to supplement that, but they're just looking for >> Yeah. Are we utilizing that across all

358
01:37:23.360 --> 01:37:40.320
>> staff? Yeah. So, I think mixed um we have several sta So, you may recall several years ago we h uh trained several staff members. Obviously, with staff turnover, what this proposal is is to train another cohort of up to 30 educators. Um so, we've uh you know, put out an interest uh survey and we

359
01:37:40.320 --> 01:37:57.840
actually have um we're going to run a cohort. Um that interest is nearly full already, which is great. And so really this is an opportunity you know might be new hires or people hired in the last couple of years that have not had the formal training in responsive classroom. Um but we are one component obviously

360
01:37:57.840 --> 01:38:14.239
probably the most recognizable component is like morning meeting. So we have those structures in place but this is really the formal training in all aspects of teacher language responsive classroom for like our tier one support. And so all of our schools are told by the administration that we expect you to

361
01:38:14.239 --> 01:38:31.440
be utilizing the techniques you uh from responsive classrooms in your teaching in your in your school. >> Our goal is to get back on track with that right now which is why we're uh bringing this forward. We have not had cohorts of training in quite a few years or just one year. Okay. So I would just

362
01:38:31.440 --> 01:38:47.679
I guess you you answered it without we need to get back on track which means we kind of got off track which what I was getting >> I think in some cases >> and I think we just sometimes uh people would be like oh what's that? You know you shouldn't do that when you're asking a teacher or a principal or whatever what are you doing you need to know if

363
01:38:47.679 --> 01:39:03.360
that's what we're utilizing >> so that it's consistent. So >> yep. So this is an opportunity for us to become more consistent and train folks. >> Thank you. I make a motion to approve. >> Second both. >> I have a second. >> Mr. Mr. Aguar has made a motion to approve both the Center for Responsive Schools and Linda Moodbell. I have a

364
01:39:03.360 --> 01:39:20.719
motion and a second from Mr. Das. Any further discussion? All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Unanimous. We also at the bottom have six miscellaneous contracts. Uh are there any holds on? >> Like to hold the first three in

365
01:39:20.719 --> 01:39:44.480
Lakeshore Learning. >> Well, let's go with all of them then. Mr. Dus, you start us off. The first one is a citywide glass. >> Thank >> While you're looking, >> can I find the trying to find the >> While y'all looking? Can I ask my question? >> Miss Miss Stewart,

366
01:39:44.480 --> 01:40:00.400
>> um my only question that I have for this is we absolutely need it. I understand exactly what it's for for the stairs, but once we own the building, will we end up doing something completely different and taking this down and it be money? >> We won't. This is a permanent solution. >> Okay, that was my question. Thank you,

367
01:40:00.400 --> 01:40:16.159
>> Mr. Das. >> Try and find the the backup. I don't the backup. I don't see the backup for um citywide glass need to. So, let me one moment. >> It's there. >> Was was procurement followed in this

368
01:40:16.159 --> 01:40:32.400
same there were three calls. So there was some three quotes >> just procurement. >> Um >> yes >> and the other one's a blanket. It's the same as we talked about. >> Exactly. >> You know my only question would would have been on the um >> some of the wording when we get a the memo it says something's ready for bid

369
01:40:32.400 --> 01:40:47.600
or you know some of that like specific terminology and then it's not necessarily a bid it's off state contracts and whether this one's or not I think some of that is just a confusing piece for us looking at it. >> Sure. So maybe just to clarify more in the paragraph we utilize state bid on

370
01:40:47.600 --> 01:41:09.360
this we didn't it would just help us to avoid some of the questions I would say. >> Sure. >> Just trying to remember what the um stack qu you just remind me what this um what this was for citywide glass was this the oh this was the stairwell. Oh I

371
01:41:09.360 --> 01:41:25.360
remember my question was this was at >> Bishop Connley. So my concern is as one member, we made a presentation to the city council to the city explaining what funds were what needed to be fixed, what

372
01:41:25.360 --> 01:41:42.080
funds were going to be used. I went through the presentation and maybe I missed it. However, I didn't see anything for this project in here and it seems to be new. So, um I guess just going forward, I

373
01:41:42.080 --> 01:41:58.800
don't is there anything else that wasn't in the presentation to the city council that that we should expect to be fixed, used and operating? >> So, Mr. Das, this was we don't own the building. This was going to be done whether we were buying it or not. Um we

374
01:41:58.800 --> 01:42:14.639
won't own the building before this work needed to be done. So, this was the only way we could utilize the second floor of that building. So, as part of a lease agreement with the dascese, we're now utilizing the second floor of the building for all of those classrooms. I

375
01:42:14.639 --> 01:42:30.639
could not let students climb up and down those stairs without protecting them from sliding out the sides. It would have never been on that presentation because this work was going to get done whether the city decided to purchase that property or not. That's the only reason it wasn't on that presentation.

376
01:42:30.639 --> 01:42:47.520
>> Fair enough. Um and last question is the is the turnaround time for getting this done will be good. This will be >> so the project should be finished before um before school starts. Yes. Before Yes. >> I yield. Motion to approve. >> I have a question on Lakes Shore. I

377
01:42:47.520 --> 01:43:03.280
>> I have a motion to approve citywide. >> Just this one. >> Just citywide. >> We're going to do I think we can do them all. If you just have a question on that, we can ask it. >> So M Mr. Das, you're ready to bundle those first three. >> Oh no. No, I was just doing Citywide. I'll withdraw I'll withdraw my motion if

378
01:43:03.280 --> 01:43:20.800
my colleague I was going to go down. I had questions on Eberon and Firepro. >> Well, let's do Citywide Glass first. You got any more questions on that one? >> No. No. >> Okay. Do you have a question on Citywide Glass? Mr. Ry, I have a motion and a second on Citywide. All in favor? >> I opposed. Unanimous. Ever solutions.

379
01:43:20.800 --> 01:43:51.119
Mr. Das, >> I have the backup for this one. Oh yeah, that that was a procurement question. Um and was just curious who did the this this is a new contract. Who did the work? Um I was just curious who did the work last year as well. And I I didn't

380
01:43:51.119 --> 01:44:06.159
see any um I didn't see any state contract. So, I'm assuming we had to this I don't I'm assuming this isn't exempt. >> No, this went out to bid. >> Okay. Um, >> so the the bid was basically for three

381
01:44:06.159 --> 01:44:23.840
services. Was for fire suppression, there was fire extinguisher and then it was fire alarm, three different procurements. >> Okay. So, I guess I'll say for the administration, >> it was one procurement but three different parcels of it. So a company

382
01:44:23.840 --> 01:44:40.239
may have been a low bidder on one but not on another. So fire suppression may went to one um went to one company uh fire extinguishers could have gone to a different company and the fire service general maintenance could have went to

383
01:44:40.239 --> 01:44:54.639
another one >> and and that's that's fine procurement wise just like if um like we can get three bids for what Mr. Mr. Pico just explained um and it we're covered under 30B.

384
01:44:54.639 --> 01:45:12.080
>> Thank you. And then um and this is something this is a reoccurring every year just something we need to Okay. >> Yes. >> Question. >> My last qu I'll bundle fire together. Um my only question >> okay >> separate for procurement

385
01:45:12.080 --> 01:45:28.639
on firepro is there subcontractors for this work for firepro? Do they have sub subcontractors? >> Firepro may have subcontractors, but if they did, it would have been listed. >> Okay. Um, just going forward, if um for any contractor, this isn't just facilities, but if there's

386
01:45:28.639 --> 01:45:45.600
subcontractors, we should get that. We should get the both the backup and we should get both the backup in our packet. And I think that should be also be something that should be on the agenda as well. Um, with that being said, I'll make a motion to approve. Can we just take all of them

387
01:45:45.600 --> 01:46:01.600
and Firepro? >> Well, let's take the other um No one put a um a hold on Home Depot or Open Resources. >> I have open >> I'm sorry. >> Open up. I have That's me. The last >> open up is yours. And um and Miss Riley has a question on Lakes

388
01:46:01.600 --> 01:46:17.760
>> Shore. >> Motion approve Everon and Firepro. >> Ever and Fire Pro. All I have a motion to second on Everon and Firepro. >> All in favor? I >> opposed. Unanimous. Home Depot. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> I have a motion and second on Home

389
01:46:17.760 --> 01:46:35.679
Depot. Any discussion hearing? None. All in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? Unanimous. Lakeshore learning materials. >> I'll let Mr. R. >> M. Riley. >> So, I see there's a bid number on here, but there were no bid dogs. But because

390
01:46:35.679 --> 01:46:52.159
there's a bid number, can I assume you just forgot to put those in the attachment? >> I did. So, that it it was MHC. uh which is contract. >> There is an MC. >> So it's a state contract. It's um a recognized procurement contract. Yes. >> I just there was nothing beside it. Just that highlight. So I just wanted to make

391
01:46:52.159 --> 01:47:07.600
sure it was just >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Motion approved. >> Second with a question. >> I have a motion and a second on Lake Shaw. Mr. Das. >> Thank you. So um I guess so this is the furniture that's going to go in for the prek at Bishop Connley. Um, are we

392
01:47:07.600 --> 01:47:23.360
utilizing the furniture, the existing prek furniture at the schools that are that we're moving the >> Yes. the kids out of >> anything in the classrooms um that are moving over that were prek specific

393
01:47:23.360 --> 01:47:39.920
furniture are being moved over with the classrooms. Many of the things, desks, chairs were existing kindergarten, first grade um furniture that we were utilizing for the pre-cllay classrooms that were there. That furniture is all remaining in the schools and will be used by the

394
01:47:39.920 --> 01:47:54.960
classrooms that will now be occupying those rooms. So, this is just to fill in what we are not bringing over from the schools. >> Understood. Motion. Do we have a motion to approve? >> We do. >> I yield. >> I have a motion, second shore. Any

395
01:47:54.960 --> 01:48:10.880
further discussion hearing? None. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Unanimous. Finally, open up resources. >> The only question I have on that is on the quote, it has tax. Can we just make sure that we we're not doing tax? Just pay attention. That that was all.

396
01:48:10.880 --> 01:48:26.480
>> Sure. >> Thank you. >> Um, do I have I have a motion. Do I have a second? >> Second. I'm sorry. Who's made the motion? >> Um, Mr. D made the motion. Miss Stewart seconded it. Any further discussion on open up resources? Was this discussed at

397
01:48:26.480 --> 01:48:41.920
the instructional subcommittee? There's nothing on the agenda for this, right? >> This was at instructional committee >> instructional subcommittee. >> Yes. >> But this is only under the contracts. I guess as um

398
01:48:41.920 --> 01:48:56.880
it's here under contracts, but I and I didn't watch the instructional subcommittee, but I would assume that you articulated the need for this. >> Yes. >> Based on the science of reading, early literacy, like all of that stuff, but >> this is only here as a contract. So, we're not seeing the full committee's not seeing it. Public's not seeing a

399
01:48:56.880 --> 01:49:12.400
presentation on something that I am in favor of. Yes. >> But I don't know the why it wouldn't be here as a presentation. I guess to say we're going to utilize this to do more of science of reading or whatever. So, that was my only This is a pilot I believe Mr.

400
01:49:12.400 --> 01:49:28.880
>> A small pilot. We're just trying this year before we buy. And we did go into detail at subcommittee around the need for it right now and why we're choosing to move forward with it as well. >> So with that being said, I read this and we definitely have a need for reading

401
01:49:28.880 --> 01:49:44.800
instruction. No doubt. >> My personal opinion would be agenda to go b agenda item, but also to go bold. Like we have to do something different. We can't I've said this multiple years. We just can't keep doing the same thing over and over saying our scores the kids can't read. We're not doing whatever. So

402
01:49:44.800 --> 01:50:00.400
my concern would be that we're not going like I you probably have a rationale for why you want to do a pilot. I'm encouraging you to >> go forward quicker probably I guess is my point but you must have a reason. >> There's two I if I can just um add some

403
01:50:00.400 --> 01:50:16.880
information. So there's a couple things that are coming forward. Um this is a pilot and uh really what we're doing is we're exploring Prism 2 which is a DEESC grant. Um we don't know if we're awarded that grant yet. If we are awarded that grant, then we're going to go into more of a formal um pilot and come back to

404
01:50:16.880 --> 01:50:32.480
you and say, "Hey, listen. We want to explore this plus maybe, you know, two other programs and we would actually go through the same process we used at middle school ELA before adopting Amplify where we had um pilots going on in buildings and we studied that. So, we'll we'll be much more in depth, but

405
01:50:32.480 --> 01:50:48.800
we wanted to act. We went um you may know uh we went to an EL conference and that was the learning that we took away. So, uh, Steph Kennedy and I, the ELA director, came back and decided that we wanted to move quickly with at least exploring some of this, particularly in kindergarten. Um, but yes, I agree with

406
01:50:48.800 --> 01:51:04.719
you, you know, and I think you'll hear back from us as we study this and say, "Hey, listen, we either want to really expand this or we want to explore uh something else." But we have >> And when is the grant you're waiting to hear? So, we're looking we we if we uh get Prism, I believe it's um maybe in

407
01:51:04.719 --> 01:51:20.239
August or in the fall, but what that is is that is for schools to look at an adoption of a curriculum. Um and we would be exploring that at an elementary track to look at what's happening in K to 5. Um but we'd come back to the committee and say, "Hey, listen. We were

408
01:51:20.239 --> 01:51:35.679
awarded this. This is what we want to explore at this time." >> But I guess do you know the amount you're asking for? Is it like is it similar to this? No, it's it's much larger because uh I believe Prism covers up to 50%. Um and so I don't have that

409
01:51:35.679 --> 01:51:51.679
in front of me right now, but it's much larger. This is just a small pilot right now for us to >> I just I support it. I support going further, >> spending some more money instead of waiting for grants if they don't come through. The need still is going to be there whether we get the grant or not. So you got one member that'll vote for a

410
01:51:51.679 --> 01:52:07.199
lot more. We're also bringing forward I think maybe it was passed already uh I ready ELA as an assessment plat platform which we discussed at subcommittee because we feel like we'll get much more meaningful data that we can act on uh you know which is important to us. So that's something we just brought forward

411
01:52:07.199 --> 01:52:24.320
which was also supported at uh subcommittee as well. >> And is Lexia on here? I read something about >> Lexi is on here. >> He's on the agenda or what is >> Yeah, Lexia was on here as a contract. Um we uh have really studied usage and we made some recommendations around um

412
01:52:24.320 --> 01:52:39.840
reallocating uh the resource and so that was actually reduced contract based on what we've studied in terms of actual usage of the platform. You know, I'm a stickler for uh in the past over paying for software that we don't utilize. So, what I would ask the superintendent uh you through the

413
01:52:39.840 --> 01:52:55.920
superintendent to get us the data >> on that. I didn't watch the meeting to know what it is. But >> you're you're making that decision, I think, based on not lack of use >> and it's that doesn't sit well with me when I've asked for three, four years in a row now that if we're going to pay for

414
01:52:55.920 --> 01:53:12.400
something, we need to utilize it. Yes. and we were told we're going to correct it and this and that, but I'd like a detailed listing because if it's it makes no sense to say why we wouldn't utilize it and if it wasn't working, we shouldn't utilize it at all. >> Right? >> But to say that we paid for seats and we

415
01:53:12.400 --> 01:53:29.040
didn't utilize them. Is there pockets? Is it I'm not asking for an answer, but like this is the data I'm asking. Is it certain schools? Is it why is it that we're not utilizing it with fidelity? >> So, you know, it is what it is. I get it. But I approve of >> we did go into detail that um our usage

416
01:53:29.040 --> 01:53:44.639
is strong in grades 1 and two. That's where we're recommending that we continue. Um we're seeing good gains there. I think in grades three, four, and five with departmentalization, the demands of the content, we're not seeing as much usage there. Um so I agree with you. We, you know, with the directors and I, we look at the platforms and we

417
01:53:44.639 --> 01:54:00.719
want to make sure that um if we're investing in something, we're getting a return on that. I might have missed this too and I apologize if I didn't. But am I asking you questions that you gave us copies of stuff from the subcommittee that I didn't read? >> Yes, everything should be included >> because I'm trying to figure out why I never heard of this before. But

418
01:54:00.719 --> 01:54:17.360
>> everything included access to see other than diligent. Are we seeing the data and the information presented at subcommittees to every member? >> We received it at subcommitt. >> Yes, they did. >> Right. So if I don't go to diligent, I don't see what happened at the meeting, you know, but what I would say is just

419
01:54:17.360 --> 01:54:33.520
as a good practice would be if there's documents that are handed out or given to the any subcommittee >> that share it out on a separate after the meeting with the rest of the committee. So I probably wouldn't ask you those questions if I would have got that. Sure. Thank you. I yield. >> Can can I just add to that >> Miss Riley then Mr. Das

420
01:54:33.520 --> 01:54:50.159
>> and I appreciate what you said about the L program. I just want to share a little feedback why it's a pilot and what we talked about at instructional subcommittee. L is rated on ed reports at the same rating as um our current wonders and

421
01:54:50.159 --> 01:55:04.960
also as ARC which we're using for our MLL students. My push back to the team was we can't hop from curriculum to curriculum when they're all rated the same. So, we need to find what works for us and invest in the professional learning that goes along with those

422
01:55:04.960 --> 01:55:22.320
programs because you can buy four hammers. They all work the same. It's the person using it that makes the difference. And so, I I think what my recommendation to the team was pick one, stick with it and provide the profession ongoing professional learning to support it. So, they are piloting this. It's I

423
01:55:22.320 --> 01:55:38.080
was one of the folks at the that recommended not going all in until we're sure this is what we want. This is also if we go full K5 on this curriculum, it is a large expense and we want to make sure that it's what we need um and that teachers are ready to use it and that

424
01:55:38.080 --> 01:55:54.239
we're ready to provide all the professional learning that goes along with it. >> Makes sense. U Mr. Das then Mr. Whit. >> Thank you. Just um very brief question off of what my colleague just said um on the data. So I I saw the data I pre I did preview the data. My understanding

425
01:55:54.239 --> 01:56:08.239
the data that was provided as a subcommittee was just for the past year. >> Am I correct? So I guess we first implemented um the Alexia program in 2024.

426
01:56:08.239 --> 01:56:24.400
>> Have we plateaued? Is it or is it something where the numbers have just gone down or was the numbers already um not good from the start in terms of usage? What was the what was the issue? Yeah, I think we've seen as referenced, we've seen strong usage in grades one

427
01:56:24.400 --> 01:56:41.679
and two. We made a decision around kindergarten really due to screen time uh with young children and we, you know, we we move we chose to to move that out of kindergarten uh for the amount of time that kids were on screens and we feel like, you know, that's part of the reason we're coming forward with this pilot which includes 23k classrooms. um

428
01:56:41.679 --> 01:56:57.040
three, four, five, you know, we've seen some usage, but in third, fourth, and fifth grade, you're also you have math, science, social studies class. So, the demands of the content are a lot higher. So, we think about putting a student on a device with Lexia. Um what are they

429
01:56:57.040 --> 01:57:13.119
not getting during that time, right? So, we made some decisions to really focus on grades one and two. >> So, off of what you just said, it sounds like the usage from the from the from the get-go of 2024 was just never >> I'd have to look. I I can't say that. Uh we've had Lexia prior to that. We even

430
01:57:13.119 --> 01:57:29.760
had it at the middle school level um for some years, you know, when I was a middle school principal. Um I can certainly look, you know, and share some historical data, you know, if if you'd like. >> I yield. Thank you, >> Stewart. >> I was just letting Mr. Aon know that the backup that we got for the subcommittee

431
01:57:29.760 --> 01:57:46.480
is in here under Lexia. So, it shows the numbers just if you wanted to look at it. >> Okay. So, uh, we have a motion, a second on open up resources. All in favor? >> I >> I >> opposed. Unanimous. The committee of the

432
01:57:46.480 --> 01:58:01.760
whole, I'm going to ask, uh, the committee's indulgence to go to the addendum. Um, under the committee of the whole, we have a discussion. The first item that we'll take up to clear the addendum is a discussion and approve the amendments to the BMC Dery High School

433
01:58:01.760 --> 01:58:17.040
program of studies. procedural question >> as referred by the instructional subcommittee and presented by Dr. Jessica Stevens Dery principal Mr. Das. >> Thank you. So this was something that was referred out of sub your subcommittee

434
01:58:17.040 --> 01:58:33.360
subcommittee. So I I guess my concern is this is not something that was publicly posted and it's something that we reasonably would have foreseen within 48 hours. So, I think this is something that we should just for open meeting law purposes just table to August and then

435
01:58:33.360 --> 01:58:50.400
vote at it in the um in the August meeting. >> If if I may was amended, right? >> Yes. >> That's what I'm saying. We amended it for the public satification. >> It's an addendum. That's >> That's what I'm saying. But this was

436
01:58:50.400 --> 01:59:05.440
posted. No, it wasn't posted because when I spoke with the city clerk, she said that we would have to repost. We have to re revise the agenda. Her recommendation was to revise the agenda. When I sent that over,

437
01:59:05.440 --> 01:59:19.760
>> are you talking about posted during the subcommittee meeting? >> No, he's saying post. >> So, in the website, >> as far as I'm concerned, it was an error. It was a mistake. >> It was my oversight. At the end of the day, we have Dery needs to get their

438
01:59:19.760 --> 01:59:35.520
stuff done and do what they need to do. And that's why I made the recommendation today to say, "No, let's talk about this today without going into diligent and having to change it." But in my mind, I was saying we're going to repost the agenda and then you put a parenthesis

439
01:59:35.520 --> 01:59:51.040
whether it was an error or something, just something to the public would have covered us. And now we got the city clerk telling us how to post a meeting. Well, quite honestly, I don't care what the city clerk said. We should have posted it so that we can at least say we posted it. I'm wanting to go forward

440
01:59:51.040 --> 02:00:07.840
with this regardless. And if they violate it, so be it because the people the stuff that's in here needs to go so they can start their work. It's already July 22nd. >> So, I'm not in favor of >> Mr. Das. >> Um I I I think it's just again I think

441
02:00:07.840 --> 02:00:23.360
it's philosophical. I've always been a strong advocate for the open meeting law. So, I'm going to make a motion to table to the next meeting. >> So, we follow along. >> I have a motion to table. On the motion, discussion, Miss Riley. >> No motion. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. No discussion. >> Is there a second?

442
02:00:23.360 --> 02:00:39.679
>> Is there a second on this motion? >> I'll second that. >> I have a motion and a second. >> Roll call. >> Deb, call the role on this one. >> Mr. >> No. >> Mr. Dasis? >> Yes. >> Mr. Corey? Mr. Monus? >> Yes. >> Miss Riley?

443
02:00:39.679 --> 02:00:55.280
>> No. >> Miss Stewart? >> No. >> Mayor Cougan? No motion to approve. >> Can >> I have a motion to approve? >> Second. >> I have a motion to second. Further discussion. >> I just have a question. Maybe our attorney can help us. We already voted and approved the program of studies.

444
02:00:55.280 --> 02:01:12.800
>> This these are four minor changes. Do does that even have to come back to the committee? >> I don't know what the changes are. So if they're minor changes, then probably not. This is probably just a a vote to ensure the document is whole as was

445
02:01:12.800 --> 02:01:27.679
voted here. Um >> that was what your motion did. >> Yeah, I don't believe they're substantive, but I wouldn't ask you on the spot to review them. There are separate changes. I'll be happy to share them with you, but I don't think these are substantive changes just to make you feel better about this. We already voted

446
02:01:27.679 --> 02:01:43.440
on the program of studies. These one amendments splitting a class into a semester instead of a full year. The other one isn't even a change. I argue they didn't even have to do this one. All it is is letting kids know that if they take a particular course, it counts as a math. It already does. They just

447
02:01:43.440 --> 02:01:58.080
wanted it to be explicit. So, we already voted to approve most of this. These are just tweaks, I would say, to the one we've approved. So just if that helps with your worry, >> I guess I would say if there small

448
02:01:58.080 --> 02:02:17.280
tweaks I I don't see the >> um the issue of just holding this off until what would be holding this off until August. Is there going to be >> schedu? This is really this has schedule implications and right now um really

449
02:02:17.280 --> 02:02:32.880
we're in the place where we need to wrap up scheduling and so it's imperative that you know this these are very minor tweaks but they do have some schedule implications and so uh the reason for bringing it forward now and we had that discussion earlier and not August is because we really need to move forward

450
02:02:32.880 --> 02:02:48.560
with that scheduling process as you can imagine at the high school. >> Attorney Spataphor I don't mean to put you on the spot but what would you recommend? You can add things to an agenda if there's a an emergency. And this to me hearing what the administration is saying, unless there's an interest in

451
02:02:48.560 --> 02:03:03.599
calling a special meeting between now and then, I think it seems reasonable to make this amendment now. And uh you can always take this vote additionally at the next meeting as well when it's publicly posted.

452
02:03:03.599 --> 02:03:19.040
>> I yield. If I just just for the just for the public edification, my no vote on this will not be on the substance. It's just making sure we're in compliance with state law and regulations. I yield. >> Mr. Mr. Hagar, >> just I I don't personally think they're

453
02:03:19.040 --> 02:03:36.239
minor. Uh there's scheduling implications taking classes from full to half like you know. So, I'm not concerned about any of the other pieces, but the question I had was on the actual document where it says adjusting the schedule for CTE so that students can have authentic workplace experiences.

454
02:03:36.239 --> 02:03:51.840
And I think is this is the schedule static? Uh, is that what this is for? So that they >> the director's here, so she she'll come down then. >> And if somebody can just explain why is why wasn't this done when we did the

455
02:03:51.840 --> 02:04:06.960
full? There must be a good reason. >> Like what's changed since it was done? Was it an oversight? >> It wasn't an oversight, but but what it is is when we were looking at a better way to get more kids involved in co-op, we were throwing out all different

456
02:04:06.960 --> 02:04:24.400
things and this was a later suggestion and it came and it would help the schedule and it would help our students if we split the classes in half. So when they went out, unlike a um vocational school where they're one week on, one week off, our kids have a sixth period

457
02:04:24.400 --> 02:04:41.440
day. So if second semester they were going to go out on co-op, they've earned credits now in the first half, first semester, and now they can go out on co-op and it's almost like two separate classes as opposed to now where it's all under the guise of like culinary, one

458
02:04:41.440 --> 02:04:58.719
class, 15 credits. So, we just thought that this was a better way to encourage more students to be able to participate in co-op. >> So, you're going to only get half the class as opposed to what you used to >> they're going to get, let's say, construction. They were go to construction for the first half of the

459
02:04:58.719 --> 02:05:15.520
year and then they're going to go out on co-op on construction for the second half of the year. 700 uh 7.5 credits in the first half of the year, 7.5 credits for co-op second half of the year. >> I guess my question is though on the learning. So if they were going to learn a curriculum last year,

460
02:05:15.520 --> 02:05:31.520
>> y >> numbers 1 through 20 or whatever it is, units, whatever, because they were there the full year, are those 20 units going to be all taught to those children in the now a half of the year. So you're doubling up the amount of coursework. >> No. When a kid goes on when a kid goes

461
02:05:31.520 --> 02:05:46.480
out on co-op, when a student goes out on co-op, they're actually doing the curriculum out in the workforce. So it's not like they're not getting half of the year. It's their accelerated. >> No, I understand that. I'm saying they never had co-op. Take co-op off the table. >> Yep.

462
02:05:46.480 --> 02:06:02.639
>> Kids learning electrician, whatever the thing would be. So, there's 20 modules that they would learn or 20 units. >> Mhm. >> And last year they got 20 units of time for the whole year. I'm asking you if those 20 units were so-called like learning opportunities to learn 20

463
02:06:02.639 --> 02:06:17.440
different things, are they going to learn only 10 things now because they're in half or are they going to learn all 20 of those in the same in the first half of the year? Like, >> well, it doesn't really go quite like that. What it does is is it could take things that they learned sophomore year,

464
02:06:17.440 --> 02:06:32.159
go more intensive junior year, senior year, even more intensive in whatever it is that they're learning. So that it isn't new things that they're learning per se, but it's going to be their mastery of what they're learning. So

465
02:06:32.159 --> 02:06:48.960
just because you learn to frame doesn't mean that you are going to be a master framer your sophomore year, but you're going to learn how to frame your fresh uh your sophomore year. You're going to continue to learn how to frame without guidance your junior year. And hopefully by senior year, you're going to be

466
02:06:48.960 --> 02:07:04.880
working on a construction crew in your framing. So, you're going to be able to take that same concept and you're going to accelerate it. So, no, they're not missing out on it. They're they're achieving a higher level of mastery of that concept. The kids that did not go

467
02:07:04.880 --> 02:07:22.000
out on co-op can still learn that concept of ma of framing, but now they're going to need a little bit more guidance to get to that mastery if they can even get to that high level mastery that they would get out on co-op. >> Yeah. So they're if they're left in the classroom, they're not going to get the

468
02:07:22.000 --> 02:07:37.199
higher the experiential part of it, but they're still in the classroom for that whole semester. Correct. So, I'm just trying to figure out like what do they do if that if they don't go out on co-op, you know, because they were otherwise >> they're in class. >> They're going to do it a half a year instead of a full year. >> So, they're going to they're going to

469
02:07:37.199 --> 02:07:52.320
stay in construction uh first half of this first half of the year and they're going to stay in construction the second half of the year. The other kids are going to stay in construction first half of the year and then go out on co-op second half of the year. So, the class is spit split

470
02:07:52.320 --> 02:08:09.040
come January depending on what career path. >> I understand better. So they're not going to be only cutting in half. They're going to be in for >> 40 weeks still. Just going to call it two different sections. >> Correct. A and B >> time. And what is the schedule at Dury for a co-op uh opportunities? Is it a

471
02:08:09.040 --> 02:08:26.079
static schedule where uh because when you say authentic workplace experiences? I find those are when you can be consistent over a longer period of time with hours, not two hours here and then rush back like is it the end of the day, earlier in the morning like what

472
02:08:26.079 --> 02:08:40.480
>> it depends on what it is. So if you're in health assisting, our co-op usually is in the morning because that's when they're going out to the um long-term care facilities or hospital. That's when residents need to get up, they need to get showered, they need to get fed. All of those things that are that our

473
02:08:40.480 --> 02:08:56.719
students learn uh learn to do with CNAs. However, it doesn't make much sense for them to go out at the end of the year. On the flip side of that, we have students who are going to go out at the end of the year because they're going to start their co-op at, let's say, engineering is going to start at 1:00.

474
02:08:56.719 --> 02:09:12.560
So, they may come in for the first half of the day and then leave for the second half of the day. So, it really depends on which CTE program we're talking about and which is going to be more advantage advantageous to whatever placement we're

475
02:09:12.560 --> 02:09:28.400
able to get them. >> Is the schedule at Dery static >> in certain periods? That's all I trying to get to. >> Oh, sorry. Yeah, it is. >> You're not going to miss another class. So, at 1:00 you can go out and work for four hours. Yeah. >> And that that's was my question. So, >> yeah. Oh, I I thought that that

476
02:09:28.400 --> 02:09:43.760
>> No, I appreciate it. I knew that. Thank you very much. >> Yep. Anything further? Um, Mr. Dadas. >> Um, on the first one, the, um, heritage learner language learner courses. Um, I'm assuming this is some sort of, um,

477
02:09:43.760 --> 02:09:58.400
what is it like a world language program? >> Yes. So, heritage language would be that this is in the student's native language or heritage language. So for a student who might already um speak Spanish, this is an opportunity to take a course with other students that speak Spanish as

478
02:09:58.400 --> 02:10:13.760
well to accelerate their native language proficiency, which um in the end would support us as kids are looking to earn the seal of illiteracy um in Massachusetts. >> Do you see what's the rationale for moving this to

479
02:10:13.760 --> 02:10:30.960
a semester based >> Drew? Do you want to or Miss Fanco? I don't know if Yeah. Yeah. So it's uh really to get more students involved in the heritage language learner program. So it gives flexibility within the master schedule. So for example, if they were taking

480
02:10:30.960 --> 02:10:47.119
Spanish heritage language learner period 2 in the first semester, but it worked better in their schedule to have it in the afternoon in the second semester based on their other requirements and courses, they could shift. Um so it's a way um just to build flexibility in the

481
02:10:47.119 --> 02:11:03.440
schedule so uh more students can progress towards their um towards their uh language proficiency. >> Um just looking at the data you don't see that as something that will stop um any student from getting their seal?

482
02:11:03.440 --> 02:11:20.159
>> No, the seal is based on um the proficiency in the language. So I think the the intention here is to be able to provide the flexibility rather than having a student that has to have that course at the same time all year long. It may be that in the first semester it happens at this time and in the second

483
02:11:20.159 --> 02:11:35.760
semester it happens at a different time. >> Thank you. >> Anything further on those changes? I have a motion and a second on the add agendum item. Uh Deb, call the role please on this one. >> Mr. A. >> Yes. >> Mr. D. >> No. >> Mr. Corey.

484
02:11:35.760 --> 02:11:50.159
>> Mr. Monus. >> Yes. Miss Riley, >> yes. >> Miss Stewart, >> yes. Mayor Kan, >> yes. Now to the regular agenda discussion item 9.1. >> Point of information. We also have two contracts on the addendum. >> She

485
02:11:50.159 --> 02:12:07.599
>> that was just the amounts. It was >> already voted on >> the funding source. The amounts are correct. It's just the funding source. >> Oh, these are Okay, I see the same thing. It's just the funding source. >> Thank you. Uh item 91 is a discussion and vote to approve the following athletic handbooks as referred by the

486
02:12:07.599 --> 02:12:21.840
policy subcommittee. Motion >> to approve. >> Second. >> I have a motion and a second on the handbooks for elementary and middle school athletic and middle school coaches. Any further discussion? Mr. uh Aguia, >> has anyone in the administration

487
02:12:21.840 --> 02:12:40.960
reviewed these relative to the other high school ones? Are they in synergy? They're We had him in a subcommittee. Mrs. Garvin came in and spoke to us um and gave us copies of it and we we looked at it and but I'm saying relative to the

488
02:12:40.960 --> 02:12:57.760
one for the high school are is there things that are in these elementary and middle school ones that are going to be more strict uh strict or structured than the high school one? You know, >> food for thought. That's >> I don't think there was a chart comparing the two. >> No, I don't. Is that what you're saying?

489
02:12:57.760 --> 02:13:12.960
I support these but food for thought is like one of these in elementary says fighting removal. >> Okay. So at the high school one kid fights does he get removed from sports? >> It's just an example that I saw here as

490
02:13:12.960 --> 02:13:28.960
I was going. So that's the nature of what I'm suggesting. I agree with this. It's a good thing to have. Elementary middle school sports are a good thing. We're making a commitment there. But we shouldn't have something at the elementary level with little ones have higher expectations than we have for high school students. So that's all I

491
02:13:28.960 --> 02:13:44.480
was asking. Thank you. I yield. >> All right. So I have a motion to second on the three handbooks and for discussion hearing none. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Unanimous. 92. It's discussion and vote to approve the revised Evolve

492
02:13:44.480 --> 02:14:00.639
Academy graduation total credit credits as referred by the special ed alternative ed and early childhood subcommittee and presented by Dr. Janet Schwitzer, Evolve Academy director. I think Miss Brown seems like she's going to talk to this.

493
02:14:00.639 --> 02:14:16.960
>> Sure thing. Yeah, Jan's not here. She's hopefully enjoying a great v deserved vacation. Um but we did come before the alt ed special ed subcommittee um in June to bring forth um an adjustment to the evolve graduation requirements with evolve move evolve always had 100

494
02:14:16.960 --> 02:14:34.239
graduation requirement credit total um being under dery with them moving to 290 rock we are requesting to shift uh the graduation requirements to 80. It should be noted though that those graduation requirements, the lesser credits is really just in the elective category for

495
02:14:34.239 --> 02:14:50.000
students. The core academics remain the same across the rest of our secondary schools. >> Any discussion or questions on the uh change at Evolve? Uh Mr. Aguia, >> did you say Evolve has always had 100 credits or 110 credits or something?

496
02:14:50.000 --> 02:15:06.400
>> 100 because they aligned with Dery being in the facility. So if I'm a student at Evolve, we make this decision today and they have 80 credits currently, they can graduate >> only if they have met the specific graduation requirements because when we look at graduation requirements, it is like a double look. There are

497
02:15:06.400 --> 02:15:21.840
requirements based on core academic requirements within the overall total and within the total is elective credits and so the reduction in credits is really in that elective credit category, not in the core academic. So in essence if a student has met all of the academic

498
02:15:21.840 --> 02:15:38.320
requirements um maybe they could be I do not believe we have any students who fit in that category currently but ultimately at the end the majority you know the students who come to our non-traditional pathways have oftentimes struggled in the traditional pathways and so their credit totals are not

499
02:15:38.320 --> 02:15:54.719
always aligned having passed everything along the way. So if they if we change this and then they uh start school in September and say I need just two maths in order to graduate and they take the two maths and get done by because they go by quarters right semesters or

500
02:15:54.719 --> 02:16:10.079
quarters >> well yeah semesters >> quarters whatever it is depending and they can earn those two credits that they graduate early I guess is like >> they could and there is an early graduation um component within Evolve as we look to get kids across the stage and successfully uh through graduation as

501
02:16:10.079 --> 02:16:26.960
early as possible. especially if they're in the senior year. >> I'm not passing judgment on it. I just when we lower it, it it creates a whole another dynamic of things. The other piece, and I mentioned this to the superintendent in a meeting with her, that when we do lower the credits, we've always been told uh we want to have the

502
02:16:26.960 --> 02:16:43.200
same as Dery so that kids can actually go back to the school and make it easier. And then we did at one point alternative school, so it was semesterized so that they could do a semester here and then transition back in. when we lower the credits to this, I'm not concerned about it, but I think it's an issue that there's no there's no

503
02:16:43.200 --> 02:16:58.880
longer going to be as much of a you can go back when you're lowering credits to 70. I think it's just something to be cognizant of. >> Yeah. And just to that point, I think when kids are approaching senior year, those are not traditionally the students that are seeking to go back to Dery. But if a student is in their freshman or

504
02:16:58.880 --> 02:17:15.200
sophomore year and they are attaining credits on track, those have traditionally been the students that would seek to go back to Dery, not so much at the point of graduation. >> So elect electives for younger students are mandatory. >> Well, electives for all students are mandatory at some point because there is

505
02:17:15.200 --> 02:17:30.399
an elective category within the graduation requirements. So if a student goes to evolve and chooses the op not to take the optional uh just takes the four academics they're going to be credit deficient even in the first year. So when they're not going to be able to go

506
02:17:30.399 --> 02:17:45.840
to they're going to be behind if they ever go back to Dery. So I think when we look at this we have to look at it with a lens of you got to be very clear with the student and you can't it's not optional to take credits if everyone should be individualized in the alternative setting but

507
02:17:45.840 --> 02:18:02.719
>> it it becomes a real issue. It could become an issue that is we think we're doing one thing to benefit certain kids. We might be doing something in that same decision to not let kids go back to Dery. That's my only concern with it. But I yield. >> Um I have a question.

508
02:18:02.719 --> 02:18:18.479
>> I'm sorry. >> Sorry, Mr. Mayor. I didn't mean to interrupt. >> Oh, I'm making a motion. >> I Oh, you have a motion to approve. >> Motion to reject. >> Reject Hold on >> the proposal. >> All right, let's hold on one second. My question is, I'll ask Dr. Lalt. Didn't

509
02:18:18.479 --> 02:18:36.080
the state set a mandated group of CL a mandated core curriculum that every high school student has to pass whether they're in Evolve, RPA, or or Dery. Did that pass yet? I know it's been proposed. >> Something has been passed. >> It's been recommended.

510
02:18:36.080 --> 02:18:52.000
Recommended by Desi, >> but it didn't come through yet. Okay. >> It has not. >> All right. So on this one, we have a Do I have a discussion and vote to approve? Did I get a a motion? >> Okay, Mrs. >> Mr. Das made a motion to reject. We got ask for a second. If there's no second, then we can move on.

511
02:18:52.000 --> 02:19:07.040
>> All right, let me do it that way. I'm just a little I had a question and I lost it. >> Mr. Das motion to reject. >> Do I have a second on the motion to reject the changes? >> Hearing none. >> Motion to approve. >> I have a motion to approve. Do I have a

512
02:19:07.040 --> 02:19:21.760
second on the motion to approve? I have a motion to second out to approve, Miss Riley. >> Thank you. So I I just and I I think I understand the purpose of this, but we have all we've talked about is the success at

513
02:19:21.760 --> 02:19:38.319
Evolve Academy. So what was the reasoning for changing what we were doing now that we're moving Evolve? I believe when we were at the subcommittee meeting, it was really about being in the facility of 290 Rock and not having different graduation requirements for students to be able to

514
02:19:38.319 --> 02:19:55.439
maneuver across schools within the 290 Rock facility. As uh Jan had noted at that time too, we typically do not see students accessing the Dery uh high school credits on the period 1 and the period 7. I want to say the number was six students last year. And so once

515
02:19:55.439 --> 02:20:10.800
students choose to go to Evolve, we have not seen students looking to go backwards and reconnect with Dery. Um oftentimes they've come from Dery and not found success and when they get to Evolve, they do find success and then they continue moving forward. And so in order for students who are at RPA to see

516
02:20:10.800 --> 02:20:27.840
themselves as eligible for Evolve, the concern was having two different graduation requirement requirements for two schools within a building that we are truly in for that matter the virtual school as well. they are under the 80 credit umbrella. And so the goal was to have all of the schools under at 290

517
02:20:27.840 --> 02:20:43.840
Rock with the same graduation requirement totals so that at a minimum kids could fluidly go between those programs to find success. >> I get the idea of them moving between. I guess I'm just >> as and again it's a minimum graduation requirement. Just like here at Dery High

518
02:20:43.840 --> 02:20:58.960
School, we have a number of students that oftentimes could sell credits to other students because they've earned all of their credits. And so I want to stress to the committee this is a minimum threshold. Uh the goal will always be to keep kids fully scheduled engaged in um community engaged in

519
02:20:58.960 --> 02:21:15.120
workforce development and our goal to really uh bolster the programming that is immediately and readily available at 290 Rock. That is a focus of the task force and will be a focus of the task force moving forward as we think about those extended educational opportunities. >> I hear your methodology. I guess I'm

520
02:21:15.120 --> 02:21:30.560
just wondering why we took something that was successful and we're dropping the requirements. We're lessening what what's expected of students. I I just I don't know that I don't know that we want to think about it in the reverse. So I just throw that out there while you're still exploring what these

521
02:21:30.560 --> 02:21:45.439
programs look like, but I understand your theory behind why you want to move in. >> Thank you, Mr. Angular. So I have a theory on it and um when we were looking at which programs are successful and which ones are not I

522
02:21:45.439 --> 02:22:01.040
was an advocate for evolve to move to tune Iraq and expand and I made a statement to the superintendent Dr. Dr. Bronhard, anybody that would listen that if a student was finding even marginal success or whatever their profile was, which I was trying to get to what is the

523
02:22:01.040 --> 02:22:16.479
profile of the students, those students would be successful in Evolve typically because we can't have like like programs, you know, so we're we're we wouldn't be able to have a student at RPA go to Evolve and increase the enrollment

524
02:22:16.479 --> 02:22:32.960
of Evolve, which is a successful program for a number of reasons, if they were going to be credit deficient. So, it would have been like a block to those students to be able to go to Evolve from RPA. But as we've been progressing, we've now just kept RPA open. So, it kind of makes

525
02:22:32.960 --> 02:22:48.640
that point move because when I was saying, well, you can stay in RPA rather than go to evolve as this one type and we forgot about the students that we really should be focusing on are the ones that are not successful in either one of the programs, which was a minority of students, a smaller number.

526
02:22:48.640 --> 02:23:04.720
If a student was at IPA, and I'll say it again, and they were being moderately successful, they couldn't thrive in an evolved program at that school, but they couldn't do that if they were going to be 20 credits short would be my logic for supporting this to say why they

527
02:23:04.720 --> 02:23:21.680
would be successful. The same thing with the one period and the sixth period. Well, we parents have been complaining about, well, how do they now go for electives? So, we're finding and I told the administration this the other day. So now we're going to bus kids or we're going to move kids from Dery to take a

528
02:23:21.680 --> 02:23:37.680
first period elective over there, then go down to 290 Iraq and then leave there and go back to there because they're being told that's where the electives are for Evolve. Another problem, I don't think that's a good thing. We don't have elective teachers, I guess, at Evolve.

529
02:23:37.680 --> 02:23:53.840
>> I'm not sure that that's an accurate statement. The kids in Evolve are not coming to Dery High School simply for their electives. There are electives built in to the schedule of Evolve through the TLE's and there are elective teachers built into the budget that will be shared across the programs at the 290

530
02:23:53.840 --> 02:24:10.720
Rock building. But not every elective on the Dery program of study is replicated down at the 290 Rock building. So if there are students who are interested in specific electives, then they will have access to those electives up here. But we can certainly also give the committee an update um as we finalize student

531
02:24:10.720 --> 02:24:27.439
schedules at the start of the school year to be very specific around the number of students who are in fact accessing period 1 and period 6 electives up here. But just as a point of clarity, there are electives down at 290 Rock uh for all students in the program and that was also part of our

532
02:24:27.439 --> 02:24:43.920
safety and facility walk to make sure that the common spaces could be accessible to all of the students there. I would just uh my last comment is I don't think it makes sense to have kids going to Dery High School period one back to 290 and

533
02:24:43.920 --> 02:24:59.760
then back there at sixth period. Okay, >> I yield. >> I have a motion and a second on approving it. Uh Deb, call the role, please. >> Mr. Dra? >> Yes. >> Mr. Das, >> no. >> Mr. Corey, Mr. Monus, >> yes. >> Miss Riley, >> yes.

534
02:24:59.760 --> 02:25:15.760
>> Miss Stewart, >> yes. >> May, >> yes. 9.3 is a discussion and vote to approve the restraint, timeout, and seclusion policy as referred by the policy subcommittee and presented by Lori Oberchain, assistant superintendent of special education.

535
02:25:15.760 --> 02:25:33.200
>> Mr. Das, >> actually Mr. Ouchain, do you wish to present first? I can wait to >> Sure. >> Second. >> I I yield. I'll let Mrs. Obachain present. >> Okay. So, just for a little background for the public, in June of 2025,

536
02:25:33.200 --> 02:25:49.520
the Department of Education took a vote to amend their um regulations around restraint, timeout, and seclusion. Because that vote passed, districts now have to align their current policies

537
02:25:49.520 --> 02:26:08.000
with the new regulations. Specifically, nothing has changed as far as DESIE goes with the restraint guidance. However, it's looped into the same policy. So, there's no changes to that. The area that is changed is

538
02:26:08.000 --> 02:26:24.080
clarification on the definitions of timeout and definitions of seclusion. And I think it's very important. I've said this to when I presented at CPAC when I presented it to our principles. We have to not think of timeout and

539
02:26:24.080 --> 02:26:41.920
seclusion as punitive because DESI's guidance is really using these terms if they're used properly as um behavior support strategies. So that's what we have to think about. is not saying to a student, you didn't do X, now you're

540
02:26:41.920 --> 02:26:59.200
going to go take a time out. Like I have said to my own children at home when they were little. That's not what this is. This is about helping students um gain regulation, help students take space when they need to and return to the learning environment. So the key

541
02:26:59.200 --> 02:27:16.399
changes with the definition of timeout they have added that the students must be permitted to leave the space as as they request it. So staff cannot say no

542
02:27:16.399 --> 02:27:32.960
not yet you're not ready. We can certainly help a student become um regulated and um in a space where they can leave. But once a student requests it, they have to have permission to leave to be for it to be considered timeout.

543
02:27:32.960 --> 02:27:49.040
As far as seclusion goes, the changes are students are alone in a room with or without supervision where they are not permitted to leave.

544
02:27:49.040 --> 02:28:05.120
So the clause of with or without supervision is what DESIE added to the definition. Then they made it very clear that seclusion can only be used in an emergency situation. So what they did was they gave us

545
02:28:05.120 --> 02:28:20.720
specific criteria that have to be met prior to the use of seclusion. And I'm just going to read that so the public is aware. First criteria is there has to be documentation from a licensed mental

546
02:28:20.720 --> 02:28:36.319
health professional. there are no that there are no underlying psychological or behavioral um u situations with the student that would make this a negative experience for them. The next one is a

547
02:28:36.319 --> 02:28:53.439
documentation from a licensed physician. Same thing that there are no known medical conditions that would make this experience negative for them. And then written consent from a parent or guardian and if a student if appropriate. So if they were older and

548
02:28:53.439 --> 02:29:10.160
then written approval by the principal. Again, all has to happen before the use. Once if you were to use the um seclusion, there are specific requirements for reporting. Parents have

549
02:29:10.160 --> 02:29:26.240
to be reported. There has to be written notification. Um and >> you need a doctor's note. Correct. >> I'm sorry. You also need to have a note from a physician. >> So that was what I said first, right? Those four things. Documentation from a

550
02:29:26.240 --> 02:29:43.439
mental health p uh clinician, documentation from a licensed physician. Um every effort should be made to notify families within 24 hours and then you can follow up with that the written piece. And then the monitoring requirements again spaces these are

551
02:29:43.439 --> 02:29:59.760
spaces that are used for seclusion. These are not timeout spaces, but this is seclusion specific. We have to re uh walk them on a regular basis. They have to be inspected to make sure they are safe and there's no wiring or nothing the kids can get hurt on. They have to

552
02:29:59.760 --> 02:30:19.439
have right um light and air circulation. And then the school teams must review the data for seclusion. Um >> to make sure it's weekly. Sorry, it's weekly. >> I have a motion to approve. Do I have a

553
02:30:19.439 --> 02:30:35.439
second? I have a motion, a second. Uh, and any further discussion, Mr. Das, >> thank you. Um, when this was referred to policy subcommittee, um, this was this is one of the policies that was referred up to the one, I was opposed and I

554
02:30:35.439 --> 02:30:51.120
understand the administration is, um, presenting a policy to comply with the DEESC regulations. I think it just should just be stated and again this is coming from one member who when I saw the reports

555
02:30:51.120 --> 02:31:05.920
out of South Coast Collaborative about their use of seclusion rooms I was the first one under the former administration Miss Ouchain was there to go visit those rooms. Um secl you use of seclusion timeouts improper use of

556
02:31:05.920 --> 02:31:21.520
seclusion timeouts is entirely inappropriate. What we have here is absolutely crazy. And if you look at the individual, if you and I took the time and I took hours just going through the

557
02:31:21.520 --> 02:31:39.280
different criteria that needs to be met. And I think some things we needed to consider here is the training and the increased pressure on staff. Make no mistake about it, this policy that is being recommended by Desi is going to

558
02:31:39.280 --> 02:31:55.040
put students and staff at an increased risk. No doubt in my mind, my main focus as a member of the committee is to the students first and I'm not going to support this policy based on that just

559
02:31:55.040 --> 02:32:11.680
for the fact that students are being placed at risk. I don't know what Desi was even thinking by making this putting the increased strain on our district. I don't know what Pedro Martinez was thinking when bringing this forward to the board of education. However, I'm

560
02:32:11.680 --> 02:32:28.240
just concerned going into the next year and for that reason I can't support this. I yield. >> Miss Stewart, >> I don't disagree with you at all. I think it's terrible. The problem is is if we have to follow Desi, unfortunately, I don't disagree with you. I think it's a terrible idea. all

561
02:32:28.240 --> 02:32:45.840
of all through and through. But we can't say no to this. Well, I obviously you can as one person. Yes, you can say no. I know. I know. But what I'm saying is at the end of the day, we have to follow it because then we'll be in more trouble if we didn't follow it. But I don't disagree with you at all. I I don't like

562
02:32:45.840 --> 02:33:02.160
any part of it. And I've seen the presentation a few times. >> And just so that you know, Mr. DAS just I want to say maybe last week or the week before Jesse sent out further guidance to clarify with what the

563
02:33:02.160 --> 02:33:18.319
seclusion pieces and we've got some clarification that as long as a student is not alone in a room it is not seclusion. So if I am in the room with the student

564
02:33:18.319 --> 02:33:34.479
and I can have we have um you know uh materials that they can use. So if they want to trace an infinity sign and do some deep breathing they can do that. Right? if their student was highly disregulated and was aggressive towards

565
02:33:34.479 --> 02:33:51.120
staff. We do have methods that we use through safety care um that will help deescalate but also keep staff safe and we have ways to block and all of those pieces. So I understand but now it's a little bit we it the uh seclusion

566
02:33:51.120 --> 02:34:07.680
definition was clarified a little bit further from Desi because initially it didn't matter. They were saying with or without supervision, but now they're being very careful to say if you're in the room with them, it is not seclusion.

567
02:34:07.680 --> 02:34:23.760
>> Mr. Das, >> brief follow-up question. What staff if you so if I go to a school, what staff in that school are safety care trained? >> Any school just not just positions? >> Yes. So most administrators, so meaning

568
02:34:23.760 --> 02:34:40.880
principles, assistant principles, I mean we have a whole list of of staff, but all of our substantially separate teachers, par profofessionals, um we train, some sacks are trained in safety

569
02:34:40.880 --> 02:34:57.920
care. all of our teachers. It's very common for someone from my team, like a BCBA, that goes to a school during a staff meeting and presents the beginning part of safety care, which is all about deescalation because the second part when you're actually certified, you go into restraint. So, we do have teams in

570
02:34:57.920 --> 02:35:14.000
every building that are trained in the full um full safety care certification, but there's plenty of other opportunities where staff learn some of those same um skills of deescalation, learning how to block and all of those pieces.

571
02:35:14.000 --> 02:35:30.160
>> So, not all um staff members are safety care trained to the point that they can issue um a restraint if needed. >> Correct. No, >> I think that's something >> because we do have some staff who are unable to do that. Like they have medical reasons why they're not able to do that. So

572
02:35:30.160 --> 02:35:46.479
>> there's no schools in Massachusetts that have every person >> point of information. M >> Mr. Egg. Yeah. >> There's just no school in Massachusetts has every single staff member trained. So just just saying that for the record. I think we want as many people to be trained as possible. But for clarity,

573
02:35:46.479 --> 02:36:01.760
not every school has every person trained. So I don't think it's I think it's a moot point relative to this. We have to go by what the Desi says and then we're doing the guidance and we have professionals that are making this decision. We have an attorney who's going to make sure that we're following the law. Uh I don't think it's a matter

574
02:36:01.760 --> 02:36:17.680
of if everyone's safety care trained personally. I yield. >> I yield. >> Okay. So I have a motion and a second. Uh Deb Civo on this one please. >> Mr. A. >> Yes. >> Mr. Das. >> No. >> Mr. Corey. >> Mr. Monas. >> Yes. >> Miss Riley? >> Yes.

575
02:36:17.680 --> 02:36:33.359
>> Miss Stewart? >> Yes. >> Mayor Kogan? >> Yes. 94 is discussion and vote to approve the lead BCBA job description. >> Approve. >> Second. >> I have a motion and a second on the job description. Any discussion?

576
02:36:33.359 --> 02:36:47.439
>> Hearing none. All >> Yeah. >> Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. >> So, uh my question is uh this the union has agreed to this uh job description as written. >> The union? >> Yeah. >> Yes. So

577
02:36:47.439 --> 02:37:04.640
I just think it's a lot for uh one person. Is there a reduction in case load for this person? >> No. >> So we we're going to create something in my opinion that was bargained. But the reality of

578
02:37:04.640 --> 02:37:21.200
it is for I think it's $4,000 or short money, this person is going to do yman's extra work. And I just don't know realistically how we can even present this that this is what we're going to have one person do because they have their whole case load. How many BCBAs do

579
02:37:21.200 --> 02:37:35.840
we have? >> We have 11. >> 11. So they're going to evaluate 11. Right now they evaluate no people and have a full case load. Now according to this they're going to do all of the stuff they used to do. They're going to evaluate 11 people. They're going to have monthly trainings with all these folks. They're going to like I just

580
02:37:35.840 --> 02:37:51.120
don't see the reality. I it's not realistic in my opinion. Um, I'm not sure how they would have agreed to this. Um, but we're going to be back at a point in my opinion, not saying there's not a need for it, trust me. >> Right. >> It's just that we're not being realistic with what it is because now you're going

581
02:37:51.120 --> 02:38:07.760
to get no one to apply or the person who's applied is going to get burnt out and then you and your administration is going to be coming back to us saying we need to reduce the case load of the person because they're doing too much. So, I personally don't I'm not going to vote for this for that reason. I don't think it's realistic for one person to

582
02:38:07.760 --> 02:38:24.960
do all of those things. Um, just my personal opinion. So, >> I mean to be totally transparent, our lead psychologist does a full case load and fulfills the duties same union, same unit in the union and fulfills all the

583
02:38:24.960 --> 02:38:40.640
case all the duties of the psychologist and gets the stipen to do the additional work. The BCBAS helped me write this. There was no one that expressed we can't do this on top of our regular if they were interested. To your point, I don't

584
02:38:40.640 --> 02:38:56.160
know because obviously it hasn't been approved yet, so it's not posted yet. Um, I have heard that we do have BCBAS interested in applying for this, but I won't know until we do that. >> Well, I think it's also whoever is managing them, which would be you. >> Yeah.

585
02:38:56.160 --> 02:39:12.560
>> Has to acknowledge that they're doing all of those. So, the expectation has to be you're going to continue to do all these things. you really might not know that they're doing evaluations when they were supposed to be doing some other duties, you know. So, it's an awkward position for you to be in, for the person to be in, but I'm just a realist

586
02:39:12.560 --> 02:39:27.840
and say, even the one with the psychologist that you're you're quoting, there's just no way that they can do all of the things they would have done as a psychologist and still do all of those other things because you're only one person. You're only getting a very short

587
02:39:27.840 --> 02:39:44.160
stipen. So, it might be that they're taking it all on, but they're probably not eligible then to take on an extra 10 or 20 cases. So, I'm not going to support it for that reason. Nothing personal. I yield. >> Anything further? >> Do I have a motion? A second? >> You do.

588
02:39:44.160 --> 02:40:00.319
>> You do. Uh, Deb, uh, call the role on this one. >> M. >> No. >> Mr. D? >> Yes. >> Mr. Corey? Mr. Monus? >> Yes. >> Miss Riley? >> Yes. >> Miss Stewart? >> Yes. >> Mayor K? >> Yes. 95 is a discussion and vote to re

589
02:40:00.319 --> 02:40:15.840
approve the request to explore a day school as referred by the special ed alternative >> motion to approve with a question. >> I have a motion and I have a motion and second >> presentation >> Mr. Das >> presentation please. >> Well, I'll hold off for presentation.

590
02:40:15.840 --> 02:40:31.200
>> Mr. Obash. >> Okay. So, really this is forformational purposes because we're really not um asking this the committee to commit to anything right now. What we're looking to do is we have done a great job because of the special ed department's

591
02:40:31.200 --> 02:40:45.920
hard work, the school committee support, the administrator support. We have really grown programs in Fall River for our students. And I will say it publicly, I want to keep as many kids in district as we possibly can because

592
02:40:45.920 --> 02:41:02.720
that's where we know we have the oversight and kids are with their um community and um it's just best practice for kids. One area that we have not focused on is our most significant

593
02:41:02.720 --> 02:41:20.080
students, students with um what is defined as level three autism. So, the most significant um form of autism and our medically complex students. Not only are the costs of the programs

594
02:41:20.080 --> 02:41:37.200
over $100,000 when they go out of district, but these programs don't have related service providers like speech or PT or a BCBA. In fact, they're coming back to us more and more asking us for additional funds because uh we have to

595
02:41:37.200 --> 02:41:53.120
pay for speech to go into the programs to provide the services. Um so >> can I ask just a question? I I don't I don't want to cut you off, but I was just trying to get some clarity on what are we actually voting on. So it's just a free feasibility study you've done in

596
02:41:53.120 --> 02:42:09.600
house. It's not a contract. It's not a consultant or anything like that. >> No, we're going to do it ourselves. I gave you some just some background of why I want >> No, I understand. I I apologize. I I thought there was more to it like that we had to vote on. This is a good idea and I I apologize for interrupting. >> Mr. Dus,

597
02:42:09.600 --> 02:42:23.760
>> thank you. I I agree. Um this is a good idea overall as well. Um not sure if I mentioned this at the subcommittee. The only thing I would ask for as far as a feasibility study is also just looking at the um facilities of the building as well. Also, if we're going to open up a

598
02:42:23.760 --> 02:42:41.359
program in the pay center, if there's um any just getting updated on if there's any work that needs to be done um who will be paying for that work, right? Because it's not I don't believe this is owned by the school department. >> So, um just an update on um conversations we've had in the past on

599
02:42:41.359 --> 02:42:58.000
the pay center from there. However, I think it's definitely a great idea that we have um this wherever it is this come back and I think overall will be good for the financial health of the public schools and just having in staff that

600
02:42:58.000 --> 02:43:14.800
are in in the district helping our students. I yield. >> All right. >> I have I just have one. >> Let's do it. >> So, I'm just going to put it all out there real quick. I have a daughter that's out of district and she is level three and she has medical. So for a student like my daughter to not have left district, she drives to Walpole

601
02:43:14.800 --> 02:43:31.600
every day. It's a very very long drive. So to have that program here would be great because people don't realize what you miss out on is like the community piece when your child is far. So she's not going to by the time she gets home from school, she can't go and do the sports that's here at Derf's just too far. So this kind of a program would be

602
02:43:31.600 --> 02:43:47.680
fantastic because I wouldn't she wouldn't have to drive an hour there and an hour back every day. So that's just one example and we do have many kids that's like that. So, it's a two-parter because she has my daughter has medical, too. So, she would require if she comes to back to Dery today, she'd be she'd

603
02:43:47.680 --> 02:44:04.000
require a nurse and a one-on-one. She comes with a lot of significant needs, but if she we had that program already, we wouldn't have to, you know, do all that and it would save money. >> So, I just want >> Do I have a motion and a second on this? >> Mayor, I just want to say one thing. thing I want to say also when you're looking at a program like this and I've

604
02:44:04.000 --> 02:44:19.200
been involved with this previously >> as you look at your numbers and you talk about a feasibility study you also as a large district looking at some of the smaller districts that may benefit when you talk about closer to home to I mean obviously you want the space for your

605
02:44:19.200 --> 02:44:33.439
students here in Fall River but you may open up the doors to tuition in a number of students so that's another part of the study >> thank you uh so on the vote to approve the exploration of a day school. All in favor?

606
02:44:33.439 --> 02:44:50.000
>> Opposed? Unanimous. 96 is discussion and vote to approve the stone expansion for additional rooms and staffing as referred by the special education alternative education and early childhood presented by Lori Overachain, assistant superintendent schools. Miss

607
02:44:50.000 --> 02:45:05.439
Overchain. So with the prek being all housed at Bishop Connley now we have some um availability within our current therapeutic day school to do some expansion. What we're looking for this

608
02:45:05.439 --> 02:45:23.279
coming school year is to open up two classrooms and then the following school year if needed an additional two classrooms. >> Make a motion to approve with a question. >> Second. >> I have a motion and a second. Mr. Agiar question. Can you please highlight then what the needs are for additional staff?

609
02:45:23.279 --> 02:45:40.240
>> So at this point because when we open the new classrooms if the committee supports that they will not be full from day one. So we are only asking for two additional teachers one for each room and two par professionals one for each

610
02:45:40.240 --> 02:45:56.080
room. We will utilize the existing support staff within the building for all the other pieces. Um because again we're not going to we're not talking about filling the rooms um right off the bat. So as the grow as it grows then we

611
02:45:56.080 --> 02:46:12.319
will need need to reallocate. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Any further questions? >> I have a motion to second. >> You do. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Unanimous. 97 to approve.

612
02:46:12.319 --> 02:46:26.399
>> Is discussion in vote? >> Second. I have a motion to approve and a second. It's just the request a contract with agency staffing. Any questions on the contract with agency staffing? Hearing none. All in favor? >> I

613
02:46:26.399 --> 02:46:45.120
>> opposed. Unanimous. 98. Discussion and vote to approve the revised school committee meeting calendar as >> Make a motion keep the schedule as is. Second. >> I have a motion to keep the schedule as is. Any discussion?

614
02:46:45.840 --> 02:47:00.960
about Mr. that does not this um with this vote I I just want to encourage the superintendent if there's a need for a special meeting we should utilize the special meetings if if there's a need at the full committee level and as I've

615
02:47:00.960 --> 02:47:17.439
stated we stated in the retreat we need to be utilizing our subcommittees more which includes finance committee as well so I'm hearing that there's um something in the books so I'm hoping we can have a meeting starting in August however um I think that will utilizing our

616
02:47:17.439 --> 02:47:34.319
subcommittees and effectively utilizing the agenda setting process I believe we will be able to have efficient meetings. I yield. >> Can I address that please? So obviously I have had some discussion with school committee and I think it was really interesting uh tonight when we talk about the two meetings a month the first

617
02:47:34.319 --> 02:47:50.960
and the third Wednesday you know one of the things I would have liked to have looked at was a meeting a month where you're looking at a lot of the business practices and interesting this evening and I believe Mr. Agie, you were talking about the presentation of the reading. My goal was to populate the calendar

618
02:47:50.960 --> 02:48:06.000
with the two meetings a month all year long for that second meeting to be about our reading programs, our curriculum to highlight departments to make sure we're hitting on our and again we can do this with one meeting a month. I just thought it would be clearer, much more efficient

619
02:48:06.000 --> 02:48:21.359
to be able to look at your uh school improvement plans, making sure that we're populating the calendar as we go along to have a very solid calendar. um and a process that may work in better, more efficiently than the process you're working on. Now, I understand there's no

620
02:48:21.359 --> 02:48:36.399
appetite for that. But I want people to understand why I was requesting that. Sometimes it's lengthy and thank you, Mr. Diaz, because you're correct. We wanted a special meeting at the end of June. We had that. We were able to take care of business. I understand that's available. It was looking at the

621
02:48:36.399 --> 02:48:52.479
practices and I know we're in retreats. We're having discussions. I know at this time you don't have an appetite. Maybe it's something we can bring back and take a look at. >> All right. So, I have a motion, a second. >> Um, >> uh, De call the roll. >> Mr.

622
02:48:52.479 --> 02:49:08.319
>> Yes. >> Mr. Das, >> yes. >> Mr. Corey, Mr. Monus, >> yes. >> Mr. Riley, >> yes. >> Miss Stewart, >> yes. >> Mayor Kogan, >> no. 99 is discussion and vote to approve the deputy superintendent job descriptions presented by Kathleen Smith, interim

623
02:49:08.319 --> 02:49:24.720
superintendent of schools. >> Right. So, this is a job that you created. uh I believe last spring um you know our deputy superintendent uh Liz Lagalt has come on board uh we've seen how critical it is and I know many of you advocated for this I'm also in the process of looking at the org chart as

624
02:49:24.720 --> 02:49:40.160
we start to populate and look at different offices for instance you now have an executive director in your human resource office we're starting to look at the practices we're looking at the areas of concern um so I I've put together and uh I I believe there was

625
02:49:40.160 --> 02:49:55.680
support from many of you in sharing some of the different jobs as and the duties and responsibilities. I'd also like to review this in a few months with you. We have somebody in place. I'm not going to be advertising anytime soon, but I'd like to look at that as I look at the org chart. So, this is what you're

626
02:49:55.680 --> 02:50:11.760
presently getting this evening, but there may be corrections as I go along and look at the oversight of the deputy superintendent, looking at the assistant superintendent, and looking at our overall organizational chart. >> Mr. Chair, >> Mr. Das, >> thank you. So um two concerns I wish to

627
02:50:11.760 --> 02:50:26.880
highlight which I've um I have asked previously in an email is um first we have subcommittees in here that do not that the um deputy superintendent would be responsible

628
02:50:26.880 --> 02:50:43.600
um with working with that do not exist. Can I please get an explanation as to why specifically negotiation subcommittee which we do not have and I my concern is we're placing the cart before the horse. I understand superintendent and you have an appetite

629
02:50:43.600 --> 02:51:00.160
to um change um reorg some of our subcommittees and I may not be um in disagreement to many of those changes. However, we have here a vote to approve a job description where we have subcommittees that don't exist currently. So, if I can just get an

630
02:51:00.160 --> 02:51:16.160
explanation. >> Well, you as I said, you know, your your deputy superintendent uh is in a position. We we have negotiations. You know, we will have a uh certainly a committee together. what if it's not a a committee presently, it's something that we would be bringing forth if that's a

631
02:51:16.160 --> 02:51:31.359
best practice as we go into negotiations this year as we start to develop a human resource office. Uh as we start to, you know, focus on those uh where do where presently do you do your work for your negotiations? So maybe it was titled where do you

632
02:51:31.359 --> 02:51:47.359
presently do that work? What's it under? >> You're asking who does our negotiations? >> No, not who does the negotiations, but where do you do preparation for your negotiations? Oh, that's that's an excellent question. I I I agree with you. There's there's been an issue with negotiations in >> executive session. Yeah.

633
02:51:47.359 --> 02:52:02.399
>> In executive session. >> So So as I said, this is a work in progress. You know, we're really looking at a job that came about very quickly. Um I I understand what you're saying. When we say negotiations, that's um with union with S9's, it's it's

634
02:52:02.399 --> 02:52:18.720
been the same thing, but we never really um had a a firm negotiator, someone who was the negotiator for the ESON. So, it was always just the unions. My understanding the mayor's shaking his head. No, >> it's usually Mr. Assad, Attorney Assad,

635
02:52:18.720 --> 02:52:34.800
and human resources. Human resources. Yeah. And then they would come to us with a proposal in executive session. Okay. Um, not to get into the back history, but on a on a separate note, um, an issue I

636
02:52:34.800 --> 02:52:51.120
>> point of information, can you tell us where where are you reading that there's a subcommittee name that's not negotiate? Yeah, I'm trying to like look I'm looking at it right now the draft and I don't just don't see it. I'm just >> I didn't see it either. I thought I was missing some information. >> It said work with subcommittees but not

637
02:52:51.120 --> 02:53:06.240
all subcommittes. Oh, there's um yeah, collective bargaining serve as management member for the negotiation subcommittee under human resources labor rate. >> Oh, I see. Okay, thank you. >> Um so my second issue is when this was first presented before the committee, I

638
02:53:06.240 --> 02:53:22.560
believe in our June meeting, this committee took an affirmative vote, believe it was 5 to2 to give alternative education the duties over to the deputy superintendent, which I do not see here. >> Right. What it is is and other duties as

639
02:53:22.560 --> 02:53:38.800
assigned by the superintendent. >> But we took a vote to make that clear. Yes. Within this job description. >> Well, well, as far as the job description goes, it is in there under other duties. You mentioned that to me. Liz and I work as a team. We're both

640
02:53:38.800 --> 02:53:55.279
overseeing the uh process right now of the alternative. >> I don't believe that was the My issue is I don't believe that was the vote of the school committee. The school committee took a vote to give alternative education over to the deputy superintendent. It should be clear. It

641
02:53:55.279 --> 02:54:10.640
shouldn't be under other duties. That's not what the school committee voted. The school committee voted clearly to give those duties to the deputy superintendent and >> and the deputy superintendent reports to the superintendent. I heard the the committee and clearly we're working

642
02:54:10.640 --> 02:54:25.520
together on that. I'd have to ask legal if you're able to put in any of the duties that you so choose. >> Why? Why is this before? Superintendent, you report to the school committee. This school committee gave you a directive to

643
02:54:25.520 --> 02:54:41.359
add in a job description which is before us tonight for approval. >> I don't I understand there's this radical interpretation of ed reform. However, it's clear to this member. The school committee gave a directive and

644
02:54:41.359 --> 02:54:56.399
it's not in here and I have an issue with that as one member. I yield >> Mr. D Mr. >> Yeah. So I have no problem with this as is except for the piece that attorney um Mr. Das just mentioned. So at the last

645
02:54:56.399 --> 02:55:13.840
meeting this position is duly created by the school committee and we approved the job descriptions as we have for the last 20 years or more. So in it, we said after the first read at last meeting, it was voted on by the full committee that said we whatever comes out of this job

646
02:55:13.840 --> 02:55:29.359
description, the deputy superintendent position that we voted to create has to oversee or supervise whatever the word was the alternative education programming. That's what what we said as one of the essential functions and duties. It wasn't meant for under any

647
02:55:29.359 --> 02:55:47.920
other duties. It was a clear vote to say this deputy superintendent that we created that was needed and I think she's doing a great job needs to oversee alternative education and that should have been in here in my opinion. So, um

648
02:55:47.920 --> 02:56:06.240
I'll make a motion to approve with that again in here so that we articulated that the deputy superintendent's position whoever that is overseas educa uh alternative education program. I have a motion and second. Um on uh on that though I believe that the

649
02:56:06.240 --> 02:56:21.600
superintendent has the ability to assign duties to anyone in the district within their contract particularly with the teachers and the uh but the administrative team. Um I think she can tell people what she needs them to do to make the for uh for public schools

650
02:56:21.600 --> 02:56:38.160
perform better. I don't I don't have any doubt in my mind from what I've seen of uh Dr. Dr. Lagalt and um Dr. Smith that they're both going to be tackling the alternative ed programs. So, I think that is going to be part of her duties. I don't know if we have to codify it in

651
02:56:38.160 --> 02:56:54.080
the uh job description because I I've already seen her down there tackling issues, but to tell her that you must do this is a bit of a stretch, I think. Go ahead, Mr. Aaria. So, we have a job description that we've had in the past that we created for assistant

652
02:56:54.080 --> 02:57:09.359
superintendent for uh SEAL integration, whatever the wording is. In said um job description that we approved, it states in there something along the lines of oversees. There has to be a point person that oversees the alternative education.

653
02:57:09.359 --> 02:57:26.479
It's in that job description which we duly voted on as a body because it's a position that falls under us as well as the general we approved job descriptions. So we have it listed in one job description already. This motion when we created a position a

654
02:57:26.479 --> 02:57:42.479
highlevel position was to take the that oversee of the deputy under the OG chart the deputy is above the assistant superintendence. So the intention is we're justifying a $230,000 position by saying in addition she's going to

655
02:57:42.479 --> 02:57:59.040
supervise with amongst other things that are in this job description oversee alternative education. So when it came down to us to say how is alternative education going to be promoted or not promoted positive, negative, better or worse. We actually articulated here that

656
02:57:59.040 --> 02:58:13.840
the deputy was going to be the one that makes that decision. So, at some point in the past, it was like, who's going to make the call if there's a debate? Dury wants to send a kid to RPA. RPA wants to not do it. We would have to articulate somebody to do that to be the the

657
02:58:13.840 --> 02:58:29.279
overseer to make that decision. It was the assistant superintendent. Now that we have a deputy above them, the only intention here is that now she's going to be the one to say, obviously the superintendent has a say, but the day-to-day stuff that needs to be decided would be by the deputy. We

658
02:58:29.279 --> 02:58:45.120
already voted on it before. We voted on it five years ago and we created the other position. So, it's not telling the superintendent what to do. And this is a position we've created. So, we're going to create a position and not say what we need what we require that to do, but let's just create a $230,000 position

659
02:58:45.120 --> 02:59:01.120
and let the superintendent come up with whatever she wants. That's not okay either. This is not doing anything other than what we've done in the past for a new position like this with a deputy superintendent. and it's justifying in one way what the duties are going to be

660
02:59:01.120 --> 02:59:16.080
of the deputy superintendent. >> I clearly understood what the committee mentioned at the last meeting that you wanted the deputy to oversee alternative ed and clearly I do have a disagreement. I believe the job descriptions are

661
02:59:16.080 --> 02:59:31.359
managerally under the superintendent of schools. In every district I've been in, I would question in every district around you, the superintendent is the one that puts forward to the committee job descriptions and the duties and

662
02:59:31.359 --> 02:59:46.800
responsibilities of those members. Now, you have an attorney present here. Um, obviously we we have a disagreement and I think it's something that needs to be looked at as we move forward. I have no question. I'm pleased that position has been added. I talked how positive it

663
02:59:46.800 --> 03:00:03.840
was. uh we're working very closely together. There are many duties that we share together, but I have oversight of the deputy superintendent and the assistant superintendent and should be allowed to develop job descriptions, hold them accountable for whatever I deem that is needed in the district.

664
03:00:03.840 --> 03:00:20.880
Now, you have legal counsel and I think it should be referred to her. >> Want to have that out now or >> go ahead. I mean, I I just don't think it's a healthy thing to do to say, "Let's talk about this right now." I'm willing to do it. I already articulated my point, >> but at the end of the day, we know this

665
03:00:20.880 --> 03:00:37.200
situation's come up. >> So, I don't want to get into an argument with you right now over this or the superintendent over it, but what is a fact is we made a vote and the superintendent refused to put that into practice. Now, we could go into a detail on what do we do now. I'm not looking to

666
03:00:37.200 --> 03:00:53.120
have a argument with her about that right now in this public meeting. This has to be addressed, I'm sure. But I don't want to go get into a tit for tat over uh whether she didn't follow a directive of the of the school committee, which is clearly what we voted on. We can't go to the minutes

667
03:00:53.120 --> 03:01:08.880
because the minutes are not done yet. But at the end of the day, we voted and it didn't get h it didn't happen. So, it's not a good situation. If we want to debate it in public, let's I'm willing to do it, but I think it should be taken offline personally. Well, so to that end, do you want

668
03:01:08.880 --> 03:01:25.120
>> Motion to table? >> Motion to table. On a motion to table and a second. >> Second. >> Have a second for Mr. Monus. A motion to table. Um, no discussion. Deb, call the role, please. >> Mr. Drag, >> yes. >> Mr. Das, >> no.

669
03:01:25.120 --> 03:01:40.160
>> Mr. Corey, >> I abstain. >> Mr. I missed the debate. >> Mr. Monus, >> yes. >> Mr. Mland. >> Yes. >> Miss Stewart, >> yes. >> Mayor Kogan,

670
03:01:40.160 --> 03:02:00.399
>> yes. Next item up. >> Make a motion to table 910 the public comment policy until the August meeting. >> Second. >> We just tabled nine, didn't we? >> 9.10. 910. >> 910. >> Okay. I have a motion to table and a

671
03:02:00.399 --> 03:02:17.760
second um the public policy. All in favor? >> I >> I >> oppose. Unanimous. 911. Discussion and vote to approve the expense reimbursement policy. >> Thank you. >> As referred by the policy subcommittee and presented by Mr. Das.

672
03:02:17.760 --> 03:02:35.120
>> It's my understanding um just um just prior to this meeting that the administration would like to review this further and might want to add um some additional details to the expense reimbursement policy. perhaps some um procedures that were implemented in

673
03:02:35.120 --> 03:02:50.000
other municipality. So that being said, I'll make a motion. >> Wait a minute. Are you done talking? >> Yes. >> Okay. Mr. D, >> is that accurate? >> Are you asking is it >> who told Mr. Das we're going to add some more stuff to the expense policy?

674
03:02:50.000 --> 03:03:06.000
>> I did. after discussion with um our new CFO and the superintendent at the meeting at the policy subcommittee meeting it was referred that the policy be referred to the full committee but with the IRS guidelines and with

675
03:03:06.000 --> 03:03:22.399
discussions that I've had with the CFO we're going to create guidelines >> I'll make a motion to table >> I have a motion to table do I have a second >> second >> I have a motion to table and a second uh de call the role Mr. Drag,

676
03:03:22.399 --> 03:03:38.479
>> no. >> Mr. Das, >> I withdraw my motion to table. I I I didn't think it was um a >> We're already voting on it. >> No, >> Mr. Corey. >> Yes, >> Mr. Monus. >> Yes. >> Miss Riley,

677
03:03:38.479 --> 03:03:53.520
>> yes. >> Miss Stewart, >> yes. >> Mayor Kugan, >> yes. >> Is it 912? Mr. >> So, there's a system in place that we have for agendas and setting the agenda. And when we set the we sat for the agenda, which I spent several hours this

678
03:03:53.520 --> 03:04:09.439
week doing, nothing like that came up. It was basically we were going to use the IRS and was done. There's a system problem here of communication in that how this would come with no information other than the secretary telling Mr. Das and I because we happen to be here early

679
03:04:09.439 --> 03:04:24.319
that oh, this is what we want to have happen. That's not the way it should go and that's why I voted no. Okay. >> 912 is the second read and vote to approve the following policies as presented by Mr. Dus. The fratinization

680
03:04:24.319 --> 03:04:41.040
policy, the field trip policy, the student overnight policy, and the public complaints policy. >> Motion to approval. >> Second. >> I have a motion, a second on all any questions on those four policies hearing. None. Deb call the role since we're doing four. >> Mr.

681
03:04:41.040 --> 03:04:59.520
>> Yes. >> Mr. Das. >> Yes. >> Mr. Corey. No, >> Mr. Bonus. >> Yes, >> Mr. Riley. >> Yes, >> Mr. Door. >> Yes. >> May. >> Yes. 913 is discussion. >> The table 913 914.

682
03:04:59.520 --> 03:05:16.399
>> I have a motion to table 913 914. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> I have a motion to second the table. >> Deb, call the role. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. D. >> Yes. >> Mr. Cory. >> Yes. >> Mr. Monus, >> yes. >> Miss Riley, >> yes.

683
03:05:16.399 --> 03:05:31.200
>> Miss Stewart, >> yes. >> Mayor Cook, >> yes. Uh, item number 10 is an update from our chief financial officer. He will provide an update on the transition into the district. Go ahead, Aldo. >> Good evening. Um, so I've been splitting

684
03:05:31.200 --> 03:05:47.520
my time between a Kushnet and Fall River while we make the transition. I've been coming in every afternoon. Um, I've set up my schedule, so I'm here all day on Thursdays. I'm working towards getting here two days a week full-time, but I'm here every afternoon. While I've been here, I've been I've referring um

685
03:05:47.520 --> 03:06:04.160
familiarizing myself with the system that's in place, with the budget that's been created, especially the transportation budget. I've gone through and really worked on that. I've met with um the city CFO to go over the transportation budget. We are now going to be setting up some bimonthly meetings

686
03:06:04.160 --> 03:06:20.000
with myself, the city CFO, the city procurement officer, and the city auditor so that we can be basically in step on having all of our work here that we produce go to uh city hall basically and have a smooth um transition as far

687
03:06:20.000 --> 03:06:35.439
as payrolls, accounts payable, contracts, and such. So, we're working on that. Um I've been currently going through all of the new hires. The folders come to me. I've been reviewing the organ objects, making sure that they're coded correctly, they're hitting

688
03:06:35.439 --> 03:06:51.040
the right accounts, and I sign off on those as they go back down to HR to complete the onboarding process. The I'm working um on the budget transfer. So, it's the end of year. So, as you go through all the different line items, all the different cost centers,

689
03:06:51.040 --> 03:07:06.319
some line items might be a little over over spent, others under spent. So, I'll be working on a budget document for this committee for the next meeting where basically we balance those all back out um that those adjustments will then be made in the system to complete the

690
03:07:06.319 --> 03:07:22.080
fiscal year FY26. So, now that we're in FY27 again, we start off clean. Um in learning the budget, I'm going through identifying myself with the various schools, the various programs.

691
03:07:22.080 --> 03:07:39.120
Um, again learning and I'm asking a lot of questions as to why certain things are in certain places. I've been working with uh Stacy in my department, the financial manager. She's given me the background history on what I need to know. I've made phone calls and text messages with the prior CFO to ask, you

692
03:07:39.120 --> 03:07:54.479
know, where certain things are, how things are coded and where they are. And I'm working also on a a a template for a quarterly financial report that I can give to this committee which not only have the finances but also have the balances for the revolving accounts um

693
03:07:54.479 --> 03:08:09.359
the expenditures to date the budget to actual. My big thing is I like to compare last year at this time to this year at this time. So you can see if we're in the same pattern um whether we're um overspending certain areas or whether we're underpending certain areas. I'll be working on that budget

694
03:08:09.359 --> 03:08:24.800
template um all the way through so that by hopefully the end of September I can present the first two months of the year July and August there's not a lot of activity so that first financial report is okay it's more the second and third financial reports you'll see the

695
03:08:24.800 --> 03:08:42.160
comparisons of this year to last year and that's how on when I build my budgets and I watch my budgets that's what I'm looking for if last year ended off well and we're in the same situation this year then it means we'll be ending off Well, this year this will give us the ability that if we are in areas that

696
03:08:42.160 --> 03:08:57.200
need to be adjusted and fixed, I have time to bring them to the school committee if whether it's moving funds within cost centers or whether it's looking to curtail spending or whether we have additional funds to spend and get permission of what we want to do.

697
03:08:57.200 --> 03:09:12.240
And aside from all that, a big part of my job is to read and learn every union contract we have because that really governs a lot of what we do. So, um, again, I'm continuing to make the transition and get here more days per week.

698
03:09:12.240 --> 03:09:28.880
>> Thank you, Mr. Dus. >> Thank you. And, um, I just want to say, I guess first on a personal level, I want to thank you again for joining us. And, um, just my interactions, my brief interactions with you so far have been very good and very um, educational. So,

699
03:09:28.880 --> 03:09:44.479
I do appreciate the um, expertise and the communication I've received for you so far. >> Thank you. Um, so in general, I I just have to say this and and this isn't on you, Mr. Petronial. However, we

700
03:09:44.479 --> 03:10:02.080
as a school district have significant financial issues that require discussion that is not on this agenda tonight, which we were told would be on this agenda tonight. We have no formal update

701
03:10:02.080 --> 03:10:19.640
on our transportation budget. We're currently in a 112 budget and we have heard next to nothing, at least next to nothing officially on that. I don't believe that's appropriate to not have

702
03:10:19.920 --> 03:10:33.840
>> Yes, Mr. Mayor. >> I don't want to interrupt you. Uh the transportation budget um in consultation with uh three of the members of the city council has been resolved. Can you can you explain for when you say resolved? I >> there's going to be a special meeting

703
03:10:33.840 --> 03:10:51.359
next week. Uh and um the money uh has been taken out of one line item and been put into transportation. So that would I would call that uh sticking with what the school committee put through. So that's resolved.

704
03:10:51.359 --> 03:11:07.359
>> I I guess the first like officially hearing that >> it was just this afternoon. >> It was just this afternoon. Yeah. >> Well, I just still to the administration just hearing this now, we should have had something on the agenda for this,

705
03:11:07.359 --> 03:11:23.920
especially when we have major issues. And I guess what I'm hearing is good. However, there should have been something on there, especially since the city CFO completely disrespected the school department, blaming us for the

706
03:11:23.920 --> 03:11:40.880
issue that we were in and the fact that we should be able to respond with facts. So, going forward, the communication piece needs to be needs to be better on the administration side when we when we're completely disrespected in public and we're coming here today. We need to

707
03:11:40.880 --> 03:11:56.640
be able to respond with the information for the public. I'll yield at that. >> Thanks, Mr. >> So, related to the transportation, >> we were uh we we passed a budget for 17 million. >> Correct. >> The city for a couple months now has

708
03:11:56.640 --> 03:12:12.240
said it's really 16 million. >> 161. >> 161. >> Yeah. 900. >> So, we passed 17 million. They said 161. Can you tell me anything about what the mayor's talking about? Has anybody been notified that it was worked out today?

709
03:12:12.240 --> 03:12:29.520
>> Yes. After they wouldn't know. It was uh this afternoon we had been going back and forth with um the leadership on the city council and as I said I think uh in a meeting last week we had with councilors. I think we came to a um a compromise on how to handle this 1112th

710
03:12:29.520 --> 03:12:46.560
budget so that we could get the city moving on a full budget and one of the pieces we addressed was transportation and as I said it was be fully funded. Can you explain to because you didn't know before and nobody I guess in your administration told the superintendent and the and the CFO what you're talking

711
03:12:46.560 --> 03:13:02.000
about or the deputy who's been in five or six meetings with your city CFO even though she said that they were never in meetings. Can you please articulate to us and the public? >> I don't have you met with Emily five or six times. I met with personally at city

712
03:13:02.000 --> 03:13:18.080
hall last week for two and a half hours and we we reviewed every expense correct that there was transportation. It was now updated through June 30th when she looked at it prior it was the final bills hadn't been paid. Correct. >> So I we looked at it and we and I showed her there was 16.2 million pretty much

713
03:13:18.080 --> 03:13:34.640
>> five or six times. >> The deputy met with Emily five or six times. >> Mr. Patronio hasn't even started here officially fully, >> but the deputy has emailed us back and you were on the emails the same that multiple times they've already been there to meet with at city hall.

714
03:13:34.640 --> 03:13:50.560
>> We we've been in meetings three I don't know four or five times and I have emailed back. I don't know how many times it's been but >> I haven't I haven't been individually with them. But the the thing is, can you tell this committee, how did you come up

715
03:13:50.560 --> 03:14:06.239
with the what's the difference? Because the way I'm hearing it, and you just said 161. We voted for 17 million. You guys kept saying 161. So, is the number 161 or 17 million? When you're compromising on a budget, there's a give and take across the board on a number of

716
03:14:06.239 --> 03:14:21.600
items that were holding it up. We worked with the city council to restore the school committee's number >> to what? >> 17. >> So, but how did I get to 161, I guess, is my question. It was reduced because there was a potential for savings which we will see how this year shakes out and

717
03:14:21.600 --> 03:14:37.600
we'll have an accurate read on it. I still believe there is potential savings in there but we'll let it play out because I think that's the way to handle it. >> And how was the money like where are you getting the money from? >> Uh we're getting the money from another line item >> which is what >> interest income which is which were

718
03:14:37.600 --> 03:14:53.520
which was shorted but I'm hearing again as I left at four I think that there's some work going on in some other things. Our job is to present a fully funded budget to the school committee. I I mean to the city council. I think there's going to be a special meeting next week. That's why it was working right up to

719
03:14:53.520 --> 03:15:09.920
the deadline today. And again, we had a great meeting last week with um three of the city councilors and we were on the phone. >> How many people does it take to vote on the council for majority? >> Five. >> Okay. >> Excuse me. Mr. uh Aldo, could you talk about what you and I discussed?

720
03:15:09.920 --> 03:15:25.760
>> Sure. >> Please. So in analyzing the spending of the account and how the costs were covered, I went through and looked at McKenna which all of the receipts that come in this year were used for transstation. Looked at circuit breaker and broke it down. And what my predecessor did was took within circuit

721
03:15:25.760 --> 03:15:40.960
breaker, they give you so much for your education piece and of a reimbursement and so much for your transportation piece, >> right? >> So basically that full transportation piece is what was allocated in to the overall budget. So the full amount from

722
03:15:40.960 --> 03:15:57.359
circuit breaker towards transportation, the full amount from McKenna towards transportation, that's what basically brought in the total. So when I showed Emily that we actually did spend 16.2 million and that there's a 5% increase next year, that's where the 17 million

723
03:15:57.359 --> 03:16:13.120
came up. So then the discussion went from the expense piece to a revenue piece. Well, how are we going to cover it? >> And the thought um that Emily discussed was, well, you're doing redistricting. we we will probably see some savings. I said, "Yes, but we don't know how much

724
03:16:13.120 --> 03:16:28.479
and how fast that'll come in." >> So, we really shouldn't just assume and pass a budget without it. >> And I I was told that the meeting ended with you and uh Emily meeting regularly, as the assistant said, every two weeks with a keen eye on keeping an eye on

725
03:16:28.479 --> 03:16:45.359
transportation expenses to save both the district and the city money going forward. And I thought that's how it ended up. as easily as five very expensive students could move in, five very expensive students could move out. >> So, >> let's see what happens. >> Thank you. >> But it's 17 million. Original number is

726
03:16:45.359 --> 03:17:01.040
what we're going to have for >> Yep. >> for transportation. >> Yes. >> The um Thank you for that. The the other piece of uh that I'm concerned about. And >> I I interrupted Mr. Das. Did you ask? >> Are you the Are you the >> Okay, Mr. So my concern has always been

727
03:17:01.040 --> 03:17:17.359
lately for the last four or five months about a projection and where we're at and I don't think we did a prior people didn't do a um solid projection. So at the finance subcommittee meeting that's going to be held on at the start of August 19th which is quarterly. We're

728
03:17:17.359 --> 03:17:31.760
supposed to have these quarterly and we're behind. So on August 19th for the finance subcommittee, I just want to make sure it's very clear to everyone here that one of the items has to be a projection, not just a a spreadsheet. How are we

729
03:17:31.760 --> 03:17:48.640
going to proceed moving forward to make sure that we're not going to have a fiscal cliff? I've been saying that for four months and we still haven't had the meeting. So at the special finance uh subcommittee meeting, please make sure that that's on an early agenda and welcome and thank you.

730
03:17:48.640 --> 03:18:03.279
Okay, >> Mr. Chair. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you said you were done, Mr. D. >> I was, but I wanted to pass the floor. This is my last comment. Um, my last question. So, just bringing everyone up to speed. this

731
03:18:03.279 --> 03:18:20.239
um committee and specifically I know the vice chair has been very um passionate in the healthc care reimbursements and um but we have different questions about many different things about finance um transportation what's the

732
03:18:20.239 --> 03:18:37.760
transportation's going to be like next year um what's the we want we want to get to 101 or we want to get as a committee over 100% net school spending at some point. We have questions as I just said on the healthcare. We um have

733
03:18:37.760 --> 03:18:54.399
questions on many different things and nothing personal to the mayor. I I think we need to have more individuals in the city present to have a a collaborative conversation and I I just don't believe it should be all the time through um

734
03:18:54.399 --> 03:19:08.560
conduits. So like administration meet with the administration. I think we need to and we only have joint meetings with the city once a year. So I requested as one member that we invite the city CFO to this meeting which was denied by the

735
03:19:08.560 --> 03:19:26.479
chairperson. My question is, and it's something that you might I don't know if legal counsel will need more time or if legal counsel is familiar with this law. Chapter 233, section 8, it gives the school the committee subpoena power,

736
03:19:26.479 --> 03:19:42.399
summons power to compel people to um testify before a hearing. My question is what does a hearing constitute? what and how can we utilize this because if we're not going to get

737
03:19:42.399 --> 03:19:59.359
any communication from the city side, I think we need to explore all avenues to get either records or or get things that we need. So, is this something that this could be utilized or you need more time to look into? >> Uh, so hearings are used for very

738
03:19:59.359 --> 03:20:14.880
specific purposes, right? So, there's hearings required when you're passing a budget. You have a budget hearing, school choice. There's a couple other areas that a school committee has to have a hearing on. And you're correct. There's subpoena power under some of those hearings, not all of those hearings.

739
03:20:14.880 --> 03:20:30.080
>> I think your question is whether or not the school committee can uh decide to have a hearing on an issue that it's not legally required to have one on to allow you to access subpoena power. I'd have to look into that a little bit more and I'm certainly happy to get an answer

740
03:20:30.080 --> 03:20:45.520
before well in advance of your August uh meeting if that's the request. >> Thank you. I yield. >> Uh okay. Item number 11. We have a number of resignations,

741
03:20:45.520 --> 03:21:01.120
retirements, appointments, rehires, internal transfers, and respectfully we lost a few of our staff members uh and former staff members. I'd just like to take a have a motion and a second >> to accept and place on file. >> Second.

742
03:21:01.120 --> 03:21:16.960
>> I have a all in favor. >> I >> opposed. Item number 12, new business. Anything in new business come before the committee. >> Mr. Chair, >> Mr. Das, >> thank you. So, approximately um five business days ago, more now. Um as I just mentioned in the finance update, I

743
03:21:16.960 --> 03:21:34.000
requested that we invite the CFO to come to the next meeting of the school committee. I believe if we're having a finance update that would be appropriate. I know attorney Spataphor is going to look into the issue I just raised. However, I believe it's

744
03:21:34.000 --> 03:21:51.359
extremely important that we have direct communication with the city so we're not just hearing just through the chairperson on what um different things that I just mentioned so we get an update on. Again, just to quickly quickly reiterate healthc care indirect

745
03:21:51.359 --> 03:22:06.720
cost agreement. We don't know if there's going to be an update that's going to be to the indirect cost agreement that's going to be unfavorable to the school committee student transportation. So with that being said, I'd like to make a motion we formally invite the CFO to the

746
03:22:06.720 --> 03:22:22.960
next school committee meeting. >> I I just want to make a point. Chapter 233 involves sim civil or criminal proceedings. It does not involve uh a hearing with the school committee. Our attorney will be looking into that.

747
03:22:22.960 --> 03:22:39.120
>> I I I had uh corporation council look at that. So, thank you. >> Second. >> I have a motion, a second on inviting um Miss Arkkey to the next meeting. >> Discussion. Deb call under chapter 233. Deb call the role, please.

748
03:22:39.120 --> 03:22:54.239
>> No, this is not what >> this is. Is just an invit. I'm not I'm not calling the the chapter 233. I'm just calling the invitation. No request was >> I've seen this movie. Go ahead, Deb. Call the role. >> Mr. Yes. >> Mr. Das, >> yes. >> Mr. Corey, >> no.

749
03:22:54.239 --> 03:23:10.160
>> Mr. Monus, >> yes. >> Miss Riley, >> no. >> Miss Stewart, >> no. >> Mayor Coug, >> no. >> Didn't pass. Anything further in due business? Uh, we have a request for executive session. Uh, Miss Cabraw will

750
03:23:10.160 --> 03:23:25.600
read the reasons to go into it tonight. Mass General law chapter 30 section 21A7 to comply with or act under the authority of any general or special law or federal grant in aid requirements.

751
03:23:25.600 --> 03:23:43.120
Massachusetts open meeting law to review and approve executive session minutes. Mass General Law Chapter 30A section 21A1 to discuss the reputation, character, physical condition, or mental health rather than professional competence of

752
03:23:43.120 --> 03:23:58.720
an individual or to discuss the discipline or dismissal of or complaints or charges brought against a public officer, employee, staff member, or individual. Open meeting law complaints. Complaints brought against school

753
03:23:58.720 --> 03:24:15.920
committee members. Mass General Law, Chapter 30A, Section 21 A2, to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-UN personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with non-UN

754
03:24:15.920 --> 03:24:31.120
personnel. FRAA grievances discussion of non-union contracts mass general law chapter 30A section 21A3 to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if

755
03:24:31.120 --> 03:24:48.479
an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the body public body and the chair so declares ASME council 93 local18 Fall River Federal Federal Federation of

756
03:24:48.479 --> 03:25:04.800
Power Professionals. >> Do I have a motion and a second? >> Motion. >> Motion. Second. >> Have a motion and a second. All in favor? >> Roll call. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Yeah, that's all. I was I really wasn't paying attention. We named two people. >> There's four. >> There was no names mentioned. >> No.

757
03:25:04.800 --> 03:25:19.680
>> The individuals. >> No, there was only four things. Kevin. >> Okay. >> Deb, call the role. >> Mr. Dia. >> Yes. >> Mr. Das. >> Yes. >> Mr. Corey. >> Yeah. >> Mr. Monus. >> Yes. Miss Riley, >> yes. >> Miss Stewart, >> yes. >> Mayor Kogan,

758
03:25:19.680 --> 03:25:41.920
>> yes. We will be back. >> Okay, we're back in executive session. Deb, call the role, please. >> Mr. A >> here. >> Mr. D here. >> Mr. Corey. >> Mr. Corey. >> No, he's not here. He's >> Mr. Monus. M Riley

759
03:25:41.920 --> 03:25:57.760
>> here. >> Stewart >> here. Mayor Kub >> here. Anything further to come before the committee? >> Yes, Mr. Mayor. >> Mr. Aar >> like to make a motion that we approve the executive session minutes from 63 2026. Second, >> I got a second from any uh we got to

760
03:25:57.760 --> 03:26:12.560
call the roll on these. >> Yep. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. D. >> Yes. >> Mr. Corey. >> Mr. Monus. Mr. Riley. >> Yes. >> Mr. Stewart. >> Yes. Clair. >> Yes. Anything further? >> Yes. I'd like to make a motion we approve the executive session minutes

761
03:26:12.560 --> 03:26:28.880
for 623 2026. Second. >> I have a motion and second. Any discussion? Deb, please call the role. >> Mr. Yes. >> Mr. D? >> Yes. >> Mr. Cory? >> Yes. >> Mr. Monus. >> Mr. Riley? >> Yes. >> Stewart? >> Yes. >> Mayor K? >> Yes. Anything further? I'd >> like to make a motion we approve the

762
03:26:28.880 --> 03:26:46.000
executive session minutes from 77206. Do >> I have I have a motion to second. Any discussion? Hearing none. Deb, call the role, please. >> Mr. A. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Corey. >> Yep. >> Mr. M. Riley. >> Yes. >> M. Stewart. Yes, Mayor Kuban.

763
03:26:46.000 --> 03:27:01.120
>> Yes. Anything for >> one more, Mr. Mayor. So, uh, we just recently received news that a former school committee member, Robert Maynard, passed away. And I'd like to make a motion that we adjourn today's meeting in memory of Robert Maynard, former school committee member, who dedicated many years of service to the students in

764
03:27:01.120 --> 03:27:24.760
Fall River. And let's have a moment of silence, please, before we do so. Second. Thank you. He was a good man. Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I unanimous. >> Thank you.