going to call this um oh I believe we are live. I'm going to call this um June 10th, 2026 policy subcommittee meeting to order. We get a roll call, please. >> Mr. Das >> here. >> Miss Riley >> here. >> Miss Stewart >> here. >> Here. >> And just um for the record, Miss Stewart
is joining us on Zoom. Not sure do we have to take roll calls if um there's a member on Zoom for I think we have to take a roll call. Um we're going to take a roll call vote for all our um votes and action that we take today just to be on the safe side.
And 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.
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 or transmissions are being made whether perceived or unpersceived by those present and are
deemed acknowledged and permissible. Item two, citizens input. Do we have any written input today? >> We do not. Any resident wish to speak for citizen input? Seeing none, we'll move on to item three, discussion.
Three. Um, with the committee's um, indulgence, I'd just like to take item 3-3 out of order. There's no objection. We will do so. We will start with 3-3, discussion and vote to refer the athletic handbooks.
the following athletic handbooks, elementary school handbook, middle school athletics handbook, and middle school coaches handbook. And I'll turn it over to the administration um or whoever's here to present if they wish to give a brief presentation. >> Min.
>> Miss Cin, feel free to like to join us at the table. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um so we never had an elementary handbook before. Um, we've always had a middle school handbook and we actually never had a coach's handbook for middle
school before either. So, um, that I developed the handbook to establish a consistent set of expectations for student athletes, families, coaches, and school staff. Um, as the first handbook in FRPS, FRPS. It represents an important step in aligning our elementary athletic program
with those at the middle and the high school level. Um, by creating a unified approach across all levels, we aim to provide a positive, safe, and supportive athletic experience while helping students develop habits, character, and skills that we contribute that will contribute to their future success both
on and off the field. Um, so like I said, the the elementary never existed before. I really created a simplified version of the middle school. Um, and Mr. And I talked a little bit today about maybe possibly adding the um
concussion to the back of it. The concussion stuff that's in the back of the middle school handbook I was actually going to talk about. Um I think it's a little bit clunky. Um as you can see it's pretty thick for the um middle school. Um we do have this online on our
arbiter registration. All middle school has changed over to strictly arbiter registration. It's maybe been about four years now. Um, so this is online, but I do ask that the coaches go over it. The one big thing that I added in the back was um a sign off for the students and a
sign off for the coaches. They do sign off on it on Arbiter, but I want to make sure that the coaches are act physically going over it with them at the high school. Um, we have them, it used to be in a binder and we call it, we still call it red book, so we call it red book
day and they usually go over that with them on a rainy day. Um, but I would ask the middle school coaches and the elementary coaches to go over it at the beginning of the season just so the expectations are outlined and they know what they are and what possible consequences are. Um, so some of the
major changes, I wouldn't call them really major. Um, for the middle school handbook on page two, um, I just added I just changed up some of the offerings this past season. Um, we just added competitive swim. We added it kind of as a wedge season after the winter and
before the spring for a couple of reasons. The pool really isn't available with our swim team. So, um, that worked out really well and we wanted to really get kids to join and not it not hinder what they were already doing if they were playing basketball or they already
had a spring sport just because it's something new. We really would like to get more kids involved in it. Um, so that's kind of why we did that. So, that was that change on that page. On page three, um there were a couple of differences in requirements. Uh we used
to have a we still have a contract with Hawthorne Medical, which is Brown Health now, and they come and do physicals for us. I believe it's four during the year for the high school, but they had decided that they weren't going to do any middle school, any anybody younger
than high school. So, we have a new contract with them that just started, I believe, about a year ago where they do two middle school physicals for us and I rotate it throughout the schools just to kind of give everybody a chance to get there. So, that's been working out pretty well. Um, I hire two school
nurses to come after school and and assist the two doctors that come and it works out really well. The only thing I think I would change on that um and this is something that um Mr. Chris and I will talk about is it really would be great if I could have some translators. That's something that came up at the end
that um is a liability for the doctors if they don't really understand what they're telling them. So, that's one of the changes on there. The only other change I made on that page was they must be present in school the entire day in order to participate in practices or games. And I added on the following day
as well. So, we play all our games on Saturdays. They have to be in school on a Friday in order to play on Saturday. Um, and then at the following day, prior day. It's the following day. It feels like you're saying the day after game. Okay.
So, change it to prior. >> I could put on the Friday if Well, >> um, if it Yeah, if it's Saturday, you can put it on. Well, it doesn't matter if it's Saturday or Sunday. They must be in school on Friday, right? Goal. >> Yep. Okay. So, I can make that change. >> Um, >> because I was like, wait, why does it have to be in school on Monday? What's on Friday?
>> You have to come back on Monday. Um, and then at the bottom of that page, um, I added that they can only play for the schools that they are currently enrolled in and moving schools in the season, which happens quite a lot, um, with kids on the team, um, just to get
approval from from the me from the athletic director. Um, we did have an issue with um, Doran had um, they canceled their team in the middle of the season due to conduct issues and then they didn't have enough players and one of the Doran players and I think with
assistance from the coach decided that they were going to go play on the CUS team um, without and >> is this a basketball team? >> Uh, no, this was flag football. >> Oh, okay. >> It was flag football. Yeah, it was it was about two years ago. Um, so I had to put that in there just to make sure that they're aware. So, um, unfortunately, if
they don't have a team, then they don't get the opportunity to play, of course. >> Um, so, um, another thing that we added probably about a year and a half ago is that all middle school students must turn in a tracker each week to be eligible eligible to play. Um, so it's
just a one sheet page um, for conduct and academics and more importantly, attendance. It's basically a um, we call it a ticket to play. So they have to we give it out to them on Thursdays. So the coaches give it out to them on Thursdays and then they turn it in the following Thursday and that's their ticket to play
for the weekend. So they do that and randomly throughout the season I collect them from the coaches just make sure they're keeping up with it and we have it for all students whether they are an A+ student or a not so A+ student. So everyone does it across the board. It started actually at Henry Lord and I
thought it was such a great system that we um did it across the board. Um H4 um we talked a little I added a little bit of language about language and using appropriate language. Um we did add a
consequence that you know during a game they will get one warning and then afterwards um they will be removed from the game or practice. It is something that we struggle with in middle school. Um, you know, kids kind of just flexing their muscles a little bit and saying that, but it's it's a culture issue that
we really want to work on. So, that's something we've been working on. >> Um, and the same things for the use of tobacco and vape products and um perform performance enhancing. I just added a consequence and it says that they it will result in suspension or removal
from the team. Just goes along with what we do at the high school. Those are all the changes on page four. On page five, um participation in more than one sport, we don't allow any participation in the second sport. And this goes for um seventh and eighth
grade waiver. So if they do come up to the high school to play a sport, then they can only play for that sport. They are no longer eligible to play for a middle school sport. Um we did run into an issue where sometimes they they have to play at the lowest level when they're on a waiver. So JV or freshman will usually end before the end of the season
and then um kids have come back and thought that they could play for their middle school team once the season's over. But they have to make that decision whether they want to play for high school or for middle school. So that um was one thing that we added in there. Um the only other thing mixed gender team is highlighted. It just
didn't have a title on that part. So um I just added that in there. on page six. Um we changed the dates uh with the exception of fall to go along with the MIAA dates. So the Monday after Thanksgiving is the first day that they
can practice for winter. And then um for the spring season, it it changes every year, but we go along with the same day for the MIA just so everyone's on the same page and they're not starting to practice earlier than any other school. >> But the MIA does not have a middle school.
>> The MIA does not. Um they do have middle school rules. Um but we just go along with the dates. >> No. So we don't play other middle schools. >> We don't play other middle schools. Now now we are lucky enough to have a a big enough >> um to stay. We did used to play with
>> um New Bedford in a basketball league. We played on Wednesdays. Um but we had a little bit of um fighting issue and >> New Bedford decided they didn't want to continue. Do the middle schools like the um six through six through eight middle schools play the like the community 6
through8? >> Yep. So we have um most schools participate um Henry Ward Talbett Cus Morton Doran um and then Argusy and Atlantis are both invited to play with us. Argusy plays pretty much every
season with us. Atlantis does not play um with us anymore. So, so usually we have um around six teams that play against each other, which works out pretty well. Some sports >> some sports more than others. Um but we make it work.
>> And so then there really weren't any changes on that. I kept hazing and concussion the same thing. I don't know how you feel about taking the all of the concussion stuff out, just leaving it online and then maybe adding the links at the end just so it's not so many pages for them.
I I'll go off of your I I asked a question just because I I noticed there was a difference from the elementary to the middle, but if I don't see an issue like having it like as a separate document since it's like pretty much the same rules throughout all the grades, but I mean I whatever you think is
>> okay. So I could just put um you know some basic information, pull some basic and then I'll send it out to all of you so they can take a look at it. And then the only other things like I said I added were the um signoff pages at the end. So that's middle school has to
>> the high school they sign um they sign off on arbiter but I I fear that they don't necessarily um >> go through the whole thing. They're just kind of signing off on it. Um at the high school we have a day where they have to go over it with the coach
because I'm not at all the schools. I want to make sure that they have that going over and then they're physically signing that as well. >> I just this is a question not a But you have co-ed flag football. Yep. >> Not enough kids to do boys and girls. >> No, we maybe have um
>> like middle school. I feel like girls flag football is growing if we had enough. >> Yeah, absolutely. If if we see it getting bigger. Yeah, we maybe have two to three on each team that that will play. >> Oh, okay. >> So, it's it's decent. Um maybe if they did I mean we could definitely talk
about it. Um, it's in the spring, so we could talk about it if they have the um interest and wanted to start it because maybe more girls would play if it were an all girls team. >> Um, elementary, like I said, is completely new. >> Um, do you have any questions about
>> No. Okay. And then, um, the middle the coach's handbook is really the same as the high school one. Um, think I made made a couple of changes on page two. Um,
what I did add was, oh, taking one shift on the gate or the door. In high school, we pay somebody to do that. We don't pay for it here. We do charge a dollar to get in. Um, and 100% of that money goes back to purchase equipment for the program. Right now, we have about $7,000 in that account. So, it's it's nice when
we have that money and we don't have to put that in the budget to buy anything that we need to replace. Um that um um the other thing that we run into a lot is um most of the coaches are
FRPS employees, teachers or parah somewhere, but sometimes we have um people that are hired by a third party. So I put in here that they do need to be a part-time employee in order to work. Um they have to come here and fill out the paperwork and be a part-time
employee. Um We just talked a little bit about language and addressing that. Um, recording their scores before they leave. Those are the only changes that I made from the high school one. And then
again adding this sign off page. >> Any questions from committee? >> My only question is how how do these coaches communicate with students? >> Um, parents parents square. Okay. >> Perfect. Maybe that could be in here that they
must use parent square. Don't be texting making texting groups and whatever. >> Don't this committee pass a very robust social media. >> That's on our other policy, but it might be nice to be in here to just remind them that all communications with parents and families should go through parents. >> I'll put it in all of them so that um
they can see it. >> That looks great. >> Mr. Dur, any questions? >> I do. Wrestling. I first of all, I didn't even know wrestling was at morning. I love that. But are they is it co-ed or is it two different separate teams? >> It's co-ed. >> Oh, okay. On the
>> in here co-ed. The reason why >> I'll change that. >> And also I did speak to Kristen about trying to start a unified >> Yes. >> basketball to start somewhere for the middle school. So we did have that conversation. So we'll be working on that.
>> Yep. >> That's all I got. >> Okay. See no further comment. I'll make a motion to refer to the folk committee with the um recommendations by the administration as to some changes to
some of the verbiage. >> Second. >> Okay. Take a roll call. >> Mr. Das. >> Yes. >> Mr. Riley. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> Very well. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
Thank you. >> It's okay. The air conditioning is wearing off so quickly. Also, just want to um just want to just give um credit where credit's due just for taking this on considering we haven't had this
>> in the past few years. So, I just want to thank you both um for taking this on and getting it in writing. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Moving on to back to the agenda 3-1. we have a discussion and vote to refer the
use of um age GPS tracker within our fall public schools and I'll turn it over to the administration to present it. >> Sure. Thank you. So, we wanted to come tonight and talk a little bit about Angel Sense technology and using it in
schools. Just so the public is aware, Angel Sense is a GPS tracking system that many families of students with significant disabilities utilize to make sure that they know where their students are. They can monitor their movements.
Um we the Angel Sense um technology also has the opportunity for a listenin feature. Um and this is where we need some communication with our families to and um kind of guidance or policy from
the committee as far as what is allowed in school and what is not allowed in school. Um because even though we ask families to please turn off that um listen in account capat sorry capability
um sometimes they do not. So I just want it to be documented that it is not because we do believe that Angel Sense is very useful providing peace of mind for families um and just you know ensuring kids are safe and you know but we also want to uh respect the privacy
of our staff of our uh other students or volunteers that might be in the school. So for families that don't know, it is against the law in Massachusetts to um listen or record somebody without their knowledge. And that's why our biggest
piece is to turn that off to to respect everybody's privacy. So I'd like the committee to consider developing a policy around angel sense technology or the use of any type of um GPS system for
for students. And um we'd like to have parents sign off if they agree >> that yes, they're going to use this technology with their students and they agree to turn off the listen in feature. Um
>> um yeah, if I guess I'll begin. I So um a few points here is I think we're all going to be in full agreement that it's we need to follow the law. against the law to um engage in wiretapping which is
what this is. I myself actually took the initiative to reach out to the chief with this concern as well just to get confirmation and he also said there could be some concerns there as well around the use of wiretap
um with what's presented here and I don't see I don't even know if the committee would even need to approve something like this because there's no written policy that's being proposed it just seems to be just like something a procedure an internal
procedure that's being recommended here in in terms of but since it's presented here I guess I'll give my my feedback the only concerns here is the you're ra yourself administration's raising a
valid concern with the increase of use of a technology that that's breaking the law in Massachusetts Massachusetts is a one party state when it comes to um recording listening in and we're very we're a lot more strict
in other states in that regard. This company is actively I I guess I'll take a step back where I am a little just a little hesitant is to go after and I I say we're not going after
families. We're trying to enforce the law but to send a letter. I guess my one concern is with that's involving families that could I guess for the lack of a better expression going after families even though I know that's not the intent >> is um this is and I did my research on
this company. They're actively promoting this and in fact they're actually putting out false verbiage that states that they're not violating any wiretapping laws. They're not they're doing the right thing. So, I think we need to really focus a little bit more
on the company um than really the parents. I guess my one concern with this letter here is um the loss of transportation and we're dealing with students that are in some sort of subse
um that might even include needs to transportation. putting this in there and potentially removing their transportation I think could lead to some issues. Um, but I agree that something needs to be done. So I think and considering we have
all summer to look at this and we're potentially having a new law firm come in. I think I forgot if it was this or it was the next item where I know Mr. Joyce build us for looking at one of these policies. But I think when we have new legal counsel coming in and seeing
what our rights are, I think we should maybe review this a little bit more and then come back to the to the drawing table here because I think we should maybe even consider sending a letter to the company or saying, "Hey, I mean
what? You can't actively promote a device that breaks Massachusetts law. against the law. I think um we can even talk with the police department if need be, but I just want to be careful with um seeing that this is a device that is
actively being promoted to parents. I just want to be careful going after for lack of better words like sending letters that threatens or takes that could take away the transportation and things as that. But something needs to be done. But I think we need to research
this a little bit more. Um that was my spiel. I'll turn it over to the committee. Do you have any comments? >> If I can just comment on the transportation. We never want to take transportation away from any student. Parents have to understand that this is applicable on our transportation vehicles as well. So again, you know,
trying to find that balance because I want families to have as much information about their students and how their day is going. At the same time, I want to respect other families that don't know that their child is being recorded in school. So is coming up with that balance of acknowledgement. We know
that your child has this device. Some families are very understanding and they work with us and sometimes they even say I can keep it in the backpack. It's really fine. They're more worried that the student is going to alope from their house, from their bus, from their school and they can't find them. So, but other
families feel very strongly that they have the right to have this technology and they have the right to um use all the features. So, that's where I'm trying to find the balance. >> Lori, do you know the um how many students in the district use this at
this time and or a sense of the percentage? >> I don't know off the top of my head how many use it. I know it has come up three times this year that it was being used to um listen in, but I know more families have used it.
>> But is it being used to listen in or just being used to to track their son or daughter so that they make sure that they're being safe? >> Um some families who have the listening feature turned on have called or showed up at the school >> about something that they heard.
>> Okay. Um, but like I said, there's plenty of families that I know in the past, we've had a conversation with them about it, explaining the law, and they have been more than willing to keep it in the backpack, turn off the feature, and it's never come up as an issue. Um,
it just came up three times this year to me specifically about it being >> superintendent. >> It says here, Angel Sense does offer an automated way to disable the listening uh capability >> for the families to turn off.
>> Yeah, I think you'd have to have the app or have the login to be like I don't think that we could do that, >> right? I just think I guess my question that's why I want to research this further. If we reached out to Angel Sense, if we say, "Hey, we here's the family. They're using this technology that they're using the listening device
that breaks Massachusetts law." Are you able to turn that off on your own? I I think there's a valid question, Mr. Riley. Go ahead. >> I think there are very legitimate reasons for families to use this and I think you need a policy to protect the district. Without a policy, you can't
force this. So, um, I would recommend that someone write a policy, research a similar policy in another district or something like that because it's not just Angel Sense. There are multiple of these devices. So, I would even be agnostic and not necessarily call it
angel sense, but be specific and and I I think this is a policy that has to go out to all families because although you're right, most of the time this is being used by students who are nonverbal or have >> disabled, >> it's becoming more and more popular, not just with students who have
disabilities. So, that's this is important. Um, I have a very similar sign off for parents. You cannot disable it remotely. I think parents have to disable it. >> Um, but we have a lot of parents who are like, we'll keep it in the backpack. You know, we don't it's >> they're they're more worried about their
child getting off the bus and doing all those things versus >> always in school. And I have some wear in school, but >> it's disabled and that's the agreement. So, >> but you have to have a policy. If you don't have a policy, there's there's really no way for you to kind of enforce
this piece of it. Um, so I I would say maybe it's search around for another district's policy that we can look at. >> I I would agree with that. I think we need to have a more generic surveillance policy like wire tap or something like that that addresses all of them. >> I think not all families will recognize
that that wiretapping or surveillance also means these devices. So maybe we need both. >> I just feel like somebody's going to buy the Angel Sense and never in their mind are they going to think to themselves this is the same as wiretapping. like they're just not going to think >> because they they advertise it as such
>> in cell phones, you know, kids could kids can tape and we've seen that or videotape a classroom or >> Yeah. or they push record and and you know >> um and I know uh we have scrambled at times um the Wi-Fi or we turn it off and
everybody gets upset because no one can get out but there's a way to scramble it or shut it off and it it disrupts the whole program. So, that's something we can look into and I'll talk to uh we can talk to the uh chief information officer to see what he thinks about it and see
if what what he could look into and see if maybe there's a way to scramble. >> Miss Dort, do you have anything to add? >> This is my life. My daughter does have a GPS on her angel because my daughter is non-verbal. She's 19. I do not have angel scent. We're going to start with
most families didn't have this because a lot of people had project lifesaver. the new sheriff came in and got rid of the whole program itself. So that's why a lot of parents had to go out and find something else for their child and that's where Angel sense has come in.
>> I agree that it's too much in that, you know, I don't want somebody listening in on what's happening when my daughter have been held down or something in her classroom. I think that it's a privacy part of it >> is like the biggest part for me because it's not just my daughter. It's >> yes, I'm I would listen for my kid, but I'm listening at somebody else's kid and
I think that's just not okay. Um, but I do agree that we need a policy, not just this. The only thing I disagree with is that we have time. We have a whole summer program and a lot of these students who use that is in the summer program. So, I think we do at the very least we need to have this form sent out
for the summer program. I don't think that we have a lot of time for that part of it. Um, but the policy, yes, we could bring the policy part back in July, but I think that you have >> you can use this in advance. >> Right. You know, I guess to push back is um my interpretation this isn't attached
to any policy. I don't think the administration necessarily needs permission to send out this letter. >> So, I don't think we need to take a vote necessarily on that. And plus, if we did refer this to the full committee, it wouldn't come to the full committee till July anyway. So, I think um the
administration is within their rights to send this out if they they need be. The only thing I would question as one member is just the loss of transportation, but we will um I guess hopefully the administration will get an opinion on that. And um maybe we just
make a motion right now just to table the item itself and the administration come back and present a more robust policy >> or policy because this is this is like this is just to really talk about what we're you know what the struggle has been and how we want to address it. Yes.
So I will make a motion to table this discussion and the administration come back with a policy next morning. >> Second. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Mr. Das. >> Yes. >> M. Riley. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes.
>> Very good. Okay. Moving on to 3-2 is a discussion revolt to refer restraint timeout and seclusion policy. >> Sure. So, um, I'm gonna introduce it, but then I will turn it over to Jim, who is our chief compliance officer, to kind
of explain. Um, we're requesting that the committee, um, revise our current restraint, timeout, and seclusion are all listed in one policy. There are no changes to the restraint guidelines from DESIE. So, that will stay as is, but the
policy itself is has the restraint included as well. Um, the reason why we're asking for this revision is because in June of 2025, just for the public to know, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to amend their regulations regarding
timeout um, practices in schools. So, the amendment is going into effect uh, August 17th. That's why we're here tonight to talk about revisions to our current policy. >> Jim. >> All right. Um, so you guys have a couple
things in your folder. You have a one pager that kind of gives you the summary of the changes. Um, there is more robust detail obviously in the policy itself. A lot of what you'll see mirrors what's in the code of Massachusetts regulations. So the specific section is 603 CMR46
that governs restraint uh, timeout and seclusion. It used to be just restraint and timeout. They used to prohibit seclusion as it was previously defined. They have changed the definition now. So that's the big thing that was um sort of what's been talked about at Desi. So if
you look at the changes now the time the definition for timeout is now a behavioral support strategy in which a student temporarily separates from the learning activity in or outside of the classroom either by choice or from direction from a staff and for the
purposes of calming. So we may take a kiddo outside of the classroom or they may elect to take a break really to calm down if they're presented with something that causes some escalation. um they have to be continuously observed by staff for a timeout. The room wherever they are has to be unlocked and
they have to be permitted to leave upon request. So a timeout ends as soon as a student has calmed and what that looks like um according to Desessie their physical body, their tone or demeanor demonstrate regulation. So that's the biggest change from the previous
regulation was that students that are in a like engaging in timeout as a behavioral strategy, >> they are allowed to leave whenever they decide they want to leave. So if I don't want to go for a walk, I don't have to go for a walk. If I don't want to, you know, separate from my group for a
little while, I don't have to. Or if I do and I feel like I'm ready to return, then I the student makes that decision. Um not the adults. Now, seclusion, by contrast, um, and this is what a lot of folks used to view
as timeout years ago, a kid would go into a separate space. The adult may be on the other side of the door because the situation may present some safety concerns for both adult and kiddo. Um, and they may be observing the kid, you know, the entire time. That piece where
it used to be considered timeout is now considered seclusion. And there is um a new definition for seclusion. And there are a number of um prerequisites we need to meet as teams in the district before we can even consider using it with kids.
Um so I'll start with the definition. The up updated definition of seclusion is any involuntary confinement of a student alone in a room or area with or without supervision from which the student is not permitted to leave.
Right? So that can only be done now. Right? If we were to take a student in a into a deescalation space, shut the door, let's say there's a window on the door and we're watching, we can only do that now if specific prerequisite criteria are
met. Documentation from a licensed mental health professional that there's some sort of psychological or behavioral justification and there's no um mental health contraindication. So there's no increased risk based on their history.
The same thing needs to happen from a licensed physician where there needs to be no medical contraindication, no increased risk for a medical reason. There needs to be written consent from the student's parent or guardian before we can even consider using this. Um there needs to be written approval by
the principal. Um and then in your um full policy on page nine, it talks about some of the other criteria that need to be met where we need to have patterns of behavior that might warrant this. um you know and a number of other other things. The actual sign offs are what we
included in the one pager. So you guys can see that. Um and I think again just so the public understands these two pieces used to be all part of timeout and seclusion was completely against uh regulations. Now
they've broken it out to say even if you're taking the child to a supportive place to regulate or deescalate, even if you're with them, if you are in the room and you close the door and the student
wants to leave and you don't let them leave, then that is considered seclusion. Now, where in timeout it would be timeout with supervision and that would be considered supervision. So that's really the difference. And I I want to before we go on though, I do want to bring this up as far as the
public goes because I think it's really important. We met with CPAC, we presented this new information to CPAC. Um because whenever you think about timeout and seclusion, it's this negative connotation, right? So when my kids were little and my daughter would
hit her brother, I'd say, "Emma, if you hit your brother again, you're going to time out." And that was like removal from any attention for me. And so that is not what the definitions really are describing now. They're saying time out is a way to reset, relax, restore, to
join the um correct >> to join the activity. So I wish the the terminology was different because it really isn't um a negative. >> The way I present it, thinking about the word timeout, is I think about using a sports analogy for athletic folks who
are just here. um what do teams do when they need to reset and figure out what to do next on the field? They call a timeout. So, it's sort of the same thinking is how I presented it to folks. Um but to Lor's point, I think that's been helpful. >> U as far as the other changes to the
policy other than the definitions. Um they've clarified some restrictions or some rules about the administration of seclusion, how you administer it, under what conditions. That for you is on page eight of the policy. Um, and it's at the
bottom. Pull that up. Yep. So, how it needs to be administered, kids need to be continuously and actively monitored um for the the entire duration of any instance of seclusion. Kids got to remain observable in all parts of the
room if we were to use this. Um, so there can't be any like, you know, corners where we can't see them or something like that. Um staff got to continue to use deescalation strategies because as Lori pointed out, the overall goal of any of these interventions, timeout, um you know, seclusion, all the
way down to just a break from the classroom is to get the kid regulated and ready to reenter the learning environment. That's our goal, right? Um, so we have to continue to use deescalation, continuously monitor, and then as soon as a kiddo is demonstrating
um, signs of increased escalation, they're kind of coming down from that deescalation cycle, the seclusion needs to end. Um, and then the only other limitations are similar to that from a reporting standpoint, which I'll get to in a
second. Um as far as monitoring and reporting are concerned, you see the reporting requirements there. Um principal's got to be notified. This is very similar to restraint. All of these actually are are current restraint policy and the current restraint regulations.
Written notification submitted to the principal for review no later than one school working day after the event. That exists for our current restraint process and procedures and for the policy. We use a restraint reporting form. We have developed a seclusion reporting form as
well. Um that mirrors that. The other thing that we would do um in reporting is we must contact the parent or guardian or make reasonable efforts to do so within 24 hours of the event. So reasonable efforts include two methods or attempts. So if I can't get a parent
on the phone and I leave a voicemail, I'm also going to follow up and send an email. We have to make an effort to contact families if this were to take place >> before beforehand the >> So beforehand before seclusion attempt. >> No. >> Nope. So beforehand before we can even consider using it. So let's say you know
we have a student who has demonstrated a a pretty significant history. >> Oh I read I read through this entire >> right. So if we were to go to use it we already have the parent approval and sign off >> ahead of time. >> Ahead of time. If we then go to use and implement it, we would call them afterwards and say, "Hey, we had to use
it today." >> So, we have their permission ahead of time and then we follow up when it's used. >> Yeah. >> No, I I No, I understand. I I just think I I'll wait till you don't I have strong opinions on it. >> Okay. Um
and the principal must notify the parents in writing of the use of seclusion. So, what we typically do with restraints is we send the form uh the restraint form home. It would be the same process. the um the way that they sort of drafted the regulations is they've sort of made them mirror each other.
Um and then monitoring requirements spaces used for seclusion and for timeout now need to be inspected um to make sure that they're safe, they're clean, they're orderly, there aren't any broken fixtures or anything like that. Um there are time limitations on that that you'll see in your um your backup.
The principal must also conduct reviews of the use of seclusion similar to what we do for restraint. So really what we're looking for is patterns with kids, right? So because obviously we're in the business of supporting students. Um a weekly review for anybody where we have
the use of seclusion multiple times for a student. Um and then a monthly review of schoolwide data. So where the weekly review is student specific if we have concerns very much like we we do with restraint. Now the monthly review is how many do we have as a whole school. So
looking sort of um holistically at the building and the practices >> and just To be clear, timeout does not have a written notice or a written form like a seclusion or a restraint does. Correct. >> So those the families would not get written um incident reports related to
that. >> I'll just ask one qu one question right right now that with >> with the new Desi guidelines, >> what would be the difference between a timeout and a seclusion? If I was if you were in school in a
classroom and I thought that you need to take a break and I said, "Hey, Mr. Das, why don't we go for a walk down the hall?" And you said, "Sure, Mrs. Oj, I'll go for a walk with you down the hall." >> It's voluntary versus Yeah. So then, but even even in seclusion, even if a child
comes with me. So if I say, you know, Mr. Das, I think that we should go to our calming room. You can do your deep breaths. You can do if we go there together and the there's a door in the room and I close the door. I could be inside with you and you could be doing your thing. That is still considered
seclusion because you're in the door and they assume that I'm not allowing you to leave. >> You can direct a child to go to timeout as well. So like we >> that's commonly used in a lot of our classrooms already anyways. It's part of what's called responsive classrooming.
So they may have like a take a break chair or a common corner. You know, you'll see elementary school teachers say, you know, Joey, go take a break in the calming corner. Looks like you need a minute. If they give that direction, Joey goes over, takes a break. Sometimes there's a routine that teachers will teach. They'll set a timer. They might do something and then they come back on
their own. That's still a timeout because they have the option to leave, right? Are our building are like our structural buildings prepared for this change in in terms of because it feels like we would need to do some sort of changes to our timeout rooms to have
them be in compliance. But >> so no most of the spaces again we have spaces in the classroom. So we start there, right? And then we have larger spaces like sensory rooms that we'll utilize the a timeout or a calming area that is strictly utilized only for that
purpose. They have uh they all have to have seating in them. They all have lighting. They are all safe. They don't have electrical pieces. Um you know are um so yeah, there's nothing that would have to be done. It's more about training the staff on the difference now
when we're using them. >> Right. That was going to be my next question. What do we >> how are we going to prepare staff for for August when this >> So we started with principles about a month ago. Jim and I did a presentation and we did some case studies. We went
through some like typical things that we know happens in our elementary school, middle school and high school. And we asked them, look at this, talk about it in your table. Would this be timeout or seclusion? Right? And we went through all of that and we gave all this guidance to um our principles to start
thinking about what their rooms look like. Um and then during admin institute the entire admin group so vice principles, school adjustment counselors, psychologists, everybody will get the training. Um and we are
going to do more frequent um uh reinforcement of deescalation strategies and training throughout the year. Right now we do safety care which has a nice component to it but I think that in order to support teachers and
staff in using these new policies we have to give them something else as well. So we want to give them more deescalation. >> Um I guess my last question for now and us as members of the committee we're not in
the school's dayto-day so we have to rely on what we're told. Do you feel confident that the data collection in the schools is staff all staff are collecting data as best as they can when it comes to like seclusion, when it
comes to um um timeouts and things of that sort. >> Again, we're not there on a daily basis, too. But all of those rooms have logs. When there is an issue that comes up, the first thing Jim will do is go see the log. Who was there? What happened? Um,
>> and all schools have a log current. >> Um, I did have to I was going to say probably in the last like two or three years. I've only had one maybe instance where I've had to implement corrective action. It was not this current school year. Every school's been told, every administrative staff has been told. I've seen logs myself. Um, and I've seen the
practice used in schools. Currently under our current set of regulations because this stuff doesn't take effect until August, right? We know that. >> Um, they're following the policies and procedures at large. And when Desi comes in and does our um program reviews, they do go look at the
spaces. They will ask for the logs themselves and that happens every few years. So, >> thank you. My last question for now um I think my last question for this item is I saw Mr. Joyce reviewed the this policy before bringing it before bringing it
forward. He and Heath thought this was what Desi's doing is legal. nothing because I have concerns that this is really um placing both students and staff at an increased risk um a safety risk especially if having to rely more on on
physical restraints. So >> yeah, I mean you know this is something that is a special ed director across the state we've all been talking about this collaboratives are concerned about this. Um, the reason why we waited till the end of the year to even bring it forward is because we've been waiting on more
and more guidance from Desi and we just haven't gotten that. So, we have to use existing guidance and try to move forward. There's some, you know, language that is still pretty vague. Um, but I understand what you're saying. Again, you know, having a student be
able to leave an area that when they're not ready is concerning because then what does it lead to? what other behaviors will they leave the school all of those pieces and we've asked Jessie that or just even >> to get all those sign offs right
>> what if a family doesn't have a mental health provider >> so there's a lot of questions that >> we don't have a choice but to implement some type of >> and it it came up as well I mean what constitutes in DESI's eyes under the regulations what constitutes a licensed
mental health professional you know who has that credential because there are a lot of different meal health related credentials that exist, >> you know. So, that's something that's come up at the director's meetings and whatnot. >> Thank you. My my my f this is my final question. I know I said this, my final question. If um if Desi did not
recommend if Desi did not create this, >> would you be recommending this policy today? >> Uh I I mean I can say no because I would imagine that the regulations would still be the same as they are now. So, we would be keeping the existing policy. >> Thank you. Yes, I know how I'll vote
now. I yield. Um, Mr. Riley. >> Sure. I think you've laid it out according to the change in the law. I I just want to be careful about putting too much stuff in policy. Remember, we can add a reference document to a policy. So, I would just suggest that we
separate the procedure from the policy. So, we have JKAA, which is this policy, and then JK A, which are your procedures. So just because it when it's dense, parents tend to not read the whole thing. So we want to make sure they can look at a policy that's concise
and then if they have further questions, they can go to the reference document and read through the process. So just for ease of use for for families and parents, I would say if you could just separate it into the procedures as a reference document to the policy. >> Yeah, for sure.
>> Miss Stewart, >> this whole thing was already presented to us at CPAC. You heard it. I asked all my 600 questions there. >> Excellent. >> Thank you. I just want to make it clear this clear for my position and um just want to justify my vote for here and the
full committee. Um when I was a new member of the committee, I know Miss Obam, I remember we had that incident with South Coast and I demanded us to go go check out all their time timeout rooms. Um, I am firmly against the use and the way that South Coast
collaboratively used that in that specific instant was inappropriate as I'm sure we would agree. But I think just the amount of restraints within this with and again within this policy as proposed as
mandated by Desi, I really just think put student staff at risk and and I've had heard from some of them already. So, I'm just So, I think once this gets to the full committee, I think um I think we do have to have a second look when we have new legal counsel because I think
what Destie is proposing is not good for farmer families, not good for staff within our district. I yield. Make a motion. >> Make a motion to recommend this. Well, are we recommending it? We waiting. >> I'll leave that to you.
>> I'll make a motion to refer this to the full committee. Second >> roll call. >> Mr. D? >> No. >> Mr. Riley? >> Yes. >> Stewart? >> Yes. >> Great. >> Clarification. So, you're recommending
this to the full committee >> because we do have a timeline here too. >> Yeah. >> This will be referred to the full committee in July and then the committee can then vote. So 3-1, 3-2, just finished 3-3. I don't I don't think we have anything else.
>> Do you have anything else on this list? >> Okay. >> All right. We'll move on to 3-4, which is um the public comment policy. just had a quick um >> I believe we have the back we have the
city's language as well as what they use for written input. Just wanted to quote you actually throw an idea out to the subcommittee see what what your opinion is. Um I guess when we the philosophically when I we look at citizens input and its purpose
I don't necessarily look at it as a way to express opinions directly to the committee but and the reason why is because it is a public form like anyone can submit us a letter at any time. They can give their opinion to the committee
at any time. But the charter mandates citizens input at public meetings. And the reason I would say the reason why is anyone can reach out to committee members or committee at any single time. But we have a mandate in the charter
that we have citizen input and we and public meetings are a public forum. So there is a a necessity there to give their opinions to the public. Um we have
the technology. I think we should I guess we going going back to the concerns that we've had and I know the administration is new relatively new so the they don't understand the full aspects. We we re the issue is we
receive input written inputs and there's no due process attached to it. If there's someone who's called out, that person should have the right to respond. That individual should have the right just to review what is being said. And there's no verification.
There's also no timeline as well. I think we we we never submitted us put like a written timeline to when someone can like submit written input. I think it's like 15 minutes before the meeting begins and I don't think that's fair. I don't think it's fair to Deb. I don't think that's fair to the whoever the
chair is of the um subcommittee or the full committee to review. So with that being said, we should just I I think just speaking for myself, we should just put in some parameters. We could just copy the city's language, but
I don't think we should limit input. I think we should have alternative forms of input. Like I said, we have technology. I I think it's actually not a terrible idea if like if someone wanted to pre-record their input and submit it. And that's them. That's not them behind
a keyboard writing thing. That's them expressing their input. And we can for the written input we can just copy the the city's language which I believe is attached in the backup which includes um which the by written input I mean written input that will be read by the
clerk. It will just be based off of um the whatever the the guidelines are within the city. So we don't because I believe the city already went through the process of checking the legal guidelines. So but I don't see an issue.
I don't want to as one member like halt written input because people work people um may have a valid reason that they can't be at the meeting but like I said in the beginning public meetings is a public forum and I
believe that's why it exists and I think it's important that we should allow residents um staff members to express their opinions in any way that they and in a public forum. Um, I'll leave it to the committee what
subcommittee what they think is best, but that's my position as one member. Mr. Riley, >> sorry. Are you recommending we change this policy? I'm confused because this policy is the same policy we already approved, but I don't see any changes in here. Are you recommending a change to
the policy? >> I think I guess I I know the committee wants to change the policy and get And there's some some members I want to just completely abolish written input or
limit it. What my position is, and that's not my position. My position is I think we should just copy the link for written input that's read by the clerk. We just copy the language that is in the city the city council's um but we also
allow alternative forms of input like like if someone wants to pre-record or citizens input we have the the little stand and they can just it can just be read into the record because I don't cuz if we have a meeting at 5 5:30 there's people that work there's staff members
that might have a second job I don't think we should limit citizens input I don't know if I clarified No, I I guess so. Are you suggesting you want to add recorded public input to the policy >> and for written input? Because I know
it's a concern among some members, >> but it's in the policy already. >> Yes. But it's we copy the language of um for written input that's not that's read by the clerk. >> Yeah. >> We copy the language that there there's a documented reason as to why. And
that's the city council's um that's what the city council has. But and but that would also curtail some people from submitting input. And some of the reasons like I've heard from yourself is there or from other members that there's people behind a keyboard
and it's and it's different than actually submitting an input. So a member of the committee could still I mean a member of the public can still submit an input but they can pre-record it. They're still expressing it. It's still not behind like and you can verify
who they are. I I don't have an issue with um written comments. I have an issue with written comments that don't pertain to matters of the school committee. So, we have had comments read that are not things that are within our purview or within school committee. That's my issue with written comments.
But, right, I mean, I don't think we've been holding to our policy because it says it should be something that's under the control of the school committee. So my point is just is we should only read letters and people should only be allowed to speak to matters that are within the purview of the school
committee. >> So I I don't have any writing. I think we're we're you're stretching it with the video recording. I don't know how we would manage all that. That feels like a that feels like >> I hear what you're saying. It just feels like a lot to manage when we're already sometimes struggling with how many
people come to speak and written. So if you think about like we've got I guess a three minutes on a video we can just shut it off when it gets to three minutes but it just feels like they already have the opportunity to be there in person or write something. I don't know that we need to add >> I guess I I guess I misunderstood the um
the will of the subcommittee. I thought it was the intention of the subcommittee and the full committee to just strike written input. But seeing that we're >> I just think we have to be you can't just read everything people submit. Some of the letters that are read have nothing to do with school committee
business. >> No, I think we should follow the law. I mean, I I I we have to and that's something I think with a new law firm coming in, we can re-review. >> Agree. >> And I just don't want to run into the issue where it may not, for example,
I guess a legal question would be you mention a principal. Yes, we don't hire fire principles. I understand. But we fund them. We're the employer of records. So would a judge, if that went before a judge, would they side with us
or would they side with um >> personal matters though are not public perview. So they can't speak about a person and an attorney should stop them when they do. >> I just don't know if that's I I it's the law. I don't I don't know. >> It is the law. Personnel matters are are
a matter of of saying it is not a public meeting. It is a meeting held in public. >> Sorry. It's not a meeting of the school. I just wrote that in my notes. Meeting of the school committee public meeting. It is not a public meeting. It's a meeting held in public and it is to do
the business of the schools to give the public an opportunity. I think you've got a lot of leeway even of items that aren't on the agenda. They can come in. >> That's already a lot of leeway. >> That's what I'm saying. You're giving them leeway to come in. >> Well, it's ch it's defined by charter. Our charter I I'm saying you've already
given them some leeway. that's, you know, in in reviewing this. But I just want to be clear, it's it it's for the public to see you doing the business of the school. That's what needs to get done. >> The second part and and Mr. I'll go to you right next. I I apologize. Um the
second part is so that's and I think you saw the email chain today. um wanted to follow up on the minutes because when we did approve this policy, so my understanding now is we had a disclaimer and we had additional language around responding to public
input. Um there's still the disclaimer in there. We removed a second portion and back this is like two years ago which basically said the same thing, but we only removed one part. We should remove both if we were going to remove
both because it said the same thing the disclaimer of not to respond to written inputs. the I guess my position would be and just to use an example, our last meeting um it was during citizens input, we had a member of the um a staff member
I believe give a written input and superintendent I I believe responded eloquently like and it was 5 seconds. It was quick and I just don't think to your point, Miss Riley, just putting things in there that will hamstring us. If you
watch a city council meeting, I think they do well at maintaining decorum. And I just don't I I agree. I don't think we should every citizen's input we should be responding to every single one and it gets it get off track. We need to maintain decorum. I just don't think we need to have the disclaimer in there. we
should just have which I believe this committee has and this administration has is common sense of when to respond and if it's something that needs and there's certain things that if someone says that should be responded to by the administration but I think that needs to be a judgment call at that point I don't
think we should just have the disclaimer in there my opinion member >> Mtor >> so I think that we should be people should be able to as long as it's with an out, I think they should be able to talk about it regardless if it's on the
agenda or not. >> That's I stand firm on that. I don't if I want to come in to talk about budget and it's not budget season, I feel like I should be able to come in and talk about budget if I want to >> to me just because it's on the agenda, I still should be able to talk about it as
long as they're not perview except for a special meeting. A special meeting should only be talked about what's in a special meeting. I wholeheartedly believe that. But as far as people talking, I think everybody should be able to talk. I still stand firm that we don't have enough information out there on how people can come in, where do they
go? When people walk in, if you if you're a pre-K parent and you've never been to Derby, you don't know where you're supposed to sign up at, how you're supposed to sign up. You don't know those things. And I think that we don't have enough information up for them to be able to come in and be able to do that. And I believe that everybody
should be able to talk and they should be able to say what's on their minds and >> I agree >> come to the meeting and talk. I I'm a firm believer in just coming and saying your piece, but I just don't know that we do we put enough information out there on how to do it. I also think that we need to put it on our social medias
more on hey when you come in to jery there's a podium up in the front go there and sign that. I think we don't put it out there enough when our school committee meetings are. We don't put that on social media. I think everybody this to me these meet yes I understand and you're you're 100% correct that it
is our meeting in public but because it is that way we they should be able to come and speak however they want to speak not however they want the >> No I think that's within confines of the law. I think something that we could add either in policy or just make it practice is like at the podium sign in
here um for citizens input just or just put like signs given basic instructions like a little like um like a little teleprompter thing to show like when you go to the door just saying sign up here are the rules for input because we don't have this the citizens input rules
posted like within the actual meeting. So I think just I think I don't even think that needs to be in policy. That's to be something we could just adopt as a as a good practice. M >> I said that's something you could put on the agenda. Right where it says public comment, you can say to sign up for public comment, please go to the podium
at school committee or submit written to whatever the email address is and it's on every agenda. you want to speak at public comment, you can see where it says public comment. Go to the podium, sign up ahead of time before the meeting or email a written testimony to whoever.
You can we can put that on the agenda just to be a nice reminder for folks on how to do it because you're right, you come in, you don't really always know if you've never been to a public meeting before, you don't know. There's a sign. You're probably waiting to be called up like when are we going to have public comment? anybody wants to line, you know, because I think that's what you
see on television, people line up at a microphone waiting to speak versus we ask people to sign up in advance. So, I think we could do that. We could also move a podium up by the door >> so that as soon as you walk in, there's something there with a sign up for public comment.
>> You can put a poster board up on an easel. This is where you sign up. This is how you do it. You have three minute You have 90 seconds. I >> I trust you all to come. >> Three minutes. Three minutes. We have three minutes to discuss and then there will be no fe there's no there's no conversation.
>> Yeah, I I think it's fine as is. I don't I mean we looked at it in 23 so it's within five years but it's up to the committee if you want to talk about it again. >> 24 I think >> it's it says updated 23 on here.
>> Oh, it's got the weird MASC thing on it. got to start taking those all off because you're right down in the corner it says approved by FRSC on 111824. It was updated in 2023 and just to give a quick backstory >> that's the conversation that's been but
it was I think there was changes made in 24 as well was when it was um but in 23 the reason why because members of who were citizens at the time were getting censured the ACLU got involved sent a letter to the committee and then we up
we used the most updated MAF language was I believe happened >> so I think we should I I think we should just refer it up, get everyone's opinion at the full committee. Just refer it up as is. So, I'll make that motion
to refer to the full committee as is. >> Okay. >> Miss Riley, >> again, why are we bringing it back? It was just refreshed in 24 and we're not recommending any changes. So, why why are we bringing it back to the committee? We're just adding another agenda item with no change.
this I I I guess just to go back this item was placed on the I guess to the two points. One, this item was placed on the agenda due to a committee member request. It wasn't something that and this might have even this might have
been even a referral from the committee. Don't quote me on that, but I do know there was a a committee member request in regards to this. So, and I think just I think other members of the committee have different opinions and seeing that
I just think just referring it back up and having the discussion to get the full committee's opinion wouldn't hurt. >> Okay. >> Can I ask a question though? Just like in this meeting, if there were members of the committee, they could attend and
be um citizens. So when you were to ask citizens input, Mr. Stewart's on the I was going to use her. Um Mr. Corey's on the committee, but you'd have a quorum, right? But he could be for citizens and sitting there
and then ask a question. >> Yeah. >> I I don't understand the question. I think what I'm struggling with is why we're bringing it back. >> Yeah. I >> I don't know. >> I don't I don't either, but I hear what you're saying. Somebody else asked for it, but was it because they wanted to make a change to it? I think it was
around written input. The issue was the written input and just like >> tidying it up or just reviewing it, but I think we should refer it back and just say we made no changes and and see what the committee wants to do. I I wasn't
for making changes to it. So, I mean, technically, I would be I'm fine with just like just letting it die. But I don't think that's the purpose of a subcommittee anyway to let things I don't think we should ever let anything fester in here. We should make recommendations, good, bad, negative,
good, bad, or indifferent to the full committee. >> I'm just saying, Colin, you did you did this last year. I wasn't on the committee, but you just did it last year. We have all these old policies we have to get to, and we're adding an item that was just reviewed a year ago. It just feels like we're creating work for ourselves that doesn't need to happen. I
didn't ask for this item to go on. I But if any member of the committee asked for an item be reviewed, I would honor it like no matter what it is. >> But who asked for it to be reviewed and why didn't they come and tell us what they want to change? >> Right. That's right. That's what I'm asking. >> That's where I'm stuck. Who wanted it? What was the change? So we could talk
about the change. >> If you want to if you want the board out there on an easel and that's what you're asking for so people understand, just ask us and Devon. We've got >> I mean we can do what Miss um Riley suggested and that because that was um
uh Mr. A made a suggestion too putting I think it was different uh certain language that it was 3 minutes and and um >> what whatever you're comfortable with. I'm just 30 minutes. We were not going over 30 minutes. So that was something that we added under but
>> that we have that poster board maker upstairs. >> Correct. that Sardinia makes it make it put it on an easel and then >> get leave it down there and then set it up and then put something at the door with an arrow >> school committee meeting >> 5:00
you know with an arrow to the to the auditorium >> but I guess Mr. your point. I I agree with you. I didn't want to touch this policy, but I think and I agree it's just one extra item. I think there have been members in the committee. I don't want to like this like that have brought
who have wanted this policy to be reviewed. I have two members of the committee have brought it to my attention. So, um I think just one is on this committee, one is not. So, just referring it back and just getting just the full opinion, it's going to take five minutes out of me. I don't think
it's >> okay. >> But hey, Mr. Dur, any further comment? Take a roll call. >> Mr. D? >> Yes. >> Mr. Riley? >> Nope. >> M. >> Yes.
>> We're never going to do this. >> Okay. Moving on to 3-5 is the expense >> reimbursement policy. is um m if I can just be reminded why we
we did table this item and I think we're just getting further information. Does administration have anything they wish to present on this policy? The other thing I would say is I I agree as as the new attorneys come on and we're having I think an MASC
uh review and and and um on the 17th we're having a retreat. >> I think some of these things can be brought up with the whole committee because you're going to have the quorum and you you can talk about MASC. I mean MASC does this and it's the everything is followed by law. you know, whatever
your expense reimbursements. I'm not a big I don't like a lot of receipts. I'm a big I don't like this. But >> me neither. >> I get it. But when people go to professional development, which we want them to go to PD, there has to be something. There's got to be either
we're going to have to go and get a credit card at some point to be used by the city. >> I think that's what we had for a conversation last. I think maybe communicating with the city to um see if we they can work with us. I know that finance team isn't really communicating
with us that much. >> I think that's going to change, but I think that if if that's what it was like to have a credit card that could be used in those situations and if that's that's how I look at this, but that's all I would say to that is that
is that there's so many things that are moving like moving targets right now. meaning on the on the policies that MASC does have that that and I know that whatever you think about that but we do
follow MGL law and there's a the there is a legal reference in here already to the reimbursement policy >> M hand up >> yeah I just was this did we put this on here because we don't have this policy
doesn't say adopted by the Florida See, >> I believe that is the most updated MASC policy. We have a similar It's not in the backup, but is we have a similar >> We have We have a policy that's very similar and that's the most updated language. >> So, are we looking to update our old
language to this language? I guess I I feel like without knowing what we're vote I I don't know what we're voting on like this isn't our current policy, but like >> it should I agree. It should be in the back. It's very similar language. I'm just trying to find it back. You know,
we have 300 pages of policies, but let me try again. DKC, I I just want to make sure we're cutting out what we want to cut out. >> I I'll say this. I I'll say why I put this on the agenda, and I'll I'll be frank with my concerns, >> and I guess the prime example would be
today. So, we need to have good procedures if we're going to have a policy as Vegas. We we we have um we had a bill today for almost $3,000 to reimburse reimburse
meals which was $90 per person. The prior administration at the time and this don't agree with much that the prior administration did but I agree with this that there was a $40 per meal um directive or procedure that was done
under the prior administration. $90 for a meal. I think it's just excessive. So, it's just little things such as that. And just also um the reimbursements, it comes before the
committee. So, I can tie this in. I guess where I would disagree is that we are following the law when it comes to um the approval of warrants. The warrants, what we sign off on in executive session is the warrants. We don't approve them fully as a committee.
We just sign off on them. They sent the two members through um Docu Sign and it's split up and then we approve the entire warrant system in executive session. I actually asked Mr. Amida what what is this we sign off on like the big packet
and we quickly get the signatures and it's the warrants. So I don't think that's a good process. I think there needs I think the administration needs to um put some procedures in place. Like I said, $90 for meals. I think it's just
per person is is a little too exp excessive. Um, another example I think you need we also we also need to know what we're reimbursing. I saw and I asked this in um some of the questions on the warrants is there was a $30
expenditure in Maine uh bill at the Butcher Burger. Mhm. >> There's um but there's no we don't know what what's being reimbursed. It could it be like I I don't know. I don't want I I'm not going to make assumptions, but we
don't know if it's um is it a beverage? Is it a burger? I mean, we don't know. But I think it's just having just simple if you're presenting a a receipt. All right, you're getting reimbured. You have a $40 limit here. I bought a
burger. I bought a shake $26 here. Reimburse me. I think just simple things as that would be appropriate. And I think just getting the warrant system because I think it's a mess. and and and just just one more and I apologize for
the venting but just also one more part as well is just also trying to get answers from the finance team which I feel has still been hard from the finance team to get answers to questions which is unfortunate but I'm hoping that this administration can straighten that
out but deputy I saw you had your hand up >> yeah I was just going to say there's two different things here the first thing is on the reimbursements I I don't like receipts I don't like, you know, I like when people go to professional developments and it's all
inclusive, like they eat at the hotel and the hotel provides the lunches and they whatever and then whatever's outside of that they buy. But there are some PDs that you have to buy and we've got to figure out a system for that. But
when that comes in, there should be the request form. What's where are we going? What do we Yeah, it's all all pre so that you know and you see it up front, >> okay, that the superintendent is signing off on it. I want them to go to professional
development, whether it's a math or an ELA or an MLL conference or whatever the case is. And then when you get the warrant and I know that you that's that's a different that's not what expense of reimbursement that the warrant has those are two different
things. And so when you talk about the warrant, which I think is different than talking about this, I'll we'll look into this and I think that like as you said, there's a lot here right now. I think come July 1, I think we've got a special meeting on the 23rd. I think a lot's
going to happen. I think on July 1, there'll be some systems and and some protocols and procedurals put in place and then everything that you're bringing forward, we can adjust and that the moving on forward. >> Yeah. Okay. So, let me speak to the
reimbursements. So, my understanding is, and again, I understand what you're saying, uh, Liz, about, you know, you go to a conference, they provide the lunch, but there are times where you could be a speaker for, you know, there's things that happen. My understanding is there's an amount that is allowed by government
for a breakfast. A breakfast, I don't have it exact. Let's say it's $20. Lunch might have been 40 and supper might have been 60. You stay within those guidelines. You submit receipts. there are certain things that are not accepted. It usually is attached to your
reimbursement. So that to me is pretty clean. We cannot as a school committee and superintendent get into the weeds on a burger. We we cannot do that. But I agree there should be a receipt that is really clear within some kind of
guidelines as to what you're allowed to spend. I don't know quite what the $90 meal is. I mean, >> sure. It was a It was a 27. There was a a travel request that came before the committee to go to Foxwoods. It was it was it was a fine. It was a fine. It was
the Hell's Kitchen to let the culinary team go to Hell's Kitchen. We should in a travel request receive if we're approving it. We're approving the expenditures for it. That was not in the travel request. The $2,700 for meals. I understand it's Hell's Kitchen. It's a
great restaurant. And I might not have been I'm more I'm more upset it didn't come before the committee if it's a in a travel request. And I'm also a little upset if we had and I maybe I misunderstood. I thought the procedures I shouldn't have
assumed that the procedures from the last administration would carry over into a new one. But we did have we did have robust discussion with the old committee around $40 for meals. nothing because also aren't we supposed to be filed ethics
any paperwork for ethics if we're if we're gifting if we're getting gifted meals or anything like that we I don't think >> that's if somebody buys the meal for you >> yeah you can't accept more than >> right but if a grant if they're paying for we've had that plenty of times um
like meals like if a meal is included in a travel request they're buying the meal for you >> that's not a gift that's so There is I think I remember now why we brought this. We asked for this to come back. It >> because it wasn't this administration. We asked them to put the IRS rates in here.
>> Yes. >> That's what's missing. It just as we were talking about like I looked at my notes from the last meeting and what we had asked the prior administration was to come back and add in the IRS so people know they know if I'm going out to dinner and I'm only going to get
reimbured $40 for dinner and I order a $60 steak, I'm paying $20 of it. I'm only going to get reimbured 40. That's what we asked them to do. I was like, I know we did talk about this. >> The city I mean the policies were the same across city like the city was doing the same as the schools and they were
the >> that's what's missing. We're missing the IRS rates. We had asked the previous administration to add the IRS so that folks are clear on here's the expectation. Here's how much you get for breakfast. Here's how much you get for lunch and dinner. And then when they do their pre-approval, they know they're
going to be there for all three of those. They can put in for the full amount. then they know that's going to be encumbered and then if they don't spend it all whatever they don't spend it all but we know it's encumbered and that's it. That's what we asked them for. I'm like what did we talk about this but I looked back at our notes that's what we wrote. So that's what
it's missing. This policy before it can go to the full committee needs to have the IRS rates for reimbursement added to it >> and and receipts. >> Oh yeah. They have to have a an itemized receipt is part of the IRS recommendation. So they should have that. >> Yeah. I think when you look it up you
can find that language right in the IRS. not allowed to like bring a tip. You're not allowed to >> no alcohol, no tip. There's like a little list of things to >> So, thank you. So, the issues we have right now, >> the the the the reimbursement I just mentioned, it has a $400 tip
>> or $300 tip. I'll be conservative. >> Wasn't this the kids? >> I was just going to say I think it was >> I think it was the kids. >> Staff was included, >> right? But >> it's a field trip like chaperone kind of thing, >> right? >> But we can't we we can only have it one way if staff have been told. But I think the field meal trip was a dinner. Like
you're going to Right. Cuz if you're going to culinary dinner and they're going to that restaurant, it's a meal. That's what we're paying for. Like they're not going to the zoo or pay the admission. They're going to What's the name of the restaurant? >> Hell's Kitchen. >> They're going to Hell's Kitchen. So they're It's a meal. They're not going
>> to watch people eat. >> No, I I I think the the the purpose of it was to see how the it was culinaries to see how the kitchen was run, which is great. I just think it needs to be um I I think it needs to be fair across the board. I think if
because I we we have been as I guess the past committee has been adamant on the um the $40 like per person. So if we're telling one staff member that and we're telling another staff member something different, I think we just need to have clear guidelines across the board. and
hopefully um I'm overtabling this or referring it up. But if >> I think it needs to go back to the administration to add those rates so that's part of the policy and then we can bring the policy to the full committee. >> Should we refer it and let the administration add it in or should >> It's up to you. Do you want to see it
before it goes up? It's up to you. >> Mr. D, do you have anything to add? >> I think we should just let them do it and send it up. We don't need to bring it back down. >> I agree. Um, so I'll make a motion that we refer >> second >> to the full committee and the administration add the um adequate
language around reimbursements in there. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Mr. D. >> Yes. >> Miss Riley. >> Yes. More. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Next item. We're moving on to
3-6. And I I will admit for this agenda, I did put in some long-standing wish list items I wanted to I wanted to address at some point, but we'll make this very we'll get through these quick. So, with this item here, it I propose
this to be in line with the city council. Um, this is taking an item that's in the city charter that only applies to the council, but also making it policy of the school committee, doesn't apply to emergency items. Um,
and it shouldn't be used willy-nilly. Should be something that should be used if there's like a question of law. If there's no if we're getting something last minute, there's no backup and there's further questions. Um, I won't take it personal how the committee votes on this. I understand.
But um >> sorry, I'm a no. >> I'm a hard no. >> Okay. >> No. >> Okay. Well, um we'll just move on.
>> So, we mo we'll make a motion to um grant leave to withdraw. >> Second. >> Roll call. Mr. D. >> Yes. >> M Riley. Yes. More. >> Yes.
>> 3-7 is a spreadsheet, an update spreadsheet and next steps. Um, guess my first question will be just an update on where we are with the spreadsheet just so we can have an understanding of how
many policies are left to go through. Well, there's a lot. I mean, I'm not I'm not going to lie. I'm not going to sugar coat it on. I mean, I have not touched it. I mean, I mean, Miss Riley created the um the spreadsheet. We we're working
on it, but I mean, we've had meetings. I was off. >> I understand. >> You know, I mean, hope we're hoping that now with the summer, there may not be as many meetings. So that may be something that we can, you know, concentrate on a little bit more and work on those that
have, you know, the ones that are the most expired ones or the oldest ones and, you know, start with the rotation like Miss Riley has suggested. I mean, >> can just something like I feel like just putting this through like an AI like AI
thing, just putting in all the policies. I don't know if there's something that maybe it can assist with. I I don't know how you would do that. I I MASC doesn't do this anymore. >> They do it for a fee. >> They I'm sorry. They >> do it for a fee.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> So, we have all the policies from MASC downloaded already. The most current ones >> um in Word. It's a matter of just as Liz stated at the last policy subcommittee. This is something tedious. It's going
through the policies that we have now. and when you know the oldest ones what their version is what the you know what MASC is recommending and then bringing it forward >> have we looked at on the spreadsheet we know has it been filled in which
policies are updated >> it just didn't have a date when I was when I sorted it I couldn't it wouldn't pull the AI was confused by all the dates in it because some policies might say per the law of this year that so it confused the dates >> correct and there was some that were on
there like um I think like title n and grievance and stuff those were just recently done. So again it's something that like even with the spreadsheet that Miss Riley created it's a matter of looking at it going cuz we have >> the ones that have been recently
approved or updated. We've been putting um not in the manual but on the actual >> you put a lot you put a lot of the approval dates in here. >> Yes. >> Yeah. There's something. Yeah, there's dates in there. But where it's just a matter of like So if we go into our
website and we go under policies, so if the newer ones are coming out and if they are coming >> and they're being approved, >> then we're just putting it there with okay, it was approved uh 2025 >> with the updated policy. So they have
>> divide them up by them. >> It's a matter of just us going into each like the policy manual and seeing which ones are outdated and which ones. >> Mel, it looks pretty done on it. I mean, >> you have all the dates are in here. Somebody's done it. >> Well, >> because it wasn't me. All the approval
and updated dates are in here. >> Let me see who's been in my spreadsheet. >> It says eel. You may know. >> I don't know who that is. I'm gonna add you. Right. All of them are in here.
They just So, we just have to do the old ones. The dates are in here. I don't know who put them in here, but somebody put them in here. >> Are you raising your hand on that screen, Miss Stewart? Did you put them in there? Okay. >> All right. All right. I guess um the second part of the update is I want and
we we briefly talked about schedules before the meeting is >> I'd like to propose that we have a marathon session in July and we we but we're not going to have a meeting in
August. We'll give people a break. >> But just because I know like Miss Riley will be off. Um we >> I'll have to take time off. I work in the summer. That's right. >> Yeah. >> Um there there would be more
availability to do certain things. So just I think just having a marathon and I think we need to go back to the beginning here. This should have been updated by prior committees. Um the committees from two years ago to five years ago to 2010
>> correct >> that did not update these policies. And I think it's a good accomplishment that this committee, this subcommittee and this school committee could say we addressed issues. We updated policies
from 1015 years ago and we brought it up to date and that is one of the most important functions of the school committee. So I think it's really important that we stay on top of this. So I I think we should just not have an August meeting and just have a um
>> What's your definition of marathon? Well, you >> do not take 12 hours. >> No, no, no. I was I was going to say six, >> four, six. >> My my question is this. You know, you make a good point is
to separate >> what we actually need to touch and look at and versus what we just need to take off. That would be a marathon meeting for me, but not necessarily getting in the weeds of >> I just organizing them. >> I No, that's that's what I think we
should have the that that would be the purpose of the meeting. Just going through which ones we'll remove that are not necessary. I already brought that'll be later in the agenda. I already brought some I think we just do not need at all because it's just either just common sense or it's just outdated
language. But we can have that conversation when we get closer. But um that that would be the whole point just going through not going into substance but just going into do we need this the only substance would be do we need this policy in the book or do we recommend we
get rid of it so we can um go at it for a few hours and then take the take August off and then we'll go starting September we'll go back to the third Wednesday of the month and until we >> at least for a couple months until we
get to a better place and then we can >> address it from there. >> Yeah. Then then it's not on your plate. We'll organize it together. We'll divvy them up into fiveyear chunks and start working out. >> Okay. I mean, we we can still like I can still hopefully with, you know, getting
into July, I can look to see which ones are the oldest ones and then which ones. >> Colin, you make a good point about this being one of the most important functions of a school committee to review policies, especially those that are changing. We had a presentation this evening. Th those are pro premier
properties we have to pay attention to and I said there's a date on this. Now that being said, have we brought MASC in here? I've worked with them in a couple of districts. They do an excellent job. The cost is for the cost. You know, it is well worth it to get your policies if
we have let it go for a while. So, >> we have all their updated policies. We just haven't merged all of our policies with their policies. I think that's what Deb said. We've got we have a download of all the current policies from MASC and they just sent us new ones. >> Correct. >> Like a month ago. Yeah. So, we have them
all. We just haven't >> merged all of our policies with the updated policies. That's what we're trying to organize. So, I think you're right. >> You for two minutes. I'll be >> sure of course. So, that makes sense for us to meet in July just to organize, not even to get into the weeds of some of these, but to organize them into chunks.
So before you came on, Kathleen, we had talked about taking all of our policies and making sure they're all like on a 5-year review cycle. >> That's what point the money. >> Yeah. >> I think we're have Yeah. So when we meet in July, we can look at if we can manage
that and if we can't, then we bring you actually have Sean Costello here on the 17th. >> Oh, so we can talk to >> Yeah. So I would just bring that up and just I I just want to make sure we're not spending needless time for things that they can help us with. I agree. I don't want to do them again.
Committee members have said that >> I share the spreadsheet too many um policies some policies that we don't even they did do a lot of something not last year. It looks like there was a bunch with Tom
Couan right before we left. >> Yeah. So I see a bunch of those 2024. Yeah, like I don't want to review ones from 2024. Unless there's been a law change like we don't that was just two years ago. We don't need to look at those now. >> Once and once they get up to date it should be I if you're going to have a
policy subcommittee every month it should be take three take three. The other frustrating thing is what I saw MASC doing I I have to really try to remember but when there are policies again a whole section on finance then your chief financial officer is there
you can talk about the IRS it's getting done it's sufficient >> and also you know in advance you can prepare it in advance for us because we shouldn't be recommending correct administrative changes come from you >> and if it's student policies those are
the senior staff members the people that need to be at the table and you're able Jim Hardy did mine from >> he had the same. >> Yeah, >> but that's why I'm just saying I I'm sure they've replaced people. They just do a very good job. It's efficient. >> Uh you bring in the right people, you
know, to have the discussion about the district and >> yeah, sounds great. All right, you're back. We can move on to 3.8. >> Thank you. So 3.8 is discussion vote to refer fall public schools attendance
policies. I did ask for some data. I I haven't received it yet, but um just want to get the committee's thoughts on this. I think um I have strong opinions um on this on this policy myself and it's something I've
heard from many parents, many staff members since I've joined the committee specifically around D4 and D5 for the um for the community schools and the um and the sub sub the second part of that as
well which is the buyback 3-8 is I guess my point is we have strong we have come a long way in attendance in this district. I think that's one of our strong suits of something we've approved
on. Not strong suits, but we definitely have made significant improvements. But we have systems that are already within the policy that address how how to respond if a child is absent, a student is absent from school
and that is separate from that's separate from lowering that student's grade for them being absent. I think there can be many superintendent. >> Yes, Dr. Bron Hud already reviewing this? I mean, I know she's not able to be here today. Was she she's already reviewing this? >> I I I I have heard that, but I haven't
heard >> I haven't heard anything. I'm not sure. I'm asking. >> She is reviewing it with her um her team. Um and her intent was to once it's been reviewed to bring it back. um she
obviously is not here uh she wasn't going to be here for this meeting but she was hoping to either if it was July or August but she want to she want her intent was to get it reviewed uh before the school year. So Colin, when you had left for the couple of minutes, one of the things I talked about was the
efficiency of looking at, for instance, if it's things that we're looking at finances, you bring in the chief financial officer for all of the policies you're looking at under finances. So they hear you're having that discussion. So that's why when this
comes forward, I'm asking that. So we do have a senior staff member with the team reviewing this to bring forward, you know, to the finance committee. I I I did hear that and I I guess I I wish I heard what you just said now, but I
guess my I I just don't recall hearing back and when she would have brought it forward. Did you mention it when she was ready? >> I did not. Um the intent was cuz you had asked um at the May meeting, but she was
not ready um at that point, but then she was away for this meeting. So, >> but we can use this opportunity. We don't need to take any action today. we can use this opportunity just to um and Dr. Bronnhard can review this meeting, review the minutes and just kind of um
get in just a little gist because this is a major policy in the district and speaking for myself as one member, I think D4 needs to go. And the reason why is I don't think we should use a child's
grade as a punishment for missing school when there could be so many reasons as to why they could be missing. I mean, we do have well, we do have systems in place in terms of um going to that child's home um monitoring
and things of that sort. I mean, there's steps this the district can take through um DCF, through the court system. I just don't think using a child's grade is appropriate. Use of a punish is a it's a punishment. It's something I just
don't think is is right. And that's just my opinion as one member. But >> I mean >> I think we should take get back up. >> Yeah. I I think we should have a review. If they're reviewing this, let's talk about it. I think I don't disagree, by the way, with that. I don't think we
should be docking kids. I'm sorry. If you can pull up an A and miss 18 days of school, that's kind of not on you. So >> I it I just think that it is something that needs to be addressed, but I'd love for the >> of course I agree >> the director come back to us with some suggestions recommending and I really
like I agree with the superintendent. It's hard to look at a policy with no changes on it or recommendations like then we're just imposing our own opinion instead of what the folks in the district are recommending in a policy and that that just feels
I I I did I didn't know I I did ask for a certain backup. I I would would have liked Dr. Bronnard to be here. I mean I think um >> is this being brought forward because the committee is did you as a committee decide? I just don't know. It it was
important to do this. Did my team >> I brought I personally I put it on I put it on the agenda. But I think but the reason why is hearing from staff. I I know other members of the committee have different opinions on it. I think this is something that should definitely be
reviewed before the school year begins. The next school year begins and we should make a a change from there. So um I think we should make a motion to table. I would preferably like to bring this to the July meeting if Dr.
Bronnhard is available. the reason why we'd have to bring it to the August meeting of the school committee and uh school start in September. So I think and if we're going to make a change to attendance, it should be done before the school year preferably. So I'll make a
motion we table to next meeting. >> Not only does it have to be done if this is your intent, I'm sure you have student handbooks that student handbooks are legal documents. So, you know, we we've got >> it there has to be a timely manner as to why we're looking at something, you know, how we're going to address it. Um,
and I we will make sure that again, my understanding is that Dr. Bronheim is looking at >> correct. >> Yep. >> Can I just ask a question? You said that you asked for u backup. Um, I did not get an email with that request. I'm not
sure who you sent it to. >> I can I can go look back. I I do remember I I think I asked for this generic data on the >> Dr. Brinhard isn't here tonight. >> I I know but I just want to make sure that if he's sending a request, you know
what I mean? >> It could it could have been just to the administration. I I'll double check on that. >> Okay. >> Is there a second to the motion? >> The table. >> Table second. >> Okay. Roll call. >> Mr. Das. >> Yes. >> Miss Riley?
>> Yes. >> Miss? Yes, >> thank you. Um 3-9 is a discussion vote to refer a work from home policy. This was recommended by a member of the committee and this was something that
the prior policy subcommittee took on and we didn't really I I don't think it was supposed to um take further action. We never did. I believe um the committee subcommittee does have the the minutes from the from
when that discussion took place. If the administration needs more time just for the sake of time, the administration needs more time to look at this um very well. But I think there should as one speaking as one member of the committee, I
believe there should be um some guidelines around work from home. We I the situation my understanding is there was a situation under the prior administration where we had a staff member working out of the country and um
there was just no systems in place. So I think just having something I I I I honestly trust you both just to come up with something but um >> put some systems in place as you're looking for >> a robust policy or whatever. I mean I think it's when we talk from
work from home I think it's difficult for a teacher in the third grade to work from home. So I want be very clear on systems and how we how we move forward with this. So >> um and to monitor work and to do those
things. So >> I think I think giving it back to the administration to look at >> um and >> I think you should review these minutes because there are things written in there that I >> someone should not work from home for childare. Are you being childare or you working? Those are not you can't do both
things at the same time. Exactly. >> And if you're sick, you're sick. You shouldn't be working from home if you're sick. So there's a lot of things I think you need to maybe review in there. And also what is what's the limitation? Like if >> is it 5 days? Is it 10 days? Is it you know if Well, I'm sorry. You're sitting
in front of me, Lori. But Lori is traveling um on the weekend and she's only going to be home for two days and then she's got to travel again and she'd like to work from home because she can get more like you would approve that and that would be the end of it. But if Lori says, "My daughter's real sick and I
have to stay home and watch her. I'll work from home." Well, are you going to watch your daughter who's sick or are you working from home? Like I I just think it gets really We expect We just talked about attendance. We expect all students to be in school every day. Now we're saying, well, some people can work from home. Like I just I have a lot of
issues with work from home in the school district because our expectation is attendance being present is so important. I just think it's a very rare occasion and it's probably only top administrative staff that would work from home because you have to travel or
do something, but you still need to be accessible to your people. So I I just I really I feel squishy about a work from home policy period. Um, but if you want to come up with something that addresses the rare occasion, >> you should just >> do you like to see a work from home ban
>> or a policy that's very >> very stringent >> that that just outlines clearly when it would be applicable and and and how it would be approved. I don't know. Whatever you think. >> Does MC have a model policy with this? >> Doesn't look like it. >> I don't think so. >> Yeah. I didn't see
>> superendent discretion discretion. I agree. I agree. The expectation is they should be >> I feel like when you're working from home, it's never during the work time. You're working from home on all the other times that >> aren't work time. >> Yeah, the superintendent I talked about that like >> I'm working from home on Saturday and Sunday. I'm working from home at night.
I'm not working. >> But you're driving home >> Monday through Friday. >> We talked about this last night. I was driving home at 10:30 last night from >> Make all your phone calls. >> We talked for talked for an hour on my way home and and the superintendent's way home >> on the way in. On the way home work from home, right? I I just I have an issue
when we're expecting students and teachers same present. The superintendent should have the discretion. If there is >> something that is pertinent and benefits the district, the superintendent should be able to stand behind that with the rationale. It should be rare.
>> No argument should be rare oneoffs. >> It it certainly shouldn't be you're out of the country. >> No. >> You know, things have happened in the past, but I feel confident. Um, so we'll t do you have anything to add?
Um, so we'll table this and you >> That's fair. >> And you feel comfortable bringing back some sort of policy? >> I'm saying if there was something I would be able to have the discretion if there was something the district needed. >> Yeah. I almost feel it doesn't it doesn't have to be a policy at all. You
would say no unless I need you to do something for whatever reason >> to benefit the Exactly. >> Or if you and I think that might have been the discussion as well, just have some sort of protocol. So if you have a a protocol in place that that's fine on my regard. >> Okay. >> So we'll make a motion to table
>> table. >> Motion second roll call. >> Mr. Dice. >> Yes. >> Mr. Riley. >> Yes. >> Miss Stewart. >> Yes. >> Thank you. And I think um we'll do one or two more. I know we're running a
little bit late. Um so we'll do 3-10. we will do um something I wanted to bring forward as a member which I'm hoping you all will support is um just having some sort of policy and I know
there's some I don't believe I put into backup but there's some districts that have something similar where we set out some procedures to make the district more transparent more accessible something that I hear and even recently
I hear from members in the public is we have a budget that's um inflated. We have a budget. That's what I hear. And we have a budget that's inflated. We have um there's members of the public that
question how we expend our funds. And I think we should have some protocols in place around around that. And I think just either partnering with open checkbook I think would be a good thing to do. And on the second point in
regards to like meeting minutes, we should um have a timeline set out where meeting minutes, agendas are all in an accessible place. And that that's not on like I think we need to work with it just to make that accessible in one area. I think we were dinged in our
district review from last year on not having all our minutes available, agendas available. So just sending out some timelines to get that up and running. So, I'm hoping there's some form of this that the subcommittee we can table this as well just to review it more, but I
hope I'm hoping that there's some um appetite to push this forward in some way. >> I think what you're asking for is actually in school committee policy. So, maybe it's looking at those policies like really when you talk about transparency and and sunshine policies,
it's you know, it's the thing we just talked about. It's public input at meetings. That that's part of of that idea. um the public's right to know even the board meeting minutes like those are the transparency pieces but that feels like all the things you just talked about feel like we have we don't
procedures in place like the policy already exists but we need to tighten up the procedures especially if that came out in some kind of report that we were dinged that I don't know what report you're talking about >> the um the district review >> oh the district review talked about minutes so reviewing that and saying so
how are we going to make sure this doesn't happen again and all of that um yeah cuz I think we have the policies I think we just have to make sure the procedures align >> right we have most of the minutes are available it's just the like but quite
this is a question I get every single meeting the subcommittee um where's the subcommittee agenda like I know it's on the city website but people get confused and I know it's there on the website somewhere but people get confused where to access like the subcommittee agenda on the website we should have it in both
places If and I'm sure if it is then this I think just making I think we need to look at our website. >> One thing I'm really um feel strong about is some sort of either we look at open checkbook or we look at some system to and a lot of districts use it. A lot
of municipalities use open checkbook to put the um it's where you put your expenditures so people could see and it's not saying like the like >> they a lot of a lot of ma a lot of Massachusetts we use clear gov that's a that's a big program that a lot of
>> that doesn't have anything >> uh well munice I mean munis is so clear and so good um >> I don't know I'm just I'm just asking I'm going to say the one thing that so does here in Rhode Island is better than mass. You go on the Rhode Island
website, you can see all budget and expenditures for any district >> because as soon as you submit it through Yuka, which is our chart of accounts, it populates. >> So, I just was wondering if Desi had something similar. >> Not to my know, not to my knowledge. >> No, that's too bad. That would make it easy and it wouldn't
>> What's it called? >> We we have a ch a unified chart of accounts in Rhode Island. So, it just it's published on our on the ride the department of ed website. So, you can go to it and just dashboard. You can go to our chapter 70. I mean, you can see all the districts to see like >> So, will it show all of last year's
expenditures? Is that on? >> Oh, no. This is per pupil and then your chapter. So, >> no, this is expenditures. It's kind of like I think it's more like what you're talking about in terms of using open gov or one of those and having it all be >> clear does it. I mean, you can really get into the weeds with that. >> Yeah.
>> Um, >> that's just uploading your budget. >> Yeah. That would be like uploading, you know, your expenditure sheet >> from Ununice. >> Yeah. But like we had a conversation today about expenditures and you know seeing what your actual today is. You paid the bills. >> Here's what you expended, what's your
incumbrance. >> So maybe we're not going to throw that on our brand new CF week one, but that should be something we can look into week two. Can I just add though if um and that is something Colin that um we're working with the IT department and
if you look at the actual like school committee page >> um where our agendas are because I know Mr. IA had brought this up too like something similar like something easy where >> a person can click on um where the school committee website or page is and
where the agendas are and then get the minutes and then even add the link >> the fall river school uh the uh city side does it that way. So on there we're trying with um with that like I think it's towards the bottom it's you know we're we're trying to do that where
we've created different you know like where's the agenda if it's a revised agenda and then we have the minutes a section for the minutes and then a link even for the video. Exactly. And even with subcommittees what we've done is we've created like a little
>> chart type of thing. So like for every FNO, so they're all linked in the same thing. So they're not >> they're not all over the place. So it's facilities, instructional policy. So they're all like that and they're all going to be grouped that way. Um so we
are trying with the new website, we are trying to do it that way because we know we've heard the committee say it. We want it to be a little bit user friendly. So we're we we are trying >> I like it all on one page. We have so many pages you have to click through to find anything on our website.
>> Yes, >> we are working with it Deb Sardina. Um, so you know and hopefully with diligent with us using diligent that's also going to help a little bit too. So >> you know the MSBA when they do their projects and we do and you do your projects they put that up on the website
and you can follow the projects just like incident IQ or you know MSBA does that. I mean we can do something like that. That's not if that's what you're looking for. >> Yeah. That that that Yeah. I think what you both said is that's exactly what that what I put together says
>> MS is a nice model to follow. This is what we did here. This was September. This is so my >> beginning of project date. >> Sure. I guess my one question is if we don't need a policy, but can we get some sort of maybe update at some point either I don't know necessarily has to
be policy subcommittee but maybe at the full committee on some things that that you mentioned just some updates on that >> at our retreat. >> Yeah. Not the first one. >> Oh, I talked to her today. She's very nice. Um, Eve, Miss Thompson. Yes.
>> Okay. So, we'll we'll make um make a motion and grant leaf to withdraw >> on the policy. So, move >> motion. Uh second take a roll call. >> Mr. Das. >> Yes. >> Miss Riley? >> Yes. >> Miss Stewart?
>> Yes. be very quick with this and then we're going to table the rest is um 3-11. This is this is a discussion name I put on just actually talking with some members and Ashley I'll turn over to you Miss Riley. Do you think we need something we
need to either improve our existing policies? Do we need a policy in terms of contracts personnel? I know we had a very brief discussion which motivated me to >> I I would love for us to work on some policies that would help the administration. I know um Kathleen you
shared that when you started reviewing contracts they were there were different they were all over the place. So I I think what might be helpful to you is at some point when you've had a chance to look at all those is to propose a personnel policy where we could create some structures for you around some of
the things you've talked about. If you work 10 months, you get this much time. This and we'll put that in policy and then it then it'll codify it for you. So when you hire a principal, here's what you get when you have whatever many number what however you want to frame it. But something that's in policy that
gives you some structure around and here's the the salary. Here's the the minimum, medium, high salary. And you can you determine using your jud judgment where they fall. That way there's some consistency across um hirings and around benefits so that
there's not a guessing game. If you're going to be a full year employee and you're in this at this level, you get this many days and whatever. Or every you're here for five years, you get this many days. When you're here for 10 years, you get this many similar. We don't want to make it a whole collective bargaining agreement, but the more general
>> non-un employees. >> Yes, non-union employees. Just some general benefit structures that would help you. Um, and I'm thinking probably more for principles and then maybe um director level folks. something that would help you keep things consistent
across the board. >> Yeah. So, I think um we're gonna table this, but I just wanted to put it on on the radar just so we can brainstorm it. >> Your spare time. >> Um one one question I have and I wasn't going to ask this, but I I'm asked I
watch a city council meeting last night where a member of the council stated that we are paying employees of the district with monies that haven't been appropriated. >> Doesn't make sense.
>> Um, it was the DC account. >> Yeah, I think the question came across account was it? >> It's from the Fred TV. >> Oh, >> and that that comes from public television. So really it's a grant and I think it's on I believe it's on
the city side >> on how that is working and that's why they asked the city CFO >> because I was sitting next to Mr. Almea in the >> in the stands at that time. Um and I looked at him I what is I didn't even I couldn't hear it so I said what what was
it? He says Fred TV it's upstairs. Um, we have it on NRSON's. They're right on that top page. And I know what you're saying, but it is a grant. And I believe that's it comes over public broadcasting. >> It's come through the public
broadcasting system because we all because they use it. We use it. >> I think the TV station is located in our high school. >> It is. Yes. >> So, I think that that's how they do it because that's how we did it in Eastwood. I'm not sure. >> So, it's not a it's not in our budget, you're saying? know it's a grant from
the public from you know PBS right >> their their positions are in our budget they are in our budget >> and they're paid for by a grant so it comes in so much but I don't know I believe that is a cityside I think the grant is allocated to the
city and then it's a pass through for >> and it's passed through and is paid on that side so however they however Kevin however Mr. Alma and Emily worked together to do that.
>> Okay. I think that's at some point just because that brought it up. I'll get council wouldn't have brought it up if it wasn't a I have no idea. I don't know. >> If it wasn't something policy where where I'm bringing in I we're having
discussion on this then we can talk. You can ask your question. >> Sure. Um we'll move on to this is a discussion so I don't believe any action is necessary and with the committee's indulgence we will take a motion to
if you would like to table the remaining items. >> Yes, please. >> Motion still made. I'll second. We'll take a roll call. >> Mr. D. >> Yes. >> M Riley. Yes, Mr. >> Yes.
>> Okay. Um, for new business, any new business? Seeing none, we will entertain a motion to adjurnn. I'll make that motion. Second. Roll call. >> Mr. D. >> Yes. >> Mr. Riley. >> Yes. M. Ter. >> Yes.
>> Thank you everyone. Thank you. Have a great night.