call to order the Frontier Regional School District School Committee meeting at 6:02. Um, I will just be upright that I'm uh upfront that I'm making sure that folks who are joining remotely from the school committee have the links and so
if I'm if I'm doing that, that is exactly uh what I'm checking in on. I think we have one member check in. Um, and I just got an update that Celia will be here shortly. I'm going to start with the operational
goals, which is especially important today as we talk about budget. Um, the school committee's primary responsibility is to establish those purposes, programs, and procedures that will best produce the educational achievement needed by our students. The committee's charge accomplishing this
while also being responsible for wise management of resources available to the school district. The committee must fulfill these responsibilities by functioning primarily as a legislative body to formulate and adopt policy, by selecting an executive officer to implement policy, and by evaluating the
results. It must carry out its functions openly while seeking the comments of the public, students, and staff in its decision-making process. The first order uh of business today is the public hearing uh on the proposed
fiscal budget for uh 2027. This has been a a tough year if you've been to any of the previous meetings. So, just want to commend Shelley for helping to guide us and making uh striking a balance between making the
right decisions about helping to keep the school financially viable and having the least impact on staff and services and students. So, thank you for all the work on that. I know none of this is easy.
We have some folks in I don't know did that was that able to get circulated around if have a list. >> Yeah, I'd like to just try to keep track. Uh I think we have a lot of folks online and some folks here in the audience and I just want to keep track
and remind folks that we are going to try to keep the time limit to we all made it in here. I'm not sure. Uh thank you for braving the weather and I just want to keep time to a reasonable limit. So 3 minutes per
speaker and if do you have a >> So we're gonna we were going to open up with a presentation and then after the presentation open comment on the agenda. >> Do you want to if people want to talk to have them comment in the >> So we'll do that at that point.
>> That's fine. >> So when we get to that I'll >> that's fine. I just want to keep track of things for this and Shelley is gonna start with the presentation and then the comments in this public hearing are going to be solely focused on the budget. >> All right. So the uh budget that we're discussing
at the moment is the budget that was presented at the January school committee meeting. Um, we had made a a move to move forward with a 3.94% increase, but I'm actually going to take us back a little bit um, and talk about what the process is in the budget
building uh, timeline as well as what goes into the budget and the different iterations. I'm going to move through some of it pretty quickly because we did do a very lengthy meeting in January. Um, if you want, you can in February, you're right, in February. We did in
January as well. We did a very lengthy I think we've done this twice. >> Um, which can also be found on our website. So, if you wanted to go back and watch any of that and get the greater detail on on chapter 70 funding and those pieces, there is additional information online. Um, but for today, I'm going to get us started talking
about how the budget is developed. Um, so we start the budget process off. I recognize that this is really small on the screen. This was part of the I think this is gonna um this was part of the packet that went
out to school committee tonight and will get uploaded to our website tomorrow. So you can access the slideshow on our website. We start off the process in November, late November, early December. The administration takes a pass at the first draft. So I start us off by looking at level services and then we
take feedback from the principal on what might the new needs be in the building. Uh we come forward in January and present the first draft to the subcommittee. Uh and then school committee typically does not review that first draft in January because usually
it is before the governor has released um the state budget and we don't necessarily have all of our information on our expenditures such as Franklin Regional Retirement Assessment. However, this year we did have our preliminary conversation in January pretty in depth
um more than we would in other years knowing what was coming down the pipeline particularly with the health insurance changes. February school committee continues the deliberation. Here we are today in March at our public hearing. Uh Thursday there is a vote there's another meeting to vote to adopt
the budget and then our towns meet between the months of April and June for their annual town meetings to finish up the process. We take into consideration uh a needsbased and student centered budget while balancing fiscal responsibility. We start by looking at
level services and also cons consider new needs and initiatives and then look at um our supplemental funds. So that includes grant or revolving funds. It's good to have an understanding of the different budget types. Um I mentioned level services a couple of
times on the previous slide. So with a level service budget, you're copying over your programs and your services, which includes all of your staffing that exists in the current year budget. You're modeling that over in the new year. Your services stay the same. You're not looking for any growth at
that level service budget, but there is always budget increase which is primarily uh connected to contractual wage obligations for any union contracts you have and then wage obligations for non-UN staff as well. A level funded budget is very different than level
service. It's good to understand that distinction. In a level funded budget, the dollar amount stays the same as the prior year, which means that you are seeing some service reduction because you're always having growth for what you're paying um primarily for wages
out. But in order to keep that budget number the same, you have to make some cuts along the way. A reduced budget is similar. Um although the budget doesn't stay the same, the budget actually decreases because you're cutting um services or programming more
significantly. We're going to talk about that later because that is what we're presenting here today is a good use budget. And then the other um option for a budget is have an increase. Typically, we do have some type of requests here from the principal's office as he talks to other folks on the ground in the
building. Um however, this year there is no request for an increased budget. there was no new needs at the school level. I'm not going to go over the details on this slide, but each of the categories that is included in our budget stems from Desi's chart of accounts. So the
state sets the categories in which our expenditures are reported to them. Um there's breakdown of district administration, instruction, pupil services, uh physical plant and operations and maintenance, benefits and fixed charges, and then other um out of
district programs where we send students out of district. This is a really minimal breakdown of how the budget is funded. Last month, we got into this at greater detail. Please watch that reporting from last month if if this is of interest for you. But
there are um these five sort of different pots of money that come in to fund Frontier's budget. The first being chapter 70 aid which uh is the funding from the state but also sets the minimum required contribution for our member towns. So that is what the state says
that our member towns can afford to pay towards our budget. Typically there is an additional assessment to fully fund our budget that our member towns are paying. We use excess and deficiency as well to decrease our assessments. uh excess and deficiency is similar to free
cash in a municipality. We apply state transportation reimbursement and then we consider other special revenues such as revolving funds or grants. The next slide shows you what that breakdown is by by percentage point and I think that this is important for
people to recognize how much of our budget is funded by our member towns between the combination of the state required contribution and then the additional to fully fund. You can see that's in the red and the yellow here, the 36 plus the 26%. The other
percentage of the pie uh is primarily funded from chapter 70 and then a significant portion from our special revenues revolving funds and grants. All right, so let's get to the meat of it and talk about fiscal year 27 now that you know some information about how
the budget is drafted, the different budget types and the types of revenues. So, at first pass in January, we presented a level service budget of 6.95% which was slightly over $900,000 over
fiscal year 26. There's two pieces of this that we looked at in that January conversation. We looked at wage growth and then non-wage growth. Wage growth stems from our contract. So, anyone that's on the teacher contract or the instructional assistant contract, we take into consideration there what the
step changes are. And then we also look at anyone else who's building based. So, principal's office, secretary, custodial, as well as central office staff. Take into consideration what all of those changes are. This is not wage growth for adding any new staff. This is strictly level services, taking every
employee who's currently employed here and rolling it over into the new year. If all we were looking at was a $300,000 increase, we'd be in a really positive position. We wouldn't have needed any further discussions. $300,000 is roughly where we land every year. It's about a
3%age point increase on our budget over the prior year. However, we did have some significant changes in the level service budget in regards to health insurance costs. And then we had uh some adjustments for revolving funds and grants that we were making. The health
insurance alone of that 620,000 was around $500,000 growth over the prior year. That's a significant number when you're talking about budget growth of $900,000. That budget um based on the assessments that we discussed in the February
meeting did not feel like it would pass at our member uh town annual town meetings felt like we needed to do some work behind the scenes to bring our budget down. So, we did present um a reduced budget option. However, we did not get into the specifics of that in
January February. of saying that um we did not get into the specifics in February. We were not prepared yet fully administratively to get into what the nitty-gritty of those discussions will be. Um however, we did recommend that we would make reductions with as minimal
impact as possible to student learning and our staff members. So, we're trying to balance with our budget reductions fiscal responsibility with educational excellence. It was really important to the administration and the school committee to make sure that we were not
sacrificing um essential programs and essential learning for our students. So, what that looked like uh in the February meeting, we talked about a $400,000 reduction um which would come from uh application of rural aid funds,
which is a grant of $100,000 and then reduction of positions of up to four or $300,000 for a total budget reduction of 400,000. This would bring our budget around um 3.94%
uh instead of the 6.95% for fiscal year 26. The next slide outlines what those position reduction recommendations are based on the administration's recommendations over the last month of work that we've been doing. Um so we are
recommending that we move from a librarian position to a library aid. Uh we are recommending that we reduce a building monitor as well as three instructional assistants. Uh we have a part-time school adjustment counselor
and then a special education teacher that we're making a recommendation on. I'm going to talk about a couple of these because there's some financial things and then I'm going to turn it over um to Darius and George to talk about the other positions if if needed at this point. So, what I want to mention with the part-time school
adjustment counselor is this is currently a grant-f funed position. Um, and what we are talking about, it was just brought on two years ago, George, is that correct? Um, for part-time additional support based on student needs in the building, we are talking
about reallocating an existing staff member to that grant. So, it brings relief to the budget. um that part-time position is also filled by someone who is retired from the public school system and she came back into Frontier in this
part-time capacity. Um with the special education teacher, this is actually a position that we currently have a long-term sub in. Um the teacher that was in that role uh left the district last year. It's been filled in the current year with a long-term sub. So,
um that position could potentially roll back into um an instructional assistant position because someone was promoted within the building to cover those needs. Um so that's not necessarily someone actually losing their job because we do recognize that with position cuts sometimes there
is attrition which makes the reductions easier but we are also talking about people's lives and and losing their uh livelihood. So the special education teacher hopefully can roll back into an IIA position. the part-time school adjustment counselor is a a former retiree. Um, and then the three
instructional assistants, I believe George also has notice already of uh resignations for next school year from three instructional assistants. So, those would happen naturally through attrition without having to let go of any positions within the building.
>> Did I miss anything, George or Darius, there as far as financial move? >> Right now, there are two resations for IAS. The expectation is that there will be I've heard that there will be a third. So once again those positions will be reduced due to attrition.
>> Any other comment on any of the positions before we can go? >> Okay. So the 400,000 reduction to our budget presents a uh 13.8 8 million total budget or an increase of 523,000
which is 3.94% over the prior fiscal year. Let's next talk about what that means for our assessments. So I'm going to give a little bit of information about how the assessments are comprised and then we'll look at the actual numbers. So there's four components of our assessment based on our regional
agreement. The first piece is the state required contribution that comes out of the chapter 70 formula based somewhat the state says that our our member towns can afford to fund our budget. Then we have that additional assessment to cover the gap between our revenues the state chapter 70 number and then to fully fund
our budget plus a capital component and debt service. I'm not going to talk about debt service again because Frontier does not currently have any loans. If we did have money um out in any bond anticipation notes or any other kind of loans, our towns would pay a portion of that debt service. That's not
on the table tonight. So, we're just going to talk about the first three components. So, the state required contribution is uh just shy of $5.8 million. This is strictly based on the chapter 7 formula. We have zero control over what this looks like other than to check the
numbers and make sure that our member towns are being um accounted for properly in the formula. But according to the state, uh there is growth in our member town required contribution of $183,000. You can see that change all the way in
the far right column um of this slide here that I just highlighted on the bottom. Sunderland uh is taking the brunt of that with a $126,000 rough increase there, which can be partially attributed to their growth in enrollment. So you can see that there's
a positive change here of eight students based on the foundation enrollment in the chapter 70 calculation. This is also all relative though, right? So when one town goes down and another town goes up, it's all relative as to how much they're paying. But according to the state, our member towns can
afford to fund roughly $5.8 million. So that's the first component of the assessment. The second component is that additional assessment to fully fund our budget, which is coming in at about 4.8 million. You can see the breakdown there. This is based on a cost sharing
percentage per our regional agreement. So in the regional agreement, there's a five-year rolling enrollment that we take into consideration for each of the towns. And then that's broken down by cost share and percentage. Um, in this year we dropped off 2021 and we added
2026 numbers because it's always from October of the school year that you're in that we're considering for cost sharing. There was a decrease of 49 resident students in the drop off of 21 and the addition of 26. Um, Sunderland is the only one seeing a positive
enrollment growth. Uh so their cost sharing percentage is going up pretty significantly compared to the other schools. And then you have the totals there. This is the um 4.8 billion. You can see the breakdown up above in each
of these grows as to how that breaks down by each town. Third component is the capital assessment. So, at the February meeting, we did talk about assessing our member towns $110,000, which is 10% estimated
of the opinion of probable cost of our parking lot renovation project. This is broke down in the same way as the additional to fund our budget based on that cost sharing agreement. So, those percentages on the last slide here where Conway is 15.97, so on and so forth down
until you hit Wakeley at 11.2, that 110,000 is broken down in the same way here. This is what the capital contribution would be for our member towns based on the February presentation. So what does that mean? Towns as a whole
having slid. So looking at our reduced budget of 3.94% or 523,000 over fiscal year 26. You could see in this first column here the state required contribution, the additional assessment to fully fund the
budget and the capital assessment. Um, and then the last column here shows the assessment growth over the prior year. So our total assessment including capital is growing $530,100 over the prior fiscal year.
And I believe that that concludes the public hearing conversation around the budget. >> Um can we just go back? I just get my uh reductions. Yep.
>> Um are there actual are there you just kind of go through that again. Are there actual positions people losing their jobs? >> Yes. >> So of the outline here we expect um
that there would be three people out of what we out outlined here. The rest would be done through attrition. So, no. >> And so, and with what George said, the AIS IAS, AIS,
it's not the IAS, they're voluntarily, so they're not. >> So, we have to be careful on that because I haven't gotten letters of resignation yet, but it is understanding that we have a level of attrition each year where we do have people coming and going at the especially in the AI
positions as it's >> Thank you. You got me right. So, um, so we don't actually have it, right? But, uh, it it does look as though, um, two, if not three are that we already know of this growing year, we can lose up to three in a single year or up to five for that
matter. Um, so it is possible that, um, someone will not be unemployed. But I think for I think this committee could look at it as, you know, you are reducing positions. So, so there may be loss of employment there. We don't expect it to be all three. It could be one. Yeah. It
could be none. It could be we're hiring five next year. You know what I mean? So, we do have that kind of up and down. >> The uh adjustment counselor say mentioned that again. You said it's a a retired person that came back. >> So, they're not retired from this
district. >> They're parttime. Yeah, they're retired from this district. They work part time. They work two days a week. And then right but all of that list you're anticipating it's I know it's all the positions but it's actual three by
>> right the librarian is a reduction in employment and the um the special education position right now is >> so basically right now special education position we have right now uh filled by
long-term sub the long-term sub which is they took a their position as an IA, they would return to their position as an IA and we would just keep that position. Okay. >> Thanks. >> So, if I can say one more thing, Missy, before we go to other questions, I just
want to switch back to this slide quickly. Um, >> so the idea of reducing our budget is never a positive thing, right? We we don't want to take away services or programs from our students. We also have to balance that fiscal responsibility. And part of the reason this came up at
the February meeting and even in this slide, you can see the significance here. So the budget as presented at a $900,000 growth was so dramatically going to increase what our towns had to pay just for Frontier that it actually
would not pass likely at town meeting without several of our towns having to do overrides. This slide here even demonstrates how dramatic this is for example for Sunderland. So our assessment growth is $530,000 and Sunderland is covering almost half
of that just because of the way the state required contribution worked out and the cost sharing because they're seeing growth in resident students attending Frontier. Between this and the elementary school portion, school budgets already cover
close to 70% of the town's budgets as a whole. these numbers were insurmountable and not going to pass at at the town level. So I just want to have that context. I don't think I mentioned that and it was an important part of the February discussion.
>> Great. Further context um with two and a half% growth um Sunland's um new growth is about $250,000 total.
That's so that's the amount that they can. So this eats up the entire budget for something. Police, fire, DPW, library, senior center, elementary school, all would have to cut just to cover that. >> And also, and we talked about this at
Frontier, you know, as we talked about the impact of insurance, all the elementary school insuranceances um have gone up as well. And so the towns are are struggling to make the ends meet in the elementary school and the elementary school budgets are all up um due to both
cola and other you know cost issues um that are facing in schools. So it's a bad budget year you know and um don't take any cuts lightly. We've also been fortunate to be in this district where we've haven't had to do cuts since my
first year as principal 18 years ago where we had to we've done reductions. We haven't had to specifically cut someone off due, you know, loss of employment due to finances. So, um it is a very bad year and so just I put it
there's a perfect storm on multiple fronts. And I was just going to echo that that while this is our situation, this isn't the isolated piece that the towns have to deal with, this is our situation at Frontier, but we also have each of the elementary schools that the
towns have to deal with and the impact of insurance that is hitting them just as hard as it hits us. >> I just gonna make one further comment really more to the select board and the audience at least for the airfield. Um, you know,
I think it's good it's a good thing that that deer that Frontier is doing its part to try to make the necessary cuts. It's always, you know, unfortunate. Um, but at least it's it's responsible of us to try to, you know, bringing in things
that we need to. But also, I look at just from a Deerfield resident, I've lived here for 17 years, and I have never once uh I don't even think it's ever been discussed of a Proposition 2 and a half
override. And I think there are times when it is necessary to make the adjustments uh so that we don't have to cut so much and I guess I want the select board and
the finance department to hear that because I think sometime it is necessary. >> You want to comment about Sunderland? >> Uh yeah. So Sunland is going to be going I think it's the fourth proposition when
we have to override my 12 years on um school committee um the elementary school. So Frontier does not have to develop its budget with an eye towards the elementary school but it's really I think beneficial that that we do at
least take that into consideration. Southern Elementary's um uh budget has came in at like 18% for level services and they've already cut down to 10%. Uh and then we're going to have to go to Proposition 2 and a half override and we're already going to be
asking every town department to match the cuts at the elementary school. So it it's going to be extremely difficult budget here for us. Do we want to um do any other school committee members have questions
before open? >> I'm driving. >> Um are there any other folks who have >> I know that there's a few folks online. I can't tell. So I guess so if
you're if you are on so we have here in the room uh three six nine 10 um 10 people signed up for public comment. Um if you are online and you wish to do public comment could you please put your name in the chat and
I'll add you to the list. Um um I'll add your list so that we will get to you as we go through the list. All right. >> Yeah. Just kind of wanted to get a sense of what's actually happening. >> Oh, okay. >> Before we still >> just want to try to keep pace so that everybody has an opportunity to at least
have some >> Andrea. Yes, you are on our list. >> Ah, okay. I knew I didn't count. >> Yeah, there's I know there's a few names here that I imagine everybody in green is also I can recognize your names online. So, um Levi, I have you're on list. You on the list. Melissa, I have
you on the list. Megan, I have you on the list. Um they saw here like Trevor those guys. So okay so we have Tim Hilch Johnson. Any others?
Okay. Sorry to you. >> Thank you. Saw that number going up. I was worried we might be good to >> All right. So Trevor, I see you and I know that you have a vest of interest in this from a
few different spots. So go ahead. I'm gonna >> Yeah. Thank Thank you for allowing this to speak to here and I appreciate all your work on the budget. It is a it is very difficult year and here for Sun as well. It's really tough because I know you have tried the prop two and a half
overrides and sometimes they'll pass and it's it's a struggle. Um it's been very hard. I think you know I've been talking about a prop two and a half override for a variety of reasons. um not just education but um health insurance, our EMS. Um just you know in my time 10
years on on the board we have um we cut budget every year and a lot of times it's education that that eats all of the growth that we have. Um and so it it it is hard to run the rest of the town uh as well. Um, but I appreciate you taking
a look at the cuts you're doing that are never fun. But if you look at, you know, we're about 100 students down in the last 10 years or so. Um, and the staff is kind of the same, but you know, that's hard to kind of quantify because you there are other staff needs. You
know, there's a lot more needs of students, especially after COVID. So, a lot more, you know, support services. So it's not a onetoone kind of thing where you drop students so you must drop staff but we're at that place where we kind of need to do some of that and um so I appreciate taking a hard look at that.
We still do need to have capital investment in parking lots that kind of thing to keep our schools up so people are are are you know interested in coming here living here paying taxes here and helping support the the community. So I just really want to thank you for your hard
work. not easy trying to cut a budget and um I agree we do need a two and a half override. I've said it a lot. Um but trying to get the rest of it down along with it is kind of hard. You know, everybody's taxes go up every year, but it's not because of we're raising taxes.
It's just your values have gone up. My house, you know, everybody's houses have increased dramatically. So that just kind of drives that budget, but um in person property taxes. So just thanks for the hard work. really appreciate it. It's It's tough.
>> Thanks, Trevor. >> I'm gonna go back in order. So, who's Leech? >> So, uh CW Leachch, uh Buckland, Massachusetts, but uh I teach eighth grade English here at Frontier. And as a middle school English teacher, one of our primary goals is to foster a
lifetime love of reading. First 10 minutes of every class are dedicated to independent reading. >> Choose their own book. >> You come like just stand just so that folks there's 44 people online. So I want to make sure they can hear you and see you. So if you stand there that way
the mic should pick you up. >> So that way you're heard. >> Thanks. U so the first 10 minutes of every class are dedicated to independent reading. Students choose their own book building both engagement and ownership of their learning. When they finish a book, uh, they visit the library not
just to check out another title, but to speak with someone who knows them as readers. Our librarian provides individualized recommendations from current, diverse, and constantly evolving collection. That personal guidance is what helps many students might never find on their own. Uh, in
the middle school, we often talk with students about optics, uh, how the message we intend can be overshadowed by what people perceive. Our website states that our library media center is meant to be a center of collaborative learning, creativity, critical thinking, and expanded representation of world
communities. As we make it difficult as we make difficult budget decisions, I hope we consider what message our choices send. Investing in a librarian is an investment in our students growth as readers, thinkers, and members of a broader world. My hope is that we continue to align our decisions with the
values we so clearly express in our libraries mission statement. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Lori, >> I am Lori Prim Compton. I live in Deerfield and um again I want to echo,
you know, how hard this is. This budgeting stuff is absolutely brutal and you can go to a meeting about education, healthcare or transportation, anything else and have the same brutal conversations. Um, Shelley, I thank you. It's an awesome presentation. It's so
clear and I'm not here to argue any of the numbers. It is what it is and we have to work within that. Um, and I really appreciate everybody in this room being on the same team and trying to make those hard decisions. Um, that said, I am urging um us to figure
out a way to keep a school librarian. I am a licensed school adjustment counselor and I've been an IIA in this district. So, you know, I have skin in the game for various positions and I understand the value of each and every one of those. And yet, I like it felt
like a gut punch when I heard that there was a library position, librarian position or media specialist, whatever you want to call it, on the chopping block. To me, the library is the absolute heart and soul of a school of education. And I literally cannot
imagine getting rid of that position. A library aid is great. Love to have plenty of them. But that cannot replace the skill set of a librarian and everything that that person brings in to our students on a daily basis, whether it's in English classes or anything
else. Um, research online things that kids are doing to further their education after high school. You know, this is just a foundation. And you know, we talk about equity all the time. And really, what could possibly be more equitable than our school library? It's
like literally the place that has something for everyone, every student, every subject. I mean, I just I we just have to find a different way to to make these cuts. Um, the other thing, you know, I I think
about is how many private schools that we have in this area, right? and all the resources there and then our public school is not going to have a librarian and I just can't accept that like that is just going to lead to further decline
in enrollment and this this creates a two-tiered educational system. I mean, we are so far down that path anyway, and I won't go off on that tangent, but when you're cutting like the heart and soul of, you know, the person who
brings books and educational resources, the most foundational elements of education, and we're doing away with that. I just feel like we got to find a different way. Um, I think too that, you know, we have to think about the message that this gives our students. again the
heart and soul of place and something for everyone and a librarian who you know is somebody that all students look to as like this fountain of knowledge and if you don't have the knowledge you can get the knowledge by going to this
person and what message are we sending by doing away with that entire position again I'm not arguing the numbers this is unbearable to think about all of these cuts I mean even a retired person not coming back. Three IAS, you know,
the employment aspect is horrible, but the bottom line is what are we doing for our students and what message is it to not have a librarian in this most essential place? So, please, we need to reconsider what we can possibly shuffle because losing a librarian to me is just
unacceptable and sad. Thank you. Megan, thanks for accommodating all the folks who are remote by coming up. I appreciate it. >> So, I just wanted to say kind of the same things that everyone has been
saying about um the importance of a librarian. I have an eighth grade um my name is Megan Tug. I'm from Southfield. I have an eighth grade student and a 10th grade student. Um and they use the library all the time. Um, I have a daughter who is an AP student. Um, they
use it for research. You can't do that with an a library aid. Um, you need a librarian to be able to to find out where to do the research. Um, and that's the way of the world now. You you can't you can't use AI because your papers are
going to have to go through an AI detector and you have to have less than 5% or something like that depending on your teacher. So you need to be able to go to a professional to be able to ask where to find the informations to to to do your own research. Um so I really
think the librarian is a much needed position. Um and it's my understanding that she is also um a library media specialist um and some of our state funding is tied to that position. Um so
we might have to pay more money um to keep up some of the databases. So, I think that's something that we should also look into. Um, this is a brand new space. We've renovated it. Um, not to be able to use it to its full potential, it's really disheartening. Um, and I
just was the nurse on the eighth grade field trip and I met Zoe and she is amazing with the kids and I can't imagine losing that service in the school. And I did see there was another um that's another human being that's losing their job. Um, you know, I know
the other positions, it sounds like it's not going to be um a person that's going to be losing their job. It's just going to be a position. But I think we really need to look at that and see if there's anything else we can do. I'd rather have a dirt parking lot than than lose a human. Um, so
that's just it. Hi, I'm the new guy, Blake Gilmore, on the Deerfield board of select group. I'm been learning through our finance committee and in attending these meetings here the difficulty it is of trying to balance a budget and the
things that you have to do in order to make them happen. Um, my question was on the librarian. I didn't even think about this until I came into I was that is the librarian just a the sole position of the librarian or is there something that
you can do that would add to her duties that would help to keep her here or whatever. I don't I don't know. That was just something I was thinking about. And it's not like I said I just I I realized that when you talked about getting rid of the librarian for the library, I said, "God, that's a tough tough tough
call for you guys." I know that you have to make those calls. I I understand that. As far as the two and a half override, I'm getting nothing but push back. So, I know it's basically, >> you know, so that's the other side of the of the stick here. It's just
basically it's very very difficult to uh try to figure out and come up with the right formula here. But you guys, I really appreciate what you've done. It's been educational for me and uh I hope that you can make this work. Thank you.
Thank you. Uh is Levi. >> Okay, >> perfect. Levi. >> Hello. Can you hear me? >> Yes.
>> Okay. Um uh thank you. Um my name is Levi Owens. I live in Conway, Mass. Uh Conway. I also work in the building. Um, and um, I I also want to thank everyone here for um, doing this incredibly hard
work. Um, it I I very much appreciate all of the work that you're doing to keep our uh, school running and um, trying to provide the best services for our students. Um to that end um I also really appreciate the effort that you
have given in um having the least impact on people's lives and uh highlighting that there are positions that are able to be cut uh due to attrition. Um and I'm hoping that you have also taken into account uh another retirement that was
announced uh this year of the curriculum director. I she has other um uh capacities in the school as well. Um it's another job that is less student facing that has less immediate act uh
impact on the um the the everyday uh lives of our of our students and the their their immediate uh education. Um so I um I'm just hoping that all all
possible uh options are are being looked at for for for all places where attrition is happening kind of naturally. Um and uh yeah, thank you for letting me speak. >> Thank you.
>> And is Andrea also >> Yes, I'm here. Okay, thanks. Sorry I can't see everyone. >> My name is Andrea KS. I live in Vernon, Vermont, and I work at Frontier Regional School as a transition specialist in the special education department. I support
students ages 18 to 22 with disabilities. I also have a seventh grade student that is currently utilizing school choice to attend Frontier Regional School. This community means a lot to me and I invest in it every day. I want to speak briefly about preserving key roles that directly
impact our students. Our library is not just an academic space like others are have already talked about and will be talking about this evening, but it is also a vocational training site. Each year, students in our transition program gain real transferable job skills there under the guidance of our certified
library media specialists. That work builds independence and prepares students for adult life. The expertise needed for this position is simply something that cannot be replaced by an aid as they will not have the same level and training that Zoe Keenan currently has. Instructional assistants and special education teachers are essential
to delivering legally required IEP services. Whether positions are lost through attrition or reassignment, the impact is the same. Fewer professionals supporting students who rely on consistent specialized instruction. This work does not disappear. It shifts to an already stretched department directly
affecting service delivery and student outcomes. Losing a part-time school adjustment counselor increases the burden on remaining mental health staff who are already seeing record numbers of students struggling each day. Although the school the counselor is retired, she returns specifically because of the
overwhelming mental health needs in our community. Reducing support at a time of heightened demand is deeply concerning. Education is a public trust and reducing the staff who directly serve students with disabilities and mental health issues undermines that trust. I understand that difficult financial
decisions must be made, but if we choose to repave a parking lot at the cost of a librarian and other professionals, we send a clear message about what we truly value. I urge you to prioritize preserving critical student-f facing roles and explore alternatives that do not come at the expense of our students.
Thank you. Thank you, >> Melissa. >> Hi. Um, my name is Melissa Steli and I teach high school English language arts. Um, and I want to thank everyone here for all of their hard work under these,
you know, extremely challenging budgeting circumstances. Um, the Frontier LMC promotes learning for all students by providing equitable access to information, broadening students information literacy skills and encouraging lifelong love of reading and
learning. This is a quote from the mission statement of our district's only certified librarian. And if we eliminate her, all of this equal access to information and literacy will be eliminated along with her. Anyone who values literacy, critical thinking, and
democracy knows the value of a school librarian. It should be no surprise to anyone here that the library is the heart of Frontier. Not because of its physical space, but because of the librarian, Miss Keenan, a position and
skill set no library aid could replace. It is not unusual for a student to come into the library asking about new books that came in and then light up when they see that Miss Keenan ordered something of interest for them. That's um it's not
unusual also to have a student come in and say, "I can't find a good book." Um but who then comes in asking for the sequel after they got an outstanding recommendation from Miss Kanan. Literacy skills are declining in schools across the country, but fostering a love of
reading is something that Miss Keenan specializes in. And because of that, our students are at an advantage. However, what would happen if a student stopped getting new books at the library or didn't have a trusted librarian to help them find something of interest? Well,
we know what happens. They stop reading or the barrier becomes too large that they don't develop the same passion or interest. Not only that, but without a certified librarian, all teachers and students will lose access to over 40 databases. Schools cannot gain access to
these databases for free without a certified librarian and would instead have to pay over $40,000 to gain access to these databases. Our high school students use these databases in their high school humanities classes,
including AP courses, because they provide peer-reviewed studies that are credible and reliable sources for their research, something that is harder to find these days. You might be told that some schools do without these databases, which is true. Unfortunately, if they
had these databases, they could have read a 2023 study by Lois G. line that found that quote students who attended schools with full-time certified librarians score significantly higher on math and reading tests than do matched
schools who attend sorry than do match students who attend schools without a full-time school librarian. I simply don't know why Frontier would choose to do something that we know would lower math and reading test scores. Furthermore, Miss Keenan is the reason
our library is a safe and inclusive space. um that where as our library website states students can develop their critical thinking skills, appreciation for literature and develop their curiosity. She is beloved by the
students with the recent class of 2024 choosing to dedicate their yearbook to her. Without a school librarian, without Miss Keenan, the library would cease its function and purpose. You were told at the last school committee meeting that these faculty and staff cuts would not
change quote the offerings to students and to have the least impact as possible and not hurt the appeal to school choice students. This could not be further from the truth. Removing the only certified librarian and replacing her with a
library aid will remove essential library services, remove access to new books and recommendations, remove essential database access, remove the reason why so many students want to go to the library and read books. It would
upend the part of the day many students look forward to and would lower math and reading test scores. I urge you to prioritize keeping the heart of Frontier Regional School, our essential librarian, Miss Keenan. Thank you. >> Megan.
>> Hi. Hi. Sorry. My name is Megan Lena. I live in Bernardston and I'm a special education teacher here and my work takes me into almost every corner of our building and I think that gives me a unique and firsthand look at the critical gaps that will be created if
you move forward with these proposed staff reductions. First off, our instructional assistants are not a luxury. They're a necessity. They're frontline staff ensuring that every child's legal right to an education is met daily, regardless of who resigns this year. Eliminating these positions
will create an instructional vacuum that will force special education teachers into reactive triage mode. This along with one less special ed teacher teacher will make it impossible to meet the requirements of IEPs and it compromises the education for everybody, the quality
of education for everyone. Eliminating our part-time adjustment counselor role and the building monitor will stretch our current adjustment counselor and school psychologist even more. Between dealing with daily crises and providing regularly scheduled check-ins with students who are entitled to support in
their IEP service delivery grid grids, I can guarantee that many students are not going to get the mental health support that they are entitled to. As everybody else has said here, our library is the heart of our school. It it drives our most innovative teaching and our librarian is a vital
collaborator who elevates our entire curriculum. What she contributes simply cannot be done by a library aid and cutting this position dismantles the support for research and critical thinking. It directly threatens our ability to offer certain AP classes and
it removes essential accessibility tools like Sora that students with disabilities rely on. We can't claim to offer a competitive education while cutting the person who provides the tools for those programs and supports teachers in using these tools effectively.
Lastly, we have to recognize that our school's stability depends on us being a destination. We rely on out of district district students choicing in. But families are not going to choose a district that's cutting out its backbone. They won't choose a school that lacks a functional library. They
won't choose a school that has unmanageable class sizes or programs like innovation pathways that prepare students for careers in healthcare and trade or that has a gutted special ed department. We will not recruit school choice students with a sparkly new driveway. We recruit them with a strong,
supportive academic program and a commitment to every student's progress. I'm begging you, do not take away our vital colleagues who make our students success and our school's reputation possible. Thanks. Hi, I'm Merlin. I am a former student at
Frontier. I graduated in 2019 and I went on to uh study creative writing at Emersonville College and now I'm back in Deerfield and I work as a library assistant in the Turus Falls Public
Library and I'm the teen librarian at the Tilton Dial Public Library. Um, as in both of these positions, I know that you cannot replace the duty of an actual librarian. You cannot do the same duties
as a library aid or a circulation assistant that you can as librarian. There are skills in education that you need to have to be able to make uh uh develop the collection, to keep databases, to uphold this entire space.
that can't be done with the job of a library aid. And so I strongly oppose this decision to remove the librarian. And I know that Zoe Keenan has the the skills and the education to do this job
well. And not only that, but make it a safe space for all of these students. I know when I was a student, I wanted to come here all the time. I went to Tilton almost every day. I came here almost every day. I have been raised on
libraries since I was 11 or 12 years old and it's just not a job that you can replace. Um there are so many libraries around the country that are being compromised and literacy is going down
and education is going down and we're in Massachusetts and as a public school there's no reason to be cutting this position. We have the top liter literacy rates and the top education rates and we as a public as a public school should be
supporting that. There is not only fiction books here, but there's non-fiction. There's all the resources and there's the opportunity for students to come here and ask for books and resources that they don't even know
exist yet without the help of somebody who has the specialty to look those up and find them and collect them for the school. And that benefits everybody. So, I really urge everybody to reconsider
this move to to take away the librarian position because it is going to strongly affect how the school looks and how the school acts. I know that as for people who don't work in libraries, it's hard to understand what the librarian
does and the difference between a librarian and a librarian assistant, but it is massive. And an aid cannot do that job. They can assist, they can look over the space, they can take care of the children or the students and make sure that they're looked after, but they
cannot maintain an actual library. And I think that's really important to keep in mind. And like other people have said, I have not once ever gone to a school and gone, "Wow, they have a really nice parking lot. I want to go here." I'm considering
what what programs these places have. You know, what they offer the libraries. It's a huge thing. But students spend five minutes in the parking lot. You know, that's like it's this is something that should not even be considered if there are other budget cuts. Um so again
I strongly encourage you to reconsider the cut to the librarian and other seriously necessary positions in the school to maintain the the support of the students. Thanks. >> Phil has a request. >> Yeah.
>> Can can I um do you mind? Let's finish up the rest of the public because this is the space for the public to have their comments and then we'll have a a space for thank you for the committee to have their comments uh as part of the
meeting. Thank you Tim. >> Good evening. Um Tim Hilchie from the Deerfield Select Board. Sorry you're hearing from all the Deerfield Select Board members. Um, we >> we appreciate that involving >> we share your concern about school budgets and the need to invest in
students and um I just want to thank everyone for your thoughtful approach to these issues. Um, I don't know what the savings is related to a librarian versus a library aid, but um, I will say that I have a soft spot in my heart for
libraries um, and librarians because they make a difference in in my life. The love of reading was something that I learned in the library. So, um, it's the key to self-education.
somebody who can read well can go a long way to help themselves just by um the skills that they learn in a library. So um I want to also thank um Jessica Corwin and Darius Matisto. We are
looking to uh a week of action for trying to get the state to give more money to rural and declining enrollment schools. Um, so if you haven't um heard about this, you should talk to Jessica and uh get
involved. You know, we need to deliver a strong message to Governor Healey in the legislature uh to get rural school aid funded at $60 million. That's not a beall and endall, but it would move move the needle enough so that some of the things we're discussing tonight wouldn't
be necessary. And um finally, I also want to remember uh remind everyone that um if you haven't seen the Franklin Technical School presentation, one of the things that we have to keep
in the back of our minds as um stewards of the finances of the towns we work in is that um Deerfield itself is looking at a 700,000 a year increase if that school is approved. approved. And that's not to
say that I have an opinion about whether technical schools or academic schools are the way to go. It's just a reality that we're talking about tonight um some adjustments that have been made in this budget. And hopefully I think you will
maybe reconsider based on all the conversations we've had about the importance of librarians this particular position. But two or three or four years from now, we're basically uh you know looking at a situation where
every one of our towns is going to have to have an override. And um so I just want I think that's some of the context that you know Darius and Shelley have been uh thinking about
and the the principles etc. So, uh, again, I just want to thank everyone for your thoughtfulness and hopefully we can come to some solution to this librarian issue because I do feel strongly about that. Thank you. >> Thank you,
>> Holly. >> Hello. I'm Holly Johnson uh from Wheatley. Um, I have a a child at Frontier, someone who graduated a little while ago, and I'm going to echo what so many people have already said, the importance of having a librarian in the
school. I myself am a librarian at the Tilton Library, and um there's it's just the the rule from the Massachusetts library system that if we don't have a certified full-time librarian, we don't have access. That's to all those databases like Melissa said, and a lot
of other things. And I understand, you know, a lot of hard work went into the budget and I appreciate it. And as a as a taxpayer, you know, I don't want to have an override, but I think this is really important. It's the it's such the heart of Frontier. Zoe, I've heard so
many good things over the years from multiple students about Zoe, the safe space the that the library is. And in a time when when so many kids are struggling with mental health, to take away a safe space like that, um it's so much
more than just what she does as a librarian that only a librarian can do. Um and I've heard, you know, that we're the parking lot, which I, you know, the parking lot's awful. I hate it, but I'd much rather have a librarian than a
pretty parking lot. Um, I appreciate all the time and effort you put in and and thank you for letting me speak. >> Thank you, >> Ashley. >> Hi. Thank you very much. Um, my name is Ashley Dennis. I live in Greenfield and
I work at Frontier as one of the school nurses. Um, thank you all for the hard work you're doing. This is incredibly difficult that I I imagine. I mean, but for everybody being involved in this and thinking about it, it's just so hard to imagine that we're in this place. Um, I
want to first speak about the importance of our librarian. The work that is done in our library to support all of our students by our librarian can cannot be understated. It is so
impactful to each and every student. I have a my own I have a child who graduated a year ago. Um he was able to participate in so many AP courses and um online courses in the library with the
support of the librarian such that he has managed to have an entire year of college course credits already under his belt. So I mean the the progression that he was able to achieve and the success and the love of learning it cannot be underscored. And
my younger child who also was at Frontier had basically his first work experience in the library with Miss Keenan. But even more importantly, the the database re resources and learning how to research and learning that all that information is out there reliably,
not just through Google, but through all these amazing ways to learn and dig deeper for information, real information is so important. Um, and the the the recommendations for books, the passion for learning, for reading, for finding
information cannot be undersold. And as Megan uh or excuse me, Merlin was speaking of the difference between an aid and a certified librarian and media specialist. It's something that I think we're not
commonly aware of the the vast difference, but if we liken it to nursing, we all know that like a nurse's aid, like a CNA and a RN have vastly different roles. And I think that applies as an analogy. And I urge us, I
urge you all to really please reconsider cutting a librarian position because I can't imagine our school without a librarian. I can't imagine our school as the same draw um for school
choice and for supporting our students at the beginning of the presentation um that Shelley gave. And thank you. It was very thorough and clear. One of the first things said was that we want that that you all want to make decisions um
difficult decisions that impact student education in the most minimal way possible. And I do not feel that cutting a librarian position achieves that. Um, and I also want to speak to um,
eliminating the part-time um, adjustment counselor because as one of the school nurses, we are often who catches, you know, we are those who catch the overflow from the students who
are needing support. And the need at present is so great. And even with our part-time adjustment counselor, there is not enough time in a day or week from our mental health professionals in the
building to support all of the students. And so reducing that time available is going to negatively impact those students which then negatively impacts their ability to um
be present for their learning to be open to their learning time to achieve their educational time. Um and I could go on and on but I will limit my time so others can speak. and thank you so much for the opportunity.
>> Thank you. Anything else? >> At this point, we'll close. >> Yeah, I did. >> That was gonna go back. >> Yeah, I can I could just go really
quickly. I I just want to echo what uh Andrea, Melissa, Merlin, others have said. Um, and you know, I teach eighth grade science and I'm the department chair for science. Um, but one of the things that that I just, you know, being
in the building, being with kids that I want to emphasize is that, you know, I know we've said that the library is the heart of our school. Um, it's also one of only safe spaces for some of our most atrisisk students. Um,
you know, that's where they go. that's their safe space and having a professional who is certified and trained >> and can support them and that space. I just think that the risk to those
students just greatly outweighs the dangers of a beat up parking lot. Um, and I just want you to keep those individuals in mind because there is a subset of students that and it's not a it's not, you know, it is a significant amount. I mean one is a significant
amount but it isn't it is more um and that space and having a professional um is just really critical and you know I would say the same for adjustment counselors like I just they're so critically important for students and
also for helping teachers to do the job that we do um so that you know we can have people kids can come to us and we can send them to someone who is a professional who can support them uh in the way that they need. And um you know,
the library is one of those avenues where kids trust Zoey and then Zoe can connect them to adjustment counselors. Um so both of those spaces are really spaces that I see as critical. Um, as
much as a new parking lot um will eventually one day be needed, I it just doesn't feel like the cracks in the concrete aren't as dire as the world that we're kind of in right now and the supports that kids really need. So, thank you so much. And I know
uh this is a hard hard decision. So, I appreciate you letting me speak. >> Thank you. I think we're good right now. Uh we'll close the public hearing and resume the school committee meeting
and we have a few things to go through on our agenda, but we'll come circle back around to to the budget in a relatively short order. >> Yeah. Right. So just kind of explanations a lot of people on watching. So the the way it works you have you have a public hearing which
allows public to com do give a presentation the budget the public to comment and then we go into a regular school committee meeting um in which the budget is on the agenda at which that time that the school committee discusses whether or not there'll be changes um
recommendations and just debate um and then um and what are they going to put forward to the final for the final uh budget number for later in the week. So that's kind of the process. So when we say we're closing the hearing, I just I was kind of saying just
>> you haven't been through it a lot. Um so um anyway, so we're going to go through some of the regular business kind of things that are on the agenda and we'll come back to the budget >> pretty quick. Uh the first item on the school committee uh meeting agenda is for
reviewing through the minutes of February 10th. I I'll just kind of clarify that because we have members both here and remote. I'm going to go through with a roll call for everybody. We'll call I'm sure Jessica uh with
minutes as well. >> Move to approve. >> Thank you, Jess. That's a motion from Bill and a second on from Olivia. Everybody moved on the screen. Um, I'm gonna go around the table first and
then we'll go to the remote folks. Olivia, >> yes. >> Mary, >> yes. >> Bill, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> All right. Now, we've got Jessica. >> Yes.
>> Back up the screen, which will help. Uh, Bill. >> Yes. >> And Celia. Yes. Uh, can you hear me? Yes, >> you >> can. Yes. Thank you. And Diane? >> Yes.
>> Right. I think I've got everybody. >> We've got the financial statement and warrants. >> The only thing that I have for you is to state the warrants for the record. So, there were 26 warrants um totaling 2,38,979.56.
I did send you out the express reports. There's no new changes since we last met, but I'm happy to take questions if you have them. I don't see any questions about the financial reports. I'm told that the student council uh member has been
uh >> we sent a message that was a long meeting and they would not want to sit through the whole public hearing part. So, >> okay. if they're on. I didn't see them come on. >> Great. And if they had anything to they wanted to share with them, they asked them to send it along. >> Do you want to do that? >> I can. And I just a few quick updates
and I do want to just highlight the fact that our student council there so we have a number of um student council members going to uh uh conference uh tomorrow for three days uh in Delape. Um, so they're going to be uh attending uh keynote speaker sessions, learning
about leadership, networking with other student councils. So this is our second year uh that we're doing that. So I want to give a a public uh thank you to Melissa Stroky and to Kate Blair, our our student adviserss for we're doing that. We're really excited that our our students are able to take advantage of
that. Uh today we did have a wellness day for our high school students. Um and basically so uh a lot of our high school students were able to participate in a lot of activities. Uh we did cross-country skiing out back, had Pilates, uh kids, some students went off site and did snowshoeing, some students
hiked up Sugarloaf Mountain. Um and then it culminated with a pep rally organized by our student council. So thank you to our student council for that. Um I just want to let folks know that early release days are starting again on March 6, which is this Friday. Uh this spring we'll be going over, we've got uh such
topics uh coming up as anti-bullies, uh we'll be doing servant practice again, uh PLC's and curriculum development. Uh and then once again, a reality fair career fair is happening on March 25th. Uh big shout outs for Steam Blue for her organization this event. Uh and our
musical is coming up uh not this weekend but next weekend which is going to be Mary Poppins. So if you're if you're around and you want to see a great musical, big thank you to John Donna, Max, Cheryl, uh and Janet Riley for for
working on that. So we're excited for that. So that's what I've got. Thank you. >> At this point, we have another section for public comment. I will just make clear that this is only for public comment, not related to budget related
issues. So, if there's any public comment on something not budget related, this is your time. I don't see any things or hands in the air. So, I'm going to move on from public comment unless you tell me that you got up. >> Okay.
>> All right. Shel, are you ready to be on again? Yeah, I'm a little bit un normally I would just say there's nothing more to talk about because our budget goes goes through, but I'm not sure if we want to talk additional school committee
comments before I get into the next part of the presentation or if you want me to present. It's probably important for the next part to be explained because it would be a repetitive of so we don't go down and also if you share different
>> oh the cage and it goes back and forth. There's one one page too. >> Oh, because I'm not in slideshow, but I can
>> I can go into >> Oh, if you go into that, it just will fill up the whole screen. You don't have to leave that. I didn't want to interrupt us. >> I share from the PDF and not >> Yeah. I feel like it's helpful to have
this piece before we discuss. >> Yes. Okay. So, we do have some additional information since the last meeting um to discuss that has budgetary impact. Um, you all knew that health insurance rates
had not been set yet when we had the last uh budget discussion. We had a placeholder in the budget of 20% increase for next year and we're going to talk about where that landed with health Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust and what the um budgetary impact
is with that change. So, All right. So, Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust had their meeting uh last week and had two options on the table from their consultant who they're working with to come up with the best
plans for all of the covered lives, which is about 12,000 covered lives that are insured with Hampton County Insurance Trust. Uh the proposed options included a 16% rate increase without plan design changes, meaning the
existing plan that we would have um moving forward would mimic what we have now. So no deductibles, no changes in co-pays. It would just be the change of the 16% insurance rate increase or premium rate increase. The alternative option presented to the insurance
advisory committee of the trust was a 12.48% 48% increase with plan design changes. We had in our budget as a placeholder a 20% increase. The trust did go ahead and present what those plan design changes would look like.
You can see on the screen here there is a uh HMO plan and a PO plan. Um HMO allows you to be in network and only see specialists with a referral from your primary care physician. The PO allows you to choose in network or out of
network doctors and you don't need that referral. Um you can see the lighter blue here in the second part of the or the second column learn something. Um so where it says current those are our current plans and
the proposed are the new plans. So you can see under the AMO and the PO the proposal at the 12.48% 48% rate increase did include adding a duct deductible of $250 per individual or 500 per family as
well as some changes to office co-ayments. So not to see your primary care. Your primary care you can see here is remaining the same. But then as you go to specialist urgent care um those payments were increasing as well as
changes to lab services, inpatient care and outpatient surgical after deductibles are met on the HML plan. The PO would require that um people enrolled in this plan do have to pay uh a deductible for primary care visits
first. So you'd have to meet that $250 deductible per person or 500 per family. Then your co-pays would kick in. That's for all services for regular primary care as well as uh specialists and urgent care uh emergency room lab and
then inpatient care and outpatient care. So these were the proposed changes. These changes are still less than the um GIC. So the state's group insurance commission, we've talked about this at several meetings of whether or not we
wanted to move that route. The plan presented with the GIC, it does have higher deductibles and higher co-pays than what was proposed to the trust here. The trust made a commitment to make as minimal changes as possible while keeping the rate increase
as relatively reasonable as it could, which is where the $250 and $500 deductible and then the minimal plan changes for probates came into play. The trust did pass the 12.48%
rate increase with plan design changes. It passed 55 to 27 of the um voting members that were present. Um so from here the plan will be changing in the new year. Before we talk about the budget changes of the 20% um placeholder
that we had in compared to the 12.48% I want to give you some information about what that means for us moving forward because if you listen to any of our meetings or attended any of our meetings there is some negotiations that has to take place with our unions um in
regards to impact bargaining. So when we talk about negotiations, uh, Frontier Regional School Committee as well as we believe the other member towns that are part of the trust, which is Conway, um, Wheatley and Deerfield, all adopted chapter 32B, sections 21 to
23 some years ago. Um, I can't remember if it was 2017 or 18. Um, but what chapter 32B sections 21-23 allows is a municipality or regional school district can make changes to the health insurance
plan up to the GIC. Which is why I was mentioning that the plan changes that were approved by the trust or less than the GIC. You can make those plan changes without having to bargain what those plan changes look like. So if the GIC deductible is $500 per person, as long
as the trust deductible is less than that, we can go ahead and make those changes as long as we've adopted this part of MGL, which we have. What has to be bargained is the cost savings. The proposals presented a 16% rate increase
and a 12.5% rate increase. So the difference in those um calculations for what we would pay on premiums is what has to go back to our employees capped at 25% of what that difference is. So this is the piece that has to be
negotiated. This is a much larger conversation but I did want to make you aware that the changes are coming into place because there will be some steps that school committee has to be involved in as we go through that process. I also want to make you aware of it
because it does impact what the net savings is to the budget based on mitigation. So you do have to give that money back not only to your insured union employees but any insured employee throughout the district that capped at
25% savings and that is based on the statute. So all of this is coming from Mass General Law. Um we have been in contact with labor council. Um, we're also communicating with the towns to support union 38 as well with their negotiations and there will be some work
that this committee has to do as we go through that process. So, let's talk about what the actual impact of the budget is. And the the impact on the budget is we have a 20% placeholder in for a rate increase and the rate is increase is only 12.48%.
The savings being generated from that change in the rate increase in premiums is roughly $150,000. So our budget as it stands right now at the 3.94% increase um is overstated by $150,000
because we can recoup some savings from the premium rate reduction. Does that make sense? Yes. Okay. I just want that to be clear for school committee before I keep talking. So, we've done some behind the-scenes
calculations of what those mitigation costs are going to be. However, there are some statutory requirements as far as communicating with the union. So, we're not able to talk about that number publicly yet of what that mitigation expense is going to be. But what I
wanted to point out on this slide is twofold. So, the budget savings of 150,000 is the gross amount. there will be a mitigation expense. So say that expense was $50,000 and I'm just throwing it out for easy math. The net
savings would be $150,000. That would be what we could reduce our budget by >> 100 >> I mean 100 yes sorry >> I was trying to make it simple and didn't make it simple enough for myself. So a 100,000 would be our net savings if we had 50,000 of the mitigation expense.
I think it's just important to point that out as part of what this process looks like. Frontier is fortunate in that it have school choice funds or we could use Oh, Celia, let me stop before I keep drawing. >> Oh, okay. Um I just Is the the
mitigation expense is that the that's the 25% of the difference between the 12.48 and the 16%. >> You got it. Exactly. >> Okay. Thank you. I just wanted to double check. >> Great question. Okay.
So, we are fortunate that we have school choice funds available which we've talked about sort of operates in a way similar to our free cash because it is a revolving fund. I could have also thrown on this slide to use excess and deficiency. The difference in END and school choice is that END all of our
member towns have to approve the use of that whereas school choice school committee can access those funds. So because we have those funds, I am recommending that the mitigation expense that is a one-time expense because it's only based on the calculation of the
difference between the 16% and the 12.48 capped the 25% in the first year. So it's a one-time expenditure. Rather than inflating our budget by if it was $50,000, let's use an alternative funding source to cover the mitigation expense and
fully recoup the budget savings into our budget. >> Does that make sense? Did I explain that? I think I people could that number while it's it's um it still has to be determined and worked out, you know, I think using the $50,000 is the would be
the very high end of that number. They probably even more highly than that. But so we're not talking about um you know 25% being $100,000 for those you are not quick enough to do able to do the math on that. But it's so it's you know it' be under $50,000 but it is um I just
kind of want to throw that number out because we do have to keep it general. But I just want to have like a general like ballpark idea what that >> Yeah. It's not hundreds of thousands of dollars. That 25% savings in the difference of the two rates is not astronomical.
>> If we were holding money aside, we would hold that we pulled $50,000 aside less. >> Yeah, exactly. Okay. Any other questions on those components before I keep going? All right, hearing.
So, let's talk about recommendations. So, um, the administration behind the scenes, as we do with all of our budget process, is to make recommendations to school committee based on what we feel, um, balances that fiscal responsibility and meeting the needs of our students
and staff in the building. So, we're presenting you with two options here. There are probably a million other options. Um, but so as not to go down a crazy rabbit hole, we're really presenting you with what we think are the best two options to move us forward. So, uh, what we are recommending under
option A, and this will come back to deliberation for school committee to continue to have conversation, is that we apply the $150,000 to reduce the budget. We also at the same time maintain the position reductions outlined previously, which
was a total of $300,000, and then those positions that we showed you in the first presentation for the public hearing. We're also recommending that we reallocate RO aid funds. At the last meeting, we agreed to use $100,000 or $110,000 of rural aid to offset the
budget. We're recommending that we reallocate that to the parking lot. Um the purpose behind that would mean that the capital expense gets offset to our member towns, reducing their total assessment. So, while the budget isn't really coming down a ton, um we are
looking at not having a capital. So the original reduction was a $400,000 reduction in the public hearing budget. We used 100,000 of rural aid and 300,000 in positions. Option A recommendation applies an additional $40,000,
excuse me, from the health insurance savings, making our total reductions to the budget 440,000 and removing the capital assessment by applying rural aid. Does that make sense? So ultimately we're reducing our expenditures
um to our towns by 550,000. Um really they'll see the most recoup in that capital assessment. I'm going to give you more information on what that looks like moving forward um as we go through. Let me get into um option B quickly. So, an alternative
consideration would be to keep up to $150,000 in positions based on the administrative recommendation. So, some portion of those um positions that we recommended being reduced would be saved for lack of a better word, not all of
them, but up to 150,000. We would maintain rural aid on the budget as an offset and maintain the capital assessment. So with this option, it basically means there's no reduction to our budget and there's no change in our assessments. So our budget would
come in at the same level, 3.94%. We would still assess our towns for their portion of the capital assessment. Um and the budget would be it was like $13.8 million for the general fund. Um this results again just to repeat here, make sure everyone understands the
differences in option A and option B. Option A actually has an additional reduction to the budget and a reduction to our member town assessments. Option B maintains status quo as presented in the public hearing.
>> To comment on option A since it's it is our recommendation. It I think where it's keeping um consistent with is that we do need our population has gone down and we do need to shrink the budget. Um we we don't need to it's our
recommendation that we that we shrink the budget. Um and I think you know they opened up this conversation. I know that the dollar amount has changed but the demand from the towns has has not changed and it is very high looking going across each of the towns. Each of
the elementary schools budgets are higher than than what is normally considered an acceptable range. There's a they still have to take on the insurance costs. Um, and you got one town that's going to be dependent on an override to pass the budget. Um, and so
I I I that's the one of the reasons going through and I've heard, you know, I listen to all the the, you know, the commentary that, you know, was given to us um, and ideas and thoughts from, you know, from our teachers and and parents and such. Um, and cuts are hard and there's no there's no steering away from
that. Um and there are reductions in services and we heard from different members about each and every cut having a different impact on this building. Um and we did not take that lightly bringing those cuts forward. Um I don't want to get into
debate of you know what our recommendations are. Um I I think that would be unhealthy to you know devalue positions or to counterpoint um you know usage of you know we'll say library or
um you know special education needs or you know we are charged as administration to advise based on what we in the building and we see is going to have the um the the best the best impact in a
negative situation. And so, or that's probably a terrible way of saying that, but um the least amount of impact, but it's going to have an impact. Anytime we reduce services, we're going to have to adjust. We're going to have to um you know, move things around within the building to do so. And so looking at the
reason why again Shel and I are looking at um Shelley I and administration looking at a as the um recommendation is that if we pay for if we use that school choice money as part not school choice excuse me rural aid money to offset the
budget we start in deficit next year unless we get full funding of ro a and it was inconsistent this year where it went down by 25% and so we will be just kicking it down the road once instead of rescaping stabilizing our budget by shrinking it slightly. Um and and and I
kind of also wanted to, you know, I'll hold on the parking lot because I'm going over the park. So anyway, those are the thoughts, our thoughts on the EA. Um I'm sure there'll be a lot of conversation. Well, yeah. >> Um I just want to show you two more slides. Um,
and I I'll make another comment back on Darius is, you know, as your CFO, it is my job to make decisions or recommendations for you to you that are most fiscally responsible while balancing the needs of our students. And
as Sar said, with enrollment changing and what you're going to see on the next couple slides about the savings and maybe hear some more about the impact to our towns, um sometimes really hard decisions have to be made that are that are really based on finances.
Okay, so let's look at the assessment change with option A. Um since that is the administrative recommendation. Um so this shows you what the reduction in the town assessment would be with option A. Some of these numbers seem minimal when you look at, you know, think about the grand scheme of things of the town's
overall budget. But when we break it down by percentage points, Conway would be seeing a reduction of 24,000, Deerfield 70,000, Sunderland 39,000, and Weightley um 16,000. I'm going to stick with Sunderland since Keith brought up
their percentage point and already um talking about an override. a $39,000 savings for Sunderland um equates to at the elementary school um o over one full position and over one full percentage point which when you're talking about
reductions of 8 n 10% that is has a significant impact. Um and Keith also said this too it's I think you said this it's not Frontier's responsibility to carry the weight of the elementary school's budgets or of the town's budgets. Um, however, we all have a
responsibility. We're in this together and we do have to make decisions um that are most fiscally responsible and that are going to move our budgets through the budget process. Um, so overall what that looks like in assessment wise, there's a lot of numbers on the screen, but you can see here for demonstration
purposes, the capital assessment is zeroed out. Our assessment growth changes from that 530,000 to 379,000 and you can see the breakdown accordingly. Um so to easily look at uh Sutherland and keep with that same theme
in the first iteration of the budget their overall assessment growth was $250,000 and at this um iteration for option A it is only $211,000. Again doesn't seem like a lot of money when you're talking about the grand scheme of a $2.8 million assessment, but
every dollar counts towards balancing our member town budgets overall. and Keith mentioned they're they've got fire, they've got police, they have um all of the other town departments to manage and it is part of our conversation as being a rural district
of how we balance all of the needs and all of the different pieces of the budgets. >> I think the option is just >> I didn't it doesn't change the assessment. So the option B is not demonstrated. The only difference with option A and
option B is how the $150,000 is applied. So let's just go back to those slides. So option A, the $150,000 is applied to actually reduce the budget and we maintain all the position reductions.
Option B um puts that $150,000 back into positions and does not change the budget as it stands as far as um general fund or capital assessments. So both options um you're assessing the town for part of
it. >> Option A there would be no capital assessment. >> Option B there. >> Correct. >> I think it's also it's important for folks understand how when our budget does go to the town the town figures out how to fund that budget. So, they're
going to look at their increasement, their increase in um their increases, uh, you know, from taxes and so on and so forth, their growth, and then they're going to look at their free cash and they're going to take you're going to usually, unless they're going to go over and stuff, they're going to take with
their free cash to pay that portion when we when we assess them there. So, it really is just freeing up that money for them to apply either for the elementary school or for other services in Yeah. So one, you know, so it's like it's important that it brings it down,
but >> they're it's taking it's saving for their pool of money. Does that make does that make sense? Like could they explain that? >> Yeah, >> I know that Phil asked a while ago. Do you mind if I just check in and see if
Phil wants to hop in before I do that in person? No, no, that's all right. >> Are you >> Yeah, sure. Um so you know first of all I I was just uh interested in since so
many of the public comments um sort of made uh the inference that we were pursuing a parking lot renovation at the expense of people's jobs. Um whether Darius you whether you could
uh discuss the rel the budgetary relationship between capital projects and uh you know the instructional budget and how that looks at town meeting and what that relationship is just so that we could sort of dispel that inference.
Um, and then the second thing is that um just with regard to uh uh Shel's um I guess I guess you would say that's good health insurance news. Um less horrible health insurance news is a
better way of putting it I guess. Um yeah, that there's an option A and an option B. Is there some have have you contemplated sort of something in the middle like an option C where some or one position is retained
and the assessment for uh uh the parking lot is lowered but not eliminated you know >> so all right so you asked a lot of questions there um >> yeah sorry >> to go in reverse order. We kept it very
straightforward without creating um a menu of things to choose from. Um you know, in the sense of especially since the fact that we our recommendation is A and as Shelley said, this is A and B. There could be a 100,000 different
versions coming off of that. And so it's hard for us to then, you know, provide a menu of options of things we don't want to serve. So to kind of put that there, but to go back to your your first So I don't want to talk about that because you had two completely different
>> Yeah, >> I kind I don't want to just kind of roll over the first part where you talked about the parking lot because I do want to comment on that. Um >> um well I mean sure the agreed that there could be many permutations, many different options but
um you know I I I go back to what we always talked about as being the uh the threshold for job elimination and it's basically whether we really have to and
um make Um the the the appearance of you know uh additional funds to the in the budget makes me wonder whether we
really have to eliminate the librarian eliminate the you know what the you know etc. Um it's you know one thing one thing the the attrition positions are one thing the actual jobs
being lost or to me always are in a different category and what's the budgetary impact of saving those positions and it seems like there'd still be some reduction in the capital expenditure
um or the capital request to the towns. Yeah, you're right, Bill. There could be there there was a there was four iterations that Darius and I talked through um after talking with George about uh priorities and how to navigate all the pieces. One of them was put
$75,000 back in salaries, put $75,000 either back in budget or towards capital because six and one does mean another. Um so we did throw that out there as well, I think. Um, I don't want this to come across as the
wrong way because I'm speaking strictly from a financial brain. >> Yeah. >> Our budget is growing faster than our towns can afford. >> Yep. >> That is the bottom line. And we're having an opportunity right now where we
can because the health insurance is coupled with that and it's growing our budget. we have an opportunity where we can take care of reducing some positions based on attrition which do not impact people's lives and make some other changes based on enrollment and I think
we have to capitalize on that and do what is most fiscally responsible um I hear the library conversation I'm not really involved in how that gets organized I'm just coming from a um fiscal perspective that it there is
going to be there does need to be some change in the level of staffing that we have um carried in our budget and what that looks like, you know, comes from the administrative recommendation first and then comes back here. But I do think we're at a point where we have to make
some changes. Our towns cannot continue between the growth of Frontier and the growth of our elementary schools. We're growing faster just based on cola than our towns can afford. I hope no one will take that personally.
I love all the new teachers. You educate my children and and all of you are important. But there are some tough fiscal conversations and decisions that we haven't. >> Well, I was just going to speak for the parking lot. U just want to point out
that the parking lot and and position are not one to one changes. that they're completely different revenue streams and then even if we were to blow up the budget and say we'll just take whatever has been put into the parking lot over
years of planned and fund positions that money disappears next year those positions won't be funded the year after that and the parking lot it's not a one to one at all >> yeah that's what I was asking Darius to get that you know and it's a separate
vote at town meeting it's it's not you know the the the parking lot is a separate warrant article. People can vote against the town the school budget and for the parking lot and vice versa. Uh it it it does not we are not robbing
Peter to pay Paul and uh I don't think there would be approval on the school committee at all to fund a parking lot and fire instructional facing people like it just wouldn't it it doesn't work
that way. of that. >> Yeah, I I didn't respond because I was kind of waiting. I was waiting that first talk group. So, I guess you had a compound kind of question there. >> Um, we also, you know, and I know you're right. Someone made a comment like we
have a gravel parking lot and and you know, if we could save positions, but that it's not a recur. We are already using school choice money in the budget. It's not this would be an addition to that and and the the cost of those the
cap you know this building is an asset that we have to maintain and then when you put off projects it gets more expenses it also when we start creating liability issues with the level of damage our parking lot is when we start having potholes that are over you know three inches deep it's liability issue
we spend $20,000 or $24,000 on the repair let alone that's already falling apart out there last year so we're throwing you know good money to bad as So, I understand that the parking lot is the is an ugly kind of it's an ugly project. It's, as I said the previous
meeting, it's not sexy. You know, you wish you could do without it. Um, we also have other projects that are lined up behind this one, including another roof section, which again, if you start having leaking roof, then you have you start you're destroying your asset underneath it, including insulation, then you have mold issues, and then you
you're increasing cost. So like we have a plan and that's why we do a different silo of it because if every year we had deferred maintenance, it was deferred maintenance, it we just build a problem for the next um the next group down the road even a couple years off. And if
there was a, you know, a single bailout need that's different. But it really is um and that's why towns do it as well. a separate capital committee that meets and discusses um you know the the the improvements of their town outside of their general budget because if you mix
the two together, the general budget always kind of wins and then you're stuck with more expensive projects and liabilities and and you know um issues with your your facilities and such. So that's why it's kind of broken out and this project's been we put it on hold
last year. Um, and so it to do with the fire alarm system and we kind of it's been it's been in the works since 2018. Um, and I think, you know, we've reached the end of the patching life. So, um, anyway, that's kind of the reasoning behind what you
were guaranteeing. I understand the optics, but in operations, we do keep it too separate. >> Yeah. and and and as far as far as the the what to do with the savings um from the health insurance, I I personally
would be interesting would be interested in uh you know looking further at split splitting this doing some sort of split 7575 or something similar to that and see what that looks like and what that
would what that would accomplish. Um, >> and this whole conversation gets a little cucked. Everybody keeps talking about the savings. There isn't any savings. >> We're going to spend less. We're not going to save a damn thing.
>> So, please stop calling it savings because there isn't any. >> You're right. >> I label it savings. Sorry, Bill. >> Go ahead, Diane. >> Yeah. I want to go back to something you said, Shelley, um about, you know, we're
the our population is going down. We need to cut something at our school. And I guess I really want to understand better the uh the the thinking about making one of those the librarian in
particular which does seem as many of the public comments said so core to the school that it doesn't seem like a a population decline sort of issue like we need fewer teachers maybe because there's fewer students but again a core
service at the school. So maybe I would really appreciate some kind of explanation about how that decision came about. >> It's not really a it's not really a Shelly issue if you don't mind if I take that D. It's Shelly. It's so you know um I think you know we're looking at the
librarian and we're talking about the librarian and there's other you know there's another faculty member you know although it's not being um lost a job position which is special education as well. And so I don't want to get lost that both of those are extremely I mean they're all valuable positions but those are the probably the highest um the
highest number of savings in the reduction. There's there's an alignment. So again, I guess I'm going to justify what the reasoning is, not debate. I don't want to debate um the reasoning. Um it's we're looking at the allocation
of resources and the amount that the library is used in comparison to what it was years ago. Um research base is not um booking is not um hardcovered books as it once was. We've made an effort to be one-on-one with Chromebooks where it
no longer was the, you know, the library used to be a hub of for um computer use and research. You'd go to the library to use the computer to do research. That's that's very minimally happening in in comparison to where it was years ago. Um
and so when I look at that and it's when I look at those kind of things and we as administrative team look at that, we look at impact on student learning. But while many of the statements that people made are true that those things will be lost. Um what do you want us to trade
out instead? Do we want to have larger class sizes or of direct instruction? Do we want you know that is the next level? And so that is where the priorities were within the the making of this this and again this is our recommendation. this
is your budget um and the values of the school committee and such um you know apply you know make those decisions when it comes to budget. So um I so I I guess I kind of I'm looking through my notes just make sure I kind
of hit on things. Um you there's less scheduled classes being done in the library. Um there's less uh research that's using the library instead of online materials. the access of libraries online um and
it's being done by our a lot of our um AP level classes are doing are going that route and so the the the utilization has gone down so it's we do need to redefine what does a library space look like um and how do we utilize
you know a you know that resource which is a expensive resource and so and so we have to make sure that if if we're not using it to That's what brought it to um the table of reduction. >> So if I can ask a followup to that, if
we did plan B, which of those what did those position cuts look like? How would you prioritize the um the changes in the position cuts that you would make >> through our discussion? We we would prioritize the special ed position,
special education position first. Um and then um following that I would probably depending on you know you're looking at the so it's I guess you know I guess I'm trying to work through like I don't want to value positions but I guess I have to
give thinking this out loud in my head. Um I have to give where the values that the administration applied to these cuts. um mental health, you know, we'd have to have another conversation with our mental health um providers in the building about whether or not that that
two-day position is going to have that drastic effect and balancing that out with the library position. So, that would be, you know, there's probably a tie for second place within that. They're very different in costs um within within that number. So, um but
you know, we'd have to kind of go back to drawing board. These cuts were brought as a package, not in a ranking order. Um, because we tried to pick from different, as you can see, didn't all hit one area of the building. We kind of tried to do it to have the least amount
of impact on delivery of services and looking at what, you know, what members of our staff were um were leaving. So that, you know, that was kind of worked in there as well. So >> no, I I definitely respect that and I know this has been a hard, you know,
discussions to kind of come up with these packages. It's just that you're asking us to choose between two options. One of which involves fewer position cuts and so it's not a package all of a sudden and you know we need to take that into consideration as well. And
>> so um could I so you you know you you you asked what what else what in what other location what other place could cuts be made and um the one person there was one suggestion of of all the public comments um to take a look at the
curriculum position the curriculum director position the um you know the secondary curricular uh position and you know and in in all my years of school committee whatever it's in 15 or 18 or whatever. Um the in all the discussions
with school committee members from other districts, um I always got comments like you're so lucky to have um a separate curriculum directors for elementary ed and secondary ed. Um
uh and and I you know but but I and I don't know statewide what the statistics are but I was sort of led to believe that we were outside of the norm in that that if that I know that there's districts that function without a curriculum director at all and there seems to be a lot more that just have a
single K through 12. Um and so and I you know and I wondered what what your thoughts are about that and whether it's you know if we could address that one suggestion um uh you know and is is there something to be said for a
part-time curriculum director or so I I don't know but um it seemed like a it's an idea that I I hadn't I hadn't thought of that idea till it was brought up. I'm sure you have, but I just wonder what your thoughts are,
>> Darius. >> Sure. >> I don't think it's a wise decision. I think the um director of education um does something has a skill set and does something that um moves, you know, all
of our teaching forward. And the fact that we put a lot of emphasis on that is what keeps us um in my opinion ahead of a lot of other districts that we uh put a lot of time and effort into designing you know professional development. We
don't we dedicate a lot of time with all those early release days. The calendar is on their schedule you know a little bit later the first you know rendition of it and you can see we see that we spend a lot of time trying to do professional development for our teams. Um and we recognize that as an importance without a director to oversee
that um or in a part-time basis or having other administrators take that on is going to um I think um very much um diminish the the value of those um trainings because it is a lot of work to
them. Um, and I think when you look at while we have two, um, I look at other districts out east, I know we can't compare out east, but out east, they have multiple assistant superintendent. We don't have any assistant superintendent, right? So, we have a cheaper model of a curriculum
coordinator is nowhere near the assistant superintendent level, but in very much acts like an assistant superintendent um, in curriculum. Um, when you look at the elementary schools, that's the the fact that we have the split position is the penalty we have
for the way our system is set up because Laura doesn't care that position is has to run all around town to coordinate the multiple buildings, different districts, different, you know, you know, we do presentations, all the other kind of thing. It is, it really is the part of
our inefficiency. Um, but I would say there would be a greater value loss on student and instruction. The impact, you wouldn't see it in the first year, but you would see it the years after. Who's supporting new teachers? Who's, you know, moving all the different initiatives along um you
the launching of our integrated pathways was completely um built out of that office. Um not completely in working with you, but you know, it was the the hard work and such. So, um I disagree. So, and um I'm shocked that a neighboring district decided to do that
route. Um I think they're they're going to have um long-term it's not what I would do if I was in that leadership position. >> I was just going to say just for a clarifying thing for people who might not know what you were saying about our penalty is because we're not truly regionalized is why we need to have
those two. But just in case people aren't aware about if they don't live here know that um that we're a superintendency not regional and the four elementary schools operate on their own which is why Laura has to run around like a mad one and we she can't do these
jobs. >> Um when Sarah interest me when Sarah announced her retirement that was something that had crossed my mind and I think it's a worthy conversation but the that work does need to be done. there was a valuable work there and most likely would fall on the department heads and would have to ask them if
they'd be willing to take that work on and then that would be a change in job description as well and it probably have to be negotiated and come at additional costs. So it's it's I thought it was a worthy conversation but that work would fall on other people and it's a lot of work. But and again,
we we circle it back around to the the many financial penalties we suffer from not being fully regionalized. And and I know it's a discussion for another day, but um I I don't I don't think the select board and finance committee members are aware of just how many
hundreds of thousands of dollars of state aid and state funding we do not get because we are not fully regionalized. I'm wondering if you can speak a little bit to some concern that was raised about grants that are tied to the
library position. >> I'm not aware of any grants that we received based on library position. We make a note to look into it. I'm not aware of any specific grant state funded or otherwise connected.
And are either of you guys aware how lots of resources for students to access >> right without a a certified librarian we wouldn't have um um the term would lose access to MLS
>> we wouldn't have access to MLS um inter library loans um require a certified full-time library Um, I don't know if the positions are interrelated or not or one's, you know,
one's school and one's like a separate type of librarian. I I forgive me if they're different. Um, we have a brand new library that's like a two-minute walk right down the street. And I don't know what type of resources they have
and if there's any uh day if there's any time in a day that can be worked into kids schedules and if they do still need to seek out resources, if there's an opportunity to get those resources at the town library, that is a
huge new building. Yeah, I think you talk about MLS and if students wanted to get certain books for research um you know majority of research projects now are are are not are not book based. You know to sign up for a book to be
delivered a couple days later um just not how the speed of um things are working. But you're absolutely correct. You know that is a loss. Um but the other side is they could walk down the street use the librarian and do their office. you know, it's, you know, it is again paid by our budgets um down um and
so forth. And it's just another another avenue, but it's not convenient. It's not it's a loss. It's not what they have now. >> Did you have your hand up? Yes, I I just I went back down, but I wanted to check in with you. >> Yeah. Just I wanted to reiterate my
position as a member of the budget subcommittee and it you guys have heard this before but you guys haven't stopped. Bear with me for a minute. We just kind of when we looked at all of this, we just kind of thought as a budget sub subcommittee have to look at
it all that it was kind of front of each turn to step up because we have had charter made the point we have 100 100 less kids run around than we had prior to co we haven't had a budget year that's been zero only in the cos never
had a budget decrease but we've had an enrollment increase decrease. over and over and over and it is it's our time it's Frontier's turn to help dear son because they have big problems
big problems that we we've said it in here and the educational component in a town budget is enormous. These guys at that end of the table and this end of the table they're professionals. when they come to me with advice and tell me this is what we can
do and not hurt the program, I have to I have to take that on faith because that's what I pay them to tell me that we can do this and they've said it. We can pull this up. No, it's not nice. Nobody wants to do it. Everybody wants to be able to have everything they
can that they want in a school. Towns can't afford it. I've been here a long time. Some a lot of people probably saying too long, but I can tell you for sure that the towns cannot afford it. If we stick with if we stuck with the original budget, it would have failed.
And that's a scrum that you do not want to be part of because I've I've been part of that. And this we thought this was a good compromise. Not everybody's going to be happy. A lot of people are going to be very unhappy. But you're going to be more unhappy if
this whole thing crashes. And I just I have to trust the people that I hire to make these decisions for me. And as a budget subcommittee member, that's why we made the recommendation that we made. This is the way we think that the committee ought to go. Celia, did you have
>> um Yeah, I So, um this is my first time going through this budget process and um I feel like this is a little bit of a trial by fire year. Um uh because this is this is hard. Um and
um but I I guess it just so I I am um I hear the point about how kids could use resources that are at um that are at the the new Tilton, which is um so such a beautiful new building. Um but I also
feel like there's um there's like Okay, I think there's two pieces that I want to say about like I think what a librarian does has shifted. And so when when you're saying that like the sort of like numbers are down or sort of you know like sort of access is down, I think that like some of the metrics that
we use to think about what a library serves as have shifted a little bit. And like you're I don't think anybody would argue that book circulation is down. Um, I just but I I think that what a librarian does has
also has like kept pace um and has shifted from helping kids check out books and um you know injure library books to get them to arrive in time to do research before a paper like that that era I think is kind of mostly gone
by. Not entirely but mostly. And um but that like the the sort of the like Anyways, I just I sort of feel like that's there's like looking at the numbers on book circulation is like not quite the right way to capture what a
library does. Um, and also I I also think that um, okay, I I need like a little bit of permission to um, speak in first draft on this one, but I feel like there's sort of like we're in this AI bubble right now where um, there's there's
there's a really powerful search engine. Is my audio still coming through? >> Yes. >> Okay. Um, I there's a really powerful search tool that's available in AI. Um, and and
but I think that in the pretty near future, um, a lot of what's available and what's currently available, helping kids search the internet more effectively in free AI is going to disappear. and that having the hard
skills that a librarian has to help kids like that's all going to be monetized and and whether the school has access to that or not is like I I just don't know what's going to come for that. But I think having some of those skills about how to access things is going to be
incredibly important when that shifts. I don't know when that's going to shift. That could be, you know, like I don't know. I'm not paying enough attention to AI to know when that shift is happening, but I think it's going to happen. And I think everybody's saying it's going to happen. And I think that when that happens that kids are going to lose some
of the and I don't mean using AI to write papers. I'm not talking about generative AI. I'm talking about using AI to do more effective searches because I think that's a really powerful tool right now. Um so um anyways that's just like another concern that I have that feels a little bit um
uh anyways that those are a couple of thoughts that I had >> Jessica. >> Yeah. Um so I'm also speaking in first draft. Thank you for that phrase. Um, Celia, uh, this
this question about the librarian and the other positions, um, is really heartbreaking. I listened to every public comment. I'm taking minutes. Every single public comment has been, um, documented for the record. Um, and I
need to speak very directly to my school committee colleagues that, um, Frontier, you all know, does not exist in a vacuum. Um, these are heartbreaking cuts that we are considering. Um, and
Sunderland Elementary is looking at much more severe cuts than a librarian. Um, last night Keith and I attended a joint meeting of the Sunderland Select Board and Finance Committee. Um, the Sunderland Elementary budget
is um, our needs-based budget is an 18.31% increase. 18% which is absolutely unheard of. We've had um a wonderful influx of New Town residents with high special education needs. And because we
are a small town, we can't just absorb it. Um the conclusion of last night's meeting was that um Sunderland Elementary is being asked to target a budget of a 10% increase. So we are looking at cutting 8%.
We don't know yet. We don't yet know what we are how that will happen, but there's no way to cut 8% um without reducing far more positions than we're talking about for Frontier.
Um Sunderland enrollment is a quarter the size of Frontiers. Um we so aiming for that 8% reduction from our needs-based budget. uh it still requires an override. We are trying to aim for an
override level that has a chance of passing and if it doesn't pass I don't know how we will provide an acceptable education to central elementary children um who are future frontier students. So,
I apologize to everybody whose hearts are very, very much with the librarian and the special education. Um, and Sunderland needs every possible reduction made so we can still have a functional elementary school. Thanks.
>> Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Don't know how slippery it is. Can I bring focus in uh pass forward here that uh what we decide on to move forward to
Thursday's budget. I'm just going to kind of lay out a few paths and you can tell me uh what this looks like that we could decide to move forward with the budget as stated with option A, recommendation
A. We could which is recommended by the finance committee. Uh, we could also move forward with option B or what would something look like if we put forward
some other recommendation? I'm just saying that because we've had other thoughts out here and I think it's important for everybody to see what what each of these things would look like because if we put forward something else. >> I mean, you've heard the you have the
general gist of numbers, right? I mean um um I mean you can ask questions on that rather than ask if you have questions about so you know what kind of
we need to go so let's go backwards we need to go into next meeting with a budget number to vote on um and so that's kind of where we and I don't know if you do I don't know you know everybody's kind of processing so I don't know where people sitting right now, you know, be
good. I fear about spending 10 minutes talking about an adaption to where people are kind of like we're kind of leaning, you know, toward a or maybe we should be talking about, you know, adaption. Maybe we should start there and so we have an idea of where people are at before we spend 20 minutes and
then like why, you know, you you get a straw vote of like where people are feeling. >> Yeah. Go ahead. >> You want straw vote because that was >> I was just gonna to move forward as heartbreaking as all this is and it's It's it's hard, but the numbers are the numbers. So, I'm just making a motion
for the proposed budget, the administration's recommendation of option A. >> Second, >> Jessica, we have a a motion from Damian and a second from Bill.
I'm going to go around the around the table unless there's any other discussion. And this is to put forward option A for Thursday night as well. >> Option A for Thursday night's vote. >> And just for clarity, if it doesn't pass that you have to go back to discussion,
come up with what the number is going. >> This is the path that I just wanted to make sure. >> So no, it's not a versus it's a versus going back and having a discussion, >> right? We're just going to put something forward and then we go back >> and you can still have discussion.
>> Yeah. Right. Can I ask a point of process? I'm just confused about this. So, we wouldn't be voting on A. We would be voting to put A forward to Thursday to then vote whether to approve A. >> That is correct.
>> And and can we put more than one thing forward? >> Yes. >> To Thursday. >> Okay. So, let me just clarify because we vote on this motion as stated, but if Diane
wanted to put forward another motion with another option that could also >> because so you're voting on Yeah. You need to give Shelly directions. They say she like to do all the work on it and get to
fine-tune all the numbers so that when you do a budget vote on Thursday, it's correct. >> That's why motion though that I just presented. >> Right. So, right. So, that's right. So, you could ask Shel to put together multiple
use the word multiple, but um other options as well that you want to have both options in front of you to discuss on fair. So, you're absolutely correct that you don't have to do the final vote tonight. moving it forward. D was a good catch because it feels like it that was doing that. Um it's just that we need
direction to what we we need direction from you. There's no way you're getting out of it without voting to to I would say a measure give us 10 different votes. >> But you do have a motion and a second. So >> So we have a motion and a second and we can discuss the motion before the vote.
One of the things that um I would just put forward there for you Diane is that you could uh you could put forth a request for an amendment to the motion. You would then have discussion and vote
on an amendment to the motion if you wanted to clarify other pieces of the puzzle that you'd like to ask. Shelley bring forward >> then. I think yes. I would like to move to amend that to put both of those options forward with some detail for
Thursday because I well that's my motion. I don't need to say the because >> so I'll I'll second that and and I'll also make a further motion for another amendment >> which hang on just got to pause because we're gonna get too far down the rabbit
hole with this. Um I'm already keeping track of where we are with motions and and amendments. So, we're going to stick with the first motion. And I'd like to clarify this both for Jessica and the committee that Diane, what you're asking is for
the motion that Damian put forward to include both the recommendation on option A and B for what that looks like. >> Yes. >> Point of order. I I made a motion to
move forward with the budget as presented with option A. >> Does he have to accept the amendment? >> His motion. >> He doesn't have to accept the amendment, but that would be a friendly motion, but we do have to have discussion on an
amendment that has been seconded. >> You want to amend it? Then you vote Damian's motion now. Then you amend it. you can >> for discussion. I would not support this amendment going through. I would prefer that if there's
a I would rather vote on this option A and if there is motion within the committee to explore other options to put forward an additional uh motion with clear direction to Shelley about what that
should be and vote on that in a separate motion. >> Call a question madam chair. >> Yeah the amendment. So the first thing that we we're calling to question the amendment. >> No, you call I made a motion to call the
question. He has the question. You got to vote now on whether we're going to call the question and debate is over and we vote on the question. >> That's where the words >> Bill's right. >> The amendment. >> No question.
>> Vote the question first and then the amendment. All right, we're going to go around the table. >> Olivia, >> yes. >> Mary, >> this is to put option A for >> Can you please clarify? I'm sorry. I
don't know what I'm what we're voting on. >> So, Bill called a question without further discussion on the amendment that we call a question Damian's motion for option A.
Yes. >> No. >> Yes. >> Diane. >> Yes. >> Celia. >> Okay. I just want to clarify. This is
just voting to move option A forward as a consideration for Thursday. >> Correct. >> Yes. Jessica, >> this is not an amended motion. I'm sorry. I that was not clear to me at all.
>> It is not a >> not amended. >> Just to move option A forward to Thursday. >> Option A forward. >> I'll vote yes. >> Bill, >> yes. It feels that there's feels like there's
unresolved um questions that folks may like Shel to work on, but I'm not sure are in this. >> Then you got to get a motion to pass direct Shel to do that. And if you don't
get it to pass, well, go home. Go ahead, Sage. >> Okay. So, do um I would I would like to request and maybe I need to make a motion. Um do Yes. >> I would like to request a version of the budget that involves keeping a
librarian. That's the option C that I was talking about. >> There is no option. Well, that that was that that had been cont that Shel had said that they contemplated the 7575 split that and
that would be what an option C would look like. >> Um clarify if I can >> Oh, sorry. Sorry. >> That's okay. The alternative option >> wasn't necessarily specific to a
position. It was still being >> right the administration's discretion because I believe when that was brought >> us >> we we can't hear all the side discussions that are going on in the room. All we can hear is like the person speaking. So I
>> I just would there was no option C presented. So I would rather that someone would be clear in their in their um in a motion to what they want us to do because obviously wasn't brought forward. We did discuss that we looked at other options and didn't bring them
forward. So if you want option C, propose what it is so that we have a clear understanding what is not what you think we may have talked about. You understand what I'm saying? Like it just can get too messy. So I would like to move forward because I thought we were going to vote then on
the amendment once the motion for the other motion passed but I guess I was incorrect there. So I would like to move that we move that Shel also prepare option B before we talk about any C or anything like that but the one that was already the secondary the one that was
already approved um for Thursday as well. second. >> You get to discuss this before. >> I feel like in the slideshow, option B is already all laid out. We already have all those numbers because nothing changes in the allocations.
>> Correct. >> But it keeps $150,000 worth of positions, which I really think is the crux of the conversation. >> Okay. Okay. >> Right. But to clarify that option B, there is no designated what that position is and
it's still up to administration where to use that 150,000. That question was asked of you earlier and you were reluctant to put priority on positions but you were leaning or you
maybe indicated that the uh adjustment counselor was special education was over priority librarian. So then if option B was asked, it would still come down to
what you deem is what you feel you want to make where you make the cut. So it doesn't necessarily save librarians position. >> But >> but what it does though is it it would require the administration to hire and
replace positions that are being lost by attrition, which I don't You know, I don't I don't support that. I mean, I don't >> Did I miss something? Did we just not vote like 10 minutes ago 9 to1 to bring
forward option A for Thursday night >> and then someone made a motion and seconded it to bring forward motion B. So, I think whether we'd like it or not, we have. That's what I was trying to clarify that I don't know that I'm I'm
>> sorry option one to one choice of the committee to bring >> let's bring option >> but that's misstating what >> just because I voted to bring forward A doesn't mean I don't also want B I want two days to think about this
>> and for the committee to think about it this is a very big decision I'm learning all this stuff on the, you know, today when I read the slides. I certainly want some more time to make this very important decision. So, I personally would like both of these to come forward fleshed out details. I
understand that it's not going to include a decision as between the librarian options or the special educators. I think those are really hard decisions that should be probably will be and should be made in house. But which direction to go with that 150k seems
pretty important to me that we bring that forward. >> I'm just going to clarify that we can bring forward more than one number >> for uh more than one plan for our discussion and vote on Thursday. So
right. So what we did in the organization of this is that years ago they would have the public hearing and they would vote it that night and and they would just that would be the end of it and people felt that um you know
there should be a process time and so you said okay we will in two days later do a virtual meeting um and because everybody else again another night second night of the week do a virtual meeting for the vote. So you do whatever you want in that virtual meeting. You
can have five different options. You can have you know you know the assumption of the of one vote and that's what we've done the last few years is it got through you know public hearing. There wasn't a whole lot of you know it wasn't contested of any sort and it was kind of a let's just make sure we get a quarant.
So this time you know you're you're bringing forward two. That's fine. >> I just want to pass that and and so forth. >> Yeah. So, I just want to clarify that this that this would be continuing that discussion into Thursday to bring forward option B. If there's any other
discussion on whether or not to bring forward option B, uh >> well, there's a motion and a second. It's >> there is a motion and a second. So >> we'll move to to a vote on whether bring forward option B
or vote the the budget with the recommendation B. Olivia, that's it. Yes, Mary. >> Is option B going to look different than it looked on that slide?
>> That's option B up on the screen. No. >> No. >> Yes. >> Diane. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Jessica. >> No.
>> Bill. >> No. >> We have to wait. >> I know. I was just trying to do the math. >> May. May I recap that? I got all those votes right for the roll call for the minutes. It was Missy, yes. Olivia, yes. Bill, no. Mary, no. Keith, yes.
>> Jessica, yes. Keith was a no. >> Jessica, yes. Diane, yes. Cecilia, yes. Damian, yes. Phil, no. >> I voted. Thank you. I'm trying to multitask here. >> Okay. >> So, that is five to five. >> And Damian was No,
>> Damian. Okay. Six to four. Uh, four to six. It the motion failed. So, and and I'd like to make a motion for an option C to be considered, which would simply and to carve out from there
the cost of the librarian and uh with the balance being reducing the assessments uh you know u as set forth in option A.
uh >> the balance of the 150. >> Do you have that clarified for a motion? Jessica. >> Say it again. >> I think close enough. >> Okay, let's restate it so that we know what it is we're talking about and
voting on. So, >> yeah, be my guest. It it sounds to me and Jessie you can tell me if this uh doesn't sound like this is what was said or Billy you can tell me what this doesn't sound like it was said but the motion would be to put
forward the budget as stated with a third option uh for uh saving the budget of the librarian and that would be specifically stated that that would be for the librarian's salary.
And >> yeah, >> I mean that would be the the question. Do you want that stated in there? >> The uh that would be the intent of the motion whether or not the the administration feels that that's the
best way to phrase that. um or whether that whether the amount um uh uh you know I'll leave that to others, but the the intent of the motion would be to of of the balance of the $150,000
um to use part of that for the librarian position and the balance of it to go to reduce the assessments. And so that's the motion. We would need a second. I'll second that. Any discussion?
So, so the problem I have with that is when honestly to administration who I think probably has been over every scenario there is if it's the only way to get to a budget that we can work with is
personnel. It has to happen. That's my opinion anyway. And um so if it's not the librarian school, is it a science teacher, a math teacher, is it the school nurse, is it one of, you know, is it the school desk counselor? It has to be somebody. And so
I'm just knowing the time that they have put into this budget season. I know they have looked at many many scenarios, curriculum, coordinator, all of it. And I have to trust that they have come up with the best. So
I understand your option seems to know, but I designating a librarian and splitting things up I think is confusing and hard >> and you know I I I I
you know I I I agree with everything that you're saying. I the the to me the circumstances have changed slightly in that um there is uh we're spending less on health insurance than what we thought
and um so there just seems to be considerable public sentiment um there seem to be considerable sentiment on this board um to save that position and I think that it's worth talking about further and seeing what the numbers look like um and
you know see seeing what the numbers look like seems like a worthy endeavor. I'm not saying everybody support you know or change their mind from A but just to see what the numbers look like. >> Yeah. As as much as I wanted the B option, I I don't want this because I do
want to leave it to the administration to decide is between these two very vital sets of of services of special ed or librarian. Um, and I would find that very hard to evaluate that because I'm not there on the ground. Um, and so that
that's why I'm I'm not actually in favor of option C. It's just it's just a bad idea for the 11 of us to say cherry picking line items in the budget after these guys even prepared the budget. It's just a bad idea. They've given you the best
advice that that you could that you could ask for. And for us to be cherry cherry picking line items, let's put this one back. Let's take that one out. That's bad. >> I'm just saying I want to see the numbers. Um,
see see what that decision looks like. >> Go for it. Olivia. No. >> No. >> Bill. >> Yes. >> No. >> I'm sorry. Missy, can I do the roll call? I think that for the minutes. Thank you, Missy.
>> Yes. Yes. >> Missy is a yes. Olivia, >> no. >> Bill. No >> Mary. >> No >> Keith. >> No >> Jessica. No Diane. >> No >> Celia.
>> No >> Damian. >> No >> Phil. >> I I I like going along with the crowd, but I made the motion. I feel like I'm constrained to say yes. But >> thank you.
Unless there's an option D floating out there, please let's not add that in. >> Uh we'll move to the capital recommendation from uh the capital supplement. >> This is on a parking lot, >> right? So the um
there's the change in that is to move forward um you know basically a motion of you will we move forward with the doing the the parking lot >> tabled that best. >> Yep. >> Yeah. Um and to basically not approving
amount but you know the motion that we kind of constructed would be to move that the school committee authorize the superintendent proceed with the bidding proc for the parking lot for the parking lot renovation project and upon review of the acceptance of bids fund the project using school choice funds and amounts to determined based on the final
bid award. >> I think we need to move to put it back on the table. >> We do what we do with it. That's true. Move >> to put it back on the table for discussion.
>> Second. >> So, Jessica, what happened was because it was it was put it was tabled. You have to vote to take it off the table. So, this is a vote to take it off the table and put it forward for discussion. >> Put it on the table. >> Put it on the table. >> Yes.
>> Great time. >> Thank you. Who motioned and seconded? >> Bill motioned. Mary second. Would you like to roll call? >> Yes, please give me 10 seconds. >> Think about it being difficult for you to keep track.
I I don't know how much this is being made harder by me being remote and it's two and a half hours of looking at my screen and sorry >> to unt. Is that the verb? >> That'll work. >> To put it on the table. What? What? What?
>> It's to take it off the table. >> It's to take it off the table. >> We tabled it. >> Okay. Okay, roll call vote. Missy, >> yes. >> Olivia, >> yes. >> Bill, >> yes.
>> Mary, >> yes. >> Keith, >> yes. >> Jessica, yes. Diane, >> yes. >> Cecilia, >> yes. >> Damian, >> yes. >> Bill, >> yes. >> Thank you. All right. Is now off the table.
We need to discuss the parking lot. >> So the question is um basically the next step is to um you know approve the funding source with the school choice. um we can work out that last detail of
whether or not depending on how the next vote goes, whether or not we will apply rural aid to it or not. We have school choice that could that could cover the whole thing. So I think we can make that amended later on but to proceed the bidding process. So we would put that
out to bid as you know as we had put together that bid would then come back to school committee to approve. So, we can't move forward with the project without your approval, but it would be that we uh put funding sources aside, which is the school's choice money and
move forward with the bidding process. I would I don't want to hold this off another month because we want to get this process going as um contractors are it's a summer job and um they're starting to fill up their schedule for summer.
>> I'll make that motion. M I'll second that. Did you catch Bill and Olivia? >> Okay. >> Jessica, we'll send you the the wording I read. >> Uh the full thing I I have Mr. Smith moved, seconded by Ms. Leone to approve
the school choice funding source and instruct administration to move forward with the bidding process for the parking lot project. Is that adequate? Sounds great. >> Okay. >> Whenever you're ready. Okay. Missy, >> yes. >> Olivia, >> yes.
>> Bill, >> Mary, >> yes. >> Keith, >> yes. >> Jessica, yes. Diane, >> yes. >> Celia, >> yes. >> Damian, >> yes. >> And Phil, >> yes. >> Thank you.
you have reading on that second. >> So we are on the second reading of the parent observation um policy KIB. Um the two there was a couple changes that were submitted. One was um uh to have
stronger language on that parents would sign a confidential confidentiality prior to visit. You're required to sign. I think before it said May sign. Um and um the teachers association asked if I
would include that um we would not do observations the week prior to a vacation. So um there's if you can imagine that um so um we added that under scheduling considerations it says under ordinary
under ordinary circumstances um class visits will be strongly discouraged during the first week of school and week prior vacation. So it could technically happen in our booing agreement but uh you know that we would be strongly discouraging. So looking to
vote to move this policy forward. Olivia made a motion. Bill made a second. I totally uh >> Sorry. Phil or Bill? >> Uh, thank you. Bill seconded. >> Tell me last name, please. >> Mr. Smith.
>> Thank you. That's how unclear the sound is. Are we ready to vote? >> Sorry. >> Yes. Go ahead. >> Okay, Missy. Yes, >> Olivia. >> Yes, >> Bill. >> Yes, >> Mary. >> Yes,
>> Keith. >> Yes, >> Jessica. Yes, Diane. >> Yes, >> yes, Damian. >> Yes, >> Phil. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Yes, that's
not not big deal. Two seconds. We have this calendar to school. Yeah. Yeah. Jump right into it. School calendar. So, um you know that was sent out as part of the packet right now. Um as you know the contract says that if we were to start before the last Wednesday
in August that we need to um get agreement from the associations. Um we did get an agreement to start the new teacher orientation be the Tuesday the 25th with the first day of school um the 26th. Okay. Um again, the the
teachers association in conversation with them said they um they could trade that day to have um Friday the 4th off for a long Labor Day weekend. The thought behind that to again um like
why are we just trading those days off? I believe it's important in talking with educators especially in the younger grades a five day week right out of the gate. um for you know first, second, third graders is a lot. There's a lot of energy that goes into the excitement of
the first day of school. And um they were saying that even a 4 day week after a three-day week um would give some kind of um it helps um at at the at the lower at the lower grade levels. It also we're
also starting early enough um at the secondary level which folks oversee you know athletics start the week before on the 17th. So you know kids are for the most part with the um are already invested in coming back to school. So starting in August that early um date
doesn't have um huge effect. The the early release days are you know scattered throughout professional development day happening on election day um as we have done in the past and I think everything else is kind of falls
with the last day of school um being June 9th. snow days, >> right? I mean, you get if you had two snow days, you're now the 14th. So, it just kind of jumps quickly when you throw the weekends in there. So, >> um, just going back to the first day of
school, you know, the weekends. In past years, maybe that's what you were talking about, I can't remember. >> It's the Labor Day weekend, the following because Liberty is so, >> right, but instead of having Friday the 4th off, was it discussed to have Monday
the 31st off? So, it's it's three days of school, a three-day weekend. It would still only >> Yeah, it was the long it was a long Labor Day weekend. >> People they would like to continue that tradition. >> Yeah. >> I mean, I suggest it's not all that I
suggested it, but um you know it is >> and that's really that's a community decision, right? You guys just decide that you know is that a value >> whatever the consensus is. >> So, again, you can talk to people. This is the first reading.
Okay. Any question? It's just for questions, you know, doing a voting and such. And then the school committee count is in there. Again, we moved away from the pairings that we tried this year and went to backtoback meetings um outside of the budget season. Um
that's kind of the major change. Um well, you know, we have, you know, again, it's a tentative schedule, so people can get on the calendar. I think many of us have had to move around due to um unforeseen scheduling issues and that kind of stuff. Uh especially at the
elementary level, Frontier usually seems consistent, but the elementary does move stuff around. >> I just feed back on the two of you since this was how we uh organized it. I mean, I presume that you're in support of this with what you put. This is going to put you
guys back in a space where you're in a rough spot. >> Well, the split meetings, I think the backto back versus split. Um, I think I agree. While I thought the split was going to have a little bit more magic to it in the sense of having two groups of committees together that were similar in size to be able to kind of share. Um, I
think people felt like they just really couldn't get a voice and couldn't really dive into their committee work. So, um, and I kind of felt that, um, as well. So, yeah, >> that's fine. I'm just conscious of
trying to make sure that we're continuing to figure out a way to make this a viable path forward for you guys. Follow your footsteps. >> Appreciate that. Yeah. >> Do we have uh do we have to do anything different with
this uh retainer? >> So um I do the um frontier oversees the central office and central office as a committee. This doesn't go to all the committees. You guys are in charge of that. Um the Dupra law offices have
increased their rates been bas based on use and I guess market. So and if you you could I sent the uh the change on to you. Um you do need to vote to um accept the new contract and that direct chair
to sign. Um it is with you not with me as your attorney. And so I just was looking to update the retainer. Um the small >> Yeah. I just had a question about why the retainer doesn't cover special ed.
We use a uh we use a different attorney for special education. >> Okay. >> His office does do special ed. Um we have kept the two separate um kind of on preference. I guess special education has a lot more um
has a lot of contact points that are we use him for labor for the most part. Um labor HR that kind of thing. special education is a you know his firm does it his brother kind of takes the lead on that but we use testing
yeah um for for that so >> great thanks >> um his emails that we're based on the review of our workflow district we're requesting a $100 per month increase from 88 850 to 950 the actual amount should be around
175 per month but I know you're facing financial difficulties here, please let me know it's not is acceptable. I added language about the special municipal employee status and clarification um and court exclusion language. So
>> So we do need a vote on this. >> Yes, we do need a vote to direct the chair to sign on the agreement. We need a motion second. >> Jessica, in case you aren't able to
hear, this is Olivia and uh again, Mr. Smith ready to vote. Any discussion? >> Okay. Missy, >> yes. >> Olivia, >> yes. >> Bill, >> yes. >> Mary, >> yes. Keith,
>> yes. >> Jessica, yes. Diane, >> yes. >> Celia, >> yes. >> Damian, >> yes. >> And Phil, >> yes. >> Thank you. >> I'm stretch, folks. >> Don't distract me.
>> Let's get them out of here. >> All right. Uh, any committee reports? Go ahead, Jessica. You want to talk about the week of action >> a little bit about rural aid? Yeah, we've been fighting for years um to get rural aid fully funded to the level that
was recommended by the legislaturator's own um commission on the fiscal health of rural schools. Um there's finally a little bit of movement in the right direction and we are trying to capitalize on that. We are organizing um a rural schools week of action which is March March 9th through 13th. Um, the
idea behind this is that we have been peti petitioning the legislature for years with letter campaigns, email campaigns, phone call campaigns. We have testified. We have passed resolutions. We have done all of the very polite and contained things that we're told to do in order to influence the legislators.
And those who do not represent rural districts find us very easy to ignore. So, we are transitioning to try to harness the power of visual imagery. And uh we have something like 30 districts across the state uh rural school districts who are um going to contribute
to this holding events. Frontier is going to hold an event on March 12th um to uh create photos and videos. Um there will be stories, there will be data. Um and we're getting local coverage of all the local events. And then we're going
to repackage all of the media that these produce to deliver to the governor, the lieutenant governor and legislative leadership. Um the Boston Globe did a major article on rural aid and the plight of rural schools um just last week I think. Um so we've got some
momentum um and our district is very actively participating. I am meeting tomorrow with the um executive team of the union 38 the teachers union um because they're going to do their own event in addition to Frontier with the students doing one. So, um, fingers
crossed. We're trying to get more money so that we won't end up in this budget position again in the future. That's my update. >> Thank you so much for all of that work. Always. >> Yeah. I want No, really. 100%. Seriously. Seriously.
>> You're not going to make fun of me for thinking it might work. >> No, I mean, I think it's it's that much more difficult by the sudden and surprised resignation of our House rep. Um, >> oh, a year with no representation in the state house. Yeah, we got to do something. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. I'm also presenting at the MASC day on the Hill. They're giving us 20 minutes to talk about rural schools. Um, and the the message we are trying to deliver is that if MASC wants to retain its credibility on equity issues, rural schools have been on fire for years, they need to put us out front. So,
pulling out everything we can. >> Thank you. Anyone want to know about the collaborative? >> There's a meeting tonight. >> Oh, you're right. >> Keep going. that they're probably still there.
>> I'll hop on. >> All right. Well, someone >> I'm I'm sorry. It's me. I just Okay. I'm sorry. This is my my first time through the rodeo. I'm really sorry. Um but I just I want to make sure I'm understanding. So, we have we have just
moved forward one budget proposal and that's proposal A and that's the only one that we're going to vote on on Thursday. >> That is correct. Yep. >> Okay. That's hard. This is hard. >> Then you vote against it. >> Yes, it is.
>> Would you also like to make a motion to adjurnn? >> Sure. I make a motion to adjurnn. >> All right. No, the dog can't second. Are you >> I'll second it. Second, Jessica. Technically, we need a roll call. This is silly.
>> Yeah. Missy, >> yes. >> Olivia, >> yes. >> Bill, >> no. I'm staying. >> Congratulations. Mary, >> yes. >> Keith, >> Jessica, yes. Diane,
>> yes. And get home safe, everyone. >> Thank you. >> Yes. Damian, >> yes. Phil. >> Yes. >> Phil, how would you like to be recorded in the minutes? >> Are you yes or no for adjournment? >> Yes.
>> I'm very literal sometimes. >> Thanks everybody. My husband better be careful. Praise the Lord with him.