being 6 o'clock on Monday, December 8th, 2025. I hereby call the regular meeting of the Gardener School Committee to order and ask the clerk to please call the role. >> Mrs. Cormier, >> present. Mr. Leier, >> present. >> Mr. Schwarz, Mrs. Fen, present. Mrs. Hurst, >> present. >> Mayor Nicholson,
>> present. >> And Dr. Pelgro, >> present. >> Thank you very much. All who are able please rise for the pledge of allegiance. >> I'm here. [laughter] >> Shannon is here. >> I'm here. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Right. Thank you everyone. Uh, first item on the agenda is open time for the general public. Is there
anyone here from the general public who wishes to be heard? >> Seeing none, moving on to item C, recognitions by the superintendent for our 53 recipients of the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship. >> So, I'm I'm very excited about this. So to let you know, typically we we've um
in the past we've brought students here to recognize them for the John and Abigail Adam Scholarship, but we actually started a new tradition which is to have a breakfast for them um which allows them all to participate because it's during school time. It also allows um parents to come and and uh and uh
celebrate with them. So um it went very well. But I would like to just quickly read off the names of our Abigail Adams scholarship um um I shouldn't say winners, earners really for the um for this year's class. And it is Alicia
Maldonado, Desiree Adam Makmang, I apologize that I'm not pronouncing these names very well. Timothy Baker, Andrew Borugard, Bradley Batz, Miley Bezio,
Hunter Badinski, Badinski, Bud Budinski, Aspen Burns, Gavin Canoe, Kylie Charters, Tristan Kyber, Kyber, Kyber, Chrys, Chris Cologne,
Delaney, Cormier, Horge Coino, Jacob Davis, Mason Decker, Devin Depalo, Aiden Denoia, Chelin Flareity,
Kenzie Gallagher, Camden Gamash, Charles Garcia, Sierra Glenn, Isabelle Gonzalez, Alberto, Florian Gordon Halpern, Devin Howell, Bana
Hudson, Sophia Harold, Allison Innocence, Wyatt Johnson, Cody Clink, Morgan Lakota, Envy Leblanc, Isabella Ledger, Nicholas Mun Munes,
uh, Russell Olirri, Josiah Perah, um, Kale Pierre, Pierre, Aiden Pental Menel um Lionol Rencon Jason Skola Sophia
Silva Ichel TBolt Munoz Munoz Connor Tri Tri Tribo Yuria Tru Trux Parker Tyler Jocelyn Vatour
Ariana Vorhees and Belle Vorhees. is those are all the students from Gardener High School. And then recognitions at Gardener Academy are Megan Dorsy, Jasmine Edwards, and Cole Martins. SO, [applause] [applause] and the important thing is we'll get
names right for graduation. So, just be [laughter] congratulations to all of those students. Any questions, comments, concerns from the members of the committee? Moving on to the consent agenda. This was included in your packet. This does include a $2,500 donation from Yenyen
Restaurant uh to support food programs at Gardener Public Schools. Uh is there a motion on the floor for agenda? Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion made by Mr. Laier, second by Miss agenda as presented. Any discussion on the motion?
>> Hearing none. All in favor? I >> oppose. Nay. Motion carries. Next item is our subcommittee reports beginning with our finance subcommittee. Mr. Lefrenia. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. The uh subcommittee met on December 4th. Uh the committee reviewed the yeartodate
expense report. Mr. Doc noted that uh city transferred the $30,000 for the athletic director recreation director salary. Um that's one that we share with the city. Um, there's a new line on the year-to- date report created for new
expense that was added through the collective bargaining process. Um, which has to do with cell phone use. Uh, and out of uh out of district tuition line
is negative and substantially more than last month due to the addition to two new out of district students. Um, Superintendent uh Pelgro explained that changes will be becoming will be coming
to the way we operate some special education areas within the district. Um, a restructuring will need to occur given the number of students that qualify in this area. Some of the restructuring will cost a significant amount of funds and will
cause our out of district numbers to increase. All of this is being worked on with Dr. West. Uh the superintendent wanted the committee to be aware of these upcoming possible changes. Uh other than that, revolving accounts
were reviewed. Um all are healthy, operating as they should. We noted that uh we have spent about $130,000 in food service account on new appliances, repairs, installations so far this year. Uh the
account was still very healthy. Um that's a good thing too cuz we were able to update a lot of uh aging equipment in in our uh kitchens at the schools. Um so this was a really good thing and and the
the account's still very healthy. So um athletic account is currently negative but this is partially due to having a a prepaid abiter which is basically an a payment system for for the sports officials. Um so so it's kind
of like a prepaid thing. So it's in the negative right now. Um, and then like we just did, we uh we we received I mean or voted uh to accept the $2,500 donations
from Yenyen, which um I would just like to thank them very much. This seems to be a yearly thing and very much appreciated. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Any questions, comments, concerns? >> Moving on to our policy subcommittee. Mrs. First,
>> uh, we met on, uh, November 19th. Um, and tonight we have eight policies for first reading. Do you want me to go through them? >> Uh, yeah, we don't have our student representative here tonight for item F. So, why don't we go into item 3737?
>> Okay. So for first read we have BGD school committee review of procedures BHC school committee staff communication BIBA school committee conferences conventions and workshops CB school
superintendent CH policy implementation C HCA approval of handbook and directives CHD administration and policy absent. Is that what that says?
>> Oh, okay. Sorry, my bif focals. I couldn't uh JBB um educational equity. So, those are the um in the packet for first read for second read tonight. We have six. We have BDB
school committee superintendent relationship. BDD school committee superintendent relationship. What? I'm confused. Sorry. It's >> okay. >> We have two with the same name.
>> No. >> Okay. >> Can we >> We'll take a quick 3m minute recess, figure it out, and then get back after that. at 610 p.m. This is our >> Okay, I'm going to take that from the top.
Second reading of policies. We have BDB, School Committee Officers, BDD, School Committee Superintendent Relationships, BDFA, School Council, BEDG, Minutes, IGB, Supportive Services Program,
and JLCD, Administering Medication. The policy subcommittee recommends the acceptance of these policies. >> Is there a second on Mrs. Hurst's motion? It's a motion made by Mr. Seconded by Miss Ward to accept the policies for second read as presented as the policies for first read are in our
packet will be voted on at our next meeting. Is there any discussion on the motion to send item 3738 to its second and final printing? Hearing none added to a vote. All those in favor say I. >> I oppose. Nay. Motion carries.
>> Item 3739. Mrs. Hurst. >> Uh we have two um tonight that are up for removal. um B DBB duties of the vice chair and B DBC duties of the secretary.
Um the policies have been found to be redundant and or unnecessary and should be considered for removal from our policy manual. So I would make a motion to do that. >> Is there a second? >> Second. Motion made by Missur, second by
Miss Ward to remove policies BDB and BDBC as presented. Is there any discussion on that motion? Hearing none, all in favor say I. >> I oppose. Nay. Motion carries. >> Moving on to item 3740, school improvement plans for Gardener High
School and Gardener Academy. We'll note that Mr. Barkcus wasn't able to be here tonight for Gardener High School. Uh so he will come to our next meeting. Uh this is is his first year at Gardener High School. So we will invite Dr. Barado up to the podium to uh talk about Gardener Academy for us this evening.
[laughter] >> Thank you for having me. I did debate whether to start with a motion that the NFL schedule should be consulted before I am assigned a Monday night. My beloved Eagles are playing tonight. So, you know, I couldn't wear my usual regalia, but that's okay. That's okay. I'll get
her. Maybe I'll break that superstition. and we've lost two games in a row. So [laughter] hopefully that'll help. Um, but in terms of the school improvement plan, we've made a lot of progress. Obviously, there's still a lot of areas of growth. And one of our focuses this year is really focusing on the students and doing a deeper dive on who are the
students that come to us. Some of that does change year to year. We have almost 50% changeover. So that those issues do look a little bit different. but really starting to figure out what kinds of baggage, what are kinds of obstacles, what kinds of barriers are our students coming to school with and really getting
a good sense of that. Um, but before I did that, I wanted to share a story with you. I know that Ann loves to hear about our students. Is this is after graduation last June, which again, thank thank you to the members who came and it was a wonderful graduation. Is I was in the gym talking to a couple of students
who um were 10th graders at that point, were going to be 11th graders this year by credit. And one of them, Carlos, has had an interesting school career. Drops out of school, came back into school, didn't get credits, is credit deficient, has a lot going on, has moved
a lot, and he is starting the this school year as an 11th grader, but with some hard work and some support from us, he can graduate this year. So, I was talking about that. I said, "Hey, Carlos, you know, Isabelle, your buddy was an 11th grader when she started the year. She graduated. Have you talked to
Miss Scruggs, our counselor, about you doing that? because you know you can do that. He's like, I don't know. I said, you can do that. I know you can do it. You got to put the hard work in. And he said to me, he said, you know, miss, why do you keep giving me second chances?
How do you answer that? I said, well, you deserve second chances. Why do you think that we're keep giving you these second chances to be able to graduate and get that diploma? And he said, you know, Dr. A, you remember what you said to me when I first started? And I was like, I say a lot of things, Carlos. I don't know specifically what you're
talking about here. And he said, you told me you would have my back and you do have my back. And another student who was there also said, "You do. You have our backs. That is why we do the work that we do is because we have these students backs. No matter what it is
that they're coming in with, no matter what it is that they're struggling with, we have their backs and we're going to get them to that diploma." Carlos is still with us. But Carlos has added another not really a barrier, but another challenge to him getting all of this done this year is he is working
full-time outside of school hours. So he is with us during the school day as much as he can be. We're working on that, but then he's working in a factory from 3 to 11 every week night. So again, other factors that our
students come with and us trying to figure out what do they need, what can we do differently, what can we be innovative about to help them get that diploma. So I just want to give you a sense of those are the students that we have in the building. And I know the last couple of school committee reports
I shared some of that data as well. Um and again we're evolving what we're looking at, but 44% of our students have a formal mental health diagnosis. 46% of our students have a known substance use history.
44% which is down a little bit this year are students with disabilities. 26% of our students are DCF involved. 100% of our students qualify for free or reduced lunch. 33% are receiving therapy.
36% have a documented history of trauma. and we have about 15% that are not living with a quote parent in the home and we have quite a few students who are in the foster care system. So again, these are the students that are walking in our door this year and that might look a little bit differently next year.
But the one that has stood out for us this year, which is a little bit different from last year, is that substance use history is bigger than it has been in the past, at least that we're noticing. So, some of what we've already been doing is working with Veronica Patty from the board of health and the district attorney's office and having them come out and do some
programs on vaping. So, as a tier one intervention, we had a three assembly series and we're going to follow up again in February on what vaping is, what is THC, what are you really putting into your bodies again to get the students thinking about what is going on. We're also using the eye to eye
program from Haywood. So, our mentors coming in and working with students, specifically students who have been caught with marijuana, um to help them make some different decisions. We're also talking to Luck right now to think of another way to bring in some more tier one supports for our students. Um I
haven't yet put the pictures up of popcorn lung in the bathrooms, but that's another tier one intervention as well as what resources students have. So th those are some of the ways we're trying to address this need, but we also want to know what are the needs that our students have and what are the trends that we can make sure that we're prepared for those because we need to
take care of that to get to those other things up there. The social emotional development, behavioral development, academic and the career readiness to look at that. Um but I would say and that I also want to point out is that our ODRs from last year office referrals are down significantly which shows that
what we're doing with the restorative practices, what we're doing with the trauma-informed practices are working. Um we're also holding students more accountable and that is also showing us some improvement and we've also started uh working with students on grading policies where if work is so much late that reduces their grade. So really
making things very specific and clear but holding them accountable and also saying this is how we can help you. If you want to put the effort in we're here to help you with that. So we've also been very successful at that. Um the other piece that I really want to focus on on the school improvement plan is really focusing on our students career
and life skills. Um because we're not just giving them a diploma. We want them to go out and I said this today in a meeting, want them to be productive members of society. What are the skills that they need for that as well? So I've been working with our um Desi liaison for the college
career and technical education program. We also have a grant with growing places where we're going to do some serve safe hoping it's going to happen starting next semester to get students certified with that and another way for students potentially get some academic credit as well. We've looked at the biology
curriculum and the environmental curriculum and some of the personal money management are trying to be creative in ways to get students those credits because again traditional schooling doesn't always work. Um we're also working with Mass Hire to look at some other internships. We're going to
also contact our own town um commerce and we're also working with Massabilities which is new so our students with disabilities can actually do a program where they come in and help them with other job skills. How do you do the interview? How do you apply for a job? How do you write a resume? Um, so
we're also getting that started and that's something brand new that we're pretty excited about. So, I think Hawk wasn't here to tell me, but I think that was my three to five minutes. [laughter] But those are the highlights of what I wanted to talk about with our school improvement plan.
>> Any questions, comments, concerns from the members of the committee? >> I just want to say that um I really appreciate all the work you all do. It's really a of kids. Um, a lot of people
don't really understand the dual diagnosis of mental health and substance abuse. Um, and I mean I applaud your efforts for getting them to to graduate and to go on to employment because so many kids
with any type of mental health issues or disabilities are not that great at being employed, >> right? >> So, >> or being independent. >> True. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other questions,
comments, concerns? >> Can you just talk a little bit about what trauma informed means? >> A lot of it is very similar to what we do with our restorative practices. And a lot of it is being predictable. So, we have the same block schedule every day. It's A throughF. We don't do a rotating
waterfall. It's the same schedule every day. So, that's predictable. Um that a lot we all have the same four schoolwide expectations. That's predictable. Um if a student is having a hard time, we have the take five space that they know that they can use. And we also have other supports in place. So, a lot of being
trauma informed is being predictable. So, when you don't give me the phone, I respond the same way every time. Might have to get Dr. I, but I respond um the same way every time. And then also what we do is we have a circle, a community circle every Monday to do that community building and making school a safe place,
which is being trauma informed. And we also have advisories on Fridays. And again, teaching them those coping skills, teaching them those self-regulation skills, which again they're going to need in the career. They're going to need if they go on um to college for that. We also do Second Step, which is our social emotional
curriculum, and we're also using the character strong as our tier 2 umCle interventions. And it's it's just built into everything that we do. It's not this magic potion that people think it is. It really is predictability. It's accountability, and it's structure, and it's consistency. Um, so I I tell my
staff a lot because there is that hard piece of when I have to hold a student accountable. Well, that's what they need. They need to know every time I do X, you respond with Y because that's comforting and I know what that structure is and I know what that boundary is. So, it is, you know, teaching all of us that we have to have these high expectations. We're
going to help them get there and we have to be consistent in how we support them and how we um hold them accountable. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions, comments, concerns? >> I just had a quick question. I know some programs um the students their living
conditions and things are not always optimal um that student there used to be a food pantry for um the alternative school is there any kind of food pantry or anything now >> not associated with our school um I mean
certainly I have this this dream of mine eventually to have a needs pantry in general that has personal items and too. It's like personal hygiene stuff and um >> had that conversation today. >> Laundry, >> you know, if you're working full-time and then trying to go to school when,
you know, >> or do you have the money to go to the laundromat? >> We take we take for granted that we can do laundry and some of these kids just need some clean clothes. >> Yeah. >> You know, >> I agree. So, yeah, I need to figure out if there's a hookup somewhere.
>> Maybe we need to do some outside the box thinking on this. >> Yeah. >> Okay. some some of the things we've um we do districtwide though is we moved away from doing the food pantries in the buildings, right? >> Because what we found was it was sometimes stigmatizing for students, but also when a third graders kind of
walking down with a backpack full of cans, they were falling over backwards. So that wasn't necessarily good. But we now but but >> that is still a need and we're actually responding by hooking families up with growing places which [clears throat] delivers. So, we're trying to make sure
that we use our community resources because we have folks who can do this work a lot better than us. >> Um, but our job is to make sure that we're identifying the need, which you know, Dr. Emrad and and her team do a great job of, but we we then hook them up with those those types of services.
So, I think that's a really valuable service that um that is provided quite frankly by growing places and we're glad to be partners with them. >> Okay. >> Any other questions, comments from the members of the committee? We'll be quiet now. [laughter] >> Thank you very much, Dr.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Um, yes, because right now we're Yes, this is just information. >> So, this is just information at this meeting. At our next meeting, we'll vote to approve the plan um so that we have a month to review the material that was presented before us this evening. U moving on to the next item on our
agenda, the college and career readiness coordinator update that was included in your packet for information. Are there any questions, comments, or concerns? >> It was very informative and I would love to hear a presentation of what that's about. Really? I was
interesting reading. I stayed awake through the whole thing. [laughter] >> Yeah, I think she's on our I think she's on our calendar. I don't know when though, >> Rachel. >> I'm not sure. I have to look. >> She's on our calendar though, so she will be coming. >> Good. Uh seeing none, we'll move on to
excuse me, seeing no more uh comments on that, moving on to item 3742, the curriculum coordinator's update. This was included in your pack of information. Is there any questions, comments, concerns from the members of the committee? >> Another formative paper. >> Thank you, Dr. Goen, for that as well.
Any other questions, comments, concerns? Item 3743, the director of MTSS-PBIS update. This was included in your pack for information. Is there any questions, comments, [clears throat] concerns? >> When I read that, I I
thought back to when you were presenting the program to us and we've [clears throat] gone five, three, four years now, I believe. >> Yeah. A little longer than that, but yes. Yeah. >> And we're still growing.
I don't see that program stopping because we have too many young kids that are following behind that have issues and concerns. Very informative. Again, >> any other question? Mrs. Uh, Miss Ward,
>> I was going to say, um, looking through this report, but also the reports from the other schools and seeing the data broken down, those referrals into the office, they're typically going to be higher at the beginning of the semester, right? Kids are getting back to school. They're getting used to the boundaries.
They're pushing those boundaries, but there is a huge falloff happening in October and November. And you can just see it based and you know I was looking at the middle school in particular and I think that the middle school if um I think we were up near 30 25 30 referrals
this time last year we're around five for the month of November this year. So just seeing the numbers don't lie. You know if you need any proof um and that means the students are are in class more. They're doing more in class. So, I think it's just incredibly encouraging to have seen
this over the last four years and to see these numbers really start to reflect the work that's being done by the staff. >> Any other questions, comments? >> I thought that was such a drastic downgrade or
lessening of of referrals that are lying >> or is that real? >> No, they're definitely they are definitely not lying. >> Yeah, the work the work works. Yeah, like ultimately there's a lot of um things that are happening very proactively um as well as responsively. So I I think
there that's where MTSS comes in. Um but I would also say um having a new especially at the middle school, we have a new administrative team um who is other than um Sher who's been who's been in our district for a long time. >> Um Brian Cody is new to our district but
a 24 year veteran. I think putting some folks um you know at the school who can um um who are very savvy um very savvy leaders um as well as having some some new um uh teachers come into the
building um really has reinvigorated the building. The the the feel of the building is um is very different than it was um in previous years. I mean, I'm very excited um about their progress and how well they've done. And that's I
think it's because everybody's pulling in the same direction. Truly, it >> really is good to hear that. Um I I get that feeling as well of of the progression that the schools are doing. So, what are other districts doing? Are
they having the same issues? Are they successful as we are? I um I would say so our we are so for social emotional learning we've been um all of our systems are very robust so we're asked oftentimes to speak to presents um Joyce
has gone to a number of conferences you know um internationally nationally and locally um we've been asked to speak academically we're now um I actually you know one of my communications that I was going to um bring up is uh my um my
principal Barkcus was just invited to go to by the state um be to go to a a convening of schools that are now at a point where um they had a third through 8th grade which the high school has the eighth grade. They're now at MCCAST
scores that were uh for English and math that are above what they were pre- pandemic. So, it's a milestone. It's not an end point, but it's a milestone. And we were one of several districts that were there. But I was really shocked at
the number of practices that we have in place that are beyond what many districts are doing and much more robust. So yeah, I think we're doing a lot of the right things and and in terms of your point before the MGSS programming and the systems we're
putting in place are established. So it's longevity. It will all the goal is to have it outlast the leadership that's currently here. We want these things to be the the routines and really the the culture of the school and embedded in in
the rituals of what they do. So yeah, so we do a lot of stuff to to make this to make this happen and there's a lot of planning and thought that goes into it. Trust me, I was just meeting with my administrators um up until 5:30 tonight. We meet from 4:30 4 to 5:30 typically on
school committee nights because then I come to the meeting. Um, but I got to tell you, my my directors and my principles and assistant principles, we have 25 people that are administrators in the district and we're all we were talking about instruction. We're talking about how do we calibrate um our our uh
feedback for teachers. I have a lot of really hardworking people and that's from the top to the bottom. Um, I'm very proud of my staff. Um, I will say that I participate in a lot of different meetings with a lot of different districts in my regular work.
And last year I participated in a meeting where they thought it was amazing because they were still they had their tier one of MTSS like completed and that was it. That's all they've done. And it felt like it was a brand new concept to the people in the meeting like this was not part of their everyday
life. Um, and it was amazing to just kind of sit there because I even as a school committee member understood it better than the the teachers that were there in that district. So, um, yeah, I would definitely say I think we're further along that way and we've I think that's partly because we've invested in
that system, right? And that's what it takes and it takes to to get everybody to pull together. It does take the investment to do that. So, um, but yeah, I think we're very much ahead of a lot of districts. >> Yeah. And I have to say having some experts like Joyce West um Amber Civant
who are experts when it comes to MTSS have you know and and they've become better and better experts um and and sought after experts sometimes um when it comes to conferences and speaking. So yeah, I think we've come a long way. So I appreciate that feedback. Thank you.
>> Any other questions, comments, concerns? Seeing none, moving on to the grant administrators update item 3744. This was included in your packet for information. Any other questions, comments, concerns? Thank you, Director Dunn. Last one, item 3743, special education update. This was
included in your packet for information this evening. Are there any questions, comments, or concerns? >> That's another one. I would like to hear a report after the consultant and gives gives you whatever you're looking for from that consultant. And then um I mean that was such a busy
thing. It was it was so hot with information that it was hard to handle. So, I'm looking forward to a report. >> Thank you very much. Any other questions, comments, concerns? Thank you, Dr. West. Uh, moving on to item H, communications from the superintendent,
Dr. Pelgro. >> Um, I just want to, you know, I I actually said some of the things that I that I wanted to say during my communications, so I won't I won't say much other than I hope everyone has a wonderful um holiday um time, and I hope we watch out for each other. This is a time where it's a wonderful fun time for
most, but it's a struggle for others. So, keep an eye on each other and that's all I have to say. Thank you. >> Item I, final comment to the school committee. I know I normally go last, but when you're the chair, you get to pick who goes in what order. So, I'm going to go first this time. Uh, because
I'd like to start by thanking Shannon Ward uh for being with us for the last four years as this is her last meeting with us. Um, I know I've appreciated getting the opportunity to work with you. Um, and you've done a lot to uh withh your passion for our students here in the community. You're certainly going
to be missed, but don't be a stranger either way. Um I'm going to finish all the rest at the end, but I want to start by saying thank you and I'll kick it over to you. >> All right. Thank you. Um so, first I wasn't here last month, but thank you um and congrats to Miss F, Miss Hurst and Mr. Cormier um for election and
reelection uh to the committee. Um four years has gone by very fast and I've learned more than I imagined I could from all of you and from this position and from you folks. Um I joined school committee as an
educator and a parent and also we were right out of co and I had a lot of fears and concern and curiosity about what education was going to look like in my community and um I am beyond proud and honored to have been a part of this
process for these four years. Um it's I I did not I I don't know what I thought public service was going to look like for a little bit, but um it it was more than I thought it was going to be, and I'm deeply grateful to have been a part of this. Um and I just want to I
could probably try and name off every group, but just a huge thank you to everybody who works within the school system. Um as a parent, I never worry about sending my kids to school. Um and as an educator, I'm proud to see the professionals that are working with my
children every day. Um and um I am very much looking forward to continuing to support this committee and this community um in the future in all different sorts of ways. So um take care and be well and happy holidays. Thank you all. >> Thank you very much Shannon. This is Harst.
>> Well, I'm going to miss sitting next to Shannon. Um >> maybe I'll come hang out over here [laughter] like you're like, "Hey folks, I just I needed a Monday night activity." >> And I do. I I wish you luck and you've brought a really interesting perspective to a lot of different things and
>> and I'm just up at the mount if you need me. That's where I'll be. So, >> you know, we've done policy together all this time and just her input and her she sees things in a different way that makes the rest of us go, "Okay, yeah, we have to fix that." You know, >> I'm going to quit.
>> So, no, but I appreciate that. And yeah, I I will miss you. And I want to wish everybody happy holidays. Um I was out shopping today and this poor girl who was working in the store. This
woman said she was looking for a sewing kit and she said, "It might be up in with the sewing things. I'm not sure we have an actual kit, but I can go with you." And the woman just said, "Oh, forget it. You're no help anyways." And
I was like, I felt horrible. People need to realize that kindness goes a long way. And you know, especially right now, there are people who are like not, you
know, great around the holidays and stuff like that, but there's no need. You know, people are not there for as your public, you know, special servant. They're there to help and assist you and need to be appreciated and it's okay to
say thank you to people and and tell them they did a good job and I think we needed a lot more of that and I'm going to be quiet now. >> Thank you, Mrs. Hurst. Attorney, >> um I would also like to thank Shannon um and I do agree with Ann that I think you
brought a different perspective um to the committee um that and I think all of us do. I think that's one of the nice things about school committee is we all come from varying backgrounds. But I do appreciate you had a lot um a lot of input on some different things that I think really helped um and got us
thinking differently about what we were doing um in terms of school committee. Um and then happy holidays to everyone. Um yeah, and that's it. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Schwarz. >> Merry Christmas to everyone.
Lots of elector Shannon in a good four years. >> That's all. >> Mr. Lefrenia, >> thank you. Yes. Thank you, Shannon. This um isn't the easiest position. Many times it is, sometimes it isn't. Um I
will say with with what we've had for administration and staff now, this has probably been the easiest times for us because they guys unbelievable job. So that was that was nice for you anyways these past four years, but uh but
thanks. It takes a lot of time and and uh and effort to on this and good luck. >> Um and just merry Christmas and happy new year to everyone. Thank you very much, >> Mrs. Cormier. >> I'll just echo that. It's nice. It's been nice having Shannon here for four years and having those great discussions
in policy um and hearing your opinions and your experience. I think that was a very big thing for us to hear from the other side and I appreciate that. Um, we'll continue seeing each other as the girls are in lots of the same activities um, at least till the end of the school year. But I [snorts] appreciate all the work that you put in. Um, I really
enjoyed the presentation about golf tonight. I just every time I hear more about that school, I'm so impressed with what they do for these kids who otherwise might not feel supported in in anything. You know, she talks with a young man who's working through 11. [snorts] It's so sad that he's in that position, but it's so nice that he knows
when he goes to school in the morning, he has somebody who has his back and is supporting him, making he has what he needs. Um, and I think we're very lucky to have that in our community. Um, other than that, just happy, safe holidays. Make good choices like I tell my children all the time, and I hope you enjoy yourselves. >> And I'll close out by just a couple of
comments. Um, the Rockwell Committee met and the applications are open for this year's round of grants. Uh, the trustees met with our financial consultant a couple weeks ago and voted to withdraw $322,770 from the account based off of what we
could take from the income. um and then to be given out as the applications come in. So, we can give out up to that amount. We'll see how the applications come in. Uh we did have some feedback received from some of the teachers and staff members over the past couple years that the traditional December 1st to December 31st deadline for the
applications was a little tight with school break and everything in between. So, we've extended the uh application period this year from December 1st to January 31st to give them that extra time uh to be able to get all the relevant invoices, quotes, whatever they need to do, and then fill out the
application and narrative and stuff like that. So, based off of the feedback we got that the one month was a little tight because of all the breaks and holiday schedules in between and events and everything, uh we added the second month. So, the grants will be voted on in February, um just around Valentine's Day. We'll have the meeting to do that.
Um, at the last meeting I said I'd talk about the city's inauguration. Uh, so with that I also want to talk about item K which is our next meeting of the school committee. Normally we meet the second Monday of the month. However, the city charter says that's for every month but January. In January we meet the
first Tuesday of the month. So the meeting of the school committee for the organizational meeting where we'll vote on our officers will be on Tuesday, January 6th at 6:00 p.m. right here in the council chamber. That's per the city's charter that says that the city council meets on the first Monday of
January. The school committee meets on the first Tuesday of January. To continue with the inauguration, everyone has Wednesday off. And then on Thursday, we'll have the inauguration ceremony in Perry Auditorium. This is the same schedule that we had two years ago. Uh so it'll be Monday, city council,
Tuesday, school committee, nothing on Wednesday. Thursday, I believe it's Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in Perry Auditorium will be the city's inauguration ceremony. Um, and we'll take it from there for the new term. Um,
but thank you very much. Um, Rachel has reached out to everyone here regarding the inauguration program. We do put a small bio for everyone, including those who were uh currently continuing on in their four-year term in the program just for the people uh who are there to get to know all of us who are uh on the stage. So, make sure you uh respond to
her if you haven't already done so yet. Um or to um the new temp who's going to be starting in the office this week, Ryan Egan, who's going to be helping us out um while we're still working on hiring a new executive [clears throat] aid uh for the office. And with that, merry Christmas, happy holidays, happy new year, and looking forward to seeing
you all uh first at the organizational meeting on January 6th and then later on at the inauguration on January 8th. Thank you all very much. Have a great night. I Is there a motion to adjourn? I can't do this like my mayor's update. Motion made by Miss Lefreni, second by Miss Ward to adjourn the meeting. Any
discussion on the motion? Hearing none. All invaders say uh all in favor say I. N. Motion carries. Thank you all very much.