Welcome everybody. I just wanted to give um kind of the second half of our public hearing. Um after our meeting last Tuesday, we did get some preliminary numbers from um the town. So, it revised our budget a little bit. So, I just wanted to give everybody an opportunity
to to look at the new budget. Once this meeting is over, we're going to go into the um kind of the same presentation I did last week. Um little bit just a little bit more updated and a little more information. I do want to review um the new update numbers.
So, when we started our budget um our wish list from all of our principles, our department heads and um you know, the central office, we initially had a budget as 1.4 for um deficit, but as you know, we've kind of whittleled that
down. Um we do have a bit of bad news in a way. Um we our special ed costs went up to 9%. We were negative. Out of district student is no longer going to be out of district to um state and district. They um the way that it came,
but we were able to use our circuit breaker to cover that. So we just exhausted all the circuit breaker for us for next year. we may um come back in the future to um not be able to support somebody movement. We'll just have to visit that as we move forward.
>> So, just a point of clarification, the student decided or >> they had a placement meeting and found out that um the progress he was making was not as as intense as they thought they were as. And that happens when you
do a transition. The student had another year. they were trying to um transition him to a or the student to a um a different placement but unfortunately um they decided that the team decided that another year is launching a board for
his academic books. It was unfortunate. Um >> nothing we can do. We're legally obligated to educate the 22. So >> Okay. >> Um but it's not going to impact another police use our circuit breaker.
>> Well, just not a negative thing, but it does impact if we have another student that moves in or someone else that needs to go forward. >> It will. Correct. At some point I need to be educated better on how some of this works because
for me the concern is you know we're doing a transition meeting now there's the whole summer >> y >> things could change over the summer better or worse >> and we're making a decision now building our budget on some of that stuff. It
just feels I hate to say it this way but it's kind of how I feel. It's a little bit unfair for how some of this stuff goes because we don't these are it feels like we're playing with monopoly. >> It feels like we're playing with monopoly money for a lot of this stuff. It's just you know or the game of life.
We're going to spin the dice and we're going to, you know, spin the spin and and we we have no control over some of those things. Yet when we have to do this and it, you know, that 9.96% could go to 23%
next week when someone else changes and we have to then cut gened stuff. It feels like there's there's a gap there >> and I, you know, it's just frustrating when we're up against it. What's frustrating that we have no we have no control the >> budget because we that was our
assumption um at the end of the year you have to have transitions and it was decided by the team that um the student um we need that additional year. >> It's nothing against the student. Please don't I don't want anyone to think oh she's she's she's against it. I'm certainly not. It just it's hard when
we're >> we're up against it and you know >> and we were negative I don't know whatever it was 12% or something last week and now we're up 9%. So that's a 21% change in a week. >> And so what's to say that this we're not
going to have another 21% change next week? >> That is that is our concern. And if that is the case, that is you have to, you know, check with the we good once things like that happen. Now there are instances where we get extraordinary relief. >> When does the state start to step in for some of these things?
>> They're working on it now. That's where you get circuit break or extraordinary relief. Those are we will be able to build some of those build back. We have to increase extraordinarily next year when it comes in, right? That dies at the end of the year. So, we should be able to some of that money back. Fingers crossed. Uh, but everybody's in the same
instance. There's really not a lot we can do for residential for for the effective >> I'm and I I'm just, you know, when you're trying to play with numbers, there's there's nothing that's real about any of this. Nope. But as you can see when we did this um we were able to utilize uh the vast
river circuit breaker to absorb that. So um our change in um will not be any different than it was before. We just utilize the vast river circuit breaker. So again somebody comes in mid year we'll have to look elsewhere. >> Not even mid year. What if someone comes in August 1st?
>> Right. Somebody comes in August 1st. That's true. That is true. somebody moves in. >> So, we can't contingency plan for any of that. >> I think we're we're entering very challenging times. >> I Yeah. And I just >> take it out and just you don't want to
you want to keep it continue, but that would just make our deficit bigger at the other end. I no I I'm just saying that >> to me it today for whatever reason it's just really hitting me as supremely frustrating because I was feeling better about things after discussions that we
had and now I have a lot of that uncertainty back because of one change in one week that's 21%. And so here we are. We don't have we don't have all of these other things, right? We're still missing final stuff on a lot of other things. And I'll shut
up soon to let you finish, but >> No, it's fine. >> Um but h how do we do this, right? >> And for this year, because like um Trevor just said it, we're really heading into challenging times. It does not seem
right to for lack of a better word that we can have such dramatic swings week to week. >> Yep. It can go dayto day honestly >> that things like this >> when you're trying to build a a budget like do we just say you know 150% of
every budget to cover changes in special ed costs and then 180% to cover transportation costs because we don't know what the price of diesel is going to be and probably should >> I know that right we don't know what each is going to cost next year we really don't >> you know so I I just
>> I just how how are we supposed to be fiscally responsible and set forth a budget in good faith when we don't I we don't we don't have any control >> none >> no >> like zero >> we don't >> less than zero
>> I can tell you that the um state is advocating and MASC specifically is advocating to talk to these out of district placements about um increasing their uh funding um but unfortunately there's the legislation right now they could say as you said week to week they could just tell us next month we're
going to increase us by 8 10% we have no recourse works. >> That's the part that I'm having a hard time with. >> Yep. And and I know that they're advocating for it right now at the legislature. So, that is something that they're looking at right now to to stop that. But, I'm not sure how they're going to have to do with that. But, I do
know they have to they are voting on that and we'll see what happens. >> We have a meeting I'm sorry, we have a meeting next Friday um from one of the vendors who doing that. And I know that the Department of Ed and um some of our lobbyists are working to um curb some of
these these cuts for sure. >> I know I know any place I go where I'm having any type of discussion I'm really driving the point home especially with the schools uh that we're we're facing very difficult times and we're going to be needing um possibly help and I'm really sending that message whether it's
to my mother or politicians I see uh just to really keep driving that message at them. We did try to keep the cost uh you know down for our budget and but it may impact us again if we do good at a moving
hopefully um and there's still some shopping other students may come back and so we we do have some ideas if we have other students that may be coming back from the district. So there are certain things we're trying to juggle back and forth but again these are all what ifs what ifs what if and maybe maybe and that's
kind of how we have to to talk about these things. So as you can see a vast majority of it um we absorb a circuit breaker a school choice and the and um what is this >> that's IDA and um
>> those are our offsets >> um so that's where the vast majority money comes from um as you can see um from 26 to 27 our income comparison has kind of remained uh fairly uh stable except within the
area of insurance and that we've been talking about the insurance cost has really um skyrocketed and that's where we're seeing the inind contribution back. Um right now our inind contribution from the town is $104,000 less than the original estimate. So that increased um $326,000
over FY26. So um we estimated that our was a little bit higher. So when we got our numbers back they actually um lowered an 89th resolution. So that was helpful when we redid the goal. It is owed more than last year, but we were still able to
develop in the new. So we're still continue to advocate for a level service budget. Um the town allocated an additional $500,000. As you remember last week, we talked about uh when Mr. Dur made the budget, we were talking about 400,000. So the town
actually gains an additional five, which is great, but he helped us. And then our entire contributions went down from uh 3.4 door to 3.1. So we were able 3 34 >> 3.4 to 3.34,000.
So we're looking at a $390,000 deficit. Again, our special increase, we took it out of circuit breaker, so the offset will remain the same as it was last last week. Um what does that mean? uh being may have to make some cuts, but
I do need to let you know that we are scheduling a meeting with um members of our um finance board or selectman um town administrator next week. We're trying to schedule something to see what else we can do to support the schools to
bring that $39,000 def $390,000 deficit down. We did some preliminary work um ourselves, but uh let's see where we land, but uh the numbers are getting better each time we we talk to the town. So fingers crossed. We're hoping it we
make that. And I I understand the frustration, but that's you know, we we don't have a lot of reports with some out of district placements. We continue to advocate, but some of these students we just can't service here, unfortunately. So that's what we have right now. Any
questions? >> Nope. Thank you for the update. >> Really worried we're going to get one of those. We actually have an actual budget presentation uh form based on these new numbers. I don't know if you want we till we close this meeting out, start
the next one because this is an actual forum. This is discussion. Do we have anything to discuss? >> No. >> We've been waiting months and trying to come up and start back up at 7. >> I don't care. I can't figure out my
>> Let's just roll into it. Uh >> roll it. >> I uh >> Yeah, that sounds good. >> Yeah, >> sounds good to me. Okay, I'm okay with that. I just wanted to make sure. doing that. >> Um, we should be good to go. Okay. >> So, this is this information. >> We have to adjourn first.
>> We have to adjourn. Yes, we have to make the motion. >> Make a motion to adjourn the Grand Public Schools FY27 uh budget public hearing update portion. >> Second. All in favor? >> I >> I uh Thank you everyone. We'll be back
momentarily. >> Ready? Uh, good evening everyone. Uh, time is now Go ahead. Take it. I thought I thought you were doing paperwork. >> Nope. >> Figured I'd help. >> All right. Good evening everyone. The time is 6:54 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7th. And I'd like to call this meeting to
order. This is our regularly scheduled school committee meeting. Although I do see on the agenda it says 7:30. >> This is the forum. >> This is the forum. So we have the hearing, the forum, and now the >> agenda. Second one. Apologies. So,
>> I don't have a 7 o'clock one. I have >> I never I didn't print the form because there's nothing to read on it. It's just a representation of the >> All right. So, here we are for the forum. >> Yeah. >> Um All right, take it away. >> All right. >> Um so, um again, as we talked about the
task, these are our strategic priorities. We're fostering positive relationships with the community and families. Um always working to meet the needs of all of our students. really looking uh finding out how we can create ways to develop engaging experiences for
our students. Um again, that's always a challenge for us. We want to make sure that we're using relevant data when we make our decisions and how to support students in that. We want to re uh respect and embrace diversity and welcome all students to and families to
our district. Provide training and support. And then we want to believe that everyone can grow, shift, and be successful with a with a growth mindset. Okay, we focus on the whole child here. And I'm not going to read our core values, but again, students come first.
Success begins with relationships, um, productive, respectful communication, growth mindset, and then all of our difference should be celebrated. So these are our core values, and we try to stay true to those um when making all of our decisions.
These are our objectives. Basically, um, we're looking for a level service budget this year. We want to make sure that our teachers and students are getting what best for them. Now, we're doing the best we can with what we
have. So, we're really advocating for a level service budget, um, which again is providing the same services we had last year without cuts. So, we're looking to make sure that happens. and they'll be able to do that when we start collaborating a little bit more with the town leadership. They've done a nice job
giving us helping us um bring our budget down. So, we appreciate that, but we'd like to see if we can um get some more and see how else we can um find ways to work together to decrease that deficit. We do have some ideas that we will um maybe be talking about um moving
forward. So, these are some things that we're considering. Uh we want to make sure that we continue to provide high quality instruction and resources and materials for staff. Uh you know, we always want to make sure that we continue to offer what we have, the AP classes, the early college sports, um
after school activities. We want to make sure we continue to offer those support services and opportunities for all of our students moving forward. So those are programs we want to make sure we have in place. We want to make sure that we continue to offer specials, art, music, and and and such to make sure our students are being wellrounded. We want
to maintain and grow where possible. Um make sure we keep current with our technology. Very important to us. And then um last but not least is really maintaining the the needs of our buildings and grounds. And we know that's going to be challenging for some of the um things that are happening out
gas prices and uh some of the um inflation on some of the other items. So you know, we try to keep these budget objectives in mind and and again we never know what next week's price is going to be on something else. of diesel fuel running they leave. Okay, these are
the four things we do with budget development. We work with our departments and create a best case scenario. Again, that best case scenario brought us to a $1.4 million deficit. So again, we toned it down a little bit. We analyzed what we actually needed and we decided that level service was where we
decided to go. So we analyzed that, put an action plan into place which brought us to where we are now. And now we're going to need to manage our budget and make sure that you know we're continuing to offer the services to our students. Again, our initial deficit was 1.4,000
of all asks um to to grow our programs, but let's talk about how we get there. We talked a little bit last week. Again, we're a minimum a district. Um this town's required to give us a minimum amount of money. Um health insurance as we know increased dramatically for FY26
after it was approved. So, the foundation's formula increase for um employee benefits is 8.29%. And then the New Hampshire County Trust rates um for insurance rate went from 48% and 52%. So, insurance rate went quite a bit. Um and and I don't know if
we're predicting a slight more increase for next year, but we did put that in the budget as a for special ed costs continue to rise and out of district placements um really um put a a huge factor in where we're pretty and then
inflation that is a a big uh cost for us now with gas prices and other um things that are happening. fuel. Um we maybe sometimes we have to put in for search charges for for things that happen now or looking for transportation budgets. We don't know, you know, how that's going to look in the future. So again,
we have to take all these things into consideration. Uh minimum a district. Um when the governor creates a budget, um they talk about how much money you're going to get per pupil. Um right now it
is allocated at $75 per pupil. Um uh there are 271 minimum eight districts. Um we do know that in the past the state legislature moved that 75 number to 150 which gave us an additional $50,000. We can only hope that happens again this
year. Get that additional 50,000 but you know we don't know. Um and you can see that the chapter 7 state funding increased only by every 1% but the required local spending increased by 4.4%. So you can see a huge disconnect there.
Um again we talked about the special aid costs, special ed costs. So that went up inflation trends. You can see that inflation the foundation budget is not matching the um inflation rate.
You can see here the inflation actual inflation rates are up 2.7%. Uh the foundation budgets only went up 1.13. There was a big issue during the pandemic, but they've tried to uh bring it up a little bit in a couple preced
preceding years. Um, and now it's not flowering, but we haven't seen 27 years yet. So, we don't know what that's going to look like. I have a feeling it's not going to be as high as as we think it might be. Again, these are expense drivers. Inflation, transportation, um looking at
the facilities, um special education, health insurance, and students with pioneers. These are our expense drivers. So again, our initial deficit is 1.1% and our working deficit is right now as of today is $390,000.
These are our funding sources, chapter 70, uh which is about 37% of our budget. That's the money we get from the state. Our town gives you about 49% and grants and other offsets title one IDA uh grants and such uh with about 13% of our
budget again same charge before um school circuit breaker is considered an offset to a certain extent we're not getting in from um the state but it's given to us based on special operations.
These are some of the options we use. Search breaker 42%, school choice 28% and then uh grant as well. Okay. Comparison for 26 and 27. You can see um
the steady in kind really has gone up a little bit um in the past. Everything else has remained pretty pretty steady across the board. certain time went up again, but because of insurance and other costs that are incurred through this detail,
um this is a chart we had from earlier. Um so, uh there's about $104,000 less than our original estimate, which increased us from 10.26 to $326,000. These are how the money spent throughout
the school year. As you can see, the vast majority comes from um salaries and special ed. So that the vast majority is over 60% is salaries in special education. That's where our money is spent. Um maintenance is really only 6%. Athletics
is 1%. Um so really is uh it's where the bulk of our our money is. How are we going to get to the balance budget? Again, start working with the town leadership making some budget cuts. We did meet with our principles and some of our department principals last week to talk about how we can get there. Um,
you know, hoping not to make any drastic change, but we're looking to see where we can have some flexibility. Um, you know, school choices, that's something we can all take some money from. Um, and other revolving accounts, special ed account and and whatever to try to offset some of this other money as well.
Um and then um me and Mike make some difficult decisions moving forward but um you know those things happen and we will continue to advocate for us and we hope that we can continue to get those service that level service which is again the same chart I talked
about earlier. Um again I want to thank the chair for giving us the initial 500,000. We were a little worried in the beginning. Um, but I hope it did come through and we're going to time it down a little bit. But again, we're having some more conversations to see what we can do to bridge that deficit. But overall,
um, these are the impacts of the level service budget. These are something we've already um will impact 27. Uh, the biggest issue is we're not going to fill some of the um, the new positions we're interested in. Could be reducing some funding for special development. We actually
depleted the circuit breaker reserve which is something we had talked about if we have a student that moves in or we need to something changes chronic repair replacement. Um these are just some things we talked about reducing baseballs softball info playground mulch
gym floor refinishing um reducing technology and then um looking at contracting services for special education. >> I have a question about the athletic training hours trainer hours. What do we do in that case? Because aren't we required by MIAA to have a trainer or
EMT or some kind of service on site >> only for specific events? Um we're not hosting lacrosse where we had to have and wrestling has to have one present there. If you reach a certain round within the state tournament, one
has to be present. So we do have um a contractual service line that we are using but it was to try to increase uh the availability of a trainer. >> Okay. >> And so we reduced that that increase to make it um as I said someone on campus more often.
>> Mr. Ded about the safety. So we when he um looked at those numbers he did make sure that we had enough to cover what we had to cover. But since we don't have a couple more sports as he said we don't need the trainers football >> as often. Yeah. and and we're required for a certain round of the tournament to have somebody on. >> Correct.
>> Correct. >> I just I I'm not only asking for myself, but for others that may watch that because we don't we just want to make sure that people understand we're we're not going to be doing something that's not >> we will meet our obligations, but we're
not able to expand what we offer. Can we um because people have asked me in the past if there is a licensed EMT, can they donate services if they're on site? >> I have a question. keep his own check
>> can look into that >> cuz I know we've had um there's a few dads that are firefighters um and nurses that are on the sidelines often and I'm not saying they have to go be on the other uh but they're required
as EMTs if there's something to the first responders that have their way I think but I don't know if they're I don't know >> it just something you know if if that's >> and then as far as the um playground
mulch and the um baseball and softball diamonds. Is that something that we can um accept donations for? >> I don't see why not. >> Okay. >> Certainly. >> Same for other things too, like Chromebooks and other things. I know
David's really good about uh finding us donations and things like that. >> I'm going to get to my my superintendent report. Sweet. So, we'll have to finish. Okay. Um, our deficit after work again is at $390,000. Um,
again, we're continue with assessing our proposal, advocating for funding, looking for opportunities, but really find ways to look at the deficit. We do have some ideas um that we will be um talking to um when we when we meet with the town. So, we're you know, a couple
things we have around uh Mr. those ideas. >> Okay, great. >> So overall, our total operating budget from FY26, what we're asking is only 2.8% 2.8% from last year. So our ask
overall isn't uh we didn't give you the room, but it is a small town, so $356,000 is is a good shelter change, but um departmentally, you know, compared to some districts, 2.86 186 really is a a smaller deficit for those.
And uh that will be concluding our um presentation for today. But we did make progress from last year from last week 150,000. Now we're down to >> So we're making progress and we'll continue to to
work through those numbers and and maybe make them down a little bit more. at home. That's all I have. You guys have pieces for you to have discussion, right? >> No, >> nothing. >> Well done. Thank you for staying on top
of it. I know it's a grind, but >> yeah, >> hopefully we'll get there. >> Well, it's not ideal. I mean, that was a it was quite a low. Well, I mean, North mission of students is is obviously given what they need, but you know, we we anticipated a different number and it
became quite um empty. It wasn't something to do. So, we just wish it, you know, it would have been easier to die just had we known earlier, I guess. And but we were quite shocked ourselves. >> But even if there was another $100,000, we're still almost $300,000. I mean,
we're almost 400 now. Another h 100,000. I mean, I appreciate the fact that the town even found 500,000 because it could have been it could have been 150 or it could have been 10 bucks and been like, "Here you go. Best best case scenario." >> I was really worried because we put 400,000 in thinking, "Oh, I hope it's
not less." So So in a way, I mean, it's I feel better. It's not great, but I do definitely feel like I can breathe a little better now. And we worked through it as an idea, but we do have some ideas, and we'll get we'll get there.
All I have for now close this meeting over to school committee meeting. >> I'll take a motion to close hearing this hearing. >> Uh make a motion to close the Graanby public schools FY27 budget uh public forum. >> Second. >> All those in favor?
>> I I All right. And now um we have it posted for 7:30. Can we start early or do we have to wait until 7:30? I think we have to wait cuz we got in
trouble that one time where we went early and Y people were upset. So we can stop the camera and we'll start again in in a few minutes. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Good evening everyone. Today is still
April 7th, 2026, and the time is now 7:31. And I'd like to call our regularly scheduled school committee meeting to order. First on our agenda is the consent agenda um minutes from March 24th, 2026.
Any questions or comments on that? No. >> Hearing none, I'll take the motion. >> I make a motion to accept the meeting minutes of March 24th, 2026. >> Can I have a second? Second. >> All those in favor? I.
>> Uh, next is budget hearing minutes for March 31st, 2026. >> Any questions or comments? Hearing none. I'll take the motion. >> I make a motion to accept the budget hearing minutes from March 31st, 2026.
>> I have a second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Third is warrants uh 0059 and 0061 which have gone around for signature. Any questions or comments on either of those? Hearing none, I'll take the motion.
>> Um, I make a motion to accept warrants 0059 and 0061. >> I have the second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I. >> Visitor comments. Any citizen wishing to speak before the committee must sign in with the administrative assistant prior to the opening of the regular session of
the school committee. The visitor will identify themselves by name and address and shall speak for no longer than 3 minutes. For anyone unable to sign in ahead of time, we ask that you clear clearly state your name and address so that this information can be included in the record for the meeting. We have no
visitors. Uh student representative Brena is not here. New business vote adjustment to the 2025 2026 school calendar. As you know, we had a um electrical issue at the high
school um earlier in March. Um it has been resolved. We talked about it at the last meeting, but as a result um we have to adjust the school calendar to reflect a full day because um at the high school our um last day of school has been
considered a half day. Um the Department of Education uh specifically set information out if you have a miss a full day of school, you have to make up a full day of school. So we needed to uh readjust the calendar to support that. So um I am asking to if we can vote to
bring um June 8th as a uh it is a full day of school which is a month uh I'm sorry June 15th will now be a full day of school uh because we used 8 9 10 11 12. Our last day of school at the high school will be the 18th and we need to make June 15th a full day of school and
the last half days will be June 16 17 and 18. So, we just need to revolve that. And it looks yellow because th that was the um end of school year without the five days. So, we're just moving that week. >> Questions or comments?
>> So, the final exam is going to be a little different. I'll explain that to you. Especially um Friday, they'll have one final exam. Um Monday, >> is the Friday a half day? >> Friday is not. So, they have they have a full day school, they'll have exam, and then they're going to um do the full day and Monday, have one exam, and the rest of the exams will be the other half
days. Okay? And that's how that's going to work. >> Um, questions or comments? >> Hearing none, I'll take the motion. >> You're on a roll. You want to get it? >> Sure. >> Then I make a motion that we accept the
adjustment to the 2025 2026 school calendar. >> Second presented. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Next discussion, Pathfinder example. I um been have been meeting with some of our area superintendents who belong to Pathfinder and I just want to say that
Pathfinder is a great school. We love our students to to get a technical education for the ones that are interested in that. However, our concern really is um our um the local sending uh districts are concerned that often times when Pathfinder puts forward their budget um they don't really question
their budget. For example, I do know that Palmer's going up 10%. um they're going and uh months is going up 7%. So we have asked and where has gone up tremendously. I don't have their numbers but they did accept 35 of their students. So that will be a big chunk of
their their money. So we are asking um I gave a sample letter of what they used in Palmer to just at least question what's happening at Pathfinder if that's an information that we can move forward. We have a 5% increase at Pathfinder this year. I mean as you as you know our
budget we only asked for 2.86 86. Um, which again, it's apples to or is, you know, it's only I think it's 160,000 or something there. But needless to say, we're just looking for some oversight. I mean, they come in and nobody really asks any questions. So, we're looking to
see if we could um have them have some discussion in the future. If I sent a copy of letter that uh is similar to the one that Palmer sent out if this something we're interested in doing. Um, and we have to remember that, you know, ultimately unless all of us school
districts um, vote no on their budget, it will go through because it has to be twothirds of the districts that do that. And we're not asking it to be not voted. We just wanted them to not just blindly say sure. >> Is there any um recourse right now or is their budget finalized?
>> That that I don't know the answer to >> the development of their budget. Um, >> yeah, like the 5% for Graanby and >> I believe they've submitted what they're what they anticipate Grahamby to make an article. I think that has been submitted. >> Maybe not this year, but definitely
maybe for next year. Some discussions that we can have on, you know, do they do they present, you know, what what we have to do line by line. Do they do present a line by line budget with us? >> And who is our who is the town of Graanby's representative for Pathfinder? >> I don't know, but I would love to have
them come in and talk to us about it. >> That's what I was just thinking. you know, we they should probably come. >> They should be reporting >> at least once a quarter. Um >> I'm I'm going to find out and I cuz that's funny as you say that cuz I was just saying, "How come they don't report out?" They should. >> Yeah, cuz I mean if they're Yep. >> How many students do we currently send to Pathfinder?
>> Um I think >> I don't know the total. >> I'm trying to think. I'm going to say 40. >> Wow, that's a lot. Maybe 10 per grade. Not even. And this year they took they're taking 17 and they opened a new building in Belg
17 17 per grade there JD. >> So uh incoming 9th graders they're taking seven so 17 have been accepted as incoming nth graders >> and those are all Graanby residential students. Holy cow that's a big hit. >> Yeah. So you know again I have no
problem if the students want a technical education and then that's what it's there for. Um, well, you know, can we just have some oversight? I guess we're just looking for some oversight. >> Any questions or comments? >> No. >> How do you guys feel about the letter?
>> Um, I think it makes it meets the intent of what was stated. >> Yeah. I um I think we should uh I think we should do it. I can't I mean it I don't think it hurts, right? Like it's just So, what I'll do is I will put it
together, send it to you, and then I'll I can sign it. Write it. I can just send it if you take a look at it and then uh put the data on here and have to take a look at it and they can send it over. >> That sounds great. >> We don't >> I don't know if we can because we're not we have to vote on it. It's just discussing. Right. >> Right. Yeah. And it's just it's a it's a
correspondence. We don't need to vote on correspondence, >> you know. Yeah, that's fine. I just I I would appreciate that and I will just let the other superintendents know that we're also moving forward. Just >> just think about your think about it in the future. I mean they have a very big administrative staff and we can barely
try and keep track of our teachers let alone you know make some cuts almost. So >> it you know I've spent five years there so I certainly don't want to be grudge any students but I just want them to go in and have some limited oversight. That's all I'm looking for. >> On the on the Pathfinder uh page it says
that in April Judeki represents Grand. >> I don't know who they >> Yeah I just going to their page. Well, I will reach out to that person and see if they can give us a presentation because they really should they are I think they're supposed to be presenting to us pretty frequently as a as one of their
uh roles. They should be at least presented to the board of selectman or something. >> I don't know if they do that either. >> I don't know. Um >> so they should be doing that as well. >> I don't think I've ever had a Pathfinder um presentation >> since I've been on. >> I will I will reach out and say we're looking for the
>> I don't think it's uh inappropriate for us to ask for one going forward. regardless if they're supposed to or not, we can >> I agree. I agree. >> Because they're still ultimately our students, right? Even though they go to Pathfinder because we pay for them. >> We do. >> Yep. All right. >> Okay.
>> All righty then. Superintendent report. >> Okay. Um we just finished the MSBA report for FY27. The deadline submission is next Wednesday. And thank you for signing that. Uh the chief signed it. Myself signed it. There was a little glitch in the program um last week. I
was getting frustrated and getting nervous. and weren't going to make the deadline, but went through today, so that's great. And they'll be going out tomorrow. Click of a button. Um I know we talked a little about Chromebooks earlier today. Um we received an email from Senator Alivera's office um last
Thursday. Um and actually was pretty apppropo because we were meeting with the administrative team about what we could look to support um some of this deficits and um said if there's some earmark funding, what would you like to do? So, we were all sitting there and we said, "Let's see if we can um request
about $200,000 for Chromebook replacements." So, we submitted a proposal. Um we had to have it in by the next day, but we all did it together and just said, "Here we go." So, we submitted that. If we don't get 200, that's fine. Last year, we earmarked 75,000 for that computer lab. So, whatever we can get, it'll be great. Um
so, we asked for Chromebook replacement, insurance, and um you know, and some software if possible. So, let's see what happens with that. So, we did solicit that around. So, keep our fingers crossed on that and that'll be a nice uh way to um look at our aging Chromebooks for
sure. It's a great way to do that. Um and I also want to remind families is a half day tomorrow um for staff professional development. One thing I did want to put on everybody's radar. Oh, I don't know why I keep doing that. These extra zeros. Um, in July, the Massachusetts Senate passed legislation that created cell phone free schools
across the Commonwealth um by requiring school districts to prohibit students cell phone during the use across the day. They were worried about um mental health um fostering some kind of healthier learning and u just making the environment um more um educationally
centered. So that was passed um in the July. The legislation is supposed to um adopt these policies by fall of 2026. But before that happens, the next step was to go to the House of Representatives. So tomorrow um the state legislature will be taking up the
um bill S3233, but it it's not only about cell phones in school. It's also about um prohibiting cell phone media, I mean social media for children under the age of 14. Um if that passes then the department of ed will start uh working with the school district to create model
language and guidelines um to um ensure that we can all um create policies for self-holding free schools being Massachusetts. So that's something we have to look forward to if if um you know coming in the fall. Um but we'll let you know um at the next school
committee meeting if that passes and and what our next steps will be if indeed that passes at the uh state level. >> Don't we already have? >> We have but but it's basically school-based district- based. There are many districts that um may >> so it really will be no change for us
because the kids already have their big go into um whatever they are >> phone, >> you know. Um I talked to the high school principal. She's hoping that maybe they'll give us some funding so we can actually buy like yonder bags and things like that. So we it's not going to be a big issue here in Grant because we don't we don't do it, but there are many
districts um that um may have um restrictions at lunchtime or or I just >> some districts allow them to use it in the day as a as a tool. They may not have Chromebooks. >> I think it's um it's great to have them not do that, but in today's day and age,
I as a parent kind of freak out. That's my concern to be honest with you. When I had this conversation can't reach me if there's a problem. >> That's I had that conversation. I said we're going to have a lot of parents who are going to say that >> because a concern for people. >> That's why I like our phone homes
because if there's a problem they can grab their phone >> on the way out, which I appreciate, >> you know, and then there are times that the kids are using them for >> uh different things during the day like calculators and different things, you know. So, >> we'll see.
>> It's a double-edged sword for sure. Yep. So, we'll see what happens and I'm not sure if the legislator will pass it, but we'll see. >> Exciting stuff. All right, Todd, you're up. >> Um, the only thing that I have for you
for this meeting, um, the generator, replacement generator bid is due on the 16th. Um, we had our site and pre-bid walk through on last Thursday. there were um several companies represented um
so there is interest in the project um so hopefully we will be able to move that forward um so I'll be able to report back um on that bid opening at our next meeting and see it our timeline might be ambitious you know having the
work begin in June um the way that you know supply lines um to to order you know substantial equipment that may delay it into the summer. Um, but we still want to seize every opportunity to move this uh project forward. >> Absolutely.
All right, Liz, any questions? >> Um, Liz is not here. All right. Um, any when is our next meeting actually? >> 28th. >> 28th. >> After vacation 28th. >> Okay. Um, and um, we should hopefully be
able to vote on the budget though. That's the goal. >> Is there I had something on my calendar for Friday during the day and I'm wondering if it was just like >> it's um negotiation related. Just a quick roundup teams like get together.
>> That's what I thought. But no, >> that's a phone call with um, Kimberly. I believe it's just a phone call. >> Okay. All right. Cuz I had it as my calendar and I >> I might be like five minutes late to that. I'll tell you about >> I will double check with Kimberly and let you know now that you say that it makes more I remember her vaguely saying
that. So let's um I'll text both of you tomorrow. Sure to double check that. Um >> don't answer back but it'll be forums. I'm just I'll just let you know if it's if it's an email or not. >> Okay. >> We have to make sure we save that. But now that because Jenny said something, but I do remember her saying that
perhaps we should have a phone conversation before the next meeting. Perfect. Okay. I think that's that's what that is. >> Good. Good job. I got I got one thing. That's That's all I got. All right. Anything for the next agenda?
>> Hopefully, we'll have the budget vote by then. Um and uh >> Okay. >> All right. Um if there's nothing else, I um do we think we don't need exceptions? >> I think we just put them in because
>> we were supposed to have negotiation canceled. >> All right. I'm hearing that. We're all set with that. I do. We have We don't have to vote for any of that, right? We can just um >> It was added an error or added It should have been cancelled, but it was already posted because negotiations. Yeah,
that's what it was. God, I'm tired. Um if that's all, I will take the motion to adjurnn. >> Um make motion to adjurnn. Second. >> All those in favor? I. All right. Thanks everybody.