[Music] Good evening everyone. Today is Thursday, September 11th, and the time is 6:40 p.m. And I'd like to call this
meeting to order. First up on our agenda is the consent agenda. and to reorganize our subcommittees. So, we haven't been able to do this because we haven't had a full panel quite a while. So, I'm glad everybody's
here. Welcome. Um, so our committees I need um we need to fill uh policy, >> right, Jenny? And what's the other do we need to do the whole list?
>> I'm assuming it would probably be the entire list. >> Mhm. >> Okay. So, we've got um >> I'm a big fan of budget. >> Yeah, I know. >> So, budget is still Mike and I uh cuz we
had it's been unless someone feels strongly the chair's been typically on the budget subcommittee um policy. Liz was on that and George was on that. >> Yes. Are we do you want to stay that
way? >> I'm I'm not opposed. I don't mind about policy >> list. >> Um sometimes I think I know too much about policy if that can even be possible. But yeah, that's >> Well, we could ask Trevor, do you want to sit in on
>> I'll I'll participate however. >> Well, because as one of my colleagues said the other day, you never know when I'm going to get run over by a bus or any one of us. Well, let's hope it's not a school. >> I think it's good for people to get cross trainined, right? Which is exactly
what we were talking about, right? >> I have. >> So, Trevor, I'm the man. They talk about crossing. >> This is for policy. >> Yeah, I'm more than willing to I I'm not familiar with the overall, you know, outlines of it, but I can get up to speed. >> So, George has been sitting on it for a
while now. And um really when you go over it just you kind of get to look at the stuff and have some questions and then you bring it back to the solar group. >> Okay. Yeah. >> I think there's >> all right. CES that's the collaborative. Liz, did you still want to try to be on
that? >> Um you know they have I'm very excited. They have a meeting next week the 20th. Um and they canceled the last two. So I am excited to go to the 20th meeting
unless somebody wants to take over CES. >> All right, hearing none. Liz >> collaborative for educational services. >> I think I think you've got it. >> Okay. All righty then. >> Um and then we have what is the other one? Help me out. >> Community. >> Community and evaluation.
>> Are the do we put that together as one or two different ones? >> Okay. So community um it's trying to get how we can engage with the community a little bit better. Do you have see who was on that last time Jenny? Can you see?
>> I don't think we met at all last time. I don't have one. >> So I don't remember what who what exactly minutes that were community relations. >> Is there a list of duties for that like responsibilities >> falls under that >> commentator? >> It just however the the subcommittee
wants to do it. Um, so what we were trying to do, the thought behind naming this as a group was um to try to come up with some ideas on how to engage the community beyond our school families
because the school is bigger bigger than we're trying to get people to recognize the school is bigger than just the school families. You know, we have >> um you know, we we put a lot out there. We have NHS students that are doing community service. You know, we have
>> all of these different things. Um, and then during budget time to try to be come up with ways to help inform the public what the budget looks like and get people excited. It's not really the quite the right word, but it's the only one coming to mind right now. like um
engage with us, ask questions with us so that it's not such a shock when it goes to town floor and we're when we're debating it. People have heard it, they've understood it, they've asked questions, seen it, heard it, felt it, lived it, >> right? >> Um so typically I would say it's
probably more important um near budget season. So it could be sort of like a part-timeish kind of subcommittee. It doesn't have to be all the way, but it's just a group that can get together, whether it's part of our subcommittee meetings or if the group
wanted to get together separately, you know, in a different time posted meeting to be able to engage with the community. So, that was the thought about it. We can also decide as a committee that we don't think it's it's something that we can talk about um as a full committee
and not have it be a subcommittee. >> I think it's important. I'd like to be on that committee. Sounds like an interesting committee and being new to the board, too. I mean, I got a lot to learn and and not being part, you know, I don't have kids going here, so I think it'd be a great opportunity to, like you
saying, think out of that box and start thinking about those folks. So, I would like to sit on that. >> I'd love that, Trevor. Thank you. >> Anybody else would like to say with Trevor? >> I want to say that next year when I'm a full-time grandmother, I will have more time for subcommittee. But I have one
one suggestion. Um because the town Trevor the town does have a lot of community events and activities. Um, and if it's possible to set ourselves up with a booth of some kind
at those at least some of the bigger activities with um, certainly be happy to take a ship staffing that booth um, those booths just to provide some current information to people that come through that wouldn't necessarily be parents.
>> That's great because we've done we've done that in the past. We had a a booth or a table at Charter Day. >> We had um a booth again, table, tent, whatever. At the Dino Fest, >> um our former superintendent, um Steve
Sullivan really was making it a point to try to get around to a lot of um community events like he went to alliance club meeting, he went to a you know just trying to he went to a PTO meeting, he went to a booster club meeting just to try to engage with people separately and then a lot of the
members at that time were dulyed. So I was involved in the booster club. So I you know I was sort of representing the school committee when I was also doing stuff with the booster club and people would come and act ask me different questions and things. So um you know I
think it's I think those are great ideas. We're we're unfortunately a little late cuz I think DFest is this weekend. >> It is it gives us time to plan for charter day. And so there are some good ideas out there. Um
um again attending if if in the meantime before some recommendations come forward, Mary Jane, Jen, if there's something Todd, if there's something that comes up where you would like to have a representative there and I'm
my nights are free. If my nights are free is what I meant to say. I'd be happy to to do that because the more I'm out and about in community activities, the more I get to know about the community of Grampby. So, I don't I'm happy to do that if
there's just let me know ahead of time and I can schedule you in my calendar before anyone else grabs a date. >> Um, >> so would you like to be on that committee then, Liz? >> Uh, I'd like to be on that committee after the first of the year. Okay.
>> Or but I I can't do it now. >> Okay. Well, I'll be honest with you, Trevor. >> Thank you. >> And then evaluation was George last time. >> Yeah. George, do you want to sit back on that still? >> Sure.
>> Anyone like to join join George? Try saying that three times fast. >> So, the evaluation committee probably meets what, three or four times a year? >> Yep. And it's usually part of one of our meetings here. It just we have we have usually one of the meetings in a month
is a subcommittee meeting. So we'll do the agenda >> and then um break for uh the subcommittees and then rejoin and then finish our meeting. >> And just to be clear, this is about working with the superintendent on in the beginning of the school year because
it's already happened. So this wouldn't be till next school year. Talking about developing goals, what they are, uh creating a tool, how you know what parts of the tool align with the goals, right? >> Yep. And then deciding on evidence as u
maybe meeting halfway through the year with the school full school committee, but deciding on evidence that the committee will get to support those goals. It's really not I do have. >> Okay, great. knowing that we won't have to do much
there until after the first of the year. Okay. All right. Perfect. Um, so to recap, budget is Mike and I, policies Trevor and George, CES is Liz, community relations is Trevor and I, and evaluation is George and Liz.
Next up is to vote on meeting minutes from August 5th. Any questions or comments on the meeting minutes from the 5th? >> Hearing? None. I'll take the motion. >> Make a motion to accept the August 5th.
Excuse me. To accept the August 5th minutes as written. >> Excellent. Can I have a second? >> I'll second. >> All those in favor? >> I. Excellent. Approve unanimously. Next is warrants 83, 84, 10, 11, 13, 14,
and 16. Those are going around for signature. Cool. Jan, I have one. Could I ask you one question before I sign these and pass them on to Trevor for tonight? I think I should I hadn't thought about this before, so shame on
me, but I did see a CES bill in this one. Not even sure if I'd seen them before. Um, I don't know the answer to this question as to whether or not I should ab abstain on warrants that include CES bills. So, for tonight, I'm
going to skip signing that one. >> That's fine. Why would you think you have to abstain? >> I, you know, because this question's never been asked before, but as a school committee member paying bills, I know the school committee decides that they're going to join this committee. I'm just unclear um with regards to
ethics whether or not it's allowable to sign the warrant. I really don't know the answer to that question and neither did any of my colleagues. >> I I'm not following why it would be a problem. Uh because anytime you're a member of an elected board
and you deal financially with any other um institution or company or vendor that you have some relationship with in this instance being on the board of directors for CES. >> Okay, that should we should have led with that. >> Sorry.
>> I'm sorry. You should abstain. So I just ethics may say well you're part of the collaborative it's okay but since I'm unclear and it >> that's fine >> I would call the ethics commission I've done that >> I just didn't actually was looking at the warrants >> I thought you were saying we shouldn't
be signing it so >> the piece of information about being on the board of directors is hugely important >> so it's just 10 I'm going to abstain on tonight >> excellent thank you any other questions Hearing
none, I will take a motion. >> I'll make a motion to approve warrants 83, 84, 10, 11, 13, 14, and 16, acknowledging Liz's abstension from 10. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I
>> I abstaining from >> which is how George made the motion. So I know. >> Okay. For the record, we've got it. >> For the record. >> All right. Visitors 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 clearly state your name and address so that this information can be included in the record for this uh for the meeting. No
visitors. Moving right along. Student representative. Brena's not here. Next. new business after school program for kindergarteners. >> Our high our I'm going to talk about this because um our new elementary principal um Cindy Sykes is interested
in creating a program for um after school program and before school for kindergarteners right now. Um it's just offered the juicy grape program u one through six. So we've had some need that we're looking for the parents. So she's
surveying them right now um to see who's interested. It looks like there's quite a bit of interest garnered and which will include a fee, but we kind of came up with an obstacle that I guess Mr. Dorman explained it to us, but I didn't really understand the reality to we put
the numbers together. When we vote for our um budget, automatically um we are allocated $20,000 for preschool programs. Um, but if we create this kindergarten program will be out, it will be more than the $20,000 that's
allocated even though it's fee based. So when we go to town meeting next spring, we have to increase that funding so that we're able to create this program to stay within the parameters. >> So we can't do it now
>> unless there's a special time meeting and it becomes an article on that. Okay. So annually there's a cap >> right >> on the spending out of that revolving account of $20,000. Um I reached out to the previous business manager trying to find out
where just a little bit about it. Um he it would been that same amount for as long as he had been in that role. Um and it cuz we had discussed cuz it's unusual when we compare to our other revolving accounts. There isn't a cap on athletic
revolving spending, uh, food service revolving, those things, but this particular one has a cap and I'm not sure of the origin. I wasn't able. Um, >> was it because it used to be a grant? >> I'm I don't know. I asked uh David, Mr.
Sket, he's been um, you know, attending these meetings a lot longer than I have. He had he's not aware of the origin of it either. Um but we know that in order to when we calculated out the cost of a kindergarten after school the um the number of hours and the potential salary
for coverage it was going to exceed the $20,000 plus the existing before school program. Um so we can put that forward either at a special town meeting if one is scheduled uh to increase that or we
would anticipate doing that for the following fiscal year. Um and again it is not an allocation from the town. It is it is everything that is revolving it's generated it's self- sustaining. Um it's not additional funds for the town.
Um last year um we spent so last fiscal year it was around 13,000 that was spent between the summer enrichment program and the before school program. Um the after school program um I don't have
my figures in front of me but um I believe it was another 12 or 15 >> 12 yeah >> $12,000 um on top of what we are currently spending. So that increase would have to be authorized by the town. >> Okay.
>> I did I did talk to Tammy the town administrator and she you know I said because it is self-generated is there something we can do? She said basically because we voted for it um at that amount we have to keep it at that amount. She's also going to reach out to to the attorneys to see if they can if
there's some other thing that we can do. Um but there is a need. So I just want to let the families know that it's something we're looking at and we're hoping to get it up and running. um you know if we wait till January you know we could probably get it to to fact meet
the parameters but by that time people have their daycare and their in their morning before school after school program is taken care of. Um you know we figured at what $9 an hour which is much cheaper than they would have at um children's first where people tend to
go. So we have it all worked out. We just have to fix that uh that amendment when it comes to the town meeting. So, >> all right. >> So, she's not here to to present that anyway after we decided we couldn't do it.
>> All right. Next is payment of invoice from FY25. >> So, I put a copy of the invoice um in the folder. It is for $180. Uh that was material used to repair some of the
damage from the firefighting equipment when the outfield of the junior varsity baseball field uh caught fire last spring. Um the vendor did not send the invoice until August. So it had missed
the cuto off for the um FY25. Um it's going to come from athletic revolving um as part of our field maintenance. So >> awesome. >> All right. Um so we need to have a vote.
Can I any Well, first any further discussion on that? >> I heard that rocket club's going to have the fire department when they fire off the rockets this year. should definitely have notified maybe identify a better location, but
the grass in the spring was very green in that session. So, I don't know if some other areas could use some support. >> We're kidding. >> Yeah. No, that's not not an actual facilities plan.
>> You're going to have EL to pay and there's another problem. Um, hearing none, I will take the motion. >> Oh boy. >> Uh, make a motion for the payment of invoice from uh, fiscal year 25 for grass damage. >> Can I have a second?
>> Go ahead and I'll second. >> All those in favor? >> I. Excellent. >> Next is a check authorization for East Meadow Activities Account. >> Um, so with the retirement of Miss Dejar, uh, we'd like to have um, Mrs.
sites authorized to be a check signer for the student activities. And there is also a another um staff member who will be the um co-manager of the account. So that's uh this is neglary. So we would
need authorization from the board and then the town uh treasurer will uh go through the process to have them be able to sign checks for student activities for the East Middle School. Is it usual to have a secondary um person? >> Yes. All checks all all checks are
signed by two people. >> Excellent. Um any additional questions? Hearing none. I'll take the motion. >> Um I'll make a motion to authorize um two signers for checks for the student activities account at East
Middle School, Miss Sykes, the principal, and Miss Nicholi. >> Correct. I'll second. >> All those in favor? I >> I >> Excellent. All right. Now, I'm not sure. It says continuing business NA. So, I think we're just moving on and then
we're going to adjourn to subcommittees, policy, and budget. Um, so for tonight, since it's Trevor and George and Liz, you were on it previously. I think three of you can do it as long as you don't make any discussions because you're technically quorum.
Wait, >> am I still on policy? >> Well, I thought you might since you guys were had worked on the last part. >> Yes. >> So, I didn't know if you wanted to sit with them. >> Oh, I see. I get it. >> All right. But he's officially part of the subcommittee now.
>> Yes. >> And you are not, but the three of you together constitute. >> It's George and Trevor >> of policy. >> Okay. You may sit wherever you'd like. I just thought you would since you had worked on the last part for policy that
you might want to um kind of walk Trevor through it. >> I thought I missed something cuz I thought I said I'd stay on policy, but that's fine. >> You would be on policy. The three of you sat together. It would be a quorum. >> Oh, the school committee. >> Oh, duh.
>> Sometimes >> I'm You're making I'm very confused. >> You got it right. I've got it wrong. Thank you. >> We're good. >> Got it. Yes. >> So glad everyone else is good. I have >> You got it right. You got it right. I've got it wrong.
>> Okay. So, policy and budget. Just the three of you may have discussions. You just can't vote on anything until you bring it uh bring it forward. You guys can adjourn to wherever. We'll have a budget conversation. How long do you think you need?
>> I don't need very long at this point. >> Okay. Um, do you guys want to just do like 10 10 or 15 minutes just kind of >> probably be more of a recenter and >> Yeah, reenter. >> Sure, we can we can we can do that.
Section E is ready. I can get more sections ready for I actually am not as good as I should be about going in the drive, but I did see you shared all the other sections. >> But now you're not going to be on policy committee. It's George and Trevor, >> right? >> Because it's
>> We can only have We can only have two. >> We can only do two. >> I still I get it. >> So, if someone um if it sounds like maybe Liz wants to be >> I thought what we what I was hearing
>> and I don't care because um if Trevor if you really want to be on >> Oh, no. I >> I want you to be on, but I thought he said he'd sit in on it and get up to speed. Was I wrong? >> Um I was assuming I was getting on to the committee completely, but again, I'm
totally fine. Um I can I can sit in with them and just be quiet or >> Okay, no, that's fine. So, I'm going to I'm just going to adjust. So, we're going to maintain policy for Liz and George. and Trevor, you can sit in with
them and kind of get a feel for it cuz we do have you on community relations. So, we'll make sure that we meet for that at another time. All right. So, um 15 minutes. Okay. >> You really got me with the quorum thing and you're so totally right and I was so
totally wrong. Thank you. Um my question would be this. I appreciate having the opportunity to sit in on either subcommittee that I'd like to just hear about without discussing anything. Um
is there um so what I've been doing is what I typically do um with any committee that contracts with MASC to do policy and that's comparing current with model and having discussion about the differences
and what the subcommittee wants to do. Now, at some time um in the future, you all could decide if you wanted me to still do that and then send it out to subcommittee and they could discuss the changes or if I should just stay all the way out of it. Cuz it's just a matter of
here's what you have, here's what MASC has, here's the differences, and here's why. But it um think about that. I'd have to think about that myself and whether I even could. But um I'm happy to do that
pre-work just because for me it's like >> I think you guys can decide that in your group how you want that to do. >> Um but mostly I just want to know are we good with 15 minutes? >> Yeah. >> All right. So let's break for 15 minutes. Yep. We'll have um a budget
discussion and you guys can organize yourselves for policy and then we'll be back here in um 15 minutes. more. >> All right, we're taking a break over >> and we're back. Uh policy, why don't you give us a report out? >> Um
basically, uh we did more of like an introduction for Trevor, an overview of uh what the policy subcommittee does and kind of the flow of it. Um, I think we kind of came to the decision
more or less that um Trevor and I will be on the subcommittee and uh Liz will take a step back on that for now. Um, she has offered if we need assistance with it, she can do like preemptively set things up that make it a little bit easier for us. Um, but right now, at
least until she retires and has more free time, we'll probably try and not lean on that too much. Sweet. Any questions for the policy group? >> All right. Budget. >> Uh budget. Uh we discussed the uh the
storm last weekend and some of the effects that it had on the grounds and buildings. Um a little bit of uh drainage issues that have been repaired. Nothing serious. We overall very lucky to get through that with limited to no
damage. uh nothing that would affect the bottom line in any substantial manner. It's early in the year, so our funds are not critically depleted. Knock on wood. >> Um so yeah, we're just rolling along. Everything's still in the green for now.
>> All right, any questions for budget? All right, moving right along. Superintendent's report. We haven't met since uh school started. So I just want to let you know that we started school in the 25th and the 26th. The teachers came in and did some PD um including learning our new teacher ease program.
We left reticer. Um so now we are using a teacher ease which is a cloud-based um system. So teachers had some training for that. Uh this rollover went fairly smoothly. Um there was of course some hiccups over the summer trying to export some of the data from parents but we
we're we're getting there. You know some hiccups. So, just want to let the families know that they will not be getting Blackboard Connect messages anymore. They'll be coming from teacher ease. I'm going to be sending my first message out tomorrow cuz I want to make sure it works. We don't wait till snow day to find out that uh you know, so
you'll be getting something. I'm not sure what it's going to sound like or what it looks like yet, but talk will be just announcing that we have uh um open houses and stuff. So, I just want to let you know you'll be getting something tomorrow. Um so teachers also learned um additional topics were uh illustrative
math, modern classrooms and the teachown curriculum we had um talked about before. Uh at the high school summit I don't have this in here but um teachers also worked on curriculum alignment and curriculum mapping which really brings us to the next area. Um because of the MCAT, we talked a little bit about this
in the past. Um we have to come up with a new um graduation requirement and we are required by Desi to submit something to Desi by December 31st and within that um determination. We have to do two things
in 9th and 10th grade. The students have to show competency and subject matter. So what does that look like? That looks like it could be a capstone project. It could be final exams or midterm exams. It could be um uh project based learning assessments, whatever it looks like. Um
so we have to we were working on that this year to to get that going. And then 11th and 12th grade, you have to do the rest of your English and math. So we really have to break that down. So we're going to be spending a lot of time getting that ready to submit to the state. So I gave you kind of an outline of what it looks like. I'm not going to read it, but it is in your notes. So
we'll be coming with you probably in mid November to review that. and so that we can get it into the state by December 31st. So, we're working on it now. Teachers are working on the curriculum um because one of the things we have to do is show how our curriculum matches our projects. So, we're that's a lot of
PD that teachers at the junior and senior high are going to be doing um this year. >> I have a question about the MCCAST thing and it just made me think of it. So, >> if we're will they still be taking MCCAST? >> They still take the MCAT because >> So, will John and Abigail Adams still be a thing? Okay. >> That's what that's that's specifically
what a lot of the MCAST is for. I don't know, you know, for students who want to excel, I think it'll be great. But other students, you know, we I do worry that, you know, how serious are they going to take it if they're not college or whatever to use it as data. So, um but
to still have the um John Abigail Adams scholarship and and we will still be using that data. Great. >> Um so, I'm happy to report that we als we received uh I applied for the safe and support of schools grant in the amount of $10,000. We just got that reported out that we're getting that
again this year. Um and we're going to be using that to um the middle elementary school to um offer multi-ter systems of support. Uh specifically trying to collect data on students and creating an action plan to support our students. Um we are trying to make sure that we get
the students interventions early so that we can maybe create opportunities so that we don't have students on you know IEPs and things. So, we need to get the tier one instruction in a little bit sooner so that we can help the uh teachers and the students social emotional web
leading so that we can keep them off of, you know, some of the play that they may need in the future. So, we do have that and Cindy, our new principal, is really um adept in that. So, she's starting to work on that with the elementary teachers and she's going to be doing that after school at faculty meetings and hop times. Um I met with our new
commissioner at on two separate occasions. At both meetings, he discussed a vision for supporting students through career pathways programs. He stressed that Massachusetts doing their job with our students, but he'd like to see many of our high school students leaving with associates degree. Um so even though, you know, we talked
about AP um tests, he really would like to see more students transitioning to colleges um because you get more more of the students doing that. So he's really looking for that um which is really what I like to do as well. I'm actually meeting with um the Elms College
president next week to talk about um creating some sort of education program for our pathways for our students because we have a lot of students at the high school coming over here to help out. So, I thought maybe we could look at that and explore that a little bit. So, I'm working with her. But, we do have students taking classes at EL right
now. Not in education, but I'm meeting with the education department in particular. I reached out to STCC and HCC, but I've yet to have an answer from that. So that is really what we're looking at. Um so I'm really interested in strengthening our partnerships and collaborating and really having more opportunities for our students
especially you know in these these times of budgetary Chris if we can get our students to do more dual enrollment that might alleviate some of our issues of retracting other students. So that's something that's on our radar. On Monday, September 15th we talked a little bit about this. We're invited to join a joint meeting with the board of
selectment to discuss the future of the high school. So Desi will be there'll be joining us virtually. Um, we also were awarded the world language grant again for the third year in a row. So, we work with Hadley, Hatfield, and Ammerst. And this grant allows us to pay for the seal of literacy test for our students. Um,
and when they graduate from high school, that gives them that uh certification that they're um literate in two languages, whatever it may be, Spanish, Korean, what whatever the student chooses to take the test in. Um, we I sent there is a flyer in your folder
that the Graby Cultural Center has asked to use our facilities on September 27th to unveil an art project that they um gave a grant to. So, they're going to be here on the 27th and they're going to bring some food trucks in and uh we have
some students who may be putting some artwork out. We're still working the details on that right now. It's a little early in the year for our students have a lot of things to be putting out, but we're we're looking at it. And um I also put a um information out to the staff
because the culture counselor has about $7,500 in grants money that they'd like to disperse to the community. So if they're interested in that, the teachers can put in a proposal and they may be able to uh utilize some funding for something they learn in the classroom. So we've done that as well. And then
just a couple reminders, we'll be having a open house uh at the high school on the 18th and then open house at the elementary school will be from 5:30 to 7 on the 25th. And that's all that I have right now. Yeah. Anybody have any questions?
>> Um the board meeting is on the 15th. Was that a limited number of people? So we don't have form or is everybody invited? >> I don't I can see >> September 15th. >> Yes. Monday. I believe it's just >> I haven't seen it posted. So, it's
probably not an open public meeting. I >> It's not on posted on their website as a meeting. >> I really don't know. I just know that the um Kathy asked if Mary Jane and I were going to be there. Were you planning on going? >> I think. >> So, that's a no. Perfect.
>> That's probably best. We don't have a form. >> So, we'll keep it light. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Okay. Any questions for Mayor Day? >> Um, did you have any questions?
>> No, my might asked that question. >> So, if it's not a public meeting, then it's by invite, right? And if it is a public meeting, anybody can sit in the audience and attend like any other member of the public would do and not participate in the discussion. >> Is it during the select board meeting
that you guys are meeting or >> It's 5 We're We've been asked to be there for 5:30. Oh, so it's before the select board then. >> Okay. >> Um, I'd love to say I love the collaboration
um and finding a way to do that with our surrounding communities to help the kids and that sealed by literacy um is still relatively new, but it's it's really a very cool thing for kids to get. So, thank you. >> We had one student get it last year and we I think we have a student that will
already has it that took the test for this year. Um, so we did have two pass >> and um I think that's that's all I wanted to say. So, thank you. >> You're welcome. >> I do have to give a shout out to both schools. I've heard from a lot of the
kids that the the new integration to both buildings has been wonderful. The the wacky blow up arms on the first day. Everybody came home very excited about it. And then I guess there was a Dunkin Donuts truck >> this week that everybody's all fired up about. So, you know, both buildings,
both sets of everybody's doing a wonderful job. >> Well, I'm really I I'm trying to work on mental health for the staff and the students. Really, that is my goal this year. You know, they matter and that's really what I started my um year off with them at convocation is that you matter and you know, we're here to
support each other and I really want to have a year of celebration um because it's going to be an uphill battle for the next few years. So, we really need to let them know that they're appreciated. It's the one that we keep um keep visiting and and Todd's out all the time visiting the classrooms and
we're listening to the you know the custodians and we're listening to what everybody has to say. So really that that is what we're trying to do this year. Really make it a um a gratitude year basically. That's kind of how I'm hoping. Love it. >> Well well done off the starting block.
Nothing but good things that I've heard from people. So, yeah. >> All right. Um, Todd, you're up. >> Um, I don't have a lot to report out. Um, I did get an update from the
technology department and the maintenance department from our lightning event in the summer. Um, the facilities were most impacted in this building. Um, we're still working with
the company that u manages or the equipment that runs the HVAC systems in the building. So, as I said in our last my last update on this, we're we're in a kind of a default mode. So, everything is operating, but we have limited uh
setting control. Um, we're looking over the next couple of weeks to have them come in. Uh, they were waiting on parts uh to be able to replace on the electronic side. Um there is the key fob system that both buildings use that still we're waiting on parts for that.
Um so some of our new employees we aren't able to issue them uh fobs yet. Um it certainly is an inconvenience. Um but we're working through that. Um the other systems everything is coming back online from that. Um the insurance company has made its initial
dispersement uh to the town. So we'll be using that to cover the majority of the costs. There's like every insurance company policy there is a deductible about $2,500. Uh the initial um dispersement was over 60,000 for the
damage that was done. So it a few things but everything is magnified you know with how much the technologies integrated into the buildings. Um kitchen update uh major construction is completed. The um building commissioner
for Graanby has signed off on the final inspection. Um we are waiting on a couple of punch list items. There is a duct that needs to be resized. It was uh the wrong size was put in, so it's having there's quite a bit of noise that
would impact construction in the wait room. Um so I'm looking to get that done. Um there is a professional cleaning crew that started in the kitchen today. They're going to be working uh tomorrow and through Tuesday of next week. Uh the kitchen has been
idle for 5 years. The equipment's been idled. Um I wanted as thorough uh a cleaning before we start u preparing food in there. Um I sent a message to the board of health with the plans and
the signed off on um the building permit by the commissioner building commissioner. So, I'm waiting to hear back if they're looking to do any kind of final sign off um before we can start preparing food in there. Um we are
transitioning to a new accounting uh software on both the town and school side. The system we had used was developed in the 1980s. Um it is coming to the end of its run. the sole proprie
proprietor of that is retiring. Um and so it is phased out. Um he's graciously extended it for the first few months of the fiscal year because the transition um has been very difficult going from the systems that we had to what are more
contemporary. Um and so in that I have not provided yet the kind of monthly update format because we're not fully integrated yet. And so for me to draw the and compile the data, um, we're just still working through those systems.
So that's what I have. >> Any questions for that? >> And CES Liz, you already mentioned that there's a meeting next week. Next week. >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right. So, anything for our next meeting? Speaking of which, um, our
next meeting is scheduled for the 22nd, I believe. and I've just gotten a promotion at work and so I'll be on travel for that week. Um, and then there's a week in October that I'll be on travel, but I don't
um it will be that same week. So, um, this is unusual for me, but, um, I don't know if you all want to still have the meeting on the at the 23rd or if you want to push it off, um, a week when I
can be here. >> Which would you prefer? >> I would love to be here, but I don't know. I hate messing up everyone's schedules. Could we do it on the 30th? >> Yeah, it's the next week. >> And then we'd have two in a row, the 30th and the 7th. I probably couldn't do it on the 30th.
It's my daughter's 12th, so >> Oh, yep. I hear you. Um, so we we don't have to decide right now. We can um think about it. But right now, we'll leave it as is. As long as you're cool with uh running it. >> Yeah, right. >> All right. Perfect. >> Really have to suffer through me
fumbling over it. >> You'll be just fine. I'm sure. >> Sure. >> You fine. >> Um All right. So, we'll do that. anything that we want to make sure is on the agenda for next time. Hearing nothing, we will um we'll now
school committee will now vote to enter into executive session under Massachusetts general law chapter 38 section 21 part A3 to conduct to conduct strate strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with non-union personnel.
The school committee will not return to open session. Um, can you can you do a roll call vote, please? >> Can I ask one question? So, this is just generally non-union, not specific positions. >> I don't you know as much as I do. >> Oh, I don't know anything.
>> Okay. >> If it's I mean because if it's a specific position, we should name that going in. But if it's just overall strategy, then we don't name anything. It's overall strategy. >> I think it's overall strategy. Yes.
>> Okay. >> Mr. Ocino, >> I miss. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Hi, >> Mr. D. >> I thanks everybody.