You made it. So that's good. Barely get him off. Suddenly I'm from the south. I'm fun jam. I'm sorry. >> Yeah. >> All right. All right. Good evening everyone. Today is Tuesday, February
3rd, and the time is 6:34 p.m. And I'd like to call this meeting to order. First on our agenda is our consent agenda. Um, meeting minutes from January 6th. Questions, comments, concerns. Hearing none, I'll take the motion.
>> Make a motion to accept meeting minutes from January 6, 2025. Excuse me, 2026. >> You should 20. >> Yeah, that's a typo. >> Okay. >> Can I have a second? Second. >> All those in favor? >> So,
>> next is warrants 43, 44, 46, 47, which are going around for signature. Um, any questions or comments on those? >> Hearing none, I'll take the motion. >> Make a motion to accept warrants 43, 44, 46, and 47.
>> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I I 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 the meeting. And we don't have any visitors. I think they're here for calendar stuff probably. Yep. >> Yes.
>> Yes. Okay. Uh Brena is not here. I think they just got out of practice. Uh, new business. First is um a donation of a trumpet to the music department. Yep. We received a donation from Mike Alo. He donated a trumpet to the music
department. It was a Yamaha trumpet 2335 and the value is between 200 $400. So, we're asking to accept that donation and we and that was from um the high school and we will send a letter out thanking him for his donation if we do accept it.
>> Any questions or comments? >> That's wonderful. That's deeply appreciated. Thank you. >> Yeah, please. Uh >> we will definitely >> um if there's no further questions, I'll take the motion. >> I make a motion to accept the donation of a trumpet to the music department.
Second. >> All those in favor? I >> I next we have first read of the medication administration policy >> and we're going to bring up our uh lead nurse um Karen Slozac. She is going to talk about the nursing home policy.
We're on a couple new changes that came out for regulations. So this is why we are here. >> So hi, my name is Karen Slozac. Um for those of you that don't know me, I started 24 years ago in the district down at West Street School. Um, I was the nurse leader for 10 years, stepped down to have more time with my young
family, and with the resignation of Nancy Jensen last summer, um, I took part in this in this role again. I am also the full-time, um, school nurse at the Grammy Junior High School next door. So, thank you for allowing me this time.
So, when I took the nurse leader role in July officially, I was looking through all of the policy work that needed to be redone. Um, normally we like to review policies every 3 years and I realized that some of them are are due. So, one
of my goals this year was to present two policies, get them approved and then to start work on those protocols as to how we were going to reach those policies. Both policies, I will speak about the medication administration policy first. But both policies, please know for the
wellness policy, we have a a committee that meets four times a year. So, that's been a group effort. The medication administration policy has been myself um and the nurse here at East Meadow, and it's been constant back and forth with our school physician, Dr. Mug, um
through Fairview Pediatrics. What spurred this policy to be looked at was the fact that last February we received um a regulation that we could no longer delegate medications over the state lines. So in other words, if a
fourth grade wanted to go on a field trip to Connecticut, we couldn't send the inhaler or the EpiPen with that student to Connecticut. An RN had to accompany that student. That still stays. They can go anywhere they want in Massachusetts and if the nurse feels
comfortable delegating the medication to the teacher, and if the teacher is comfortable, that can happen. But if they want to go to Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, it has to be a nurse on the trip. And we also have to get reciprocity with that state. So the
60-day notice is really important because Rhode Island is up to 6 months. So that's just a little backstory of some of the behind thescenes work with field trips >> cuz we had to cancel the senior trip last year. >> Correct. Correct. They wanted to go to Rhode Island and it was going to take up
to 6 months. Um and they didn't tell us till like March or April. So, >> so this year they're going to Maine >> and I've already contacted the board of registration in Maine. >> So, I thought there was already inherent reciprocity for some nursing licenses and things.
>> There are. Massachusetts does not take part in that right now. Connecticut and Maine do. We were supposed to be a compact state October 6th of this past year. For some reason, it has not passed. Now, when a when a school nurse, a
registered nurse delegates to our staff, it's also if the staff are comfortable enough to take on that role. Um, obviously the nurse is available by cell. I'm available 24/7 because they also put in the new regulations and I'm
speaking of regulation uh 105 CMR2 210 that if there are any any field trips overnight after school hours um there has to be a nurse that's on call and available for that staff member. So that would be myself. So what occurred not
only that we can't delegate out of state but they then decided and when I say they I say the department of public health that we were going to include Narcan in training personnel which I'm working with the Graanby Police Department to get that done um for
staff. Um we we do carry Narcan in our emergency bags. Right now, the nurses are only trained, but um I we needed to to register with the Department of Public Health to um to present it to staff and train them. It's like a
15-minute training. Um it used to be that we could not send an inhaler on a field trip with a teacher because the student that was having asthma and wheezing needed an RN assessment. It they needed lungs listened to. They needed oxygen levels. they needed all the the workup of a nurse in order to
give that inhaler. Now the state is saying, "Whoa, well, wait a minute. If you want to let the teacher give that inhaler, if you you think that teacher can handle it, you go ahead and you can delegate it." Have to have parent consent. So, let's say that grade four
wanted to go to the Springfield Science Museum. And let's say that we have a student whose asthma is flaring up. We would send a nurse. we would not ask a a staff member to take that. Plus, whenever that that staff member gives a
medication, they're under my license as the nurse manager of the medication policy. So, a lot goes into that thinking. But the state is now saying if they go in mass, you can give the inhaler to the teacher and have the inhale have the teacher give it to the >> What about the parents there?
>> So, parents don't usually go. We do ask parents if they'd like to attend field trips. We have um fifth grade going to the Springfield Science Museum next Thursday. We have a fairly new seizure. A student with seizures. Mom's not interested in going, so we're sending a nurse.
>> I have a lot of thoughts, many of which I will keep to myself. >> Well, field trips are a nightmare and we can chat any time because I have a lot of I have a lot of thoughts as well. So, back to the administration policy. Um they did um Mary Jean had emailed me,
the school lawyer had emailed her some some bullets of this and that's basically what the new medication administration policy um it's kind of word for word almost because again this is a regulation. I can't really change what the state is
regulating me to do. >> It's like what we do with all of our other policies. We follow what >> correct correct our current policy this is the biggest change. So, our current policy is nine pages long. When looking at other school districts,
policies are usually a page to two pages front and back. It's the protocols of that policy that make that goal of that particular policy. So, I came here so that we could approve the policies next
session. And then the hard work starts. The hard works the hard work starts with the protocols of you know allowing a teacher an unlicensed personnel to administer inhaler if they'll comfort they're comfortable and the parent has consented. We also have to let the
parent know in writing who that teacher is that would be giving that medication and they have to consent to that. If they don't consent to it then a nurse has to go on the trip. So that's a whole another thing we can get into at some point. um they wanted
Narcan in the policy. They wanted the fact that um we get a lot of kids who have antibiotics for 7 to 10 days. They do not require a doctor's signature. To make it easier on the parent, we can now take the the um medication orders off of
the prescription bottle. Um we still always need a parent consent. However, um they wanted us to spell out that students legally can possess and administer their inhaler, their cystic fibrosis enzymes, which I have next door, and this this student currently
self-administers, and they can also possess and administer their own EpiPens. Now, Epipens are totally different. EpiPens are a training. So, let's say that fourth grade wants to go to Rhode Island and they just have two kids with EpiPens. technically they can
go to Rhode Island with a staff member because all of our staff are trained in EpiPens the beginning of the year, midyear, and then before any field trips. Um the other thing is um they really wanted us to hone in on the fact that we should not be keeping more than
a 30-day supply of the controlled substances. When a parent comes in with daily medications, they wanted us to spell out all of our checks and balances and the protocols. And we have checks and balances now. we have to um look at the description, make sure it matches what's in the bottle because if the
pharmacist puts the wrong med in there and we administer it, it's our we're in trouble because we are the one administering that medication. So, there's going to be a lot of checks and balances in the protocols after this after this policy. Um the other thing too is that they are giving the lead
nurse and the nurses based on their professional judgment that if they um feel that the medication may be harmful, dangerous or inappropriate, the parent and guardian and the um MD would be notified by the school nurse. So, if there is a medication that a school
nurse is not comfortable giving, let's say that it's a homeopathic med um and the and for some reason the nurse thinks, "No, I think this is going to cause X, Y, and Z." Under the nursing license, as a registered nurse, we have that right to deny a medication.
And the last thing is um it talks about the MGL chapter 94C, the controlled substance act, and that is that it may only be be dispensed by an RN or LPN unless unlicensed school personnel have
been educated in medication delegation. That used to be a whole thing where staff were expected to take this 30 screen slideshow. um I I do it very differently and that would also be in the protocols.
The reason why I'm trying to get the policies like other D districts to one to two pages are if something comes in 3 months from now, take for example, we used to follow the CDC childhood immunization schedule. Well, RFK had
some some things to say about that schedule. So, let's say that our immunization policy said we follow CDC immunizations. We are now told we are following the American Academy of Pediatrics. So the protocols can keep in line with all of
the changes that are constantly happening. Otherwise, if it's put in the policy, which is the way it is now, we can't update any. I'd have to be with you guys every every meeting because there would be so many changes. So the medication administration policy um the
nurses reviewed, I reviewed, the school physician reviewed and of course it was all done um the 105 CMR that the school physician sent, they have bulleted the primaras, they are all in this policy. Um and as I said, I'm not going to redo
the work that's already been done, but some of the protocols do need to be changed. Some of the language, and again, that's not my language, that's the regulation language. So I I ask for the medication administration policy consideration.
>> All right. So first read. So just make sure it's on the agenda for next time and we can decide at that point if we want an additional second read or further um questions and then u so it could be second read/vote. Um but if you put both on we'll be
covered for however we want to do it. We can decide at the next meeting how we feel and if we have any questions or whatever. So hopefully you'll be able to come to the next one if we have any further. >> I don't know when that is, but I'll find out. >> I can tell you it's in two weeks. >> Yeah, last week of um February 17th.
>> Oh, it's in three weeks. The 24th because the 17th is vacation. >> Oh. >> Oh, we have that. We have admin that day, too. >> Okay. Any questions? Nope. It sounds like wonderful. Thank you for updating that. >> Thank you very much. Yeah,
>> that makes sense to the policy and then you can update the protocols. >> Yeah. And and like I said, it's interesting because it needed updating anyway and then the new regulations come out and like I said, you'll see the next one there's a little more leeway, but the medication policy is straight from the regulation. Like I can't really, you
know, change the law um of what they're giving registered nurses the ability to do. Please keep in mind though that we have a school physician who orders ibuprofen, Tylenol, and we can do that based on our assessment. But in order to give anything else like if a student walks in with pseudafed and says hey you
know I need to take this we cannot do anything as a registered nurse without a physician's order. >> So and that's obviously in the protocols as well. >> Okay. >> I will say in the 24 years I've been here we've we have not had an issue with
any any medication. um their providers are more than happy to speak with us about meds and we try not to get that involved unless the parent is asking questions that we can't answer. It's really up to the parent. >> Uh one one follow. >> Yeah, sure.
>> Um the uh is there a liability waiver that the parent would sign? >> So what they sign is a passive consent. Okay. Um, so I'm I'm running a nurse meeting tomorrow and we have standing orders at the school physician and we put out like ibuprofen, two tabs.
Sometimes it's based on weight and at the very bottom because we thought, "Oh my gosh, how are we going to get parent consent for every single one of these students?" So on the very bottom, it's a passive consent. If you if you are okay with the student taking any of the above, you don't not you do not need to
do anything else. If you have an issue with one of these, a lot of times parents will cross out what they want and then they'll sign the bottom. So, we have a binder of those. At the elementary school level, the nurse usually always calls home because they're a lot younger and they can't
tell you if they took like my first question up there is, did you take anything today? You know, oh yeah, I took ibuprofen before I left the house and it's only 10:00 so I can't give them any more medication. >> Um, yeah, that makes sense. I guess my uh my question was leaning more towards
oh I'm sorry the administration of medications by teachers >> um in the extremely unlikely case that they were to be sued. I don't think many teachers cover male have like mal practice insurance. >> No but I do as the nurse manager I do
and ultimately because I am overseeing the nurse that delegated that medication to that teacher >> I hold the responsibility for the district. >> Okay. So, they're covered >> as far as I'm aware. We could certainly ask um the school lawyer, but um yeah,
teachers all over give meds, but again, >> if they're comfortable. >> Yeah, I just uh I just want to make sure that they're protected. >> Um is that something that we could ask the school lawyer? I can talk to chemical. >> I mean, personally, I'll be honest with you, I'd rather send a nurse on every trip. >> Yeah.
>> But nurses are expensive and it's hard to find because they can pick up a shift at the hospital for 75 bucks an hour and we're paying. >> Totally. >> Yeah. But, um, yeah, it's a really good question. If I had the ability, I'd send a nurse on every trip.
>> Gotcha. Uh, no. And it's just like >> Plus, it's my livelihood, right? >> No, I know. They're just trying to do the right thing and help out. I want to make sure that they're safe. Exactly. >> And everything's all squared away. So maybe we can add in a line in the liability waiver that the parents signed that
>> you understand that yada yada yada or that. >> We do need parent. So So our we have to tell the parent in writing who is going to be um administering that. That's that's new as well. We used to just be able to put school staff and the teacher
the parent could sign off on it. Now we have to name that staff member. >> Okay. So, but it's a very good question >> for a field trip. >> That's for a field trip and redeem cost >> and like extremely unlikely, but just >> but you never know. Yeah, >> you never know. >> And like they're just trying to do the
right thing and >> Exactly. And I won't go there that I thought they should get a little extra money if they give meds. But I that's a whole another night to the next one. >> Okay. Wellness policy. All right. So, the wellness policy
currently is 46 pages long. 46. And I went, >> "Huh?" >> I think it's been a um districtwide problem for many years. We we've been working on it for a long time. >> Policy got um like embedded into
procedure. >> It did. It did. It absolutely did. >> And there was um it it I don't think it we were doing it in a vacuum. I think it was the way things were being done and projected by as a way to cover bases at
the time. So, I totally get it. We're ready to toss that out the door. We don't, you know, we don't have to we we know we know how that how that works cuz we're finding it for all of our >> Yes. stuff, too. >> Yes. So, thank you for that. So, the policy that I um so the uh we have a health and wellness committee meeting
coming up February 12th. Um but at our last meeting and for um Cindy Ally, the principles that couldn't be there, I sent them the policy. They gave the the AOK and um Mrs. Nicole Hero also gave the AOK and our um ETL teacher and the
school physician. So what I did was again I don't want to reinvent the wheel. I want to take the work that has been done with some of the protocols, but we came up with three objectives. Um, again, there are regulations. Um, you can see on the back that I
referenced some of those regulations. Um, we came up with three object objectives to this policy and how we're going to meet those objectives will be embedded into our protocols. Now, one of the things that I'm looking at and I plan on sending this out to teachers. I,
you know, some of them don't comment, but some of them do. So, I want them all to have a a an ability to give feedback. Um, but you know, case in point, like one of the fundraiser things in here says that we're only going to sell
healthy items and and anything that's on the A-list by John Stalker. We don't do that. I mean, crispy creams we sell, you know, because it makes money, right? So, I'm looking to take these protocols and clean them up and actually have them
reflect what is currently happening. We do know with speaking with Mrs. Jordan. Um, the first objective I really can't do much with because it's Ken Leage who is in charge of Chartwells. He has all those guidelines and he of course follows those guidelines at lunch. Um,
one of our biggest areas of growth would be number two and that would be, you know, we lack health at the elementary and junior high. they do get some health um in wellness in in the high school, but again, you know, we're not doing health classes every day. So, we've
really got to figure out a way of how to get that more out there for for some of the kids. Maybe it looks like the nurses go in at at some point and do some education, but we're working on that. Um and then the third part was the physical activity um and and how we're helping
kids with with that. I, for instance, it's a sore subject, but the current seventh graders, I really think that their behaviors would um deescalate a little bit if we gave them recess. Cuz think about it, in a typical middle school, six, seven, eight, they would
still have outdoor recess. Um, so just looking at some of those things that obviously medically doesn't always jive with the educational piece because it's all about the time on learning, but maybe just an extra movement break during the day or something of that
nature. Um, again, I want the protocols to reflect what we are doing and something to strive for. This one, the um school physician also looked over and again this one is more I want to hit the ground running once a policy is passed
and really get some feedback um from from the staff if they're willing to give feedback. Um so that's where we're at. So I figured I'll bring them both, see what happens and then we'll go from there. >> All right. And please know that
obviously I've looked at other districts and other nurse leaders, so we're pretty on point with the two-page top policies um and some of the protocols. So, it's just kind of defining better, Mrs. Bartos, what you said, you know,
defining 46 pages into something that people can actually read and would be more more willing to abide to. >> Yes, that's a policy is one thing and then a handbook or something is going to tell you how to how to do all of it. So, >> correct. We've been doing pretty well separating that. The handbooks at the
high school and the um elementary school have gotten much better as we've been work. So I'm in I just started my eighth year on the committee. Is that right? >> Yes. Eighth year. And what it what it
looks like now is compared to what I start with, it's dramatically >> um different. So we're making >> much different from when I was nurse leader last time. We're making We're making strides, but you've you know >> the wind's going to change and we're going to go back and we're going to have
a policy that's 127 pages long just for good measure. >> Exactly. Yeah. >> Only wear socks on your left foot on the third Tuesday when it's below 10. >> Other than that, forget it. No longer healthy. >> So, thank you very much for your time.
Feel free um I'm K Slozic. Ksz, people forget the Z. Um, if you need to email me as well with any any questions or concerns. >> There's two Z's, right? >> No, one Z. >> S L O S E K. Yeah, if you put in KSZ, I
should come up. There's not many KSZ's. All right. Well, thank you very much for your time. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> All right. Um, the ADDA, this is the one you guys were working on last time. >> Yeah. So first read sorry check about uh
incorporating sorry checks into our background checks. >> Okay. So it's there. We don't really need to have discussion. We'll just have it on the agenda for next time because again we're just following the updates from MASC and MGL. Yes. >> Um
the Cy the Corey is already already required. The story is whether it's optional. Um um DESIE doesn't require it but it is strongly suggested as an additional background check both DCF and sorry
>> okay >> that's where it's coming from and a lot of other districts are starting to roll towards this as far as a further extensive background check. >> Love it. So put that on for next time as well. >> Okay. >> All right. Transfer of monies from instructional salaries to maintenance
wages. Um, so when we built last year's budget, as we have done the past few years, when we start trimming things down, one of the things we removed was an overtime line in the maintenance department. Uh, we've, as you know, we've had a number of storms and they've, um, been on the weekends and so
the maintenance department has overtime hours that we haven't budgeted for. Um, so I'm looking to move $5,000 from instructional salaries uh, to cover that. So far, we've spent $1,270 on additional snow removal outside of
their regular hours. Um, I believe we would be on pace to stay within that overall $5,000 budget. >> And if there's an um a surplus at the end, we can move it back. >> Mhm. >> Okay, great. >> Yep. >> Any questions? Uh, if there's no further discussion, I'll take the motion.
>> Uh, make a motion to transfer monies from instructional salaries to maintenance wages. >> Second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I >> I next monies from out of district tuition to special ed. >> Um so we had a student who was in an out of district placement that wasn't the
right fit for them. Um so using the savings from their tu out of district tuition placement uh and moving that to offer tutoring services for that student and some other students. Um, out of that
overall purchase order, we spent 5,250 uh, leaving us with 1,2005 12,500 to be able to use for tutoring. >> Excellent. Questions or comments? Hearing none, I'll take the motion. >> I make a motion to transfer monies from
out of district tuition to special education. Second. >> All those in favor? I. All right. Calendar discussion. Do you guys want to bring up one more chair and come sit at the table? Um, thanks very much for coming in to have the discussion and I we appreciate
your feedback and I just want to remind you that it's um it's ultimately the school committee's decision. I just feel obligated to say it because I don't want to have um if there's a disagreement or whatever, I don't want people to come at us. Um so,
ah why don't you guys um talk us through what you got? >> All right. So, I everybody should have a copy of the >> all know Scott Taylor >> and does everybody know Scott? I do because I I feel like Yes.
>> Just checking. Good night. I hope he's okay. >> No, you're good. >> I don't know Scott. >> Oh, Trevor. This is Scott Taylor. >> Hi. >> And Michelle. >> Great teacher. >> Since 98. >> And Michelle. >> Since how long?
>> I don't know. >> What's your email say? >> 17. 2017. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Second grade. Uh so we sent out a survey to the GA uh which
consists of roughly 85 individuals. Uh we had a 59 responses which correlates to a 69.4% uh return. Uh the you can see the the percentages for calendar one
uh 20.3% which equates to 12 people. Calendar two, same 20.3% equates to 12 people. Calendar three received 18.6 which correlates to 11. And then calendar 4 was 40.7% which correlates to
24 uh people who chose that one really. I mean that that leaves 26 people who did not respond. Uh they were given multiple opportunities to respond. So just it is what it is. So that is
that's where we landed. Um the biggest difference was in my opinion between the calendars and again I can't speak for everybody but the the major difference was simply the day getting out the 22nd of December versus getting out the 23rd.
Uh more a little more family time, a little more travel time, a little more just being able to enjoy the holiday. Um so based on that looks like calendar 4 is the preferred
>> correct >> preferred calendar. Um all right. All right you guys. What do we got for questions here? >> When would winter break um end? >> It's it it's consistent for all of them. We come back on the Monday after New Year's. >> Okay. So we would come back on I think
it's the fourth. >> Fourth. >> The fourth. Yeah. So it's a long um it's a long break just because of how it falls. And is the 22nd a full day or a half day? >> Usually the day before winter break is always uh historically a half day. >> Half day.
>> So the half day at the 22nd and a full day on the 23rd. Is that what you're saying? >> What's that? >> The 23rd full day. Okay. Um my do does the longer break impact time of learning at all? Do we make up for it? >> No, cuz 180 days is 180 days.
>> Okay, thank you for that. Y >> it looks like all the calendars except one are starting the 20th. So >> So those the dates the starting dates are the same for all of them >> and the end of day would be the same. We have the snow day, >> but it looks like you'd start school
earlier. Which school we have in calendar 4? >> Yeah, I like the start date on calendar for >> I have to go through a little, but so far I like the lineup for this for
4th election day. Oh, we have an election. Okay. No school veterans. No schools. Only one full full week in November. >> Yeah, >> that's typical. >> Yeah, there's not much we can do about
that. LA this year we didn't have two in November off, but we did, but I don't believe we did. We didn't we didn't have it off. So, yeah, >> we didn't have an election. It was regular >> March. Where is break April February?
What's April? Okay. Does any have anybody have any um questions? The school start times and everything are the same. Mike, anything? >> No, it's all pretty straightforward.
>> Um, I haven't really looked at much of the differences, but I'm >> It's pretty minor. >> They're pretty minor. >> Minor differences. Yeah, >> the major differences are going to be the between the beginning of the calendars and the end. Aside from that one
>> um calendar which has the uh calendar 4 which has the winter break as the 23rd is a half day or the 22nd is a half day >> half day. >> I'm I'm liking the the four. Does anyone
have any options discussion? >> I think it's great. Yeah, I'm fine with it. Let's do four. >> We don't have vote on here, but can we? >> Sure. >> Uh, make a motion to accept calendar 4 as laid out in this document. >> I second. >> All those in favor?
>> How's that crazy? >> Thank you. >> There you go. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Well, graduation 2027, June 5th. Put that in the calendar right now.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next. Superintendent report. Now, I only have one piece of paper that says superintendent's report, but I did mention in October that I wanted to give an update on our strategic plan because
our strategic plan is um completed at the end of 2023 uh 20 went from 2023 to 2026. So, right now, I'd like to give an update of what we've done to accomplish um everything that Mr. Sullivan, the previous superintendent, put in place, and we he's done a really good job getting us there, and we've kind of hit
the ground running with with the rest of um of what he had started. So, we've been working on it. So, what I'd like to do is just talk about some of the highlights that we've done and um and talked about where we're going to keep going um moving forward with the next three-year plan. So, I have a little
slideshow here for everybody to take a look at. If you click on my superintendent report, there's a little link. It should be in there. So, the first one, obviously, our first focus was high quality instruction. And the focus of the high quality instruction, we're having some >> Oh, sorry. You're posting access it.
>> Oh, I thought it gave everybody access to it. It said should everybody should have it. Hang on. I'm shared it. Let me see. Share. Oh, sorry. I think I had a Oh, you know what, Jenny? I think I had a different one. Hang on. Anyone with the link? Here you go. You're all set now.
>> Okay. Okay. Perfect. >> I made a copy and I didn't think I shared that. >> I still don't have access. It says >> It says anyone with the link. >> Give it Can you refresh? Maybe >> next steps. >> Can you get Yeah, that's it.
>> Okay. >> Yep, I'm good. >> Okay. Okay. So, obviously our first um bucket was high quality instruction and that our focus was project- based learning, more student engagement, rigorous court work, you know, high quality profession
development, college and career opportunities and data analysis. And really how we did this um especially the first four buckets of that was really looking at some of our curriculum and some of our um things that we've uh focused on to make sure that that
happens. Um especially specifically with math. We have IM math K through 12. So really that focuses on um project-based learning. It really focuses on trying to help the students solve problems and it comes with it a nice uh data portal. So
that that worked out well for us. science um science was a concern for us at the elementary school. Um most of the teachers in uh elementary created science on their own um and really it was not a structured learning time. So we're using an open source science group
called open sed. And so now the science department is doing a better job at the elementary level uh three through uh three and below five and six was using project lead the way. Um, so that was already taking place and uh with project lead the way really leads to the high school and the middle school as far as
the robotics and the computer science lab and some of the things we're starting to work on now. So all of these things are still works in progress but we're making progress in some of these areas. Social studies um grades um started working on um investigating history which is also approved by the
department of education for grades 5 through se uh 5 through 7. This year they brought in grades three and four. Again, at the elementary school there's it wasn't really put into their classroom time. So, we're working to the uh principal Sykes worked to create time
for them to do history and social studies in the elementary level to make sure that it's not just math and science, math and English. So, they're really trying to incorporate that more into the lessons. Um, the democratic knowledge product is really important to us because we know that civics education is is uh a
priority in the state of Massachusetts. So, we're working with the democratic knowledge project now in grade 8 civics. Um, our curriculum director has been working with some of our middle school teachers to work on that. So, that's an exciting new uh initiative. Empowering writers looking at the data in the past
uh looked like we needed some writing workshop. So they incor incorporated a empowering writer curriculum to get the students working on that. And then the last curriculum we did is uh teach town which is a curriculum for students with disabilities. You folks approved that earlier this year. So that's another new
curriculum um that we focused on to to get moving forward. So college and career um again we know you have the MYAP. We got a grant for the MYAP which is a uh student-driven planning process tool so the students can really discover what they want to do and helps them get where they need to be
which is going to be really important to us because when we talk about um the graduation requirements one of the graduation requirements is to do something with my cap and and um make sure that the students get the opportunity to do some career and college planning or at least be um
college capable. So those are some of the things we're looking at. So we are ahead of the curve on that one. And the um innovative career pathway allowed us expand our offerings into computer science and engineering as we all know and that's also extension of project lead the way with East Meadow. So we're starting to see a progression um into
that. We were granted the seal of by literacy with a distinction we got last year for students to be more employable and more college ready because they have a distinction of being multilingual which is really important to us. And then um curriculum mapping is I said completed but it will be completed by
the end of the year. uh where I've met with the principles and the staff is really working to make sure the curriculum maps are are done and along with curriculum map is performance assessments and rather than doing midterms and finals we're now trying to do more of the project based what did
the students learn in the course of the year and how can you prove that through the project through performance assessments so that's part of the high quality instruction we were talking about safe and supportive learning um environment we all know we talked about PBIS um are we're working seriously this year
on the MTSS and I know um super uh superintendent uh principal Sykes talked about MTSS at the elementary school. So they're really working on on that on trying to create tier interventions for our students. Some of our data showed that we do really good job in students with all the
students in the classroom. Um and then we do a good job with interventions, but we um sometimes we need to do a better job with tier 2 small groupoup instruction. So that's some of the work we're working on right now with that. Um we have two staff members who are trained in safety care to support uh staff in behavior management. So that's
deescalation um and um prevention and physical safety management. So that is also for social emotional learning as well. Vented the new autism program in grades K through six. Um, and then we also procured some grant funding this year, which is what
I'm going to talk about right now, is we've procured a grant for a new um halftime social worker to support us at the elementary school for our students in the timeout room. So, that is a grant we just procured. We are working to um get
it finalized right now. So, I'll give you an update on that next school committee meeting. Um, student support teams and child study teams. Um, I'm not sure they're new, but I do know that they are they new, Todd? No, we've had them in the past, but they were in the in the in the um program. I think they
were just more scheduling. They were more They were scheduled more frequently than they were in the past. I wasn't sure why that was actually in there for the um the plan, but we have been doing that. So, I just wanted to make sure that that's still continuing. Um, and we've updated our policies and procedures pretty frequently. Bullying
that things keep coming out. Um we worked with CES and their joy and justice team to support student voice across the district. So that is something we've done in that communication collaboration and community engagement. Um these are just a few things you know we've done updated our website some of our Facebook pages.
Um work with the cultural council last year um police and fire department working with our emergency preparedness plan. Uh speaking of which we're going to be having um information go out to families at the end of the week. We are going to be doing a reunification drill with families and a meal and letter will
go out to families at the end of the month. We'll be doing that. So we have a new student information system. Um there's increased participating in student councils at school council especially at the elementary school. The school council at the elementary school is really um gained some traction under uh principal Sykes. So that's really
exciting. um tried to I attend some chamber of commerce meeting lately um which is really important because I think getting involved in the business um in the area is really important to us. So I was glad to attend a couple of those meetings and then GPS and the town of Graanby coordinate together uh with a
opiate opioid task force and some of the money we've given by the state of Massachusetts. We've um done some education for the students and something called second act and then we also work a little bit with Polish National Credit Union. Earlier this year, I met with them about um creating opportunities for students to have some savings accounts.
Um they also are very helpful with us at the beginning of their providing um lunch for our staff when they come in at the beginning of the year. So, I'd like to keep that relationship going. Um and I'm meeting with them um later in the month about what else we can do to to work with each other. And then uh
systems and structures, I'd have to say um you know, Mr. Dorm has done a really good job with this um in his particular area and his role. I know there's been some streamlining in the maintenance and the custodial department. I did put all those specifics in there, but I I did want to mention that he's done a really nice job doing triple duty around here.
He's actually fixing the flag pole today. >> Um so we have new processes in central office with um people coming into the building. We have new protocols and and just new ways for um personnel records to be kept. So, we're really trying to
streamline some of the um what ends up happening at at the central office is there's not a lot of um what's the word I'm looking for? Institutional knowledge. So, we're trying to create structures and practices that they can carry over in in the in the event that
again as we tend to move along in this district um that these things are in place. So, Jenny has been doing a really good job trying to get that done. Um and then looking at exiting and entering procedures um and really why are people leaving the district? We're trying to create some of that. I'm looking at a certification schedule. I'm meeting with
the teachers on what does that look like? You know, we have certifications up, how can we support you? So, really trying to keep on top of personnel. And then the last one is, you know, the maintenance plan. Uh Todd's been doing a good job with that. And looking at some strategic budget. I know that, you know,
we don't have a lot of um ideas of what is happening um right now, but in the future, we know that things are going to have to happen. So, Mr. Mr. Derma has been doing a good job trying to say, "Okay, I can't do this now, but I can do in the future." And really just keeping it on everybody's radar. So, those are a couple things.
So, what we'll be doing at at the end of this month, the beginning of next month, I'm meeting with the leadership team to distur to take a look at all of these things that we did. Let's look at the data. What data did we see? What are the what's? And then the qualitative data is why. What are we seeing that the numbers aren't showing us? You know, what are
the teachers saying? What are the students saying? What surveys do we have from families? you know, what do we have to help us move forward to the next 27 to 30 and then turn that into uh into some strategic priorities. I don't think our strategic priorities will be any different. I think the four buckets that
we have will continue to be what they are, but really how are we going to get to the next level using those four buckets is really what I'm thinking is going to happen. And that is all that I have. Um I had other things I wanted to talk about, but I think I can wait till the next meeting. I want to talk a little about
the enrollment and some of the other things, but I'm going to save that for the next meeting. >> Perfect. Yeah, we haven't had an enrollment yet in a bit. >> So Todd, >> um so the first thing um that I have, so
they did Collins Electric came in, put in the visors and made a little adjustment to the lights. Um so I want to communicate this to the board uh the committee before I talk to the commissioner. Uh so we have taken
those steps. Um so I will reach out to him and see has he been fielding additional complaints? Um has it subsided? So to see where we are um in my opinion I think we've taken all
the reason steps we can take um to maintain safety on campus. That's my position. >> Have we had any additional call? Have we? No. >> Haven't field the way. So, >> we definitely spent a good chunk of money on it. I was shocked at the bill.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Right. And so, Right. They came out twice to make adjustments on top of the original installation. Um I communicated to the select board to
our chair um the chair of the um finance committee acting town administrator that our chapter 70 funds have been reinstated. Uh the end of the year report um went in now I forgot the exact date
because time flies. Uh but we I checked and we did receive our December payment as well as our January. So we are back on track. Uh since that has been submitted now it will go through its normal process. Uh the auditors will do their annual review. That's typically
later in the spring. As I said that's been uh put back on track. Um I have put in your folder. So, this was ready for our last meeting. Um, it was it's
our through December financial update. Um, it certainly wouldn't reflect any of the recent votes that we've had to reallocate funds from, you know, for tuitions or for salaries, but that'll be updated as we go forward. Um, I don't
have any areas right now that are presenting any concerns. Um, but if there's something you want to bring my attention to, um, I can look into it for you. >> So, >> any >> in good shape in all of our areas right now.
>> Any questions? I I forgot to ask if anyone had any questions for Mary Jane, so we can backtrack, but any questions for Mary Jane or for Todd? Um I didn't know if we how much of a budget updated update we would want to do for FY27
um today. >> Um I think we can wait until our next meeting because part of what we're going to talk about in one one of Yeah. So >> okay. So the one update I will say is the governor's budget uh was released
last week. So I uh updated my drafts uh to include the chapter 70 allocation and the required local contribution. Um chapter 70 increase is very small as it historically has been. It's right now
it's uh just shy of 1%. In chapter 70 the local required is increased by approximately four and a half%. So >> yeah. So we it's really like 1.3 deficit because we
we don't know that we'll get the 600 from the town. >> And and so the incline is at this time. >> Okay. That was what I was going to ask about. >> So that's a projection. I took the the actual FY25 health insurance cost and
then applied the um two increases that were for FY26. and then an estimate of what might be an anticipate what's an anticipated increase for FY27. So that is not a firm number from the town yet. Um I
I know it's a big number and I >> am trying to say I'd rather have us maybe overestimate that now than hopefully I don't want to get caught off guard by the town and say no you're way under that it's going to be a lot more. So what I was going to do after today's
meeting again giving the committee its first update is I will reach out to the town acting town administrator and the uh finance committee chair so we can have our chairs meeting uh and the select board um for that initial uh
budget talk that we've done the past few years. >> Excellent. >> So I'll try to get that rolling for you. >> Thank you. >> Excellent. I don't have any additional questions. Anybody? >> Yeah. Nope. We'll see how that uh how that plays out. That's It's a big
number. So that fingers crossed. >> Seems to get bigger every time. Um >> fingers are crossed. >> Any gobacks or anything? Oh, uh Liz is not here, so no CES. Um >> I do. Did she tell us last time they hired a new
>> I think they did. >> Interviewing. >> Interviewing and finalist. That's where >> they did hire I can tell you they did hire a new um director and her name would be she was the superintendent of Northampton. Her name is Porsche Bonner. So she is now the new CES director as of July 1st.
>> That I do have. All right. Um if there's nothing else you already have, we have a bunch of stuff for the agenda for next time already because of second reads. Um I don't know of anything else. Hearing that, we'll um move along. Yes.
>> Yep. >> Uh the school committee will now enter into executive session under Massachusetts general law chapter 38 section 21 part A to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation in open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the
public body. And the chair so declares we will be discussing negotiations for unit A. The school committee will not return to open session. >> Can you do a roll call, please? Mr. Ostino. >> Hi, >> Mr. Durham. Hi, >> Miss Bartos. >> Hi.
>> All right. Thanks, everybody.