[music] Good evening everyone. Today is January 6th, Tuesday, our first meeting in the new year. The time is 6:32 p.m. And I'd like to call this meeting to order. Our first um item is the meeting minutes from December 16th.
Any questions or comments for um for that for those minutes? All right. Hearing none, can I take a motion? >> Um make a motion to accept the meeting minutes from December 16, 2025 as
written. >> Can I have a second? >> Second. All those in favor? >> I I >> All right. Next is warrants 38,40 and 41 which have are going around for signature.
>> Questions or comments? >> Sign. >> Y. >> Okay. I'll take a motion. >> Uh make a motion to accept warrants 38 40 and 41. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Okay.
Next is visitors comment. 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
that you clearly state your name and address so that this information can be included in the record for the meeting. Um I don't see people that I thought were going to be here for that. So, um, we'll just have to catch them next time, I guess, if they come in. Maybe they
won't. I don't know. Um, student representative is either out sick or at basketball practice. So, not here. Um, new business, um, incentive program for the high school.
>> I I'll be happy to talk a little bit about it. Um, >> they because it was on last week's agenda. It's not that it is not a, uh, new thing that's happening in the district. We have PBIS which is positive behavior um supports for um the district. So the high school wanted to do something to recognize folks who uh
or the students who who fulfill the core values of of the RAM family you know relationships, acceptance, motivation, family and adaptive and mutual respect. So students and teachers will be recognized um students will be recognizing each other and teachers will
be recognizing uh staff students for um emulating those those values. So what they'll do is they'll give them cards and after they get so many cards, there's incentive ideas for them to get. So you can see that they would include a parking pass, principal for the day for those that that you know can drive for
the parking passes, early lunch pass, homework pass, you know, hot chocolate and tea. So just a bunch of little fun things to get the students to really um feel like they're being recognized and appreciated for it's doing the values that we have here in RAM at Ram Pride.
So, um, it's just something that the advisory council is proposing to do. Um, so they kind of already started it, but they just want to let you be aware of it. And Brena could talk a little bit more about it, but just wanted to let you know that they really want to, um, let folks know that they're proud of them themselves and how can they be
recognized for it. So, that's just what they're starting at the high school. >> I love that. Um, I would like to keep that on there and have or have make sure Brena has it in her >> Sure. >> next report just to kind of see how it's going. >> Yep. And then um hopefully we'll see some stuff from um Ally on Instagram,
you know, with the GJSHs principal thing. If people are getting them or getting their awards, be a nice kind of way to get it out there, I think. >> For sure. >> Um any other questions or comments on that? >> Um very quickly, if there's anything
that anybody would like to donate in the way of trinkets or something like that, um is that something that just can be >> I'm sure Ally would appreciate that. I would have to reach out to the high school principal and she would certainly um take note of that and you know if it's anything significant we'd probably have to bring it to the school committee
but I don't think I think >> they would love that. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh if there's nothing else we'll move on. Okay. Um changes to the junior senior high school handbook. Um we are
in the middle of an audit from the civil rights audit from this department of education and there's a couple things that came across our our their radar and they've asked us to fix um prior to the audit which they're coming next week. Um they've approved a couple of changes for us in our chemical health uh and our
bullying wording policy. There's just a couple of words we have to put in and then um our chemical health policy. Page 43 and page and 64 uh 74 are not completed yet. Uh the Department of Ed didn't approve them yet, so we didn't really want to have you vote on them
yet. But if you could click on the chemical health policy, um you will see that um they're taking just a paragraph out. It says uh about a breathalyzer in a year analysis in for students who may be attending after school programs and
dances. It's not something that we do. So if we don't do it, they said that you probably should take it out of your handbook. So we've opted to take that out. So, um, that's going to be taken out of our handbook. So, we just need to vote on that. And the other one is a
little bit of wording in our bullet bullying policy. Um, we haven't included nurses, athletic coaches, advisers to and extracurricular activities and counselors and support staff. Um, they have to be part of this annual training. And then we have to include pregnant or
parenting status, sexual orientation, mental and physical development as part of the um people who are identified in those two particular um paragraphs. So right now these are the two that we need to have changed in the handbook um so we can get it done as soon as we can before
the audit comes in. This will be one thing that we can uh make sure that we take heeden from the department of ed and the other two we will bring to the next meeting uh once they get approved by the um department of ed. The special ed one I think it's just a matter of
looking at uh how to reward it and a couple things here and there. None of them are are giant changes but we just want to make sure we get them approved before we bring them to you. >> What's so 43 and 74 are not completed. We can't vote on those.
>> We can't vote on those. Correct. They're not. They haven't been approved yet. >> We thought they would be, but they were not. >> Go ahead. >> Oh, no. >> I thought you said so. Yeah. Question. >> What are you done? >> Yeah. >> Oh,
>> um I'm so glad we're taking out this breathalyzer piece. It seems like u just a way to Anyway, I'm so glad we're taking it out. No further editorial. I would make a motion that we approve the recommendation to delete that fourth
paragraph under the current chemical health policy. And this just appears in the handbook, right? >> Correct. It's not part of our uh J and I took a look. That's the only place it is. It's not in a policy policy. [laughter] >> That was a concern I had right away. So,
>> right. Me, too. >> I'll second that motion. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> And then we need one for the bullying word change. Um, sure. I'll make the motion to approve as recommended.
Um, and then I have a comment after a second. >> Second. >> I'm just going to say as quickly as possible because I hear that coming down to Jen. Um, it, you know, Desi, these should be
worded so that it covers any current state or federal law, right? Um, [clears throat] and they should be aware enough to know that and not just add words as we go. Um, however, since we're in the position needs to happen now, I
would u certainly go with your recommendations. Not inappropriate at all. >> Desi's always very good at giving it advice to everybody, but the ones who could help folks statewide.
Guess it helps justify the work they do. >> Trevor second. >> Oh, I didn't hear him. Okay. All those in favor? >> I >> I >> May I just bring up one more quick thing? um under the handbook and also since we're being audited by OCR um I
did notice that the handbook in general didn't have any changes to the gender neutral pronouns and I would think this would be the perfect time for someone to spend 10 to 15 minutes doing a word search and replace um and making those
so that at least the one that's up on the website I don't propose printing any but at least the version that's up on the web website is has genderneutral pronouns. I say this because um because it's our responsibility and
everybody's responsibility in the school to make all the children that come here feel safe and welcomed and have a sense of belonging. And we certainly hamper that by by not making that simple change in the handbook. It's not about what I
think is right or anybody else thinks is right. It's about protecting our children however they come to us. >> Okay. Thanks for making note of that. >> We did talk about it. Yeah. >> Early on. [clears throat]
>> Anything else? >> Thank you, Jen. >> Um, so school calendar discussions, there's I think it's four um in in there. Yeah. >> Um, >> do you have them printed out for all of
us? >> I do not. >> Okay. >> You really want us to look at >> you click on them? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Individually, I wrote comments as far as what the differences are >> to the calendar. >> The major differences are the start
dates, um, start and end dates. And then the other difference that'll again, I'll list it right in the comments that there's a Friday off the weekend of Labor Day. um those didn't come out. That's why I didn't do it that way.
>> And I did bring these up to the uh GA um it was right before vacation, so they didn't think there would be enough time for their um personnel to uh their their group to take a look at it. So, they're sending a Google calendar out now um for feedback
on all four calendars. um they have looked at them um but they just like I said they didn't get to the membership because they got the uh agenda before [clears throat] vacation. So um they will give us a what they think um probably within the next few days so we can vote on it the next
the next meeting. >> Yeah, I think we should uh we can have discussion about this but it doesn't really make sense until we get there. Uh we also since there was so many I thought perhaps that you might want to take a look at you know take a look at them in a little more detail. You know
what we're looking for um specifically it's around start dates and uh the last calendar specifically about Christmas break. When did you want that? They want to do it the 202 or the 23rd. And then um
>> I do have a question because um >> someone mentioned this to me at work because we lost a federal holiday >> um with the pullback of DEI under the current administration. Is Junth still a holiday? >> Massachusetts holiday. >> It is MLK day also because we lost them
as federal holidays at work for our benefits package because of >> things. Um but I didn't I didn't know if they were still As of today, they are still >> researched Junth and Junth still did
come up. I didn't look into Martin Luther King Day, but I said it that still. >> Yeah. So, I just um I kind of want to keep a tickler on that because of um the repeal of a lot of DEI actions. There's
>> um it's starting to happen. Not that it's >> we've been keeping >> um >> all editorial comments aside just that it's things are happening with that. So I just want to make sure that we um >> I can just review that just
>> thank goodness our calendars our school calendars have to comply with Massachusetts. >> Yeah. I'm just I because it's already starting to impact other businesses and different things. I just want to make sure that we're not doing something basing on a holiday that
may or may not change because it's been a recent ad >> to calendars and there's talk of like withhold it with um the way it was explained to me. I have not looked or researched it. I'm totally jackoling on this whole thing, but that federal
funding could be withheld if you still recognize in certain things. So, I just want to make sure that we're not >> setting ourselves up for failure >> for failure. >> Yes. So we we've we're well aware of that. We've been keeping an eye on it. It's actually been a discussion with the superintendent. Um right now it's we
have have it on there. Um we haven't heard anything last, but I think people are more um worried about the Junth than they are the MLK day. >> Um because that's most recent. Um so I'm not sure about the MLK thing, but we'll definitely keep an eye on that. I just want to make sure that I mean if
something happens after we vote a calendar into existence, we're going to have to change it just like we did with Junth when it came into an existence. Totally fine. I just want to make sure that we're not >> in recognition of something that is not actually >> a thing. So enough about that. We can.
>> So, there's just one other thing that's not on the calendar that you know, we talked with our um with with a principal today. And I know in the past it's been a little bit um some years some years on, some years off, not Good Friday, but
uh the day before Thanksgiving. >> Oh, we've done it because of um >> travel, right? >> No, it's we've done um we've gone back and forth because of the way the Christmas break has gone. if the Christmas break went over a certain amount of things, we would have either a
half day or a full day or whatever on or off because it came down to like instructional hours, right? You know, so I don't know. I don't know because I've never done the calculation, but that's what I've been told as to why we've had it or not had it. So, if >> the Christmas break or the holiday break
went over a certain number of days, then we'd be like, we probably need to have a half day on that >> on that day. Does that make sense? Does that sound like I'm >> No, that No, that makes sense. Time learner. >> I think in general terms, I'd rather give the day before Thanksgiving because of attendance issues than the 23rd
because of attendance issues. Because if you if it's a two-day school week in December, who's going to come, >> right? Well, yeah, >> it was this year and there I mean >> two and a half days. We had pretty decent turnout, I think. >> Especially when there's games and stuff. >> All the all the sports are in full swing. So, they
>> they have to come. >> They have to come if they want to play, right? So, Yeah. So, these are just the four just I figured, you know, there is because there's so many and um I think that we did at the second meeting last January anyway. And this would give me a little
more time to check with uh another school district. We're working on some transportation with I want to kind of check with them as well. >> Sure. >> To make sure our calendar matches that. And that was a late developing. >> Maybe Mr. Dur may talk about this. I don't know. But um so we'll talk about this at the next meeting. So just take a look at it. There's four for you to look
at. Yeah. >> Um and uh and I'll give you the data from the um membership um as soon as it comes in. >> Would you be willing to bet the membership likes the Friday before Labor Day? >> Well, we've we
>> that's the other issue in Labor Day and Good Friday. Those are the other two. >> And then um we had some push back. They wanted to start after Labor Day, but uh you know, also so we're going to have to look at uh look at how the because this year Labor Day is as late as it can be. That wasn't an option for us this year. No.
>> Yeah. So, um you know, we'll um as I like to uh remind them when they come and have their conversations, it's well, we appreciate their feedback, but we need to do what's overall best and how and how it looks, but it's nice to know what it is that they're
>> looking at, thinking, feeling. >> So, agree. >> I believe we took did Good Friday. So, you know, we'll we'll look and see what what happens um next, but let's table this to next time
>> and hopefully that someone will come. >> They will be here next time. >> Okay. Um All right. Uh potential discussion for potential training for open meeting. >> Oh, so that >> that's all you. That's I just um in experiencing
um some other agendas in town um in meeting notices along with ours. I thought it might be good if the committee was willing to um actually I thought of two things and one was simply a training for us by our field rep from MASC.
Um, it should take without questions maybe 30 minutes. Um, and then I thought further a little bit about whether we might want to schedule it on an off night and invite other town boards.
Um, so that we all have and and the town so that we all have a consistent understanding of what's required and agendas. um some of the other agendas in particular, it can be difficult to understand what's going to be happening at a meeting. Um
anyway, that's my entire intent and sole purpose is to try to get everybody on the same page with posted meetings so that we're more transparent for uh the public who elects us. >> Uh I like the idea. I don't want to offend any of the other boards, so I
think maybe we've contained it to ours. We can say they're welcome to pop by. >> Sure. >> But I don't want to say, "Hey, you know, you guys are really making errors and accidentally set people. That's not our intention." >> No, it's not, >> right? But >> I agree.
>> Maybe we can put this on the calendar after we get through negotiations with the unions and be like a springtime thing because I am interested in it. Um, if Jenny were to reach out or certainly I could to Tracy, um, we probably not find any availability on her calendar
until then anyway. So, probably works out well. Um, thank you for the, um, advice and, um, I hope some people do, pop. >> Me, too. >> Yeah.
>> All right. So, we'll keep that um just sort of on our on our tickler file. Um continuing business, the discussion for outdoor lighting. Um do we >> I had the
um project supervisor from Collins Electric. Uh he came out um over vacation and so he had sent me um an estimate. It's about $1,000. I went ahead with
asking him to order the parts, the three um hoods or visors as they're calling them. Um they're when they come in, we're going to schedule an installation that's a little bit later in the afternoon. Um so at about the time that they're wrapping up, it should be dark
enough where the lights will come on. Um so kind of be able to assess their effectiveness. um I can try to reach out to the building commissioner to see if he would be able to be present um at that point. Um and then see if there's any
recommendations. Um you know, obviously we've stated our concern around the safety in the parking lot. Um it is a significant improvement over what's been out there for the past few years. Um,
and I guess I'll leave it at that, um, until we get them installed and see if there's any recommendations for >> All right. [sighs and gasps] Um, yeah, I I just I'm I'm a little concerned. I think that when they
weren't working, you adjust to a new normal quickly. And I am concerned that we're it's how it's going to be. So, but we um he didn't say when he was here last time, but we're not going to stop them at 7 p.m. as they
requested. >> Right. >> Okay. I just >> we No, we have not made any adjustments uh from the initial changing of the position of the lights um after they were first installed. That's the only adjustment we've made. Okay. Um since their installation. Any
other questions or comments? >> No. Hopefully it works. It's a good chunk of money for hoods. Surprising amount of money for hoods. >> Yeah, but for three of the lights. Yeah. >> Yeah. For three lights. It's >> You know what? Hopefully it works. >> Yeah.
>> I'll keep you posted. >> Awesome. >> Okay. Budget hearing question form. This was uh at our last couple of meetings we talked about uh getting input from the community about our budget. Um so Jenny at our last meeting
we all took a look at the survey questions. Um so Jenny sent this out before vacation once again during vacation and we did have some responses. So there's a copy of the results. If you click on the blue um agenda piece and our agenda, you can see um school safety
became the number one um priority followed by social emotional learning. Uh lower class sizes came in third. Um extra somebody's thumb there too. Extra academic support classes came in fourth professional development training
five parent outreach in six facilities were seven and advanced placements eight and following up with dual enrollment for for nine um and then there was some responses for um open-ended questions again some things about regionalization
some things about not regionaliz regionalizing and then um just some comments that you all can take a look that safety is our priority. [clears throat] >> Well, safety and uh social emotional
learning really go hand in hand. That's one. Clearly, both are a priority. And honestly, this is kind of what we've been focusing on for the last few years. So, this is not a uh you know, AP and the dual enrollment classes are [clears throat] are important to us at
the high school level. So, depending on who took the survey, um you know, for the elementary teachers at elementary families, it may not be as important to them as some of the parents who have students in the upper grades. Anyone have any questions on how it was
disagregated? This was the best format I could come up with that had uh the Google form itself produced one, but it it was too small. We couldn't get it in a way that would be able to be presented to the committee. So for each
section um if someone ranked it as number one that's so the ones that have the higher amount in number one that was the top priority and so on as we work our way down uh towards nine as being the one that they rank the least important. Um
and so that's just compiling as many ones through nines for each of those sections. One thing that I didn't think of until just now is school safety and facilities uh reading through the comments I
perceive school safety as we screening visitors are un um unknown people entering the building >> is it but >> so based on some of the comments I'm interpreting I think they think school
safety because the high school >> is in need of repair like It's not safe to be in the building. >> So, I'm concerned about that because that's what everyone there's a a big chunk of comments about what are we doing for a new school, new school. You know, this is a big concern of mine. And
so, I'm wondering what the interpretation is as school say I mean we have a very visit visible SRO. We have, you know, you have to be announced into both schools. >> Um, so I'm >> Yeah, the doors are locked. were very good about um
>> so I'm just wondering like to to me I'm wondering how school safety is interpreted because I think of I'm thinking of it in one way and I'm not sure if people answering it are thinking of it
>> right I think in generating it >> you know I think our natural language or our culture is in the school system is to think of that physical plant is it secure are the students protected and the staff protected within the building >> from outside
>> from outside and within, >> right? >> Um not necessarily >> uh environmental conditions, >> right? >> Um and so yeah, maybe our natural uh or our first response isn't necessarily the same as everyone else's.
>> Yeah. So I, you know, uh that's an interesting thing. Not that we're going to go and reach out to people, but I'm I do wonder if if people are >> we could refine that as we >> hopefully this is a tool that we can use
uh annually or some version of it and we can refine that language. >> Okay. Um any other questions on this? >> I think it was good that we actually had some you know input this year. So that's yeah be great when it comes time to like the budget which already started 67
>> 67 Yeah. And that's just school families. >> Yes. That was the only way we were able to get it out. >> Well, it was on Facebook, right? Was it on Facebook? >> No, that's a communications. >> I don't think we would had 68 people here. So, that's good.
>> I'm wondering if um if we if we get permission from the town clerk if we could handle it, hand it out at the special town meeting and have people fill it out by hand. just uh >> or simply stick a QR code on the doors
at the senior center and >> call office police and fire. >> Duncan, >> boom. >> Be interesting to see. >> We can ask for sure. >> For the price of half a dozen flyers, you could probably pick up more community.
as far as I'm on the communications committee for the town. We sent out that survey to, you know, as far as town communications and we're up to like 270 responses from within the town and that's just literally using social media >> and we were able to use part of a school
to get school input because that was one area that we were lacking immediately and we got a lot of school input that we will we will more than welcome share the results that we get but we have it now going into the town census so it's going out in the mailers as well. Awesome. So,
all right. Um, is there um anything else on this? All right. So, we have subcommittees next for policy and for budget. How
blind do you think you'll need? >> Uh, nothing. >> How about you guys for policy in the spirit of trying to >> Well, I'm back on policy. >> You asked me to be back on policy. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I keep forgetting George is in here. And
>> um [clears throat] do are we did >> I have policies for you to look at? >> Do we want to just try for like 15 minutes in the spirit of trying to keep things moving along so that we can uh >> Sure. So if you guys are going to meet for 15, we'll meet for 15. Um was it in
the folder because I completely missed it. >> Yeah, it's a whole folder. Policies to be >> All right. All right. So, why don't we do that? We'll break for uh 15 minutes and then we'll um we'll come back. >> I know, right? I can explain it. >> You're great.
>> All right. We're back. Uh policy. Give us a little update. >> Yeah. Um sure. Trevor, are you the chair now by default or No, >> I think you'd be much more
>> uh So, we talked to Jenny about the updated um background checks where she has um I I really want to give her a lot of credit for spending time with these policies and being on the list serve um with other executive assistants.
Um she's added sorory checks to the background checks. So the background checks involve the fingerprinting and the sori >> and the Cy >> the Corey is separate but yes that's a
yes it does cororey sorry down on the bottom requirements >> and um a DCF background check which is becoming more and more popular with school districts um DESIE doesn't require the Sori but
they do encourage it um and the reason they don't require it is that theoretically if you could trust the federal fingerprinting database the information would be there. Um but it's something that's done electronically through the ESORI board
and if she's filling out a Corey it's probably just as easy to fill out the Sori too and better safe than sorry. Sorry. I like the DCF check because those are the kinds of things that don't end up uh being public in any way.
Um so our recommendation to the committee and I assume it will come back at a time the committee's had a chance to read it all would be to approve the updates that she's provided. She's just going to We asked if and we would need the committee permission to do this um
to run the DCF piece by council to be sure that we've got our eyes dotted and our tees crossed there. Otherwise, we were good. Right. >> All right. So, um when we get up for read, we can ask Kimberly to um >> I'll do it.
>> So, that'll be good. So, we'll put that on for next time. All right. >> As a second read, it'll be a first read. Okay. Right. I'm not going any looked at it and I'll just ask them. So, this is first read. Got it. >> Depends on how you look at your reads.
Well, >> I think because we want input from council, we'll count it as first read, send it to her, and then come back to second read. >> Yep. Sounds good. >> Okay. Um for finance. >> All right. Um so, budget updates, uh
projections for next year looking strong. uh possibility of only increasing under 2%. We're still waiting on some critical factors from the town to assist in our projections, but right now our initial estimates have us in a strong position. Uh we're looking to
build in some flexibility with potential new contracts for transportation uh with surrounding communities for joint cost sharing. Um those are still in the initial phases, so I don't want to talk about it till it's locked in.
But um those are promising uh especially for special ed transportation cost. It should help alleviate it. Um so once that's locked in, give you the full report on that. And uh do I talk about the desi letter?
>> No. Okay. [laughter] >> And those are the >> So the transportation sharing is a great idea. Assume that background work is happening with you. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um I don't know anything about a desi leather.
[laughter] >> Um but yeah, those are the the high points for the budgetary talks. We're in the initial phases. Everything's on track and uh we're talking with surrounding communities for cost sharing opportunities. >> Those are all looking very hopeful.
>> Great. I love that idea. That's that's exactly the kind of thing we should be doing. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> All right. >> Brings me to one question if I may, and I'll end it there. Maybe at a future meeting, we could consider whether or not we have one subcommittee, one
meeting, and one the next so that everybody can sort of sit and listen to what's happening in each subcommittee. I'd be not that I ever want to be on finance. Trust me, I don't. But would nonetheless be fascinated to hear the conversations that happen there.
>> Um, we can revisit that. We found that um with everyone's time it was um because sometimes the the subcommittee meetings can take a long time and >> um but we can look at it and see see what's on the agenda right now from now until after budget season. I would say
um probably keep doing what we're doing for now. uh and we can report out just because it tends to be so much I don't want people to just sit there and stare at the >> right [clears throat] um >> other when other work could be doing if you guys have nothing else for policy
then we can certainly do that. Well, um I just want to take a moment to say that apparently Jenny has taken it upon herself to start going through things which is like a huge undertaking um policies.
Um and I honestly [clears throat] couldn't remember where I started with George, but it could have been section D. Um which left some sections un un reviewed um by the committee. Um, also,
uh, amazing to have somebody in the district at central office who's gone through all of those policies and has a good understanding of every policy and why it exists. So, thank you for that. >> Um, like tonight, she just brought us a policy to be updated, which is fairly
amazing. >> I think that's great, but I also thought we had asked her to do that for this meeting previously. So, I I apologize for me, Jenny. that that was >> Oh, no, no, no, no. I just the first time it was brought to the committee, it was just to see if there was an interest
within the committee to be able to do that as far as the extended background checks. So, that's where I came back and then we finally were actually had this policy sub. >> I had no idea. I thought it was something that had been >> I really appreciate all the extra work that you're doing. >> I'm doing a sideby-side comparison of
section A all the way through of what MASC currently has and what our policy currently states. So, I know if you were to go back through some of our agendas, you can see I um I feel like we've been through the whole book once. Um and we completed it not
that long ago. So, you should be able to look and see. I'm going to throw out I think we finished it in 2023 um early in 2023 because elections were in May. Um so, I know Jill Peliter was on it and George was on it. So, I'm fairly certain
we had gotten through every section of the book. Um, it's highly possible that I'm lying, but then um I think, you know, so it should be just updates from 2023. >> Yeah. And there was a there was a good
deal there were a good deal of updates from 23 to 24 with um technology, finance, >> right? um in some other areas >> because the date we were it was 2019 was what we were
>> from section 8 it's 2019 >> so something's not right >> right right >> because >> there's then there's a bunch of information >> record of it right >> that's missing because I have probably in my files stuff because I was on policy when we
>> when we were updating some of that stuff so um >> yeah I'll go back in my packet gets to >> something got lost in translation with administration changes and perhaps people's positions changing. So
anyway, anything else? >> Well, it never stops. >> Never does. Um I'd like to move on if that's all right. Everyone good? >> Yeah. >> All right, Mary Jane. Well, I'll keep mine pretty brief because we had vacation in between our last meeting, but I did want to let you know that um
we have MSBA um coming on our radar again. We have to do that every year. So, I just received some notification that they're opening the um interest on January 12th. We will not be doing anything different than we've done in the past. We will continue to keep ourselves in the queue. Um and it will
be very similar to what we did last year. We just don't want to lose our spot. So, we're going to be doing that. Um there's going to be meeting on January 27th. I don't have the details of that yet, but when I get that, I'll be sharing that with Mr. Dorman and he can attend the meeting with me as well. I've signed up for a couple workshops. One on education lensures because I know
there's going to be some updates coming up and I'm curious as to see how um lensure is going to work. We're trying to recruit lots of new staff and what we can do to to help them get that lensure. And I'm also going to be attending a meeting on uh chapter 70 funding once the governor's budget comes out, which
will be um I think it's in February. So I have both of those on my radar. Um next week, January 13th and 14th, a representative from DESIE will be here to conduct our civil rights audit. That's why we did a couple of those uh changes for our handbook. Um it's a two-day audit. January 13th will be in
in person and January 14th will be virtual. Um the representatives will be interviewing staff and the principles. Um, and you know, we've been submitting required evidence since last spring. And these audits typically take place every 3 years, and the focus is on access, facilities, and student engagement. Um,
so they're also reviewing our documents such as our handbooks and intervention practices for students. So, we'll be doing that. Um, once the report is finalized, I will be sharing with you um to show you where we have um where our strengths are, maybe where we have some deficiencies, but we're certainly going to be looking um to uh rectify anything
that comes up. Um, but our student services director has been working really hard with the department of ed uh person Michelle and um seems to be we're doing a pretty good job. I think she seems to be happy with the documentation we're providing. Um although both schools um had some fun for the holiday
parties, I wanted to share a little picture and a video of uh what happened at East Meadow School on the last day before vacation. Um that was our uh principal at East Meadow, Mrs. Sykes. the assistant principal. Um, our
illustrious Jenny served as a snowman. Um, Caitlyn Falconei, she was the administrative assistant at the elementary school, was now at central office. And the fifth person there is our um, ETL um, Dr. Zariki. So, this is
what uh, there is sound as well. So, it was a fun day. >> It was both it was actually a whole lot of fun. I thought my little one was going to be somewhat afraid and um I was surprised that he was not. He was actually entertained.
>> So, thank you. >> So, it was fun. Jenny said it was hot in there. [laughter] >> And the wind did not help the >> And I have to say she's the only one whose head wasn't flopping over because she's the tallest one. [clears throat] >> Yeah. [laughter] >> So, that was fun. So, that's I just
wanted to share that little piece of fun fun fun for you. And that's really all I have for now. Um, a lot of stuff is going to start ramping up. Uh, a lot of meetings and uh, budget and policy and I'm anxious as as you we just read um, something in the newspaper that there's
going to be some new rules for education coming down the pipeline. Um, it was on the news from our federal government. So, I'm not sure that pertains to K through 12 or colleges, but I know that there's going to be some big changes and we're gonna be keeping aware of that
>> until it's out of court. Right. Mhm. >> That's all I have. >> Can I just say this? It all sounds like Desessie's happy with the documentation they're getting. >> It sounds like they are >> until you get the final. >> Well, you're right. We're going to have a few uh
>> They're never kind. >> We're going to have some uh something that they do partial or incomplete, but we might get a couple of partial things. Um I don't think we have anything that's going to be egregiously that we we're not doing. So, I I'm I'm pretty confident. And it also depends on who
your auditor is. >> That's super >> because often times, you know, you talk to another district, how did you do this? And it will come back different for you. So you just know who the auditor is. >> Thank you for that. >> You know, it keeps us on our toes and make sure that we're focusing on what we need to focus on.
>> All right, Todd. >> Um, we already talked about uh the lights from the earlier discussion. um mentioned from the budget update that we're exploring um some shared services for
transportation. Um the I'll go I'll try to finish. So then our my next one is the last is not positive. So we did not meet our deadline for submitting our end of the year report. Um as I've uh informed the committee, I had been
waiting for information uh from the town to be able to complete it. I'm still waiting for that information. Um, Desi identified that they would withhold chapter 70 funding uh if the report wasn't in uh in December and they have.
Um, and I checked yesterday, we had not received our December allocation uh for chapter 7 funding. Um, I did communicate this to the um acting town administrator uh the treasurer, you know, people uh uh
at town level of government. um to know let them know what the situation was. Um I was uh I spoke with um person who was consulting and working with the acting town administrator that they expect to have the information for me within a
week and then I'll be able to submit the report. Um once I get the information I'm a day at the most away from completing it. Um it will need to be certified um before we can actually upload it. Um, so that'll be a those are
questions I'm going to be pursuing uh this week is to find out who's going to be in that role on the town side to certify this. So, and then that would restore uh our chapter 70 funding. So, >> it's unfortunate that uh you and the
entire district has to go through this because of some whatever is seems to be happening on the town side with that position because it's a very to look and see that your chapter 70 money in there is not in there rather I'm sure is quite
a shock to the system. >> Yeah, it's certainly we've been concerned about this and it is an alarm that we were raised months ago. Yeah. that the potential was there. >> Yeah. >> And suddenly in a week >> Yeah. >> Did they not believe it would happen?
Sorry, I had to ask that question. >> Okay. You're polite. Oh, thank you. >> Luckily, it's a rhetorical question because none of us can answer it. >> Thank you, Jim. >> And then lastly, I'd like to finish on something positive. So, I did mention that we had our review of our food
service program. Um and we had a few areas of corrective action. The corrective action has been accepted um by um Desi. So we are set for our next three years with our school lunch program. >> Woohoo. >> Nice. >> Y good work.
>> That's all that I have. >> Any additional questions for Todd? >> Thank you for troubleshooting that staying on top of it. It's appreciated. And just to dovetail after up what Todd mentioned, when Mary Jane and Todd reached out to me yesterday to let me
know that we didn't have that funding, I did have a conversation with the chair of the select board. >> Um he acknowledges that it is a town issue and that um you know we don't know what other additional repercussions if
any may happen. um and that you know they're not they're owning it which I think is good. >> Well, so this is a shot over the bow from the state, right? And I would suspect I don't but in terms of how these things roll
out. Um it would be the town we'd be focusing on at this point, right? They've done what they could. It's a big deal what they did. >> Yes. And there's been meetings with the deputy commissioner. um and town
representatives and um local services as well. So, >> this is not a great position for the town to be in. So, I certainly hope that um I'm sure they'll uh be diligent.
>> Oh, can I nicely say this, Jen? I'm sure they'll be diligent and get this ship moving in the right direction about it. >> Thank you. >> Better to say nothing at all. So that's what we will do. [clears throat] Um but uh yeah, so Mark is aware um they were,
you know, he's feeling confident that everything will be um rectified, but we don't know what we don't know. So >> that's that's unfortunate and true. >> So anyway, that's that all we have. Um CES, I imagine you probably haven't met yet because it's
>> Oh gosh. Well, so we're are starting tomorrow. uh two full days of interviews. Um so the search process for the executive director is moving ahead full steam. Um and the
date selected for interviewing finalist candidates when all those names will be made public of whomever the finalists are will be the 14th of January. Um yeah, no sweat. It's been a lot of work, but it's been
uh interesting working with folks from across the counties. >> Okay. Um if there's nothing else, um anything? We've been talking about moving stuff along, so I think our agenda for next time will be fairly uh
fairly well settled. Um, and then, um, if there's nothing else, then we'll, um, go into our executive session. I'll read the little blur. We'll do it. All right. But I just want to make sure everyone's good. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Executive session. The school
committee will now vote to enter into executive session under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 38 section 21 part A3 to discuss to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation in an 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 strategy with respect to collective bargaining. The school committee will not return to open session. Can you do a roll call vote, please? Mr.
>> Are we going to make that motion? Are we gonna So, I want I need to ask because it is something that we need to state. Is this all unions? We need to state what the unions are that we're going to be discussing. >> It's for all. >> Okay. So, all of our collective bar. >> Yep. Just like we've been talking about
right along. All four units are up for negotiation. >> Thank you. Not not trying to be too picky, but it is something that's required. So, appreciate it, >> Mr. I >> Miss Leon. >> Yes. Mr. Durham. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> All right, that's it. Thanks everybody.