[Music] Okay, we're back from executive session. Uh next, um so in our executive session,
we identified members that will be on the negotiating um committee and we will confirm those um at our next meeting because I still need to have a conversation with somebody. Moving along, our consent agenda um is
meeting minutes from September 11th. Has everyone had a chance to review those? Questions or comments on the meeting minutes? Hearing? None. I'll take the motion. >> I have one question. >> Okay. >> Would you typically approve these in executive session first?
>> These are regular meeting minutes, >> not executive session meeting minutes. >> I'm looking at the executive >> the meeting minutes from September 11th. The executive session folder that you see is from the ones Jenny just took in our session now because it's October 7th. >> Okay.
Wednesday. >> So, any questions or comments on the meetings minutes from September 11th? >> Hearing none. I will take the motion. >> I'll make a motion to approve the minutes from the se September 11th meeting.
>> Can I have a second? >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Next is warrants 17,1 19, 20, and 22 that have gone around for signatures. Any questions or com comments on any of those? Hearing none, I'll take the motion.
>> I'll make the motion to approve warrants 17, 19, 20, and 22. >> Okay. Um, can I have a second? >> Second. >> All those in favor? I >> I >> Did I actually say that for minutes?
God, I just blanked out. Terrible. Anyway, okay. Next. 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 of the meeting. Um, we have no visitors because Mr. Griffin is here for another item.
Okay, we're up to student representative Meredith Bartos filling in for Brena. >> Hi guys. Um, I'm Meredith. I'm filling in for Brena this evening. Uh, so for academic updates, FAFSA FAFSA opened up October 1st. All students are meeting
with their school counselor to begin the MYAP process. Uh, for student leadership and representation, the student advisory council reconvened yesterday and reviewed the school improvement plan. The RSAC delegates will begin attending the advisory meetings this week. Our
delegates are Caitlyn Kern and Milin Liberty. Tomorrow as Unity Day, students are being asked to wear orange to show their support. Didn't know that. The student council is coordinating a treat for troops collection. School culture and environment. All clubs are underway.
The class of 2027 raised $950 at their car wash this past weekend. The GMPA is holding a fudge fundraiser. The student council is planning a school dance to be held in November and the PTO is planning a movie night on November 7th. And for community engagement, the cross country
team is holding a fun run fundraiser this Friday at Drains Park. Future plans and goals, the Pathways program will resume pathway perks, a coffee beverage service. New this year, the Pathways program will be accepting clothing donations which will allow our students to wash, dry, fold the clothes before
going to Grammy to go. Additionally, they will be providing shredding services for our teachers. >> Excellent. >> Thank you. >> Any questions for Meredith? >> Thank you for giving up your time tonight. >> Of course. Got to catch Dancing with the
Stars. >> So, that's her thing to everyone so we can be out of here so I can go home and watch it with her. >> Oh, I get it. Okay. All right. All right, Mayor. You're free to go. >> Thanks very much. Bye. >> Bye. >> Drive safe, please.
>> Yeah, you're such a good >> so far. Okay, new business. Um, an unused club stipen for ski club. Um, as last year, we still have that hope club in our um
stipens. So Ally and the um principal I'm sorry, principal Jordan and assistant principal um Frenier um worked with Bergkshire East this year and instead of working with um Hopkins Academy, we will be doing this ski club
by herself. So we're asking at this time to use the hopes the hope club to um transfer that money to a ski club when they already have an adviser who's willing to do that. It would Mrs. Funk. Um, last year we had between eight and nine students consistently. So, they
just want to take that ski club and uh not use the hope club. They're looking for um is the hope club no longer active? >> It's no longer active. >> Okay. Was there just lack of interest or >> lack the last couple of years there just
hasn't been anybody interested in it. So, might as well um find another activ activity that the students were interested in and uh this key clip really went over really really well and we have enough participation that we're able to stand alone this year. We'll be doing a Thursday nights at Brookshire.
So, um as same bless you, same question as last time um when we did this. So, we have a lot of winter athletes that are also skiers. Do they have to sign up for all of it? Is there any kind of prorated thing? So if you >> Well, that's a good I can come back to you on that, but I think I think it is
you sign up for for all of it. I don't think there's a pro rated on there. Um I can double check with you. >> Is there bus transportation? >> There is bus transportation. That is part of that. >> And what's the fee? >> Ask me. She didn't give me the presentation, so I don't know.
>> I put it in the she just sent it to me. Oh, do you have So there is a presentation. I don't know how much is in there. I didn't read it. I just put it right in. >> Oh, I don't see the fee in there. I just see the presentation. Yeah, >> I think it was somewhere around 375 last year, I want to say. >> I think it was more than that. Um, might
have been 375 and 425 if you needed um >> I can I can come back um to to give that information. >> Yeah. And find out if there's anything um prorated if people like, you know, I know there's a bunch of basketball players and wrestlers and stuff. >> Have the um students um report out of
the at the next meeting. Yeah, because I think I know that there's several kids that play uh basketball that >> um would like the opportunity to be able to do some of the skiing. >> Yep. >> Um depending upon what time they leave and all the rest of it. So,
>> okay. Um any additional questions about using the Hope Club stering the Hope Club stipen to the ski club? >> Well, what was the Hope Club? It was a community service club. It's stood for helping out people everywhere. Um it ran for
10 15 years. Um I don't think it's had a lot of traction postco. Um so our kids volunteer all the time everywhere anyway. So, um I think this is just another use of a
way to have more activities because a lot of them do do these activities for um helping out for community service for graduation and other other sports. A lot of athletes do them. >> Yeah, we have it built into our program
of studies through civics civic project requirement for graduation. Um we have students that have um placements here at the elementary school supporting student activities here. So >> you know there's already >> we're still getting those opport I saw some of that mentioned on I was looking
at Facebook earlier today and I saw some of what you're alluding to students volunteering as part of the school experience. >> So >> and then those students on National Honor Society have commitments of so many hours that they need to do. I don't know if Meredith said it or not, but
there's like something for um leaf raking on November 8th for senior citizens. The group goes out and everything. So, I think they they do a lot. And then like a lot of the athletes do stuff with um our GA um Graanby Athletic
Association, which is the younger kids wreck league. So, we'll have host practices with all the bigs showing the littles and stuff and they love it. So, I think we do that for all three sports typically, right? >> Some
>> um so I'm sorry to see that we don't have an active one right now, but I think the ski club is um it's a great use of some money that we already have to help help those kids out. The link is in here for that, but we don't have access to it. So, I just requested access. So that
information you can find at the bottom of that presentation, but it's just uh apparently we don't had to request access. So >> okay. Um if there aren't any additional questions, I will take the motion. >> I'll make a motion to approve uh
transferring the unused club stipen from the hope club to the C club. >> Can I have a second? >> Second. >> Any further discussion? >> All right. Um all those in favor? Hi. >> Hi.
>> Okay. Color printer donation, >> David. >> So, once again, the the our print management provider uh facilitated the donation of a much needed printer. Um
the the nurses at the East Medical School have to print a lot of um documents and they can't leave their workspace when there's students in there. Uh so they don't have the ability to run down
to the photocopy or the common copy or to grab print jobs for that reason. So, um the dedicated device they had failed was going to be quite a bit of money to get um something to replace it.
So, um I reached out to our liaison, our print management company. They had something that was in great shape. It I have it online right now. It's working great. So, once again, uh I'm very happy. The company has given us a lot over the years. And if you walk around
in the high school through the computer labs and in the offices, you'll see some black HP printers, all of those were donated by the same outfit that donated this. So, um, once again, this is just another positive update. And hopefully
they'll have more stuff for us when we need it the next time something breaks. >> Thank you. >> Which hopefully won't be too soon. >> Well, thank you. What was the name of the company again? Um it used it's Xerox/CBS. CBS used to be well they still are a print management company but I think
they were bought out by Xerox and now they have the joint name and one of our um former retired faculty members works there and has been an asset to us because he um he helps facilitate this.
>> That's really excellent. So thank you to Xerox and CBS for thinking of us and continued donations. Um, if there are no other questions or comments, I'll take the motion. >> I just want to make sure that Jenny, if we can put that on the agenda, we can send a thank you out to them for that.
>> So, >> yeah, I always do. >> I just want to make sure. Thank you. >> Make a motion to accept the donation of a color printer from Xerox CBS. >> Can I have a second? >> Second. >> Any further discussion?
All those in favor? >> I. >> Okay. an FY25 invoice. >> Sorry. Um I put it in your folder. It's from academic discoveries. Um it was a training for
Mary Jane and Nicole Huer, the director of special education. The vendor didn't send us the invoice until September. Uh so it was outside of the fiscal year. So that's why >> I don't see that one. I see a class brass invoice.
>> Um that was a Yes. >> So, >> am I in the wrong folder? >> October 7th. >> I thought I was in that one. >> H. Everything else has been there. I don't know what I did. >> Legal considerations that
>> Either way, um I'm I'm in the wrong. So, >> so the amount is $200. Uh we would take it from our special ed revolving uh account. >> There it is. Okay. Um, any additional questions or
uh comments? So, I'd make a motion to approve the $200 invoice from academic summaries. >> Discover >> discoveries. Sorry. Thank you. See, age creeps in faster than you know.
um for a training um that was attended in FY25 at the cost of $200. Excellent. Uh >> before my goal.
>> Yeah. Can I um can I have a second? >> Second. All those in uh in favor >> I >> I >> um so I um realize that we have um Mr. Griffin here from McDuffy and he's at
the end of the agenda. Is there any um opposition to moving him up to the next item on our agenda? >> None whatsoever. >> Excellent. Mr. Griffin, would you please come up and join us at the table down? Yeah.
>> So much. >> How are you? >> I'm doing well. How are you? >> Quite well. Quite well. Glad to have you. >> Happy to be here. >> So, I think you can uh you can take it away if you'd like. Or
>> could I just ask one question? Are you the Yes. >> Yeah. Are are you the executive director, the head of school? >> Hi, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Steve Griffin. I'm the head of school at the McDuffy School. This is my
15th year as head. I arrived at McDuffy in early June 2011 uh right around the time the school was shifting locations uh from Springfield to Graanby, Massachusetts. Uh I have attended these meetings at one point it was yearly. Uh
it is in your uh bylaws I I understand to uh make sure that all schools in your region are approved by you. At one point that was yearly and uh we made a plea to make that every 3 years. So, it's been three years since I've sat in front of
this group. And uh we submitted our application for continuing on as a uh prep school serving 6th to 12th grade students from 22 countries around the world. Uh we are happy to answer any
questions about our submission. Um just in broad strokes what's happened since uh we last met uh our enrollment has bounced back a little more um since co we were as low as 180. We opened this year at 213.
Um boarding is in uh pretty good shape and our day student enrollment which had really suffered as a result of co has bounced back from a low of uh 59 to 82. I know a question that is always asked
here, how many of those day students are from Graanby? I believe the answer this year is nine and I know that it was a far bigger concern back when that number was 51. Uh and so I think uh you know there's there's a place for for a prep
school. Uh some people need that kind of education, but we're happy to be uh a partner with our town as as partnership as that permits. So with that, I uh ask if there are any questions about our
submission, >> any highlights from the past three years. >> Uh it's it's interesting. I would say um couple of highlights to me. As you know,
uh McDuffy is a for-profit school. We have had an ownership transition over the past three years. the new ownership group has come in uh with an eye to improving the campus and so we are currently doing some work I I would say
uh some of that is is infrastructure work that won't show up immediately uh for students um and the rest of it uh hopefully once that infrastructure work is put in place uh will help um will
help to move us forward uh as an institution Um we engage in partnerships and some of the highlights for me have been just sort of visiting partner schools around
the world. Um we have a sort of business development arm that has uh two schools operating in in China with a McDuffy um brand and other schools as partners. We're actually hosting a group of of two
teachers and three students uh from a China partner right now. I think they're in Boston right now walking the freedom trail. Uh so it's always exciting to to do it with that. And then the rest of it highlights are always just the daily the daily work with students.
>> What's the typical graduation class size? >> Uh it has ranged from 41 to 77. This year's graduating class is 64. It's bigger than ours. >> We tend to grow because we're a boarding school. We tend to to grow over the
grade. So, our middle school has 29 students, nine in sixth grade, 10 in 7th, 10 in 11th, and then starts to ramp up as we add borders. >> Excellent. Does anyone else have any questions? >> Out of sheer curiosity and not related
to the process here, what's the um ownership group? Uh it is a a group based in Raleigh, North Carolina >> uh with ties to China and uh really purchased the school as a as a legacy
project looking to build something over time and that's good news for us because uh before then we were owned by a capital fund that had a had a profit mandate and uh so it's nicer to have sort of a longer term vision.
>> And what's the name of the group? Uh, it's Mr. Wong. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> I believe it's McDuff Education LLC, but it's a >> always interesting to know these uh
things, especially around um I mean, as I said earlier, McDuffy's been operating since 1860. So, >> 1890. Yes. >> 1890. Um, certainly have a legacy there. Uh I know many people have sent their children
there. Um but as um a strong supporter and advocate for public education, um it's it's incredibly interesting to me to pay attention to um sort of how these ownerships shift and who funds what and
why. That's just a personal sort of hobby, I guess. Thank you. Um there was some questions earlier about um are you we're glad to have you. Um are you okay with continuing every 3
years or should we consider doing longer? What are what are your thoughts? >> Um I'm happy to do so. A little bit of the history for those of you who might not have been here before my last meeting when it was yearly. At one point there were questions asked, well what if we
say no? Um, and and I do want to say we are also accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. We have our 10-year review coming up in 2027. Um, certainly it, you know, it it's uh
absolutely in your uh court to to decide how long between these visits you wish. Um the New England uh accreditation is a 10-year process that checks in after 2 and 5 years as you know. Um so the
question might be whether you wish to sort of piggyback on that and make it a five-year review and that would sort of depending on the timing of it. Um u it would allow you to check in on this. I think again if I if I go back to
when we first started doing this when children first came on the scene it's a it it's kind of a different thing if you have a new institution versus an institution that's been around for 130 years and I guess the question is if a new institution comes in you want to make sure you have your controls in
place for that so I've talked on both sides but I would probably advocate that you not go too much longer in case a new educational institution comes to town you want to have that So I think we also landed on the three years to cover the staggering of how the um committee is
based >> so that there was always at least hopefully a member that had is probably starting so that it's not a completely new group of peoples to maybe help minivi minimize questions and you know
um so it's not completely foreign to to everybody >> of course. Um, so I personally like the three-year plan cuz I think it's it's kind of in between that two and five. Um, and allows for check-in for any changes or whatever. Um, and like at
Children First, there is there is a leadership change there as um, as well. So, um, I leave it to my committee if we're comfortable with continuing with three as a check-in. Um, I I would like to
leave it at that, but I'm only one voice. So, any other thoughts or questions list? >> Yeah. So, I actually love the way you worded that as a check-in. Um, and I'm wondering if um the committee might be agreeable to the thought of a three-year
check-in with the superintendent and then a report out to us rather than an approval process that really requires a lot of paperwork. that would give us time uh to research and and update our policy that has procedures related to
this which our policy is pretty generic. I I um also believe there was some um stuff in the bylaws from the town that um there may have been some um overreach
about that. So we would have to >> Right. That's what I mean. >> So investigate that. that's that's not fully on us that there was stuff from the the town of Graanby bylaws for other institutions. So, I would have to check on um we would have to check on that and clarify that. Um we can certainly get
back to you on on that and it would be probably much nicer to not have to do all of the all of the things. Um >> well, three years is better than one. So, we're just uh we're happy with what you tell us to uh to do and we're happy to fill in another report when the time
comes. And I I feel the need to say just because I'm I'm glad that we're at the place now where it's not contentious like it was in the very beginning. And we're glad to have you here as a as a partner. I think it's good. I think you know we're glad to have you.
>> I appreciate it. And I will say in in broader strokes we've been back and forth. The pendulum is swung. People have said, "Well, shouldn't McDuffy be working together with Grammy schools a little more closely?" And then there was well we're not sure we're in the position of strength to be able to do so
and I will offer that you know whenever a good idea comes up that we think we can share we should >> for sure >> that's very generous and I think that would be if we could work out some sort of a of a
partnership to use a broad term um it might well benefit you know students at both institutions. >> Absolutely. I'm I am I am grateful um and happy that we have an opportunity to say we'll let
you know about the three years while we research all of this. Does that is that Yeah, I like that. >> I don't I don't think we need to have you come back next year and we'll have time to to dot all our eyes and cross all our tees and make sure that what we're doing is good and if we don't it's
not a situation to vote. I think it's good for FaceTime for all concerned to have this sort of check-in and we're we're all aware of what what's happening sort of sort of a in broad broad terms I guess we all know that NAS review is not
a whole lot of fun either do >> it's uh I mean it it's a very solid school improvement process we like to take a two-year run at it so we've already been you know talking about our mission and taking a look at their uh
their indicators but uh yeah it's rigorous >> well the notion of starting with self-reflection right a self-study in this case I guess they call it is um always a good way to start that kind of a process >> thank you Jim um all right well if there
aren't any other questions on McDuffy and the way we have it we do need to um approve so I will take the motion >> approve their application to remain a private school in the town of Grimby. >> Um, I couldn't phrase that.
>> I'll make a motion to approve. >> Yeah, I'll make a motion to approve the uh continued uh partnership with McDuffy and Rabby. >> Can I have a second? >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I thank you so much for coming in. We appreciate it. And we will fill in the
blanks on this. >> Jane will be in touch about possibilities. >> We do. We do reach out occasionally because some of our um title one funding they have students in the middle. So we do we do partner with them good for our students we have to legally. >> Yes. >> So >> yeah and occasional shared professional
development if we have something coming up or vice versa. It's good to share. >> Even just the idea of 80 did you say from 80 countries? How >> 22 different countries this year >> sounds like 80 to me. But if you live in Graanby your entire life, that that is a
wonderful opportunity to um expose our students to sort of what part other parts of the world look like, right? >> Do you have Germany, Italy or Spain? >> Uh we have four students from Spain this year >> cuz we have for the first time in a
couple of years some exchange students here. Um one from Germany, one from Italy, and one from Spain. And so, um, my daughter is friends with the two girls, one from Italy, one from Spain. So, I know that Meredith has said that they've, um, you know, they miss, uh,
people. So, it might be an interesting way to have that, um, exchange students meet with other people from, you know, just a thought. You know, >> we also have a boy from Armenia who's half Italian, so might his his father's Italian, so that might work, too. So,
might be an interesting way to get the students to talk for somebody that might, you know, it's like saying, you know, I went to a school of 100,000 people. Do you know? >> Yeah. Yeah. Oh, you're from Spain. That's tough. >> I didn't mean it to be like that. >> No. No. But it it can be it can be quite
comforting, right? >> Yeah. Just to have to be able to speak the language. I don't know how different >> um dialogues are and and dialects are and all of that, but it might be >> just comforting to have have some of that. So, it's just a thought. >> Just the opportunity to get to meet one
another and possibly hang out and do whatever it is young people do these days. >> We have two Canadians this year, too, which is good. They uh speak French and we have two students from France, so that's how it's interesting because Canadian French being so different. So
different. Anyway, I appreciate that you voted before I disclosed my love of the Toronto Blue Jays. So, I'm I guess I have to get home for game three. >> Game three. Well, well, I'm I am um anyone against the Yankees. >> There we go. So, we're in agreement.
>> My enemy is my friend or something like that. >> For sure. This would be a sweep, right? >> It would be. >> I love it. Good luck. Go Blue Jays. >> Thank you all. >> Have a great night. >> You too. >> It's good to see you, Steve. >> Good to see you, too. >> Okay. is about twice as total as
>> all right >> see you >> um okay toen first we don't have a representative but we have the um the schedule did they what did you say did they had a conflict did they want to come in another night or
>> yeah so they would be here at the next school committee meeting on the 21st >> October 21st >> okay I thought it was the 20th but yes okay great um so we can table that to the next time and just slide the folders over for the next time. Okay, great.
>> Do we take a motion for that here or is that just we know it'll be tabled for next time? >> We're just going to push the whole thing. I think it's not fair to take a motion without the, you know, having them here. >> I'm good with that. >> Okay. Um
All right. Superintendent report. >> Oh, no. Down here. Review of select board meeting. >> Oh, skipped a lot. >> We skipped a lot. I I got so excited. >> I'll be happy to just give everyone the way to be. >> Okay. Review a select board meeting on September 15th. So,
um I can start if you would like or >> Yeah, you and Trevor. I asked Trevor, so I don't know if he's >> Oh, he's defer to you. Go right ahead, Trevor. You start. >> No, I'll defer to you. I I was there as both public and really not member of the school committee and given
>> um so um they had um a a virtual meeting with members >> of death and it was they gave us a little bit of a presentation on um regionalization and
how it works and how um how people go through it um financial constraints um just kind of an overview of the entire process and then there was some
um time at the end of that presentation for um questions and I believe there was a lot of I know I asked a lot of questions um but our our select board also asked a lot of questions and I felt
like there was actually a decent amount of um dialogue. There was all three committees were represented. There was two members from the finance committee, two members from the school committee and the full select board was impanled um and some of the
members of the uh uh fincom had um some interesting questions as well. So, it I I'm trying to not um taint it as um strongly as I feel. Um but I I felt like
it was actually fairly good conversation. Um and I asked several questions in ways that only I can. I feel like um lightning. Um, and there was um
some interesting answers. I'll say just I I you know they didn't realize the Desi panel that Graanby had has tried this in the past and um it failed and that um it's been talked about for um
several times. Um, and one of the most interesting things that I think that they said was that you don't typically regionalize because your school is old. >> No, that would be the LA, right? >> So, >> it's about what opportunities.
>> So, we weren't I think that that was I'm going to say eye opening. So, >> and Mark um said he's like I I wasn't trying to allude to that. And the man at Desi said, "Well, but that's the biggest part of your
thing, you know." >> Was it Jay Sullivan? >> I honestly don't remember >> Lynch. Jay Sullivan sounds. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> It was J Svin and um >> unfortunately that's what Mark Gold was. So that's the first thing I heard too,
>> right? And then he came up with a bunch of reasons later. >> And there there I'm to be perfectly clear that I think if we were looking at regionalization >> um solely for opportunity, I think that's a different conversation. >> Yeah.
>> If we're looking at it to be a means to an ends for a financial problem, >> it's not the way to go. >> And so there was a lot of questions about the financial aspect. Mhm. >> my recollection of events and it might
have been because I was heated but I think that >> not you >> but I think that people there's still an a sense of misunderstanding that you have control over the the budget and
so there was some of that >> your portion of the budget >> right but even still you're sort of handed a bill like you can't debate the way that some of our budget is debated. now. >> Um, and the other thing was it was not they
were talking about regionalization as an entire district. Desi was because that's the more common way and >> it is >> that's >> according to Christine and Jay, >> right? >> Okay. >> That's how I understood what they said. Mhm.
>> And um we are in a I'm not going to say unique, but a situation where we're talking about the building next door, which is 7 through 12. >> Mhm. >> And there aren't a lot of partners that are available for 7 through 12 without creating all sorts of other things. So
it we're at this, you know, it's still conversation. I think that there will probably be some additional meetings and conversations. Um but I I don't know afterwards um you know some
I talked to one of the newer members of the finance committee and he didn't understand he hadn't heard a lot of what I had said at that meeting previously. So I don't I don't know where we are but that's my recollection from the meeting.
So um RJ no I think I think it was very enlightening. I think um the biggest takeaway was you're building you need to regionalize because of program development for the students. That's right. Um and
>> you may or may not save any money. So I think ultimately when they found out that for example they talked about school choice students that was quite eye opening for some folks if if we have students that come here for school choice. Um and one of the solutions was
let's take the high school students and maybe put them elsewhere. Um the Desi said to them, if you take those school choice students, you're not paying you're not getting $6,000, you're sending 12,000. So you're double dipping, you know, to send the kids out. So um it was very eye opening and um
there's a lot to think about. >> There definitely is a lot to think about and I think it was a great meeting with Desi. So, I appreciated their input and I think the people that were there had a lot to think about and I think what the next steps are, we don't know. I you know, we haven't really had any tasks
with anything yet, have we? >> No. >> They had talked about, you know, doing some sort of exploration, but um kind of nothing yet. >> Have you guys seen the um PowerPoint? >> You got you guys. >> Oh, they did send us the PowerPoint.
>> Um share that. Yeah. Um, >> can we get that? >> Yes. >> Yeah, if you guys could share because I I I emailed the town minister just saying, "Hey, we could get or I could see a copy, but if you guys got that, that's great." >> Yeah. I actually Do you have it? I didn't pop up. >> Thank you. >> Um
>> cuz I I I it seemed like the presentation was given. It wasn't something that's been set up for a while. It's And that's why I would just I I don't know. Seemed like when I was reading it, there was a lot still some confusion on the points they were making when I went through it. Mhm. >> And that's why just to look at it again
and then to look to see what the general law says, >> right, >> to see if it drives because it seemed there was I noted >> just the language in it. It was imprecise some of the points they were in that PowerPoint. >> You don't say. >> I love Desessie. I mean they Christine
Lynchin and Jay s been around a long time. Well, what what they had to say was, you know, I I but again looking at the PowerPoints like hm I heard this and then I'm looking and seeing this and just um >> yeah, they took a lot of um
how do I want to say this? >> Todd's going to share it with you. Listen to him. It was like the the PowerPoint was these are the rules, these are the steps, but they had a lot of my brain is stuck like stories.
>> That's because you're thinking about Dancing with Stars. >> Could be >> examples >> uh examples of of items on how different districts did it and how things work and everything, but there wasn't anything necessarily about
that were specific to Graanby. And they did say things like, "Well, you should have a partner." >> And we asked the question, "Well, how do we go about finding said partner?" >> And I think that's where you had the most frustration
>> because I was like, we we've tried this not even three years ago. >> You mean a partner district or a partner? >> Partner district. >> Okay. >> And um I'm like, we tried this. We sent out a survey to every district within an hour radius
>> from us less than three years ago. >> So, um but we do admit, you know, there are some um >> changes, >> financial changes. >> Yeah, I just sent you email. Um but then there's also questions of you know my
personal thought is if we think about regionalization and you're talking about sending Graanby kids to another school. I don't believe strongly in my heart of
hearts that any school that we pick like if our partner is South Hadley or Beluretown >> that their that their >> um buildings could handle a an influx of all of our students and they're looking at it as more of a grade by grade
>> and I was like it's more than 80 students if you're talking about um you know we're talking about you know whatever it is almost 300 and something students for 7 through 12. We're not, you know, an influx of just 9 through 12 is a lot more than 80 students, right?
Like it's and it's going to be an impact what no matter where you send them. And that was the I was like I think no matter where you go, you're looking at a new building, >> right? >> Well, the select board chair disagreed with you on that. >> He did. >> Yes. >> I think it'll be an interesting So, I
don't know what's going to happen uh if the select board has taken the lead on this. Right. So if they define next steps and we're not spending money doing the next steps. >> Well, there was a lot of talk about that that you need to have money to be able to fund that and then that sort of I
think >> I was like well we don't have >> regionalization and efficiency grants. That's what Yeah, that was >> they did say that that >> they are paying for that uh because there are more and more districts looking to find ways to become
sustainable small districts and so um I don't regionalization is a term that makes everybody kind of bristled right >> um and I would have to say you're right you're not going to save money because the first thing that has to happen is
you levelize pay scales Mhm. >> Um if there's existing space. So having um conversations around the basics without spending money is the first best place to start. And you wouldn't want to drag your feet too much because you'd
have to get in um a grant application for FY27. Right. >> So um we'll have to circle back and touch base with um >> but the point sorry I missed the most important point and D is right. It's not
about how can we save money. It's about how can we provide better programming for our students. And that wouldn't just be us. That would be the other districts as well. >> Right. Like that part excites me. Yes. You know, I I I think
>> any parent or any person would wants the best education for the children, but I don't think first of all, I would love to have more things offered here in Graanby, but I think we do a darn good job with what with what we have. >> Some very good kids here from what I see. >> And the kids,
>> students, >> you know, the students as they graduate and move on are doing well. Like we have a really high graduation rate. We have a really high college acceptance rate. They're getting into great schools. They're getting great offers. But then we have the contingent that aren't going
to the, you know, higher education, the jobs that they're getting and the things that they're doing and going to lineman school and being, you know, like the things that they're doing and getting accepted into that's a reflection on our our course of studies, on our curriculum and on our teachers.
And so I don't want that to get pushed aside. It's so I think I think um there's a lot to be concerned about and there are possibilities to be excited about, right? So you have to go in and try to
understand what it really might look like. >> The one thing that was startling to them was how our transportation might skyrocket. >> Well, guess it would because well, they didn't realize when >> you transport all your kids here in
Graanby, right? From what I see, there's no sidewalks anywhere. >> So, the thing that they didn't understand was, okay, so if you regionalize, but you have a Gramby student at school choices or wants to go to Pathfinder or wants to go to Smith V in an approved program, you're still
responsible for transportation for that. you're still responsible for transportation, you know, to um children that are, you know, going to maintain in school for prek to whatever grade we decide to cut off at for
regionalization. And on top of that, >> the kids that are going to whatever new regional spot, we're responsible for transportation. And then they mentioned there's a transportation, you know, um like you're doing for the students and
it's for athletics and for field trips and all of that. Like it's the whole thing, you know, and >> and by the way, you're still going to have to pay for retirements and you're still going to have to pay for health insurance and you're still responsible ultimately for prek to grade 12 or
whatever age for special needs services age out depending upon severity. It can be 22 to 26 I think is the >> 22 is the >> cut off. I thought it was 26 in certain circum circum circumstances >> after 22 they've become u dpa is it dph
or >> yeah dh my bet so you know that >> we're still responsible for for those >> 22 >> right so I think some of that was good food for thought so I think overall it
was a fairly um >> interesting >> interesting thank you that was the word interesting meeting. So, we're waiting on next steps. I actually have to follow up with Mark and see if um you know, if there's anything that he wants us to do
or I have a couple things I'll talk about that during my superintendent part. Okay. >> They reached out to us a little bit. >> Um so, any other questions about that? And again, I want to be clear for anyone that's watching, this is just a very
um very very beginning step. There is no decision made. there's nothing that's happening. Even if a decision was made magically tomorrow, it's still a years out process. So there's, you know, I don't want it to create panic, >> right?
>> Um >> there's a lot of planning to for it to happen. So it's certainly and we we're not even at that stage yet. >> Yeah, we have we haven't even reached drill. We're at like step negative three. I don't believe we've even gotten to step like launch off at step zero yet.
>> I would agree. That presentation's in your folder folder. So, >> okay. Um, moving along. Um, >> you said we have to vote on this. >> Do we need to vote on the collective bargaining subcommittees? I think I entered that answered that when we came
in um to session. I want to confirm with Mike um before we do that if that's okay. If we if we think we need to vote um on who the members are, we can table that till next time if that's okay. I thought we had to because we do the like
policy and such so we had to. >> Yeah. But if Michael's Mike's Mr. Durham's not here, then we would have to, you know. >> Yeah. I just want to I want to have a conversation with him. >> Okay. >> We usually just confirm >> Yeah. >> the selection of the chair of subcommittee members, right? >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. Um so we'll circle back to that for next time. Okay. All right. All right. Uh district improvement plan. I have a little slide presentation. It's just a couple of slides. I was going to put it up, but um
I just figured it's a couple pages, so we'll just do it this way. We are in the last year of our district improvement plan, and the previous superintendent really worked hard with a group of uh staff members to to get that up and running. And what he had put in place
has really been our priorities for the last couple of years. Um this year, we're going to continue with high quality instruction. And that looks like um continuing with MTSS, multi-tered systems of support to enhance student outcomes. And really our job this year
is to provide resources for them. Our principal at the elementary school, it does a great job. That is really where she shines in in that area. So I think we're going to have a great um school year when it comes to that and promote a a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth. And one other thing
I don't have it's on the next slide but it will talk about high quality instruction as far as looking at curriculum. We all know that um we in the next couple of um meetings we'll be talking about the high school competency determination because we no longer have MCCAST. So looking at our um instruction
and our curriculums is something that we had to do when we submit our plan to the state. So that is a focus for us as well taking a look at our curriculum and what's happening in the classroom for instruction. So, we're continuing that um cultivating um environments of a safe and supporting uh sorry, safe and
supporting safe supportive and safe learning environments. So, we're going to continue to uh cultivate environments of trust, mutual support, continue with SEAL. We are expanding the program at the high school. Um looking to develop more um restorative practices and PBIS
at the elementary school. So, we have some uh great folk working on that. And then uh highlight three was communication, collaboration, and community engagement. Um I am really excited about working with this um and the um DT. And one of the things I'm
really excited about is I'd love to do some work with the subcommittee here for our communication subcommittee. So I think that's going to be um something we have to continue to work on. Um we want to create additional pathways for students to include career development in higher education and we're going to talk a little bit about that um especially at the middle school level.
So that is also part of this plan systems and structure. Um we're working right now on our district emergency operations plan. We had a meeting um earlier this week and one of the things we're talking about is reunification. So we review that pretty frequently and taking and and look at that. We met with
the police chief and the new fire chief as well as officer Gilly, Mr. Dorman, myself and the principal. So we talked about that and continue to look at that to make sure that we're staying current in emergency. You know safety first. It really is really important to us. That's the most important um meeting. I went to
a meeting on last Friday where they actually they were talking about this the MIMA Massachusetts emergency management system and in discussing their plans Bambi really has done a great job and our um communication our emergency plan is are right up right up
to speed with some of the biggest districts. So we're doing they did a great job. Um so we're looking for obviously always looking for ways to generate increased revenue. We've got a couple grants I'll talk about. So, but oftentimes with grants there's a lot of strings and it it gives a lot more work to other folks, but you know, we're going to find other ways to generate
some revenue. We're looking um and then um you know, Mr. Dorman continues to work with the um athletics department and and the uh food service department as well as the facilities. So, basically, I kind of mentioned these already. These are the four priorities and these are our
objectives. Strengthening tier one instruction. Um this includes the use of formative assessment and this is where we're focusing at the high school. What kind of assessments are we using to address the standards that the students are getting? Um again that is something that we have to do um for department of
education when we submit this new competence determination. So this uh August and throughout the next couple of months our um teachers are working to create curriculum maps and taking a look at their frameworks to make sure that they are really robust enough. Um,
again, we have great teachers, great students. So, we just have to make sure we have all of our um information laid out and make more transparent. One of the things I'm working with Jenny on is to create and and and Sue, our curriculum coordinator, is to look at to add a piece to our curriculum um web
page so we can parents can see a little bit more what's happening on that level. Um, again, more SEAL and you know, MTSS. So, this is kind of the same the same uh slide, but what we're going to do is I'm going to do in February is I want to
review the progress we've made, which is tremendous in the last three years. I can't believe I've been in many districts and I I cannot believe that this district is stays true to everything that they put in that plan. The thing the boxes we can check off that we've done are working towards are
really incredible. So a full review of the plan including progresses made, challenges faced and outcomes achieved will be shared with us in late February. Um so once that happens we have to get together to form a new committee to take a look at what are the new challenges
for the next three years for the next plan. So what I did is I created a timeline for next steps for our district um improvement plan um for this year. So we are looking forward to creating a new plan. All of the principles will be
presenting their school improvement plans and all of these should match and they have them matching the district improvement plan and everybody's evaluations and goals um match those district plans. We're trying to keep everything streamlined into into one um
mission and vision. So that is a copy of the district plan. It hasn't changed much but I just took out and highlighted what we have left to work on. Most of the other things have already been taken care of. And there I can I will send a full copy if for those of you that don't have it.
I'd be happy to share a whole copy with you of the full plan. >> I'd love to see it in my spare time. >> I think it's I think I put it in here, but I'll make sure it's in here. So that's that. Any questions?
>> I guess I do. So obviously some of that February report and I'm sure you'll highlight where Yep. is going to tie into your evaluation, right? Would we call that like a that would almost be a I don't know if we're setting up and that's why I did it that way for sure.
>> I did my dip today with the disapprovement with tied into my to my evaluation goals which will give us a midpoint check on February. Good >> for for that. Absolutely. >> Any additional questions or comments? >> She looks good.
Oh, thank you. >> All right. Um, superintendent goals. >> Okay. Now, I got to find them. I lost the page here. Oh, I got the Birkshire race thing. You guys can click on that. It opens up now.
Um, let me see where we are. Well, I have it written out. My goals. I created my goals this year. Um I highlighted specific items on my goals. I have two district improvement goals
which is again is high quality instruction. Um we're doing a great job and we're in second year of our math curriculum which is IM math. So um that will be part of continuing to support the student the staff with that. We are now looking at the open sed for the
elementary school to have a more robust science curriculum at the elementary school. Um we are working with project lead the way at the high school and I have some exciting news for that as well. So that is part of our goal. And then my other part my other district improvement goal is again on safe and supportive school and you can see each
of them in my plan and the key actions that I will be um working on. I know this is a draft. So when we do meet on having our one of our subcommittees is superintendent evaluation, we can take a look at them and I can tweak them with the subcommittee if um if if you so
choose. Um one I have two I have one student learning goal and my real um hope this year is to create data teams. our elementary principal is very astute with data and I really like her to um working with us to support the
staff in creating data teams and how do we support the students looking at our data. So that is really what I'm trying to do and move our students to the next grade level. So I'm really excited about that. I will be doing um some sort of MCCAST presentation for you um in mid November. We can take a look at that or
MCCAST scores look like. Um our I have one professional practice goal and in that goal will be a communication plan. Um I really I'm trying to create a hierarchy of communication. So what does that look like? >> Professional practice goal just as you know as a note you have it as interim
superintendent and we are glad to have you as our full >> take it out. >> Where does it say that? >> It's in professional practice goal. It says as interim superintendent I will strengthen district one. Okay. >> Yeah, I'll take it. I'll get it.
>> I think Jenny's already in there. So, >> yeah. And then I guess >> Todd and Jenny are fighting over who's going to fix it. So, >> student learning goal is in here. I'd really like to make sure all of our students demonstrate a year of one year growth where I think it's important that the teachers understand how to get that
looking at the data. We're really good about looking at the data. Um, but as educators and as people in general, when we take a look at that, what are our action step to get us to the next level? And that's really what I'm focusing on this year. Um, let's take a look at the data now. Now, it's like now what we need to get to the next level and and
put some action steps into place. So, that's my goal with the student learning goals. And then, oh, there it is in I see that. Sorry. Um, and so I'm just looking to increase some communication um, specifically um, with um,
in the district district wide. And I know that uh, Jenny and Cindy have a challenge right now going with the number of likes or number of people. We're signing up on our Facebook page. >> We're up to 205 >> up to 200 viewers right now. So >> 205 followers. >> How many?
>> 205. >> All right. We started with zero a lot. >> We started with zero. We started with zero >> when I started the Facebook page last year. >> I follow. >> So I'm we're excited. >> I'd love to see those. >> So those are my draft. >> I have Instagram.
>> Yes. Public schools district page. Right on. >> I follow all the Gramby accounts I can find. >> So these are my goals. They're just a draft goal. I'll be happy to sit with with um our evaluation team and go through them and and give them more details. But you do have a copy of that.
And uh I don't know when you want to vote on them. So maybe >> this is first read. So um we'll have to talk about when >> right >> the evaluation committee can meet um correct for next time. >> Yep. >> Okay. That sounds like a plan. >> And then we can come back and if there's
anything that needs to be tweaked so when we report out we can do it. So this this would count as first read. So we wouldn't need we would could just go right to second read. Right. Well, sure. I mean, I think this is a draft, so what we're going to do is finalize
them the next time we meet, perhaps. I mean, the subcommittee will report out. Yeah. >> Okay, great. >> Yeah. All right. >> Just accept my rulers. I'm basically what you would do. Yeah. >> Okay. Anything else? >> Oh, god.
Okay. Middle school pathway exploration policy. Well, this is um >> that's a lot. >> It is. This is a big um incentive. Last spring. Um there was some considerations that were being there were some things that were happening considering students
going to technical schools. So, they created some new uh procedures and practices including some parts of a lottery to have students go to the teched schools. But when that happened, the teched schools said, "Well, we're going to need some access from our
sending schools to support th those CTE needs. And what are what do we do to support that?" So, the Department of Education has re some guidelines for us to create some language. Even though it says a middle school pathway exploration policy, it technically
I I don't like to use the word policy because when we talk about policy, a lot of our policy is in our policy manual. It's labeled by letters and things. This is really just going to go in our handbook as a practice for us for what our students do for the tech ed. I can honestly tell you that met with um
Belturetown Palmer Mson Wearer and myself. We met last Friday or a couple Fridays ago, two Fridays ago and um this pathways exploration policy um that we created we again Graanby is always cutting edge.
We didn't have to do anything to change our policy. We do all the things now. We give access to the students. We give the information that Pathfinder asks for. We have a career tech pathways for our students using my cap. So we have all these things in place and these structures in place. Um so really it's
just for our handbooks and we have to have people um you know take a look at this and vote to get this in our handbook and we have to have it to the state by November 1st. >> Why does it say middle school though? That's what they're looking for. middle school path because you're going your
students attend the tech uh the tech schools in ninth grade. So what are you doing in seventh and eighth grade to support back career pathways to get them >> to know about those schools and we have a MYAP program. We also have the project lead the way program. So we didn't have to do anything honestly um this I was
talking to another an area superintendent and he um doesn't have these things in place. So they're scrambling right now to get to get what they need to get and uh the my cap program and project lead the way just really melt mesh quite nicely with us in
that pathway. So um and we met with Pathfinder and we put this together and like I said there's nothing new um anything that we're not already doing it. It's not a heavy lift for us on our end. There's nothing we need to do. >> So I notice it only says Pathfinder
>> but we have students that are going to Smith but Pathfinder is our partner. That is our partner. >> Okay. >> We do not have to do anything for for those schools. No, >> that's only if they approach us for a program that's not currently >> like agriculture or I guess is it
>> plumbing is not an issue anymore. >> They have plumbing path. U it might be criminal justice. >> Yeah. So, a couple of programs. Yeah, I think there's criminal justice and um >> there's some animalience. >> Animal science mechanics. There's animal science is one of the bigger ones that
>> Okay. So, um, I just wanted to make sure cuz I didn't see Smith in there. So, I just wanted to make sure that that was Pathfinder is still our preferred. >> We have an agreement with the town with them. We have a reason agreement which um, if you've seen on the news, Pathfinder actually is may be purchasing
additional property in Beluretown. So, I'm working on that right now. I'm not going to I'm just working on it. I'm working on it. So, but this is really for the programs they have right now. Okay, great. All right. Um,
>> now remember remember and I've been part of this discussion with a lot of districts. Handbooks are policy. >> I know, but I struggle when they say policy because we're not putting that like the JKE on here. So, I guess that's Can you explain that a little bit to me because I don't understand that. You have a school district, a school
committee policy manual that talks about how the basics of how the district will operate >> and then you have a student handbooks that flesh out how those policies work in the district. This is a perfect example of something that belongs in a handbook,
>> right? >> Yeah. So, >> and it's still a policy. But that's why so I I guess that that word just kept flyers. We approve those for that very reason because there's policy contained in handbooks, >> right? We get there was I can't remember what it was but there was something
where our handbook started to be um more policy and it should be procedural like or vice versa. I might have that backwards but >> so there's a lot of policy that needs to live in handbooks around um discipline and
>> bullying and things like that. special ed and certain things. There's a lot of it that needs to be in there, but that is where you flesh out procedures as well. >> Okay. >> Struggled with that word. >> All right. So, any additional questions on this
>> and those five districts are doing exactly what we are. So, we're in good shape. >> It's great to hear that um we're doing so good with that. We >> really were. We didn't have to do anything. It was great. It was actually when I saw this, I said, "Oo." And then we looked at it. Nope. I sat with the
guidance department yesterday just to and they said we're doing all this already. So, it was perfect. >> Excellent. Um, if there's no further questions, I will take the motion. >> Um, I make a motion to accept the middle school CTA pathway exploration policy.
>> Can I have a second? >> Second. All those in favor? >> I. All right. Thank you. We'll meet the deadline of November 1st. I'm very excited. Thank you. And we've already done the private school pushing children first to next time. So you are up for superintendent report.
>> I'm up again. >> You are okay. My super I printed all these things out here doing this. I'm a mess. I'm a mess. I'm a mess, people. Okay. So, oh, um, I have the CTE updates on here because I had that from
the last meeting, but that, um, I did give you some more information on the CTE program updates. You can click on that link just so that you have more information for yourself. I thought you would appreciate taking a look at that information um, if I didn't explain it properly for you. And again, oh jeez, I
have the person from Monsoon. Did you see that? Fix that. Um, Mr. Augustino, I mentioned earlier in his report and and Mrs. Um Barto mentioned about the select board meeting. Graanby is looking for ways to help the town with future
budgets. Um so the board of selectment has directed our departments and not all departments but specifically us too to provide a report detailing how the budget cuts over the past five years um and the results the results of the impacts of that. So Mr. Dorman and
myself began the process by looking at the impact of staffing it had in the district. And I did attach a preliminary findings for you um to take a look at um as you can see over the last
five years I think we chose a five-year trend. It looks like um we are down 32 staff members in the last 5 years. So, we've gone down quite a bit and that impacts our programs and that impacts um you know what we can offer to
the students. So, this will be something we'll be presenting to the town. Um >> well, I'm worried about the very last bullet on here. We cannot offer wellness courses for students in grades 11 and 12, which is a requirement for mass graduation. >> Oh, yeah. >> That's a Well, we do other things. We we
do other things like uh >> comprehensive health. >> You can we're looking for ways to perhaps if they do athlete sports and things like that. Not many people do that. Oftentimes you can give them credit for playing in a sport and do other things too. >> That's for physical education though, >> right? Sometimes you can give them
credits for blind to a gym and things like that. So we're trying to be creative with those types of things. >> Yeah. Because that's I mean >> Oh, for sure. >> I have a junior y so comprehensive health. I don't think there's alternatives for Mary J. Pardon? >> I don't think they offer alternatives for comprehensive health.
>> No, you only have to take health in ninth grade. >> Oh, >> you only have to you have to do PE for four years. >> But um you can it could be you could do PE once once a semester, one one week a semester. So people across the state really struggle with that particular
component, Jen. Um oftentimes they'll give kids um they'll they may give kids just a week of gyms some places and things like that. So it is it is a struggle across the state that particular um component but it's nice if you can offer like strength training and yoga and things like that. That's
obviously you know those those mindful types types things nice things we could offer that would be great if we could do that. So these are just some things that we've um we've talked about you know and I haven't heard much other than um I don't know when this is due but we're continuing to work on this. So this is
just something that he asked us to put together. Um, breaking news. As of today, we are fully staffed. >> I don't know what's going to happen by, you know, by next week, but right now we're fully staffed. As of this moment, as of 8:10 right now, uh, we hired our
last, um, person, uh, last week. So, it was great. Um, and so I have a press release from the governor. It's really excited that, um, we were excited to, uh, be given the opportunity by Desi. I don't know if you've seen it. It was on
the news last week and it was also part of um the governor's press release. We have been working with the state on project lead the way as I talked about with the middle school. We have been chosen to pilot some portions of their of the project lead the way AI
curriculum um and give feedback so our students can participate in that. So that's kind of exciting news. Um so um we'll get they'll have a chance to uh work on um new AI curriculum specifically in robotics and design and modeling. Those
are the robotics and automation and design and modeling. So those are the two areas we talked about. So those are a couple of exciting things that are happening here. There'll probably be something in the gazette next week about that as well. Um and then we were awarded of the safe and support of
schools grant um in the amount of $5,620 and that will be grant we'll be working with to uh fund some of the initiatives we talked about earlier on um social emotional learning and tier interventions and a lot of is to give support to the teachers as far as professional development. So that's what
we'll be doing and that's all I have. >> Excellent. >> I'm good. May I just ask one quick question? Sure. >> Did anybody at the table get the MASC um email about Jason Frasier, the current president sits on the graduation
requirements council established by Desi? Did you see that? >> I did not get an email in it, but Liz, I did see it on LinkedIn. I was Yeah, I was going to say that there's some interesting things uh that they're talking about requiring that would have
costs associated to them with them. >> Um which I still think the law says they cannot do, right? Unless they provide funding. There's no unfunded mandates, >> right? Like I said, I saw it on LinkedIn, but I didn't I didn't get anything official yet. >> And then >> you didn't see anything. >> And then it seemed as though some
feathers were ruffled by the fact that it went out um at Desi. So, I I don't know. You You always want to have hope. Um >> but um maybe they protested a little too much. >> I don't know.
>> Trying to sneak things in that hadn't been discussed by the council. >> I don't know. I had a question. >> Go ahead. >> Um just um I I noticed in one of the things I mentioned about user fees for the sports for for kids who can't afford
that. Is there a means for them to be able Oh, good. You're nodding your head. So, >> yeah, we we we look at those types of things. Um, free lunch. We look at >> free lunch. Uh, students are qualified for free lunch. >> We're talking about sports activities. >> I know that's the base that we use for
uh income eligibility. >> Okay. So, >> we don't deny anybody. Are you kidding? >> Yeah. Cheers. >> Thank you. >> And there's also or I think there still is there's a discount for multiple children, too. Yes. So for multiple
children over multiple sports um and it doesn't even have to be the same sport. So I know when my oldest was still in school and my youngest was playing I had one year where I had two students doing sports so I got the the discount. So
>> good that email. I don't know why I saw it on LinkedIn but I did not get it. >> Oh I have it and I'll forward it. >> Yeah I read it yesterday on LinkedIn as I said I didn't I didn't get it though. So that I'll forward it to you and Jenny so everybody can >> I got it. Yeah. Yeah. Jenny's usually
good about giving me those things. Did you see it? >> I got some an email yesterday. I think >> but it wasn't anything that I saw. >> She keeps me She keeps me on my toes with all those policies. >> I just enrolled in all of the newsletters, so I'm just starting to get them.
>> No, that wasn't that. >> Yeah. >> All right. Anything else? I have nothing else. time. >> I only have one thing. The final uh the board of health sent the health
inspector yesterday for the kitchen. Um we have our clean bill of health to start cooking at the junior senior high school kitchen. >> Um they do our annual certification for both kitchens will be in January. But this I
reached out to the board of health said okay it's been closed for 5 years. I just want to make sure that we are good to go. Um, so the kitchen staff, uh, Chartwells and their staff is going to do a soft opening on next Tuesday, October 14th. So they'll be, um, getting
reaclimated toward to the service lines and the different um, operations in there next week. And then we're going to have a grand reopening on October 21st at 10:45. Um,
committ Scissors. We got scissors. We're going to >> are welcome. You are welcome to attend. Um yeah, we >> I will I will send an email reminder for you all. You will be so after five very long years. Um the junior senior high
school kitchen is now ready for operation. >> Woohoo. >> And actually they did a really nice job. It looks really nice in there. >> They cleaned it up really well. >> Yeah. Graanby media may cover it. I will be calling that. I will be
calling um because and the Sentinel hopefully we'll have some covers there. >> I had Mrs. Miss Jenny look up look for big scissors for me so we can >> so that that is the only thing that I
have for uh this evening. >> All right. Uh CES. >> Yes. Um, I should have cleaned up my notes a little bit today, but I will tell you that at the last meeting, um,
we talked extensively about the appointment of the next director. Um, and we began by appointing, um, officially appointing the interim director who is or was the current deputy director, Karen Reider, uh, to
steer the ship going forward. Um the search process is uh the board um based on the recommendation of the preliminary work that had been done um approved the
recommendation to hire the AESA which is the association of educational service agencies to conduct the search. Um, this is an agency that works directly with um,
collaboratives across the country. Uh, it worked with CES on their last search. Um, it's an interesting it's interesting having someone from Texas
leading a a collaborative search in Massachusetts. Um I did raise a few questions. Everybody seemed pretty confident u knowing this person from the last time around. Um
anyway, so that's happening and I will um add that I was asked um if I would participate on the search committee only because they uh the chair sent out an email asking for volunteers and uh the
volunteer crew was very short and uh the board requested that they balance out between Franklin and Hampshire County. So, she needed two volunts from Hampshire County. Um, and based on the timeline, I agreed to take that on.
Yay me. Um, the goal is to have selected the new executive director by January 2026. So, start date to be determined from there. There was a lot of conversation about an audit um pre- audit and then audit that's going to
happen on the 2025 FY25 budget. Um and it was confirmed that they have a group called Reutder and Engle. No, sorry. Witzley's
um is conducting that final audit. It looks like CES is going to come in at a at a fairly sizable deficit for FY25. Bad news. The good news is that so far FY26 budget
is um flowing as anticipated with a small surplus. Um and they don't the the um professional and learning opportunities for for um the districts member district staff has been um more well attended
this year which is is good for the associative because that was part of the problem last year, right? with with um the funding and there was some housekeeping. They appointed a new chair, vice chair,
treasurer. Um I think they're all the same people that were in place last year. Uh that's it. >> Excellent. Um, any questions on any of that?
All right. Um, anything else before we close? All right. I will not be here. Um, next time I will be on business travel um, in Florida. Um, we have had a question posed about
seeing if we want to consider doing one meeting a month for people's time. Um, so we can consider that and when we have the full complement next time. I think it's fair discussion to talk about. >> Sure.
>> Anything else? >> Maybe we could schedule our subcommittee off Tuesday. Sure. Um that was how we had started to do it and then we weren't meeting as much with the subcommittee. So it's certainly
something to look back at and see about um doing that. So all right. Um if there's nothing else, I'll take the motion to adjurnn. >> I'll make the motion to adjurnn. >> Second.
All those in favor? >> I I have a great night everybody.