meeting has begun. >> Now do the pledge of allegiance. >> Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. Have a roll call vote. >> Madam Secretary, >> Mr. Shay >> here. >> Mort here. >> Mr. Olivera >> here. >> Mrs. Rivero >> here. >> Dr. Marlin >> here. Mr. Kitchen >> here. Ma
>> here. Mel. Anyone who wishes to record or photograph the meeting must first notify the chair who will then inform the public per Massachusetts open meeting.
Comments are welcomed during the public comment segment. Please forward comments to the recording secretary at mariaet gnbvt.edu edu no later than 300 p.m. on Monday,
August 11th. We now have an introduction of the new student representation. >> There is no public comment. Correct. Okay. >> That's okay. I just want to make make sure. So, Amelia is with us tonight. I would like you take a minute, Amelia, to
introduce yourself to the school committee. >> Okay. Good evening. My name is Amelia Noriega. I'm a senior here at Greater Bedford Vog Tech. I am in the legal and protective services program. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Reading and acceptance of the
minutes of the June 10th, 2025 meeting. Committee members have received a copy of the minutes of the June 10th, 2025 meeting. We have a request for approval. Motion to request. Second roll call. We
don't have a remote. Roll call vote. We have a remote member. Uh >> Madam Secretary, roll call vote, please. >> Mr. Chay, >> yes. >> Miss Benor, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Rivero, >> yes. >> Dr. Marlin, >> yes. >> Mr. Kitchen. >> Yes. >> Mup.
>> Yes. Mr. >> Yes. >> Separate vote for the We can take a separate vote to hold session till closed. All right, we have a separate vote must be taken to accept and hold the minutes
of the executive session until the matter is completed. >> Motion. >> All those in favor? A roll call vote. Madam Secretary, >> Mr. Sheay, >> yes. >> Miss Bank, >> yes. Mr. >> Mrs. Rivero, >> yes.
>> Dr. Marlin, >> yes. Mr. >> Yes. >> Mup. >> Yes. Mr. Mento, >> yes. Approval of bills included included in your backup material is a copy of warrant 25-12
and 26-01 and the amounts of 1 million73 and 487,000 for your approval. >> Bills second
>> roll call vote madam secretary >> Mr. Shay. >> Yes. >> Court. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Rivero. >> Yes. >> Dr. Marlin. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Mup. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> Aviation subcommittee update. An update
will be given by the aviation committee. >> Thank you uh madame chair. Uh members of the committee. I just want to provide a brief update on the aviation subcommittee work um that you may recall the committee established last April um March or April with a report due to the
full committee in October. I mentioned to the chair and vice chair that it was my preference to update the committee along the way of that work so that you don't just get a final copy of the report come October. So we have met twice uh once in May, once in July. The
next meeting of the aviation subcommittee is next Thursday afternoon. Uh we have two or three members of the aviation uh of the airport, New Beford airport that are partaking as well as three school committee members and members of the district uh leadership team. The charge uh that this committee
placed upon us was to evaluate the feasibility of launching an aviation program. As you know, uh, during some of the tours I've been on, uh, with members of my team over the last several years, I was at Franklin County Tech and Westfield Tech specifically at the request of the committee to look, uh, at
their aviation program. Since that time, Greater Lawrence is launching the their first aviation program this fall. Uh we have discussed with members of the of the Lawrence team as well as the Westfield and Franklin County teams the challenges uh and successes that some
have felt uh related to their aviation program. My hope is at next Thursday's meeting we will establish firm dates uh for members of our subcommittee to visit the Lawrence program uh hopefully later in September or early October um and also to see the Westfield facility. The
Westfield facility is uh Westfield Tech. It's about 10 years old, so it's a fully functioning program. Four grades exist uh adjacent to the Westfield airport. The Lawrence program is brand new, launching their first exploratory class um this year. I do hope uh by September
we will have a firm date in terms of what that that trip will look like. Um I have spoken with Dr. Maron uh and Mr. Oliver about that as members um and Miss Bettton Court uh when she was went at the last committee meeting. So, we are launching that program and we expect that to be uh those visits to be planned
in time for late September, early October. That's where we sit today. >> Thank you. >> Excuse me, Madam Chair. If I could just say um the folks who are from the airport that are on this committee, they've been extremely helpful and that
would be uh Chris Cunningham, Rick Roujo, Mike Kenabi, and Michael Joseph. and they're all business people, pilots, and they've had some really great ideas. So, I think we can we can work with them. I'm very excited about the
project. >> What else? >> Old business. Our second reading and adoption of the 202526 student handbook. Included in your backup materials are copies of the first
red document and the final document for your approval. >> Movement to approve. >> This is Mr. Williams committ. >> That's right. If there are questions, we can address them. No >> question. The changes are there. >> The changes are here. Yeah. And
highlighted. This is the second read. I'll second that motion. Madam >> Secretary Roll call. >> Mr. Shay. >> Yes. >> More. >> Yes. >> Mr. Aloa. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Rivero. >> Yes. >> Dr. Marlin. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ken. >> Yes. >> Mup.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Mel. >> Yes. >> Note the significant change changers. >> Yeah. >> We can absolutely. Go ahead. I would just note um and worth reading up on the yonder changes policy that we have
upcoming um probably spans almost two pages and uh it's a significant policy change for students and and families. So >> yeah, I'll just add uh you know I did mention that to the chair and the vice chair in our premeating that a lot of the leg work around this Mr. Williams
and the team have already completed last January they were out in front of the community uh talking about it with parents. There were multiple class meetings uh held throughout February and March where students were also uh told of the change. Uh it is included in the family welcome back letter which is set
to go to families uh tomorrow or Thursday from me. It is uh also part of the welcome back letter to teachers that I released on Monday. So, um, since January, there's been pretty thorough communication across the board with all the stakeholders. Um, and we're preparing to to implement more schools.
>> Other discussion, new business, vote to authorize the treasurer to borrow from time to time in anticipation of revenue. Recommendation is that school the district committee vote to authorize the treasurer to borrow from
time to time in anticipation of revenue. >> Pam, do you want to add anything to it >> there? This is just a uh contingency if there was an issue or state funding, but we have not had that in my entire time here with the district. So >> this is just to have a vote on file if
there is a need to do something in an emergency situation. >> Motion to approve. Second secretary >> Mr. Sh. >> Yes. >> Miss Betta. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Rivero.
>> Yes. >> Dr. Marlin. >> Yes. >> Kitchen. Yes. Mup. >> Yes. Yes. Motion vote to vote to approve the superintendent smarty goals include
included in your backup material is a copy of the superintendent smarty goals for your approval. Thank you uh madam chair. Uh in your packet tonight are the recommended uh smarty goals for the district. um they are directly aligned
with the year two of our strategic plan which we've also included as part of the backup materials um in your packet. I will take a few moments just to kind of highlight uh some of those areas for you and answer any questions uh that members may have. So uh in the student learning
goal uh we are focused on a new CTE exploratory model that uses student out access and outcome data. uh we will be discussing that on a trimester basis with all of the administrators and the vocational director. We are also going to continue with year two which is to advance our accommodation matrices
across all departments during the school year with a focus on the tier one strategies that are outlined in the district's decap plan that is central to some of the work that we'll be doing with teachers right away upon their return. Uh we hope to attain uh increases from
CTE strand 2 credentials by 10%. uh that was a baseline goal for us last year. We now have uh that standard across all CTE areas and our goal is to increase uh strand 2 credentials by 10% in each program area. Um other highlights uh in
the professional practice goals uh we are implementing a teacher learning walk protocol in October which will happen three times this year um to have teachers uh conduct learning walks of of classrooms. It is not an evaluative standpoint the same way we deploy that practice now. It is simply about
refining practice. Mr. Williams and the directors are fine-tuning that protocol. Um, and we plan to implement that in the fall. We are also conducting a comprehensive review of grading practices across the district um to facilitate at least sessions that look with both instructional leaders and
department chairs to make sure there are consistent practices happening across the district. Uh, two district goals this year, and I'll highlight only a couple. A lot of the work with the DECAP is centered around our long-term goal of MTSS and UDL supports in all classrooms.
That is central to a lot of the district smarty goals. We are also looking at professional learning communities across the entire school uh including our CTE programs. Um and that will be central to the proposed schedule redesign that we intend to launch later in the decade. And then finally, we are conducting a
district-wide compliance policy review that's aligned with all DESIE regulations and federal uh and state mandates. that's likely the the largest part of district smart goal 2 and you can expect an executive summary with recommended revisions uh in May of 2026.
If there are any questions on any other specific goals, I'm happy to try and address those. >> Any discussion? >> Motion to approve. >> Secondary. >> Yes.
>> Yes. Aloa. Yes, >> Mrs. Rivero. >> Yes, >> Dr. Marlin. >> Yes, Mr. >> Straup. Yes, >> Mr. >> Yes. Carrie. Adoption of the 20 202526
employee handbook. Included in your backup material is a copy of the 2025 26 employee handbook for your approval. Mr. committee vote to adopt the 202526
employee handbook. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Again, the any proposed changes are highlighted in yellow. I would uh caution that we do need to make a change to the school committee members. Um and note that Carol Pmental is now the chairperson and then Michael Sheay is the vice
chairperson. That correction will be made on the final draft before it is uh posted to the school website. That is a a late catch uh that I just want to call attention to everyone. Yeah, >> make sure my name gets >> and then Karen Tre.
>> So we will just note that we need to make a couple of changes that school committee membership I can take care of that and then we'll have that posted. Not sure if other folks >> need a motion. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. Madam Secretary,
>> Mr. Sheay, >> yes. >> Mad. >> Yes. >> Alo, >> yes. >> Mrs. Rivero, >> Mrs. Rivero, >> she's on mute. >> Yes. Yes. >> Dr. Marlin. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kitchen. >> Yes. >> M. Treup. >> Yes.
>> Mr. >> Yes. Approved. Next. update on federal enrollment grants. Superintendent Watson will bring members up to date on the federal enrollment grant.
>> Thank you, uh, Madam Chair. We placed this item on the agenda in late June or early July when there was a freeze on some of the federal entitlement grants out of Washington. Uh, that was going to result in a slight decrease in funding to the district. Uh, I'm proud to say today that those federal funds have been
released nationwide, including to Massachusetts. Um and all of the uh allocations for greater new be tech have been earmarked for the district. So there is no freeze uh on any of the funding today and I just want to advise the committee of that. >> In the full amount like >> in the full amount
>> the full amount >> question on the grants. Are we going to be able to look at the grants before you submit them? >> Um no. um we can talk about that but yeah
so the the big issue with title one is that teachers are on title one we don't have another meeting >> we can absolutely discuss and bring you up to speed on that individually or >> collectively if there are specific questions around that I'm happy to title
one >> it's fine is staff but if it does happen in 27 with a 70% reduction >> yeah it's going to be an issue >> yes it is Same with two and four.
>> Two is just PD. Four is obviously just for the AP for the most part. But Perkins, how we how we implement Perkins is what I'd like to discuss a little bit more. >> Yeah. So, I think that that first of all, that's a a wonderful suggestion, Mr. Kitchen, because I I do expect that
we could see some cutbacks at the federal uh entitlement grants for FY27 and Title One in particular is a problem. Just so members are aware, that's nearly around a million dollars for the district. It's actually slightly above a million dollars for the district, but the overwhelming lion share of title one funding is teacher
salaries, like uh teacher salaries and teacher benefits. Uh MTRS, like to the tune of uh close to 900,000 of that. So we have several educators that are on title one. If there was to be a 70% cut back in title one, that would be a
significant uh there would be a significant impact to that. uh because we're talking probably about a $700,000 cut, six or $700,000 cut. So, it probably does make sense as we go through this year to have some conversations at least with members of the budget subcommittee uh if not the full committee. And I'm certainly will
defer to the committee for their wishes on that around those entitlement grants so that we can be thoughtful in preparation of next year's budget uh in case we were to see some of those those anticipated uh cutbacks. So, it's a really really good point. this year. The good news is is that none of those
allocations have been reduced, including Perkins. Uh there's a slight increase uh in the Perkins fund this year as well. >> Nothing on title three yet, right, Yolanda? >> Yeah, title three is out. >> It's out. >> It's out. There was actually a slight decrease. >> Next year it'll be eliminated.
>> Yeah. And I just didn't know if they had been released yet this year. >> They were just released in the last like few days. I was going to say it must have been the last >> and and title three actually uh there was a slight decrease for us um but to the tune of maybe like 12,000 13,000 so
it's it's a small decrease um in that allocation for us >> one title one is up slightly yes there is no net decline to the district uh in terms of that funding
>> applications for skills are you going to do applications for the skill, the two-year skill, right? >> Oh, yeah. That's coming up on the agenda. We're going to have lengthy conversation about that, I hope. Yes. >> Ready? >> Any other discussion?
>> Hearing none. >> I'm ready. I'm sorry. >> All right. Uh discussion on the admissions policy. >> Awesome. Thank you again, Madam Chair. In your packets, I included a uh memo to you dated July 31st, which attempted to
provide an overview of where the admissions process rests following the board of elementary and secondary education's adoption of new regulations at their May 20th meeting. Um it's it's my intent to have this conversation begin tonight um so that we are prepared
to pass uh an admissions policy for the class of 2030 uh in October and that is due to the department by November 1st. Uh we'll likely open the portal very soon after we'll start to see some of those applications come in. So the sooner we're able to adopt the policy I
think the better. So let me give you um kind of a stake of where things are today. Uh, vocational schools across the Commonwealth are now required to implement a weighted lottery system. Um, here's what that means. Every child who completes an application
gets a ball in the pot. Regardless of any of their experiences, how many absences they have, any discipline procedures, whatever the case may be, they get one opportunity u to be selected. District school committees have the ability to apply a series of
weights to that. For example, if a student is absent 27 or less days unexcused, that student could get a second opportunity uh to be selected, right? If a student is absent 30 days, they don't get second the second ball.
Right? So, if all of us were applicants and you everyone here except for me was absent less than 27 days, you would all have two opportunities to be selected. I would only have one opportunity to be selected. There's also been a change to the discipline regulations which I've outlined here. U and I'll be honest with
you, most students are not eliminated from crit the criteria that we put in place a year ago with discipline. It was literally single digits out of the 1100. That provision has gotten a little bit more stringent from the department in this language up to an including like
felonies and convictions in middle school. So I would say those singledigit exemptions are going to shrink even further. It is unlikely that we will see uh that happen uh in one of our schools. If the student meets the discipline
threshold, they too get another ball um in the pot. Right. So so far it's possible that every applicant could have three opportunities to be selected up to three opportunities to be selected. The committee also has the ability to put an awareness uh weight into that. If a
student were to come to a open house, uh, participate in a tour, uh, submit a video, write a letter, that student could get another opportunity in there. I will tell you that our current policy does not include awareness or student interest. This was something that the
Mass Association of Vocational Administrators felt particularly strongly about trying to get a weight included and ultimately made its way into the final board revisions. But just so that I'm really clear, all schools are implementing a weighted lottery or have to implement at least a weighted
lottery for the class of 2030. They do have the option of implementing a blind lottery with none of those weights. Uh but those are your choices. And then you'll need to decide if you opt for a weighted lottery which weights, if any, you wish to apply to the new standard.
That that is what's up for discussion uh over the next 60 days or so. and I'm happy to answer any questions that members may have. >> Just a a comment looking at this ahead of time. I think the attendance and discipline in my mind makes sense and I
agree maybe not a lot will be put aside on the discipline but is another work. I first read the expression of interest and looking at attendance info session participant score that come down to my
great great uncle you know has a plumbing department and I want to be a plumber so that's an interest I can I think that's a very very dangerous area to go into myself personally talking about the first time and seeing it the first time you know if
someone can make a tour or open house that day there their family is not available because we only have an open house once a year then that person loses out on a ball not to their ability or anything else. Uh they how many tours
are we going to run? Are we going to run a tour every day that we do? So I I kind of like the committee to be aware that that might be a Pandora's box that you open and that we would not be able to control. Again, I'd be happy to be
convinced differently, but that's my first looking at it because I thought I was okay and then started thinking about it and and you'd be punishing people because the parents were unable to get them here. You're punishing people because your family member doesn't have
a plumbing business, but you know, they want to be a part. So, that's my two cents. We're not voting tonight, but I just think that's a an area that I would be very very lerary of to use as a guide
for incoming students. the discussion >> just on that expression of interest. I think it's difficult is saying to give additional credit for the expression of interest because
there's no guarantee when you go through the exploratory that that is what your field's going to be. I think if you get into the admission process, I think it's it might be weighted at that point to help somebody who's very close
uh to exploratories. You know, if I'm an 85 and somebody else is an 85.1, but they have no interest in plumbing and I want to be a plumber, then maybe it's more of a discussion at that point of saying, you know, why am I going to put him in
if he's engineering? you know, it's close to plumbing, but it's steam engineering, you know, but I think that I think that that is a better way of using the expression of interest getting food exploratory.
>> Any other discussion? >> I just put my two cents in. Uh, Mr. Chase, >> I'm I'm just disappointed in what the uh state has done to the the admissions program. Um, and the feedback I get from from the community is people out there are disappointed in what the state's
done as well. They've they've just there's no incentive for a student to work at getting into into the school anymore. It's just it's it's, you know, your number and a half. That's what it comes down to. So, if you're lucky enough to get your number picked out,
then you get a spot. I just don't I you know, it's it goes back to all the different sayings. you know, everybody gets a trophy today and there's just no incentive to make a a student work at it. And I'm just disappointed. I'm disappointed when I look at the number
of um attendance days that the state feels is is adequate. 27 days in my eyes, if you can't show up to school, how are you going to show up to work? Um, you know, the discipline thing. Um, you know, we can get into doing a little
bit more of the weighted stuff, but I think they've just watered it down so much. I don't think there's anything left. It's it's just it's a poorly run state program of admission in my eyes. And I just, you know, I just want to just make that known how disappointed I
am with the whole admissions process. >> Thank you. >> That was five cents worth. >> That was a little more than two. You're right. >> More than two, I lobby. I agree. >> Yeah. With all that though, can I just say this that >> we still should be very proud of the
students that have come through here. So they really shine. So >> yeah, >> still getting really >> I don't think we want to, you know, anything bad towards them. I mean, they're doing what the process, you know, where the process put them and they're doing the best that they can now
to to make it through the four years. Um so, you know, and hopefully they'll do well. Um you know, there's Our superintendent always says, "Well, let this be data driven." I I just don't think we have enough data to show that this is really making a difference. And
I just think you should work at it. If you really want to get in here and you want a spot, you need to work at it. That's just that's how we've always felt for the past several years, ever since this first came up. So, it's not going to change. >> More discussion. I will uh just add for
the on the purposes of early data that hasn't been released yet. So first of all I will share that the administration is not taking the position to add interest just I mean it's your call it's not our call uh but the administration is not looking to to necessarily add add
pieces. I will tell you that while we don't have final numbers, um the changes that were implemented last year, we have uh worked extensively, some of you have been with me while I've partnered with some of the Sunny District superintendent, they have been wonderful at assisting us to pre-claim students
and to get early tracking data around our students. So, what I can tell you um is that in this year's freshman class, there are more EEL students than in any of the preceding years. It is close to around 9%. Again, it could be off a little bit because that data is not finalized, but normally we're at 5 to 6%
is closer to 9% this year. Um, students with disabilities, which typically runs between 13 and 14% of the district, is closer to 18% of the district this year. We have not fully implemented the low income tied to our system, uh, you know, our our mosaic system there for for
low-inccome status. But we anticipate those numbers are going to grow from about 50% to closer to 60% for low-income students. Again, these are not these are just early numbers based on pre-claimed data that we have through uh you know, I'm proud of the partnership that we've been able to build with the sending districts. They
were all very quick to assist with student identifying SASID numbers and it really helped us to be able to get an early read on the policy. So, uh the administration's position will be that you know we maintain the current weights uh that we currently have if the
committee opts for a weighted lottery. Any more discussion? Hearing none um the expansion of CTE programs. >> Right. Okay. So, in your packet, we
included um lots of information. Uh let me start by saying that uh and I'll give a little background to members of the committee and folks that may be may be watching at home. So, um, the state legislature and the governor have passed, um, a fair share supplemental
essentially to the tune of about hund00 million. Um, that money is funded up on the backs of the millionaires tax, which was first enacted in 2022. Um, it was expected to generate about 1.3 or 1.4 billion in additional tax revenue for the Commonwealth. I can tell you that
this past year it it generated almost two and a half billion. I know you read a lot of competing ideas about millionaires flooding out of the states. The data doesn't support that, right? >> Two and a half billion dollars were collected. That money is earmarked for um education and transportation.
Everything above that initial assessment of 1.3 billion. The state um in my opinion, to their credit, despite the long battle around the admissions, has put their money where their mouth is because in my opinion, the goal is really simple. every kid and every
family in Massachusetts deserves access to the education of his or her choosing and it should be free and public. Uh and so while there certainly is room to debate the admissions policies across the state, uh there is no question that the governor's office, secretary, the
department and vocational schools and comprehensive district superintendent support the idea that if a kid wants access to vocational technical training, he or she should get it. So there's a hund00 million, the first wave of that is $35 to $60 million that will be
earmarked towards program expansions in gateway cities primarily or districts with large weight lists to expand access to CTE programming. Those grants will be awarded in two to 5 million increments. Typically uh construction costs are held
at 30% of the grant award. This particular grant award will allow up to 70% of the grant award for construction cost. That is a really positive uh change because for greater new beech to answer Mr. earlier question. The district is preparing to apply for new
programs to come in so that we can take more students uh into the school to provide uh vocational technical training and we are certainly sitting with our partners uh who we are also encouraging uh because our goal should be to try and clear uh the weight list uh that exists
here through after dark partnerships with Fair Haven uh very eager for Haven. I've had follow-up conversations Mr. Oliver and Mr. kitchen since our visit there uh with superintendent coler about afterdock partnerships. So we're exploring that as well. But uh that is one avenue that we are we are pursuing.
There is a separate a second uh wave of this that goes beyond the uh facility enhancement grants that will be coming out later in the year. uh and that is uh regarding uh uh lab modernization grants and we're expecting those lab modernization grants to be in in the one
to one and a half million dollar values. Uh the district is currently beginning its work looking at all of the shop programs around the school that have not been recipients of past lab modernization grants. You may notice the most notable one in culinary was just redesigned on lab modernization grant.
We have gotten several. Uh we will be looking at other programs this year that align with the state's priority list and preparing to submit a lab modernization grant bill which will come out probably in January with those awards in April of 2026. part of that part of those visits
that you know I'm doing around the state looking at different vocational schools especially those that are new uh are targeted around those things that we might be missing uh in order to do that's why I frequently have members of the team with me uh in the tech and facility space to be able to look um at
things that we could bring here uh so th those dollars are going to come uh in the springtime and then the final wave of that is the skills uh capital grant which we've received several times those are going to be between 100,000 and 500,000. The biggest one, most notable
one was the first one we received in machine tech, probably back in 2017 or 18 when we got a $500,000 award to put new machines in. So, three waves of this are coming this year in that 35 to$60 million space uh and a little bit more possibly because that third tier was out
there. There is also an element of that bill uh for 15 to 30 million that is earmarked around comprehensive districts that may want to expand access to CTE programs in terms of annexes or additional buildings again with the same targets in mind. How do we provide
additional chapter 74 programs to uh cities particularly but schools with long wait lists. Um so we expect that will be part of a regional conversation that we're having with folks here. Uh I do want to talk about some of the district's priorities here because we would look, you know, certainly
appreciate the school committee's support. One of the avenues that we are looking at is a construction craft laborers program u which we would build off of the back of our carpentry wing and I want to explain kind of the why behind that. Um we've done a lot of work around the south coast labor blueprint
and looking at where the jobs are going to be in the marketplace over the next decade. Uh while certainly there are jobs in the medical field, we have pretty much all the medical programs that exist uh under the chapter 74 license and they are already currently operating at a double capacity. In order
for us to build a new shop around our medical programs, we would need to expand that capacity. In other words, go from 20 to 40 kids to 40 to 80 kids, something along those lines. Something we're not prepared to do at the current moment. By introducing another program specifically in this area, a blueco
collar program um we are targeting exactly the kids that Mr. Kitchen and others mentioned earlier. Students that often seek our carpentry or plumbing programs but do not get in to their first pick and end up in some a less desirable program for that child who is looking for a hands-on experience
directly tied. Uh over the summer I have met with the um mass hire CEO uh and the deputy CEO twice. I have already obtained a letter of support from Mass Hire to help support that uh that initiative as well as to accompany me to
ever if needed to to initiate public comment around this grant at the board of elementary secondary education in September or October. I had a meeting rescheduled this morning to next week uh with the construction craft laborers union out of Fhaven. Uh they are equally interested in partnering with us. Uh my
hope there is when I visited Essex Tech last spring, uh what was particularly interesting about that program is the kids who graduated that program had a direct pipeline into the labor union uh in uh in the Danvers area. And that is exactly what I'm hoping to do here to provide those kids that graduate from
that program satisfactory a direct tie into the labor market for a blue collar job that's averaging between 60 and 70,000 today and is expected to grow in our region over the next 10 years. So, just want to share some very early conversations that we're having behind the scenes about program enhancement. We
are looking at other programs, existing programs that we might be able to double uh along that way. Uh it is absolutely my intent to apply for two to five million. I will go for every penny that we can get in order to try to expand
access uh to the school and make sure that we are doing our part to supporting kids education and a achieving vocational technical training. happy to answer any questions on that. >> So in in the uh expansion of CTE it
identifies healthcare manufacturing and I want to say finance professional technology services but if you're going to for instance if you did the construction >> build a structure out there is that >> that's the hope. >> Okay. So is it going to be a simulated
structure for like skid steers and heavy equipment operation? Yeah, it would involve all of the tools that are outlined in the construction framework that point. So I guess that's the question. How
do you expand or add another unit? You have limitations in academics, >> right? >> No question. >> Right. >> So are we looking at also trending with his arcting? the closer shop.
>> So that is a conversation that I had with the last chair and vice chair and I expect we'll be part of this conversation here again tonight is members had expressed a desire to talk about that a little bit tonight. Let me first address the first part of your question is um yes we are going the biggest problem is not adding an
addition on the back. It's it's moving students and academics across the way. How do we house another 25 40 kids in academics? And that is going to involve us moving some of those existing spaces into the shop area. Currently, we are constructing two rooms behind the new
media and visual space that will not be utilized initially. Uh, but it is our intention to um move business and office tech from the academic wing into the shop side of the building at some point. It may involve a repositioning of some existing programs. Uh, but we want to
create multiple rooms uh in that space to be able to add additional kids that that are there. We also have a long-standing goal of trying to move our legal and protective services program off of the third floor into a designated shop area. This is something I've had pretty extensive conversations with
about teachers. Uh legal and protective is one of the highest selected shops at greater new bef. The problem is it doesn't necessarily connect with the desi frameworks around around funding. So for us, it's going to involve us getting getting funding for a particular program that we can move and then
reallocating legal and protective services into one of those existing spaces. So those conversations are also on the table. The only other point I'll mention and I want to make sure that I answer all the questions is this year's tax receipts on the millionaires uh are over three billion. So it I am cautiously optimistic, although way
ahead of the legislative process to think that this skills capital uh this lab modernization and and this expansion grant we might see another wave of this uh in the spring again if the goal continues to try to close what that weight list actually looks like statewide.
>> What's the average class size in academics right now? >> So it it there it's around 22 if you take the full if you take the full gamut. There are some classes as high as 30, 28 to 30 and some as low as 10 or 12. Uh so it the average number is
around 22 >> back around again >> because with the way office tech has not it's been a junior senior class. So >> but in the south coast blueprint it's a very employable
se sector. I mean, it's >> so >> the largest I think inside. So, >> we'll say it out loud then. Uh, yes, my plan is to move business and office tech to a four-year program, >> right? >> Alternatively, I mean, if you shift it over to an academic program, you service
24 to 26 kids per side and you move them out of the 74 program. every plumber, electrician, woodworker, carpentry, whoever wants to learn, entrepreneurship, marketing or bookkeeping could learn it on the academic cycle. I think that I don't
think those two things are necessarily separate, right? I think that we can run a more vibrant business and tech program and introduce a financial literacy uh program into the curriculum that encompasses many of those tasks. Um that is a much larger conversation but one
that we are having as part of a schedule redesign that we're looking to overhaul. >> And that's the difficulty with the >> correct period for electives. But if you go to the you go to a
consortium or after dock program and you take fair haven Dartmouth and New Bedford and vote financial literacy program and you applying it in every district without even up space.
>> It's a it's another option. Yep. >> Yep. It's another option. But I agree wholeheartedly with the overall uh tenor of that. We want to make sure that we're building that program is right up there. In my opinion, should be a four-year program. They also have one at New Bever High School. We have both schools have
the zip code on that. Um I think both schools should be doubling it because it is clearly uh in the top three of of future jobs in the area. I think that we have some work to do to be honest around the curriculum. things like HR assistance, accountants, that needs to become more of the lifeblood of the curriculum and not necessarily some of
the other skills, but that's an internal issue that we will address as part of the move to a 4-year program there. That is something I think we can do very quickly and we do not need any additional funding to do that. >> The rooms are being constructed as we speak.
to say longterm. >> Any other discussion? Hearing none. >> The school committee meeting schedule 2025 2026 is included in their background material. The copy of the school committee meeting
schedule for 2025 2026. The two highlighted uh dates are proposed changes. >> Yes. Let me take a minute on that. So, first, uh, the Monday, November 10th date, um, the reason for that is Tuesday, November 11th is Veterans Day.
Um, and so I'm proposing that we put the meeting on the Monday night. It's certainly your call. Uh, but if you're not looking too far ahead on the calendar, the Wednesday night, we are all down the Cape at the MASS, MASC conference for the rest of the week. So, I think that is the only viable night that week for us to have the meeting
unless we want to change the meeting. And then the second change uh at as was last year I am away at a conference the second week in January. And so I am proposing that we move uh the Tuesday January 13th meeting to Tuesday January 20th. And as Mr. Mento pointed out
before the meeting to meet those should all say 2026 not 2025 from that point down. So, if those I just wanted to be upfront about this ahead of time with the committee and and get a blessing on where we are with the calendar um so that we can all go about planning our
lives if it works. >> Discussion suggesting again go to the 18th. >> Nope. I'm suggesting on uh in November because our regularly scheduled meeting is November 11th which is Veteran Day. moving that to the night before, Monday, November 10th. >> Oh, Monday. Okay.
>> Yeah. And then our regular schedule meeting is Tuesday, January 13th, but I will be away that week at a conference. So, I'd like to postpone that to the next week on January 20th, which is what we did last year. >> Any more discussion?
>> We have a vote. >> Approve the school committee meeting schedule for 2526. Second roll call. >> Madam Secretary, >> Mr. Sheay, >> yes. >> Court, >> yes. >> Mr. Oliver, >> yes. >> Mrs. Rivero,
>> yes. >> Dr. Marlin, >> yes. >> Mr. Kitchen, >> yes. >> Mr. Kup, >> yes. >> Mr. Mento, >> yes. >> Ps. Madam Chair, could I ask you to go back to um item F again? I um assume the superintendent I didn't realize he all
three bullet points sort of together. Um, so that one got by me. Um, just to touch on the underperforming programs, I think that's what we had had some prior discussion with the superintendent. Um, and I think as we
move forward where funding is going to be very competitive, I think the school committee has an obligation um to start looking closely at underperforming programs. And I know we have a couple that are probably on that
list. Um, and I don't know where we go from there. I know we there is a task force that you have that meets and I'm wondering if maybe the school committee could be included in those results when the or maybe the minutes from those task force meetings >> either on because I think that would
give us an insight as to what you're looking at what your results are and what you know just what direction the task force is looking at and maybe in the future we look at having a um maybe one or two school committee members sit
on that task force because I I think that's an important thing as we move forward um again for funding and just because we want to keep these shops relevant to the the workforce. There's no sense in having a shop that we're pumping $500,000 or more um into
something that isn't relevant to the task force, isn't a well-paying job for the students once they get out or the student gets out and they don't even go into that field because there just not a lot of jobs, not a lot of work for that. So, um, I just wanted to touch on that
and, you know, sorry for having to go back on that, but that's something that, uh, when I was chair last year, we had some brief discussion on that and that was something that I kind of take very serious that the school committee should be taking a harder look at that as we move forward.
>> Yeah. And I think the year that I was chair, I think Fred and I came to a meeting with all of the um heads of the advisories and Mike was pretty strong about >> this is the year to jack this up and really promote your shops. It'd be
interesting to look at the list that kind of came up that night. Fast forward three years later, like has there been any movement in that direction? So, I was just about to jump in and and uh we are now have two years of data on the electronic tracking system for exploratory that we launched two years
ago when Kim uh was the chairperson. And what we're looking at is kids who tell us what shops they want to come into before they start, go through the exploratory process, and then tell us what they want for their six shops at the end and what those enrollments actually look like. And then we take
that information and we're breaking down uh students that are enrolled in each and every program whether they choose it first, choose it second, choose it third, don't choose it at all and then breaking those numbers down by student demographic profiles. So what I can tell the committee is we have now that we've
done that now for two consecutive years. I I oftentimes remind our team one year does not paint a picture. Three years is starting to tell a very different story. Right? if the same things are happening over and over and over again uh and the same students are being plugged in
against their own choice um that's a different conversation for us to have. So, um I'm happy to have Maria kind of note this and we can pull this together a little bit for your review uh of the two-year window that we have know that we are launching the third year of the same exploratory system this year and by
February we will have a third year uh of data around this piece and I would I would just add that as the committee thinks as the school thinks about additional programs uh and specifically around the mission on the aviation task force u space is already at a premium
Uh, and while I think that we can expand off the back of the building in some areas to create some of this space, uh, the idea of an aviation program being launched on existing space is difficult to wrap my head around. Uh, so we're we're going to continue to do it and I'm
looking forward to seeing Lawrence's uh, product in a few weeks. U, but that is likely going to involve some changes in curriculum offset that we get. I think some information that would be helpful is what have the shops done to enhance
their exploratory offering. You know, what what's changed in that exploratory to entice more kids to come into the shop? Because I know that's kind of where things have fallen short for some of the non, you know, the the the non-preferred shops. If exploratory
isn't exciting and, you know, grabs you, then kids are going to be more apt to not go into that shop. And that was kind of the directive you gave that night was this is your opportunity to really shine during exploratory and you know did that happen? >> I I will let you know there have been
some teacher changes uh assignment changes uh related to uh shops uh this year uh that are being implemented and some of that is is around trying to re-energize some of the programs that we have. Sorry, last question only because I had
two kids come through here and they took totally different shots than what they did. Um, >> do we still or should we revisit some of the summer offerings? I know my son came to like some camp thing in the summer with one of the that one of the shops put on
>> and that hooked him. >> Yeah, I I do think the idea of a summer exploratory camp makes sense. We have had some conversations about that over the last few years. Um, generally what happens is we're rushing towards the end. That's something we probably need to add to the conversation in the fall as we start to ramp that up uh for next
year. But I think that's something definitely worth exploring for middle school students to be able to come in and and explore the the the offerings in the >> more time than a quick and dirty, you know, exploratory where you're making a cute project, >> right? >> And really how do you base that decision on
>> that you made a circuit? >> No offense to electrical. I'm just saying I just >> so I'm gonna get calls later. >> Just want to also align how the shops are now
frameworks coming out. There wasn't a lot of alignment they did the new frameworks a lot of the traditional shops and we don't do that. We don't now it's everything's kind of just it's it's no matter what the input
was given professionals if you looked at program and lab they didn't listen to them at all now it's whatever we have two frameworks going >> so I think you have to look at >> are they going to be able to adapt to
those new frameworks too >> ultimately that's going to tie your cash Good conversation. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Um if if I just maybe want to put that in the form of a motion um that the school committee be kept um a breast or
that be added to the agenda to um keep this advised of chart performance and task force um second that >> call vote. Any discussion? Any more discussion first
call >> yes >> yes >> yes >> Mrs. Barrow. >> Yes. >> Welcome. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Mup. >> Yes. Mr. >> Yes. >> Maria, can you just make that a note of
that? We provide that in the form. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh, vote to approve the substitute daily rate increase. Included in your backup material is a copy of the substitute daily rate from the ascending
communities. Request is to increase greater new vote tech substitute daily rate to $140 from $120. Recommendation
district committee vote to approve the substitute daily rate to $140 as requested. We have discussion motion first so we can get it on the table. But I'll make a motion to approve
the request to move the um proposed ratings up to 140. Second that to get on the table for discussion. Have a roll call vote and the secretary. >> Mr. Shay,
>> yes. >> Miss Benor, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Roberto, >> yes. >> Dr. Marlin, >> yes. >> Mr. Kitchen, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. Approved. Vote to approve a new assistant golf
coach position. Ryan. No, he's not here. We'll explain the need for a new assistant golf position. >> Noah's here, but Ryan's not here. >> Okay. >> Noah snuck in behind me at the gate. I was looking like who's coming behind me.
That's illegally coming through the gate. >> Well, hello everyone. Uh I'm Noah Rivera. Um here on behalf of the athletic department. Uh so recently we had talks with women city golf course about scheduling game times in practices but we are not allowed to do so with only one coach the amount of kids that
we have. We're up to 28 kids registered this year which is an alltime high. So we're looking for approval for a second coach. I'll make a motion because I think again the number of kids is is wonderful. I
remember years where you know you had enough like nine or 10 kids and one coach was fine here and I know it I think the golf is over boys and girls because there's not a separation of so you have it's a co-ed sport and to have
another person there I think would be ideal. So I I'm in favor of this. Make a motion to approve. >> You have a second. >> I second that. I think not everybody's a football kid. Like golf is a great alternative for people and I think it's wonderful. It's kind of
>> two operators if I play golf. >> Roll call. Madam Secretary, >> Mr. Shay, >> yes. >> Mort, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Rivero, >> yes. >> Dr. Marlin, >> yes. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Good Coach. >> No, unsigned. Okay. >> Good job. >> Thanks. >> Okay. Request approved. Moving on. You've been a vote to create student
activity accounts. Requesting approval to create a dance club and a wrestling team activity account. >> Make that motion. A second roll call discussion
>> discussion >> again. Was this brought by students? Do you know do we know that students going through a process? >> Yep. There was a process in place process and they all went through the >> student interest >> during the budget season last year. We earmarked the funds uh for the stipen.
So >> one more question. and everybody that needs student activity funds responded to your I haven't sent out the new one. Um but the balances will be approved for the September meeting. >> Motion second.
>> Mr. Shay, >> yes. >> Bet. >> Yes. Mao. >> Yes. >> Mero. >> Yes. >> Dr. Marlin. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Mup. That's >> yes. Vote to designate equipment at surplus.
Included in your backup material is a list of surplus equipment. Recommendation is for the district committee to vote to designate the equipment as surplus. >> I move that motion. >> Second.
>> Any discussion? Hearing none. Madam Secretary, >> Mr. Shay, >> yes. >> Bet. >> Yes. >> Alo, >> yes. >> Mr. Rivero, >> yes. >> Dr. Marlin, >> yes. >> Yes. M >> Yes.
>> Yes. >> Uh report on personal appointments, retirements, uh resignations to be received and placed on file. the early notification of retirement. Jeffrey Foron, effective June 30th,
2026. Michael Nelson, effective June 17, 2026. Notifications of resignations. Beverly Rebello, effective June 30th, 2025.
Mari Hippolito effective the end of the 202425 school year. Joshua Kadoo effective the end of the 202425 school year.
Ricky Jordan effective June 16, 2025. Tara ropes ropes effective immediately. Lo Quinton effective immediately. Robert Ma effective immediately.
Leo St. Trip effective August August 15, 2025. And Lauren Michael effective immediately. >> Motion to accept. Please file. Second. >> Any discussion?
>> No, we don't need a >> file. Communications. >> We don't have to read them all. >> Receive place on file. Second. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Any committee any committee discussion?
>> Just just one I I know we welcome you to here tonight and I know usually you're going to be talking you know at meetings about stuff. I just wanted to give you the opportunity if you have any questions for us now or if you don't have anything on your agenda to talk about. If not we'll wait for September.
>> I do have one question. When you're in discussion about our vocational programs, am I allowed to like put my sense in as like from a student perspective? >> Absolutely. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. >> I just wanted to make that short, make that clear because I didn't want to say
anything if my input wasn't needed or wanted. I didn't want to overstep. Okay. >> You're proud of us. >> Always welcomed. >> Can't vote for raises for us. >> Can't vote. Yes, I just >> But yes, we would love to have you >> student perspective. I wanted to know if my input was wanted or need.
>> That's the reason we're all here, you guys. >> So, the more we can hear your voice from students, that's why we asked about different clubs and things. Are students the ones driving it? So, >> we love to have your voice >> 100%. >> Actually kind of refreshing to hear. >> I know.
>> Okay. Any other business that may properly come before it? None. What? >> Have to get a session, right? >> I kind of like this. >> I'm getting nervous. >> I like that.
>> Got the hammer. >> I can throw it to motion to adjourn. >> Second call. >> Yes. She's there. >> Yes. >> I'm here.
>> No vote. >> Yes. >> Meeting a journ. >> There you go. I realize now as a vice chair I get tied up with that guy over