WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=pcmsNfSXYAg

Part: 1

1
00:00:13.440 --> 00:00:30.080
I'm going to call the meeting to order. It's It's 6:00 p.m. Um so I'm going to call the meeting of the Halifax School Committee meeting um to order on April 27th, 2026. And um we're going to and this meeting is being recorded. If anybody would like

2
00:00:30.080 --> 00:00:44.640
to make an audio or video recording of the meeting, they should tell me at this time. Okay. Um, we'll start by doing the school choice hearing. Well, well, I'm opening up the school choice hearing first and then open up the regular

3
00:00:44.640 --> 00:01:01.120
meeting. So, >> so generally we ask if there's anyone who would like to speak on with regards to school choice. The school committee is then faced with a decision as whether to um vote to withdraw from school choice. And if you choose to withdraw from

4
00:01:01.120 --> 00:01:20.000
school choice, it uh they also ask that we cite the reason for not participating in school choice. So you might site something like class sizes um as an example or um lack of financial resources. Okay. Any discussion? Or well, does

5
00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:37.520
anyone Wait, I have to ask if anyone has a comment first. Does anyone have a comment about school choice in the audience? >> Okay. All right. Um, I will say what my feelings are on it that I don't feel like in the fiscal situation we're in

6
00:01:37.520 --> 00:01:53.600
right now that we could support any more students. and because typically you don't get the money back, you know, that you pay to educate students that come in that we don't really have enrollment issues. So, um I would make a motion to

7
00:01:53.600 --> 00:02:09.599
not um implement school choice this year due to fiscal issues and class size. >> Second that. >> Okay, you want to have a vote? All right. Um Jody, >> yes. >> Karen, >> yes. And I'm a yes to not do school

8
00:02:09.599 --> 00:02:26.840
choice. >> All right. And now I will um call the regular meeting to order um at 602 um with a roll call vote. Jody >> here. >> Um Karen >> here. >> And I'm here. All right. We'll start with the pledge of allegiance.

9
00:02:28.800 --> 00:02:44.319
I aliance 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. >> Okay. Would any visitors like to speak

10
00:02:44.319 --> 00:03:04.640
at this time? >> Okay. Um, so first, uh, I need a motion to adjourn to executive session. If someone could read the >> I'll make a motion to adjurnn to exe executive session pursuant to mass

11
00:03:04.640 --> 00:03:20.239
general law chapter 3A section 2 to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for collective bargaining um because the chair so declares and because u mass general law section 7 to comply with any general or special law and approval of the executive minutes from the last

12
00:03:20.239 --> 00:03:42.959
meeting and to return to open session after. >> Okay, I'll second. Um, Jody, are you in favor? >> Yes. And myself as a yes. So, we'll have to dismiss some of you for a little bit, but um and then I'll just um make a motion

13
00:03:42.959 --> 00:04:00.640
to accept the consent agenda unless anyone wants anything excluded. If I can get a second. >> There was in the of the minutes is in the consent agenda, right? In the amendments, it said that I um I did the report for that Jess did um

14
00:04:00.640 --> 00:04:14.959
for recreation. >> Mhm. >> So I think our names just need to be changed from you to Jess. >> Oh, okay. >> So >> for youth and wreck >> for the update, Jess did it, >> not me. >> Okay. Thank you.

15
00:04:14.959 --> 00:04:33.479
>> So you would approve with the amended. >> Okay. So, I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda with the update to the um minutes that Jody requested about the youth youth and wreck um update.

16
00:04:33.840 --> 00:04:48.000
>> Second. >> All right. Um Jody, >> yes. >> Uh Karen, >> yes. >> And I'm a yes. Okay. All right. New business. Um so for the cafeteria sub rate um and as a reminder the cafeteria

17
00:04:48.000 --> 00:05:05.440
are um paid out of a revolving account that is not impacted by our um school budget. So any decisions made for this cafeteria are separate from our regular school budget. I just want that known on because I know people wonder about that.

18
00:05:05.440 --> 00:05:22.080
But um so anyway, this was already voted in executive session. So, I'm just going to make a motion um for a Halifax cafeteria substitutes will be paid $19.7 and going forward the step one Halifax pair professional rate, whichever is greater and continue to be aligned with

19
00:05:22.080 --> 00:05:40.639
it each school year. Second, >> I'll second that. >> Okay. All right. And then um so a roll call vote, Jody, >> yes. >> Karen, yes. >> And I'm a yes. Okay. Um so there is a possible budget discussion on here. Um,

20
00:05:40.639 --> 00:05:58.080
I'm not really I have the warrant here, which on the warrant is not what the school committee voted for and so I'm not really sure how to reconcile that because our recommendation with concerns about net school spending and maintenance of effort that we're going to end up

21
00:05:58.080 --> 00:06:15.360
hurting ourselves more than helping. And so, um, my plan is to make an amendment on the town hall floor to request the funds and really hope that the override passes. But, um, you know, if I have the warrant right here and we requested

22
00:06:15.360 --> 00:06:35.759
8,8,157,387 and what's requested on here is 7,722,975, which um, according to an email I don't know if you want to address this part but or do you want me to but according to the mass

23
00:06:35.759 --> 00:06:52.160
general law what's supposed to be presented on the warrant is what the committee votes for and I can I read that or >> sure it's mass general law chapter 7 section 34 and this is from the department of education um

24
00:06:52.160 --> 00:07:08.160
uh John Sullivan who is um >> from DESIE >> from DESIE in terms of the business and finance side of of the department of education >> which we have been trying to speak with the town back and forth on what counts towards net school spending. I mean the

25
00:07:08.160 --> 00:07:23.919
net school spending money like the amount is the same and was voted last um meeting to meet net school spending because we have done things you know when in the cuts in the past that's another thing that I would like to be

26
00:07:23.919 --> 00:07:39.039
known to the town which I'm saying here is we have cut the last two years we have made cuts the last two years and we're legally required to educate our children or the kids that you know We're legally it's a legal requirement

27
00:07:39.039 --> 00:07:55.680
and we have to meet these legal standards of net school spending and m well if we don't meet maintenance of effort then we lose the reap grant which is roughly $200,000. So >> as well as the special education um entitlement grants >> as well as the special entitle special

28
00:07:55.680 --> 00:08:13.360
education. So we get even less money if we do not meet net school spending and maintenance of effort. And so I feel like as a school committee I support I mean I don't know if that's I mean you know I wasn't here last month but I support the votes that

29
00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:29.520
were taken because I feel like for the responsibilities of the town and the town needs to know why we're making this stand and not that we're unwilling to make adjustments because we're already bare bones and even the people saying we can cut more. We absolutely cannot, you

30
00:08:29.520 --> 00:08:46.160
know, without cutting staff. Like that's where we are, you know, and I understand other people in the town are like that, but I'm really hoping that the town will understand that what we are asking for is essential for our schools, for the fire, for police, everything. We're not

31
00:08:46.160 --> 00:09:01.120
just asking for this money willy-nilly. It's essential. And so I mean I don't know if there's any other discussion you want to have with the budget but um I wanted to explain where the school's coming from

32
00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:17.120
because I think there is as always a lot of misinformation out there and as a school committee at least I can speak I and I presume we want to do what's best for the school and also have that be a part of what's best for the town

33
00:09:17.120 --> 00:09:32.800
which we're in we're in a tough situation. There's a lot of other towns in a tough situation and um you know I hope we can get it fixed at a state level but for now I think you know we need to do all we can to help our kids

34
00:09:32.800 --> 00:09:50.640
and help our safety services. So that's all I can really say I guess. I don't know if you guys but anyway like I said my because if the override passes I want to make sure that we have budgeted the correct amount of money to keep ourselves at net school spending and

35
00:09:50.640 --> 00:10:05.519
maintenance of effort so we don't lose grants which happened I don't know if you remember from not last year but the year before where we did lose grants because we didn't um have maintenance of effort because we cut approximately 8,000 800,000 from the budget two years

36
00:10:05.519 --> 00:10:22.160
ago and last year I believe I'm can't remember exactly Sorry off the top of my head how much we reduced last year it was about 300,000 right >> sounds familiar but I don't have the exact >> 250 yeah so we have been

37
00:10:22.160 --> 00:10:39.279
you know making adjustments doing what we can but also trying to maintain the future which is the education of our children so >> yes >> I would like to add one more thing that in our last presentation we did share what that would look like if we had to reduce by 800,000

38
00:10:39.279 --> 00:10:54.880
um which is what the town administrator is recommending for FY27. And so um you'll see the number of um approximately 10 FTE cuts and the impact to class sizes. So you're looking at uh some classes class sizes reaching up to

39
00:10:54.880 --> 00:11:15.440
40 students per class. And that is based on real actual numbers. I'm sorry. This is so tiny. >> Okay. >> You have to do plus. >> Oh, on the keyboard. >> Yeah.

40
00:11:15.440 --> 00:11:30.640
>> So, Lauren, are you So, you're going to make a a motion. I adjust it on the town floor that the number in the warrant equal that 7 what we did 7731 771 >> once we minus all of the grants that we get.

41
00:11:30.640 --> 00:11:55.040
>> There it is. Yeah. No, I think it's this one. It's the wrong page. So, we have I mean I what we don't have control over is how people vote with the override. But

42
00:11:55.040 --> 00:12:09.440
>> but if there is no override, we are definitely looking at cutting this many staff members. And we're just sharing facts. It's not fear-mongering. It's we have cut everything we possibly can. All we have left is staff.

43
00:12:09.440 --> 00:12:27.360
And so I know I'm not I'm sort of preaching to the choir here right now, but um just if we can do our best to maintain factual information and you know um so that people don't decide you know

44
00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:44.639
what we can and can't do. It's um but yeah, so this is this is where we would be. >> You want to move on to kindergarten? >> Yeah, let's move. So in that um well and I guess well kindergarten and buses, can

45
00:12:44.639 --> 00:13:01.680
we talk? >> Yep. So okay. Um if under budget discussion we talked about um the bus fee vote is under unfinished business. So I was going to kindergarten next.

46
00:13:01.680 --> 00:13:19.040
>> Sure. That's totally fine. Yep. So last time um the committee did not decide to pursue um kindergarten fees uh and we did we were able to uh confirm that the the town cannot include halfday tuitions

47
00:13:19.040 --> 00:13:36.240
that are in their net school spending. Um, so if you we went over how we would um the assumptions we base the tuition on and then if you could scroll up again. Next slide. Next

48
00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:55.839
>> down. >> Scroll down. Yeah. Um if we were to include a full day fee based full day option for students estimated student count was 85.

49
00:13:55.839 --> 00:14:11.120
We also showed you the number of students who currently qualify for free and reduced lunch. um IEP eligible um leave leaving approximately 40 students who would be eligible to pay for full day. Others would have um a

50
00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:32.480
sliding fee scale or would be um entitled to full day. Y >> next slide. So, um, based upon what other towns are charging, we proposed an annual 3,500 in

51
00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:49.760
annual tuition. And, um, we showed you different variations of tuition scenarios and how much you may make, but we don't have any historical data, so we can't say for certain how many parents would opt in, how many parents would opt out. Um, and

52
00:14:49.760 --> 00:15:14.720
so if you scroll to the next slide, the maximum amount of money we could earn at this amount of at this fee would be 205,000 um, and as little as 65,000. In theory, this is all based on the

53
00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:33.480
assumptions that we showed you. And we also discussed the impact um and the inequities for students who were not able to attend full day K and the difficulty meeting all of the kindergarten standards in a half a day.

54
00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:49.880
So um at that in our last meeting the the school committee decided not to pursue that but the the chair has been asked to put this back on the um agenda again for this evening. So, we're here to answer any questions you may have.

55
00:15:50.720 --> 00:16:06.399
>> I have questions cuz I felt like we needed to vote on it. I didn't think that we voted on it before. So, that's why I asked for vote on because I wasn't sure. >> They chose not to pursue it. >> No need. >> No. No. Yeah. >> And that's just is that money these

56
00:16:06.399 --> 00:16:23.600
estimates does that take in account the extra expenditures that we would have like the bus? we would need extra buses to come like at noon to let those, you know, drive the half day kids home. >> So Stephanie can speak to >> Yeah. So I was able to get quotes. Um, this does include

57
00:16:23.600 --> 00:16:40.480
the staffing and also so that bottom number the 370 that's what we would need to um that's what we would need to earn to cover the teachers and also the busing the additional buses and then the cost

58
00:16:40.480 --> 00:16:56.560
of the teachers. So therefore, we would need to charge each kid $6,300 >> for kindergarten tuition. >> And that's assuming every kid's going to do it. People aren't going to opt to just not do it cuz they have to pay for

59
00:16:56.560 --> 00:17:10.480
it, >> right? And also, if Halifax decides to go with half day, that money that the town brings in, that cannot be put towards net school spending. So essentially, you would have

60
00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:28.160
to charge every parent for full day Kay just to get a reduction in net school spending for the town. >> The money that we earn from that, would that be able to like fund like a teacher salary or something or that just goes to the town's budget, not to the school?

61
00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:44.960
>> It goes to the school's budget. >> Uhhuh. >> Um >> it goes into a revolving account. But then does that >> we pay I guess bills related to kindergarten out of the revolving account kind of like the >> lunch. >> Yeah, you would pay for the staff and uh the bus not the lunch. The lunch is

62
00:17:44.960 --> 00:18:01.440
separate. >> No, no, I know. I'm just saying like but it's like a revolving account like that. Yeah. >> I was interested to hear like from the teachers to be like what would this would this create? Like do they think this is a positive thing? Do they think this is negative? because it kind of

63
00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:23.360
seems like we would lose money if we as a school if we did this. >> We could. >> Yeah. >> Only the other option I suppose is just going to complete half day kindergarten and then that would but but then you

64
00:18:23.360 --> 00:18:39.919
would have two we'd only need two teachers in K. But there are some kids that would still have to have full day. Correct. or so you can't really do that either. I'm just like presenting as much as because they're um

65
00:18:39.919 --> 00:18:55.520
you may have some students whose disability related needs are so great that they do require full day programming in order to make progress in the curriculum. >> And we would have to do that even if we did half day over. They would take each morning session and an afternoon session. Okay?

66
00:18:55.520 --> 00:19:12.720
>> And you can't charge them because it's free and appropriate public education. So you can't charge them to access their service. >> So might that might not even be possible with the number of IEPs. Like it might not even be, you know, like feasible because of the number like I mean I'm

67
00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:28.000
just, you know, >> the number shouldn't be so great, but it is, you know, you will have some students within that. >> Um, but you couldn't really ask those students just to do the same kidding around class twice. like you'd have to have separate

68
00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:43.840
>> lessons and curriculum for the for the other half of the day. >> Depends on their level of need. If the level of need is so high, the repetition is actually a positive. >> So then what would be the downfall other than not having our kids have full-time? I'm all about full-time getting, but

69
00:19:43.840 --> 00:19:59.760
what other problems would there be if we just went to just half day overall? >> We could save teachers. >> Yeah. I kind of think about um how the the kindergarten teachers are really um putting the baseline for foundational skills

70
00:19:59.760 --> 00:20:16.320
>> in the and if we remove and go half day not being able to meet the standards and the social emotional needs as well as the academic needs of our kids no kind of like what I'm kind of thinking about >> um and how vital kindergarten really is

71
00:20:16.320 --> 00:20:32.720
to the success of children. I 100% agree with you. But I was just thinking like >> y >> class of 28 or class of less than 28 for half the day. You know what I mean? Is that still an advantage? Right. So if we can get those class sizes down for the

72
00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:49.600
kindergarten it's less time overall but you know better time that they're there. I don't know if that would be a good option at all. I was thinking but trust me I completely agree with >> and I think a class size of 28 kindergarteners >> is also a lot.

73
00:20:49.600 --> 00:21:06.000
>> Oh, I know. Yeah. >> So, just the half day I was just thinking couldn't make it. >> And then I was going I was thinking about too about busing where we would have to provide transportation home. >> Mhm. >> Right. >> Midday. >> Midday. And then we have to have

74
00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:22.960
transportation again to go out to pick up our kids in kindergarten. >> That's an >> Yes. Which in which in turn would just be another logistic thing for transitions for little kids. >> Um I think something that is newer because I think um within the integrated

75
00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:41.360
preschools for half day students I think you have to either provide them free breakfast, free lunch or a free afternoon snack. So there's a whole another piece to you might have to feed the kids leaving and then the kids coming. I guess I'm also too concerned about if

76
00:21:41.360 --> 00:21:58.480
we did half day and none of since we're in the district, right, and then the other schools do half day. It's kind of putting our kids at a disadvantage when they >> just from the beginning when compared to the other schools in the district and then getting them up to coming together at the junior well with the last seventh

77
00:21:58.480 --> 00:22:15.200
grade that begins. And something that I'm excited about too um is at our next school committee meeting in uh in June is going over like our scores um for our for our younger kids and seeing how incredible our teachers are doing and moving our kids forward from when they

78
00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:41.200
come in. What's up? >> So, if we don't want to move forward with it, we don't have to do anything. We just move on. Do you want to um discuss it anymore or do you have any I just I I um

79
00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:59.240
suppose like you know if the override doesn't pass we would still have full day kindergarten but with smaller class sizes I mean larger class sizes pardon me which seems better than half day kindergarten or I mean I know it's like

80
00:22:59.520 --> 00:23:18.320
can't really predict the future But um it's just I I mean I don't you know like I definitely asking for $6,500 per year is a lot of money, you know. So I

81
00:23:18.320 --> 00:23:35.600
I don't know. I mean I I don't I don't think it's I mean it's not neither situation is good you know and we don't have guar many guarantees if we do the paying for kindergarten. >> No. >> So I don't know I

82
00:23:35.600 --> 00:23:52.799
>> I think a lot of people opt out. >> Yeah. >> To pay that fee, right? I mean, just thinking >> and just have the half day, you know, >> and if that was like the option per se, we would need that money I'm assuming up front um to start the school year of

83
00:23:52.799 --> 00:24:08.559
$6,500 would be my I don't know how that would work per se, but that's another logistical thing that we'd have to work through based on the sliding scale. Um a payment for a school to make sure that you're coming. um thinking about if you drop like if you decide not to stay, am

84
00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:26.480
I not obligated to refund you your money based on things that were already there? I don't know. There's a lot of unknowns like you're saying that if that's the route, but >> I don't think that there's really a significant advantage for disrupting our whole system of education that we have and it hopefully is a short-term

85
00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:42.720
problem. So, I don't really think that paying for kindergarten or just going with all half day kindergarten, I don't think either one of them is really going to fix our problems and it's probably just going to create more problems down the road. I wouldn't really support either of those.

86
00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:58.799
So, I wouldn't want to take a vote on either one, how I feel. >> That's fine with me as long as Do you guys Is there any other discussion or Okay. All right. So we're um so now unfinished business

87
00:24:58.799 --> 00:25:14.480
uh full regionalization discussion. >> Um so we have uh started interviews with the Collins Center and they have begun collecting information from various uh staff members. We meet on a monthly basis

88
00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:40.000
and we have no additional information to report. >> Okay. And then the Busby vote. Um, >> do you have >> if you could Yeah. plus.

89
00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:56.080
>> So, similar to the sliding fee scale and the um number of students who would be exempt, you may have um it you would have sliding scales for for for some students who qualified for transport transportation because of specialized

90
00:25:56.080 --> 00:26:13.440
needs. You would also have students who qualified for sliding scale because um of their status on free and reduced lunch and um in addition to that we have to provide transportation

91
00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:31.159
outside of 2 miles. So last year Sarah presented a whole presentation on what uh what that may look like depending upon who participated. And if you go to the next slide,

92
00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:47.440
the potential revenue based upon 100% participation uh and potential fees all the way to 25% participation and potential fees. And so the amount of um revenue ranged anywhere

93
00:26:47.440 --> 00:27:06.559
from 108,000 to 6,5 750. Um and again it it brings up all sorts of safety issues once again because it's between 1 and 2 miles. But again you

94
00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:21.600
sometimes have kindergarten students and younger students who are not going to be eligible for the bus. who may not be able to afford the bus. Um, it may be a financial hardship for parents to bring students. You're also going to have cars lined up even more

95
00:27:21.600 --> 00:27:39.159
than they are right now if you impose a fee that's too high for your citizens to pay. Again, there are no guarantees with this. We're just pointing out some possible gains and a a range of revenues that you could actually realize.

96
00:27:48.080 --> 00:28:05.760
Do you have any idea by chance about how many parents use the bus versus during drop off? Do you happen to know that? >> Um, >> it's just curious. >> I don't have like an exact number. >> Yeah. >> However, probably every bus is packed to

97
00:28:05.760 --> 00:28:21.039
the to the gills. >> Okay. And because from previous years and the reductions of what had already happened in previous years, I believe you guys took away two buses last year before. >> Um, and kind of reooking historically

98
00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:37.520
about the cuts that have already been made. >> Um, also parent drop off. Um, >> uh, I mean it's busy all the way up until past maybe we're supposed to let people in without saying that they're late. Um, but right until like 8:33,

99
00:28:37.520 --> 00:28:54.399
like there are still people dropping off. Um, and it starts off 3 deep. Um, and it takes a little bit of time because our incredible SRO officer Ryan, he is directing typically the buses out and stopping traffic for the buses to leave. Um, and then it takes a little

100
00:28:54.399 --> 00:29:11.279
time too because of the traffic situation in the front where they're going out just first because you know some cars to go left, some cars to go right. Um, that can it's a lot. It's a lot of people. Um, I'll tell you that. Yeah. So, and then some days it's I've

101
00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:25.760
actually had some extra help off the whim from some um community members that are also police officers that have helped direct traffic when things have backed up so far um just to help in the not the leaving section but the entering

102
00:29:25.760 --> 00:29:45.200
of the parking lot. Um because we're, you know, dropping off The only fee I would feel comfortable with would be $250. But that said, I don't think it we if even if we had

103
00:29:45.200 --> 00:30:00.640
100% it wouldn't be solving many problems, you know, and it would just be making a lot of people's lives harder. I mean, we get com, you know, you see complaints about how much trash pickup is, and I don't know. I mean, maybe I shouldn't,

104
00:30:00.640 --> 00:30:18.720
but I I mean, I feel like the problems are larger than this. And I feel like the detriment, especially, you know, for like I I mean, we don't want more people driving. We don't want kids having a hard time getting to school.

105
00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:34.799
um in and to really add on to the um uh to the morning and afternoon routine, that's a really like the pair of professionals that are out there doing that duty are like a welloiled machine. They know exactly what's happening. They know what to do like no one's like

106
00:30:34.799 --> 00:30:50.640
dillydallying around or like around like people are going in and out um as quickly as possible to make sure that safety is number one priority because people are um even at the buses people are working really hard on the buses to get the kids on. because there's a million kids on every single bus and

107
00:30:50.640 --> 00:31:08.320
then they get them safely home. So, um but it's it's you know they do a really good job outside. >> Well, then too like during CO I there I don't has I mean I did drop off and pick up during CO just to make room on the buses for other kids basically. Um, and

108
00:31:08.320 --> 00:31:24.720
you know, I mean, it was like really well done. You know, it and um, I don't know. To me, it doesn't even look like the volume's gone down since then, but I could be wrong cuz like I've driven by and there's like just lines of cars. So, I I sort of I don't know. I could be wrong.

109
00:31:24.720 --> 00:31:41.679
I can't predict the future, but it doesn't seem like a lot of people necessarily opt in to pay the bus fee. they might just drive their kids or I don't know. Do you folks have any thoughts? >> I don't think that what the revenue we

110
00:31:41.679 --> 00:31:58.320
would get from it would offset anything huge to really like make a difference. My only hesitation is I feel like this is the only thing place that we can kind of contribute for like the town deficit as a school committee like to help the town because we are part of that community. this is where we could earn a little bit of revenue, but I don't feel

111
00:31:58.320 --> 00:32:13.360
like the amount of revenue like that is my concern and I do think about that, but I don't think the amount of revenue that we would earn would be worth kind of disrupting the whole entire system that we already have now. >> Well, then 100% does that include like

112
00:32:13.360 --> 00:32:30.399
families that have more than one child? if the 100% of the the estimated number of students who could pay full price if I recall correctly that is what this is based on. You can go back to the

113
00:32:30.399 --> 00:32:44.880
other presentation but I'm pretty sure that that's >> because also I you know if there's siblings in a family I wouldn't want to you know there should be a cap too so that might bring >> it did not it did not consider any kind of sibling caps or anything like that.

114
00:32:44.880 --> 00:33:04.960
This is per eligible student. >> So if you decided to impose a cap, you could be looking at less revenue. >> Can I just ask a question? Between one and two miles. So is it like we have to provide transportation after two or like what's the between one and two?

115
00:33:04.960 --> 00:33:20.880
>> You have to provide transportation to all students who live two or more miles from the school. That's a must. And is it like as the crow flies like in a circle from the school or is it like distance >> like a radius? >> Yeah. So you could in theory have people in the same neighborhood.

116
00:33:20.880 --> 00:33:37.760
>> Yeah. >> Some may qualify for the bus and others may not. >> Which is also an added communities that are past that too. >> And kindergarteners is a requirement to bus isn't it or no? >> We have always um worked to provide

117
00:33:37.760 --> 00:33:59.279
transportation for our youngest students. So, it's never been an issue. >> Does anybody else pay for busing in the district other than like does Plimpmpton, you know? No. Well, again, that's another really great

118
00:33:59.279 --> 00:34:24.800
benefit of regionalization is that we get a lot more reimbursement for our blessing, which I mean, that's also something in the future that we're looking at to try to save costs. So, do other Well, I know like um how many

119
00:34:24.800 --> 00:34:41.359
communities do you think charge for buses? Like just comparatively speaking, is there any info on that or >> I don't have any numbers on that. I know that Stephanie reached out and was able to get a few communities but not many to to respond to the amount. >> Yeah. So, I only reached out to the

120
00:34:41.359 --> 00:34:57.280
communities who charge for kindergarten uh fees. I didn't reach out to any communities about transportation. I could do some research and get those numbers to you as far as like how many communities on the Plymouth County side.

121
00:34:57.280 --> 00:35:22.880
Yeah. Charge for busing. I do feel like there should be a cap for siblings if we did >> if we did implement this. >> That'd be very expensive. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. If you have a kid that goes to kindergarten, we charge you for

122
00:35:22.880 --> 00:35:41.880
kindergarten and then you have to charge them for the bus. >> It's a lot. And then people would choose not to do it and everybody will be in front side. >> It's not really free and public education. >> Sure.

123
00:35:46.720 --> 00:36:04.480
>> I don't I mean, I'm torn about it because I can completely understand people saying that, you know, paying for the services you use, but um in the town,

124
00:36:04.480 --> 00:36:23.599
and I'm not saying that $27,000 isn't a lot of money. I'm not saying that either. But I just wonder if it's um going to make that big of a difference, you know, if we don't get if I mean, if the override doesn't pass. I

125
00:36:23.599 --> 00:36:39.040
mean, I think of people that, okay, now they're if you know, we we're asking people to vote for the override, and I don't want to like then also be like, and can you pay for buses because that is also increasing their spend in a year,

126
00:36:39.040 --> 00:36:56.640
but and there's I don't know what percentage of the town has students in the school. Does anyone know? like as far as you know so like if we're asking for too many things like I feel like we can ask everyone for a certain amount that will help the entire town

127
00:36:56.640 --> 00:37:13.040
>> or we can ask a few people for something that will make a difference but not a huge one. >> We've never really discussed the ratio of people with kids in school versus not because school is some a requirement of >> Yeah.

128
00:37:13.040 --> 00:37:29.359
>> Massachusetts towns. >> Mhm. And we talked about that in the last meeting. And we talked about the fact that this is kind of a debt that we owe the next generation because generations before h us have

129
00:37:29.359 --> 00:37:44.480
been afforded free public education. So again, I there are going to be people who feel strongly on both sides of this issue and I don't think we're going to resolve

130
00:37:44.480 --> 00:38:00.000
that this evening. I think the job tonight is to decide what you have made a proposal to the town of what you think is appropriate. You have made cuts to this budget not only this year but the last two years.

131
00:38:00.000 --> 00:38:15.599
And I think at this point it's really in the hands of the voters to determine whether or not they think it's important for their children to receive a certain level of education and

132
00:38:15.599 --> 00:38:30.400
transportation for children and full day. I again I don't I don't think I don't think there's much more you can do other than explain to people what they will lose

133
00:38:30.400 --> 00:38:47.440
now that this is tied to an override. >> Right. >> And I think an important part is that our budget itself is not an increase of over 2.5%. And I think that's another important

134
00:38:47.440 --> 00:39:02.079
piece of education to the community. >> I agree with that. I mean, I'm really not inclined to do it. I don't, you know, that's where I stand, but I don't know what you your thoughts

135
00:39:02.079 --> 00:39:19.680
are. I mean, I hate to keep saying that we're not trying to help, but I mean, the best case scenario was $100,000 >> and an $8 million budget to create all this anarchy for this family has to pay, this family doesn't have to pay, and you

136
00:39:19.680 --> 00:39:36.320
have to drive now, and did we get money for both your kids? I mean, it just sounds like anarchy for not a big gain again. And I feel like, you know, that we're not trying to be sympathetic to the town, but I think that we have over the last two years extremely. We've have come at

137
00:39:36.320 --> 00:39:52.880
some hard costs for our kids here in the school. And I just don't feel like the most, which probably wouldn't even get close to it, is 100,000. And that's the absolute crazy most out of $8 million. I just don't really feel like it's worth the fiasco that it would be

138
00:39:52.880 --> 00:40:09.839
to ask. we're supposed to be educating the kids and how can you educate them if you don't get him in the building? So, it's part of the education. So, that's how I feel. I would almost lean towards going doing it. But my question, I think at this point where I'm where I'm at is

139
00:40:09.839 --> 00:40:27.359
is this something that we can like table until another meeting when that to see if the override passes because if the override passes then this certainly wouldn't, you know, I feel like my determin my vote might would be different. Can we do that? like wait to vote on the busing

140
00:40:27.359 --> 00:40:43.040
specifically >> a bus fee after the budget vote. >> Yeah. Like if we don't if we don't get the override then discuss again imposing the fee to give us the extra funds for the school versus do it now because we might not need

141
00:40:43.040 --> 00:40:59.839
>> I don't know of a reason not to especially if it's going to be a separate revolving account. It's not really associated with the budget >> because it's a revolving account. So, I mean, technically, >> we could look into it. I I

142
00:40:59.839 --> 00:41:19.880
>> again, if the override doesn't pass, I I I I still don't know that imposing a bus fee is going to give you much. >> Yeah, I understand that. >> So, it Well, do we have any motions or

143
00:41:25.520 --> 00:41:42.160
or do you want to discuss more? Okay, >> up to you. >> I'm thinking. >> Okay, take your time. >> But we we will look into it. >> Yeah. In case you can >> And what I can say is that Halifax for FY26

144
00:41:42.160 --> 00:41:58.319
um for the school year, you guys are paying over $300,000 for the buses. So, and there's an increase for next year. So, the 108 I just, you know, it's really not going to take much off the top.

145
00:41:58.319 --> 00:42:15.760
>> So, it's not going to help very much. >> No. >> $30,000 a month. >> Did you say it was 3 million? >> No. So, >> 300,000 for the year. >> Yeah. This is what you guys pay for the year. 307,209.

146
00:42:15.760 --> 00:42:38.319
And this is what you pay monthly for the 180 days or 10 months. >> So if we got 25% of when you can >> Yeah. >> make one month. >> No. >> Do you want to make a motion or do you want to move on or I don't want to like

147
00:42:38.319 --> 00:42:58.880
It's okay. I don't know. Does anybody know if you guys don't want to make a motion? >> What? I don't want to make a motion. >> I don't want to make a motion, but must be so up to you if you want to make sure. >> No. >> All right. Um, administration report.

148
00:42:58.880 --> 00:43:16.079
>> Sure. Um so MCAST is currently um happening right now and uh I really want to um give a huge shout out to um the assistant principal Miss Lupron and our um uh pair professional in the office for doing an

149
00:43:16.079 --> 00:43:32.079
incredible job with very um very smooth procedures and processes. Also, thank you to the teachers um for third through sixth grade who have really done a great job with getting their kids prepared with the MCCAST and um and thanking parents for understanding some of the um

150
00:43:32.079 --> 00:43:46.800
some of the things we have to do in during that time to make sure that we're taking MCCAST because it's required by um you know the state makes us take it. So, thank you. Um, I also wanted to um and shout the people in the room today too, the paras and the um teachers that came today for the school committee uh

151
00:43:46.800 --> 00:44:02.160
because even with this stressful time, they're still working very very hard to make sure that their kids that are in their classrooms and in front of them every single day are getting exactly what they need. So kudos to you guys. I really appreciate it. Um on top of that as well, we have some exciting things

152
00:44:02.160 --> 00:44:19.680
coming up with field trips. Um, we want to give a huge shout out to the PTO who pays for our field trips and making sure that we have buses for the field trips. So, thank you very much. That is fantastic. Um, the PTO is also going to be purchasing some new soccer nets that

153
00:44:19.680 --> 00:44:35.280
are movable for the kids outside of recess, which is awesome. And they're also going to be doing some small um uh kind of little little uh bursts within each grade level for some additional things that the kids can um the kids can

154
00:44:35.280 --> 00:44:51.520
do on top of um the incredible work already. Uh let's see. I hope everybody had a great April break. And there was another thing with the PTO. Um they do a lot, let me tell you. The PTO is incredible. >> You both uh what

155
00:44:51.520 --> 00:45:06.160
>> did you get there? Did you get your ton of the book fair? >> Um, we did the book fair and that was a little bit ago. I can't remember exactly how much money we made. Um, but it was the PTO and sorry, I'm usually more prepared with uh

156
00:45:06.160 --> 00:45:23.200
with the PTO test. So, um, they were a they purchased the soccer goals and well I'll remember I'll tell you next next meeting. Sorry. Um, but uh just like a really big shout out to the staff working hard through this, you know,

157
00:45:23.200 --> 00:45:39.760
difficult time because, you know, it's it's stressful. Um, and they come in every single day with a smile on their face making sure that their stress doesn't go down to the kids. Uh, which really means that they're kids first. So, thank you. >> Thank you. Um, Stephanie.

158
00:45:39.760 --> 00:45:56.319
>> Okay. Yeah, it was already in the consent agenda. Okay. >> Dr.'s not here, so I can give you an update. Um on April 16th, we had our progress report update um with the the joint school committee. Uh I presented our progress towards our goals and in

159
00:45:56.319 --> 00:46:11.520
addition uh the principles attended and also Brian DeSantis presented the the data for both the fall and winter data. Um, the last round of coaching visits with the HMH coach will be on April 30th

160
00:46:11.520 --> 00:46:28.400
at Halifax Elementary School. And the schools continue their field test for CK CKLA windows um through April 3rd and the week of 20 of April 27th, TMPT will return to each of the schools involved in prison for observations of the

161
00:46:28.400 --> 00:46:45.200
Wonders Field Test. >> Okay. >> Sorry, can I add >> Okay. Can I go back? >> Yeah. >> Um I wanted to um also talk about on May 14th the district curriculum showcase that's going to be hosted at the high school. Um I've been, you know, probably

162
00:46:45.200 --> 00:47:02.640
pestering the staff for for months about getting me some uh some great um student work that's going to be presented at the high school on May 14th at the high school. Um, so please if you know if you're in Halifax, come and see the great work that our kids have done as well as other schools in the district

163
00:47:02.640 --> 00:47:22.560
and looking forward to a to a great evening. I've been talking about a lot. >> Do you have anything else? >> I have nothing else. >> Okay. Um, subcommittees admin review. I think they are meeting. I don't think they have met. Right. they they are

164
00:47:22.560 --> 00:47:37.920
meeting and um the school committee has been provided with a tool to provide me with feedback for my annual uh review. In addition, the joint committee meeting provided an overview of uh goals throughout the district which would

165
00:47:37.920 --> 00:47:54.000
might be helpful if you were not able to attend. You might want to watch that because it does go over each of the things that are listed um in in terms of district-wide goals. >> Okay. Jen Pilgrim Area Collaborative was Lori, but um she's not here.

166
00:47:54.000 --> 00:48:09.200
>> Oh, that's me. >> Oh, that's you now. Sorry. Gosh. Anyway, go ahead, Jody. >> They prepared a summary for us, so I'm just going to read that if that's okay. >> That's perfect. >> Um so, they proposed a fiscal year 27 budget. It was presented in the amount of 11 million uh 52. Uh this is actually

167
00:48:09.200 --> 00:48:25.520
a lower amount than the amended um last year, fiscal year 26 budget. It's important to note that the collaborative budgets are not like traditional districts that are allocated a certain amount to spend taxf funded through tuition billing. So the budgets prepared like a business and needs to estimate student enrollments and uh projected

168
00:48:25.520 --> 00:48:41.040
tuition incomes. An amended budget is almost always presented and adopted in the fall after the school year starts and there's a better um pulse on what the what the student enrollment will actually be versus the estimates from the spring. So key highlights is that no significant additions and no new

169
00:48:41.040 --> 00:48:56.160
positions were added. tuition increase will be 3%. Collaboratives typically try to keep tuition increases to 3 to 5% each year. Um PAC understands how much local communities are struggling with the school budgets and presented a conservative budget to reflect the current fiscal climates of the

170
00:48:56.160 --> 00:49:13.040
communities. Uh still providing the same programs to help support districts in the students who need the outofd educational support services. Um and the budget will be uh approved at the next meeting which is May 7th. Um and they also did some um policy reviews for a first read um that was brought

171
00:49:13.040 --> 00:49:28.880
about and to to keep the policies up to date and to be in compliance with laws and desk regulations. And so that was what we voted on at the next meeting. That's it. >> Thank you. And you and 31 you just talked about the meeting that we just had. negotiations

172
00:49:28.880 --> 00:49:46.000
um we have we are meeting um and we'll continue to capital budget I guess was kind of covered last meeting policy I don't think is met >> no update >> and then youth and wreck >> is >> it's Jess

173
00:49:46.000 --> 00:50:02.000
>> Jess okay I don't know where my brain is today but all right she's not here PTO >> PTO uh just yeah just kind of going off what Mr. Krina said the only additions that I have is that they're in the middle of doing the Cupcake Charlie fundraiser. Um, and those are due in I

174
00:50:02.000 --> 00:50:18.240
think it's by May 1st. Um, and they're also um supporting some sixth grade requests for the sixth grade class for different things like sweatshirts, t-shirts for future Laker Day and a speaker for their graduation. Um, and they are looking at um teacher appreciation week for May and what they

175
00:50:18.240 --> 00:50:33.440
can do to support the teachers for their appreciation week, the soccer nets. Um and then also um the field trips which they already funded and then special programs for each grade um for their requests. They would be funding those as well. So they've done a lot.

176
00:50:33.440 --> 00:50:49.200
>> Great. Thanks everyone. Um and then I don't think we have any other matters. Um just some dates to remember. May 25th is Memorial Day. May 29th is Silver Lake graduation. The rain date is May 30th. June 4th there's an early release for K

177
00:50:49.200 --> 00:51:05.040
through 6 at 12:30. And our next um Halifax, our next school committee meeting is June 8th, which will be a reorg after the um election. And so um that's why I didn't want to redo the

178
00:51:05.040 --> 00:51:20.559
subcommittees because re reorging anyway. Um so I will make a motion to adjourn this meeting. >> Thanks. Um and let's do a roll call vote. Uh Jody, >> yes. Karen yes

179
00:51:20.559 --> 00:51:25.960
>> and myself is a yes. Thank you everyone.