[Music] going to call the Halifax School Committee meeting to order at 6:12 with a roll call vote. Um, so it's a new thing. Um, >> so Karen, you say present, >> present.
>> Jessica present >> and Lauren present. All right. And I'll open the um Halifax board of selectman meeting for Monday, August 25th, 2025. Here with us is um Selectman Tom Pratt, Selectman Bill Smith, myself, Selectman Jonathan Celig.
Just to let everybody know, this meeting is being recorded by Area 58. And we usually start with a pledge of allegiance. If you guys will indulge me, that'd be great. I pledge 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. >> Thank you. >> Um I will also say the meeting is being recorded because we're the school committee. >> Absolutely. um by area 58 and um also
that if anyone wants to make an audio or video recording of this meeting at this time to please let me know. Um I wanted to have a moment of silence for Mr. Bay Ranchian who passed away over the summer. So, if we could take a moment, thank you. And we really appreciate his
service to the school and um he will be missed greatly by everyone. Um are there any visitors that wish to speak? No. Okay. Oh, be Well, do you want to
speak in addition to >> Oh, I didn't know if I was supposed to speak. >> Oh, no. No. Sorry. >> Yeah. >> Well, we'll uh we're going to go through that in just a second. But any other visitors besides the um candidates for being appointed to the school committee?
Sorry, not more clear. All right. Um, so at this time we'll appoint we're looking to appoint a new Halifax school committee member and have a vote. Um, so is our other candidate here? >> Yeah, we have both candidates here.
>> Okay, perfect. >> I was just wondering, Lauren, if I may, is Lori Do we know if Lor's coming? Lori is not coming. >> Not coming. All right, so she's Okay, then then I think we're all systems ahead. >> Okay, so I was going I wanted to invite both candidates to sit at the end of the table.
Um and then um I'll give an outline of how we're going to proceed. Um so first we will allow each of you to give an opening statement of up to 3 minutes and then we are going to the boards will
take turns asking questions of both of you. you'll each get a turn to answer the question. So someone doesn't have like you know you don't get your whole interview and then you get your so um and then um after all the questions you'll conclude
with a one to two minute statement and we'll go to that point. So um if you would like just because you're sitting closer if you would like to introduce yourself and make your statement. >> Of course. So my name is Jodi Goyette. Um I live here in Halifax on Writer's Way. Um I am interested in joining the
school committee. Um the education I think of our children is very important and therefore the Halifax elementary school is very important. Um I am hoping to get more involved in the town. My background I work as an attorney for the state. So I feel like I would really um
but the skills that I would bring to the table is really listening to the different issues that there are and the information that needs to be um decided you know and viewed and look at that information and partially look to find the information and seek the information
that's needed to be make best decisions. That's something that I do on a daily basis in my role uh as my work and then u to use all the information that I can to make a u impartial decision. So, I think that that's those are skills that could help in the school committee. Um, so I'm sorry I didn't really come more
prepared with a statement or anything, but that's why I want to join the committee and hopefully work with everybody here. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, >> Lauren. Hi. Um, I'm Lauren Marie Brower. I live here in Halifax. Last year, I had a child at each school. I just recently
watched my my older daughter graduate, which was wonderful. Um I currently am the president and have been the president for the last three years of the PTO up at the high school. I also sit on the school council. Uh in addition, I've been a special educator
for the last 20 years. Um and I am also a board-certified behavior analyst and I feel that I have a unique perspective uh as far as the um the function of how an educational system would work um where
resources resources could come from and uh but also where where they're especially needed uh where we wouldn't want to cut but where maybe we could without causing harm to the student body. Thank you.
>> Um, we'll open up to questions. Does anyone have any questions to start off with from the school committee? >> I have some. >> Yeah, I know. I didn't want to like we had similar questions. I want to steal your Go ahead. You can steal my I don't
own any. Um, so um the atmosphere at a school is very important. Um and as a school committee, part of our job is to support the uh goals and of the school and the district. And um
I'm blanking on the goals. Can you name the four off the top of your head? Sorry, I know it's in the packet. >> District goals. >> The district goals. >> No, >> no, I'm not. I I wasn't looking. I'm looking in the general direction. >> I was told there wasn't going to be a test this evening. I'm getting everyone
back into >> pop quiz. >> Building community. >> Building community >> using data and researchbased instructional strategies to provide all students with access to
the curriculum. >> Mhm. The third is to create an aligned and engaging curriculum prek through 12. >> Mhm. And then the last one includes >> the fourth one is supports and structures to enhance learning
opportunities for all students, >> right? Cuz all students need to feel safe in order to learn. And as a school committee member, what would you do to support the goals of the district? Which I didn't want to mess them up really. So that's why. Thank you. >> Teasing.
Um, since you went first, we'll let Lauren go first on this question. >> Sure. Um, well, first and foremost would be to look at the data that we have. What's working and what's not working? Um, where are our charts showing us where we should be and where have we
been and what didn't work before should be clearly marked within that. Uh, in addition, you know, we need to be able to support our teachers. uh are they how do we support them by making sure they have access to best
practices? So is the curriculum that they're getting is it databacked? Is it showing the best um results in student learning and not necessarily just on test wise but you know are the kids getting a full
opportunity to learn not just you know sorry often times we care more about uh the score rather than how they got to the score and most kids don't learn that way. So, if we're
preparing them again with best practices, is it data backed? Can we do it? Um, and giving the teachers the tools that they need, and that doesn't necessarily mean throwing money at whatever uh new fad is out
there. What's already worked, what curriculum are we utilizing that we know works based across state goals? Um, for example, are we using I Ready? are we using lead 180? These are proven systems that show growth. Um, and if we're not
utilizing proven systems that show growth, then we're not going to see that in our results and we're not going to watch our district move up. And instead, I don't know how to word this, but in order to to give the teachers what they
need to teach the kids, we have to have the best product or tools, right? So if we're not providing them with those tools and we're just picking the tools that sound the best rather than making sure that the tools that are backed and we know our best based on the data and
research and best practice is given, then we're not really giving them much. Right? So we need to make sure that we're we understand those things that we can present them with. >> Judy, you just guys just speak up just a
little bit more. Are you guys having a hard time? Okay. Oh yeah. >> The acoustics are tough in here. >> They're terrible. You have to present >> which I always feel like I'm not angry. I'm just talking loud. >> Oh no, she's angry.
>> Watch out for me. Yeah, >> go ahead. >> So I would say more for um making sure you talked about part of the goals being like the safety and inclusion and community based. Um, I think it's important to like listen to the teachers and listen to the employees and the people who work in this field and what
they do and how they you know how they do and how they believe would be the best way and then to gather the resources that show the different ways to do it, the ways you know that maybe not be the best way that be the best and to make a decision using that information. Um, I also think, you know, it's important for the students to feel
safe and in anything that maybe different community um, you know, events or working with the PTO or things like that to make sure that everybody feels included, including the people that work there as well as the students is very important. That's when you listed off the goals, the things that I kind of
highlighted in mine was the the concerns, the safety of the children, feeling that they're safe here, and the community based inclusion. >> Thank you. Do you have a question here? Um, sure. Uh, just so I guess this jumps back to Judy here. Um, >> Jody, >> sorry. >> That's okay.
>> Sorry about that. Uh, what do you see are the biggest challenges for our school district? And do you have any spitball ideas as to how we could at least initially try to tackle them? >> Well, so I think just with the the last fiscal year and this fiscal year always and the most challenging thing for the
school system is budget. um and looking at the budget and trying to figure out where the money can come from that you need and hopefully, you know, not cutting services and if that has to be done, what would be the best way to do that? Um I don't specifically have any ideas at the moment. Um but I definitely
think that that's a huge, you know, conversation and a long-term um plan and and research and things like that to go through. I definitely think that that's probably the most important um hurdle right now that the that the school's facing.
>> Good. Thank you. >> Okay. So, um right now a huge chunk of our budget school I mean districtwide would be special education. Am I right? And and I noticed when I was looking at
our budget that we outsource a lot of our um services because that's what we have available. Um I know Jonathan had you had told me we're not a true um regional, right? We're not >> Yeah. Not full regional,
>> which is almost it's actually incredibly unfortunate because under a full regional, we would not need to have it separate SLPs or OT's at every school. you could have one and you would hire SLPAS or CODAS to work under them which
would alleviate some of that funding. Um, and you know obviously it would it would create a job or two because you would have your SLPAS or your CODS um but it would also free up some of that money. The other
thing too is if you if you know you had the right special educators or not that we don't because we have some wonderful educators here. Uh but if you have the right services within the school, you don't have to outsource it. It costs a hell of a lot
more to outsource it than it does to have it in in school. Um, and there's a there's a here at this school alone, I mean, I can tell you that you have a former reading specialist who is pretty
phenomenal sitting back there. Um, I have kindergartener who left here reading well above grade level. Um, and that's insanity. Like so good. So, uh, so if you have the right people doing the right thing, we wouldn't need
to outsource. Uh, I know that it costs the district. I think it's close to $5,000 a term, I think it is, or a month a month, I'm sorry, a month to send a child to Reeds Collaborative. It's a lot of money for one shopping to go to an
outsource place. So, if we can bring our students back in district, if it were more of a full district, uh it would alleviate financial pressure on the towns, but I also think having our
kids at home in their home schools is better for our kids all around. These are at some point they're not always going to be out of district, right? They're going to want to come back to district. They want to want to build those relationships within district that they're not going to have if we cannot
bring them back to >> Thank you. >> Um, do you have any questions? >> Not right now. >> Do you a main question and I'm sure that everybody is wondering this is if you
want to be on the school committee now, why did you not consider running in May? trying to take them first. Sure. Uh >> Lauren's turn. >> I was going to run. I actually um had
planned all last year and we had some things come up that kind of took our attention away. And I said, "All right, I'll just wait till next year." My husband and I sat. We had a conversation at that time that maybe next year would be a better opportunity to do so or the
next round, right? And uh and then this happened and it seemed like maybe it was supposed to be this year. So the plan was in place, the ideas were were made. Um, I discussed it with uh some friends I have on the
Silver Lake School Committee and the Kingston committee and and some other folks around town who had asked if I'd want to run and we discussed it and it was a plan. I had board and then life happened and we said this might be
better for us next year. But then when this kind of opened up it was like well maybe it is this year that it needs to happen. for me wasn't even in my purview in May. It wasn't even it wasn't even an idea in my mind. Um I was just finishing up. So
my my oldest is entering kindergarten this year. Uh so that's when I was like, "Okay, you know, once they did their whole like graduation thing, the summer hit, I said, "Okay, I want to get involved. Where do I want to most get involved in the school system?" Um because this is where my kids are going to go to school. And I have a
kindergartenner coming in this year. I have a prek um a daughter in pre-k started this year. So, she'll be here next year as well. Um so, I really want to be involved in the town, in the community, and so at this point in my life with my children, I feel like this is really what holds my interest. I
think I'd be able to to do um to best like give my assets to Okay. And we do want to thank you like we you know, we do appreciate you. No, I know. I was going to ask the same question.
So, anyway, do you have >> anybody on the board have one? Bill. Yeah. >> Um, what do you believe are the most important characteristics of an effective school board and of an individual member?
>> Jody first. >> Start with Jody, not Judy. >> That's my fault. I'm sorry. Sorry, I started like >> I think it's important to have someone who can really like look at an issue, the issue at hand, and to be open-minded and to um really accept the information,
find information that's important to make the decision and to make an impartial decision, not a decision that most would benefit them or their beliefs, but what's going to benefit the whole school and the whole district. um that I think is important as for the comm the whole board the whole committee
as well as the individual people who sit in it because we really want to make sure we do the best for the children and for the school not for any person's like own beliefs. >> Lauren, >> sure. I think um as a whole the
committee itself should be compassionate um willing to listen to the ideas of the parents that are going to come and want to to talk to the committee and uh to the teachers and the the administrative and support staff. They're are going to
need the committee's assistance um and obviously the support right for what they need to get done. And then on a personal level, uh, same as Jod said, someone who is willing to look at the whole big the big picture, not just the focused in part that kind of reflects on
their own goals. Although I do think that your own, you know, ideals and goals will play a part. I mean, they would be ignorant to say that it won't. Um, but to be willing to see outside of yourself, to see the big picture, I think is also very
important. Thank you. That's good. Okay. >> Oh, you have a question. Okay. >> What would you say is your biggest strength that you would bring to the school committee? So, not your personal strength, but what strength you would bring as a member of the school committee.
>> Is that Lauren? >> I think I think just my um knowledge of the educational system as a whole as is I've been doing this for 20 years specifically in special education. I've been a board certified behavior analyst for the last three. That took forever to
get to but and you know I'm currently working uh in on sorry currently in continuing my studies in the area of education. Uh I do hold two master's degrees in education. Uh so
well one in special education and one in applied behavior analysis kind of go hand in hand I suppose. Uh and so this is just where I've spent the last 20 years of my life. So I kind of know it I I hope inside it and out. So
>> Jody, >> so I don't have a lot of personal experience within the education, you know, system, but I do in my have a lot of experience myself is listening to everybody. And so of my job, I'm a a hearings officer, a review examiner. So I hear people every day, all day long,
um, in hearings. And everybody has their own sides. And it's so important, I think, to listen and to really hear what everybody is saying. Um, and to give the opportunity for for inclusion and for everybody to speak their their mind and to speak how it is, you know, what they they feel. So, I think it's important to
listen and I think as a board that would would be important to listen. I also think it's important after the listening portion is to get the relevant information that we need. You know what I mean? To make to make the decision that best suits. So, I think it's kind of repetitive from my last answer, but at the same time, I think listening is an additional Yeah. So, and the ability
to do that partially important. >> Thank you, >> Tom. >> Okay. So, I'll just start. Um, thank you both for uh coming tonight. Thank you for throwing your name in the in the ring. Um, it's not easy to do that. Um, I think the benefit here for either or
both of you um in some degree would be that this is an interim position. Um, you know, filling a spot now should a decision be made and then reelected, you know, up for re-election in May. So, I think it's like a sweet spot to introduce yourself, get your feet wet, learn something along the way, um, and
then decide if this is a long-term commitment for you because this is a big commitment. Um, so, thank you for volunteering. School committee, uh, the school system has a lot of moving parts, always. Uh, people will tell you that, uh, this is a particularly stressful
time or year coming up for both Halifax Elementary and the regionals committee with budgets and so forth. And it's pretty easy to point to where the the leverage is coming from. You know, there's state issues, there's funding issues, there's special education, there's a lot of things going on. So my question is this is maybe not so much
tonight, but in May in a general election, this is an elected position elected by the voters. Um, so my question is how would you balance the discussions that you might hear or see from friends, social media, uh, pressures that you might feel, whether
they're internal or external based on budgetary decisions that you might have to make in the spring this year and an ongoing basis. How do you weigh out your job as a school committee member while keeping in the back of your mind that you're an elected position, elected uh,
member of uh, of the town? How do you balance that out? >> Sure. Um, so I think that it would, you know, truthfully, you would be able to, you talk to the peers and talk to different people who live here and review all things on social media. But I
think that the bal that wouldn't really necessarily have to be like a balance. It would be for me the information where things have to go and what's best for the town. Not necessarily if somebody thinks this is going to be better. So, or somebody not involved in the committee or not involved in the school, the people who are making the decision,
you know, and who are given the support. Um, I feel like that I wouldn't I wouldn't weigh it. I would look at the information that was put in front of me and the information that I needed to to view to to make that determination and put aside the comments on Facebook and
the discussion around the town and things like that cuz while it's important and everybody has a say, it's everybody's town, you know, everybody lives here. I think that the point of a committee is to make those decisions because the town elected that, you know, elected the person and I think it's important that they make the decisions
without the weigh the weighing of your community members, your neighbors, whoever the comments on Facebook and things like that. >> Well, I think first and foremost, it is an elected position. So, when you're running, you're running based on a
platform. This is what I intend to do. this is what I want to bring to the table and if people are voting for you then they're also voting for what you said you were plann to bring to the table. Uh so that's one thing. So then if the ideals of that then changes I
mean that's what you were asked to do when you you signed up when you ran you said this is what I stand for AB and C and the people elect you they also said they also stand for AB and C. Um so that is just like you have to kind of stay true to what you said you were going to
do. Um and then secondly, you have to look at the data in front of you. This is education is very data driven. So we know where money needs to go based on the data or we know what changes need to be made based on the data. So regardless
of what everybody outside thinks, if they don't have the data in front of them, they have no idea. I mean, I can sit here and talk all day about special education costs this and that cost that. I don't have your data in front of me. So, your data in front of me could tell me a
completely different story of where the puzzle pieces fit. So, I think again, you have to stay true to what you said you were going to do because that's why people elected you to do it and then also work with what's in front of you. >> Okay.
>> Can I jump one more really quick? >> Yeah, I have a question. You have one. You go. We'll go ping pong. Your turn. It's my turn. Um so, um as mentioned, this is a fairly significant time commitment. Um the meeting dates are post typically once a month, but we also
have subcommittees, possible negotiations. There's a lot of things where we have to have a quorum in order to accomplish what the meeting is for. So, do you feel like you have the time in your life
right now to commit to that? which I guess is sort of a yes or no answer. >> Well, you you can elaborate more, but >> I do. I'm down a child now. >> Although I spend a lot of time sniffling about that. Uh >> yes, the time is is there.
>> Okay, Jody, >> I also have the time available. I mean, I do work a 9 well the 9 toive job 4:30. So, I'm available 4:30, you know, every night at that um till I have a good support. I do have two kids, but I have a good support system. My husband works um per not every day. So he's definitely
um car you know cares for the ch children when I'm not there. So I would be able to make all the commitments. >> Okay. >> Um one of the I'm sure if you take a quick survey of our school committee members, one of their least favorite things, ladies, is probably budget. >> Yeah. >> Going over that budget, right? So how do
you um stack up as far as budget experience? Looking at a budget, understanding budgets, making necessary budget cuts. What's your budget experience? Don't you >> I think it's Joe. I don't know. Um so for budgets um
honestly I feel like my experience would be limited to just the different things that I've done in my um old my jobs um and and doing some like work for myself, but I just envisioned like tables, spreadsheets, and everybody going down, you know, line to line and kind of going through everything where you can move
things from um and things like that. So I while I've never gone through a budget specifically other than you know like item by item other than looking at the town budgets when it comes out and the town meetings and things like that um I feel confident that I would be able to
to help and to get in there and to really like analyze the different numbers and to kind of see where everything can be allocated or reallocated or >> cool any creative creative suggestions on how to change things if needed. >> Thank you.
Um, well, I run the PTO at the high school. We have a budget. >> Uh, in addition, we are a new 501c3, which I did 3 years ago. That went into fruition 2 years ago, which is super
exciting. Uh, and so that's I have to deal with that. I have to account for every dollar that we have and and send it to the state. I do that with my treasure. I do not do it alone or we go. Um but yes uh in addition your household
budget as a parent uh and I have to teach living skills daily living skills which does include teaching students how to manage a small budget not a large budget but can put things in a ledger and add them up.
>> Thank you. Um to piggyback on that, um depending on how the budget season goes, um there are large misunderstandings of the budget process in town and how it happens and
there's a strong possibility that you can be accused of not caring about the school or our kids when in fact we only have the amount of money that we have. And so I guess it's more of a fair warning like how would you know how would that question? >> Yeah. No, it's more it's more you know
that that you know I'm >> giddy up >> very concerned about that and like you know is that something that you could tolerate okay that people you know that a lot of misinformation gets out there. One of the things we've
worked on as a school committee is to be as upfront and transparent. The only time you can actually discuss school committee issues is at a school committee meeting. And this is a public meeting that we're having that the public is allowed to witness. It's not supposed to be like a, you know, back
and forth. I mean, we've had different types of meetings at different times where as the chair, I have allowed comment from the but um I I don't know. I guess my question is, and you don't really have to answer out loud, but is this is that something that would be, you know, you would be able to tolerate
because >> thick skin? >> Yeah. Do you think they do do you have you know cuz it's it's because you are here with the intent I mean you both have clearly said that you're here with the intent of keeping our schools excellent you know and so you know that
and I assume really that's why most people are on school committee right that they care about the school so and sometimes that gets lost to people so anyway I guess that wasn't really a question or a rhetorical
Yeah. Anyway, do you have um any other questions? >> I can just one more sentence on that exact point was where I was going to go. I think you know, not that it's conflict within a committee or a board, but difference of opinion is okay. Um that's how we learn. That's how other vantage points get brought up and so forth. So, do you have not a learning style, but
how do you deal with not confrontation? I don't anticipate difficulty. >> Disagreement. >> Disagreement. How do you deal with disagreement, different opinions? I'm assuming we're all cordial and open to learning, but how do you specifically deal with a committee member who might have a, you know, justapose position from where you stand?
>> I mean, we're not all going to agree at all times. Uh, I guess the real thick of it is you just have to still be cordial. You still have to be respectful to the other person. And, you know, if you can maintain that, typically we can
find some common ground. we can both stand together and if if that's the case we can build from there as opposed to our separate corners. >> Yeah. And I agree. I mean a similar answer. I think it's important to say you know what you believe and what you want and it's more important I think to
calmly and patiently listen to the other person that maybe has a different opinion than you and then start to work together to see okay well let's come to a a common ground. Let's compromise. How can we work um together to do to do those things? So,
>> okay. Any other questions from the school committee? >> Do you have any more questions? >> I think we're good. Good. >> Oh, yeah. Okay. So, now we'll give you each the opportunity to give a closing statement. >> One to two minutes. Yeah. I mean,
whatever you feel comfortable with. >> Do you want to go first? >> Sure. Okay. Um, so thank you for coming, for allowing me to come today, um, and to talk to you and to tell you the different reasons why I want to be here. Um, I do have, you know, a lot of experience of
of of working with conflict and I have a thick skin. I I know caution. I would be totally fine with whatever people say on Facebook and neighbors and things like that. Um, I don't take that to heart. Um, and that's just something that kind of comes with my territory and my normal
and day-to-day um, as an attorney. But I also am really I don't know. I'm excited. I want first I want the best person, you know, to be to be able to join the committee. So, if it's not me, I thank you very much for having me and I want the committee to have the best person. So, um, but I am excited, you
know, and hopeful to work with the committee as well. Um, I also would like you to choose who you think is the best person for the job. Um, that being said, I do think that I bring a lot to the table with 20 years of
experience within the education system here in Massachusetts. Uh, I want to see our town flourish and I want to see our kids flourish and I'd like to see our kids be
prepared and as keep great teachers like Miss Cassini who is amazing. Um I had children in other school districts and they did not get what she provided to me. So and I think that's important across the
board. I think um my daughter Ariel had wonderful teachers up at Silver Lake and I hate to see, you know, when we have to let them go or when we have to shuffle things around when there are other ways that we could do things to keep it
great. I mean, this is a great little town, so let's keep making it that way. Sweet. Probably good. Um okay. Uh so at this time we'll have a thank you so much. You can return to the seats in the
>> and I do I no matter the outcome tonight. Oh sorry >> I would please encourage both whichever however the outcome you know obviously it's going to be a decision amongst the six of us but please run whatever the outcome because you know this you've
made well I'll speak for myself. You've made the decision really difficult tonight. Thank you. Thank you. >> Um anyway, >> are we welcome to stay or should we go or >> No, you should stay. You can hang up. >> Thank you.
>> Um so now open up any discussion and then >> I mean I pretty much said what I had to say. They've made it a really difficult choice. >> Exactly. >> I wish it was a school committee of six. >> I know. >> Although that'd be hard with split votes, I think. Mhm.
>> No, I think both candidates have definite strengths. Um, and different strengths. You know, I I loved how much school experience Lauren has and I loved the law background with Jod. >> Uh, I think both would be assets to the And I'm not being happy sunshine here. I
think both would be great assets to the committee. So, it truly is a very, very difficult choice. >> Agreed. I think that, you know, it's always difficult when you have two people for one spot, two people just looking to volunteer help. So, it's hard to say, you know, thanks but no thanks.
So, I'd encourage someone, whoever's not chosen to find another avenue to to contribute, whether it's this position at a later time or some other position in town cuz there's a lot of help that we need, a lot of good people who are looking to do it. We could always use more. So, uh, but thank you both for your time. So, my summary, both solid
candidates. U, there was two things that I I thought, um, worth mentioning again. Uh I'm somebody new to the town uh political scene. I didn't hold the public office before. There's some benefit to having experience in that. There's also some experience in having
no prior experience. Uh coming in with a fresh, you know, clean slate and learning on the fly. I think this is like a sweet spot for an eight or nine month try out. Not from your perspective, but from the candidates's perspective to see if this is something that they want to commit to for a multi-year period. Uh I also liked one
of the answers that talked about collaboration with the current administration and teachers asking them what they thought. I know that's not unilaterally how it works but the more input the better uh from people who are in the trenches I think is a good thing. Gathering the most information you have with hard data and opinions from people who are in the know are always
beneficial. So those are the two things that I kind of took away. >> Any other comments? I feel that as an educator myself, you would think that they would go hand in hand, but really the role of a school committee member is so far removed from
the world of making decisions about education that um I would say that that was not a strength for me particularly. It's just not a space for me to have that voice. Um but I think rather understanding law and policy which is really our role
>> is of greater strength for that. So I I just feel that um having an attorney on board here to help us with lots of the policy decisions we make I think would be an advantage. >> I agree. >> Anyone else have a comment?
Um, I am requesting a motion to appoint someone then followed by a second. >> I'll make a motion to appoint Jod Goyette as school committee member. >> So moved. >> All right. And now um we will have a
vote, a roll cut call vote. Um I'll start with my committee. Is that okay? >> Yeah. Go for it. >> Oh, I guess I'm in charge. >> You're the you're the boss. There you go. You have I just have school, you know. >> No, this is yours. Go ahead. >> Karen,
>> yes. >> Jessica, >> yes. >> Myself self, Lauren, is a yes. >> Uh, Jonathan Celig, yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> All right. Um, so we have appointed a candidate at this
point. Congratulations. And again, like I said, this wasn't easy. It was a hard decision. >> Thank you. Um and yes, thank you so much. And please um please do run. >> Yeah, >> please.
>> Yes. Um and uh so now I guess like the town clerk will be in touch because you have to be sworn in. So >> yeah, if you want to swing in tomorrow, Jody, I don't know or what your schedule is. Uh there'll be a card for you to fill out. >> Um and you're off and running.
>> Awesome. Thank you so much. Thank you everybody. >> Thank you. >> All right. Can I adjourn our meeting? Well, I think we're done here. >> Yes. >> All right. I will entertain a motion for the board of selectment to adjurnn. >> Before you do that, just real quick, 30 seconds. I'd just like to acknowledge quickly the new principal and the
assistant principal, vice principal, who both made an effort to attend, my understanding, the kindergarten orientation uh last week, which I thought was a terrific start and a step in the right direction having you both present. Uh I think it said something about the leadership through the door. So, I appreciate that as a parent and as a member of the board.
>> He wants his kid to get A's. Who's insane? >> I know. I know what's going on. >> It's working. It's working, Tom. >> Yeah. >> All right. On that note, entertain a motion to adjourn. Do I have a second? All those in favor?
>> I thank you. Selectman is done at 6:51. >> Thank you. >> Thank you guys. Good luck. Thank you. Thank you. >> And now we'll continue with the rest of the >> Thanks, guys. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. [Music] executive session. >> What?
>> It's executive session. >> Yeah. >> Um All right. >> No, I'm okay. Thank you. Hi there. You said that >> um >> we can stay really hard. I know the public has to go.
>> I know. >> Well, I mean, honestly, either of them would have been great. Yeah. I I understand. >> No. Yes, feel free to stay. >> Um, so I will entertain a motion to
adjourn to executive session pursuant to MGL C308 S2 to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for collective bar bargaining Halifax teacher association and HTA MOA.8 8 and S7 to comply with
any general or special law approval of executive sessions minutes of 82825 and return to open session. >> Want to make so moved now? >> So moved. >> We need a second. >> Second. >> All right. And roll call. Karen.
>> Yes. >> Jessica. >> Yes. >> And I am also a yes. And I apologize that we have to go into an executive session. So >> we'll let you know when you can come back. All right. Um, so now for school committee
correspondents, we have not received any new correspondence and now we have our new way of doing the consent agenda. Well, it's a called consent agenda where we can um approve things in bulk like
the minutes and the approval of warrants and bills. And so at this time, would anyone like to remove anything? And we're also waiting to get the numbers from um I guess we should get the numbers first and then I'll ask Sarah. >> Okay. But they'll always be in your packet ahead of time.
>> So what you would be moving with the consent agenda is um $39,478.89. >> Okay. Um is there anything anyone wants to remove from consent agenda? Okay. So, can we just need a motion to
um without objection the remaining the items will be approved on the consent agenda. So, um can I get just I guess make a motion? >> I'll make a motion to approve um the
consent agend consent agenda approval of minutes July 8th, 2025 and approval of one's bill schedule. >> Okay, I'll second and we'll have a vote. Karen, >> yes. Jessica. >> Yes. >> And I'm a yes. So, all right. So, now for new business, we um have the Halifax
teachers contract discussion and vote. So, >> all you need to do is a a motion. >> Yeah, cuz we already, you know, um I'll make a motion to approve the Halifax teachers contract for the next three. I don't Did I just say the next three
years? Okay. Anyone second? Second. Yes. >> Karen, Jessica, >> yes. >> And myself as a yes. And then um we have had a request for a memorial for Mr. Bay
Ramshion to be put into this um some sort of memorial um from in his memory. And actually I we put it on the agenda, but the school does not have the authority to make that decision. So, and the person who requested it also isn't
able to be here tonight, but it's something that we're going to have to because the building is owned by the town, it's something we have to go to the town, which actually I wish we had kept the board of selecting here a little bit longer so we could discuss with them the parameters of that. it just, you know, ideas are being brought
forth, but we just have to make sure we follow the proper channels and um so I'm not sure if there's really I mean I as a school committee we can vote to support >> something to memorial you know that we
would which um that's pretty much what we can do. So >> okay >> um >> I would vote to support it. >> Okay. >> As long as the town >> Yeah. Okay. >> And I can reach out to the board of selectman and say, you know, the school committee voted to support something.
How do we go about it? What's the Okay. >> Any ideas on what a memorial? >> Um I think a garden, right? Go ahead. Oh, thank you. Yeah, if you could speak to it. Thank you. >> So, the parent reached out and she was talking about a like a potential garden
that she would take responsibility for to manage. Um, some other ideas have been floating out there too about ways that we could honor Mr. B uh because of his impact not only within the Halifax community but with the greater community with his uh with his huge contributions
to sports in the area. Uh, and you know just a kind of like some other ideas too about um supporting him. So that's how it came out. Um, apparently actually emailed Miss Looper on the assistant principal. forwarded to me and then um you know just kind of going through the
right channels to make sure that something can or could happen. >> Okay. >> Yeah, I would imagine like some kind of scholarship or something. >> Well, that's something the hta can do, but I mean I don't know as a community
how that works, but I know like the HTA could create a scholarship or um I'm not sure. I mean, we'd have to look into it for like I don't think the school committee can do that, but Joe, >> so um in in terms of anything related to the building, anything attached to the
building or naming of the building, whether it be a plaque or um a dedication of a a a part of the building, you'd have to go through the town to see if they have any requirements or bylaws that would uh dictate how that process
would be achieved. So that's the reason why we're recommending going to the town to find out that process first. >> Okay. Um I would any further discussion? Okay. I'll make a motion to explore with the
town and with our support the school committee supports something and uh I hate to use the word something but a an appropriate memorial for Mr. B that represents his contribution to the school and the town. >> I'll second that. >> Okay. Karen. >> Yes. Jessica.
>> Yes. >> And myself is the yes. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you. Um >> I can speak to full regionalization. >> Okay. Thank you. So Sarah and I have been attending full regionalization
meetings on a fairly regular uh >> uh basis with uh representatives from our school committees and representatives from our towns and um working with the Collins Center to come up with a proposal that will reflect uh
a study that will look into the costs and possible benefits of full regionalization. Um that will include uh some sort of financial uh forecasting so that uh if the school committees and the town decide to move forward to bring
this proposal to the community, they would have an understanding of what the the potential costs and benefits would be. So that has taken most of our summer time with the Collins Center and we'll be meeting again in September and we hope to have more information following that.
>> Great. And we anticipate that this process will take about a a year uh to conduct the the research going into it. >> So we could have an answer by next summer possibly or like a results of their >> ideally. Yes, >> that would be great. >> Mhm.
>> Um do we need to the HTA contracting or >> I think it was just a mistake and listed twice. >> Okay. All right. That's what I it seemed like it. Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Um, now for our administration report, we have Brian
Fraina, our new principal. I wanted to introduce. I'm sure you've been introduced about 15 times, but you'll be we'll see how long we call you the new principal, right? >> Uh, so uh, you know, thanks for having me to a school committee that I have to
attend all the time. Appreciate it. And, uh, so a lot's been happening in the in the school. uh as I came on board on the first and we've really jumped into hiring and making sure that we're fully staffed as best as possible. We're not fully staffed yet, but we're getting there. Um and well, we're we're good to
go on the first day of school. Uh open house is coming up. We're very excited about that. Uh on September 9th, I keep my I keep sending it out and now I now I'm blanking on to it. Uh yeah, September 9th. um here at the building and it's going to be I I can't wait to
have the community within the building too because of how hard the custodians have worked over the summer to make sure that the building's prepared. This place looks absolutely incredible. From the first day that I stepped into the building, uh the maintenance crew had already had all the furniture out of the
classrooms and they were working on finishing the floors, uh working on things that I wasn't even aware of to make sure that the building's going to be functional. The technology team here in the building has been outstanding to make sure that things are up and running. The Chromebooks, touch views,
the rethinking of some different ideas for um our technology classroom and the collaboration with the central office staff have been um has been fantastic. We kicked off today like the rest of the school district. Uh we started off with a big circle. I'm sure the staff really
liked that. uh and just really kind of focus on uh building the community, building um and and recognizing that we're here for kids first and making sure that uh we are focused on making sure that PE kids, staff, and the community know that we belong here and that this is a place
where where we can thrive uh educationally. Uh so do you have any other do you have any questions? >> Um what's the enrollment? I know we asked you on the tour, but >> so I don't have the exact numbers for each class, but right now our enrollment number is at 5:35.
>> Okay. >> Which is seven more than I was telling people. >> Okay. >> Mrs. Ry, do you know how many are in the kindergarten by any chance? >> 81. >> 81,7. >> Okay, great. Oh, something else that I wanted to add
to the process that I'm looking forward that the kindergartener the kindergarten teachers are putting into place for screenings, placement, and then having the openhouse is phenomenal. Um, having that face-to-face interaction with kids right away and then being able to
structure their classrooms in the ways that they best see fit uh with the kids. I think I'm really looking forward to seeing for the first time. Uh I can't wait for open house too for kindergarten uh during the school day and inviting those families riding school buses uh and getting those kids in here and
recognizing that they're heroes and that that they're part of our community now for a very very long time. >> Something that I really want to stress to parents as well is that when you come to open house, I'm sure you're all watching this right now. When you come to open house, it's also a time where you're talking with each other and that
you're building those connections because you're going to be with each other way longer than you're going to be with me and the people in the classrooms. And building those relationships all the way up until when they go to Silverlake Regional High School will be really important, especially if myself or Miss Lupron have
to give you a call because something happened in the classroom on the field or on the or on the recess field. Um, you already have a relationship with those families and with those kids. Great. I don't have any other questions.
All right. Um Sarah, so in your digital packets for tonight, the financial report, um you'll notice that it looks different. There are two different copies of the financial report. There is a summary and then a
detail. You can see what I worked on last year. the um redoing the chart of accounts for the for all four entities. You can see what that looks like in the detail account where you can see, you know, these are the um textbook expenses
and these are the professional development expenses. And so things are grouped together in a way um in alignment with other districts in the state and uh in a way that I think will be easier for you to look at. the I
wanted to point out these two reports to you tonight, answer any questions that you had might have about them and to let you know that those will be part of the consent agenda in the future. >> Okay. So, the financial report here will be part of the consent agenda. Okay.
>> Yes, you will get it the you know the week in advance or whatever the the deadline is. >> All right. And also in the consent agenda, we don't have it for tonight because there aren't any, but the grants
and donations, that uh chart of grants and donations, that will be in there as well. >> Okay. >> Also, I have for you tonight an updated closeout. So, since our meeting on July
9th, July 8th, since our meeting on July 8th, the expenses of the district uh increased two approximately $2,988. So, if you look at the closeout document that I put in your packets for you, um
there was an addition of an invoice from Diamond Mechanical that came in. uh an invoice from MD communications and then there were some adjustments that the tech department made from the vendor CDW which is computer data warehouse and uh
the company owners. >> Okay. Do we need to vote or anything or just updated just >> you accept the revised close out? That would be great. >> Okay. Make a vote to accept. Okay. Any questions?
I'll make a motion to accept the revised FY25 closeout presented by Sarah. >> Second. >> All right. And we'll have a roll call vote. Karen, >> yes. >> Jessica, >> yes. >> And I'm a yes. >> And that concludes my part of the meeting.
>> Thank you. >> Hi. >> Hi everyone. Um, so I have a few things tonight. The first thing is just an update on professional development this summer. Um we had three different courses that were um run by research for better teaching.
Um the first one was the studying skillful teacher course which we have every summer which is contractual in the first three years teachers take that course which is great. It was at it was at the high school at the middle school a few weeks ago. Um it was really well attended. So I'm really excited about
that. The other course that teachers are taking which is new this year which is also run by research for better teaching is the high um uh high expectations teaching. So studying skillful teachers is sort of the foundational uh course. High expectations is like the next level
and it really focuses on differentiation and kind of some of those more detailed um skills that teachers need. And the other course that we've been going to year round and and there was a group that went this summer is analyzing teaching for student results which is really a course for people who are
evaluators that's based on our BT on on the what what teachers learn in those courses. It's this is the evaluators version so that they're evaluating teachers on what they've what they've been learning so all of the language matches and people know the terms and all those things. So those are three things that that h were happening this
summer. The new teacher orientation happened on August 20th at the high school. Um, and that's a great day. We have all the new teachers together and we talk about lots of things. We do a nice game at the beginning where we ask them something that they are really they could teach someone something and then
something they would like to learn how to do. So, it's a nice get to know you um atmosphere and then they do that great bus ride which Mr. Blet gives them the history of all of the places and they they do that bus ride. So, that's a great a great day. And then we had a leadership retreat which happened June
25th, June 26th, the first two days. And then August 19th, we had the third day. We talked about data wise, which is really a structure for looking at data in schools. We went over benchmark data. We uh did the strategy for district improvement, what we did and what what
we're going to do in the future. We talked about instructional leadership, MTSS, and Educ. the edge of climber piece will continue which is a database for all the information that we have for students. Um professional development days today was the first one we had
everybody um at the high school and um Jill did a nice job with her opening um her opening speech to everyone and um today they also folks went back to their buildings and did mandatory trainings and school-based things. They were able
to work in their classrooms. Um tomorrow is a big day. Tomorrow is a big day for math HMH. It's the first day that we're really um providing professional development um for all the different teachers um really K through 8. So
tomorrow is a big day. And at the high school, we're having some AI professional development going on for the middle school and high school teachers. And then on September 2nd, we'll continue with math training um that day. And we also have PD for specialists and pair professionals and all those things. So that's been a whole
extravaganza of planning that's been going on really since probably April. So this is it. This is the packet for tomorrow. Um and the last piece is title grants have been written and submitted and for Halifax it's title one, title 2
and title 4. Um those funds um this year didn't really the applications didn't come out until probably the end of July, beginning of August. So that was a quick turnaround with the same deadline as it always had been which was September 9th. So, if we need to make edits, we will, but those have been submitted and as
soon as it's approved by Desi, then we can go ahead and and utilize those funds. So, that's everything that I have tonight. >> Thank you. Do you mind if we circle back to Mr. Po for a second? I did have a question I forgot to ask. Sure. >> Can you tell me what the um the staff
vacancies are just because I don't because I parents are going to talk about it and I want to have it on record so that there's not a lot of like, oh, well, I heard I heard, you know. >> Yeah, it's a good point. >> Thank you. Um let's see staff current vacancies. So um we are
in process of doing some uh hiring uh school psychologist, a behavioralist. Um in process for a school library media teacher and
>> I got back up for you when you're ready. >> Okay. >> It's not quiz. You're doing a really good job. >> Okay. I have a spreadsheet in front of me, so I'm cheating. >> Oh, nice. >> The only And you named every one of them. The only other piece is um pending two cafeteria.
>> Yes. Pending two cafeteria aids. Yes. Yes. >> And these are in process all of them or >> um the behavioralist is a is more of a a struggle >> which has been a struggle for a while. >> Yes. I will say with your support though
from last year and this year, they've been working through it from a behavior standpoint and an RBT standpoint to see what types of applicants we can attract. >> Okay. So, >> yes. Um yeah, that's a really good point because um like we have been able to interview different things just things that haven't solidified um and um
Heather Tucker has been instrumental too in helping us find people um especially for the school psychologist position and um getting getting the word out there for a lot of different things. So, thank you Thank you. All right. Yeah. No, I just I meant to ask and I forgot. All right. Thank you,
Phil. >> So, I would just like to welcome both uh Mr. >> Sorry, >> and Dr. Tucker for their very first official Halifax School Committee meeting. So, I I just want to welcome them both. And um I also uh wanted to
say that the retreat is really kind of a misnomer. It's really uh it's really a lot of >> fun. No, no. And and you know, it's the principles, it's the assistant principles, it's the directors, it's the coordinators. We all get together over
the summer. Uh and we do a lot of work. There's also some team building built in and we try to come up with a a theme each year that makes it a a little less dry. So this year it was Marvel, which is why some of us have our Marvel gear on. Um
but it's a lot of work. Um and so I I just want to thank everyone because it really was a team effort and even the presentation today was the result of a lot of uh teamwork. So in your packet you'll find the draft strategic uh the strategy for district improvement for
2526. And I just want to go over some of the items that are directly related to Halifax for the upcoming school year, which uh under the strategic uh goal number one uh strengthening our sense of community, you're going to see that we're going to be expanding our anti-bullying and pro-social support by
partnering with Changemakers for Good um for a community presentation on September 29th. Um and it's going to be at the high school, but it's for parents in all four of our districts. And so we're hoping to attract many parents because parents
play a key role in helping their children make good decisions and being um welcoming and and good friends to other children as we kick off the new school year. Uh secondly, we're going to expand participation in the second annual districtwide community curriculum
showcase which Halifax participated in last year. We're going to uh make sure that we fulfill the community rem community member requirement on all of our school councils by October 2025. So please if you are a community member and
would are interested in serving on the school council, please contact Mr. Prrena as soon as possible because we want to make sure that we get input from the community. So um and that's in all of our schools. we're just coming out early so that we can try to get more
interest in in helping us. Um the school council is very instrumental in helping to um come up with a school um improvement plan as well as uh review certain potential changes to the school handbook which ultimately would be approved by the school committee. But
it's an important uh committee to be part of. The second goal is the emphasis of high expectations for all students using research-based strategies, datainformed destruct instruction, not destruction,
and uh a tiered system of support. So um we're going to be strengthening co-eing methodology. We're going to be utilizing observations and teacher evaluation um to look for aspects of RBT which uh this year we're going to focus on framing the
lesson, communicating the objectives and implementing a criteria for success for students. And we will be con continuing full staff training on edge climber so that uh our staff becomes more familiar with and it's easier to use um the the data
dashboard for things like uh MTSS process or student support team and they will be implementing the data wise protocol to help frame their data team meetings as well. Um strategic goal number three we're going to continue to
implement the curriculum review. We're in year two for math. So, it will be the implementation of the new math program, but we'll be starting literacy. And um we will continue to implement assessments three times a year for STAR and Dibble at the elementary level. For
our fourth goal, which really focuses on structures that help us to support all of these goals, we're going to be focusing on the Tritown Committee to examine full regionalization and what that may or may not mean for our communities. We are going to provide training and professional development um
which will include this year integrating AI into instruction and we will be streamlining and accelerating our timeline for the uh FY27 capital and budget planning. So um our my next item on the agenda is that
revised timeline. Uh our goal this year is to get you a budget by December that would be votable. Oh, that's exciting. >> So, uh that's the that's the word that we're we're using in our meetings. Uh we
have sent out um uh this timeline to all of our school committees. The next step Sarah is is sending out an FY27 budget proposal request memo. We've already had some preliminary conversations with um some
of our principles, but uh this will specifically outline their next steps. Uh the the rollover is being completed so that the principles now have access to their line items, but you'll get a memo on all of that and on
what that looks like and we will be here to support. Know that's a new process here in this building for you. Um, how soon can the town give us a number typically like of what they're >> So, the governor's budget comes out in
January and we really don't have uh won't have a number from the town including that until January. But if you think back to the process last year and the year before, we bought brought a
proposed calendar to you in January and then there was a lot of discussion going back and forth and and this aggressive budget calendar really takes that into consideration that we're going to do a lot more work
before it comes to you. >> Okay, sounds great. >> Mhm. Thank you. Um we're going to have in September we're going to have a discussion with each school committee regarding goals and priorities for FY27 budget. So we're looking forward to your
recommendations and your requests of us uh sooner sooner the better so that we can start putting together those numbers for you. In October we're going to meet with the principles the technology director and the director of facilities and the director of student services to review their budget proposals as well.
In November, we as usual, we will have our joint meeting where our um tech director, our curriculum coordinator, and our director of student services will all present uh budgetary overviews regarding um some of the uh the drivers and some of
the the um expected trends to look look for in the budget for the upcoming season. And then in the December, we hope to have what would have been our preliminary budget that we typically give you in >> January. >> January. We'll our goal is to get it to
you by December. Recognizing that a there are so many things that will still change between then and March, which is the deadline for the school committee to vote a budget to get it on time to the the town. But the
sooner we start talking about it, the the sooner we can think about what uh some of the impact and implications may be for the upcoming school year. So, um happy to answer any questions or to listen to any um initial thoughts on
the budget process that you may have. >> Sweating already budget. >> Well, I mean, I feel like we're going to probably Well, I don't know. I mean, it seems like we're going to have to have a
level funded budget at least, you know, like same level as this year. I would guess that's the worst I mean, best case scenario. I'm hoping, you know, that that's our best case scenario. The level funded budget, same amount of money we had this year. So, I mean, we definitely
need that. And I I don't know what kind of what did they call it last year? I didn't call it cuts, reductions. I don't know what kind of reductions the town's going to request, but as a school committee member, I would like to not have to cut anything,
>> but I feel like if we can work within, you know, the level funded budget that, you know, that that's a place to start showing that we're trying to be as conservative as possible. That's my thought anyway. >> Mhm.
So that would definitely one request because I I really don't see any Well, I mean, even if we were to go for an override if needed, I feel like we really still we can't ask for anymore.
You know, just what we need to run the school basically. Do you feel like that's accurate or >> So to be clear, you said level funded, but you don't want cuts. There's a difference between level funded and level service,
>> right? Level funded, I know, is not the same as level service. Level service would automatically be an increase, >> right? >> So that's why I'm saying level funded, but hoping. >> I know. I can hope. Right. >> Right.
I mean, I guess too for information's sake, although I don't want to make you do a thousand budgets, that a we could see what the difference between a level funded and level service budget is and have what each means because if we're going to go for an override,
I don't, you know, I mean, but again, I want to it's it's I'm imagining it's going to be tough. I hope the state comes through. But >> realistically, >> we would always start with a level service budget >> and then say, "Oh, look, it's this much
overlevel funded." And then >> have to do some difficult work in it, >> right? Well, I mean, I I suppose I just was Captain Obvious in my request. So, all right. Any other Okay. But I
think it's a good timeline because we had to work so hard on it last year. So, we'll start earlier. Hopefully, >> there there will be a lot of potential changes as things like grants as the
state budget comes into view. So, again, there's going to be that disclaimer. So, the the earlier you get presented with the budget, the more likely those numbers are going to change. So, we will keep repeating that because sometimes people get upset when they see how
vastly different the numbers can be. Well, >> that's understandable. But also, this year we should have some money come into play that we didn't have this year because we didn't qualify for it. So, right, like the um the I'm trying to remember what it was
called. There was some like money we didn't qualify for them. Is it the 270 or >> the 240? So, the former special ed director wasn't confident that Halifax would make the maintenance of effort
>> um >> this year >> threshold in order to get the 240 grant for this year. So, we didn't factor that into any of the budgeting >> did we actually meet the threshold or >> we haven't. So, at this moment of time,
I'm actually asking because the FY24 budget was more of a consortium and we've obviously un tangled some of those uh webs that have us looking at. So, um I've been a little bit of a thorn in this side of the department asking some
really poignant questions about what does that mean in our maintenance effort. Um, you know, Miss Hickey and I had a phone call last week where I was asking questions about what does that look like? What does that mean? What are our responsibilities? Um, the way that the the grants are looking at you have
somebody who looks more fiscal and funding and then there's another portion of the grant that looks at more special education compliance and how are we using the money to increase outcomes for students. And what I appreciate is they don't want to step in each other's buckets, but what it means is not one
person could answer all of the questions. So, I reached out to um another person to follow up on that maintenance bathroom type of question and he sent me to a supervisor right off the bat cuz I already know that we're complex, which is okay. Um I do have to
say, you know, the um finance person just really appreciated the time, effort, and energy that Miss Hickey and I are trying to put in to do it right and to make sure we had the right questions. And she, you know, like she said, we're not doing brain surgery. You know, we we know everything is fixable.
should it need to be. But I did say to um the you know both sets of teams like you know we have money for carryover for equitable services that it's not something that applies to Halifax but more severely in one of the other districts. Um but again our maintenance
of effort is reflected right now on an F524 number that is not accurate and does not tell the story. while I understand we have numbers that you look at in the spreadsheet does not actually capture the um you know qualitative portion of what's going on. So I'm
hoping that you'll get back to me real soon but I am pressing those questions because it's important. >> Thank you. >> Y >> that's great. I'm sorry I can never remember exactly what things are called. At least you read my mind anyway.
All right. Anything else? Um that's it for me. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Hoping for, you know, miracles. Anyway, uh subcommittee reports. We don't have all of our subcommittees fully appointed at this time because we were
waiting for our new person. And so I guess we'll go through um well admin review. >> No, no, nothing. That's what I thought. Pilgrim area collaborative. I don't think there's been anything yet in the summer. Union 31, we did have a meeting, but it
was to for >> talk about the Google um >> the Google right >> policy in the handbook which will be going out to to parents >> when they receive the handbook sign off, >> right?
Negotiations. Um we uh we voted for the teacher contract tonight and the custodian contract has been settled as well. So, >> yep. >> And then capital budget I don't think they met. Policy I don't think met
either. Well, it was the union 31 covered policy but >> and MASC has put out some new policy changes that are being reviewed by uh attorney duper and once those have been reviewed we'll present them to the policy subcommittee sometime in the
fall. >> Okay. And I think as a member of the school committee, you actually received those new policy changes in the mail. Um, and then youth and wreck, I don't think we have a leazison right now, but um I'm not I don't think there was any
meetings. And then PTO, there hasn't been any meetings. So, um, other matters unforeseen at time of posting. is a new one, but I don't >> I was like >> it's it's really just for things that there's no way you could have known that
it was going it is not meant for us to abuse, >> right? >> Um but it's it's there in the event of something like an emergency where we really needed to take care of something that we could not have known 48 hours in advance. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> So we excellent put it there just in case. >> Just in case. I don't think anything
came up thankfully. All right. Um today >> today >> uh so dates to remember uh first day of school is August 27th. Labor Day is September 1st. Teacher inservice so no school is September 2nd. early release
will be September 25th um K through six well it's all grades and the times are there but um our next meeting which is October 6th 2025 and people will be in touch with about emails and things like that for you for the so um I at this
time I will uh entertain a motion to adjurnn motion to adjurnn >> what >> I make a motion to adjurnn >> all Second. >> Thank you. Karen, >> yes. >> Jessica, >> yes. >> And myself is a yes. Thank you everyone.
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