Welcome everyone to the Holio School Committee regular meeting is November 3rd at 6 o'clock. Roll call please. Miss Irene. >> Mayor Garcia >> here. >> Dr. Veron >> here. >> Mr.
>> President, it's Tinsley Williams >> present. >> Mr. Martinez >> here. >> Mr. Saza >> here. >> Mr. Wellan and Miss Wilson. >> Present. >> Please rise for the pledge of
allegiance. United States of America for it stands nation. On March 29, 2025, Governor Mora Hilly signed into law bodies as amended by section 256
entitled an act relative to extending certain COVID 19 measures adopted during the state of emergency act of interest to all governmental bo public bodies in Massachusetts. The act extends until June 2027 the authority for meetings of
multiple member bodies to be held in an entirely remote or hybrid format. All public bodies may hold fully remote or hybrid meetings without the physical presence of a quorum of the public body as long as adequate alternative means of
public access access is also provided. Pursuant to mass general law chapter 38 section 20, I'm hereby informing all attendees that a video and audio recording is being made of the meeting and the meeting is being livereamed and run live on the city's community TV channel.
Welcome everybody. going into our awesome student showcase. >> Yes. So, I I'll call Miss McKenna, but we got all of our student ambassadors here and um Miss McKenna, you want to >> Yeah, sure. >> kick us off.
>> So, um thanks for having Hoyokai here tonight. Um so, last year, you know that we came and talked about our student summit that happened in December. And the student summit was supposed to be a oneanddone thing. It was a onetime event that was supposed to kind of think about how to change your school and change
your campus. And um as you know, it became not a oneanddone thing. It became standard operating procedure on our campus as to how we were going to move forward. Um that we knew that the most important voice in the school was the students and we needed to work together in order to think about how are adults
and students going to work together in order to think about where we're winning and what steps we need to take next. Um and so today, um it's you have some students here who are going to start to talk about and share with you. It's not just about lifting up student voice. That was what we intentionally thought
about. It's truly about incorporating student voice into all the things that we do. So, you're going to hear from three groups of students tonight. Um three different people who are going to talk about the three things we have going on about um student voice on our campus. The first group is going to talk about the student ambassadors that came
as a result of our as of our student summit. The second thing you're going to hear about is the um trip that was taken to New Orleans where Holio showcased their work um at the workshop they went to. And third, you're going to hear about the student summit that we have coming up this year in December. Um
before I turn it over to the students, um we are a campus of shoutouts. We did a lot of work last year to build a school culture. And so I just want to shout um the team that's with me tonight, both students and adults. Um it takes a lot of work to transform a school. takes a lot of work to think about how have you done things before,
what is working, what is not, and how are you going to move forward. And I want to shout out this team for really kind of diving in and thinking about what's working and what's not and making a plan knowing like this is what we can do right now and this is what we aspire to be. So without further ado, I'm going
to turn it over to the students. Hi, I'm Samantha. I'm a senior in an ELS. Um, so we as student ambassadors are a group of students that have demonstrated and held leadership roles at HHS through the student summit in student government.
>> Hi, my name is Ryan Greeny. Um, I'm in 10th grade, a part of the CGS Academy. And what we are is a group of students leading uh the work of student voice to meet the needs that we want and celebrate what we change.
>> Hi, I'm Janiah. I'm in 10th grade and I'm a part of the ELS Academy and this group of students that stand as before you today is meets once a week on Wednesdays during our reach block. Our goals as student ambassadors is to create a sense of belonging for all students attending the HHS campus. We
have been working together to better our school culture and academic spaces providing opportunities for all staff and faculty. >> Hi, my name is Addison. Um I'm in 10th grade and I am in the ELS Academy at
Holio High School. And so far as student ambassadors, we have presented at during PD on 92425 by doing a fishbowl. During this fishbowl, faculty listened to student facilitate facilitated discussions. Some
questions we asked were name a highlight from the start of the school year. How does the start of this year compare to the last year? Be specific. and how do you see the night values being leveraged in our school? >> Hi, my name is Elena. I'm in 11th grade
and I'm part of the PMA Academy. Another very important thing we did this year was learning walks in classrooms, which is basically when student ambassadors and leaders, adult leaders of the student ambassador program, go into classrooms and analyze the teaching environment. And we use this using the HPS walkthrough tool to analyze the
trends that we saw. We focused on things like engagement, reading, writing, discourse, monitoring, and responding to data. And we used night values to kind of analyze the environment. >> Hi, my name is Alen. I'm in 12th grade
and I'm in the ELS department. Um, one thing we're focusing on this year is the student summit. Last year I was a participant and this year I'll be a leader. My name is Lincoln Gettis and I'm a senior um PMA Academy. Looking ahead to
us, uh looking ahead means to us that we take on a leadership role in professional development opportunities. Um which means we participate in PD sessions focused on learning on lesson planning. We explore project- based learning opportunities at both HHS and
the middle school. >> Hello, my name is M Ortiz and I'm a 12th grader and I'm a um PMA Academy. Um furthermore, looking ahead, we are going to network with other student ambassador programs across the country. Um we're going to do this by um Zoom sessions with other student ambassadors from
Hawaii and Arizona. And most importantly, we're going to track our progress to celebrate our achievements and continue to reflect on ways to improve our program. Hello everyone. My name is Elan. I'm a special education teacher at Holio High School. And last year I had the opportunity to come on board to the
student summit um for the student summit and not only was I able to train facilitators be part of the work of the summit but also MC. This year I was granted the opportunity to continue that work as becoming a student ambassador mentor alongside with Michelle Ghoul.
And really our job and our role in this program is to be a facilitator, guide leadership and students and really just give them the platform. And because we are a building that does shout outs, I want to shout out my student ambassadors first because being a leader's heart, it
takes a lot of courage and bravery and they do this every single day. um they are the clear evidence that when you give students the opportunity at the table, they're not only able to and capable of sharing their ideas, but also collaborating with adults to come up with solutions that are practical and
are able to do it right away. And lastly, I want to shout out both Lori and Mike because not only did they believe in me, but they also believe um in the student ambassadors program there you're numerous um support and always welcome us is the kind of leadership
that we need in our building. We need adults that are ready to listen to our students, that are able um that are ready to um welcome their ideas because they are part of the change. And if we want to make our schools better, we got to listen to the kids that we're serving.
>> How are you guys doing this evening? My name is Wolf and I'm in the ES Academy and I will be talking about the New Orleans trip. So, Holder High School was invited to go to a New Orleans trip um to pretty much just go to this um full scale symposium um to pretty much speak
about um our work, right? Our student summit and how good it was and you know the big change it made in our school. um we presented in front of uh you know like um districts um schools it wasn't only our part of you know the um country
but like the whole country people from Hawaii was there and you know we just got to speak in front of all of them about you know how good it was. Um we attended sections um just on different topics, right? And
um we did that just you know to take some notes and um to try to help out our district and um make a change for our students. How you guys doing? My name is Aiden Robinson. I'm a junior at Holio High
School and I'm in the engineering and life sciences academy. I want to talk to you guys about our presentation in New Orleans. Um our team consisted of uh Mr. Kado, Miss Colon Vera, Wilfford and myself and we collaborated on all aspects of the summit or collaborated on
presenting all aspects of the student summit from planning implementation and the next steps. Uh our audience participated in a mini version of the student summit and looked at actual artifacts that students made last year during the student summit, excuse me. Uh our audience left inspired. We had a group from North Carolina say that they
really wish uh their school would implement a student summit to so their voices could be heard. Um we also learned from schools around the country. Um this school in North Carolina again they wanted to implement our student summit. Um we learned about
their their their day-to-day life and we had a student only session where we got to talk about our lives as students and and being in the ambassador program. Uh we also partnered with other schools to learn learn how to give HHS students more agency. How Aiden, you know what Aiden said, um
there was one section that was all about students, right? There was just students allowed only. Um we pretty much just got to sit down with other students, all the students that went there. Um we just came up with a point on um that you know we were just going to sit down and talk
and just see what was one thing that was working in um their schools and our school and then what's one thing we can take away from their school that was working and then what's one thing they could take away from our school that was working right. Um um and you know thankfully we do have a meeting
following up um November 9th um to just pretty much you know help them out on um the student summit and how they can take it and to you know action in their schools. >> Hello everybody. Uh I'm Mike Kado, assistant principal at the north campus and I had the great fortune to go with
Wilfred and Aiden and Miss Colon Rivera down to New Orleans to present on the work of the student summit that we did last year. Uh, and it was incredibly inspiring to see Wilfrid and Aiden, our students, represent at the national stage and do such a phenomenal job of inspiring other schools to follow
Holio's example and to, as you heard from Wilfford and Aiden, to see other schools leaving with actionable next steps to replicate the work we did. Uh, it was an incredibly proud moment and I'm incredibly proud of of the team that went down there. In addition to presenting, we were able to attend a
number of other sessions. uh and we attended over 12 sessions on innovative education topics. How can we better promote student voice and agency on our campus? Uh we returned last week and the juices are still marinating, but we're confident we're going to have some really good next steps as a result of
the work down in New Orleans. Um uh we are a campus that believes in shoutouts. Um so I have two shoutouts to give. uh one would be to the bar foundation and uh Matt Polarski and Soshi Garcia at the learning agenda who supported our work at the summit last year and also with
the trip down to New Orleans. But just a big shout out to to Wilfred Aiden and Adenny because they represented Holio with a lot of pride and with a lot of joy and I'm proud of that team. Thank you. >> Hi, my name Sorry about that. Hi, my name is Parker
Bernell. I'm the class of 27. I'm in the ELS Academy and what I'm going to talk about today was uh what has happened since our last uh student summit. Uh from what has happened, we've had more student engagement. Uh last year we had a bunch of students on their phones uh
not really wanting to come into class and um they just weren't they didn't really have their te they didn't really feel like their teacher had their backs. Uh now they kind of focus on this on their attendance. And um Miss McKenna every morning she gives out the data for
like attendance and other other data points for the for the rest of the day and to make sure like students know to know what they're going to do and to achieve that goal that day. Um now voices in the school are being heard and
more students feel like they belong and they can actually connect with like the admin and counselors and and teachers. And our next step is to make sure this is consistently through all the all the classes on campus. Thank you.
>> Hi, my name is Daniel Blaha. I'm a 10th grader in the CGS Academy. So, as a result of our of our student summit last year, we now know what they actually want us to h happen and do in HHS. So now this student summit this year just going to be about like what needs to be
implemented in the HHS classes and in the school in general just so students feel more belonged. So as at the student summit it'll be student facilitators student participants and then faculty just taking the notes. So then, so it's really just going to be in the morning, the student facil the student
facilitators are just going to ask the participants questions and they're going to be based on what we actually learned last year. And then the afternoon, they're actually going to come together and make a list about like what they want implemented. And then there's going to have the faculty just giving us notes
about the morning just to make sure our posters really match up. >> Um, hi, I'm Leon. I'm a senior and I'm in the PMA Academy. And as you heard, we're still continuing our work throughout this year. And one of those things that we did was like learning
walks, which is like going to different classes and observing how the teachers are teaching and how the students are learning, seeing how engaging the classrooms are, all that kind of stuff. So, um, now students are going to be making questions based off of what we found through those walks. And these
questions will be the basis for the discussions with other students. Um we will facilitate the discussion and this will be how we collect data from all of our students and our job is to make sure that they have a comfortable environment so they will sh so the students will share their truth and this
is the foundation for the future work in our school. >> Hi my name is Grace Bashard and I'm 11th grader and I'm in CGS Academy. >> Hi my name is Kelsey Bernell. I'm also an 11th grade and I'm in the PMA Academy. And um part of our hopes for this second part of the student summit
is to make to get students voices on how to make classes more interactive. This will involve making students more engaged in the lessons and as opposed to less to lecture-based learning. This also means that classes are going to appropriately fit the needs of all of
our students making them ch more challenging and accessible to every student and their needs. Another result we hope to see from our student summit number two is improved student teacher relationships. We don't want the connections between our students and teachers to be limited to just inside the classrooms. We want them
to be able to connect on a more personal level and outside of school curriculum. So for example, I have teachers who know I play soccer and they'll be like, "Oh, how'd your game go the other night?" Or, "Did anyone watch the Patriots game on Sunday?" and stuff like that and vice versa towards teachers. And then in
addition, we want teachers to be able to recognize and acknowledge when students are having a rough day or if they're struggling on the work and be understanding about it by giving them feedback on how to modify that. To close us out, one of the things that we worked on as we worked on our school
culture is we developed the night values together, adults and students alike. So, we're going to share those night values and kind of tell you what it means to us. So, are we ready folks? So, we are respectful. What does that mean? We're polite. >> You're welcome to everyone.
>> Use respectful language. >> So, we work together. What does that mean? >> Uh, taking into account accommodation, >> incorporating students in my lesson planning, >> communicate with your peers, >> having 100% participation,
>> collaborating, asking questions. We strive to do and be our best. What does that mean? >> To work hard, >> to come to class, >> reflecting on the past and persisting to have a better future.
>> To avoid any distractions, >> get the necessary work you need to do your best. >> Pushing through hard times, >> showing up every day, >> and giving 100% effort on every assignment. TOGETHER.
>> And that's it. Maybe some questions. >> Thank you so much. Questions or comments for our students? Miss Lra Martinez. Quickly, I know that some of you last time share a little bit about the process, but my question, you continue
to use the word sense of belonging, but when you say belonging, does that um and this is going to have a following question that uh it is one of the concerns that I've always had and I I I I vision this myself. I I mean witnessed
it. There's certain students who sometimes don't feel that they belong and it may not due to you know you guys are doing an amazing job maybe this was needed years ago but the belonging comes from many different aspect right uh it
could be language it could be um not feeling that you fit in for whatever reason. So how do you think that made you belong? What what who can answer that? What made you feel like you belong at this point?
like how did you decide that you feel you belong in that? >> Um how I feel I belong. I know that I belong because of my teachers and my friends. Um they're always there to be my my the wall behind me. They're always there to support me and that's always something I've always cherished
throughout high school. And I just hope that other people would would know to go reach out to someone would know to go reach out to your favorite teacher, your favorite your staff member. It's just some someone that you should be able to go out and say, "Hey, I'm not really doing too good." And and so and so.
Okay. The following question that I do have is um are you selected by academic achievement or grades? Did you have to have a a certain academic level in order to be part of this group or anyone can be part of it? How how are you selected
for that? >> No. So primarily when when we were all selected most of us are already in some sort of student um association like I'm president of student government. So that was my sort of like oh so you're involved in this and now let's get you into this. People can come and speak but
it's just we were given first opportunity to come into this um association. Thank you >> Miss Wilson. Thank you so much. Um I think it's really wonderful how the students are so
engaged with this process and they're doing self-reflection work which is such a highlevel skill for someone to have. I find it a enriching and rewarding experience that should be transferred to
not, you know, transferred over to our dean campus, but you all should be so incredibly proud that you are leaders in this area and you just strive to get better and better. So, thank you all. Shout out to all of you for doing the
hard work. Thank you, >> Miss Densley Williams. >> Uh, we are so proud of all of you. I am so happy. One thing I heard was, uh, the teachers are listening to the students. That's very important. And the most
important thing in life is respecting one another. I'm I'm really excited. And what I really love, the people in North Carolina wanted to bring you guys home with them. That's good. And I love it because you're sharing. You're learning from one another. We can learn. None of
us are an island, but we can learn from each other. And I will be saying a big prayer for you guys because I'm loving this right now. Okay. Thank you for coming and God bless you. I want to say thank you and I want to
encourage all the adults part of the process that now that the students got the opportunity to go to a conference and I know that um we heard that it's still marinating but that we have uh an
opportunity to really take that feedback and everything that you guys got to learn and put it into practice because that's the the coolest part about going to a conference is being able to be exposed to a lot of best practices from all over and then be able to bring them back and make them into a actionable
items that then we get to share and explore in the future. Mr. Sto. >> Yeah, I just wanted to thank all of you for coming tonight. Um I'm excited for the next summit. hopefully we don't have a snow day or a late start because I
knew that cut into the summit. Um but when it happened I was just, you know, so inspired. Why don't we do this more often? Um you guys help participate in the January reset. You're helping participate in professional development.
You're doing learning walks. Like all of that stuff is just amazing. And I just want to say thank you for continuing that work that you're doing. Thank you for displaying your leadership and embracing and understanding that your voice can be heard and you can make uh important change in your building to
meet your needs. So, thanks a lot. >> Up the good work. >> Thank you. If there aren't any objections, I'm going to go out of order and do student reports first to make sure that if our
students need to go home, they can. >> So, student reports. >> My name is Kirsten and I'm a senior at HHS. Um, so last week we had our spirit week. Um the last day being Halloween, a lot of people came in amazing costumes.
Um other topics were comfy Monday, twinning Tuesday, cozy sweater. Um on Wednesday, however, everybody um was asked to wear orange um to recognize October as bullying prevention month. Um
and we also had a solidarity walk which was just to stand up for bullying. Um each classroom had two students walk out um and join our walk. It consisted of our ambassadors
um our famous night mascot and admin. Um as we walked each floor they all came and joined and we by the third floor we are a very large group. how um students had about 15 minutes to make posters and each one came out with a beautiful
message um really supporting the idea that like we are a community and we are all here together. Um um this it really showed that we were all really striving to do and be our best as a community. Um our fall sports
season is coming to an end. We all have had our senior nights to celebrate all of our senior athletes. Um Jesus Morales, one of our seniors on our football team, was chosen as the Western Mass athlete of the week. They came to
um HHS on Wednesday during the the walk um to celebrate him and to bring that um proud feeling to the field and to the team. As you just saw, our reach ambassadors are preparing for our student summit that is coming up in a
few months. During the summit, um it'll be a little bit different than last year. I don't think I need to go more on that. We just had a whole presentation. Um term one report cards will be distributed on Friday. Um students who are on track and passing all classes
will receive a treat in the cafeteria. And approximately 115 students had a perfect attendance for term one. and will be entered into a raffle for a prize. You >> Thank you so much. Nice to report.
Right, moving on to public comment. I will remind everybody that public comment is not a conversation. We will hear from everybody and we will go over any topics that are put forward based on
the ones that are discussed on the agenda. Every person will state their name, their address, and you have two minutes to do your public comment. First person I have is Rachel Ingram. My name is Rachel Ingram. I live at 290
Lynen Street and I have two children in Holio schools. My son is five and in kinder and dual in dual language at Ian White and my daughter is three and is in an AL classroom at Donahghue. Even though my children live in two homes, their dad and I both place a premium on education and supporting
public education for all children is absolutely a shared value that we are teaching our kids. I'm here to say that I have been blown away by the teachers I have been lucky enough to work with. My son was at Kelly last year with the fabulous Maria Perez. Pause for applause. Both my kids are a little
spicy and she was able to read and mold his needs and promise into so much growth last year. She is, in his words, the smartest person ever. This year he has Alicia Horena who has been dedicated above and beyond to helping him acclimate to the new school environment and getting him ready for the higher
expectations academically and behaviorally of kinder. And today was Irene's first day at Donahghue. When we toured Myra Myra Lopez's classroom, she was able to connect with us and make us feel comfortable that our child with all her quirks was going to be cared for and
loved in her classroom. I wrote that blurb about Miss Lopez on Saturday and I want to add from this mama's full heart that today was really tough. Irene does not adapt to new people and environments easily and today was no different. I brought her supplies
to the school and stood behind the dumpster crying so she didn't see me as she left the school bus. Miss Lopez recognized me, came over and took the supplies and let me know that Irene was safely inside. Her calm demeanor, obvious competence, and kindness was so appreciated today. The teachers work
hard, they work long, and they work extra in all the ways for our students. It's time to provide a contract that listens to what they say they need. In this world, education is more important than ever to combat the misinformation around us. And that education comes from these amazing teachers in this room and
who are monitoring this session from home. I'm here to ask you why you haven't provided the teachers with that contract. Thank you. >> Next up, Aiden Ortiz. Hello, my name is Aiden Ortiz and I'm currently enrolled at Holio Community
Holio Community High School. I'm in 10th grade and I'm here today with Balante Transformative Justice and I'm speaking up for myself fellow students about 90-minute classes and its effects on students and faculty. Our findings are most commonly
students dislike 90-minute classes. People said it they didn't like the 90-minute classes and preferred less. They preferred it less as they find less time easier and more beneficial for them and others to remember and focus and to
still have energy for other classes. Most found it difficult to remember lessons and that they found it hard to concentrate in general. So, and teachers also thought 90-minute classes were a little too much for prep
and for students, it drains them and leaves no energy for upcoming classes, and it's overall tiring for teachers and students. Most teachers take up to 18 to 20 hours a week just prepping for their classes. Changing classes to shorter times can
benefit students and teachers by letting students absorb information without putting strain on them and leaving them drained. Teachers, it would help teachers give more interactive teaching capabilities
instead of handing them a packet and leaving some students without help. This could also help with student attendance due to them finding classes less tiring and beneficial beneficial for their future. If we could shorten the 90-minute classes down to a reasonable time, we
might be able to get more kids engaged and focus better and overall actually attend school if they haven't. Another thing we could fix is giving out breaks. It's not a matter of education because we can't even focus.
We I'm sorry. Another thing we could fix might be giving out breaks. It's not a matter of education because if we can't even focus then what is there to learn just to forget all of that after 5
minutes. It's simply it simply cannot work that way. And everyone needs to realize that the brain must be given time to focus and comprehend and process information we are so suddenly given. Thank you. Next we have Tyla Lemlin.
Hi. Uh my name is Kyla Lemlan. My address is 244 Lower Westfield Road in Holio. Um I am the parent of four children in the Hoyok public schools. Three are at McMahon and one is at Peek. My oldest son has autism and selective mutism, making him unable to advocate
for his needs and making building relationships with people very difficult. As a parent, it is terrifying to send your child to school without knowing um that his basic needs are being met, such as using the bathroom or getting a drink of water, let alone his academic goals. We have had many
wonderful staff who have worked with him as well as my other children, but one teacher in particular who my son formed a special bond with due to her dedication to finding ways to help him communicate and meeting him on his level. Though due to high turnover rates
and lack of staff, my son's services have often been inconsistent, going weeks without services and him navigating a new school alone while we wait for a new person to be hired. In today's world, the amount of children with anxiety is outrageous. When they
have to constantly adjust and make new connections to new people, they are unable to feel safe and secure at school. When a child does not feel safe, they are unable to learn effectively. Teachers need a fair contract because they want their children to succeed. And children should be able to without
constantly wondering what changes they will face today. Thank you. Next, we have Lynette Ernnandez. Hi, my name is Lynette Hernandez. Um, I live at I live in 431 Aton Street in Holio and I have three children in Ky
school. As a parent in the Holy community, I stand with the Holio Teachers Association. Our teachers deserve to feel safe and supported while doing one of the most important jobs, educating and caring for our children. Lately, I've become very worried about the safety of our teachers
and staff. Many of them are facing increasingly dangerous and disrespectful student behaviors. This is not only unfair to the teachers, but it also creates an unsafe and disrupted learning environment for all students. I strongly
believe we need more structure and support in our schools, including a stronger student council or behavior support system that can address these serious issues. Teachers cannot and should not have to handle everything alone.
We parents, the district, and the community must work together to ensure our students are safe, respectful, and focused on learning for both students and teachers. I am proud. Me, Lynette Hernandez, am proud to stand for our
teachers. They deserve to be protected, respected, and heard. Thank you. Thank you. Isac Axelrod. >> Hi, Isach Axelrod 2011 Madison Avenue and I'm here speaking as the parent of three children in HPS and as a teacher
educator at UMass Ammerst. In preparation for tonight's meeting, I asked my oldest child, a fifth grader, if he could remember all of his teachers. He named all of his classroom teachers and para educators and specialists teachers for the past six years. I asked him if he could tell me a fun fact about each one and he did. One
liked llamas, another liked chocolate, one was a Mets fan, another was a Yankees fan. One grew up in New York like his dad and one of them had been a student of mine. I then asked him if he knew the names of any of the administrators in the district. He looked at me and named his school principal and then shook his head. I
asked him if he could name any of the members of the school committee and he couldn't either. I then asked him if he could name any of the curriculum that he had used in the classroom over the years, names on the workbooks, and he shrugged. I share this not to the diminish the work of administrators, school committees, or the importance of
curriculum, but the people who make the greatest daily impact on children, the ones who spend long hours with them, often more than families, are teachers. All of the teachers or of all the teachers my child named, a third are no longer in the district. One retired, another returned to her home country,
and the rest left HPS for other teaching jobs. This aligns with the district's retention patterns. As a teacher educator, I see this trend firsthand. While most of my students return to the eastern part of the state, some have taught in HPS. All but one have left since left. When I ask them why, they
tell me how sad they were to go. because they love their students and families, but they describe administrative pressure, constant changing, relentless testing, little space to teach the way that they were trained, and a pervasive lack of respect for their professionalism. Two years ago, I stood
here with two other parents sharing what I conducted, a survey of district teachers to understand their experiences, why they stay, why they consider leaving, and why they need and what they need to do their jobs well. Overwhelmingly, the teachers stay for the children, but echoed the same frustrations as my students. I urge you
as a parent, a teacher educator, and a researcher who knows a great deal about how teachers shape children's outcomes to work with teachers to create a district where they want to stay, where they can be happy, healthy, and thrive. My children and every child in this community deserves nothing less.
Thank you. Next, we have Margot Weiss. Hello, my name is Margot Weise. I live at 50 Francis A in Holio. I'm a parent of students at Kelly and Eno elementary schools and I wholeheartedly support the HDA's fight for a fair contract. My
son's prek teacher, Mrs. Fuente, Miss Fentes, at Kelly school last year, um returned from just eight weeks of unpaid maternity leave in which she had to use her personal sick time. I asked her how she was doing. She answered me honestly that she wasn't ready to be back yet. At
the same time, I noticed immediately the positive changes in my son upon her return. Um, he was excited to go to school. He was learning things, telling me about them, more focused. Um, our teachers give this job their all even when they aren't physically or mentally
ready to teach. Um, no one works harder than them and yet this is how they're treated. Um, at the beginning of this school year, my kids and I attended an open house at Kelly School and my son wanted to visit his um, other prek teacher from the previous year, Miss Wood. Um, so we went up to the classroom
and a different teacher greeted us and said that Miss Wood had left the district. To quote another teacher from our meeting just now, the district is bleeding experienced teachers. Um, our turnover rates are much higher than the state average. Um, and what does that
tell us about how teachers are being treated here, how well they are paid, or how safe they feel? The member, uh, the members of the HTA need a fair contract. Now, our teachers are when our teachers are valued, our children are valued, and
thus the future of Holio is valued. Um, the the ability of HTA to bargain has been suppressed for the last decade under receiverhip. Um, so they're now so far behind other districts that this seems like a big
ask. Um, Mayor Garcia says there isn't enough money to grant HTA this contract that they're asking for, but I'm asking him and you, the school committee, um, to prioritize this over other costs. I would, as a homeowner, I would rather have my taxes go up. I would rather have
my trash service reduced than to see this not go through. So, please grant them this contract now. Thank you. Next up, Patty Lubold. Hi, my name is Patty Lubold and I live
at 111 Norwood Terrace in Holio, obviously. And um full disclosure, I'm also running for school committee in W 6. Um, but I'm here today to tell you a story about myself as a parent. Um, because the last experience that I had
uh in Holio High with my son who just graduated was one where uh the administrator pulled his supports for uh his special need which was dyslexia and um expressive receptive language disorder. And that went on for the
better part of most of the school year. I didn't know but his mental health was t tanking and I didn't know what was happening. I called an emergency meeting and when I called that emergency meeting I was told that the supports had been removed from the classroom
and the with the supports being removed no one called me. I got more voicemails and ticker tape about a principal te than my son's well-being. And that is a policy decision that was made by administration. And it is an absolute
malpractice of duty to not call home. But that wasn't the only time that that happened. And I'm sharing that story to you because I just sat in a room full of teachers who have a culture of fear of not being able to talk and pick up the phone and call home to parents where
their kids are struggling. These are life and death policies that need to be reviewed and revisited. And we are a governance board here and we need to look into those things because it is impacting all of our families >> and our children's well-being. And we
also just listened to a great paradox. Kids came up and they shared that they belonged. And that is wonderful because I know cuz I had an older son who belonged, but my youngest son didn't. And he got dinged because those nights values are 20% of someone's grades. when you show up with a disability, you don't
qualify for some of those that the students went through. Because what if you have an anxiety attack? Are you being your best when you have an anxiety attack and you can't settle into your seat after a code white drill? That happened to my son and he got a zero.
When I appealed, he still got the F. Cara the Good evening everyone. My name is Cara Theriaak. I live at 214 Locust Street here in Holio. Um I'm a very proud parent of two boys in the Holy Oak public schools. One is currently a
freshman here at Dean and my oldest was a 2022 graduate of Dean Tech. They've both been blessed with amazing educators in Holy Public Schools. Um, however, in recent years, these
amazing educators are no longer. They've moved on. For better opportunities in cities, leaving my child, my children without teachers for main subjects for several years in a row, not just a month, not just one year, but three, four, five
years in a row. No consistent math teacher, nothing. Um, it even led up to my special needs son losing his services um due to his special education staff and his support systems being pulled to teach other positions.
We need to keep the educators that we have here who work so hard. These students need these teachers. Holio needs these teachers. That's why we need the Holio Teachers Association need a fair contract settled now. Our educators need to have the
resources and safety they need to teach not just my child but every child in Holio. Every Holio child deserves the same as children in surrounding towns and cities where educators have a real salary scale, a reasonable workday, and health and safety precautions. Please help the Holio teachers get what they
deserve because they are amazing people and they're educating the children of Holio. Thank you. >> Thank you, Sha. Shaylin Fitzell Stevens. Good evening. No worries. My name is Shayen Fitzell Stevens. I live at 1086 Main Street in Holio and I have a third
grader at Ian White. Um and I'm here today to echo a lot of what you've heard um which is a great appreciation for the teachers that my son has had in his short five years in the Holy Public Schools. In those five years, he's been in three different schools. He was at Dunahue and then at Metaf and is now at
Ian White after the transition period between the schools. Um, and I wanted to speak to how much my family values the support that he's received in his education. We're very proud. I'm a Hoyok schools alum and I'm a former Hoyok
educator. And so when he comes home and I'm looking at his work and I'm looking at his progress and I see his test results, I know that he's getting a good academic education and that's important. But I also know that his teachers all care about his well-being from the notes that they send home, the postcards that
they send home or mail to him, the feedback that I get from Dojo and reach out in phone calls and meetings when things are a little bit iffy. So that I know that my child is not just being focused on academically, but that he's getting support from his teachers for his overall well-being. And that takes
extra time. Um, one of the things when he transitioned from kindergarten to first grade, he also transitioned to schools and he went to Ian White, which is a lot bigger than Metaf was, and he was anxious and he was a little guy in a big school, but he was able to go down the hall and get a hug from his kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Santiago, and
that would help him sort of reset and be able to engage back in first grade. Um, this year he got his postcard that said his teacher was Miss Cara, this year for his English section of his school day, and he had her for first grade. and the way you could see his nerves melt and he
was excited to go to school all of a sudden. Um, those are his grade level teachers and I could name all of them because they have all had such a big impact on him and they're all amazingly still in the Holy Public Schools. He's an anomaly to have all of his teachers
still teaching in the Holy Public Schools from what we've been able to hear. Um, oh, sorry. Thank you. Next, Marie Torres. >> Hello, my name is Mari Torres. I live at
13 Northeast Street here in Holio. Uh, first and foremost, I would like to express my full support for the Holy Teachers Association. Teachers inspire and motivate students every single day. They approach their work with passion, empathy, and dedication. Qualities that make an enormous difference in the lives
of their students. It is essential that both teachers and students feel safe at school. Many students face emotional challenges that extend beyond the classroom and learning cannot happen when the environment feels unsafe. Disruptive or unsafe behavior not only
interferes with instruction but also possesses real risk to others. These situations distract students who want to learn and sometimes even draw them into the disruption further hindering progress. Our students deserve to have their individual needs met so they can
succeed. To achieve this, teachers need smaller class sizes, more support in their classroom, and additional resources throughout our school. Every student has the potential to learn when given the right tools and environment. Therefore, we must provide them with the
support they need to truly thrive. Thank you. Next up, Kyle Chambers. Good evening, Kyle Chambers, 85 Lincoln Street. Here we are again. This past April, I stood here asking the school
committee work with the educators of our city to seize the opportunity we have as a school community coming out of state receiverhip. I and hundreds of parents across the city have been watching with cautious optimism, but recently I am disgusted by the actions of the
district's bargaining team. Our path cannot include rewarding our educators for their faith and dedication with harmful takebacks that will push them to other districts. The push to declare impass this soon in bargaining was a
lazy, cowardly declaration. declaration that you're tired of bargaining, that you're done listening to your educators, and you're ready for the state to take over the process. I ask, if that's a path you're willing to take, WHY DID WE AS A COMMUNITY FIGHT SO HARD TO EXIT
RECEIVERHIP? As a parent and former HPS student, I am telling YOU THAT WE CANNOT GO BACK TO THE decision-making that led us to receiverhip in the first place. As a school committee, you now have more than just an advisory role. You have
authority to make change. On behalf of the Holio parents who only want the best for their students, I ask you to use that authority and I tell you to engage with our educators in good faith. Thank you for your time.
>> Next, we have Jamie Diaz. Street. Mommy. Excellent. control. No, Thank you. That concludes public comment. Next up, superintendence report.
Mr. Sheen, >> I'd like to make a motion to go out of order. Go down. Go down to item 6A, ongoing business update on superintendent search. >> Motion made by Mr. Sheen, seconded by
Miss Nley Williams discussion. Roll call, please. >> Tiny Williams. Yes, >> Mr. Isaza. >> Yes, >> Miss Wilson. >> Yes,
>> Garcia. >> Yes, >> Dr. Raone. >> Yes, >> yes, >> we invite Mr. Glen Coocher to the microphone. >> Welcome back. our update on superintendent search.
Welcome back. >> Thank you very much. It is nice to be here. We have begun planning for your superintendent search process. We've shared some of the information that we'd like to use with you. Uh earlier I sent
you what I thought might be uh important decision criteria and candidate uh qualification experience. Uh what we'd like to do to get moving
is to get our printed material uh updated and ready for circulation. We'd like to get it out before uh before too long. maybe within the next week or two if we can get everything straightened out. Uh we've had
conversations with the vice chair and uh Mr. Sheen uh to uh try to figure out how to expedite some of the process. uh this would be the time to tell us if
we've got the right decision criteria, a lot of which was based on data related to Holio and uh built around some of the things that you did before. While these were not templates, they do mirror what most districts are
looking for in their superintendent. But there are some things that uh I think you will need to think about and resolve quickly. How big do you want your search committee to be? And who do you want the
members of the search committee to be or to represent? Uh we have a recommendation for you. would spin in the material that we shared. Uh secondly, what are the uh compensation criteria that you would like to put out there for
the prospective candidates? Compensation is not only salary, it's anything of value. So it might include a full fringe benefit package. It might include uh additional uh benefits. Some superintendents
uh seek insurance uh in case they become sick and they come here without uh accumulated sick time for example. Uh there are other things that uh that are sought. It would be most helpful to us if we could get
the go-ahad on the material that we have provided to you and then work with your uh work with the school committee. Specifically, if you designate certain people to be working directly with us,
we can expedite a lot of this work and get it out so that we can work with the search committee that you will appoint and screen and interview candidates and present a slate of finalists to you.
I am very optimistic because the attention that Holio has received more recently is enough to encourage people to want to come in and take over a district that that has been it's very difficult to manage a district like
this. But it's a great challenge to uh superintendents who are willing to take on the responsibility as your interim superintendent has been willing to do. So, uh, we will be working hard to find people that we think will be committed
to Holio, will be committed to staying, and, uh, we'll bring with them the qualifications and skills necessary. In the materials that I sent to you, there are some things that I wanted to draw to your attention because they are
very important to be unambiguous when you look for a superintendent. Uh previously you wanted 10 years of experience as an educator uh five years of experience as a
teacher. Uh we would recommend that you list those criteria as preferred criteria. In other words, if an outstanding candidate comes to you and has one year less than you require,
you don't get to pick that candidate to go forward. But if you say X number of years preferred, then you can go as broadly as you like and give yourselves the greatest discretion. So, I would encourage you to do that with the years
of teaching experience that you'd be looking for, the years of professional educator experience that you've been looking for, and for the academic credentials, uh, an EDDD is is most desirable, but
uh, an EDDD or a PhD, but master's degrees uh, have brought excellent people into the superintendency. I I I don't want to be sarcastic or glib, but you know, right after lobster, there's nothing more overrated than an
EDDD. If the person is a ca is a is a good qualified candidate. You can't say that about many things. So, u I would just uh not exclude anyone who
uh has a master's degree. There are districts that would. And I say that not because you're going to be in a difficult position, but because some of our best candidates have a master's degree and a lot of professional experience after that. I'd be happy to answer any questions that you have,
Madame Vice Chair, and any suggestions that you might have to uh to expedite the process so that we can get moving. I've also given you uh in a second though that you see the yellow highlights reflect what I was uh what I was just talking about. I also just sent
a list of dates which uh I think we would be able to use over the next two months to convene and orient a search committee uh review and screen res screen and
review applications and candidates and select candidates to be uh brought forward for a uh an initial interview. Excuse me, but the uh >> Mr. Sheen. >> So, just on the topic of compensation and so we can get the ball
>> moving with this, I'm going to make a motion that we post at 190 to 230. >> Motion B by Mr. Sheen, seconded. >> Can I clarify? 190 to 230 with all applicable benefits afforded to city of
Holio employees. Nothing in addition. >> Seconded by Mr. Isasa. discussion. Seeing none, roll call, please. >> Miss Tensey Williams, >> yes. >> Mr. Isaza, >> yes. >> Miss Wilson.
>> Coming in. Hi. Yes. >> Mayor Garcia. >> Yes. >> Dr. Verone. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sheen. >> Yes. >> Mr. Leave. Um. Miss Lebron Martinez. >> Yes. >> Yes. I'm sorry.
Motion passes unanimously. Mr. Sheen So >> actually Miss Le speak. >> I'm just waiting for her to come back to her seat. >> Miss Lefave me.
Okay. I'm sorry. >> Did you ask a question yet? >> I made a motion. Okay. So, >> can you repeat the motion, please? >> The motion
>> I was plugging in. >> It was the one you just voted on. It wasn't a new one. >> There was no new motion. It was just the one you voted on. >> Boy, am I out of breath. I got to exercise more. So I know that
you had mentioned I really need to catch my breath. Thank you guys. >> Yeah. Ask another >> Go ahead, Mr. Sheen. >> Just looking at this brochure that we have here. Obviously there's items here
like the school district profile with the budget administrative staff. Um, is that something that human resources can get to Mr. Coocher by the end of the week >> or the superintendent's office?
>> Yes, we can we can certainly provide, you know, the we already have it included in all of our postings. So, it's it's just a matter of taking one of our postings and sending it over. >> Well, you don't have the stuff about like budget, administration, and staff in the postings, do you?
I was talking about the community profile. >> No, I'm looking at the school district. >> Yeah. So, the school district piece we can easily put together. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> By the end of the week. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> I've stalled.
>> Can I Can I So, can I say can I speak? >> Minez, >> go ahead. Okay. Um, go ahead. Giving myself. I just got a question in regards to I mean seeing that we're supposed to be posting this at nationally I don't
see nothing here like explaining the type of population you have in sense of that we're 80% you know with childrens of of of diverse of >> yes language >> the description of the community needs to be updated that description is is
>> yeah because a lot of >> it's like 15 years old >> so uh we need to be working with whoever here has that information so that we can create the revised the descriptions and that would include uh uh a view of where
the city is now. A little bit about how the city is governed. Uh some information about the school committee. There are districts that uh there are superintendents who have never worked with mayors. >> In fact, most most town school
committees have never worked with mayors. and and they don't understand why we do. I'm a city I was a city school committee member. We always work with the mayor because it was always good to have the municipal side represented at the school committee meeting. People will want to
know that. People from out of state will also want to know uh how the budget process works a little bit. uh they're going to want to know the demographics of the community and they'd like some sense of the uh the economic forecast
and and any other related social data that you can put in. You may also want to give us some new photo uh and artwork to be uh put in there. And once we get the information, we can get that together rather quickly,
shoot it out to you for review, and then once you're okay with it, we will distribute it uh throughout our recruiting network and to the the 50 uh the 50 state school boards associations
because we do collaborate with all of the state school boards associations. uh regardless of what their national affiliations may be. >> Thank you, Mr. Sheen. >> So, I'm going to make a motion in regards to the um I what would you call
this? The position in invitation to apply um delegating the authority to the vice chair uh within our I mean, we already set the compensation to work with um our human resources department to come up with this and get it to you. So,
Motion made by Mr. Sheen, seconded by Mr. Isasa. Discussion. Seeing none. Roll call, please. >> Got it. Uh, Mr. Miss Tinsley Williams. >> Yes. >> Mr. Isaza, >> yes. >> Miss Wilson, >> yes. >> Uh, Mayor Garcia,
>> yes. >> Dr. Ver Cologne, >> yes. Uh, Miss Lefave, >> yes. Miss Lebron Martinez, >> yes. Excellent. >> Another important position that I know you wanted to address tonight is the nature of the search committee
and who you would like to serve on the search committee. Search. It's totally up to you. We made a recommendation based on what is most frequently used. But you may feel that you need uh more people rather than less, that you need different categories
of people than the ones we put out. We'll work with whatever you whatever you want, but I would strongly suggest that there be two or three members of the school committee, if not more, on the search committee. It's very important to help the search committee
resolve any questions quickly about where the school committee may be coming from or to get some sense of what's viable and what isn't as they're preparing questions and screening candidates. >> Mr. I'll make a motion to set the search
committee or the screening committee at 11 to 13 members and to direct the vice chair to put together a um posting to solicit members and a process for the school committee to review um at an upcoming meeting.
>> Second that >> motion made by Miss Sheen, seconded by Miss Tensley Williams, but we heard you Miss Wilson too. discussion. Seeing none, roll call, please.
>> Go ahead. >> Mr. She on the discussion >> just one thing I know that we'll have to direct the well when the vice is putting this together a preference on the committee needs to be whether we're going to just so we don't have to deal with this
when it comes to selecting people but we need to consider so she can put it out are we going to restrict it to Holio residents or employees of the Hog public schools or does it matter? Can you repeat that again? So what I said was we need to make a determination
whether we're going to restrict it to residents of the city of Holio and employees of the Hoyok public schools or just residents or ju like it's just so someone who isn't a resident and is not a employee of the district if they want
to apply can they and that's something that we should probably decide ahead of time before um >> No um No black. No. >> What? >> Miss Lar Martinez, >> I'm confused. So
>> you're saying for the for the search committee if they want to apply? I mean, I'm I'm a little confused when you said that because >> Well, so we're seeking people to be on the search committee and >> then they want to apply, they can >> and if they want to be on the search committee, are we restricting to people who are Hoyok residents and or Hoyok
residents or um employees of the Hook public schools. That's just something that she's going to have to communicate out. Miss Lef >> just a clarification because um when I'm thinking of the search committee I'm
thinking of a various group coming and creating. So when you're saying it's either Holio residents or HPS staff then that making me think that it's only Holio residents and we're not asking staff. So are we just saying
>> it's happening? >> So okay so both so that or doesn't mean just okay okay just okay Miss Wilson >> thank you so much. Um, so I would
absolutely uh be open to having more than just uh residents of Holio and those um who work in Holio as well. I I I I would like to see from that who might be interested and what kind of
value they could add to the process. Um, if someone applies, it does not mean that we have to have them be part of the group, but I I think it would be interesting to see um, you know, what they could offer.
>> Thank you, Miss Wilson. Miss Lra Martinez, >> I just want to make sure that we have a balance on that search committee that it all don't turn out to be mostly out of holio and less I mean no sorry mostly
out of holio yeah holio individuals and then less from the residency um because I think that on a search committee if you're not applying for it it could be fine but if there's a conflict of interest. I don't think
people should even be considered to be part of a search committee. That's all. Thank you. >> Mr. Fabe, >> what is the makeup or composition of of the search committee? Because I'm only hearing staff and I'm only hearing Holio residents and I heard school committee.
I think we're missing a vital piece. And so I kind of want to know what's the composition of it and then I'll respond when I hear it. So the motion was for me to make one up to bring back to the full committee. >> No, go ahead, Mr. Sheen.
>> I mean, my motion was to put together advertisements, solicit a search committee. I mean, it doesn't people are going to apply to us and then we decide. So I mean, there's no we don't have to have set criteria of saying you need one parent, one school community member, one
administr like we could get 50 applications and find the best qualified people to be on that. So we're not then searching for certain groups of people. So it's anyone you want. My whole thing is if someone goes on to apply if we need to be upfront if if we're going to
limit people having been through this and we didn't limit people and then people wanted to limit in the middle of the process it muddied the waters. So we I'm just saying do we want to limit that residents and or members or um employees of the public
schools? If we want to leave it open, we leave it open and we can see what we get. I just I don't want the problem in two weeks when everyone says we're not happy with this. So that that's the one thing that I can anticipate to be a problem if we're not upfront about it,
>> Miss Fab. >> So then I'm going to go back and ask now um how are we going to engage our students to be able to apply if they want to be part? Was that even being considered >> that would anyone
>> the same? Yeah, we so how we have engaged people in the past we have basically like the different list serves that we will send to recruit just like we recruited for the other committees that we have in the past like
for the community advisory board etc. So that's why I'm asking because when the community advisory team at the very beginning it was different. It was a huge group of individuals and then right towards the end if there was 17 I was
shocked but it was all adults. I didn't see um students. So, going back to the question, how do we get that information out and how will they be able to submit if they're
interested? And I want to make sure it's all students and it's just not students and student government, you know what I mean? I want anybody, any student, whether they're actively engaged in student government or not, to be able to
apply if and we can make sure that everybody knows about it, right, Mr. Stoodto? >> Yeah. I mean, I have some ideas on, you know, I'm assuming that like I'm assuming that you want high school stu, you're we're looking for older students.
Um, so we could, you know, whenever this posting goes out, um, we could actually have do one of a few things. We can have some of our leaders shoulder tap some kids that might be interested or we can announce at like a morning meeting that
if anybody's interested, they can come to the principal's office. We could do um and I'm sure I, you know, I'll get with uh our team to see if there's other ideas out there, but those are some ideas that just come to mind um as I'm hearing you speak.
>> Thank you, Miss Wilson. There's a crying baby right now. I think we should pass on me. It's okay. >> We can come back to you. >> Miss Lauron Martinez,
>> can we I don't know. My my again I just want to make sure at least 50% of the um the the individuals in the search committee should come from those residing or having childrens in the
system. That's my personal opinion about that. Um I just feel that that they should have a voice in what is coming to our community in the sense of who's driving the you know the
administration here. So I just want to make sure cuz can get somebody here. Thank you. So one thing if if we decide to put numbers like you just mentioned 50%.
Then if we don't get 50% of people then now we we have people who are interested who sign up but then we're discriminating against them because we're not making the 50%. We had said that there will be and or I think
somebody suggested and or to be added but I think that I want to make sure that we have the majority comes from the the city that that that is being searched for. You know what I mean? Somebody I'm sorry but that's my personal opinion and if just making sure
that that this is covered >> Mr. Sham >> then if we just leave it open it's the committees to decide. I just brought it up so no one if if we come to our next meeting when we have this list and the majority is not from the s like we we either reopen it or just so the
expectations are clear. I'm saying it's so people applying have clear expectations like I don't want to come to a meeting have someone say we don't want anyone from outside of the city of Hoyok and then we had 10 people who applied >> that went through the process and then they're out like that. If people are fine with having it open, it's open and
that's what the motion on the floor allows it to be open and allows it to start. So, and then but we just you know when it comes back each of us need to read the criteria of the people and we will be making decisions. So, we'll have to be making decisions on the people that have applied.
>> So, when you say we or the search comm we pick the search committee that comes up. >> Thank you. Yep. Thank you. And in that way we can make sure you know that it's within what the body wants.
>> Criteria are they going to develop for Miss Tensley Williams? Can you say that in the microphone please? >> Do the people need to have experience. Um you know I don't think we can just pick anybody that people need to have experience with something. I mean
because the kids are at stake here. >> Thank you. just be any, you know, anyone or >> we're talking about having it open, Mr. Sheen, >> just like the 10 of us can be anyone. I
mean, we we all come on to this with different life experiences. I mean, that's it. The the screening committee that's picked will get fully trained on what to look for. And I mean, they're going to get calibrated and they're going to be given a whole bunch of dates. like it's also that whoever joins
this it's going to be a very time involved rigorous process. So that's I mean whatever people and that's what the vice chair is going to spell out to the communication like you're there's going to be possibly eight to 10 meetings
multi-our in length like it's this is a a a large time commitment for people interviewing candidates then so but the motion that I have left it open so that's miss >> so are we looking for a decision today
as to the number that we want on the It's between 11 to 13. 11 to 13. Okay. So, we've got that off that. When is this going to go out and what is the time frame? >> So, then you're sending me in the motion
to make the how do you call that? The >> or the posting. >> The posting. >> Yeah. >> That then so that then we can the the the candidates and so on. So, >> so what is the time frame? So, if we're
looking maybe in two weeks the posting will go out and it'll be out for for 2 weeks, 30 days. What What is the time frame that we're looking here? >> Cuz I mean the holidays are right around the corner. >> Yeah, Mr. Guer. I cannot hear anything at home.
>> Thank you, Miss Wilson. >> Um, we in the meantime, while you're doing that organizing of the search committee, we can schedule some community focus groups and not lose time with that. Uh, and we can also schedule an orientation date for the search committee. So we can have the search
committee ready to go and um some of the focus groups done before the early part of December so that the initial screening and interviews could take place before the
end of the year and then the school committee could have its recommendations in early to mid January. That would be uh that would be a time frame that I would recommend and I think you could meet that time frame.
>> M >> I'm happy that you brought up the focus group because I've been waiting for this darn survey subject to come up. But he spoke about s >> point of order. Let's keep it topical to the motion. >> It is it is topical to >> on the motion. >> All right. So then we'll move from there. And once because we didn't say
that a minute ago when he was talking about all the different things he was going to do, but because Mildred was going to mention something about focus groups, all of a sudden it's point of order. But that's fine. >> Who asked about the timeline? He was talking about the timeline.
>> No, go ahead. >> Any further discussion? >> Roll call, please. Miss Feliciano. >> Miss Tenzy Williams. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yes, >> Wilson. >> Yes, >> Mayor Garcia. >> Yes, >> Dr. >> Yes, >> Mr. Ch.
>> Yes, >> Mr. Fave. >> Yes, >> Mr. Martinez. >> Yes. Now I think the next step for me is to work with the vice chair, your administrative personnel and the
personnel director to schedule some focus groups. Uh ideally if it's with faculty members we could do a number of them on the same day. Uh sometimes we'll come in and and meet with administrators
in the morning and then later in the day maybe meet with some teachers around lunch uh shortly after the end of school meet with students or other teachers and then meet with community members or sometimes uh special groups like the
packs will want to have their own session and get those things scheduled. So my my plan would be to have a few days of uh I prefer in-person meetings but there are people who prefer Zoom meetings. Uh you get a lot more
people attending a Zoom meeting but you lose some of the contact. So we could mix it up and and uh get some data. We also have a survey that we have shared with you. Uh if we get authorization, we could have
that survey up as early as tomorrow. We we have it uh in English and in Spanish at the moment. Uh I think you were talking about possibly doing it in uh uh a couple of other languages as well. Uh and we can get those up very
quickly if we're authorized to do so. >> This is Lefave. Oh, you remembered. Alrighty, here we go. So, quick question because um we're talking about the survey and doing the outreach. Um we had a community advisory
uh team um created when we were looking at um exiting receiverhip and they had presented to us back in July 21st their findings and some of the things well really mainly their focus was on what they would like to see in a
superintendent. um is that something that you can also utilize um as well as those members and meet with those members as part of your um sessions. >> We would want to meet with them and uh
definitely use the information from their report. >> Okay. >> So, if we could be supplied with both of them, uh I suspect they will not be inconsistent, but sometimes when you have live people in front of you, you can draw out
sidebar conversations and nuance that that's not otherwise available. So, both would be good. >> Mley Williams, >> uh, Mr. Coocher, you have experience with this. Do you have an idea of how many meetings um the person would have
to attend? You know, we need to know that. >> Yeah. First of all, everybody can attend any focus group that's appropriate for them. So for example, a teacher might come to the community focus group. Uh a parent who is the teacher might come to
uh either focus group. Uh it it would be open to to pretty much everyone. I don't know if that answers your question. >> Well, the deadline, excuse me, if everybody's on the same page, we we have to have a deadline. We can't drag it out
for >> Oh, yes. We would we would try to get all of the live focus groups and remote focus groups uh ready to close at the same time as we close the survey and you'll decide when
we close the survey. There are open responses and check boxes and the open responses are usually uh among the most helpful. Then what we do is we take it and from that we develop a composite focus group report which we would
provide to the search committee, the school committee and to the candidates something that would be valuable homework for them. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. So, we'd have to plan on closing dates uh for the survey and
dates for the focus groups in collaboration with the vice chair and your administrative staff. >> Sounds good. >> Okay. >> Did you have any follow-up questions? >> Sounds good.
just make a just Are we winding down with this? >> I'm just going to make an overall motion that things that the vice chair can use her his or her authority um
to make nonsubstantive decisions as this goes along. if there's day-to-day >> Mr. Sheen on the motion. Do we have a second? >> Can I just for the public, who is the ch the chair for that? >> I said the vice chair. >> The vice chair. >> Thank you.
>> I'll second that. >> Seconded by Miss Wilson. Discussion. >> See an example of what we're referring to. What do you mean? Like >> we got 100 survey responses. We want 150. Can we can we change the date?
Um like things that don't impact I mean we set the criteria. We've done all that. Like this if something comes up, snow's coming, we need to change a meeting date. Do you care if we change the meeting from the 8th to the 12th? Like I mean there's just things that so the committee doesn't have to be making these decisions. I think that I mean I'm
not saying they pick the >> candidates but I think there's certain things administrative things that if we have to wait for a meeting all the time then just are going to delay it or if interviews get wiped out because of three days of snow how do we where do we find time to schedule them like just I
mean it's just things that the committee I mean the committee is going to get a calendar at the next the next meeting and stuff there's just there's going to be things that come up and I think that if it has to come back here all the time I also think someone we're a day before interview someone drops off the screening committee. What do we do? I
mean, there's going to have to be some decision-m I don't want to stall this process. >> Miss Olson? >> Yeah, I I would agree with that process. I think that um having an individual um
be able to make those day-to-day decisions um would be appropriate as we are looking to move this process through rather quickly and you know I just think that having to wait for uh us to meet would just actually drag this whole
process much longer and it would be just be probably would turn out to be um you know have negative consequences on the search is my feeling and come back to me after this for the next topic please.
>> All right. Thank you so much Wilson. If there is no further discussion, roll call, please. Miss Pelisiano. >> Oops. >> Miss Tenzy Williams. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Miss Wilson. Yes, >> Mayor Garcia. >> Yes, >> Dr. Realon. >> Yes, >> Mr. Sheen. >> Yes, >> Mr. Fab. >> Yes, Mr. >> Yes. >> I just have a point of clarification if I may.
>> Miss Wilson. >> Um, my point of clarification is if a school committee member wants to be on the search committee, are they should they apply like every other person is going to? >> Yes. Okay. I just wanted to make sure that
that was clarified for us as well. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Kusher. Do we have all the decisions that we need? Sounds good. Thank you so much for joining us and we'll be seeing you soon.
>> I do want you to know that uh I got a call from Mr. Colmore uh on a uh on a athletic matter. and wished him well and did a little research. He is the longest serving school committee member in Massachusetts, 50 years.
>> Wow. >> So, we'll have a we'll get one of the mountains carved in stone and we'll put >> Yes, we miss him. And he said that he was going to be reaching out to you. So,
thank you so much. Thank you so much. So, back on our agenda, superintendence report. Mr. Sto, >> actually, I'd like to make a motion to take topic out of order. Um, I'd like to
go over the policies. Um, I'm providing some child care and I may have to leave and I want to make sure I'm here for that. >> Sounds good. Motion made by Miss Wilson, seconded by Mr. Sheen. Discussion seeing none. Roll call, please.
>> Um, Miss Tenzy Williams, >> yes. >> Mr. Wilson, >> yes. >> Dr. Rone, >> yes. >> Mr. Sheen, >> yes. >> Mr. Fave, >> yes. >> Mr. Brown, >> yes.
All right. >> I'll make a motion to the school committee vote to receive policy DKC as a first reading. >> Second. >> Discussion. >> Seeing none. Roll call, please. >> Um,
Miss Sensei Williams. >> Yes. Mr. Saza, >> Miss Wilson, >> yes. >> Dr. Rone, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> Make a motion uh the school committee
vote to receive policy DK payment procedures. Is it first reading? >> Second. >> Seconded by Mr. Isasa. Discussion. Seeing none, roll call, please. >> Miss Williams, >> yes.
>> Miss Wilson, >> yes. >> Mayor Garcia, >> Dr. Verone, >> yes. >> Mr. Sheen, >> yes. >> Mr. Fave, >> yes. >> Miss Martina, >> yes. >> Make a motion that school can vote to receive and recommend policy DJ
purchasing as a first reading. >> Seconded by Miss Stencley Williams. Discussion. Seeing none. Roll call, please. >> Miss Tony Williams, >> yes. >> Mr. Saza, Miss Wilson, >> yes. >> Dr. Cologne,
>> yes. >> Shane, >> yes. >> Mr. Fave, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Make a motion. The school committee vote to receive policy DBJ budget adoption procedures. First reading. >> Seconded by Miss Lefave. Discussion.
>> Okay, seeing none. Roll call, please. Miss Tensey Williams. >> Yes. >> Mr. Isaza, >> yes. >> Miss Wilson, >> yes. >> Dr. Ver Cologne, >> yes. >> Mr. Sheen, >> yes. >> Mr. Fave, >> yes. >> Mine, >> yes.
>> Make a motion the school committee vote to approve as a final reading policy DEEC. >> Second. >> Seconded by Miss. Discussion. Seeing none. Roll call, please. Miss Tenzy Williams. Yes, >> Mr. Zaza. >> Yes,
>> Miss Wilson. >> Yes, >> Dr. Ricolone. >> Yes, >> Mr. Sheen. >> Yes, >> Mr. Fave. >> Yes, >> Mr. Leon. >> Yes. >> Make a motion school vote for remove policies DBF and DH. >> Second.
>> Seconded by Miss Lefave. Discussion. >> Seeing none. Roll call, please. >> Miss Tensy Williams. >> Yes. >> Mr. Miss Wilson. Yes. >> Um, Dr. Rone. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sheen. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Fave. >> Yes. >> Martinez. >> Yes. >> Right. That concludes the policies. Thank you, Miss Wilson. >> Back on the agenda. Superintendence report. Mr. Sodto.
All right. Thank you. We got a few things in the superintendent report. Uh the first item on the agenda is this partnership that we want to enter into with the uh DA's office. So they have a program called Fuel, which stands for
forfeite use for educational learning. um where they would be able to actually donate impounded vehicles to us that we can accept and use as part of our CTE programming in the dean shop. So, we'd
be able to use it for instructional use. We'd be able to use that to replace an old facility vehicle if we needed to once the students worked on it. Um, and there's, you know, there's also opportunities that I, you know, with other partnerships that they've had
where the the vehicles can be show uh sold and that funding could be put into the revolving account um of the particular shop. Obviously, I would want to I would want our um legal representation to look at thisou. I haven't done that yet. So tonight, what
I was really looking to do is uh gauge the interest of the school committee and us being able to move forward. I think it's a great program. Um the you know the the dean staff have agreed and think it's a great program. Um but part of
your role as school committee members is that you have to accept donations. So I did, you know, in order to get that process going, we got to agree to anou. Um, and really tonight was just about gauging your interest and allowing me to move forward um, with this partnership
and assuming we're able to finalize theou because this isn't necessarily finalized. We got to go through the city. I did get some feedback from the city solicitor's office um, and they they believe that the city council has to approve these, which um, is the first
time that I've ever, you know, uh, experienced that. We've had, you know, pianos donated. We've had uh different things donated where it was never raised uh that the city council had to uh approve it for. Um but that that's
another thing that I'd like our uh legal representation to look at and and see. Um but really tonight was just about uh whether or not you guys are interested and I can move forward with this. obviously bring bringing back the finalou
and if if allowed I'd like thatou to uh once approved to um serve as approving the donations as they come in. If that's not the desire of the of this body, I'm also happy to bring every vehicle in as
as a donation separately every time something every time there's a donation from this program. Mr. Sheen, >> I don't know what part you want me to comment on because there was a lot in that. Um,
>> so I'm fine with the theory of the program. It's hard for me to say anything about seeing what a finalized would even look like. I am perplexed and bewildered by the notion that the city council has to
accept a donation uh a gift. So, if like someone wants to give us a box of crayons, does that have to go to the city council? Because that's what I mean, that's what I'm reading into this that if if someone came and wanted to donate 100 boxes of crayons to McMahon school, the city council has to take that up. Um, and that's not anything
that I've ever seen in practice or anywhere happen. So, like a car is no different. >> Um, so I think that that needs to be clarified with our council first um >> before anything else because that just
I mean, they have a hard time getting stuff done that is timely anyways. So, I mean, we do too, but >> I have a question. >> Miss Tensley Williams. >> Now, I read about it. Excuse me. Now,
are they going to inspect the vehicles? Because what I read, if something's wrong with them, we have to pay. I mean, once they donate them to us, yes, they're going to do their proper inspection, not inspecting the vehicle as to whether or not it could be on the
road. Like, they're not going to do that part, but you know, these are >> impounded vehicles, so they're going to obviously make sure that like they're safe, that like our kids aren't our staff and our kids aren't going to find anything illegal in in them or anything like that, >> right?
>> Um, but once they turn it over to us, it's up to us. So like um you know there are vehicles at the end of the day we would allow us to have the kids work on them but um you know we're you know if if we wanted to register the vehicle and
use it in our facilities fleet then we would we would have that would be uh an expense on us. >> Don't we have to sign that um say something is wrong with them we can't we have to keep them we can't give them back. We can throw them away if we want
to. >> Okay. >> If something's wrong with them. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, >> Miss Wilson. >> Yes. So, my only concern with this is the the end of the vehicle. Um, which was a timely comment you made, Mr.
Sodto. Um, I understand it's for learning purposes, and I'm all in favor of that. Um, my concern is would we ever entertain selling the vehicle? And that is where I would have a a significant
concern and caution. Um, thank you, Mr. >> I move that we uh authorize the superintendent to pursue uh the physibility of thisou. >> Second. >> Motion made by Mr. Isasa, seconded by
Mr. Sheen. Discussion. Seeing none. Roll call, please. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Miss Wilson, >> yes. >> Uh, Dr. Ralone, >> yes. >> Yes. >> No.
>> And Miss Martinez? >> Yes. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you. I'm actually going to take up the proposal on the AI working group because uh Rebecca does got to get out of here. Um she has a sick child at home
that she needs to get to. So um as you are aware uh about a month ago or two months ago at a school committee meeting we put workg groups together that uh and one of the work groups that we put together was a AI work group. Um and uh
Rebecca was going to be leading that work and putting together that committee to explore making sure that we're able to provide some guidance to our students and some guidance to our staff on the proper use of and expectations around um
AI. Um and she came across uh the collaborative for education is offering to help facilitate this work. Um and the reason I brought it forward was uh mainly because a part of a component of that work involves uh policy either
developing a policy or reviewing existing policies. Um I did come across some guidance from MASC around um you know not necessarily stating an opinion on whether or not school committees should actually have an AI policy because it might impact so many of your
other policies. So one of the things we want to explore with the collaborative is to develop some clear guidance um best practices on on you know how stu students using AI and staff using AI and then if there is anything from those
procedures that may have an impact on some of the other policies I would be looking to you know engage in that work with this committee with this working group and then obviously bring it forward um and through the policy subcommittee Uh Rebecca is here. I don't
know if you have anything else to add. Uh but we're just looking for your blessing. I didn't want to engage in this work and then, you know, hear that like, wait a minute, why are they working on this? This has to do with policy. This is something that we should be involved with. So, I wanted to kind
of get your blessing to move forward with this uh proposal from from the collaborative, >> Mr. Sheen. So looking at this proposal, I fully understand that the school committee has
very little authority over at least the description of scope one, which is the plan and facilitate the seven inperson meetings. But I don't see why we would be spending $5,000 on policies. I mean, we are doing a policy review where we spent $10,000 to do all our policies. We're going to spend five to do a small
chunk. I mean, I think Desi has actually put out the whole AI framework and guid like how is this going to be different than the guidelines and all the online resources that the state has put out? I mean, it just it $5,000 for something
that to do one or two policies when we're doing many policies seems like >> Yeah. I guess I'm wondering why you thought that was good for >> I personally think that the policy part of it like we don't necessarily I think
the important thing that we want and Rebecca please chime in um because you know staff across the nation has gotten in trouble in the way they're using AI. Students have gotten in trouble with plagiarism. Like I think the most
important thing for us is to come up with guidance, clear guidance for students and for staff. What they offered was in addition to that was to help uh drive some policy. Um but you
know since then we did get you know uh what what I understand about the policy work is that it's tough to just design a standalone AI policy because there may be things in your student handbook and your employee handbook. There may be
things in other policies. So, um, one of the things that, you know, that scope of work could include is to review all the other whatever guidance is put out to review all the other policies to see if there's anything contradicting or anything that would uh, trigger a a a
request to change a certain policy. But I'll let Rebecca talk about that. But for us, the most important thing is the guidance. If if we want to do away with that pol policy piece, I'm totally fine with that. In addition to the guidance, I think
what's really critical is the professional learning that would come along with it for this group of individuals because it's everchanging. It is constant and it's not going away. And I think that's what we're seeing here. And we also have to take a stance as a district and in learning about it.
There are some school districts who say absolutely not. we will not have AI use in the district and that's what's going to be in our handbook and all of these things in my eyes but I would want it to be um a unified group decision of of how
we are feeling as a school district it's it is not going away and so how do we teach the use of it responsibly without having um losing critical thinking for our students supporting our teachers to be able to use tools that may help with
efficiency but don't take away from right there's there's different aspects to this and lots of things that come across um it lots of companies soliciting all of those different things so we want to ensure that there's learning that happens um I was able to
engage in some of this learning with the collaborative last year and um just in one day the amount of information that came through and understanding people's beliefs from different school systems were on all sides sides of of um this.
And so I think it's really critical that we do some learning together about it as we create guidance um to support both our students and staff in safe and responsible use around it. Um and walk away with some of that. And then again, not recommending a policy per se, that
would be up to the school committee, but knowing that some of this needs to update our plagiarism um pieces in our handbooks and things like that. So, um, I think we can go back to the collaborative certainly and, you know, take those pieces out. This was a first
run, but before we moved any further, wanted to have the conversation here since it it could potentially affect some policies. >> Thank you, Miss Wilson. >> So, my understanding is that the collaborative um does put on a training session and that session is focused on
developing policy. Um, so again, I, you know, I can't really comment on, um, you know, a working group, but I would not be in favor of spending $5,000 to develop a policy. Um, I the policy subcommittee can absolutely look at
other policies um to compare and contrast what we are thinking about. um we can take the information from the working group and put that into practice within the policy and then assist the
district in identifying other policies or other areas where this new policy would make an impact. I also want to note that um historically most school districts have not had an AI policy
based on the fact that it is everchanging and um you know every moment is an opportunity for AI to get better. So I just uh so I'll just end there. Thank you. >> Thank you so much
Mr. Sheen. So, did we apply to be a district to be part of the um future ready AI classroom when the state put out they picked like several school districts that they were coming in? Okay. Or have we looked at like doing
like I mean this is only for a small group of teachers, right? This investment >> um it can be as large or small as we like. Yes. But it would ultimately impact our teachers because it would be identifying professional learning. Um and the same for our students. We have
no current um coursework or anything like that that supports students in this. So we would hope to walk away with some of that as well. >> But how many people this how many people is this team that this proposal is written for? It could be um up to 20 or >> Okay. Have we looked at stuff like MIT
day of AI which is free like and they'll do the entire district. We can when I attended the I can absolutely go back and look at different things like that to come. When when I and two other um people from the
district attended the collaboratives full day policy the the very thing that um was mentioned it it is a lot of information in one day to walk away from. You do see model policies. You see all of those different pieces. what we
wanted to talk about was whether we even want one of those policies. Um and really this was about the the professional development education piece. So um we can look into other
resources and see for sure. >> And how does it differ from all of the free resources that DESIE has out there? training like what is different with CES providing this than all of the I mean >> DESIE put out a ton of modules in August
they put out guideline they they put out sample policies that are linked through there what is what is the different >> to be honest one the Rebecca Mer who who shared this um she was one of the people who drafted and created the DESIE
guidance and provided that so it was kind of going to the source who created the desi piece. Um, additionally, our our in-house knowledge of this, we felt like that it was urgent with everything that we are seeing with with having to
create lockdown browsers for our students as they're taking assessments so that they are not having essays written for them and then submitting them for um assessments that are being taken. And so there was a sense of urgency and a lack of um probably time
and depth of knowledge to be able to to walk away without having some experts support the process in a timely fashion being upfront about >> Yeah. I guess my only concern is you train 20 people and they may bring back the knowledge but with this type of
stuff like the lockdown browser issue someone's going to have a work around to it in a month. >> I mean it's constantly changing. >> That's the the problem with this. So I with putting 20 people through a training what they can come back and deliver to the staff and provide to the staff I feel like is going to be different I mean
>> but we do have to start somewhere. We do and and like I said, the training part of it is completely up to the superintendent, but I also think that there are lots of resources out there and there's lots of resources that may be a lot more effective to a K to2 like
I just I don't know. I just feel as though there's just going to collaborative. I mean that is not it may have the person who wrote some of the policies, but there's a lot more out there. And I guess I would just if we're investing this type of money into training for the district, like are we
getting some of the best or we getting what's convenient because it's in our backyard? And if it's the best and you and the superintendent say it's the best, I'm good with that. But if there's something else out there that is better, I'd rather make the investment into the better, make our district better. because if they're just going to tell us
what we can find in a checklist that says like find a lockdown browser and use that like I I'm already leery just of the write up that some of these could be in person and some people could be like it seems like a very loose type of training in general and two of the meetings are just going over the desi
PowerPoint that you can click play on yourself that's two meetings on here >> on their this is what I'm reading like it says it's principle one and principal two and then it's review principles three through five that's beating one and two. And I mean, we can we can sit
and do this right now. It doesn't seem too forward thinking technology-wise either. >> We could sit and do this right now for sure if you clicked through and and went over the principles and read them. And um again, as we said, it's ever
changing. It's all of these things. And having an expert who can talk through those pieces with you as you're engaging in the learning is different. we can put slide decks in front for a lot of different topics and still not walk away with the same understanding or um be able to land on the same pieces um of
guidance that we want to share throughout our district. And so that is really more around framing and helping us to land in the same space as a group and knowing what we want to recommend as a district. And if we want to say things like nope, we absolutely believe that
this should not be allowed here or yes, we want to embrace, we know technology is ever changing, we want to see something like this come along. So, >> okay, >> Mr. I think I mean I heard what what I needed to hear tonight um which you know
the the piece that I was most concerned with was the policy piece. So, I I you know, I heard all the feedback that um that was provided tonight, and you know, I'll I'll go back and and sit with Rebecca and figure out what we're going
to do. But what we're not going to do is engage in developing a policy. >> Miss Wilson, was that a new hand? >> It was. Um so, I appreciate that. I I guess my question is
how many people went to the training already? Because so this working group came from sending people to a training to develop an AI policy. >> No, we at the beginning of the year put together a list of working groups that
we wanted to have. One of the working groups that we want to have because we think is important is an AI working group. We have not put that group together yet. Uh Rebecca would be leading that work and you know
admittedly like there's a lot of things right now that re you know Rebecca's working on you know she was working on you know uh grading policy work group. She is working on the competency determination. She was working on a lot of things. So, uh, you know, it one of
the things that, you know, I would say I w I was worried about not being able to to support Rebecca in was being able to get some help. So, um, you know, she came forward with this proposal. I thought it was a good idea to help expedite something that has been on the
back burner a little bit because of the other work that we're prioritizing. Um but it is important and we do think that we have to provide some procedures and guidance to staff and to students on the use of AI. Um I understand that you know the feedback that we're getting today is
like we're not going to engage with anyone on developing a policy. Um that stuff can you know based on the guidance we can do that internally. you know, I'm hearing that we could you you know, the the we could use the collaborative. There's other different um groups that
we might there's already resources available. So, what I'd like to do is just go back with my team and discuss how we move forward, but we're definitely not going to be moving forward with uh a partner helping us uh draft policy. So if I could follow up, you didn't um I
did ask in my question was how many people um already attended the training um that the collaborative offered that was to develop a policy for AI. >> There were three of us who attended it was myself um Jenny Malave who is our
executive director of data and technology. Do I have that correct? And Andrea Savis who are is our director of English language arts. And so the three of us had started to see a need as we were having to identify lockdown browsers and all of those things um last
year and wanted to go educate ourselves and just start to think about this and know that um there is kind of this sense of urgency. It's growing faster than we can keep up with, but how do we start to learn about it? um it didn't feel like you could first of all I would never
want to create guidance for our district without including teacher voice student voice bringing in other members right to to have this conversation but we also know many of the people who we'll bring into this workg group don't necessarily have the knowledge and so we want to ensure that we're able to expose them to
some of the similar learning expand upon that learning and then walk away with guidance for both students and staff and that felt important so it was just initial learning for three of us >> thank which >> which are not part of the AI working group. It was just three uh members of
of our team. Thank you, Rebecca. Um so the going back uh you know as you know many of you know that we're actually you know going through a process and creating a district action
check tracker for our policies so that we when you know we're vetting all of our policies and making sure that we have kind of a checklist on on um making sure we're in compliance with all of the policies and uh as part of that we came
across policy JA that states that the admin the administration will develop procedures and that they will be reviewed and approved by the school committee. Um so I'm putting these field trip procedures in front of you. They're, you
know, they're in compliance with, you know, our existing policies already, but we want to, you know, this was more of a housekeeping thing. I did want to name that there are two recommended changes to our procedures. Um one of them being um which is
consistent with the the policy already. We just didn't have it in our procedures is that um there would be an exemption for athletic events. So, if our, you know, if our, you know, uh, if our track
team wins the regionals and and has to and we didn't know about it, you know, they win on Friday and then there's, you know, uh, you know, a state championship or a regional championship in Connecticut, you know, uh, a week from
now, you know, being able to allow them. That's actually written into the school committee policy already. So, we just wanted to clarify that in our procedures. But one of the things that's not necessarily spelled out clearly in the policy that we'd like to include in
our procedures is that we also um you know run into situations with our CTE programs. So, one idea that we had was um at the beginning of the year get permission slips for um our students to
be able to visit work sites across the city or anywhere. Um, you know, it could be for cosmetology, for example. We they get an invite from a local salon owner that they're having an event and they want the students to go, you know, like
some of that stuff isn't necessarily planned, but it's part of um the curriculum. So, we want to be able to include that as an exemption in the future procedures because oftent times those things don't come up 60 days in advance or 90 days in advance. they come and we want to provide those
opportunities for our kids. Um, did I miss anything, Jackie? >> Oh, >> please. >> It's exactly what Anthony said. Um, I'm going to give you a example from last month. the Bevon Kelly nursing home
asked the culinary department to provide cookies and desserts and have the students come up and serve and we didn't let them go because we didn't have enough time because the procedure says we have to have a field trip form
so you know 60 days in advance. So, in order to be in alignment with the policy and the procedure, we thought we would update our procedure that says CTE can have a blanket permission slip that says my student can attend any field trip
throughout the year with their shop even at short, you know, notice. Um, it's it the purpose is to really support the students getting the experiences they need in the community. >> I I agree. I I mean to some of that I agree to it because of the you know
opportunities of externships or internships that they can do in the community for them to be exposed and you know sometimes having a permission slip but person that is allowing them to come in may change their mind. So thank you
advocating for that. So may I have a motion that the school committee approve the field trip guidelines and procedures in the attached documents? >> I make a motion. Motion made by Miss Tensley Williams, seconded by Missib. Any further discussion,
Mr. Sheen? >> Well, I'm trying to get onto our policies now, but some reason our network is blocking me saying that I'm trying to access Fortnite. Um, so we might want to have someone look at that. Um
but so is these procedures for vocational students aligned to our actual written policy for student travel? Yeah, I mean it the the only thing is is uh appropriate notice to administration
um which in in our policy it actually states that um that you know it it states the the whole field the competition and like athletic stuff is yeah
>> um it doesn't say anything about these um you know the the one I guess the the one thing that it wouldn't be aligned to is that the school committee does approve any out of state and overnight. So if for example our shop if one of
these fell into that I you know honestly I wouldn't be approving something like that. That's something that I would be bringing to the school committee. Um but I didn't see anything in our polic in the two policies that I saw around field field trips that um wouldn't allow us to
do this. And it was J O was the Yeah. Yeah. Those are the two policies. Any further discussion? Miss Leave, >> I'm gonna ask if you can just give us a moment as we're reviewing um because
we're not able to access from our computers. >> Mr. So I I know that our policy fully speaks to the tournament stuff with overnight like that's already exempt from there. Like obviously these procedures I know you mentioned that but are not allowing
that. I mean that's >> like we're not going to it made it seem like you said if it was a vocational student they need to go overnight that it could technically be approved to go but like that can't be. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Uh, and I would just for your own
protection, um, I would put a little bit more definition just there's not ambiguity for the instructors of what's considered local area, whether it's within a 2-hour drive, something because local area can be really vague on that. So, I would just just tighten it up a
little bit with what you consider the local area to be. So, someone doesn't say, "Well, New York City seemed like the local area and we were going to I mean, just I would just be cautious of that. I'm fine with it. I would just tighten that up a little bit.
>> They sings. >> So, you're saying that overnight trips cannot be approved because they need to know to the already part of the policy >> in advance. Okay. Okay. Miss Aib,
>> so I keep hearing like times. Is that just part of the procedures? Okay, so that's part of the procedures, but it's not on our policy because I guess our policy is just generalized and just says advanced notice.
Is that all out of state or extended overnight trips? And that's O a one and the first one. >> Yeah. And then >> so I'm going to go back and ask where
are we on the policies? Has our policy subcommittee reviewed section I already and had already updated and we're just waiting for this stuff to come forward or they haven't gotten to section I yet >> and is this something that also going
>> this policy was read on a 520 25 MS um what they spoke is that the MAS is more clear HPS is very generic out of state field need prior approval of the school committee that was what the recommendation is, but it has not come
to the full board for any of approval yet because we're not there. >> Okay, >> there is a recommendation to bring it to the subcommittee. Um, again, we're waiting for some of the MASS to add on
to the changes. >> Thank you, >> Mr. >> Yes. So I would say like right now the two policies that I see online is what I'm reading. um when you know if there were changes to the policy and come forward um obviously I'm not going to
forget this conversation and and like if there's something that would you know something that's being recommended that would um not allow us this flexibility then you know I I would raise that
concern and then um if if it is the desire of the committee to be a little stricter with field trips than what we currently are. Um, you know, I would express our concerns as leadership and what principles would say. Um, but
ultimately you own what you know, if you guys decide the policy gets stricter and these procedures are no longer in compliance, then we would have to go back and update our procedures, come back to you and let you know what changes we made to stay in compliance with the new policies when they come
out. >> Miss Lef. >> Yeah. I just want to make sure that students are not losing out opportunities like that. >> Um as well as our athletics um students. Um so
>> I do agree to make sure that we do make those except exceptions >> um for those two groups. And then let's see whenever those two policies come up.
>> Yeah. So, I did hear about providing some clarity on like what local means. Is that a directive to go back and be a little more specific and then bring it
back or are you allowing us to update some language that says instate or something like that? >> Mr. My comment and my intent was that you look into that and if you think it needs to change, I think it just creates some ambiguity for educators. Okay.
>> That they get a new like whoever you ask has some different definition. So that's my only I know in my mind what I think is local, but Miss Lefay may think local is different. So, >> and I probably do because I'm different. >> It's Williams.
>> Mr. So, um, this question is from Sto. >> Yes. >> Has anything happened in the past that you would think that we're going to need to change it? Does anything happen like overnight or >> Well, I'm hoping for support in this when we move forward. As Miss Glashine
mentioned, we had an opportunity for some of our students, but because it was outside of our procedural guidance, um those students weren't able to take advantage of that, which prompted us to say like, "Look, we don't want to be in this situation again. These kids should
be able to go to that. So, let's update our procedures and and like not handcuff ourselves to uh you know to another situation where we got a great opportunity for kids and they can't participate because our procedures are outdated. >> That makes sense. Thank you,
>> Miss Favor. >> I'm just thinking like for the CT aspect of it, even if you were to look at radius, mileage radius. >> Yeah. >> If you say even 25 mile radius, you're including Northampton. you're including where it gives you that opportunity for
our students. So, >> yeah, we'll go back and we'll we'll be a little clearer in that, but it sounds like generally speaking, you guys support these and >> yeah. >> All right, seeing no further discussion, roll call,
please. Miss Pelisiano, >> Miss Tenzy Williams, >> yes. >> Mr. Isaza, Mr. Willahan, >> yes. >> Dr. River Cologne. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sheen. >> Yes. >> Miss Lefave. >> Yes. >> Mr. Brown Martinez.
>> Yes. >> Um >> I'll make a motion that the school committee um vote to receive and refer to committee the the finance committee the principal compensation guidance. >> Motion made by Mr. Sheen, seconded by
Mr. Isasa. Discussion seeing none. Roll call, please. >> M Miss Lefave. >> Uh that would be Miss Tenley Williams. Excuse me. Sorry. >> Yes. >> Um Mr. Zaza. Mr. Wellahan. >> Yes.
>> Um Dr. Ver Cologne. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sheen. >> Yes. >> Mave. >> No. Yes. >> You are lucky today. Miss Miss LeBron is
>> Yes. Carrie Coke around with me. >> That came out. I'll make a motion the school committee vote to approve and authorize the out of state field trip or out of state travel for the Morgan school staff attached here. >> Motion made by Mr. She and seconded by
Miss Tensley Williams. Discussion. >> Seeing none. Roll call, please. >> Miss Tenzy Williams. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yes. >> Um, Mr. Willahan. >> Yes. >> Um, Dr. Realone. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> I motion. >> Motion that the school committee accept the gifts and grants received uh dated 113. >> Second. Motion by Miss Lefave, seconded
by Mr. Isasa. Discussion, Mr. Sto. >> I just want to say thank you um to the St. Patrick's uh parade committee for their generous donation. Um and thank you to Kayla and Co and Dave Roach for
their generous donations. The rest of them were just grants. >> Thank you so much. Seeing no further discussion, roll call, please. >> Tindy Williams, >> yes. >> Mr. Zaza, >> yes. >> Mr. Willahan, >> yes.
>> U Dr. Regalone, >> yes. >> Mr. Sheen, >> yes. >> Um, Mave, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Motion that the school committee approve the budget refer to finance about the transfers. >> Second.
>> Motion by Mave. Seconded by Mr. Sheen. Discussion. Seeing none. Roll call, please. >> Williams. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Willahan. >> Yes. >> Dr. Rom. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Yes. >> Mr. V Martinez. >> Yes. >> Make a motion the school committee vote to accept the report of the warrants. >> Motion made by Mr. Sheian, seconded by Miss Tensley Williams. Discussion. Seeing none. Roll call, please.
>> Williams. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zaza. >> Mr. Willahan. >> Yes. >> Dr. Rick alone. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sheen. >> Yes. >> Martinez. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sheen.
>> It's okay with the vice chair. Can I ask does anyone have any amendments to any of the minutes? >> No. Make a motion the school committee vote to accept and approve the minutes of 825, 98, 929, 106, and 1014. >> Second.
>> Seconded by Miss Lefave. Discussion. >> Seeing none. Roll call, please. >> Um, Miss Tensy Williams, >> yes. >> Mr. Mr. Willahan, >> yes. >> Dr. Ver Cologne, >> yes.
>> Yes. >> Yes. Updates of committees. Policy and governance subcommittee. No updates. Do we have any upcoming meeting? >> Posted to be determined.
>> Okay. Finance and operations subcommittee. >> Hello. I'm sorry I was late to the meeting. >> I had a work. >> Welcome, Mr. Williams. >> I had a work commitment. Um,
the Finance and Operations Committee has a meeting scheduled for November 20th at 5:30 at um, Suffach Street. Um,
that's it. >> Thank you. Make a motion the school committee vote to approve the current list of active student activity clubs and programs and make the changes listed in red. >> Second. >> Motion made by Mr. Sheen. Seconded by
Miss Lefave. Discussion. Seeing none. Roll call, please. >> Miss Tenzy Williams. >> Yes. >> Mr. Isaza. Mr. Willahan. >> Yes. >> Dr. Rone. >> Yes. >> Mr. Sh. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes.
Yes. >> Join city council school committee. Mr. Willahan, do we have a date for the >> Oh, Miss Feliciano. >> Yes. I received an email. Um, they would like to have another meeting. December 20th. I did send out the email to the
joint. So, December 20, sorry, December 10th. I'm sorry. Um, check that. Oh my god, I have so many dates on my head. Sorry. It was December 10th. Sorry, Wednesday, December 10th. Excuse me. December 10th. It um Mr. Jordan is looking to have
another meeting. >> Thank you. Local control subcommittee, Miss Leave, >> what time would that meeting? >> I would assume it's about 600 6:30. >> Oh, we're still in control. And I will be reach reaching out to the
other two members. I'm sorry because the only thing on our agenda is just to approve the meeting minutes. >> That's it. >> Um >> leadership, accountability, and measurement subcommittee. Mr. Sheen, >> we'll be meeting Monday at 4:00 at Hoyok
High. Irene's going to secure the room um for us and that's to go over the competency determination uh for Greg to finalize those to come back to the committee a week later. Um, and I will also make a motion that the
school committee vote to approve the superintendent goals as presented in the attached memo. >> Second that >> motion made by Mr. Sheen, seconded by Miss Tensley Williams. Discussion. >> Seeing none. >> Roll call, please. Miss Feliciano.
>> Miss Tensey Williams. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Wellahan. >> Yes. Um, Miss Dr. Cologne, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Mr. R Martinez. >> Yes.
>> Next, we have delegate voting for the 2025 MASC resolutions. May I have a motion that the school committee allow the appointed delegate to vote in the best interest of Holio public schools? >> Some moved.
I second that. >> Motion by Mr. Willahan, seconded by Miss Lero Martinez. Discussion. Miss Lefave. >> We're doing this again. I'm
I It was tabled. Oh, good gracious. >> I know. And I still don't understand the concept. Just you know what? Whatever. Just vote. That just makes no sense. We've been
doing this all these years. But okay, >> Mr. Exasa, do what's in the best interest. >> And as we >> and as we know, the motions are going to look completely different by the end of the delegate assembly. So this makes
sense. Seeing no further discussion, roll call, please. >> Miss Tiny Williams. Yes, >> Mr. Isaza. >> Yes, >> Mr. Willahan. >> Yes, >> Dr. Cologne. >> Yes, >> Mr. Sheen. >> Yes, >> Mr. Fave. >> Yes, >> Martinez. >> Yes.
>> Motion. You do an announcement. >> Announcements. >> I never have an announcement. >> I know. >> There's several announcements already posted in the agenda and Mr. Sheen has one. >> Tomorrow is a very important day in the city of Holio and in our region. It's
election day. >> Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8:00 pm. >> Check out the city clerk's website, the secretary of the commonwealth website to find out where you are supposed to vote. >> Um, make sure you go and vote to have your voice heard and to uh it's important whether or not you have
someone running in your ward or places unopposed. Not every race is and we need to make sure that we have good voter turnout. Uh, so let's find and encourage people to get out and vote tomorrow. >> Yes, get out and vote. Right. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Yes. So So moved.
>> I have an announcement. >> Oh, Mr. Willian has an announcement. >> I thought my hand was up. Um there's just going to be a ceremony on Veterans Day, which is um November
um 11th at the War Memorial. So everyone's invited to that. I believe it starts at 10 a.m. It could be as early as 9:30. Thank you so much, Mr. Willian. >> I have >> Thank you, >> Mr. Williams.
>> I'm going to make it quick. I've had several people ask me to keep doing the poems. So, this poem tonight is a book and save the day. Whenever we have books in our hands, they can take us to other lands. It doesn't matter which book you pick, they almost always do the trick.
There are times when you need a book to help you with a meal to cook. Sometimes you need a book to view, to help you choose a new menu. When bedtime comes, you play hide and seek. Mom or dad reads a book and you'll fall asleep. When you're feeling low and don't know where to turn, just grab a book and you will
learn that things are not as bad as they seem. A book can lift your self-esteem. When school is out, without a doubt, you miss your friends and you won't out. Go to your shelf and grab a book. And before you know it, you will be hooked. Soon you will be on your way. There's
not much more for me to say because reading a book can save the day. Thank you guys. >> Thank you, Miss Tencer Williams. >> Welcome. >> On the motion, roll call, please. >> Uh, Miss Tensey Williams, >> yes. >> Mr. Mr. Willahan,
>> yes. >> Dr. F. Yes. Martinez, >> yes. >> Meeting adjourn at 8:26.