on Monday, October 6th, 2025 at 5:04 p.m. Roll call, please. Mayor Garcia here. Um, Dr. Rivera Cologne here. Present.
Present. Martinez. Miss Rosley. I always say her full name. Excuse me. Miss Tenzy Williams, Mr. Isaza here, Mr. Willahan here, Mr. Colmore, and Miss Wilson.
Pledge of Allegiance, please. Uh, vice chair is remote tonight, so I'm going to entertain a motion to appoint me acting vice chair. Motion to appoint by the mayor, second by Mr. Zaza. Uh, roll call, please.
Starting with Miss Lefave. Lefave. Yes. Mr. Zaza. Yes, Mr. Willahan. Yes, Mayor Garcia. Yes, Mr. Sheen. Oh, sorry, Miss Dr. River. Yes. And Mr. Sheen.
Yes. So, did anyone sign up for public comment? No. Okay. And we don't have any students. I know we have a couple presentations, but pending no objection, I'd like to
take some of the action items up first. um with this. So um as long as there's no objections, we will skip down to new business and the nurse recommendations for official appointments. Like to entertain a motion that the school committee vote to appoint school nurses as recommended by the superintendent per
policy uh BBA by Miss Lefay, second by Mr. Zaza. Any discussion? And a list of those nurses are in the packet. Seeing no discussion, all those in favor, roll call, please. Miss Lefave,
yes. Mr. Saza, yes. Mr. Willahan, yes. Mayor Garcia, yes. Dr. Ver, yes. And Mr. Shane, yes. And as we're doing this, I'll invite the people from Dean to start to get situated and stuff. If you want to
come up, just um feel free. um outofstate travel um that the school committee vote to approve and authorize outofstate travel for Rebecca Thompson, director of academics, and Caitlyn Rosaza, associate director of early literary to attend the Ignite Reading
Conference in Boston, um November 5th through the 7th. Moved by Mr. Zaza. Is there a second? Second. Second by Mr. Wellin. Any discussion? All those in favor? Uh roll call, please. Mr. Faith. Yes.
Mr. Yes. Mr. Willahan. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. And then uh the school committee vote to approve and authorize out of state travel for the people listed in
the agenda to um attend the administrators of special education conference in Worcester uh on October 31st, March 20th, and June 3rd. Move by Mr. Zaza. Is there a second?
Second. Second by Mr. Wellahan. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
Yes. Moving on to budget transfers and reports. The school committee accept the gifts and grants received listed in the uh report attached. Moved by Miss Lefave. Is there second by Mr. Zaza? Any discussion? Mr. Wellahan. Yeah, thank you. Um, can we send like a
thank you note to the person that um donated the pio uh piano? Um, I think it's just a, you know, um, yeah, a state. Yeah. Yeah, that'd be great. Thank you. Any other discussion?
Roll call, please. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Warrant approval process that the school committee vote to accept the report of the warrants approved as
listed above or listed as attached. Moved by Mr. Zaza. Is there a second? Second. Second by Miss Lefave. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Yes. Mr. Yes. Yes.
Yes. Dr. Yes. Yes. Uh, budget transfers. The school committee vote to approve the budget transfers as attached. Move. Moved by Miss Lef is there. Second by Mr. Zaza. Any discussion?
Roll call. Mr. Wilhin. Um, we had the one for the um uh was like $67,000 for the the mapping program. Is that on that? Um, it is.
Yep. Um not sure whether the full full committee wants to do a um like meeting with the vendor. So we we we approved the financing for that for that
project, but um I'm not sure whether the the vendor should make a presentation to the full full committee. Well, if I mean is are you amending are you going to make a motion to do that because there's a motion on the floor to approve the transfers. Well, we can approve the transfer. That's fine. But
moving forward, um I'm not sure whether we're talking about school security, I think the vendor should do a full presentation to the full the full committee, not just the finance committee. That's my my recommendation. My I'm not sure whether that's an
amendment or not or I can make that. Mayor Garcia, I don't know how other members feel, but if you talked about it at committee thoroughly and um got the necessary feedback, I'll I'm fine with a report back. Okay. Um but it is a good
it's in our minutes. Yeah. Or it is a really good program and presentation. If the body does want it in the near future, um especi maybe the final product when it's up and running and done, that'd be fantastic. Okay, that's fine. And just when we schedule those, just a
reminder, all of those school security presentations occur in executive session. Yeah, I don't think it's really like a technical Well, especially once it's done. They don't get into like the nitty-gritty. Well, the presentation that I saw didn't get into the specifics
of what they're doing um for each school. It's just an overview of of their product. And I know Mr. um Mr. Innesota had had some questions too that that were answered. Uh, any other discussion? Roll call, please.
Yes. Yes. Mr. Isaza. Yes. Mr. Willingham. Yes. Garcia. Yes. Dr. Rolo. Yes. Yes. uh that the school committee vote to accept and approve the minutes of
July 21st, 2025, August 8th, 2025, uh April 2nd, 2025 policy and governance meeting minutes, and April 23rd, 2025 policy and governance meeting minutes. Moved by Miss Lefay is second by Mr.
Zaza. Any discussion, Mr. Wellahan? One of them I think I apologize. Well, Mr. Well, the table. Is there a second? All the minutes each one second. Any discussion or can't be discussed?
Roll call, please, on tableabling. Um, is this the faith? Yes. Yes. Garcia. Yes. Dr. Yes.
Yes. Okay. Well, now move back up to the top of our agenda and one moment. Yeah, prom I apologize. Mayor,
I considering that I'm hoping we can make it through the agenda, which is great. I know I'm going to step step off around 6:15. I think you're leaving, too. We won't have a quorum. Um, I'm interested in this agenda item,
upcoming executive director of finance vacancy. I don't know if we can go out of order and take that up. So am I. There's also a concern though that there's two votes that have to be made for the vocational program that also have a deadline. So, excellent. There's a tight deadline on on both. So,
um, we will turn things over to the superintendent and his team from Dean. Yeah, we're short on time, so I'm just going to kick it over. Um, thank you guys for being uh, flexible and showing up uh, a week later. Um, and I'll let you guys go through the presentation. I
know there were um a few pieces to this and I already provided framing to the committee uh last week around you know uh changing our programming and web shop and going through an official process to
a different chapter 74 program around the CTE expansion grant providing an opport you know one of the things that we're definitely interested in is exploring um an early childhood chapter 74 program. We think that it would be a
great opportunity and there's definitely a need uh even within Holio public schools to create that pipeline for um early childhood teachers. But with all I'll just kick it over to you guys to go through the presentation.
Great. Uh thank you everybody for having us. Uh I'm Joel McCall, career and technical education director at Dean. Uh Rosie Rosie Kratchel, the principal dean. Uh we'll go quickly because I know it's in the interest of time. Uh you'll have two uh documents uh to be referred to
policy subcommittee on your agenda tonight. Uh there's been a change in state CTE admissions protocol and law uh that requires us to update our admissions policy uh to be in line with that. Along with that admissions policy, it comes with a career exploration guide
guidance for eighth grade. Both of these are consistent with state guidance and uh we'll go through your policy subcommittee which we will be uh there to be able to provide feedback. Um the presentation you have in front of you uh I won't go word for word but I'll just glance over at the slides and fill you
in on a few things. Dean Tech has had a programming and web development shop uh which is a technology computer programming based shop for quite a while now. We've really struggled over the years to fill this position. Uh the teaching positions in these shops uh and
uh after a lot of investigation and research uh have come to you with uh a request to move forward uh to transition that program from a programming and web development program to an information uh
support services and networking program. There's a couple of reasons for this. Number one, we haven't been able to staff in three plus years. Uh we've had limited applicants. Uh we have been able to fill two teaching positions uh just recently. Um but the average salary for
someone with a programming background is exceptionally high. Uh they're in high demand, particularly here in Massachusetts. And someone with that level of education is making upwards of 70 to $100,000, which is hard for us to compete with. in an ISSN uh setting,
it's a little bit easier for us to compete with. You're talking about entry- level help desk uh engineers and technicians as well as networking support specialists. Those are the kind of folks that are all over Western Massachusetts that we feel pretty comfortably uh we'd be able to attract
here from a teaching uh uh vacancy perspective. There's also what we also took into account is student interest. Um unfortunately, our programming and web shop should be one of our highest enrolled programs. given the earnings potential, but over the years it has actually been one of our lowest enrolled
programs. There's a lot of reasons for that. Uh and we believe um the the staffing is a big part of that. So there's a timeline associated with it. Uh just uh we submitted an intent to apply uh to the state to apply to open
an ISSN program. Uh that's non-binding, but we had to meet that October 3rd deadline. That just starts the process and conversation. And then November 14th, we have a part A application that is due. Part B will be due March 6th, June 12th. All uh part components must
be finalized and then as quickly as Desi can turn it around. They will inform us uh whether or not we are approved. Uh we are working with Desi as well. uh we don't want to formally close our programming and web shop until we have an idea of whether or not they'll
approve an opening of an ISSN shop. And so we're working closely with them to sort of ensure that these things are linked together so that there's no disruption of programming. One thing that's important to note, any closing of a vocational programming comes with a
three-year step down period, which means uh we're supposed to phase it out uh so that there's no disruption for students currently enrolled. There's no playbook on how to actually do that. And so we evaluate at the time that we uh start that process uh coordinating with
students, families, and staff. Um and what that looks like remains to be seen, but we'll certainly uh keep you a breast of that. uh if we go forward uh it is everything that we do in CTE uh when it comes to making programmatic
decisions should be aligned with the Pioneer Valley labor market blueprint uh that is a workforce development report provided by Mass Hire uh that does a regional uh workforce scan and determines what the needs primary needs
in western Massachusetts and in our Holio footprint are and this is directly aligned With that, most of the programming and web jobs are out east by big high-pric tech companies. A lot of help desk and networking jobs exist with
vacancies here in Western Massachusetts. One component um that is starting to be discussed a lot is AI's impact on our educational offerings and programming and web is no different. uh you'll see
uh a report just came out uh not too long ago that uh 16% of entry- levelvel programming roles uh and coding jobs have been destroyed by artificial intelligence that can do a lot of these on its own. So while the folks who have
decades of experience uh are able to maintain their positions, the entry-level positions um are being really really hurt. So our perspective after discussing and doing research is that um it's a better workforce opportunity to transition to ISSN
because it'll be immediate openings for our students here in Holio. Last but not least on on this one, everything we do, we try to align with the strategic plan for the district. Um and this fully uh fully align with that keeping students with in in- demand
skills and credentials directly aligning with our workforce partnerships. It will improve uh our ability to recruit qualified educators to put in front of the students and offers an equitable pathway to students in these fields.
Moving on to early education and career. Uh I'm particularly excited to bring this forward because a lot of people in this room uh and in this district over the last decade plus have been involved in some form of conversation around early education and care here in Holio.
Uh and it was uh thankfully our assistant superintendent Jackie Glashene who sort of revived that after a prompting from superintendent Sodto um to revisit and see where our role in early childhood and care could could be.
Uh we resurfaced a report the district had commissioned in 2016 that did a feasibility study uh working with our partners uh in the community uh working with the mass hire with uh the valid opportunity council uh as well uh as
other early child uh care partners like Head Start um looked at that study and determined a whole lot of it was still relevant uh and there remains a great need for early education uh professionals. So, there's a lot of opportunities that come with that. Um
the opportunity for us to create a new chapter 74 vocational program, which uh will also in allow us to enroll uh 60 new students at Dean and provide access to 60 new students for vocational
education that we're currently not able to offer to. Um there also remains the opportunity to partner with uh outside partners like the the Valley Opportitude Council uh and Head Start or our our own HPS preschool offerings uh which are
exceptionally high quality to expand access uh and to quite frankly build a pipeline of qualified professionals to staff it. It is again aligned with the workforce regional blueprint. uh 12 to 14% job
growth in this field expected by 2032. Uh next slide. Uh the VA Pioneer Valley projects 350 annual openings in child care and early education with an absolutely urgent demand for bilingual
and culturally responsive educators. This is where Holio has an opportunity to lead in solving this problem. Here are some of the challenges that they face in this field. Workforce shortages. Uh they're not able to staff these early
childhood programs the way uh that is needed. There is high retention and turnover in these fields because there's a lack of wellpro prepared and credentialed staff. Uh there's equity gaps as I mentioned, a huge need for bilingual and culturally responsive
educators and a growing demand with 12% increase by 2030. For our students, this means an opportunity for immediate entrance into the workforce. Students can work at local childcare centers, preschools, and afterchool programs. We also look at this as a possible uh staff retention
possibility. Uh school districts around Holio that do offer something like this provide early child care uh to their staff members. Something that we potentially in the near future could host here at Dean which would help with a staff retention model, long-term
career growth. Not only would be hoping to grow early childhood care professionals, but teachers for all of our programs. uh and there's a lot of possibilities for upward mobility for those students as well as higher education articulation agreements with
our partners at HCC and the state college system. So our students will get real world experience. They'll be college and career ready. We'll be able to offer more students a vocational pathway in Holio, which is in great demand, not
only here but statewide. Not enough seats for the interest that exists. and it will provide a real significant impact on the community both here in Holio and the greater Holio era. Again, we focused on ensuring it is aligned with the strategic plan here
with Holio public schools. Uh the early literacy and whole child focus, career readiness focus, equity, inclusion, and educator development. We're particularly excited about that building that pipeline for HPS and growing our own.
The timeline uh is similar to ISSN if not exact. Uh we will uh we did submit the intent to apply on the 3. That is the beginning of that process again non-binding. Uh we will have part A and part B which uh formalize the process
due by June 12th and a decision in early June. Both of these programs, if approved, would open for the next uh school year in 2627. Next slide. Uh the CT expansion grant is how we plan uh to do this in a
sustainable way for the district. Uh when we open programs, when we close programs, when we update programs, there's certainly a cost associated with that. Um, but our fantastic team here at HPPS, uh, our grants and our finance team have really done a great job at helping us
apply for grants and ensuring um, that we are able to get the most bang for our buck and deliver on the improvements and opportunities that are out there for us. So, we're going to apply for a $1 million grant and a $1 million uh, two
$1 million grants through this program. One for our electrical program and one for early childhood. The reason for that uh I will explain in detail. The electrical program uh is one of our highest in demand shops. It's no surprise anyone looking for an
electrician is having a hard time finding them. It's because a lot of the ones that used to exist have retired. It's a great opportunity for our students and there's a huge amount of jobs out there. So, we've really uh focused on growing that program and it's we've done that, but we've also uh
outgrown the space that has been there since Dean opened uh in the late 80s. And so, um we h have taken advantage or seek to take advantage of the former metal fabrication shop, which uh is sort
of ready to go, if you will, with some uh minor work to be done there to allow us to update it. But the space is perfect for an electrical program. It allows us um to meet the Desi requirements uh or recommendations around space which we're currently not
meeting because the shop is just too small. Um but it'll allow us to meet those as well as uh continue to grow the program. Uh one of the things that uh early on one of our instructors came to us asking if they could partner with the carpentry program like they've done at
other schools to build a model home and wire it in the shop. Well, we can't do that right now because the shop floor is not big enough, but we would be able to do that um in the near future uh if this grant is approved. And uh we have every reason to believe that we be will be very competitive uh in this grant
process. With regards to early childhood, we have uh tenatively identified a space that would work and actually work really well again with limited investment. I say limited because these are big dollars, but in the grand scheme of things, these
are limited investments. The former graphic arts shop has actually has a near-perfect layout uh with, you know, multiple classroom options as well as a shop floor for early childhood. Um, and so that is the preliminarily uh
identified location. The uh improvements that will need to be made will primarily need to be around fixtures. uh we need to put a playground in uh if you will uh as well uh and just making some cosmetic updates to the shop to get going. But otherwise, we're well positioned to
launch. Um that concludes uh our presentation. Uh we've been working really hard on this. We want to thank everybody for their partnership um and um look forward to adding more seats and more offerings at Dean. Are there any questions?
Mr. Aza on the early education and care. Um I am deeply aware of the significant and importance of this program. I happen to be a former member of the original Massachusetts Department of Early
Education and Care. So my question is are you are we in any way coordinating this or getting the guidance and support of the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care? It's a great question. Yes, we're lockep with them. uh we are uh go plan to go
over what the chapter 74 recommendations are for this program and align it directly with uh EEC. Any other question? My only question is about the start um
especially with the early ed program and I know it says it'll start the 26 27 school year but the I am hesitant to assume that any of the modifications with the grant award and going through the process would even be able to prep.
So is it start to prep the program or you actually intend to have students September 2026? I think we share your nervousness um around that. Um but that is what DESI's uh requirement is. So
once approval we need to open um what opening looks like doesn't necessarily look like opening at the completion of everything we want to do. That might just look like meeting the bare minimums for requirements and then making everything look pretty later. Okay. And having to work with maybe other partners, right, for the child
experience. Okay. Yep. And it also seems with because of this, there's two things we need to vote on. So, I don't know if someone wants to Yeah. Um, there's two things uh that we're looking for a vote on and and um
Mr. McCullaf uh mentioned it at the beginning of his presentation. Um, Desi updated their admissions policy guidance for CTE and and I feel like we're our policy is very much, you know, kind of aligned to the new guidance that they
have, but we do have to go through a process which involves getting the school committee to create to adopt the policy by uh November 1st. Um, and we want to make sure that we have enough time to do that. that um they've done a lot of work on it and like I said the
the policy that we already had included a lot of the elements that they're looking for um you know you know uh the lottery piece for those of you that don't know we've already shifted to um to a lottery based system where you know
you can award certain points during the application process but at the end of the day it is a lottery. some kids go into the lottery more than once based on their scores, but um our our policy pretty fits really well with what the guidance that has come out with. So, and
then the another part of that process is to make sure that uh eighth graders or middle schoolers are are creating a pathway. Again, one of those things like we've already been doing tours, so all of our eighth graders do have an opportunity to visit both the north
campus and the dean campus. So, I I think we're well positioned to be in compliance with this, but we're looking for a motion uh to move these items to the policy subcommittee so that we can iron out the details and make sure we hit our November 1st deadline.
Okay. So, the two items that we're referring are the middle school pathway CT exploration and the current admission policy. Okay. Okay. Motions been made to refer the middle school pathway uh exploration and the current
dean school admission policy to the policy subcommittee. Moved by Mr. Zaza. Is there a second? Second by Mr. Wellahan. Any discussion? Uh roll call, please. Mave. Yes. Mr. Zaza. Yes. Mr. Willahan. Yes. Mayor Garcia. Yes. Dr.
Yes. Yes. Thank you both so much for joining us. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, now we are going to go down think that no one's objecting to the upcoming executive director of finance uh topic because I think that that
probably the next on the agenda or what should be next. Yeah. So, um, many of you know Sean Mangano, um, uh, gave us his notice a couple of months ago, and he, his last day is going to be October
17th. And, you know, I can't stress enough how lucky we were to have Sean Mangano. Um, my first couple years of being superintendent, I was very much involved in the finance department. Um,
and since Shawn has come on board, um, you know, he's he's just such a strong leader. He has a ton of technical skills. He has a great personality, has worked well with the committee, has worked well with the city council, and we're, you know, we're really, really
going to miss him and wish him the best um, and thank him for all that he's done um, for Holio Public Schools. Um, I also wanted to take this opportunity to share some important information with you. Um,
Mayor Garcia, the vice chair of the school committee, Dr. Rivera Cologne, members of the school committee, and everybody out there in the community listening. Um, you know, I've had a lot of time to reflect, and I've decided
that I I will not be applying for the superintendent. I know you guys are going through a search um pretty soon and while it was hard um it's just been truly an honor. Um
it's just been an honor working and serving the district and working alongside all of you. Um, we face challenges with determination. Um, and we've celebrated meaningful successes and I'm just really proud of
what we have accomplished together. Um, from strengthening teaching and learning to supporting our students social emotional needs to building partnerships that make our school stronger and more connected to our community. I'm
especially grateful for the trust and the collaboration with this school committee, for the dedication of our teachers and our educators and our staff, and for the resilience and the brilliance of our students. Everything we've achieved has been possible because
of our shared commitment to putting children first. Um, while I will not be a candidate moving forward, uh, please know that I remain fully dedicated to this role for the remainder of my tenure
and and to ensure a smooth and successful transition. Our work together really has been the highlight of my career and I will carry it with me always. I also want to take the opportunity to share with the school committee. I
really love Holio and um I'm definitely open to returning now that you know now that Sean Mangano is leaving. I'm definitely want to express to the committee uh my openness to return to the role of chief finance and operations
officer for the district. Um, knowing that Sean's going to be gone, it's going to be um some hard hard shoes to fill there. No matter where where we end up going, I hope the school committee will consider this as an option to ensure stable leadership and continuity for the
district during this important time. You know, I've I know that I can go on and be a superintendent in another community. I know that I can, you know, take on different roles in other communities, but I love Holio. This is where my heart is, and this is where I'd
like to remain. Anyone have any questions or comment? Mayor. Yeah. I just want to I it's been great. You know, these leadership roles, whether if you're the mayor, superintendent, or any leadership role
at that m that capacity, it's it's it's difficult. And I have to say, Anthony, you you did you've you know, you you had strong leadership and and you navigated um our circumstances as it is and and
brought forward the results and and progress and um even just managing through COVID period, you know, and navigating, you know, you hear about ch budget challenges happening in other districts and how you've been able to
get us through that storm and um you know, protect our students, protect our our staff and educators in the district. Um uh you know, it's it's been great working with you in this capacity and I am thrilled to know that
you're willing to stick around as a CFO. I mean, stable leadership and continuity. Um, you know, I I if I was a new superintendent coming in, um, you know, I I any good superintendent would make sure that, you know, would would welcome, I'm
sure, keeping you around and helping with that transition. And so anyways, it's something the school board can talk about alto together, but just want to express my appreciation and gratitude for Sodto and serving in this uh role um when our city needed the most and and
got us through hard times and helped us get out of receiverhip and continuing to move the district forward. So, thank you so much, man. Dr. River Cologne. I echo um Mayor Garcia,
thank you so much for everything you've done and I am so thrilled to be able to say that we are in a unique position where we have a
leader who's strong in finances and that came in handy in many of the tenure of Mr. Sodto. Um, at this point, I think given that we have this very unique opportunity of having someone who's
qualified for that role and given that you gave us your announcement that you're now going to be running for um the role of superintendent, I want to make a motion so that the leadership and accountability
subcommittee take on making a plan for the filling of the vacancy for executive director of finance. Okay. So, the motion um just because it was stated on Zoom, I want to make sure everyone got it was uh to refer to the
leadership and accountability subcommittee to develop a plan regarding um the transition uh for the CFO position. Is that okay? And was seconded by Mr. Zaza. Any discussion on that motion?
Roll call, please. Mr. Fab, yes. Yes. Mr. Willahan. Yes. Garcia. Yes. Dr. Yes. Yes. Um,
we'll start on this way and come down. I would just ask um just be brief. Mr. Whan, I'll be brief. Thank you. Um, yeah. Well, it's a somber um
somber day right now. Um we're losing our our um both our uh chief executive executive officer and our finance director. I'll um um start with Sean. I know Sean um Mano.
I finally got his name right after all these years, so he'll be proud of me. Um, I've worked with Sean as a chair of the finance committee for for the last couple years and I've really been um impressed with his dedication. Um, he's
a um he's a numbers guy like myself, but he's able to um talk talk the language um and uh explain things very thoroughly. So, I I always appreciated his efforts. um he
was always there when I had questions and when I had to set up a meeting, he was always very there. He was always there for me. So, I'm going to um sorry to see him leave. And um Mr. Sto again um um I was hoping you were going to apply for the for the super job for
super um attendant. I thought you were well well qualified. you've proven that over over the last number of years, you know, so um that's uh that's sad for me. I know you you stepped up during co you
were sort of they kind of pushed you into the role. Unfortunately, you stepped up um and I appreciated your dedication to the school committee, the district, the children, the parents, and
the teachers. So I and so again um it's a sad day but hopefully um we can keep you working here for for the for the for the school district. I appreciate it. I am really sad to know that you won't
be applying. I think uh you have served this city and this position with great distinction. I am glad, however, that you are willing to stay around with us and continue to serve this city. Um, I think you have
done a great job and we appreciate it and we thank you, Mr. Sodto. Look at me, Mr. Sodto, when I'm talking to you. We sat next to each other for a couple years there. You annoyed me. But anyways, you know that there were times
me and you did not agree. Um, but okay, you didn't have to go there. I was trying, you know, I was trying to be nice here. No, but if I can say one thing, you continued that same
um character that Dr. Wright had and it was children first. You made sure to keep that relationship with the students. I would walk with you and and the students would be like, "Hey, Mr. Sodto, like they know and you
would know their name." And that is a quality that not all superintendents have. They don't build that. Students will know that that's, you know, they'll know that's the principal, that's the superintendent, but there's not that bond. And you continued that and I
really admired you for that. Number two, I've always said, and I'm going to keep it brief, Mr. Sheen, I've always said it's not about having an educator um education background in order to
run a district. As I said many of times, even in healthcare, you don't have to be a doctor or a nurse to run a hospital. The same goes in education for a district. But you had something strong and that strong background that you had
was business administration. You understood the finances. Um you understood the numbers because that also impacts what we're putting back when we're investing in our students and I thank you for that and I hope you do continue to stay here in our district. I
am sad that you you're not going to apply. Um I believe you do have the qualities and the qualifications. Um, but I wish you all the best and hopefully you'll still stick around. Thank you. This is LeBron Martinez.
Yes. Good evening. For those who are watching, I learned about the meeting changed in regards to it. I did not receive a notice. I was looking through my email, so I did not see it. Mayor did remind me there was a meeting today, but as my assumption went based on 6:00, so I was driving down when I learned that
we started at 5, but here I am. Um I'm quite sure you're discussing the fact that the superintendent has um informed us of his decision. Um I myself I'm speaking for myself. I'm not speaking on behalf of the committee.
Have regrets that we did take the turn to uh put this out uh as a comm as a as a uh search with a lot regret after I did that for the reason being that
the role he took on for the years that he did the during the uh when while the state had our our school system. I think he pulled us through what happened with us. And to be honest,
this is my own version of what I want to say tonight is that I went through different um uh superintendent during my time at the school board. And I am sick and tired of the fact that
we have to always hire outsiders that are going to come and learn and understand our community also uh built on their retirement on the backbone of our community. By the time this community is known for the reasons of of why we either failed or or we're were
not achieving it has a lot to do with this um exchange of so many hands of superintendent. There may be others who do not feel like I feel but this is my own opinion I how I feel about that and that he had chosen to do that I think it's also a disgrace
for him maybe because he you know feel sitting here having to hear that somebody else is going to have to go apply that he has to compete for the same position uh shame on us but I wish you the best of luck in your decision moving forward I think you've done a
great job knowing you and knowing where you come from that you your family raised childrens or who are foster the children who understand our community better, the issues, the social economics that we're facing in this community. It's a shame that we can lose you and
start this thing all over again and know where we're going from here. But thank you for your work and I, you know, honestly appreciate everything you've done. And I never speak for me because this is not about me. I have nine grandkids, three grand great grandkids, hoping hoping that someday we'll be in
our system and that they'll be in the good hands and the best of our our quality and and uh services that we can provide. So, thank you for your work. So, I'm not sure what more I can say about the thanks that I think that the
committee and the community have with the work you've done. Um, I guess I always go back to I'm going to um you can either blame me or thank me, but I will say that I'm the reason Anony's here. Uh,
but when he was considering taking the job, we were co-workers together and we had a long conversation um about Holio and I the fact that I didn't scare him away. Um, thank you for for coming. Um, and we appreciate
everything you've done, but this isn't I mean you are going nowhere um as of right now and we are fortunate to have your leadership here and it is October. We have many more months and we know that you will lead with um grace and dignity
throughout all of this and that it is here for the students and also knowing and understanding your deep commitment to making sure everything transitions well and we appreciate that. My only and my biggest regret is that there won't be
a poem this evening. Okay. So, we will move on. Um, if you notice in the superintendent's report, there is um the superintendent provided the uh position request that people had that is there about the contracted positions um that is up under his report. As we go through the rest of the
pack that we didn't complete, we received a letter from the Mass Association of School Committees. I'll entertain a motion to receive the letter moved by Miss Lefave. Is there a second? Second. Um discussion
says here this received by the mayor that public school committee is receiving the all state school committee award from the MASC. Um yeah, so that's here and it'll be awarded at the conference on November 14th for anyone that can or would like
to attend. Um, please speak with the vice chair or Mr. Sodto. Um, roll call, please, to receive the letter. Mave. Yes. Yes. Mr.
Yes. Mr. Willahan. Yes. Wilson. Yes. Mayor Garcia. Yes. Dr. Vera Cologne. Yes. And yes. Moving on to um updates of
committees. It is if you don't have an update that is okay. Um you can say no update uh because we do get your minutes. Uh policy and governance. We have a meeting this Wednesday starting at 5:30. Okay. Finance and operations.
Thank you. Um we have a meeting this Thursday at 5:30. We had a meeting on September um 11th and me and Miss um LeBron Martinez were there and
thank you thank you for for your attendance in the meeting. I know we're down a member. Um so we have like a lengthy meeting. some of the items um that we
on um will be moving back to the full full committee. They're not on tonight's agenda. So, they'll um they'll be on a full uh committee agenda moving forward. Thank you. Well, I can you explain that? I didn't
follow that. Won't be on the full agenda. some of the some of the matters that we voted on we referred back to this oh okay this committee but they're not on tonight's okay okay sorry agenda that's all so hopefully they'll
be on one moving forward thank you uh joint city council I don't think there's an update uh miss local control we already have Um so with that being said, we're just
gonna um if we can just have a zoom the other two members to review our meeting minutes of our last meeting and that's about it. Leadership accountability um we are going to be scheduling to meet again soon. Um there were some items that uh
Ms. Thompson and the superintendent were putting together uh regarding the comp competency determinations uh for graduation. So once that's ready um there'll be a quick turnaround, but most of the meeting was discussed at the last meeting. Um ongoing business, you'll see
the power school rollout update. Um, and I'm going to jump over to our illustrious vice chair who's in Zoom to see if she I should have asked if she had any type of report she wanted to give and if there's anything on item B, the search update that she needs to
provide or Miss Wilson needs to one of the two. So, do you have a vice chair update at all or do I do you want me to go to Miss Wilson? No, Miss Wilson is up. Okay, Miss Wilson. Um, so thank you. Um so we met um the
group uh it was uh Mr. Isasa and myself. Unfortunately due to timing um Miss Lebron Martinez um wasn't able to make that meeting and we uh went over the language to send out a thank you request for quotes. Um and so
uh that was sent out to four organizations. Um the update is today Mr. uh Mangano uh received the four and the lowest quote is who we go with according to our guidelines and policies
and so that is with the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. MASC will be uh leading the search for our new superintendent. So just for process and maybe this I'm not sure was this last meeting does the subcommittee need to take a vote to
refer that back because right now that mo that matter is sitting within the subcommittee or I don't know if Dr. for ver cologne or so my understanding is it it really shouldn't have been a subcommittee it should have been like a working group um so it's really not sitting with us um
moving forward where you know the the it's a moot point to have a subcommittee when our when we go with the lowest bid is is my statement okay when
are there any next steps for the committee Well, that was that was the charge of the committee. The committee's charge was to work on the quotes, review the quotes, and then give us the lowest bit. So, or any next steps for this committee. Thank you so much. Anything for this
for our committee? Yeah. Like are we is Sean starting the contracting process? Like I guess just knowledge. Okay. Yes. That Yes. Okay. Yes. Any questions on that?
So, Miss Wilson, thank you. Just to be clear, there was a set timeline um within this process. So, I'm sure as soon as that contract is signed, we are going to be up and running based upon um being able to make the meet these many deadlines um and
having community input uh which was what we all said we wanted. Thank you, Mr. Zaza. I mean, so that can the vice chair can bring that the next so he wanted to make a motion to accept the quote and the vice chair can put that in the agenda for the next meeting, but since it
wasn't posted and since we don't have it um it can come up at the and we can share it out then um at the next meeting with it and I'm sure we'll have to adjust our timeline to given the contracting process. Um,
all the announcements are here for you. Um, let me just make sure since we skipped around. I don't want to p school update. The power school updates attached there. Unless I don't think there was anything else. Just an update.
I think he wants to unt. Okay. Uh, is there a motion to um lay on the table the minutes? So move. Uh, roll call. Any discussion? Roll call. But no, we have to bring them back first. Roll call.
Made. Yes. Um, Martinez. Mr. Mahan. Yes. Mayor Garcia. Yes. Dr. Yes. Yes.
So, now we have the individual minutes that were originally tabled. Um, so was there a specific date and can you share the date or did you have questions with all of them? Can I go? Yeah. Is there a specific date on the So
which uh the July 21st minutes for the um school committee? Okay. So, I will entertain a motion to approve the minutes of July 21st, 2025 of the school committee meeting minutes.
So, moved. Moved, second, seconded. Uh, discussion, Mr. Wellahan. Yeah. Um, we made a motion to go into executive session. And I think it just says like the roll call vote. I think they should say yes.
to go into executive session and I think it um did it say uh president I think the vote was to go into executive session if I'm not mistaken on the first page Mr. Sheen made a
motion to go to executive session. Then the roll call vote, it just says present. President, present, present. The roll call vote should say yes. Each of us voted to go with executive session. So I would just recommend we change present to yes
on the first page. On the first page, mine says yes. Mine. Well, ours does. Yeah, it says motion. Mr. She made a motion to suspend the rules and move out of which one are you? I'm on
July 21st. Oh, okay. So, are you making that motion? Yes. I'm just going to make a motion to amend the minutes to reflect that we voted to go into uh executive session.
Okay. Is there a second? Okay. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Yes, Mr. Robert. Yes, Mr. Yes. Mr. Yes. Um, Miss Wilson.
Yes. Mayor Garcia. Yes. Dr. Yes. Uh, Mr. Chen. Yes. Was there anything else on those minutes? Okay. Uh, back to the original motion to approve the minutes as
amended. Roll call, please. Yes. Um, yes. Um, yes. Wilson. Yes. I mean, Mayor Garcia, sorry. Yes.
And then Mr. Yes. Got them both. Um, were there any other minutes, Mr. Wilhan? Okay. I'll entertain a motion to accept and approve the minutes of August 11th, 2025, April 2nd, 2025 of the policy and
governance meeting, April 23rd, 2025 of the policy and governance meeting. Moved by Miss Lef. Is there a second? Seconded by Mr. Zaza. Any discussion? Roll call, please. Miss. Yes. Mine. Yes. Yes. Wilson. Yes.
Yes. Yes. Yes. Moving into announcements, Mr. Wellahan. Thank you. Um, I just make a announcement to congratulate our mayor for getting some sort of an award for
mayor of the year. So, you got my vote, too. Thank you. Any other Oh, sorry, Mayor. And there are announcements here. I don't know if you want Yeah, we got those up. Yeah. Oh, you got them already. Yeah. I just wanted to just, you know, well, first,
it's been a very busy summer. Um, I apologize I couldn't make uh the uh meetings that we had over the summer, but believe me, you know, they were all community related. I was at home relaxing. I do appreciate the vice chair um communicating with me and I communicated with her and make sure she
was caught up or I was caught up on things. So, thank you. I do want to let everybody know as we prepare to go through elections and do our reorg in January, just kind of remind every committee member here. It's outside of our traditional
practices of having the mayor as the chair. You'll be electing a chair and you'll be electing a vice chair at the reorg meeting. So, two things I want to make note. one, start thinking about it, having conversations who you want as if whether
or not any of you are interested, who wants to be the chair, the vice chair, etc. Um, and also number two, so you hear it from me, I'm fine to do whatever folks want to do. Don't, you know, I know oftent times when these things come up, there's that thought, well, what does the mayor want? There's nothing
that I want. The only thing that I want is just that we organize and we do business well. That's it. I don't have to be the chair, the vice chair. In fact, I think our charter says I can what is it? Uh preside at any moment that I want. Not that I'll
ever just abruptly come and take um uh but there's some you know responsibility there. And I'll always continue to work with everybody and stay close in contact with the chair and the vice chair to make sure that whatever's happening on the city side and the school side that we're aligned and moving our business
forward and keeping up with our obligations. So, um there's no preference on my end except that I want to support what the body wants to do. Um so, definitely start having those conversations so we can be ready hitting the ground running um after that reorg
meeting. Thank you that aren't already listed here. I didn't my packet, but can I make an announce the transition academy that happened? No. you can announce. It's not. Yeah. Go ahead.
So, um about th about a week ago on Thursday, I believe it was, I went out to see the transition academy through uh Hispanic Heritage Month event, and it was an amazing um event to to see perform. There was one young lady there
who cited a a poem um that really touched my my you know heritage and how she really expressed herself and how their abilities that you know sometimes we think they don't have abilities are beyond what you know
sometimes we don't see and hoping to see that one day they can come in here at least recite that poem because it was amazing their uh show I know that u the mayor's uh desk stuff today showed up something about their event but it
didn't show the young lady citing that particular poem and I just wanted to share that with the group. Thank you. I will now entertain a motion to adjourn. So moved. Moved by Miss Lefave. Is there a second? By Miss Lebrone Martinez. Any discussion? Roll call, please.
Miss Lefave. Yes. Mr. Martinez. Yes. Mr. Mr. Will. Yes. Mayor Garcia. Yes. Dr. Col. Yes. We are adjourned at 6:05 tonight.