We're just going to get started. Going to call the meeting to order of the Hoyok school committee of March 9th uh 2026 at 6 pm. Roll call, please. Mayor Garcia >> here.
>> Dr. Verone >> pres Martinez >> here. Williams >> Mr. >> Here >> Wilson >> present. >> Pledge of allegiance please.
>> The flag United States of America. This meeting is being recorded and livereamed on public access and available uh via Zoom and we are following the rules of the emergency order filed uh signed on March 29th, 2026 that allows remote participation
for meetings. There is no uh student showcase uh public comment. As a reminder, public comment is limited to two minutes. Uh, and we just ask that you state your name and address. Um, we are starting with the people who signed up for public comment in person and then, uh, Miss
Luciano is monitoring uh, virtually if anyone is going to participate in public comment virtually and she's asked people to raise their hands on Zoom if they are um, or I'm also asking people to raise their hands in Zoom if they are um, going to participate and then she will
get to them once we finish the people that are in person. Get my timer. Okay. So, the first person um speaking tonight is Brandy Bellachico. Hello, my name is Brandy Bellachico. I
live at 10 Smith Street in South Hadley and I'm a Holio teacher and tonight I'm just very disappointed. I cannot fathom why someone would choose to take a position that has control over schools and then proceed to make
decisions that are not in the best interest of the schools. The Holio teachers remain ready to make progress despite being sent to mediation and I look forward to seeing you and your team with the mediator on Thursday.
Uh, next Peter is next speaker is Peter Duffy. >> Good evening. My name is Peter Duffy. I live at 446 Appleton Street uh here in Holio. Yeah, I I'm also disappointed. Um, but I
wanted to just start by saying, you know, like I've I've been teaching here for six years. Um, and the first couple years I definitely struggled a lot with classroom management, right? And and I thought, you know, if I had the right pacing, if I had the right lesson plan,
that might improve. And it did. But the thing that really made the biggest difference for me was developing a sense of emotional intelligence with my students and listening to my students and you know looking at the lesson data
and looking at you know we would I would give surveys of how's it going what do we need to change um and trying to just make sure that I could empathize with them so I knew who was in front of me and today I think I do that better than
I did back then and I tend to do better than I did back then. Um, and so I I was looking at the Panorama survey highlights and I'm not here to browbeat you all, but um 28%
of teachers responded favorably to our uh our PD in Holio. That's after being told at the bargaining table that oh teachers respond so favorably to PD, they really like it.
we don't um 31% of teachers felt that they had input in important decisions. Um and then in December we created our own data. We took a vote of no confidence in your bargaining team and 85% of teachers
in Holio had no confidence in the bargaining team that we're bargaining with. So, I say that to say that we're giving you feedback and it doesn't always feel like there's a lot of listening happening here. So, Miss LeBron, shout out.
>> You finish up. >> All right, finish up. No, finish. >> I'm yield my time to Brandy or whatever you say. Um, Miss Lebron said at at the superintendent interviews, if we keep doing the same thing, we're going to get the same result. And so, I just want to kind of call that our attention to that.
We can change this together. We can change this. we can collaborate through mediation or whatever, right? We just want what everyone else has in Western Mass. So, thank you. >> Thank you. Our next speaker,
Christine. Okay, Christine Lefor. Yeah. >> Hello. >> You can pull it down or take whatever is comfortable for you. >> My name is Christine Leforge and I live at 15 River Terrace. I'm not someone who usually speaks in front of groups, but after hearing about the mediation at our bargaining process, I felt it was
important to share my perspective. I was born and raised in Hoyok and went through the Hoyok public schools. So, this community has always meant a great deal to me. I've been a preschool teacher in this district for 27 years. Over those years, I have seen many changes and I have also had many things taken away. Longevity, uh, which was
pretty much the only thing that showed that you cared for the veteran teachers. Um, uh the value of seniority, which really isn't anything anymore, five prep times a week, and even 60 of my sick days, which I work for because we are only
allowed to have 120 days. There have been many years when I have taken one or none days off during a entire school year. The only time I need I needed more time was when my mother was dying, and I was grateful to have a supportive principal during that difficult time. In my 27 years, I have made wonderful
friends, but but I've also watched most of most of them eventually leave the district. Today, there are only three preschool teachers who have remained in this district for more than 20 years. I truly love my job working with preschoolers and would not want to do anything else. Our children in Hoyoki
teachers who are prepared and available every day. When teachers lose important things like prep time, it does not only affect the teacher, it also affects the quality of learning and support the support we can give our students. After 27 years of dedication, it is discouraging to me to realize that I
make only $7,000 more than a teacher who has been in here, who has been in this district for seven years. I ask you to consider how you might feel if you had given nearly three decades to your profession and saw so little difference in recognition for the time, experience, and commitment. Please keep our students
in mind and think about what they need from the teachers who care for them every day. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Feliciano. Is there anyone? >> No. >> Okay, that concludes public comment. Uh, moving on to student reports or either
one of our students online. Uh, moving on to student superintendent report. Uh, it's the panorama. >> Excuse me. >> Y Miss Wilson, >> thank you. I I think it's about time that we reach out to our high schools to
find out what's going on because we have not had a student representative in quite some time. Um, and if they need to pick someone new, they need to know about that. So, I'm asking that we uh if we have to make a motion, I I make a
motion that uh the interim superintendent reach out to the high school principles uh to determine the path forward for the students from the high schools presentations. >> I second.
>> Any other discussion? All those in favor? >> I roll call, please. And I think we're starting with Mrs. Wilson for roll. >> Yes. >> Well, no, not >> I was saying we're starting, but >> Yeah, you said yes. Miss Wilson.
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Oh, sorry. Sorry, Mr. Zaza. Um, >> yes. >> Yes. Moving on to student or superintendence report um panorama
survey results and school responses that the school committee vote to refer this to the leadership and accountability subcommittee >> second moved and seconded discussion f >> purpose >> I
when the chair was putting together the schedule the agenda I thought it was a topic for uh leadership and accountability since there's an accountability item discussed. >> I I'm just >> so it's just three members discussing
this because we're not going to have the full >> board there to discuss it. Um, every year this has been presented as a full board to fully so that that way they can each provide their feedback as to the
results and what we're going to do to move forward and what the expectations are from each of the school responses. I've looked at those responses by the way and to me it's again it's about accountability but this has always been something that has been spoken at a full school board after being presented by
the superintendent. So now what we're saying is we're going to make this even a longer process because it's going to go to uh the leadership and accountability subcommittee who right now our next major thing that we have to take up is the superintendent evaluation. So now
that pushes something off that really affects overall the the climate, the culture just between staff, students, families, community all because it's coming to leadership
accountability and measurement subcommittee. I don't know what others feel, but that's just my opinion. Mayor. >> Yeah. And I I I I think this is it's just in a matter of us as a body understanding how or what rules we want to proceed when business
comes in front of us. So I think this is just in a matter of you know and we've talked about this right when when orders get introduced what's the best method to move forward or send things to committee then it gets reported back in official presentation. I'm fine with one way or
another except the chair is going to want to know or maybe a discussion with the and I don't know how that would happen beforehand but you know if if if it's in a matter of time having a conversation with the chair and deciding hey should we just prepare for a presentation at the meeting or is a
member of this body going to say hey why are we receiving this presentation we should send it to committee so we need to just figure out as a body as far as order and process how we want to proceed when business comes in front of this um so that we're not going back and forth and spending probably about another 10
minutes or so on this so we can move forward with the meeting. >> Uh Ms. Wilson, >> um I'm not in favor of sending it to subcommittee. I think it should be presented to all of us. I have questions about it as I'm sure most members will and I do I feel that it should be sent
to the entire committee should review it. Thank you. >> And Mrs. So, I I'm just not sure if the way that this information has come presented um is actually even ready for the board. And what I mean by that is um it's to me
it's lacking an executive summary. It's it's lacking um context with the questions. Um so when because I'm not just thinking about us as a board, I'm also thinking about the general public who receives this information. And so when we have um questions or things
without context in an appendix um you know it's very difficult for people to discern what they're looking at. And so, you know, I I would like to see it come back before the board in totality in a in a way that we can glean information from it instead of just the results or
have an understanding of what the the school's growth and glows and and and and as as a district, you know, like what what does that look like? And my understanding also as I learned before the meeting was that um there are opportunities for us to look at this
data, but I don't know that as a new member. So I didn't have that luxury of looking at that in totality. Um and so it was challenging for me to go through that and and I have a number of questions. So perhaps it's resubmitted for our next meeting where we can all
you know look at that information. >> Mayor >> just I guess two questions. Um one >> hold one second. Motion on the floor is to refer to subcommittee. So any discussion right now needs to pertain to referring to subcommittee or not. So just direct if anyone comments on it,
you're only commenting on whether or not you want to direct this to subcommittee. >> So the question uh to the administration is if we were to present today and not send to subcommittee, are we prepared to do a presentation on the results? >> I'm going to pause. That is not going to be presented tonight as chair. Right now
we are not going to do a presentation this evening on it. It would be tabled and held for another meeting, but that's that is out of order for the presentation this evening. >> Yep. No, thank you for the clarification um on the uh on on that question. Um so the number two point is we don't have
any we did we agree to any policy or rules when business gets presented that we send it as a body to subcommittee and for anybody that wants to learn more of the details to go to that committee and then it gets reported back or that's just kind of a thing we're practicing
but it's no rule anywhere. There's no rule. >> The rule is the rule in our policies is that the chair sets the agenda >> and so the agenda setting process is done through the chair and they make that determination. They have the
authority to make that determination of recommendations to committee or for the full board. >> Excellent. So, thanks for clarifying that. So, I the the the last point I'll make is uh we have a motion on the floor um uh to send um uh to committee uh uh
you know maybe a friendly amendment uh to that motion um that we still send to committee um but have it ready for our next school board for a full presentation back assuming that the committee is going to meet between now and then. Um and and
>> so there's no such thing as a friendly amendment. If you want to make the amendment to do that, we can take it up as an amendment. >> Chair, you know what I mean? >> I know, but we can't just add >> make amendment to the the the the motion that we send it to committee, put it on the and make sure we have it on the agenda ready for a full presentation for our next meeting.
Motions are made to amend the motion to send to have be prepared for a full presentation of the next meeting and also still send it. There a second. >> I'll second that. >> Any discussion on the amendment? Miss Lefave.
>> Oh, sorry. I object to it and I'd like to put in a motion to table this and it gets brought back at our next meeting as a full board discussion. And if we could please have the link to the panorama sent to all members
after this meeting whatever the next couple days so that we have enough time to go through each link each question and the respondents for each school. Thank you. >> Yeah. Um, so if you make the motion to table, all you're doing is tableabling the
amendment. >> So we should take up the amendment and then you can make your motion to table. So that's >> take the vote >> that mayor >> the chair of the subcommittee. >> Oh, you're the you're the or sorry the chair. Exactly. >> Oh, well, >> can I
>> if if if if that's the case, I I give it to the chair table it. Either way, I just want us to because there's going to be other things introduced and we're this is going to come up again with other matters. So, we need to come to an agreement and some sort of policy or rule, sending things to committee or
getting ready for presentation the day of just so that we're not having or maybe it's up to the the chair of the committee um as a rule. But either way, you're the chair, so if you don't want to have the meeting, I'm fine with tableabling it as long as it gets presented at the next meeting.
>> Mrs. Wilson, >> first of all, is that an official move to table the amendment? >> No, she withdrew her table. >> But but M but Mr. Garcia just brought it up again that >> Thank you. I'll I'll withdraw my
amendment and uh instead amend to table. Mrs. Wilson, are you still >> So, we're still So, we're on the original, correct? >> To send to subcommittee. >> All right. >> And I think Mrs. Lefave is going to make a motion.
>> I make a motion to table >> second >> the item. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Wilson. >> Yes. Mayor Garcia. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes.
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Uh moving on to midyear one-time request that the school committee vote to refer this to the finance and operations subcommittee. >> So move there. >> Second. >> Second. >> Any discussion?
>> This is the bold. >> Um I just had a question about the criteria and forgive me if I missed with the finance. This is the midterm. We're talking about the midterm adjustments. Yeah. And the motion is to send to subcommittee, >> which I'm fine with, but I just had a quick question about the criteria. It
was high and normal. And I just was wondering, is there a definition for for high? Like I I was trying to understand like is it like urgent has to get done this second or is that another fund entirely? But I just I just
wanted to just understand. >> Yeah. So, um we so we go out to each of the principles and um ask them for any uh you know summer projects or projects that they feel would help continue to keep up with
ongoing facility issues or technology. um and they they uh submit their requests and then we sit down with them to understand better uh if this is a need to have urgent requests or if it's
like hey it would be nice to have something like this. So we prioritize it that way. Um, an example of that is there's a couple of things on the uh in the IT section specifically
um around upgrading our our cameras. Like if if we don't do that, then there's a possibility that next year the software and the uh infrastructure that that runs our cameras could fail and and not be supported by the vendor. So to me
that's a high priority project because we got to do it at some point and you know at some point the the camera system will just stop being supported by the vendor and it won't work anymore. >> Yeah. Okay. All right. And so if there was some like if the a boiler was like went offline and it was an urgent
situation that would be something totally different than what >> or Yeah. or if we felt like the boiler is in really rough shape and if we don't do this like there's a chance that next year, you know, we can't have school >> because or we'd have to relocate students. that would be a high priority
item versus you see some schools want um and and you know I I really appreciate the thought that went into these some of the schools um have been doing a really good job with this graphic company that we have to make their spaces more
welcoming and vibrant um and if you go to if you look at some of our cafeterias as an example uh >> so if we're allowing expanding on this movement then I'm going to be replying to Mr. Sodto's response because he's veered off the topic.
>> I was just answering a question. >> We're going to limit talk to the referral comments to the referral to committee. >> I don't Are there any other comments about referring this to the subcommittee or not? >> No, I just needed the clarification on the terms. Thank Thank you.
>> Roll call, please. >> Yes. >> Garcia. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Motion passes. Moving on to new business field trips. The school committee vote to accept the out of state to approve the out ofstate field trip to Yukon on Tuesday, April 14th, 2026 for juniors. So move. Is there a
>> second? Second. Second. Roll call, please. >> If it was me. Yes. >> Yes. Um, Mayor Garcia. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Miss, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Okay. Field trip uh for Dean uh Technical High School. The school. Can we vote to approve the out of state field trip to High Meadows on May 26th, 2026? So moved. >> So moved. Second.
>> Uh, discussion. Roll call, please. >> Miss Wilson. >> Yes. >> Mayor Garcia. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
out of state travel uh for Christy Elman and Beth Gage to attend the 2026 National Educator Shortage uh summit that the school committee vote to approve attending this in Alexandria, Virginia, April 8th through the 10th. Moved by Miss Wilson. Is there a second
>> by Mr. Zaza? Any discussion? Mrs. Lubold? Um I would just like to say and just give my appreciation to how this was written up and the information that was provided and I think that it is um a really exciting opportunity for the leadership to go to this conference and
particularly um be availing themselves of um the latest and greatest on teacher retention and data driven um perspectives that I think can can help help our school system. Um, and so I'm really excited to hear back from the team when they come back from this
because I think it'll be instructive and certainly will hit on a lot of the high points that we've been hearing about in this venue um for quite some time at least since I've been on board since January. So looking forward to that and I really appreciate it being on the agenda. Thank you.
>> Discussion roll call please. >> Yes. >> Oh, sorry. Hold on. Mayor, okay. Okay. Thanks. >> Yes. >> Yes. Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> On the uh school committee vote to approve and authorize out of state travel for Jackie Glashene and Yatallet River Cologne to attend the National School Boards Association Conference San Antonio, Texas from April 9th to the 13th. >> So moved. Second. >> Seconded. Any discussion? Roll call,
please. >> Um Miss Wilson. >> Yes. Yeah. >> Yes. >> Mr. Oh, Miss Dr. Would you like to vote really quick? >> Yes. Um, >> abstain.
>> Um, Miss Fave, >> abstain. Um, Miss Lebron Martinez, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Motion passes.
>> Can I ask just a clarifying question? >> Sure. Um, if someone abstains, do you have to say a reason why? >> No. >> Okay. I just wanted to because I think we had done that one time. Thank you. >> That's up to the person. >> Okay. Thank you so much.
>> Um, travel for the school committee vote to approve and authorize out of state travel for Karen McDermott Morin Dunn to attend the reading league summit 2026 in Syracuse, New York from May 5th through the 6th by Mr. Zaza. Is there a second? Second. Second
>> by M. Lubold. Any discussion? Roll call, please. >> Wilson, >> yes. >> Garcia, >> yes. >> Dr. Cologne, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Martinez,
>> yes. >> Um, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. Motion passes that the school committee vote to approve and authorize out of state travel for Bridget Ambers, Adrienne Wade String, Tanya Smalls, Adam
Brown, Swig, Reagan Love to attend the Massachusetts Music Educators Conference in Whistler, Mass from March 19th to the 20th. >> So moved by Mold, second by Mr. Zaza. Any discussion? >> Okay. >> I actually did have a question.
>> Sure. So, I I'm a little concerned um with how this was written from the standpoint of professional development. Um I can understand wanting to, you know, go to, you know, the the the conference and all, but it's I I mean,
I'm sure we have another department that might feel that there's not professional development in their particular area um up to a certain standard and so could they go to a conference? So I'm just I'm just kind of cautious of that
professional development term. >> Just thought of a deal. >> Yeah. I mean uh the this you know each department head has you know funding in their budget and they you know as as some of you may know uh
they develop a you know um we go through the budget development process and some departments set aside funding for um for each of their departments. And this so happens to be uh a professional
development opportunity for uh the music department that the department chair requested through our um through our academics office and was approved by them and we had to uh make sure the request went through. Um it's not, you
know, you you saw some you saw some out ofstate or you saw some professional development opportunities um come across the the school committee agenda for for different departments. It's not just the music department. Um
so, you know, it's it's all dependent on um what's in the budget and and the requests that are being made from either the principles or the schools or the department heads. And I'm going to just have say that I understand the budget and having professional development in
it and I can understand them using it for that and I apologize. Thank you very much for the explanation. >> Any other discussion? Roll call, please. >> Miss Wilson. >> Yes. >> Mayor Garcia. >> Yes. >> Dr. Verom. >> Yes.
>> Yes. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> I am going to turn things over to my partner right here to uh take on the rest of the meeting.
>> Thank you so much, Mr. Chen. Optical orders. Order filed by school committee member Mr. Michaelelsson to discuss and establish the goals of the school committee. that the school committee vote to refer this to leadership accountability
subcommittee moved by Mr. Isasa. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Seconded by Miss Lero Martinez. Discussion. Miss Leave. >> I object. And here's the reason. Sorry, but um we're discussing and establishing
goals of the school committee, right? That should be an all team talk. So either we go and do a retreat like we did yearly, we discuss what are some of the challenges, issues that we have and we
can discuss there what are our goals and what are some of the interventions that we're going to do to meet it and then we bring it back to the full board so that the public is aware. This again should not be an item that gets referred to leadership and accountability as a threeperson decision.
>> Thank you Miss Leave. Mr. Michaelelsson. >> So, I very much appreciate your uh sentiment on that, Miss Levy. That I think that that is spot on with exactly how I was feeling about it. I really wanted this to be an opportunity for us to get together and talk about what we
saw as our important things that we wanted to focus on. Um, and I didn't want that to be referred to a subcommittee. Um, so I do agree with your sentiment behind a retreat as well. I think that that's an excellent idea for us to get together and figure out
exactly how we want to do business as a body and uh that was the point of my order and the the X time proof or period. I think that might have been an autocorrect but really really I was trying to figure out a time mechanism to
be associated with the goals. Thank you >> Miss Lubal. Um, no, I I appreciate the the order and and I also think, you know, in terms of elevating our discussion in this room and and being prepared and, you know, I recognize that I ask a lot of questions,
but part of it is because, you know, I am doing my job that I was elected to do and so when I, you know, the the way that parliamentary procedure uh acts is that there is not time for that deep discussion and then if we do put it to
committee to uh Mr. Michaelelsson and Miss Lefay's point, it only comes down to three people and you know that's a that's a miss. And so I I I would agree that we as a body need to uh come to some decisions and and matters of
decorum that how we want to operate so that we can have that that um discourse that benefits not just us as a board but also the public and the people in the room. >> Mr. appreci I guess I just need some clarity and maybe and feel free to roll this out of
order since it's not pertinent to the motion. But we have district goals which are the school committee goals. So why do we need separate school committee goals if we already have the district goals that we approved?
I I'm just I don't know if if I can get clarity on that from someone or maybe not. Miss, >> Miss Lefab, >> so basically >> here by the way.
>> Go right ahead. >> Go ahead, Miss Wilson. >> Sorry, I just Yeah. Um, you know, I was going to go the same thing that this is something that should go to the entire committee and this is something that I think a retreat um
would benefit us discussing like when we look at things how are we not everything that's going to be sent that we want to have an order should be sent to a subcommittee because a subcommittee it could be put on the docket three four five months from now based upon
everything we're sending to them and the chair's prioritization. So I think that you know and and to Mr. Sheen's statement I think there are some things that we should prioritize as a group and it's not just our goals um as it relates to
um you know our functioning as a body but we should be setting some goals of you know what our expectations is of what we want to accomplish ourselves. Thank you, Miss Libair. >> Go ahead.
>> No, I was just so all good points to Devin's question to the maker of the order, which I believe was Jen's. Do you want to clarify? >> Oh, sorry. So, go ahead, >> Miss Lef.
>> Okay, so school committee goals. Um it's besides so the district goals is what the superintendent um is going to be presenting and then obviously we accept it as a whole but the school committee goals is really about us as a whole
body. Is it professional development growth? Is it that um maybe we want to um start saying we're going to do the ward meetings and then the expectation is that you're going to do it then you're going to present back. is it's just basically what we as individual and
as a whole group we want to do for professional growth. Um or what's not being done right now that we want to make sure that it gets done. So within our own our own um what we have our hands on. So
it could be policies, it could be anything, right? So that's that's what that is. Mayor Gracia, >> thanks so much. And I see that um wholeheartedly and I think it's about time to um probably re-engage in a retreat. Uh I I think currently the
motion to send it to committee would probably appropriate and I'll say why. not necessarily to come up with the goals and do the work, but come back with a recommendation um to the board as far as uh you know uh uh you know clarifying
more a little further and even working with the the the chair uh on what this uh retreat can look like and and further clarify what what the work can be at that retreat. And I do think to Wilson's point, we should add in there, you know, something about how we want to govern
ourselves, um how we want to send things to, you know, and things of that nature. I think there's some loose ends we need to tighten up a little bit. uh and also as a body um a governing body how do we want to proceed forward um with not only the how we handle business but align
ourselves with I mean I know we talk about um you know I've heard and and Wilson has uh eloquently uh advocated for you know this importance of having student reports students you know making sure that that's a clear uh priority for
this for this body and we can talk more about that so I um but I I think there's some work that needs to be done to understand how that day would look like and maybe going to committee might be appropriate so we can finalize or or that's just an opinion that I'm sharing.
I want to add more work for you because you're looking at me like strong but I think that the intent Mr. Jensen is a really good one and it is time uh uh it was around this time I think last year or maybe around the summertime or springtime when we had our retreat um but now that we've transitioned and
things are evolving more businesses coming in front of us as a body um uh it hardly be a good idea to have that retreat for sure but for the clarity for for you know and I would like clarity too um committee I
think is where the business should be Any further discussion, Miss Lubal? So given what Miss Lefay said and given some of the urgency of the topics of that what the mayor just talked about
and the agenda that have been packed on to the leadership accountability, you know, is there a more expedient way to address some of these concerns as a body? I just I I I'm just very, you know, confused about about about the
timeline and about the way that we're processing business um given that I I just don't understand the the change and I'm concerned about that. And so, >> thank you, Mr. Faith.
>> So, as everyone has heard, we have each given our opinion as to how we feel about this going to subcommittee. The only way that it's not going to go to subcommittee. It depends on your vote. So if it ends up passing, it's going to go to subcommittee. If it doesn't, then guess what? It's it's it's just not
going there. And then it we could table it and then or the >> or it's dead. And what could happen is then then your chair would decide if we're going to do a retreat. This is something because again the retreat is the agenda is built by the chair and the
vice chair along in conjunction with the interim superintendent that goes on and we don't need to refer anything from there. Right there is where we're all working together and it's a posted meeting so people are aware of what we are discussing um as a
full board. Um, so it's all dependent on your vote and I suggest that we move this to a vote. >> Miss L Martinez, >> I think I need probably more clarification. How did this work before we had um uh uh control over all the
transition that we came in? Is that possible to be at least decided here for me to understand that somebody can clarify that? Like whenever you had an issue like this, what happened? Did you guys were able to decide, vote on it, send it to committees or >> That's why we have motions and we go
through it and if the motion passes, it goes and if that's it goes away. Um, we've had retreats in the past and we have set priorities and agendas and all of that as we've done in the past is usually done over the summer where
people are more available for more hours. But yeah, that's but what I'm saying what what let me let me just say what I'm trying to say here. Um what I'm saying is there's been two things here presented that is going to a subcommittee and it seems like it's
coming that this is not the way that it should be. So what I'm asking is this the way that it's been happening all along throughout the years before we took full control or >> my miss.
>> No, we have to look better at what is actually being presented. Can we keep this on topic to the motion? >> The motion. >> I'm making the point of order because like we're straying to like Can we talk about the motion >> on the motion?
So, you have to decide. You've heard the opinions from everybody whether it should go. Um, and then you decide how which way you want to vote. I guess okay. But I didn't ever clarify what I was asking, but that's okay.
Thank you so much, >> Mr. L. >> One last question on this particular motion. So, if this goes if this is referred to committee and yes, there are three people on the subcommittee. However, we as a body, every member could also go and attend this
subcommittee meeting, right? And we could weigh in on that subcommittee meeting as from that discussion even though we're not. Is that correct? Am I understanding that right? >> You can be recognized by the chair to be able to speak. However, we cannot have a quorum of the full body present at a
subcommittee meeting. >> Okay. Seeing no further discussion, roll call vote. Miss Fisiano. >> Miss Wilson. >> The motion is I'm just clarifying that the motion is that we want to send this to subcommittee.
>> Correct. >> So my no Garcia, >> yes. >> Dr. Rick Cologne, >> no. Mr. Sheen, >> yes. >> Mave. >> No. >> Martinez. >> No.
Yes. >> No. >> Yes. >> Five. No. Four. Yes. >> Five. No. diagnosed >> right >> motion fails.
Thank you. Next we have approval of meeting minutes. >> Motion to take up as a package. >> The motion made by Mave, seconded by Mr. Isasa. Any discussion? >> Roll call vote, please. Miss Feliciano.
Miss Wilson. >> Yes. Uh >> Mayor Garcia, >> yes. Dr. Cologne. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Martinez. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Yes. >> Next updates on subcommittees policy and governance subcommittee. Miss Wilson. >> Um unfortunately I had something come up so I'm not able to meet this um the scheduled is I think it's this Wednesday the 8th. I'm sorry guys it's not the
eth. Whatever day this Wednesday is. Um, so I'm looking at another date and I do know that I have to book it out ahead of time um due to some member schedule. So I'll be I will be doing that asking for dates coming up. Thank you. >> Thank you. Finance and operations, Mr.
Sheen. >> Yes. Thank you. We've had a couple meetings uh since January. Just want to give a brief update. We've started talking about the uh FY27 budget. Um and as you can see
the documents that we've uh provided to you that we provided in subcommittee were the initial budget projections uh the timeline for the the budget including some initial projections around our budget um including uh having
the discussions about the student opportunity act which should be going away in a couple years not going away but the increasing amounts of it and potentially a current preliminary budget gap of $2.6 million dollars um that we're working on that with the administration uh with it. I don't know
if Mr. Soda wants to add anything else or any members of the committee, but um we're just working along with the governor's projected budget. I'm waiting to see what happens in uh house one at the end of April to see how that all shakes out uh with it.
>> Mr. Soda. >> Yeah. Yeah. And I just I just wanted to highlight that in that presentation, you know, um I've been I've been saying this for a few years now that you know, we have had the um the benefit of uh
additional federal funding that we had through uh pandemic relief um and and ESSER funding for a few years. And we have been uh implementing this the state has been implementing the student
opportunity act over the course of six years. Uh next year is the last year that we'll see increases in our implementation of that student opportunity act. And then uh after next year in future years what you will see is that our revenue is uh primarily
driven by student enrollment and whatever the state uses for inflation. So, it's going to look a lot like it did prior to the pandemic. Um, where revenue is flat and expenses continue to rise and we're we're in a position where
every year we end up uh having to make some difficult decisions. So, I tried to really capture that in our presentation. >> Thank you, Mr. Sheen. >> Yeah. The other thing just to point out to the uh committee to be aware of that we are also anticipating about a 5%
increase in transportation um for the districts. That's just one of the other things that we have to um and that's because of rate increases from our providers. Um and I can talk about the next item after and if there's any other questions on this. >> Mr. Michaelelsson.
>> Yeah, I I have one question about this. Um, I received an email um from uh MASC last week about the there was some changes to title one funding and I was curious where that got lumped in into our
revenue side of the house. >> Yeah. What you have it what the presentation that you have and the the vote that gets taken um in in June is on the general operating budget, the general fund. So, I did get the
unfortunate news uh last week on the call with the commissioner that they are expecting a 10% cut in Title One. Um and they're recommending that all districts for now until they come out with the actual entitlements that they that they
budget for a 15% cut, which would be $800,000 to the district. So, we really need to take a look at what is on title one and and determine um you know what what cuts have to be made on title one or if there's other
revenue streams um that we could use to offset that. But it is very unfortunate. Um but you know I could everybody in the room that heard that news was very disappointed. Um it's based on census
data from three years ago. So, uh, that census data comes out and it takes whatever the state's poverty level is and it it appears that the poverty level of Massachusetts went down a little bit, which impacts how much money
Massachusetts is getting from these federal entit entitlements. So, they're estimating a 10% cut, which would be um and and we're, you know, we're and told us to anticipate a 15% cut, but we're going to keep a close eye on it and we're going to be taking a look at
everything that's on title one and what the impact would be. The numbers you have in front of you are not grants. That's just a general fund. Miss Lero Martinez, >> is that the census referring to the one that is done every 10 years that they're using the data from or
>> I don't know the exact census that they use, but I don't think it's the one that's every 10 years because I I saw in in the supplemental information that um MASS sent us, they showed us what the uh
poverty level was in the 23 census and what the poverty level was in the 24 census. Okay. >> And it it just to illustrate that it went down and that's the reason why there's a title one cut. And then the other document that was
provided is just any um the FI26 budget updates uh are attached there as well that we reviewed uh with any um by cost center. And then uh budget updates for any contracts that we have uh have in the district over
$100,000. That's all there. >> Thank you so much, Mr. Sheen. Next, we have the joint city council school committee, Miss Leon Martinez. >> Yes. Um we have a meeting scheduled for the 12th this Thursday, 5:30 here. Um so
we'll be meeting with some items. Thank you. Leadership, Accountability and Measurement Subcommittee, Miss Leave. >> Thank you. So, we met on February 26. Sorry. And um the order has been
complied with the special education parent advisory council, an English learner parent advisory council, and a little history as to what that was. It was really about the the engagement and
um ensuring that really these packs do exist and that they are parent driven. And so we did have um the director from uh special education and the multiling multilanguage learners
um come and speak and talk about what are some of the avenues that they're doing to try to outreach to families. and and so far we've got one parent who is the president for the special education pack with the hopes of having another one and I believe there's one
that has been identified possibly for what was called the ELLL pack. Um but the order has been complied with so that one's done. Our next meeting will be held on March 23rd here at 5:15 p.m.
>> Miss Lob. >> Yes. So, um, thank you. The order was complied with and I appreciate, uh, the the folks coming in and talking about the status of of the of the groups, the ELPAC and CPAC. Um, unfortunately, you know, I think the the health of those
committees, as we me we mentioned, we identified one parent and one perhaps that's on the way. They're not as robust as um they could be um through no fault because there is outreach as we learned in the meeting that but these advisory
boards are designed um as parent voices to come before us to have meaningful discussion and to engage in policy and in different um different ways that they can inform our work as a board. And that is why they're set up under Mass General
law. And so I remain concerned um that there is still more to do for these boards to to get them up and running and for also for us and and for the constituents that we serve uh to be able to elevate the dialogue and the discourse in this room about what's
facing some of our most vulnerable population. You know, one in three uh young people on in our school system are on on an IEP. And then we also have I think it's one in five ELPAC students. So um and and these boards if they're healthy um can act um as a triage for um
the departments uh right because parents are talking with each other and they're having meaningful discussions and referring each other to different things that might work that maybe don't make it down to people's services because it's been held in that peer room. Right? So they're they're very useful boards. So,
in in lie of that and in light of that, I I' I'd like to make a motion for the superintendent to come back in May and just have an update about what um what the what progress has been made since we've last met um in the subcommittee. Uh because I know there was some interest coming out of the CPAC meeting
with uh parents who wanted to volunteer. And so, um, I just think that we owe it, uh, to our community to make sure that this is. So, my motion would be that that you come back in May and let us know the status and if that has improved, um, sense,
>> Miss Leold on the motion. Do we have a second? >> I'll second that. >> Seconded by Miss Lero Martinez. >> Discussion, Mr. Sheen. Yeah, I guess I'm just curious why wasn't I don't really understand the motion because I don't have any context, but why wasn't this
motion recommended up to the subcommittee? Like I just the subcommittee would make a motion to to get information like I I guess I'm confused to what the whole motion even is. >> So, Miss Lubalt. >> Yeah. So, so the so the order was
complied with in terms of the spirit of give us information, but what happened was that there was no there was no followth through. I I'm not going to sit here and pretend that that the LPAC and the CPAC are a functioning board. It's being driven by administration. It's
supposed to be parent driven. So, while I appreciate the hard work that is going on on these boards, absolutely 100%. um we have to find a way and and we're obligated um to find a way to recruit
more parents. So it you know saying that it was complied with yes and right it's okay. So what's the status? We should have them before before us every every so often you know whether that's at once a quarter or whatever but we we can decide that but we need to be checking
in on the health of these parent voice boards and we are we are not currently. >> Mayor Garcia. Uh, thank you so much um vice chair and and >> I see Lubul's intent and I and I and I'm
in with I'm with um um Devon's u uh point that he's trying to make there uh because there was a motion or there was a a report back of being of being received right
>> so I just maybe a suggestion of and and there's the concern at at at least for me is, you know, it'd be good to have this posted on the agenda so people would know. So maybe I suggest filing an order for the next meeting clearly stating um what your motion's going to
be and so it's posted and we can have a I don't know um maybe that intent so it's a little more clear and what you want to do cuz also I I just don't know if you know um and and I don't mean to you know go down a road here for a conversation but like would you even be
prepared to come back in May for a presentation maybe having a conversation with the interim superintendent to better um uh bring forward a motion that we can discuss and um to achieve the intent that you're looking for.
>> So I I think I'd like some something time bound, right? Um I think when we left the meeting there was discussion but there was no commitment back to time of when we'll get that information. Where we ended was people are working
hard. Absolutely 100% they are. Um, but there was no there there was no no hook to say, okay, are we going to keep having this this come before us? And so that's why I made the motion. I guess I'm I'm confused um
from us from a from a a body perspective of that we can't ask for a report two months from now to say, hey, do we have more volunteers? Do we have like that? That's that's the spirit that I'm looking for. I'm not looking for some, you know, data dump. I'm saying what's
the health of the committee? Do we have parent volunteers? And can we ask them to come before us? Like that's that's it. I I don't I don't know why that would take um I think two months is actually a very generous timeline to be able to do that. >> Mr. Sheen,
>> I guess my confusion is so clearly the item isn't complied with. We're getting a report from the subcommittee that's complied with, but if there's follow-up items that are coming back to this committee on the same topic when it's being reported out, it obviously wasn't complied with. So the item needs to go back to like if if there are things
complied with means it's done like when a subcommittee takes up a matter like were there motions made at this and I I'm not criticizing not having minutes yet the meeting just happened like no means is that what it is but like we're being told as a board that this has been complied with like obviously it hasn't
been complied with and I will go back and watch the meeting to see what was presented at it and and what was there but were there any motions made at the subcommittee requesting information or getting like it just
I'm confused as to what was done then >> Miss Lefave. >> Okay. So let's look at the order that was referred and how it is um stated. So then you can tell me whether or not it's complied with. All it says is that we were requesting, this is what was
referred to us, requesting an update on the current status and functioning of the special education parent advisory council and the English learner parent advisory council. The update should include information on recruitment efforts, the support provided by the
school committee and the district to these councils and historical participation data. So, if we're talking about that was the specifics to what was sent, yes, that was complied with because we got the information. We've got the history
revolving around it. Now, I'm understanding what Miss Lubold is is is requesting is basically the accountability of ensuring that these groups are really functioning.
They are parent driven. So, as school committee members, they should the what she what if if I'm correct, if I'm out of line, please by all means throw something at me. I'll shut up and you take the wheel. Um, these parents should be showing up here,
the lead parent, and giving an update as to what's happening within their their group, right? Just like how you have your weekly, well, we're supposed to have our student reports, but this would be like inviting the parent
representative from ELLL, maybe on a quarterly basis, the uh the special education parent um come and and and give a presentation and um maybe the district parent advisory council, I
guess, because that's another one, but that's a district one. um and give a presentation as to what's happening within their committee. So it's like we have com like these committees or councils and it's just them coming back and and providing feedback and then how
we as school committee members can then support them if they are not getting >> I don't know that's >> Miss Wilson. Um, sorry I went I I went away in another brain moment. But I think the I
think what we're having issues with comes back to having a retreat because I think as a subcommittee can we ask for a report in three months from now rather than have you know because that can be done at a subcommittee level.
So these are just some things that I think a retreat would help us you know kind of just clear up. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Lald. >> So, yes, agree. And again, I am asking for a simple
status in May. That is the motion that I've asked for is a simple status of the health based on the order was complied with as as stated, we got the information, but the work is not done. So, how do we keep that accountable,
right? like how do we keep that ro as robust so that we can have a functioning board because the spirit of the law right these are these are dictated by law these these alpac and cpac for us >> that they are parent driven and we need
to make sure that happens >> okay I guess I why aren't we just inviting the parents into our next like why isn't there a motion just to the chair saying get the parent get the leaders of the group like why aren't we just putting them on an agenda asking them to come in and
present >> because the boards are not fully functional. That's my point. My point is they're doing everything that they can do but they are not as fully functional as they can be. They're being driven by the administration and they need to be driven by parents and if they're not
driven by the parents there needs to be active recruitment happening on these boards and that is also happening. However, that doesn't mean that we ignore them. That we need to be as a body talking about these parent boards because we are the governance board and
they are informing us about our policies and procedures. And so when that's not a healthy relationship, that's a problem. And that's that's my point. >> Mayor Garcia. >> So I personally so I don't disagree with
the point or the spirit of what you're trying to do um at all. And it sounds like to me that anybody here doesn't necessarily disagree. I think we're getting caught up in the matter of procedure. And uh part of what concerns me at the moment because on our agenda
was a motion to to receive communication. There was no action. There was no nothing that came out of committee. And uh but to your point, Lou Bold, you know, there's it sounds like to me that you're looking for some next steps and uh how do we help you navigate
our system here so that we can get you to to your to to your point? And I think what we need to do um uh uh is we I don't think sending it back to committee to come back with a report, but maybe refile so we have it properly submitted
on the agenda. have some parents, some of these folks in these groups come in something so that we can make a motion and and have a robust discussion on the next steps you're looking for because I think it's just caught up in procedure
really um because I don't feel too comfortable in making a motion that was not even put on the agenda um uh to reflect that we were going to have such a discussion and a motion uh to proceed with. You know what I mean? So, it's a little kind of messy a little bit.
>> Miss Martinez, >> um it sounds to me that there's a need maybe to file an order to u put more efforts in the recruitment of of parents that can support the councils
of the parents groups. um if it is um the intention of what I'm understanding because um Miss Lub just shared that it's only one parent happened right I I don't know I mean I haven't seen myself
what kind of efforts has been done if it was anything shared my apologies probably didn't read through it but um just to see what we can help with helping recruit and support this effort so there's is a file that needs to be
done. I'm willing to do so. Thank you. >> Is there any further discussion on the motion? >> Mr. Sheen, >> can I just have it read back, please? >> Miss Lot >> or what? What? Yeah. Miss Feliciano, can
you repeat the motion? the motion, but that she um Miss Lubode would like an update on the TAC and the uh sorry LP pack on an update on the progress of the
board. That was your motion in May. >> Is the F. and >> was already discussed. >> It was already discussed. >> Yeah. Was it for a second discuss that was discussion? Yes. >> Yeah.
>> We made the motion. Second by Miss Lebron. >> No, she roll. Miss >> Wilson. >> Yes. I had to think. >> Mayor Garcia, >> no.
>> Um, Dr. Ricolone, >> yes. >> Mr. Sheen, >> no. >> Uh, Mr. Leave. >> Yes. >> Mr. R Martinez. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Yes. >> Yes. Motion passes. Seemed that there was a lot of back and forth on this particular issue. I would like to create an ad hoc committee so that way we can work on that and then
have have it properly vetted and have back what we need for the committee. So I will be miss ahead. and this ad hoc, who are you planning on
on putting in there? I mean, let's let's let's really analyze like who's going to be a part of that? >> I would take volunteers though. >> I happily volunteer. >> There you go. There's >> Yeah, I have a lead for it. Miss Lubold has volunteered, Mr. Sheen.
>> So, I just that will need to be presented at our next meeting like a composition and stuff. We just need I mean a committee could be two people for that. The ad hoc committees can be created and can be look different. So >> and it would be presented but it would be presented at a meeting and we'd be
voted on like we do every time. >> Mr. Martinez. >> So So the ADHD committee reports to the to who? To us >> to the full committee. >> Okay. I'd like to be on it to assist with the recruitment if that's
>> excellent. We have an ad hoc committee with Miss Lero Martinez and Miss Lubal. This would be coming back for our next school committee meeting. Not open to the public because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public
body for the purpose of all collective bargaining of all units and litigation and superintendent contract not to return to open session. >> So moved. >> Seconded by Miss Lefib. Roll call
please. Miss Ben. Yes. >> Um Garcia. >> Yes. >> Dr. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Yes.