Are we waiting for the Okay. >> Yeah, he just Okay. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, and liberty and justice for all. Wonderful.
We uh like to open public comment. Not seeing anybody for public comment. I think we can move forward. Superintendent report. >> Awesome. Well, good evening everyone. It's nice to see you all. Hope you're having a wonderful summer. Uh hope our students, staff, and families are
enjoying the well-deserved break. Uh this is the superintendent report for July 23rd, 2026. I wanted to just take a few minutes. It's not a long report tonight, but just to reintroduce some of our newest leaders to the district. >> Very exciting. >> Sorry, July 1, as well as give a quick
update on the great work that's happening around the district with our construction projects. >> So, we will start with um officially welcoming three outstanding additions to our central office team who are already making an immediate impact. We have Cindy Mah, our new chief financial
officer. We have Helen Dejaen who is our new director of student [laughter] services as well as Tim Heavey our new director of human resources. >> All three have hit the ground running. Uh they have jumped right into different situations, different challenges. All three have been in the role in different districts before. You can tell with
their experience what they bring to the table. >> And so I'm really excited to be working with them and for them to be joining our central office. So want to welcome those three. Great. >> We're also welcoming some incredibly talented building administrators to the district. Um Amy Davenport has officially begun as the principal of
Hopington High School. Tom Hennis will be joining her as one of the assistant principles and Jen Taylor will be the marathon assistant principal this upcoming school year. Uh they've been dedicating their summers to getting into the buildings, meeting staff, uh preparing and planning with their teams.
Uh we are equally excited to have them on board and I'm very excited to see the positive impact that they have in their buildings. >> And then some similar FL faces in new places. So, I was going to say, are you going to be blown away by this group? >> Look at that. >> Getting blown off that deck right there.
Uh, we have Jeff Lead stepping into the new position of assistant superintendent of operations or chief operating officer in Sarah Elm as the new assistant superintendent of teaching and learning and chief academic officer. That's the three of us recently at the MAS MASS
summer institute down in Cape Cod where uh superintendents and assistant superintendents from around Massachusetts go for a 4-day conference where it's a good opportunity for us to >> to collaborate to uh start to you know craft our vision and Cindy actually presented a session that we attended. So
it shows the type of leader talent that she has. So uh really excited for for these new administrators. We have all of our administrators coming together on August 4th and 5th for our retreat this summer. So, I'll be able to give you some updates at our next school committee meeting. >> Wonderful. >> Very excited for that.
>> Now, from people to our projects, uh before we jump in, I do want to thank our maintenance team uh and supervisor uh Tim Pson as well as our new uh maintenance supervisor Rich King uh who have done a tremendous job this this summer already as well as our partners
who are here. We have Vert.ex, X Perkins Eastman great Beta and Probuild Designs. All of their work has been tremendous behind the scenes making sure these improvements happen. We're starting here at Marathon. As you can see, it's the new adaptive playground. Uh coming along very nicely. Uh still expected to be
completed by September 28th. Now, I know it is uh a project that we've talked a lot about as a community. I know we're very excited about this to be complete. Uh and it'll be an incredible resource for our students and families. So, >> very exciting to be complete. >> Fantastic. >> Next is the Charleswood School. I know
we have some friends here that will do a more formal update of that, so I still kind of want to step on their toes, but I was able to take a tour Wednesday with Cindy of the building, and it is really coming along. Uh, it's great to see the progress. This are pictures up here of the roof. The bottom left is the gym.
There's a picture of a classroom space in the middle. The picture at the bottom there, it's tough to tell, but that's us inside the building looking down at the cafeteria uh in the stage. And then there's some window uh finishing windows there on the right hand side. But really some impressive work happening. Steve
Divine uh took us for a tour. He was very gracious. We enjoyed his uh his stories as he walked us around the building. But uh really coming together and it's uh it's a kudos and credit to all of our our construction partners. I believe there was some interest between the select board and ourselves of doing a tour at some point. We'd love to take
>> and I had spoken to John Graziano about that. Um and he was going to try to coordinate with George F, but also the select board to see if they could do it at the same time doing a lots of tours. >> Yeah, we [snorts] love that. >> Here is Hopkins who has also been
incredibly busy uh this summer putting the final touches on the different renovations in the building. Uh pictures up here show the cafeteria over the top left. Middle picture shows the outdoor classroom that they're building. Uh the far right is the multi-purpose room where the students were eating lunch this past year, but it'll be used as a
secondary wellness area. And at the bottom you see a music classroom, uh as well as the field outside. So real progress is coming. I went there and toured with Matt Carter, Principal Carter earlier this week. And everywhere you turn, there are people working, getting things done. Uh and again, it's on uh scheduled to be completed mid to
late August. So, we're excited about that. >> Mhm. >> And I know that Hopkins in Charleswood often get a lot of attention and rightfully so, but we also are putting some investment into other buildings in the district. Uh this is a shot at the middle school here. We have several classrooms receiving new flooring on the
lefth hand side, some new furniture there in the middle, uh and different whiteboards that are going to be >> Sorry, Mr. Masters is on Zoom. >> Oh, okay. Okay. Well, >> hello Mr. Masters. Great. Uh, so didn't mean try and drop. No,
>> no worries. >> And then finally, the loop road. Um, just want to give a quick update. Not the best pictures as I was following the rules and didn't pass through the do not enter signs. Uh, but everything remains on schedule. The goal is to have it completed by start of school. And I and I just want to thank everyone for their
patience as we navigate this. I know uh we sent out some communications about roads being closed and people have been great. So, we appreciate their flexibility uh and appreciate all the work that's that's going into that. And then we'll wrap up with our uh top of the hill spotlight. We have two this month. Uh first goes to our crisis
response teams across the district. Uh we had our crisis response team come together the day after school uh on June 25th to meet with the I love you guys foundation. I know school committee chair Kyla Mweeni also sat through that training last year with um police, fire, and schools. Uh the next step was to
bring our crisis response teams together and then we'll be bringing that to our staff this upcoming year. So, we're excited to be able to implement some of these new protocols and strategies. And just a shout out to all the staff who came to this 5-h hour training on their first day of summer vacation. Amazing. >> It just shows how important this is to
them. So, thank you to all of our crisis response teams and our members. >> And then the final spotlight is to the school community. Uh we are trying our summer of pillars campaign. Uh and it's been really fun to kind of follow throughout the course of the summer. uh seeing the Hiller Pride everywhere from
Indonesia to Thailand to Polar Park to a living room where it's a book club with current and retired middle school teachers. Uh it's just been a whole lot of fun to see that. >> So, we encourage people to continue to send their photos in, we're trying to post one photo per day. >> Uh and so just a fun reminder that even
though we are out of school, the community stays connected. So, >> um Mr. Masters can't hear us. One thing as you were going through the Hopkins stuff, I I would be interested in a tour of Hopkins as well. >> Oh, yeah. That'd be great. >> Be happy to organize that. There's some
friends here that might [laughter] >> Yeah. And that is the superintendent report for this evening. >> I just wanted to say, Evan, that um I'm hearing a lot of positive feedback from people who are really enjoying the summer of Hiller's content in the community. >> That's great. They really like seeing it.
All right, that sounds good. Thank you. Uh, school committee chair report, payroll warrants. There's a ton of them because there's been a long time. S26023, S26 B, S26024,
S26025, S26026, S26027 have been approved. and Warren 2614 HS 2615HS 2616 EMI E LI um must be
Elwood 2617 MS 2618 HS 2619HS 2619 MS 26 10S um 263 6S 263 7S 263 8S 263 9S 26 26 140
S 26141 S 264 2S 26143 S 2614 5S 26146S 26147S 27001
S 27002 S 27 IHOP 27 IM have all been approved. That's a lot in your folder. Mhm. >> All right. Lethon reports probably not much because it's summer. >> I Oh, I just wanted to share. Yep. I um
when I attended um the pride event on the common, I was able to uh connect with uh Hopington organizing for prevent prevention team and we are going to be setting up some time this summer for me to join them and get up to speed on what they are doing in the coming year. >> Right. Great. Yep.
>> We're able to catch the end of that event because we are at the MS uh MASC. Thank you. Um training that day, which is a lovely day in Western Mass. >> All right, new business. We'd like to
have our friends, Mr. Labrad, if you'd like to introduce them. >> Absolutely. So, uh, tonight, uh, we can introduce our our building partners from, uh, Vertex, uh, Perkins Eastman and I believe Commodore are all are with us tonight. Um, so I'd invite you gentlemen to join us up at the the table. Um, and as they do, and I'll let
them introduce themselves, they're familiar faces and friends to us in the district. Um, and I will probably at this point still jumble exactly what their specific job titles are, but as they're getting settled, I just a point of personal privilege to say that um, I've had the good fortune of observing these building projects as as the
committee has for the past several years and really up close for the past 6 months or so. Now, working directly um, with this crew, these representatives and the people behind them, um, I continue to feel not only impressed but lucky at the partnerships that we have.
I mean, first class um talent and professionalism that we have working on our construction projects. Uh so the I hope the committee and the public in general feels a real sense of uh pride and trust in our building efforts that are happening I think with incredible
precision um efficiency, cost effectiveness. Um really a lot to celebrate. >> Thank you. >> With that, Chris, I'll turn it over to you. >> All right. Um it's nice to be with you again. It's been a while since I've been here in person. >> Yeah. >> Um I'm Christopher Eberly. I'm the project executive for the Bertex
Companies where the OP Hopkins School as well as the Charleswood School. Um with me tonight is Ricky Shagru. Uh Ricky is the senior project manager for Conor Builders who is leading the um Hopkins project. And also with me is Jason
Springer. Jason is the um construction administration architect for Perkins Eastman who is working on both the Hopkins School and the Charleswood School. So, we have three items for you uh tonight. Um the first is more of a
bookkeeping paperwork item. Um on the screen, bear with me. That should work. >> So the first is uh um paperwork uh items. So when we originally authorized the Hopkins school and similarly with
the Charleswood school in DSBC uh we brought this memo to the school committee and what this memo states is the process through which we approve change orders with the new staff and the reorganization of the assistant superintendent. Um we need to also
reorganize the authorization that was previously granted. So what this letter uh did and I believe was provided to you in advance um is I underlined where we have updated it and we've updated it to reflect the changes that have occurred since. Um originally um Susan
Rothermitch was identified by name but not title. And so what this letter does is it assigns the authority that was previously given to Susan um to approve change orders from 25,000 to 75,000 and assigns that to Jeff Abroad. um as he's
assumed that role. Um previously we had identified the chair of the Hington School Committee, but at the time um it was by name to Nancy. So it has been updated to Kyla. Um so we would look for the uh school committee to authorize
this updated memo. So just reiterate the um what this states is Vertex has been authorized to um move forward with change orders that are $25,000 or less. It's an authority that we use sparingly as um Evan and Jeff know. We try to keep
them updated on just about everything we do. Um between 25 and 75, we ask um Jeff to authorize whatever is moving forward. And from 75 to 125, we ask Jeff to coordinate with Kyla or the chair at the
time in order to authorize change orders up to that amount. In the event that it exceeds that 125, which has been few and far between as you know, um we do bring those items to the school committee so that you have an opportunity to vote in your [clears throat] public meeting um
to authorize those larger items. So with that, I would look to the committee to make a motion to um accept the revised amendment. >> I move to adopt revised change order approval process memorandum for the Hopkins school project. >> Second
roll. Yes. We will do a roll call vote. Nancy, >> yes. >> Sandra, >> yes. >> Yes. Jamie, >> yes. >> And Chris, >> we can't hear Chris. >> Know if Chris can hear us. He can >> before but >> Oh, he's saying yes. >> All right, [laughter]
we take that as a thank you. >> So, the second item this evening is um an item that we began working on with Susan Rotherman before she retired. Um we really appreciated working with Susan, her experience
to the town. um she had asked us to um move forward something that was from the original origins of the project and that is the idea that in about 2016 modulars were built on the existing Elwood school
and those modulars typically have a useful life of about 20 years often longer. We see them throughout districts in the Commonwealth lasting much longer than that. Um, as part of the original systemwide study that brought us to you,
that we did as part of the original Charleswood feasibility study, uh, we identified that there were certain moves that you could make within the district that would allow you to, um, expand each of your schools in certain ways. And that was really the origins of what
became the Hopkins School Project. Through the course of the Hopkins School project design, it was determined for budget reasons that we would defer the relocation of those Elmwood modulars from the Elwood School to the Hopkins School in order to reach its ultimate
design um capacity of I believe or 804 students. Um what we have identified is that we have an opportunity now to begin the process um of relocating those modulars
from Elwood to Hopkins. Now it's a multi-stage process. We'll need to look at the realities of what we need to change at the Elmwood school. >> We'll need to look at the realities of codes that have changed since those modulars have been put in place. And
we'll have to look at the realities of construction both in terms of mitigations we'll have to do at the Elwood school after those modulars are removed and also what it will take to place them against the Hopkins school in terms of foundations and also site work
and other factors that will come into play as we get into that final construction. It was a deferred decision. So the original design documents and the funding asked for Hopkins did not include that. But with where we are from an overall project budget, the funding does exist to be
able to do that study. It does not exist to be able to do that move. And so what um has been proposed in discussions with uh Hawkington administration is that we would study and develop a cost estimate
for relocating the modulars and take that to the town meetings. town meeting asked. It's our understanding that there is a planned fall town meeting and so that fall town meeting would be asked after cons consultation with the elementary school building committee to
consider releasing some of the substantial contingency that remains after that project was substantially under budget and reallocating that from the Charleswood school to the Hopkins project. And it's really an issue that sort of spans both projects. Currently,
we are discussing a sequenced move next summer that will include moving out of the middle school and into the Hopkins School, moving out of the Hopkins School and into the Charleswood School, and moving out of the Elmwood school and into the Charleswood school, all
occurring next summer. So, there's a lot going on there. We would propose to also include the relocation of the modular in that same period. And so it would really be the schools moving all their operations and their existing facilities out of that school and leaving it as a
complete building for whatever use is ultimately determined by the town of Hington. Um we don't have an accurate um cost for that but we expect it to be less than 2 million in our initial discussions. That's something that we're
going to prove out. So the proposal before you is made up of four parts. The first part would be to um retain Vert.Ex as an additional service to bring us on to help manage that process to work with the partners and ultimately um bring a
presentation um in the form of a warrant and a budget to town meeting to ask for this authorization. You would be um agreeing to an amendment with Perkins Eastman. They would bring their um own staff and their consultants to deal with
relocation of um the modular coordination with the modular manufacturer and um understanding the code implications of both removal and also the site and civil implications of removal and the site and civil
implications as well as structural implications of placing the modulars at Hopkins. The Hopkins design ended at sort of the barrier doors and so if you happen to be standing out in the parking lot looking back at the new addition, you can see the two locations where the
modular would connect that are ready for it to go there. In addition to that, we are requesting as part of this proposal um a change order to Commodore Builders. Um Ricky would help us in engaging with the modular manufacturer and also um
coordinating the construction logistics of making those moves at the two sites and he would also um serve as the cost estimator in helping us develop the budget from a construction perspective to make that move. In addition to that, we're proposing a $40,000 allowance. The
intent of that is to deal with additional costs so that we would not have to come back on a costbyc cost basis. um for things that we expect are likely to come up over the course of the next two months. Those may include thirdparty inspection fees to meet certain code requirements, which we're
still working through, potentially doing some geo uh geotechnical investigations and borings to make sure that there's substantial space. And for other incidentals that come up, should we propose something to use that 40,000, we would seek approval for that through the
change order memo that you have just authorized. So, we would work with um Jeff abroad and Hawington administration to make sure that whatever those changes are that they're vetted and authorized before that they would move forward. In total, this would be an ask of
$136,95351. This would come out of the remaining funds in the Hopkins budget. And um we do note that over the course of the last four or five months, we have authorized a lot of additional things. Um at the
time, Susan had asked us to target a remaining funds of about $250,000 with the intent of delivering the project under budget. Mhm. >> While we're still on track to deliver that project under budget, this approval, if the committee chooses to
move forward with it, would bring you below that $250,000 threshold before any of the credits that come back from the guaranteed maximum price contract that you have with Commodore. That has certain contingencies, allowances and holds that still exist within it and
that still remain unspent. And we have about a month and a half plus a closeout period. So there's likely to be some money coming back to Hington at the end of the day. Commodore's been a great partner in that respect in terms of releasing buckets of that through time which has allowed us to take on some of
this extra work. >> So with that I would open it up to the committee for any questions that you had about the proposal or any questions you had about the administration for their plan. >> Do we have the most recent um projections on enrollment? I I know that
those have shifted a little. >> Yeah, we're still working on the ones that were done in in um 2023, right? Uh and we've talked I talked to Cindy about maybe doing some additional uh enrollment assessments soon. Um so, yes, we're still working on the ones that we worked on this past year.
And I know that we had discussed this as a a part of the the original building assumption, but looking at the the overall cost and looking at the building, whether or not it's going to meet the needs, is there a resale value to the to get
sell the existing the newer modulars at Elmwood to sell them to another district that has a short-term issue? >> It's a difficult question. Yep. >> Um I don't know that I have a good answer for it. >> The process for disposing of an asset like that in Massachusetts would be that
you would have to advertise it as surplus >> and you would have to have a district approach you seeking to buy it. That is an awkward process and most likely there would be some construction work associated with that transaction because
you would need to relocate the modulars to wherever they go as part of that purchase price, but you would also have to do the modifications to the Elmo school after those go away to button it back up. And there's costs associated with that as well.
Does this would this shift in terms I know we one of the things that we had talked about for some of if we were under budget by different amounts was using that money for um HVAC improvements >> at other schools
>> at other schools that I can't speak to. Um at Hopkins we have done a large majority of the existing equipment. There's only a handful. >> It's just exhaust
tube and boiler. >> Yeah. >> How far under budget would we come for these projects projected at this point if we move the >> If you move the modulars, uh well, if you move the modulars, the
money would come out of a budget that we would set for it from the Charleswood project. currently the Charleswood project and I'm doing this from memory so whoever writes this up in the paper afterwards should note that um I believe
that we are currently on track to come in somewhere in the 22 to $24 million range on a $158 million project. Um there is some movement in the MSBA
grant as a result of the fact that the bid was so substantially low, but you are looking at a significant amount of unspent contingency on that project. on this project. Um, it's
we still have the last month is the hardest is the way I would say and there are still costs and scope and changes as we wrap that up that we're still working through. Um, we have a meeting tomorrow
with um the administration to talk through some of our forecasts for where some of that spent unspent money. Um we know that some of the design costs associated with the um loop road came in lower than we anticipated. Um we know
that there are a number of remaining budgets that are unspent that we haven't identified needs for that we still could identify needs for. That's why we're going to have the conversation tomorrow. And we know that the contingency is
trending at about um should this move forward, I I believe it's somewhere in the neighborhood of 170,000 for just construction contingency. Um and some of the other more clear givebacks at this time. That is not to
say that it's 170,000 you're giving back to the community. I know Ricky, you were working on I didn't get a chance to see whether you sent it or not, but you were working on a give back of contingency and or a current level of contingency holds and allowances. I think
contingencies in the 200 to $230,000 range still. >> Yeah, >> some of that to be smacked holds and allowances I don't know off the top of my head. Altogether the the contingencies, holds and allowances aside from some of the stuff we've already reconciled is around
250,000. >> So that of that a portion of it will be spent, but a portion of that is likely coming back as well. Um, so you're right in that $150 to $250,000 range before I
go through the process of going through every single line item of your budget and understanding where things are reconciled or not reconciled. >> Thank you. >> So Chris Masters does have questions and we
haven't been able to hear him yet. if we could get him his mic live so that we can hear him. He can ask his questions. >> Thank you. We're working on it, Chris. [clears throat] >> While they're doing that, um we expect
enrollment wise at Hopkins that the modulars will be used, needed, appropriate. And it >> one of the things that's important to not I mean as we talk about enrollment projections there are core functions that you do for one student or 900
students and so that square footage is still an important thing um you know and the programs that we have uh ready to launch at the at the 56 level um require the space that that was as Chris put it much more articulated than I did could
um you know was planned for but not planned for um when we set up to do this >> and we already have some modulars at Hopkins that remained. >> You the existing modulars remain. >> Um when we did the initial
systemwide study that identified the modulars as a potential need and a potential of the Hopkins project. >> One of the pieces to remember in that is that they don't think of enrollment as next year. Mhm. >> The Charleswood project thought of
enrollment as I believe the 23 or the 33 [clears throat] 34 year >> and so it was a forecast of continued growth. >> Mhm. >> And so you're really designing to make sure that not next year but that 5 years from now you're not bursting at the
seams again. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And that I 100% think is an important piece of why we designed the buildings the way >> way why we wanted the designs the way they were. It just feels like some of the longer range forecasts may have
changed. And I'm I'm not opposed to the modulars. I just want to make sure that they're we're getting the right bang for our buck by still moving them as we >> anticipated we would when we voted the entire project. >> If Chris can't get in [clears throat] to do his um
>> question >> questions, maybe we could have him call on the phone and we could put it up. >> Yeah. Hold on. Can we hear Chris? Can you say something? Maybe not yet. >> I don't know if he's having a conversation back there with >> Mike.
>> Okay, >> we can see that he's talking. We just can't >> We can't get his Okay, he says he's talking. Yeah, >> mute. not on mute. >> Yes.
>> Thank you for bearing with our technical. >> All right. Well, we did some reconfigurations. That's how it's all working. Do you have him on a Zoom? >> I'm gonna try. >> Okay. >> Because what we could do is turn on your audio with your microphone here.
>> I can see him. I can see him talking. >> Oh, let's see. Um, [snorts] I'm going try to think about how I can do this without getting feedback. >> All right, Chris, can you hear us? >> He can hear with us.
>> He can hear us. We just can't hear you. >> Okay. >> Yeah, you don't have to. Let me >> see if I >> We could also just call him. I that might be >> put on the >> Yeah, why don't I do that >> and then you can put it up to the microphone. >> Hold on.
>> Yep. He says, "Call me." [laughter] Sorry. Takes me a while to find him. Okay. With a scary picture. >> Hello. >> Hello. Oh, we can hear you. Go ahead. >> Great. Great. Great. Great. Okay, you can hear me. Okay.
>> Yes. >> Okay. Um, so I I think there's there's a few things with this. One, it's not really I think what we have to decide is it's not the 137,000, which to me quite honestly
seems like a lot of money to just get a projection on what it'll cost to move those. Um, so I I I'd be curious to get a little clarity on why that's 137,000. But I think beyond that, it's the question we have is do we
need to move those? Do we need to move them now? Because the projected cost is 2 million or somewhere close to $2 million. we have a lot of money that we're spending and if the enrollment projections don't, [clears throat]
you know, warrant that we need to move those modulars and they can either one just sit at Elmwood till, you know, the town sells the land or we need to act to either move them, you know, a year from now, five years from now when they're needed at either Hopkins or another
school or in four or five years from if we needs at Hopkins, what do new modulars cost? It's 2 million to move them plus 137,000. What do new modulars cost? >> 2 million is a rough estimate that has not been validated. So, I just want to
be clear. >> I I understand, but my guess is it's probably a pretty educated guess. So, let's say it's 1.5 to 2 million. The most recent the most recent estimate I saw of modulars was about I say it was
$450,000 per classroom in direct cost. That is for a bare bones simple modular. Um the modulars at Elmwood like the ones at Hopkins are a little more um well uh articulated let's say. Um
that direct cost could have 25 to 30% on it. and I'm never good at doing math in my head on camera. Um, so you could be looking at just a strict construction cost working with that vendor of somewhere around,
let's say, 2.4 for brand new, but then you're going to have other soft costs associated with it that don't fit into just that budget number. um as you prepare the site and and get everything in there and it's an easier part of this
is to establish a budget and I it is it is a lot of money to get to that budget. It's also to establish the viability to reuse an existing resource. There's some money that goes into that. [clears throat] It's the um modifications that need to happen at
Elmwood in terms of a a code assessment. I mean the code assessment along is a alone is a a good chunk of that money Perkins Eastman. It's to have someone um from my organization shepherd the process and get it through town meeting
with you. Um and it's not unheard of to spend 15,000 on an estimate but it's also time to work with all the people involved to coordinate this stuff to make sure that we're delivering something that's accurate. How what what's the timetable in getting
us an estimate? >> We approve it tonight. How what's what is that? >> Right now, we're looking at the end of September to deliver the estimate because the assumption was we need to prepare for a town meeting that could be as early as the first week of October.
Um, we think that that's probably we could probably take a week or two out of that, but we were concerned that if we had to wait till the next town meeting, >> it I think it's um August 20th or I'm sorry, not the next uh next school committee meeting.
>> Oh, >> the next meeting August 20th >> and then you're looking at a very short window of time in order to do all that work and all that coordination back and forth. that becomes very challenging. Um, if you're waiting until May,
then I think you're looking at this as a standalone project and not tied to the other things. The May town meeting has the funding eligibility date of July 1st. And so if you're not engaging the partners before July 1st, I think it's
very challenging to do the work necessary to have that unit removed, relocated, installed, and up and running, plus all the related work before the opening of school. And so at that point, I think you're looking at this as a standalone project that you're
choosing to take on separate from the other projects that you're currently undertaking. And there's overhead with that. And >> there there's overhead with everything. >> And so there's and I might have missed this because I've had to drop off the call to try and get the audio working.
If I understand the email that we got earlier, there's no immediate need or based on enrollment projections that there's no immediate need for those modulars at Hopkins. Is that accurate? >> Yeah, I think that's a question. [clears throat]
>> No, that's a valid question. uh looking at it looking at the enrollment right now uh and I know Nancy you brought it up I think we do need to do another assessment it looks like it's starting to level out a little bit our enrollment um and so I think we talked about this I think we could open the building without them but I do think enrollment could
change in 5 years we could talk about different programming we could talk about class size it would there would be an advantage of having them but I think to answer your direct question Chris looking at the numbers right now uh if they stay the same which we don't know if they will with enrollment but if they stay the into next year we could open up
that building without the modules. >> Okay. So I can also just attach to L. >> I get it. There's different costs and there's, you know, different procedures in [clears throat] place. But I think the the calculation we need to make is
do we spend $140,000 now on the study? And then quite honestly to me the larger question is do we take a risk at spending upwards of $2 million to have modular sit at Hopkins that we don't need at a time when we're spending a lot of money? Yeah,
>> I would echo that, Chris. I the other thing that I worry about if we bring this forward for an October special town meeting is that we we won't it seems we likely would not have correct me if I'm wrong the results of further enrollment
studies to show what the that peak is now likely to be since if we're leveling off in you know 2026 where does that put us for 2036 or beyond that in if we can support with the numbers the
the continued need for this in spite of that. I would want to have that information to present to the town. I worry if we go to the town in October and we don't have some of that information. There are people that are concerned with, you know, our property taxes are going up not just because of
schools but because of problems with our water and things that are not necessarily related to us, but they are, you know, the residents and taxpayers of the entire town. Um, so I would worry that if we really do think that these are necessary, if we bring this forward
before we have all of our ducks in a row, so to speak, we're maybe not putting us in the best position to pass this. >> The other concern >> Yeah, there's a Sorry. Go ahead. >> No, go ahead, Chris. >> Because the Yeah, there's there's a g I understand there's a gamble either way.
You know, if we you know, if in two years we need those modulars, we may end up spending three an extra million, right? three million to get new school work to just move the modulars from Elwood, right? Like we turn the keys over from Elwood to the town. I view the town and the district and you know as
all one and the same and those modulars just sit there and then there's a pressing need to move them. We might pay more, you know, 18 months, 2 years, 3 years down the road, but is that a gamble that we want to take to potentially save,
you know, somewhere in the neighborhood of $2 million at a time when money's pretty tight? So, I I I I get that there's a gamble either way. I calculation I think we need to make is is a tough one, but if there's not a pressing need for those and they can
just sit there and we can use them and move them later, um that that may be the better move. And you know, even outside of the point that I think Nancy made, which was a good one, >> is there a risk to them deteriorating if they >> What would need to be done to keep them
from deteriorating if we didn't move them? >> You need to keep them tempered. I would think >> you'd need to you'd need to keep the building heated either way. Um I believe building code and this is more you're you can back me up on this Jason. Um I
believe current building code is that if building's unoccupied for 5 years at that point it's considered vacant and triggers certain code upgrades. I know that, you know, Center School is the best example >> um that I can think that's relevant to
Hawkington. Center School became Marathon School. Center School did not have a use after it um ceased to be a school. Hington, I don't recall the exact discussion at the time of what Center School would become, but um from
what I understand, it was not too far off from what Elwood will become. It eventually sat for too long. and um the town is currently soliciting someone to come in and help to renovate
center school. So that's that's the most recent history I can think of that's related to Hawkington that I think is similar a similar risk with Elwood >> center school. the difference to me and I I I'm definitely not in the construction but it would be that center
school was in very bad condition when we closed that it had issues and then there were issues I think with water getting in that were not anywhere near a 5year mark on that. >> Does anyone know when when we turn when we you know uh shut down Elmwood do we
just never turn the heat on? we let pipes burst or or is there some type of carry cost just keeping the building usable in case we needed it? I don't even know if anyone has that answer. >> It turns over to the town. So, it's it's
the town's decision on what they >> Right. Right. But I was just curious, does anyone historically know like Oh, yeah. No, they keep the heat on in the winter and or do they just literally shut it down and say, "Hey, whatever happens to it happens to it. were trying to dump it. Anyways,
>> I don't think the heat really worked at center school, >> right? Like unfortunately, we we don't know from what happened at center school since that was in [clears throat] such disrepair. >> The permanent building committee has already started to consider what will happen to Elmwood. [clears throat]
>> I have a I have a different point of consideration, which is, you know, these were built in 2016. We understand that they have a a 20-year life, right? And so, right now, they may be in good shape. However, based on enrollment projections, we may not need them for several years. Ultimately, are we
willing to invest, spend the money, and move them for them to maybe have a much shorter life than really would be anticipated? Um, in which case, maybe we we would be perhaps better off buying new modulars that are compliant, meet
requirements for ADA and and and other configurations that we may need. um when we know these are already at about half they've already met you know they've already been around for 10 years and are about at half their life >> not a question more of a comment Chris
just tagging on to what you were saying about taking the >> g I yeah I think that's I think that's a good point but they get moved and used >> they're 12 or 13 years in and you know the shelf life is 20 years then you know what are we then chasing you know good
money after bad so >> when we 20 years on the shelf like Chris maybe can elaborate on this. >> It's a rule of thumb, >> right? So let's say that that's a baseline survival level and it can go another 10 20 plus years. Is the shelf
life considering the shell of the actual um structure or is it considering that the the interior fixtures carpet um things that you might retrofit in a fixed facility would also how does that factor in? >> That's a challenging question with a
building. um 20 years is typically lifespan in terms of um when the materials that are made begin to break down and need replacement. So modulars are built um progressively better but basically
following the same it's a pre-manufactured structure. It's made in um warehouse or shop conditions. They'll put a roof on it. They'll put walls. They'll put exterior. Certain communities have done different things with the exterior of theirs.
Hington Metalclad, both of these um I'm working on a project currently in Marboro where they took the modular like your standard like construction modular big enough for a classroom. They put it up against the building and then they built a brick facade around the outside
of it. Completely different approach, completely different scenarios, completely different lifespans. So, you're looking at the potential that HVC systems could start failing. Um, roof could start failing in theory.
Um, the weather envelope, depending on what condition it's in, could start failing. But to assess where those are is not free. You don't call up, you know, Mr. Modell and he comes out and tells you it's this much to do it. like it takes experts and effort and making
sure that the value that's there has an expected life. All of that requires study and understanding and there is >> would we sorry Chris would we get those results in the 137,000 or is that just to relocate?
>> Do you think that your fee can include assessing the long-term viability of it? >> I don't see why not. And can sorry can you just remind I think I missed this uh when we would have the uh when we would be able to
have the results from re reexploring the enrollment projections. >> Yeah. You want to talk a little bit about how long that process takes. >> Sure. So once we issue a bid it's normally um there's a lot of data that we have to gather in order to provide that. there
will be information that will be needed to be gathered by the town. Um, so building permits and that type of data. So it's normally a 3 or 4 month process if everything goes really well but typically more uh more along the lines
of five to six months. >> Question on Oh, sorry Chris. So, what are the current how far out do the current projections take us? >> Uh, give me one second. I can pull that up. >> So, just just so I'm also understanding
here, um, obviously Elmwood is still going to be in use for the next year, right? So there's no concern with um immediately needing to mitigate deterioration, right? So uh presumably we still have a
bit of time, right? Time where in which we could better understand the enrollment projection, right? Like we we still have time. It's Elmo is not closing tomorrow. Um so I just wanted to kind of bring that up as a discussion point. Um because we do still technically have more time built into
the calendar. I know we are talking about um making potentially making a decision that could be presented at town meeting in October. Um but I agree with you Nancy. I don't know if that sets us up for success if we don't have all the information and knowing that Elmwood is still going to be occupied for another
approximate year. >> Yeah, I think the difference is then it would not be under the control of this group that's managing already. It would be a separate contract that we would have. >> So with that, >> if it was a standalone project, Um,
do you have a rough percentage what that increase would or the decrease in savings or what the >> how that would >> No. >> Okay. >> No, we don't. Um, I think it's important to note that a lot of this is driven by
timing >> more than duration. And what I mean by that is that to make a warrant article at town meeting, we need to do certain due diligence to get to that point so that
you can seek that warrant article. But we don't need from October until June to establish the documents and build whatever we're going to build. that just happens to be an effect of
when town meeting. At the same time, the amount of time that it does to do those documents is more than can be done July 1st when a Springtown meeting authorization would become valid.
And um Sep whatever date in September we're starting school next year. I knew it at one point and I it's slipping my head. >> So, it's a question of like moving that quickly is more challenging.
>> If you if by some chance Hawkington had like a January town meeting or if Hopington decided that they're okay with reutilizing Charleswood money for this purpose, then you have more time. But realistically what we're the decision
points that we're looking at today are a function of when town meetings >> can jump in. We have uh enrollment projections through 203031 >> 20 the outcome >> and based on >> at this point in the 2030 31
>> I mean that's what we have. >> Yeah. I mean we're looking right now we're operating a little bit below that number of what we're projected to have for this this school year. Um granted it's July. We'll get some more students that I'm sure will transfer in. So I know we'll get closer. Uh but we are operating a little bit below those projections for December.
>> And and based on those projections, we do we do not need the modulars at Hopkins through did you say 30 31? >> Yes. >> No, that's when the enrollment projections go out to based on these projections that we have in front of us from 2023, we would need the modules.
But based on actual numbers that we're seeing right now tells a different story. So that's why we need to go through the process of doing another. >> So if it we were to bear the 20 30 31 projections, we would need the model. >> Correct. Yes. >> It's also programmatically to think
about while we talk projections, thinking about our program is something too for us to consider because it is an upper elementary school and there will be aspects of middle school programming and content specific programming. Um without the modulars, the building as as
is designed on the foundation right now um can accommodate high quality teaching and learning. No doubt. Um but the possibility of consideration for expansion of program, what we might not even think about students needing now
that we don't teach that we might all look in five years and say, "I can't believe you didn't have that program." Not just us, but everyone. um this this puts us in position to be prepared for that. Um and it's I would you know I'm sure people will say well that sounds like a nice to have. I would argue it's
not a nice to have. It's it's really us planning thoughtfully and carefully for um for Hington ahead. >> I am weighing it that nice to have was was one of my concerns. the fact that we know we have a big HVAC pro uh
>> project coming towards us soon and that's a very much mustd do situation in my in my opinion. Um that gives me pause on this and moves it closer to the nice to have
than must do it so that children are not freezing or >> dying of heat in our classrooms. I also I I I would agree with that as well. But if we slowed the process a little bit here,
>> not so far that we're worried about the deterioration of the modulars. >> Mhm. >> If we slowed it and we allowed time for things like >> other projects we have going forward to take take the lead as well as getting the enrollment projections and everything kind of all our ducks in a
row. It >> we could still come back to that before they're bad, I would presume. um if you know not in May even I would think the following May potentially and even though we wouldn't be able to maybe build them in that May to September if
they're approved at town meeting in May whatever year >> they could be built starting you know as soon as you know summer when they're able to start then or potentially over two summers or however the construction
schedule best fits. Once the funding is there, it could still move forward. >> And another question, we could potentially move forward with the study but not move forward with moving at the
time, right? Like I mean, [clears throat] >> right. No, I know that's what I'm saying. We can potentially it's not a of course a given that would have to then go right. >> Right. The the only thing I would ask about that though is if >> yes >> if we are going forward with the study
right now >> it would seem like the study if we wait too long to do construction is going to be less relevant because it'll be the costs will have shifted a little bit with with the economy and everything else. Um, are we better off keeping
trying to keep the the vote for the to doing the actual the study piece closer to when we expect to do >> actual >> I feel the same. Yeah. >> Yeah. That to me the 137,000 isn't going to tell us I I don't think anything that
will force our hands either way. Right. We think it's 1.5 to 2 million. And and to me, that's that's the larger question is do we think we want to spend that? And then if the answer is no,
why spend the 137, >> right? >> Or why spend it now? And why not wait until >> 137 is going to give us more viable projections for the actual cost? >> And we're right. And I understand 137 in
6 months or a year might be 158 or 160, but my sense is it's probably a good risk. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. I think the main thing coming out of the study that I'm really keen to understand is the the life of the units,
right? Because I think that's a very important point for consideration. um especially as we may have evolving needs moving forward, not just in terms of being compliant to various building codes, but really evolving needs for potentially what the what the uses are.
Mhm. >> I remember when we and I'm not suggesting any a different project at all, but I remember when we did the addition onto Marathon kind of in the middle, we at the same time we were discussing the modular classrooms at either Hopkins or Elwood or both. in the
cost of doing a permanent piece versus the cost of doing the modulars, but also looking at Marathon having something that was permanent that would go with the building. I don't at some point would something permanent make more sense. Not saying right now, but to your
point, if there's some really great opportunity for programming and we determine that the mods are we only have 5 to 10 years left, right? you know, finally then changing what might be necessary to support ongoing program. I think one thing that that Chris points
out just for consideration the committee and again we talk a lot about timing is that you're currently in a situation where you have um debt that you can be considering for repurpose that you know if you decided in 5 years you wanted an
addition or we needed an addition maybe let me choose my words carefully um we need an addition to meet the needs of the students they may be in a different situation but and that I don't say that as a um as a scare tactic it's more of a reality. But
>> but it would still be so the $2 million is what you mean. But the other side of that is it wouldn't have been borrowed if it doesn't get used. >> Mhm. >> Would be. >> And we're also in a heightened time when
our taxes are going way up for a period of time to finance at Charleswood and we'll come back down a little bit after we are done paying that debt. and the water >> and the well then there's water and there's h we haven't even gotten to
other issues within the town. We're only [clears throat] one small part of the town. We like to think we're the most important. [clears throat] >> What's the likelihood of the cost of the study changing? >> Um in terms of
>> like oh if we wait Gosh um like oh we wait six months. Oh, actually now it's $250,000. >> It's It won't I I don't see that happening. Um I think the complications of the of waiting on
the study is that it will have to exist as its own procurement most likely. >> Um the Hopkins project is scheduled to wrap up in March currently. Um and at that point
um the the goal will be that um the relationship with Commodore Builders will end. Um we did write into Commodore Builders RQ that we could choose to assign this work to them. Um so it then
becomes an open procurement. it becomes um I mean most my gut tells me I don't have the facts to back this up. Most likely if you wait the modulars you eventually put on
Hopkins will be new because the process to procure them versus the process to move them versus the risk that Elmwood is not an active building
>> um leads to circumstances that where new makes more sense and certainly one of the things that we'll be looking at in in our discussion with the modular vendor should this be approved is where does the cost of new fit versus this because I think town meeting will want
that data point. >> Mhm. Mhm. >> Um but I what I can say is that like the 40,000 is a placeholder to get better information. The 40,000 doesn't have to be there. It was an educated guess of
what is likely to come forward to hire out other people. So it we could just as easily make it 100 and it would allow us to do a certain amount of due diligence but we would be limited into assumptions for
the things we would have otherwise sought verification on. Um so there there are options like that if that's the direction you want to go. But I at the end of the day I'm not here to convince you to do work that you don't
need to do. And at the end of the day, even if you finance this study, if you can't convince yourselves, you probably can't convince town. >> Mhm. >> I'm significantly less worried about the cost of the study in relation to whether
or not that we can justify the project to the town. Um and I if we did go forward with the study whether it's now or in the future I would want to do the more comprehensive piece so that we have the best information that we can about the
you know what what exactly we're doing and what the viability of longevity of it is what the condition of the current ones are and also all about the costs of course >> and I think could I see your paper copy so I don't
on the state. Let's see amongst the um we would be coordinating with try and modular the original manufacturer to assess the status of the existing as
part of this. um you know, some of the cost here is um that we may need to address modifications to fire protection. We may need to address modifications to
mechanical, electrical, telecom, other things. That might be as simple as understanding how to plug and play it. It might be as simple or it might be more complex and understanding that certain things need to be adjusted or changed when they're moved to the Hopkins configuration versus where they
how they're configured at the monument. >> It's I mean at the end of the day it is it is on its surface we if we prejudge the results of the study the study wouldn't be necessary. >> Right. >> Right. Right. Fairly
>> I you guys have have done such tremendous work for us. I have a lot of respect for [snorts] all of what you bring to the table and obviously to our administrators as well. I I am really concerned about bringing this forward special town meeting. I also have
concern over the fact that when special town meeting occurs, we'll be right in the middle trying to get our operational budget through. And I I know that we're likely to hit some speed bumps this year that um >> it has come up increasingly when we're
discussing the budget with the slight board in the town. Concerns about um not just our operational budget, even though that's what we're discussing in the fall primarily, but also how our capital projects are impacting the the overall tax. >> So that would be my
>> I agree. Absolutely. Do we want to indicate a motion to vote? >> Do you have more questions? >> I don't know that we need a motion if we're not doing it. >> Yes. >> Well, should we just vote no then?
>> Well, although we might come back to it in the future, like we could vote, but I don't think we have to vote if we're not voting to do it right now. recommendations. >> Yeah. But you still have to
>> I think we should do about >> You could always motion to table it for consideration at a later date. >> Yeah. >> I make a motion that we table this for a later date. Second. >> Okay. Nancy. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Sandra. Jamie. >> Yes.
>> Chris. >> Yes. >> I'm a yes to you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. I can let my partners go if they would like or I will that took much longer than I expected. So
>> I will try to quickly move through our uh our update here. Okay. Um so I'll [snorts] start here with um with Hopkins. So, um I think the biggest thing that you can look at here
is that total project budget. We've spent about 95% of it to date and um we're really in that last few months of this project. Um we're beginning to have vendors arrive on site in terms of those owner vendors in addition to Commodore
to really button up those last couple of things. Security vendor started this week. Um we have the projector vendor and the um the phone [clears throat] vendor coming um in a few weeks and then August is all
about furniture. We have about 19 furniture [clears throat] delivery or 20 furniture deliveries in 19 days. Um so we're really going to be moving to button up the building and have it ready for students when they um they come the first week of September.
Um, if you're down there, and I appreciate the earlier comments from uh the superintendent, we do ask that you stay out of the construction zone. I know from being on your campus for quite a long while at this point that um
Hopington residents love that walking path, but we really are asking you to avoid, even if it looks like it's safe, avoid the area. Make sure you're protecting yourself. We don't want a s a circumstance that isn't ready for a person to cause an injury to someone or
create an issue or to damage any of the work that the taxpayers are paying so much money for. So, it may look like, oh, I can cut through there, but we really ask you to stay out of that area. That's going to become more important as you can see on this map as we move from um the unfinished and I want to
emphasize this unfinished status of most of the loop road to doing the work to rejuvenate the other side. that's closer to the Hopkins school and also as we get closer to beginning that um little leg that goes up to by the bus parking in
the high school. >> So, we just do ask people stay out of the area. Um the superintendent may have stolen some of my thunder on some of my photos here. Um but I'll just rush through. You can see that we're beginning to um get the formerly gym
becoming a cafeteria in place. You can see the ceiling there and some of the floor preps in um some of those larger rooms such as the library. Um the books are still there. They're just not in the library right now. Um we're also continuing with a lot of that work that
was approved as additional. So um going into some of those existing spaces and fixing um some of those floors. Um the grass is beginning to grow in at the athletic field and we're continuing to do a lot of that grading at the loop
road to really reestablish it as something that will hopefully have a lot more life for decades to come. We're beginning a lot of those um sidewalks as well as a new loading dock and some of that curbing that feeds that loading dock.
um progress that we've made. We've continued renovation in area C, which is the cafeteria or the former gym, now cafeteria, as well as some of the music spaces and the administration. We're continuing a lot of those site activities. Um some of the initial move
plans um are in motion. So, we've packed up some classrooms to move the stuff out of the way. We've gotten rid of a lot of that um obsolete furniture that has been recycled. Um, we're also big, the majority of our new walls are complete
at this point, so we're really fitting out the spaces. It's actually a fairly good time if anyone's interested in a tour. Um, I know someone you can coordinate with. >> Great. >> Um, >> MEP rough. So, the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing, a lot of that
stuff is nearing completion and getting ready for some of the finishes. Um, the sods in, some of the ceiling is beginning to go in some of the related devices. The loading dock is coming together and a lot of the HVAC equipment is installed and um some of it is
working through the commissioning process. We're going to really be completing the bulk of the construction in the next 30 days. Um much of the work that moves beyond there are some of the minor changes that we're will come after that bulk of the construction approval
is done as well as some of the additional furniture and other things to fit out the building and make sure that it's ready for students. In terms of change orders, we did approve um for um our fee or COS this
month and but we didn't um put them into a change order yet. So, there's no new change order this month. Um, that'll be coming in um the the coming weeks. Um, Architect, we've done about 85% of their
fee to date. We've done about 77% of the OPM fee to date. And construction cost, we've um done about 77% of that billing. In terms of the Charleswood update that we shared with the um ESBC on Tuesday,
um we've had no um safety incidents for over 400 days, which is great. Um there's a lot of guys working on that site and some ladies. >> Um and so 400 days is a is a good achievement on any construction site. Um we continue to be on schedule. We're
looking at um these are still based on the earlier um forecast but we are trending ahead of that schedule. Total project budget we've spent about 50% of it with where we are at the moment. Um largely quality issues are being addressed as as they're being brought
up. Um we did have one issue that came up regarding um a potential security procurement issue. We believe that that's since been resolved. Um, we also have an ongoing issue with an infiltration system that came up because of some um, conditions that were
experienced and the factors that went into those conditions. We're working on resolution with that um, at the moment and we expect that that will be resolved and those systems are being installed now. Um, just some photos you can see. Uh so this building is being constructed
in terms of um the A-wing or the one that is closest to Chestnut Street is well ahead of the final wing which is still largely [clears throat] just studs. Um and it's going to continue to develop from that sort of uh south to
north. Um you can see here that some of the storm water stuff went in this month. A lot of the windows are already in and um that final seaw is starting to get framed out. The gym slab is now in and a number of the um utilities are
doing their final path to get to the building. Um the roofs are largely in and a lot of the curbing for the entry road has already gone in. Um we're looking at pouring some of those sidewalks already. Um as we're well ahead on some of that site work. Um you
can see here uh we finished the final geothermal well. So, they're still working on some of the piping, but the next step will be to take that to the building itself and the concrete slab has been p uh placed in the last 30 days in the gymnasium. A lot of the masonry is going up, including some of the
veneer masonry. Um, a lot of the electrical room is starting to get fitted out with some of the major components, and that final exterior look is starting to go up in that first wing. So, the building's starting to look like the building's going to look when it's done. that first area. Storm water
structures are still going in as well as windows and a lot of the wall bar wall board is starting in that first um A-wing. So, it's starting to look like the building it will look like in that A-wing. There's a better picture of some of that
exterior masonry as well as some of the sidewalk prep that we're preparing to pour. Um curving the sidewalk has has gone in. As I mentioned, roofing is almost completely in. Um it's just area D that remains. Um the majority of the slabs are in with the slab
>> [snorts] >> um grade going in at um the gym. I think we might have one or two left. The masonry veneer is starting excuse me masonry veneer is starting at area B which is that middle wing and as I mentioned wallboard is going in and a
lot of those storm water drainages on the parking lot side of the building are starting to go in. We're expecting to see the final stairs go in in the next month as well as the sidewalks beginning to appear, the final roofing going in, starting to install some of the curtain walls which are sep which are the sort
of stick built um glass walls. Um other than the the punched opening windows as well as putting some of the last windows in in the final third wing. um ceiling is actually going to start in the second floor of um the first wing and we're talking about actually putting some of
the case work in in that wing as well. So certain parts of it are really far along and that staggered um approach is going to continue as the building gets wrapped up. Change orders on there um are continuing to move. Um we have change order 9 that's pending on that
one and we just did change order eight for about 77,000. Um that again is trending in an excellent direction for the residents of um Hopington. Uh the um architect's contract is about 77% of the way
through. The OPM's contract is about 48% of the way through and the construction contract is about to hit its midway point. Um, in terms of the, uh, roadway improvements, um, we appreciate the
patience of all the residents of Hopington who travel on Hayden Row. It's for the better. Um, it's gone very smoothly. We're very happy with the work that Lynch has been doing. Um, they've been very responsive. We are we saw the
first signs that the utility companies came out today to begin relocating the power lines [clears throat] from the old poles to the new poles. So we fingers crossed that that continues because that's one of the most difficult things in any construction project is moving a
utility company. Um the infiltration system as we mentioned the we had an issue there where our pre-esting when it was still a forest and our post- testing after construction didn't match. Some of
that's influenced by the um way in which the contractor uh protected that area or didn't protect that area, but also some of it's influenced by [clears throat] the underground strata um not matching that single test that was done pre-construction. So, we're working
through that issue. Um, and then here's just some photos for those of you not brave enough to walk Aiden row lately of the new lane extension that's planning to be paved tomorrow. Um, one of the big steps in starting to take that final
[snorts] shape. Um, and then at that point, we're waiting for those poles to be able to be removed so that we can really finish that road and get it to its ultimate shape. um optimistic utility companies will be working with us. Uh but the nice thing
about choosing to do it this summer versus next summer is that if there are any delays related to that, it's still the same width that it was can still be operate as it was. It's not feeding two schools for another year. And so, um, we're continuing to push with every
lever that we have, um, to make sure that that is as streamlined and convenient as it can be [clears throat] for the residents of hospital. So, with that, I'm happy to answer any questions. Um, I would ask um since there's clear
interest, um, if the school committee would like to, um, look at some potential dates that they could get together to tour the building, um, you can reach out to Jeff. Jeff knows how to get a hold of me. We've been talking a lot over the last month. Um,
>> sorry about that. >> And [snorts] so we can arrange um, on either of the two projects to um, have a visit to those um, facilities. Um, I think you'll be impressed with how far along Charleswood is and how nearly
complete Hopkins is. >> That's fabulous. >> I love all the photos. >> Yes, it's great. >> It's amazing to see the evolution. >> Almost feeling so quick. >> Awesome. Thank you guys. Appreciate >> it.
coming. >> Yes. >> Are you still with us, Chris? [snorts] >> Yes. >> Yep. Still here. I'm good. >> He's falling asleep, but [laughter]
>> I dare you. >> All right. Sorry to have you wait so long to have you come up. [laughter] Thank you, Helen. >> Hello. Welcome to
>> Hi, >> it's hard to follow that. >> Yeah, >> that was very informative being new. >> Yeah, [laughter] >> um so I'm here to request the addition of a 1.0. Um love to see par. I did just notice on the memo that the um subject
line says Elwood. It actually is Hopkins as is referenced in the body of the memo. Um, this is to support a newly registered student who who has intensive needs, who requires this level of support in order to meet the child's needs, um, continue to be able to or be
able to educate them in the least restrictive environment and help them succeed. So, it's about $30,000. It would be funded from the ID IDA 240262 grant, and we would also be submitting for um, circuit breaker claiming and
reimbursement for this expense. This is an easy one unlike the other ones. >> I don't have any questions. >> I have no questions. >> No questions. >> I move to approve the additional 1.0 FT ABA level C pair professional. >> Second. >> Jamie,
>> yes. >> Sandra, >> yes. >> Nancy, >> yes. >> Chris, >> yes. >> And Emmy, yes. Thank you so much and for your patience and welcome us through all this. We're so excited that you're with us. >> Thank you. I am as well. >> All right, Hopington Education.
>> Moving on to some >> these are happy things. >> Yes, happy things. And we are joined by uh BJori from the uh Oh, hello. Thank you for coming. Thank you for sitting through here. You're welcome to come up if you'd like. >> Come on. [laughter] >> You need your moment in the in the
camera. >> You've waited all this time. >> Join us. >> And as DJ is coming up, I just want to take a second to thank the HF for their partnership and collaboration. Uh I've been working closely with them for over 15 years and year after year they help us fund innovative ideas and do a
wonderful job and make the experience for students and staff much better. So thank you for everything that you're doing for us. We really appreciate it. >> Yeah, absolutely. And I'm pleased to be the first person here who's not asking for [laughter] like much happier. >> I will go through the two grants and if
you have any questions for for BJ M. The first grant uh supports a walking classroom at the middle school. Uh, this program combines learning with physical movement by using studentfriendly educational podcasts and lesson plans. Uh, giving students an engaging way to reinforce classroom learning while
they're up and moving. Uh, this grant is sponsored by Miss Bailey Jones and Miss Conklin at the middle school in totals $5,595. The second grant is called similarity awareness through parolympic sports. Uh through adaptive sports, experiential
learning, and guided discussions, students will have the opportunity to better understand the similarities we all share uh regardless of disability. Uh it's a powerful experience and promotes empathy, inclusion, and belonging. Uh and that is sponsored by Mr. Parker, one of our wellness teachers at the middle school, totaling
$5,248,000. So overall, it's $10,483 is grants that we're looking to accept. So really want to thank the HF for their support >> and all the fundraising that the fundraising they've got to that point. I know that fundraising is a big piece of >> I think that's the community right now.
I still think that you know there's support for the schools and actually this is a great opportunity to support teachers and their ideas and we're excited to do it. >> Appreciate it. >> Sure. >> So we're looking for a motion. I move to
accept the HF grants totaling $10,483 for the middle school. >> So, if I could just correct that, it's $10,843. >> I move to accept the HF grants totaling $10,843 for the middle school. Thank you. >> Sex.
>> Hey, Nancy. >> Yes. >> Sandra, >> yes. >> Jamie, >> yes. >> And Emma, yes. And Chris is gone. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you so much. >> We appreciate it. and also for sitting through. >> Yes. All that >> problem. [laughter]
>> Now you know more than you needed to know about modular classrooms. >> There's more. >> Uh next grants coming from the board of trustees. Again, we we work closely with the board of trustees and and we thank them for their continued generosity and commitment to our students. Uh they
provide both experiences and resources that have a lasting impact on our students and staff. Uh they also have two grants for us totaling $5,000 that we're looking for you to approve. The first grant will help establish an assisted technology library >> across the district uh to support communication, play, learning, and
independence for our students. Uh it'll include play tools, uh toys such as adaptive grips, switches, uh and device mounts, and will be available to all students in the district, which we're really excited about. >> Uh the second grant will help supplement the grade six nature's classroom experience. I know we've had Miss
Bennett here before talking about it. Yes. >> Uh certainly one of the favorite activities of the students when they're in middle school. Uh this grant will help bring down some of those costs but also support students in need of financial assistance so everybody can enjoy. >> That's really important because I know the cost is steep for a lot.
>> Absolutely. So um both grants together total $5,000. So we're looking for a motion to approve those. >> I move to accept the $5,000 donation from the board of trustees. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I
Great. Thank you. Misella, you're on and welcome. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thanks for having me. I'm >> I'm pulling up. Yeah, we need the Apple TV working. >> I'm going to present the um AP exam scores from this past year. Um they're
quite impressive. Um so when they're up, you'll be able to see some of the data. >> But I think um it speaks to the strength of the teaching and the learning of the students. um because they're, [snorts] you know, they're exceptional really. We these are the highlights at a glance.
There are 619 students taking AP exams. The total exam number is 1,533. There are 25 subjects offered at the high school in this AP world. The average exam score was a 4.2 out of five. Um with some quite quite high. Um
you look at what is being evaluated on these tests and what the students are doing on them. It's um really exceptional. And then the number of exams scoring a three or higher is 96%. Which is essentially the qualifying score. They call it, you know, you'll get credit. I mean, every school is a little different how they're going to
credit you nowadays, but um it's really it's quite impressive. >> So, this um gives you the differential of how some of these courses performed compared to Massachusetts and the global um qualifying score comparison. So the
percentage of students who did earn that three or higher in calculus AP was 100% as compared to Massachusetts which was around 70. The global 65 I need to squint at that. Um physic which is my own slide. Physics one 100% compared to Massachusetts. Massachusetts 71 and
global around 69. Bio 100% compared to Massachusetts at 74.2 and the global 71.2. Psychology 99.6% 6% compared to Massachusetts 76 and the global 74.4
statistics 97.2 compared to 68 and 63 at the state and the global comparison. Anyways, um this one shows just how many students are accessing our AP classes. Is another slide later to give you a little bit of that percentage in a like
a whole class. So AP psychology had 20 225 students participating this year and 90 is that say 996 >> 99.6 earning that [clears throat] um three or higher compared to the state of 76%. Um AP US history had 130 students
and theirs was 99.2 earning the three or higher compared to the state of 83. AP Lang had 128 compared to the state um 128 students and 97.7% got a three or higher compared to the
state of 81. AP bio had 123 students 100% weren't earning the three compared to the state. So just to show how well the students are doing and how many students are taking the class and that >> is something I think the high school is very proud of because they have had more
and more students accessing these courses and there really is a breath of what the students can take and access. Um I think that's something they're very proud of and the kids are proud of too that they've been able to do And one little uh note about the AP bio, which is unique in Hopington, we have you don't need to take biology at at a
college preparer honors level before you take AP biology like you do in many communities. Kids can go right into AP biology. So to have 123 students take that class and then 100% get over three is really impressive. >> That is impressive. >> And the average score on that was 4.36.
So the actual average score is above a four. Um close to a five. Most of those actually all of those on that slide were above a four. So they all were scoring above four. So even though that's the percentage of the three or higher, they all were close to a five really. So
>> yeah, it's it's amazing. Um and then just to illustrate that it was across the disciplines. It wasn't as if it were just science, just humanities where they were achieving. It really was across the board that they were achieving at these high levels. So um 88% of them were um
above the mass average, 88% above the global average and then 96% um earning that three or above above mass and then same thing with the global. So in some cases it really were the outliers where some weren't performing at that level and there's a
variety of factors I think that contribute to that but across the board um you know I think the teachers are very proud of the fact that every discipline is kind of showing up in this way and the kids are certainly showing up in this way because this reflects their commitment and their effort as well.
>> Um just a couple of notes that I think are interesting. The AP lit course has increased its enrollment in number of sections which is interesting because for a little while we thought it was dwindling like it wasn't going to live the way the STEM classes live and more and more students are taking it and
performing at a high level. So 4.44 was their average score with 100% of them scoring a three or better. >> Um so we have more sections this coming year we actually have four sections running when three years ago we had one. So the numbers are increasing in a subject we didn't think would and then
AB psychology is also has always been impressive but the ch the exam changed last year and it was a shift toward um really it got harder. I think most students would say that the teachers would say that it was much more skill-based so they reduced the multiple choice and added more um skill-based
writing questions. So they were they were performance tasks almost. the kids had to read three peer-reviewed articles and then synthesize them and make a claim about it using this evidence, which isn't something they were doing before. So, it speaks to the teachers um >> talking in PLC's adapting their
instruction to really meet the needs of the kids when they have to perform that way because it is a much harder >> skill to teach than just memorizing. Not that it's just memorizing, but the old test was a lot more memorization. And the fact that 70% of our senior class
takes this class is even more impressive with the average score of a 4.48 and almost 100% scoring a three or above. >> So that one >> and Yeah. And you'll see those skills brought through to the college. Um they Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Because that's very much countless.
>> Yeah. So it really was um I think everyone was very happy although the teachers are so uh hard on themselves that some of them reached out and they're like my score went down by 0.04 and that they have reasons why know they are thinking like I should have done this I should have done this so they're
very hard on themselves when they see these scores because they just want you know the best of the kids. Mhm. >> I think it's remarkable how much work our students, our teachers, and our families put in because when students succeed, it's so often a combination of
>> our amazing teachers and their families being able to support that. So, it's it's really a community achievement. Yeah. Which is wonderful. >> Any other questions? >> Not a question, but a comment. I'm always impressed with the numbers of of AP exams that are taken and the number
of kids involved in it. And I know in the past we've looked at kind of the comparison of other districts and that even though we're not a giant district, we rank in the top whatever percent of numbers of students that we have taking
the AP and how many exams are going. So kudos to to everybody involved. Uh also I we talk a lot about differentiation in different ways but this is another way that differentiation is offered in a different way than we often talk about
to our students. So >> kudos. >> Yeah it is. And I think at one time I had didn't check this year we were only behind Lexington and the numbers taking which were much smaller than Lexington. Not that we're small but significantly smaller. And that was and we're I think
only smaller than them in the number of kids taking those vast numbers of exams. >> Wow. >> Thank you. Thanks. That was great. >> All right. >> So then it brings us to the end of our meeting. Actually, we don't have any old business. I shouldn't step. That's your
>> You want to do you want to talk about the old business before I >> Yes. [clears throat] the vast array of it. [laughter] We're good. We did have something from items consensus. We need to pull one out. >> The regular minutes from June, it was not the 28th. It was a different date.
So, we probably need to just move that to >> Yeah. >> the next meeting. >> You got it. >> Yep. Catch. >> Um, but do you otherwise recommend? >> Yes. Otherwise, Mr. School [laughter] recommend that the school committee approve items by consensus as listed in your
>> I move to approve the items by consensus accepting item EE. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> Great. I move to adjurnn. >> Second.
>> All in favor. >> We really want to do. >> We really want to adjourn. We've been here since 4:30. [laughter] Good night, everyone.