mute there. >> All right, good. Welcome to the Thursday, November 20th meeting of the school committee. We are going to call the meeting to order and we will stand for the pledge of allegiance. 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, with liberty and justice for all. >> Great. So now we'd like to open up for public comment. You can come on up to the microphone that's next to Ella.
Maybe she can help that. And introduce yourself with your name and your address. Good evening, members of the school committee. My name is Jessica Lim and I live at Saf Lane. Um I'm mom to two students at Hopington High School. Um and I'm here tonight because I care
deeply about the safety and dignity of every student and because [snorts] I want to support our educators as well who are often asked to navigate politically sensitive situations in real time. I want to speak about the recent incident in which students dressed as ICE agents um in which they were allowed
to participate in a senior event um at Hopkins High School. Many families, including mine, felt this caused emotional harm and created an unsafe environment for some students. Um when high school administrators allowed ICE classrooms on campus, it trivialized uh
very real trauma and signal to some students that their fear is something to be minimized or dismissed. I want to be clear. I do not believe our ministry is intended to harm. I believe they were na navigating a comp complicated situation in real time without clear enough
guidance on how to enforce policy in a politically charged context. However, it can be reasonably said that the students actions violated three existing policies. One, the senior event rules which required school approved attire. I've been assured um that the ice agent
costumes were not approved. two, the student dress code, which prohibits clothing um as stated in the student handbook, quote, reasonably likely to incite insight or cause disruption in a racial, religious, ethnic, or other context. Um, and three, the bullying
prevention and intervention policy, JICF, which prohibits behavior that causes emotional harm, creates a hostile environment, or substantially substantially disrupts learning. I believe the actions of student violated all three.
um and inter administrators could have interfered intervened under any of these policies but they did not intervention policy >> as I mentioned I do not believe this was due to lack of care but in the moment they may have been unclear about the line between free expression and student safety or may not have fully recognized
the context of the situation for many students and families for some of our students imagery tied to ICE is not abstract it is frightening and traumatic recently in our neighboring town of Milford two high school students students were detained by ICE, one on his way to school. So, this [snorts] is
very real. Even the Massachusetts Teacher Association called that action in Milford cruel and inhumane, reminding us that schools must be safe spaces in every situation, including politically charged ones. Administrators must feel
clearly supported and explicitly instructed to heir on the side of protecting vulnerable students, always without hesitation. In healthcare, we report errors not to assign blame, but to understand what gaps in the system allowed harm or near harm to occur and
how to prevent that in the future. So, I ask that we take that lens tonight. I I ask that [snorts] respectfully you as a school committee will one review how policies including JICFB were interpreted during this incident to understand what caused the hesitation of
the administrators to enforce them and make clarifications to the policies to prevent future hesitation. Two, I also ask that you strengthen and clarify policies on dress, symbolic expression, and student safety with explicit language stating that when students
express conflicts with the emotional when student expression conflicts with the emotional safety of vulnerable students, safety must come first. And three, provide clear guidance and training so ministers know they will be fully supported when they act to
[clears throat] pro protect students in politically sensitive situations. This incidence gives us a chance to make sure that in moments of uncertainty, our first instinct and our default is always to protect the students who need it the most. I really thank you for your time and for the hard work that all of you do
on behalf of our students and community. Thanks. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate it. >> Does anyone else like to speak? All right. Moving on, we [clears throat] are going to go
to re recognitions. Anyone recognitions? Maybe it's part of the reports. Okay, Ryan and Ella, you're on. >> Um, what's going on, guys? Hope everyone's doing good. Uh, so we'll start off with our sports update. So,
unfortunately, all sp uh all fall sports besides football have completed their season or have been knocked out of the playoffs. Uh which you know kind of sucks because obviously I want to go watch games in support. But uh yeah uh football does have a game though. They have their last game on Thanksgiving. So
that's going to be big hopefully. Um I heard from someone it might snow but weather app is showing that it's going to be bright and sunny. So guess we'll have to wait and see. >> Who knows? Um girls football is on Monday. That's next Monday. this Monday, but the closest Monday the 24th
[laughter] at 6 p.m. It's seniors versus juniors. I'll be participating and if you'd like to come, tickets are $10 at the at the door. Um, and then winter sports tryyouts are coming up soon after Thanksgiving. Many of the sports have
been holding captain practices and students are very excited to start that up. >> Um, some other updates, we have a Thanksgiving fundraiser. It's uh support the class of 2027 by ordering uh a 9-in pie for $26. Uh it's loaded with a lot of great stuff and uh you have to place
your order uh by November 18th uh which was actually two days ago. So [laughter] missed your chance. >> Um and then they're doing tape a teacher as a fundraiser for class of 2028. So Mr. Spo will be in the cafeteria and
students will be able to purchase a piece of tape and try to tape him to the wall. Um at there's multiple costs, but it costs $20 for 32 pieces of duct tape. So hopefully that works out. >> Uh the fall musical, the Drowsy Chapron
is uh today at 4. So if you wanted to go see it today, you missed your chance again. >> Have any other timely [laughter] announcements? >> You can still see it? >> Yeah, don't worry. Yeah, it'll be Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Uh, adults around $17 and
students are around $11. >> What happened yesterday? [laughter] >> It was nice out. >> Um, and then lastly, RAD SIM, which is rape aggression defense class at the school taught by Miss Mlette, um, was very successful. I was there as a
student volunteer, one of her prior students, um, just taping what was going on. because students are able to watch over their tapes, kind of reflect on what happened that day, um, and just learn from the simulation. And I also just want to plug, I'd love to increased
support for the program cuz Miss Mlette works super hard and kind of by herself. So that's >> that was yesterday. >> Yeah, [snorts and laughter] that makes sense. >> Great job tonight, guys.
>> Excellent. And now on to the superintendent report. >> All right, let's just pull up the screen here. >> You guys take the screen. Here we go. So, this is the superintendent report for Thursday, November 20th. I know we have a lot on the agenda this evening, so it will be
relatively brief. Uh, so on the first slide here, I wanted to start with something fun that many of our elementary students and families attended last night. Ryan, uh, the Harlem Wizards came to Hopington and the AC was, uh, packed with students and parents. Uh, it was a very nice community event. I want to thank
everyone for coming out. It was a late night. Uh, especially to our teachers and staff who participated in the game and a huge thank you to the HPTO for organizing such a wonderful event. Uh, parent teacher conferences have been happening this month at uh, all elementary schools. And I was at Marathon earlier this week. Uh, and this
display and picture on the screen here in the middle caught my eye. It's a table outside of Miss Davis and Miss Frell's room uh encouraging families to leave a note of encouragement for their child uh when they finish the conference, which I thought was a really thoughtful and wonderful idea. So, kudos to Miss Davis and Miss Frell. Uh there
are conferences tomorrow at Marathon. And also tomorrow at Elmwood, they'll be holding this month's spirit day, uh, where they're gearing up for reading, uh, where all students and staff are invited to wear Hopington gear or green and orange, uh, and they'll be engaged in independent reading for the first 15 minutes of the day after morning
announcements. Uh, at the middle school, uh, it's been a busy few weeks. We hosted the 10th annual Hiller 5K, uh, coordinated by wellness teacher Deb Pinto. Uh, this has become a really nice tradition over the last decade. uh celebrates health, wellness, and community connection. Uh
so, thank you to Deb and the rest of the middle school staff for their leadership and organization. The middle school is also gearing up for an upcoming school play uh Myth Understood on December 5th and 6th. Uh Myth Understood is a play where Greek gods and goddesses frustrated with how their stories have
been told take a group of students on a journey uh and tell their own versions of the myths. Uh and this week, many of our grade six students set off for Lake Oipi. I think it's how you pronounce it. uh for outdoor classroom uh we had a group of students go Monday to Wednesday uh and then there's a group of students
there now through tomorrow all have been having a great time all positive reports and I just wanted to thank the parents and the staff who chaperon and particularly Miss Benick uh who does a lot as the assistant principal organizing this event so thank you uh to her to the high school uh as Ryan and
Ella mentioned the drowsy chaperon started today I was able to catch the first act it was excellent uh the shows are tomorrow night Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. Uh we also had a group of student athletes along with Miss Carner, one of our coaches and teachers, attend the annual MIA Wellness Summit at [snorts] Gillette Stadium. They
represented Hopington incredibly well and they came back energized with some ideas uh to support school culture and student well-being uh within our captain's council. As Ella mentioned, we had 85 RAD students uh participate in simulations earlier this week. Uh the simulations provide hands-on practice
for real world safety scenarios. Uh these experiences build confidence in skills that truly matter. Uh and lastly, the high school will be facilitating a community conversation focused on reflection, understanding, and belonging based on recent events at the high school. This will be happening on Tuesday during flex block. Uh we're
hoping this conversation will provide students a space and staff space to share their experiences, uh explore how actions can impact others, and strengthen our collective commitment to ensuring that every student feels seen, respected, and supported within our school community. Uh from a district
perspective, we're launching two major task force this fall, the SEAL task force and the elementary literacy task force. Uh both in both cases, the goal is to take a thoughtful look at our current practices and determine [snorts] where we can make additional changes, supports that we need and incorporate
best practices uh to better align our work across our district. The task force is examining how we support students social emotional health and well-being preK to 12 uh ensuring consistent tier one practices and clear expectations. uh in the literacy task force is reviewing our foundational literacy instruction
interventions and materials to build a coherent aligned vision uh pre-K to five in reading and writing. Uh and a quick update on my entry plan. I continue to meet with many families and students and staff and community members. Uh I have a few more meetings coming up uh that I'm looking forward to. Uh some early themes
I thought I'd throw just let everybody know that are emerging. Uh first, it's no surprise we have tremendous students uh and exceptionally dedicated staff and a very strong community support. So, I think it's important to start there. We're building off a lot of strengths. But areas that we'll need to give some attention to based on my feedback at
least preliminarily, uh, student stress levels, health and well-being, um, elementary literacy and strengthening tier one instruction, uh, student supports and growing complexity of student needs, uh, enrollment growth and space considerations, uh, budget pressures and school safety measures,
and student behavior, belonging, and the day-to-day learning experience uh, have been common themes so far. So, I look forward to finalizing the listening tour and presenting these uh, findings sometime in March at the school committee. That'll be exciting. >> And then finally, in honor of Veterans Day last week, uh this week's top of the
hill spotlight recognizes two of our own HPS military veterans. Mr. Gates, who's a high school history teacher, and Mr. Joyce, a high school math teacher. Both have been with the district for over 20 years, and we are grateful for their service to our country and for everything they do for our students and schools each day. And that is the
superintendent report for today. >> Thank you very much. >> All right. So chair report payroll warrants S260009 and [clears throat] S2601
0 were approved. Warrants number 26556 number 2656S number 26057s [clears throat] have been approved. Um and the warrants are included [snorts] in your folder. I also wanted to mention because of the special town meeting, our December 4th uh school
committee meeting has been rescheduled to December 11th and that is when the discussion and vote on the 20 uh 526 no 26 27 excuse me school calendar will
take place. Um, and we are set for January 5th to just let everybody know for our workshop on superintendent reviews hopefully debate hall at the high school at 7 p.m.
Great. So, we'd now like to welcome our friends from the CPAC who are joining us this evening. >> Can I ask a question while they're coming up just >> Oh, wait. I'm sorry. I forgot leazison reports. So come on up and then we'll do relay on reports. >> If you has anybody reached out to you
about um the charter review and the having the school committee appoint that is on our agenda tonight. >> We are appointing somebody and we are appointing somebody to the committee. That is our task tonight and they are anxiously awaiting us
>> to do so. >> But it didn't get on the last agenda. All right. Leon reports. Is there anything we're missing? >> Oh, um I met with Jackie Murphy who is on sustainable green. Um she wanted to chat with me about safe routes to school
programs that are happening around the state. Um and she described the whole like the walking bus situation and the way that those work. Um, and we came up with some questions that she's going to investigate. And I made some suggestions for other town
committees that might be interested in partnering with investigating um, these things like our trails committee and other walkability focused groups. Um it was a lovely discussion and she will um follow back up with me on anything that
she's found out and she's going to look into if there's specific communities um whose school committee has been involved because as we talked about it we were like you know I don't know this is really a school committee necessarily. Um but it was a great discussion and
just that's an update from sustainable green. >> That's exciting. >> ESBC uh everything's moving along. um kind of recapped the groundbreaking, but um that's one that's on track. Nothing really major to report. And we had a um
an additional turf committee where it was decided the high school, Susan can correct me if I'm wrong, Eric, the high school or the athletic department will schedule high school fields instead of
>> parks and wreck. >> The building and grounds department. building and grounds department, right? Um, can correct me as well, uh, building and grounds and everyone was kind of on board. They think it'll be streamlined and there'll be more use or or or less wasted time on the fields and
potentially some additional revenue. Um, so >> sounds great. >> We'll meet again in six months. >> Oh, the building. Yeah. Committee is every six months. >> Yeah. >> Great. That's it. >> It's exciting. Wonderful. Well, now
welcome finally Jen and Melissa. [laughter] >> Now, is my presentation gonna go up? >> It should. >> Uh, Mike, can we come out here and give us a hand on the projection? >> She plug it in. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And did you duplicate the screen?
>> Duplicate the screen. Show me. >> So, we see what you see. >> That looks great. >> Hey. All right. >> It worked. >> Look at that. Yay. Congratulations. >> Yay. So, friends, good evening. Um, I'd
like to thank the school committee for offering us the chance to speak tonight uh regarding your Hopkins and CPAC, which is your special education parents advisory council. My name is Jen Holidayiday. I'm your CPAC chair and with me tonight is Melissa Shear. She's our vice chair. Uh, we'd like to cover a
few things this evening. Um, first I'd like to introduce our six member board and then we'll talk about our vision and our mission and our events and community outreach efforts and then finally our next steps as a board. So our CPAC board has a wonderful group of individuals uh
who each bring something different to the table and honestly if we were like Pokemon cards we would be like one of the sweetest decks. So I'm [snorts] the chair that's me Jen. I'm also the 18 to 22 program liaison and I've served
the CPAC uh as a CPAC chair since 2020. I'm a former orthotist. I'm a mom of two teens and a partner to a semi-retired service dog. And after three unforgettable terms, I'm stepping down and I'm hoping that somebody out there would consider running for one of the
most fulfilling volunteer jobs in town and uh actually one of the few elective positions that a non-citizen can can have in this town. So I joined CPAC because I knew uh the power of parentto parent uh communication and connection
and no one should have to navigate special education alone. So, next is Melissa, who is right here next to me. She's an attorney, a Hopkin resident for the past decade and a half. She's a mom to a middle schooler and a high schooler. And Melissa brings clarity,
strong advocacy skills, and a deep commitment to collaboration with the district. Next, we have Simron Carr. She's our secretary and high school liaison. She's a recent import from Canada, a single mom of two, a part-time tech and finance
consultant, and basically the Swiss Army knife of our board. She's already our go-to resource for special education, complex care, mental health support, and stock market advice. So, she's [laughter] all packed into the little tiny package.
Next, we have Karen Lamb. She's our education chair and our um our Hopkins liaison. and uh she recently returned to Massachusetts from Singapore and jumped right into CPAC with both feet. She's the mom to a wonderfully neurospicy
middle schooler and she brings creativity and problem solving to everything she does and she's actually the mastermind behind all of our scheduling of our parent information sessions. Next is the shark herself, Erica Seel. Erica is a pharmacist, a mom
of two, and the magic behind all of our community events. Her kids love Pokemon, Gabby's dollhouse, Legos, and water play. Basically, anything that can be stepped on, spilled, or launched across the room. Erica joined CPAC after navigating both medical complexity and
mental health needs. And through CPAC, she's found a healing and support. And now she works very hard to create those spaces for others. And lastly, but not leastly, we have Megan Oil. She's our media coordinator and Elmwood liaison. Uh she's a full-time working mom of
three. She's been a Hopkin resident since 2017. Um and two of her children are on IEPs, so she knows firsthand how overwhelming the process can be. She's passionate about helping new families navigate the system, and she works to bring clarity and warmth to all of our
communications. So each of us bring a diverse and complimentary ability to the table to help make CPAC what it is. So our vision of CPAC is basically being a parent is hard and if you're a parent
of a child with special needs the the it's a whole new layer of challenge. So basically you planned a trip to go to Italy you ended up in Holland. So you need to buy a whole new guide book. You need support from people who have been living there a while. Navigating the
school system can be overwhelming and that's why CPAC is here. What helped the most for me as a parent was making connections with other parents, moms and dads, who were going through similar struggles and people that I could lean on and understood the real parts of parenting and parts that might be a
little [snorts] too hard or uncomfortable to uh talk to parents of of typical kids. Um, you know, people that you could text, hey, my my kid ate a paper paperclip today. And without judgment, you might get a text back saying, well, mine ate a nickel. you
know, like he he you never know what somebody else is going through and it's nice to have somebody who actually gets it on the other end. And uh parents of disabled children often feel isolated and uh CPAC is important to me because I don't want other families to feel alone.
So our aim is simple. It's to create a safe, casual space where parents can feel comfortable to share the good and the bad uh without judgment. [clears throat] And we're like a a family, the kind of family that shows up that cheers you on and they don't mind if your kids making a weird noise in the
background. So basically, what is a CPAC? A CPAC is different from, let's say, the PTO. Every public school district in Massachusetts is legally required to have a CPAC. So we're a statemandated partner to the district
and we represent all families of children on IEPs and 504s in Hopkin. And as of last night, uh that includes 260 students on 504 plans, 621 students on IEPs, and 35 of those children are
placed out of district. So our mission has four pillars. The first is to bring together parents and administrators to provide direct input on matters [snorts] related to the education and the safety of students with disabilities. The second is to deepen the trust between
parents and administration by collaborating on solutions. Third is to provide workshops, resources, and a supportive network to empower parents to be their advocates for their children. And the fourth is to develop a sense of
community and inclusion for parents and children with special needs here in Hopkin. So next, I will hand it off to Melissa and she'll talk about all the great things we've been up to. >> [snorts] >> Yes, we have been Thank you, Jen, very much. Um, we have been up to a lot of great things. This year has been um, you
know, some amazing events already. Um, we offer many ways to interact with one another and it's important to note that anyone in Hopkin can be a member of the CPAC. Um, Erica Seagull is our master events planner and manages to mix things up in an effort to have something for
everyone. We offer frequent coffee chats at the library where we have coffee and snacks and a casual opportunity to chat about what is what was happening for you, the good, the bad. Um, sometimes we have guest speakers or advocates to get the ball rolling. Other times we're just kind of freestyling.
On the first day of school, we have been doing a breakfast at the spoon um because the first day of school is often a very stressful one for um students and their families and um could use a lot of support that day. Um, and there's a lot of great stories that come out of that
day to make us all feel less alone. We hold one family event every season. Am I going to um in the summer we hold an ice cream social sponsored by our community friends at Hapio. It's a great time to meet other families before the school
year gets going. Um, we had crafts and fro yo and a lot of fun at Marathon School Playground. We also just had our pumpkin um our fall festival a few weeks ago um where we had an apple cider um you know fest I guess and decorated
pumpkins and made mud puddings and which was super fun, lots of fun for the kids. Um we actually ran out of pumpkins for the second year in a row even though we got more. Um so that's a fantastic problem to have because we have a lot of community involvement. Um and that is what we are looking for. Um, and
[snorts] it means a lot that families are coming out. We also from time to time have something we call tears over beers, which is a caregiver night, usually at a local watering hole where we can get together after hours. More suitable to those uh working parents who can't necessarily make those coffee
hours or get a sitter. Um, we even did a regional one um this past summer and which we advertised on Facebook and got uh CPAC leaders from other towns to compare notes with, which is really powerful. Uh our next event is coming up soon.
It's our snowman Saturday. It's been um one of our best attended events in the years past and that's coming up this Saturday, December 13th from 10:00 to noon at Marathon School. All families are welcome to participate in any of our events as you know and any staff or anyone from the school and their
families who are interested in supporting the CPAC community and students. Uh we also um provide educational seminars. We collaborate with the district um often. Karen um has already been busy scheduling important
parent information sessions. Some of our education seminars are in person, others are online because we know how difficult it is to get out in the evenings for um parents in our community. It's an it's more convenient and accessible to do it online, but is often less personal. So,
we do like to have those in-person ones as well. In September, we did our second year of Student Services 101, which is an excellent opportunity to meet your child's team lead in person outside of the stress of an IEP meeting. It was held at the library. And while the turnout um wasn't quite what we hoped
for, it's new, so we plan to do it again next year. Um, and everything has been growing from year to year, so that is definitely expected to grow. We had another in-person educational seminar called Understanding Our Differences where we had an advocate and a representative from the Federation for
Children with Special Needs to talk and answer questions. Our aim was to have participation from the community as a whole and again we'll work next year to partner with other local agencies to get more engagement for this. Coming up, we have two more offerings that might be of interest to everyone. In January, we
have an evening with a neurossychologist. Um, and later in the spring, we'll be scheduling a talk about building connection and confidence for kiddos with ADHD. [snorts] Also important to note, any community member who is interested can attend our seminars. Many people might have a loved one with a disability and want to learn
more or care for a child with a disability that is mainstream. CPAC does not discriminate. Everyone is welcome. We have community outreach. So far, um, this year, CPAC has attended Pride Day because who doesn't love a splash of color, extended school year picnic,
which was hosted by the district, Hopkin Family Day, where we made custom buttons with kids, and [clears throat] CPAC was represented at every school's back to school night. And fun fact, Jen here, our chair, attended everyone this year, which was Yes. And that was a personal
goal and not an easy one to do. >> All right, back to Jen. back [snorts] to me for next steps. Um, CPAC is looking to work with the district to create a peer-to-peer mentorship program. Um, this is one where a child who's of high
school age can be paired with a and mentor a child in middle school. So, it's a little bit different from things like Best Buddies and Unified where you have a a disabled child paired with a typical same-aged peer. Um, this would be a high schooler mentoring a middle
schooler. So it might be a a a kid older kid who's faced the same sort of issues, struggles, maybe have the same diagnosis, that sort of thing. So it's a matter of like figuring out how to do that. It's just it's very new. We're in the beginning stages of feeling it out, but it's a it's an exciting project. Um
last year we decided to do something a little different with our year-end banquet and we invited both the teachers who earned an Inspire award and the graduates who earned Navigator scholarships to attend. and to our surprise, it was very well attended. Um, and we want to do an even better job
this June. So, um, we're going to try to partner with the district and hopefully the HCA and make this an official yearly event where we can celebrate, uh, these accomplishments a little bit more than just handing somebody a certificate, actually, um, celebrating them in
public. So uh we also look uh forward and to uh recruit more parent and student volunteers. Um we want to improve partnerships at the building level with administration uh with our liaison so that basically we can find more ways that we can help. Um we're
always on the lookout for ways we can support families. So if there's uh if anyone out there has uh ideas of what would it take to get you out if you're not currently involved with Cpek, what would it take to get you out? let us know and we'll see if we can make it happen. Um, and of course we want to
constantly work uh to identify the systemic challenges uh and work together to utilize our reach to get information to families and then get information from families back to the district and and the school committee. So next I'd like to talk about our very
favorite project that's called project shark and shark is an acronym for CPAC helps add resources for kids. The project is in its second year of existence and it's pretty amazing. We have special educators and related service providers. We get them to submit
a list of items that would be helpful in their work with our kids and it's not something that they need to do their job. It's something that would enhance their classroom. Um it's similar to what the PTO does to support, you know, uh purchasing items that transcend the the
operating budget of of the school. It's it's a little bit less flashy, but it's just as meaningful. Um it's usually the stuff that teachers will go into their own pockets for um to give to their their students and and you know, our goal is to support our educators and
recognize the amazing work they're doing for our students, but also to spotlight special education for the wider community because often we don't realize how much the school offers until it touches our family directly. For example, myself, I didn't know that uh
what a school nurse really did. It's not something that I grew up with. But in the eight years here that my kids have been in school, the only time I ever interacted with a nurse was when my kid lost his tooth and had came home with it in the little treasure chest that they
give you at the nurses station. And uh it wasn't until my my child last year uh just before entering his senior year had a surgery and was installed a G ttube and now he sees the nurse three times every day. And it wasn't until you know
I I got to see what is actually happening in that room that I understand really the the the impact that a nurse can make for a lot of families to just to pro to make education accessible for kids with any sort of medical um issue. So, our Shark system basically it allows
us to tell the community about our teachers and the community can give back by selecting items from their Amazon wish lists and purchasing them through there. And they have the option which we encourage to um put a little message in to the teacher or service provider to
thank them. And you know, um a small little note like that, I can't think of a more meaningful way to say thank you by giving you something that that would enhance your your workday. So, and you can also find um or we at the CPAC can also find classrooms for gently used
items. So, if you're not sure, please reach out to us. Um if you're getting rid of something that school might be able to use, cause and effect toys, that sort of thing, have something that can be easily wiped down. And it's so much fun to deliver the items when they arrive. We do a surprise shark attack
where we drop the items off when they're purchased. So to kind of on my end, I always wanted to be a flower delivery person because I thought it was the most like invigorating job. I think this is better. Um, I'll post a list to Facebook and our website and share with the principles and administration for their
uh, December newsletters because Christmas is coming and if you're looking for a great way to recognize your teachers and thank them, you know, beyond the standard mug with, you know, the coffee in it, uh, or a coffee card. Um, this is a great Christmas gift ideas
if you're looking for one. Uh, last but not least is recruitment. So, some people might think that they need to know stuff about special education to be on our board, and I have to say you don't. Um, when I took on the role, I hadn't even heard of FAPE. Um, and I
would hazard to say I was probably the least qualified. So, don't think that you need to know something. Um, what all I knew was that I needed connection and and I needed to the safety that I felt to know that there's people who
understand what I'm h having at home in my own community. And that's, you know, it just to know that there's somebody that you can reach out to. As our very own pocket Erica here says that what matters most about being on the board is not necessarily experience or knowing
how sped stuff works. It's what's in your heart and how much you care. So I encourage or I may I say challenge I challenge community members especially families with kids in older grades to step forward and help us support families coming behind us. If you've
ever felt that you're all alone in this I hope that you would want to be there for others going through the same. So there really isn't much to it. Most of the planning is done in [snorts] our very supportive and life um enhancing text chain. >> Yes, >> that absolutely she probably has to put
on pause through the workday because it's always going. But um there we we plan things over text chain. Uh you maybe you think your life is too unpredictable having a kid with with special needs that you can't you might not be able to give enough time. So you don't want to make that commitment. And
really we're all parents of kids with special needs. We know what it's like. Sometimes you have to kind of step back and and prioritize things and we just fill in where there's gaps and and um if that should not be a concern and that should shouldn't scare you off. Um
when it's hectic, uh we can cover it and uh many hands, you know, you think of many hands make light work. Um the more people we have helping out, the less each one of us has to do and we can actually do more stuff if we have more time. So, uh, look out in the spring for
an announcement of of open positions and our election will be at our banquet in June. So, that's that. Um, I thank you for giving me a couple of extra weeks um to to have this presentation ready for you. Um, I'd like uh to invite you to
reach out uh to us with any questions, visit our website to see upcoming events, join our mailing list, you can contact us by email or follow us on Facebook. >> Yeah. So, thank you very Thank you. And I actually just like to say at the end of the day, we all just want the same thing, which is, you know, we're here to collaborate with you for all children in
the district, though, including those with disabilities so that they can access their education, feel safe, feel included in their community, which is a big part of what we do, um, and reach their individual potential. And I feel like we've been a good part. So, thank you for that. >> Thank you.
>> Yeah. Any questions, guys? I' just like to say thank you for being good partners with us. you also helped us as participating in our superintendent search and our search for director of student services in the past year and that was immensely we are grateful for that. >> We're uh we're just as invested as
everyone else and who's leading our district. So we're very happy with the choices. >> What would you say um the growth of your events has been just if you go back a couple years or to when you started as chair? >> When I started CPAC was just me. There
is no members. there was no CO and they were basically going to shut down the CPAP because nobody wanted it. And I was like, well, if you're going to shut it down anyway, I may as well, you know, take a crack at it cuz what's the worst that could happen? And um yeah, we've
just been very lucky people coming out of CO and that are looking for, you know, opportunities to be around friends. And I mean, let's face it, our kids don't really meet like my kid doesn't take the school bus, so he doesn't even meet our neighbors. Like
the bus comes to our driveway, the little van. So when do you get to talk to other parents? He's not playing sports, you know? So it like CPAC really made a big difference for us because we moved here, we didn't know anyone. and ha having the CPAC just gives you that
community and and even if there's one person that you have a texting relationship with it can it can make a huge difference just having someone to talk to. So that's what we're here for. >> It's been really fun watching everything grow uh and following along. My kids are
older so I've not been not as involved. I only have one of them left in the district, but um I know when my kids were young and we were starting to go through 504 and I processes, it's you know, I'm a social worker, so you think that would I would come with an advantage different when it's your own
at all. And they, you know, I did not know about CPAC coming in before I was involved in the school committee or anything. And I so appreciate on behalf of all the kids kind of coming up behind my kids that you guys are doing all that you are. >> So you can close the door behind you.
You can throw down a a rope to pull people up. So, we prefer the rope. >> Good. >> Yeah. >> Thank you for happy holidays if we don't see you. >> All right. Moving on to presentation
since we just heard about special education. >> We'll start with special education bey >> and as uh Miss Bey's coming up just really quick. Over the past month, our administrative team has been um engaging in some really thoughtful discussions around the FY27 budget uh and guided by
the town's message for a level service budget. Um [snorts] we've tried to approach the proposals uh with that expectation in mind uh but also really trying to focus on our areas of need uh which include special education, enrollment growth, access and equity, uh
student mental health uh and a few other areas. So, uh, tonight we're going to hear budget presentations from, um, Miss Bey in our special education department, uh, Mr. Pson in our facilities department, uh, Mr. Lead with curriculum, instruction, and assessment, and then I'm going to present the central office buzzard. Great.
>> Uh, and then in two weeks, we'll have our building principles and athletic director and director of technology present their budgets. Uh, and on the 18th, December 18th, uh, with the joint meeting with the select board, I'll be presenting the entire FY27 budget. So, like to turn it over to Miss Py. I I
want to thank CPAC. They are doing an amazing job and really took me on board and very collaborative group and their events and everything are really well attended. So, it's just it's impressive to see the group and and all the energy that they bring to special ed. So, kudos to them. A tough act to follow. Um so,
as Mr. Bishop said, I am going to be presenting our preliminary FY27 student services budget. Um, this is earlier than I typically do it, so it was a new new adventure for me, but really a good one. Um, and done in collaboration. I do want to indicate that it was a lot of
hard work putting this together and being as fiscally responsible as we can be. Um, while also putting students first, >> so collaborating with central office admin, principles, student service, um, you know, administration, team chairs, and and my directors.
Um so with that um the FY27 student services budget you have the memo in front of you um does reflect an increase of about 10% from the FY26 budget. Um I would indicate that these the primarily
is comprised of the increases are comprised of salaries out of district tuition and transportation which is probably no surprise to any of you. um and really looking at how do we um provide support and programming to all levels prek I always say pre-k to 12
plus um to include 18 to 22 kids as well. So um that's what we're looking at. So um the second part of my memo really goes through um the personnel summary. I'm looking at um the increase at that point within the budget is about
821,000 um or 6.5% up from last year which includes um primarily salary increases um which is of no surprise. We did really try to think fiscally responsibly and what we would request to add as
positions. Um so you'll see that I have two of the pair of professionals outlined in there were approved this year. um but we need to add to the FY27 budget. So that makes up for those pair of professionals both at the middle school and the Marathon Elementary
School. And the only other new position um that I would like to put forward as a request um was also um conveyed by Abby um my assessor last year that would be anticipated for the FY27 budget is an intensive special education teacher at
Hopkins. Um, and the reason for that, just to remind folks, is Hopkins is the only building left in the district that only has one intensive teacher. Um, so we have all of those students in one intensive classroom. And so really, um, looking at the rise in student
population uh, coming up from Elmwood, we have approximately 8 to 10 students that would be joining um, that that group um, and therefore the need for that position is really required. When we go forward into the expense summary, we're looking at um for the
FY27 budget, an increase of approximately 878,000, which is a about a 21% increase. And really that encompasses the outofd district tuitions and transportation. Uh primarily we try really really hard um
you know to make sure that we are being responsible not only where we place our students but also looking at transportation and the cost of that. Um some of that is a little bit out of our control but some of it not so much. Um so when we look at transportation
um there is an increase within that 878,000 of approximately 371,000. Um what we did um put in there as well is an anticipated 4% increase in transportation costs. Um so that's added
in there. Um and really that increase is also due to more in district student specialized transportation costs. Um and also out of district student um placement locations outside a 20 mile radius. So many transportation companies will um increase the further you go out
from where the student pickup and drop off is. So um that somewhat drives our costs up. Um, additionally, primarily here in Hopington, we utilize Except um, one of the collaborators we're a part of, um, to do our outofd district
transportation and they are in the midst of restructuring. Um, I just recently joined, they've put together, um, a transportation subcommittee to really look at um, asking local superintendents and local directors to really look at the structure of their transportation,
not only cost, just how they do things. Um we've talked we've just had our um second meeting but talking about how do we um you know participate in ride share with local districts and and kind of bring that cost down. So just really looking at a variety of ways to sort of
make it um to to increase their um ability to transport but also make it feasible um financially for districts. So I am part of that committee and hoping that that will help. Um but due to that restructuring there are times where we're utilizing a third-party vendor um which is less cost effective
at times um when you compare that to what accept would provide us. And lastly we rolled into tuitions um which is the you know more of the significant increase to the expense part of the budget at um a rised cost of $534,000.
Um we have applied a 3.69% 69% increase to tuition. Um, typically by now, we were just chatting about this, we usually hear what that percentage increase to tuition will be and we have not heard that yet. Um, so we are going based on what we used last year and
hoping that they might even come in a little under that. Um, but there could be that that change um on one end or the other with that. So, and looking at that, we um also, as we've done in years past, really looking at using circuit breaker funds as a way to bring that
cost down for us and also um shifting some of the use of the grant that we have been using in years past, the 240 IDA grant, um to start allocating that towards some of the tuition costs as well to bring that down. Um I would say though, um just for information, we're
staying really stable at our out of district um numbers. So while our tuition and the and the cost looks as if it's increasing, it's not due to number of students going out, which is really great, right? And that's what we want is to keep our students in the district that they're residing in as much as we
can and as much as they're able to. >> We're just getting charged more per student. >> Correct. Correct. Yep. Yep. And and dependent upon um student need and what they need in placement um also drives the cost up. So there's a level tuition cost [clears throat] and then at times any additional service
beyond that that they might need would add to that tuition. Then the last part um is really looking at um a few things that we're going to maintain. So safety care training um is something that I know Abby instituted a
couple years back I believe um where we are doing more training over the summer um and that has been found to be very beneficial to us. So allocating some funds to be able to um provide that service for the summer um and pay our trainers and staff to be able to
participate in that. And that also really helps during the school year, right? So we're already coming in proactively with our staff trained um and safety care and able to help support students, but we're also not pulling student I'm sorry staff and trainers out of the classroom where then we are
pushing in substitutes and and all of that which gets a little bit messy and not really what's best for kids. having the staff right in front of the kids. So, we'll maintain that. Um, and then the final structural adjustment that we just wanted to make note of um is in the special education testing line where
there is an increase of about um a little over $7,000. So, 22 and change, 23 and change um up to 30 um is for um the cost of evaluations. So evaluation protocols um not only are we seeing an increase in the amount of evaluations
requested for students um but just the cost in and of itself for evaluation tools um is on the rise unfortunately. So we're looking at ways um possibly in the future to move to more electronic based testing um where that would then bring the cost down. We're not buying so
many paper products um but just trying to determine all of that with training of staff and and making it more cost effective. With that, that is my report. Thank you very much. So, it's a net of 6% increase. Is that
I'm trying to read through. Is that what the increase budget request is or am I or is that 10? Oh, 10%. Okay. Sorry. [clears throat] The >> salary increases where it >> Oh, that's okay. Sorry. Can you find where I was getting that? Is that typical
>> year to year? >> Is that typical? So, it's gone up a little bit from last year. Um, I mean, I can't speak entirely to Hopington, but yes, in speaking with local directors and job alikes right now, yes, that is a typical trend right now in special education.
>> Got it. And then Susan, would you know typical for Hopington to see a 10% increase year-over-year? >> Um, >> what do we what do we typically have? >> Yeah. [snorts] One thing that um we all have to keep in mind is the salary
impact of the um negotiated contracts. So year two of the teacher contract which is 27 um added an additional step. So the effective rate for staff on that
step is well over 6%. So salaries >> that's driving most of it >> that is driving a huge piece of it. out salaries are a big part and you see that in all of the presentations. >> Got it. But the and then the
transportation 20% increase. That seems >> overwhelming. >> That's not typical. >> Yeah. >> Unfortunately, that is what you're seeing in in specialized transportation. >> I was going to say it's consistent across districts. So I I wouldn't want to say it's you know it's not a typical
we don't want it to be a typical trend but it is something that we've brought to um the attention of even desi has come to some of our job alikes to talk about how do you help districts bring >> but that 20% is baked into that 10% overall right >> correct correct
>> got it thanks >> I was at an accept meeting with superintendent about 12 different communities we talked transportation for a hospital two-hour meeting so it's definitely a topic Is that tied to [snorts] additional regulations or is it just companies needing to pay people more for
staffing? >> Yeah. >> And to maintain staffing, right? So that is a real challenge for them is to maintain. So then they increase, you know, what it costs to keep people on staff. >> It too is the needs of the student on the van.
>> Correct. >> So it's not just the vehicle and the driver. Sometimes the the student needs a monitor. Sometimes the student needs a nurse. So there are additional >> safety aspects that are put on that van that also drive the cost.
>> Got it. Thank you. >> I had um I know there's been a lot of chatter about um kind of what what's going on at the federal level with the department of ed and some of the grant funding that we've seen and how that's um changing a little bit. And I know that Mr. abroad had spoken about some of
the other grants. Is there chatter in your job alikes and in circle that you are intimately working with for the um student services chatter about concerns about the IDA grant? >> Sure. Always I think there's just
there's the the unknown, right, of what will happen and and how do you manage that and plan for that? Um for sure that is coming up a lot. Um I don't know that there's a solution I can say right now this is what we would do. Um but definitely we're working as you know
area districts to kind of just proactively get our voices out there to the state level too. Um to say how are you going to help support I mean everybody is funding in a very similar fashion. So how are you going to help support us with that? >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
These are all parts that are impacted by federal and state law. Um, yeah. So, it's and the services we're providing. I think it's important for the public to know that these are all legally required services that we're have to provide. It's not correct.
>> Right. >> Well, I wasn't just to be clear. I was I knew you were not, but I just want to make it clear to people >> because sometimes there's chatter among the community about why are we spending right [clears throat] money. >> No, these are all required. Um, but to
your point, right, it's making sure we we're determining funding if if that the grants should no longer exist. Correct. >> Also just want to highlight that it's it first time that we've seen you here before this. So, it was nice. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Well thought out. Um, I appreciate all
the details. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Thank you so much. >> We appreciate all your work on this, >> Mr. Person. Oh, wait. Jean has a question. Sorry. >> Yeah, you come on up.
>> Sorry. Sorry to you on your first uh trip up here. So, I'm on the appropriations committee. I'm the le I'm the lead on school committee for the budget. >> Nice to meet you. Not to scare you. Um and a former school committee member. So, thank you very much for your presentation. And this might be more of
a Susan question. Um, I just want to make sure that I'm reading this right because the town is asking that you absorb the or reabsorb, cancel, however you phrase it, the uh special education reserve funds. So these numbers are net
of that transfer into your operating budget. So between including that with the offsets that you just identified, the net increases the 534. Is that right? Or am I
>> for um for tuition? >> For tuitions. So couple things um affect the tuitions. For one thing, we had additional cert we had an increase in the circuit breaker. So while we are not offsetting that million94 and parking it
in another funding bucket um the increase in circuit breaker was another 445,000. So that reduced that impact. Um what um Miss Bey also talked about was using the
idea grant which typically we use up in the salary and we shifted it down to the tuition. So that's another piece, you know, that you don't really see as much of a change in the salary because that's so large, but that also went down to
that line. >> Okay. Excellent. Yeah. I just wanted to make sure I was mapping all out correctly. Thank you very much. >> It's Susan's on Zoom. >> Yes. Should >> I have any questions? >> Yeah.
>> Susan, >> do you have any questions? large, but that also went down. [clears throat] >> We can't really hear her. >> Oh, sorry. >> Thank you very much. >> It's not you. It's the audio here in the studio.
>> Yes. >> Okay. I don't know if it's >> Thank you, Susan. [laughter] Do you have any questions? >> That's a great way to end. >> Wonderful. All right. Mr. Person, you're up. Hi
>> everyone. >> Hello. >> It's been a while since I've been here. >> Yeah. >> I hope you've missed me as much as I've missed you. [laughter] >> We did see the groundbreaking. >> Yeah, >> we did see you at the groundbreaking. It was fun. That was a good day. That was a
little windy and cold, but uh kind of an exciting thing, right, to kick that off. Um, I'll say before I get started, um, my building is part of the 18 to 22 year old program, so I get to see Miss Holidayiday a lot and those kids in that program. And it's probably the best part
of my day. They're, uh, so much fun when you go in there and the things that uh, >> Katie and the other teachers are are teaching them is it's unbelievable the work they do and the difference that you see in the kids in the four years um, from when they start in the program to when they leave the program. It's
amazing. So, it's a lot of fun for me. >> I don't get the student face a lot, but >> yeah, >> that's my group, so >> it's a good time. Um, so I'm presenting [clears throat] the FY27 uh buildings and grounds budget. Uh, the preliminary budget for 27 is um reflects an increase
of $27,899. Um that's expense and salary increase for a total of [snorts] $4,467,82 or 49 4.9% increase over 26. As you guys know, the Hopington Public
Schools grounds budget supports the different district's infrastructure of 120 plus acres of land, 700,000 plus growing um square feet of buildings uh to maintain um to maintain and clean.
The three key factors of maintaining the district infrastructure are indoor maintenance which includes all preventative maintenance and regul and regular maintenance of buildings equipment such as boilers HBAC units and building maintenance building
hardware custodial which includes cleaning of all district facilities restrooms auditoriums gymnasiums and classrooms and then grounds which includes the 120 plus acres of property 15 games, games/practice fields, uh the
multi-purpose turf fields, and we also have to maintain the equipment that maintains the building. So, uh trucks, tractors, and and so on. Um the personnel summary, um we're requesting this year an additional custo custodial
position at the Elmwood Elementary School. Um this, uh is kind of a a a two-prong thing for us. So, as we look to opening Charleswood in the next uh year or two, um 27 28
school year, um that building becomes obviously much [clears throat] larger than the building that we're in. So, we're about 80,000 square ft at the Elmwood School now, um with two evening custodians. So, those evening custodians are each responsible for about 40,000
square ft of cleaning. Um, so to help us with that building today, um, to get a a cleaner, they do a great job. So, I always like to say that our custodial staff does a great job. Um, but to get the building to kind of the next level, um, it would be helpful to have an
additional person there to cut down on the square footage that each one of them is cleaning. It also helps to cover cover for an outage, right? So if somebody's out sick for a day, um that would leave one [snorts] custodian to clean 80,000 square feet, which is almost impossible to do in an 8
hour shift. You're essentially just doing basics. Um you know, and trying to get ready for the school day the next day. So this person would help cover both of those things. It also helps us as we're going to ask for additional uh custodial staff in the future for the
Charleswood School when it opens. So if you take the middle school which is about 160,000 square ft and we have four evening custo custodians there at night cleaning and then the high school which is almost 200,000 square ft um and we
have five evening custodians there um cleaning at night um we estimate that we would need at least four at four I think four is what we we said at the Charleswood school and that school will
open up as 75,000 foot school. Um, >> so it's one new one now at Elmwood, but then a second. So an additional two essentially covering Elmwood's grades, one now at Elmwood and then another one at >> a fourth when Charleswood opens.
>> Another one at Elmwood and yeah, [snorts] >> we want to be smarter on phasing in this. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Um so that's the personnel the only personnel request for um FY27.
The expense summary is an increase of $52,862 or 2.5%. these uh this increase is to cover the cost of um the HBAC preventive maintenance contract that we have that
escalates each year. Um and the count the cost of ground service materials um and that could be anything from grass seed to fertilizer to you know the things we need to do as those costs increase. Um, also the repair and maintenance equipment account was
increased in this year's budget to align more appropriately with the current year's actual cost. Total increase for that for all five schools was $20,561. [snorts] Custodial supplies account was increased as well to get in line with this year's
actual cost and that was an increase of $8,725. And then the administrative building lease, I think that was just negotiated in the increase for FY27 on that lease is $23,576. Extraordinary maintenance. So, we talk
every year about extraordinary maintenance. And um for anybody new or hasn't heard me say this before, extraordinary maintenance is something that's outside of what would be operating costs up to $25,000. So, anything $25,000 or over would go into
our capital expenditures. So, these are things that aren't year-to-year purchases, but things that we need to do that don't fall under capital, if that makes sense. Um, we try to keep this budget at around $200,000
uh per year. um last year I think it was a little lower and I'll go through that at about 184,000 and that's why you'll see the increase of 22,535 or 12% increase this year. Um and that's including and I kind of try
to break it down per school what we're doing. So at Marathon Elementary School there were no extraordinary maintenance requests. Let me step back just for a quick second. When I when we do these um when we come up with the extraordinary maintenance budgets, I meet with the principles of each of the schools and we
discuss what their needs could be, what their areas of concerns are for the building. None of the fun stuff. It's always, you know, flooring or, you know, things like that. So, you know, I get the nuts and bolts um of it and that's kind of what we talk about. We also use
our school dude platform or HVAC products that pulls in that would tell us and again, it would be below the capital cost. So if there's exhaust fans that need to be replaced, those types of things, that'll pull into the extraordinary maintenance account. So that's how we come up with our needs for the year.
>> Sorry, Tim. That 200,000 that you allocate for that and you fell below that this year or last year, does that can you then use that within your budget somewhere else or does that go to was it free money or what is it? What's that? >> Free cash.
>> Is that where free money, free cash? Is that the same thing? Does that go into that or does that just sit in your budget? >> So the current year budget while he has budgeted 184,000, we'll use that through >> Oh, sorry. I thought you budgeted 200, but you came under that.
>> No, no. So we try to keep the budget at about 200. So we don't want to increase or go too much lower than that so we can be somewhat consistent >> in knowing what our ask will be every year. >> Um, so this one was a a little increase at 20.
>> Got it. I understand. Yeah. >> Yeah. Thanks. >> Uh so Marathon School, there were no requests this year. We had done some extraordinary maintenance uh this past year, but uh there were no new requests for next year. Elmwood School, as everyone knows, we're replacing that
school. We are maintaining that building um at um I don't know if functional sounds like the right word but we're maintaining the building to be safe and clean and a happy place for our students but we're trying not to invest too much
you know too much extra into it you know but if there's something broken we are fixing those things Hopkins school because of the ongoing project we had there um there's no we made no request for extraordinary maintenance
the middle school um will be our next I guess oldest school after we finish up these buildings. Right. So um so this school we we asking for kitchen refrigeration um and that's a unit that just in the calf for for serving um
restroom fixtures, ceilings, partition replacement. So, we're trying to we're trying to uh keep the building at a good again maintenance level and comfortable and clean and um you know that's what those requests are for. Flooring replaced, cracked, deteriorated
BCT flooring in classrooms. Um, so if you haven't been through the middle school in a while, you can see up some of the back hallways where the old BCT that I believe was installed in the early9s is cracking and splitting and and um, you know, as the building shifts
a little bit. Uh, it's just time for replacement of that stuff. Um, we're going to offset that cost with building use and I'll talk about that at the end. Um and then teaching wall uh replacements in classrooms which will also offset using building uh revolving
um and we can talk about that in that section as well. Teaching walls as you guys know. So currently at the middle school it was old blackboards that were covered up with white boards that were then I believe kind of white board fixed. I
don't know. It's a film that goes over it. Um, so all of that has seen its day and um, it's just time for replacements for those things. Um, you know, to help the students and teachers with their work. High school art room sink. It's just as
it sounds. They have an old uh, art room sink. We don't want to replace it with a three-bay sink. That helps fit the needs of that classroom. Additional office in the administration area. Um um as you know the buildings are you know losing spaces to you know
classrooms and and other things and you know we're really running low on office space for people. Um flame retardant spray auditorium stage curtain. So every at the high school every 3 to 5 years it's a thing that you have to have they
come in and treat it so hopefully they don't catch on fire. Um, and then it feels important, right? [laughter] >> Yeah. >> It'll do it for us. Um, districtwide, uh, $63,000 and that is to replace a
couple of, uh, lawnmowers, um, or lawn tractors or however you want to call them. And then, um, we have two well pumps that control a bulk of our fields. one of the well pumps. Uh I think the electrical
underground electrical has been crushed. So we need to do some investigation. Uh replacement of conduit and wire and then I'm assuming um a well pump motor repair or replacement. >> What do we think crushed it?
>> So it runs from the middle school under the driveway going out. I think it's just years of traffic on it. Um, but I'll be able to find out a little better once we can kind of put a shovel in the ground over the >> Got it.
>> Um, good news is we we have two well pumps that are a lead lag. So, we've been able to maintain the fields on the one well pump, but if for some reason that should go down, we don't have the backup. And when we hit the real dry
seasons like we have in the last couple of years, we're really taxing that one well where we could be switching back and forth between them. So, one will kind of do it, but two >> makes it better, I guess, is the best. >> If the one that works goes down, how quick can it be fixed?
>> Uh, it's a great question. It depends on parts, right? So, um, you know, our well company is pretty good about getting out, but we had a well pump on field 10 that went this year, and I want to say it took us two and a half, almost 3 weeks to get it in. And with the summer
we had, it really was a detriment to those back fields, >> torches. Yeah. Okay. >> Um, so the revolving accounts, um, buildings and grounds uses two main revolving accounts. uh the parking lot
revolving account um and the building use uh building use revolving account. Yes. Um so um this year out of the building use we'll use $350,000 to cover the one-time expense of the
flooring replacement in the teaching wall updates at the middle school. Um and this will still allow long-term sustainability of that account. Uh the parking raw revolving offset $60,000. Um it's partially to cover grounds
maintenance and then crossing guards. Is it salaries or stip? >> Salaries. >> Salaries. >> And that is my FY27 budget. Do you guys have any questions?
[clears throat] >> No. >> I appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you, Bill. >> She's the representative. >> All right, guys. Thank you. Have a great night. >> Thank you so much. >> Uh this has also weirdly become my
Thanksgiving tradition season. I think it was uh we're within a day of last year of presenting. So, >> hope to bring you pie next year. >> Gobble gobble >> if you came have cookies for Christmas. [laughter] You're welcome to come back. You invite
me on cookie night. >> Yeah, they're all welcome back. >> How's that game going? >> No cookies. Are you literally nothing? [laughter] I'm not the high score over there or what? >> It's all about talent, but yeah. No, I'm
nowhere near nowhere near the best. >> I know. This is revenant. >> Yeah, that's why I got to grind. >> This is Jul. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Goodbye. distract. >> So, uh, tonight, uh, I have the the
privilege of presenting the proposed budget that will, um, support the implementation, ongoing review of curriculum, instruction, and assessment, as well as educator professional development across the, uh, spectrum of the Hopkin public schools. The overall budget for the curriculum, instruction,
assessment, and professional development uh, line is uh, for FY271,90,330. This represents an increase of $73,299 over the current fiscal year or an increase of 3.8%. Uh talking about personnel first, the
total salary budget for proposed for next year reflects an increase of $3,299 or 2/10en of a percent. Um in addition beyond that in addition to that um there is a proposal on the table
to add a.5 FTE ESOL teacher to the ranks of our ESEL department. Uh the idea being that this position would target prek and K instruction. And we we believe and we know that supporting second language acquisition alongside strong foundational language development
in the first language uh supports students to thrive, which is why we're putting that recommendation forward. Um in the expense category for non-personnel expenses, the budget proposal for next year is $380,000. This represents an increase of $70,000 or
22.6% 6% um from the prior year. This one always gets everybody because the dollar amount is usually very small, but because it's so small, when there's a when there's a shift, the percentage is is larger. Uh for this year, um or for next year, I should say, um that money
is targeted in a couple different areas. One, the um anticipated adoption of an uh English learner curriculum, which is something that the Hopkin Public Schools has not had. um and we are finding that that is an unmet need that we want to
target in the in the year ahead. In addition to that, we have three uh textbook replacements that are that are coming due. One is for our geometry text. We use the same text for multiple levels. The teachers teach um in in in different paces and and ways, but they use the same text. We also are looking
for a new advanced placement pre-calculus text as well as a new advanced place I'm sorry additional advanced placement uh biology text. In addition to that, we are looking to uh continuously renew our middle school social studies text which is a hybrid
virtual and um hard copy text as well as some renews for world language uh virtual subscriptions that we uh renew each and every year. So >> wonderful. >> Thank you. [clears throat]
>> Any questions? >> Any questions for him? >> Yeah, feel free to uh >> be nice if it was 3% but at least 3.8 is pretty good. >> That uh personnel though percentage there that that's
>> the 210 of a percent. >> 210 of a percent. >> Yeah, I tried to knock it down more but >> but that was the question. Yeah. Yeah. Sorry. questions. >> Thank you very much. We appreciate it. >> Jean has a question. Yeah, come on up.
>> You can stay with us if you'd like. >> Oh, I didn't take a seat before when somebody was sitting in it. >> Um Okay, thank you. And um even though it's a very modest increase, very well done. I just have a couple of clarifications for my own benefit. the
English language learner um curriculum is districtwide, not just for the additional 0.5. >> Correct. It would be for uh it would be something that could be used prek to 12. >> Okay. And then the 0.5 um is there an increase in in student numbers or are
you just not quite actively staff now? >> That's a great question. Our numbers have actually over the last three or so years stabilized to around 215 students. Um what we have not done to this point is um provide what I would describe as robust service delivery and instruction
at the prek and K levels. Um and so that's something that we're looking to do. We want to really be able to parallel strong foundational language acquisition for that we would do for all of our students whether or not they are native English speakers or English is their second language. um we want to
pair that skill um with the the more discreet distinct instruction that comes along with language acquisition of a second or third language. >> Excellent. Okay. Yeah. Thank you. That was it. >> Just because my memory, you know, going back a year,
>> was it last year that we reduced u year before? Yes. Yeah. Hi Thank you. Thank you. Excellent. >> Uh jumping into central office. Um
before I I I start talking about the central office budget. I know that there's a lot of percentages being talked about right now and some of them seem high. Uh and I think you got to think about it's relative based on the the budget lines. And so when we come back in two weeks or three weeks to present the overall budget, uh I can assure you that'll be in line with the
the town's message of level service. So just >> um so I'll walk you through the central office budget. Uh the total request is about a 54 million uh% increase. Um oh excuse me it's 5.4 million overall. [laughter] Hello. Uh with an increase of uh 435,000
um or 8.6% from FY26. Sorry about that. Um this increase is not the result of adding any new programs or expanding central office staffing. I think that's important to to mention. It's really driven mostly by contractual obligations, uh, which I like to say is the people that make our schools great,
uh, and their salaries, uh, as well as district-wide service costs. Uh, so we can start with the personal service summary. Uh, central office salaries show an increase of about 248,000 or a 13.3% increase. And this might look high at first glance. Uh, so let me explain
what's inside that that line. Uh, the central office salary budget carries a set of district-wide reserves uh, that impact every school department. Uh this includes negotiated cost of living, uh projected lane changes, early retirement incentives, longevity pay. Uh so even though the cost of the budget within
this um central office line um appears to be high, it's not tied to any additional personnel. It's just the contractual uh essentials for fulfilling obligations to staff across the district. From the expense side, uh you'll see an increase of about 187,000
or 5.9, but mostly uh all of it is uh either level funded or reduced. The primary driver of this increase is one major area and we talked about it earlier with special education, but this is uh our kind of regular school day transportation. Um that budget has increased uh probably about 6.2 on its
own. Uh so this is the contractual increase with our transportation vendor. Uh and it reflects the reality of of that we continue to transport a very large number of students. I believe our number, Susan, correct me if I'm wrong, is about 85% of our entire district uh is on bus ridership, which is >> that high? I'm just curious.
>> Very high. >> It is. Yep. Uh, and I heard that at the meeting I went to accept. Uh, so that's a very high. So I'm >> curious what's typical. Is it 50% 60%. >> I know it's anecdotal. >> That's a good question. I don't know that percent. I mean it's higher. It's higher than
most 50 but 85 is >> a lot number. >> Um, so I think it just underscores how essential that that service is for for our families. Um, next is the school committee dues. Uh, there is a small increase in >> we pay dues. You're we're waiting for your check.
>> Yeah. [laughter] >> Yeah. >> It'll offset my 8,560. That's what you owe. >> Yeah. Yeah. So that's the increase. About 8,500. Um this uh it reflects update. >> I lost covering mine. >> So enrollment projections again a modest
but required adjustment that we have to provide for uh and so all other uh expense lines like I mentioned show a minor or insignificant adjustment or reduction. Uh so in summary for the central office budget um it's really
driven entirely again by the people the contractual obligations that were required of >> the whole district. >> Yep. No central office uh staff uh will be will be added to the budget. So there's no personnel. Um the transportation is the major uh expense increase like we talked about. Uh but everywhere else we tried to really do a
nice job of level funding or reducing. So happy. >> So you're saying in a few weeks that all these high percentages are going to level out at 6%. Okay. >> Around around 6%. >> So it could be 5%.
>> That's probably 8%. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Uh question on transportation. Um are we increasing the number of buses for next year? >> We are not. >> Um >> which for the first time in a while, right? So that is
>> first time in in a while that we're not adding an additional bus. So, I know in just this is not for question for tonight, but just kind of I I think as a committee, we've had a couple of questions earlier in the um fall about
people asking about being able to essentially take up two seats on the bus, one going to like daycare and one going to home. it we I know that the response had been that we were not looking to open that this year, but it might be a policy
that's potentially open next year. I'm assuming that would have a budget impact in that that's something that um would have to be figured in if you're opening the policy. >> That would be huge. You would be you would be adding buses. I remember I remember when we had the conversation
last time, but so >> I don't know how I >> just food for thought. >> Absolutely. And I appreciate the concerns that we're hearing. >> Also, from a budgetary standpoint, that would be a challenge for >> So that might be prohibitive for next year, I think. But
>> just >> is there a way to cost that out? How much that? I believe I I I'd have to go back and find my email, but the the total number of students that go to daycare,
you would have to add that take those seats and I'd have to find my email where I um had that number and add the number of buses to cover them. >> Okay. >> It was more than It was more than one.
It may have been more than two. >> And the cost for a bus to add is >> at least 85,000. >> Okay. Thank you. >> That's before hiring the drivers. There's that. >> So just >> Oh, that 85 doesn't include the driver.
>> No, it does include the driver, but at this time we are short five four drivers. >> Got Oh, okay. Gotcha. So, we have four buses that should be operating the camp because they don't have drivers. >> We have four buses that do not have a
everyday same driver. Um, what the company does is everybody at the company who's supposed to be at the home office drives a bus. >> Mechanics are driving. Um, dispatch is driving. So, but we have had a couple of days
where we've had to double up. So, >> but that's their responsibility. >> It is a vendor responsibility. Yes. >> And do we ever find a bus can't be driven because they don't have staffing?
>> And if that happened, we get some kind of credit. >> We don't pay for the bus for that day. >> Yeah. That has happened a couple of times this year already. >> Where are those kids though? I was just so they wait at school for the bus to go drop off one run, come back, pick them
up and take them on their run. >> And in the morning, the same thing. They just instead of getting picked up at 7:10. >> The morning we seem to be covered. >> The afternoon is where we typically end up. >> Oh, really? >> I not surprisingly have not heard that
out in the universe. Um because I imagine that for parents whose children are waiting at the school and coming home later there there may be some >> uh concern >> concern. >> I mean it is communicated to families so so they know. Oh, no. I But I mean I
sometimes when something happens, we hear about it directly from parents or we see it on social media or but it doesn't seem >> from what I've seen to have created a either being so well handled but it feels seamless parents or parents.
>> I mean what we do strategically is try to take the kids that are at a very close run um so that the bus can get back to school fairly quickly. Um, so while there can be a delay, it can be 40
minutes. >> And do I remember correctly that when attempting to see if there was another contract that would be financially better for us, there weren't other biders. >> We don't we don't ever get another bidder. >> Yeah.
>> Lot of collusion in that business. That's pretty good business to be in, I think. [laughter] But from what I've heard, this is a a statewide, at least if not statewide problem, the shortage of drivers. >> Yes, absolutely. >> Nationwide shortage of drivers. Statewide one vendor.
>> Yeah. >> I don't know. Recurring theme [snorts] >> recurring theme that came up when we were interviewing superintendent >> transportation >> cost. But >> kudos to Hopington for getting 85% on the [snorts]
>> bus because with the difficulties we have with traffic um downtown, particularly with construction that has goes on periodically. >> Thankful every time a child misses the bus and I have to drop off that they do actually take the bus most of the time.
And it's impressive obviously not being at central office until this year watching the communication that goes on in the afternoon around the bus pickup to parents if there's going to be an issue. It's it's really impressive. So kudos to Susan and Mike Beco and our transportation. >> Mike Michael Beco our uh transportation
coordinator does an amazing job. >> Really nice job. >> Great. >> Thank you. I had a question on the email you sent out Evan that had the literacy interventionist the assist and princip is that coming at a different >> Yep. That's next. Yeah. So that's going
to be the reading interventionist is from the middle school. >> All all those will be okay. Got it. >> So that'll be next time we >> Okay. >> Yep. >> But the Esau >> was >> in the custodian. >> Both of them. Okay. >> And then Jess presented the intensive teacher. >> Yeah. All right. Through the asks were
presented to him. Okay. Good. All right. >> Can I just ask one question? >> Yes. >> Um, and it's really just more so looking ahead. When Charleswood is open, what's going to happen to buses? Can you reduce at that point or
>> so it it it won't be a reduction. What will happen is um Marathon and Charleswood will combine um and then Hopkins, the middle school, and the high school will combine. you'll actually need more buses at the middle school,
high school, Hopkins level because of the those additional grades. Um, and there will be fewer buses at the elementary level. So, in total, I don't think it changes. What it does help us
with are athletics. we are struggling um I mean they're struggling to get everyday drivers never mind the um additional athletic runs. >> So when we have more buses at the middle school, high school, Hopkins level, then
the buses are available to do the athletic runs. Okay, >> which right now athletics is contracting out with another private vendor uh to cover runs that our our company cannot. Um, so it it won't really be a reduction. It'll be a shift.
>> A shuffle. >> Yep. >> Yeah. Okay. Well, that's very helpful to know. And are you are you at two bus runs now? >> Yes. >> Oh, well, that's changed. That's good. Um Okay. And um and what year are you on that bus contract?
>> Uh we just extended the contract through 2028. >> That was good. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. Moving on to HVAC design engineering. >> Uh thank you. So as we discussed um
looking at the capital plan in the um financial report uh in the last couple of meetings, we have the HVAC articles that have already been approved and were put on hold until we had a plan uh for what we
were going to do with HVAC at the middle school and high school. Um so at this time if the committee would consider using the money toward the design and engineering for the high school um project, what that does is it will open
up um to be able to apply for the green communities grant in the fall of 26. Um that application needs to have a fully designed system. But then in addition um the MSBA is doing their accelerated
repair um grant programs differently. It's every two years and the next uh grant opportunity opens up in 27. So again the the system would be designed and would allow us to also apply for the MSBA
accelerated repair um grant at that time as well. doesn't lock us into any decision. >> It does not >> what we're going to do. >> No, it [clears throat] it gives you a design. So again, >> so you can a decision would have to be
made as to what you're doing um within the next five years as CMTA has indicated for the high school. Are you looking for a motion here? >> Yes, I am. You like to move to approve existing HVAC districtwide articles for
design and engine. >> Sorry. Sorry. Can I interrupt? >> Question. >> Yeah, I a question. Where is this money come from? >> We have existing articles for HVAC and we put them on hold purposely until we had a real plan.
>> Okay. So, we have the money. >> We have the money. Okay. Or design. >> Got it. Okay. Sorry. >> Yeah. No, that's good. Sorry, I jumped the gun. I would like to move to approve existing HVAC districtwide articles for design and engineering for the high school geothermal watertowater heat pump
project up to $900,000 as presented by CMTA. >> Second. >> Great. We'll do a roll call. >> Miss Ranka. >> Yes. >> Yes. and Miss Stevenson
>> design and engineering for the high school geothermal water to water heat pump project up to $900,000 as presented. >> Yeah. Second >> great calling from
>> Stevenson. What? [laughter] >> Like there. >> Oh, there she is. >> Great. >> Oh, there we go. >> We need your vote on the motion to approve the design for the engineering for the high school geothermal.
>> What? >> Absolutely. Yes. >> Okay, great. And that passes. Thank you. Moving on to our charter review committee. We have the distinguished
ability to um appoint either a member of our own committee or one who has applied to sit on the charter review committee which will be starting in January and going on for all of 2026 to present at town meeting in
2027. Is there anyone who might be interested in serving on the charter review committee? >> I would be interested. I don't know if anybody >> second. >> You second, Nancy. >> Second, Nancy. >> Great. Wonderful. Uh
>> um you need to make a motion. >> Oh, yeah. [laughter] >> I'll make a motion in 2027 >> to appoint >> to appoint Nancy to serve on the charter review committee selection panel. >> Great. I would >> Oh, wait. Is that I'm sorry, Nancy. Were you interested in serving on the
selection panel or on the charter review committee? >> Charter review. >> Okay. Would you like to adjust your motion? >> Isn't that what I said? The charter review committee. >> Move to >> You said the other one. >> So >> make a motion. I move to appoint Nancy Kavanaaugh to serve on the charter
review committee selection. >> Nope. Nope. Nope. >> Charter review committee. >> Committee >> committee selection. Well, it says right here. >> There's two different a [laughter] lot for me. There's two motions. >> So, she's interested in this one.
>> Okay. All right. >> Would you like to Susan to get fall asleep, please? >> Will you make the motion? >> Okay. I move to appoint Nancy Kavanagh to serve on the charter review committee. >> Second. >> Wonderful. Mr. Masters, your vote. >> Miss Rona, >> yes. >> M. Reav
Stevenson. >> There's two motions. >> Yes, we are all Yes. And congratulations. >> You will be sitting on. Now we get to point to somebody who sits on the charter review committee selection panel. >> Is there anybody interested in serving
on the charter review selection committee panel? >> I I would do it if nobody wanted to do it. I just didn't know if somebody wanted to do it. I didn't want to take two spots there. >> No, you should do it. >> I I think you'd be really good at it. >> I have too much going on and I have trouble with motions. You think I could
[laughter] >> You did really well with just a little bit of support. That was great. >> Motional regulation. >> Um, >> I make a motion to appoint Nancy Kavanagh to serve on the charter review committee selection panel. >> Great.
>> Second. >> Wonderful. Your vote, Mr. Masters? >> Yes. >> Miss Ranka? >> Yeah. Miss Richard? >> Yes. >> Susan, Miss Stevenson? Yes. There it is. >> Wonderful. We We enjoy having your service. Thank you. Thank you [snorts]
>> on both. All right, moving on. We are >> Yes. So, I'm bringing forward >> goodbye. >> Uh policy ACAB for his third reading in approval tonight. Uh if you remember at a recent meeting, there were some questions raised uh regarding the policy and and containing language around
addressing uh false accusations. So uh upon some further uh research uh with in discussions with our law law partners Murphy Lamar and Murphy uh I just wanted to clarify that while the policy itself doesn't explicitly include that language it is addressed in both the accompanying
procedure uh which is ACABR uh and we decided to include a sample template letter that gets sent home uh when an investigation is initiated uh that also includes that language. Uh and so uh we wanted to make sure that um we had this conversation and that these
documents clearly do outline expectations for honesty and the importance of of truthful reporting. Uh so um I'm happy to answer any questions uh additional ones that have come up uh with this policy. We have shared it with the community. Uh and so if uh unless [snorts] there's any questions or feedback, I'd look for a motion to uh
approve this policy. >> Want me to do it another one? >> Sure. Go for it. Make a motion. I move to approve policy ACAB sexual harassment title N. >> Second. >> Wonderful. Your vote, Mr. Mass? >> Yes. >> Miss Rona? >> Yes. >> M. Richard?
>> Yes. >> Motion to >> Stevenson? Great. And I'm a yes. >> That is approved. >> All right. And then we are on to items by consensus. So I recommend that the school committee approve the items by consensus as listed in your packet.
>> I move to approve the items by consensus. Second. >> Wonderful. Mr. Masters, >> yes. >> Miss Ronco, >> yes. Mr. Scott, >> yes. >> Miss Stevenson, >> yes. And I am a yes.
>> That goes forward. >> Great. Thank you. >> So, anybody? >> Um, I move to adjourn the meeting. >> Second. >> Great. Mr. Masters, >> yes. >> Miss Rona, >> yes. >> Miss Richard Kavanagh. Miss Stevenson's
a yes. I'm a yes. And we are adjourned.