Welcome to the Tuesday, October 28th, 2025 meeting of the Long Meadow School Committee. Mass General Law allows for remote participation at public meetings until June 30th, 2027. All votes while there is remote
participation must be made by roll call vote. This meeting is being recorded and aired live on LCTV. School committee members, when I call your name, please say here for the record. Nicole >> here. >> Kate, >> here. Emily >> here, >> Zach >> here,
>> and uh we're dismissing Jamie and Adam tonight. Now we'll do the pledge of allegiance. I pledge >> allegiance 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. correspondence. >> Sorry. >> Hey, I don't Do we have some? Oh, here it is. Sorry, I'm in the wrong spot. Um, an email dated October 16th, 2025, sent by Will Rome of Children's Environmental
Health Network, and an email dated October 21st, 2025, sent by Marie Sikman, Long Meal Public Schools employee. >> Thank you. Um, next we have approval of minutes for our meeting on September
24th, 2025, and our meeting on October 14th, 2025. I move that the school committee approve the minutes to the September 24th, 2025 and October 14th, 2025 school committee meetings as presented. >> We have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second.
>> Any discussion? So, we'll move the vote. Emily, >> yes. >> Zach, >> yes. >> Nicole, >> yes. >> Yes. >> And a yes for me, too. >> Public speak. Do we have anyone here for public speak tonight? Anyone on Zoom?
>> No, nobody on Zoom. All right. So, next we have business with gas. So, we have a special acknowledgement tonight um for the leaders of the smart group, the YES campaign for the middle school building project.
>> You want to? >> Yeah, come on up. >> Um so, we just wanted to acknowledge you and honor you. We know how much hard work it was um for supporting the initiative for the new school and getting it to happen. It took a lot of
work and we're really thankful for it. >> Does any anybody else want to say anything? >> Um I would just echo what uh Michaela had to say. We really appreciate all of the leg work. Um it was a true community effort. Um we saw the efforts every time
we ran around town. um whether it was standouts um honks that we heard um in our backyard as cars passed by um on Facebook and Instagram across social media. So, it truly took a village and we appreciate all you did to organize the grassroots campaign around this
incredible project. Thank you, >> Nicole. Um just echoing what everybody else said, you guys put so many hours and so many resources into making this um genuinely accessible for community members um both in person and online and
that did not go unseen and it was immensely immensely helpful. So just a huge thank you for all the work you put in and and bringing this um across the finish line the way you did. Thank you. Really appreciate it. So, we have these certificates of appreciation
um to recognize you for your support in the Long Meadow School Project. The school committee formally recognizes you as friends of LPS. >> So, and thank you Michaela too. >> I was say I did say to Michaela that we ought to get her certificate and the
whole school committee certificate as well. But, uh, Ryan McCollum, Cameron Burke, I, you know, on behalf of the staff and >> and the administration, we're and and the community, we're really thankful for all the work you put into this. You were tireless. You were dogged. You were informed. Um, you were on top of the
facts and, uh, your communication out to the wider community, I think, helped make everybody uh, put them in a position to make an informed decision. So, um, eternally grateful to both of you for your for your incredible support of the project. So, thank you so much. I wanted to say too, I I know that this
was a very um sorry, contentious this was a a tough um subject. There were a lot of strong feelings about the middle school building project and um even though there was opposition, you never let that slow you down. You kept going. You kept a very positive campaign and so it was just like incredible to watch.
Thank you. >> And thank you all. I mean, thanks to the school committee and the superintendent. um you all help make the case easier and so communicating your what all your efforts and all the the school building committee and the folks have been
working on it for a long time made it very helpful as Zach said it was you know a village and it was a grassroots effort so you know we helped organize it but it was really the community as a whole that came together but thank you all for your support and you know I echo
what Ryan said all the work that you guys put into this we were just able to help disseminate that to the voters and encourage them to come out and vote, but we didn't do the heavy lifting that was done ahead of us. It was, you know, a compact amount of time and I'm back to
parenting my children, but you know, it was harder, but it was it was a lot of fun and it was, you know, fact-based and and positive overall. So, really appreciative. >> We'll turn this into a photo.
Thank you. >> This is great. >> Thank you. What? This isn't exciting enough for you. >> Enjoy your nights. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Thanks. >> All right. Next up, we have the chair
report. So, I just wanted to say congratulations to all the LPS fall athletes and coaches across every team. It's been awesome watching the games and especially hearing all the cheers when I walk by or bike with my kids. Um, special shout out
to all the teams that advanced to the playoffs. Win or lose, we're all really proud of you and cheering for you. Looking ahead to November, um we have an annual meeting coming up on November 4th at 7 at Long Meadow High School. And the
second week in November is elementary conferences. And uh watch your email because if you have elementary school kids, things are a little different. So keep your eye out for updates from your school's principles. And that's all I have.
um chair report I mean other committee sorry >> other committee member announcements and recognitions all right seeing none we'll move on to the superintendent report >> uh couple items uh thanks for uh reminding us of upcoming conference
season and I call it a conference season uh intentionally we're we're trying to introduce a >> an approach that allows for some more flexibility for families and for our educators so that conferences uh and conversations can be had when they uh
are most important to kids. And so our educators have uh are certainly willing to uh meet with families um via Zoom, via phone, via in-person meetings at a time uh that is mutually convenient for
everybody. So uh we're excited to uh introduce that new approach. We think it's a more modern, more flexible approach to conferencing. And so, uh, we're we're excited to get that off the ground. And we've tried to be very clear in our communication with families, um, around the conferences, but we still do
have the fixed dates for those that, uh, rely on those. So, um, we'll continue with that effort. Uh, we have a reminder, we have our no place for hate um, uh, ceremony on Thursday here at Long Meadow High School. So, the high school, like the two middle schools, is
receiving a no place for hate designation from the American Defamation League. And so that's on Thursday if the committee is available. Uh we'd love to have you. Uh it's immediately after school. And then uh tomorrow we have an orientation for our newest members of
the committee. Um so it's an opportunity for newest members of the committee to meet with um the attorneys from Murphy, Hessie, Tumi, and Leah Hane just to kind of get further oriented. I know you've uh hit the ground running, but to get further oriented to things like the open meeting law and public records
requirements and the roles and responsibilities of the school committee. So, uh we're looking forward to that. Tammy has asked if she could participate and join as well. I think there'll be some there's always some learning for everybody who participates. So, that's tomorrow afternoon. So, yeah, that's all I have.
>> Great. Um LPVEC. >> Yes. See, >> so we met um on October 15th. Um there is still um a significant issue with uh bus drivers. Um
and um Lello actually now is um considering hiring or has hired some private um bus company which has caused a little bit of consternation because they are part of the collaborative. Um
one of the questions was I don't know if we have any complaints. >> It's been um this year compared to last year's probably compared to recent years has been fairly smooth I'd say. uh we haven't been as impacted by the shortages as some of the other
communities. So different communities have buses coming out of different garages and and the drivers uh have designated routes that they bid on. So I know Lello is struggling this year. Last year Homeraham had a had a challenging situation, but uh one it's been it's
been much better this year I'd say for us. But I know Lenllo has um looked into um having some of their roots covered by a different contractor. So we're trying to keep our eyes on that. >> Yeah. And so to that point, uh one of the decisions we actually voted on at
this meeting was um to offer um some financial referrals uh to um to get uh referrals for bus drivers. So, we're offering um $200 referral to anybody who
refers someone who stays for five months and then an additional $600 if that person stays on the route for up to 10 months for at 10 months. >> Yeah. >> So, um we're hoping that something like that might help. Um there's also um open house coming up
and I think I saw an email coming out of um Long Meadow. Um I guess the state has moved up the deadline for um applications to March 1st. So there's an open house on November 25th and then also on February 10th.
Um and then also um we have people who are interested and or kids who are interested, there's a holiday haircut >> on uh November 26th from 10 to 2 for
males and for females. Monarch School of um barbering is going to be there and um the um I forget who the the beauty shop is, but anyway, it's free
and if anybody has wants a free haircut or has need to have their kids get a haircut, it's a great opportunity. It's right before the holidays. >> We'll put the flyer up on our community. >> Yeah. Do you have the flyer? >> We do. Yeah, we have it electronically. And then on November 11th, um there's um
a Veterans Day blood drive from 10 to 2 at the collaborative. That's it. Um there's no update from the board of governors. >> We don't meet again until November.
>> Okay, great. Thanks, Emily. >> So, Seal, there's a meeting coming up on November 12th. It's Zoom and it's at 700 p.m. and it's run by the Federation of Children with Special Needs and the topic is basic rights and understanding the IEP and it's usually presented by a
really experienced advocate in the state and always attended by really supportive parents that are experienced with IEPs as well as a lot of LPS administrators like the director of special ed Nicole Paris Crow. So, if you're available, you
should zoom in. Um, and at least just listen to the information. That's all I have for that. Energy and sustainability also not meet again in a few weeks. >> And then is did I miss the student representative? >> Nope. Danica is probably ready to go.
>> Yes. So, we started off last week um really strong with the college fair which was a lot of fun. I got to um ask a ton of colleges there questions and learn about all the different options that there were out there. And then all week was spirit week. My personal
favorite was Adam Sandler day and everyone uh well a good number of people participated. So it was really great to see all the school spirit. Um and then on Thursday there was the homecoming dance which was kind of a new thing because we didn't do it last year but
about 250 students came so it was a really good outcome. And then the pep rally was on Friday. There was a ton of different activities. is there was tugofwar which the seniors won. Um the rock paper scissors tournament so everyone got um beads at the beginning
of the school day and then they could play rock paper scissors throughout the school day to earn other people's beads. And then at the pep rally um students with more than 20 beads like went out onto the like gym floor and everyone won or well everyone like played each other
and then the kid that won last year also won this year so it was really exciting. >> Good. Wow. Um, and then there was the unified basketball tournament which I really love seeing everyone um, as a school come together to support them and
cheer them on. And then um, there was the teacher dance team which was also a great part of the pep rally and it was really fun to watch. And then this past Saturday was the Key Club Spooktacular. Um, which we were a little nervous for because we didn't have as many
volunteers as we had in the past years, but it still went really smoothly. A ton of kids came. Um, the like scare hallway was very popular where some of our volunteers like dressed up and tried to
scare the kids. Um, and then the 28th through the 30th, the distraology trailer is going to be outside so seniors can participate like who have their driver's license. Um, it's a driving under the influence um
experiment so they use like drunk driving goggles um to test what the effects are. And then the no place for hate ceremony will be on the 30th at 2:15 p.m. in SMB. Um and because our
school is being recognized by the Anti-Defamation League because of the activities that we do um to include all students in Stop Bias and Hate. And then on Friday is the end of quarter 1. And that's about it. >> Thank you. >> Any um comments or anything? Anyone want
to say anything to Donna student? Sounds like a fun spirit week. >> Yeah, it does. It was a lot of fun. >> I can't believe the same guy went twice. >> Yeah. >> Very impressive. >> All right. Um, moving on to our subcommittee reports. We have the curriculum subcommittee.
>> I will tackle that one. So, uh, we had a lot in curriculum sub this time. Um, we covered a lot of different topics. Um, starting with, um, CLA, our elementary literacy, um, program. Um, we were given some data that shows significant gains,
especially for our youngest grades, um, who've been with CQLA for their whole elementary school experience. Um, so that was excellent. Um, 89% of the grade 1 students were, um, above the benchmark by end of year. So that's
amazing. And 88% at kindergarten, 81 at second grade. So definitely that is going well with the early literacy data there. Um we also talked about the exploration studio which is a program over at center school that is um a sort
of combination of steam with um SEAL focus. Um and we also heard a little bit about how they have been incorporating that focus using some of the Yale ruler things like classroom charter um talking about some different calming techniques and also finding some really cool
connections to CKLA um as well. We heard some uh information about some great lessons and talked about maybe having um that program maybe come over and do a little presentation at some point for the whole committee about the um CLA and STEAM program. Um we also talked about
the competency determination um in Massachusetts, the new competency determination and what that looks like. So, moving out of the era of students needing to pass high school MCCAST exams in English language arts, mathematics, and science technology, and into this
competency um determination instead and what that approved coursework will look like and our sort of initial um pass at this, the anticipated LHS one would match up with what the DESIE recommendations are kind of following along with the LHS graduation requirements, but with some minor
adjustments to make sure that it's on the same path. half as what Jessie's recommendation is. We got an early overview of 2025 MCCAST results and um our curriculum director Beth Nelson is um ready and able to join us at a future
meeting if folks would like to do a deeper dive on that. We also have that information um in our packet um and in nice graphic forms where you can easily see all the data organized in a aesthetically pleasing way. Um, so you can look that over and if there's any
questions, um, or if any interest, um, Beth is welcome to join us another time. Um, we talked about, where did I go next? Oh, professional development. Um, so our prof Oh, no, wait. Did I go buy something? I went by curriculum reviews. Okay, curriculum reviews was very
exciting. I can't believe that's the one I forgot. So, um, we've been talking for a couple of years in curriculum sub about how it would be really helpful to have a curriculum review cycle that very clearly maps out exactly what curriculums are up for review at which years to help with planning in the
financial um, part of our job as school committee. Um, knowing when we might need to fund new curriculums for different things. And, um, Beth put together an amazing curriculum review cycle. You can see it right here on the page um, if you would like to check it out. um that takes all of the
curriculums from ELA and elementary through math and social sciences etc. and everything is broken down into what years each of them would be in which phase. So there's four phases here. Uh phase one, self-study and action
planning, two developing and redesigning. Phase three is broken up into um three different years worth of monitoring and implementing. Um that's kind of where we are right now. We're in year two of moni uh implementation and monitoring with CKLA. Um and then finally in phase four evaluating and
seeing what the next uh self-study cycle might mean, looking at those findings and figuring out where we go next. So really, really helpful to see that sort of laid out and to know what we'll be looking at in the coming years. Okay, professional development was
another topic that we looked at. Um there are new professional development committees um in the uh mix this year. there's a representative from each of the six schools um so that there can be more um partnership along with staff
members about what kind of professional development and also a um Bay path uh college partnership that's in place to talk about some um training on universal design for learning um and ways for us to move that forward to the next level.
That's been something that's been kind of on the radar of the committee and something that's been a huge part of everybody's improvement plans, evaluation cycles, um, professional development for years now. So, some good conversations about how to move that on
to the next level. Um, and then finally, we closed out with preschool curriculum. Um, so with our preschool curriculum, of course, we're seeing a lot of good successes with the full day preschool that's going well. Um, and then just talking about that um, preschool curriculum and ways that we're seeing
the continuity there. So, they're using a version of Bridges that is more play-based exploration of math and sets them up well for the introduction in kindergarten to the Bridges math curriculum we have. And then a few different ELA curriculums focused on
learning letters, phonics, um, etc. that are a good foundation to the CKLA that they'll be transitioning to when they head into kindergarten. There were a lot of things. There's way more data um to look at here. And any questions anyone has and or if there's
anything that I skimmed over that anyone else wants to add? >> No. >> No. You you took an hourong presentation and condensed that down really really well. >> Is not always my strong suit. So, >> did you great. All right. Next is the
evaluation subcommittee. Uh we met last Thursday October 19th to review Dr. OSHA's annual evaluation goals um which will be presented to the whole committee later in tonight's agenda under new business so we can discuss it then
>> finance subcommittee >> I think you're taking this one right >> happy to take it finance sub met last Wednesday um there are a number of items in your packet >> for consideration for the school committee the first is um a
recommendation by the finance and sub to approve the FY26 grants and special revenue revisions number one. So, this would be an amendment to our FY26 budget to recognize an additional $174,000
in grants. Uh the amount reflect um a memo that was approved earlier this year when the school committee accepted the awards for the FY26 grants. And so now we're just adjusting the budget to reflect the actual award amounts compared to what we plan for in the
budget based on uh our best guesses for what the allocations may be. And it also goes line by line in terms of the actual allocation where we think we will spend the money at this time and then we need additional revisions as we get further into the year to uh revise those
specific uh line item allocations. So, finance sub did review and has recommended that the school committee approve the revisions um in the document presented tonight. >> I move on the recommendation of the finance subcommittee that the school
committee approve the FY26 grants and special revenues revision dated October 22nd, 2025 as presented. >> We have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Great. Um any discussion or questions? Seeing none, we'll move to a vote.
Emily, >> yes. >> Zach, >> yes. >> Nicole, >> yes. >> Kate, >> yes. >> And a yes for me, too. >> Next item on your agenda is a uh request for um approval to submit a list for consideration to the town manager of
FY27 capital project requests. Uh so the document is four or five pages long. Um, page one really would be the list of projects that the district uh is submitting for consideration in FY27.
Um, and there are seven projects. Four of them are facilities related and three of them are technology related. Um, the first is for improvements to the stadium, field, track, and associated areas. that kind of goes along with the study that the town engaged in last year
in regards to uh looking for a recommendation on how to proceed with either natural turf or a synthetic field. Um, additionally making improvements into the grandstands and access for uh individuals who mobility
um challenges and looking at all of the ADA um in terms of compliance. Our second request would be for a phase one of carpet and tile replacement through the elementary schools. Um those buildings are getting on 25 to 30 years
old and so some carpets have been replaced but there are still uh needs throughout the those buildings to replace um some of that carpet. Uh the third project would be a continuation of some of the painting that uh has been completed with some of the federal ARPA
funds over the last couple years. Um, the town has been able to use some of that funding, but really has only been able to address common area hallways through some of the buildings. It did not get into any of the classrooms. So, there really is an ongoing need for a
regular allocation of funding to kind of go through and update the classrooms with a coat of paint. Um, I would say specifically the elementary schools, but the high schools not too far behind in terms of the buildings getting on, you know, 12, 13 years. um of age now. So, we're starting to see although it's in
good shape, I just think you know a coat of paint definitely helps um improve the way uh the building and assets are maintained. The fourth item is a storage container for the high school out on the fields to storage to store athletic equipment, track and field related
equipment um and like and the like. Um, storage is always uh at a premium in schools and so now we have to kind of keep some things in the hallway. There is uh some area under the esplan outside of the art and library area at the high
school, but it's usually jam-packed. So, some additional storage would be helpful. Under the technology request, there is a uh request for phase one of a two-phase project for replacement of our network infrastructure, which would be basically our wireless access points and
switches. This would be across all municipal buildings, school and town. The schools and libraries benefit from a federal program that will reimburse for up to 40% of the cost. Um, I anticipate
the project being somewhere between $450 to $500,000. A lot of it depends on the manufacturer we go with um to ensure consistency that the components work well together and the like. But um the equipment we currently have is is getting on the end
of its current useful life and with cyber security concerns and issues replacement is is we're getting to the point where we need to be planning for that. Um, the next item is Yes. >> Can I ask a quick question on that? >> Does the And I don't even know where
this project is at, but I know the town was looking at adding um a a fiber provider. >> Oh, yeah. Fiber for um >> internet. >> Internet, home internet. >> Does that have anything any impact on this?
>> Not no because that would be connecting on all the aerial poles or underground for residential use. This would be inside of the all of the municipal buildings. So all of the wireless access points and in the closets where our switches connect to.
>> So that has nothing to do. One has nothing to do with totally separate project. Good to know. We connect to a fiber loop in town. >> Okay. >> But that would be a much more extensive and much larger scale project that has been being discussed in terms of offering uh broadband to residents.
>> Okay. Um the next project is um requests for projection systems throughout the district. Again, I would say elementary and the high school are our priorities. Um a lot of these are the short throw projection systems you see in
classrooms. Um as they die, we currently currently are replacing them, but the high school has smartboard technology and those systems are a bit more expensive. I believe a replacement cost would be with the same type of technology is about $5,000.
But even if we went with just short throw projection systems, you're still talking somewhere around 12-500 per replacement. And I'd say there's probably throughout the district over 200 systems that we have in every class, you know, throughout every classroom.
And then the last one is for an enhancement to the LPD network um which will replace some connections for Westcom and building access um now that we have the regional dispatch operation in place. So those are the seven projects we're we're requesting. Um from
my perspective and I think I shared this with finance sub the network equipment is probably the highest priority for us um that we would you know communicate to the town manager. I think um the price tag associated to the stadium work will
be well into the millions and exceed the full allocation of the capital total yearly allocation which is about 2.2 $2.4 million. So um and it's so they really don't have the ability to fund a
lot of projects. We're lucky if we get one a year. Um, but I think it's also an opportunity to communicate to both the public and the select board and town manager the needs we face in terms of our buildings and uh needs across the district. So the remaining um pages are
additional projects that aren't necessarily prioritized for FY27, but theoretically would be something ideally that we would be able to address in five years, but they are some of them are really large. Roof replacements, fire
alarm panel replacements, paving of lots. Um, so it's we try to be comprehensive, but again with the limited funding, it's it's really difficult to think that five years we'd be able to get through this whole list. Um,
projects can remain on this list for years until it's addressed in some manner. Finance did have a conversation. There was a a a request to look at possibly adding some stadium seating to the uh field out here on the corner of
Grassy Gutter and Bliss. Um as a possible compromise, I I let um Jamie know that we might be able to add some lowlevel bleachers without having to possibly build a retaining wall and move
fences. So at a at a lower cost than what capital threshold would require. So um we're still in conversations about that, but um it might be a compromise solution to get some seating at that field. So So that is the list for
consideration um for school committee. The I think town manager asked that we have it submitted to her by November 4th. So we have it um submitted to you for tonight for consideration. Thank you, Tom. Um, >> I have another I just have one other
question. I just remember hearing at one of the last town meetings um an issue about the pool. >> So, >> is that Yeah, that >> is that already been discussed in an item that I missed. >> No, the pool work has been ongoing for
over a year now, I would say. um they had to rebond all of the metal components, so the starting blocks, the stairs, um the lift, and it ended up being more extensive. So, the pool was offline for all of last year. Um based
on a recent meeting with DPW, they are actually beginning to fill it starting tomorrow >> with the hope that it will be balanced and approved for use on Monday. Oh, >> the only possible hiccup is we're still
waiting for the handicap lift accessory to get delivered and installed. They thought they'd have it by the end of the week, so fingers crossed it will be operational next week. >> So, it is going to be functional this year. >> It is planned and expected to be functional. We hope for November 1st. We
might be a few days >> Yeah. >> missing that deadline, but I would hopefully say next week sometime. >> Good to know. Thank you. >> Welcome. Yeah, it's been a long it's been a long time >> really. >> Yeah. >> Any other comments or questions
>> or a motion? >> I move on the recommendation of the finance subcommittee that the school committee approved the prioritized FY27 capital projects list as presented and dated October 22nd, 2025. >> We have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second.
>> Um any questions or comments? Okay, the vote. Emily, >> yes. Zach, >> yes. >> Nicole, >> yes. >> Kate, >> yes. >> And yes for me, too. >> And the last item on your agenda isformational, but it is a um a financial report for the athletic
program for FY25. I would say finance sub has been having ongoing conversations for a couple of years now at least. In regards to our athletic program, um each year there is a report
that finance sub um receives, uh Tom Landers and the athletic director, Mike Capitasta, were present and were there to kind of present the information and a lengthy conversation just about the overall cost and how they've really uh
have escalated over the last three to five years, transportation in particular. Um so this document really is kind of a comprehensive breakdown showing how um the program both the revenue and where it comes from
and then expenditures related to each sport. Um and so it really is helpful to see you know when you look at we're we're not including the salary for the athletic director. program has
expenditures last year of over $830,000. That would not include any of the additional support that boosters provide to our programs, which we know is it can be significant also. So, um it's really an extensive program. We're very
fortunate to have um over 65% of our students participate in at least one sport um which is a a great percentage and our programs are very successful. Um the finance sub has um received some information in regards to potential ways
to look at uh cost containment and some revenue enhancements which we'll continue to discuss um and probably bring forward maybe some recommendations to the full committee as this year progresses. Oh you guys anything else? >> Perfect. Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay.
>> So if you have questions about this, please feel free to reach out to me. If I can't answer them, I'm sure I can. um get Mike uh get with Mike and get you the information if you have any concerns or questions. >> Thank you, Tom. Anyone have any questions?
All right. Next up, we have new business, middle school pathways policy. >> All right. So, uh, uh, your meeting on September 24th, I think it was, uh, we had introduced a middle school pathway
exploration policy. And this is mainly to meet the uh the desi requirement that we have an articulated policy explaining how we will orient students to the opportunities at the career and
technical education center over at uh LPBC on Brush Hill. Um and so it involves orientation awareness uh tours uh meetings with school counselors. Uh it's kind of a way to identify help kids
identify a potential career path. The policy also articulates the commitment to having u career pathways available to students at the high school level uh through career career exploration
activities through job shadowing skill building initiatives and and our internship program. Uh so uh it has been out for 30 days. We have not received any public comment. Uh it's a policy
that is uh somewhat based on a desi model that was provided to us. So that's for your consideration. If the committee wants, you can take a vote on that tonight. There is a November 1st deadline that DESIE has for these
policies to be approved and submitted to DESIE. Uh but I'd say if you have any additional questions and you don't want to vote tonight, that's okay, too. But um it has been out for public comment. I know we talked about it at your meeting on the 24th. Um and I think at policy
sub if I remember correctly. So, I think we vetted it uh a fair amount at in this room, but for your consideration, um potentially could be a motion to approve the middle school pathway exploration policy.
>> Does anyone have any questions or comments or motions? >> I move that the school committee approve policy IH AIA as presented. >> We have a motion. Do we have a second?
>> Um, Emily, >> yes. >> Zach, >> yes. >> Nicole, >> yes. >> Kate, >> yes. >> And a yes for me, too. >> Um, so next we have our school committee goals. So, we um all had a chance to submit
goal like ideas for goals um and then we discussed it at our last school committee meeting. So, it's on our agenda again um to discuss and possibly approve um school committee goals for this year. >> Does anyone have any
>> Yeah, we looked at this a couple weeks ago. Um >> the second bullet point under number one, I'd asked if we could put diversity in there as well. I think we >> Is it Is it >> It's missing. We talked about it, but it's missing. >> Okay. >> And that was my only comment. Otherwise,
I I thought the goals looked good. Anybody else have any questions or comments or things they want to add or take out of the pools as as they are in our our packet? It's nice to say that I recall in your meetings with the administrators uh when
we met in in sort of that retreat format, that joint meeting with the administrators, I think one of the things you heard was about um Chromebooks. >> Yeah. um it doesn't necessarily have to be part of your policy to address it, but I know that I think that was one thing that resonated with the committee when you heard from the administrators
that, you know, they're they're u sometimes struggling to uh make sure that we have Chromebooks in students hands and that we're we're able to respond to uh damage Chromebooks, lost Chromebooks, that kind of thing. But again, doesn't have to be in your goals
for the year, but I know that was one thing that that came up in your meeting with the admin. >> And that's something we were going to I think take up at our next finance sub. >> Yes. >> So, I'm not super sure we'll be ready to
add it to a goal yet, but definitely it will be something that we might bring forward as a possible recommendation at an upcoming um finance sum depending on what we talk about here. But yes, that is that is definitely something to be considering too.
>> Anything else? Um would we are are we able to approve it if we're missing the word diversity? So state differently >> as amended as revised >> as amended. So if we add in diversity and then also um No, I think that's it.
Yes. Okay. Um, I move that the school committee approve the school committee goals as amended. >> We have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Emily, >> yes. >> Zach, >> yes. >> Nicole, >> yes. >> Kate, >> yes. >> And a yes for me, too. Great.
>> Next on our agenda is superintendent annual plan for year 2025 2026. So, fittingly, um, as we talk about school committee goals, I hope, uh, as we talk about my annual plan and my goals for the year, you hope hopefully you see the, uh, the straight line between the
school committee goals, our annual plan, our district improvement plan, um, and frankly even our educator goals. Educator goals have to be lined up with um, school and district goals as well. So, my hope is always that all of those goal statements are pointed in the same
direction. I have confidence that they are. Um so I had a chance to um at a high level talk to the valuation subcommittee about a set of goals for the 2526 school year. Um I thought what
might be best. Um we have no one on Zoom so I don't need to share the screen. Um so this is the uh the annual plan. Um I I just for purposes of discussion sort of highlighting some of the the key uh
components of my annual plan. So in the area um there's there's sort of three components to an educator plan. This is the components of the superintendent, classroom educators, administrators. So one of the components is a student
learning goal. Um, and so as student safety influences student learning, uh, deepening the implementation of Yale ruler, we took some important first steps last year, but we want to expand the number of staff that are trained. And we also have school-based SEAL
coordinators. Um, thankful to the committee for supporting the creation of those positions. They're small stipended positions, but uh, it definitely will give us a chance to deepen our commitment to Yale ruler. We have sort of school and classroom charters in place at the K8 level. Uh the mood meter
is increasingly being used uh which is great. And so deepening our commitment to Yale ruler um district-wide initiatives around uh healthy digital habits and and and responsible technology use. So I've been working with Nilda to sort of plan some upcoming
events for uh community engagement, parent presentations, panel presentations. There's an elementary version of the film Screen Aagers that was recently released that looks really interesting that we're going to uh we're going to have a a showing of that film
uh here in town sometime in January. Um school security drills. Um we are starting to hit a good cadence with our school security drills and we want to stay committed to that. Our intention is always to sort of um it's not really
reflected here, but to up the complexity of those school security drills just to sort of increasingly get staff to practice that avoid, deny, defend response. Um staff and administrative
training on uh preventing and responding to acts of hate, bias, bullying, and harassment. So, this is a a really critical part of our district improvement plan to make sure that we are building capacity all the time to respond to acts of hate and bias in our
schools. And the no place for hate designation uh that Long Meadow High is achieving is is a good evidence that I think we're making some headway there. But we want to stay committed to that and and continue with training. Um in the another student learning goal
relating to uh academic rigor and reent uh relevance deepening our use of panorama. This is the the uh data warehouse the unified uh data platform that we have adopted and it's been a regular discussion with
our administrators to uh think about how we can use Panorama in very aligned and consistent ways and I our sense is that if we are using Panorama in really purposeful ways that it will align a lot
of our intervention work across all schools. Uh, in fact, it's on our admin agenda tomorrow uh to talk about that. Uh, Panorama is an important tool for us. We want to make sure it's synced up with our student information system,
Powers School, to make sure that those two systems are talking. So, uh, Tom's been involved with that and talking to our IT staff to ensure that that's happening. uh and then really having agreed upon expectations around how we're what data we're going to enter and
what's going to be available to staff when we're trying to come up with intervention plans. Um we're also making headway with some panorama um seal surveys um student and family surveys. So uh we're excited to have that
information represented in Power School in Panorama rather and accessible as well. Um, this one I had I I um I sort of put in bold print. Initiate a review of Long Meadow uh graduation requirements and
competency determination. So, uh Nicole mentioned earlier that curriculum sub had been talking about um how we're going to define the competency determination at the high school given that the MCCAST test is no longer a
basis for that CD. the competency determination. And so right now, because we have students that are sort of already enrolled with us at the high school, we we don't really want to change the rules midgame. Uh but I think it's time to start to think about how do
we want to define competency for our students, let's say, who are in eighth grade or seventh grade even, you know, and so I think this will be the year that we sort of initiate that conversation. we engage stakeholders to think about uh how we're going to define
competency. For me, uh it's about and again this is I think this is a communitywide discussion. It's a school committee discussion. of staff discussion. But for me, it's it's about, you know, how do we ensure that kids are getting those how do we really ensure that kids are getting those durable
skills that we think are important in the world in 2025 and and as they head into a world that is less certain uh in terms of what they'll need to know and be able to do. So, um that's a conversation that I want to begin this
year. It's a big conversation. And I think it's a conversation that will uh take place over a span of a couple of years, frankly. But I think it's important that I think it's time, you know, for us to in this day and age where, you know, we're committed to the VOG,
in this day and age where uh students have AI tools that will influence their learning and their career path. We want to think about what does competency look like? We want to take a renewed look at that. So, um I you know, of all the goals on on the plan here, I feel like
this is sort of the um the most ambitious uh in terms of something that could really shape um shape metal public schools down the road. Uh PD on universal design. Um, one of the things I heard from the
curriculum subcommittee is is sort of um how do we make sure that we're that we're that we're putting practical tools in teachers hands. We have been talking about UDL for a number of years. So, how do we make sure that we're um that we're really connecting the training to the
practice. >> So, um that's feedback that I brought back to Beth Nelson. We're we're partnering with Bayath uh this year on a on a professional development plan for UDL. So excited about that. Um the new approach to parent teacher
conferences, we we've been, you know, trying very hard to make sure that our communication is consistent across all classrooms, across all schools, you know, communication from me. We obviously are strongly committed to that parent teacher uh parent educator
connection, but we want to make sure that as we move to this new model that we're sustaining that. It's a important part of our our DNA. It's an important part of who we are in Long Meadow Public Schools. So, uh that's something that we want to pay be pay particular attention
to uh deepen our implementation of the district's curriculum review cycle and probably should have highlighted it, but it's that expanded use of highquality curriculum materials. Uh we have begun uh obviously with the CKLA curriculum at the elementary level, but we are going
to be launching that conversation with our middle school educators, too. And so as we as we look ahead to a new middle school, I think it's important to put us on that path and stay committed to that to that curriculum review cycle, which I know is is really important to the
committee. And then uh just candidly, this is a a goal that I wanted to um get to to a greater degree last year, but um I think the middle school project kind of um kind of sucked up the bandwidth a little
bit. But I really want to just make that renewed commitment to those having those for me personally those immersive experiences at the school and classroom level. So I'm going to I'm going to take another run at that. I know that's some some feedback that I got from the committee. But I'm in the schools a lot.
I'm out. I'm visible, but really want to be a little more intentional uh with that this year. the district improvement plan. We are in year two, but uh want to really make sure that it's widely understood, it's shared, it's reflected.
Um I I've begun working with a a graphic design company on trying to make our district improvement plan is something that's more visible or or uh something that's more um viewable, I guess. But uh that's something we're going to continue
to work on. uh but also want to leverage the superintendent's corner and regularly issuing communication that that really summarizes the goals of our district improvement plan. Uh the middle schools will will continue to be uh a
big focus um working to secure local approval check uh but also leading us in the design development phase that will continue right through the spring of 2026. That's the detailed design. Uh so
our work is is far from done. But I think one of the key pieces this year is going to be engaging town offices um specifically DPW, fire, park and wreck. uh all the town offices because you know
we're at that stage of design that really got to make sure they understand what the systems are going to be, what the roadways are going to look like, what the fields are going to look like, what the security systems are going to look like. Uh so police and fire as well. Um want to continue to leverage
all the tools at my disposal, LCTV, school tours, community presentations. I think uh we can continue to do that. Um the working groups, there'll be many many many working groups to uh work through the design process. Uh and so
those are already starting to take shape. Um as the design evolves and making sure that it lines up with our goals, our our vision um we want to stay on top of it. We want to make sure that the spaces are
reflective of of all of what we need here in Long Meadow. Regular updates. There'll be lots of deliverables uh to the MSBA. They'll they'll expect um regular reports and so that's something that I will make sure that we
stay on top of. Um I managing design changes, you know, you're at that stage where you just want to make sure that the scope uh doesn't creep. uh that we're designing this in a responsible way,
that we're designing in a way that helps us stay on schedule, but um scope creep is something that I I really want to make sure that that I personally pay attention to and that we pay attention to that it it we're delivering the building that we said we were going to deliver. There will always be change
orders. There will always be design changes, things that have to happen, but uh they should line up with our our goals. Uh we'll continue to get out and see some schools. Um and then negotiations, we still have some work to do. I wanted to carry that
over from last year's plan, but making sure that we we bring that to a successful conclusion with the remaining bargaining units. And then the third component of a district of a superintendent's annual plan is the is the district improvement plan itself. So
that I felt like we didn't need to dive into that. That's that's more well known. So, um, love your questions, your feedback, uh, additions, additions, anything that, um, that you want to learn more about or
anything that you feel like is missing that you'd like me to incorporate, um, I label this as a draft. But, uh, for your review and consideration and feedback. >> Thank you. Uh, I appreciate how you took an a plan and what what we talked about
in the evaluation sub mean it's really detailed and >> um comprehensive. Does anyone have any comments or questions or motions? >> Um, sure. Yes. I move that the school committee approve the superintendent's
annual plan as presented. >> We have a motion. Do we have a second? Second. >> Yes. >> Zach, >> yes. >> Nicole, >> yes. >> Kate, >> yes. >> And a yes for me, too. >> Thank you. And just know that it's, you know, of course, our work can go well
beyond the plans. We're not limited by this. So, as things come up, if you ever have questions, if there's um things you're looking for information on or directions that you think we should go, always open to that. So, appreciate the feedback. Yeah. >> Well, lots of exciting things on here. And just I mean to echo what Michaela
said, it's nice to see some of the things we talked about in Eval sub come through again, but also just really interesting to see it's almost like a little preview of the school year with all the things that are are at the top of the list and what's going to be happening and it it's it's a neat uh view of kind of what your
>> year will be like and I look forward to seeing a lot of these things begin andor come to fruition. >> Yeah, that's exactly how I think about it actually. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> All right. Thank you. >> All right. Next up, we have building use requests. >> Good evening again. Um, you have three
requests in your packet tonight. The first is for um a uh fun mic cat um road race on Friday, November 28th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for use at
the high school parking lot. The second item is a request from the Blueberry Hill PTO for their spring carnival and 5K race on Sunday, May 17th, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. And they're
requesting use of the Blueberry Hill Playground, parking lot, um, and access to restrooms in the building. And the third request is from the Multiple Scoliosis Society. Um this would um go with a previous request which approved
use of the high school for the start and end of the race, but they're asking for um placement of a porta potty and a water station table and so they can hand out water to members of their um walk on
May 3rd, 2026 from 6:00 am to 1 p.m. at Williams Middle School. >> Thank you. Does anyone have any questions or comments about the consent agenda? Building use requests motion
about consent agendas first and then I'll >> Oh, yeah. So, if you if there's anything you want to discuss, we have to remove it from the consent agenda. Otherwise, we can't discuss the consent agenda. >> All right. >> Anyone have anything they want? I move that the school committee approve
the consent agenda for the October 28th, 2025 school committee meeting as presented. >> We have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Emily, >> yes. >> Zach, >> yes. >> Nicole, >> yes. >> Kate, >> yes. >> And a yes. For me, too.
>> So, next on our agenda is um achievement and accountability report. There is in your packet MCCAST data. We're not go going to discuss it tonight, but it's a chance for you to look over the data and we'll have um Beth Nelson come and dive
into it at a meeting coming up. But it's just in our packet so that you can look at it before we discuss it. Um so if you know it's good to just analyze that data and come up with good questions so we can be prepared for presentation from
that. Okay. Um, next is ethics disclosures. So, we have two of them. Dr. O'Shea has an immediate family member employed by Long Meadow Public Schools. And because of this, it's it's advisable for him to
declare this and confirm that it will not affect the integrity of this services of the district. And the motions um here were developed by previous district council. >> Yep.
Yeah, it's a it's an annual disclosure um with an immediate family member working in the district. It's important that I disclose that publicly and and um uh confirm that it won't affect the integrity of my services. And so if this when I was initially hired in Long
Meadow Public Schools, um the attorney to the school committee had advised the school committee uh and me on on disclosing this annually. And so one disclosure um requires simply that the committee accept the um disclosure and
the other uh there's a potential motion to uh confirm that it wouldn't the committee's view wouldn't accept affect the integrity of services to the district. So this is an annual thing that Mr. Maz and I do.
Does anyone have any questions or comments about the ethical disclosures um or motions? So, >> beginning with yours, correct? >> Dr. I move that the school committee accept the filing of Dr. O'Shea's conflict of interest disclosure form as required by
Mass General Law chapter 268A section 23B3. >> We have a motion. Second. >> Second. Thank you, Emily. >> Yes. >> Zach, >> yes. >> Nicole, >> yes. >> Kate, >> yes. >> And a yes for me, too.
Okay. >> And now, um, do we also have to accept the filing? Cuz that was the You just did the or did you do that one? >> I did the accept the filing, but you reviewed the >> correct. Yes. Uh, the school committee
having reviewed the conflict of interest disclosure form filed with the school committee by Dr. OSHA as required by Mass Chap General Law Chapter 268A section 19. I move that the school committee vote to determine that the financial interest disclosed on the form is not so substantial as to affect the
integrity of the services to the municipality and that the chair be delegated as an authority to execute the form. >> We have a motion. We have a second. >> Second. >> Emily, >> yes. >> Zach, >> yes. >> Nicole, >> yes. >> Kate, >> yes.
>> And a yes for me, too. So Mr. Maz is in a similar situation and the following motions regard his participations and negotiations. >> Correct. Do you want to speak to that before the motion? >> It's exactly the same situation that Dr. O'Shea explained. I have immediate
family member that is employed here in the Long Meadow Schools. So this is just to disclose that relationship. >> Thank you. >> Perfect. >> Um I move that the school committee accept the filing of Mr. Maza's conflict of interest disclosure form as required by Mass General Law, Chapter 268A,
section 23B3. >> We have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Emily? >> Yes. >> Zack? >> Yes. >> Nicole? >> Yes. >> Kate? >> Yes. >> And a yes for me too. >> And then finally, the school committee
having re having reviewed the conflict of interest disclosure form filed with the school committee by Mr. Maza as required by Mass General Law Chapter 268A section 19. I move that the school committee vote to determine that the financial interest disclosed on the form is not so substantial as to affect the
integrity of the services to the municipality and that the chair be delegated the authority to execute the form. >> We have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you. Emily, >> yes. >> Zach, >> yes. >> Nicole, >> yes. >> Kate, >> yes.
>> Yes. For me, too. Um, next on our agenda is middle school building projects. >> Uh, not a lot to report. Uh, the last meeting of the middle school building committee, uh, that committee voted to extend the contract of Collars, the OPM
on the project, and extend the contract of uh, JWA, the design firm. And so we'll also look forward to finally um, reviewing a final review and extension of the contract of Fontaine Brothers.
So, um, and then we're off and running with, uh, design team meetings and, um, we're also, uh, going to meet sort of on a regular basis as an owner, an architect, and a contractor. So, every two weeks we'll get together with those
all three parties, uh, to kind of do a little status check in and make sure we're hitting all the deliverables along the way. So, >> thank you. Thank you. >> So, that is it for our new business and we're moving on to our executive session
and um we're going to enter our public meeting. I move that the school committee meet in executive pro session pursuant to mass general law chapter 30A section 21A purpose two to conduct strategy sessions in a preparation for collective bargaining session with units
A B D and E non-UN personnel three to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation and seven approval of minutes and not to reconvene into open session >> you have a motion do we have a second >> Yep. Can we just strike that non union person? >> Yeah, I was wondering about that one
myself. >> You wouldn't need that language. So, if we could distract that from the motion. >> Yep. As amended. >> Thank you. >> As amended. >> We have Oh, great. Um Emily, >> yes. >> Zach, >> yes. >> Nicole, >> yes. >> Kate, >> yes.
>> And yes for me. And that concludes our October 28th committee meeting. Have a good night. >> Good night. Good night.