Two. One. >> Welcome to the Tuesday, March 10th, 2026 meeting of the Long Meadow School Committee. Long Meadow Oop, sorry. 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. >> Zach >> here. >> Kate >> here. >> Jamie >> here.
>> Emily >> here. >> And Adam. >> Adam's not here. >> All right. Pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for it stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Before we begin, I'd like to ask the committee to join me in recognizing the passing of Dr. Cara Kandle, a beloved member of the Glen Brook staff who sadly
passed away on March 6. So, take a moment of silence. Thank you. Correspondence. >> The following correspondence has been received by the school committee. An email from Kurt Freriedman dated February 25th, 2026. An email from
Terresa De Julio dated February 2020 26, 2026. And an email from Mike Cox dated March 4th, 2026. >> Thank you. Um, next we have approval of minutes. >> I recommend that the school committee or I move that the school committee approve
the minutes to the February 10th, 2026 school committee meeting as presented. >> We have a motion. We have a second. >> Second. >> Zach, >> yes. >> Nicole, >> yes. >> Jamie, >> yes. >> Kate, >> yes. >> Emily, >> yes. >> And a yes for me, too.
>> I move that the school committee approve the minutes to the February 24th, 2026 school committee meeting as presented. >> We have a motion. Do we have a second? Second, >> Zack, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Jamie, >> yes. >> Kate, >> yes. >> Emily,
>> yes. >> And a yes for me, too. Next, we have public speak. Um, I don't there's no one here tonight for public speak. And I don't Nobody on the on the Zoom. No. No. >> Just on me. >> So, we'll move on to our student
business with guests. None. Right. No. >> Correct. So, we're moving on to student representative Aquar. >> All right. So, um as you may have noticed, there's the community coral concert going on right now. I know I saw a bunch of people walking in when I was pulling in and that's the elementary,
middle schools, and high schools all come together um to do their concert and it's really sweet. I've been a few years. Um, and then the senior class play. I know I talked about this a little bit already last time, but it's this week um on the 12th and 13th at
7:00 p.m. and then the 14th at 1:00 p.m. It's coming together. So, we hope it goes well. Fingers crossed. >> Yeah. And then the last thing is that there's a leprechaun hunt on St. Patrick's Day the 17th. Um, so students
look for leprechauns in the halls and then when they find one they can bring it to the office and exchange it for a little prize. So that's all it is. >> Good luck with the play. >> Thank you. >> We are going to try to come on Saturday. >> Are you in the play?
>> I'm ensemble, but yeah. >> I dance in the background a little. >> There's no small rules. >> No. >> Thank you. >> Have fun. >> All right. My granddaughter's high school did the same play um
this past spring really and she was Donna. >> Oh, >> it's a good one. >> Thank you. Good luck. Okay, so uh next is the chair report. So, first I just want to say thank you to all the teachers and the staff for the time and
care that they put into all the parent teacher conferences over the last month at all the schools. I know at the elementary schools they were last week um and conferences take a lot of preparation and coordination and flexibility and I got a lot of positive
feedback as a school committee member about um how it's going for people and even about like improvements from the first implementation to the second. So, I just wanted to say how much we appreciate the many ways teachers worked
to accommodate families by offering many different kinds of meeting formats and extending the schedule because it really helped parents connect more meaningfully with their child's learning and growth. And then um I wanted to highlight an
upcoming event, the power of emotional intell intelligence. It's a the Yale ruler night. So, it's about the social emotional curriculum that's being used, but it's also going to go over um resources and strategies for emotional
intelligence. And it's on March 19th, which is a Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 um in central office. And it's a really it's really important and uh there's actually a lot of research about the impact of emotional intelligence and
social emotional skills and and it's how important it is to academic and life outcomes. And actually about 90% of top job performers across all industries have observable high intel emotional intelligence. So it
does go just even beyond academics. It's like a life skill and it starts like social emotional skills are the building blocks to like the skills we talk about when we talk about um vision vision of a
graduate and um I know Dr. Rocha last night was calling it um I'm say it wrong AI proof skills >> calling it anti but it's like those durable deep skills they don't it's just like they don't get
just like built haphazardly um they're built the building blocks are the social and emotional learning so it's really important for parents to come to events like that and learn about it and get the resources to help their child develop those skills so it's
Thursday, March 19th, 6:30 to 7:30 at central office. Okay, that's it for me. >> Uh, a few items uh for the committee if I'm if I'm up. I think I'm up. A few items for us for you tonight. Um so uh
to echo what Michaela said uh we had our uh full day of conferences on Friday and um appreciate educators kind of extending themselves and offering as as Michaela said conferences in multiple formats um and and really we're trying to uh sort of shift the culture a little
bit around conferences where um it's it's the conversation happens when it is needed most for students uh rather than sort of relying on on fixed um sometimes artificial conference dates and days. We we're our educators are really stepping
up and and being willing to engage parents throughout the academic year. Uh but the full day of conferences was a was a great opportunity to uh make those formal connections. Um we presented the uh school committee's budget to the select board last night. I would say it
was wellreceived. They appreciated the work of the school committee in uh advancing a budget that I think is is manageable and responsible but also drives our strategic priorities. So uh we received some good feedback, good questions from the select board. Of
course, the town's full uh costs and uh and revenue projections are are not finalized. Um so more to come on that. Ultimately, it it concludes with the May town meeting. Uh the center school search uh is underway. Uh the window for
applications is closed. I want to thank Kate for joining us on the uh on the screening committee. Um but that's a it's a very thorough process. It will take us some time to to go through that very thoughtfully and hopefully identify the next great leader of uh center school. Um Danica mentioned the uh
townwide concert tonight. So if we uh adjourn early enough, we could all take a walk down there. Uh I know I will. Um we have uh on on March 13th an early release day. Appreciate the committee uh supporting those opportunities for our educators to work collaboratively on
those early release days. In broad strokes um just so you understand what we're up to is Yale ruler training at the elementary level. our middle educators will meet with the design team and uh begin some planning around uh a
program of studies, a written program of studies that we hope to bring to the school committee um at some point soon. So that's sort of the program as it currently exists and that will be a springboard for the program as it will exist when we open in 2028. So that's at
the middle school. at the high school. Our high school educators will dive into universal de design for learning with our partners at uh Bay Path University. So, uh it will be a busy day um right down to our par profofessionals across the district. We'll engage in some uh
work around understanding trauma. Mental health providers will um understand how to do risk assessments assoc uh suicidality among students. And then even our preschool teachers are diving into um an early literacy series. So
lots happening on that early release day. It's really really valuable time and um we think we're making you know really good purposeful use of it. Every activity on the 13th is is purposefully tied to our our district goals. Um
couple more items for you. Um and we'll bring you more information on this in in the weeks ahead. On Friday, we learned that our our uh tit what we're expecting for our title one distribution from the federal government is below what we had projected. So, we're still unpacking
that and understanding what the what the limitations might be on our FY27 budget. So, more to follow on that. Um Niari, uh kudos to her for uh her work to advance.
appreciate Michaela underscoring the importance of that. Um, we recently gathered a bunch of uh ninth grade students to uh help us understand their experience to help us better understand school climate in order to be more responsive to students and provide um
stronger supports. Um, Nilda also uh wanted to note that she has um taken part in a interfaith uh series uh sponsored by the Islamic Society of Western Massachusetts. So, we appreciate Nilda representing us and and understanding the the needs of the uh
the interfaith community out there um in Long Meadow and beyond. Um uh we also another policy matter that will likely make its way to the policy subcommittee and the full school committee is um around uh timeout and
seclusion. So the state has uh new some new regulatory language around um timeout and seclusions that are used in school. It really we have no seclusion rooms just for the record. Um but uh it's the state being protective of the
most vulnerable learners across the state. So that's that's great. And then uh tomorrow night uh Seal is hosting a workshop to assist families with understanding the needs of students who are transitioning in that sort of 18 to
22 age bracket. So that's the SEAL workshop tomorrow night. So lots of good stuff happening. Um if you have any questions on any of those, happy to happy to answer. >> Thank you. Does anyone have any questions? >> Thank you.
No. Okay. Other reports, LPBEC board of directors. >> So, the meeting uh this past month was cancelled uh due to um they didn't have a quorum. Um unfortunately, I believe
I'm going to be missing this month's meeting um because of a meeting conflict. >> So, >> we'll get we'll get on the on the horse soon. Thank you, LPBEC Board of
Governors. >> We meet again next week. >> Great. Uh, Steel, as Dr. O'Shea was saying, there's a meeting, a presentation tomorrow night um at 7 and it's on Zoom and you can
register ahead of time and it's by the Federation of Children with Special Needs. It's presented by this advocate Karen who is just so experienced and her presentations are so so good and it's on
transition services. So as Dr. Ro said that 18 to 22 um programming and services and then the the upcoming next meeting is April 8th and it's going to be the special ed budget conversation um which
might be really interesting because maybe we can also talk about like department of ed and federal funds and always a good time. Y >> that's it. Okay. Energy and sustainability. >> Uh we meet again on Thursday.
Thanks, Ellie. All right, new business. >> Uh, is your first item, the exchange? Yep. >> Um, so in your packet was a uh memo from Tom Landers. He is proposing that the committee authorize the
acceptance of an exchange student. Student is from uh Germany. It's the Hastings family in Long Meadow. That would be the host family. and um they have uh hosted international students in the past. So they are familiar with the
um the benefits and the expectations. So uh we're happy to partner with the Hastings family if it's um approved by the school committee. Uh just for your um just for your purposes, we can assure you that the student is joining us from
an accredited um international exchange program. as part of your policy that the student have the uh participating agency has to be accredited. Uh can assure you that Tom has indicated that there's that there's space that it won't affect
programming and services and class size um in any u measurable way. So uh for your consideration the acceptance of an exchange student for the 26 27 school year from Germany. I think an exchange student brings a lot
of depth to the student population, too. I I was lucky enough to be able to have exchange students in my house growing up, and I was an exchange student. So, if you want to know how I feel about exchange students, sounds great. >> Do we have extra 20 minutes?
>> Do we have a motion? Um, in accordance with foreign exchange student policy, policy JFAB-R, I move that the school committee approve Pia Marie Bose for enrollment as a foreign exchange student at Long Meadow High School for the 26, 2027 school year.
>> We have a motion to be in a second. >> Second. >> Zack, >> yes. >> Nicole, >> yes. >> Jamie, >> yes. >> Kate, >> yes. >> Emily, >> yes. >> And a yes for me, too. >> How How often do we have exchange students? It's almost become annual now. >> I think since I've been on the school
committee, there's been at least one >> more than one. >> Not in recent memory. I can't recall where we had more than one. We would be open to it. >> And do we ever have our students uh go abroad for a program? >> I'd say Yeah.
>> Didn't they go to Japan, right? Wasn't >> for for a school year. >> No, >> not for a whole school year. They were in the summer. >> Yeah. I I yeah I'd say there are students that probably you know go for an overseas experience but it's nothing that we approve necessarily accept
>> we just approved that someone coming to us >> coming to us correct >> so next on um our new business is Chromebook >> did we take it we took a vote on the >> Y I'm sorry >> Chromebook protection plan. So joining us tonight uh Nick George is our IT
director. You can come on up, Nick. Okay. >> Um, if you'll give me a moment, I'll just uh I'll share my screen with you. Um, let's see here. Excuse me one second. about the delay. Can I ask a question? It's not
specifically addressing this particular policy in terms of the protection plan, but do we have an adjunct policy in terms of I think I asked Marty about this um students who learn differently opting out entirely of having a
Chromebook? >> Uh we do not, but certainly there would be some protections, let's say, or some accommodations through an IEP. So, if a student, you know, had that um level of learning difference, then potentially an
IEP or a 504 or even a DECAP might accommodate a student who can't access a Chromebook. So, I'd say we would approach access to a Chromebook uh in the same way that we would approach access to a lecture or a movie or any other way that instructions presented.
But I I I'm not I'm not uh aware of any specific policy that that we have that would cover that unless I don't know if if Nick or Tom can think otherwise. Um all right. So for your uh consideration
this evening, this is um something that has um been a topic of conversation at policy sub um going back a couple of years now, but I think it was also uh part of the conversation that the school
committee had with our administrative team when you met sort of in that retreat format back earlier in the year. Um, and we think that it's sort of the responsible responsive thing to do to offer an optional Chromebook protection
plan. Um and so sort of starting with some some basic assumptions here that um very much this is about learning continuity that ensuring that you know we have um a real clear plan in place to
um regarding device damage and failure. So that if a if a a device is lost or device fails or device is damaged intentionally or not that we have a a plan in place to to replace uh the Chromebooks. um providing relief for families. We we we recognize that the
$250 or $300 cost of replacing a device can be burdensome some to some families. We have had families um reach out to us and ask why we do not have a protection plan. I'd say uh it's more common than not for districts to offer uh a
protection plan. We'll get into the some of the details shortly. Um, we also think that this is really part of our fiduciary responsibility that, you know, we feel like we we without that protection plan that we're not protecting the huge investment that the
school committee has made in these important devices. Uh, and so, you know, without a protection plan, I think administratively, we feel like there would need to be a a really dedicated uh annual uh operational commitment to the
replacement of devices. uh beyond the replacement that comes with the ordinary failure that happens perhaps after five years of device usage. Um we'd say that you know currently this isn't so out of the the ordinary uh in
the sense that currently we do charge students for accidental or intentional damage to school property. Uh and so whether it's a textbook or a school uniform or some other piece of school equipment, we feel like it there's some um analogous um
situation here uh in terms of the um how we approach accidental or intentional damage. And then one of the other starting assumptions here is just and this is a conversation that we have with students and families often is that students are not permitted to use their
personal devices at school. that it's important for um universal equity access uh to provide a common experience to provide a safe experience for all students to to manage the fleet of devices and to push out software and
manage software and manage uh the network. It's really important that um there be a single device. Um, and so that's a conversation that um, the more we uh, uh, tighten up on that, the you know, the more important it is for us to have a a uh, a good Chromebook
protection plan in place. So, the plan that we would uh, propose, and I I just sort of side note, certainly no action is necessary by the committee tonight. Um the slide deck here mirrors the the more narrative um
information that was provided in your packet but I know policy sub has had a chance to discuss this. Uh but with this being the first time the full committee has considered it you know we don't have any expectation of any action by the committee tonight. You may you may feel
like you have enough information but there may be additional information you need. So, uh, covered by the plan would, uh, be accidental damage. Um, student drops their device, they spill something on it, spill water, coffee, soda,
whatever, damage to the screen, damage to the keyboard, all of that would be covered by uh the plan. Intentional damage. If a student um intentionally damaged a Chromebook, it happens rarely, but it's not unheard of for uh a student
to be upset for some reason and take it out on their Chromebook. Um those situations would not be covered by the plan. We also would sort of essentially drop coverage for uh repetitive damage. Um and and these would be things that
would be assessed by and evaluated by uh our IT director. So ultimately, you know, we we'd want um Nick to sort of do an informed assessment of a device to determine if it's ordinary failure or if it's uh accidental damage or if it's
intentional damage. Uh and then uh if there's any instance of documented theft, whether an administrator can document it or a police report can document it, um those things would be covered by the plan. And if a student simply if a family simply lost their device, couldn't produce the device, um
that would not be covered by the plan. The uh pricing plan that we would propose uh that annually this would be $30 per device. Uh first and second device would be would be at the full rate. Uh if a
family had three or four children, there'd be a discount. and then uh four children four uh would be free for the fourth device and above. As in all cases, we would make um provide subsidies to families. That's something that Tom manages for us. We would
provide subsidies to families uh who uh find that protection plan to be challenging. Some additional information, uh the current device replacement is $250. Um the thought would be that we would
encourage families as part of our communication roll out to purchase optional protective covers or travel cases. Um we would want families to formally opt in or opt out of coverage. That would be something they would have to go into uh power school to make that
election one way or another. Uh in all cases uh ordinary failure would be covered. Um, if a family declined coverage, there would be an obligation to pay in all cases except for ordinary
failure. Again, ultimately, Nick would be um available to evaluate devices to determine eligibility for coverage or eligibility for replacement due to ordinary failure. Um, if this is
something that the school committee uh approved, we would take the next steps to finalize uh an online payment method, claims process, and then communication plan to families. Um, so for your
consideration, uh, if there's additional information that you need, if you have any questions for us tonight, um, again, no expectation that take action tonight unless you feel like you have sufficient information to do so. So, um,
>> we want to implement this with the 2627 school year. >> Thank you. Important detail. Yes. Uh, this would be to begin in the 2627 school year. Yes. and we would um preemptively request
parents to opt in or out >> by a certain date. >> We would probably over the summer uh include this as part of our summer communication and ask families to formally opt in or opt out. >> Um should also note that the thought is that this would apply to uh students in
grades 6 through 12. We really don't have uh much of a challenge with um damage at the elementary level partly because in most cases the students are leaving their Chromebooks in the classroom. So this is really a 6 through
12 a plan to cover uh families in grades 6 through 12. >> I just had another thought. I mean my memory is that a student keeps their Chromebook throughout their years at school. Can you help us out with that
thing? Is that >> So, so Chromebook, so an individual student um Chromebook's age, >> well, I guess it doesn't really matter because they're not going to it's not going to cover if the if the if it fails because of age.
>> I just answered my own question. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, I mean, I was just concerned that some students >> some students would have older devices than other students, but we're not too worried about that aspect of it. >> Right. I mean, it's you'll know if it's
a device failure because it was towards the end of its useful life because it won't be broken in half or the screen won't be correct. Right. So, um we would our goal would be to proactively replace devices because pretty much common failure at the five years or five and a half year mark, which is what we've generally been hitting. But, yeah.
>> Okay. Like right now it's difficult I'd say for our administrators to expect or require the full replacement fee in the cases of accidental damage. And because I think what they'll say to us is, you
know, Marty, what I one of the first questions that we get in cases of accidental damage is why don't you have a protection plan? And so we feel like this would be we'd be in a better position to address accidental damage with this plan.
>> Do we have already a set fee and or how would this apply when you're talking about things like lost chargers? >> So >> I suspect is more common. >> Yeah. So, the Chromebooks are we've been when we charge it's a $250 replacement fee. That's been pretty consistent over the life of our use of that product from
buying them in 2019 up through now. Um, so that's been the cost we've charged. Uh, I don't think we've in this policy landed on a cost for uh lost chargers. And all honesty, I don't know if I should be sharing this, but we have an abundance of them because our Chromebooks now use a standardized charger, which you know wasn't the case
in the past. So, even when a Chromebook gets replaced at the end of its 5year cycle, it still has a charger that's generally perfectly good and the next batch of 500 come in with 500 new chargers. The vendor doesn't really let us say, "We don't need those to save some money." So, um there there's plentiful chargers if there's a case
where someone needs to plug in during the school day because they forgot to charge overnight. And also, they're us not to get too technical, but because they're standardized, any modern USBC charger works with them. Okay? So even if someone loses the school one, they often we might not even hear about it because over the course of the life of the product, they're just charging at
home on whatever they have available. >> Okay. >> So thankfully it's one of those things that's become less of an issue as time has gone on. Standardization has helped us finding whose chargers who in the household >> that's mine. >> When we first considered this a couple of years ago, we were thinking about
sort of a uh a charger replacement um fee, but uh replacement cost, but it it it's become a mood issue really. So, we don't we don't charge right now for if somebody loses a replace a charger like say graduating seniors. >> Sure. I I mean I I guess we haven't really encountered that at this point,
but I would I'm not sure that we'd be highly motivated to reclaim lost cost on a 5-year-old charger when we have an abundance of them, you know. And I think when students do lose them or if they fail, we don't generally even hear about them because they just make use of another one at home and they're charging at home. Okay. >> Um and it doesn't affect the school day.
Yeah. Um, I would just say thank you to Nick and everybody that had a role in rolling this out. I think it's a really cool and positive step. Um, and unfortunately I need to excuse myself. Um, I'm going to head over to the court. >> Enjoy it. >> Thank you.
>> Um, I just had one question. So, you said that there would be like a repeat if there was like a repeated offender, then they just wouldn't be offered a protection plan anymore. So, they'd have to go back to the original 250. They still have access to a computer of
course. >> Just checking. I know I've been on the policy subcommittee for three years and we've discussed this for a few years. So I also feel like it's important to like we've spent a lot of time on it. >> Can I >> Yeah, go ahead.
>> I I don't like the policy. So it's not anything new to anybody. But can you go to the second page? Here's where my issue is. >> Which page? This one >> is how you're going to manage this. Keep going down. Keep going down. Right here. >> Keep going. So that spot there says I declined coverage. So I said I'm good. >> Yeah.
>> And then I'm obligated to pay for anything except for failure, right? >> But I can tell you I have four at my house and I have junk and I have good ones. So I'm not taking any but good ones then. I mean in that case cuz you're not like ordinary failure is just
so random, right? Because they they tend to break a little bit more. Ones that are worn three or four years. I want one year ones. I don't mind. Then if I decline, I'm I'm gonna say that as a participating in this. I have four new in there. I'm not taking any of the four or five year old ones. It's not fair
because I'm going to decline coverage all day long because it just doesn't make any sense cuz my kids just go from one to the other. They go to the same one out of all four of ours because all the other ones don't work that well and they're kind of junk. I mean, I almost say, do we really want to own a $250
device? Should we be upgrading our devices instead of buying junk? Why don't we buy something good? It's like buying quality. You buy You got If you don't buy quality, it's just going to keep breaking and breaking and then we create a policy for the breaking device. I mean, or do you just invest and buy
quality and then, you know, really make people responsible for it? I mean, that's my issue with it cuz I see all of my kids sit at my bar and they'll all be using them and then they're switching from one to the other because the other one doesn't work and then the other one jumps on the others and kind of figure
figures it all out because they have an old one. So, I'm going to walk in and say I want one that's brand new. But if you had an older one that was prone to failure, >> it wouldn't matter because you could ordinary failure, you would the student
would be issued another device. >> Say it drops off my counter and breaks. A 5-year-old one will have a better chance of breaking than a one-year-old one. I guarantee it. >> It's no different. Definitely >> come to my house. You can watch all four of the ones that are sitting there. The one is very from the opening from the
opening and whatnot. that one is more prone that if it fell off, it could break easier than the ones that are brand new. It just it it's just the way it is. >> It's like >> and it does happen like >> and it happens like so it's it's it's just not really my opinion is I decline
coverage because I I think it's it's it isn't like I I I I'm going to look at it and go I want I want new ones and that's my opinion on why I don't love the policy. I get why but like it's just cuz we have junky chromebooks. I mean, is the way I look at it. I mean, I wouldn't
buy this on my own because I think it's junk. If you buy junk, I'm going to replace it two, three years from now. Should we be looking at buying better? Is there is there a better device for our students versus >> So, there's been, I would say, variability in the quality of
Chromebooks to acknowledge what you're observing. Um, because we bought them through a global pandemic. You know, we bought them when they first came out. We bought them 5 years after they came out. We had some models that were more prone to failures, but I I do think that the the nature of those failures presents
very differently than exit than abuse. Um, if a Chromebook comes in and it's four years old and it's got a very loose hinge and the kid says, well, the display, you know, blacks out once in a while, I'm not sure that that would be that would that would be looked at, I think, as a worn device, a normal failure that would be swapped for a
newer device if it was affecting the the ability for the student to use the device. >> Yeah. >> Um, >> yeah. Yeah, I mean to answer your question, there are nicer devices. I mean, Apple just came out with a laptop that's $4.99. Um, that's more expensive than $250. It doesn't include the management cost,
which would be a yearly fee, which is included in the $250 fee here. Um, the roll out would be interesting. How do you do that, right? Are you going to do it across the fleet all at once? Um, it's a device that Apple's come out with at 500 and the speculation is it might be a good device for 3 years, but it's
constrained in certain hardware specs to get to that price point. So, I don't know if there's a perfect answer. If we could issue students thousand MacBook Airs, I'm sure they would be nicer devices. Obviously, you know, like that I I I will say that the Chromebooks that we have right now that we've been buying, I think it's a good
time to roll out the policy partly because we've gotten well, we've shared feedback to the manufacturer that, you know, sometimes these feel kind of cheap and flimsy. Um, the newest batch that we bought, we literally took one of the demo ones we got and threw it around. Could not get it to crack. took one of
the older ones, threw it around on like the third drop, it cracked. Right now, I I guess I don't know like how did we manage textbooks? Do older textbooks have binding that rips off more? I know it's not a onetoone comparison, but I don't know if we're in a place to give students new devices across an entire
fleet all at once and change platforms to something that would be different and then know that it would play out well over a 5year replacement cycle. Um, I I would say like if there's people if people have devices at home that are so in such bad condition that they don't
appear usable and it's through no fault of the student's device, they should report that to us and we would consider if it's appropriate replacing it. Also, with the batch that we've got in most recently, we did a purchase of 800 devices. So, the way we're prioritizing that is we're just running a report of the oldest devices in the fleet so we
can get the students name, grade level, home room, and we're working on getting those swapped out for students. Um, if we get a student's device back and it's a 5 and a halfy old machine we're replacing and it's broken, I don't, you know, we're not anticipating charging a person at that point. >> Um, so say all four of my kids' devices
break and then I give you $1,000, right? Do I own them? >> No, the district owns them. I mean, I I that's my issue with it is like if you if you want me to be on the hook for it, let me go be on and I get it. You're trying to be but it's just not >> I think that I think it's a more nuanced
question is those four devices is do they do they break are they broken because of ordinary wear and tear and age and >> if I coverage I'm obligated to go buy new ones? >> No. Do you mean like at the end of its useful life?
>> Oh, okay. Just to be clear. Yeah. if someone doesn't opt in to any accidental damage protection. >> Yeah. The useful life and yeah, >> which we would normally try to anticipate at 5 years or so, >> but if those four devices that you're talking about >> fail because of their age, >> um then it's no big deal.
>> Then it's then it's no harm, no follow. You're not you wouldn't be charged. >> You say it's three years and we're using five and you're going, "Oh, it's not useful." Then I've got to buy a new device. >> Well, I mean, I guess if your determination is that it's not useful, but I I look at it and go, "This is a Chromebook. it is a Chromebook. Uh then
then there would be then that would be your call I suppose. But if we're not allowing students to use personal devices at school, which there are good reasons for that, right? >> Um you would be prevent prevented from doing that. But as far as like it getting to the point of being unusable, that should just be replaced as part of our normal replacement cycle.
>> That's just my bigger thing I go. I just don't like spending and I get what you're saying. How do you how do you enact doing Apple through the whole thing? I mean, the reality is is none of my kids are none of their Chromebooks are useful. I get on them and you can't type. They don't work that well. I mean,
why aren't you guys all using Chromebooks then, you know, that's that's you follow I get you can't spend $1,000 or probably 1,500 all those are, but they're not that useful. So, before we kind of I I feel like we're making a policy to fix a bad device. So, and I
that's what I don't love about it. But I'm only obviously one committee member. So >> I I I mean the the you're not the only one saying this in the world, right? There's plenty of people who are wondering if the quality of devices or if it makes sense what people with different school districts are doing. >> I guess my view is that is I I just
personally think that's a separate conversation from the optional program. To me, the optional program only benefits the families who opt into it. And those families will be the ones I think who would say, I we don't want a $250 surprise. $30 is easy for us to plan for. It also gives like an easier
onboarding to an experience for a student when they're like learning about responsibility for a device. I suppose if they accidentally damage a device, $250 is a lot to swallow for a lesson, right? But $30 maybe that student doesn't damage another device after that. I don't know. They I mean the the
question about the quality of the device and the cost that's Yeah, there's a discussion to be had there. I suppose plenty of places >> in re I completely hear what you're saying. I'm with you on that. I don't want $250, you know, thing either. But basically, we're asking the parents to finance the new Chromebooks is what
we're doing. So, if I don't if I give $75 per year for the next 10 years, right, I'm just basically paying for a Chromebook whenever the Chromebook becomes due. >> It's it it's what's happening. I mean, if if nothing ever happens and you never see
>> but if you have say you have two say you have all four of those Chromebooks on that on that bar in your house and they're all three years old and all four of them get pitched onto the floor. All four of them break. Well, >> they have to be replaced at two feet because that's it's school property.
School owns them. So, they're getting replaced and it doesn't stay with you. If you've paid $30 and somebody cares into the counter and knocks all four of them over, then now all four of them are getting replaced by the school and you pitched in. What was it after the third
one? It's 50%. So you paid 607 $75 >> for those four computers and now all four of them are being replaced. >> So that's the way insurance works if you have a claim on your house, right? Most people don't have claims on their house. So we just keep paying the insurance and we finance the purchase. So if you have
what what do we have? 900 students. You have 900 students and every probably average two kids per household, whatever it is. So, you're basically paying $60 in and you're basically financing it. Only a small portion of them are going to actually execute on the insurance policy. That's the way that's the way insurance works or it doesn't work. It
>> works that way. >> So, you're go we're basically asking parents I know. So, we're asking parents to finance the new Chromebooks. I mean, that's what you're all going. I would say we would recommend and I think school committee will have to approve a revolving account
and what we would use the money for is to buy the replacements when we have broken ones. I think the school committee is still going to have to allocate funds for the replacement cycle. We are not going to take in enough money to keep up with the regular >> I'm not saying in totality. I'm just saying you're going to use this money to
buy new Chromebooks >> and have spares available in the schools when kids forget them. I mean, it it's we've been chasing this issue for years, and >> I think it's we're trying to be responsive to the families who are saying, "Why aren't we offering something?"
>> Have we made anybody pay $250? >> Yeah. >> How many? >> I I don't have the exact number. It's been small because it's a difficult conversation. >> So, I mean, that would be my question. How many people paid $250 and how much should we take from the parents wallets? I think I think it it is a difficult
conversation charging a family $250 if if you don't have that that backup plan because you're making that assessment of is it intentional damage or is it accidental damage and so right now we feel like we you know maybe parents
don't have skin in the game. There's not conversations happening at home about caring for this expensive device and >> and I think those difficult conversations aren't going to >> cost more than $200 or meeting. >> I mean, you're still going to be there. >> Sure. >> Is it am I mischaracterizing your
perspective that it has less to do with the device and more just the nature of an insurance program and principle to begin with? >> I don't like any of it. You know, I think the devices were introduced. We don't need all these devices in here. We have we ran schools without these. They're not. It's not a good overall
theory to educate kids. I get that that's the way we went because of the pandemic and we're kind of down a road. That's a whole different discussion, but the devices aren't good and the the actual program. It kind of forces me into it and then I'm going to get into an argument going, I don't think that
this device was awful, right? Like I think the device is junk to begin with. So then you're making me to pay $250 and you're not gonna like everybody who opts out, you're still gonna have those difficult conversations with because I'm going to come in and go, "This thing was this was garbage. I have pictures of it." Like you gave me something that
wasn't good. So I'm not on the hook for it. So and you're still going to have to have those difficult conversations because everybody who opts out is still going to be in that same scenario. You're just giving one option, which I don't have an issue with. You give that one option of a family to pay $30 or 60
or 75. It doesn't solve the problem though. It it's just it sol part part of the problem is solved. >> But then maybe if we try it then we figure out oh this is actually how it should go and it gets a little better if we try it. But I feel like yeah the conversations must be really hard to be
like trying to decide if it's damage and that the price is so much higher that it's probably a harder conversation than if it's $30 to decide whether it's like intentional damage or not. >> Well because then you don't really Yeah. then you're only having the conversation if you're like, "This was definitively
not accidental." Right? >> It would be really hard to make the case that this was accidental. Therefore, now I'm contacting you. And the rest of the time, it's just going to be there isn't a conversation to have. >> Will you prioritize giving out the new Chromebooks to kids that are in 6th to
12th grade because they're the ones that >> the ones in most need? Yeah. Uh we're Yeah, we were planning on starting with the high school just because we're attached to them and we can get them out as quickly as possible. and then middle schools after that. >> Can I ask if we have in policy or if anybody has discussed is there going to
be a deadline for opting into this? >> Yes. >> I think we would have to set up a time and if a parent doesn't respond, they'll get a notice saying your child's Chromebook is going to be deactivated until you make an election. Opt in or opt out. >> Okay. >> So, I think you know we're going to have
to put >> So, no answer will not be you're opting out. I think to talk a little bit about the tough conversation now is parents might not even know that they could be on the hook for this 250 by forcing them to opt
out. They're acknowledging the fact that they are taking responsibility for crappy device or not. They're owning it and if something happens to it that is determined that it is not accidental damage, they're going to they're going to have to pay for it. >> And I think that's that's a great policy. And I'm just saying that
whenever I opt out, I will be I like me personally, I'm going to be there. If I have a bad device, I'm coming to get a new one. So, just like that's going to be I think a lot of people are going to look at it that way. So, if the new computers are going out, I I want a new one because that, you know, I I don't
want the old junky ones. So, and I'm I think your policy, exactly what you said, I'm good with that. So, tell me to opt in or opt out, but whenever I opt in or opt out, I'm I'm going to you're going to create like right now I know I'm not on on the hook for it, like you
say, I'm choosing to be on the hook or not on the hook, I'm going to be way more pointed as to what kind of, you know, what you're going to give me. So, and I I I every day I look at it, my kids complain about it. So, and I'm sure my kids are not the only ones. And, you
know, then they yell at each other when they're stealing each other's device. I don't know. Danica, do you use your Is your Chromebook any good? >> I like it. >> Is yours all right? You probably take good care. So, >> I like it, but >> but it's it's it's so so it's one of those it's one of those things, you
know, and you've had yours all throughout your career. >> It stopped working like sophomore year, so I got a new one cuz the keys just didn't type anymore. So, I got a new one, but then it's been the same. >> So, I would say three of my kids keys don't actually work. Maybe you're on the
list of replacement. >> So it'll solve the problem for you. >> You sit there and try typing on them and it's like you got to be kidding me, you know. It's so ineffective. It's it's it's cumbersome. So, you know, but the one is good. So maybe the one's new and the other ones are all old. >> It could be. I mean, they look very
similar. Um >> So yeah. >> Yeah. I don't know. I The only way I think to address your concern would be a unified fleet purchased all at once by some sort of lease agreement or something like that. um maybe a more expensive device. You still have to have this conversation, I
think, about insurance because a $500 MacBook replacement is going to hit families harder than a $250 Chromebook replacement. >> Is there anyone out there that sells this outside? Like where we can go buy insurance on our own computers? >> There are entities you could have the parents go through instead of us
managing it. >> But we couldn't as a Long Meadow Schools >> buy protection on all our devices. there. I'm sure there are companies that work in that space pay for an additional coverage or like I think even the new ones come with an additional cost if you wanted to buy a a maintenance agreement
on it. >> Yeah, I think any vendor is willing to sell you something along those lines. >> I think so. >> That was like 50% of the cost of the device almost for three years coverage. Like it didn't per >> Yeah. So >> yeah, >> this is a modest skin in the game
component. >> And again, I think we're trying to be responsive to the challenges administrators have been voicing for years now. And parents, I mean, I think superintendent and I just got an email last week about this particular issue and why don't we offer something? So I
think we're just trying to balance the needs of the community. So, we can uh if you'd like to consider it tonight or we can bring it back in a future meeting if there's additional information you might need. If if um we could gather information on the
>> Could we get the information about the um how many people are paying $250 just so that we can make a good decision on like >> right >> I think that's would be good information.
>> Yes. Yeah, we we can do that. I think um it will I I don't know that it will totally shed all the light on it that we want because sometimes we feel like we can't hold folks accountable to that 250 because we don't have a protection plan.
We feel like we would be in a better position to hold people accountable >> uh if we had done our due diligence and offered a plan. And could you probably get like an estimate on what that might like based on replacements where you might have had like oh this >> if had it been a clearer conversation or
whatever >> or or even knowing like on an average year approximately what number of computers are you seeing that you're like this was definitely >> right >> in need of being replaced because of either accidental damage or purposeful damage.
>> Sure. So to be completely blunt with you, this plan is coming at a time where we're trying to tighten up our practices around this in general. Um we've been very we've aired towards the side of accommodation and making sure that we're not holding someone accountable that we're not 100% sure on. So anytime we've
built for it, it's been very obvious instances of abuse where the device is literally broken in half or the webcam is ripped out of it. You know, not the kind of thing that happens through natural aging or just an accidental drop even. Um it's part of tightening up our practices is going to be kind of right
right now if a student comes to the main office there's a prioritization of getting them a device that works right and so there's a revolving door kind of thing that happens sometimes so frankly there's a lot of data I mean every device exchange that happens is recorded every device asset tag any student was previously assigned to it's all recorded
all of the notes are recorded on the device damage it's just that it's difficult to put that in an easily digestible manner at this For this meeting, I did do an export of any device reassignments that happened this year. There was something like 200, but that's reassignment. So, that could be ones that we are also getting to to
swap out for replacement. I went through to look at the notes for any that jumped out to me to get a ballpark of how often is this happening. We landed at 22 this year that were like broken, crack screen or hinge broken, you know what I mean? Those kind of things. So a few dozen a year at 250 assuming at conservatively
probably at least 80% of those you're not getting reimbured from families for. So that's a cost that the district is eating possibly higher because and so this is a way to defay a little bit of that. >> I mean I yeah I als I also think that part of it is it wants we want to have a
behavioral effect that isn't too burdensome. I think that this plan allows us to offer a more predictable and easier financial on-ramp to families while also kind of like facilitating that conversation of okay, you know, you paid the accident loan damage protection, so you get a new one here, but you only get two more replacements
if this happens again, you know. Um, right now it's just a it's a difficult conversation because there's, you know, no one says that is damage they caused. I pulled it out of my backpack and it was like this, you know. Uh, so we run into a lot of difficult conversations and how does that get typed into a
computer when you're a main office secretary with five kids in front of you and you're trying to manage multiple things. Pulling out like a bar chart that tells the story like, "Oh, we were sold." It I I I haven't been able to do it. I've really tried um we can get we can try to see what data we can pull out
of it, but >> No, that's useful already. I think that kind of answers my question about how many. If we're having approximately two dozen a year that need to be replaced because of damage and a very small percentage of those are actually being covered by families, then that's a
significant cost. And this is, if nothing else, a way to defay the cost of those replacements. said $30 a year. I doubt it's enough to do much for replacements in the big picture of getting everybody new computers, but it might at least be enough to buffer that cost of those few dozen a year that
happen and or maybe have the effect of reducing that number from a few dozen to a smaller number >> and maybe the practice will make it decrease over time as something we have to allocate in our budget. >> Correct. >> That's the thing. I think the hope is that few years from now we would meet and be like remember when this seemed
like a big problem but students aren't damaging them as often hopefully who knows but yeah >> um we haven't had a normal year really when it comes to our Chromebook deployment to Jaime's point they were deployed in odd circumstances where the environment kind of demanded it a lot of our fleet that we're replacing this year that 5 and a half year mark are ones
that we bought in the shadow of COVID chip shortages you know devices were manufacturers were trying to ship devices out while plants were shut down and chips were short and so there's A even just going into next year, we're going to have a more consistent fleet of
more updated devices and then a replacement in the following year hopefully might really get us to a good place where there aren't as many five year they'd be all three years or under. They would be models that we've kind of been able to test that aren't from the period where they were a little bit sloppier from a build quality
perspective. Um so, you know, we're trying to get to a place where it's a little more consistent and manageable. So, I I I see this I mean I think it's a good policy. I think that but the policy is very narrow. We're talking about um a policy that covers either an accidental
um uh issue or a deliberate issue of of damage a deliberate damage or an accidental damage. I think one of the things that I'm I'm listening to Jamie say is that we are not we don't have a
policy of when a when a Chromebook is not functioning properly. What is the process for a family to come to it and say my kid's Chromebook's not working well? Where do we have a policy and a process for that? That's a whole that's
different from this. This is damage, >> right? Yeah. it's not function. And what I hear hear Jamie say is we have three three um Chromebooks that aren't functioning well and how do I get that replaced before the five-year mark because it came out during COVID or
whatever that it's it's it's inhibiting my kids learning process. >> Do we have access for students to do like a help ticket or to go through a teacher to do a help ticket? >> They could. I mean, we actually don't restrict them from emailing our help desk. We don't advertise that as the primary means of reaching out frankly. >> Yeah.
>> Um if in the past practice I think would be that if a person had gone to a student had gone to the main office experiencing some kind of issue that they could replicate uh in the into the main office staff and it's not obviously deliberately damaged, it would just be exchanged. Now sometimes that gets exchanged for a device as old and crappy
as the one that they turned in. Um but we're kind of we're kind of hoping >> I got you. We might have more overlap in our thinking, but uh >> yeah, I I think that the ones that we're getting in now should have a solid fiveyear lifespan. And we're getting to
a point pretty quickly where we're not. So, as they're not working, they're meant to go to the office of one, their front office. Yeah. >> Hey, this is not working. >> If not able screen is wonky. >> I'm sorry. I didn't talk. No, no, no. Yeah, I got worked up. I'm very excited. Uh yeah, if if it's if it's not working,
I' i'd say they should report it to us. Uh go to the main office. If it's not something that they can replicate to us, the family can reach out to us um help desk at Long Meadow uh and we can arrange to take a look at it. Um the I would I would encourage them to maybe if it's not too bad, pump the brakes a
little bit because we've got 800 that are going out. So they probably are the people who are experiencing that probably are ones that have been marked for replacement anyway. >> Yeah. And what's the estimated timeline for sort of the full 800? >> A great question. We're hoping to get it done before the end of the year. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> So, without beating a dead horse. Sorry, I didn't go down a whole rabbit hole here, though. So, can can we just look at this and fine-tune? So, here here's here's my my issue. So, we said 20. You said about 22 per year that are >> Oh, well this year starting on July 1 up
to like yesterday. I just looked through and it was like 22 cases that look like, you know, ones that we would charge for. >> So this kind of 30 by the end of the year. >> So here's my thinking and why I have So it's five grand. Okay. Right. We agree on that. >> I don't know. You had your phone out. I
assume you I'll take your word for it. >> 22. You're Tom, you're going to collect $48,000 if everybody signs up for it because there's 1,600 computers multiplied by 30. Well, uh, you're collecting 48 grand for a 5 grand problem. So, that's 170 175 new
Chromebooks that this insurance policy is going to cover. So, if you're telling me we're looking to profit on this and this is how we're going to do it, I'm fine with that. if we need that much wiggle room in that like the years when it's 40 versus 20 or maybe you need to fine-tune how much we're going to charge
because are we just trying to mitigate costs or are we trying to make money on this? >> I I think it's it's much more than a five grand problem and and I think because be because right now we're not in a position we think to really charge
families for accidental damage and I and Nick mentioned tightening up our policy. We told the administrators at our meeting last week, we need to tighten up and start charging families for for accidental damage, which is I threw my backpack and it cracked the screen. I It
fell off my kitchen counter. Uh my friend bumped it out of my hand. >> The truth is we need to we need more we need more responsible use and we need to charge in those situations because >> and I actually I'm with you guys on that now. You're telling me we have 279
>> issues every single year. If you're going to collect $48,000, you know, >> 48,000 >> because it's 30 times 1,600 between the middle schools and the high school if everybody signs up on it. >> It's 48,000. It's 48,000. So that's like the most you make. >> No, no, but that's your your 48 grand is
basically we're sending out a bill that says either opt in, opt out. If you all opt in, 48 grand's coming in. So you're talking 279 Chromebooks that are of issue on any given year, right? That you would be replacing it if you basically broke even. We take that 48 grand, go
and buy 279 of them. >> So I think I would fine-tune that a little bit because if if if what we're trying to do is just kind of cover costs and just try to you need to know how many of these issues we really have and I agree with you Marty there it's probably more than what we think. a lot
more. >> But is it 279 every single year out of our 1,600 Chromebooks? Is I mean, if that's what it is, then it's great, but I think that like how do we come up with we're going to collect $48,000? >> So, right now, our administrators feel like they cannot hold families
accountable because we do not have a protection plan. It's hard to say to a family, look, it you it fell off the counter. It the the child threw their backpack and it broke. It's hard to tell that family, you owe us $250. Because the immediate reaction from the family
is, why isn't there some type of protection plan? Why? Why? Why do I Why? And >> but you're thinking there's going to be 280 people that we have to replace it that are going to be a part of this. >> I don't think we're going to have 100% participation. I think we'll be lucky to
get 50% to be honest with you. I think that even might be high to be honest with you. I think if we're 30 to 40% participation, I think that's probably a more reasonable expectation. We surveyed >> how many issues you have, you're still saying there's still 279 issues, whether
opt in or opt out, whether you're cover half through insurance or not. So, so even if you're collecting 24 grand, you're still saying there's 279 issues every year with the Chromebooks that we should have held people accountable for. >> No, I don't think I don't think I don't know. I I guess I'm coming at it from a
different I guess I would understand a little better if it wasn't optional. With it being optional, I don't see the negative to a family. Hey, everything's the same unless you want it predictable. So, I I don't see an issue with it as
long as I have the new Chromebooks. I'm I'm good with that. Like I I I >> And maybe they see that when the practice is set up. Oh, only people who have Chromebooks are signing up if you want to continue to spread the practice. >> Chromebooks are crap the first day you get them. And that's just the truth. And
Nick Nick would probably agree with that as well. So they're just not good. >> I don't even use a computer as a good job. They're all junk. Just so they're all junk. Those ones are not very good. I mean, they're they're they're low-end. They they don't work that well. Kids were forced to do them during the pandemic because we had no other
options. You know, basically the government handed out money to tell us to all go buy computers and do this. this was the most affordable option and it was the best fast. >> So, and it happened like in a blink of an eye. So, >> but I mean come come springtime when
MCCAST rolls around and families have a few failing Chromebooks at home >> that's when we have issues like remember that you know this is really tied to students can't participate in MCCAST without >> Chromebook. I thought we didn't have MCAST anymore.
>> We still have it. It's just not our graduation requirement. Or it counts, but it doesn't count. It's not graduation. >> It's like we're in but >> it's used to track like >> academic progress. >> No, no, it doesn't count to graduate. You don't need to hit the marks to graduate. You still need to hit the marks. >> Yes,
>> cuz we're getting graded by the >> whatever. >> There's a student right here. It's very important. I'm >> guess you're well past that. So, I mean, I think point though, I think it would be great to have um a regulated process for people to
um have a repair service or a diagnostic service or whatever. Um I think that >> the reality is is once these things are out of their useful life, you break them up, you throw them, you find the place where you get to just >> Yeah. It'd be nice for you to be able to bring it and exchange it. So
>> I would say >> like a front line or like a secondary. >> You would eventually run out of the wiggle room because there's not that many to exchange. Everybody would want to exchange them. >> I'd say I'd say dozens of times per day children are in the office
>> bringing their laptop to one of the secretaries and and the administrators. Sometimes it's not good. >> Sometimes it's a simple fix. >> I mean the the devices have improved. I I think I don't want to convey that
students are using devices that they can't access the curriculum because that's our obligation. If a device is failing and it's preventing a child from accessing the curriculum and instruction, then it's it's our job to replace those and we do every >> My kids can get to the curricula. So
most of them would say, "Oh, this still has useful life." >> It's just cumbersome. It's inefficient. It's like being on a computer. You know, certain computers you're way more inefficient than than others. It's just so my kids know which ones are more efficient. They're like, "Oh, good. I got my homework done in an hour versus
it took me two hours because it's so slow and whatnot." So, that's my I think my work computer is a Chromebook, actually. Is it? >> I think so. It's pretty bad. >> That's pretty bad. >> It is what it is. >> Computers to be when they're spending
their day. >> Yes. >> With middle and high school students. >> So, but I didn't mean it. Go. you move on. >> It is. It's um we can try to bring back some responses to some of the questions that came up at a future meeting or it's up to you. >> It's up to >> We've done this a bunch of times.
Everybody knows my point. You guys know it doesn't matter, >> you know. And then I feel like I was like, >> I'm not going to change my mind. I just tell you I'll bring my Chromebook have it and gave it when >> we have a very narrow policy. it's either
accidentally broken or >> deliberately broken. And that's what the policy addresses just >> just the the brokenness of it. >> So the only question I would have that's still potentially outstanding is uh this is saying yes, we're voting for there to
be a Chromebook protection plan uh put out to the community. Details as far as like what is the date that you have to opt in, opt out by, we don't need to have those solidified yet to take a vote on this. And I and I would say, you know, this isn't necessarily even at the policy level. In other words, it's not
something that will land up in your policy manual. It's just an administrative practice that we wanted to make sure we >> ran by the school committee and got your got your input and >> I think it's fine >> consideration. Yeah. >> And the prices have come in come down quite a bit since last time.
>> So is that like a >> like how do we come I mean that's the only thing I would say is because it was really expensive at one point. Yeah, I'm not sure. >> It was It was way more because I was going to have to pay for all four and I'm like, "Good God." Like, I'm I'm going to buy all my Chromebooks every
two years and I'm going like, "Why don't I just buy my Chromebooks, you know?" So, why why 3030 and 15, I guess, is what is that low enough? I mean, >> I think that's probably fairly standard. Didn't we look at this in finance stuff, if I'm remembering correctly, and looked at surrounding what those districts are
charging and they're 35 or 40? >> I got it. It's not bad. >> Okay. say if you're making a motion, >> we would also want to establish the creation of a revolving account for >> Okay. Um Okay. So, we're not I'm there's
not a motion to be made on a particular policy because we don't have a policy on this yet. We would at some point need to have one. So this would more be directing the administration to create an optional Chromebook protection plan
and to establish a revolving account for those funds. >> Create and implement probably >> create and implement >> Chromebook protection plan. I'm not even sure if policy will be needed around this. I think it's more about the plan >> administer because we have other policies related to
>> use and use. Oh yeah, exactly. >> Okay. Would you like me to do that? >> Yes. Okay. Um then I move that the school committee um direct the administration of Longwood public schools to create and implement an optional Chromebook protection plan for
the 2627 school year and create and establish a revolving account for the funds of that protection plan. Can I just modify it? Say to begin in the 2627 so it doesn't end at the end of the year 26 27 school
year >> to begin in the 2026 school year. >> 26 26. >> We have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Nicole, >> yes. >> Jamie, >> no. >> Kate, >> yes. >> Emily, >> yes.
>> And a yes for me, too. Okay. Next on our agenda is the consent agenda for building use. Um, so there are four building use requests in your packet tonight. Um, finance sub did review these earlier
this evening uh and have recommended their approval. They are events that uh the Long Meadow Public Schools have hosted in the past. First is a request from the recycling commission, the town of Long Meadow for a shredding event on
April 25th and the high school parking lot. Second request is from the parks and recreck department for a co-ed basketball camp for grades three through eight for use of the high school gym July 6th through July 10th.
Uh the park and wreck also has a request for a track and field camp for use of the high school gym July 20th through July 23rd. And the fourth one is also a parks and res park and rec request for a co-ed
volleyball clinic for Houston High School gym July 27th through July 29th. >> Thank you. Does anyone have any questions or comments >> on a motion? >> Yep. On the recommendation of the finance subcommittee, I move that the
school committee approve the consent agenda for the March 10th, 2026 school committee meeting as presented. >> We have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second, >> Nicole. >> Oh, yeah. Sorry. Uh just to remind you
that um there is no discussion of items on a consent agenda. And so if a committee member would like one or more items on the consent agenda discussed, the committee would have to vote to remove the consent agenda. Does anyone want to remove the consent agenda?
>> All set. >> Now we move. >> Okay. Nicole, >> yes. >> Jamie, >> yes. >> Kate, >> yes. >> Emily, >> yes. >> And a yes from me, too. >> So, next on our agenda, we have middle school building project update. >> No updates tonight. The uh design um is
still out for comment from town departments. Uh there is no middle school building committee meeting this week. So I expect that your next meeting will have a fuller update for you. Um probably should mention though that there are two public hearings coming up. I saw Nicole Njing. Uh planning board
and zoning board of appeals. Um I don't have the dates. >> Zoning board of appeals is the 24th at 7 p.m. and planning board is the 31st at 7 also >> I believe. So, >> okay. >> The zoning board one is online or a Zoom meeting. >> Zoom meeting.
>> Thank you. >> So, next we have um our executive session and then we're going to reconvene into open session. I move that the school committee uh meet in executive session pursuant to mass general law chapter 30A
section 21A purpose two to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for collective bargaining sessions with unit B and D and three to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation and seven approval of minutes to reconvene into open session.
>> Thank you. We have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Nicole, >> yes. >> Jamie, >> yes. Kate, >> yes. >> Emily, >> yes. >> And a yes for me, too. >> Three, two, one. >> Welcome back to the March 10th, 2026
Long Meadow School Committee meeting. We're reconvening back into open session. Um, to have one final thing on our agenda, the memorandum of agreements. >> All right. I move that the school committee approve the memorandum of agreement with the Long Meadow Education
Association unit B and to amend the collective bargaining agreements for a three-year term 2025 to 2028 as presented and authorized the chair to sign. >> We have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Nicole, >> yes. >> Jamie, >> yes. >> Kate, >> yes.
>> Emily, >> yes. >> And a yes for me, too. I move that the school committee approve the memorandum of agreement with the Long Meadow Education Association unit D and to amend the collective bargaining agreements for a three-year term 2025 to 2028 as presented and authorized the
chair to sign. >> We have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Nicole, >> yes. >> Jamie, >> yes. >> Kate, >> yes. >> Emily, >> yes. >> And a yes for me, too. And we have one final motion. >> I move that we adjourn the March 10th,
2026 school committee meeting. We have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Paul, >> yes. >> Jamie, >> yes. >> Kate, >> yes. >> Emily, >> yes. >> And a yes for me, too. Have a good night, everybody.