the requirements of the open meeting law. Please be advised this meeting is being broadcast live over the Lunberg public access. Not right now because we're having technical difficulties. It's also available on Zoom. The Zoom information is in the agenda. This meeting will be broadcast live through the local access channel and on the face
uh public access Facebook page and will be found on the Lunberg access YouTube channel within 24 hours of the meeting. The agenda lists all the topics which may be discussed at the meeting are those reasonably anticipated by the chair. Vote may be taken as a result of these discussions. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items
not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by the open meeting law. So, we're going to take things a little bit out of order while we figure out the technical glitch with Zoom in order to be effective and use our time efficiently. I am asking for a motion to do executive session out
of order while they fix the technical problems. Motion to enter executive session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body. And the chair so declares. >> I second. >> All right. All in favor? >> I.
>> All right. Let's go. >> We'll be back. Who's calling me? All right. Are we ready? I go on air. All right. So, um, we had a technical
glitch at the beginning and so we did our executive session in order to use the time that we could not be broadcasting. So, we're going to go back to the regular agenda. We're going to start with the uh we've already done the call to order and we're going to do the pledge of
>> allegiance. 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. >> All right.
Okay. Um I am going to uh look for public comment on any prior um issues brought up in a prior meeting. >> Recording in progress. >> Excellent. Does anybody have any public comment on prior issues?
All right. If not, I will move on. I have no chair's report. Uh and then we'll do the student representative report. >> You're up. >> Oh, I thought you said you had a >> I said I have no chairs. >> Oh, okay. Sorry.
um for like the district as a whole, the Lunberg Public Library writing contest winners are being announced on the 3rd and tonight Lunberg Field Hockey is um having a game in support of Haiti who has a rare and aggressive brain tumor.
Um at the primary school, Friday, October 3rd is their smile day and students are supposed to wear clothes with smiley faces. At Turkey Hill, the Scholastic Book Fair has already happened. Penny Wars is this week. Nature's Classroom is next week and
literacy night is October 22nd, but that's at the primary school. Um, for the high school, uh, fall sports have started and are going well. The middle school has a dance this Friday. NHS is offering peer tutoring every
Tuesday and AP exam registration is now open. >> All right. Well, uh, what float are you What class are you? >> I'm a junior. >> Okay. So, what what float are you working on? >> Um, our float we have grease and we
started building tonight. >> Okay. All right. Well, thank you very much. Um, I want to move on to review and approve minutes. Uh, these are minutes from our regular session of 8625 and 9325.
Um, I will look for a motion on the minutes. Motion to accept the minutes of the two of uh August 6 and September 3rd >> and >> second. >> Okay. And all in favor? >> I I >> Okay. Uh next we're going to review and
approve line item transfers and warrants warrants and donations. So Chris, take it away. Should I say take it away or come on down? mic. >> Do we have a mic for him?
>> I can speak really loud. >> Oh no, >> look at here. He comes. >> Sean's gone. >> That was awesome. Thank you. Thank you. >> Hello. So, there's only one uh transfer for tonight. Um it's to move 20,000 from
the athletic insurance to the athletic dues and fees line. And this is to just to adjust both lines due to um when we sent in the fiscal year budget, we used the same Oregon object numbers. So they got lumped together in one line and so we're
just breaking it out now. So it's to show the correct balances for each line. >> Okay. >> Does anybody have any questions about the line item transfer? Um, just one question in the >> or one comment
>> in the in the narrative line. I've um you were really literal in the explanation. >> Yeah. >> And I appreciate that, but like a little more explanation is helpful sometimes. Okay. >> When I'm reviewing it beforehand. >> Uh but I appreciate how very literal
that was. >> Yeah. >> Um >> but thank you. So, it's just we're separating >> we're just separating them out into each individual line. >> Okay. So, >> so they're the same balances that were represented in the original budget. >> Okay. And athletic dues and fees are
things like the MIA and >> yeah, any athletic dues and fees that the um they pay. So, MAA fees, um, athletic fees for events, high school, middle school,
>> entry into cross country. >> Okay. And that doesn't come out of the revolving fund or Okay. >> I don't have anything. >> Any other questions? >> Motion to accept the transfer as outlined.
>> I second. >> All in favor? >> Yes. I I >> All right. >> Thank you very much. Uh, do we have any warrants or donations? No, >> you have warrants. >> Okay. >> These are the warrants. >> We don't have to vote on those. You don't have to vote on them.
>> All right. Those have been done. Uh, next the superintendent report. >> So, I'm going to start with district highlights and celebrations at Turkey Hill. The PAR professionals are doing a tremendous job. You may recall that we
had cut two PAR positions there last year. where we had made that difficult decision. But each day they step up to the challenges of the school year with dedication and heart, supporting our students, our teachers, and each other. Their efforts remind us that schools are strongest when every role is honored and
every person gives their best for the good of the whole. At the same time, the grade five team and Mrs. Mallister are working side by side to ensure our students have a meaningful start to the nature's classroom experience. Their collaboration shows what is possible when we come together with a shared
person, lifting each other, creating opportunities for growth and ensuring our students feel supported every step of the way. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our primary school staff for the way they work together with such dedication to meet the needs of every
single child. Their teamwork, commitment, and care shine through in everything they do, and it makes a real difference in creating a welcoming, supporting, and inclusive environment for our students. That spirit of care shows up in our students, too. One morning at breakfast, a child quietly
walked over to another student and kindly offered his apples. The response was a simple, sincere thank you. A small moment that says so much about the values our children are learning and living. These everyday acts of kindness are a reflection of what they see
modeled by the adults around them. At our middle school, our drama club led by Mora Lizik. a six or it might be Liza, a sixth grade special education teacher held its first meeting this week. Drama, as a former drama mom,
drama provides our students with so much more than a stage. It builds confidence, teamwork, empathy, and communication skills. Whether the students are memorizing lines, designing sets, or supporting one another backstage, they are practicing creativity, collaboration, and problem solving in
ways that will serve them well beyond the performances. Under MOA's guidance, the club offers a safe and inclusive space where students can take risks, find their voice, and shine together. Some of our middle school students are engaging in the science olympiad program, which offers hands-on
opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering, and math through challenging and collaborative events. Students work together to design, build, experiment, and problem solve. This develops not only their scientific knowledge, but also critical skills and teamwork and perseverance.
It's a wonderful way for students to see how classroom learning connects to real world applications and it helps spark the spark the kind of curiosity and confidence that lasts. Our world language department head, French and Spanish teacher and doctoral
student, Jesse Ayer, was awarded a prestigious Fulbright Hayes group project abroad award which allowed her to spend the summer in the I'm not going to be able to say it in French, the Ivory Coast, studying Bambara and designing curricula for Franophhone
Africa. During her time there, Jesse built meaningful relationships with local educators and students that will shape her dissertation, enrich her teaching, and lead to the creation of new curricular units to be shared naturally nationally through the American Association of Teachers of
French. Inspired by one of her own students with family roots in the Ivory Coast, Jesse returned with experiences that will ripple through her classroom beyond. You can read more about her transformative journey on the University of Florida's School of Education website.
Mrs. Atori's AP US history deblock students explore the abolitionist beliefs of Henry David Theorough and George Boutwell by analyzing primary documents and creating fictional conversations skits to perform for their classmates. This activity is part of
their preparation for Monday's public book talk with Jeffrey Boutwell, which already happened. author about well radical Republican and champion of democracy taking place at 100 pm in the adult activity center at the library.
Teaching and learning last week marked the completion of universal screening in mathematics and literacy for our students in grades K through five. These assessments provide us with important baseline data to inform instruction and ensure we are meeting the needs of every
learner. Our instructional leadership team has also provided thoughtful feedback on the core values as well as on the questions that will be used in our stakeholder surveys and focus groups. Their insights will help guide us in framing our community engagement
work this fall. At the high school level, Lunenburgg High School department heads and Mr. Santry are reviewing and providing feedback on the state's new competency determination requirements. This input will be critical as we adapt to shifts in state expectations and
ensure that our students are fully prepared for graduation pathways. Our plans for professional learning were executed seamlessly in September 30th. This year, our professional learning will be building based designed to be closer to the learner and tailored to the specific needs of staff and students
within each school. So, the high school worked um with artificial intelligence yesterday and Turkey Hill and the primary school worked um with the consultant on our new literacy program.
In addition, DESIE is requiring districts to develop a policy for middle school exploration by November 1st. Given that we do not have three school committee meetings before that deadline, I will most likely need to request an extension in order to bring forward a thoughtful and well-developed policy for
your consideration. Finally, we are moving forward with the roll out of our new data platform which will begin with grades K 3 and six. As part of this work, MTSS data dives will take place at the primary school in Turkey Hill starting tomorrow and Friday, supporting
our efforts to use data meaningfully to strengthen instruction and student supports. The business office, that makes it sound like it's a really big office, Chris has been working diligently to close out FY25, updating balances for all non-general fund accounts, including
revolving in grant funds. At the same time, the FY26 budget is under review to identify potential cost savings and to address current needs across the district. Staffing is also being closely monitored and a recent retirement has created savings that will allow us to
replace a full-time par professional position dependent on school committee approval tonight helping us maintain critical supports for students. Finally, the team is comparing FY25 budgeted and actual expenditures with FY26 spending to date, providing a clear picture of
where we stand through the first quarter. Um, Mr. McNamera will expand on that later when he gives you his quarterly update. Our facilities update at the middle high school. We are excited to welcome a new custodian. We
had some res resignations who will be joining the team on October 9th. Two evening custodial positions, a full-time and a part-time, remain open, and we are continuing our search to ensure the building is fully supported. In preparation for the colder months, the
boilers have been turned on and tested. Thank goodness, because my office is very cold, and our facilities team is making sure systems are ready for winter. On the grounds, the football field received a refresh thanks to a new order of turf paint and the great work of our team in maintaining the field.
Every improvement, big or small, reflects our commitment to creating safe, welcoming spaces where students can learn, grow, and take pride in their schools. At the December 18th, 2024 school committee meeting, the food service administrative review was presented. The review identified a
finding that the food service revolving had accumulated net cash in excess of the allowable carryover amount, which is limited to the equivalent of three months of average expenditures. To address this, the corrective action plan caused her spending down a portion of
these funds by reinvesting directly into the food service program through the purchase of new equipment. Investments included a new dish machine and grease interceptor at the primary school, a walk-in freezer and slicer at Turkey Hill Elementary, and a steamer along
with milk coolers at the middle high school. These purchases will strengthen food service operations while ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements. We have several important staffing updates to share from our special services department. First, I'm pleased
to welcome Katherine Cat Barry Grove as our new occupational therapist. Cat brings her expertise to support our students and we are excited to have her join the district. At the same time, we extend our sincere thanks and best wishes to Maggie Papor on her retirement. Maggie has been a dedicated
member of our team and her contributions will be remembered with gratitude. I am also happy to announce that Amber Gothy will be stepping into the role of team chair for the primary school at Turkey Hill Elementary. Amber will transition into this position once her current role
at Turkey Hill and the Achieve TLC program has been filled ensuring continuity of services for our students or her maternity leave whichever comes first. Finally, I want to note an important compliance update from DESIE. The department now requires that
re-evaluation and initial spe special education meetings be held on the 40th day without rescheduling for staff availability. In cases of conflict, parent or guardian excusal forms will be required. While the shift presents challenges for scheduling, particularly
with coverage, our district is committed to meeting these timelines while continuing to support our staff and families. So, it's a much quicker turnaround time for meetings and the IEP paperwork to be sent out to families. >> But it has to be exactly on day 40 or by
day 40. >> By day 40. It can be before day. >> Okay. Cuz yeah, I had seen that in one of the emails we got where it said on day 40. >> And I >> That's because the evaluation period is generally >> So, it has to be by day 40, but the state is not saying
>> you have to count the calendar and it has to take place then or not. >> No, they're not being that strict. Okay. It could happen on day 39. That's okay. That was my question. I was about to get real mad at the state. >> My community engagement and communication. September was a really
powerful reminder of the deep pride and energy that fuels our community. We started the year with collaboration as families shared their insights through the superintendent's entry survey which yielded 186 valuable responses and our students filled classrooms with learning.
For example, at the high school, where students began the critical process of analyzing strong college essays before drafting their own. Outside the classroom, our athletic fields and auditoriums truly came alive with spirit and teamwork. The small but mighty high school band's vibrant halftime
performances set the tone for the Blue Knights two definitive home wins against Gardener and Fitchburg. Beyond the competitive fields, our sense of K12 unity shown through with student participation in the primary school's annual DOT day assembly. On a personal
note, attending our field hockey and football games this past Friday, one right after the other, underscored the incredible atmosphere surrounding our athletic events. They are a vibrant showcase of the Lunberg spirit, a close-knit community that takes immense pride in its students and athletes. The
start of the year certainly tested our resilience such as with a rooftop fire on opening day. But in moments of challenges and in moments of joy and celebration, Lunenburgg demonstrated the strength of our unity. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the group of
adviserss who met with me last week to address challenges around budget issues. Your wise council was deeply appreciated and necessary. The meeting truly embodied our value of lifting each other up and I look forward to our continued vital collaboration.
I also had the benefit of meaningful professional development through the Massachusetts Superintendent Support Network. This group is designed for more experienced superintendents to work collaboratively to problem solve with colleagues from across the state. This type of ongoing professional connection
is crucial for effective leadership. Finally, I've applied for an extraordinary professional opportunity to join a national cohort of superintendent in a five-month program focused on effective communication and building trust with the broader community. The program is fully funded
through philanthropy and would be at zero cost to the district. I expect to hear about my acceptance into the cohort before our next meeting and I will be sure to share that update with you. That concludes my superintendence report.
One note, I think the about well talk is available on YouTube. >> Oh, excellent. Popped up in my recommendations. I haven't watched it yet. >> All right. Um I I want to go back. I did have one thing to report as part of the
chair's report. Two things um very quickly if that's okay. >> Um we uh Dr. Fortuna, myself and Chris had a meeting had two separate meetings with staff regarding the budget surplus.
We've concluded those meetings. They were really positive experiences. Uh staff were very committed and they had really good ideas about how to move forward. And as I said in the one with the U high school teachers, we are going
to have to borrow their credibility for a while because our math means that we don't have any. Uh the other thing that I wanted to report was um I was invited as the chair of the school committee to speak to uh Mr. Stevenson's government class, civics class, and uh
they were really great. I do have to say that the children asked really good questions, including one young man who asked me, "So, how many teachers did we lose because of the budget screw- up?" That was his first question. I had not finished talking about it. It just out
of the gate, punch in the gut. It was a great question. It was also a great reminder that like the kids do care, right? And so, uh, I really am grateful that Mr. Stevens invited me and I was glad to be able to participate. Uh we fixed the uh certificate in the elevator
was one of the questions. So that's all done and uh I thought that the kids are definitely engaged and they're watching. They're watching and paying attention to what we're doing. So thank you. Uh let's go to new business. So the first thing
on new business is additional primary paraprofessional position. So, we have had a student move into the primary school who is
um a student that likes to both from the school. And currently, um, principal Squire and assistant principal Smith and, um, Venne are really working, um, they're dividing the day up into thirds,
but that is taking them away from their other duties as, um, to be able to monitor and help this student learn and grow. Um, so the primary school um, Mrs. Squire included a letter in your packet
is asking for the support of a par profofessional to um supervised this student and help um her um integrate into the academic day.
I will say that was one of my concerns during budget season with cutting the paras down so much was our ability to be flexible because that um we cannot always predict what's going to happen. They're kids. They grow, they change,
people move in, people move out. Uh so yeah, this it's it's a very sensical request and this was one of my concerns with the cuts to the parah. Can we afford it? We can afford it because of the difference in that retirement. I'm
about to ask you for another power profession um power professional at Turkey Hill for the same reason. >> Um Juliana let me know yesterday that we have a movein that um is at Turkey Hill.
the same type of behavior um as our younger student is exhibiting and also needs a parah to be able to um fully integrate into the school community as you know cutting the paras
at Turkey Hill left too and it's just not sufficient for the 11 students that are in the room and for us to be able to do inclusion with those students so that funding. Chris, remind me where that's coming from.
>> Salary reserve and parapition. >> So, >> Dr. Fortuna, can I ask you a question? >> You may. >> Okay. one of the benefits of the idea like can you explain the benefits of an inclusion classroom for both groups of
students and why it's important for us to have inclusion classrooms. >> Absolutely. Um this is one of my favorite topics and Emily you can pipe in too as a special educator. It
actually is good for both sets of students to really learn tolerance and acceptance of differences and they really the students really learn from each other in these classrooms. Um I'll
I'm a teacher because of an inclusion classroom. It it really can shape lives happening early. However, students when they are included in a larger classroom and our class sizes at Turkey Hill are getting quite large. When they are
included in larger classrooms, they need extra support and the teacher needs extra support which is why we're asking for the extra and paraprofessional hands. >> Inclusion works when we fund it and give the support necessary and then it's better for everyone. So, >> yes.
>> Emily, do you think this is a good idea? >> Yes. >> Okay. Also, just to add, if if we weren't to add the support that the student needs, we're looking at possibly having to place them out of district, which is going to cost the district even more
>> money. So, if the student that needs support isn't going to get the support, they're going to continue the behaviors that are unsafe and putting them at risk. So it will save us money in the long run and it will be better for both the student that needs the parah and the
other students in the class. >> That's my perspective. Yes. >> Okay. >> Agree with that. >> How soon would we would this happen? >> Um I because this was a school committee cut. I'd like school committee approval to move forward with this. It will
happen as soon as you approve it. We have the postings ready to go for public decisions. >> Motion. One more question. Go for it. In um principal Squire's request, it had said that this student may or may not end up fully needing a pair based on the
IEP and evaluation process. Would this position be something that just stays anyways? If it's deemed not necessarily one-on-one for that particular student, >> if it's deemed not necessary for that particular student, um I believe the PAR would be assigned to kindergarten where
our class sizes are at 23 without a PAR. >> Can can I I have only recently learned this phrase, but can one of you, Emily, Dr. Fortuna, what's the difference between a one-on-one parah and a other parah? So one-on-one means basically the
pair is only assigned to that one student all day long, okay, >> for what they need. And then other pairs that are just support in the regular ed classroom or an inclusion classroom can help multiple students. >> So if the the student is deemed not to
need the one-on-one pair, they would still be able to provide useful support. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Um for example, Mr. Scal and Brandy. We currently have a student that is working on a behavior schedule. So 5 minutes of work and then a 5-minute break. 5
minutes of work and a 5m minute break. We're hoping to elongate that time for this particular student, but having somebody that can monitor that behavioral program and be able to extend that time and supervise that time is important. >> Okay.
>> All right. Do we have any other questions? >> We have a motion. Uh motion to add a paraprofessional position at the primary school to fill the staffing needs. Uh that >> you want both.
>> Oh, you want both >> for this time around? Okay. Um motion we can afford this. >> Yes. Okay. >> Uh motion to add two paraprofessional positions uh as where they're needed.
>> Thank you. I'll second. >> All in favor? I >> All right. >> All right. I'm asking you for one more thing. This was another cut that had happened last year. We went to um a
part-time computer tech and then an on call computer tech. And we've worked with that model through the summer and through the first month of school and it's just not working. Our services are a mishmash of the consultant,
um, our part-time person, our on call person, and Jordan. And what's been happening is if the hours don't match up, the high school students and middle school students especially aren't getting support.
>> Um, so what this would allow us to do is have coverage at the high school for the full school day. um if we reinstated the full-time position or even increased hours to 30 or 32 hours per week. Um
Jordan was telling me a a story about how a student couldn't get his quiz to load because we're so text dependent, I mean computer dependent in high school. Couldn't get his um text load test and there was nobody there that could help him. and Jordan was in a meeting and
couldn't immediately go over and by the time he got there anyway, the period would have been over for the student. So, it's really about our efficiency to be able to offer students what they need.
>> Do we have a cost for this? Because they would it would become a benefited position. it would become a benefited position if um the person chose to take um benefits and um the money for this would come completely from salary
reserve. >> Okay. So I guess the first question is Chris can we afford this? >> Sure. >> It's going to be my or it's going to be a question we ask a lot. Write it on a piece of paper. Hold it up. >> Hold the sign up.
So, yeah, we can afford it. Um, between the salary reserve line, which we haven't touched, and being almost 3 months into the fiscal year, um, I figured it will cost us between 38 to 45,000 for the for the rest of the remaining of
the fiscal year, depending on what the person comes in at for a hiring rate. Um, and also I think there will be a little bit of excess in the salaries line for the administrative technology line for staff. Um, we're only at about
20% spent on that through quarter 1. So there might be about 10 to 20,000 remaining in that account at the end of the fiscal year. >> All right. >> Could you just being new to budgeting? Yeah. Could you just touch briefly on
the salary reserve line item? Is this for my understanding of that? Is that's something why do we put that money in there generally for these situations? >> For these situations for extra hiring, >> staff turnover. >> Yeah. Like union contract negotiations. I That's where I think of it as, but
>> it can only be used for salaries. It can't be transferred to other >> Okay. >> expense accounts. >> Okay. If >> somebody leaves and we hire them. >> Yep. >> So it it's it's a hiring account even though these are >> Yeah. So we budgeted almost 90,000 in the salary reserve for this fiscal year.
Y >> last year it was about 350. So it's a quite a bit less but there is money in there just to be >> I think the 350 my understanding was because we were in negotiations I think some so but we aren't but we're pretty solid on all of our contracts now. So
>> on I'm skipping ahead >> except custodians >> custodians. Okay that's good to know. Thank you. >> On the FY26 first quarter budget report is the it cuts off the mun report which this is amazing. It cuts off school salary R. Is that the reserve account?
>> Yeah, it's the first line on the report. >> Okay. And is this the total appropriation or you just divided it by four to get >> So that was a total appropriation for the year. >> Okay. Does this figure the 90,000 does that did you preemptively take out?
>> No. >> Okay. >> That's the first quarter, right? This one. But this is the what we have for the whole year. >> Yep. That's what we have for the entire year for So for the entire fiscal year, the available budget is $90,76962.
>> Okay. And then we just hired the Turkey Hill Parro will partially come out of that >> and this person will be funded >> between we can always reclassify between the two accounts, but um most of it's going to come out of the salary reserve to start.
>> I thought the salary reserve was higher. Um, so there is an existing position, but it's half >> Yes. >> So, it's half time >> and this would mean moving from halftime to full-time or adding a whole full-time position on >> No, it would be moving from halftime to
full-time. >> Would that require posting it and hiring a new person? >> No, >> because I believe right now we have two quarter time. >> We Yes, we have um Walter and Chloe. Um,
and Walter is almost um part-time, a little bit less, and Khloe is on call for 8 hours a week. >> Okay. Would the position be split between the two of them or it would >> No, our hope would be that um Walter accepts the additional hours.
>> Okay. >> And you're you're comfortable with where the salary reserve will be? >> Yes. >> Anybody else have any questions? All right, Lori, you think it's a good idea? >> I think adding it is always a good idea. >> Okay,
>> because we we have a very small IT department for a school of this size and the amount of technology. >> Think about how many kids are at the middle high school and how many laptops Jordan set up this. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> I saw the warrants go by. There's a lot of purchases. >> Yes. >> That's a lot of work. I do not
understand how Jordan does it. >> Yeah. I think Jordan is uh punching above his weight >> in terms of >> how good he is for us. >> So I Yeah. So I'll make a motion to approve this request. >> All right. >> Of a potential hire for the IT
department. >> I'll second it. >> All in favor? >> Yes. >> I All right. >> Do you see a lot more staffing additions coming? I know I'm not going to complain because you're new and you are adding what you see the needs. Do you see more
coming? A lot more coming down the line. No, because I don't think we can afford a lot more. I think what we're doing is patching holes. The two paras Emily was exactly right. It's most likely going to save us some out of district costs
>> and this technology position. I don't think the workload is sustainable for the person that's in it. Now, would I love to replace everyone that we let go? Yes. I just don't think the budget >> No, I just meant uh Yeah,
cuz I see you filling the holes as you see the needs as they arise, and that's totally understandable and I think expected. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh fall athletic report. >> Is Shenina online?
>> Excellent. am just ran in from a game that we're having right now. Um good evening everyone. Thank you for having me today. Um I'm just going to give you a quick update on the athletics for fall. This is from um September 23rd. Obviously there's been some updates
since then. Um we've come off to a strong start. Um we've had some about similar engagement um in participation numbers as we did last year um for a total of about like 167 to 169 students
at the high school level and about 87 to 89 students at the middle school level. We are still um open to having some more unified um basketball participants. So that is that registration is still open. So that will change a little bit. Um the
two big programs that are doing oh three big programs that are doing fantastic right now are girls soccer. They're undefeated. Field hockey is undefeated right now and as well as um golf is doing very well. Um they are not undefeated but they are doing very well. Um football is doing fantastic. Um cross
country is doing amazing too. Um you know we had a drop in numbers um due to the athletic fees but we're slowly recouping. Um but so far so good. Kids are enjoying it. Fans are enjoying it. We're, you know, trying to get the vibe back up um, you know, to the start of
the school year. So, everything's going great. Do you have any questions for me? >> I do. How is the girls field hockey team doing tonight? >> Um, it's as I came in it was 00. Um, tonight is they are doing hope for Hattie. She's a first grader that
attends Lunberg public schools. Um, she was diagnosed with DIPG, which is a rare brain tumor. Um, so they're doing a raffle and they're doing a lot for her tonight. So, it's nice to see that crowd there today and the girls are all wearing their Hope for Hattie shirts. >> Oh, that's so great.
>> Yeah. >> Well, good luck to them. Yeah. And thank you so much for taking on this role. I know this, you know, you are doing two jobs right now. So, thank you, you know, thank you for doing this for us. >> No, no problem. I enjoy being around um you know in this aspect of the work um
you know seeing students in a different light than um just being as like an assistant principal and having to be kind of like the disciplinary but now I'm more of like the athletic side. So it's nice to see kids that have never approached me before but I'm having a I'm having a good time. >> Good. Thank you.
>> Thank you >> and thank you for this numbers report for the um participation. This is fantastic and very helpful. >> Um, and really well done. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you.
>> Any any further uh questions for Miss Burns? >> Cross country participation went way up. Not went up, but 10. >> It's cuz cross country is awesome. Laura, >> yeah.
I I will say that the cross country team is always like a really tight-knit group of kids and so the fact that it's gone up after a huge swath of people left is a good sign. Um the I think that uh they
they travel and do you know events that build like good team rapport and I also think that uh Carus is a special person and the kids are absolutely lucky to have her. They are indeed. >> All right. Anybody have any other
questions? >> Oh, was this a different version than I looked at originally? The participation by year, you had percentages. >> Yeah. So, when I went back in and I looked at it briefly, I wanted to make sure everything was ready for tonight. I saw that I had missed completely the
2025 for boys soccer. So, it kind of shifted a little bit and I didn't have uh the time to put it into percentages, but those are the active numbers as of today. >> Okay, that's cuz I was going to comment on the high percentage of students that we have that participate in a in a
sport. It's it's impressive and it's nice. >> Yeah. >> Um I would look for a motion to accept the fall athletics report. >> So moved. All right. >> Second. >> All in favor? Yes. I >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. You guys have a good night.
Got to get out there. >> Good night, Shannita. >> Uh Chris, I think this is yours. Uh the 20 uh FY26 quarterly report, budget personnel, and Keystone. >> We don't have Keystone.
>> Oh, we don't have Keystone Collaborate. Okay, that's fine. So, it's just budget and personnel. Mhm. >> Right. Chris, take it away. >> Hold on one second. So, I'll go over FY25 the just some
points for the fiscal year through quarter 1. Um, last year we had only expended 2,990,30 through quarter 1. Incumbrances were $3,17,183 in the available budget. Remaining
was18,755,476 with a percentage used was 24.5. I can say for FY26, we're on track better. We're about a percentage and a half or 1.2% ahead of where we were last year. So year-to- date expended for FY26
so far 3,653,29 incumbrances are $3,89,598 and an available budget of $19,544,665 and a percent use of 25.7. So we're on track to spend out all the money for the year it looks like right now. and we're ahead of where we were
last year. Um, last year we were probably about a half% to a percent too low of where we should have been expending for the quarter. Um, and those are just some bullet
points for the FY25 and 26 so far. >> This MUN report. Thank you. Well, gritty. >> I think does MUN just I think MUN just makes >> Yeah. The only thing I don't like about the report is it cuts off the name.
>> Oh yeah, the line item name. It is possible to get the full name, but then the report looks a lot worse, honestly. >> Eventually, we'll just learn the account numbers from looking at it so often. Um, I really appreciate this. This is I so
appreciate the encumbered the the encumbered column and I just I think that's very useful to know what we've um >> so the unaccounted in me give me the what that column means. I don't mean to sound like an idiot, but
>> so any money that's going to be expended during the fiscal year that hasn't been >> So like someone's salary, >> correct? >> Which has already we already are going to spend it. >> Expend it in POS that >> someone's got to ask these questions, right? >> And then if Yeah. If there's a purchase order, >> if there's a purchase order, >> we know we're going to buy something,
but we haven't been for it yet. >> It makes total sense. I just wanted to make sure I understood what I was looking at. >> It's it's this is how you're supposed to do it. >> Yeah. And so the other question I had is um we actually talked about this at tri board last night. So when I'm looking at
these reports, these are budgets. Is this include any grant funding or revolving accounts or this is just what we've budgeted? >> This is just for the general fund. >> Just general fund budgeting. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. But wait. >> Yeah. >> But wait. Okay. >> That's better. >> Okay. >> It's
>> Chris, can I ask you like a generalized question? >> Yeah. Hey, >> one of the concerns that the interim town manager raised >> last >> two summers ago >> was about the complexity of the town's chart of accounts. >> Okay.
>> Given your experience in the accounting field, >> yeah, >> how do you think our chart of accounts for the district is doing in terms of its complexity, ease of management, and understandability? because I think that like fundamentally if we don't have a
good chart of accounts, it's hard to move through the system effectively. >> So the chart of accounts matches up with what Desi requires. >> Okay. >> Um so that's kind of we're kind of stuck with >> Yep. >> stuck with that. But the the ease and use of Munis is a lot better than a lot
of the other accounting systems I've used to just spit out reports. um like this report these two reports only take five minutes to pull. >> Okay. But like in terms of like you moving through this like one of the
things that Carter Tetrazini had identified was that we had >> you know created new accounts for vendors that were just supplying the same thing. And so it looked like we had hundreds and hundreds of different line items for, you know, like the toilet
paper as like an example or something. >> We're not doing that. >> No, we're not. >> Our chart of accounts is created and essentially mirrors what Desi requirements are. >> Correct. And it matches what the end of the year report for DESIE requires as well. And so it's not something that it
would be I mean it is big because it's >> it's very large >> but it's not something that's uh unnecessarily large. >> It's not unmanageable. No. >> Okay. And you feel like Munis is a good system for us to be using. >> It is probably
I would say the Cadillac of systems for municipalities. I would say in Massachusetts majority of municipalities use Munis or either Munis or another system called Infinite Visions. >> Yeah. >> Um but Munis is probably the Cadillac of
municipal accounting. >> Okay. >> The next question is totally different than like the systemic health kind of things. When you are budgeting us out and you say, you know, we're 1.2% 2% ahead.
>> Do you mean that we are spending more of the money or we are saving more of the money? Like what what is your metric that you're ahead of what is what I'm asking? >> So we're ahead of what we were last year. So last year we left between
I don't remember the exact figure, but it was between 550 and 650 in surplus. >> So we're ahead of what we were last year in spending. Um, our original appropriation is obviously a little bit bigger than what last year's was. So,
um, I believe that we are on track to spend out all the money. >> All the money like >> most of the money, >> but so we'll have no surplus whatsoever. >> No, that'll >> I'm not going to say down to the penny. No, but um, we're on track to spend out most of the funds that were
appropriated. >> Okay. And last question, it sort of ties the two things together. Mhm. >> In your opinion, what is an appropriate surplus for us to have as we approach the end of the year? And I know Dr. Fortunately, you had given us an idea of
what happened in your previous district and how we had consistently had bigger surpluses than you'd feel comfortable with. So, what do you think, having looked at this more? Yeah. >> Listen to what Dr. Fortuna said, what do you think our likely surplus will be this year? And what would you want it to
be going forward? >> So I can say going forward I would like it to be nothing but I think that's unrealistic as well. Um so I think for the size of this budget if you get under
let's say 50,000. >> Okay. >> Um it would be that would be reasonable. um just because you need money towards the end of the year if you have any emergencies. Um so
you want that buffer there as well. Um so if there's an out of district placement that you might have that's coming up or if there's a boiler that breaks um you want to have you want to have the funds available to pay for that in that
fiscal year. Funny you mentioned that. I you I prompted you probably asked one last question. One of the warrant items that we're going to pro proposed and vote on in a minute has to do with uh a special stabilizing account for out of
district placements. If our budget surplus is $50,000 >> Yeah. and a child moves in in February, which is after the close date for the
look back on uh the circuit breaker money. Let's say that the child moves in and we only have that $50,000 surplus. There's no placements, no out of district placements that are only $50,000. >> No. >> So, what do we do? >> There's money in the special ed. Sorry,
you answer. There would be money in the special ed circuit breaker that you would have to >> okay >> go into, but I think that would be a last resort as well because you kind of want to build that up over time. Um, that's one of my goals is to build up
this the school choice and the special ed circuit breaker over time as we move forward. >> It's not enough either. That's one kid. >> I I know. But >> uh so do you think it's a good idea to have this special stabilizing account set up? >> Yes.
>> Okay. >> All right. Anybody have other questions now that Laura and I have peppered him with questions? >> I really appreciate this. >> No, thank you so much. >> Yeah. And there's also another report I can pull too for you guys for meetings going in the future that's just totals
only. So if you don't want to look through all 18 or 20 pages and just see each individual >> line item, you can see that as well. >> I like each individual >> Okay. >> line item, but it might be helpful to see it all >> the breakout.
>> Yeah, but I I very much appreciate the detail in this. >> Yeah, I do think it's interesting just to see the percentages and stuff is really helpful to me to get a better grasp on our spending. I know this is not typically what we do,
but we have two members of uh Fincom and Select Board. And so if they have questions, would you be willing to answer them? I mean, they're >> Yeah, >> they're both coming here on a day where they don't have to. >> Yeah, >> they're volunteering over and above their volunteering.
>> They just really like fun. Um, do either uh, Miss Lockwood or Miss Emy, do you have either of you have any questions for Chris? >> About this particular? >> Yes. >> No, I have a question about something else. >> All right, go ahead.
>> Come up to the mic. Sure. Yeah. >> Yeah, come on up. >> If you're wondering, >> come on. You know, >> can I use this or do I >> You can sit here. I'll move. >> No, it's fine. Uh Rene MP6 Iris Court um just speaking
as myself. I had a question going back to the positions you guys talked about. When you say you can afford them, are you factoring in >> I know you don't know if they'll take health insurance because these are benefited positions. Are you are you >> factoring that in you know worst case
scenario that they will. So when you say they that you can afford it, you're factoring in >> the health insurance fully benefited. Okay, that was my only question. >> That is the that is the benefit of carrying the health insurance in our lines >> is that
>> we you know, how are you? >> Good. How are you? >> So, last meeting we added another position that went from part-time to full-time. >> Correct.
>> And now we're using we're making a full-time. See, I was listening my way here. Uh, we're making a full-time position on the IT. We are hiring a new private professional. >> And one pirate professional is retiring.
So, the salary should be close to a wash out. >> Yeah. >> What is the total financial impact of these three hires that will have an impact on the salary reserve line? >> Sorry. Um, I believe the pair is going to cost
between 26 and 27,000 for their salary. And then for depending on what they hire the IT person at, that's going to be between I'm projecting 38 and $40,000 because we're already 3
months into the fiscal year. >> Okay. >> Um and I think on the 26,000 for the PAR, that's on the high end, too, because we're three months into the fiscal year. Um so it's going to be between
probably 55 to 60,000 >> for those three positions. >> For the three positions, >> is that including health insurance? >> No. >> So that was going to be so >> so as a matter of practice when you're hiring someone. >> Um
>> how are you estimating so you know you have enough money the the benefit which is most the benefits which is mostly the health insurance. Yeah. How is going to be your practice on budgeting for that? So, I'm looking at what we've expended currently through the year and >> for health insurance.
>> For health insurance. Okay. Um, and what it would cost for them monthly to have them on the city's insurance. Um, I can tell you right now that we're not at 25% through
for the health insurance through quarter 1. >> Okay. What percentage are we doing? We are at >> what line is that? >> I'll tell you in one second. >> Just what account number and I'll look for it. >> It is. It's 5200.
So we're only at 24.7% right now. So we're a little under 25%. >> Right. >> Um so we're right on a ball about at the ballpark to spend out that line item item, but we're a little bit under too, I believe. Okay.
>> So those when I factored in the health insurance for the two I saw what we had expended currently which is about 915,000 and we had appropriated about 3.7 million for >> be three we have we're hiring three positions that might be taking health
insurance >> correct last last meeting and two new this meeting. >> Correct. So, >> so I think where we're at, we're we're very comfortable I think for the health insurance. >> Okay.
>> So, the final request like that that question is always going to be in my mind whenever you guys talk if whenever we talk about you know expenditures, new expenditures that are not in the budget. >> If we could whenever we are talking about it, if we could always have what
is the financial impact? >> Yeah. um and you know where it's coming from. Yeah. >> Um and especially with staff, you know, like the health insurance is one that can it's tricky to budget. >> Yeah. >> But um Yeah. No, thank you. >> Yeah. You're welcome. And also for the
IT person, I I'm not sure if you were here, but we do have a little excess in the salary line item for administrative technology. >> Probably between 10 and 20,000. >> Okay. Um, so that's between Jordan's
salary, um, Walter and Khloe right now. So there is some excess in that line. >> Okay, that's great. >> All right, thank you. >> Can I add to that actually? I think it would be interesting like in private um, budgeting people use a fringe number. It would be interesting benefits.
>> Yeah. To me, no like right a tax and fringe benefit number. That >> is is how we would budget when I worked in nonprofits, right? So, you know, the person you hired, let's say they made $50,000, the fringe could be 10% or, you know, whatever it is. I don't know if if
that's a way we could talk about it or is that not >> that's possible relevant? >> I think the term fringe benefits sometimes is not related to health insurance. >> Okay. >> Um, it can be >> other fringe. >> Well, right. So, but maybe we I'm just
trying to think of an easy way to have a conversation about it. Maybe we don't call it fringe, right? But like when you look at a salary maybe cost >> like the what is the benefits cost for each >> the benefit package I think >> right for each >> for each position just might be like to think about it as an actual number I
think is a little bit what Anna's saying I don't mean to put words in your mouth. >> Yeah. No that's that's what it is like my mind I have these >> it's hard to c as an exact. >> Yeah. No I mean I know if they're going to take but you could plan on you know generally a person who takes a family plan costs >> an estimate. You know, Laura, it's hard
and it's not at the same token because when you look at the usage of the health insurance is like 85% of you know like there are numbers and there are that is data there that you can use to really understand to put it a solid number that
when you're proposing you know a new person what is the average because they will end up going in that pool right eventually everybody will just be part of that grape. So, >> and one of the things that we can do is once the positions are hired is we can
come back and let you know if and they did in fact take benefits. >> Yeah. >> And by the way, I want everybody to take benefits. I think health is a super important thing. I It's not that I I'm just thinking of the financial impact and what that's important. It's a huge part of >> on on the budget. That's that's all.
>> Yeah. Because it's such a huge part of our budget. It's almost >> probably seven to eight% of our budget. Yeah, it is. Yeah. So, anyway, all right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Anna. >> Thank you, Renee. Thank you, Anna.
Anybody have any questions for uh any additional questions for Chris? >> Uh, >> so thank you, Chris. Keep up the good work. We also used to get staffing reports like resignations and hires um quarterly. Can we go back go back to
doing that? I just I It's nice to know. keep an eye on it like if everyone in one department is resigning that would be nice for us. >> Yeah, that would be good to know. >> Um, also we had this uh don it's not a donation, it's us a donation and I don't know where that falls in the agenda.
>> Oh, it's it should have come under donations. >> Yeah, I was I noticed that and I'm like it's it's not us getting things. It's us donating things. So, I don't know if >> we should go back. >> Let's do this. Let's uh do the vote to accept the quarterly budget report and then we'll go back to that.
>> All right. Motion to accept the quarterly budget report. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. All right. >> Do you Does the committee wish to talk about the grants and revolving funds which you also had in your folder today? >> Yes. I had a question about that actually.
>> Do we want to do your other thing first? >> Well, Chris is right there. >> Okay. >> This is This is fantastic. So some of these have very little in it. Some are negative. >> Yeah. So So the ones So all those are
all the grants and revolving funds that I could find in Munice as of last Friday. >> And those are all the cash balances in Mun as of that date. How did
>> the only one that I really want to break out is the after school activity fund >> because it it's a combination of the elementary school, the middle school, and the high school. >> Oh, those be separate cuz they're run separately. >> So, they're it goes in one pot right
now, it looks like. Um, but there is a way to break it out because on each cash receipt it says where it's coming from. So that's going to take some time to get together. Um, so that's one thing I am working on
right now. >> And remind me in municipal budgeting these accounts we can roll over that money. It's just the money that comes in the general fund we can't roll over. >> Correct. >> Okay. What is >> so it doesn't have to be spent by the
end of the fiscal year basically. >> What is the S SOA evidence-based LE and >> that is the reading specialist um position that grant we fully expended last year and we received new funding this year that just hasn't posted yet.
It hasn't posted yet. >> That one is negative. Don't like to see that. Um and the er so some of these are close them out. So, some are very old. Um, I'm not sure if they've all been closed out yet. That's one thing I'm also looking into.
>> Um, >> in your copious time. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. These capital plan >> Yeah. >> line items. Not for this moment, but just we'll be curious in the future kind of what those are. >> The FY25 one. I think we're actively
spending that like warrants are coming in now. And if you want to take a look at the detail, there's a a workbook for each individual account. >> Oh, yeah. Down the bottom. >> Um on the bottom. >> Oh, >> so everything's linked. So you can see the cash receipts broken out. Any
>> AP for a spreadsheet, Laura. >> Um >> hiring. You're welcome. >> No, this is amaz I was going to >> CRP stands for cash receipt. A stands for >> AP or expense. Um, and then there are some journal entries are in there that
I'm looking in at right now. >> What is lost book? >> That one. I'm not sure. >> That one actually right now is turning into lost computer. Um, it's where those
funds go into. >> Okay. >> Um, we have names on that. Are those student names? They are probably student names that had to pay into it. We should look into that. >> Okay. I'd like it if we could not have
students. >> Okay. So, I I I would um >> I'd like it if we could not have the parent names of students in the >> kids of klutz or kids of klutz. I don't know what to say. >> These should not be on uh things that are I mean because everything you share
with us is a public >> becomes a public document and I would like it if we did not have student names on there. So, uh, I'm kind of sens I I just think we shouldn't have student names on there, but, um, there's so much information here, you couldn't have seen
that. >> You're 100% correct. >> I was wondering if those names and now I know. >> Can I ask that we for a future item, we talk more about these these funds a little bit? I think we have a lot on our agenda tonight, but I think it would be of interest to me just to go through
some of this sort of, you know, what what might be available to us as, you know, as our budgets are leaner. >> Did the finance director always have access to all this information or did you create these reports and these
>> uh I believe they did have access. How come we did not see them for >> it's so when you go into munis into the account inquiry you can download all the detail from into excel um so I believe there was >> I mean we repeatedly asked for the
>> this is what >> athletic revolving account multip what we have asked for for two years I am so thrilled to see this and this is >> I just love that it goes down to the the warrants and the purchases is I
>> you should be an accountant in your next life. >> I don't like math. >> This is fantastic. >> No, no, I'm just I'm just giving you a high. >> This is This is what we were asking for. >> Yeah. All right. Let's Let's uh do we want to
accept the report on the revolving account and grant funds? >> So moved. >> Second. But, uh, with the caveat that maybe we, um, >> yeah, >> get rid of student names on there.
>> I'm also worried about the circuit breaker one because I know the circuit breaker purchases usually have the names of students on them. So, I want to make sure that those not the names of take a look at that. >> I just want to make sure we are all 100% clear.
>> I don't care if my son's broken laptop is known to the public. >> That's what I was laughing at. Do not under any circumstances >> trying to decide the last name >> want to identify anyone on the circuit breaker. That is we got to be 100%
double triple check. We cannot have that go out. >> It is absolutely protected information by federal statute. >> Yeah. >> It would not be helpful. >> I don't think it is on here. FYI want to go through it. >> I just want to make sure that is the one that like I said
>> Mhm. My son is Captain Butterfingers. I'm fine with that. >> Yeah, but other parents might not. >> The circuit breaker one is different. >> Like if my kids breaking laptops every week, I'd rather we just not announce that publicly. >> Oh, shame him. No, I'm just kidding. >> All right. Uh we'll accept the
>> the addendum >> the addendum to the motion. Do you do you want to second it again, Mandy? >> Oh, second. Sure. >> Okay. And then uh do we have a vote? All in favor? >> Yes. >> I >> I All right, let's keep going. Back to donations.
>> Back to donations. >> So, as the committee knows, we adopted um Hardcourt Mifflin Hotton, I think is who they are now. Um version three of the HM reading program. Um, this year we
still have a surplus of HMH2 materials that are not useful for us, but may be useful for other districts. And we're looking for the school committee's permission to donate, offer to donate those to other districts that
may still be using at HMIH2. What form do the curriculum materials take? Are these CDs or books or like an online subscription? >> Some of them are books right now. >> Like physical workers? >> Yeah, these are physical work.
>> Is there a school that we know wants it? >> Um, no. We're going to look into that. We wanted your permission prior to putting Felers out. >> Excellent. I make a motion to accept your request to donate. >> Second. >> All right. All in favor? >> I.
>> I. All right. Let's go down to facility fee document update. >> All right. So, you um were in we implemented new facility rates on July 1st and we would
like to revise some of those um today. Most notably, actually the only one we want to revise is our AB support. What we've noticed has we want to make at least one hour of AB support
mandatory for people and we want to increase the salary to actually what it's costing us. >> And the reason we want to do that is what's happening is some groups are using our auditorium and our AV equipment and saying to Jordan, "Oh, you
can just do that on the Friday before the Saturday event during his work hours for us." So we don't want that practice to continue. >> So we're asking for one um mandatory hour.
>> When you say mandatory um meaning if they're going to use certain >> can you this is a dumb question. >> Can you use AV support without using any of the facilities or this is an add-on or if you're going to use the auditorium you have to have AV support?
>> No it's an add-on. >> I think that that makes sense. >> Okay. Yeah. So, so if you don't need the AV at all, you don't need >> We're not trying to make a profit. We also don't want to bear the cost of out. >> Do we bill in hour increments? >> How do we bill, Liz? In hour increments.
>> Okay. >> All right. Oh, proposed per hour. Yeah, sorry. It's on the >> But you can't just hire AV support like without >> Right. >> All right. >> You can't check off that you want AV support without paying for at least
Jordan for like a DJ. Okay. I make a motion to accept the increase in the AV support line. >> There's also an increase in the custodial line due to increase in wages. >> Oh, where was that one?
>> It's um right above AV support. >> It's going it's currently 36. Want to raise it to 39. >> Oh, I missed these. Okay. >> Okay. >> Um and that is to reflect current wages, which is what it's costing us. Uh, >> so when it says $30 student, that's $30
if we use a student fee. >> Correct. >> So, for example, >> we have an AV club that >> And we don't right now, but for example, last year, Walter was a student. He was a senior in high school. Okay. >> And he was doing the majority of the
setup work. >> Do we have students that do that now? >> We don't have a student right now. We're trying to get one. >> Yeah. No, that's a very they're cheap and it's nice training. Yeah, them >> while they're trying to recruit. >> Do we have a a second on Mandy's?
>> Second. >> All right. All in favor? >> Yes. >> All right. Excellent. Let's move on to the facilities and grounds report. Mr. Stevens, I believe that is you. Mr. Stevens, come on down. >> You're the next contestant on the prices, right? >> It's nice to see you. I feel like we haven't seen you.
>> I know. I was supposed to be at the last meeting, but I had to go forward and >> No, it's okay. It's just like we don't get to see you as often. >> Um, so the most part for our capital projects during the summertime, basically everything uh has been finished up. The mini split project is
complete. Um, they're going to be giving me training on that, I believe, next week on how to work that for my computer. >> Um, the security upgrade, camera upgrade at Primary was completed. Um, the fire alarm upgrade is finally at
100%. They came in this following weekend and finished up the demo. So, that is done. There was a few things that we had issues with that we made them uh come back and take care of while they were there. Um, also there was security upgrade there as
well. We are still waiting on the head unit to operate that for the the uh card access and all that. Um, it's mostly a manufacturing issue. It's I think it's across seas and it's taking forever to get here. Um, so they said as soon as it's in their hand, they're coming over
and installing it and get us back up and rocking and rolling. So it's basically we're running off the old system for the most part right now. So it's business as usual. Um, but the cameras and everything are all up and running. Um, >> so are the key cards working or >> the key cards? I I don't think they are
right now because she's having to let everybody Yeah, I know. It's a real pain. Nobody's nobody's liking this right now. So, we've been breathing down their throats and they're like, "We're doing what we can." Um, so it's it's kind of out of both of our hands. Um, the door upgrade over there at Turkey
Hill was completed. Uh, the two double sets of doors in the front, one in the gym, and the double set going out towards the dumpsters were all done. They've got um new card access for the dumpster side as well. Um, so but we're still waiting for that unit. So that
that will be up and running as well. Um, but other than that, doors work great. It's a beautiful thing. So I know what it's like. >> Alicia's happy. >> And I saw you put up >> She's going to be a lot happier when that head unit comes in. She doesn't have to buzz everybody in. >> Yeah. I saw you put up the uh awnings.
>> Yes. The awnings put up. Yes. Because of the ACE program, we might thought they might be having to come in that way or whatnot. And for uh central office as well. It's a little bit of a walk. Um, we're also going to look into perhaps getting some lighting over there because if you guys are working kind of late,
um, I had a quote in there. I want to get another one or two and just see where that's at. Um, that's coming down the pipeline here soon. Um, we had a new truck delivered um, I think it was April and May this year. Um, it did not have a
plow with it. So, we are getting a plow outfitted on that truck because right now we basically have two new trucks and we got two old ones that are on the way out. So, basically anything can happen with the old two. Um, we're going to get
the newer dump truck. We have an old dump truck, a new dump truck. We're getting the new one outfitted with wiring for the sander in case that truck goes down. So, right now we're just trying to use that one until there's nothing left of it. So there's no no need in making the new truck all rusty with salt and pre
prematurely, you know. Um, also we got uh reiterating what Jody had said about we got all the new dishwasher. I helped Naen facilitate all that. Get that new drying run, the dishwasher machine, the grease trap done, get all the um the steamers and
the milk things going. Um I think later down the line I think she wants to get the serving line done at Turkey Hill as well cuz that's old and it's had it and upgrade that. Um so as far as that going we are in pretty good shape. Um
the best we can be for now. You never know what's going to happen. You know anything can change by the minute, you know. So, um, we had two full-time positions open for the high school and one part-time, but I think after,
um, this coming week, for the most part, we got most of them filled. So, we're just waiting for paperwork to go through, fingerprinting, and most of that. And we will be basically at 100% over there. >> Whoa. um as best we can because we've been running a skeleton crew over there
for the last couple weeks. Um we've got two uh new hires. Um I mean they've been around for two months or so, three months now. Not even uh got Scott Hogan over at uh Turkey Hill. He's been fantastic. I hear very good things. And
the same with uh Daniel Johnson over at the primary and I'm over there as well. I see him all the time and he's doing great work. So um that's >> and these were existing positions in the budget they >> Yes. Yes. >> Okay. Can I just ask a general question
about so when we look back on the FY25 budget when I looked at the line items that we had not the school had not spent to um budgeted. A lot of it had to do with buildings and facility maintenance. And I know that was pre a lot preu and
you know we we had we were down positions and that kind of stuff. I just wanted to see if you feel as though whatever we've budgeted for this year, we have the staffing to sort of, you know, complete those projects, you know, and and that that that area, right, of
um what we oversee, you know, that we're we're thinking about that strategically just because that was an area last year. I think we didn't where a lot of them, correct me if I'm wrong, but right, a lot of the the funding issues actually came out of those line items. Um,
>> I think we're doing uh pretty good. Um, we've, like I said, we've >> we're uh we're going to be pretty fully staffed over at high school. And that was always kind of our Achilles heel over there was keeping keeping people over there. They'd leave all the time. So, >> um, things are looking pretty good from
what I can see. Um, morale is up, you know. >> Yeah, it's easier when there's more people. >> That's a good thing. You know what I mean? That's half the battle right there is keeping >> And you got a lot done this summer. This summer. >> Yeah. That's my head spinning still. >> Yeah. But we dug in and got it done.
>> I mean, a lot of long-standing projects were completely >> No, that's great. I just want I think it's something the school committee personally should be engaged on just because that is an area where, you know, we we fell a little flat the last few years. I think and and there was a host of reasons for that. Um >> I mean, I'm the first one if there's an
issue and we need help, I'm going to be the first one that's going to say it. You know, I'm not going to hide in the corner. >> Yeah. Yeah. because we want to, you know, obviously we want to do what we need to do to keep our kids safe and healthy in school. That's the most important. >> As soon as I hear, I try to nip it in the butt as soon as possible.
>> Keep those buildings in >> Yeah. And keep the buildings in good condition because we want to we want to use them. >> If you neglect them, it just comes back and it costs you even more later on. That's the problem, you know. >> Exactly. Well, thank you so much. I know that was more of a general question. >> Can I ask for one favor? >> Sure. >> Next time you come do a report, can we
also get it in writing because No, >> I go back and search. No, I Not like when it's in writing. You did a great job. >> No, I >> keep it simple because no slideshow, >> no powerpoints. >> It doesn't have to be I'm not going to ask him to do a PowerPoint, but we used to get just the quick report, I think,
>> and when I wonder where we are on things, I go back to the old reports. >> Plus, you know, I don't do as well with verbal as with written. >> Can I ask you a question, Mr. Steven? >> Sure. >> How are you doing? >> Doing all right. >> You feel like it's a lot.
>> It's It's a lot. most. So, you know, I'm I'm not a super budget person either, so I'm a get it done person, you know, so, you know, I use I use these guys a lot. They help me out, you know, but >> I mean, it keeps me busy and day goes by pretty quick, I'll tell you that.
>> Can we do anything more to support you? >> If I need anything, I you I'll be the first one to ask you guys. That's it. But other than that, no. I've I've been everybody's helped me out. Fantastic. So, I've got no complaints. >> All right. Thank you for the amount of stuff you got done this summer. I mean
that was just the amount of projects going on. I know some of it was subcontractors but the amount of things which had to be coordinated. >> It was Yeah. >> Turkey Hill was hilarious. Wires hanging everywhere. >> The place was filleted this year. >> Oh, and he moved everybody.
>> You had to move central office over. That was >> seems good. District office is >> settled. It was getting close to the end. I was questioning whether we were going to have it back together by school starting. But >> I went and visited that central office the other day and it worked great. The signage is really good and um the door I
I went and saw Liz and you know it was easy to get in and stuff. So that was good. It's very clear where you guys are which is a good thing. >> Lunberg. It looks nice. >> And then oh I guess that's the door issue is the >> Is that the part of the door issue?
>> No. Our door works. >> Was that one of the doors that was >> Yeah. theirs has a separate card access basically the same one that was at uh Pacios we took that out and then had to integrate it over to there so that like so central office is kind of separate sort of >> okay
>> um it takes a different card over there but let's just like at Pacios did than Turkey Hill >> but eventually once we have this other head unit back in and installed we should be able to upgrade I'll be talking with Jordan on that he kind of got the ball rolling on the on the
central offices We'll be able to hopefully get all that on one card. So there's one card for all three buildings, you know, you know, so people that need to be in all three buildings, their card will work in all three. You can turn ones off, turn them on for other buildings
>> and just simplify it. >> Is there an additional cost to that for us? >> Um, it would be most likely minimal. I don't think it would be that bad, but there will there will be a little bit. I think we might have to add it's a technical thing that I really don't know
that much about. The IT kind of people know what this on this end of things but >> but it is feasible and >> I've got three cards to get in the three different buildings. So it'll just get rid of one card and you get in everywhere kind of just >> Okay.
>> Yeah, it's it'll be good. The other the high school and primary are all I think already set up with it. So, it's basically just getting Turkey Hill on the same thing. So, and I believe we did that. I actually think once we have that new ED unit that it will be all the same except
for central office. >> Oh, so that's >> that's one one door one door in the whole district. >> Two will be better than four. >> Yeah. Well, thank you. I um I'm going to make a motion to accept his report. FY26. >> What What is it? The first quarter
>> facilities and grounds report. Second. >> All in favor? >> Yes. >> All right. Uh, >> thank you very much. >> Thank you, Mr. Stevens. The next thing we have on the agenda is authorization
of warrant articles. So, there are two warrant articles that have been proposed. >> Okay. I want to look I want to talk about a third too. >> And what I'd like to do is take the one that I don't think will be controversial first and then do the second one. so
that we can give the second one time for discussion. Does anybody have an objection to that plan? >> Nope. >> Okay. So, the first one it should be you should I know you definitely received an email. >> It's just in our email. >> Yep.
>> Yeah. And so, this is um just a little bit of background. We had an informal discussion working group with various people in town last Thursday and we had finally had everybody in in the same room to talk
about whether or not it makes sense to do some kind of special stabilizing fund, not a stabilization fund, not a revolving account. >> Why don't we call it a stabilization fund? >> There's some legal requirement in municipal law that prevents us from doing that according to the town manager. I know.
>> So, she wants to call it >> other towns have called them stabilizing. Okay. >> She would like to call it a uh special fund or a stabilizing fund, but not a revolving account or a stabilization account. >> Does she want to use reserve fund? That's what the state calls it.
>> Yeah. Okay. The I forgot what the name was, but call it a reserve fund. So, here's how the proposal would work. If we had a budget surplus, we would remit that money to the town and it would be placed in this fund and
then by a majority vote of both the select board and the school committee, we could use those funds to help uh offset the costs for out of district placement and transportation when the
outofdist costs out of district placement costs are incurred after our ability to budget for them. And the hope is that while we wouldn't be able to necessarily offset it like if something happened this year that eventually over
time we would be able to offset those costs. The other thing that this would do is it would create a mechanism to fund this without increasing the citizens tax burden. In other words,
this money is already being uh given to the school. It would be given back and instead of going to free cash, it would go into the stabilization fund. >> Would it require of because typically
unexpended funds go to free cash and then to expend those funds require a vote of town meeting. >> That's why we're doing this as a warrant article to change how. >> Yep. So this this means that to take
unexpended funds they would return to the would they go back to free cash and then but it would not require a vote of town meeting to >> no once the town meeting approves the reserve fund being set up like this then it would just require a vote of us and a
vote of select board >> to spend the money to spend the money but not to move it. No, no, no. The move the money would go automatically. It wouldn't require anybody to do anything there. That part would be set up. >> Happens automatically.
>> How would we if we wanted to put more than the surplus in? I'm not saying we would, but if we want >> that would require something. >> How would we do that? Or if we wanted to fund it the first year, >> I think that would require either some kind of line item budget or it would
require some allocation from town meeting. But we don't need >> I'm not asking to do that. We don't need to we don't need to worry about that yet because we'd have to have the account set up first. >> I wholeheartedly support this. I first heard about it last November at the MASC
uh annual conference and I thought it was a fantastic idea. The it doesn't it helps when the price is all over the place. It helps to ex to it it helps for the unexpected costs,
but if every year our costs go up, it's less helpful. >> Yeah. >> So my understanding is it's a one-year gap fix. So basically it's not about controlling the costs. My understanding if you is basically the first year you don't get the circuit breaker for the
person. So the person who's going to an out of district placement, let's say they cost $100,000 that first year. >> I would love it if they cost $100,000. >> Okay. I'm just using round numbers, Tony. So, right. Can Wait, listen to this. So, if you So, if they cost $100,000 to send it send to an out of
district year one, >> the state doesn't give you any money for that >> after a certain point. >> Um, if they it's a certain part of the year, correct? They move in >> because we could budget for it if they move in before, >> right? So, that the problem is you haven't budgeted for it. So, this fund we would be able to access to pay that
one time gap, right? And then the next year, >> that's all it would do. And then the next year um >> we get the trailing funding source from the town or from the state. >> We would get the trailing funding. >> We don't get all of it back but >> we get like 75% >> right. So but we'll be easier to budget for and we get 75%.
>> Isn't that what we utilize circuit breaker for? >> Circuit breaker is a trailing funding source. So it's it's it doesn't come in >> we have a revolving account that has a balance right now. >> Sure. >> Yes. I do think we need I >> the problem is that that is not sufficient. It would never be. I mean,
>> it's so if we're only having about 50 grand, we're not a year. We're not It's going to take >> My guess is that years >> that will be >> I right like the big issue is this is
something that is just a more efficient way to do something that we are already doing >> and it costs no money. This should not be controversial. So, my only question for you is, and we can talk about this because I'm going to vote for it to go on the warrant, right?
Is sort of if we had a situation like this year when we had $600,000 or whatever and that all went into that fund, like it's going to be an automatic into the fund, right? I think we want to just make sure as is these accounts that we're looking at like that the school
committee is closely monitoring that extra money account because you know what if in good times we ended up with a big amount there you know and the only way we can spend it right are we are we handicapping us >> but we wouldn't be handicapping us because we control what we would remit
to the town through our budgeting process right so it would only ever be the excess that we couldn't use >> that we couldn't use >> yeah so it's never going to hurt us. It can only help us. >> But once it's in that reserve, that's all we can use it. >> Correct. That's true. That's the only thing. But it's only going to get to the
play to the reserve after we've passed >> on using it for a full school year, >> right? So, I guess I'm just speaking to future school committees that will be sitting up here, >> right? That because we wouldn't want to be in the situation where then we had a million dollars going into this account
and then we couldn't use it for anything but the special ed. No, we should not be leaving. >> The other thing we shouldn't be, but I I just think I'm >> This is the other thing to answer Laura's question about the circuit breaker revolving account. One of the problems that we had in the last two
years was the circuit breaker amount, which we can generally count on being a certain amount change. And maybe Emily, you can probably >> No, I'm just agreeing with you. I just remember from listening. >> Yeah. And so if we have >> like it was 70% one year, it's 90%
>> one other year >> this year, but it >> it switches. And so if we have that revolving account and it switches in a way that's bad and we have somebody move in, it will not be enough. I mean, we've since we've been since you and I have
been on here, we've had three of these, the cheapest of which would barely be covered by our revolving account, and two of which would be not even half of the costs. >> So, I'm going to vote yes on this. >> Okay. My concern is that it's making
budgeting harder because now there's going to be two accounts that will pay out of district placement costs. The circuit breaker revolving account and this um special stabilization reserve
reserve stabilizing account and I'm just concerned that we're adding another revolving revolving account type to solve a problem. >> Oh, I I completely agree. The the issue
that we have is the current revolving account would likely not be sufficient if we had two people move in. >> No, it would not. >> But are we using it now? >> We'd be done. >> We do. We >> So, I guess I'm wondering Chris's opinion on this if we're overly complicating things unnecessarily or
>> Dr. Is there some other way you would >> you Dr. Fortuni? You did this in Hudson, correct? >> And so you think this is a good thing? >> Yes. >> Good enough. >> But um one of the things is there is a limit on how much money you can put into this account.
>> Okay. Only put in 2% of net school spending. Net school spending of what you actually spent that year, not the net school spending that the state identified. >> So maybe there weren't so net school spending actuals. Yes. >> Not budgeted.
>> Not budgeted. >> And it's how much? 2%. >> 2%. >> That seems I mean I'd still like to be spending more than that, but >> Okay. >> So spending if we spend how much is our annual budget? >> 26
>> 26 26 million. >> So 26 10% I mean 2% of that. So we really can't put that much in it. >> No, it >> a year. >> A year. But you know >> Oh, per year. Yes. >> Okay. But it can go higher than that. Thank you. >> Okay. I make a motion that yes, we vote
to put this on the warrant. >> Before we do that, I just want to read for the record. >> Okay. >> Uh it says uh to see if the town will accept the provisions of Mass General Law Chapter 50 section 13E to establish a reserve fund to be utilized in the upcoming fiscal years to pay without
further appropriation. That's Laura's question. for an unanticipated or unbudgeted cost of special education and recovery high school programs out of district tuition or transportation. Uh, by the way, if you look at the transportation line for special education that we had from Chris's
budget presentation, >> the special education transportation was more than 50% of the general education transportation. It is a serious cost and until we have somebody that's bidding, we have no way of stopping them from raising the price. >> So, we can use it on transportation. Is that different what you just read than
the wording you sent us? >> It is. That's the wording that the town manager put in. >> I like that wording better. >> Yeah, I do too. >> Thank you to thought I was going crazy. I'm trying to read along. Um, >> do you motion? >> Yeah, I made a motion to vote that the
school committee recommends this go on the warrant. Is that what >> second I'm supposed to say? >> Yep. >> All in favor? >> I I All right. Excellent. That's good. Let's uh go to the the more controversial one. Mandy, >> please don't call me controversial.
>> Let's go to the more uh >> more inspiring one. How about >> the more inspiring one? So, I'm I would like us to offer a warrant as a school committee um to mirror a warrant article that was on the town meeting warrant last year. Um as you may know, the school budget is always developed based
on an estimate of chapter 70 funding. Um, this is based on a number the legislature announces, not the legislature, usually it's the governor's budget in January of each year. The school and the town are required to build our budgets based on those estimates. Um, the town and school
department are not given a final number until the state budget is signed into law. That almost always happens in July. So that's two months after our spring town meeting where we have appropriated our funds already. Um this year due to advocacy by many members of the select
board, the school committee, the public, our state legislators were able to secure an additional $22,000 and $22,185 in education funding. Uh that was not budgeted to the schools during the school budgeting process. Um in order
for the schools to get that money, um it has to be a warrant on the upcoming November town meeting. um to go to its intended purpose. Um I completely understand that the school committee would need to come up with an actual budget of what we would want to spend
this $22,000 on. I would not ask the public to vote for the school getting that funding um without a idea of what we would spend it on. But I in good conscience can't ask. Um I asked many people, select board members, school committee members, members of our
community to go to the legislature and ask for this money to help um fill, you know, some budget gaps that we had and continue to have. And so I just feel very strongly that I think we should put it on the warrant for a vote. Um I'm not ready to answer all questions about it
because I do think, you know, we need to work with Chris and Dr. Fortuna, of course, on what that money would be spent on. The uh caveat here is the deadline to get in it on the warrant is tomorrow. So that's why I've brought it up today without all the full information that I think um is probably
needed. Um so I would ask my colleagues to vote in support of putting it on the warrant and you know then to have a further discussion about it in the next few weeks about what uh what the money would go for. >> Are there any specific things it has to go for or is that completely up to
>> It would be completely up to us. I mean, some of the things I think we could desperately use Paris in our kindergarten classes >> would not be up to us. >> Um, >> well, they would vote. >> Yeah, it would. >> It would be up to the superintendent. >> Um, right. But we would have to vote on it. >> Correct.
>> On a supplemental budget. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> Yes. >> Yeah. And hearing about the kindergarten classes. >> Yeah. I mean I and you know my my nephew's in a class in fourth grade with 28 kids in it. So you know I'm not saying that's what this money would go towards, but I just think we have a lot
of needs and um you know that's just my that's my pitch. So >> there's definitely things that can go towards. >> What? >> There's definitely things that can go towards. >> Yeah. >> Emily, do you have do you want to make any comments or ask any questions? >> No. >> Laura, do you want to make any comments
or ask any questions? >> I have a lot of opinions about it. Um, I think that a lot of people worked like like Mandy said, a lot of people worked very hard to advocate for the state to give us more money and to talk about the need for more money and the effect it'll
have on our our kids. Um, the chair of the select board came out to Boston with us even to advocate for this. Our state reps and our state senator advocated for this. And I think to say we don't need it now,
I think that would be false. But I also think it's going to be a really hard sell at town meeting because we because of what happened with the budget surplus. And I think it's hard to convince people we need the money even though we gave some of the money back.
Uh but we I think we could use the money and I think that the state increased chapter 70 because they in recognition of the increased costs to the schools and we should use the money. So I I'll vote >> yes for it.
>> Question then >> would we be or would Dr. Fortuna. Would we make these decisions on where we think it would be spent before special town meeting so we could present to people what our thoughts are and where it would go so they would
>> maybe have more interest in supporting or not supporting whichever way. >> That would be my suggestion if we're I mean I do think there is the consideration that the that you know Dr. Dr. Fortuna and Chris have a lot of finance stuff they're working on, you know, over the last um, you know,
between FY25, FY26, FY27. Um so you know I do think that there has been conver some conversation with some of the select board members who have talked about this and you know our I know at least um our former school committee member Brian Leighton has asked about it some and um I mean I
don't think it's an easy I don't think it there isn't let me rephrase I'm using too many negatives right I I do I do think there are some legitimate arguments for the fact that you know we want to make sure that we are spending this money wisely
and we are prepared to spend it wisely, right? And and I do think that that is something that, you know, we should consider. But on the other hand, I just feel very strongly the reason that I ran for office and the reason I joined this committee is because I wanted to do this kind of work and and there are needs in
other parts of the town. I I understand that, but it just feels pretty clear to me that the legislature put it in chapter 70 and education funding. So, it just it feels like to me that that's where it should go. >> Did that answer your question? >> Yeah. I guess I'm just wondering if we
were to leave it less open-ended, people may be more willing to like this and make a presentation. >> Yeah. >> Because I to your point as a citizen, if the school is just saying, "Give us the money. We'll figure out what's going." >> Right. That's what I'm thinking. Like, >> I'm voting no. I mean,
>> at town meeting. I'm voting no at town meeting because no, you guys gave back so much money and I don't know what you're going to spend on we have a plan for it and say we're going to increase pairs in the kindergarten and we're going to supplement PARS in the fourth grade or >> you know we're going to increase MTSS
because reading score the the >> I just don't know if that's feasible by November 18th. >> Right. I I mean I >> that's what I'm Well, I guess that's what I'm just putting out there like do >> I don't think it's feasible by November 18th. Right now, we are still trying to
figure out what happened in FY25, monitor FY26 very carefully, and build FY27 >> because I know >> I could give you a list of things to spend it on, but it would not be a comprehensive plan aligned with district
goals, which we >> even that would be helpful for people to see like these are the things we're hoping to fill. These are the things we're hoping to fix >> with this aotted money. If you were to vote for us to spend that, this is where we're headed. Maybe not, it's not going
to be in concrete, but >> an idea so that others outside of this room could understand what we were hoping for, I guess, in order to support or not support whatever they decide. I could give you a
less. I don't know if that's >> Yeah. No, I mean it's it's a leg it's a legitimate question. I and I I know Dr. Fortuna and I have talked about it, but I just feel very strongly that I have to do what I >> you know what I came here to do and I've asked a lot of people in this town to do a lot of things over the last few years
and they have done that for me and so I I feel like you know >> I'm also I'm not disagreeing with you. >> I have a role yeah people to want to support it's a tough call. It's a tough call. I'm not >> I'm not sugar coating it. Also, it's an
uphill battle. But just cuz things are hard doesn't mean don't do them. >> That is part of my other thing is just because this may not pass that town meeting does not mean in my mind we shouldn't at least >> talk about it and try, you know, or at least use the opportunity to present on the needs of the schools in front of a
group of people. >> It's not going to hurt to put it out there, right? I mean, >> so Tony, I'll let you talk now and then I mean this is all we have to >> So I decided that instead of just talking extemporaneously, I was going to write down what I said and just so everybody knows, I sent it to Mandy
ahead of time. Yeah. >> So that she would be able to respond. >> Yeah. >> After much deliberation, I'm going to vote no. And here is why. Uh I believe first, I believe that the schools desperately need increased funding. I believe that is beyond dispute. We need to do all we we need to do all of the
following. We need to restore car uh kindergarten paras. We need to purchase touchscreen uh uh touch view screens for LPS. We need a full-time athletic director. We need to repeal the bus fee. We need more robust support for re uh reading achievement. We need to increase class choice for high school students.
We need to lower class size in kindergarten through 2 grade. We need to fully rehab Turkey Hill and rework the turf field. The fact that we have needs is beyond dispute. Second, I think that a war warrant article like this will
make actually getting funds more difficult. And that is why I'm voting against it. Our problem is really three-fold. First, we do not have the credibility or understanding of our needs at this time to effectively use the money if we were to get it. I think
that's borne out by what Dr. Fortuna just said. Second, while it is chapter 70 money, under the law, we are not entitled to it because the town more than meets the funding threshold that mandates we get the money. If they spent below the threshold, state law would
force them to give it to us. But because they don't, it would be a discretionary allotment from the town. Third, I think that doing this will weaken our relationship with other parts of the town in the way that will impact our upcoming budget proposal. There are two other issues that we have to bear in
mind regarding this funding. We do not have a plan to spend it right now and even if we did such a plan would run into the problems that we have seen in the past with unfilled positions. Even when we hire on cycle for the schools we have seen we have serious problems
filling parah and custodial positions. Offcycle hiring will only make matters worse. If we ask for this money and we get it and it goes unspent both because we don't have a plan and or because of offcycle hiring problems and we have to
return this money, we will never get what we need come budget season in March and April when we do have a plan and the town is willing to give us the money. That's something I want to make sure everybody's clear on. The truth is that the town has repeatedly given us extra
money as promised during budget season. Heather Little MW upped the budget after Renee Mki, who was here, got involved two years ago, and uh Jen gave us 500,000 in free cash last year. They have a track record of doing the right
thing. We should make this request during budget season. Rely on the prior history to show that we will get what is best for the kids of Lunberg. This is a fisc this fiscal crisis is not caused by the town being stingy, but by flaws in
education funding laws, for example, the outofd district placement costs and the chapter 7 formula, by strict limits on methods for towns to raise revenue and on persistent COVID related inflation. My concern is that asking now
is risky, improvident, and damages our credibility. It also un it is also unlikely to patch the holes we know we have right now. We should ask when we have a plan and the money will do some good. Not right now. And so I will be
voting no. >> So can we just have a long I I respect totally respect your position. Can we have a like a a little bit on our FY26? No, our FY27. I know we don't have a full budget to
look at yet. I don't, you know, I know we don't have numbers. I guess what I want to just put out there is I am concerned that we're looking at a level funding, but that we are going to expect be
expected by leaders understandably because of the financial, you know, the financial constraints the town is under to be producing some sort of a level funding budget, right? and we cut all these positions over the last two years
and where we are currently in my mind is unsustainable. Right? So I >> I mean we we haven't had a level funded budget in since I've been on school committee,
>> right? I mean a level ser funded budget. >> No, like a level services like a level services not a level ser not a number budget like a level services budget. Right. The last two years we have not had a level services budget. We have cut positions. >> That is correct.
>> Over the last two, maybe three, no, two years. >> What? >> One. Yeah, it was only last year. >> One year. >> We >> we've only had it one year. >> Well, the year before we cut all those ESRE positions. >> But that's not that's not that has nothing to do with >> that's level but that's not level
services. Cutting >> level services. cutting past their positions was. >> But the the idea that we were those positions were positions that we had purposely >> they we knew they were going to be sunsetting. They were not cuts.
>> They were intended to be temporary. >> Yes. >> To augment. >> So we've only had one year where we've actually had >> Yeah. I level services. >> However, there were some. >> But it's not actual level services. Yes. You can say they weren't intended to be there for another year, but there's two
years in a row we were not level. We were not. >> No, no, that's not true. >> We cut all those ESRE positions. >> No, they were not cut. They were not permanent positions. Like the positions that we got for some of them were like we had to bolster MTSS.
>> So, we're talking we're talking around each other. So, I understand that they were not permanent positions. I am just saying the kids who went to school one year got different level of service than the kids who went to school the next year. >> I mean I I don't know if that's
necessarily true. I think that part of the problem is when we were looking at what ESSER was being used for. It was not necessarily for school, you know, public or student facing support. So like one of the things that we did was
we had a data specialist and I know that like a title one data specialist and that got merged with another position. I mean does that I mean I I I don't I don't I think if we're going this is part of the problem. If we are going to make this argument at town meeting then
we need to speak based on the facts and we need to speak based on what actually happened. And I don't I I think that Miss MK is correct in saying that we have only had one year where we had level services and then the previous
year when positions were allowed to expire that was part of the plan. It was not something that necessarily constricted what students got though there are are instances in which that happened. There were also things like we had extra nurses because of COVID,
right? Like that's that's not something that we should anticipate having. >> The student needs were different. >> Correct. Right. >> They needed less services as Esser's son said. And >> that's the hypothetical. I don't actually think they needed less.
>> So that's fine. So we can talk about we took cuts one year. >> Yeah. >> Right. And we can talk about the one year of cuts we took that I feel is unsustainable if that's you know. So, so I guess what I'm saying is that I want
to have faith in the process and I do want to have fa I do want to work together. I want to find ways, but I just want to make sure that we as a school committee are not and this has nothing to do with leadership in town.
This is everything to do with how we as a group are pushing for more funding for the schools. So that's what I'm saying is I'm saying I am concerned about next year and to me
the opposite of what you're saying is true is that every little bit counts and so I am concerned about next year and I know we are our numbers but you know I know our numbers are not firm and
there's a lot to be done um but you know there there was some data that seemed to picture us on a physical cliff for next year. So, you know, until I see something else that says something different, you know, the document that we were given, which I know has a lot of
problems in it. Um, >> and you know, one thing that I I think is like a really simple way to view this is like if you are a person that goes to town meeting but doesn't watch every school committee meeting and you see
this and it passes and they and we get the money and then we go back in spring and we ask for more money. It's it's pretty easy for that person to be like, didn't we give them money already? And I think that what I'm saying is if we keep
our powder dry and make it part of the budget process so that it works the way that it, you know, goes through all of the procedures we have set up, we could ask for this money and more based on the chapter 70 aotment and we would not only
have a plan, but we would only do it once. And I think that like in a situation where the school committee has damaged credibility because of the budget surplus, we want to be careful about how many times we ask taxpayers to
reach in their pocket and give us their money. We want to make sure that we do it in a measured way, that we do it in a consistent way, and that we do it in a way that even people who have only tangential contacts with school committee can be like, "Oh, yeah, that makes sense." Right? And if we say to
them in November, we rush together to ask for this tiny bit of money, knowing that we're going to ask for more money in April, I'm concerned that they're going to think we've gone to the well too many times. >> How many parap positions do we have open right now in regards to Tony's point
about the difficulty in hiring off cycle considering we just added two parap positions off cycle? >> I know primary has two openings. Turkey Hill doesn't have any currently.
Um, >> and the high school is all hired. >> Okay. So, it's not it it would would it be possible to hire more paras? >> I agree with Tony that I think it would
be difficult at this point in the year. >> Okay. Um, also >> except for the two we just approved. Also to your point, >> no, I think those are actually going to be hard to hire. I just needed your approval to post for them.
>> Also to your point, Tony, we are not asking taxpayers to go into their pockets. We're asking them to appropriate money that was given by the state. >> The state, it's a state, >> but we're not asking people to increase
their taxes. And I I I do think there's a difference in that that we are asking for unallocated money. >> I mean, let's be clear, it's all taxpayer money. >> It is. >> Some of it's filtered through the town, some of it's filtered through the state and then the town. It's all taxpayer money somewhere down the line.
>> It is. Um but we are not asking people to >> It's not going to increase their costs. That's correct. I don't >> And I think that's important to note. >> I think If we wait to do this, then this year
that money, we don't get to spend that money this year on those kids. And I I made this point so many times last year that kids are kids for a very short time. So those fourth graders in the really large classrooms, you can't go back and give them fourth grade again
with appropriate pair. They're in fifth grade now and they've what they were supposed to learn in fourth grade but didn't because the class was huge and the teacher had no backup. They don't get that time back. They don't get to go back and relearn the things they learned in fourth grade. And I'm blanking right now on what that fun stuff is. Fourth
grade is really fun. Um they they don't get that back. And if we I think November is very early and I'm scared to be doing it. But we there's no other time that we get to do it. We can't. I guess the thing is Tony I think you're talking about I feel an obligation to
the people who did the work to bring the money in and also the the families that go to school and see the problems that are there and that we as a school committee are sherking our duty of asking for money
that the state gave to our kids. >> I mean I I mean >> I don't think it matters when we ask for it. I just think that if we ask for it in a more credible way, we're more likely to get it. And what I'm what I'm concerned about is if we ask too many times, we will be the boy that gripe
wolf. And if we ask and get it and can't spend it because of offcycle hiring problems, we will never get it. And so it's not a question of do we need the money or should we ask for it. It's whether we should ask for a little bit now and then more later or all of it in
the appropriate cycle during the budget season. So, so can you comfortably say to me that you think this committee is not going to approach the town next year with a
level services budget? >> I would not support a level services budget. I think we need more things than that. >> I think that I think Yep. I think we need to restore like I said the list is pretty clear. I think we need to restore
kindergarten paras. We have class sizes that are built on the understanding that there will be a parah in each class and there is not and that is very very challenging. The data bears it out. Kids in kindergarten with large class sizes have a hard time. So that would be something that I would absolutely
support. I think >> yeah and our and our MCAT scores are not great. I saw them. I mean and that's not I mean I think that's a statewide problem but you know I looked at them the other day. It's not like our reading scores for our fourth and fifth graders are as high as they need to be. I also think that I would not support a budget
where it it we would not I would not support a budget that had the bus fee in it. >> I want the bus fee gone. It was an austerity measure when we thought we had austerity type needs. And now that we know that we don't, I want that gone for
all of the reasons that Laura argued. I mean, I that was the only vote where I I think I like changed my vote. >> I know. And I I was sad to do it. No, it's got to go. I'm not saying we don't have needs, and I'm not saying that we shouldn't ask for the money. I'm just
saying that in order to maximize the chance we get the most money possible, I think we need to do this during the budget process. And if I lose tonight, which it looks like I'm going to lose, I will be fine with that. I have no >> Well, I mean, you may convince me. I just I
>> It's kind of his job. This is why I don't want to be on the school committee because I'm crying in public. But it is something I am incredibly passionate about and I feel very strongly that I asked people to take time out of their days and lives
to ask for this money and I all due respect to the people on this dis who served in the last two committees. I don't feel as though the school committee over the last few
years has done enough fighting for the needs of our students and I >> I could figure out where we could spend this money like give me a few hours. >> Well, but so that's the thing. So, but here's my thing like and it wouldn't >> I just want to trust positions. We hired
a person who has a PhD in education because we want an expert to guide us on how to run the district and how to spend money and how to create a curriculum, which is really the three only three things we do. And for us to sit here and
say we're going to do this despite the experts advising us to do the other to do otherwise, I think that's I I just don't I don't have enough confidence in my knowledge of school administration, educational policy, and
uh you know, educational law to override what our expert is telling us. I mean, the town pays Dr. Fortuna a lot of money to give us advice and she is saying this is not a good idea. So I'm going to say for that reason plus the ones I outlined
the reason is no. And I don't think it's a matter of it we're we're like setting this up as like a false choice. It's not do we ask for the money now or do we ask for the money later. We can ask for the money that we're going to ask for now and the money that we're going to ask
for later during the budget process when Miss Lockwood's committee has a chance to vet our request when Miss Emy's committee has a chance to vet our request. And I and I will tell you like I know that you feel like there wasn't a lot of fighting but there were times
when when Carol Archin was at you know four meetings a week for you know seven or eight weeks in a row and if it wasn't for Carol and Renee fighting with the town manager we would have we would have had a levelfunded
budget but you know Renee and Carol convinced the town manager to put more money in the pot despite the fact that she didn't have, you know, really vocal support. And I think that, you know, like there's a track record of them
doing the right thing. And I, like I said, I would not support uh a level services budget. We have needs beyond what a level services budget would entail. And I think that we should let Chris and Dr. Fortuna,
you know, create that budget, pitch it to the tri board meeting, then pitch So, I'm fine backing off from the warrant, but I'm glad I want a commitment that, you know, we're not going to come in here with a level services budget because that's just not acceptable to me, right? I just don't think
we have >> I'd still like to go for it. >> You would? Okay. >> I I'm uncomfortable with it. I'm also uncomfortable with disagreeing with uh our >> I just I I I don't I don't want it to be something that tears this group apart, but I also want to make sure that we are
>> Mandy. The only reason I considered >> yes was because of my friendship with you and my respect for all you did and getting us the override. >> Thank you. >> If it was anybody else asking, I would just like I I She said no, so I say no.
>> Right. But you're >> but you have to I mean I I we've talked about this like >> like you know >> I will always >> this is our kids' lives. This isn't you know >> we're going to disagree sometimes. >> Totally normal in a board. >> I mean that's fine and I don't mean to be like I I really feel embarrassed that
I'm sitting up here crying. But like I just um >> that's the way people advocate. >> I I I'm passionate about things and I think that's a positive and a negative and >> No, it's always a positive. Never. >> I just I feel very strongly about it and I mean I didn't want to join the school
committee but I'm here because I I feel like I have a role to play and you know I have to play that role or else I'm not true to myself. >> It's okay if our votes are not unanimous and we disagree on things. It's >> I get that. I'm sorry. I like I want to just run away. I don't point out that
it's okay when we dis >> I know I'm I'm an adult. I get it. I just you know >> I'm still mad about the bus >> Minnie. You got to understand when we did the busy debate, I had worked for two summers in law school at Hail and Door Legal Services. I took cases for
clients where I got off the tea and the police said, "If you go into that housing project, we cannot come and get you. It is not safe." >> I then worked at the public defender for 12 years and I took way less money than I could have if I would have went private practice or at a corporate firm.
And so for me with that prior commitment to indigent people to vote for the bus fee, it broke my heart. >> It was not something that I did because I wanted to. It was something that I did because under the circumstances, I thought it was the only way to stay
afloat. And I thought I felt bad the morning I knew it was going to happen. I felt bad when it happened. I every argument that Laura made was the argument that the angel on my shoulder was telling me to make. And at the end of the day, I was worried that if we
didn't do it, something worse would happen. >> Well, and this is the thing like I I feel like you're saying we're asking these folks to come up with a proposal too soon. I feel like we're putting a lot of eggs in their basket to be the superstar figuring out how to fill this
big, you know, big budget, making everything work for next spring. And, you know, we lived through a lot of budget cycles where there was a million meetings and a lot of questions. And I'm not saying that people didn't work really hard, right? But that you know we
and a lot of it's always the last two budget cycles there's a lot of it always feels like it's too early to talk about that and then it's too late. Do you know what I mean? And that is >> we're doing that differently, >> right? And but I I you have to understand why this Warren article means
all of that to me, right? Like I don't want to end up in that position again. Like I feel like without asking for this Warren article and this money, we're basically setting up a you know that Dr. Fortuna is going to be able to be magical, right? And come up with a
budget that, you know, doesn't go over so much, but yet, you know, fills all our holes, that presents great. So, everyone agrees with her. All the budget money is, you know, it just feels like a very tall task. >> We do that every year and it stinks
every year. And, you know, >> well, and I would argue we haven't done a great job the last few years. >> I have faith in this year. Like, I I do I have a lot. We got, you know, like the original request for the first year that we had the budget fight, the town managers,
what was it? Was it 2.5 or 2? >> It was 3.1. >> No, that's what it ended up being 9. >> It was above 2.64. >> It was above 2. >> It was 2.64. And then we >> And it didn't have to It doesn't have to be anything, but >> And then we ended up getting essentially
3.1. So, I think that like that fight was a meaningful fight. Uh, it made a difference. It was, you know, >> I mean, it was a disaster. >> It was a disaster, but we got we got the money, >> right? >> Not a fun process. >> They gave us the money and I think >> Well, then we got an override.
>> Well, I mean, they gave us the money and we got the override, >> right? >> Which was a good thing. That's how we were able to make things work with that's why we have labor peace in Lunenburgg, right? >> Right. And so, you know, that tells me that there's a track record with the
town being a good bro a good faith broker. The fact that the next year, you know, we were looking at a large shortfall because of revolving accounts that were spent into excess and that got covered up or taken care of by the
allocation of free cash from the town manager. So I I think that like you know we can we can make it work but I think you're right in saying that I'm I'm saying this right now I will not support a level fun a level service
budget. We have had too many basic things taken away. >> Yes. >> And like you know you you look at Shenina Burns who comes on and does all of her I mean she's essentially doing two jobs. I don't know how she's doing >> I've gone to school like when I went to talk to Mr. Stevenson civics class. I
went to check to see how she was doing and it was like 3 when did we do our talk? Like 3:30. >> She was working as the vice principal and then she was like >> running to do the the athletic stuff until 9:00 and then doing vice
principaling stuff after that. >> Yeah. And I mean I was in the in Turkey Hill yesterday and I mean it's great we have better outdoor doors. Like the door that's going into the principal's office is like, you know, they're doing the best they can. Like, but it's like being eaten by termites. You know what I mean? Like there's a door
>> it, you know, that >> I don't know what that damage is. >> I always think of the Turkey Hills like the Millennium Falcon. >> It's just like they just keep So I feel so I so I Yes, I know. So I I have recovered and I I >> I will go with our fearless leaders,
>> but I just want you guys to know that like this is, you know, >> Are you sure you don't want them? >> No, cuz you know what? I don't want >> You have the votes. >> You have the votes. >> I know. But I don't want Chris and Dr. Fortuna to have to spend the next six weeks coming up for coming up with something that then every you guys aren't
>> going to stand proudly behind at town meeting because at town meeting we need Dr. Fortuna to be the person who says this is what we need. So if that's not going to happen, it's not worth >> I feel the energy. The kids need the money now
and we can get a start on raising our MCAT scores now instead of waiting. >> But it's it's going to be So I'm withdrawing my motion. >> Okay. >> You sure? >> Yeah, I'm sure. Okay. >> All right. >> And the Red Sox lost.
>> Oh, no. No. Is it >> Sorry, Renee. Were you Were you waiting to go home to see? >> She's not going to What? I didn't >> Oh, nothing. Nothing. I was talking about the Red Sox. >> Oh. >> Oh, I swear. >> That's why she's not listening. >> Oh, well, because last night on the
record over >> Yeah, it's all over. I know. All right. >> All right. But did the girls field hockey team >> Did the field hockey team win? Cuz I'm actually curious. >> That's more important. >> Can you Can you check? >> Do we All right. >> Do we not have live updates on scores? >> So, I would like to discuss a third one.
>> Sure. >> Which is, and I don't know the wording of this because I am not a lawyer or married to one. Um, I wrote my own. >> I >> Yeah, but like you're you're fluent illegal ease. >> Um, like I speak engineer. Um,
I would like to ask the town. So, I don't know if we would say to see if the town will vote and raise and appropriate and then TBD. We'll have to figure it out. I would like to ask the town for free cash because this is how it would work for a best practices audit and a
I'm not sure Chris would probably know the wording of it a forensic audit or a financial audit of last year's books and it is not cuz I don't think you can't do it or you haven't been doing it because you have been but I am very concerned I
have to word this carefully um I am very concerned concerned about. >> Can I can I just ask ask you a question? >> If we did it not as a warrant article,
maybe it might help to see if we could if we have the money to fund it ourselves, >> but that comes out of we gave some money back to the town. >> Sure. >> A considerable amount. >> Yeah. And I think we'd need maybe less than 10% of it back to do an audit to
audit our books because I have I have to be really careful. Um I have concerns and I want to make sure that all of our tees are crossed and our eyes are dotted. And it's not because I do not have
faith. I just want to make that really clear, Mr. Bear. Not because I don't have faith that you aren't doing this, but to go through with a fine tooth comb is I don't know how you would do that and also do your job, which is a full-time job. And I have concerns
because there were a lot of hands on that budget in regards to we had um a consultant and then we had uh an employee and then we also had a different consultant from the same firm
and I I have concerns about the budget or numbers that were reported places because we've had issues with that or things that will come back on us that weren't done correctly because it is It's a difficult job and we have to report to the state. We have to report to the federal government. We have to
report a lot of numbers. I I want to make sure that what was done last year was done correctly. >> And I also want a best practices audit. >> Let me let me sort of try to sharpen this a little bit. So I I understand the town manager would support a best
practices audit. You are asking for money to do something more. Uh >> I want to go over last year's books. I want to know that they are absolutely correct. I want to know that what was done last year was done correctly or has been
fixed. >> So, >> I want to build trust in the school system by having an outside person do it. I want to help rehab. I want to put people's minds at ease. I want to say yes, we are. I want to start
FY26. I want to start with a slate of yes, things in the past were done and we're not going to suddenly uncover numbers that were reported correctly and we have to pay back money or grants that were done. >> So Chris, can you answer some questions regarding that?
>> Sure. >> And I do I want to make sure it's I want to make clear it's not because I do not have faith in Dr. Fortuna or or Mr. McNamera because I I do. I just think that the level of detail I'm looking for is an
unreasonable ask for Mr. McNamera. >> So, have you ever been part of an organization that had a forensic audit done on them? >> I have been on part of an organization that has done audits but not a forensic audit. >> Okay. Um, so my experience with forensic
audits is limited entirely to criminal cases in federal court. And in those cases, the audit was done by basically somebody who was like they're all former FBI agents or Treasury agents that did
accounting and they looked for criminal activity or some way to investigate the need for corrective measures in that setting based on what you've seen. Do you think that would be helpful for us?
a forensic audit or a best practice. >> A forensic audit. >> I'm not sure. Forensic is what >> I can't say yes or no to that just because I don't know the town side of the finances. Okay. >> I only know the school side. >> So, it's kind of a broad question.
>> Okay. Do you think that the best practices audit that the town manager proposed would be a good idea? >> Yes. >> Okay. Is there anything in the ma the town manager's proposal that you think doesn't go far enough? Like would you add more stuff if you had like if I if I
gave you a magic wand and it was free? What would you want over and above the town manager's proposed best practices on it? >> So I haven't read the town manager's propos the whole proposal yet. >> Yeah, she's made I mean it's basically just I want you guys to do a best
practices audit. Um because I was working with Dr. Fortuna on a requisition or or RFP for best practices audit that I can share with you guys. >> Okay. >> Um and it includes the scope of what the audit would include. Um and we can we
can share that with you. >> Do you know how much that proposal was going to cost? >> I don't know. >> Okay. Um, >> what do you want over? >> So, I'm not looking for criminal activity. So, I'm not even sure if forensic audit
>> is the correct term. >> It's usually like for internal corrections. >> Yeah. What what what would the >> I think it would be a best practices audit. >> Will they look at the numbers for last year and make sure that they were correct? >> I believe so. Yes. I think what you're
looking for is a comprehensive audit which comprises of financial audit, an operational audit, and an compliance audit. >> Comprehensive audit. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Would a comprehensive audit look at the town side, too, or just us?
Cuz I I can't control what the town side does. I can only >> I don't know. >> Okay. Do >> I mean they could limit the scope to the school system, I'm assuming. um if that's what they're looking
looking at. Um but I can't say if yes or no to that. >> Okay. Would a comprehensive audit >> add a significant amount of work to your workload or any of the secretarial admin administrative assistant?
>> Um it it would add work to my normal day, but um I think it's doable too. >> Okay. Liz, would that add work on you guys? >> It it would add some work because they would be asking for information, okay,
>> from us, but it's not like it's not information that we don't already have. >> Would it be a significant amount of work? I just I'm >> I wouldn't know until they came in and asked. >> Yeah, it would depend on what this the limit of the scope was really.
>> I try to be cognizant of any time we're go, "Oh, just do that." like, "No, you guys have limited hours and you're pretty full up already." Okay. I would like to ask for a comprehensive audit. I I very much I understand the need for a best practices audit and I'll absolutely support that as well, but I
would very much like a comprehensive audit as well. Uh, and I I would like to ask if we could use some of the free cash we return because the town uh it it automatically goes into the town coffers
as free cash. So, it's available and it's unused currently. Um, and because I I would like to do this audit, but I think I'm not sure how much it's going to cost. I'm assuming about 40 grand, but I I don't know.
>> I was guessing Alli's 50 close. so close somewhere close to that. >> I'm uncomfortable spending school funds on it because we are tight and that I don't want to take that out of the kids' education for things that happened in the past. >> I mean, I think we people need to have
faith in the system. So, if this is how you think we're going to get people to have faith in the system, then that's >> I think it'll help. I don't think >> well I mean I think you know I think that that's >> and I I need to know that it's correct because I'm burnt and I feel bad sometimes because I
ask you so many questions and it's not because I don't trust you it's because I feel that >> I need to be a better steward of the budget. >> Um >> so how would we go about if we want this warrant article? Do we have to draft something? Can we vote on it?
>> We need an amount. Yeah, >> because I don't know how much it costs. Do we have >> That's hard to do without putting out an RF RFP. Can we can you put out an RFP and then not
>> which is proposal? >> Yeah. So, >> yeah. >> Could we would we get a response by >> Well, we have to get the number or whatever. >> We would have to get the number, but I don't know if we need to have the exact number until there's other deadlines. We could just
put it in as TBD and then once we get an RF >> P and an estimate of cost, >> but I don't know exactly what that means. >> I mean, we we would put it on as TBD because that's what we did with the uh override. We didn't have an exact amount until
later. I don't know. I don't know where other people are on this. I just know that this is something I feel strongly about given >> I agree. I think that we need to have some kind of financial reckoning that
confirms through outside sources that our books are good >> and using the free cash. I I it would be I think the wording would just be to vote to raise and appropriate, but the idea would be it would be coming from the free cash that was supposed to be spent by us anyways.
So, we're not asking for additional taxpayer money. We're just asking for the money we give back to can we just please have it back quickly to a little bit of it back. Um, which is why I'm comfortable asking for that amount, >> but I don't know what other people's
thoughts are on that. >> I mean, I just think >> an appropriate up to >> Yeah. What if we did like raise an appropriate up to like $60,000 just to give us a little wiggle room? Do you have contacts with uh accounting
firms that can give us roughly or >> So I know of accounting firms but I don't know who do a best practices audit or a comprehensive audit of all the operations and the financials. >> I mean the lancing >> I mean I think we do need to think about how much work it's going to be for Chris
to do all of that. >> I just I'm not I'm not saying that you know but it you know I mean, >> the other approach we could take is we know the town manager would support money spent for a best practices audit.
If we tailored the RFP and the best practices audit to get what you want, would that work? I'm just trying to figure out a way that we can get this and not draft a warrant article at 9:35 at night. And I think we could do it.
>> We could just say audit I mean, we'd have to have the language so that we could pass. >> I don't know that the language has to be exact. >> No, I don't think the amount has to be exact, but I think we have to ask know what we're asking for >> to raise and appropriate an additional
sum of up to $60,000. No sense. um for an audit of the No, that would it would have to say >> what if the town manager is willing to give us the money for the best practices audit and we don't need to ask for it
from town. >> She can't without an appropriation at town meeting. She can't just give us money from free cash, right? >> She can. >> No, I think free cash has to be appropriated at >> I mean she did it when we got her. >> Do you know
>> she did it for what? So, are you talking about money that's available in the FY26 budget or money that's available in FY25? >> No, no. X FY26 budget. >> If she has money, >> she could just give it. >> She'll have to use it differently and I
think the process is to get an approval. >> I don't like >> maybe like this. >> I don't want to be talking about >> No, please. No. I'd like your expertise. people. >> I was under the impression that free cash needed an appropriate >> No, no, no. I I'm not saying free cash.
I think she could pay for it out of any part of her book. >> Pretty big. >> So, so yes. So, you according to I believe town rules. I don't know if this is better for her. Anyway, anyway, okay. I must speak.
>> There we go. I think that's better. Um so the on the town side the town manager is allowed to make changes to the budget within the department similar to how you guys do if it's going from department to
the to another department. Um there she can she then needs to get an approval select board and finance comm >> like line item transfers basically. >> Right. Right. Um I you know I think can so I I think you guys this is a good idea
and I think it would be a really good idea coordinated like I'm not sure I don't know like we were just in the meeting yesterday and I wish we had talked about that because I think you know the town manager would have some in some information for you that you
wouldn't be in this spot discussing this because I I don't I think the other thing personally I think do Dr. for and because they just got here. They need time to organize their house and then something coming afterwards I think it would really enrich what they already
done. But right now the house is a mess in terms of you know basic practices like closing poss you know so to to know how much money you have I you know not running not having your your revolving accounts running on the negative. So I
think there's a lot of things that these two professionals really know how to do it and I know they do because I spoke with them about it, right? I think once they do this clean up doing a a best practice out it will be will be a better
time for it for their sake and what is bringing to the table for >> Yeah, I think that's sort of what I it's not that I don't want to do it. I I am just a little worried about the expenditure of time and energy while they're still in the middle of sort of figuring stuff out.
>> Are we a Are we going to be able to get a actual clean? >> Are we going to get the most for our money? >> Yeah, I mean that's true, right? Like are we going to get the most for our money? Because >> but I also but I also want people to have faith in the system and if this is you know like and I think this is a way
and not just other town employees but like you know I want people in the public and that kind of stuff when we come next year asking for money to have you know feel like we are fulfilling our duties on the fiduciary side. Right. So how do we do that?
>> So so like Chris what are you three weeks now? >> A little over a month now. >> Yeah. a little over a month like >> yeah but look at all he's done in like >> so I think you know I think he will get mo like because these I think what you guys are talking about it's not really
it's an outit but it's not the typical financial audit it I think you're talking about financial practice more on the operational side it's what I hear like finance has operations associated with it like everything so you know for for him as a professional
if we hire hire a professional company to do this, he'll get a lot out of that. He'll learn a lot. But if they're coming in and saying, you know, if we hire them now, they're going to come in and say, "Oh, yeah, you should not run a revolving account on ne negative." Like, wow, we know that. So, I think you're
definitely going to get more after you let these two >> I see that like a best practices audit last month would have just said, "Don't do that." But that's what Chris came in and said, "Oh, let's not do that." >> Right. Exactly. I mean, >> but on the other hand, I really want the financial audit.
>> Could we vote? Could we vote on a >> like So, can I just get clarification? What do you mean about a financial audit? Because I understood the operational thing. >> I want to make sure the books were done correctly last year. >> And so, we have a an auditor for the town that looks at our books, the
entirety of the books, and they audited to the state level, like the LS level. They need to be certified by the state and they will tell us if the books were done correctly or not. That's pretty much like their last recommendation was
we had checks that we were paying out and didn't have like expired after 180 days that we need to start closing up. So they look at those things. >> Did they Yeah. Is that a very
Is it very thorough? It it is on the financial side just you know like again if you're talking about operation no >> have they done FY20 >> they have not done FY20 they haven't finished they the FY24
>> is about to be done >> I think one of the things that Laura has expressed to me is she is concerned about any um exposure we might have for our are we I mean you Correct me if I'm wrong, like
more exposure on like if we got tax we got grant money and are you know are we figuring numbers correctly and accidentally paying taxes on things we should not have been paying taxes on or if >> well we don't pay taxes we are that's
why I said if if we were okay >> I'm just I'm trying to articulate what you've said to me in a different you know in a different sort of like >> you know the biggest liability that a town and the school department has is actually employees and and that is our
biggest liability period and you know so I don't think we have to be worried about the you know these smaller grants like the town received about $600,000 in grants outside circuit breaker was about $450 and then for cafeteria money I
think on FY24 we received around $600,000 that's our liability outside you know our budget and people like that's your liability. So if you're paying people on time, if you're paying like we don't have as much of a
liability like I don't see the liability that you're talking about. >> I think maybe the maybe the uh town maybe the federal and state lunch program would be a good example, right? Is that that's something that we >> that's a $600,000 liability that you know the way you get the refund most of
those grants also are the largest grants are reimbursement which it means when we submitted information the state oversaw everything and made sure it was on in order before they gave us the money back. And then when you look at the re the circuit breakaker reimbursement
spreadsheet for of the D of the state, you see some some towns get adjusted from prior years. But I I don't see this liability that you're talking about from outside. >> Can I can I ask you a question? >> Sure.
>> Can I ask Dr. Forino a question? >> Can you talk about that? I mean that was a liability from the this Yeah, but we're obviously talking with you right now. >> But it was a surprise budget. >> I'm worried about
>> But I'm that's my concern is something like that because that does happen and the audit didn't catch that. >> And then we had to pay it. >> Yeah. I my thoughts on this are
pretty much the same that I told Mandy um earlier is right now we're trying to close finally really close out FY25 um monitor FY26 put best practices in
for what we're doing now and we're going to have to start building FY27 really soon which is a lot on Chris's plate. I think that I I don't think I know I
agree with what um Anna said is that if we do it now, it's going to be before Chris has finished getting our house in order. And it's going to tell us things that we already knew. And what
what purpose would we have besides our credibility with the town, which I think is important, but I think starting to take measures now to build that credibility is really like the report Chris gave
tonight, right? Really good report. I think that doing that will help to build our credibility with the town and the other town boards. Can I talk about the >> So several years ago there was a number
that was reported incorrectly to the state and I it was before I was on the board so I'm not familiar with the details of it and then it took some time for it to be discovered that the number. It it was had to do with the number of
students in enrolled >> and someone just instead of using the accurate number just said I'll just guess a number >> and so we were given grant money based on that false number and we had to pay that back
>> and that was a hit to the budget because it was not discovered till several years >> or a while >> several years and we have been getting the wrong amount of more money than we had been getting the wrong amount of money and we have been having to pay that back but that's done now
>> that's done >> but that was a costly mistake uh I mean it didn't we had to pay it back in the next budget >> and I am very concerned about something like that happening um not exactly that
thing happening but I'm confident that's not going to happen this year because we have the right people in the right positions Um, and I don't want to throw anyone under the bus. I I have concerns about
last year's bookkeeping. Like, >> well, I I think so. In the interest of it's 9:47 and we still have a lot to talk about, I I'm not against voting on something that is this, but I just I
feel a little bit uncentered about what we're actually asking for, right? So, I think that's a little bit of an issue. I mean, we could ask the town manager privately. You and you know, you guys could have a meeting and see, you know, free cash is is allocated at the next
town meeting, right? Maybe we build the infrastructure and, you know, feeling of that we are doing a good job over the next six months and then re-evaluate then. But I I mean, I'm not I'm not against what you're offering. I just feel like I don't know that we are
at this point ready to say what exactly we want. I agree with you, Mandy. I I would welcome an audit. Yeah. I I think we're not ready to fully present what we want.
And I think let me talk to the town manager a little bit. let um Chris and I meet with her and we'll come up and meet with you too to determine the questions that you want this to answer and what type of um oversight we need uh what
type of audit that we need to answer the questions. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And but my concern is also how we pay for it. >> Well, right. That's >> because to take away money from students >> to pay for
past mistakes seems unfair >> um especially to our staff which is at through the past >> your budget thing. So, and I
I'm concerned about a delay in that, but um I'm not sure about paying for it. I suppose I think we can ask the Maytown meeting. >> Yeah, we could ask at the Maytown meeting. >> Meeting books aren't going to change.
>> Yeah, they're going to be what they are. >> Yeah. Okay. Boy, we just got a whole bunch of nothing done, right? That's okay. >> We had good discussion. Um, yeah, I I guess because if I don't have the votes, I don't have the votes. I still
>> I don't I I would vote with you. I would just want to know what it is that we were voting on. My concern is that >> the best practices audit isn't necessary at this moment because Chris still hasn't put in his best practices. >> But, I mean, we could vote on a best practices audit and ask it not to start
until February or March. I mean, we could ask for that money, right, for at, you know, next, >> but what if we wait to see what we can get from the town manager on this point? >> We're unsatisfied. I mean, the town >> do it on in spring. >> The town manager did email me and say
there is opportunity to >> edit certain line item things that the select board. So, if it was something the select board agreed to, I think they could actually in the next six weeks add it or you could amend it. I will find the email she sent me at some
point. Um, so that I mean that could be a a avenue for like we could ask you know them if it's something that they would support as well. >> Are we all set on this issue?
>> Yes. >> Do we want to move on? >> I can move on. Um, so I'm going to ask that we table the goals conversation >> again. >> Yeah, I quite frankly I I don't know how much we're going to get done at 10:00 at night. >> Yeah.
>> Um, the FY27 budget priorities I think is important and I I don't remember our discussion on this the Oh, that's under new business. The soccer uniforms. So, do you want to Dr. Fortuni, do you want to take them in that order or do we want to >> We have to vote on the capital plan,
too. Yeah. >> Oh, yeah. Let's put on the capital. >> Can we do that first so Chris can? >> Yeah. >> Oh, God. I'm sorry, Chris. >> Do we have the capital plan? >> It's in last week's folder, last meeting's folder.
>> And Chris um cut it down so that it's just FY27 that you're looking at for purposes of tonight. >> Did he find it >> update? >> Is it in the >> Yeah, it should be the updated one that's in the folder. Is that in this folder? >> No. >> No, it's in
>> last week's folder. >> It's in last week's folder. >> Well, two week. Oh, for Chris revised LPS draft. Yeah. September 24th. Okay. >> All right. So, this is essentially
what we had talked about with Peter. >> We do not need >> what changed >> in this. Is the whole presentation the same or is >> the presentation is the same. It just focuses on next fiscal year.
>> Okay. >> Um >> we added the turf field onto it. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> We moved that out >> and you highlight Okay. And you highlighted it red to show us what you did. Oh, are there new estimates in here too?
>> Is that what the red is, >> Chris? The turf? No. because we we don't have enough information. >> Okay. I meant for >> I went through I I talked to uh Fitsburg and they just had a field put in like a year or two ago. So I talked to them to
see what their what it cost them >> and basically of that so we have better idea. >> Okay. So we have the 20 that's on slide 43 20 FY26 capital request committee school
committee priority rankings and basically for 27 we would bump down the generator to five and put the turf field at four. Oh >> okay >> is everyone okay with that? >> What? Say it again. I'm sorry. Um >> so slide 43.
>> Get rid of the generator. >> Bump generator down to five. I thought we took generator off the list because it was >> Yeah, I thought we did, too. >> Okay, so take it off the list and put in the turf field at four. And then everything
else is the same. >> I would like to move security camera server above safety film cuz they don't they're never going to give us the safety film. >> I don't think any of this matters beyond the first three things, quite frankly. Yeah, >> because again we're like doing a recommendation >> under the line >> to a recommendation
>> to the person who's making a decision. This is like you telling your best friend what to ask Santa for for for Christmas like you're like >> do you agree with that ranking, Chris? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Is there anything you would change?
>> Um the only other thing I was talking with Jordan it was about the the card access thing that's on the And personally, we both think that can that can be that doesn't have >> the card access. >> Yeah, it's just for the like the auditorium booth, I think, in the
concession stand. >> Oh, we don't >> to us. It wasn't a priority by any means. >> You would be nice, but it's not a >> need thing. >> All right. So, >> uh, what about the mower replacement? That was what I wanted to ask.
>> That is a need. Um, we just had our biggest machine that we had for years. It's old. It's from the mid 90s and it finally >> What is the cost on that? I'm looking uh 20,000. So that's is that your number one
>> if it was I mean for the district right now? Yeah, we're going to need that because we only have one more. If that goes down, we're out there push >> but I looked up the um voting to to to get that same exact machine. It was
like a $70,000 for that exact a brand new version and we don't really need that. We can get along with um probably like a big biggest zeroturn. >> I'd love to hear that. Okay, >> good. So 20,000 is actually probably
even a >> little less. So that was just we put it there to be safe. So, I would like to recommend that we put mower as number one. >> I'm >> and then push everything down one.
>> I'm going to say because the capital planning people prefer bigger projects that we leave everything as it is. >> Replacement mower is at the bottom and that's a >> Yeah, but like we're not going to need a
mower in a month. >> We're not going to get the money in a month. the money doesn't come until May and then you got to order the mower >> and then you got to wait for it to be delivered. I think we got to put the mower higher because if if the mower breaks, >> but again, we're trying to we're trying
to make this so that the people that actually make the decision will be inclined to decide in our favor. And I think the driveway at LPS and the playground are the kind of thing they according to Peter that they look for. And I also think that the driveway and
the playground represent real like I know we want to have short grass, but I'd also prefer not to have kids flop off the Yeah. >> top of the slide. >> I'm I think the driveway and the playground are likely to get funded. But I would like to put the mower higher because
it's a need. Like short grass is great, but if the mower goes down and now we've got, you know, >> we already even had a new normal we had went down. We had They gave us one. Thank goodness they gave us one to use in the meantime.
>> Basically picks up dropped one off. So it's kind of like >> I I have no pos I mean like I'm I'm fine moving it around. I'm fine leaving where it is. I'm concerned that we're making decisions at 10:00. >> So I would like to move replacement lawn mower up to number one and then push
everything down and with the knowledge that capital planning makes their own decisions anyways and doesn't love small projects. But we could use a $20,000 new mower. >> All right. Anybody have any questions? Are do is there a second on that motion?
>> I second it. >> Okay. Anybody have any questions? I've already expressed my concerns. I'd prefer to leave it as it is. >> I prefer to leave it as it is as well. >> Oh, well then that's fine. >> Then we're tied. >> I was just trying to move along. >> I just I think that the replacement law
to be brutally honest. This is what capital I like I think the driveway and the playground are going to get done anyways. They voted on it last year and it was very high up, >> but I would like to sell. >> Do we ever buy equipment just in our general fund? >> Mhm. >> So we last year.
>> We could do it this year. My guess is that we could do it this year if we have to >> at the end of the year if we have money. >> Yes. >> But then that comes out of school budget stuff and Yeah. But if I give it back, we don't have it anyways. >> Well, warrant article passes. I just I
if we need a lot more, we need a lot more. Very basic thing. >> All right. What's the votes all? Oh, so we have a tie and invent of a tie, I think that we stick with the old plan. Is that correct? That's my understanding. All right. So, we will
forward to capital plan the slide 43 list as it is. driveway, playground, hot water tank, turf field, safety film, security camera, safety film, and replacement lawnmower. All right, let's go back to the agenda.
I am falling asleep. Uh, >> is it possible we could talk about budget priorities in another >> Yes. >> forum? Well, I think that's a question for Dr. Foruno. I mean, how soon does she need them? I mean, I know that our lives are all busy, but in some ways,
could we post a meeting and have a Zoom and talk about it? >> We could we all give you our top five and you could take that from some >> or do time with this. >> I mean, this is vitally important. I'm actually not trying to, right? This is
vitally important, but I just I like I am spent. >> Can I try to sharpen the inquiry a little bit? Yeah. Do we have budget priorities from you guys and the building principles? >> We will have those for you in a couple of weeks.
>> Okay. So, would it make more sense to give our responses to those priorities than for us non-educating teachers other than Emily to >> I'd rather hear from the principal >> opine about what we like and what we want. >> If that's what the committee wishes, I think that makes sense.
>> Can we do it that way? All in favor of tableabling this until we hear what the budget priorities of I move >> that we table this >> okay all in favor I >> okay uh and then superintendent goals and school committee goals I favor tableabling those as well I do not find these very pointant
>> move to table those fun things till next week >> and then payment for soccer uniforms >> oh my god >> this one will be quick >> we're not skipping over those >> All right so this is me >> all Right. Uh, and this is what I think
it is. Mhm. Okay. >> My understanding is that soccer uniforms. Was there any other uniforms that were impacted? >> No, it was just the soccer and football and the soccer have been delivered. >> Okay. >> Football delivered. >> The soccer and football uniforms were
purchased without the knowledge of either the previous superintendent or the current superintendent. And the problem was that we received the uniforms
and they were personalized in a way that prevented them from being returned. And so the question that we have to deal with as the school committee is should we factor those purchases in to the budgets
of the various athletic activities that we set. In other words, this was an unsanctioned purchase and it alters what we spend. Should we go through and alter the budgets to reflect that spending? Not to penalize anybody, but just to
make them, you know, make everybody have apples to apples and oranges to oranges. >> Yes. Because it was only men's uniforms and only two things. Girls got them for the girls, which somehow makes it a little better. >> Those haven't been dispersed yet. Um,
>> this is embarrassing. Ridiculous. This is awful. >> We're mad about it, too. >> And to be clear, we have known and we have dealt with this already. We are just now dealing with the ramifications of how it impacts every other student activity. >> I mean, it's unfair to the other
departments that have all taken huge cuts and, you know, did their due diligence and, you know, >> also unfair to the team that was not aware this was being done and did not ask for it to be done. And we were just told that we don't need to ask for 200k because we couldn't find a way to spend
it. And I think it is unfair to penalize the sports teams for things that were beyond their control or knowledge. >> I disagree with that because they got no uniforms out. >> So here's here's >> they got something. >> Here's the thing that I think might be helpful. Would the school board be
interested in hearing how the people affected think this should be dealt with? >> Yes. >> Yes. I mean, so, so explain to me if it goes into their budgets, >> coaches, >> what are you saying? What? So, what are the ramifications of the decision we make?
>> For example, if we allocated $10,000 to one of the teams that received the uniforms and the uniforms were $8,000, should that team get $18,000 in benefits this year? because the
budget it had to be paid for on out of FY26. >> Correct. >> Okay. I just want to make sure I'm clear on any clarification on that. Did >> Yeah, let me check with Chris. >> Did we get final clarification because the order the purchase order was 619.
>> Yeah. >> For the uniforms >> of 2025. >> This the purchased order of >> It wasn't a purchase order. It was it was no purchase order. >> So, I just want to make sure we're >> the purchase was generated. The invoice, the date on the invoice is 61925,
which is prior to the start of FY26, >> but we paid for it. So, it is we paid for both of them in FY26. That's my understanding. >> But that's not We're still paying for stuff now that was purchased in FY25. That's why we close that account. So, >> and to be clear, the reason why no one
caught this is because no purchase orders were ever submitted. No one knew that this was happening. There was not even a contract with the uniform company. This was a verbal or some other deal that was done. >> And the uniform company
>> surprisingly took cash on or payment on delivery, which I I don't understand how anybody does that, but that's what happened. We have tried to >> return them. We've tried to mediate some kind of dispute. We've tried to invoke
the authorities for assistance and that was unsuccessful. We've talked to our old lawyer about what to do. There is no recourse in getting the money back. The money is gone. >> Did we talk to the new? >> Not yet. >> The money is gone. And so the question
now is do we have to take an equity approach to how other I mean it's not anybody it's not the kid's fault. >> No, it's not the kids fault. It's also it's also not fair that some people got benefits by not playing by the rules when other people play by the rules and
they didn't get benefits. >> Right. >> I mean I I just it's I could see >> the coaches say, >> right? I think I think the question is should we ask what the coaches $10,000 did? I thought you >> No, no, we didn't. I I'm I'm genuinely asking should we have a public meeting
where we ask the coaches how that are affected how they think it should impact their budget and like what a fair and equitable solution would be. I mean anybody who drove down Main Street or Massav in August
saw poor sweaty kids asking for money for music. >> I know. >> Oh, I know. and they didn't get new uniforms. It's not a great position to be in. I don't think that any of the kids should suffer anything.
>> No, I mean, I didn't mean what I said about the kids suffering. I was thinking, >> but it's just not fair. I mean, like, some people got a benefit and some people didn't. >> And should we take that benefit into account and reorganize the budget >> there? Mr. Chair, could I propose something? >> Sure.
>> Yes, please do. that one of the things that we don't have in place that we actually should have by policy is a uniform replacement cycle. >> I thought we did. >> We don't. >> We had been told we did. >> Shannita cannot find >> one anywhere.
>> We had been told there was and that >> well if there is when when that it was football and soccer's turn. >> Yeah. >> No. In fact, that was the basis for our decision when we voted down the request for the uniforms that even though it was
their turn, we were short of money and so they're just going to have and I I remember Carol's quote, "We're just going to have to make do with the uniforms they got for one more year." >> Yeah. Shenina has found no evidence. We need to create >> Sure, we can do that.
So I what I would suggest is we retro it to last year. Put football as the priority for last year. >> Soccer hasn't gotten their uniforms yet. Um they're still playing with their old uniforms. They're sitting they're
sitting in boxes because we were waiting to have this discussion. Yeah. >> So they haven't benefited yet. >> So we could put them on for next year. Okay. and give them their uniforms as part of the uniform replacement cycle for next year. And
>> but they're there like but our soccer team looks great. Like I I've been to the games. They look really doesn't care. >> Yeah. Right. Oh, your son's on the team, right? >> Do Do you think that if we did it that way that we should change their budget? >> No, they're fine.
>> Okay. I think we should it should just be the order how long they have to wait. >> But the football team got their uniforms. >> The football team got their uniforms. >> Should we change their budget because of it? >> No, I think we put them on their first year of the replacement cycle.
>> Okay. And even though this went against what the school committee voted on, I think that that may be the fairest way is now football has to wait the longest to get their new uniforms will disperse
the soccer uniforms next year. But those kids who were going to be playing in the old football uniforms are not the kids who were there benefiting from brand new uniforms this year. >> That's true. >> That's true. So, it's >> I mean, the whole situation just sucks.
>> No, I I I mean, I don't want to I don't want to save any money from budgets. I'm still irritated that the band had to collect money in the hot August on the side of the road. It And >> they did a great job, but I'm irritated they had to do it. But are the soccer uniforms personalized with names?
>> No. >> No. Okay. What was the personalization? >> That Lunberg. >> Okay. There's very few other places that are called Lunberg. Have we reached out to Lunberg, Vermont >> or Lunberg, Nova Scotia >> or Virginia? See what they're That's a
camp. >> Okay. So, it's 10:09. So, can we move to Are we going to ask the people? >> I don't want to. I think just holding on to the soccer uniforms till next year and then that'll be their replacement. So, it's already been bought and we don't have to it won't come out of the budget for this year. >> Right. But I do think there's a level of like are we replacing uniforms for other
things besides athletics, right? Is that like I'm not >> I think the band uniforms should be >> should be on the cycle. Okay. That's fine. I just want to make sure because not everyone plays athletics and so there should be, you know, >> I just I don't think it's fair to take something away from children who had no
choice in this and yes, they benefited, but that was not a decision they made. >> Yeah. >> Um but it was important to talk about. I do think that when we have our first policy subcommittee, one of the things that I'm going to propose is a policy whereby we certify the budget and then
we have all people with spending authority in the district sign an affidavit that says, "I understand that spending contrary to the certified budget without the pre-approval of school committee shall be grounds for discipline up to and including
termination." No more spending like this. This is ridiculous. And this was a one time. We have not had issues with this >> previously. This was a >> No, this is not the first time. We already talked about the second time. >> The grant money.
>> Okay. >> So, we've got to get control of this. >> Yeah, we'll have the policies up meeting about that. We'll talk to Chris, too, about what he thinks. Okay. >> All right. >> Public comment first. >> Any public comment? TJ, you're still here. I'm assuming you have a public comment.
>> He just loves to hang out with us. I do. I do. How's it going? Uh TJ Laughlin, 207 Rolling Anchors Road. Um I'm going to try to be super quick. Um you caught me off guard so I didn't have my notes up. Uh I I think I remember
them. Uh so the first thing, and I know you guys don't have um usually question and answer, so I'm just going to say these as questions. Um, I was looking at this or thinking about the salary reserve as it relates to the paras and
it got me thinking like how these hires show up for next year's budget line items. So, will the line items for parasit and custodians show as an increase next year?
Meaning we're going to assume that the hires this year were increased next year. So when we go to put on, let's say 50k into those line items next year, that'll that'll look like a bump. Or do
we retroactively reassign the salary reserve for this year's budget into those line items so you wouldn't see a change? >> It's a great question. Like is it a line transfer? >> It be no. comes the difference between budgeted and actuals, right? When when
we show the budget at the end of the year, we look at budgeted and then there's a column for actuals and you can see what was actually spent to count the line item transfer. >> But now you have a but now you have a permanent hire on a line item. I don't know why my video shut off so but now
you have a permanent hire on a line item. So the total for that line item will be increased. So the actuals don't matter because now the budget line item will be higher than it was at the start of the year.
>> So I think what you I think what TJ is saying is it when we propose when the proposal comes for FY27, right, and we're comparing against FY26, if we're looking at percentage increases, it won't actually be an increase if we hired the person this
year. It won't be that percent. Are we >> right? >> That's the question basically is when we look next year and we see the percentage increases, are we basically going to see 0% increase assuming nothing changes because we're going to assume we retroactively
move that line this year or are we going to say next year that there was a let's call it 10% increase in that line because now that line is higher than it was last year. I think it's a good thing to put on our conversation for going forward. I I I know what he's talking about, Chris, so
we we'll we'll chat about it. I'm sorry. I'm not supposed to be talking back to you. Keep keep commenting. >> Yeah, I know. I know. It's okay. I appreciate it. Thanks. Um related question, um it is kind of interesting mathematically using the
salary reserve as a hiring mechanism. And another question, right? Just so to use an example, if we right now fully use the salary reserve to hire new people, new positions that we don't have
funded next year, do we decrease the salary reserve based on what we just spent or do we keep it the same? which may and if we if we don't decrease it, does that effectively
mean the salary reserve is a perpetual way to bring in new hires into the operational budget? Right? So if if you if you don't change the salary reserve year after year, but you keep pumping people into the salary base,
you're basically using the salary reserve to keep hiring. And now your tax burden goes up every year that now you have to pay additional people even though that salary reserve looks like you can afford it now later you you're
you're taking that those people on. So again I know you're not supposed to answer that question. Um last thing Tony I'm actually a little confused what you said about the er cuts. You said there was no impact to
the kids. Um no the esser >> I did not say that. I said there are I gave an example of a esser cut that did not have an impact on the kids. I said there are certainly possible cuts from esser that did have impact on the kids but not all of the esser expirations had
impacts on kids like the extra co nurse for example or the person that kept track of that tracked COVID exposures. Those those things they don't have any impact on the kids. I mean not educationally. Okay. Then the conversation that was
being had, I guess I'll just make the comment was a little surprising and odd because we never talked about those things when we were talking about Esser cuts. Uh we were very much talking about the many impacted cuts to the students that I was going to list off the the
nine and 10 nine or 10 that that we had which were classroom teachers and Wilson reading teachers. So, I think you're saying you're aware that yes, your cuts did have impact to to students, which is great. Um, and then the other thing that I'm confused about, and I'll just make this
super quick, we just had backto-back warrant article discussions. um one with uh free money I'll call it probably a terrible term from from the government um from the state that we had available um that the entire
community I don't know if if everybody knows that every single person in the community that that was vocal about the override including all the naysayers and the people that do did not want the override they all told us to seek state funding additional state funding all of
them there was never somebody saying don't take that. Um, and we just said we didn't want that. And I understand the justification. Just be aware that >> TJ that's not what was said. I mean, you could characterize it that
way, but that's not what was said. The reality is we said we need that money. We are we want that money and we are going to ask for it at a later time. >> Okay, fair enough. We'll we'll see what that means. And
then we asked for an immediate taxpayer funded warrant article. But I know you shot that down, which is good. But anyway, that's my comment uh or set of comments and I appreciate the late time. >> Thank you. Anybody else have any
comments? >> Can I just say one thing? I should have said at the beginning, the PTO is selling gear, Lunberg gear. I know some people have already bought some, but if anyone in the room, I'm sure no one's listening anymore, but it's sales end next week and we also have a Great Wolf
Lodge fundraiser. We make some money on that and yeah, that's it. So, buy your gear before the 10th. It's nice because it's not sport related. It's it's just Lunberg. Not that the sport related stuff is bad, but just, you know, you can wear it to anything.
>> All right. Uh, the next thing >> Oh, sorry. Sorry. I thought you were getting up to leave. >> No, >> I'm going to get up to leave. >> I was surprised she was not going to say anything. >> All right. >> Well, and I I still have my my full back there. So, a a few things. Thank you.
And it's fun to watch here. You guys talk a lot, but um you know, hopefully Tony one day will get that dream of having a hour and a half meeting. >> I know this was three hours. >> I know. >> Three hours in 20 minutes. Um, so the first point I want to make, you
know, regarding the discussion of the $200,000, um, I want to make help you feel better about the community you live in. So, um, and you know, and and I say this and you know, I supported the FY25 budget, uh, the override. Um, you can you can see
the years that my kids make at town meeting. Both of my kids have been there. Um so one thing the way I was thinking about it as you guys are in that discussion we we can't you know we don't want to
ever the schools should be reliant on state money only right you don't want the town to come across say hey go ask the state that's all you're getting um and and I say that because of a few things the FY24 budget the FY25 budget
before the override Okay. Um had a 4.47% increase. The then with the override was like 8% 8 and a half% increase. When the
state didn't show up, the community got you know we got two and a half% aotment. The community took a larger cut portion of that to to support the schools as much as we could. So, you know, I like
and the same thing for FY26. I think the over overall increase was 3.81 plus $500,000 out of our free cash that supports every capital project that we have. That's usually what we use free cash for. So, we lit the community literally took
money out of other projects that have urgencies, you know, and you know, like the list of for capital projects are huge. the community bypassed getting those done to give $500,000 free cash. So, I think the community has allocated that $200,000. Thank you for the work
that you did. And and I'm saying, you know, it's probably extra between the $500,000 and the, you know, 1.8% of the school budget is down there probably $320,000. So the community has increased beyond
the normal adjustment about $800,000 for FY26. So I'm glad that that money is going to come in likely the based on past practices of town manager is likely just going to fall into free cash for us to use for FY27. And it could be another
situation that we're getting, you know, another chunk of that money is going to, you know, the schools just as it has been done in the past. Um TJ brought up a good point about the reflection on the budget and um and I think he was talking about you know what we originally budget
what are you going to present as budget and the f I I'll add something else for us to think about it as we are adding this these positions back because we know the baseline increase for budget is 2 and a half% period every time you add
a new position think about that you're taking out of that bug bucket for FY27. So, we're gonna have our normal increases for, you know, CBA agreements and everything. And you can start like dwindling down that money that's available. Like you literally, if
you want to plan for your FY27 budget, get your current budget, put another two and a half%. Add your CBAs and what's left is is what you can count on that is likely that will be addressed. And I'm saying that so that we are not getting
engaging into services that providing that we cannot sustain in the long term. That's that's all. So that was my comment. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for that perspective. >> Is there anybody else who would like to make a public comment? All right.
>> Yes. >> All right. Let's do it. >> Online. >> It's on Zoom. >> On Zoom. >> I thought it was Liz making a comment. >> I thought it was too. I'm like, "Oh, wow. >> Amy King, pregab's place. Um, one
thought that I had related to the $200,000 post multiple school committee meeting." >> This is Amy King. Yes, >> Amy King. I forget your address. Free >> Gab's place. >> All right, here we go. Thanks.
Um, my comment was related to the $200,000. I I understand the comments regarding not being able to hire people in time, but there have been many comments about the whiteboards for the primary school or I know they're not white boards, but the boards um as well
as the fact that it seemed like every supply line has was cut this year. Are those funds things that could be used to to bolster those items? Yes. Uh that that was one comment and and
then the other comment I would just like to express my disappointment to hear that we have soccer uniforms that are sitting in a box. Um we have 14 seniors playing soccer this year, many of whom who have played varsity since they were
freshman in the same uniforms, uniforms that are ripped that parents are sewing. So it is a little bit disappointing to hear that those uniforms were not distributed to the team this year. I understand that there were issues in the way they were procured. I would also say
that it has been common knowledge to everyone that there is a uniform rotation policy. It just must not be documented. Um and and I'd also like to support the fact that all the sports teams do have fundraisers. They don't do the toll booths, but they all do have
fundraisers. So, um, just wanted to point those comments out. >> If I could just respond quickly, I know this is comment, but one of the things we were trying to do was to see if we could return the uniforms to recoup the
cash. So, in the in the initial stages, we were trying to do that with all of them and it just failed. And unfortunately because they came in in different ways and different times, we had to treat each of the I think it was the football and then the two soccer
teams as a badge. So we were trying to do that each time in a different way and it just took time. Is there anything else? Anybody else have any public comments? Uh any topics for future discussion? Please say no. whole bunch, but we'll email
>> and then uh I will look for a motion >> motion to adjurnn at 10:25 p.m. >> All right, >> you got a All in favor? >> Yes. >> Let's go. This a real