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Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=ZS-tW_drdqE

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order at 711 p.m. Um, call the school committee to order. Um, we have quorum. Mandy is on her way in. I apologize. The Zoom link uh was not working. So, we are on a different Zoom link. No one

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watching this can see that. So, um, no suggestions there. Um, let's get started. We start with lunch. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic

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for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Public comment for prior issues. We're going to do in person. You know the deal. Maybe an address.

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>> Yep. >> Um, my name is Daryl Plant. I live at 490 Lancaster A. The failure of the override vote was not primarily the result of a tactical error or a messaging problem as suggested by the school committee chair. Rather, it

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reflects a deeper issue. Many Lunberg residents have lost confidence in our public institutions, particularly our schools. Over the past 78 years, school leaders have increasingly emphasize social equity initiatives, while academic performance has declined.

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Regardless of one's views of these initiatives, the results are concerning. According to statements made by both the superintendent and school committee chair at town meeting, the district is close to losing its accreditation and approximately 40 to 45% of students

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are not reading at grade level proficiency. Many explanations have been offered including curriculum changes, funding challenges, demog and demographic shifts. However, neighboring districts such as Lancaster Air, Shirley, Groten, Peril, Townsen, Lemonster, Pittsburgh

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have faced similar challenges while achieving stronger outcomes. According to Desi data, parents increasingly feel that the district has focused its attention on struggling students while insufficiently challenging those performing at or grade level at or above

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grade level. Every student deserves to be appropriately challenged and supported. Equal opportunity should not require identical outcomes. Nor should academic excellence be sacrificed in pursuit of other objectives. At the town meeting, I asked the superintendent to

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provide three specific strategies that would improve student performance. There was no response. If the district hopes to rebuild public trust, it must articulate a clear plan for academic improvement and demonstrate measurable results. To restore confidence and

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improve outcomes, I recommend the following. One, re-evaluate student support programs. Conduct a comprehensive review of all nonacademic support programs and staffing. The goal should be to determine which programs demonstrabably improve student outcomes

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and which can be streamlined, restructured or eliminated. Resources should be directed towards services measure with uh with measurable benefits. Students with significant behavioral or mental health concerns

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should receive appropriate support in partnership with parents, guardians, and qualified professionals. Two, prioritize academic achievement. Implement an aggressive reading, writing, and mathematics remediation program for

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program for students who are below proficiency. At the same time, expand opportunities for advanced learners through accelerated coursework, enrichment programs, and differentiated instruction. Students who have mastered grade level material should be encouraged to advance

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rather than being held back by the pace of the class. Physical education and wellness opportunities should also be expanded recognizing the important connection between physical and mental well-being. Three, review special ed

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services, special education services. According to the superintendent, approximately 25% of students currently receive services through an individual education program, an IEP. The district should conduct an internal audit of all IEPs to ensure they are appropriate,

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compliant, and effective. Students with documented disabilities should receive the support they need to succeed while ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and responsibly. And four, improve efficiency and accountability.

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By focusing resources on academic achievement and evaluating administrative and support costs, the district may identify opportunities for savings and improve effectiveness. Any savings should be used to strengthen classroom instruction, preserve

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extracurricular programs, and reduce financial burdens of taxpayers whenever possible. Most importantly, restoring academic excellence will require accountability at every level of leadership. The community deserves clear goals, transparent reporting, and

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measurable progress. If current leadership is unable to deliver meaningful improvement, residents should consider whether new leadership is necessary to move the district forward. I made copies for all of you if you want them.

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>> Yep. Okay. Thank you. Good to see you. >> Thank you. >> You have any questions? >> No. Thank you. >> Hi, good evening. Matt Nzareno, 79 Roto Road. How y'all doing? Um, I have a file, so I'm just gonna sure.

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>> Everybody's got >> came prepared, Laura. Really impressed. Thank you. Uh so again, Matt Ezaro and Rob Sil Road. Um first off, thanks to Dr. Fortuna and Laura for having a meeting a couple weeks ago with boosters. Um that

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was very helpful. One of the things out of that was that uh the parents and the boosters are looking for a by sport line for funding. Um, so we were able to find the fiscal year 24 actuals online if you go through all the budget files. And

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what I did is put those in the third and fourth column with the second column being the number of students. I I have some actuals for students and the the numbers are directionally correct if you move through to last school year. So I'm

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just going to use those as a constant. And what I did was I applied a 6 and a half% compounded annual growth rate to the costs in fiscal year 24 moving through to this past year. And if you go to the second page, the last two columns

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are the impact per athlete. So that is the cost per athlete. Um, if you look, the black numbers would be revenue positive, meaning the $350 athletic fee that we would charge the student covers

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the sport. And then if you roll that out to the rightmost column, that would be the revenue impact per sport. Um, so you can see that football is a $20,000 negative revenue impact and other sports are positive. One thing that is

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concerning is that in the meeting we had a couple weeks ago, it was mentioned that middle school sports specifically do not cover the cost of the sport, which I now have two seasons of middle school sports under my belt. With my oldest, is uh I don't know how that's

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possible. Looking at field hockey and track, they're using handme-down jerseys. Field hockey had 11 games last year with uh one official per game at $50 an official. Track had zero officials. the coaches were the officials and they're using hand-me-downs uh hand-me-down uniforms

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from varsity. So, uh I don't know how track costs anything other than overhead allocations, which is what I would call the programmatic cost. So, programmatic costs appear to be transportation and allocations such as the athletic director, insurance, huddle fees, etc.

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Um the math seems stipens the maths seem to uh the stipens would actually be in the operating cost um not in the programmatic cost. So operating costs in my mind are direct costs associated with that sport. Um another clarific clarification I'd like to make is

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related to MIAA rules. Sixth graders are not allowed to play on JP or varsity sports. Full stop. Seventh and eighth graders are only allowed to play if room exists. that would eliminate pretty much football, basketball, baseball,

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softball, any major sport. There's probably not enough room. Um, track and field hockey are not offered at the middle school level in any clubs locally. The closest field hockey club is down in Worcester. The closest track

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club is in LOL or Walam. They are not offered. The first time picking up a field hockey stick for a lot of these girls is in sixth grade. Last year, the varsity field hockey team won the Midwatch League undefeated. It's a very good program. There were 20 girls on the

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turf this morning at 6:45 this morning working out to try to repeat. So, just to sum this all up, uh middle school sports was $19,000 400 $19,400 revenue positive, effectively offsetting

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football. So, we made the decision to cut middle school sports because of a funding issue and they are revenue positive and I don't see why we're doing that. Additionally, they're not under the MIAA. The coaches make the schedules

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so restoring them is actually really easy. You don't have to contact really anybody. The AD is not involved. I know coach Rios last year just kind of scheduled the games. We started the field hockey season with actually no games scheduled and finished the year with 12. So, um, you all have copies of

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this. I'm happy to share it digitally if you want. Um, I have a request in a formal records request to Dr. Fortuna and the school um to help out. I'd like every like the actuals for this. These are what I would consider estimates moving from 24 forward and uh myself and

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some other parents are happy to provide this analysis for you. This didn't really take me that long. >> Madam Chair, can I ask follow questions? We don't respond. >> We don't respond to public comment. Um >> the problem is I don't understand the data >> then.

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>> Yeah, that's fine. >> I I'm I'm okay with asking clarifying questions about data because um >> so like I'm looking at the middle school track numbers and the programmatic costs and operating costs are identical down to the penny. How is that possible? There's no transportation. >> So

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>> and it's allocated. It's in the Switz where it's allocated >> for middle school track. Uh >> there is >> there's I think there's some allocation issues because if you look at like going deeper into some of these sports uh softball is one line item. There are there were like this year there were two

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middle school teams for softball. So this is just going off of the 24 data here. Um, if you looked at the budgeting for these years too, we used $40,000 for transportation for every single year. And one of the years the actuals was

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like $140,000. So, um, that's another that I'm not going to focus on transportation. I think there's there's others, but >> did the the number the way that you define programmatic costs? >> I sorry, I did not define these. >> Okay. Did you go through the

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>> is that this is a did the >> I this so this is based off the slideshow the info that was on the slideshow from May 1st 2024 >> the supplementing document. Yes. >> Um yeah I've I've I've seen this too. I

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just pulled up I have a similar sheet. >> So my the the costs appear there they are allocated by sports. seems to be a precedent that we have done this in the past. >> We have and we should be >> I Yes. >> Um we we can talk more about this. I

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just >> I'm trying to there there was a discussion at our meeting a couple weeks ago about trying to find the cost for sport. I know Chris Sullivan specifically was talking about golf and my goal with this was to get a directionally correct number, a range.

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So like Chris, is golf $1,000? Is golf a million dollars? I can say with a fairly high degree of confidence that the cost of golf for the school should be somewhere between $7,000 and $9,500. >> Okay, >> that's my goal. It's not to get to an

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exact >> transportation's not in this. >> Transportation is not in the operating costs. It would be in the programmatic cost. And I I don't want to respond, but I do want to caution you before we get too far with this spreadsheet

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that um I actually did this last year with this and some of the numbers um are not accurate as far as what the reality was. uh and I too found a lot of repeated

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numbers um >> that and that's why I requested the full master data and the general ledger account and I'm happy to go through that and >> yep >> can help get to that. >> Yeah. So just >> constructively and quickly because we want to have this done

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>> I just would take these numbers as uh >> I never intended it to be the gospel. >> No, but thank you for this. Um can you send me where you found that cuz it's not in my drive when I look at it. Well, I'll find it. And if you have any comments, I'm going to be listening. I'm going to throw my headphones in.

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>> But I do have kids cooking stuff at home. >> Different zoom. >> Zoom. All right. >> Look at Facebook. >> It's on Facebook. Okay. Thank you. Great. >> Thank you, Matt. Thank you. Enjoy your brownies. >> I'm going to wait for them first then. But you're a deli. They're awesome.

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>> Good evening. Uh my name is Chris, 469 Sunny Hill Road. Um, and I do not have handouts tonight, but I um I'm here tonight to speak about both middle school athletics and the Luniver athletics more broadly. As many have stated, education is about more than

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academics alone. Athletics are an integral part of the educational experience. Sports build teamwork, discipline, leadership, accountability, and school pride. For many students, putting on a Lunberg uniform is one of the most meaningful parts of their school experience. Following the failed override, middle

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school athletics were eliminated as a budget reduction of $14,415 from from roughly a $29 million budget. Since that decision was made, a growing number of parents and community members have come together with a shared goal, preserving these opportunities for our

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students. Community members have already begun making financial commitments and are prepared to fund this gap if an approved path forward can be identified. Community members have asked straightforward questions regarding the actual cost of middle school athletics and the process required to apply

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community raised funds towards these programs. Yet the answers have been inconsistent. As a result, the community still lacks a clear understanding of both the financial picture and the path forward. Based on information shared publicly, there are also legitimate questions regarding the actual financial

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impact of middle school athletics on the district. Available data suggests that user registration fees may exceed the known cost of operating these programs, suggesting that middle school athletics may generate net revenue for the district. If accurate, this would mean the district eliminated programs that

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were operating in the black. We are not asking the school committee to solve this problem alone. We are asking for accurate information and a clear path forward so that we can help solve it. To move this effort forward in time for the upcoming athletic season, the community is requesting three things by mid July.

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First, a detailed breakdown of costs and revenue for each middle school sport, including transportation, overhead, administrative expenses, and user fees. Second, guidance on the process required for community raised funds or donations to support these programs. And third, a

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commitment to work with the athletic directors, coaches, and schedulers to restore middle school athletics for the upcoming school year. This is a solvable problem if we work together. Finally, I want to address the future of athletics and extracurricular activities in Lunberg more broadly.

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The school committee has recently stated that looking ahead to next year, and I quote, "All extracurricular activities, including all athletics, will be on the table for future reductions, and that would result in a full dismantling of Lunberg schools if the district's financial challenges persist. If the

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district leadership believes these programs may be at risk, the community deserves to know that now. Right. Thank you. My name is Nikki Janot. I live on 111 Road. I am the president of the football boosters and I'm here tonight on behalf

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of the boosters and the football program at the high school and also the head coach who just had a baby a couple days ago and who wasn't able to be here tonight. >> The baby's here. >> Yeah, >> he's beautiful. Okay, the first matter is a little straightforward more straightforward. Um Casey, the head

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coach, put in a request to the athletic department to purchase five new helmets earlier this spring. We currently have more heads than we have helmets to put them in. Um, and we haven't heard whether this was approved or denied. If it was denied, which is probable given our financial predicament, we're hoping

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to get permission to purchase the helmets out of booster funds, which we understand we need permission from school committee for. Now, the second matter is a little bit trickier. I'll preface with some background. Um, I think obviously we're all aware that transportation to and from away games has been cut from the athletic budget.

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The football boosters would like to fund one-way transportation to away games and have families bring their players and equipment home, which we've been told may or may not be a violation of Title 9 because there isn't a female team with enough funds to purchase transportation.

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However, it is our understanding that two mini buses were purchased by the district to help provide transportation to and from away games. These buses aren't a reasonable option for the football team given the number of athletes who travel and the amount of equipment they require. With that in mind, any question of inequity stemming

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from football boosters funding alternative transportation should be settled because the mini buses aren't a viable option for us and they are a viable option for many of the other smaller teams. Not all of the teams but many of them. So I guess our ask is our asks are first and ideally that the

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athletic department purchase the five helmets for the program. But if they can't or they're not able to, we have permission to purchase the helmets from boosters. Um, and also that we have permission to fund transportation to away games, which comes to about $1,500.

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I'd also like to add that I was on a Zoom a couple weeks ago with several other booster people and um you all, and it was kind of recently stated that that football is one of the wealthier programs, um, more wealthy than the other programs in the school. And I I

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respect that that people believe that and and I understand why. But um we have more money because we work our tails off fundraising at every available opportunity. We do 50/50 at every game. We sell merch at every game. We we latch on to any fundraising opportunity we

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can. Um and we don't get a dollar for admissions to the football games. We don't get a dollar for concessions at football games. We don't see any of that money. Um, so we're basically just asking to spend our money that we work really hard for in a responsible and

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meaningful way for our program. Thank you. >> Do we have anyone on Zoom? >> We do not. We have one person. >> Cool. Okay. Um, we should hold on. I want to check in and make sure there's

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no people on the stormwater task force. No, I'm getting texts. Um, yeah, I'm getting texts about it. Check Facebook. There's people who can't get into the meeting just >> on Facebook. >> They didn't check Facebook. They're just

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trying to get in. >> Okay, >> guys. Sorry. They moved me a second. Yeah, Chris Sullivan's wife is trying to get >> Yeah, this is um I'm really sorry. Yeah, the

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thing about Zoom is that Oh, I should have read the thing. I should read the thing. I'm going to do that now. In accordance with the requirements of open meeting law, please be advised that this meeting is being broadcast at a later date over the Lunberg public access channel. Uh there is a Zoom link on

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Facebook and uh the meeting ID is found on the agenda although it's probably different. This meeting will be broadcast at a later date through the local access cable channel and on the public access Facebook page which can be found on Lunberg access YouTube channel within 24 hours after the meeting. The agenda lists all topics which may be

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discussed at the meeting and those reasonably anticipated by the chair. Votes may be taken as a result of these discussions. Not all items listed may be in fact discussed and other items in August may also be brought for discussion to the extent permitted by open meeting law. Um, and with the Zoom,

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uh, and the the way it works is that in-person meetings are the meeting and that Zoom is extra and if the Zoom is not working, we still have a meeting. Um, so my apologies to people who don't know about the Zoom. Um, okay.

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Let me tell our friends, but it is on Facebook, the Lunberg Public Schools Facebook. There is a new link there. So tell a friend. >> Uh okay, we're gonna do chair report now. >> Oh, can I can I make a >> Oh, you can make Yeah. public comment from the board.

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>> Yeah. So, um I was unfortunately unable to attend the booster meeting. It was on the day of my son's birthday. So, I went to his birthday instead. I want to make sure that I that as we go through these discussions

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that everybody keeps in mind that a solution that only solves one of the problems is not going to work. And that if we solve a problem for one sport without considering the legal implications for other sports, all we're

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doing is inviting uh costs related to litigation. And those kind of costs would be huge and they would be very difficult to sustain and they would not necessarily go away

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within a single calendar year. And so if sports and booster organizations are trying to help solve the problem, which it sounds like everybody wants to do, we need to make sure that it's not just a numbers thing, that it's also a legal thing and that we work together to

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make sure that as much as we can, we can comply with the law. Um, you know, the one idea would be to pair the sports. So like obviously if you have a shared interest and a shared facility and

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shared uh officiating like boys and girls basketball that would be a natural pairing. Um, some sports don't have necessarily natural pairings and some sports are automatically Title N compliant, but it would be really

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problematic and really sad if everybody puts all this effort in and then it all gets washed away because we didn't comply with the law. Now, the law may change and you know, like Title N has some real issues ahead of it, but as as

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it currently stands, it's the the law of the land. And I think that like solutions have to be mindful of those legal requirements, otherwise we just spend money that will be taken away by lawyers, which I don't want to have happen. So, that that was my only thing

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that I would have added had I gone to the to the booster meeting. Um, and I think that, you know, it's it's helpful to have the numbers and it's helpful to have the money and it's very helpful to have a desire to work together, but it's got to be something where we pair that

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effort with compliance with the law. >> I think we just got to think about compliance with the law. >> She's good. >> Excellent. Handouts, too. Everyone's up in their handout game. >> Okay. How's that? >> Yeah. Say one thing. I just want to apologize that I came in late. My son was in a All-Star baseball game.

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Yeah, >> they won. So, and actually they had good pictures, so I got to see the whole game. So, and then I couldn't call in on Zoom because >> thank you for >> But I'm here. >> Okay, Emily, you got anything? >> Nope.

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>> All right, chair's report. Uh, first of all, uh, it is officially the end of the school year. So, thank you very much to Dr. Fortuna for her first successful Bloomberg school year and for getting us through this very difficult year. So, thank you. I very much appreciate it.

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Congratulations. >> Thank you. Very excited to be here. >> Okay. Uh for now, for the foreseeable future, the school committee will be meeting here in the media room at the middle high school. The town hall meeting room is sadly not in reality handicapped accessible. There's serious

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accessibility concerns with that meeting space and we can meet here. So, we will I understand this makes it more difficult for some people to watch the meetings remotely via public access and I am very sorry about that. You can still watch our meetings via Zoom when

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it works. Uh, and the recording of the meetings will be available the next day on the Lunberg Pack YouTube channel and Facebook. Uh, and just a plug, this town needs meeting spaces that are accessible to all members of the public, and all meetings should be taking place in

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handicap accessible places that don't require a terrifying outdated ancient lift to the second floor. Um, so, uh, we're going to talk about this later in the meeting. It's our last agenda item, so I want to state up front that I will be asking the committee to

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vote to ask for a special town meeting as soon as legally possible. once we have the final conference committee state budget which uh might be by Friday. >> I don't think it's gonna happen this week. Um the governor asked the legislature to file a a

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one10th or something. I talked to a few people in the legislature. They're expecting hopefully next week though. >> Okay. >> So we might have a number next week. >> Um also there was uh new snow and ice money that the town got. So >> Oh well that's nice. >> Yeah. So I want to bring that up as well. Uh it's looking very likely that

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the state legislature will be sending us extra chapter 70 money specifically to address the statewide ongoing education funding crisis. This money as chapter 70 funding is intended for public education in the schools. Uh 35% of the entire

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school budget in Lunberg is covered by chapter 70 funds uh which are dispersed to the town but intended to go towards education. And I would like to ask that we have a special meeting to reopen the FY27 municipal budget once the state has finalized the number and that we

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allocate all of that additional chapter 70 money to the school budget in >> so move. >> Well, we're not there yet. It's on a but I wanted to talk about it at the top of the meeting because it's at the end of the agenda and we'll talk about more about that later in the meeting. Just wanted to let you guys know that's

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coming. Uh, also things are going to be hard next year. That's not news to anyone. They're going to be very hard. Uh, they were already hard this year. This was not an easy school year because of the cuts that we had to make the year before. But this next upcoming school year,

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things are going to start breaking. I am really sorry. This affects my kid too. Many things that you as a parent or you as a citizen or you as a student care about will be affected negatively. many other things that may not affect you

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personally but affect other people in the town will be impacted negatively as well. I understand the urge to try and save specifically the things that matter to you. I really love the energy to try and make things better. I love the way our community continues to try. I love

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that we keep trying even in such adverse conditions and we don't give up. That's what t takes to change the world is a group of committed people working together to bring about the change they want to see in the world. But I want to make really clear as school committee members, it is our job to see the big

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picture to take in the entirety of the system and to look out for all members of the system. It is our job to keep an eye on the main goal and our core mission which is educating children and preparing students for the best possible future for each and every student. That

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is our job as school committee members. So I understand and I especially understand as a parent the impulse to fight precisely for what matters personally to you and your child. I don't ever want to stop anyone from advocating for your children and you

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should be very proud that you are good advocates for your children. But please just know that sometimes there are going to be important critical things that may not be as popular or have as many or any advocates, but are still vitally important. My example for that is toilet

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paper. No one is lining up to advocate that we buy it, but we really need it. It's something we have to spend money on. It's not visible. It's not something you think about. It is an expense, but there's nobody advocating for that. And it is our job as school committee

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members to look at the big picture and keep the big picture in mind. And I also want people to be cognizant of administration time and our staff time as we are facing such a dire gap between our needs and what we have. Requests are

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going to take longer. We're not going to have everything. Certain things you ask for may not exist or cannot be created because of the time. we are focusing on the core mission and we do not have enough personnel to get everything done.

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Um so it is important that we together collectively as people who want to improve things who want to maintain quality schools in Lunberg and all that that means it's important we keep our eyes on the big picture and not turn into infighting over specific programs or issues.

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The big picture, adequate school funding for the entire system is where your efforts are going to do the most good. Continuing to engage the select boards, send emails, go to meetings, advocate for the school. So, run for office. Go to meetings twice because it's important. Make the phone calls. Email

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your state senator and state rep. Be a fierce advocate for every kid in this town and making sure that everyone is getting what they need. Okay, that's what I got. Uh up next we have the student representative is not

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here. So we're going to go to review and approve minutes. Did anyone have a Did everyone have a chance to look at the minutes? >> Yes. >> Okay. Can I get a motion to approve the regular session minutes? >> I was not here for one. So

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>> I think we can still just vote on them. >> I'll make a motion to accept the minutes as proposed. >> I'll second. Okay. So, can I get a vote on all in favor of approving the minutes for 415, 56, 520, and 6326? >> In favor? >> I

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>> I opposed. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um, all right. Minutes are approved. Tri board minutes of 112, 127, 31026. Can I get a motion to approve those? We'll just do them as approved.

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>> I will make a motion to approve the tri board minutes. I'll second. >> Okay. Uh all in favor or any discussion? >> Okay. All in favor? >> I >> I for me. Uh oppose and abstension. One abstension.

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>> Motion passes. Okay. Review and here's the fun part. Review and approve line item transfers, warrants, and donations. We have warrants and it's not on there, but we do also have donations. >> Yes, we have one donations. >> Okay. Come on up, Chris. >> Well, Chris to come up. I'll do the

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donation. >> Okay. Um, we have one donation from the author visit to Turkey Bell Elementary School in the amount of $196.56 and that um check will be deposited per

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your approval in the gift account elementary school. >> And what was the author visit? Was it when they came in? Yes, the author of Taco and Pizza came in and it was a very successful event enjoyed by the students at Turkey Hill Elementary and I am

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blanking on the author's name right now. >> My son is so mad he missed that the biggest celebrity there could be. >> Yeah, it was really cool. >> So cool. All right. Can I get a motion to accept the donation of >> I'll make a motion to accept the

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donation. Okay. >> A second. >> All right. Uh, any discussion? All in favor? >> I >> I oppose. Abstension. Okay. The motion passes. So, we will sign that and um get

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that down to you guys. We all have to sign this. Um, and thank you. Okay. I definitely did not the right order, but you can figure it out. Okay. I'm just going to put that there and

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we'll pass it down as a bunch. Um, okay. Now we're doing item transfers. >> Yep. We're going to do the line item transfers. Do you want to take that away, Chris? >> Sure. So, there's four line item transfers tonight. I'll start off with the first

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one. The first one is to cover salary line items that are in deficit with the salary reserve account. >> And we're transferring 90,76962 from the salary reserve account to I won't read them all but the below 13 accounts

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>> like mostly substitutes >> most of so mostly substitutes. Um >> longterm guidance sharing >> what is in it's just ser director IMST

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>> instructional service director so it's um >> Dr. Dr. >> Yeah we moved that um because we don't want to be paying salaries off of grants anymore. >> Yeah. That was mine. I just didn't know what it meant. Jeez. >> No, the reason that that

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line was over budget was because the former person when they left, we had to pay out their vacation time. >> Yeah. >> So, >> so we had to cover that money. >> Yeah. >> Uh and we had a lot of substitutes going. Okay. That's the first one. The

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second one is to transfer funds from athletic transportation to cover athletic dues and fees overage. And we're transferring $9,67045. >> So that was money we budgeted to

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transportation. We didn't spend. Now we're going to spend it on dues and fees >> like game fees and those kind of things. >> Associations. >> Yeah. All right. >> But not

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the fees related to uh M >> that's different. That's all. >> Can we vote on these as a package or do we have to vote on them one at a time? >> Thank you. >> I think excellent. Just want to make sure we went too far too far.

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The next one is to transfer funds from uh equipment reconditioning to cover new equipment the new equipment overage. And that's in the amount of $1,316.94. >> That one tells a story. >> Yeah.

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>> Okay. And then the last one, it's just to move a portion of um Patty McCarthy Gillette salary to the extended dayline. >> And it's $35,400. >> And that's money we get as a grant, >> correct? >> That we paid out through a salary. >> Yeah.

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>> Okay. >> Why is this fun? I think there's a transposition >> which >> um it looks like from the original budget we're taking 35,400 but the transfer amount's only 34,500.

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>> Yeah, there it is. It is a transposition. >> Can I correct that on the sheet we're signing? >> That can you tell me why this one's so negative? The salary resolving fund. >> So the salary resolving fund >> revolving fund. Sorry, I'm sorry. the

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salaries revolving fund. It says revised available negative28,000. >> So I'd have to look into that but I can get back to you on that one. >> Okay. >> Um >> just seems like it shouldn't say that. >> Yeah. >> It's keep in mind it's just the revolving fund salary and >> it's not the balance on the default

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account. >> Okay. >> Like it it regularly goes up in debt. >> Do we move money into that as it becomes income? Is that how that works or >> say that again? this do we move money into the salaries revolving funds as it becomes >> not typically

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>> okay I'll ask more questions about that later um okay and that's it for us >> transfers tonight yeah >> okay I make a motion to accept the transfers >> as outlined by Chris >> as outlined by Chris second >> okay any discussion you guys got any

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more questions okay uh all in favor >> I oppose Abstain. Okay. Motion passes unanously. All right. I'm going to hand that down to you guys in a second. Um, do we have to vote on the incumbences?

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>> Um, for Yes. >> Okay. Then this isn't in our packet. >> It is not in your packet, which is my fault. >> No, that's what happens. >> All right. So, I have a physical >> I Yeah. >> Hey, I get it. I'm

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>> People are allowed to take days off. Uh, and if we fall apart because of it, that's honest. >> People are like, "Okay, so these are the incumbrances that we're going to carry forward." Chris, do you want to briefly explain what an encumbrance is for the public? >> Basically, it's just money that's paid

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out. Um, but on the incumbrance sheet that you have before you, um, I believe the largest incumbrance we have is for transportation and that's for the month of June. Um, we just haven't received the invoice yet. >> Yep. So, we got the buses and D just

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hasn't build us yet, but we will have to pay it when it comes in, even if it's the end of the year. So, that's what this encumbrance is. >> Correct. >> And they're outlined here. You can look through them and I'm going to send it down to you guys. And I think that's those are all the big ones. And some of them are just really small like we knew.

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>> Yeah. Like there's one for like $83. Going to set send them all in. I won't >> Yeah. And we will get these bills months from now, but we still need to pay them when they happen. So, I'm going to pass that down. And can you also I had you signing

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>> this one? I think >> Toby is >> Yeah, this one. >> Um, >> okay. So, one of them has no line for you guys. Just make your own line at the bottom. Um,

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wanted us to all sign it. >> Yes. I believe there's actually a note on that telling you to put them in the >> Yeah. >> chair. >> She's so good. So good. >> Here you go. This one, too. >> Okay. >> All right. Um, moving on. Uh,

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and warrants were in the amount of 500 515,92128. Um, and then you don't have to vote on me. Okay. And superintendent report. Your time to shine. Excellent. Thank you very much, Chris. >> Good evening, everyone. As we close out

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the year, I wanted to provide a few updates on some key areas we've been focusing on. It's been a busy and productive stretch, and I'm excited to share some of the progress we've made. Transportation update, new vans. First up, a long awaited update on our transportation needs. I'm happy to report that we have a successful bid for

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our new vans. We are currently waiting on the state contract and after receiving that we will be able to execute quickly to meet the spending deadline of June 30. We are fervently hoping. But the state has been working with us and we should be able to do this. The great news is that with the

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funds we have available, we'll be able to purchase two new vans. Even better, we'll have enough left over to cover driver training, registration, and insurance. Because these vans are being manufactured to order, we won't see them on day one. They are expected to arrive shortly after the start of the new school year. We're managing the interm

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period carefully, but this is a major step forward for our transportation capabilities. Facilities ear market improvements. On the facilities front, we received some fantastic news. We've secured an additional $175,000 in state earmarks for FY27 specifically

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for facilities improvements. This gives us a great opportunity to address some necessary upgrades. We are still finalizing the complete list of projects for these funds. However, I can confirm that one of the priority projects will be making the main doors at the central office fully handicapped accessible. We

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will share the full list of planned improvements once it's finalized. Current anticipated projects include the ADA bathroom sinks at Turkey Hill. Interior and exterior doors are primary. Add a DMP antenna to remotely control

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security systems. Don't ask me what DMT stands for at all schools. Um the Jace upgrade at Lunberg Middle School, that's the brains of our building management system, which allows us to closely monitor the heating and cooling.

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um the generator install at primary. You may recall um Chris talking about um using the generator that's currently at Casios and moving it to primary. This

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would allow us to do that work. A fan replacement in the hallway and gym at the primary school. the installation of new gym lighting at Lunberg Middle and High School and lift rental arelift

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purchase. Um there's this list is subject to change. Um one of the other things that we're looking at possibly are portable air conditioning units for Turkey Bell. Um it was extremely hot

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upstairs um during the recent heat wave and as we know it can be very hot through the month of September when our students are back. We have a couple of different options but that's something we'll discuss more as a committee when the time gets closer.

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>> Can I ask you about the door at Turkey Hill? The one that's like doesn't open next to like where Alicia said. >> Oh, that's already being fixed. I just that's one of the things I >> Yeah, it it just looks horrible. Seems very >> know that it's going to be fixed this year as a summer project.

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>> That's great. Thank you. I didn't know if that needed to be on that list or we already have something to pay for it. >> I already have funding. >> So much done last summer. Summer's going to be fun, too. >> Yeah. >> Leadership and staffing updates. Moving on to personnel, we have some exciting news to share regarding our leadership

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team. I am thrilled to officially announce Karma Tusan as the newest assistant principal at the middle school. Woo. As we all know, Karma brings wonderful experience and energy, and we are so glad to have her in this role. Karma will be filling the vacancy left by Rob McGrath as he takes over the

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principal ship of Turkey Hill. In addition, we have hired two new to the district assistant principles, Caitlyn Agnulu at Turkey Hill Elementary School and Edelise Viola at the high school. Edelise is Phil and Karma's position and

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Dr. Cormier also retired with Mr. Ivon this year. >> Okay. We are also actively recruiting for several important halftime positions. A.5 athletic director, a.5 athletic trainer, and a.5 high school assistant principal. The searches are

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well underway. Currently, we have strong interest and a few of these roles. We have 15 applicants for the athletic director position. That number, I believe, is at 17 as of today. Um, we have five applicants for the assistant

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principal position. We currently have zero applicants for the athletic training um position. Given the zero applicants for the athletic trainer, we are actively exploring alternative ways to recruit for that specific role. In the meantime, I am working closely with Dr. Mancini to develop a comprehensive

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plan for how athletics will operate and be supported when the season starts up again. We are committed to making sure our student athletes have what they need for safety. Booster Club guidance in Title 9 compliance. >> I'm sorry. Uh, Dr. Fortuna, I missed

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something about So, you said you had 17 applicants for the >> athletic director. >> Athletic director, five for the halftime assistant principal. >> Yes. Um, >> yes, we have. >> That's interesting. I just that's something I want to talk about later just because I'm wondering with some

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extra money whether we want to try to make that one full-time. >> The number of applicants doesn't always indicate the quality of the applicant. >> Yeah. No, I I understand that. Just also the idea that someone being a halftime assistant principal is kind of strange. >> Yes, >> it is.

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>> It is. So, but I mean I know I know why. I know we have finance issues, but um that's just an area I was >> Is our reputation affecting our ability to hire? >> And

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I think that some people, especially a half-time assistant principal would approach cautiously any district that is using a halftime assistant principal because it is such an unusual model to use. So I think that is definitely

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impacting the number of applicants that we do have for that position. >> And have you thought at all about trying to recruit for someone like uh Doc uh Shenina was doing or no? We just think that we really need to split that job. >> Those positions need to be split. I mean

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that's fine. I trust her instinct. I just think we should make sure that the public knows that you know that's that >> Mrs. Burns was uniquely able to do both. Yeah, >> that is not something that really exists elsewhere. >> I mean, I totally trust your instinct on it, but I just want to make sure that,

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you know, we are transparent about what, you know, about what we're >> Yeah. >> for the sake of the high school, we can't recombine those positions. That's not even the functioning of the school. >> Yep. Okay. >> Um, booster club guidance and title n

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compliance. As part of our ongoing athletic planning, we want to ensure our booster clubs have clear, consistent guidelines to support their generous efforts. We will soon be sharing a comprehensive document with the boosters, which I handed out to each of you tonight and actually has been shared with the boosters to outline these

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processes. A major focus of these guidelines is ensuring equity across our programs. The specific factors used by the office for civil rights OCR to evaluate title 9 compliance in the aggregate is the athletic program in

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athletic programs are as follow the selection of sports and levels of competition effectively accommodate the interests and abilities of members of both sexes. the provision of equipment and supplies, scheduling of meetings and practice times, travel and per DM

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allowance, opportunity to receive coaching and academic tutoring, assignment and compensation of coaches and tutors. You can see this also applies at the collegiate level. Provision of locker rooms, practice and competitive facilities. Provision of medical and training facilities and

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services. Provision of housing and dining facilities and services and public publicity. Under OCR guidance, the school district need not provide identical benefits and services to boys and girls programs, but the overall effects of any differences must be

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negligible. Title 9 does not literally require equal funding for teams in the same sport or the same benefits such as equipment or transportation for teams in the same sport. But if the overall effect of funding shows a disparity based on gender, there's a substantial

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risk of liability. One sport booster clubs create the biggest risk whereas multisport booster clubs create less risk due to the opportunity available to teams of both genders. For example, if the football team receives transportation to away

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games and none of the other sports receive it, the argument could be made that there's no equivalent girls program and that none of the other programs, boys or girls, receives the benefit. But this means that literally no girls programs gets transportation to road

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games or events. If the analysis shows that girls teams uniformly lack updated equipment or facilities, there is a risk of violation. Overall, it depends on whether any female teams will receive transportation from boosters and how they fare with the other factors

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compared to boys teams. To give you a preview of how we are managing these requirements, our upcoming document, which has been sent out already, will clarify the following protocols regarding donations and activities. What must come before you? Cash donations and

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grants. any direct financial donation made to the school, the athletic department, or a specific team student activity account. Safety equipment, for example, football helmets, any protective gear that carries significant injury liability or requires ongoing

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district funded safety reertification. Transportation and travel funding for charter buses, school buses, or off-campus travel, which requires district vetting of vendor insurance and triggers strict title 9 equity reviews. Coaching salaries and stipens, funding

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for additional coaches or staff. The money must be donated to the committee, which then pays the coach through district payroll. This will be a change in practice, I believe, from what has happened in the past with some sports. Capital improvements, permanent physical

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alterations to school property such as scoreboards, dugouts, locker room renovations, or field lighting, major equipment purchases, high value items that become permanent inventory such as pitching machines or athletic training carts. Gifts that increase operating

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costs. Donations that require the district to pay for future maintenance, software subscriptions, or electricity. What does not have to come before the school committee? routine fundraising event approvals, car washes, merchandise sales, and dine out nights managed by

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the superintendent, principal, or athletic director. So, those aren't managed by the school committee. >> Can I ask a question about that really quick? >> So, if we have to approve cashonation though and they and they're we don't have to approve them fundraising.

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>> Correct. >> Doesn't that seem kind of >> It does. But that's how the rules work legally is that they can fund raise but any donation needs to be accepted by you. Sometimes they fund raise for things that are not within our >> but they can buy these things like the

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things they can buy is my understanding. Yes. Right. Like they can have a bank. >> I'm guessing we're not going to not accept donations that I just title violations. >> I'm I'm very worried about the title N violations already. um

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which feels very mean, but we have to be very careful to make sure that it's equally balanced. >> Can I just ask though, like if we're going to have vans that are driving certain people, certain sports, is that going to be a title N violation? So it could be potentially if we

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>> right because like if >> we're not scheduling them equally between or there's not parity between the girls teams and the boys teams access into those vans then we absolutely it could be so I think one of the things that I so I'm very concerned

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about this and I also I want to encourage parents to be able to help when they can and I know I missed the speakers at the beginning so I'm sorry about that but one of the things I think we need to be really specific about and I don't know how we go about this is There's obviously the idea we don't want to put more of a burden on our staff

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that don't have the time to do it, but also I with all of this, it feels like we don't want booster clubs going out getting vendor pricing and that kind of stuff because it's not really their job, right? So, how are we going to accept donations for specific things if boosters don't know how much things

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cost? They can't give us a specific amount. Well, because boosters run completely separately from the school district, we're not allowed legally to have any hand in the running of booster clubs. It is actually incumbent upon them to do that. Like

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>> only but we would be the only ones because they're not going to sign the contracts. >> No, but like >> No, but if they donated the money to us, >> that's once they donate the money to us, then we have to follow the law. They don't necessarily have to follow the law, >> right? But are you understanding what I'm saying? If they want to donate to

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us, say two booster clubs get together, a girls team and a boys team, let's do soccer for example. The boys and the girls soccer team start raising money together and they think they could possibly pay for some transportation. But they come to us and say, "How much does the transportation cost?" And we

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say, "We don't have the time or the resources to get you a transportation." >> That's not the correct answer. The correct answer is the running of your organization is completely separate from running the school. So we cannot be involved in any financial interest at

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the inception that the booster club has until they confirm the donation to us. >> But how are they going to find out? >> So football boosters contacted deboss and found out how much just drop off one way transportation.

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>> I just want to make sure we're not cuz I I don't want them like helmets or whatever or gear or whatever. Like are they going out getting pricing? Yes. So they the boosters can do that if they want to buy new uniforms or whatever and then they could donate the uniforms to us. >> No, they can donate the money to

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purchase the uniforms to us. >> But if they're not the one, if we're not and then they say the uniforms cost seven grand or whatever three grand >> and we decide to approve it or not. >> If we decide to approve it or not, we're going with their vendor. >> No. >> No. They would they have to use But they

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know who our vendor is, Mandy. That would be very unusual. Well, no, but I I mean I mean this though, like maybe they want to go out and get a better price. Like I I don't know and I understand what you're saying, Mandy, but legally we can't be involved in that financial piece of running their organization. I

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can't give them quotes. >> I don't disagree with you. I'm just saying these are the kind of questions you're we are going to get and we should be prepared to answer them. And that's the answer, >> right? So, but I as a school committee, right, I don't want to be in the position of saying no to donations. So

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you may have to be if it's a Title N violation. >> Yeah. I mean, I think of it like if you're running a symphony orchestra and you have some rich donor who comes to you and says, "I have a bunch of money and you're like, okay, once you give us the money, unless it's like specifically

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allocated or part of a trust, can we, you know, spend it however we want?" Yeah, sure. I think that like trying to coordinate like this is problematic for a whole host of reasons. I think they should be like, "Raise the money, then

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we'll figure out if if we can use the donation in a way that's productive, and that's just the easiest way to go about it. I mean, raise as much money as you can, right? >> Their own bank accounts, so they can just deposit the money if they don't want, >> but people don't give money to things

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unless they know what it's paying for." >> That's not true. I mean, like, people give money to the Symphony Orchestra. have an intended purpose and we can say yes, we're going to spend it on that or no, we cannot spend it on that but the money already has to be raised >> or they can check in.

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>> Do you understand what I'm saying? They can check in before >> this requires it be one phone call that wouldn't require effort, right? It would be a simple phone call. Is this something that the school committee would consider? For example, I purposely didn't given the school committee we

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didn't and given that coach just had a baby. It's probably good. We did an agenda it as an agenda item for tonight. >> But given our budget woes, I and the school committee's previous dispensation on athletic transportation as well as

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Title 9 concerns regarding um transportation. We purposely didn't agenda that item tonight to protect you from having to say no.

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Um the helmets are a different they're they're different. Um >> follow up on that, right? >> Yeah, we'll follow up on the helmet piece. >> Okay. But I I'm just trying to help you. So I'm not sending people to the new athletic director. So I just I want to make sure that we

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>> It's one of the reasons to have a full-time athletic director. Like this year is going to be very tough on whoever takes that position. the the plan for coordinating transportation is going to be a huge quagmire that all the

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research that I've done so far hasn't quite shown me the path forward for how we're going to handle that yet. um the cuts to middle school sports, the attention on Title N. This is going to

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be a very difficult job this year. And unfortunately, that's the role and that's that's the role that somebody's going to have to be aware of if they take the position. >> It's going to be a picture >> and ask a simpler question. So if they

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wanted they had mentioned that they wanted the football helmets. >> So how does that happen? It would become an agenda item to vote on it. >> Y >> Okay. >> And they would donate the money for us to then purchase the helmets ourselves. >> Okay. >> Yeah.

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>> Heads need helmets. >> Yes. Heads need helmets. Yes. >> I think that like one of the things that that makes this seem daunting is the fact that the analysis is not like it's not tit for tat. >> Nope. >> And it is also not like, you know,

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eyeball it. It's something in between. And so like that means that each decision is going to have to be a considered decision and it also means it's going to be a slow process. And then each decision is going to add into the previous decision to create the

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situation. So it's not like a >> always going to be that. >> I wish it was as clear as like if this then that if this then that situation, but it's okay. Now I have a more complicated question. How does unified sports fit into this?

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>> So unified sports would fit into it the same way. So, um, >> so if there if there wasn't enough kids to do a unified track team, >> it would also have to be equal. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Cuz no one's mentioned that at all.

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>> So, yeah. No, Title N rules apply there as well. >> That's what I figured. >> And the Title N guidance, I think Tony, you're right, is murky best, right? What I have in here is the verbatim reply from our

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>> Um, so it's murky. It's murky at best. I want our boosters to be able to expend their funds in a way that's most fertuitous for our students while keeping in mind our legal responsibilities.

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So listening to the booster club tonight talk about their funding, right? that their interest in funding the helmets and the transportation. That's something we're going to talk about having a June 29th meeting a little bit later, but that's something that we could not June

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July. That's something we could discuss at our July 29th meeting. >> I have one more question. >> Sorry. Go ahead. >> Um, this might be a really silly question, but I only have a son that plays one sport. So,

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>> does every sport on this list have a booster club? No. So wouldn't that just automatically cause a issue? >> Depends on the aggregate. >> So it's not there doesn't have to be.

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>> It depends is the answer to that unless you >> So like if football, soccer, track, and lacrosse have boosters, but none of the other sports have a booster club. So they're not getting any outside support other than what school can offer, which is absolutely nothing right now. How how

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that's a huge discrepancy drop over here. Okay. So there is an eighth circuit case called ports versus St. Cloud State University and in that case the eighth circuit analyzed how uh the state university went about

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equalizing the expenditures on male and female sports. And the analysis that the courts use in that case is a good version of that analysis is called the benefits and treatments analysis. And it doesn't

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require a tit fortat spending. And it also doesn't require and it doesn't allow schools to get off by having like a big picture and that's it. What it actually looks at is like how does this impact people? So for example, one of

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the things that you had asked about was the boosters. So if if one group like let's say I don't know this is true, but let's say that like boy soccer doesn't have a booster club. I think they do, but I don't know. Let's say the boy

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soccer doesn't have a booster club, but because of a whole bunch of other things that are already in place, the benefits and treatment that the boy soccer team receives are not appreciably worse than what the female soccer team gets. That

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would not necessarily violate Title 9 even if there wasn't a funding. So like if like we hire an athletic trainer and the athletic trainer is available to all students then that would be a way in which the benefits and treatment of the boys soccer team are equal to the benefit and treatment of the girls

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soccer team even though they didn't have a booster to raise money. And so it's really a question of >> but you're only talking gender. I'm talking about the whole >> that's what title N is title only only is only concerned with >> you know it the three things are you

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have to have federal funding and it has to have an impact on educational opportunities and then the impact has to be based on gender. >> Okay. >> Does that help? >> Yeah. >> Not really. >> I would like to say this is why

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>> Lunberg should be adequately funding its schools. so that we are not running into issues like this and all children have access without it turning into individual sports and picking and choosing. This is why Lunberg should be adequately funding at schools. This is why the sports should be in our regular

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budget because these are big picture considerations. Um this is why should be adequately funding at schools and it's not. >> Shall I finish my go but like football and field might be the same because field talk is mostly a female sport. So maybe if they all got

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together they raised five grand then then they came to us and said >> we have enough for you know whatever. >> Got it. >> That's why it said that group boosters are actually better than in so my understanding is in some schools there

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used to be group boosters but nobody wants to raise money for a group booster. That's just how I mean I'm not saying I wouldn't but that just like well it's probably a lot. >> You do this all the time. >> I do. That's why for everybody, >> but the PTO, I mean, it's one of the reasons the PTO has a hard time getting people involved because we're a broad organization that supports a lot of

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different things. And so, there's actually a book about associations and all this stuff. The more specific you are, nobody joins the American Medical Association anymore. They join the American Pediatric Association just like nobody joins the regular lawyers club. They join the real estate lawyers.

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>> That's with lawyers because we all have to join. But do you mean like can we can we go back to the superintendent report? >> What does not have to come before the school committee because we have received several questions about this routine fundraising event approvals

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which we talked about. >> What happens now? >> Do they have to get approval? >> Yep. There's a form that I don't >> actually goes to the athletic advisory committee that goes to the athletic director and goes to Mr. Santry I

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believe. So, how is that not oper uh >> getting involved in their operations? >> Because we're approving their fundraiser because we have a fundraising policy. You're not involved. >> It's our admin, but it's not us, the school committee. It doesn't require a vote of the school committee.

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>> Okay. >> We're following our fundraising policy. >> Yeah. But you just said we can't get involved in what the booster clubs are doing. So we're basically telling >> you can't the school committee cannot the school committee is not Mr. Santry and Jod.

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>> So Mr. Santry could get involved in what the booster companies >> we can approve or deny fundraisers. >> We approve or deny every fundraiser that happens in the district >> and we have been >> and we have been but you don't standing >> what? >> Yeah we do. >> They do. >> No you don't.

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>> Well you you need to be getting approval then. >> Yeah. >> Yeah we should be. That might be so fun. >> Okay, that should be >> end of season banquetss. >> Um, end of the season banquetss. >> I would like to see that policy. >> It's available on our on your website if

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you look under um policies. >> Uh, end of the season banquetss, planning, funding, and hosting team banquetss or end of the year parties does not have to come before us. Consumable goods and minor items, snacks for bus rides, senior night flowers, paper certificates or minor apparel that

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players keep like practice t-shirts, snacks for bus rides, but you can buy snacks for bus rides. >> Good governance and bylaws. The internal management officer elections and meeting schedules of the booster club. This is what we cannot be involved on. The internal management officer elections

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and meeting schedules of the booster club. Looking ahead, as you can see, even as the school year winds down, our work to prepare the district for the fall is in full swing. Whether it's upgrading facilities, improving transportation, welcoming new leaders or strengthening community ties, we're building a strong

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foundation for next year. I want to generally thank our staff, this committee, and our Lunberg community for your incredible support this year. We couldn't do it without you, and I hope everyone has a restful and wonderful summer break. Thank you. And I'm happy to answer any

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questions that you may have anymore, but um thank you for getting the guidance on uh legal about this. I I know I know this is going to be frustrating to people. I understand that. Um anytime there is a degree of uncertainty is

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frustrating to people. Anytime that things are not clearly black and white can be frustrating to people. Um, and yeah, it's going to be hard if we have to tell people no to donations. Big picture. Um, >> did anyone have any more questions?

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>> No. >> Okay. Um, all right. Thank you. >> All right. Adult meal price increase. Uh, Disney, do you want to do this or can we just read the letter she has? >> I move to approve. I read the letter.

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Okay. Did you guys the We need to for the public. We need to >> Nine's not on. We don't need >> uh Nine is having trouble signing on. >> That's fine. She shouldn't get on to Facebook. >> She wrote a lovely letter that explains it very well. Um we have to charge

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adults for uh adult lunches. The current price we're charging will not be in compliance next year. So, we need to raise the rate from $5 to $6. This rate will exceed the current minimum requirement, but it should help keep the program in compliance for the

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next several years. So, we don't have to do this every single year. Um, but it brings it just barely over. And this rate better reflects rising food and operational costs. Uh, so can I Does anyone have any questions? >> Nope. I make a motion to approve.

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>> I second. Okay. Discussion. All in favor? >> I for me opposed. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Okay, >> I'm still sleepy. >> Um, okay. Motion passes unanimously. We will

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raise the adult meal price increase. Although I'm curious to find out how many people participate in that, but that's we're going to move on. Uh, FY26 budget carryover purchase overs, which I believe was the incumbrances we already voted on. So, we're just going to slide

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right past that into T-ball field at TC Pacios. Yeah, I can take this and you can fill in. >> Yep. >> So, we have been in discussions with the town in the food pantry on where to um

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locate the food pantry. Currently, um one of the suggestions was made to locate it on the TC Pacio's property. Um we had concerns with um

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campus safety as well as parking um issues due to the fact that the and by I mean Laura and I given that the food pantry operates at um during school hours. So and that um gravel parking lot

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is used pretty um staunchly um >> more than I realized. >> Yes. Um so one of the other suggestions, thank you to town manager um Warren Diamond that was made was the school

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street property where the old primary school was. Um currently though what's happening there is T-ball is playing there. So um if the food pantry moves there, it will displace the T-ball

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program. So the solution that we're putting uh um today is that there's a big grassy area um for T-ball um that's kind of in the Pacio's courtyard. If you

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go beyond the trees, beyond the gravel parking lot, >> is it kind of like between the like where that wing goes out on the left and the back >> aerial like kind? >> And so the town has very generously

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um said that they will mow that and maintain that because as you know, Casios is now a town facility. Yep. >> Yeah. Um so the the availability for the fields and

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the scheduling the fields would go through the town. Okay. >> Um at this point what we would see is some temporary I met with TJ earlier this week. We would see some temporary fencing go up so that they can help um

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have the students children in a combined a confined area. some boxes for equipment, some portaotties. Um, I gave permission for use of the gravel parking lot because

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they are operating outside of school hours. They you generally don't start practice until 5. Um, and that what they're really looking for is a permanent home. And I said, I can't see a reason to change that until the

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building is demolished. And given the rate that I'm learning that the ad could potentially passive, um I think they'll be there for a little while. >> TJ's kids will have their own kids. >> His kids probably >> um there are 75 kids in the T-ball

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program there. So there are a ton of kids and my husband is the vice president. >> Oh, is he the vice president >> of the committee? So um so I'm glad TJ talked to you. I did ask him about this just because I knew you were and I we had talked about this previously and they would be happy to be there. So, I would like us to approve it if possible.

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And and I mean, I don't even know. It's town land, I guess. But you would have to give approval to park in that gravel parking lot. >> The gravel lot and some of it might be stuff that was ours. Uh cuz it's real murky over there. >> My mom mentioned that apparently when I was a kid, that's where the soccer field used to be. >> There did used to be

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>> that's where I used to play soccer. >> Dr. Burnham briefly soccer ball a soccer field in there. Um so who's paying for the portaotties and the >> the league? The league is paying for the temporary fencing. >> I mean, the league pays for pretty much everything. The parks department

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doesn't. >> So, this will cost us nothing. Uh, they will use our gravel lot, but the gravel lot is primarily used. >> During the day, uh there's a lot lots during the day >> and events in the evening that like town meetings and that kind of thing. There's

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not going to be a T- ball game during then and we'll figure it out. Um, so yeah, thank you to Jennifer Warren Dont for um coming up with this solution and making sure she found T-ball a home and food pantry a home. So this was

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>> Where's the food pantry? >> It's going to be >> So the food pantry will be at school. >> School street, the old primary school. So they're temporary trailer because they need to leave Pacios as soon as possible. So, uh, they will be fundraising for building >> because that is going to be they're

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going to be fundraising for the move, too, I think, because that's not an easy move and they need to get a trailer. Yeah. >> The original proposal was to put it in the gravel lot, but um I've been creepy in driving by there. We use that lot a lot more than I realized. We have a lot

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of parking that's going on there. even after the seniors had graduated and we, you know, we had no seniors in the building, that lot was still being heavily utilized. Um, and then I happened to drive by during the high school awards and that lot was entirely

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full and there were people still looking for parking. Um, and it didn't make sense to try and schedule food pantry hours at the convenience of the schools. They need they need to be independent and doing their own thing. Um, so this works. This was an elegant solution. Okay. Uh, so this isn't going to cost us

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anything else. That's my question. And the town is going to take over mowing. So can does anyone else have questions? >> Nope. I make a motion to approve the proposal regarding use of TC Passio T. >> Second. >> Okay. Uh, Mandy, you might want to

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abstain. >> Sure. >> Okay. Uh, all in favor? I >> I >> uh opposed. Abstain. >> Abstain. Me. Uh, so yep, that is my husband's the vice president of the league or something ridiculous.

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>> Okay, so the next thing >> cuz you know me, I'm always out being corrupt about default fields. >> You can put that on Mass Alliance. >> The next thing is a July school committee meeting. I am proposing that

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we have a July school committee meeting on Wednesday, July 9th. 29th um in order for us to do the end rest of the end of the year close out um for the budget. This meeting Laura suggested

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earlier tonight could be fully remote but it is a meeting that we need to will need to hold. As long as you meet you keep the agenda short. I'm in it'll be all financial. It's it's just >> I thought it was July 15th, but um I am

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asking for July 19th because I'll be at the Superintendent Association conference on the on the 29th because I'll be at the same I thought we had to do all of this by the July >> we do, but we'll be fine to close out on the 29th. >> Chris has assured me that we would be

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>> okay. And then we don't get any any issues and Okay. I know Emily said she couldn't be there, but if I I can be there if it's online and >> not too long. That was okay. You were allowed to do that. Um, you are encouraged to do that.

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>> All right. Um, yes. So, are you guys all okay? Mostly okay. >> Yeah, we can do that. >> Okay. As long as we have a quorum, that'll be fine. We can get that done. And >> why do you look panic? >> Yeah. I don't like that look. >> I'm happy. Okay.

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Happy is good. >> You made me nervous for a second there that like it wasn't going to happen by then. Um but I'm liking how it's looking so far. Um we're keeping a good eye on the finances and getting everything

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squared away for next year. Okay. Calendar. >> Yes, that is I believe is actually >> vote on the It's an action item. Do we need to vote to add it to the calendar? Okay. Can I get a motion to add the July 29th school committee meeting to our official calendar?

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>> I will make a motion. >> Fully remote. Can I get a second? >> Second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> Opposed? Abstension. Okay. Motion passes. So July 29th and hopefully we'll have a Zoom meeting.

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>> Okay. 2026 27 school committee calendar. So, in your folders is a draft of our school committee calendar kind of based off what we typically do every year. Um, with we change it from time to time and

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I think we moved the budget earlier. Um, then we're good. >> Okay. So, I vote to accept the school committee calendar for 2627. >> Is there anything else we need to do? Um, are you good for having the last meeting be um June 16th with the option

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to call another one in July? >> Because we could go the week later if you would prefer like we did this year. >> Um, yeah. No, I think that works. If we need to move it later, we can move it later like we did this year because there was so much >> there was so much at the end of the

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year. It was too much. Um, and the day before the last day of school was not going to work. We also don't know what June's going to look like because sometimes the last day of school will be that and sometimes it'll be two weeks later. So, um All right. >> I made a motion.

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>> I'll second. >> Uh any discussion? >> Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Opposed? Extension? Motion passes. >> Um Dr. Saki is not here tonight but I believe in your folder

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>> end of year curriculum report >> there is an end of year curriculum report. >> Yes. >> So in the future when we get the dibbles reports can we get the other years too? >> Yes. I want to ask this year and I with

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the understanding that dibbles will be different next year because we do not have one person or one team administering it. It's up to individual teachers >> which means the results will not be as reliable but that is what happens when

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school's not adequately funded. >> I think it's important to have the whole year too. >> Yes. >> Yeah. So, um, but I didn't want to. It's the end of the year. And, um, I also wanted to say thank you for the,

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um, teacher PD days centered around trauma in our students. I thought that was really important and very much appreciated that. >> Um, the high dosage tutoring stuff is incredible. >> Isn't that amazing? >> The data. Yeah, I kind of skimmed it

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today. I'm reading a little more closely now, but I was really really impressed by that. And I saw that Dr. Sari said somewhere you were applying for the grant. Yeah, it's it's in here. Um it was included in a supplemental budget. Uh $10 million for the state, I think. Right.

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>> Oh, that's fantastic because that was effective and we can't really afford it, >> right? Um I mean, I don't know that we'll get it again, but at least we should try, right? >> Um >> uh Dr. Saki has been amazing. So, I know that um Dr. Fortuna, when you said you

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were hiring a unicorn, I really have found her wonderful. So, I >> we got lucky on that one. >> We got lucky. She's really great. So, I know she's not here, but >> dumpster fired it. I mean, >> okay. >> Because these things are interesting. Like, this is really helpful and it's in

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real English, which is helpful to me being not a >> It's really, you know what I mean? Like, I feel like I actually know what it means. I'm not >> I was a little concerned about the grade five Which part of it? >> Um the dibbles. >> Yes. >> Just because we were so focused on grade

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three and that looks amazing. >> Yes. >> But according to this data, it means 50. >> There's still 30 something. I can't do the math right now, but the the grade five seems to have kind of gone down a

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bit. >> Um they but they were also part of the Ignite. No, >> no, they weren't. It was just in primary. Okay. >> It's so interesting you brought that up cuz I actually emailed Dr. Sari back when she cuz she sent some of this data in one of her newsletters and I said cuz my son is in fifth grade and your son

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and they went to kindergarten over Zoom and I emailed her and basically said this proves that kindergarten over Zoom never worked because >> because our kids are still struggling that great. Um, so I mean I know we have minor resources

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but any you know >> is there is there anything like the Ignite that could be done for >> them in sixth grade. Most of it is designed for early intervention >> because that's when it needs to happen. It needs to happen but we don't we're not giving intervention.

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>> Yeah. Um >> we don't have enough intervention at any grade level. >> This is why it's so important that we do have intervention because they need to learn to read. One of the things that we're doing next year that I probably

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should have put in my superintendent's report is we're no longer at grade five we will be, but in grades three and four, we will no longer be departmentalizing. Research doesn't show that that is an effective strategy for improving student outcomes. So that

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means kids will have just one teacher. >> Kids will just have one teacher in grade three starting next year. They um research shows that building relationships at that age is actually equally as important as contact

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expertise. And so that's why we're making that decision. >> So they'll just have stay in one room. They won't be teams. They won't rotate. >> Correct. Until fifth grade. At fifth grade they will. >> Which I think helps get them ready for middle school. >> Middle school and the way it's going to happen in middle school.

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>> Yeah. I mean I've been very transparent. Henry, my son had a very hard time learning to read. >> Um he the only reason he can read now is because he had Nancy Murray as an in she was the um >> interventionist at the I convinced Nancy Murray taught him how to read in during

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the intervention, not during the classroom and and now he's actually quite a pretty good reader and he likes to read and stuff but and also um >> I'm I'm having a hard time remembering. So, do we have one interventionist at Turkey? Currently,

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>> we will have one currently. We will have zero next year. >> We will have zero interventionist next year at Turkey >> and at primary. >> And at primary, we will have zero. >> Zero. >> We need more than that. We are failing these kids. >> I mean, at least primary. >> We need more money. I don't It was a

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necessary cut because we have cut everything we can. >> We're going to have 30 kids in a class next year. I don't know what else to say. This is how bad it is. I mean it is I know this is a little bit off but someone was telling me the other talking

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about the other day with me and I was saying that the schools are we are at the point where if our roads looked like our schools we would have potholes everywhere and our library would have no brand new books and our fire department would have no new resources and our

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police would have no new police cars. And I know I'm a member of the school committee and I'm supposed to be getting along with people, but that is a tra travesty in this town. Our children are suffering ways that other people are not suffering. >> Yeah. >> And that >> the entire failure of the over

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>> the entire failure of the over. And >> you know if the the the folks at B want to talk about school budgets longer, this is the end of the road for the schools taking anymore. >> This is all we can >> there is nothing more that we can cut and we need more. There wasn't stuff we

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could cut this year to be perfectly honest. >> There was the interventions. We need interventions. >> This is just I mean if my kid was in school now and wasn't getting intervention, he would be in fifth grade and he couldn't read. >> Um and he would be done with school. He would have emotionally checked out of

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school because he also has ADHD and he's doing really well. But you know, I can imagine if it if it had not worked for him. >> So that's 43% of grade five. 43% of our 43% of our fifth graders are are below

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the benchmarks are not on track and are below the benchmarks for reading. So every other graders which means next year they're going to sixth grade gets a lot harder in sixth grade. There's a lot more reading to acquire knowledge in sixth grade. We have failed these kids.

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We don't have interventionists for them. We >> And the rest of the town is not suffering. The rest of the town is not suffering the way our children are. That's that's period. That is period end of sentence. Other departments are getting brand new things and we are getting nothing. >> We're getting >> we're getting and I have heard there is

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still concern at the town level about the percentage of money that the schools are getting over the rest of the town. >> Oh, I'm not playing the percentage. >> And that is a travesty that we live in a community where some random number is more important than the fact that our

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kids can't read. >> Yeah. I'm not playing the percentage game anymore. Our kids aren't getting what they need. We're not doing the percentage anymore. We need >> And we are losing children. We are losing children. We're going to lose money. >> And >> Oh, I got a whole thing. Um, >> okay. I'm sorry. >> Curriculum report. Can I get a motion to ex uh do we have more questions on this?

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>> I do, but >> yes, I might just ask. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> About it. >> Okay. >> Cuz I don't think it's helpful. >> All right. Uh, can I get a motion to accept the year end curriculum report? >> U I'll make a motion to accept the year

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end curriculum report. I'll second it. >> Okay. Any discussion? All in favor? >> I opposed. >> I'm slow again. Slow again. >> Okay. >> FY26 quarterly budget report. My favorite.

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>> Yes. Come on up, Chris. >> Um Chris is going to to do the report, but I'm going to steal a little bit of a thunder because I'm actually very excited about this. Okay. on the supply expenses line. If you scroll all the way

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to the bottom of the report, you'll see that we are 99.3% expended in our supplies. >> 99.7 >> 99.7. Thank you for the year. That's for the year.

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>> So that doesn't happen by accident. that happens because of close collaboration and discussion between the superintendent and the business manager a as well as the whole leadership team. So I want to give Chris kudos for that

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and the committee for kudos for having um the oversight that you had on the budget. You saw each of these reports um watching our spending and our comparison um year-over-year. So, >> Mhm. >> Now, I'll let Chris give the report.

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>> Can I ask a quick question before you um the incumbrances that we voted on tonight, are those in this report? >> They are. >> Perfect. >> Uh so, if you want to take a look first at the expense uh budget only, um like

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Dr. Fortuna said, the available budget is $25,513.82. um we're still trying to whittle that down to the penny. And then if you take a look at the FY26

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budget salary salaries only um handout, if you go to the bottom, you'll see an available budget of $2,685,6323. And then you have to add in the salary

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reserve because for some reason the report won't pull it in unless it's a combined report with the expenses. And then we have an estimate of the teacher salary and the parent salary for the rest of the year in the summer. And it shows a

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net of 2117501 164. And then today I was able to get the numbers for custodial for 626 payroll and that was 27,628 and 222.

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So the estimate right now is 184,12342 and like I said we're still trying to whirl away at that um do just different scenarios. Um, so if you have any questions on that, >> it's great. But we'll have we we'll have

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that handled by the next >> Oh, yeah. >> Perfect. >> Can I make a comment? >> Okay. I want to praise Chris >> and Dr. Fortuna. We had a budget surplus of $650ome,000

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last year. And while this is just one part of the budget, the fact that we were able to spend 99.7% indicates that this is a radical change in how this school district operates in this town. There is no better sign that

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you are doing an excellent job and that you have done a great job mentoring him than this one little piece. It means that the people in this town know that when they give us money, we use it every

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single penny and we do it in a way that is intelligent, purposeful, and transparent. And so I really think that this is a huge, it's a little thing, but it's a sign of a huge change. So congratulations and thank you very much. >> Yeah.

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>> Yeah. I want to clap. >> Yeah. 97 99.7. So much fun. >> So, what are we in Just >> I'm nervous. What are we anticipating for a surplus off? I know. Hold you to it cuz I know

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>> just to say we're going to have a surplus. There's a lot of different things we can do right now. We're in a very strong position where we can move money around and make different purchases.

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um >> do certain things >> next year being so difficult. >> Um so we're in a very strong position right now actually. >> And Chris, correct me if I'm interpreting this incorrectly. The most

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that we would be returning to the town would be $184,123 >> on the salary. >> On the salary side. >> So that is in line with no >> previous >> Yeah, that's in line of previous two years. and in in line with other

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departments. >> Mhm. >> I want to make clear to people that budget surpluses >> Yeah. >> in municipal budgeting >> always happen. >> We don't want the other thing happening. We do not want to spend more than the town has given us. That would be very bad.

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>> There's we are never going to spend down to the penny everything. And when you were talking about a budget this large, the numbers look big when they're percentages. Um and it is difficult to always predict especially in schools

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where we are educating actual live human children who have very varied needs that are constantly changing and it's very difficult to predict. Um so we have it is better that we have a surplus. It is typical that we have a surplus. The

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other way would be very bad. Um, it it is not unusual to have a surplus and other town departments also have surpluses as well. >> It's it's 610 of our budget. The surplus. >> Yeah, >> that's that's crazy good. That's super good. >> Yep. >> Yeah. And

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>> I don't want to get ahead of myself, but if I had to guess, it's probably going to be lower than the 184. >> Oh, yeah. cuz we're going to we're going to have >> shift money >> to the expense side and >> um >> buy some crayons

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>> or maybe some helmets. >> Okay. >> Elevators. >> All right. Uh does anyone have any questions about the numbers on here? If you have super specific stuff you don't want to ask, you can always reach out to Chris and he will super happily answer

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them. Uh does anyone have any questions? All right. I get a motion to accept the FY26 quarter last FY26 quarterly budget report. >> I will make a motion to accept the last FY26 quarterly budget report.

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>> Second. >> Okay. All uh any discussion? All in favor? >> I I Okay. Motion passes unanimously. >> I think next too >> you uh it's personnel. It's >> okay. >> You can stay there.

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You know, this will be quick. So, you have a list of new hires and resignations, retirements, and separations in your um folder. Tonight, I'd like to

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actually run through the list um just so it entered orally into the record. So, we'd like to welcome Lisa Glenny as a custodian at the primary school. She began her work with us on May 1st of this year. Harley Baker is going to be

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the new social worker adjustment counselor at the middle high school. Harley will start with us on 8:31. Daniel Carol is a new custodian at the at this building. He will start he

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started with us on 61. Caitlyn Agnulo is the new assistant principal at Turkey Hill. She'll be starting with us in 71 as will Edeliss Biola, the new high school assistant principal. Jessica Draw is our new chemistry teacher from um

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here at the high school. She will be starting with us on 8:31. We've had resignations. I think you've seen this one before. Duma Braga resigned on 3:27. Um she was a custodian. We um miss all of our people when they leave. Kathleen Hansen, a

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custodian, um, resigned on 41626. Ashley Hail, a par profofessional, resigned on May 1st. Elena Rudi, another par profofessional at the middle school, resigned on 6:18. Maline Elkins, who

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worked an extended day um, at primary um, because that's where extended day is located, um, resigned on 618. Um Quinn Kabako, a teacher at Turkey Hill Elementary School. Um his last day with us was also the last day of the

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school year. He um is leaving us for Fitsburg. Jen Hosard, a preschool teacher at the primary, left us at the end of the year. Jessica Russell and Jane Franklin, two of our par professionals, left us at the

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end of the year. Shannina Burns, our AP AD, um has taken a full-time AP job. She is leaving on 6:30. Walter, our wonderful technician here who does a

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little bit of everything um for us, is going to school and his last day will be August 1st with us. Amber Gothy, the special education teacher who did the TLC and Achieve rooms at Turkey Hill

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resigned. Her last day with us will be um 87. Um for our retirements, Michael Pamash, um first grade teacher over at the primary school. Um you may have seen his very sad video on Facebook.

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>> It made me sad. >> It made me very sad Facebook. Jane Dusac of Kota for the district. Her last her last day was our last day of school. >> Bethle Cormier, our assistant principal

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at Turkey Hill is retiring. Her last day um should that should read 71 um 26. Norm um Yvon, the principal at Turkey Hill is retiring. His last day is 71 or 6:30. Mitch Freriedman, the chemistry

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teacher at the high school is um was all done as of 6:18. Patty McCarthy Gillette, the director of community and school programs, who we all know did a little bit of everything around here. Um her last day is July 1st. Loren Broden,

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um the special services admin secretary and the office of special services um to be redundant. Her Loren's last day um will be um September 4th with us. And then our separations um Narcy Woods, a

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teacher at Turkey Hill Elementary School, her last day with us was 618. Nancy Gaines, a teacher at the middle school. Her last day was also the 18th. These are all the 18th. Megan Lamakia and Nicole Sandella. They both worked in

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our community program, which we are not the grant holders for any longer. So, their last days with us were out in the last day of school. >> I'm very sorry to see Miss Woods go. She um my child didn't have her, but I heard

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wonderful things about her. >> I am sorry about all >> and I'm sorry about all of them. I just know that >> it just Yeah, Mr. Kabak is a real hard one to absorb cuz >> Mr. Kako was a wonderful teacher. He was the coolest dude and he was the first

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person to make me feel really old. >> Yes. >> When I came in for teacher conference, I was like, "Oh, that guy's too cool to be my son's teacher." I also felt that way, but then was like, "Oh, he's so competent." Like, at first I went, "He's

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very young, but man, is he competent and he was >> the kids love him." >> It It's a real blow to lose him to Fitsburg. Um I think it really And I mean, a lot of these um

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is the budget are our budgets affecting the staffing as far as people leaving? >> Yes. The uncertainty over our budget is >> costing us >> costing us teachers members. >> Yes. >> Um I also I'm very much going to miss

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I'm going to miss all of these people. Um Mr. C did make me cry with his post. >> I just showed these to >> like my son never even had Mr. C and he's sad about it cuz the silliness won't be there. like he brought such a

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any um I do I want to express my appreciation for for Mrs. Burns. Uh she had an incredibly difficult job last year and she did it. Um and I'm that's a hard loss too. Um

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>> I mean I'm bummed about all of these. Um, but I also understand on a personal level why our staff would want to seek out a town and a district that adequately funds its schools. I don't blame anyone for leaving to go somewhere

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where their job is not constantly at risk. And I I said this last year, I said it the year before. We have put our staff through hell for the past three years straight. They have faced layoffs. They have faced

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uncertainty about their jobs. We have cut so far that people who thought they were safe were not. Um we have forced the staff through this for three years in a row. That is not a good environment. People should not fear

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for their job every single budget season. We have caused undue stress. We have caused harm. And this is not the way we should be running a school system. I know that and you know that. Um but that is what we

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are forced to do because of the budget situation in Lunberg because we are not adequately funding the schools and it is a shame. Um so I want to say thank you to all of our staff and I appreciate them and we miss them. Does anyone else

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have questions? Okay. All right. Yeah. Thank you to all our staff. All right. We need to vote to accept that. Can I get a motion to accept that? >> I'll make a motion to accept the personnel report for FY26. >> Second.

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>> Second. >> Third. Uh, can all any discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> I. U. Opposed. Abstain. Motion passes. Okay. Now, we're on our last item, and

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I'm sure we'll just breeze right through it. uh request for additional chapter 70 funds which I briefly touched on in the chair's report. >> Oh, I uh make a motion call for a new town meeting so a special town meeting so that we can appropriate the new

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chapter 70 funds. >> So I want >> um I want to say not just chapter 70 funds. >> Um I don't think we should just be asking for that. >> Talk about that. >> There's more coming from the state than just chapter 70. >> Yep. I um

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>> also unrestricted. >> I want to make clear that I would like to ask for to reopen the budget, the municipal budget because I would like these funds to go into our regular budget. Y

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>> so that I don't have to fight for scraps of leftover cash every year as the deficit between what the school what the town should be funding and what the school what the town is funding and what the town should be funding. That deficit grows every single year.

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>> And the more it grows, the more expensive it gets for us to rebuild the schools back into something you can be proud of. >> Yeah. So, I guess what I'm saying is I I'm talking about reoccurring money, right? This is not onetime money. This is money that comes through the cherry

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sheet, right? Which the cherry sheet is the uh the number um of funding that comes from the state. And the cherry sheet for the Senate budget included an additional $3 and

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$55,000 for Lunberg um in it. So that was across a few different departments. Um but I believe that the schools are at a massive deficit and should get whatever the difference is between it's actually 350,000 from the House budget, but we

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probably want they uh the town manager probably built our budget off the governor's proposal. So, the difference between those two is $470,000. And there is an argument. I believe I

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believe we should talk about this. My um Oh, so Chris Manard did tell me I should look at the charges, too. So, we'll have to do the exact number when the budget comes out. But this is additional funding the state is appropriating to

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cities and towns because of all the advocacy people have done. So this is not money that could have been appropriated previously. I do not want money that has could have been appropriated previously because the town didn't this should go in the traditional

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budget process. Um and it's money that the state is going to be asking for. The thing is we don't we will not know the exact number until the final budget comes out. Um for those not familiar with the budget process, July 1st is the new fiscal year. The legislature tends

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to not meet the sometimes they meet the July 1 deadline. I'm hopeful they meet will meet the July 1 deadline, but there will be 10 days for the governor to veto things. The governor will not veto uh municipal aid. I mean I can't say

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that for 100% certain but they but that never happens. Um I have talked to some people over the last few days. There is some concern that so the number could be lower and the chapter 70 commission could be in the budget. So the thing is

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this is the this is I think my understanding of what is going on is the Senate and the House are fighting over whether the chapter 70 commission will be included or not. The chapter 70 commission is vital for us to have a future of you know

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>> I'm not convinced we're going to come out ahead in that though I still I think >> well we have to we have to go for go to bat for it right I mean that's the thing that is the only way >> I don't know Dr. Unfortunately, you agree the chapter 70 formula has to be rewritten for us to get more money. I

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mean, that's just no. >> Yeah. The way it is isn't going to >> I mean, right now we're spending 120% or 130% of foundation >> and yet we are still at the bottom of the list. So, Lunberg spends over there's a foundational budget that the state has a formula that looks at our

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student makeup. It looks at our town. It looks at what we can our our assets are and it looks at the student makeup and it comes up with a number that is our foundational budget which is what we should be spending >> but nobody spends that. >> We legally have to spend that and if you spend under that you get in trouble with the state.

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>> Lunberg spends over that like almost every other town and district and like every other town that's like us we spend over that. However, we are still, even though we spend over the foundational budget

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because the foundational budget is what the state says is the minimum, it's based on a 1993 formula, it is incredibly out of date and it is not reasonable. If we had to only spend our foundational budget, there would be no more Luvenberg schools. It would just be a bunch of kids warehoused in a giant

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room. It would not work. Um, but we are still at the bottom of the list when it comes to per student spending compared to other towns. all the other districts and towns because we are still not spending enough. >> So what do we think we want to do

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because we don't have a number. Do you want to throw out some ideas of what we would want to spend the money on? Obviously Dr. Fortuna would have to tell us. I know Dr. Fortuna has some concerns about non-reoccurring funds understandably. >> Yep. The chapter 70 funds will be reoccurring. >> Yes. Well, I don't want to keep saying

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chapter 70 though because the chapter 70 money is only another 100 grand or so. >> Okay. from last year >> from so the governor's budget was 9.8 million for Lunenburgg and the Senate number is 10.1.

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>> You're looking at the total. >> Are you looking at the chapter? >> I'm actually just Yeah, but I'm only looking at chapter 70, not um smart growth tuition reimbursement or chap charter, >> right? So that's only it's not even enough. Yeah. >> It's not even $100,000 that I'm looking all the way down the bottom. Total

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estimated receipts. >> Yep. So subtotal all education. No, I'm looking at all everything down the block. >> You want to look at everything. >> I want everything. >> The reason the town and schools are getting more money is because people like you and I who've gone to the state house and and I'm tired of being nice about it.

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>> I went to the state house too. >> I'm really tired of going begging for >> I am so >> right. I mean next time we'll go and you can take sit there looking grumpy. >> So what do we want to do? So, for one thing, I think but the problem is hiring

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someone as a part-time versus a full-time is a different thing. Like, I think the assistant principal job at the high school should be a full-time job. >> It should. We just don't have the money for it. But I do think we should ask for it. Um the problem is that by the time we ask for the money, >> right, we'll already have to have hired

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someone. So, that's so we and we can't spend money we don't have that would not be responsible because this is subject to the outcome of a twothirds vote. And we could know next week. It's gonna pass, >> but we won't know how town meeting is going to vote. Town meeting might not

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vote to give the schools the money. >> That's true. That's a good point. I was not I was thinking about the legislature. >> No, my concern is that I don't want to spend money that hasn't been allocated to us. That's >> Yeah. >> worrisome because when would we have to have Tommy Special Tommy? >> That's on So, no, it's going to have to

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be later than that. >> Okay. >> That's on the select board because that's not our job. That is their job to get us the money we need and we're just going to have like how do we decide when >> that's on that pick a date. >> We don't get to set the date. We don't get to call for a special town meeting.

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We can just politely ask them to please call. >> But it wouldn't have to go to the ballot. It would just be doing that. So Jen would have to re Jen would have to increase our revenue estimates >> because based on this >> Yes. >> And then I don't think she would. I mean

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I think she would just based on this but I don't think anything else is getting >> that's fine if we get four if we get three and we have to be able to spend it and that's a concern I know Dr. Fortune has had in the past. So >> I have concerns about being able to hire a full-time assistant principal in say September. >> Right. Exactly.

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>> Because of who we'd be able to hire. I do think we could spend the money on like >> we talk about the Ignite tutoring. >> The tutoring specifically is what comes >> right. Maybe the fifth grade class that's going to be in the sixth grade. Is there anything else we could do? >> Is there something? >> Yeah, >> maybe we should ask the building

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principles and the admin team. >> We'll come up with a list of >> Okay. Yeah, >> cuz like we continue to debate >> No, I agree. I just I just want people watching to know that there are absolutely things that that money can be spent on. We are not asking for the money to like throw a giant confetti

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party. It would be very well spent and there are things in mind for it. Um, but I hate hiring is a concern because of the timing, >> which is like with the failure of the override, there were people who said, "You need to go back and do it again."

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And I understand why, but hiring became difficult the moment it failed. >> Um, that was why it was very bright. >> But we got to move forward. So, >> so you want to unrestricted. So, the the

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plowing money isn't in here. Now the plowing money is onetime money which will go in which the town is getting another $228,54 for snow and ice removal. >> Cool. >> So that's onetime money. So Dr. Fortune, I wouldn't be asking for that, right? But that's a reason to say they're going

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to have extra money in this estimate, right? Every time we have extra money that isn't budgeted, doesn't it go to free cash? And then the free cash at the end we spend on >> No ice is the one thing that we're allowed to go over on. So that's >> So that might be something we were negative on. I don't know. We were negative.

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>> We always are. How much were we negative on? I don't know. I just know we were negative because But we're getting 220. I every year because that's how we do it. That's just >> But we use free cash to pay it. >> Yes, we do. >> Um, so what is the best route of action

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because it's 906. >> How do you want to I hadn't considered going after anything but the chapter 70 education money because that's meant for us. um specifically >> and and the proposal would be to vote it in as part of a regular

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>> yes regular reoccurring sense to me. >> Yes. Because I'm not playing this peacemeal game of here's an infusion of cash to let you limp by so Lunberg can pretend that it's adequately funding it schools when they're not. >> I think I would make a motion for that.

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I would amend my motion to make a motion uh for to ask the ask the select board to convene a special town meeting where we would propose that the chapter 70 money whatever it is. >> So not just chapter 70 because now I'm

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looking at the charter to all of the all education items >> all the education item money >> no no no be >> all of the money including the general government aid. So I don't know how I how much more is there in government aid from FY26? That's 100,000. >> So we're not looking at the FY26 number.

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The budget was built on the FY2 the the town budget was built on the T on the FY27 >> governor's >> governor's number. You also have to go to the second estimated assessments and charges >> and you have to take the charges off because that Chris Manard told me that

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which makes sense because we the charges change. So we made it on the the governor proposed Lunberg at 11,44917 and then estimated charges were 1,69. What went up so much?

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Mosquito control district MBTA doubled. We're paying double for the MBTA. Cool. I'm just And charter school sending tuition

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Sorry. >> Okay. So, >> okay. So, the town built their budget on Lunberg getting and wish this number is how much that we're paying to school choice out our kids, right?

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>> Okay. So we spend half a million dollars roughly on charter schools and half a million roughly on school choice for people school choicing out which I think is going to increase this year based on so $413,000

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>> sure uh >> right now. >> Yeah. Right now >> between the governor's budget and the um and the The Senate budget is 413,000. >> I am of the opinion, I do not know that

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Miss MK is of the same opinion that we could ask for a special town meeting without an exact number and then we can fill in. >> But how are we going to ask for an a >> Oh, because we because we >> we're not the ones >> we do the budgeting, right? Like the

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town just gives us the >> they just give us I am asking just them to hand me a handful of money and then we will >> not literally >> not literally um >> jeez that's fiscal >> cool I am asking for the chunk of money

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and then it is up to us legally where it is dispersed it would behoove us to have a plan to tell the town this is why we would like you to vote for it because here is what we would like to fund >> but legally the amount is what town meeting votes on

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>> and where those funds are dispersed is what we vote on. That's not how it happens on the town side, but that is h how it happens on the school side for a number of complicated reasons. Um, so I think an estimate of $300,000 is a pretty safe estimate because that's like

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not if for some reason because in some ways I think I want the chapter 70 formula commission to be in, right? And then like then maybe the number might be a little sad that money gone like that. Like what the amount of that amount of money is it's a lot of

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money but it's also like it would not restore the teachers. >> No. And I don't think that's Dr. Fortuna would suggest we >> No, I know. It's just it's >> No. And I think we need to make it clear it's not going to fix the class size issue because it's not >> our our two big ticket items honestly

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what that money would go for like that is professional development for our teachers around literacy. Yeah. so that we can expand that K through 12 and really build teacher leaders and teacher um capacity. We can continue to do that. >> Yeah.

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>> And um Ignite tutoring is the other big ticket ite. >> I hate that it worked. >> I don't think I know you didn't want it to work. >> I don't like the Zoom. I don't like them on screens, >> but it was short. But it was the data and the data

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>> I can't argue with it. It talks >> they're going to rest for the rest of their lives. They may as well start now. >> Yeah. >> Just for that person. >> I would like to go home. So, and I'm sure everyone else at the seat would like to go home. So, >> I would like to just >> What is the plan? So, we're asking the

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town to put together a special town meeting to give us a expanded amount of money that's coming from the revised cherry sheet that will reopen the budget >> to reopen the budget. Are you going to put it in writing to send to the select board? >> I would like your help with that so we

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know how to phrase it because the legal the legality that um >> I need to look up how we do that. Um but I I would like to officially ask them to do that. >> Absolutely. That's something that like we we needed to take a vote on. I can't just call them up.

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>> Is there ever a situation, Dr. Fortuna, where like more paras or something like that would be something we could want and could use money for that maybe isn't >> Well, I because I understand like classroom sizes. I understand you've already set the classroom sizes. We're

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not going to change that, right? >> Like more supports, more interventionists. I think the staffing piece, if we could get them at that point, would be the interventionists. Okay. That would be my priority. Yep.

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And that's fine. I I just think that >> obviously there's a lot of steps between now and then, and I wouldn't want anyone to come in with the expectation we're going to hire a classroom teacher with the money because that's not going to happen. >> But I don't think that it is a fool's errand to try to get more resources to

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our kids. My kid is only going to be in sixth grade once, >> right? And >> I would like I would also like us uh as far as what it's spent on, that's our vote, >> but I would like us to trust the ex.

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>> Oh, of course. Of course. >> As far as that goes. Um because they know what their needs are, and I'm sure they have a list in their head right now exactly what they want. >> Um so, >> okay. So, you tell us. I think that 300 is a is a good placeholder, >> but0000.

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>> I'm really nervous about the unrestricted government aid just because um I mean we're basically grasping at straws right now. >> Yeah. Fine. >> I think all we got to do is do we want to vote to ask the select board to schedule special town meeting? >> Yes, I favor. >> I Yep.

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>> All in favor? Yes. >> Any discussion? Any opposed? >> Okay. And then that's unanimous. We would like to ask them to open a special town meeting as soon as possible because staffing is difficult because we go by the school year calendar where school

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starts in September. This year it does. Um where school starts the first week of September and we need to be hiring personnel. Um so time is of the essence when it comes to hiring quality people. Um, so

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do we charge them to use the auditorium >> meeting special town meeting? >> No. >> Okay, good. I'm like we should not be charging for this fine. >> Okay. Uh, all right. Uh, that >> and I as the minute I see the conference committee budget, I will send it to Dr. Fortuna who can share it with this

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committee. >> Yeah, thank you. >> I have a few people on and up already for me. >> Okay. Um, public comment for issues discussed tonight. We got Laura. Hi. >> I think I know your address by >> Yeah. Laura version 389 Mus Road. Um, a

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couple of questions and I came in at just the right time. So, sorry. I was over at the library for a thing. Um, the I did find the fundraising policy that you mentioned. It has been updated since 2019. And one thing that just caught my eye is it does say that families and athletes will not be asked to

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participate in more than two fundraisers per sport per year. So just as the groups are getting themselves organized much like the um here as president of the musicators that we had a meeting we talked about fundraising was the major topic of um we

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do want to work with you guys to figure out what can we fundra for. >> Uh transportation is one item. Um we also part of our mission is to provide the schools with the uniforms. We have plenty of uniforms. Although I am very

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pleased we are going to be pushing 30 kids in marching band. That's up from 18. >> Nice. That's good. >> We are almost 30. Miss McGregor is hopeful that we're going to be >> you guys band and color guard. >> We are going to need to purchase color

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guard uniforms. We have different people of different sizes and different shapes and different needs this year. Um I'm still working on getting information from Mr. I can't wait though until band camp at the end of August to order color guard

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uniforms or we will not have them for football season. So we have funds um the music gators that's part of our mission. So we have a pool of funds available. Um we are looking at how many kids but we will need to purchase those and I can't

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tell you when those got purchased a hundred years ago how that happened or what the logistics were. So, I need some guidance on because we're going to start looking at hopefully to find something complimementaryary or the same as what we have so we don't throw out all the ones that we have.

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>> Is July 29th too late? >> That um No, that's probably okay. Yeah. >> But wait, but we have >> we can't do this. >> We can only take your donate. >> We can give the donation. We have the fun. That's what our mission is is to

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hold this kitty that we have available to purchase >> and then we can say we accept this donation for the approval of >> them. But I can say you know what Laura will do this >> we are going to go look and see and find and try to complement the ones that we already have but we will be

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>> moving forward with that because otherwise we will not have them for the first game. So that should go. We need to vote on so and asked to be on an agenda. >> Helmets in uniforms. >> Okay. I put that on my calendar when you said it the 29th. So

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>> and for all of our booster organizations that goes for anything that you would like to donate money for is to email and ask to be put on an agenda. Email Liz Peterson um school. >> Yeah.

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So they would donate the money to us and we would purchase the uniforms. >> Yes. Okay. >> But we can let you know how many the ties and style things like that. >> The exact place where they were >> because I don't think we don't have a regular vendor. We haven't bought uniforms in forever. So >> the last time

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>> Liz will know who it is. >> I'm sure. But I couldn't even tell you. I don't know with how many kids we have. The good news is we don't have to buy marching band uniforms. They're all good and clean and smell great and in the closet and everything. But the Um, we may want some flags as well. I don't

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know. That's We've got some older ones. They've seen some wear. >> So, that may be something as part of it as well. >> That was really cool. The band concert by the way. >> So, band concert was great. >> I was not expecting Color Guard to just start throwing things. >> Yeah, they're good. They're really They And they did fantastic at Chills and

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Thrills and everything. Like, the band's just doing amazing. And the kids are recruiting the new members. I mean, they're really doing it themselves. They're just >> fifth grade. The fifth grade band did a great job at their performance. My son was in it and I think a lot of them are are planning on doing sixth grade. So, I

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don't know. They haven't had to sign up yet. But >> I will bring up so um Cara Hungitz at the last meeting brought up >> school class choice versus like I can be an AP this or I can be an honors that or I can't do this or can't do that. I will

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tell you that our juniors are feeling that already and making choices on classes that they can and cannot take and PE specifically was brought up at the last meeting. >> Y >> PE absolutely like >> do we put the >> do we have to it's not going to change that.

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>> Yeah. So there's like there's like >> having to take two a full, you know, like two full classes of PE all in senior year, >> you know, >> to the detriment of not being able to take honors class or AP classes or something in a senior year when you're trying to apply and get into college. I

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this >> so we decided we can't do it for next year. >> Correct. scheduling and snapping is already such as we can't permitted >> but I will reiterate the inadequate funding of the school based on the lack

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of the override is absolutely impacting not just what or the size I can't even imagine being a teacher for 30 kids in the classroom God bless them all because I can't even >> begin to imagine that many kids on the spectrum of needs that kids have today

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the fifth grade you know it's all grades it's kindergarten 1 through 12, our kids are making choices that they're being forced to make choices >> because we've handed them >> bad choices. >> Bad choices. That's right. They're selecting the least of the worst

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choices. That's what they're doing right now. >> So, um, but anyways, on that, um, we do want to work with you on what we can do fundraising from a musicator standpoint. Um, and that, um, there was a couple other I have in here. There are no title

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N concerns for music. >> No, no, we're unitary. Everything is Yeah, it's all Yep. Everything there. Um, yeah. And just like I said, what else, you know, can we fund raise for? I know that there's certain supplies that got cut, things like that. I would ask if there are if there's a tiny little

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bit of anything extra funding, is there anything we can do to put the fifth grade ban back? It was less than $10,000. Is there anything that we can do to put that back, please? >> We have our proposal for Mr. Ballister for a fee based program before school. >> Excellent. Approve that. >> I think you

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>> and I also know sixth grade uh sixth grade jazz >> that was not discussed that also was cut. >> So if there's anything that we can do about that, that's a stipent I believe. >> If there's anything that we can do um as a booster organization to assist with a

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stipen that's not a salary, I would be very welcome to having a conversation. Is it >> no in the fund raise for a second? >> If there's something that we can do, we would be very very interested because that group is growing >> and we want to make sure that that

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continues >> not. >> So if yeah, if there's anything there that we could have a conversation, I'd be love to have that conversation, please. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Laura. Laura, just reach out

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to ask what the statement is and I'll let you know so you know what you're finding for. >> Thank you. >> Um I did want to make a comment that I have noticed um I have gotten lots of comments from high school parents and high school students about the difficulty in scheduling this year and

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how very difficult choices are having to be made where it's do I give up this activity that I'm very passionate about and probably will be my career someday. that is absolutely what I want to do or do I take a higher level class that's

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going to let me into the college I want to go to. And these are decisions that we are asking 14 and 15 year olds to make because these are decisions that are very difficult that are going to affect things down the line that previous generations of Lunberg students

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did not have to make at this level and this dire cuts. Um so we are already we're seeing that for next year. Um And I have no answer for that because I know it's hard. >> Uh, and that's just the situation we're in. >> Same answer that we always give people.

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>> We got to work together. >> We do. >> Uh, is there anyone on Zoom? >> Uh, there is not. >> There's Okay, awesome. >> We have three people watching, but no one has to raise hand. Just for clarification. >> Did Chris Sullivan's wife finally make it?

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>> Um, what's her name? Oh, jeez. Got me on the spot. >> It's okay. We have three people. >> Agot, Jessica Agut, Courtney, and Marlene Hogland. >> Okay. Okay. >> She could have joined at some point.

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Sometimes people join with like >> Okay. Uh we're going to do reports from subcommittees. Anyone got any subcommittees? They're not really meeting. >> No. >> Municipal building design committee is meeting on uh Monday. We met two weeks

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ago. We did a survey to um departments about wants versus needs. Uh it is certainly interesting hearing what other departments feel their wants their needs are. Um and uh

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we're still working towards that. I do not have faith that this town is going to do anything towards building a new town hall anytime soon. I don't see any parents voting for anything like that. as long as there's 30 kids in a classroom, it's just not going to happen. But, um, we are continuing to

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survey needs and consider future uses because eventually this will be useful. >> Um, and I think that's it. We did meet with the athletics people, athletics boosters, and we did talk about, and I want to the end of the meeting, and it's weird to say this now, next year there's

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nothing left to cut. Extracurriculars and athletics are on the table. I know that one of the public commenters had asked about let us know. Yeah, it's on the table next year. It is. Everything is on the table because we are desperate and there is no more sustaining cuts of

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this. This year we couldn't sustain these cuts. So, uh times are tough. Okay. Uh topics for future discussions. Um football helmets. >> Yep. Football helmets. We got to follow up on the boosters to send us that requested writing.

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>> Yes. I'm a little nervous because all of the booster people I've talked to who are fundraising are all male sports and that can't happen. >> It's just we can't I'm really sorry. Saying no to money is going to hurt,

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but um it's all been the allmale sports. That is not the failure or fault of anyone and I'm not going to fault any parent for advocating for their kid and doing the hard work, but um that can't happen. Um,

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we should also uh put that on the 29th and uh can we take a look at the fundraising policy and policy subcommittee? Um, and that's it. No more. Anyone have other topics? >> Okay. Can I get a motion to adjurnn at

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like 9:25ish? >> I'll make a motion to second. All in favor? Good job. Nice job. >> Good. Good job.