Okay, it is 6:31. So I am going to call the meeting to order and I would like a motion to adopt remote participation as written in our agenda, please. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Very good. Any discussion? Roll call vote. Pam. Pam
>> nurse actton. Yes. >> Sarah Montiew. Earlington. Yes. Linda is next. Linda, you're on mute. >> There we go. Linda Herbison, yes. >> Is not here. Maggie is not here. Charlene.
>> Charlene Cabar Lancaster. Yes. >> Sharon MTO. Lexington. Yes. >> Jeff Dan. Yes. >> Alison Gustoau. Yes. >> Very good. It may be good to send Maggie a reminder text. Very good. Uh my understanding is that
we've received no public comments. So we move on to the consent agenda. Uh I'd like a motion to approve all the items in the consent agenda, please. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Great. Are there any comments on
uh the grants or the minutes? Alice, >> congratulations on the grants. >> Always a good thing. And I'm going to say also and I hope that this comment is passed on. Congratulations on the minutes because I was very very tired
when I went to pick up the minutes and I you know you dread it 14 pages of minutes to read but they were well written tur complete smooth and and um really easy to read. So I was able to
breeze through them without getting an eedran headache. So, uh, thanks to the team, Secretary and Julia, in putting those minutes together. That's >> I had a comment on the minutes. I was
marked as absent on July 22nd for the final roll call vote to adjurnn. And I was present and I really think I voted to adjourn. >> Okay, that's one change. And Pam, >> are you doing roll call?
>> Uh, yeah. We're going to go to roll call, but we're going to make that change. I'm going to do that informally without going to a amendment amending technical change. Pam. Okay. Pam Nuron. Yes.
>> Sarah Montigue. Arlington. Yes. >> Linda Herbison Bolton. Yes. >> My turn. Um, Sharon Gabrell Lancaster. Yes. >> Sorry. Sharon must Lexington. Yes. >> Jeff Dulan need him. Yes.
>> Alice Lucas. Yes. >> And is D here? Can you hear us? D. Gone. Okay. Well, we'll deal with that group. So Jeeoff, I think there's actually two changes because if Linda, if you were if you were present to vote
>> um to adjourn, that means you were also present to vote me as secretary, which is the previous. >> Oh, >> yes. >> Okay. But those changes will be made. >> Yeah. >> Great.
Okay. Chair's report. Are there any items for the good of the organization? I've received no phone calls on that. Heidi Driscoll, >> I do have one item for the good of the organization that I think normally would be put somewhere else. Um, but Katie
Bushar, our vocational director, um, has been working with other vocational directors with a group that is donating work boots. And I don't know if you know how expensive work boots are, but today
we got the form literally today. Um I signed it, Nikki signed it, and we're hoping if at some point during the meeting we could vote to accept this gift. Um but we want to get these to the kids. Uh approximately 1,500
pairs of work boots. >> Wow. Um the retail value is about $225,000 and uh we have you know we have freshmen and we have kids who need new boots and we would love to give those out as soon as humanly possible and not wait to
another school committee meeting. Um we Nikki and I just talked right before we all started dropping into the Zoom. So, I thought it best to bring it up for the good of the organization. And Jeff, whatever you'd like to do with this throughout, uh, it's your discretion.
>> I see nothing improper about bringing that to a vote now. It's a trivial item from our point of view. I don't see it, uh, really violating any rules of the organization. So, if a member would like to bring it up, >> so moved to approve the um, accepting
the gift of the work boots from who? Who is the vendor? It's uh Maverick Workware, Inc. um DBA Brunt Workware. So, Brunt Boots if they go by Brunt Boots. >> From Brunt Boots. >> Do I have a second, please?
>> Second. >> Very good. Uh any other comments on accepting boots? Do we get them too? Alice, go ahead. >> This is just so great to hear. It's a long time since they've done that at Minute Man, and it's just really terrific news.
Okay, Maggie, we we're about to accept a gift of boots for the students. That's what this vote is on. So, without any other comments, roll call vote. Pam >> A Nurse Actton, yes. >> Sarah Montigue, Arlington, yes. >> Linda Herbison, Bolton, yes.
>> D's not here yet, right? >> Correct. >> Maggie Sharon Dover, yes. >> Charlene, Lancaster, yes. >> Sharon must Lexington, yes. Jeff stool needen. Yes. >> House Lucas Joe. Yes. >> Very good. Any other items from the
membership on that is really for the good of the organization. My for the good of the organization is not quite as good. So uh just an initial chair's comment.
Um this is as I mentioned at our um July meeting going to be a challenging year for a number of reasons. Uh many of these reasons are going to hold off until the superintendent presents her goals for the year because
I don't want to steal her thunder. But in general, I do believe financially it's going to be a more challenging year because of things that's happening in the economy at the federal and the state level. Don't know for sure, but I do expect that. So, I just wanted
to um uh renew that concern to the school committee moving forward. And there'll be more about challenging issues when we get to the superintendent um goals. Sarah, >> we have a phrase that we're using um at
my office right now, which is finding opportunity during times of uncertainty. So, that's become my like living mantra every day with what's going on right now. >> Great. May you live in interesting times.
Charlene and then Alex. >> I actually just have another point for good of the organization because it's not on the agenda. Um, I just wanted to remind everyone that we're having a District 8 um, um, Mass Association of School Committee meeting at Minute Man
on Saturday, September 20th and hoping that those who can attend, please do. Uh, I believe it's at 9, is it 9 or 9:30? Uh, Heidi, do you remember? >> I think it's actually a little might be earlier. Let me look at my calendar.
>> I think it's 9 then. >> 4:30 a.m. is what I heard. >> Oh, no. I have it 9:30 a.m. for an hour and a half. >> I guess I was wrong. 9 9:30 a.m. So 9:30 to 11 we'll review some legislative um
details updates and um I believe that there will be some um discussion of the our school build and they want to see some of the special spots in our building uh including the um horiculture
and theater and perhaps the regular trades as well. So there'll be a little um tour as well. >> Very good. Thank you very much. Any other items? That is also a really good item. Alice, >> this is not an item, it's a comment
relating to the previous comments. I want to just say Minute Man always gets through it. Whatever the difficulties, we have had terrible years and we are going to be fine. So I just wanted to give the positive side. Uh oh, I have no
doubt we'll get through it, but I am putting in an extra order of Eedin pills for the year. >> Good for you. >> That'll be my normal bulk order of Eedin. >> Good. >> Just a bit more eedrin is what it's going to be and frustrations. Okay. Very good. Next item is to approve the
recommended list of school committee appointments. So, let me review the process. So you have had sent to you a list called the chair's recommendations subcommittees task force and leaison for 2025 to 2026.
The way this process works is that um you uh let me know if you're happy or unhappy with your recurring appointments and what you would rather do if you could and then the chair uh looks at what is needed and who's doing what and
tries to balance the workload for you and he makes a suggested list and he begs people to do things sometimes. Then he brings it to the uh the officers for their approval and then we bring it to you. And there are a few special things
in this list I'd like to point out. The first is is that the uh the finance committee which will now be uh chaired by Sarah has three members but Maggie will remain as a warrant
uh signer if we need her. So for some reason the three members of the we always like to have another fourth person in reserve who is capable of signing the warrants when necessary if the three regular FINCOM members aren't able to do so. Your vote is going to
include three members of the FINOM plus Maggie having the ability to sign warrants when needed. Uh let me also point out that we have on the capital planning committee two exmembers who are willing to step up and join that community committee as non-
voting members that is Steve Leoo and Ford Spalding. So we have asked them in specific for their knowledge and expertise to remain involved in that. that committee is going to have a very tough job this year and I think their expertise is going to be needed and
we're very grateful for their um willingness to attend. So I'd like somebody to approve the list of recommended subcommittees task force and leazison and we will have a then a discussion and a vote. >> I move you approve it.
>> Second. >> Okay. Any further discussions on this? I just have a quick process question. >> Sure, >> Mr. Chairman. Which is if um should we be letting Maggie know if we need her
for a warrant situation like in advance, we know that one of us is not able to attend. Is that >> the process is that unless there's an emergency and we know in advance, we let Naggie know as early as we possibly can that that's going to happen. M
>> and most years it is not needed >> but I'm glad you will be notified uh way in advance. The only uh like >> there are you know the the teachers do like to be paid. >> So I'm especially concerned I know that
Nikki likes it when the teachers are paid because they get you know cranky when they're not paid. So it's really important that the warrants especially the payroll warrants are signed um appropriately. Mhm. >> So that's why we do this and she agreed to do so and we will give her as much
notice as possible. But you know the world works in mysterious ways. >> Sharon. >> Yeah. Jeeoff, I just wanted to um commend or thank the fact that you take such careful um you put such careful thought into who should be on the
different committees based on their strengths and their backgrounds and their careers. and just also knowing because of your experience the amount of work that each committee will likely um entail throughout the course of the year. So, I just think it's important
for anybody who's not on the school committee who happens to be watching this just to know that this is not just a random hm who wants to work with whom, but more of a really thoughtful process so that we make sure that we're successful in all of our committees. >> Thank you. I appreciate it. And there
have been many years of experience doing it. Plus, as a teacher, as a high school teacher, putting students in groups, right? Sometimes I let them choose I let them choose the groups, but other times I say, "No, with this kind of students, I got to do it myself." And you know,
it's the same process only they complain a lot more. >> Yeah. >> Uh so, uh no other comments. Roll call vote. Pam >> Pam Nurosin. Yes. Sarah Montigue, Arlington. Yes.
>> Linda Herbison, Bolton, yes. >> Maggie Sharon Dover, yes. >> Charlene Cabra, Lancaster, yes. >> Sharon Mosto, Lexington, yes. >> Jeff Stan, yes. >> Alistister Lucasto, yes. >> So, thank you all. And I want to thank you. When a number of you I asked
please, uh, everybody said, uh, pretty much yes. I will be willing to do it if you need me to do so. And um some of the assignments are I know have a timing that is problematic for you and I do appreciate your willingness to do it.
But I think I was honest in uh the type of things you're likely to face this year and some of the committees are going to be very very very busy. Great. So thank you very much everybody on that. I appreciate it. Let's see Sharon if you still thank me by the end
of the year. That would be great. Okay. discussion on school committee goals. Uh is there a way we could put that list of school committee goals on the screen here? I have it here. If you can let me if you want me to do that, if you can give me permission,
>> permission granted, Jeff. >> Okay, let's see where we are. Meetings school committee Okay. Where is it? Here we go. So, let me explain the process here.
Um, oh yes, I have to share the document. Share. And is it little teeny things? Here we go. I think it's this one. Okay. Can y'all see it? >> Yes.
>> Great. So, let me explain this process. Uh the process is that in July I said I told you that we will need next year to to collect uh to choose school
committee goals like three or four goals for us for the year. And the process is send me your comments and possible goals. We're going to collect the comments. We're going to bring it to you for a discussion and not at that meeting, but the next
meeting we're going to uh vote on school committee goals. In the meantime, the officers are going to listen to your comments and then make a decision on which ones to bring forward. So, these are the the possible goals. Now when you uh review these goals, you should also
in the back of your mind keep into account uh the superintendent's goals for the years. Now our goals don't have to reflect those but they can. So what I would like now is for the members who are here to make whatever
comments they want on these possible goals. The officers will take the list of goals and your comments and come up with a suggestion for our next meeting. So members, comment away. Now's your chance. Pam,
>> um Jeff, I have a question in terms of these goals. Um because we often have committees make goals. Are you thinking that we're looking at this in the place of each committee setting their goals? There are certainly things here that I
see as like you know real clear that I would hope would be EMAC goals. >> Right. Exactly. So these goals are the things that we think are the most important for us as a big group to work on for the year. Now uh at the end of
this discussion I'm also going to ask the subcommittees to develop their own goals and uh those goals can support the full school committee goals too. So uh this is really without thinking of what
the subcommittees are going to come up with. which of these goals are uh appropriate for the full school committee to say these are the most important things that we would like to accomplish this year because I can guarantee that a number of
these goals several of our school committees will our subcommittees will be working on uh even if they don't label them as their goals as well. That's my confused answer. >> Well, can I follow up?
>> Yep, please. Um, with that said, um, I would like to say that the next to the le, um, I'm working from the bottom up and and particularly the next to the last goal about working with the administ that one that you're
highlighting is, I think, a really important goal for the school committee to start wrapping its um, hands around. >> Yes. And that would be part of the work of EMAC. would be part of work of of policy >> and maybe other subcommittees as well.
So that is one person who believes that this is >> also a good candidate for a school committee goal for this year. Other comments please. >> So I um I took them and just grouped them into buckets so I could just sort
of see how things nested together. So I had contracts and relationships. I mean obviously negotiating a contract with MFA is >> pretty critical. I don't think we can do very much if we don't have that underway. So, I would say that would be one. Um, and then I support what Pam
said, um, the overall budget stuff, but that can be reflected in the subcommittee and, um, the strategic plan. So, that those would be my votes. the strategic plan meeting um
>> as it as it reads assisting the superintendent on the development of a comprehensive five-year strategic plan for the district. So I think that's a core goal for the the school committee at kind of the highest level. >> Okay.
Other comments? Sharon? >> Yeah. I I was Sarah when you said that that's exactly what I was going to say is I feel like there's a lot of great information here and that I I'm hopeful that we'll be able to group them into categories and like highlight the most important at the general level and then
have the committees give more of the detail like there you know there's a number that talk about the budget and different you know relationships um like just kind of how do we market for the eighth grade cohort and others coming in like I feel like we could group these and make them into three to
four solid goals that have some sub goals that would be covered by the subcommittees. >> Other comments? >> Um I I I agree with what folks have said already. Um, I think the second to last
bullet, the way it um talks about that it encompasses some of the other Yeah, that that one I think it encompasses some other things like it's encompasses supporting budget adjustments to improve academic
programming. Like I think like it's sort of a nice one because it's a good umbrella. Um, I guess I want to put in a plug, and maybe this is just my lens with the capital improvements to be specific about um, working together to
develop a long-term funding plan that accounts with the on-site insight report. Um because even though that seems like a small goal, I I feel like it's really a hard one to do because it is the easiest like deferred maintenance
is the easiest thing to take off a tight budget and you've just talked about tight budgets. Um and that will bite us in the rear end later down the road. um particularly in a building in a district like this where we are so dependent on
lots of capital things for the work that we do. So that's just my personal um picadillo that I would like to see. You know >> I'm going to add uh I'm going to disagree with one thing that Maggie
said. She says it may seem like a small goal. No, this is a very hard goal. It's a very hard goal because what we have to do is we have to come up with a a funding plan which is going to have big numbers in it and go to our member towns and explain why we're going to need
these funds. >> Right. It's a goal nobody like it's not a fun goal to do. >> No, >> that's why I'm saying it needs to be a goal. >> Okay. >> And in fact, this is probably the year that we have to do that. So,
>> and Jeff, I've got my hand up. >> Alice, >> thank you. Um, I think you I think what Sharon said is correct that you've got already about three or four goals here. If you put them all together, I think that each goal should say support the
superintendent's initiatives or support the superintendent strategies or whatever in the following way so that we cover supporting the superintendent as part of our goals. Um, I think we should also have a calendar that
includes a midyear review of where we are on our goals and I think we should evaluate ourselves at the end of the year to see whether we achieve them because since the pandemic we've gotten off track with our goals that get, you know, it's going to be October by the
time we vote on them. And um, many of these are actually multi-year goals as are the superintendents. And so it's going to be hard to keep track of. I actually think that it's possible that you might adopt three-year goals instead of one-year goals for some of this
because uh it's it's those are not one-year goals, many of them. Um but it's something to consider. It would be a complicated thing to do, but it would eliminate the the tap dancing that we do at the beginning of every school year when kids come into school and we're off
to the races and what happened. It's budget season and now it's February and it's budget time and what have we done with our goals and and some crises occur. So, I would like to see us have that calendar. I would like to see um
the contract, the budget supporting the superintendent's priorities including the capital piece uh be the primary um focuses uh because they are consistent both with the superintendent's menu of goals and also with our responsibilities.
>> Say again, which ones are the ones that are highest in your list here, Alice? >> Well, obviously settling the contract is number one for me. Um that is it's it's more than settling the contract. It's the agreeable contract with the MFA and supported by the member towns. Then I
think that the um it's it's a piece also of the budget which requires the address we must address the capital projects because we are in the building six years now and um you know usually people
discover it about 20 years what happened right that's when they start panicking about their building needs. we don't want to get there. So, we really have to address that. Um, and you know, those those are my biggest priorities. I think
we also need to address our policies uh which are still languishing. Um, I would say we really need to just get that done. So, >> great. >> There you go. >> Other comments >> and a calendar.
>> Send me an email on that reminder of what you're proposing there. That's complicated. I have to look at that one. >> Just write down calendar, Jeff. >> Yeah, I don't I I lose my notes unless it's written down. >> Okay. >> In email, >> I'm taking >> other comments from the goals. Sharon,
you have another comment or you all set? >> No, I was just saying I'm taking notes. >> Great. >> I really like the next to last comment. I think it moves us forward. Um things like the contract are important, but they're they're automatic. Um, I think
we need to move forward in solving some of those issues. That's I like that one. >> Very good. So, you've made your comments and the next officer's meeting, we will ponder them in the list and we will come up with something that hopefully you'll like uh for our next meeting and then we'll
vote on our goals. So, no vote is necessary at this time. That was just a discussion. >> Get it? Yes. Alice, >> further comment. I agree with Linda about that next to last one. That is a critical piece of every underpinning of
the budget and so on. You can't you can't do the budget without that. >> Which next last one are you referring to? >> Uh develop strategy determined through capacity building etc. >> Okay. So that is um uh uh and we're going to talk about this during the
superintendent goals to some extent. This is a very I agree it is a very very important multi-year goal. It is a goal that has been attacked uh attempted to be attacked by previous superintendents with various levels of success. Heidi has her own vision of how to move ahead
with this. I like Heidi's vision very much and she's going to be explaining uh throughout the year her vision on on doing this and this is a critical piece for the superintendent and should be a critical piece of our support of her as
well. And it will require support from uh a number of committees. Yeah. Great. Fun. Very good. Turn the page over. I believe we have a principal's
leadership report. Let me stop. Sh. Yeah. Good. Very good. Is that correct, Mr. Principal? Oh, we have a form coming up. Exciting. Yes, that is correct. Um, it's great to see everybody on this school committee
meeting and I will say that this is probably one of my favorite reports to do because I get to talk about uh the beginning of school and I will say that um the energy uh the positivity uh the
everyone working together um has been nothing short of amazing. Will I say everything is perfect? Of course not. Not everything is perfect, but for the most part, uh, everybody has been doing their part to make sure that our students are being successful and
welcomed at Minute Man, especially within the first days. So, let me move to the Why is this not There we go. So, um, just to give you some highlights of the first day of school, we have some some photos of what
happened on that first day. Um, I particularly like the, as I said, everybody chipping in. As you note, the superintendent is welcoming students into the building. Um, within that first day as well. Um, and if I'm
not mistaken, um, member Cabraw, that looks like that is Matthew that is shaking a hand, but I can only tell from a certain angle it, >> but I feel I feel that is Matthew. So, um, what a what a great shot of Matthew coming in and being greeted by the
superintendent. I think that's really an upside. Um, if you look down to the left, we have, uh, Miss Nadua helping out a freshman. What we did a little bit different at the beginning of this year is everybody just needed to know where their home room advisory was and we
guided them there and then we started the day from there with information. I think we last year we had um you know a lot of people in the Paul Rivere room and trying to get schedules. What we were able to do this year is all students were able to get their
schedules ready to go and their home room advisory. If you look at that top picture with me, um I was able to address all four grades, um talking about expectations and our two goals this year, which from the staff all the
way from the top down of engagement and ownership and what does that mean on a student level. Uh so we're able to talk about that. If you look to the right, you have Miss Donahghue addressing, she's our new Cosmo teacher. She's addressing the um 10th grade students uh
during that time. Miss Nagel uh Spanish class as well on the bottom there. And uh I'll talk a little bit more about buses as well coming in. But I will say um again, not perfect, but much better than what we had previous um with times
and arrivals. So, with that being said, not only do we have um everything that was in the first day of school, I will say that the campus has been buzzing with athletics. Um last week I was at four different
sporting events and I will say that um nothing short of amazing to see all the participation and all the school spirit that's there. Um like I said, we had a boys soccer game and then on the other field we had a girls soccer game. our football game last Friday with the home
opener, which we won, uh was very exciting to to see. And um even our cheerleading squad, we have about an average of 20 students that are participating in cheerleading. Volleyball is up and running. The only sport I wasn't able to get a picture of
was uh cross country. They move too fast, so I wasn't able to quite get them in a shot, but we're working on getting them a photo as well. But everything has been up and running. Um, again, preeason started in August prior to uh like two
weeks in August before school started. Um, and games have been going through and and uh last night in particular, we had a um parent sport night where we just talked about expectations. Coaches got to meet with families and our
boosters got to talk about their goals of trying to support sports at Minute Man. Moving on. Um this is something I'm quite proud of because we have gone from just starting the Voices of Minute Man
High School last year to we had a lot of auditions. So what happened last year at the end when our seniors had graduated, our juniors um auditioned to be the voice of Minute Man, we had so many um and we had so many good people that had
tried out that we um came up with a list of a bunch more students than what I had last year, which was the start of three. So I want to recognize our voices. Uh to the left you have Muji Vader who is in
culinary and from conquered. We have uh Leah Schneider Vanzil who is also in culinary and from Arlington. We have uh Macho Man Young who is in electrical from Arlington. Down below you have Xavier Reynold
Zuckerman who is in biotech from Arlington. We have Nina Contraus Dumas who's also in biotech from Arlington. And then this is something a little bit different and what we've been doing on Fridays is we've been doing video announcements. Uh
so Alex Overreet who was in multimedia and Holden West who was also in multimedia both had tried out and we made the determination that they were going to do our Friday uh announcements because they're both in multimedia and Alexander's from Lancaster and uh Holden
is from Actton. So they are going to make sure that our video announcements are all set to go every Friday uh once we get that up and running. So it's been great to uh work with them. We've already started utilizing our voices in the morning and I think with the number
that we have and the rotation there's always someone that's going to do the voice so they don't have to hear Mr. Deva's voice all the time over the intercom so it really works out well. Um just want to talk a little bit about bus ride app. So like I said uh we have
a new bus company we have a new app that goes with that bus company. Again, still working out some kinks, but I will say as a principal to have this app, it really helps me know and as it would for families, what is going to happen when
the day starts. Um, I now have the ability, which I never had before, to actually see where these buses are, uh, how long they are on route to coming to Minute Man. So, what I will happily say is we used to have to delay
announcements last year because we were counting buses to see when was coming and when we should start announcements because it's obviously more beneficial for everyone to be in school to hear those announcements. Now, we've had the ability to judge when to start and I
will say I've been able to start on time with the bell uh every time because we were able to watch. So, I I peek at the buses, the voice comes down, we look to see if all the buses have come, and we start doing the morning announcements.
And I will say from the start of school, um, we've had a couple delays, but nothing that we couldn't work around. I think there's a question. I think I see member Cabraw.
>> Yes. Um, we as parents we get the AM and PM schedule, but if your child is in sports or other activities after school and they don't get their usual PM bus route, we don't get the late bus or the
sports bus um route. Will that be changing in the future? Yeah. So, we did receive comments regarding that and we are working with North Suburban and the bus ride company to see how we can get that to work. >> That'd be great. >> I can't say exactly, but it is in the
works. >> Okay, great. Thank you. >> You're very welcome. >> Sorry, Paul. Have you um I I've heard from some people questioning the first person picked up, first person dropped off scenario and how it's been
making some kids stay on the bus for a very long time. Is that something still being tweaked? >> Yes. So I we're we keep looking at routes. Our goal is to minimize that. So, I think in a lot of my messages to families, the idea is we're trying to
minimize the amount of students are on buses. And that obviously means adjusting a little bit of stops. We're trying not to adjust too many stops because I think it's been calculated out. And before I even move on and say anything else, I want to give um Nicole
Marola a big shout out. Um she really spent the summer trying to make sure that everything was as smooth as possible. um she really gave it the time that it was due uh in order to make sure that happens and she's been fielding a lot of
the questions. She's been able to answer a lot of the questions, but whatever gets uh in a sort of out of her realm and comes over to me and then we kind of game plan from there and we do that with Mr. Tidley as well uh to try to figure out what we can do on those certain
things. So, I just want to make sure I state that Miss Marola has been one of the top communicators when it's come to buses and that's to the company as well. So, I do appreciate all her help with that. So, I'm going to move on if that's okay
to the final part which is our food service company. Now, as you know um we had gone to bid for a uh companies for food service. the bid was up. Um, I was part of the committee as well with Michelle Rosendez who is another person
that we need to thank because she's really done a lot to make sure that this company has been up and running and doing what they need to do. Um, Genuine is trying to do more healthy choices in a sense and things from scratch. Um,
that doesn't mean everything, but they do a lot of in-house cooking, which then in turn, um, is a healthier option for our students as well. I've informally surveyed students. I get a mixed bag and
I think the mixed bag is maybe because it's a little too healthy. Uh, so there's some feelings on that end of it, but there are feelings that, you know, this food is really good. um that the way that it's been cooked. I think the company's been very efficient even when
it comes to lines. I mean, I did take a shot of the um the actual uh kitchen where or the cafeteria where food is being served. We haven't had long lines, so it's been very efficient of students getting their food and coming back out. Um
their menu is is is always been posted as well. So, we've really been able to utilize them. We actually utilized them in general. We had a actually a bus meeting with the bus drivers and we were able to uh use Genuine
as a way of you know producing a small breakfast for them and even the bus drivers were like wow this is really good stuff. So um it's been a very good transition from what we had last year to this year. So a lot of great great great
transitions uh that have occurred. I know there's been small small incremental changes that have been going on throughout the school year, but like I said, the energy, the positivity, um has been
nothing great. I mean, it's been enjoyable to come every single day. Um, so there's been less of, oh, how come you're doing this or that to wow, let's try this and try that. So, I've been very excited. So, happy to answer any more questions, but thank you for letting me report,
>> Tara. Um, thank you Paul. That was great. I I um I enjoyed being on the Minute Man email because I can see the daily announcements and like the um the activity, the sunrise activity that's planned for the seniors. I thought, "Oh, what a special what a special event.
That just sounds really really thoughtful." My question is um wonderful that the Voices of Minute Man Group has expanded. Do you see them playing a a role potentially in any um enrollment engagement that we do with any of the
middle schools or would that be the role of the student ambassadors or is that TBD? >> No, we we'll take any way of of you know recruiting in any way. So if that means utilizing our voices, we'll definitely
do that as a uh as a way to get it not just the student ambassadors but Um I I can I can jump in on that before we sign up the voices for that when they they we hadn't necessarily planned that yet. Um typically it is the student ambassadors
>> um who get involved and go make the presentations at the schools. But after we had the practice um presentation with the staff last year we started to incorporate all different students because it's really important that we're looking at okay we need a student who
represents the trades. We need boys. We need girls. We need different staff members, not just our admissions crew. Um, so that did start last year and that will still um happen. So, might some of those voices kids be included? 1,000%.
But it's not necessarily a duty. And we have shifted away from it being a lockout presentation for just the ambassadors, which I think um was really a wonderful um move. >> I think that's nice. It's it's more inclusive and more representative of the
student body. That's great. >> Alice, >> um my question is about the lunch. So, it looks great. I just wondered a couple years ago there was um some lunch I think it was like the fourth lunch or something where there weren't as many
options available because they had run out. Is this company doing a better job with you know figuring out? >> I can answer that. So that was one of our biggest problems last year is that they would be out of options by the end
of the um lunches. So that has not happened. That was actually one of my oh my gosh, I'm not going to be able to sleep before school starts because that's something you can't really practice until you have all the kids there. Um but they they've done a great job. Um and when Paul says the lines are
going, they're not going with limited options. every single kid has access to all those choices and um it it's it's been knock on wood it's it's been pretty great and I'm excited for them >> to do um the try it Tuesdays to have
kids try different things and connect more with having kids be invested in what we do in there um so I I great >> yeah there but I want to echo one thing there have been a lot of small changes
that could have been big disasters. Um, and the amount of them, it seems like, oh, that's not a lot. But what, um, Principal Diva undertook this year and his staff, um, I really feel like has been a lot. And people have been
flexible with change, putting students first, and I just want to commend everybody, um, including, um, our leader, Principal Diva, for a wonderful school opening. Very good. Charlene,
>> just one last quick question about the lunches. Are the menus online? >> They are. They're connected to our website. >> Well, we use Genuine, so it's like a link to Genuine's uh because they produce the menu.
>> Okay. I just want to um think back a little bit to an item 6A, the picture of Heidi greeting the kids and to remind Heidi that one of the things we discussed when we were considering her for the
superintendency is the fact that in this sort of district and which is one building for the district, the superintendent being right in the building has the opportunity that most superintendents do not have, which is to be face to face with all the kids. And that's what makes this sort of district
so much more pleasant to deal with than a district in which the superintendent is locked in a high tower looking over the countryside at all the buildings that she might occasionally visit. >> And uh so that picture kind of wrapped
that all up for me. >> That was not a posed picture, by the way. We were sniped some I don't even I don't know where it came from. Yeah, >> somebody snuck it out. So, thank you very another comment. Sharon, go ahead. >> All right. I was just thinking about,
you know, Paul, I I did ask that question about the buses, but I would say that as a former parent, normally the first few weeks are horrific with the buses, and it sounds like they have not been horrific this year. There's been some bumps, but um I think that that's great. And I know that the
feedback that I've heard from some parents is that being able to see where their children are on the buses has been huge. Yes. >> Not not waiting forever. So, thank you for the all the changes that are happening. >> Thank you. You guys approved them. >> Charlene,
>> I I'd say that Lancaster is probably the biggest challenge because of the distance and we're getting through it. There are some bumps there, but we're getting through. >> Thank you. >> Okay. I'm sure we are going to hear a bus update during our October meeting.
>> Yep, we can definitely do that. >> Very good. Okay. Thank you. Is that the end of the principal's report? >> Yes. I just want to let everyone know I am going to be dropping off to go to the MP um the MPA meeting as well. So, if you see
me drop off, you know, I'm doing sort of double duty tonight. So, thank you. >> Okay. Thank you very much. So, I'm about to call on the superintendent and I I'm um noticing that uh item 7A, her first item, is her
proposed leadership goals for the coming year. I want to remind the school committee members prior to her presentation that these are the goals for which she will be formally evaluated at um the appropriate time for the
superintendent's evaluation. Um, I also want to point out that uh we don't have to approve her goals tonight. We have two options. We can either say they're fine and approve them tonight. We can make some
comments and have her do some revisions and, you know, come back and then vote next meeting because the goals are mostly the superintendent's thinking. But we do have an opportunity to look at them and and comment as well
if we believe that that is the case. So that's just a process comment. And on that note, we bring us to item seven, the superintendent leadership report. I'm very much looking forward to the superintendent's presentations of her
extremely ambitious goals for the year in my view. >> Okay. So um before I share my slide deck um I know you all received my full detailed goals. I did want to mention one change that I made um which was a
suggestion from a school committee member. Um so someone recommended that I remove most effectively in the goal um and just have we will um
address implementation of lottery regulations, graduation requirements and other short notice regulations in relation to Minute Man and the students we serve uh multi-year goals. So that is a tiny edit and that's out of the
suggestions that I've heard prior. Um that is one that I added and I am going to share not only with you my goals but a little bit about um the welcome back we had this year. Um
last year when I made my goals I worked with the e team to develop those and I worked with NISSUP to develop those. Um I didn't come to you uh excuse me I didn't share them with the staff until after I had already gone to the school
committee. Um, but I would like to make sure everybody knows the staff at Minute Man is super supportive, student focused, and I it was so exciting to be there on that first day um to welcome everybody back. Um, so I did share my
goals and I um, you know, opened up for feedback like I do with my administrators. Um, and see, uh, the first thing I shared was my overarching goal, which is not a, I
guess, a formal goal that, um, I'm rated on, but I changed a couple words, um, to continue to develop a sense of community founded in trust, professionalism, and transparent communication that is focused on Minute Man students. I feel like last year was a lot focused on the
adults because we have you have to have appropriate adult structures. Um and um this year uh overall um I want to make sure everything we do um reflects back to students. So I have four major goals.
The first one is implementing key state regulations and this is uh absolutely a multi-year goal. Um, according to the state's timeline, the district will have a uh broad recognition by key key stakeholder groups about the district's strategies and goals that will address
the implementation of the lottery regulations, graduation requirements, and other short notice regulations in relation to Minute Man and the students we serve. Um, so I will be sharing with you some information about the graduation requirements from the state
governor's um council. Um and I don't remember a year when we have this have had this many state directives and initiatives and regulations that um have come to pass. I actually right now um
you'll read about it at the end of the year I guess in my um report of what I've done. But something that um I'm doing right now is meeting with um every single sending district superintendent because our sending districts are
required to have a policy about um working with Minute Man and uh providing access to vocational education for all of their students in middle school. Um, so just yesterday I was at NHOBA working
with a a model policy that um and I have I have visits lined up with everyone else to make sure we're truly working um uh in collaboration. Um so that that is gigantic. Um and
that's just one little piece of what we're doing. Um questions about goal one? I don't want to take out the whole document because I know you've all read it. Okay. Some some people might ask, "Oh, what else is coming down the pike?" If the last of that cell phone um
regulation comes through, excuse me, law comes through, that may be something we'll address. Um we will most certainly be looking at graduation requirements again. And those those are so heavy because we need those in place before we can do anything else. That's the end
goal. So, we can't make plans for what happens before unless we know our end goal. Um, goal two is maximizing capacity. It's to ensure CTE program option sustainability, which means have lots of choices for our kids while maintaining Minute Man's high standards
for learning and growth. Um, we'll work with educators, students, and other stakeholders to reduce gaps in enrollment. Um so essentially we want to make sure that we're serving as many students as we can possibly serve and including um as many of our member um students as
possible. Um and a part of that goes with making sure that they have access to information correct information about our school and about vocational education. Um questions about that? Okay. Um, goal three is keep uh, by the
way, maximizing capacity also a multi-year goal. I know you saw that on my full document, but that is not something that can be done in 10 months. Um, keeping the district moving forward. Um, continue to establish clear practices and expectations not only for
teaching and learning, but also for professional practices that support long-term district goals for sustainable success. Um so one of those would be having um a CBA, a completed CBA um that's approved and we can move forward
with. Um another piece of that is evaluations. Um last year uh we put everybody um on electronic evaluations with rubrics and um we're on track to have that continue in the same way this year. Um, I want to give a shout out to
um Paul's administrative assistant, Rosemary, who is um learning um all sorts of aspects of Vector, which is the program we use to keep everything and she is um she's knocking it out of the park. Uh questions about that?
Okay. And my goal four would be as a professional practice goal for me um would be to continue the um new superintendent induction program year two. Tomorrow I actually have my first full day at I've already met with Cindy at least once, maybe twice.
I have my first full day training um at uh the Aspet Valley Collaborative with all the other year 2 superintendents, many of whom I saw today at Minute Man because we were hosting an event for police and firefighters with the district attorney. Um tomorrow I will do
that and I will leave a little bit early um to go to the Marramac Valley Superintendent Roundt where I'm now the co-leative chair. Um, so that is a what's happening in 24 hours and what's
happening with overall with the goals. Um, and I I know eventually you might discuss or talk about um what we're doing with these. Uh, maybe you want me to share the rest of my slide deck um before we get into that, but it's up to
you. Jeff, do you want to pause now or Oh, you're muted. uh how is it that you would like to proceed? Do you have other information you'd like to present to the school committee at this time regarding your goals? >> Um and regarding the opening of the school year that might inform um my
practice, >> why don't you move forward with your slide deck and then we will um have a discussion and possible vote at the end of that. >> That sounds great. Um so in addition to the goals, we can't just have goals, we actually have to have strategies. And I
found as a teacher when the district would say here are our big picture goals and I wouldn't know as a teacher how to implement those in my classroom. Um a lot of it seemed like a lot of lip service. Everything felt like a new initiative. So something we discussed on opening day is that our one of our big
goals is implementing state regulations. We don't really have a choice with those. And the part where we all can engage in that or can support those are with two pillars for the year which are engagement and ownership. Um so
everything we do with students with teaching and learning we want to bring it back to engagement and ownership. And if each individual department, each individual as a person, um, focus on what those mean to you as an educator and within Minuteman, um, we can all
find our own goals to support moving the district forward. Um, so one of the things, uh, we have this e-haul pass thing happening right now, um, which is, I feel like, uh, engaging students in their own, um, responsibility to check
out, come back to class. It it gives everyone a sense of ownership in a different kind of way. And we're using that language so people can recognize it. Um not only with teaching and learning, but also with supporting behavior, social emotional support. Um and a challenge that we set out on the
first day is when we are in our department meetings and when we are with our colleagues, um what do engagement and ownership look like um in our areas? Um something that uh last year well
every year we have lots of half days at Minute Man. Um it's about an hour and a half to two hours of professional development. Um it's really important that when we offer professional development, it actually does translate to professional development points um
and real learning. So teachers aren't wasting their time and saying, "I wish I would have just gone to write my lessons or correct some papers instead of doing this. Um so actually the signup sheet is already out. We sent that out already.
Um we have um our regular half days with many required things that we have to do like safety, mandated training, so on and so forth. Um but in the spring we have um a three or four days where we're grouping um special topics for people to
choose to get 15 PDPs so they can be applied to their license. And it's an actual meaningful um series of professional development and not just a one-off. Well, I went to a table, I heard about this, and then I moved to this table and I heard about
this. Um so, some of the topics are supporting English language learners, which you do. Everyone needs 15 PDPs and supporting English language learners to renew their license. Um special topics in special education. Um, everyone needs 15 PDPs to renew their license in uh,
special education. Um, we have another popular one already is introduction to artificial intelligence. Um, we have a a I can go into it more another time, but we right now have all of the staff signing up for what they prefer. We also
have something called self-directed professional development because not everyone needs PDPs. Not everyone has done uh some people have PDPs coming out of their ears. They don't need all of these. Or I'm a new teacher, someone without a professional license and I do
not need PDPs. I am taking graduate classes. I am doing all of these things that I have to do to move to my professional license and master's degree. So for those people who do not need or do not want one of these, I think we have like eight maybe 10 choices. um they may choose
self-directed professional development which means they will either do something through mass partnership for youth they're they identify what they would like to do as individuals and they can spend that time as they wish. Um let's see what else do you Oh and just I
want to say it was yesterday we added a series of professional development modules specifically for paraprofessionals. So there it's always an awkward group. Where do we go? How do we fit in? Do we just stay in the class and help with something? No. Um anybody who's in a
classroom needs support and they'll be able to select which modules. Um they'd like to use as well and um that's that is something that is happening right now. Um let's see. Uh I always share this at
the beginning of every year and remind people throughout to presume the positives, seek clarification and check for understanding. So that means if you say, "Oh, why is this happening?" We can't assume it's because people want the wrong thing or or an angry parent calls and says, "Hey, this is the worst
and I'm upset." We have to presume that whoever's calling us, whoever we're engaging with, has a positive reason. A passionate parent wants to support their child. um a teacher who's frustrated wants to do what's right for their
students. And an administrator um who is coming down with 9,000 different um directives, maybe um is not trying to annoy you, maybe is just trying to make things easier and need support with communication. We all we have to hear those things and um give each other
grace and I feel like overall Minute Man does do a good job with that. Um, we also had our service recognition for fall 2025. I would like to read the names if you don't mind. I'll go very quickly. Um, but this year instead of giving the everybody uh last year we had
to catch up for recognition and this year we had um everyone on the five, the 10, the 15. So um this is our group for our five years of service. Um, Nikki Andred, business
manager. Josh Buyu, computer technician. Cara Gre Gleon, librarian. Melissa Gorbachov. Um, administrative assistant CTE. John Lilburn, multimedia teacher. Um, Mike McQuilin, um, teacher in social
studies. Uh, Kathleen Michella, teacher in special ed. Jaclyn Okconor, guidance counselor. And Paul Diero, um, got a five-year pin after he was retired for 27 years. he's been substituting uh building sub for that long. We also
added Corey Dolan and Christina Ju Jen um to this photo because last year I had to hand deliver them their pins um because we um we had missed them on the list. Um let's see. Um we have people who received their tenure pins. Allison
Barry, design and visual teacher. Jean Boyd, metal fab teacher. Dylan English special ed teacher. Leel Gahan, psychologist. Kevin Hunt, mathematics teacher, Cheryl Kelly, psychologist. And we added um for their 11th year, Todd um
Mateko, and Todd McKinstry. for our 15-year pens. Um um we have Katie Bousard um director of CTE, Marilyn Chisum, parrot and special ed. Um Martin Mciny, I think that's how you say it. The Marty the culinary teacher.
Um Cheryl Mixon, administrative assistant and guidance. Ashley, oh, it kills me. Amy, can you correct me? Can you say this for me if you're there? Hapia.
>> Hapia. Thank you. I practiced this with Amy. I'm failing in public. Sorry, Ashley. Um, and uh, Al St. George, uh, electrical teacher. That's for 15 years. Um, our 20year pins, Carrie Bernstein,
math teacher. Pat Rafter, biotechnology teacher. Um, Margaret Tian, special ed teacher. We did not have any 25year. We did not have any 25-year, but we did have some 30-year. Um, Bruce Gerard, an
English teacher, Don Meansen, auto teacher, and we added John Fusco, who got a handdelivered um, pin last year. He's at 31 years. Um, so I want to congratulate everybody, and it really does make me happy when I see people walking around wearing their pins or
wearing them on ties. It's uh, or on their lanyards. It's just such a wonderful minute man pride piece and I I hope I get a a pin someday. Um the next thing I want to share is what's coming from the state. Um they actually had a meeting Monday so
I cannot update you up to uh that minute. Um but this is an overview of the conceptual framework of the graduation council work um that is being done um with the governor's group. They are looking at a vision of a
Massachusetts graduate which is interesting because schools were all doing these separately and it's connected to NAS but now we're looking at one state vision. They are looking at what does it mean? What should the learning experiences include? What does it mean to show mastery? Um what
defining college career and civic readiness and they're going to come out with some final graduation requirements from this committee. Um I think last time uh maybe it was Pam who was saying, "Hey, we got to respond to these surveys." And I said, "Oh, I
think they might be closed." Um they in fact were these were very short, um survey opportunities. Um and this is these are the responses they got. Um this is it the whole they you know
summer surveys are usually in not the the most uh don't get the most traction. Um, but this is the state council's timeline. It started last March. Um, I pulled this chart in July. That's
when they were looking at the survey information, not even taking surveys. And where we are now is they are sharing out what they are determining some best practices were. and their goal is to
have a draft report for what we will have for graduation requirements for Massachusetts in November. This is a an incredibly ambitious it it makes you wonder how they could do all that work authentically in such a short
amount of time, but seems like that is what's happening. Um, so this is just something about local graduation requirements. Um they are saying that most local graduation requirements are based entirely off
completion of coursework. Um and they did a little summary of that. I guess um PCG supposedly looked at district handbooks to pull this information and um the 117 districts that um report that uh
responded. And this is an example of things they were looking at last um last month. They're beyond this now is what other states are doing. Um so other states, Ohio, this is just one example. Um these
are their state graduation requirements. Complete minimum 20 units. Units are different from credits because they translate, you know, like college units would. Um they have demonstrating competency competency in ELA and math. Um and there are two a few different
options to demonstrate competency for them. All seem to be standardized tests other than military enlistment. Um and they have two diploma seals. So there's all sorts of different seals
like the seal of biiteracy seal. You notice there's an industry recogni recognized credential seal which I which is why I pulled this one up because to me as a vocational superintendent I find that is a wild seal to have because every single one of our students just
for OSHA would get an industry I mean it's kind of a low bar. Um, so I'm interested in the conversations and where this is going to go and I will make sure I am um I insert myself um everywhere possible to keep a breast of
that. Um I'm actually meeting with Denise Pigeon tomorrow after the roundt meeting, not only to look at um some samples that of policies that where we're supporting our comprehensive school districts, but also so she can give me a rundown of a deep dive into
the last batch of what's happening at the governor's council. So I don't know if you know this, Denise is the representative. Um she's MAVA president or p she just was the MAVA president, now she's the past MAVA president. she's the representative on the council. I'm
her backup. Um so I uh keep a breast of the of the whole thing. So that is a very tiny uh drop of uh what is going on and how I would like to frame my uh big picture goals. And I don't think any of
my goals should be one-year goals. I think if we really want to have sustainable um impact um on our school district and and with our kids, we need um multi-year goals. Um and that's that is my
presentation. >> I would like a uh motion to approve of the superintendent goals for the uh 2025 2026 school year as presented and then we will have discussion on those. moved
>> second. >> Second discussion. >> Okay. So, I'm going to just make a comment here. So, anybody reading watching this video, if anybody does that, >> one of the reasons why we may not have a lot of questions on the superintendent
goals is that we are familiar with all the items she brought under brought under it. So the question is not a surprise of the things that she wants to do. The only surprise is the um
willingness to be ambitious enough to have those as multi-year goals. Because one of the uh uh tricks that is sometimes done to make one look really well is to choose very easy goals to do
in a one-year period so you can always get the highest rating possible no matter what because people don't look at your goals. They look at maybe what rating you got from your school committee. That has not been the practice at Minute Man in general and is
certainly not the practice of uh Superintendent Driscoll. Those are extremely ambitious goals. I think they are pretty much the right ones for moving forward. We're familiar with all of them. Some of them are imposed on us by I think bad decisions by the uh by
the state and maybe the citizens of Massachusetts. Others are ones that we would want to pursue no matter what. But they are very very challenging goals and I applaud her willingness to accept the proper goals
even though they are are so challenging and multi-year and Pam has her hands up. >> Yeah. Ju just to add to that Jeff and and I really appreciate these goals. I feel like they're very comprehensive and while they are are multi-year
um I feel like the key actions are ones that are ambitious but doable and so that we are able to know well you know what what's necessary to accomplish within this next year to make sure that
we are moving forward on our goals. I just I appreciate that thought and how it's laid out. Sarah. Um I agree and I would also like to add um I'm excited to be part of the EMAC committee because if when I look at
goal number two maximizing capacity um in terms of looking at opportunity during uncertain times we Minute Man and other vocational technical schools are in a really interesting spot right now
when you think about what's going on with the future of work, what's going on with students coming out of college struggling to find jobs. What's going on with um generations of students not having um
the same level of soft skills? And when I think about the students at Minute Man, the curriculum prepares them in more ways than they actually realize. Particularly, I think the fact that they
are out in industry in some capacity, whatever their CTE is, they're talking to adults, they're talking to the public, they're gaining so many skills that help them in the future. And um that that's something I think that's a
lever, if you will, I think that differentiates the curriculum that I think parents are starting to pay attention to in terms of wondering like what is my kid's future with all the fast-paced technology and all of the changes. So that's an optimistic note. I
think we're positioned pretty pretty interestingly to address some of that. >> Any addition comments on motion on the table, Alice? I like these goals. They're very exciting. It's a optimistic way to start the year and um it just has
a lot of energy. So, I'm very happy with them. >> And Maggie, >> I I guess my two cents is the thing that came to mind as I was listening to this is I I think it's something that the kids say. Uh no notes. Um, I feel like
you did a very good job of two things. First, synthesizing the complex work that you know to Jeff's point, we all kind of know what needs to be done and you did a really nice job in those four goals of synthesizing it. Um, and then
it also brought me back and I think I think Sarah mentioned this too. Um, you had the slide that talked about presume positivity and I think that there is a tendency and I fall into it all the time particularly when things are coming at
us fast and furious furious from from um, Desessie of just throwing up our hands in frustration. And I think one of the things that was really helpful for me tonight was getting to see the slide with what Desi is doing with um kind of
analyzing graduation requirement options. And I feel like though we all might be a little frustrated by some of these things that your goals presume positivity and help us to kind of reframe and think about how those things might be opportunities. So, I just want
to thank you for that because sometimes that's challenging and you did a nice job of that in the goals and also in your presentation tonight. So, thank you. >> Any other comments before we move to a vote? >> Very well then. Uh I presume that people
do want to vote move forward with the vote on the superintendent goals. We'll begin with Pam. >> Pam Lacton. Yes. >> Sarah Montigue Arlington. Yes. >> Linda Herbston Bolton. Yes. Maggie Sharon Dover. Yes. >> Charlie Lancaster. Yes.
>> Sharon Mosto Lexington. Yes. >> Jeff Stanen. Yes. >> Lucas. So just to conclude that Heidi, I think that um you understand that the uh the
school committee is uh pleased, impressed, and very supportive of the challenging goals you have chosen for this year to be evaluated on and act and to actually do as the superintendent of the district. We're very pleased. >> I appreciate that very very much. Look
forward to the work. >> Item B, another fun topic. Continue, superintendent. >> Oh, I did give you the state update as my end slides. >> Okay, very good. >> Yep. >> Great. >> You're welcome. Shortest presentation
I've ever made just now. >> Great. Well, this is going to be shorter. Uh, finance report. My last is as chair. I'm not really in the chair anymore. We voted somebody else. I'm not going to give this report. First part. A, we
signed the warrants. B, we have to renew the copier lease and we're going to have, is it going to be Nikki talking about this or Drew or or are you going to shout over each other? What are you going to do? What do you want? How do you want to present this? >> Whoever you'd like.
>> It doesn't matter. I will share my screen and and um Drew, if you want to give a little background and then I can um >> and can I just add the reason it's coming to the school committee is because it's a five-year contract. Correct.
>> Correct. >> Um so go ahead. >> Yeah, I'll I'll introduce Drew since um you hear from me a lot. Um but we are proposing a five-year contract um similar to what we have done in the past. Um as Sarah mentioned, it's
bringing it's being brought to the school committee because it is a five-year contract. Um and any um contract that exceeds three years um requires school committee to authorize um a chief procurement officer to enter into that contract. So um the vote today
would be to authorize me as the chief procurement officer, the business manager to award um the copier contract and I will let Drew A Drew Okconor our director of technology and data systems give a little bit of detail um behind the copiers.
So, we have currently have a fleet of 12 copiers around the building and 11 around the building and one at Mil Street um from Xerox um through a a company in New Hampshire called Conway that we've worked with previously or
they currently have the contract. Um, since they are on the state bid list, I wasn't going to get multiple quotes, but I decided that it would be prudent to reach out to Kaneka Manulta, who we do use for the the large DVC copier. Um,
in uh we received both of them back. The Kaneka Manulta one did come in slightly lower. Uh, you can see that broken down and that is the cost over five years. Uh we talked through it with the finance committee for a couple of reasons. Um it
like the cost is negligible and it made sense um from a management standpoint to stay with Xerox. Um we would have to port all of our fax lines over. Yes, we still have fax lines. Um the American
Medical Association really likes faxes and so do nurses offices. So we still have a couple of fax lines. Um, also the Xerox copiers that they proposed to us. Um, all 12 out of the 14 use the same supplies. So like we only have to stock
four thing, four different toners for each color, right? As opposed to the Kanuka ones. They like there was three different models that they were proposing to replace the current ones and um and we would have to um
stock all of those and it would just it's it makes a lot more sense from a management perspective to just have to care about one thing. Um also we would have to buy out the lease of the copier on Mil Street when we moved into Mil Street a couple of what 18 months ago
give or take. uh we needed obviously somewhere for them to print. Um so we we signed a lease a three-year lease on a a copier at that point in time. Um however, we would like everything to be on one contract now. So the Xerox price
also includes that buyout uh whereas we would have to do it with Kuka. And um the estimated the the per click is uh on the larger copers from Xerox is actually slightly cheaper. So those are estimated charges but um we could save a
little bit more with Xerox. Um and that is the estimated print charges over five years. >> Add from a budget perspective um the increase is just about 3% um from the prior year with going with Xerox. So, um, again, you know, pretty
competitively, um, you know, quoted to us, um, and not a, you know, definitely within our current budget. Um, >> I also missed one piece. I'm sorry. >> Yep. Go ahead. >> Um, this both of these included adding
two more copiers. Um, we are trying to reduce the number of desktop printers that we still have in the building. Um, and some programs still have desktop printers in their spaces just because of the um, uh, closest copers a little far
away. Um, so this would add one by Cosmo and Culinary so we could get rid of both of the desktop printers there, uh, which are more expensive to print to. Um, so there would be one basically by the Cosmo desk and one back by the athletic director's office, which would help us with the printers in the athletic
director's office, the locker rooms, multimedia, and the music room. >> Is that the end of your report? >> Uh, I believe so, unless anybody has any question, but that's >> we're going to get we're going to get to the questions in a minute. I would like a uh to begin our deliberations. I'd
like a motion to authorize the business manager to award the copier contract for a 5-year period beginning October 1st, 2025 and ending on September 30th, 2030 as presented, please. >> Second,
>> right? Discussion, comments, questions. Maggie, >> I I just wanted to share with the full committee that the finance committee did hear kind of a longer report and discussion of this copier situation. Um, we were able to ask a lot of detailed
questions about, you know, there is like sort of a minimal difference between the Manulta Kanuka people and the Xerox people. And after hearing from Drew and Nikki about the efficiencies that would be gained by staying with Xerox, we did
ultimately unanimously vote to support the Xerox plan. >> Thank you very much. Further comments, questions, Sharon. So, as an educator at a school who's lived through multiple changes of companies of copying, I
completely appreciate although it is a little bit cheaper to switch the lack of efficiency and the people figuring out how to use them all and all that stuff. I I do agree that it's worth staying with the Xerox. >> I'll go further than that. In uh in
truth, when you have this sort of possible switch of companies, if the company you're working with is just a little bit more expensive and is proven satisfactory, it's almost never a good idea to switch unless the price difference is substantial. I mean, it's >> not a huge material price difference.
And honestly, the cost for toners by switching, we could be spending a fortune. It's the razor blade razor analogy. It's all in the accessories and so forth. Alice, do
>> you do you find the um do you find the uh service to be very responsive? >> Yeah. Um honestly, both of them are fine because we also have Kanuka for the DVC copier. If we call them, they are usually there that day. Some every once
in a while it's the next day. >> Well, that's great. I have one other question for you which pro probably nobody can answer but how many reams of paper >> does a high school the size of Minute Man use in a year? Does anybody know? >> It used to be a thing.
>> I can tell you something, Alice. Um Drew does have a record of how many pages each individual prints. So that is something that we've looked at by department and by individual. So, we don't want to put anybody on the spot yet, but that is something that we're
trying to help people with um to make sure that as an individual, we're uh maximizing our use of technology and decreasing our use of um uh paper. >> Yeah, I'm I don't mean to put any kind of pressure on anybody. I just was
curious. Um, you know, it's just always an interesting question and Minute Man used to be very famous for like um, you know, using a lot of pallets paper. >> I can tell you that we still love paper.
>> We do love paper. I I love paper, too. >> So, to to Heidi's point, we are also um with with the the service that we purchased through Xerox, uh, it's called Paper Cut. that allows the teachers to just scan their badge and they can release at any copier. Many of you have
probably used it. Um uh we can also start like uh some like annoying popups like are you sure you meant to print that in color? Are you sure you meant to print that not double-sided? Are you sure? Because you can just change it right now. So hope we're going to if we
continue to see more color and more not double-sided then those messages are going to turn on. >> Oh yeah. Did they not have the opportunity of printing any copier prior to this? >> Um when we the last copier contract, so
five years ago, we rolled out paper cut. >> That's gamechanging as well. >> Mhm. >> You know, it takes quite a little time to adjust to not printing color. My son uh advised me to switch to a black and white laser printer at one point and uh
that was an adjustment for me. I really had a difficult time with just being a black and white printer, but I don't care anymore >> and it's just it's just fine. >> At home, I have both and I use the laser printer 95% of the time unless those
rare incisions in which you really need color and it's much more efficient. >> Yep. Any >> Thank you very much. Yeah. >> Any other questions and comments on the motion on the table? If not, bring it to a vote. Pam
>> Pam Norakton. Yes. >> Sarah Montgue Earlington. Yes. >> Linda Herbison Bolton. Yes. >> Maggie Sharon Dover. Yes. >> Shall Lancast Lexington. Yes. >> Jeff Stan. Yes.
>> Ellis Custo. Yes. >> Heidi. Do you need the dog to get through most meetings? >> Cute. >> That certainly wouldn't help. I think we should have a meeting where we all get to show our pets. >> That's a cute dog. >> If we have pets.
>> I I have four dogs. Only one is loose and she's very sad, but I'll bring her back. >> My dog is at my feet right now. So, >> that is I believe the end of the finance report. Uh my understanding is that
there is no policy subcommittee report. Is that correct? >> That's right. We uh we worked all over the summer as you may recall and called you all in to work over the summer too >> and we will be um meeting to get all on the same page in the same himnil coming
up. >> Very good. So a few comments before we end the meeting. The first is I would like um the subcommittees to meet as soon as makes sense. Now, I don't want you to force a meeting just to do this.
Uh, is I want each subcommittee to create what they believe should be their goals for year and for the year and send them to Julius. We could take a look at them. The officers can take a look at them and present them to the full school committee uh uh to an accept for a vote.
So you should do that as as quickly as it makes sense for a committee to meet but don't have an extra meeting just to do this. Now some meeting some committees may not be meeting need to meet for quite a long time. Uh so again don't come up uh and have a meeting just
to do this. If we if it makes sense for you to meet later then we'll get your goals later and we'll add them up as we go along because some committees may not need to meet for the first half of the year. could be others will be very active very quickly but I would like uh
all the subcommittees when you do have your first meeting have one thing on the agenda discuss what your goals are for the year send them through Julia will collect and we'll take votes on them as they come along finally I I'm very happy my last comment today I'm very happy to see everybody
I'm I'm sorry that D had um uh computer issues which allow did not allow her to attend the meeting she did try I'm glad that Linda was able to uh come in from her her her vacation which makes us all very jealous where she is. Uh and it is going to be I like
the it is going to be a challenging year does not mean an unhappy year, right? Challenges can be fun when you have the right people moving forward to work on them. And we do have the right people here to work to work together on them
and we will be successful in doing them. And uh I I believe that moving forward we're going to showcase Minute Man as a place that has a a really good idea of what it means to be in high school,
what it means to graduate, have a um um an appropriate graduation uh requirement that other people look up to. That's what I predict is going to happen by the end of all the work that we're going to
be doing this year and and the following year. And Sarah's comments of course are are correct. Career tech schools do have some advantages in this current world over the purely academic schools.
um uh our our our closeness to the real world the fact that our students get both the academics and the job training that stuff is appreciated more now and it will be appreciated more in the future so I do look forward so when I
say challenging I don't mean a bad year I do mean more eedrant but I mean uh we will be working together on important meaningful issues and the work that we do will have an impact I think on other schools and
other districts because we have a leadership that really for has a lot of forethought and has been able to quickly go from who is this new superintendent to somebody that a lot of people are
looking to for advice that's why I see it any rate so with on that positive note I would like a motion to adjurnn please >> so moved Second. >> Very good. Pam
>> Pam Nurse Actton. Yes. >> Sarah Montigue Arlington. Yes. >> Linda Herbison Bolton. Yes. >> Maggie Sharon Dover. Yes. >> Charlene Lancaster. Yes. >> Sharon Ma Lexington. Yes. >> Jeff Stulan. Needam. Yes.
>> Alistister Lucasto. Yes. >> Very good. Thank you all. Have a great day and I will see you soon. >> Byebye everybody. See you later. Bye bye.